Judy Ann Santos Hosts "Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition"

Judy Ann Santos will host the Philippine franchise of Junior Master Chef which will be aired over ABS-CBN. She will be joined by renowned chefs Fernando 'Ferns' Aracama, Rolando 'Lau' Laudico, and JP 'Jayps' Anglo as judges.

This is Judy Ann's first hosting job. But knowing how good a host her husband Ryan Agoncillo is, I'm sure she's always given pointers and guidance on how to do it expertly.

The show will have a Primer dubbed as "Appetizer: The Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition Primer" on August 20, a Saturday. Regular run will start on August 27. The pilot episode will introduce all the 60 Junior MasterChef hopefuls.

Watch the teaser trailer of Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition below.

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Nadine Samonte Transferring Network?

Nadine Samonte, one of the stars of the recently-concluded GMA-7 afternoon soap My Lover, My Wife, is rumored to be transferring network after not renewing her contract with her mother studio.

Samonte, who was discovered when she joined the Kapuso network's StarStruck, is reportedly being offered lead roles in major soap operas by TV5 and ABS-CBN – the Kapatid network with The Sisters and the Kapamilya network with the remake of hit 90s teleserye Esperanza.

Originally played by Judy Ann Santos, the role of Esperanza is a bigger opportunity for Nadine to showcase her acting capabilities. And not only that, the rumored leading man would be no less than Piolo Pascual! How could she say no to that? According to reports, Piolo will reprise the role originally played by Wowie De Guzman.

Piolo had also been part of the original Esperanza. He played the role of Bryan and it actually started the Judy Ann-Piolo loveteam.

ABS-CBN Launches a New Lupang Hinirang Video

ABS-CBN has launched a new music video of the Philippine National Anthem, Lupang Hinirang, with the network's brightest stars including Piolo Pascual, Judy Ann Santos, Sam Milby, and KC Concepcion among others.

The video starts with a running Piolo Pascual carrying the Philippine flag, and before the anthem starts, the Kapamilya network's president Charo Santos-Concio gives a very brief introduction of the anthem.

It's interesting to note that Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu were put together in this video (or was this done a long time ago?). I really hope they're a love team again.

Watch ABS-CBN's Lupang Hinirang music video after the jump.

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Ploning’s Journey to the Oscars Ends

Out of the 65 movie entries from around the world, the jurors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science has already chosen nine finalists. And sadly, Judy Ann Santos’s Ploning wasn’t one of the chosen titles.

It can be recalled that Judy Ann exerted so much effort in raising funds that she can use for Ploning’s campaign to the Oscars. Sadly, it wasn’t able to get in.

The nine titles vying for the final five slots who will compete for the Best Foreign Film category are:

Revanche - directed by Gotz Spielmann (Austria)
The Necessities of Life - directed by Benoit Pilon (Canada)
The Class - directed by Laurent Cantet (France)
The Baader Meinhof Complex - directed by Uli Edel (Germany)
Waltz With Bashir - directed by Ari Folman (Israel)
Departures - directed by Yojiro Takita (Japan)
Tear This Heart Out - directed by Roberto Sneider (Mexico)
Everlasting Moments - directed by Jan Troell (Sweden)
3 Monkeys - directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Turkey)

Ploning Gets Government Support for the Oscars

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) are giving Ploning, the Philippines’ entry to the Oscars, the much-needed support in its bid to make it as a nominee in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

The President and FDCP are shelling out P2.5-M to boost the critically-acclaimed film’s chances of making it to the highly-competitive, highly-politicized world of the Oscars.

The amount will go a long way in seeing to it that Ploning gets the attention it needs and deserves in the international film community.

The filmmakers are hiring a highly-recommended public relations company, Murray Weissman and Associates to make the film highly-visible. Its producer, Panoramanila Pictures Co., is also organizing red-carpet premieres and tapping Filipino communities in the US.

Ploning director Dante Nico Garcia, who came back from Los Angeles, reports that the Philippine consulate in Los Angeles, headed by Mary Jo Aragon, has been very supportive. Aragon herself has been sending electronic invites for the exclusive screening of Ploning for prominent Filipinos in California.

Filipino businessman Mike Cucueco is financing a premiere showing in California next month. Another prominent Filipino Ted Benito, on the other hand, is organizing another premiere also showing next month.

Meanwhile, Ploning has been getting good reviews among film experts in the US. Garcia reports that the Kodak theater, where the film was screened, was filled to capacity when Ploning was shown. He was told that it’s the first time in the theater’s history that this has happened.

“One comment that struck me came from a member of the audience who said that Ploning marks the first time a film from a third world country doesn’t tackle poverty or difficulties in life. That’s our edge. Ploning has a feel-good topic. It tells a story of love minus the anger,” reports Garcia.

He adds that the Filipino businessmen in the US are going all out in supporting the film, knowing that its victory will be a big triumph for the country. It will also boost their business as well.

In the Philippines, Ploning star Judy Ann Santos is also working double time. She is organizing two events: A celebrity auction at Plaza Ibarra, Quezon City on Nov. 28 and a red-carpet ball at Rockwell Tent on Dec. 3 to raise funds for Ploning.

The auction will see stars like Judy Ann, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino and others donating clothes, accessories and others to be auctioned off.

The ball, on the other hand, taps renowned artists like Ramon Orlina, who will auction off their works. Price per plate is P10,000. There will also be a raffle draw.

Judy Ann will bring in her expertise as restaurateur to draw up the evening’s menu.

“I wake up early to talk to Makati businessmen and ask for their support, too,” she adds.

Meanwhile, Judy Ann has just launched her Scents and Blends signature collection. The new product line is an offhsoot of a joint venture between Scents and Blends and Rev’lation International, Inc., the direct selling company which launched Judy Ann’s Baby Line in 2006.

Judy Ann is looking at the new business as a way of keeping herself busy and productive when she gets married to Ryan Agoncillo and starts her own family.

“It’s easy to combine scenes and come up with a new one,” she explains. Judy Ann adds that her collection is eco-friendly and water-based. She goes for a light cologne scent to feel fresh the whole day.

Business is doing well so far. Fanny Serrano reports that Judy Ann’s collection has gone out of stock in the US weeks after it first hit the market.

If and when Ploning makes it to the Oscars, Judy Ann promises she will give Angelina Jolie a bottle of cologne from her (Judy Ann’s) collection.

“We can also give them out as souvenirs in the Oscars,” Judy Ann declares.