Katrina Halili on Moving On: "Nadapa ako, bumangon ako, at inayos ko ang buhay ko!"

Kapuso actress Katrina Halili is back in showbiz refreshed and with a renewed spirit. And in her return, she tells her own story in an episode of the GMA drama anthology, "Magpakailanman," which airs this Saturday, January 26.

Barely a few years ago, in the midst of the sex video controversy the actress was involved in, the public saw a devastated Katrina Halili.  But now, a mother of a beautiful baby named Katrence (her daughter with boyfriend Kris Lawrence), Katrina has clearly moved on from her past and is ready to embrace new challenges life has in store for her.

"Nadapa ako, bumangon ako, at inayos ko yung buhay ko. Kapag nagkamali ka, hindi mo na kailangan sabihin sa mga tao na mabuti kang tao, kailangan mo lang itama ang pagkakamali mo at ayusin ang buhay mo," said Katrina.

Katrina hopes that by telling her story through the episode, she would inspire other women who may be going through very tough times to rise and move on with their lives.

"Gusto kong maisip nila na kapag may pinagdaraanan sila sa buhay e maikumpara nila sa bigat ng pinagdaanan ko. Yung tipong sasabihin nila na, 'Kaya ko 'to, si Katrina nga mas matindi pa yung pinagdaanan niya and yet kinaya niya, ako pa kaya?'," she explained.

Katrina and Kris will be starring as themselves in the said episode entitled "Ligaw na Diyosa: The Katrina Halili Story."  Also starring are Anita Linda, who portrays as Katrina's dear grandmother; Allan Paule and Timi Cruz (as Katrina's parents) and Marky Lopez (as Katrina's assistant and confidant).  Katrina and Kris' daughter Katrence will also have a cameo appearance (as herself) in the latter part of the episode.

Don't miss "Ligaw na Diyosa: The Katrina Halili Story" on "Magpakailanman" airing this Saturday, January 26, after "Kap's Amazing Stories" on GMA-7.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)

What Convinced Katrina Halili to Allow "Magpakailanman" to Feature her Story?!

 

Katrina Halili rose from being a Starstruck aspirant to being a TV goddess whose beauty and gorgeous body graced the covers of glossy magazines, tickling the fantasies of men and becoming the subject of envy among many women.  But as she reached the peak of her career, one scandal knocked her down to a ground deeper than where she had started.

A year later, she tried to make a comeback in showbiz but it was cut short when she announced that she was pregnant with Kris' baby.

Now, with a bouncing baby girl to inspire her and a supportive boyfriend to back her up, Katrina is back on track and is determined to make her story a source of inspiration.

"Actually ang hirap nga. Noong una pumayag ako kasi para sa akin okay lang na gawin nila yung life story ko kasi alam ko na merong matututunan ang mga tao sa mga nangyari sa akin, pero ang sabi ko huwag lang ako ang gaganap bilang sarili ko," shared Katrina.

Katrina had a valid reason for initially declining to portray herself in the episode.

"Tingin ko kasi magkakaroon na naman ng issue at ayaw ko na ng gulo, ayaw ko na ng may issue kasi nananahimik na ako diba? Pero ininsist nila sa akin na ako na lang tapos nung nabasa ko na yung script okay naman pala siya, hindi siya yung tipong pagmumulan pa ng panibagong issue at hindi naka-focus din dun sa dating issue," she explained.

Since the sex video scandal she was involved in was a major pivot point in her life's story, including it in the episode is inevitable.  Katrina, however, clarified that the episode will not dwell so much on that incident.

"Parang dinaanan lang.  Kasi kung hindi mo dadaanan, parang magkakaroon ng question sa utak ng mga manonood na parang, 'So ano ang nangyari?' So dinaanan lang," the actress said.

The "wounds" caused by the incident may not have completely healed yet and dramatising the scandal on TV could stir another round of discussion about the almost forgotten issue.  But Katrina is not deterred.  Instead, she is determined to make her life story a testament that every one deserves a second chance.

"Kaya rin talagang gusto ko siyang ilabas ay para ipakita sa mga tao na yung mga problema ay kayang daanan lahat 'yan, at lahat tayo -- kahit sino ka man -- ay binibigyan ng problema pero iba-iba lang. Kahit ano pa man 'yan, kayang lagpasan 'yan at makakabangon tayo," she said.

"Gusto kong ipakita sa kanila na eto ako, OK pa ako ngayon, nakakaharap ako sa tao kahit alam kong hindi naging maganda ang past ko.  Hindi ko ipinagmamalaki yung past ko pero tao lang ako, nagkakamali din ako pero at least sinusubukan kong mag-improve ako," she added.

Watch "Ligaw na Diyosa: The Katrina Halili Story" this Saturday (January 26) in "Magpakailanman" after "Kap's Amazing Stories" on GMA-7.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)

"Sarah Lahbati Clearly Violated Her Contract with GMA Network" - GMA-7's New Statement Regarding the Sarah Lahbati Issue!

GMA-7 released their latest statement regarding the issue of their homegrown artist Sarah Lahbati. In their newest statement, the network stressed that the young actress clearly violated her contract with the network.

 Here is the latest statement of the Kapuso network sent to TV Series Craze via email. It reads:

Sarah Lahbati’s Artist Management Contract with GMA Network is effective until February 21, 2015.  There is no provision for leave of absence in said contract.  Any leave is subject to prior agreement between the Network and Sarah.  Therefore, Sarah’s unilateral decision to go on leave, despite its earlier disapproval by the Network, is a violation of her contract with the Network.  Further, her declared trip to Switzerland for an indefinite period, without the prior consent and approval of the Network, will be an additional violation of her contract.

Sarah, who is exclusively managed by the Network, earlier signed a co-management contract with Royal Era Entertainment & Artist Management, the talent management company of Annabelle Rama, the mother of Sarah’s current boyfriend, Richard Gutierrez.  Such act violated the terms of her contract with the Network.  The Network would have had no choice but to sue Sarah and Royal Era Entertainment for the said breach if they refused to rescind said co-management contract.

Coincidentally, it was after the Network required her to cancel her co-management contract with Annabelle’s Royal Era Entertainment that Sarah unilaterally declared her going on a one-month leave of absence.  This was rejected by the Network due to the vague and unsubstantiated reasons she gave which were to de-stress and unwind.

Despite the rejection of her leave, she ceased to honor her commitments with the Network including her being part of the Network’s Sunday variety show Party Pilipinas.  Under the provisions of her contract with the Network, specifically Paragraphs 1.3 and 1.4, it is clearly stated that the “artist shall perform the role and appear in the television programs, projects and events assigned to her, and conscientiously fulfill faithfully and promptly any and all engagements/booking contracted to her by GMA”.

The reported incident of her walk-out during a taping of the Network’s new show, Indio , on the other hand, is still being investigated.  The Network welcomes her denial since it will expedite the investigation and the actions that will be taken by the Network.  The said incident caused the production team to pack-up and incur substantial, additional and unnecessary costs.

In her tweets, Sarah stated that she left the taping of Indio to appear in her scheduled guesting on November 10 in Eat Bulaga, the top-rating noontime show of GMA.  However, Sarah did not take part in the November 10 episode of Eat Bulaga.  It was on November 24 – two weeks after the walk-out incident – when she finally appeared on the show.

Sarah also mentioned in her tweets her supposed referral by some of the Network executives to ICONS Management.  The Network has not authorized any such referral.  The concrete actions already made by the Network on this matter prove that the Network promptly attends to and acts on complaints or information brought to its attention.

The Network considers this incident with Sarah very unfortunate especially because the Network has greatly invested in Sarah, who is one of the priority stars of the Network.

Sarah is a home-grown exclusive talent of GMA Network.  She was discovered through the Network’s reality search, Startstruck, and since then has been given numerous projects including Time Of My Life, Kokak, Makapiling Kang Muli, etc.  She is also part of GMA’s upcoming primetime show, Indio , and stars in GMA Films’ Basement.  The Network’s Talent Development and Management Department has likewise arranged major endorsements for Sarah.

Sarah is a product of the network's hit artista reality search "Starstruck." She was launched in the daytime fantaserye "Kokak." Afterwards, she was paired to Richard Gutierrez (who eventually becomes his real-life boyfriend) in the Primetime drama series "Makapiling Kang Muli." This year, she is set to star in the thriller-erotic film "Seduction" under Regal Films and in the epic-serye "Indio."(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com) 

Is Ian Batherson the Next Starstruck Hunk to Transfer from Kapuso to Kapamilya Network?!

After Paulo Avelino, another Kapuso hunk actor and also a product of their artista reality search Starstruck is now rumored to transfer to the Kapamilya network. He is no other than Ian Batherson!

Ian is Starstruck V alumnus. He even joined another Kapuso reality show "Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Showdown" last year.

Though nothing is not yet official, the rumor was confirmed by Ian himself via his official Twitter account. Last August 24, he tweeted the word "Kapamilya!!!!!" which gave speculations to many.

Then early in September, Ian tweeted: "Got more things coming up in my career MALAKING changes. Makikita mo ko sa big screen soon. ;) work hard play hard ppl!"

After his Starstruck and Survivor Philippines days, Ian only got one TV series in GMA-7. And this is the afternoon soap "Sisid" together with Jackie Rice and JC Tiuseco. This maybe one of the reasons why he is set to transfer to the rival network.

If the transfer of Ian to ABS-CBN pushes through, then he will be the next Starstruck alumni to switch network following the footsteps of Johan Santos, his batch mate Piero Vergara, the late Tyron Perez, Paul Salas (Starstruck Kids), Jewel Mische, Megan Young, Cristine Reyes and Paulo Avelino!

Aside from Starstruck V, Survivor Philippines, and "Sisid," Ian is also seen in TV via diferent commercials like Close Up and Charmee with Sarah Geronimo. He is also part of this year's Cosmomen Centerfolds and will ramp tonight in the annual Cosmopolitan Bachelors Bash for the second time!

What do you think about this transfer of Ian Batherson to the Kapamilya network? Will it be better for him to switch station or stay to his home network and wait for the right project to come?! You are free to express your thoughts and opinions.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)

Mark Herras Got a New Hairdo for The Book 3 of 'Luna Blanca!'

Badboy of the Dance Floor Mark Herras arrived at the press conference of "Luna Blanca" on Tuesday sporting a new hairstyle. The kapuso leading man will portray the 'older' version of Joaquin when the series premieres its third and last installment beginning September 10. The younger Joaquin was portrayed by tween star Kristoffer Martin.

Mark said that his new hairstyle has nothing to do with his character in the series.

"Actually po bago ako nagpagupit ng ganito, sinabi ko po kay direk (Dominic Zapata) kung pwede po akong magpagupit ng ganito. Sabi naman po ni direk na OK lang pero siguro by the time na isu-shoot na ang first week na episodes, kailangan mejo tumubo na yung buhok ko sa gilid," he said.

And who's the inspiration behind his new look? "David Beckham po kasi ang ginawa kong peg diyan (laughs)," Mark said.

The Big Challenge Ahead

In the third book of "Luna Blanca," Mark's character requires very serious acting -- something that Kristoffer Martin did quite well in the previous season. Does Mark feel pressured given that he's expected to surpass the performance of his younger co-star?

"Ang pinakamalaki talaga na challenge para sa akin ay ang pagiging singer ni Kristoffer. Alam naman ng lahat na hindi talaga ako kumakanta (laughs)," he quipped.

Asked about the status of his relationship with actress Ynna Asistio -- his girlfriend for close to five years now -- he said that although sometimes they have misunderstandings once in a while just like most other couples, their relationship has remained strong.

"Ngayon mejo wala kaming time para sa isa't isa kasi pareho kaming busy sa trabaho pero kung may chance po talaga nagkikita po kami," said Mark.

Watch the last book of the multi-generational fantasy series every weekday evening beginning September 10 on GMA-7.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)