n a short time, Iza Calzado proved her mettle in dramatic acting (in both TV and the movies), her effectivity and efficacy in product endorsement and TV hosting. No wonder she has become one of the biggest pride of GMA Artist Center .

Ms. Ida Henares, head of GMAAC, is real proud of all the artists of GMA under her care, but she is understandably most appreciative and proud of the achievements that Iza Calzado has amassed. "She's really a wonderful and most talented girl," she said of Iza.

For having one of the most beautiful faces in Philippine showbiz today, and with her innate talent in acting, Iza has indeed made her mark. She has won many awards to attest to her talent in drama. Iza, who counts dramatic actresses Maricel Soriano, Hilda Koronel and Caridad Sanchez among her idols, acts like a veteran actress herself, and she feels very lucky that she has been given most challenging roles to play, both on TV and in the movies.

Iza was very impressive as Amihan, the Queen of Goddesses in "Encantadia," a hit character she played and which marked her as actress to reckon with the fantasy-driven market in 2005. The success of her tandem with Dingdong Dantes continued in "Atlantika," and the blockbuster movie "Eternity." Iza was also in another GMA top-rating fantaserye, "Etheria."

Among Iza's awards and nominations include Best Actress in 2005's 2nd USTV Thomasian Students' Choice Awards; was No. 4 in the 2006 QTV 11's Ang Pinaka Survey for Most Exciting Young Actress; Best Actress nominee in the 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival; Philippine Daily Inquirer 1 AM Super! Awardee in 2006; one of FHM Philippines Top 100 Sexiest Women in 2004 and 2006; Nickelodeon's 2006 Kids' Choice Awards Pinoy Wannabe Awards nominee; 2006 Yes! Reader's Choice Awards Favorite Actress of the Year nominee; 2004 28th Gawad Urian Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktress; 2004 Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation Awards' Most Promising Female Actress.

She also received nominations for Best Supporting Actress in the 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival (for the movies "Sigaw" and "Sabel").

For her beauty and talent, Iza naturally became a sought-after commercial model. Among the more than 20 commercial endorsements she has done were for Pantene, Globe Telecom, HBC, Belo Medical Group, Avon Fragrances, Close-Up, Rexona, Lady's Choice, Soda by Pink, Barcelona Brandy, Enervon and Ponds.

Iza's latest projects include "Impostora," a forthcoming drama series for GMA 7, and "Ouija," GMA Films' upcoming horror offering. Watch out for these two exciting projects.

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Nanay Curing super proud of her son Sen. Manny Villar

Together with some colleagues, we recently visited Mrs. Curita Villar, more fondly called "Nanay Curing" in her house in Las Piñas and many times over, she expressed how very proud she is of her son Senate President Manny Villar who she described as "napakabait na anak." Nanay Curing truly impressed us with her and her son's success story. With her son's wealth, Nanay Curing doesn't need to worry about anything; in fact she doesn't have to work anymore especially at her age of 84. But like her son, who's seeking reelection as senator, Nanay Curing is hardworking, and she couldn't afford to be idle. She has a little store in front of her house.

"Of course my son doesn't like me to work anymore, but I told him, I like to be with people, this is what makes me happy, and tending a little store isn't much work anyway."

Nanay Curing related that her family in Orani, Bataan made a living out of farming and fishing but when a fire gutted down the town, they were forced to transfer to Moriones, Tondo where they took on various odd jobs, including accepting laundry and sewing clothes. It was also in Tondo where he met and married Manuel Villar, Sr. (who hailed from Iloilo , a very handsome man who was also super mabait like her son Manny, she said). It touched to listen to her romantic anecdotes about their meeting and eventual marriage.

Nanay Curing acquired her first stall in Divisoria where she sold seafood for over 30 years. It was not an easy enterprise for her, who had scarce capital. Her children helped her in carrying the banyeras of seafood to hotels and restaurants. She would wake up hr eldest son Manny early in the morning to accompany her to the market and help her in the business of selling fish and shrimps. Her son served as her kargador, carrying 10 kilos of fish at a time.

Senator Villar is always proud to let everyone know of his humble beginnings, stressing that one can also be successful through "Sipag at Tiyaga."

In 1970, the Villars got an offer to cater food to a domestic shipping line which Nanay Curing did not hesitate to accept even if she knew it would be difficult. "Hindi ako natatakot," she recalled. She also ventured into fish brokerage at the Navotas Fish Port in Malabon and Divisoria. The Villar couple also embarked on patis and bagoong making.

Nanay Curing's maintaining a modest grocery store beside her house truly exemplifies "sipag at tiyaga," the virtues she vowed to pass on to her children. "Sabi ko nga kay Manny, ‘wag kalilimutang lumingon sa pinanggalingan."

It also delighted us to listen to Nanay Curing as she bragged about her being a "star" now, being on TV in that advertisement/endorsement for son Manny alongside topnotch talk show host Boy Abunda. "Lahat ng ito, dahil sa anak kong si Manny na nakapakabait na anak," she said again. "Lagi niya ako tinatawagan, tinatanong kung ano kailangan ko..."

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Jack en Poy, Hotcakes perform in Narvacan, IS

Crowned recently as Mrs. Centennial Region I in Honolulu, Hawaii is Anabel Gasmen Cabebe who's is slated to visit her hometown Narvacan, Ilocos Sur to post-celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker observed last May 13. Entertainment show is scheduled in the evening of May 10, to be preceeded by a motorcade at 4 p.m.

The beauty queen, who is a native of Brgy. Lungog, comes home with celebrities from Manila to give entertainment to her barangaymates, courtesy of her husband's Love Productions. Greg Nicolas, her better–half and a noted musician himself also based in Hawaii , attends to this activity with the assistance of Brgy. Captain Lourdes Cauton.

To perform in Brgy. Lung-og are the comedy duo Jack en Poy who are recording artists of Alpha Records, and the sexy sing-and–dance group called Hotcakes of Smart Records Productions.

Jack en Poy popularized the song "Tayo's Mag-shalala," while the Hotcakes sang the novelty favorites "Unang Himas" and "Magsisiran Tayo," among others, in their initial album.

Mr. Nicolas' sound system brought in from Honolulu provides the technical side of the show, while Mr. and Mrs. Graciano Gasmen host the whole group from Metro Manila.

Gasmen was last year's Mrs. Worldwide Narvacanean and she was crowned in Las Vegas , Nevada with no less than Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson as guest of honor.

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