Like others before it, the year 2016 was filled with joy, sadness, triumphs, failures and everything in between none succinct than in local show business.
Clockwise: Coco Martin Dingdong Dantes, Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano, Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richard and Maine Mendoza l Manila Bulletin
LOVE TEAMS
Love teams were the biggest draw in entertainment in the last 12 months, with the likes of AlDub, JaDine, KathNiel and LizQuen lording it over in terms of popularity.
KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla) made a big splash with “Barcelona: A Love Untold.” The film was shot mostly in its namesake Spanish city, punctuated by the couple executing their first-ever widescreen kiss which their fans deliriously approved. Total worldwide gross? 300 million.
LizQuen (Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil) found success in TV series “Dolce Amore.” Its final episode drew more than four million mentions on Twitter, and registered a national TV rating of 37.7 percent. According to ABS-CBN, “Dolce Amore” will soon start airing in Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Africa.
JaDine (James Reid and Nadine Lustre) gained more ground in 2016, transfixing audiences worldwide with their successful “JaDine In Love” concert series that made its way to the Middle East, Europe, US and Canada. The two publicly admitting their relationship spelled even more hit projects as “Till I Met You” and “This Time.” The latter earned 15 million on its first day, going on to earn more than 120 million by the end of its regular run in theaters.
Not to be left behind is AlDub (Alden Richards and Yaya Dub a.k.a. Maine Mendoza) whose make-believe wedding on Oct. 22 kept TV viewers all over the world glued to their seats. In fact, the #ALDUBWedding trended at number 2 worldwide on Twitter, as live stream footage flooded the Internet. Earlier in July, the onscreen couple's second film effort, “Imagine You and Me,” earned 120 million at the box-office.
PRIMETIME KINGS
Putting the spotlight back on the action genre are Coco Martin and Dingdong Dantes.
They star in two separate shows on rival networks: Coco on ABS-CBN’s “FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano,” and Dingdong on GMA’s “Alyas Robin Hood.”
“FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano” has received various commendations, including one from The House of Representatives which lauded the ABS-CBN primetime series for its efforts to promote crime awareness and prevention among viewers. Congressmen also endorsed Coco Martin as “Celebrity Advocate for a Drug-Free Philippines.”
“Alyas Robin Hood,” on the other hand, is also enjoying good ratings, heap big thanks to an engaging storyline and the superb acting of its lead stars. Apparently, the mild controversy it drew early on regarding alleged copying of CW’s “Arrow” did not ill-affect the show.
ON THE RISE
Turning heads this year via Willie Revillame’s “Wowowin” is comedian Super Tekla.
The stand-up comedian first appeared as guest on the show last August, and owing to his funny antics, was made a regular host. He is now gaining more acclaim via the Internet, with fans posting videos of his performances on the show.
Another fast-rising talent is Aura, the kiddie star from “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” who has since gained more following after pitting his abilities with Vice Ganda in the hit movie “Super Parental Guardians.”
COMEBACKS
Julia Barretto and Rhian Ramos are back on the limelight.
Julia ended the year successfully with “Kath And Vince And James” making it to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). It was a long wait for her, whose rise to stardom was seemingly cut short following several controversies. Many hope 2017 will be a banner year for the fresh-faced beauty especially since her new movie is one of MMFF blockbuster hits.
Rhian is also part of this year’s MMFF via “Saving Sally.” Many have commended her performance in the film.
CONTROVERSIES
While some stars focused on their career as if their lives depended on it, actor Baron Geisler, it seems, literally pissed his away.
Following his altercation with fellow actor Kiko Matos in a bar earlier this year (which led to an embarrassing bout inside the octagon under the URCC), Baron made headlines anew recently, following reports he pissed on co-star Ping Medina on the set of “Bubog.”
Though he has already apologized, the Professional Artist Managers Inc. (PAMI) led by president June Torrejon-Rufino, has ordered its members to not work with him pending notice.
Arnold Vegafria, Baron’s manager, assured the group he will refuse to accept projects on behalf of his ward until he is “mentally fit” and “psychologically stable.”
NOWHERE GIRLS?
When Kris Aquino left ABS-CBN this year, many thought she would be able to bounce back quickly given her much-touted star power. Well, not so.
While she was able to sign up with APT Entertainment, as of press time there is no clear word on what her next move is.
Sarah Geronimo, on the other hand, chose to lay low for most of the year, citing unspecified health issues that needed to be addressed.
She managed to make a bit of noise with her concert “The Great Unknown: Unplugged” doing good at the tills in November. She has been silent again since then.