JUST A THOUGHT: ‘If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.’ – Milton Berle

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HAPPY IN NEW HOME: New Kapamilya Aljur Abrenica can’t seem to contain his excitement in starting over a new leaf, so to speak. His transfer from GMA Network to ABS-CBN in late 2017 has been marked with remarkable progress. Aljur Abrenica “I didn’t think twice when they asked me to do a guest role on ‘(FPJ’s) Ang Probinsyano’ last year, the 27-year old actor told us during the first press conference for his latest soap. Some people thought it wasn’t a good start in a new environment. “‘But, I trusted they knew what they were doing,” he said. True enough, the “Probinsyano” appearance, which lasted more than a week, was followed by a highly dramatic episode on “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” where Aljur delivered an intense performance. He hopes to further hone his acting chops with the help of good directors, great material, and a new set of co-actors.

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NEW, IMPROVED: Aljur impressed the late director, Gil Portes, who directed him in historic drama, “Hermano Puli,” last year. His performance in the film based on the life of Quezon’s folk hero provided a new dimension to his acting, once maligned by some. It’s quite unfortunate that Aljur, a good actor in his own right, has been unfairly labelled a bad actor midstream in his career. It must have stemmed from having landed the lead in the TV edition of “Machete,” the wooden statue that comes alive at night. The role served as a perfect opening for bashers to call his acting “wooden,” in a manner of speaking. With a role like that, it seemed so easy, so convenient, even tempting, for critics aiming at being witty, to pass off one’s performance as wooden. For how else does one play the part of a statue but to act still and cold and, yes, like a piece of lumber?

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NEW SOAP IN BRIEF: Aljur’s new teleserye aired its pilot episode early this week. His co-stars are Julia Montes, Shaina Magdayao, and Paulo Avelino. Julia Montes Julia is Ana, part of a rescue team who aspires to give her adoptive family a good life. Despite being tough, her heart longs for her sister, whom she lost in a fire that killed their parents. Dedicated to her duty, she meets Gael (Paulo), the son of an influential family, who hires her as his personal nurse after she saved him from a mining incident. They fall in love. However, their budding romance is cut short with the return of Gael’s ex-girlfriend Samantha (Shaina), a famous jeweller. Blinded by obsession, Samantha plots to kill Ana to get her out of Gael’s life. Ana survives the attempted murder with the help of Xander (Aljur). In the middle of their brutal rivalry lies the biggest secret that can potentially ruin their lives – Samantha is Ana’s long-lost sister. Also part of the soap are Lorna Tolentino, Cherry Pie Picache, Lito Pimentel, Agot Isidro, and Nonie Buencamino.

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GETTING MARRIED: After the presscon, Aljur showed me pictures of his son, Joaquin Alas, on his cell phone. He said he’s always excited to come home from work to play with his son. He also admitted discussing marriage plans with Kylie.