Manila magic - March 1, 2006

Pairing for success
Judy Ann and Piolo Pascual will be starring in the television series Sa Piling Mo. The project, set to run for 26 weeks, is their first together after the success of the movie Don't Give Up on Us. Rory Quintos and Trina Dayrit are the directors of the series.

A different Valentine's
Ricky Reyes and stars of QTV11 celebrated Valentine's Day with cancer patients. QTV's stars went to the PCSO's Child House at the Quezon Institute and entertained the patients with storytelling sessions. Comedian Arnel Ignacio had his own fan following among the patients as he left them in splits with his antics.

Not together
Rica Peralejo and Mark Escueta are not into a relationship. Peralejo confirmed this while addressing a press conference for ABS CBN's latest soap Sa Piling Mo. The actress was rumoured to be seeing the Rivermaya drummer and the couple have been spotted together at restaurants.

Clearing his stand
Edu Manzano, Chairman of the Optical Media Board (OMB), has reaffirmed his stand by stating that no pirated versions of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entries were sold before the festival to boost its popularity ratings. The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) had accused OMB of selling pirated versions of MMFF films, creating an uproar in the movie industry.

The past is past
Claudine Barretto made up with Dr Manny Calayan by kissing him. Barretto approached the doctor during the Regine Velasquez and Olgie Alcasid concert and apologised to him. Calayan promptly extended his hand and Barreto immediately kissed him.

Readying for a fight
Manny Pacquiao is willing to train Jericho Rosales for his role in the film Pacquiao. Rosales plays the lead in the film based on the legendary boxer. Producer Rose Flaminiano of FLT Films International has got Pacquiao's trainer to teach Rosales boxing techniques.