DARNA  MANIA  RAGES  ON

MANILA, OCTOBER 31, 2009 (STAR) The fever brought about by today’s No. 1 primetime program, Darna, continues as viewers remain glued on television every night to catch the breathtaking adventures of the Pinay superhero.

The original Mars Ravelo comics classic has been soaring heights since its premiere. The viewers’ interest in Darna’s electrifying story has been translated into high TV ratings.

Based on data from AGB Nielsen Philippines, Darna posted an average household rating of 35.1 percent from Sept. 1 to Oct. 16 in Mega Manila while its competition logged an average of 26.9 percent for the same period.

Darna’s success is not only due to its powerhouse cast led by Marian Rivera (photo), Eddie Garcia, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Iwa Moto and others, but also because the action-packed and emotionally-gripping scenes have appealed to viewers of all ages.

In the story, Darna has overpowered the supervillains who wrecked havoc in their town - Babaeng Impakta (Nadine Samonte), Babaeng Lawin (Ehra Madrigal) and Babaeng Tuod (Francine Prieto).

It can be recalled that Darna was about to kill the evil Impi (Mura) when the latter’s twin sister Roma a.k.a. Babaeng Impakta jumped from the church tower to end her life. Roma’s body was buried but Impi’s was seized by Dr. Morgan (Ricky Davao) for experimentation.

Then, Armida a.k.a Babaeng Lawin arrived and attacked people. She wanted to get even with her brother, Father Mateo (Eddie Garcia), the town’s parish priest. During her fight with Darna, Babaeng Lawin accidentally hit herself with her own feather blades. But instead of expressing gratitude for once again saving the town, Darna was condemned by Father Mateo and his supporters for killing Babaeng Lawin. This caused the superheroine to feel reluctant in her mission to save the world.

But when Babaeng Tuod came in to sow terror and asked for Darna, Narda decided to save the world again. To destroy the giant driftwood, Darna set Babaeng Tuod on fire and threw her in a volcano.

Unknown to Darna, Babaeng Tuod did not die, but rather changed to her human form named Lucifera. She went to the orphanage where Narda lives. Impi, meanwhile, managed to escape the laboratory and went back to the orphanage to kill Narda.

Darna airs weeknights after 24 Oras on GMA Telebabad

WHAT  SARAH WILL WEAR  AT  HER  BIG  DOME  SHOW
                                              
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - When Sarah Geronimo mounts the Araneta Coliseum stage for her Record Breaker concert on Sunday, Nov. 7, she will look radiant in four gowns specially designed for her by four of the country’s foremost couturiers.

For her opening number (far left), Sarah will wear a green Avengers/Dominatrix-inspired jumpsuit with beaded details by Dennis Lustico, worn with thigh-high boots (by Guiseppi Zanotti).

Her second outfit (left) is by Rhett Eala.

The third (below, left), by Rajo Laurel, is a Sergeant-Pepper-inspired gold brocade jacket and passenmenterie details; the inner outfit is a gold mesh draped dress.

The fourth (below, right), by Cary Santiago, is a Swan Lake-inspired tulle outfit in black and white with quilted details.

(Note: Sarah’s concert is produced by Viva Concerts & Events, Inc.. For tickets, call 911-5555 or VCEI at 687-6181 local 627 or 620.)

Kapamilya stars register to vote (The Philippine Star) Updated October 31, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Kapamilya stars responded to the call for action in the 2010 elections by becoming active citizens in a special voter registration mounted by ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. in partnership with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“The special voter registration aims to encourage people to register and exercise their right to vote,” said Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Division.

Rayver Cruz, Rodjun Cruz, Cass Ponti, Princess Ryan, Josef Elizalde, Cris Pastor, Pokwang, Valerie Concepcion, Erik Santos, Mark Bautista, Angelica Panganiban, Shaina Magdayao, Mariel Rodriguez, Nikki Gil, Enchong Dee, Kim Chiu, and Diether Ocampo took time off from their busy schedules to register and appealed to the public to do the same.

Nikki Gil looks forward to casting her vote for the first time next year.

“Now, more than ever, we have to make a stand and move. No one else will do this for us and for our country,” said Nikki. “And on a personal level, I can say that I now have the right to complain because I feel that I actually have made a contribution to this nation by registering and voting,” she added.

Another first-time voter, Enchong Dee, believes there will always be hope for the country as long as people will do their civil duties.

Voter registration is until today.