GP EXPRESS: JENNYLYN MERCADO

Jennylyn Anne Pineda Mercado (born May 15, 1987 in Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, Philippines) is a Filipina actress and singer. She was the winner of the first season of StarStruck, a reality-based talent search show of GMA Network in the Philippines.

Career
Jennylyn started out as a recording artist, in 1999, with Alpha Records through the recommendation of her voice coach Susanna Pichay. She was with the singing group G4 of Nonoy Tan. Unfortunately, two of the co-members did not continue on so the group and the planned album was scrapped. But the group was able to record two songs. After G4, she went into modeling and landed an endorsing stint with Bambini cologne and a Ponds television advertisement. She also made it to the elite Circle of 10 modeling search along with fellow StarStruck member, Dion Ignacio winning the Ms. Photogenic title. Prior to joining StarStruck.
In 2003, Mercado joined the reality show StarStruck and together with Mark Herras were proclaimed the winners of the show. Each of them received one million pesos plus exclusive contracts from GMA Network. After winning StarStruck, she has appeared in several films including So Happy Together and the teen-flick Let the Love Begin. In television, she has appeared in the fantasy soap opera Encantadia, I Luv NY, Now and Forever, entitled Dangal, Super Twins, Sine Novela: Paano Ba Ang Mangarap?, SRO Cinemaserye: Suspetsa, Ikaw Sana and Sine Novela: Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak (TV Series).
She released her first album living the Dream containing original compositions by composer Vehnee Saturno and a carrier single titled "Kahit Sandali". In May 2006, Mercado released her second album, Letting Go which included the single "Sa Aking Panaginip" by Vehnee Saturno.Her first major concert was held on May 15, 2006 at the Music Museum in Greenhills. In January 2010, under VIVA Records, she released her third album titled, "Love Is... Jennylyn Mercado".
Last May 15, 2009, she had her birthday concert at The Music Museum, entitled, I Am Woman with guest stars Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs, Richard Poon and Mark Herras. The concert ran for three hours and it was a Sold Out affair.
Jennylyn's acting career is being handled by Becky Aguila and VIVA Entertainment, Inc. While her singing career is managed by VIVA Records alone. 

Personal life
On May 4, 1991, when she was nearly four years old, she made headlines as a battered child. Her assailant was her stepfather, who burned her skin with cigarette butts and whacked her back with a flat iron. Her mother, who was then in Dubai working as a domestic helper, immediately came home. She came not to take care of her daughter, however, but to bail out her partner, who was in detention. Mercado's life story was featured in the weekly drama anthology Magpakailanman on October 14, 2004. She is now the official spokesperson of the Bata Foundation (Christian Mission Services), a non-governmental organization.
She is the former girlfriend of co-StarStruck survivor Mark Herras. They started dating on April 29, 2004 and broke up on September 2005.
She then got pregnant by her ex-boyfriend Patrick Garcia, who, reportedly, has distanced himself upon learning about the pregnancy. On August 16, 2008, she gave birth, via Caesarian section (8-9 p.m.) to an 8.12 pound (3.68 kg) baby boy at St. Luke's Hospital, Quezon City. Her child's name is Alex Jazz "AJ" Mercado.
On April 9, 2010, Jennylyn Mercado and actor, Dennis Trillo, admitted that they are "exclusiveyl dating" after a Philippine Tabloid released photos of them holding hands while strolling in a shopping center in Hong Kong.
Last October 28, 2010, Jennylyn was reportedly rushed to the hospital due to a minor heart attack.

GP EXPRESS:ANGEL LOCSIN

Angel Locsin (formerly Angelica Colmenares born on April 23, 1985 in Bulacan, Philippines) is a Filipina television and film actress and commercial model. Aside from this, she is also a film producer and fashion designer.
She starred in the fantasy-themed television series Mulawin in 2004. Soon after, she starred as the superheroine Darna in the TV adaptation of the Mars Ravelo comics. When her contract expired on March 2007, Locsin did not renew her contract with GMA Network and signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN. Her first project under ABS-CBN was the television series Lobo. Locsin starred in her first box office movie under Star Cinema, Love Me Again, directed by Rory Quintos.
She is currently the lead star in ABS-CBN's Imortal, the sequel of her first ABS-CBN series, Lobo opposite John Lloyd Cruz.

Early life and education
Locsin was born in Santa Maria, Bulacan. Her parents separated when she was 14 years old and she has since lived with her father, Angelo Colmenares. 
Locsin had her elementary education in St. James College, Quezon City and finished high school at the University of Santo Tomas High School, Manila. In August 2007 she attended a short-course for fashion design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London.
Career
Early work
Locsin was discovered by a talent scout when she was shopping at SM City North EDSA in Quezon City.[1] She then auditioned for several commercials. She was supposed to be a part of ABS-CBN's Star Circle Batch 9, but failed to sign a contract because her father opposed the idea.[citation needed] After a year[when?], she became a contract star of GMA Artist Center, first appearing on the 1999 teen-oriented series Click. Locsin was also included in the cast of Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw Pa Rin. In 2004, she starred in All Together Now.

GMA Network
On August 2, 2003, Locsin starred in Mulawin, where she portrayed "Alwina", opposite Richard Gutierrez, who played "Aguiluz". The show ended on March 18, 2004.
After Mulawin, Locsin played the title role ("Darna") in the fantasy television series Ravelo's Darna. Since then, she has worked in TV commercials and endorsements, as well as film projects, enhancing her popularity in the Philippines.
On March 20, 2006, Locsin starred in another fantasy television series, Majika. She played the role of Sabina, the elder daughter of Ayesa and Garam which were played by Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi. She was paired with Dennis Trillo playing the role of Argo. It ended on September 29, 2006.
In 2007, Locsin starred in Asian Treasures with action star Robin Padilla. It was the first Philippine TV series that was shot in multiple countries such as Mongolia, Thailand and China. It aired on January 15, 2007 and ended June 29, 2007, which turned out to be her last project for GMA.
ABS-CBN
On August 11, 2007, Locsin signed a two-year exclusive contract with ABS-CBN., where her first assignment was an episode in Maalala Mo Kaya.
On January 28, 2008, Locsin launched her first drama series (teleserye) in ABS-CBN entitled Lobo where she was paired to Piolo Pascual. It premiered with a rating of 27.7%. By the end of the series, it got the highest rating of 33.4% in the nationwide ratings game conducted by NUTAM Ratings.The series ended on July 11, 2008.
In 2009, Locsin launched the TV series, Only You, a Philippine remake of the Korean drama of the same title aired by SBS (South Korea) in 2005. She stars with Sam Milby and Diether Ocampo, directed by Rory Quintos which aired last April 27, 2009 at ABS-CBN Primetime.

Films
 Angel Locsin during the premier of Love Me Again in Los Angeles, California
Locsin first starred in films such as Ping Lacson Supercop, Mano Po 2, Kuya and Singles. In 2004, Locsin starred in the films Mano Po 3 and Sigaw which both included in 31st Metro Manila Film Festival. 
In 2005, GMA Films released the film, Let the Love Begin starring Locsin with Richard Gutierrez, Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras, directed by Mac Alejandre. It grossed PHP 122 million at the box office. She also reprised her role as Alwina in Mulawin: The Movie with Richard Gutierrez. In early 2006, Locsin starred her second valentine movie film with GMA Films, I Will Always Love You with Richard Gutierrez and directed by Mac Alejandre. She starred the Filipino horror film, TxT and in 2006's Metro Manila Film Festival offering, Mano Po 5. 
In early 2007, Locsin also reunited with Richard Gutierrez in The Promise where their roles were considered more mature than their last film. This was her last film with GMA Films before she signed a contract with Star Cinema.
Locsin had also produced her own film entitled Angels, which was shown in theaters on April 12, 2007.
In 2009, Locsin starred in her first movie under Star Cinema, Love Me Again.The film was shot in Impasug-ong and Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Other scenes were also shot in Darwin, Australia. The film premiered on January 15, 2009.
 Personal life
On April 23, 2007, Locsin celebrated her birthday with GABRIELA Foundation, an NGO that supports women and children. On April 20, 2008, Locsin organized a gift-giving to the less fortunate children in Payatas, Quezon City and gave poor children food, clothing and other basic needs. It was her birthday gift supported by her sponsors.

GP EXPRESS: BEA ALONZO

BEA ALONZO (biography)
Phylbert Angellie Ranollo Fagestrom (born October 17, 1987), popularly known as Bea Alonzo, is a Filipino film and television actress, and singer. She is currently part of ABS-CBN contract talents.

Early Life
Phylbert Angellie Ranollo Fagestrom was born on October 17, 1987 in the Philippines. Her father is British, and her mother is a Filipino. She attended her elementary education at Ususan Elementary School in Ususan, Taguig City.
 Career
In 2003, at age 15, Alonzo joined the TV drama Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay. She later appeared in soap operas like It Might Be You, Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin, Maging Sino Ka Man and Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik.
In June 2008, Alonzo released her debut album The Real Me under Star Records. It was also in mid-2008 when was announced to play the leading character Betty Pengson in the TV sitcom Yo Soy Betty La Fea originated from Colombia. The Philippines version which was entitled I Love Betty La Fea. The show premiered on September 2008 at the primetime slot, ran for six consecutive months.

GP EXPRESS: MARIAN RIVERA

Marian Rivera (born Marian Gracia Rivera on August 12, 1984 in Madrid, Spain) is a Filipina actress and occasional singer-dancer. Her first TV role came in 2005 via TAPE Inc.'s afternoon drama, Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako in the lead that was aired in GMA Network. In 2007 she was cast for the title role in the Philippine remake of MariMar, she dubbed as the Queen Of Primetime. she released two studio albums Marian Rivera Dance Hits and Retro Crazy sold 75,000 copies. she currently signed with GMA Network.

Marian Rivera was born in Madrid, Spain to Francisco Javier Gracia Alonso, a Spaniard, and Amalia Rivera , a Filipina of Caviteña and Spanish descent. She is currently in a relationship with Dingdong Dantes

Rivera first starred in an afternoon soap operas for TAPE Inc. and GMA Network including Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako, Agawin Mo Man Ang Lahat and Pinakamamahal along with Oyo Boy Sotto. She was also seen in Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay Ka Fairy Ko: The Legend Continues, also with Oyo Boy Sotto. Later GMA Network cast her into mother roles for the afternoon Philippine-Malaysian drama Muli with Alfred Vargas and Super Twins were Jennylyn Mercado and Nadine Samonte play as her twin daughter.

Rivera formally signed a contract in GMA Network and starred the title role of MariMar, which premiered on August 13, 2007 reached 52.6% ratings on its finale.  Later, Rivera was awarded in GMMSF Inc. in the 38th Box-Office Entertainment Awards.
In 2008, Rivera played the role of Dyesebel. Rivera played the role of a mermaid under the ocean. It aired on April 28, 2008. She was also seen with Dingdong Dantes in their 3rd drama show together, "Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang".
In 2010, Rivera along with Dingdong Dantes will be back on primetime television via the TV remake of Endless Love.

In 2006, Rivera signed a contract for Regal Films that she was cast in the horror movie, Pamahiin along with Dennis Trillo and Iya Villania.
Rivera also starred in two MMFF movie entries such as Bahay Kubo and Desperadas.In 2008, Rivera starred alongside Richard Gutierrez in the romantic comedy My Best Friend's Girlfriend where it grossed PHP 107 million. 
In 2009 she then played the role of Nieves, The Engkanto Slayer in a title episode of Shake, Rattle & Roll X, an MMFF entry. She also worked with singer and songwriter Ogie Alcasid and the Desperadas cast, for the sequel, Desperadas 2. She also starred in the horror movie, Tarot along with Dennis Trillo and Roxanne Guinoo.
In early 2010, she and Dingdong Dantes were reunited in You to Me Are Everything, a romantic comedy film.

GP EXPRESS: SARAH GERONIMO

Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo (born July 25, 1988) is a singer, host, model, dancer, and actress from the Philippines. Geronimo started her career at a young age and appeared in children's variety shows such as Pen-pen de Sarapen, Ang TV and NEXT.
Geronimo won the Star for a Night singing competition and released her first album Popstar: A Dream Come True in 2003.Following her debut, she recorded five more albums: Sweet Sixteen in 2004, Becoming in 2006, Taking Flight in 2007, Just Me in 2008, and Music and Me in 2009. She also recorded a Christmas album, Your Christmas Girl, in 2009.Geronimo has had a series of concerts at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila and several world-wide concert tours, often done in conjunction with a new album or movie appearance.
Sarah Geronimo, aside from being a singer, is also a TV and movie actress. She appears in television with the musical variety show, ASAP Mania. As for her movies, she starred in the movies A Very Special Love and its sequel, You Changed My Life, which is the highest-grossing Filipino movie as of 2010, with box office receipts of over ₱400 million. In 2010, she is nominated as Best Actress in FAMAS awards due to her outstanding performance in You Changed My Life
In 2010, Geronimo received the "Entertainer of the Year" award from Aliw Awards Foundation in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the field of entertainment, making her the youngest Filipino artist to receive such award. Aside from the Entertainer of the Year award, Geronimo also won Best Female Major Concert for her sold-out Araneta show "Record Breaker."
Life and career
Childhood and early beginnings
Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo was born on July 25, 1988 in Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines, to Delfin Geronimo, a retired Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) employee, and Divina Geronimo, who ran a beauty parlor from the family home.
Geronimo’s first performance was in a mall show when she was two years old. At the age of four, she made her first appearance in the national television and was a member of the children's television show Pen-Pen de Sarapen for two years. At six, she performed at a short concert at Isetann Cinema Complex on Recto Avenue in Manila. She sang for Pope John Paul II during his visit to the Philippines in 1995, when she was eight. Also at the age of eight, her father enrolled Geronimo at the Center for Pop Music Philippines, where she received her first formal music and voice lessons. Geronimo also performed in hotel lounges, on campuses, in shopping malls, and on a few TV shows. Around this time, she was part of the cast of the ABS-CBN children's show Ang TV. At the age of nine, she joined the cast of the TV show “NEXT”. She also played a cameo role in Star Cinema’s Sarah, Ang Munting Prinsesa.

 2002–2003
In 2002, Geronimo's family's financial problems inspired her to compete in the Star for a Night competition, hosted by Filipino pop singer Regine Velasquez. At the age of fourteen, Geronimo won the competition, which included a ₱1 million cash prize and a managerial contract to Vicente Del Rosario, owner of Viva Artists Agency. She was also given the title of Pop Star Princess. Her mother said, "Her cash prize in Star For a Night was a big help, This school year, we don't need to borrow money from other people because of my children's tuition fees".
Geronimo became the featured artist in MTV’s Rising Star in September 2002. Her "break" came when she released her first album Popstar: A Dream Come True, also in late 2002. Her first concerts, in conjunction with her first album, were staged in October 2003.
Geronimo's first movie role was in the film Filipinas, released in late 2003. According to the Philippine Star, Geronimo's co-star in the film, Maricel Soriano, "predict[ed] a bright future" for her, and stated, "That girl will go far. She’s only 14, right? For someone like Sarah, for the first time she appears and acts in a film, she's good. Maybe some people have high expectation on her but for me she's good."

2004–2007
In 2004, Geronimo signed a contract with the ABS-CBN network, which aired her first television series, Sarah the Teen Princess. Later that year, she became a regular host and performer on the variety show ASAP. She also sang the Philippine National Anthem at the pre-inaugural cerenomies of president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 30, 2004. In November 2004, Geronimo released her second album, Sweet Sixteen, with How Could You Say You Love Me as its first single. After a week of its release, the album was certified gold, and quickly achieved triple platinum status when it sold more than 90,000 copies nationwide. Geronimo performed in the Night of the Champions concert at the Araneta Coliseum ("the Dome") with other singing competition winners Rachelle Ann Go and Erik Santos, followed by a tour in the US.
Sarah Geronimo performing on stage during her London concert in November 2007.
In 2005, Geronimo recorded the theme song of the Star Cinema movie, Can This Be Love.She joined the fourth-season cast of the teen-oriented television program SCQ Reload: Kilig Ako, and appeared in the fantasy movie Lastikman, produced by VIVA Films.[17] She hosted three talent competitions, Search For Star in a Million, Little Big Star and Little Big Superstar.
On September 30, 2005, Geronimo performed a solo concert, entitled The Other Side. A Philippine newspaper, the Manila Bulletin, reported that, "The Dome became one huge oven".Viva Records released a live DVD album of her concert at Araneta Coliseum entitled The Other Side: Live Album. In the summer of 2005, a repeat of Night of the Champions toured the US for two months.
In 2006, Geronimo starred in ABS-CBN's primetime soap opera, Bituing Walang Ningning, a remake of the 1985 movie. She played the role of an aspiring singer named Dorina Pineda, originally played by Sharon Cuneta in the movie,and released a soundtrack of the series.
In the summer of 2006, Geronimo's third studio album, Becoming, was released in the international market. Produced by Christian De Walden, the album went platinum a month after its release. De Walden said that Geronimo was "definitely the biggest talent I have come across...the last ten years". He was particularly astounded by Geronimo's ability to not only learn a song quickly but to give it her own distinctive style. The album yielded three singles: "I Still Believe In Loving You", "Carry My Love" and "Iingatan Ko Ang Pag-ibig Mo". One critic said, "The album isn't completely successful. It's nevertheless heartening to hear Sarah spreading her musical wings by trying new types of songs that wouldn't have been considered in the lineup of her showy first albums."
Geronimo continued to perform in concerts throughout the world, in places like Taiwan, Canada, the US, and Dubai.Philstar News reported that Geronimo was the first Filipino to perform at the Harris Theater in Chicago. On November 18, 2006, Manny Pacquiao chose Geronimo to sing Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine national anthem, before his match against Mexico's Erik Morales at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Geronimo's second major solo concert took place on July 14, 2007, at the Araneta Coliseum. Unlike her first solo concert at the Dome, this concert went off with no technical glitches.She spent the rest of 2007 performing concerts in the Philippines and the US and recording her fourth studio album, Taking Flight, which sold more than 60,000 units and achieved double platinum status. In the latter half of 2007, Geronimo appeared in her third television series for ABS-CBN, Pangarap Na Bituin.

Concerts and film: 2008—present

Geronimo performing during her Record Breaker Concert Tour in Araneta Coleseum in November 2009.
In early 2008, Geronimo reunited with Erik Santos, Rachelle Ann Go, and Christian Bautista in a Valentine's Day concert at the Araneta Coliseum, entitled "OL4LUV". Before Geronimo released her fifth studio album, she released I'll Be Here as the fourth single from Taking Flight. On July 30, 2008, Geronimo starred with Filipino actor John Lloyd Cruz in A Very Special Love which was produced by Star Cinema and VIVA films and grossed almost ₱180 million. Geronimo included a track from the movie, "A Very Special Love", on her album Taking Flight.
Geronimo's fifth studio album, Just Me, included a duet with Backstreet Boys member Howie Dorough entitled, "I'll Be There". De Walden again produced this album. Like her previous albums, Just Me achieved platinum status in December 2008. She was recognized for this accomplishment on the 2008 ASAP Platinum Circle Awards show. In November 8, 2008, Geronimo staged her third major solo concert in Araneta Coliseum, entitled The Next One, which marked the first time she accompanied herself on the piano while on stage. Geronimo’s Just Me album, was re-released, adding You Changed My Life. She was also recognized by ASAP for attaining platinum status for her albums Taking Flight and Just Me and for her two concert DVDs (The Other Side and Sarah In Motion).

Sarah Geronimo's star on the Philippines Walk of Fame, given in December 2009.
In February 2009, Geronimo made a movie again with John Lloyd Cruz in You Changed My Life, the sequel of A Very Special Love . The film’s total theatrical earnings earned over ₱240 million, and holds the record for the highest grossing Filipino movie made. Geronimo traveled to the US in March–April 2009 for her The Next One tour, where she received positive reviews about her performances. In June 2009, she re-staged her successful Sarah Geronimo: The Next One Philippine concert tour. On August 5, 2009 Geronimo was given the honor to sing the Virna Lisa's 1986 People Power anthem, “Magkaisa” during the funeral of former President Corazon Aquino.[41] Geronimo released her first solo Christmas album, Your Christmas Girl in October 2009. In November 2009, she staged her fourth solo sold-out concert, Record Breaker, in the Araneta Coliseum. The Philippine Daily Inquirer called the concert "a qualified success". During the concert, Geronimo became emotional while talking about her struggles trying to succeed in a music industry inundated by aspiring singers. At the same day of her concert, she released her sixth studio album, Music and Me.  In December 2009, Your Christmas Girl and Music and Me both reached platinum status after a month of their release.
On December 1, 2009, Sarah Geronimo received a star on the Philippines Walk of Fame at Libis, Eastwood. Geronimo released the DVD Record Breaker, filmed at the Araneta Coliseum, on March 16, 2010.
Last September 6,2010 a Music-Serye was aired in ABS-CBN entitled 1DOL, which was Geronimo's TV rebirth after Three years. But due to constricts in production it only succeeded 35 episodes.
In late December 2010 or in early 2011 Geronimo will release her latest studio album.

GP EXPRESS: KIM CHUI

Kimberly Sue Yap Chiu (born April 19, 1990 in Tacloban), better known as simply Kim Chiu, is a Filipina actress. Chiu was the first winner of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition and is currently part of ABS-CBN's Star Magic.

Career
Chiu launched her career by winning Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition. Chiu and the rest of the housemates entered the Big Brother house on April 23, 2006. After 42 days in the Big Brother house, she was named the Teen Big Winner with 626,562 votes (41.4% of the total votes) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay City. She was the only housemate who was never nominated for eviction.
In the six months following after her winning, Chiu together with on-screen partner, Gerald Anderson, appeared together in several ABS-CBN network shows, and appeared in their first film, First Day High. Chiu and Anderson also appeared in Love Spell and Aalog-Alog.
In 2007, Chiu and Anderson starred in the movie I've Fallen For You under Star Cinema. That same year, Chiu starred in her first primetime TV series entitled Sana Maulit Muli alongside Anderson. She was then cast in Philippine adaptation of My Girl, a Korean series.
In January 2009, Chiu starred in the TV series entitled Tayong Dalawa which gave Chiu several acting awards. She also became part of Star Cinema's official entry to the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival, I Love You, Goodbye.
In 2010, Chiu starred in her fourth fifth movie, Paano Na Kaya. She also starred in the primetime drama, Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo."
In October, Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson released, Till My Heartaches End.
Allegedly, the management has temporarily discontinued the Kimerald tandem as to many breakout news of the death threats being sent to fellow stars, Bea Alonzo and Sarah Geronimo. There are no further confirmation if Till My Heartaches End is the last flick for them together. Meanwhile, Gerald Anderson will have a teleserye set to premiere next year with a new leading lady.
Chiu started performing as a regular on ASAP XV in 2006....