Just one name took the entire crowd at A. Venue Events Hall in Makati City last week to make a loud buzz on GMA Network. And she’s not even a big star yet. The network just introduced her to the advertisers during its GMA Valentine Partnership Party, which, according to Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, was to celebrate and strengthen ties with its valued partners in the trade.

The event was the brainchild of GMA Marketing and Productions Inc., which was actually the network’s way of expressing its gratitude to the advertisers for their continued and unwavering support to the Kapuso Network.

Yet, the buzz was on that pretty lady in a fuchsia strapless gown called on stage when the network presented its upcoming shows for the year.

The shows would be a mix of localized series, new seasons of existing shows, and more innovative shows that the network anticipates would sit well with its loyal viewers.

The young lady was called as the star the network has been waiting for to star in the Filipinization of the Mexican telenovela.

Before she was introduced to the guests at the all-star party, the some members of the audience had the chance to be contestants in Family Feud. Everyone went under the spell of host Richard Gomez who was at the time was extra charming.

The ladies went gaga playing the feisty Proserfina in a game that recreated a scene from the pilot episode of Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking tadyang. Dingdong Dantes had the girls in the audience swooning over him as Homer.

Now, back to the girl in fuchsia, she was Carla Abellana and she was in the spotlight when she was introduced as the star to play the lead role in the localized version of Rosalinda. The former commercial model is the latest artist to join GMA’s stable of dynamic and talented actors and actresses.

A year ago, rumors had it that Marian Rivera (after Marimar and Dyesebel) would return to the telenovela mode. But since she is back on the small screen with perennial leading man Dingdong Dantes in Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang, she has given up all aspirations to be the queen of Filipinized Mexican telenovelas.

At the party, along with Kapuso stars, like Richard Gutierrez, Dantes, Regine Velasquez, Robin Padilla, Manny Pacquiao, Richard Gomez, Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon, Jean Garcia, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Alfred Vargas, Dennis Trillo, Heart Evangelista, JC de Vera, Rhian Ramos, all of whom went on Full force

GMA’s formidable News and Public Affairs team also came in full force with Mel Tiangco, Jessica Soho, Arnold Clavio, Vicky Morales, Mike Enriquez and Jiggy Manicad leading the pack.

The party saw over a thousand crowd packing the A. Venue Hall. It was a mixed crowd of businessmen, Kapuso artists, and the network’s top officers headed by Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, chairman, president and CEO; Gilberto R. Duavit, EVP and COO; Manuel P. Quiogue, GMA Marketing and Productions president and COO; Joel G. Jimenez, SVP GMA Marketing and Productions; Felipe S. Yalong, SVP for Corporate Services; Wilma V. Galvante, SVP for Entertainment; Marissa L. Flores, SVP for News and Public Affairs; Mike C. Enriquez, SVP for Radio; Marivin Arayata, VP for Entertainment; Butch S. Raquel, VP for Corporate Communications among others.

The event, which carried the theme “Valentine Partnership,” concluded with a huge raffle draw and was hosted by Paolo Bediones.

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HINDI maitatanggi na may hawig kay Ma­rian Rivera ang bagong contract star ng Regal Entertainment na si Carla Abellana, anak ni Rey ‘PJ’ Abellana, at apo ng beteranang aktres na si Delia Razon.

Hindi raw problema kay Carla kung ihambing siya kay Marian, lalo na at magkahawig sila.

“That’s good. Okey lang. She’s somebody I respect. She’s a very good actress. She’s very beautiful!” sabi ni Carla.

Bongga si Carla, dahil tulad ni Marian (na nagtapos ng kolehiyo sa La Salle Dasmariñas), nakapagtapos din siya ng kursong Psychology sa La Salle (Taft Avenue).

Pero, ang pagkakaiba nga lang daw, cum laude siya nu’ng nagtapos siya ng kolehiyo.

Anyway, tulad ni Marian, beterana na rin si Carla sa paggawa ng commercials. Sa tantiya ni Carla, mahigit sa 10 na ang commercials na nagawa niya.

Ikinuwento rin ni Carla na masaya ang Lola Delia niya na pinasok na rin niya ang showbiz.

“She’s happy! When she found out, ang laki ng smile niya,” say pa ni Carla.

Sina Richard Gutierrez at Dingdong Dantes ang mga type makapareha ni Carla sa mga gagawin niyang project.

Anyway, naging tea­cher din ng mga bata si Carla, kaya alam niya ang kiliti ng mga bata. At giit ni Carla, galing daw siya sa konserbatibong pamilya, kaya hin­ding-hindi raw siya magpapakita ng alindog sa harap ng kamera.

Pero, kung ganda at husay magsalita ang pagbabasehan, tila palaban nga si Carla kay Marian.

Siyanga pala, ang da­ting player ng Ateneo, at player na ngayon ng Ba­rangay Ginebra na si JC Intal ang madalas na nakaka-date ni Carla ngayon.

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The Internet was suddenly abuzz about Carla Abellana's name being attached to the 'Rosalinda' project during GMA's trade launch last February. Sino nga ba siya at saan siya nanggaling? Makikilala niyo na siya—dito sa iGMA. Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio.

Question #1: Paano napili si Carla Abellana para maging Rosalinda?

"Well sa napanood naming casting tapes, maliwanag na maliwanag ang potential ni Carla," sagot ni Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., Vice President and Chief Operating Officer ng GMA Network. "We are very pleased and very happy na siya ay isang Kapuso ngayon. And well, ang programa na una niyang gaganapan ay isang prime time soap of which we are also very, very excited about."

Casting tapes? Carla, iGMA found out, was one of the girls na nag-audtion for the leading lady role sa Zorro.

Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, Chairman and President and CEO of the network, says, "Nakita ng grupo ang malaking potential ni Carla Abellana para maging isang malaking star. Kaya't tayo ay natutuwa na happy naman siya sa ating pagiging Kapuso."

Ms. Wilma V. Galvante, Senior Vice President for Entertainment, explains, "Kasi si Carla, ang ganda ng face niya. We saw the potential in her, we saw the opportunity of building a good actress in her."

Question #2: Ano ang masasabi ni Carla sa kanyang pagkakapili na gumanap bilang Rosalinda?

"Very, very excited," sagot ng dalaga. During her contract-signing, umamin si Carla na talagang kinabahan daw siya. "Pero 'pag salubong sa akin kaagad ng mga tao, very welcoming sila, very hospitable—they're all very nice. So lalo akong na-excite."

And of course, she's very thankful din daw: "Kasi it came as a surprise, eh," Carla says. "It's such a big project—right away Rosalinda 'yung binigay. So unang-una, I was surprised. And then I got excited, tapos dumating 'yung pressure tsaka 'yung kaba—which is just natural, 'di ba?"

Dagdag pa niya na Rosalinda is such a big blessing that she wants to prepare herself for the role: "Workshops, singing lessons, dancing lessons—whatever it has to take to prepare for that role; I'll go to the gym, I'll do whatever to prepare for that role."

Question #3: Kaya ba ni Carla na maging Pinay Rosalinda?

Miss Wilma reveals that Carla is currently undergoing an acting workshop with Director Joel Lamangan, bukod pa ito sa dance and voice workshops that the actress is also going through. Why?

"Si Rosalinda, kumakanta 'yan," Miss Wilma says. "[Carla] sings, pero kailangan pang hasain."

She continues na in Rosalinda, the titular character must go through the stages of fame—and for that, they will need a fresh face that the audience will root for, "so parang bini-build up [din] natin siya sa ganoon."

But, she continues, Carla will not be coming out of nowhere naman. "Marami nang nakakita sa kanya sa mga commercials," Miss Wilma shares. And if people are worried that Carla might not be able to carry her own show, Miss Wilma wants to put their fears to rest. "Lagi naman, 'pag tayo gumagawa, [binibigyan natin ang show ng] all-star cast." For Carla to shine, Miss Wilma says, "[kailangan] bibigyan mo ng tamang support."

And all-star cast that would support Carla would include Fernando Jose, right? Ready na ba si Miss Wilma to announce who will become Carla's very first leading man?

Natatawang sagot ni Miss Wilma, "We cannot announce that yet. [Maybe] next time."

Question #4: Kung si Carla ang pipili, who would she want to be her Fernando Jose?

"Anybody!" Carla answers excitedly. For Carla, it's the network's decision who they think is the best fit for her, the best actor na makapagpapalabas ng galing niya sa pag-arte. So to ask her kung sino ang gusto niyang maka-pareha, she says, "I'm really open to anybody."

"Excited [na ako] kung sino man ['yung magiging Fernando Jose]," she ends.

Though asked kung meron ba siyang type sa showbiz, Carla says she has a preference for the "tall, dark, and handsome ones." Qualities perfect for Fernando Jose, don't you think? Well, kung sino man ang gaganap sa leading man ni Rosalinda, find it out here sa iGMA soon. And siyempre, get to know Carla more din sa mga future articles and features ng iGMA sa kanya!

Rosalinda, according to Miss Wilma Galvante, will start pre-production this May.

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Carla Abellana, the daughter of actor Rey “PJ” Abellana finally signed an exclusive contract on GMA 7 yesterday. Present at the event was President/Chairman/CEO of GMA, Atty. Felipe Gozon, Executive Vice President and COO Gilberto Duavit Jr. and SVP for Entertainment Wilma Galvante.

Carla was wearing a green dress with a glossy layer. How coincidental that SVP Wilma Galvante and Carla wore the same color, is it a good indication of luck? Anyway, after watching the report of Chika Minute regarding Carla’s contract signing, we can’t help but remember the time when Marian Rivera was in the same position of being introduced to the public as the newest leading lady of the Kapuso Station. And what’s more interesting was, it’s also an original Thalia soap as Carla is set to play as Rosalinda in the upcoming remake of GMA.

“Nakita ng grupo ang malaking potential ni Carla Abellana para maging isang malaking star sa GMA. Kaya’t tayo’y natutuwa na happy naman siya sa pagiging kapuso.” Atty. Gozon related.

Carla is a 21 year old Psychology graduate from the De La Salle University. She once worked as a pre-school teacher. She started her dodge into showbiz after doing some commercials. “Never naman ako pinagbawalan din. At the same time ng daddy ko, so you know, when he found out that I was about to enter showbizness, he was actually very excited also. Gusto niya na i ga-guide niya pa ako. When I came here, kinabahan pa ako at first eh. Pero pagsalubong sa akin agad ng mga tao, very very welcoming sila ano.. very hospitable, they are all very nice. Lalo akong na excite, very happy!” Carla expounded.

GMA is really good in surprising the public! Another star was born yesterday.

sassyqarla.com

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HINDI maitatanggi na may hawig kay Ma­rian Rivera ang bagong contract star ng Regal Entertainment na si Carla Abellana, anak ni Rey ‘PJ’ Abellana, at apo ng beteranang aktres na si Delia Razon. Hindi raw problema kay Carla kung ihambing siya kay Marian, lalo na at magkahawig sila. “That’s good. Okey lang. She’s somebody I respect. She’s a very good actress. She’s very beautiful!” sabi ni Carla.

Bongga si Carla, dahil tulad ni Marian (na nagtapos ng kolehiyo sa La Salle Dasmariñas), nakapagtapos din siya ng kursong Psychology sa La Salle (Taft Avenue). Pero, ang pagkakaiba nga lang daw, cum laude siya nu’ng nagtapos siya ng kolehiyo.

Anyway, tulad ni Marian, beterana na rin si Carla sa paggawa ng commercials. Sa tantiya ni Carla, mahigit sa 10 na ang commercials na nagawa niya. Ikinuwento rin ni Carla na masaya ang Lola Delia niya na pinasok na rin niya ang showbiz. “She’s happy! When she found out, ang laki ng smile niya,” say pa ni Carla. Sina Richard Gutierrez at Dingdong Dantes ang mga type makapareha ni Carla sa mga gagawin niyang project.

Anyway, naging tea­cher din ng mga bata si Carla, kaya alam niya ang kiliti ng mga bata. At giit ni Carla, galing daw siya sa konserbatibong pamilya, kaya hin­ding-hindi raw siya magpapakita ng alindog sa harap ng kamera. Pero, kung ganda at husay magsalita ang pagbabasehan, tila palaban nga si Carla kay Marian. Siyanga pala, ang da­ting player ng Ateneo, at player na ngayon ng Ba­rangay Ginebra na si JC Intal ang madalas na nakaka-date ni Carla ngayon.

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Pumirma na ng exclusive contract sa GMA Network ang dalaga na gaganap bilang Pinay "Rosalinda."

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