Vin Abrenica and Sophie Albert were crowned winners of TV5 network’s search for “Artista Academy.”

Vin, brother of actor Aljur Abrenica was named Best Actor and Sophie, nephew of talk show host Kris Aquino won Best Actress in the grand finals of the talent search held Saturday night, October 27 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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American Idol runner-up and international singer David Archuleta is scheduled to arrive in the Philippines to work with TV5 artists Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Eula Caballero.

Photo Credit: TV5

TV5’s Sunday Showbiz program, “Paparazzi: Showbiz Exposed,” revealed on Sunday that Archuleta is coming in the country on January 13 to shoot an upcoming primetime series on Kapatid Network.

Interaksyon reports, “The signing of Archuleta is seen to further boost the attempts of TV5, currently the third biggest broadcasting network in the Philippines, to climb up the rankings.”

Two of the biggest television networks in the country will cover the Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton wedding. Kapatid TV5 and Kapuso GMA7 networks has announced their participation to the royal wedding live event.

According to Glenda Villena of Yahoo Philippines, “TV5 announced it is the official Philippine media carrier of UK’s “Royal Wedding Channel,” the International Television Network (ITN). News5 will deploy a news team to London to cover the event.”

“GMA Network, on the hand, will also air the BBC live event via Reuters Television.Through its all-news channel, GMA News TV, the network will also provide live broadcast of the wedding, daily news updates, and a documentary of the couple’s love story.”

The Royal Wedding April 29 schedule will officially begin at 11 a.m. (UK time), when the couple arrives at Westminster Abbey for their marriage ceremony.

After the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, William and Kate will travel in an open carriage leading a formal procession to Buckingham Palace. Below, explore the route that will be thronged with well-wishers.

Photo by BBC UK

Former Wowowee host Willie Revillame is all set and ready for his new variety show on TV5. Willing Willie will start on October 23 at 6:30 to 8:30PM.

Willie Revillame launches his return to Philippine Television via a trade launch at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, last October 13, 2010. The trade launch was attended by some of his closest friends, top showbiz personalities and TV5 officials.

Among the people who welcomed Willie back were Bench owner Ben Chan and beauty surgeon Dr. Vicki Belo—the two top advertisers of Willie’s former show Wowowee.

The bosses of Kapatid Network TV5 were also in the event to show support for Willie. Composed of TV5′s top honcho Manny Pangilinan, President and CEO Atty. Rey Espinosa, TV5 VP and COO Robert “Bobby” Barreiro, TV5 Head of Creative and Entertainment Production Percy Intalan, Viva Entertainment Chairman and CEO Vic del Rosario, and Media Quest’s President and CEO Annie Naval. Also in the group was Willie’s chief legal counsel Atty. Boy Reyno.

Source : PEP

Amidst the legal battle with ABS-CBN Network, controversial Wowowee host Willie Revillame is now confirmed a Kapatid talent of TV5. Willie is now the “certified talent of the newest and most aggressive broadcast network in the country” – Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) reports.

Willie signed contract with TV5 management and business partner Vic del Rosario last September 7, 2010. The network also confirmed that they just answered the public petition to bring back Willie on television. His new show “Willing Willie.”

Official press release of TV5 network :

“Fans, supporters and viewers of popular host Willie Revillame will surely have reason to rejoice because their idol will definitely return on TV as a certified talent of the newest and most aggressive broadcast network in the country, TV5. Now an official TV5 Kapatid, Willie will soon be hosting a new variety and game show entitled Willing Willie on primetime which will surely endear him more to his legions of followers all across the country and around the world. The program is managed by Wil Productions Inc. and is co-produced with TV5.

“‘In a contract signing held recently, TV5 Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP), welcomed Willie in the network’s stable of growing talents. ‘We have responded to the public clamor and we look forward to collaborating and working with the team of Willie and (Viva) Boss Vic del Rosario in bringing the audience the best in Philippine entertainment,’ MVP said.

“Willie rescinded his contract with his former network after his lawyers settled the legalities of his situation and gave him the go-ahead to sign up with TV5. This is good news to all his supporters and fans who felt deprived when the host ceased to appear in his previous noontime show. Willie is undoubtedly one of the few local personalities with a huge worldwide following and TV5 is answering the strong clamor for his return with a new show that will feature him at his best-giving out oodles of prizes and cash to studio audiences and viewers everywhere.

“‘It took some time for us to give Willie the go ahead to sign up with a new network because we had to meticulously scrutinize all the technicalities and legalities of the former contract. We wanted to make sure that his transfer will be as smooth as possible, without further legal drawbacks and hitches that can hamper his growth in his new network. With everything we’ve done and the actions that we plan to do, we believe that Willie is on the clear to work and grow anywhere he wants,’ stated Willie’s lawyer, Atty. Joel L. Bodegon.

“Willie’s new manager and business partner, Vic del Rosario, reveals that the decision to join the Kapatid network was because of TV5′s new management directions to bring quality program and excellent production on television. ‘Willie’s new show will undoubtedly bring joy to his legions of fans both here and abroad and will set the bar for primetime entertainment in today’s television,’ declared Boss Vic.”

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN has already filed a P486 million counterclaim damage suit against Willie Revillame yesterday for breaching his contract with the Kapamilya network.

Photo courtesy of Yahoo FTP