MISS U ON ABC 5

Manila Standard (page 32), Sunday, May 11, 1996

It's been two years since the Miss Universe beauty pageant was held in Manila. But the Filipino's interest in this long-running beauty search hasn't waned. On May 18, at 10 a.m., ABC 5 is broadcasting via satellite the 45th Miss Universe Pageant from Las Vegas, Nevada.

More than 30 young women from around the world will vie for the most coveted title of Miss Universe including the Philippines' Aileen Damiles. Bob Hoen hosts the pageant for the third time with Marla Maples Trump. Providing entertainment is Michael Crawford of the Phantom of the Opera fame who will perform the beautiful song The Music of the Night from the popular musical.

Last year's titleholder Chelsi Smith will relinquish her crown to the new winner, and anyone among the 80 candidates can be it. Can it be a Filipina this time?

If 10 in the morning might be too early for you, there will be a replay at 6 p.m. But, the excitement would be less as everyone could be talking about it by then.

ANOTHER VARIETY SHOW? Beginning Monday at 6, while the rest of the TV networks are busy reporting the day's events, ABC 5 goes variety with its new show Good Evening...Pls. A five-day a week gig with Plinky Recto, Earl Ignacio, Candy Pangilinan, Dennis Padilla and Mike Ferriols, a commercial model, the show features musical numbers performed "live" and comedy sketches.

Say the network's drumbeatsers, "the show's title implies more than just a remark of courtesy." It is more of a plea for a wacky but wholesome, feel-good family entertainment.

Premiere telecast guests include Bianca Lapus, Cheska Garcia, Rica Peralejo, Marco McKinley, Marco Salvador, Nikko Manalo, Joey Andres, Poppo Lontoc, Neil and John Seno, and Cecil Cruz.

MORE NEW TV STUFF. Edu Manzano returns to ABC 5 on Love Bytes premiering on Friday, May 17 at 9 p.m. The show is a computer dating game featuring Novva, a super computer programmed to make the perfect match among the show's weekly contestants. It also has a segment for married participants called the ultimate compatibility test.

Other new shows on ABC slated to be launched are American Gothic (May 13, 9 p.m.), Hercules (May 15, 7 p.m.), Touched By An Angel (May 16, 9 p.m.) and Scarlett (May 17, 10:30 p.m.).

Tomorrow night, The Client (7 p.m.) and E.R. (8 p.m.) will continue with new episodes. These two American dramatic series are among the most formidable in the network's bid for solid viewership