Editor's note: This is the third in our series of year beginners.

Local politics and the global financial crisis. These two factors will shape the course of the nation next year, and their effects are expected to shake the world of local entertainment as well.

Ricky Lo, an entertainment columnist for The Philippine Star, said one of the major developments that will take place in the middle of 2009 is the unveiling of political plans of some celebrities for the 2010 national elections. 

Particularly, the public will wait anxiously for the declarations of Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos and Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, who are both reportedly being wooed to run for vice president. 

Financial crunch

The global financial crisis will inevitably be felt by the local showbiz industry. Lo fears that some television stations might cut down on their shows as part of their streamlining operations as the effects of the financial crisis in the United States sweep the globe.  

“Our industry is not isolated. Whatever happens globally affects the showbiz industry,” Lo said.

Movie producers are also seen to shy away from big budget films as they become wary of their investments amid projections that the worst is still yet to come in 2009.

In this regard, producers will be more inclined to invest in light comedy-romance films, which, Lo said, require less funding.         
‘Koreanovelas’ to go

Asian television series, particularly Korean telenovelas or Koreanovelas, have inundated Philippine television in the past years. 

Lo, however, projected that Koreanovelas will begin to lose their appeal to the Filipino audience, especially by the end of next year. 

ABS-CBN senior entertainment reporter Mario Dumaual, on the other hand, believes that more fresh Filipino drama productions, or Filipino teleseryes, will be offered by next year.

Dumaual particularly cited Lorna Tolentino and Gabby Concepcion’s new drama series as one of the teleseryes to watch out for in 2009.

Reality-based shows will also be a hit among Filipinos, he added.

Indie/Mainstream films

Independent films have crawled their way up into the local entertainment world and are now slowly finding their niche in the industry. More moviegoers are beginning to support smaller budget Indie films.

In spite of the relatively small talent fees, many movie actors are also giving Indie films a try. Indie films have become a platform for actors to show off their acting skills. The artists’ efforts have not been in vain for they mostly dominated the award giving bodies in the past year.

Dumaual sees the continued rise of independent cinema productions next year. 

In mainstream movies, meanwhile, Dumaual said horror films will not bow out of the cinemas. With the popularity of bestseller “Twilight,” which is a love story involving vampires, Dumaual predicts that Filipino horror films will adopt the gothic love story in their plot.

Stars to watch

As the public began to notice Indie films, the careers of actors Sid Lucero, Jason Abalos and JC Devera, who appeared in many small-budget movies, started to blossom.

Lo said these young artists, who have been praised for their acting skills, are among the stars that will likely dominate in 2009. 

Emilio Garcia, Lo said, has also shown a remarkable transformation, acting wise.      

For Dumaual, meantime, the singing career of Bugoy Drilon, Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2's first runner-up, will pick up by 2009. 

The career of another product of a reality-based program, EJ Falcon, the big winner of Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition 2, will also flourish next year, Dumaual said.
 
Brazilian model Akihiro Sato is also among the new faces to watch out for next year as Dumaual predicted that more TV and movie offers will come his way.

The popularity of young artists Marian Rivera, Shaina Magdayao, Sarah Geronimo, Bea Alonzo and Malaysian actress Carmen Soo will continue to ascend next year.

Both Lo and Dumaual agreed that Karylle will become the hot young face on television.  

Other faces to watch include Aljur Abrenica and Jewel Mische, Dumaual added.

Scandals, controversies

Lastly, the world of entertainment will not be complete without its share of scandals and controversies.

Lo predicted that more cases of pregnancy out of wedlock will still become common among showbiz personalities next year.