FotoPage/GMA-Lalaine/Aug. 15, 2004

GMA asks Lalaine to push
RP as a tourist destination

LALAINE CALLS ON GMA
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulates 17-year-old Filipino-American actress and singer Lalaine Vergara as she calls on the President in the Music Room in Malacanang. In their chat Saturday (Aug. 14), the President asked her to help promote the Philippines as a tourist destination. Lalaine gained popularity for her role in the television series "Lizzie Maguire" and the Disney film "Annie." She is in the country shooting "Flipside," a 13-episode program to be aired in Asia and North America about rediscovering her roots, values and traditions, and what the Philippines has to offer to the world.

More on Lalaine:

LALAINE Vergara-Paras (born June 3, 1987), usually called by her first name only, grew up in California. She played Miranda Isabella Sanchez on Disney Channel's highly-rated show "Lizzie McGuire," alongside Hilary Duff.

Lalaine started to rise to stardom when she was she was hanging out with Nikki Alberto and clinched a role in the Broadway production of Les Miserables as Eponine, a character that had been played by Debbie Gibson and others.

Upon returning to her home state of California, Lalaine won contracts for several television commercials, including some of those for Microsoft and Burger King. She also participated in a theater play called Brundibar.

Lalaine's voice has been used for many movies, including "Inspector Gadget" and "Lolita." She also played orphan Kate in the Disney Channel version of the movie Annie. She starred alongside AJ Trauth in the Disney Channel original movie "You Wish" as Abby. She also portrayed Chloe, a young Slayer-In-Training who commits suicide, on the hit TV-Series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

She is involved in many charity events, such as the AIDS benefit concert and NSYNC's challenge for the youth.

On July 8, 2003, Lalaine released her new independent album, "Lalaine: Inside Story." She wrote six songs on the album herself, including "Life is good," "Can't Stop," and "Save Myself."

(POSTSCRIPT comes out in the Philippine STAR every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Its online edition is uploaded the night before at http://www.manilamail.com)

BACK to Home

Send REACTIONS to: ManilaMail@pacific.net.ph