ALIVE na alive na naman ang mga diva, nagpapa-diva at mga kontrabidang hanggang langit ang kilay at duma-dialogue nang, “You’re nothing but a second rate, trying hard copycat!” Sabay tapon ng drink sa mukha ng aping bida.

Starting May 15, ABS-CBN Primetime airs the debut of the sineserye version of Bituing Walang Ningning.

Based upon Nerissa Cabral’s classic komiks serial that inspired the hit 1985 film, ABS-CBN’s version is Bituing Walang Ningning for a new generation of viewers, with stars like Sarah Geronimo, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Angelika dela Cruz, Ryan Agoncillo, Mico Palanca and Dominic Ochoa inhabiting roles made famous in the original movie by Sharon Cuneta, Cherie Gil, and Christopher de Leon.

Zsa-Zsa Padilla, Tonton Gutierrez, Amy Austria, John Prats and Carlo Aquino take on parts created especially for the ABS-CBN sineserye.

Seventeen-year-old Dorina Pineda (Sarah Geronimo playing the Sharon Cuneta character) is the most avid fan of today’s biggest singing star, Lavinia Arguelles (Angelika dela Cruz essaying the villain role made legendary by Cherie Gil). She buys Lavinia flowers, she watches all Lavinia’s shows, and she even follows Lavinia everywhere. Even her adoptive mother Adora (Ai-Ai delas Alas) cannot help but be amused by Dorina’s excitement over her idol.

But is Lavinia even all that worthy of adoration? The people around her certainly don’t think so, as her diva behavior has driven away her staunchest supporters, including Nico Escobar (Ryan Agoncillo in the Christopher de Leon role), the brilliant record producer who was also Lavinia’s boyfriend, until she turned down his marriage proposal. To get back at Lavinia, Nico joins forces with best friend and fellow record producer Zossimo (Mico Palanca) to form a new record company, with which they intend to find a new star to build up – in order to tear Lavinia down.

Lavinia is not without her strengths, however. She has one staunch supporter in her mother, Barbara (Amy Austria), the ultimate stage mother. And she has already proven herself more than capable of ruthlessness after she caused the end of the career of her mentor, singer RosaMia Suarez (Zsa-Zsa Padilla), who is now forgotten and eking out a living by singing in bars.

Of course, Lavinia gets her comeuppance when Dorina becomes a Search for a Star in a Million champ and gets discovered by Nico and Zosimo. Soon, Dorina finds herself in the position of becoming the unknown who becomes more adored than her idol. Who would have thought that the admirer would turn out to be the one more admired?

Playing important roles in this production are Tonton Gutierrez as Emilio, Dorina’s driver, who has an important connection with Dorina; John Prats as Gary, Dorina’s band leader and drummer; Dominic Ochoa as Larry Calma, owner of the label where Lavinia became a star; Carlo Aquino as Oman, Dorina’s best friend; Tuesday Vargas as Libby, Larry’s secretary; Little Big Star finalist Mica Roi Torre as Bencho, Dorina’s adopted sister; and Janus del Prado, Jay Perillo, Chris Kayzer and Carla Humphries as Dorina’s band members.

A soundtrack album for Bituing Walang Ningning has already been launched on ASAP last April 30. This soundtrack album, featuring both remakes and original songs featured in the television series, is a coproduction between Star Records and Viva Records.

Bituing Walang Ningning’s production team is led by Over-All In Charge of Production Deo Endrinal, Production Manager Nini Matillac, and Executive Producers Emerald Suarez and Kylie Manalo. Rondel Lindayag is Bituing Walang Ningning’s Creative Manager, while Erick Salud and Jerome C. Pobocan serve as the production’s directors. Reggie Amigo is the series’ Headwriter, while Vince de Jesus, who composed the songs for ABS-CBN’s successful musical-fantasy Kampanerang Kuba and the hit play Zsa-Zsa Zaturnnah, contributes the original songs for the show.