''Lipgloss'' was a Philippine television series broadcast by TV5. It premiered on August 16, 2008. The series was tagged as a Philippine adaptation of the popular American TV series, ''

Gossip Girl ''Gossip Girl'' is an American teen drama television series based on the novel series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series, developed for television by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, ran on The CW network for six sea ...

''. The show's first season had its finale on November 8, 2008. Season 2 immediately premiered on November 15, 2008. Season 3 premiered on February 14, 2009. Season 4, the final season, ended on August 29, 2009. The show's theme song was very similar to – and was directly inspired by – the song "

Lip Gloss Lip gloss is a cosmetic used primarily to give lips a glossy luster, and sometimes to add a subtle color. It is distributed as a fluid or a soft solid (not to be confused with lip balm, which generally has medical or soothing purposes, or lipst ...

" by

Lil Mama Niatia Jessica Kirkland (born October 4, 1989), better known by her stage name Lil Mama, is an American rapper, singer, actress and television presenter from Brooklyn, New York and Harlem, New York. She experienced top 10 ''Billboard'' placemen ...

Story

''Lipgloss'' was a teenage drama series, following the lives of the rich and infamous students of the ultra-exclusive Linden High, through the school's unofficial website.

Plot

Season 1

Season 1 kicks off with best friends Abby and Meg competing for Jake. He is in love with Meg, but is dating Abby. Jake chooses Meg and ends his relationship with Abby. The whole cast is introduced. Julivee is new in Linden and becomes best friends with Louise, who is a popular ice skater. They then meet siblings Ziggy and Edge Borja. Steph is introduced as the meanest girl in school. Maui is Jake's friend. Jiggo is Jake's half-brother. Ziggy gets hit by a car and dies. Kyle mourns over her death. We learn that Kyle is the administrator of the site Lipgloss. Kyle is never to be seen again in the series.

Season 2

Season Two is filled with love-related conflicts. Jake and Abby are together again, but their parents don't approve so they decide to live on their own. Meg and Edge break up because Sarah, Edge's ex-girlfriend returns to woo him back. Meg finds a new boyfriend in actor Nikko Lopez. Julivee develops a crush on Caloy, their driver's son. Caloy's best friend, Poknat, joins in on the fun and provides comic relief. Jose Mari is introduced as Julivee's would-be husband. However, Jose Mari turns out to be gay and gets closer with Caloy instead. Louise gets into a relationship with her middle-aged school professor, Mr. Aldrich Quinto.

Season 3

Abby and Jake break up because of Jake's boss Camille who steals him from her. Meg to the hands of his bodyguard Santi, who develops feelings for her. Maui falls for Carla who is also courted by Poknat. Louise and Aldrich break up because Aldrich returns to his ex-fiancée Rose. Introducing in the mid-season is Camille and Rose's brother Brent who wants Louise. Meanwhile, it is Edge and Louise who end up together. Julivee meets Brazilian Patrice whom they use to make Jose Mari a boy again. A devastating accident kills two main characters — Maui and Meg.

Season 4

The fourth and final season shows the senior year of the students at Linden, including repeater Abby Rickson, who has finally moved on from Jake and Camille. Brent starts courting Louise, but finds competition in his long-time best friend, Chip, to whom he owes a big debt. Julivee gets jealous over Janna, a girl who Caloy meets. Carla tries to move on from Maui. Edge meets a beautiful princess, Ava, whom he falls for. The finale shows the love teams ending up with each other: Abby and Jake, Louise and Brent, Ava and Edge.

Cast

Original cast

* Maxene Eigenmann as Abby Rickson *

Saab Magalona Maria Isabella Simone Arroyo Magalona-Bacarro (born November 23, 1988), better known as Saab Magalona, is a Filipina actress, singer, and blogger who started in the TV5 youth-oriented drama series '' Lipgloss''. She is the daughter of Francis ...

as Meg Magdrigal *

Rodjun Cruz Rodolfo Othello Cruz Ilustre, Jr. (born October 10, 1987), known professionally as Rodjun Cruz (), is a Filipino actor, dancer and singer. He is the brother of fellow actor and dancer Rayver Cruz. Biography Cruz started as a host, together wit ...

as Jake Perez *

Mikee Lee Michael Vincent Lee (born January 19, 1990) is a Filipino actor, model, host from Manila, Philippines. He was a runner up in the reality television series, Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 1 behind the big winner Kim Chiu. Biography Michael ...

as Maui Amor / Bentong * Fred Payawan as Jiggo Perez *

Sam Concepcion Samuel Lawrence Lopez Concepcion (born October 17, 1992) is a Filipino singer, dancer, actor, VJ and host. Concepcion emerged as the winner for the Big Division of the first season of ''Little Big Star'' in April 2006. Concepcion currently h ...

as Kyle Ponce * Kevin Jose Lapena as Edge Borja * Cheska Ortega as Ziggy Borja *

Louise delos Reyes Mary Grace delos Reyes Perido (born September 1, 1992), better known Louise delos Reyes, is a Filipino actress and model. She left GMA Network in May 2017 and signed a 5 year-managerial contract with Viva which made her comeback on ABS-CBN and ...

as Louise Tangco * Czarina Suzara as Julivee * Miki Hahn as Stephanie "Steph" Garces *

Princess Ryan Princess Ryan (born May 26, 1989) is a Filipina-Irish TV personality. She is currently a contact star with ABS-CBN and Star Magic ABS-CBN Center for Communication Arts, Inc., doing business as Star Magic (formerly known as ABS-CBN Talent ...

as Sarah Madison

Season 2 additions

Neil Coleta Mark Neilson Mañosca Coleta (born August 4, 1991), popularly known as Neil Coleta, is a Filipino actor and TV host. He appeared in the TV series Growing Up and 100 Days to Heaven. Personal life Coleta graduated from Adamson University. In ...

as Caloy Borongan * Jessa Joy Mendoza as Carla Borongan *

Carl Guevarra Carlo "Carl" Guevara (born September 9, 1988) is a Filipino actor and model. Guevara started his career when he and his brother Paolo joined the ''Be Bench / The Model Search'' where he won along with Regine Angeles. In 2007, he made his firs ...

as Jose Mari Bonifacio * Zyrus Dezamparado as Poknat

Season 3 additions

* Niña Jose as Camille Borromeo * Nico Ibaviosa as Brent Borromeo * Ejay Falcon as Santi

Season 4 additions

Lovi Poe Lourdes Virginia Moran Poe (born February 11, 1989), popularly known as Lovi Poe, is a Filipino actress, model, and recording artist. She is the daughter of action star Fernando Poe Jr. Poe is known for starring in two popular GMA drama seri ...

as Princess Ava *

Regine Angeles Diorella Regine De Leon Angeles (born October 29, 1985) is a Filipina model and actress. She started her showbiz career after winning ''Be Bench / The Model Search'' of ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto ...

as Charlene Rickson * Cherry Ann Kubota as Allona Rickson * Enz Guazon as Chip Ledesma * Benj Besa as Knoxx * Rhen Escaño as Jana

Extended cast

Christian Vasquez Christian Oliver B. Vazquez (born February 8, 1977) is a Filipino actor, model and a former housemate of ABS-CBN's '' Pinoy Big Brother: Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition''. During his stint at Pinoy Big Brother, he was one of the comedi ...

as Aldrich Quintos * Rachel Lobangco as Abby's mom * Ricardo Cepeda as Congressman Perez * Debraliz as Julie (Julivee's mom) * Lloyd Samartino as Meg's dad *

Daiana Menezes Daiana Alves Menezes (born June 20, 1987) is a Brazilian actress, singer, and television host based in the Philippines and working for GMA Network. Menezes is best known as one of the hosts of ''Eat Bulaga!''. Career Menezes worked with her ...

as Patrice * Miguel de las Cagigas as Prince Drew * Lorenzo Mara as Edge's dad * Lian Paz as Rose Borromeo * Emilio Garcia * Macy Garcia

Guests

* Paolo Paraiso as Alex *

Joross Gamboa John Ross Sanchez Gamboa (born November 28, 1984), known professionally as Joross Gamboa, is a Filipino actor and model who was a 2nd runner-up in the 1st season of Star Circle Quest. Career After four years of being with ABS-CBN Star Magic, ''J ...

as Thirdy *

Matt Evans Matthew Nicolas Evans (born October 22, 1986) is a Filipino actor who rose to prominence after appearing in Filipino soap operas '' Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko'', '' Tanging Yaman'' and '' Rosalka''. Evans previously compet ...

as Nikko Lopez *

Megan Young Megan Lynne Young (born February 27, 1990) is a Filipino-American actress, model, television presenter and beauty queen who won the Miss World Philippines 2013 title and was later crowned as Miss World 2013. She is the first Filipina to win t ...

as Jenny Samson *

Janina San Miguel Janina Miller San Miguel (born November 14, 1990) is a Filipino beauty queen who was crowned Binibining Pilipinas World at the Binibining Pilipinas 2008 beauty pageant. San Miguel resigned from her title in September 2008, citing personal rea ...

as Buding * Angelica Jones as Mimi *

Marco Alcaraz Marco Antonio Faylona Alcaraz (; born July 12, 1983) is a Filipino actor, model, and former varsity basketball player at San Sebastian College-Recoletos. His first movie was '' Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita'' with Dennis Trillo. He wed on Ju ...

as Frank * Matutina as Lola Biring *

Jana Roxas Jana Roxas (born August 22, 1990) is a Filipina former actress. She was known as Starstruck Batch 3 Avenger along with Chuck Allie, Iwa Moto, Gian Carlos and the Ultimate Survivors Jackie Rice and Marky Cielo. She appeared in GMA-7 TV series l ...

as Kelly * Rosanna Roces as Princess Arabelle/Mommy A. * Wanlu as Talentadong Pinoy judge *

Beatriz Saw Maria Beatriz Imperial Saw-Tan (born November 17, 1985), is a Filipino actress with Taiwanese descent. She won the second season of ''Pinoy Big Brother''. On June 30, 2007 (day 126) after garnering about 1.5 million votes, or 30.29% of ...

as Mayumi Castro *

Sugar Mercado Ma. Sugar Mercado (born September 13, 1986) is a Filipino dancer and actress. She was originally a member of the Sexbomb Girls and one of the hosts of the popular GMA Network noontime variety show ''Eat Bulaga!''. She was dropped by the show i ...

as Rosanna * Marco Morales as Kikoy *

Josef Elizalde Marc Josef Elizalde (born May 28, 1990) is a Filipino actor who was a housemate on Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus with Robi Domingo, his rival at that time. Personal life Marc Josef Elizalde was born to Butch Elizalde and Marinez Car ...

as Prince Ali *

Nicole Uysiuseng Nicole Kim Uysiuseng-del Prado (born August 18, 1990), is a former Filipino actress, model, and was the second runner-up of the reality television show Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus. She was also a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic. Takin ...

as Sheila * JB Magsaysay as Joel * Olyn Membian as Liza * Katarina Perez as Sheena

Criticism

''Lipgloss'' closely resembled the hit American TV show ''Gossip Girl'', prompting people to label it as a rip-off of the iconic series. Many said that the show's plot imitated that of ''Gossip Girl'' — ''Gossip Girl'' spread the gossip about the main characters, the website administrator does the same in ''Lipgloss''.

Trivia

In the middle of the second season, Sam Concepcion and Cheska Ortega left the show. Matt Evans and Carlo Guevara were then added to the cast. Lovi Poe's contract with her home network,

GMA Network GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...

, initially did not allow her to become part of ''Lipgloss''. An exception was made and she appeared in the show's final season. Aside from ''Lipgloss'', TV5 offered Poe to star in the remake of ''Cofradia''. This project did not push through. ''Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus'' housemates

Robi Domingo Robert Marion Eusebio Domingo (, born September 27, 1989), professionally known as Robi Domingo, is a Filipino VJ, actor, dancer, and host. He first gained fame as a reality show contestant by joining and ending up as the first runner-up of t ...

, Ejay Falcon, and Josef Elizalde were all considered to join in Season 4 of ''Lipgloss''. However, because of Domingo's schedule with MYX and his other commitments with

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Philippine commercial broadcast network that serves as the flagship property of ABS-CBN Corporation, a company unde ...

, only Falcon and Elizalde made it to the show. This was Czarina Suzara's first TV appearance — the second being the 2012 version of '' Valiente''.

Awards

*Winner, Best Youth Oriented Program — 2010 PMPC Star Awards for TV *Nominated, Best Youth Oriented Program — 2008-2009 PMPC Star Awards for TV

References

{{Reflist, 3, refs= {{cite web, url = https://www.pep.ph/news/18730/tv5-introduces-its-own-homegrown-stars-via-teen-show-lipgloss , title=TV5 Introduces Its Own Homegrown Stars Via Teen Show "Lipgloss", publisher=pep.ph , author = Erece, Dinno , date= August 4, 2008 , accessdate=September 16, 2021 {{cite web , title = More Housemates on Lipgloss , publisher =

The Philippine Star ''The Philippine Star'' (self-styled ''The Philippine STAR'') is an English-language newspaper in the Philippines and the flagship brand of the Philstar Media Group. First published on July 28, 1986, by veteran journalists Betty Go-Belmonte, ...

, url = https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2009/02/14/439854/more-housemates-lipgloss , accessdate = 2021-10-10 , date = 2009-02-14 {{cite web , url = https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/03/25/max-eigenmann-is-all-set-to-fly-high/ , title = Max Eigenmann is All Set to Fly High , publisher = Business Mirror , author = Gallardo, Ricky , date = 2018-03-25 , accessdate = 2020-05-13