ENTERTAINMENT

“Sweet 15,” the season opener for the PBS series “Wonderworks,” tells the heartwarming story of a 15-year-old Latina, who--by helping her father gain his U.S. citizenship through the amnesty program--gains new appreciation of her Mexican heritage and her father’s courage. It stars Karla Montana (“Stand and Deliver”), Tony Planta (“Romero”) and Susan Ruttan (“L.A. Law”). Airing on KCET, the second segment of the two-part production will be shown Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.

Singer-composer Apollonia’s LP is so successful in Asia that she was invited to headline the spectacular two-day New Year’s Eve inaugural concert of the 12,000-seat National Indoor Stadium in Singapore. Although Apollonia was born in Santa Monica and attended San Pedro High School, her parents are from Mexico City and she grew up speaking Spanish. The former star of “Falcon Crest” visited San Diego’s Barrio Youth Center during Christmas week, encouraging troubled Latino teen-agers to follow a positive direction.

Upcoming segments of Univision’s new series, “Fama y Fortuna” (“Fame and Fortune”), will feature visits to the homes of Mexican superstars Veronica Castro, Lucia Mendez and Emmanuel.

Abbe Lane (who last month celebrated her silver anniversary of marriage to cable-TV company owner Perry Leff and the wedding of their oldest son), is penning an autobiographical novel for Warner Books. As some of you might recall, Lane was appearing on Broadway when discovered by bandleader Xavier Cugat (whom she later married). Through their popular stage act and motion pictures, the sultry entertainer became the first musical crossover artist--introducing Latin cha-cha and rumba rhythms to American and European audiences in the 1950s--music that remains popular to this day.

Speaking of “crossovers,” Spanish-language rock has come to L.A. in a big way. It all began with Miguel Mateos, whose recent local sellout concerts paved the way for Mecano and Soda Stereo. And it now looks as if more Latino rockers will be rollicking across our stages throughout 1990. In fact, Mateos (who is in town putting the finishing touches on his latest album) kicks off the new year by headlining a “Rock en Espanol” (“Rock in Spanish”) 20-city U.S. tour, which includes concerts in Anaheim and Hollywood. Argentina’s Mateos is joined by Spain’s Duncan Dhu on the tour.