Sarah Geronimo remains a Kapamilya star

ABS-CBN - Thursday, September 9

 

Sarah Geronimo remains a Kapamilya star

MANILA, Philippines - Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo on Wednesday renewed her contract with ABS-CBN for another year, ending speculations that she might transfer to rival network TV5 after her newest series “Idol.”
In an interview after signing the contract, Geronimo said there’s no need to transfer to other network since she’s happy being a Kapamilya star.
"Dito ay at home na at home po ako at napakalaki po ng naitulong sa career ko ng ABS-CBN. Sila po ang tumulong na makilala ako ng mga tao as Sarah Geronimo, sa ASAP, aktres sa mga teleserye, at even sa pelikula sa Star Cinema. Napaka-happy ko po at walang dahilan para umalis," Geronimo said.
Geronimo added that ABS-CBN has lined up a lot of projects for her including musical series “Idol,” which premiered on Monday.
"Bonggang bongga at major major ang pasasalamat namin sa mga Kapamilya natin na sumubaybay ng premiere noong Monday. Ito very excited na po kami kasi talagang dito na mare-reveal ang puso ng istorya ng buhay ni Billy o ni Jean at lumabas na din si Coco Martin as Lando," Geronimo said.
Geronimo admitted that she got worried after hearing the news of her purported transfer, prompting her to ask her talent manager about the issue.
"Oo may mga nagsabi sa akin at narinig ko sa ibang tao pa. Nag-worry, opo. I asked my manager at sinabi niyang hindi po totoo talaga," Geronimo said
Also present during the contract signing were ABS-CBN Channel head Cory Vidanes, Entertainment head Linggit Tan, Business Unit head Deo Endrinal, Business Unit head Joyce Liquicia and Geronimo's mother, Divine.

Boy Abunda Defends Shaina from 'Bastos' Rumor

Manila Bulletin - Friday, September 10

 

MANILA, Philippines - TV host Boy Abunda quashed nasty rumors about Shaina Magdayao having been brought to a hospital recently.
For weeks now, Shaina Magdayao has been the subject of muted conversations in show business. According to talk, the young actress was rushed to a hospital allegedly because a scandalous accident happened to her and boyfriend John Lloyd Cruz during an intimate moment.
''Mga kaibigan, nais lamang po nating itama ang isang maling balita,'' Abunda began on ''Showbiz News Ngayon,'' Sept. 9.
''Kasi po may umiikot na malisyoso at bastos na balita na may kinalaman kina Shaina Magdayao at John Lloyd Cruz. The first time I heard about this tsismis... ang involved na ospital po, mga kaibigan, ay isang ospital sa Quezon City hanggang ito ay nalipat sa isang ospital sa Makati. Ito ay may kinalaman sa diumano'y pagdala kay Shaina Magdayao sa isang ospital...''
Then came Abunda's categorical denial.
''Ito po ay walang katotohanan. Ito po'y... this is unfair especially to a girl like Shaina. Hindi po ito totoo, 'wag po kayong maniwala.''
Abunda said the malicious and damaging rumor could not be true.
''As a matter of fact, si Shaina po ay busy sa kanyang taping para sa 'Precious Hearts Presents Alynna.' Samantala, si Lloydy naman po ay bising-busy din naman po para kanyang trabgaho sa 'Imortal.'''
''So, itong bastos, this nasty talks about Shaina having been brought to the hospital... inuulit ko po kasi dumating na ito sa mga blogs, sa internet... hindi po ito totoo mga kaibigan. 'Yun lang. Para lang ma-i set natin ang record nang straight,'' Abunda reiterated.
The TV host feels this is utterly unfair for Shaina as it is bereft of truth.
''Kasi pabulong na pinag-uusapan. Alam mo naman 'di ba 'pag may tsismis ang sarap (pag-usapan) lalo na...ito, we have to stop this. It's not fair,'' he said.

A Minute With: Milla Jovovich in "Resident Evil"

Reuters - Friday, September 10

 

By John Gaudiosi
SAN DIEGO - Actress Milla Jovovich returns to movie theaters with "Resident Evil: Afterlife," the fourth installment of the successful video game-to-film horror franchise -- only this time she is in 3D.
Jovovich, who met her husband director/producer/writer Paul W.S. Anderson on the set of 2002's original "Resident Evil," teams with him again for the latest film in which her character, Alice, helps save survivors of a virus that has ravaged Earth and turned some people into zombies and other creatures.
At the recent Comic-Con pop culture convention in San Diego, the model-turned-actress spoke to Reuters about what makes the "Resident Evil" movies successful and the challenges of kicking zombie butts in 3D.
Q: The "Resident Evil" films have generated over $378 million at global box offices. What is it about these films that have succeeded where so many Hollywood video game adaptations have failed?
A: "'Resident Evil' has always been an independent movie, which I think is very special about it. It's not a studio concoction. We started as a tiny, little European action film, and everybody involved, Paul, myself and Michelle Rodriguez, were into the game. That was the birth of this franchise. It was just people who really love the games, who really love the characters, and love to kick butt and take no prisoners, and girls enjoying taking on these tough parts.
"I think that translates to people. People are smart today. They know when you're lying to them. They know when you're trying to pull one over on them, and we're not trying to pull anything over on anybody. We're just trying to make the best movie we can with the budget we have and have a great time doing it so that people have a great time watching it."
Q: Many action-oriented video games have male heroes, but with the "Resident Evil" and the "Tomb Raider," women have been the strong ones and they've done well as films, too. Why?
A: "It's always great for women to be given strong parts and be believable in them. The fact that we are promoting the fourth film is a real testament to the passion we put into the movies and to the love, and the hard work, and the excitement we have filming them. It's just been such a fun ride.
Q: How have you seen women from different cultures react to the "Resident Evil" films over the past decade?
A: "In Japan, literally 95 percent of the viewers are girls that go see these movies, and in America it's the opposite. Girls in Tokyo really, really need these strong role models, where I think women in America think the films are too violent. Japanese girls are normally so polite and so quiet that they need that outlet."
Q: What did having a larger budget with this fourth film open up creatively?
A: We were able to film in Tokyo, Los Angeles, Alaska and Toronto, which really gives the movie this big feeling that we never had in any of the films. All the other films always took place in one location. Because we were able to go to all these different places, it's very different visually and the stunts are just bigger, and the characters are just wonderful. You get a chance in this movie to take some time with characters. It's not just action, action, action."
Q: What were the challenges of filming in 3D?
A: Well, I got punched quite a few times on this one because you have to get closer because you can see now the distance and the depth. The viewer can see the fake punches in 3D.".
Q: You're known for doing most of your own stunts. What stood out for you in this movie?
A: "There's a lot of great wire work, which I love. I love to fly, to feel weightless. I love to get into the stunt rig and just be hoisted up into the air and just fly around. I love to jump off high places, so there's a lot of that going on in this film because it is so good in 3D to be jumping off things.

Willie closing deal with TV5?

Philstar.com - Saturday, September 11

 

It’s final: Willie Revillame is set to close a multi-million-peso deal with TV5 anytime now.
This was confirmed to Funfare by somebody close to Manny V. Pangilinan, TV5 big boss.
Funfare tried to dial Willie’s celfone number but the phone just kept on ringing. No answer. It must be true that he has changed his number. He wasn’t available to confirm (or deny?) the report.
The Funfare VDPA said that the show, which will occupy the 6 to 8 p.m. slot Monday thru Friday, will be titled Willing-Willie.
“Willing-Willie magpasaya, willing-Willie mamigay ng regalo at pera, willing-Willie magbigay ng aliw,” said the VDPA. “MVP is giving the show all-support. In fact, he has already met with heads of TV5’s sister companies to do the same.”
Target date of the show’s premiere is Oct. 10 — 10-10-10 — so those building the set are now working double time.
Even before Willie announced a few weeks ago that he was unilaterally cutting his ties with ABS-CBN, he was reported to be “secretly” meeting with executives from both the Kapuso (GMA) and Kapatid (TV5) networks.
ABS-CBN had suspended him for three months (until this month) from hosting the defunct noontime show Wowowee (replaced by Pilipinas Win Na Win with Kris Aquino as lead host) after he challenged to fire Jobert Sucaldito whom Willie accused of hitting him on his (Jobert’s) program on dzMM, the network’s sister station. There were negotiations between Willie and ABS-CBN to return earlier but Willie accused the network of unfaithfulness when he said it changed its plan for him to last July 31, which became one of the grounds for Willie’s filing a petition for the rescission of his contract which will expire in September next year yet.
The court has given ABS-CBN until Wednesday, Sept. 15, to file its answer to Willie’s charges.
Contacted for comment, Bong Osorio, head of the ABS-CBN Corporate Communications texted to Funfare this statement: Willie continues to be bound to ABS-CBN and we will challenge in court any contract involving his production or exhibition of another program with another network.
Endless Love stars on love
Tomorrow’s episode of Ricky Reyes’ Q-11 show Life and Style with Gandang Ricky Reyes (starting at 10 a.m. Sundays) will air its visit to the set of the GMA soap Endless Love where its stars, sweethearts Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, along with Dennis Trillo, talk about love and loving.
Ricky furnished Funfare a transcription of the free-wheeling interview, done in Taglish:
Sweethearts Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera with Endless Love co-star Dennis Trillo — VER PAULINO
Marian: Love…ito ‘yung gift na binigay ni Lord na kahit sino hindi puede kumuha. Basta binigay mo ‘yung love mo, ‘yon ang kayamanan na hindi mabibili o matutumbasan kahit anong material na bagay. Mas pinaiiral ko ang love kaysa sa utak. Love muna ako bago utak.
Dingdong: Love…isa siyang action…ginagawa.
Dennis: Love is a monster, kasi halimaw siya. Kapag dumapo sa’yo, kakainin ka ng buong-buo; wala siyang ititira sa’yo. Mag-iiba ka talaga. Gagawin mo lahat para magustuhan ka ng taong gusto mo.
Marian: Kapag in love ka, iniisip mo ‘yung taong love mo bago ang sarili mo.
Dingdong: Good morning, message lang.
Dennis: Kumustahin mo lang siya kung gising na ba siya, kung ano ang balita.
Marian: May sakripisyo siya pero naniniwala ako sa ngayon sa nararamdaman ko, mas matindi ‘yung love kaysa sa sakripisyo o buhay ko.
Dingdong: Sa maraming bagay, magkasama kami ng mahal ko mag-explore sa abot ng makakaya namin. Hindi mo na iniisip, basta kusa lang lumalabas ‘yung initiative mo.’
Dennis: Sign na tinatamaan na ako ay ‘yung may mga ginagawa ako na hindi ko naman usually ginagawa.
Marian: Ako kasi ‘yung taong malambing talaga. Hangga’t kaya ko ipakita at iparamdam, gagawin ko talaga kahit na siguro sa sarili ko huwag na muna ako, siya na muna.
Dingdong: Ako siguro, kahit mali para sa akin, tama na magiging masaya ka pa rin.
Dennis: Marami na akong ginawa dahil sa pag-ibig, eh, pero siguro hangga’t umiibig ka, kahit mali talaga, kahit ano ang sabihin ng tao, wala kang pakialam.
Marian: Doon ako sa masaya ako at sa magpapasaya ng taong minamahal ko.
Dingdong: Nanggagaling sa inspirasyon, eh, at sa ligaya na naibibigay mo sa taong mahal mo. Siempre, doon ka kumukuha ng lakas, ‘yon ang dahilan para alam mo ‘yung susunod na mangyayari sa buhay mo.
Dennis: Parang kakalimutan mo muna lahat kahit buhay mo.
Marian: Ginagawang mali? Wala, eh. Para sa akin, lahat na gawin mo tama kapag in love ka.
Dingdong: Ginagawang mali? Secret!
Dennis: Mga plano? Automatic na ‘yon, eh. Natural na lumalabas sa dalawang taong in love, kahit hindi nila pinaguusapan.
Dingdong: Commitment? Dapat mula sa simula hanggang sa wakas, mula sa umpisa hanggang sa dulo the moment na-confirm mo na mahal mo siya.
Marian: Actually, ‘yung matatamis na salita, eh, wala lang, mga salita lang ‘yon. Mas importante pa rin ‘yung sinabi ni Dong na pinapakita niya kahit hindi siya nagsasalita alam mo na sa tingin pa lang niya na love ka niya at ipaglalaban ka niya.
Dingdong: Mapapa-thank you ka talaga. Thank you, thank you for completing me!
Dennis: Ako talaga, madalas ako mag-thank you. Binabalik ko, halimbawa, gumawa siya ng maganda, siempre lagi akong nagta-thank you pagkatapos ibabalik ko ‘yung favor lasi kasi nakakatuwa na may taong nagmamalasakit sa’yo.
Oops! That’s all for now, lest Funfare preempts Ricky’s show. For the complete exchange of “love-ful” ideas, tune in to Ricky’s show tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock on Q-11.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com) - FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

Was Miss Australia misquoted?

By Gerry Plaza – September 11th, 2010

 

Showbiz Eye by Gerry Plaza


A maelstrom of controversy emerged the past week after reports that Miss Universe Australia Jesinta Campbell had accused her opponents in the beauty pageant of sabotage.
These reports said she suspected a number of contestants, including Bb. Pilipinas Universe Maria Venus Raj, of sabotaging her national costume that she said proved to her that she faced a hideous, cruel and “bitchy” backstage in an otherwise squeaky clean, image sensitive international pageant, which was held on August 23 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
However, as we look closely at the source of these reports, especially a specific quote attributed to her that was published in the Herald Sun wherein she allegedly suspected contestants from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Philippines as the culprit, she obviously singled them out in the context of their competitiveness in general.
“Winning is so important for those girls because they become queens in their country and are worshipped if they win – and it changes everything forever for them,” she said in the interview. This quote, it seemed, had been taken out of context in the subsequent reports that circulated.
Campbell even quickly clarified that she can’t pinpoint anyone.
“But there were 82 other girls there and I can’t narrow it down, so it’s a mystery to me,” she added.
However, the intriguing part of the interview was that she mentioned those contestants who would not have done it.
“But I know who didn’t do it – my best friends were the girls from Ireland, Belgium, Great Britain and Guam and I know they wouldn’t have done that to me.”
In a separate interview with the Adelaide-based radio station Nova 91.9 FM, she said: “I don’t know who it was because all of that stuff was backstage. So it could have been anyone.”

According to Campbell, she discovered pins at delicate parts of her much derided national costume, which consisted of an aboriginal-inspired one piece bikini top, flamenco dress, and high-heeled ugg boots, when she wore it during the pageant. Six pins were placed at the back of the costume which caused her sharp pains but didn’t lead to any injury. She said she did not have time to remove them because she had to get to the pageant stage.
“I put it on just before I was due to go out on parade but I felt these sharp pains when something stuck into my back,” she further told the Herald Sun.
“I took the top off and found all these pins had been stuck into it…I didn’t have any injuries or marks, but I didn’t have much time to take them out and get it back on because I had to be out there.”
But looking back, Campbell, who was adjudged Miss Congeniality in the competition, just shrugged it off. She won second runner up in the pageant.
“The sabotage was a bit harsh, but you have to laugh at these things and not take it too seriously and it did give me a story to tell when I got home.”
In her interview with Nova 91.9 FM, a DJ suspected a different scenario. Asked if it was a designer who did it, Campbell said, “Probably.”


Photos by Getty Images and AP.
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Aside from this blog, Gerry Plaza writes entertainment features for the Sunday Inquirer Magazine and contributes to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Gerry is a former entertainment section editor of INQ7.net, showbiz channel editor of INQUIRER.net, and associate editor of Philippine Entertainment Portal.

Claudine VS Angelica.. Bangayan sa TOTOONG BUHAY

(Source: PEP.ph)

Humagulgol si Claudine Barretto noong Agosto 25, nang kapanayamin siya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sa telepono habang inilalahad ang dahilan ng kanyang balak na paghahabla kay Angelica Panganiban. Si Claudine, 31, ang dating kinikilalang premier star ng Star Magic; sa kasalukuyan, si Angelica, 23, ang namamayagpag sa talent center ng ABS-CBN.

Nakarating sa mga editors ng PEP na binabalak ng premyadong aktres na magsampa ng demanda laban kay Angelica, isa ring mahusay na aktres, dahil sa diumanong pagkakalat ng huli ng mga kuwentong nakasasama kay Claudine at sa kanyang pamilya.

Ayon sa aktres, ipinamamalita raw ni Angelica sa ilang taong malapit kay Claudine na may affair si Claudine sa best friend ni Derek Ramsay na si Martin Castro. Si Martin ay naging kaibigan daw ni Raymart Santiago, asawa ni Claudine, simula pa noong nakaraang taon.

Pag-describe ni Claudine sa telepono, si Martin ay: ”Siya iyong payat sa picture na pinadala namin sa iyo. Iyong payat na may hikaw.” Ang litratong tinutukoy ay pinadala ni Claudine noong Hulyo sa manunulat na ito, sa pamamagitan ng isang kaibigan, kasama ang iba pang litrato ng July 20-joint birthday celebration nila ni Raymart. Ito ang picture na kasama ng artikulong ito.

“Kinonfirm na ng apat na tao ito sa akin,” sabi ni Claudine tungkol sa pagkakalat diumano ni Angelica ng kuwentong ang nakatatandang aktres ay may affair sa kaibigan ni Derek.

Bukod pa rito, ayon kay Claudine, ikinagalit din daw niya ang maanghang na pasaring ni Angelica laban sa kanyang kapatid na si Gretchen sa Twitter. Nakarating din daw kay Claudine na sinabi ni Angelica sa ilang mutual friends na, “Pareho lang daw kaming magkapatid. Kulang na lang sabihin niyang ‘kabit.’”

Pinabulaanan ni Claudine sa PEP na siya ay mayroong relasyon kay Martin Castro. Magkaibigan lang daw sila nito. ”In fact, Martin and Raymart are still friends, they still talk,” sabi ng aktres.

Sa paniniwala ni Claudine, ito ay paraan ni Angelica, ang girlfriend ni Derek, para sirain ang pagkakaibigan ni Derek at ng matalik nitong kaibigang si Martin. Ayon pa rin kay Claudine, di ito naiiba sa panggugulo ni Angelica sa pagkakaibigan ng aktor at ng mga kasamahang atleta.

Sabi ni Claudine tungkol kay Angelica, “Gusto niyang sirain si Derek at si Martin. Ipinagkakalat niya na addict si Martin.”

Sa pagsasalaysay ni Claudine, nagsimula ang lahat nang maimbitahan sila ni Raymart ng mag-asawang Martin at Cris Castro sa tahanan ng huli nitong Hulyo. “They had just renovated their house kasi, they fixed the garden, and Martin’s mother cooked. At gusto daw ako makita ng mother ni Martin,” paglalahad pa ng aktres. Nagkataon daw na imbitado rin si Derek sa nasabing okasyon at kasama nito si Angelica.

Ayon kay Claudine, “pagdating pa lang” ng nakababatang aktres ay tila masama na ang timpla nito, at di minsang tila “padabog-dabog” kumilos. Nakarating din daw kay Claudine nung gabi ring iyon na ikinukuwento ni Angelica sa ilang mga guests ang diumano’y pagreregalo ni Gretchen ng mga mamahaling gamit kay Derek, ang leading man ng huli sa teleseryeng Magkaribal ng ABS-CBN.

Kinausap daw ni Claudine si Angelica nang gabing iyon. “I asked her why she was saying those things in the party.” Ang nasabi lang daw ni Angelica sa kanya ay isang matabang na “Sorry.”

“Inalagaan ko ‘yan since she was nine years old,” sabi pa ni Claudine sa PEP kahapon. “She was there on my wedding, imbitado siya sa binyag, we invite her to our house, how could she do this to me and my family?”

Ayon kay Claudine, nakababatang kapatid ang turing nito kay Angelica, na nakasama niya noon sa ABS-CBN Star Magic at sa kaniyang huling teleserye sa ABS-CBN, ang Iisa Pa Lamang.

“Kung may pinagdadaanan siya, sana sabihin niya sa akin, iintindihin ni Ate,” dagdag ni Claudine.

Ilang beses din daw nagplano ng pormal na pakikipag-usap ang mga Santiago kina Derek at Angelica ngunit walang natuloy sa mga ito. Hindi naman binanggit ng aktres ang mga pagkakataong humingi silang mag-asawa ng pakikipag-usap sa magkasintahang Derek at Angelica.

Ngunit sinabi ni Claudine, na sa pagitan nilang tatlo ni Raymart at ni Derek, “May usapan kaming kung sino ang nagsinungaling, siya ang unang umako. Pero biglang nagtatago na sila.”

Sa isang text message na ipinadala ni Claudine, tinanong daw niya si Angelica: “What’s your excuse for doing this to me?”

Alam din ni Claudine ang mga sabi-sabi na ipinagtatanggol lang daw niya ang kapatid na si Gretchen upang makisawsaw sa publicity. Matatandaang nagkaroon ng iringan kamakailan lang sina Angelica at Gretchen matapos magbiro ng huli na padalhan siya ni Derek ng pictures mula sa bakasyon sa South Africa—pero iyong mga litrato lang na hindi kasama si Angelica. Natapos ito sa pag-apologize ni Angelica kay Gretchen sa telebisyon, at ang paghingi rin ni Gretchen kay Angelica ng paumanhin sa pagiging “playful” niya na maaaring makasakit ng iba.

“I will always protect my sister,” sabi ni Claudine sa PEP. “I don’t know if she knows, I don’t care. I’m just wired that way.”

Inamin naman ni Claudine sa PEP na matagal na silang hindi nagkaka-usap ni Gretchen, at “mas mabuti nang ganito ang sitwasyon namin.” Hindi rin naman niya ipinaliwanag kung bakit mas mabuti ang ganitong kalagayan.

Gayunpaman, sabi niya, lagi niyang ipagtatanggol si Gretchen. “Eto lang ako,” dagdag ni Claudine habang umiiyak sa telepono, “linis lang nang linis ng kalat ng kapatid ko.”

Ayon kay Claudine, inaayos pa ang mga papeles para sa kanyang paghahabla, at maaring sa Setyembre na ito ihain, matapos ng kanyang mga commitments sa trabaho. Tatlo ang mga abugadong pinag-iisipan ni Claudine na pahawakin ng kaso. Isa na rito ay ang dati na niyang abugado at kaibigang si Raymond Fortun.

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I don’t know, I’m still not convinced with this story. I hope I am wrong but I think Claudine is just after some publicity. Maybe Angelica should air her side of the story as well so the public could actually assess who is telling the truth. Well, I wish they could settle the issue (if it’s true) out of the courts.

Claudine nagsampa ng kaso laban kay Angelica

By Gerry Plaza – August 30th, 2010

 

 
Showbiz Eye by Gerry Plaza
For Yahoo! Southeast Asia
Angelica Panganiban will remain silent on fellow actress Claudine Barretto’s plans to file a court case against her.
In a report published on the Philippine Entertainment Portal, Claudine alleged that Angelica was the source of ugly rumors that she has an extra-marital affair with a common friend, Martin Castro, who is very much married and also a close friend of Derek Ramsey and Raymart Santiago.
Angelica’s lawyer, Joji Alonso, released a statement read on ABS-CBN’s “The Buzz” on Sunday, August 29:
“Angelica has been advised to keep silent. There’s no need for her to say anything, moreso in reaction to what has been said. She has not done anything wrong, much less malign Claudine. On the contrary, it is Angelica who is being maligned by these unfounded accusations. Neither is there a need to dignify this incident by saying something more than what has already been said.”
Denying that Angelica ever made any claim about Claudine’s supposed extra-marital affair, the lawyer further said: “Whatever more that is said against Angelica shall be cause of the filing of appropriate civil and criminal cases.”
In the PEP.ph report, Claudine denied any romantic links with Martin and that they are only friends. She added Martin and Raymart remain as close friends.
Asked what drove Angelica to make such accusations, Claudine told PEP that the actress was out to destroy Martin’s friendship with Derek. “Gusto niyang sirain si Derek at si Martin. Ipinagkakalat niya na addict si Martin,” she said.
In addition, Claudine said she was also out to protect her sister Gretchen’s reputation, which Angelica had besmirched in Twitter messages. She also claimed that in a party they all attended, Angelica had talked to guests about Gretchen’s supposed gifts to Derek, her longtime boyfriend. Gretchen and Angelica have since patched up their differences.
In a separate PEP report, Star Magic’s Johnny Manahan expressed full support for Angelica, one of their prized talents, in this controversy.
“She is feisty, irreverent, sometimes crude, but never a liar,” Mr. M said.
“Whoever is behind the web of lies and falsehoods being spun in print, Twitter, and other media must be a very disturbed individual. I only hope this nonsense stops before it destroys the perpetrator,” he added.
To Claudine, one of his original talents in the network who has since moved to rival station GMA-7, Mr. M did not mince any words in another message to PEP: “Go Ahead! Sue, Claudine. Make our Day! Para bellum (Prepare for war).”




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Aside from this blog, Gerry Plaza writes entertainment features for the Sunday Inquirer Magazine and contributes to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Gerry is a former entertainment section editor of INQ7.net, showbiz channel editor of INQUIRER.net, and associate editor of Philippine Entertainment Portal.

Vice Ganda no longer wants to judge in 'Showtime'

by Vinia Vivar

Thursday, 26 August 2010 18:34

Nakakatuwa ang reaksyon ni Coco Martin nang tanungin siya ng press na bumisita sa taping ng Idol kung ano ang masasabi niya na crush siya ni Venus Raj. “Sino ’yon?” major, major na tanong niya. Nagkatawanan tuloy lahat dahil nang araw na ’yon, kapapanalo lang ni Venus as fourth runner-up sa Miss Universe at mainit na pinag-uusapan ng lahat. “Hindi ako nanood, eh, galing ako ng U.S.,” pangangatwiran ni Coco. “Ba’t ako magiging crush nu’n?” natatawa niyang sabi. “Para namang katangkaran ako?” Ganunpaman, flattered ang aktor kung totoo man at “thank you” na lang ang major major niyang nasambit. Nilinaw din ng press kay Coco ang totoong estado nila ni Erich Gonzalez, na matatandaang binuking ni Kris Aquino na type na type niya. “Wala namang ganu’n. Kaibigan ko ’yon, eh. Matagal na kaming magkaibigan. Noon pa kami nagte-text-an, Ligaw na Bulaklak pa lang, magkaibigan na kami,” pagtanggi ni Coco. Hindi siya nanliligaw kay Erich? “Hindi, kaibigan ko si Erich.” Balak niyang ligawan? “Wala, wala,” say niya. Natanong din sa aktor kung nag-date na ba sila ni Erich at say niya never pa. “Pero nagkakasama kami minsan sa mga show, ganyan, pero ’yung lalabas talaga, wala pa.” Sa ngayon, talagang wala siyang lovelife at aniya, madali ’yon if ever. Ang mas importante raw sa kanya ngayon ay makaipon ng pera para makapagpatayo na siya ng sariling bahay. “At saka kung sakali man, gusto ko ’yung non-showbiz, mahirap kasi kung sa showbiz, kumplikado, eh, magulo. Alam naman natin ang buhay dito, eh.” Anyway, bukod sa bagong tv project niyang Idol, kasama rin si Coco sa family drama movie ng Star Cinema na Sa’Yo Lamang. Ito ang kanyang first mainstream movie at may kasunod na nga agad dahil kasama rin siya sa Dalaw with Kris and Diether Ocampo, filmfest entry naman ng nasabing produksyon sa Disyembre. * * * Kung si Vice Ganda ang tatanungin, aminado siyang ayaw na sana niyang maging resident judge ng Showtime. “After ng grand finals,” say niya nang makapanayam namin sa Globe presscon last Wednesday night, “ayoko na sanang mag-judge. Ang hirap mag-judge. Ang sakit-sakit sa ulo. Ang dami kong kinukumpromiso. Kinukumpromiso ko ang sarili kong damdamin. Kinukumpromiso ko ’yung mga dapat kong sabihin, kinukonsidera ko ’yung puwedeng maramdaman ng ibang tao, ’yung totoong nararamdaman ko. “So, sabi ko, kapag itinuloy ko ’to, hindi lahat ng tao, makukuha ko ’yung simpatiya, kalooban nila. May pinipili lang ’yung taong magkakagusto sa akin. Kasi, hindi naman lahat ng tao, gusto prangka. Hindi naman lahat ng tao, natutuwa sa katotohanan. “Eh, ganoon ako. ’Yung totoong nararamdaman ko, masakit o hindi, kapag judge ako. Ang hirap kapag judge ka at the same time, komedyante ka. Ang hirap pagsabayin nu’n, eh. Kailan ba ako magiging judge? Kailan ba ako magiging komedyante? “Puwede kong gawing katatawanan lahat, pero paano naman ako magiging credible na hurado, ’di ba? So, ang hirap-hirap. Kaya sabi ko, kung mangyayari ’yon, paano ako magkakaroon ng pelikula, sino ang manonood ng pelikula ko kung naiinis sila sa sinasabi ko araw-araw?” mahabang pahayag ni Vice. Pangalawa raw na nahihirapan siya ay sa “sample” kung saan ay nahihilingan siyang sumayaw sa show. “Sumakit na rin ang ulo ko sa sample. Sa loob ng isang season, araw-araw akong nagsa-sample. Ano pa ang isa-sample ko sa susunod na season kung ire-require pa rin ako?” “Kaya sabi ko, sige, kung gusto n’yo ng sample, ipiprepara ko muna ang sarili ko. Mag-iisip ako ng bagong sample. Ayokong sumabak diyan na hindi naman ako ready.” Pero mahal daw niya ang Showtime at gusto niya pa ring maging bahagi ng show. ’Yung pagiging judge lang daw niya ang hindi niya alam kung makakayanan pa niya. “Kasi nga, sa araw-araw na pagdya-judge ko, parang nasabi ko na lahat ang gusto kong sabihin. Nasabi ko na ang masasakit na puwedeng sabihin. Sa mga performance na halos pare-pareho lang naman. May ibang nababali. “Ako, ayoko na ng mga performance na nauulit. At the same time, ang mga tao, ayaw rin naman siguro nilang makarinig sa akin ng same komento, na ’yun at ’yon ang naririnig nila. Salitang ‘energy, power,’ araw-araw nang naririnig,” say pa ni Vice. Samantala, ang Globe ang first big endorsement ni Vice Ganda kung saan ay nakapirma siya ng two years. Sa nasabing presscon, in-announce ng kumpanya ang bagong promo nila, ang Super-All Txt 20 kung saan ay makakapag-text ka ng 200 messages for just P20 sa loob ng isang araw.

Venus almost had Ms. Universe crown

By Yahoo! Southeast Asia Editors – August 24th, 2010

By Thea Alberto and Janie Octia, Yahoo! Southeast Asia

After making it to the Ms. Universe Top 5 list, Ms. Philippines Maria Venus Raj placed 4th runner up with Mexico’s Jimena Navarrete emerging with the title .
Following Ms. Mexico is Jamaica’s Yendi Phillips as 1st runner up, Australia’s Jesinta Campbell and Ukraine’s Anna Poslavska as 2nd and 3rd runners up.
Candidates from Ireland, Albania, Puerto Rico, South Africa and Guatemala make it to the top 10 while candidates from Belgium, France, Russia,  Colombia, and Czech Republic make it to the top 15.
Raj, 22, from Camarines Sur donned a silver dress for the evening gown competition which she described as “comfortable.”
Malacanang congratulates Venus Raj
Malacanang on Tuesday congratulated Venus Raj for making it to the top 5.
In a text message to reporters, Presidential Communications Group Development Secretary Ricky Carandang said Raj’s success brought a “bright spot.”
“The success of Ms. Raj is a bright spot in an otherwise sad day for our country,” Carandang said.
Raj’s victory came a day after the deadly Quirino Grandstand bus hostage taking which left at least eight Hong Kong tourists killed.
Photo by Associated Press

Robin, Mariel refuse to comment on marriage rumor

abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Sweethearts Mariel Rodriguez and Robin Padilla arrived together in Manila from India at past 12 a.m. on Sunday.
Padilla and Rodriguez were holding hands at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
The “Pilipinas Win na Win” hosts declined to comment on whether they have already tied the knot abroad.
“There’s a proper time to talk about this matter,” Rodriguez told Gretchen Fullido of ABS-CBN News.
Rodriguez, who was wearing the diamond ring that Padilla gave her on ABS-CBN showbiz oriented talk show “E-Live” (Entertainment Live) last August 7, said they returned home to deal with something more important.
“We went home because there are bigger issues to tackle which is Robin’s son, Ali,” she added. "That's why we're back."
Ali is the youngest child of Padilla. He is set to go back to his mother, Padilla’s ex-wife Liezl Sicangco, in Australia.
Sicangco was reportedly irked by Padilla’s purported neglect of their 4 children -- Queenie, Kylie, Zhen-Zhen and Ali – lately due to Rodriguez.
Padilla has already apologized to his ex-wife and their children for his shortcomings.

ABS-CBN News Correspondent Gretchen Fullido and actress-television host Mariel Rodriguez

Rodriguez, meantime, reiterated that she did not resign from “Pilpinas Win na Win.”
“I’m on indefinite leave. I did not resign,” she stated.
Rodriguez also stressed that she is not pregnant, noting that she already cleared the issue in her “E-Live” interview with Bianca Gonzales aired on Saturday. 
The actress-television host also recounted her first trip to India which she described as good and fun. “I would love to go back,” she said. – With reports from ANC and Gretchen Fullido, ABS-CBN News

'Willie Gustong alisin sina Mariel at Pokwang sa Wowowee'

abs-cbnNEWS

MANILA, Philippines - Willie Revillame wanted Wowowee co-hosts Pokwang and Mariel Rodriquez axed from the noontime show as a precondition for his return, an ABS-CBN official disclosed on Friday.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Linggit Tan, ABS-CBN senior vice-president for TV entertainment, said this demand was another sign that Revillame had not changed his attitude, thus making it difficult for the network to come to terms with the TV host following his 3-month suspension.
Tan issued the statement in response to Revillame's claim that ABS-CBN had reneged on an agreement that he was to return to the show on July 31. Revillame is using this as one of the reasons for rescinding his contract with the Kapamilya network.
“Wala pong naging kasunduan ang management ng ABS-CBN at si Willie na babalik na siya sa Wowowee noong July 31. Ang suspensyon ni Willie ay matatapos po sa August 24 pa. Si Willie ang may gustong bumalik na siya sa Wowowee noong July 31. Ang totoo po, wala pang desisyon ang management noon, bilang pagbibigay halaga sa damdamin ng mga manonood na ang iba ay tutol po talaga sa kanyang pagbabalik sa telebisyon dahil sa inasal niya noong May 4 at mga iba pang pangyayari noon,” Tan said.
“Isang patunay na hindi pa siya nagbabago ay ang pagbibigay niya ng mga kondisyon sa kanyang pagbabalik. Pinapatanggal po niya sina Mariel Rodriguez at Pokwang sa programa at dapat din daw siyang suwelduhan habang siya ay suspendido. Kaya’t marami pa kaming dapat pag-usapan at ayusin. Naniniwala ang management ng ABS-CBN na dapat isabuhay muna ni Willie ang pinahahalagahang values at work ethics ng kompanya bago siya bumalik sa telebisyon,” she added.
In reply to Revillame's August 9 letter, ABS-CBN, represented by the law firm Villaraza, Cruz, Marcelo, and Angangco, also disclosed that aside from demanding the removal of all female hosts of Wowowee, Revillame also asked for the following:

• Payment of talent fee during the period of the suspension of the talent agreement;
• Return of DJ Coki and Ana Feliciano to Wowowee;
• Change of program from Wowowee to Wowowin;
• Inclusion of Pinoy Big Brother winner Melai as host of the show;
• Special ID cards for staff of Wowowee;
• Special vehicle access privilege for the TV host in restricted areas within the ABS-CBN compound.

ABS-CBN's Tan "did not grant nor agree" to Revillame's demands. Thus, the company said "there could not have been an agreement on a definite date" for Revillame's return to television.
"Clearly, therefore, there is no truth that Ms. Tan informed you on 10 July 2010 that you would return as host of Wowowee on 31 July 2010," the network's lawyers said.
In a meeting on July 13, the network's lawyers also argued that ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio informed Revillame that the suspension of the TV host's talent agreement was to last until "August 24, 2010. Thus, the earliest Revillame could return was after that date.
"However, Revillame didn't want to return in August since it was an "unlucky month to do so," the lawyers said.
"You cited several bad experiences in your personal life and career that occurred in the month of August. Since a return on 31 July 2010 was not possible, this led to a consideration of other dates for your possible return to the program," the lawyers said.
The earliest Revillame could return to the show was sometime in September 2010.
In the meeting with Santos-Concio, the lawyers said Revillame was told that "public sentiment was still mostly against your return to television and that there was a need to rehabilitate your image and name.'
Revillame, in response, said he was ready to return to television as late as January 2011, "if this was what ABS-CBN management thought was best under the circumstances."
Revillame supposedly mentioned this was "worth considering" since a return in January 2011 would coincide with his 50th birthday.
Santos-Concio, during the meeting, also told Revillame he needed to change his attitude before his return to television.
During the last meeting between Tan and Revillame on July 20, the lawyers said Tan informed Revillame that management "had finally decided that a return to Wowowee was no longer an option."
"This was due to the fact that studies and feedback received by ABS-CBN had shown that the viewing public was still not in favor of your return to television because of the incident of 4 May 2010 and that it was advisable to gradually build the public's acceptance of your presence on television," the lawyers said.
This was why Tan opened discussions for an alternative program, including one that was pre-recorded instead of live.
Revillame announced last week his desire to end his contract with ABS-CBN, which the network said was binding until September 2011. His lead counsel Leonard de Vera said they are seeking legal protection for Revillame given ABS-CBN's newest statement. 
"As a consequence of the letter of Atty. Villaraza which in effect warns Willie and those who may want to contract with him while ABS-CBN keeps Willie in the freezer, Willie is now compelled to seek the protection of the courts of law," De Vera said.  -- report from Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News

Bea Alonzo on being involved in rumored breakup of Kim and Gerald: "Wala naman po akong ginagawa. Wala naman akong dapat ikabahala."

PEP 

 

Bea Alonzo on being involved in rumored breakup of Kim and Gerald: "Wala naman po akong ginagawa. Wala naman akong dapat ikabahala."

Puro papuri ang tinanggap ni Bea Alonzo mula sa kanyang co-star sa pelikulang Sa 'Yo Lamang na si Lorna Tolentino. Unang nagkasama ang dalawa sa teleserye ng ABS-CBN na Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay (2002 to 2003).
Sa presscon ng Sa 'Yo Lamang kahapon, August 19, sa Dolphy Theater ng ABS-CBN ay sinabi ni Lorna na noon pa lang ay nakitaan na niya ng lalim sa pag-arte si Bea.
Ito naman ang naging reaksiyon Bea sa tinuran ng grandslam-winning actress: "Sobrang nakakataba ng puso. Sabi ko nga, kung puwede ko lang i-record yun ng every moment, every word na sinabi niya, gagawin ko. Kasi siyempre, yung masabihan ka ng isang Lorna Tolentino na talagang tinitingala mo, sobra-sobra yung respeto mo, dun ka lang natuto, ang sarap ng pakiramdam. Para bang yung boss mo, may nasabing maganda sa 'yo."
Sabi rin ni Lorna ay "fan" siya ng young actress. Ano ang masasabi niya rito?
"Fan?" tila hindi naman makapaniwalang sabi ni Bea. "Sa kanya lang po kami natuto. Sa kanya lang kami na-inspire dahil nga, noon pa man, noong nag-uumpisa pa lang kami, nakita ko kung paano ang totoong artist sa kanya."
Ang Sa 'Yo Lamang ay 17th anniversary presentation ng Star Cinema. Mula sa direksiyon ni Laurice Guillen, tampok din dito sina Christopher de Leon, Diether Ocampo, Coco Martin, Zanjoe Marudo, Shaina Magdayao, Enchong Dee, Empress, Miles Ocampo, at Lauren Young.
Ipalalabas ang Sa 'Yo Lamang sa September 1.
GERALD-KIM RUMORED BREAKUP. Siyempre pa, hindi rin pinalagpas ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at ng iba pang invited media ang pagkakataon na tanungin si Bea tungkol sa mga kinasasangkutan niyang isyu ngayon. Una na rito ang balitang siya diumano ang dahilan ng rumored breakup nina Gerald Anderson at Kim Chiu. Ito ay sa kabila ng hindi naman umamin ni minsan ang dalawang ex-PBB Teen housemates na naging sila.
Kinumusta muna namin kay Bea ang lagay ng kanyang puso.
"Okay naman. Pero sa dami ng ginagawa ko ngayon, ito muna ang iniisip ko," nakangiti niyang sagot.
Bakit sila nali-link ni Gerald?
"Hindi ko rin po alam!" natatawa niyang sabi.
Aware daw si Bea na may mga nagagalit o "hate campaign" laban sa kanya ang fans ng tambalan nina Kim at Gerald. Pero ano ang reaksiyon niya rito?
"Siyempre, nakakalungkot," sagot ni Bea. "Sino ba naman ang hindi malulungkot kung maraming taong hindi ka gusto, di ba? Yun nga, ang sinasabi ko lang, wala naman po akong ginagawa. Wala naman akong dapat ikabahala."
Dagdag niya, "Sa point of view ko lang po ha, ngayon po, nagtatrabaho po ako. Masaya ako sa ginagawa ko. Ang dami ko pong blessings. So, mas gusto ko pong mag-concentrate do'n."
For the record, nanliligaw ba sa kanya si Gerald?
"Uy, bakit ako ang sasagot niyan, hindi naman ako..." bitin na sagot ni Bea, sabay pakiusap na huwag na lang pag-usapan sina Gerald at Kim.
Pero may basehan nga ba ang mga lumalabas o nabibintang sa kanya?
"Hindi ko po alam kung ano ang basehan nila..."
Hindi na natapos ni Bea ang sagot sa tanong dahil isang taga-Star Cinema ang sumingit at nagsabing wala raw sa posisyon ang young actress na sagutin ang mga tanong tungkol kina Gerald at Kim. Una, hindi raw involved ang young actress sa dalawa. Pangalawa, wala raw si Gerald sa pelikulang ipinu-promote ni Bea. Dagdag pa ng taga-Star Cinema, kung puwedeng tungkol sa Sa 'Yo Lamang ang pag-usapan.
ENCHONG DEE. Pagkatapos nito ay hindi na inusisa ng press si Bea tungkol kina Gerald at Kim. Bagkus ay tinanong na lang siya sa pagli-link sa kanila ng co-star niya sa Sa 'Yo Lamang at Magkaribal na si Enchong Dee.
Hindi nakadalo ng presscon si Enchong dahil naka-confine pa rin ito sa hospital dahil sa sakit na dengue. Inamin ni Bea na dinalaw na niya ang young actor sa hospital.
"Super kawawa ang hitsura niya. Galing po ako ng taping, naka-on-call ako sa Greenhills. E, nasa Cardinal [Santos Medical Center] siya. So, pinuntahan ko siya. Maga ang mata niya. May allergy rin siya sa gamot. Kawawa po... So, nahihirapan din kami sa schedule ng Magkaribal," lahad ni Bea.
Sinasabi raw ni Enchong na type na type niya si Bea, ano ang masasabi ng dalaga rito?
"Naku, magkaibigan po kaming matalik. Sobra!" mabilis na sagot ng young actress. "At saka, kapatid ko siya dito [Sa 'Yo Lamang]. Hindi naman po siguro crush. Sinasabi niya, 'ina-admire.' Palagi niyang sinasabi sa akin, 'May kapatid ka pa ba?' Ganoon lang si Enchong, pero magkaibigan kami."
May mga fans din daw ng loveteam nina Enchong at Erich Gonzalez na nagtatampo sa kanya. Ano ang masasabi ni Bea rito?
"Siyempre, naiintindihan ko naman yun. Kahit naman sa mga fans namin ni John Lloyd [Cruz], kapag may napapabalita, understandable kasi nagmamahal sila. So, yun siyempre, all I can do is to say kung ano talaga ang totoo at yung point of view ko. Hindi ko rin naman puwedeng sabihin sa kanila na huwag silang magalit sa akin or huwag nilang maramdaman ang nararamdaman nila. Basta ako, gusto kong mag-focus sa mga good things," saad ni Bea.

Kris Aquino answers Yap's mom's remarks

abs-cbnNEWS

MANILA, Philippines – Kris Aquino has admitted that she got upset after watching the television interview of husband James Yap’s mom.
Last week, Annie Yap publicly admitted that from the very beginning of Aquino and her son’s relationship, she already disapproved of the television host-actress.
In her taped interview on “The Buzz” aired Sunday, Aquino said it was painful to hear Annie’s disapproval of her.
“Pinanood ng mga sisters ko at siyempre noong pinag-uusapan nila, hinanap ko na din at pinanood ko. Siyempre masakit. Lahat ng kapamilya, lahat ng kapatid ko walang masama ever na sinabi tungkol kay James. Siyempre tao din naman ako. Kung maririnig ko na never kang nagustuhan siyempre masakit naman ‘yon,” she said.
She, however, maintained that she is not going to say anything derogatory toward James because, although they are separating, he is still the father of her 3-year-old son, Baby James.
“Iniisip ko na lang dahil sinabi ni ate sa akin, ‘Krissy, kung si Bimbi kung nakikihiwalay siyempre yan din ang magiging reaksyon mo. Gagawin mo ang lahat to protect your son. Walang right, walang wrong. Ang tama lang ang anak mo, ‘yong mahal mo… At para na lang sa anak namin tatahimik ako,” she said.
The legal process ending James and Aquino’s union has already begun. On August 9, Aquino's lawyers filed a petition asking the Makati Regional Trial Court to declare null and void James and Aquino’s marriage.
Aquino vowed that she would do everything to make the process of their separation “as decent as possible” for Baby James’ sake. She also made similar appeal to James’ camp.
In a message to her estranged husband, Aquino said: “Sana pag paulit ulit mong sinasabi na sana maging mag-kaibigan tayo, sana maging maayos ang lahat, gawin ninyo din.”
As for her mother in law, Aquino said: “Mapapanuod po ‘yon ng apo ninyo at some point in time kasi nasa Internet na. Nanay po niya ako. Kahit anong gawin ninyo lumabas siya sa sinapupunan ko. Ako po ang magpapalaki, ako po ang magsusumikap para maitaguyod si Baby James. Masakit po para sa akin na ‘yong apo po ninyo sisiraan ang nanay niya sa kanya. Kasi magkahiwalay po man kami, kadugo ninyo pa din ang anak ko.”
“Magsakripisyo na ako, manahimik na ako, magpakumbaba na ako. Handa kong gawin ‘yon dahil ganoon ko kamahal ang anak ko. Sana po kahit konting pagmamahal bigyan ninyo din ang anak ko,” she added.

Gretchen Barretto: ‘Magkaribal’ is life-changing

MANILA, Philippines – “Magkaribal” lead star Gretchen Barretto revealed that she is slated to shoot her next movie project in the last quarter of this year.
Like in her previous interviews, Barretto was consistent in saying that she does not want her projects to overlap for fear that the quality of her acting would be compromised.
“In the beginning sabi ko kay Boy (Abunda, her manager) gusto kong tanggapin lahat ng movie offers,” related Barretto. “Lahat gusto kong tanggapin but now, nagpupuyatan and all, matatapos kami ng 4 or 5 in the morning, the whole day ng Tuesday wala na akong magawa kasi nga natutulog ako at aayusin ko ‘yung things the next day.
“So sabi ko, ‘Oh my gosh, hindi ko na kayang mag-shoot ng movie.’ I want to give a hundred percent of myself to this project Magkaribal. Pagkatapos ng Magkaribal and then ako gagawa ng movie para hindi naman ako super harassed.”
In general, the actress is enjoying her showbiz comeback. She was beaming when she said that her partner, Tony Boy Cojuangco, would tease her and call her a working girl.
“He said that before we left for Paris. Kasi ‘di ba working girl na working girl na ako,” said Barretto.
She went on to say that she believes Cojuangco is really proud of her accomplishments.

“Ang nakikita ko proud na proud si Tony. Every time maraming nagsasabi, you know pinag-uusapan ang Magkaribal o nagpapa-picture,” she beamed.
She even related that during their recent vacation in Paris, some Filipinos who recognized her called her Victoria—her character in Magkaribal—and asked her to have their picture taken with her.
“Parang natuwa ako, oh my gosh, parang life-changing yata ang Magkaribal na ‘to,” she said.
Meanwhile, after finally resolving their differences, Barretto is now looking forward to befriending Angelica Panganiban, girlfriend of Derek Ramsay.
Ramsay is Barretto’s leading man in the teleserye.
She said: “Lahat kami Kapamilya so walang away. Only love and peace.”
Barretto and Panganiban were once involved in a verbal tussle. -Report by Bernie Franco, ABS-CBN.com

Bets enjoy Miss Universe experience

By Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

LAS VEGAS – Gorgeous women from around the world vying for the Miss Universe 2010 crown have their pictures taken every day leading up to the big event.
For their latest pictorial, the beautiful women posed in front of Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in their swimsuits.
Miss Philippines Venus Raj was excited while she posed for the cameras next to other contestants, Miss Poland, Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Peru.

“Lahat kasi magaganda. Lahat matatangkad. Lahat iba-iba ang color ng hair, ng skin. 'Di mo masasabi kung sino ang maganda sa maganda pero ako bilang isang Pilipina, ginagawa ko lang 'yung best na kaya kong gawin. Hindi mo kailangan mag-pretend. 'Di mo kailangan magkunwari kung ano ang gusto mong gawin. Just be yourself and everything will go smoothly,” said Raj.
Rala Raasi, swimsuit designer for the Miss Universe 2010, said she created bikinis that would look “chic” and “rock and roll” on the contestants.
“For these bikinis, I wanted to do something that is very pretty but, at the same time, very rock and roll and chic,” said Raasi.
From the Las Vegas strip, all 83 contestants, with Miss Universe 2009 Steffania Fernandez, trooped to the Freemont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas to watch the concert of the up-and-coming band, Neon Trees.
Local kababayans who brought flags and banners were also present to show their support for Miss Philippines. Balitang America

Mocha Girls

The frontliner of Mocha Girls, Mocha Uson is initiating a series of fund-raising gigs for her mother who is stricken with breast cancer.
The gigs are scheduled on Aug. 17 (9 p.m.) at Mugen Bar, Metrowalk, Pasig City, and on Aug. 20 (9 p.m.) at Zirkoh, Greenhills, San Juan.
Guests among others include Nyoy Volante, Kris Lawrence, Jay Durias of South Border, Callalily, 6Cyclemind, Baby Belle of EB Babes, Princess Ryan, Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, Lord Brian with the Wonder Drummer Boy, and Presskong Acoustics, an environmental advocacy group led by entertainment writers Benjie Felipe and Xyruz Imperial.
The project also serves as advocacy for breast cancer led by Mocha with Mocha Girls Mae Dela Cerna and Jhane Santaguiel who just returned from their recent successful Malaysian sorties.

Why ‘Kristine’ is hot

By CRISPINA MARTINEZ-BELEN

August 15, 2010

THE CAST of ‘Martha Cecilia’s Kristine:’ Zanjoe Marudo, Cristine Reyes, Denise Laurel, and Rafael Rosell.

Another pocketbook romance will be translated in the small screen starting Monday by ABS-CBN. It is entitled “Kristine,” and is authored by Martha Cecilia.
Continuing the tradition of making programs based on romance novels, “Kristine” stars Jewel of Romance Cristine Reyes, Prince of Passion Zanjoe Marudo, and the most sensual on-screen sweethearts Rafael Rosell and Denise Laurel under the direction of famed director Rory B. Quintos.
“Martha Cecilia’s Kristine” is about four people from rival families – the Fortalejos and the De Silvas – who unexpectedly fall in love with each other. Which is more important for them – loyalty to their family or to the person that they love?
“Sa lahat naman ng projects kong based sa pocketbooks, may kaba ako lagi, kasi very wide ang readers ng romance pocketbooks,” said Rafael Rosell who plays the character of Marco De Silva.
On the other hand, Denise Laurel who plays Emerald Fortalejo said, “Kinakabahan kasi after ‘Midnight Phantom’ ends then after two days, ‘Martha Cecilia’s Kristine’ naman.’’
Cristine Reyes, meanwhile, plays Jewel Fortalejo, the sister of Denise in the story. When asked if she’s prepared to compete with the other drama primetime princesses, Cristine Reyes was obviously surprised.
“May pressure sa pagbibida ko sa ‘Kristine,’” says Cristine’s leading man Zanjoe Marudo. Zanjoe plays the role of Jaime Reyes, a character willing to do everything in his power to protect the De Silvas.
The scenes from the teleserye are sure to be breath-taking, especially since they are accompanied by the heart-wrenching theme song “Ngayon at Kailanman” performed by Ms. Vina Morales.
“Martha Cecilia’s Kristine” will start airing Monday, Aug. 16 on Primetime Bida. To find out more about the series, simply log on to the official facebook fanpage of “Martha Cecilia’s Kristine” at www.facebook.com/phrpresents or follow @PHR_kristine on Twitter.
• • •

Palace: No special treatment for Kris Aquino

By Thea Alberto – August 13th, 2010

 

By Thea Alberto, Yahoo! Southeast Asia
No special treatment should be given to anyone, especially those who are closely related to President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
Palace said this Friday as it reacted to reports that Aquino’s most popular sister, actress Kris was not penalized after her car was seen parked illegally.
“Let me tell the MMDA officials, all officials concerned, walang kinikilangan ang pamahalaang ito. Kung sino man ang nagkasala, ticket-an po ninyo,” Lacierda said in a press conference.
Lacierda urged officials concerned to enforce the law as required.
“Do not be afraid even if he’s related to the President or related to any cabinet secretaries or the cabinet secretaries themselves. You apply the law without fear or favor,” he added.
The presidential spokesman warned against anyone using the President’s name to avoid penalties.
“Malaki ang burden sa kanila ngayon. Ang pangako ng pangulo ay kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap; walang wang-wang. Siguro it’s a burden on their part really to uphold the virtues and the promises of the president more than anybody else,” he said.
In her noontime show, Kris admitted her driver violated the law but the Metro Manila Development Authority officer refused to issue a ticket.
“Kasalanan po talaga ng driver ko, pasensiya na po kayo at ticketan ninyo yung driver ko dahil siya po ang nag double parking,” Kris said in Pilipinas Win na Win.
Kris said she has asked her driver to ask a ticket from the traffic officer.
“Nanawagan po ako sa MMDA na ticketan yung driver ko, balik na kayo, Mario kunin mo yung ticket kasalanan mo yan,” said Kris.
Photo by Jerome Ascano, NPPA Images

Dingdong Dantes admits relationship with Marian Rivera is "not perfect"

PEP - Thursday, August 12

 

 

 

Nagkaraoon ng pagkakataon ang PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) na makausap si Dingdong Dantes sa anniversary ng Belo Clinic sa Greenhills branch nito noong Tuesday, August 10.
August 2 ang actual 30th birthday ni Dingdong. Ayon sa kanya, nai-celebrate niya ito with a party dahil na rin sa pag-o-organize ng girlfriend niyang si Marian Rivera. Although day before that, August 1, um-attend siya sa ginanap na pag-alala sa 1st death anniversary ng dating Pangulong Cory Aquino sa Greenhills.
"Nag-attend ako ng Mass ng death anniversary ni Tita Cory at doon sa Mass na yun, ni-recognize yung tinatawag na 'People Power People.' Nandoon ang mga grupo ng mga organization na tutulong sa administrasyon ni P-Noy [President Noynoy Aquino]. Isa ang YesPinoy Foundation sa napili, alongside Gawad Kalinga, KIDS Foundation. So, kami yung, parang, like sa Yes, ano siya, sa education. Kung housing, nandiyan ang Gawad Kalinga," lahad ni Dingdong.
Ang YesPinoy Foundation ay ang non-government at social organization na itinatag ni Dingdong noong August 21, 2009, para magbigay ng educational scholarships sa mga kabataan. Ang People Power People naman ay isang bagong tatag na movement na naglalayong ibalik ang spirit ng People Power 1 sa Edsa noong 1986.
Ang gobyerno ba ang nag-a-acknowledge sa mga organization or foundation na tulad ng YesPinoy?
"Ang nag-acknowledge sa amin, yung Ninoy-Cory Aquino Foundation," sagot ni Dingdong. "Sila yung parang spearhead kasi ng People Power People na ito. Ang ibig sabihin lang, part ka ng isang movement na naniniwala na yung different private sectors are now implementing sa mga gustong makamit ni P-Noy in his first one hundred days and beyond.
"So, parang ito lang ang sagot ng tao, na hindi lang naman natin siya babantayan, like ibabatikos, or siguro hihintayin na gawin niya ang lahat. Parang it's our way of saying na kailangan din nating gawin ang part natin."
Feeling ni Dingdong, isang magandang regalo sa kanyang kaarawan ang pagkaka-recognize sa YesPinoy Foundation.
"Wala pa ngang one year siya," sambit niya. "In fact, hindi pa nga namamatay si Tita Cory, binubuo ko na ang foundation at na-register siya noong August 21. So, wala pa siyang one year talaga. At nabigyan siya ng recognition. Para sa akin, isang malaking bagay yun na napasama sa malalaking organisasyon na matagal nang naririyan. So, for me, maganda siya."
MARIAN TAKES CHARGE. Sa mismong araw naman ng birthday ni Dingdong, noong August 2, si Marian ang nag-prepare ng lahat for his party along with his family.
Kuwento nga ni Dingdong, "Si Marian yung nag-arrange ng caterer, siya yung nag-imbita. Hindi naman siya surprise na wala akong alam, pero hindi na nga lang ako nagpunong-abala. Kasi, kapag tumatanda ka na, ayaw mo nang masyadong mag-abala.
"So, yun lang, inayos niya. Dumating naman ang family ng mga 8 o' clock. Family niya dumating, nag-dinner sa bahay. Tapos, sinalubong na lang namin ang birthday ko na nandoon sila. For me, enough na yun."
Bukod sa birthday party, alam namin na may iba pang birthday gift sa kanya si Marian. Pero ayaw ni Dingdong na sa kanya manggaling kung ano ito. Si Marian na lang daw ang tanungin namin tungkol dito.
Pero ayon sa aktor, "Siguro ang pinakamahalagang gift na ibinigay niya sa akin, hindi naman yung materyal na mapanghahawakan, kung hindi yung pasensiya, na puwede siyang magpuyat kasabay ko at makihalubilo sa napakarami kong bisita. Bilang hindi naman din siya parte ng isang malaking pamilya.
"Kapag may okasyon na ganoon, sanay siya sa konti lang. Pero kami, napakarami namin. At ako pa, napakahilig kong mag-stay hanggang matagal at magse-celebrate ako."
AWAY-BATI? Masaya rin si Dingdong sa mas papaganda at mas pataas na nakukuhang rating ng kanilang primetime series ni Marian na Endless Love. Kinumusta namin ang working relationship nila ni Marian ngayon dahil may mga naririnig kaming usap-usapan tungkol sa kanila.
"Okey lang, hindi naman perfect, pero okey siya," sagot niya.
Diniretso na naming itanong sa kanya ang nakarating sa aming balita na madalas daw silang away-bati. Totoo ba ito?
"Hindi naman maiiwasan," pag-amin ni Dingdong. "May time na oo. Wala namang perfect. Pero ang importante, hindi naaapektuhan ang trabaho. Wala namang perpekto. Hindi naman all the time, sang-ayon ka sa lahat ng circumstances. Maaaring nangyayari talaga yun, pero ang importante, hindi siya nakakaapekto sa trabaho at nagiging maayos din ang lahat."
Sa isang interview nila ni Marian noon, pareho nilang sinabi na ilang minuto lang halos tumatagal kapag nagkakaroon sila ng away o tampuhan. Hindi na ba ganoon ngayon?
"Ganoon pa rin. Hanggang ngayon, ganoon pa rin. Tahimik lang naman kami," nakangiti niyang sabi.
Paano niya ide-describe ang relationship nilang dalawa ngayon?
"Okay naman, it gets better and better," tugon ni Dingdong.
INTERNATIONAL MOVIE. Kinumusta rin ng PEP kay Dingdong ang tungkol sa international indie movie na ginawa niya, ang Dance of the Steel Bars. Kasama niya rito ang Hollywood actor na si Patrick Bergin (Sleeping With the Enemy) at kinunan ito sa Cebu Provincial Jail.
"Actually, wala pa rin akong detalyeng puwedeng sabihin kasi hindi pa tapos yung movie," sabi niya.
First international movie ni Dingdong ang Dance of the Steel Bars, how was it?
"Yung experience, sa totoo lang, wala siyang pinagkaiba sa ginagawa ko rito. Yun lang siguro, yung excitement ng marami, mas parang kitang-kita mo dahil karamihan do'n, parang first din nila. So, first din nila na makakatrabaho si Patrick. But most of the staff, like the crew, are mostly Filipino. So, ganoon din, pati mga co-actors ko, Pinoy rin.
"Si Patrick naman, e, very professional. Talagang pagdating niya sa set, alam niya ang gagawin niya. Naiintindihan niya ang lahat. Although, hindi pa rin siya aware sa kultura natin, may culture shock pa rin siya. Parang I was telling him, nag-e-explain sa kanya at naintindihan din niya later on, at na-break ang ice at naki-jell siya sa amin."
Sa tingin namin, isa sa aabangan kay Dingdong ay ang pakikipag-dance showdown niya with the Cebu inmates, na kilalang-kilala na rin all over the world.
Posible bang masundan ang paggawa niya ng indie film?
"Oo naman," bulalas ni Dingdong. "In fact, dapat siyang masundan. And soon, I hope, ma-break na rin ang image ng indie at ma-mix na siya sa pagiging mainstream. Hindi naman commercial. Kung hindi yung kapag nanood ka, hindi mo na iisiping indie 'to, commercial 'to, basta nagustuhan mo ang pelikula at maganda."

No incident in star-studded shoot

By YUGEL LOSORATA

August 15, 2010

 

 

Shaina Magdayao, John Lloyd Cruz, and Erich Gonzales

 

 

 

A celebrity shoot with even a lone star may not be a walk in the park for people involved, especially when one considers the prima donna attitude of some already-famous subjects.
Thus, it sounds quite surprising that the shoot gathering the brightest talents of Star Magic for this month’s special issue of Metro Magazine went without incident, or as the stars themselves put it.
It was boasted that 19 of Star Magic’s hottest stars came together for the issue launching the so-called premier fashion magazine’s iPad edition, a first among local magazines.
“Everyone is comfortable. The shoot went smooth,” says Erich Gonzales who is one of the cover girls that also include Kim Chiu, Angelica Panganiban, Kristine Hermosa, and five others.
Even in the guys’ camp, everything went well. John Llloyd Cruz was upbeat in saying, “The shoot was like one big celebration. Magkasama kami lahat at ang ganda.”
The photoshoot and accompanying feature on Star Magic is a tribute to Johnny Manahan’s success as talent manager.
“It’s an honor to be considered one of Star Magic’s (top) artists,” said Shaina Magdayao.
The Metro iPad, relatively still in its testing period as it is currently available just for free, contains special features including behind-the-scenes photographs and videos from the shoot. The difference is that, such are not available in the print version.
Readers may log on to iTunes then go to the App Store to search for Metro Magazine which hopes to tap readers outside the country who would want to browse the magazine’s content.