Monday, September 30, 2013

Rio de Janeiro dreams of (being) Hollywood



Odeon Cinema, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

People walk in front the Odeon cinema, one of the cinemas participating on the Rio Film Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013. Over the past decade, the federal government has invested more than $450 million in films, and many state and city governments also invest in movies made locally, provided they meet requirements that typically include hiring at least a certain number of local employees. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)



RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — For Mayor Eduardo Paes, it’s not enough that Rio de Janeiro is both an Olympic and a World Cup host city. He’s determined to turn Rio into a Woody Allen city, too, and has gone to extraordinary lengths to persuade the director to shoot a movie here, meeting with Allen’s sister, dispatching him handwritten notes and even pledging to underwrite 100 percent of production costs.


Allen hasn’t taken Paes up on his offer, but the mayor continues to lobby hard. Scoring a film by the legendary director would help cement Paes’ vision for the city: to turn Rio into a cinema hub, the Los Angeles of South America.


While Hollywood needn’t watch its back just yet, there’s no doubt that Brazil’s film industry is booming, as the Rio film festival that runs through Oct. 10 puts on display.


The country is on track to make 100 feature films this year, up from 30 in 2003, and it’s increasingly sought out by foreign productions cashing in on the government’s generous subsidies and incentives. New studio complexes are in the works, and cinemas are mushrooming across Brazil to keep pace with ever-growing numbers of movie-goers, many of them new members of the middle class who were pulled out of poverty by a decade of booming economic growth.


“The big shift is that now many more people have disposable income,” said Adrien Muselet, chief operating officer of RioFilme, the city government’s film finance company. “Once you’ve covered your basic necessities, bought your fridge and your washing machine, what do you want next? Fun. And for many people, that means the movies.”


The new viewers have helped push Brazil’s box office gross from $327 million in 2008 to $737 million last year, according to the trade publication Filme B. That puts Brazil among the top 10 movie consuming countries in the world, said Muselet, and the industry is taking note.


With its population of 204 million, this South American giant is increasingly factoring into the major United States studios’ strategic calculations.


“When you take an American blockbuster and you set it here in Brazil, even for just a couple of scenes, it just explodes in the box office here,” said Muselet, pointing to “Breaking Dawn,” part of the “Twilight” series of teen vampire movies, which was filmed partially on location in Rio and the coastal colonial city of Paraty. Brazilians flocked to the movie, and the country ended up being the film’s second biggest market.


Other big Hollywood productions such as “Fast Five” of the “Fast and Furious” franchise and the Sylvester Stallone vehicle “The Expendables” were also partially shot here in recent years. “Billy Elliot” director Stephen Daldry’s “Trash” is currently rolling.


Rio officials also hope movies made here will help burnish the image of a city mostly notorious for its grinding poverty and drug-fueled violence, particularly as Rio gears up to host next year’s soccer World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.


In a bid to attract more foreign productions, Rio’s state government created an agency to walk teams through Brazil’s Byzantine bureaucracy, helping them get the dizzying number of permits and permissions needed to shoot. The Rio Film Commission also hopes to increasingly help foreign productions find Brazilian investors, allowing them to qualify for the government subsidies and incentives that make up the lion’s share of practically all movie budgets here.


Producer Aaron Berger, an American who works in both Rio and Los Angeles, said the subsidies helped get things rolling for his series “Gaby Estrela,” which is about to premier on Globo TV’s kids cable channel Gloob. “It was a tremendous boost for us,” he said.


Over the past decade, the federal government has spent more than $450 million on films, and many state and city governments also invest in movies made locally, provided they meet requirements that typically include hiring at least a certain number of local employees. And since Brazilian law allows corporate tax write-offs for cultural projects, companies such as petroleum giant Petrobras and cellphone provider Claro often underwrite movies.


Brazilian films have made inroads internationally in the last five years, notably the “Elite Squad” films probing gang violence and political corruption in Rio. Other domestic fare includes smart comedies and smaller budget films aimed at the art-house circuit.


The industry also got a boost from a 2011 law requiring all cable television channels to show at least 3 1/2 hours of independently produced local content each week during prime time.


“All of a sudden there’s a huge demand for this sort of content,” said Steve Solot, president of the Latin American Training Center, a Rio-based audiovisual consultancy. “It’s a fantastic new market.”


The industry’s sudden growth has caused shortages of qualified technicians, such as electricians, camera operators and sound people, and RioFilme is scrambling to fill the gap through training courses.


“We wouldn’t be seeing this kind of shortage if there weren’t a lot of demand,” said the agency’s president, Sergio Sa Leitao. “In a strange way, it’s a really good thing.”








Rio de Janeiro dreams of (being) Hollywood

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 01, 2013 at 11:33AM)

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‘Breaking Bad’ logs record 10.3 million viewers



Breaking Bad, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

This image released by AMC shows Bryan Cranston as Walter White, left, and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in a scene from “Breaking Bad.” (AP Photo/AMC, Frank Ockenfels )



NEW YORK (AP) — AMC says Sunday’s “Breaking Bad” finale seized a record-breaking number of viewers for the series.


The concluding episode was seen by 10.3 million viewers. That was three times the audience for the midseason finale airing a year ago.


The network says an expanded one-hour version of its “Talking Bad” discussion after-show delivered 4.4 million viewers.


The drama’s popularity has soared during its five-season run, while it reaped acclaim and awards. At last week’s Emmy Awards it collected a best-drama-series trophy and a supporting-actress statuette for Anna Gunn, who played the wife of teacher-turned-drug-lord Walter White opposite series star Bryan Cranston.


The series’ previous record was set last Sunday, when 6.6 million viewers tuned at the same time as the Emmys.








‘Breaking Bad’ logs record 10.3 million viewers

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 01, 2013 at 11:26AM)

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Channeling Andy Warhol for Sirius series



Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

This Sept. 25, 2013 photo released by SiriusXM radio shows Robin Williams, left, and moderator Whoopi Goldberg during the Entertainment Weekly Radio town hall in New York. The town hall series are becoming a programming signature at Sirius XM. (AP Photo/SiriusXM, Jason Shaltz)



NEW YORK (AP) — Wind up Robin Williams and the stories pour out — how he developed his accent for “Mrs. Doubtfire,” found out “Mork & Mindy” was canceled by reading about it in a newspaper and the remark that abruptly ended his appearance on a German talk show.


Old friend Whoopi Goldberg steered the conversation last week at SiriusXM, part of a town hall program that’s swiftly becoming a programming signature at the satellite radio service.


Sirius’ town halls bring artists together, usually when they have new projects to promote, with a small group of fans for hour-long discussions sent out to the satellite radio system’s 25 million subscribers. Portions are fed out to a larger audience through Sirius’ YouTube channel.


The series began by chance two years ago when Bruce Springsteen was touting his “Darkness on the Edge of Town” reissue. Sirius subscribers were brought in to meet their hero and asked about what Springsteen would want his children to know about the 1978 disc and how his writing was affected by the death of Elvis Presley, the latter question leading the singer to pick up his guitar to demonstrate.


There have since been more than 70 such encounters with artists and personalities.


“We could have one every day if we wanted,” said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM president and chief content officer. “But we want the bar to remain fairly high.”


Sirius is influenced by Andy Warhol’s old Interview magazine in an effort to occasionally match interview subjects with other personalities. Burt Bacharach was interviewed by occasional songwriting partner Elvis Costello, Tony Bennett by Alec Baldwin, Mel Brooks by Judd Apatow and Ringo Starr by Russell Brand.


Williams had an easy familiarity with Goldberg, who sometimes needed to do little more than name the title of a movie to get Williams going.


“It’s so immediate and honest,” said David Steinberg, Williams’ manager. “When you get people together who like each other, they’re not guarded in what they talk about. It just flows.”


Steinberg, who also brought client Billy Crystal in for a town hall, watched from a control room adjacent to the glass-enclosed “fishbowl” where Williams and Goldberg sat before about a dozen Sirius subscribers. (For the record, it was a Holocaust-inspired comment 30 years ago that didn’t go over well at the German talk show.)


Williams appeared to enjoy the interaction, even as he told of one episode where his maniacally energetic comedy worked against him. He was in a Minneapolis airport one time when a fan came up to him with a two-word command: “Be zany.”


“It’s like walking up to Baryshnikov and saying, ‘Dance, little Russian boy,’” he said. “It’s like, Lincoln freed the slaves.”


Williams said when the Sirius session was done that it wasn’t as raucous as he had anticipated.


“It’s a different feeling than I thought it was going to be,” he said. “But it worked.”


For Sirius, the sessions reward subscribers along with providing original content. About 10 to 20 Sirius subscribers are chosen to participate in a town hall, a selection process that is an advertising opportunity in itself.


“It’s a very smart, discerning, now very large and credit card-bearing audience,” Greenstein said. “It’s an ideal audience for any artist.”


Sirius’ status as a promotional magnet and the fishbowl’s central location lead to some celebrity traffic jams. Members of the rock band Korn peered through the window at Williams and Goldberg, while musicians Nick Lowe and Graham Nash chatted off to the side. When Bruno Mars walked by Henry Winkler’s session, the Fonz jumped up to grab him for a mutual admiration meeting.








Channeling Andy Warhol for Sirius series

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 01, 2013 at 11:15AM)

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Oscar-winning filmmaker backs out of Clinton doc



Hillary Rodham Clinton, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

In this Sept. 9, 2013, file photo, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks about Syria in the South Court Auditorium on the White House Complex in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)



NEW YORK (AP) — A filmmaker who was making a documentary about Hillary Rodham Clinton for CNN said Monday that he is backing out of the project because few people would cooperate with him and the network said the film will not be produced.


Charles Ferguson wrote in a column posted on The Huffington Post on Monday that he concluded he couldn’t make much of a film. He wrote that Clinton would not agree to be interviewed and of the more than 100 people he approached, only two who had dealt with the former of secretary of state agreed to speak on camera.


CNN confirmed the account of Ferguson, who won a 2011 Academy Award for “Inside Job,” his documentary on the 2008 economic meltdown. “We understand and respect his decision,” spokeswoman Barbara Levin said. The network said it won’t seek other partners and is not proceeding with the film.


The Republican National Committee had voted to block CNN from hosting GOP presidential primary debates in 2016 because of the project. Ferguson said that Democrats also didn’t want him to make the film.


Ferguson wrote that Clinton media representatives “interrogated” him and people at CNN about it. He said one Clinton representative refused to speak to him but publicly questioned whether Ferguson would have a conflict of interest because it was a for-profit venture.


He said that “nobody, and I mean nobody, was interested in helping me make this film. Not Republicans, not Democrats — and certainly nobody who works with the Clintons, wants access to the Clintons, or dreams of a position in a Hillary Clinton administration.”


“It’s a victory for the Clintons, and for the money machines that both political parties have now become,” wrote Ferguson, who declined a request to be interviewed through his management office. “But I don’t think that it’s a victory for the media, or the American people. I still believe that Mrs. Clinton has many virtues including great intelligence, fortitude and a deep commitment to bettering the lives of women and children worldwide. But this is not her finest hour.”


Asked for comment on Ferguson’s decision, Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill said, “lights, camera, no reaction.”


The documentary was one of two projects on the former first lady and secretary of state announced this year. NBC Entertainment said it was planning a four-hour Clinton miniseries starring Diane Lane.


The Republican National Committee is pleased with the decision, spokesman Sean Spicer said. The committee is still discussing how many debates it wants to hold in 2016.


“We’re particularly thankful to the grassroots that joined in our call to stop this project that was getting in the way of the electoral process,” Spicer said. “Now the pressure is, frankly, on NBC.”


Ferguson and David Brock, founder of the liberal media advocacy group Media Matters for America, also took shots at each other. Contrary to the Republicans, who worried about the publicity the documentary would give to a potential presidential opponent, Brock said he believed that Ferguson had an anti-Clinton bias.








Oscar-winning filmmaker backs out of Clinton doc

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 01, 2013 at 11:06AM)

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Alessandra de Rossi loveless for six years now



Alessandra de Rossi, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Alessandra de Rossi



It’s hard to believe but award-winning actress Alessandra de Rossi’s last romantic relationship was way back 2007.


“Hindi naman ako pihikan pero after that, wala na,” she said. “Dahil sa trabaho wala naman panahon para maka-meet ako ng lalaki. Di naman ako lumalabas ng bahay, puro taping lang. Wala naman ako nakikitang kaaya-aya sa taping…”


Turning serious, she added: “Hindi lang talaga tugma. Wala pa ako nakikitang lalaki since 2007 na pareho kami ng gusto sa buhay.”


Alex believes that you immediately know if a man is the one the moment you see him.


“From the start pa lang intresado ka na talaga sa kanya. Hindi mo maintindihan kung bakit, gusto mo lang (siya) makilala ng husto… may special spark…”


The actress joked that people close to her are those pressured by her present “single” situation. “Sabi nila, Alex, dapat kapag 30 ka na, may baby ka na. Ang Sabi ko naman, ayoko ng baby lang, dapat may daddy rin,” she said, laughing.


On “Magkano Ba Ang Pag-ibig” which started airing yesterday on GMA Afternoon Prime, Alex plays Gigi, one of the daughters-in-law of Doña Hilaria (played by character actress Ms. Celia Rodriquez) who is married to her second son Joshua. The cast is topbilled by Heart Evangelista, Sid Lucero and Dominic Rocco. Also in the cast are Katrina Halili, Isabel Oli, Ana Capri, Pen Medina, Shamaine Centenera, Luz Valdez, Vangie Labalan, Mariel Pamintuan, Nicky Castro and Angelo Ilagan.








Alessandra de Rossi loveless for six years now

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 01, 2013 at 10:57AM)

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Chito says latest scandal won’t break him and Neri apart

MANILA, Philippines - Talks have been swirling about an alleged “Part 2” of the video scandal of Chito Miranda and Neri Naig.



Chito says latest scandal won’t break him and Neri apart

Source: Philstar.com (October 01, 2013 at 10:08AM)

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Denise Laurel engaged to basketball player

MANILA - Actress Denise Laurel is now in cloud nine after getting engaged with basketball player Solomon "Sol" Mercado.



Denise Laurel engaged to basketball player

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 01, 2013 at 10:31AM)

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Derek and Cristine no more?



 Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes (Instagram photo)



Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes (Instagram photo)



Did Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes really call it quits just a few weeks after they became a couple?


In a PEP report, Derek refused to address the rumor.


“I’m sorry but I don’t want to talk about it,” read his text message.


Recall that Derek admitted that their relationship was just a day-old last Aug. 29, meaning they became a couple on Aug. 28.


The two were good friends prior to becoming an item.








Derek and Cristine no more?

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 01, 2013 at 08:24AM)

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Chito Miranda unaffected by second sex video



Chito Miranda and Neri Naig (Screengrab photo from his Instagram account)

Chito Miranda and Neri Naig (Screengrab photo from his Instagram account)



Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda remains calm despite the proliferation online of his and girlfriend Neri Naig’s second sex video.


Seemingly addressing this latest development, Chito posted a photo of themselves on Instagram captioned, “Mahal na mahal namin ang isa’t-isa. The more na subukan nilang guluhin ang buhay namin, mas lalo lang tumitibay ang pagmamahalan at samahan namin.”


The second video which immediately went viral upon upload on Sept. 30 is said to show a steamier encounter between the two. The video is much longer (11 minutes and 20 seconds) than the first which came out August.


Fans of the rock artist posted messages of support on his Instagram.








Chito Miranda unaffected by second sex video

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 01, 2013 at 07:52AM)

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‘Breaking Bad’ creator cooks up a dark ending for Walt White as series concludes


Bryan Cranston as Walter White in the fifth and final season of 'Breaking Bad'.



LOS ANGELES | The journey of anti-hero Walter White came to a dark end on Sunday when fans of “Breaking Bad” finally learned the fate of the chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin, as AMC’s cult drug drama concluded after a five-season run.


Emmy-winning “Breaking Bad” has captured audiences with its gritty plot about Walter, played by Bryan Cranston, a cancer-stricken chemistry teacher who turns to cooking methamphetamine with ex-student Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul, in order to make money for his family. Walt’s chemistry skills allow him to create the purest meth available, which becomes known as “blue sky.” Its popularity in the market leads Walt to eventually becoming a drug kingpin known as Heisenberg.


Sunday’s 75-minute finale, entitled “Felina,” saw Walt return to his deserted family home, retrieve a vial of ricin he hid in the wall, and embark on his final mission to tie up the loose ends left by his crumbled drug empire.


Walt visits the gang of white supremacists he had once contracted to kill Jesse, but who instead stole his drug money earnings and kidnapped Jesse to cook the ‘blue sky’ meth. Walt sets up an automatic rifle in his car that discharges when he goes into the white supremacist compound, killing the gang and freeing Jesse from captivity.


Walt takes a bullet but stays alive long enough to call meth dealer Lydia, the last remaining link to his drug empire, to tell her he poisoned her with ricin. Walt watches Jesse drive away a free man, and draws his last breaths in the meth lab at the compound as the police finally catch up with him.


Walt’s death was one of the probable endings that audiences predicted ahead of the finale, especially as his cancer had returned in the fifth season and his path into darkness saw him lose the support of the people closest to him.


In one poignant scene where Walt sees his wife Skyler for the last time, he finally reveals his reasons for taking the dark path into the meth empire.


“I did it for me. I liked it. I was good at it. And I was really, I was alive,” Walt tells Skyler, after he gives her coordinates to the site where his police officer brother-in-law Hank was buried in the desert after being shot in the head by Walt’s contracted neo-Nazi gang in an earlier episode.


“Breaking Bad” become the hot topic on Twitter on Sunday, with the hashtag #GoodbyeBreakingBad trending throughout the day. As Walt’s journey came to an end, the majority of fan reactions were positive, with many calling the ending “perfect.”


“We needed to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts … we needed a resolution,” Vince Gilligan, creator of “Breaking Bad,” said in AMC’s post-finale show “Talking Bad.”


Paul added: “What I thought was great was that Walt died protecting Jesse.”


‘EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF GOOD AND BAD’


Walt’s journey from a mild-mannered school teacher into a manipulative drug lord saw him descend the circles of hell as he loses his family and identity to become the cold, calculating Heisenberg.


“In looking into this character and what happens to him and the transformation, I really believe that everybody is capable of good or bad,” Cranston, who won three best actor Emmys for his portrayal of Walt, said at last month’s Television Critics Association panels in Beverly Hills.


“I think, if given the right set of circumstances, dire situations, any one of us can become dangerous,” he added.



'Breaking Bad' cast members pose backstage with their awards for Outstanding Drama Series at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles September 22, 2013. (Reuters)



AMC, owned by AMC Networks Inc., split the final season of “Breaking Bad” in two, the first half airing in 2012 and the second in 2013. The second half of the final season, which began in August, saw an average of 5.2 million viewers tuning in to see the conclusion of Walt’s saga, more than double last year’s audience for the show, according to AMC.


Online streaming site Netflix is credited with helping boost viewership for “Breaking Bad,” giving audiences a chance to binge-watch earlier seasons to quickly catch up.


On Sunday, Paul hosted a viewing party of the final episode at the Hollywood Forever cemetery in Los Angeles. Paul joined cast members including RJ Mitte, who plays Walt Jr., driving onto the stage in the rusty RV that Walt and Jesse first cooked meth in, and emerged wearing yellow Hazmat suits, welcomed by hundreds of excited fans, attendee Terri Schwartz told Reuters.


The event raised more than $2 million for charity, and Paul surprised fans by posing for pictures ahead of the screening. Many of the show’s celebrity fans, including actor Ewan McGregor and comedian Jimmy Kimmel, attended the event.


“It’s the final night of ‘Breaking Bad.’ It’s devastating, I know. I can’t thank you enough for coming out,” Paul said, before enthusiastically kicking off the screening of the finale with Jesse’s trademark phrase “Yeah, bitch!”






‘Breaking Bad’ creator cooks up a dark ending for Walt White as series concludes

Source: InterAksyon.com (October 01, 2013 at 07:27AM)

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Breaking Bad's high ratings matched by illegal downloads

LOS ANGELES - The much-anticipated final episode of "Breaking Bad" drew the cult TV show's largest ever audience -- 10.3 million viewers -- but there were also more than 500,000 illegal downloads, figures showed Monday.



Breaking Bad's high ratings matched by illegal downloads

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 01, 2013 at 07:15AM)

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After ‘The Voice PH’, ex-TV5 talent Morissette Amon vows to move forward with singing career


Morissette Amon.



Even though she didn’t make it all the way to the finals of “The Voice of the Philippines”, former Kapatid talent Morissette Amon has no intention of calling it a career.


“I will continue my passion for singing and performing no matter what, especially now that I’ve been given this great opportunity to be exposed and with all I’ve learned throughout this journey,” Morissette recently told InterAkyon after making it as far as the Top 8 of ABS-CBN’s recently concluded reality talent show.


She eventually lost to finalist Klarisse De Guzman who went to become the surprise the runner-up to eventual winner Mitoy Yonting in last Sunday’s grand finale at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila.


Despite the heartbreaking loss, Morissette has no regrets about joining the singing contest.


“Being on ‘The Voice’ is probably one of the best experiences in my life! I met such amazing and talented people from different parts of our country on this show. I jammed with them and learned new things with them. And of course, to be given the opportunity to work and be with four of the Philippines’ greatest names in the music industry in coaches Bamboo, Lea Salonga, Apl de ap and Sarah Geronimo is already a big honor in itself,” she enthused.


For the 17-year-old former “Star Factor” runner-up who started her career on TV5 and was last seen in the fantaserye “Cassandra: Warrior Angel”, one of her biggest motivations to join “The Voice” is the involvement of her idol, Sarah Geronimo as one of the coaches.


“I decided to join ‘The Voice’ the moment I heard about it because singing has always been my first love. Of course, I was also very thrilled when I found out that Coach Sarah G was going to be a part of it,” Morissette confessed.


She was not disappointed when Sarah was the first coach to turn around for her during her blind auditions.


“I saw a bright light and heard angels sing,” she joked when asked how she reacted when Sarah decided to be her coach. “I am so thankful Coach Sarah G turned her chair for me during the Blinds, and so fortunate to be coached by my idol. I can’t help but smile every time she calls me her ‘little me’ or ‘bunso’, and she’s very approachable and humble. We learned from each other by talking about our experiences. Being coached by her is still very surreal to me and I’ll continue to look up to my idol for her amazing talents and genuine heart.”


Her Top 8 finish is something she also did not expect, given the crowded field of talented singers who auditioned for the show.


“I really didn’t expect that I would go this far. I was actually very intimidated at first, knowing that veterans would also try out for the show,” she recalled. Of course, while being compared with Sarah has its advantages, it also has its drawbacks. The challenge for Morissette during the show and even now that she’s on her own again is to prove that she is much more than just a look-and-sound-alike of the phenomenal singer dubbed as the country’s Pop Star Princess.


Morissette is hopeful with the right original songs, she will be able to carve her own niche in the business. While she is no longer an exclusive contract star of TV5, she said she will still be seen on the Kapatid network as she has taped one more show prior to her joining “The Voice”.


But while she admits to enjoying acting, her priority right now is her singing. Although she had problems with her vocal cords after developing nodules as a result of her stint as the lead star of the Repertory Philippines musical “Camp Rock” last year, she’s thankful that her pipes did not let her down during “The Voice”.


I haven’t been able to pay a visit to the doctor since my vocal nodules incident, but my voice does sound and feel a lot better now than earlier this year,” she admitted. “And if I’d be given the chance to, it would be nice to record my own album soon.”






After ‘The Voice PH’, ex-TV5 talent Morissette Amon vows to move forward with singing career

Source: InterAksyon.com (October 01, 2013 at 07:06AM)

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Miley Cyrus aimed to 'make history' with video awards performance

NEW YORK - Former Disney star Miley Cyrus says she was out to shock and "make history" and is unapologetic for her raunchy performance at this year's MTV Video Music Awards.



Miley Cyrus aimed to 'make history' with video awards performance

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 01, 2013 at 06:33AM)

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Sex, spies and society scandal in Andrew Lloyd Webber musical

LONDON - A new musical from British impresario and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber will delve into the sex, spies and politics at the heart of Britain's biggest post-war scandal when it opens in December.



Sex, spies and society scandal in Andrew Lloyd Webber musical

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 01, 2013 at 06:30AM)

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CNN drops Hillary Clinton documentary, director cites political pressure

CNN dropped plans for a documentary on Hillary Rodham Clinton as the filmmaker charged in a scathing online essay that the Democrat's camp froze him out while Republicans grumbled about meddling in the 2016 presidential race.



CNN drops Hillary Clinton documentary, director cites political pressure

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 01, 2013 at 06:26AM)

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Robin Padilla wants Drilon to step down

Action star Robin Padilla on Monday hit Senate President Franklin Drilon, who recently admitted getting P100 million in Development Acceleration Program funds after the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.



Robin Padilla wants Drilon to step down

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 01, 2013 at 02:22AM)

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Mitoy excited with new projects

Excited na sa mga gagawin niyang proyekto ang kauna-unahang "The Voice of the Philippines" champ na si Mitoy Yonting.



Mitoy excited with new projects

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 01, 2013 at 02:07AM)

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HEARD

SINGER Zia Quizon on what she loves doing in her spare time: “Films! I love watching Pinoy movies because it makes me feel closer to my father (Dolphy) and his side of the family.”



HEARD

Source: Inquirer.net (September 30, 2013 at 08:28PM)

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Jericho Rosales talks about 'Alagwa' role

Best actor sa Gawad Urian at New Port Beach Film Festival sa California. Isa sa mga pinakamahusay na aktor ng kanyang henerasyon. Ngayon muling ipinamalas ang galing sa pag-arte sa award winning indie film na "Alagwa." Jericho Rosales sa "Ikaw na!" Bandila, Setyember 30, 2013, Lunes






Jericho Rosales talks about 'Alagwa' role

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 01, 2013 at 01:09AM)

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'On the Job' earns praise in US

Pelikulang "On The Job," umani ng papuri sa U.S. screenings. Daan-daang bridesmaids, nakipagkarera sa Amerika. Iyan ang patok na balita ni Jenny Reyes. Bandila, Setyembre 30, 2013, Lunes



'On the Job' earns praise in US

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 01, 2013 at 01:04AM)

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Megan has always been proud of being Pinay

If victory comes, can controversy be far behind?



Megan has always been proud of being Pinay

Source: Philstar.com (October 01, 2013)

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Robi comes into his own

It has been a joy to follow the hosting career of Robi Domingo. The Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition alumnus has really come into his own as a host.



Robi comes into his own

Source: Philstar.com (October 01, 2013)

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Haribon Foundation holds Biodiversity Rocks

MANILA, Philippines - Haribon Foundation in cooperation with Hard Rock Café will be having a concert tomorrow, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. at Hard Rock Café, Makati.



Haribon Foundation holds Biodiversity Rocks

Source: Philstar.com (October 01, 2013)

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Andrea gives back

MANILA, Philippines - One of the many challenges of being a child celebrity is juggling school and work.



Andrea gives back

Source: Philstar.com (October 01, 2013)

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Mitoy is The Voice winner

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran band vocalist Mitoy Yonting of Team Lea was hailed as the first-ever winner of ABS-CBN’s The Voice of the Philippines



Mitoy is The Voice winner

Source: Philstar.com (October 01, 2013)

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Jugs Jugueta grilled on 'Ihaw Na!'

Itchyworms frontman and guitarist Jugs Jugueta landed on the "Ihaw Na!" hot seat on Monday night.



Jugs Jugueta grilled on 'Ihaw Na!'

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 01, 2013 at 12:25AM)

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Baby Megan was already 'the most beautiful'

No one is more proud of Miss World 2013 Megan Young than her mother. Vicky Young, recalled bursting into tears of joy upon seeing her daughter crowned Miss World 2013 in Bali, Indonesia, especially when Megan thanked the Filipino people in Filipino.



Baby Megan was already 'the most beautiful'

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (September 30, 2013 at 11:33PM)

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Chito Miranda unfazed by new sex scandal video

MANILA - Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda on Monday night stood firm on his relationship with his girlfriend Neri Naig following the viral spread of another scandal video purportedly showing the couple having sex.



Chito Miranda unfazed by new sex scandal video

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (September 30, 2013 at 11:29PM)

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Another Chito-Neri sex scandal video surfaces

MANILA - Another video clip purportedly showing Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda and his girlfriend, Neri Naig, having sex is making rounds on the Internet.



Another Chito-Neri sex scandal video surfaces

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (September 30, 2013 at 09:38PM)

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QCinema unreels at Trinoma



Herbert Bautista, Manila Bulletin

QC Mayor Herbert Bautista



QCinema: 2013 Quezon City Film Festival opens at Trinoma on Oct. 3 up to the 5th. The film festival, under the auspices of the Quezon City Film Development Commission (QCFDC), chaired by QC Mayor Herbert Bautista with Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte as co-chair and Prof. Eduardo Lejano of the UP Film Institute as executive director, is supported by Cinemalaya and the Ayala Malls.


QCinema will highlight the three winning entries to an open competition for all filmmakers residing in Quezon City. The three films are “Hello World” by John Elbert Ferrer; “Lukas Nino” by John Torres; and “Gaydar” by Alvin Yapan which will have their respective premiere showings during the film festival. Each winning entry received a subsidy of P800,000 from the QCFDC.


To be featured alongside these films is the 2013 Cinemalaya “New Breed” roster: “Transit,” “David F.,” “Nuwebe,” “Purok 7,” “Debosyon,” “Rekorder,” “Diplomat Hotel,” “Babagwa” and “Quick Change.”


The QCFDC was established in 2006 under the leadership of then Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte and then Vice Mayor Herbert M. Bautista. The Commission was envisioned to become the governing body of all film-related projects and activities in QC. The City Government initiated several measures to assist producers, filmmakers, and artists for them to practice their craft and deliver to the people world-class films depicting the Filipino way of life, aspirations, history and culture, and for Quezon City to become the “Film Mecca” of the country.


The other members of QCFDC are City Council Majority Floor Leader Jesus Manuel C. Suntay; City Council Minority Floor Leader Eufemio Lagumbay, Dr. Mary Ruby M. Palma, Ms. Rosario DL. Lara, MTRCB’s Milo Sogueco, Soxie Topacio of the Directors Guild of the Philippines, Ms. Azucena Vera-Perez Maceda of Mowelfund, Eduardo D. Sazon of NCAP, Dr. Isabel Sebullen of the Screenwriters Guild of the Philippines, Rio Araja of the QC Press Club, and Orly Ilacad of PMPPA.


• • •


Barbara Miguel, FAMAS, Best Child Actress

FAMAS Best Child Actress Barbara Miguel with mom Renerich Ocon



Barbara Miguel, Best Actress In New York


We can’t fault child actress Barbara Miguel (Renerich Marl O. Jovenier in real life) if she’s in Cloud 9 these days. It’s because she just won as Best Actress at the recently concluded Harlem International Film Festival in New York City. She received the award for her portrayal of a nine-year old mother in the Cinemalaya indie film “Nuwebe,” directed by Joseph Israel Laban. “Nuwebe” was the only Philippine entry to the Harlem International Film Festival.


Prior to this, Barbara was named Best Child Actress in this year’s 61st FAMAS Awards, for her role in Joel Lamangan’s “Burgos.”


Barbara, a Grade 3 pupil who became a household name via GMA Network’s top-rating primetime series “Munting Heredera”and “Biritera,” said in a recent interview, “haping-happy po ako, naka dalawang awards na po ako this year.”


Asked what she would want to do next, Barbara said, “Gusto ko ’yung heavy roles, ’yung kunyari maysakit ako at nahihiraping gumalaw ’saka ’yung bida-kontrabida.” She’d also like to be in a project with Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes.


Barbara’s mom, Renerich Ocon, is also an actress who started out in theater in Davao del Norte where Barbara grew up. Actually, Renerich has her own talent agency. A mass comm. graduate, Renerich belonged to Tanghalan at Obra and Teatrong Atenista. She now acts as Barbara’s PA, but also acts on the side. She appeared on a teleserye with Eugene Domingo and on “The Last Prince.” Her latest is in the forthcoming Dingdong Dantes-starrer “Genesis,” where she plays yaya to Lorna Tolentino’s children.


• • •


Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings, Oct. 1, go to Gr. Gerry Orbos, GMA-7’s Marivin Arayata, Charito Makalintal, Charo G. Yu. Reginald A. Oben, Vikki Lizzi, Ma. Elena Sen Lim, Remy Umerez, Angelita Consignado-Lim, Jap Uminga, Juliet Lee-uy, Mario A. Somera, US-based Rhoeda Farolan, Shirlee S. Castro, Jojo Lasaga Labrador of California, Reynald Oro and Mico del Rosario of Star Cinema…








QCinema unreels at Trinoma

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 30, 2013 at 10:00PM)

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WATCH: Unforgettable scenes from 'The Voice PH' finale

Hataw na sa ratings, trending pa worldwide sa social media ang grand finals ng "The Voice of the Philippines" kung saan nanalo si Mitoy Yonting. Ang mga eksena sa pagpa-Patrol ni Mario Dumaual. TV Patrol, Setyembre 30, 2013, Lunes



WATCH: Unforgettable scenes from 'The Voice PH' finale

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (September 30, 2013 at 09:26PM)

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Proud grandma recalls little Megan Young

Nagbunyi ang buong bansa nang tanghaling Miss World 2013 ang pambato ng Pilipinas na si Megan Young. Pero mas nagdiriwang ang kanyang pamilya at lola na nagpalaki sa kanya. Live mula Sta. Mesa, nagpa-Patrol si Ginger Conejero. TV Patrol, Setyembre 30, 2013, Lunes






Proud grandma recalls little Megan Young

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (September 30, 2013 at 09:21PM)

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Newly-single Jay-R has new single; Sam’s latest

Sam Concepcion, who started doing theater and appearing in commercials and TV programs at 8, knows that people still see him as the spunky 12-year-old who danced to and sang songs by Gary V. and Michael Jackson in the ABS-CBN 2005 talent search, “Little Big Star.”



Newly-single Jay-R has new single; Sam’s latest

Source: Inquirer.net (September 30, 2013 at 08:54PM)

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Rave for ‘Norte’

Indiewaire raves about Lav Diaz’s “Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan.” Critic Eric Kohn included “Norte” in a list of “must-see underdogs” at this year’s New York Film Festival. Kohn noted that “the film’s four-hour running time “is sublimated into the storytelling so well that it’s practically beside the point.”



Rave for ‘Norte’

Source: Inquirer.net (September 30, 2013 at 08:29PM)

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Derek wants privacy over reported break-up with Cristine

MANILA, Philippines - Derek Ramsay chooses to remain mum on his reported split with Cristine Reyes.



Derek wants privacy over reported break-up with Cristine

Source: Philstar.com (October 01, 2013 at 08:38PM)

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Joey de Leon congratulates former Dabarkads Mitoy



Michael “Mitoy” Yonting, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Michael “Mitoy” Yonting



If you’re a regular viewer of GMA-7 programs, you are probably already familiar with Michael “Mitoy” Yonting, the newly proclaimed first-ever winner of “The Voice of the Philippines.”


In a congratulatory message, “Eat Bulaga!” mainstay host Joey de Leon on Sunday acknowledge the former Dabarkads, who had already made rounds of shows on the Kapuso Network.


On his official Twitter account (@AngPoetNyo), deLeon wrote: “Winner talaga Eat Bulaga, yung nanalo sa The Voice, si Mitoy, dating Bulagaan regular at sa sitcom ni Vic. Congrats Toy-mits !”


Mitoy appeared on Vic Sotto’s sitcom “Ful Haus” in 2005, “Ikaw At Echo” and “Bulagaan” segments in “Eat Bulaga” and in H3o on QTV Channel 11 (now GMA News TV).


De Leon added, “May bagong ida-drive ang Draybers ! Yes !”


Team Lea’s 43-year-old rock belter is also the vocalist of the band The Draybers, which regularly performs in Resorts Word Manila.


Mitoy will surely have more exposure after receiving a four-year recording contract with MCA Universal, along with a P2 million cash prize, a new car, and an Asian tour package for two as his grand prize.








Joey de Leon congratulates former Dabarkads Mitoy

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 30, 2013 at 07:10PM)

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SLIDESHOW: 2013 Star Magic Games

Star Magic held its fourth Star Magic Games on Sunday at Lourdes School of Mandaluyong.



SLIDESHOW: 2013 Star Magic Games

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (September 30, 2013 at 05:34PM)

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Baby, you can drive (and watch in) my car



Andrei Felix, John Lloyd Cruz, Cesca Litton, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Andrei Felix, John Lloyd Cruz and Cesca Litton at Cinema One’s drive-in screening of ‘It Takes A Man And A Woman’ (Photo by Pau Aguilera)



Gone are the days when drive-in theaters only appear in old foreign romantic films – watching movies (and snuggling with a special someone) in “parking lot cinemas” could actually become commonplace in the Philippines.


Bulletin Entertainment has caught up with Cinema One Channel Head Ronald Arguelles, who talked about their ushering of a rather unconventional form of theatrical screening, at least here in the country.


Arguelles sees the buildup of outdoor screenings as a “natural evolution.”


“We have outdoor screenings already in Boracay. And then we’re doing also something for Halloween,” he related during the romantic drive-in (more of an “outdoor”) screening event presented by Cinema One recently at the Greenfield District Central Park in Mandaluyong City.


“And since laging successful ’yung events namin for outdoor screenings, we did this (for a) romantic movie naman,” Ronald explained.


He related that, at present, they are screening films that “were shown already theatrically,” and that their screenings are always “free admission.”


However, Ronald also shared that they are also producing films for the outdoor screenings for next year.


“May specially made for the drive-in screenings… But if the clamor is for big studio films, then we’ll show them (commercial films) in the events also,” he added.


Fans had the chance to (re)live the big screen love story of Laida Magtalas (Sarah Geronimo) and Miggy Montenegro (John Lloyd Cruz) in the well-loved team up’s third movie offering, “It Takes A Man And A Woman.” Some had even witnessed it for the first time.


Hosted by Andrei Felix and Cesca Litton, the event treated the audience with surprises (free popcorn) and games, perhaps in lieu of common drive-in elements like parked convertibles and mushy couples.


The highlight of the night was obviously the presence of one of the movie’s protagonist. Although making just a brief appearance, John Lloyd certainly amped up the “kilig” factor experienced by the guests.


So the next time you see your favorite celebrity’s face blown up on a giant screen in a parking lot, don’t be surprised. Just hope they’re selling popcorn nearby.








Baby, you can drive (and watch in) my car

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 30, 2013 at 05:48PM)

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Joey de Leon congratulates former Dabarkads Mitoy



Michael “Mitoy” Yonting, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Michael “Mitoy” Yonting



If you’re a regular viewer of GMA-7 programs, you are probably already familiar with Michael “Mitoy” Yonting, the newly proclaimed first-ever winner of “The Voice of the Philippines.”


In a congratulatory message, “Eat Bulaga!” mainstay host Joey de Leon on Sunday acknowledge the former Dabarkads, who had already made rounds of shows on the Kapuso Network.


On his official Twitter account (@AngPoetNyo), de Leon wrote: “Winner talaga Eat Bulaga, yung nanalo sa The Voice, si Mitoy, dating Bulagaan regular at sa sitcom ni Vic. Congrats Toy-mits !”


Mitoy appeared on Vic Sotto’s sitcom “Ful Haus” in 2005, “Ikaw At Echo” and “Bulagaan” segments in “Eat Bulaga” and in H30 on QTV Channel 11 (now GMA News TV).


De Leon added, “May bagong ida-drive ang Draybers ! Yes !”


Team Lea’s 43-year-old rock belter is also the vocalist of the band The Draybers, which regularly performs in Resorts Word Manila.


Mitoy will surely have more exposure after receiving a four-year recording contract with MCA Universal, along with a P2 million cash prize, a new car, and an Asian tour package for two as his grand prize.


The video above is part of Mitoy’s appearance on “Eat Bulaga!” (“Bulagaan” segment) uploaded on YouTube last Aug. 31, 2007. Teamed with Gladys Guevarra a.k.a. Chuchay, Mitoy earned plaudits for his superb rendition of “Alone” by Heart.








Joey de Leon congratulates former Dabarkads Mitoy

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 30, 2013 at 05:34PM)

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Jake Cuenca on courtship: Not my style



Jake Cuenca, Jessy Mendiola, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Jake Cuenca is taking it slow with ‘Maria Mercedes’ star Jessy Mendiola



Jake Cuenca isn’t the typical guy-next-door that aims to sweep any lady off her feet. In fact, the actor professes he does not believe in courtship.


“Kasi it’s like putting your best foot forward always. Gusto ko makita nila ang totoong ako, good or bad side man,” the actor told the members of the press during the grand launch of the Philippine adaptation of the Mexicanovela “Maria Mercedes” recently.


Nevertheless, Jake isn’t shunning the idea of making “ligaw” to the Pinay Maria Mercedes, Jessy Mendiola. “Ano pa, eh, tulad naman ng sinabi ni Jess, nando’n ako para mag-adjust. Kung gusto niya talaga ng lalaking nanliligaw, na obviously naman na may gusto ako sa kanya, eh, ’di mag-a-adjust ako. Kung kailangang manligaw, kailangan kong matutunan manligaw,” he said.


Jake clarified, “Well, marunong naman ako (manligaw) but, like I said before, it’s just not my style. But I guess, for Jessy, it can work out.”


In the same launch, Jake admitted choosing “Maria Mercedes” over a supposed primetime series “kasi gusto ko talagang makasama si Jessy.”


Apart from Jake, Sam Milby had earlier admitted wooing the 20-year-old actress. In fact, reports had it that the Kapamilya actors were involved in a brawl during the recent Star Magic Ball.


“Magkaibigan naman kami ni Sam. Wala namang alitan sa aming dalawa,” Jake maintained. “Iba naman, wala pa namang pormal na kahit ano. At tulad nga ng sinabi ni Jessy, hindi pa naman talaga siya ready. I don’t see anything wrong with that. Wala naman sigurong problema na maging magkaibigan kami, ’di ba?”


He insisted, “I’m not competing with Sam. I just really like Jess. I’m not really looking at Sam but, honestly, kaibigan ko talaga si Sam and I don’t want to lose that friendship either, pero may gusto ako kay Jessy, May the best man win.”


According to Jake, one of his ways to show Jessy his affection is by bringing her food. “Hinatid ko ’yung paella sa bahay niya. Surprise ’yun. Hindi naman ako pumasok, hinatid ko lang. I am taking it slow. At tulad din naman ng sinabi ni Jessy, I don’t think there’s a problem if I’m taking it slow.”


Moving on from Lovi


While maintaining that he had not gotten into a relationship with Lovi Poe (“There was never a formality na kami na or boyfriend-girlfriend”), Jake admitted being more hurt than sad about their protracted love-story-in-the-making.


He said, “Sa totoo lang nakakalungkot ’yun… Totoo naman na naging mahirap sa akin this past few months.”


Nevertheless, Jake pointed out, “Natutuwa din naman ako para kay Lovi na her projects are doing well,” adding, “We’re friends and I intend to keep that friendship, kasi marami kaming pinagdaanan.”


Despite the experience, he also noted, “Paano ba naman ’di mapapadali (ang proseso ng paghilom) kung katrabaho mo naman si Jessy Mendiola? Like I’ve said, ako naman, I’m ready now for this commitment, especially now with all maturity, with everything that I’ve learned.


“I can say I’m more mature now, and marunong na akong mag-handle ng isang relationship. If the right person comes at sana siya (Jessy) ’yun ang sarap mag-alaga ng isang tao. I’m looking forward to that one.”


What bar brawl?


Meanwhile, Jake also came to address the report that he was allegedly involved in a recent bar brawl.


“Hindi, wala… nothing. Actually, tinanong sa akin ’yan ng mga kaibigan ko yesterday. Gulung-gulo naman ako dahil wala namang gulo na nangyari,” he said.


Setting the record straight, Jake related, “Although, mayroong tao. Hindi ko alam kung kilala ba niya ako o ano, medyo binangga niya ako. Ang ginawa ko na lang, umalis na lang ako, kasi ilang beses na akong nasangkot sa ganyan. I just became the bigger person and I just left.”


He insisted, “One thing for sure, hindi ako nagsisimula ng away. Wala namang bugbugan na nangyari. Kung makikita ninyo naman ang mukha ko, wala namang nangyari. Hindi naman ako nanapak, ni hindi nga ako nagsalita. Hindi naman ako nasaktan.


Recently, Jake was also reported to have had a skirmish with Rocco Nacino, Lovi’s rumored suitor. Both camps, including Lovi herself, dismissed the issue.








Jake Cuenca on courtship: Not my style

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 30, 2013 at 05:20PM)

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SLIDESHOW: Star-studded 'Voice PH' finale

MANILA – Emotions ran high during the grand finale of “The Voice of the Philippines” held Sunday night at the Resorts World Manila.



SLIDESHOW: Star-studded 'Voice PH' finale

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (September 30, 2013 at 04:41PM)

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Joey de Leon congratulates former Dabarkads Mitoy



If you’re a regular viewer of GMA-7 programs, you are probably already familiar with Michael “Mitoy” Yonting, the newly proclaimed first-ever winner of “The Voice of the Philippines.”


In a congratulatory message, “Eat Bulaga!” mainstay host Joey de Leon on Sunday acknowledge the former Dabarkads, who had already made rounds of shows on the Kapuso Network.


On his official Twitter account (@AngPoetNyo), de Leon wrote: “Winner talaga Eat Bulaga, yung nanalo sa The Voice, si Mitoy, dating Bulagaan regular at sa sitcom ni Vic. Congrats Toy-mits !”


Mitoy appeared on Vic Sotto’s sitcom “Ful Haus” in 2005, “Ikaw At Echo” and “Bulagaan” segments in “Eat Bulaga” and in H30 on QTV Channel 11 (now GMA News TV).


De Leon added, “May bagong ida-drive ang Draybers ! Yes !”


Michael “Mitoy” Yonting, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Michael “Mitoy” Yonting



Team Lea’s 43-year-old rock belter is also the vocalist of the band The Draybers, which regularly performs in Resorts Word Manila.


Mitoy will surely have more exposure after receiving a four-year recording contract with MCA Universal, along with a P2 million cash prize, a new car, and an Asian tour package for two as his grand prize.


The video above is part of Mitoy’s appearance on “Eat Bulaga!” (“Bulagaan” segment) uploaded on YouTube last Aug. 31, 2007. Teamed with Gladys Guevarra a.k.a. Chuchay, Mitoy earned plaudits for his superb rendition of “Alone” by Heart.








Joey de Leon congratulates former Dabarkads Mitoy

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 30, 2013 at 04:51PM)

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'Voice US' season 5 premieres with original coaches

While “The Voice of the Philippines” ended its successful first season on Sunday night, fans of the worldwide talent competition can look forward to the start of the fifth season of the US version of “The Voice,” which kicks off on Monday.



'Voice US' season 5 premieres with original coaches

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (September 30, 2013 at 04:14PM)

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Sharon temporarily bids Twitter adieu



 Sharon Cuneta, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Sharon Cuneta



Sharon Cuneta is off the Twitter loop for now.


The singer-actress cited the need to “rest” following the death of her brother, Boyking.


Cuneta posted: “Sorry to have to leave you all for. A little while on Twitter. Need to rest. There are way more important things in the world – amidst the meanness of people, the intrigues & questions & doubts – our loved ones are all that matter.”


She added, “My Kuya Boyking, the closest to me among my half-siblings, has died tonight. Thank you to all of you who prayed with us. God bless you. How do I come to terms with this? Lord, comfort me, please. I have very little loving family left… Who will call me bunsoy aside from my Ate Titang now that my Kuys is gone? If my brother whom I fondly call ‘BB’ gets to read this, I’m sorry for the bad news. I hope to see you.”


Prior, Cuneta has been earning detractors for her candid tweets.


Last year, she was caught in controversy when she tweeted about Kris Aquino supposedly after the latter declared that she doesn’t follow Cuneta because “Ayokong ma-stress.”


Turned out the account was that of a poseur but Cuneta had already responded: “Yaan na natin. Di ko rin naman sya fina-follow ever. Sasakit ang ulo ko.”


Cuneta eventually apologized to the real Aquino.


Recently, Cuneta was critiqued by some netizens for the way she congratulated Megan Young after the latter was crowned Miss World 2013.


She posted: “WOOHOO MEGAN YOUNG!!! OUR COUNTRY’S FIRST-EVER MISS WORLD (though in my heart, Ruffa won na that crown!)!! CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK.”


Cuneta also raised a ruckus just days prior when she tweeted about her readiness to leave her husband, former Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, if he is proven to have involvement in the pork barrel scam. She added that she was ready to give P10 million to anyone who can prove the same. She later deleted her tweet.








Sharon temporarily bids Twitter adieu

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 30, 2013 at 03:52PM)

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‘The Voice PH’ winner Mitoy Yonting’s ‘Eat Bulaga’ past

MANILA, Philippines – Mitoy Yonting’s shot to fame as a singer is courtesy of ABS-CBN’s “The Voice of the Philippines.” But it looks like the recently-conclu



‘The Voice PH’ winner Mitoy Yonting’s ‘Eat Bulaga’ past

Source: Philstar.com (September 30, 2013 at 03:16PM)

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‘Breaking Bad’ creator cooks up a dark ending for Walt White as series concludes



Breaking Bad, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

The cast from AMC’s series “Breaking Bad” poses backstage with their awards for Outstanding Drama Series at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles September 22, 2013. (Reuters/Lucy Nicholson)



LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The journey of anti-hero Walter White came to a dark end on Sunday when fans of “Breaking Bad” finally learned the fate of the chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin, as AMC’s cult drug drama concluded after a five-season run.


Emmy-winning “Breaking Bad” has captured audiences with its gritty plot about Walter, played by Bryan Cranston, a cancer-stricken chemistry teacher who turns to cooking methamphetamine with ex-student Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul, in order to make money for his family. Walt’s chemistry skills allow him to create the purest meth available, which becomes known as “blue sky.” Its popularity in the market leads Walt to eventually becoming a drug kingpin known as Heisenberg.


Sunday’s 75-minute finale, entitled “Felina,” saw Walt return to his deserted family home, retrieve a vial of ricin he hid in the wall, and embark on his final mission to tie up the loose ends left by his crumbled drug empire.


Walt visits the gang of white supremacists he had once contracted to kill Jesse, but who instead stole his drug money earnings and kidnapped Jesse to cook the ‘blue sky’ meth. Walt sets up an automatic rifle in his car that discharges when he goes into the white supremacist compound, killing the gang and freeing Jesse from captivity.


Walt takes a bullet but stays alive long enough to call meth dealer Lydia, the last remaining link to his drug empire, to tell her he poisoned her with ricin. Walt watches Jesse drive away a free man, and draws his last breaths in the meth lab at the compound as the police finally catch up with him.


Walt’s death was one of the probable endings that audiences predicted ahead of the finale, especially as his cancer had returned in the fifth season and his path into darkness saw him lose the support of the people closest to him.


In one poignant scene where Walt sees his wife Skyler for the last time, he finally reveals his reasons for taking the dark path into the meth empire.


“I did it for me. I liked it. I was good at it. And I was really, I was alive,” Walt tells Skyler, after he gives her coordinates to the site where his police officer brother-in-law Hank was buried in the desert after being shot in the head by Walt’s contracted neo-Nazi gang in an earlier episode.


“Breaking Bad” become the hot topic on Twitter on Sunday, with the hashtag #GoodbyeBreakingBad trending throughout the day. As Walt’s journey came in an end, the majority of fan reactions were positive, with many calling the ending “perfect.”


“We needed to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts… we needed a resolution,” Vince Gilligan, creator of “Breaking Bad,” said in AMC’s post-finale show “Talking Bad.”


Paul added: “What I thought was great was that Walt died protecting Jesse.”


‘Everyone is capable of good and bad’


Walt’s journey from a mild-mannered school teacher into a manipulative drug lord saw him descend the circles of hell as he loses his family and identity to become the cold, calculating Heisenberg.


“In looking into this character and what happens to him and the transformation, I really believe that everybody is capable of good or bad,” Cranston, who won three best actor Emmys for his portrayal of Walt, said at last month’s Television Critics Association panels in Beverly Hills.


“I think, if given the right set of circumstances, dire situations, any one of us can become dangerous,” he added.


AMC, owned by AMC Networks Inc., split the final season of “Breaking Bad” in two, the first half airing in 2012 and the second in 2013. The second half of the final season, which began in August, saw an average of 5.2 million viewers tuning in to see the conclusion of Walt’s saga, more than double last year’s audience for the show, according to AMC.


Online streaming site Netflix is credited with helping boost viewership for “Breaking Bad,” giving audiences a chance to binge-watch earlier seasons to quickly catch up.


On Sunday, Paul hosted a viewing party of the final episode at the Hollywood Forever cemetery in Los Angeles. Paul joined cast members including RJ Mitte, who plays Walt Jr., driving onto the stage in the rusty RV that Walt and Jesse first cooked meth in, and emerged wearing yellow Hazmat suits, welcomed by hundreds of excited fans, attendee Terri Schwartz told Reuters.


The event raised more than $2 million for charity, and Paul surprised fans by posing for pictures ahead of the screening.


Many of the show’s celebrity fans, including actor Ewan McGregor and comedian Jimmy Kimmel, attended the event.


“It’s the final night of ‘Breaking Bad.’ It’s devastating, I know. I can’t thank you enough for coming out,” Paul said, before enthusiastically kicking off the screening of the finale with Jesse’s trademark phrase “Yeah, bitch!”








‘Breaking Bad’ creator cooks up a dark ending for Walt White as series concludes

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 30, 2013 at 03:42PM)

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Aiza-Charice concert all about acceptance, empowerment



Charice Pempengco and Aiza Seguerra, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Charice Pempengco and Aiza Seguerra (Photo by Rowena Tan)



Asia’s acoustic sensation Aiza Seguerra and international singing sensation Charice Pempengco’s performance at the Smart Araneta Coliseum dubbed “The Power of Two: The Unbreakable Tour” last Saturday was a smashing success despite the rains and the airing of the much-awaited Miss World International finals that night.


The crowd burst into loud cheers and applauded wildly the moment Aiza and Charice appeared on stage performing Michael Jackson’s single “Black or White,” followed by “Beat It.” The Coliseum looked like a big dance club with the laser lights, pyrotechnics and supporting videos playing on the big screens.


The concert’s theme was about truth, acceptance and empowerment, sang in genres that spanned OPM, R&B, dance pop and love songs. The heartfelt songs like “Pagdating Ng Panahon,” “Makita Kang Muli,” “Kanlungan” made people starry-eyed.


During Aiza’s solo part, she talked to the audience about love and homosexuality. She even asked members of the crowd if they’ve found their true love and even dedicated songs like “Yakap,” and “Araw Gabi” to people who are still searching for the one. Very cheesy? Yes.


Charice Pempengco (Photo by Rowena Tan)

Charice Pempengco (Photo by Rowena Tan)



On the other hand, Charice livelier songs (e.g. “Louder,” “Roar”) that had people on their feet. “Let’s go Araneta!” Charice screamed as she performed “Pyramid” complete with dance moves and back-up dancers.


A high point in Charice’s performance was the duet with her girlfriend Alyssa Quijano of “How Could An Angel Break My Heart.” They held hands in the middle of the song and as the last note sounded off, Charice kissed Alyssa on the forehead.


The most applauded part for Aiza was her performance of “Sirena” with Gloc-9; and Charice’s performance of “Gayuma” with Abra. For encore, Charice and Aiza sang “Noypi.”








Aiza-Charice concert all about acceptance, empowerment

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 30, 2013 at 03:23PM)

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After 'Voice PH' win, Mitoy sings on 'It's Showtime'

Michael "Mitoy" Yonting made his first guest appearance on "It's Showtime" after he was announced as the winner of "The Voice of the Philippines" on Sunday night.



After 'Voice PH' win, Mitoy sings on 'It's Showtime'

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (September 30, 2013 at 02:37PM)

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FDCP reveals next festivals



Briccio Santos, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair Briccio Santos



Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair Briccio Santos is bullish about the future of the All Masters Edition of Sineng Pambansa despite his admission that the films they featured recently were far from blockbusters.


Santos maintains that the significance of the event allowed for “signals” to the film community that “supersede all economic considerations.”


“The films by the masters are definitely of top quality and are artistically meritorious,” he emphasized to Bulletin Entertainment in an exclusive interview.


Santos, who is among the earliest exponents and practitioners of independent cinema in the country, noted that for a new festival, the first-ever of its kind actually, the All Masters Edition of Sineng Pambansa did well. He cited how “the premieres for the individual entries were jam-packed affairs from Metro Manila all the way to Bacolod (with ‘Sonata’) and Iloilo (with the first-time director feature ‘Salvi’).”


He lauded the “all-out support” of SM Cinemas, the largest film exhibitor in the Philippines, as with the media in helping raise public awareness for the festival.


Not that he expected anything less. Santos said he wanted a huge hubbub for the festival and is hopeful that it will only get noisier and bigger in the coming years.


“If only there is an easy way that a greater segment of the population are compelled to go to the movies, that would have been really great! This is only the beginning. It will only get better,” he said.


Santos is hesitant to offer exact figures as with other technicalities that might’ve led to the less than stellar showing of the festival as far as the box-office is concerned. He was more than eager however, to reveal future plans including tweaks that might allow for improved numbers.


“For next year, we will have genre films for the festival in addition to the masters entries. These films will be more commercially viable since it will have action, comedy, horror and all other genres. (But) we are retaining the ‘masters’ branding and therefore will have genre films by them alongside the younger directors.”


The festival will still be held in partnership with SM, said Santos, including a planned “horror festival in November by the masters themselves.”


Prior to the National Film Festival in September, Santos said that the FDCP is also planning to create an international film festival “together with the next edition of the international film expo in June” with participating films coming from all over the globe including “China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, European countries, the South Americas as well as some ASEAN countries.”


“For this, we are looking at The Mall of Asia as prime venue,” he added. “This will have a competition and will be called World Premieres Film Festival. There will be a Filipino entry in the festival.”








FDCP reveals next festivals

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 30, 2013 at 03:11PM)

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Mitoy Yonting

Mitoy Yonting





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Mitoy Yonting is first-ever ‘The Voice of the Philippines’ champ

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 30, 2013 at 12:10AM)

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