According to Ate Ellen (right), my mom Gilda (center) and I were so blessed because the lot behind is usually flooded by pilgrims of Padre Pio and it takes at least three hours to get inside the shrine of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo.
During one of the stops of my concert tour in Europe with Enchong Dee, I stayed with Ate Ellen and her Italian husband, Franco. They took me to the blessed shrine of Padre Pio Of Pietrelcina in San Giovanni, Italy. Though I did not know the saint, I prayed in front of his casket where his remains lie intact some 50 years after death. My prayer was, “I don’t know you, but some force brought me to you and I know something good is going to happen to me because I met you.”
Upon returning to Manila, I learned that my classmate’s father, Don Ramon Rodriguez, had put up a church in Libis that people visit as it was said to be miraculous. I started hearing mass there and was surprised with their sharing sessions after communion; mostly about answered prayers. One of them, celebrity host Tintin Bersola, revealed that when she was pregnant years ago, there was an almost irreversible problem with the position of the fetus in her womb. The couple decided to join Mang Ramon Rodriguez in his pilgrimage to San Giovanni in Italy and miraculously, she was able to deliver the healthy baby without incident, thanks to her and her husband Julius Babao’s faith.
Not everyone can get this close to Padre Pio’s casket where his remains stay incorrupt. I guess I was lucky – make that ‘blessed’ – that day.
When I was granted an interview with Don Ramon (who insists that we call him Mang Ramon), I asked him how he decided to put up the Padre Pio Shrine in Libis. Apparently, a bishop approached Mang Ramon who said that six Italian priests were looking for a place to stay. Since Mang Ramon’s mansion had more rooms than a small hotel, he obliged. During the priests’ stay, they kept talking to him in Italian and he just kept saying yes. Little did he know that he had committed to put up the Philippine Center of Padre Pio, which came to pass in 1985. He kept his word to the priests since he believes it was the prayer of Padre Pio printed in a small piece of paper that healed his blindness in 1975.
For several years, every time he would go to work, Mang Ramon would greet (“Hello Padre Pio, bless me today”) and kiss the image of the six-foot image of Saint Pio. This ritual went on until one miraculous day in 2005 that changed his life. When Mang Ramon went to his office, he tried to kiss the image of Padre Pio but an invisible force prevented him from doing so, forcing him to kneel instead. Looking up, he saw a small crucifix then heard a voice that said, “From now on, you will pray to me.” After that incident, Mang Ramon has had priests holding a mass every week in his office, which became daily and people started coming to his office to hear mass with him. It was then that he decided to create a shrine for Padre Pio, which is now a work in progress.
Mang Ramon at the place of his conversion
In San Giovanni, I learned that Padre Pio had the gift of healing and discernment. People that went to confession avoided Padre Pio out of embarrassment because he somehow knew when a person has sin.
I think God transferred those gifts to Mang Ramon. Just weeks ago, he was used by God to cure a four-year-old child with a cancerous lump in his throat. The lump was as big as my hand. Today, that child is in school and cancer-free.
Another Chinese parishioner, who owed a lot of debts to several businessmen, placed his prayers in Padre Pio. Now, that Chinese parishioner is debt-free and totally devoted to the saint.
When Mang Ramon anointed my hand with oil, he told me that I should not waste time because I was going to work for God soon. He also told me I was going to receive six answered prayers. SIX! Hmmmmm, does this mean I have to leave out my naughty jokes every time I host, sing and do stand-up comedy?
For now, I’m hoping God will understand that it’s just show business. Hehe.
Bryan Cranston in a scene from 'Breaking Bad'.
LOS ANGELES | AMC’s gritty drug drama “Breaking Bad” drew its biggest audience for the series finale on Sunday, as 10.3 million viewers tuned in to see anti-hero Walter White meet a dark and fitting end.
According to Nielsen data provided by AMC on Monday, the 75-minute finale episode entitled “Felina” delivered a series record in viewership as fans saw chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin Walt tie up the loose ends of his crumbling drug empire and die just as the police finally catch up with him.
The 18-49 age group coveted by advertisers drew 6.7 million viewers, up 300 percent from last year’s “Breaking Bad” season finale, reflecting the significant growth in the show’s audience over the past year.
AMC, owned by AMC Networks Inc, split the fifth and final season of the Vince Gilligan-created series into two parts, with the first half airing in 2012, and the second in 2013.
The second half, which began airing in August, drew an average of 5.2 million viewers to see the conclusion of Walt’s saga, more than double last year’s audience for the show, according to AMC.
“It all starts with Vince Gilligan who really only ever asked for one thing — the opportunity to end the show on his own terms. That is exactly what Vince did last night and, as always, brilliantly so,” Charlie Collier, AMC president, said in a statement.
“Breaking Bad” became a hot topic online on Sunday, as viewers discussed Walt’s ending. The fifth season has garnered more than 23 million mentions on Facebook since August, and 3 million people posted about the finale on Sunday, according to data from Facebook.
On Twitter, hashtags such as #GoodbyeBreakingBad became trending topics throughout the day, with 1.24 million tweets generated during the live broadcast of the finale, according to AMC.
Sam Milby (Photo by NR Ramos)
Sam Milby is not a fan of being idle.
Fresh from the success of the recently concluded ABS-CBN TV series “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala,” where he even earned raves for his performance as Eros, Sam is now busy shooting a new movie dubbed “The Gifted,” co-starring Anne Curtis and Cristine Reyes.
“So far so good,” he intimated.
Milby maintains that the new movie will allow him to discover a new facet in his abilities as an actor.
“Kasi iba siya. Hindi ko pa puwede sabihin kung ano exactly ang role ko but I assure you iba ito sa mga dati ko nang ginawa,” he told Bulletin Entertainment.
Although he admits that part of his decision to take the project on so soon after the series was due to the movie having long been planned, he also insists that he’d rather keep himself busy than lose his momentum.
“I don’t want naman to just sit around doing nothing,” he maintained.
More work? Bring it on!
Apart from the movie, Milby is now venturing into her first business outside showbiz, the bar cum resto called Prost located at The Fort Strip.
Having just recently opened its doors to customers, Milby describe Prost as: “A pub of sorts na very cozy ang vibe. Beer primarily ang drink dito.”
Ironically, Milby is not really fond of beer.
“Yeah, including pork sausages, which we also serve,” he admitted with a smile. “Pero we have a long list din of quality but affordable wines, which I help select.”
As for his favorite food on the menu, he added: “I skip the sausages but I really love the sauerkraut we make here; and, of course, my favorite, the Hoff burger, which we serve on a bagel topped with pesto cream cheese, salsa, alfalfa sprouts and an organic fried egg. Sarap.”
Milby said he hangs out often at Prost together with some friends from showbiz like John Prats and Bea Alonzo.
“Gusto ko kasi ang sarap mag-unwind dito after work or kahit walang work, kasi very relaxing ’yung ambience.”
Asked if he has already invited Jessy Mendiola to his pub, Milby: “Yeah. She liked it here.”
Simply Jessy…
Milby, who admitted in past interviews his intent to woo the “Maria Mercedes” star, intimated that he is taking his sweet time in courting the actress.
“We’re just getting to know each other at this point. Relax lang ganyan,” he said smiling.
Apparently Milby is not bothered that Mendiola is also being courted by a few men, including Jake Cuenca.
“Marami actually, hindi lang si Jake. I understand meron din na non-showbiz (suitors) pero okay lang… kasi sa akin, I believe na all is fair in love and war.”
What can he say about Cuenca already declaring “may the best man win” as a seeming challenge to him?
“He has his way of making ligaw. I have my way of making ligaw,” Milby shot back confidently, adding that he has some advantages over Cuenca in that “naggigitara ako, kumakanta ako. I have experience over him.” He says this in jest.
Turning serious however, Milby said: “You know, I don’t want to make an issue na parang may big competition between me and Jake. We’re friends. Wala kaming problema.”
Ramon Bautista and Jinri Park (Photo from Monster Radio RX93.1’s Facebook page)
It looks like Ramon Bautista has made quite an impression on Jinri Park. A recent inductee into FHM’s “Funny is the new pogi” shortlist of “kwela” guys that make ladies’ hearts melt, Ramon has seemingly scored big when Jinri herself admitted to being attracted to the comedian.
The self-proclaimed Internet Action Star earlier professed having a crush on the Korean radio jock-model-actress, and while to many they may seem an odd pair, Jinri thinks otherwise.
“Funny thing is, at first it was parang joke lang. And then you know, I actually find him really attractive now,” Jinri told “What’s Up, Doods?” host Edu Manzano in a recent episode.
Prior, the sexy cover girl revealed that she used to host a radio show with Bautista and that started their supposed tandem. On Twitter, the two call each other “boyfriend” and “girlfriend.”
Seemingly in disbelief, Manzano asked the “Vampire Ang Daddy Ko” star, “Really? How attractive?”
“From a scale of 1 to 10 – 10 being the highest – I would say 8,” Jinri responded, to which Edu exclaimed, “You serious? Wow! Lucky guy!”
Setting her statement straight, Jinri explained, “I’m not the type who goes for physical looks… He’s so funny. And he’s very smart, too.”
In a recent TV interview, the very single Jinri describes her ideal future boyfriend as: Asian, musically inclined, clingy, and funny, among others.
On whether she will date Bautista, Jinri said, “I will date him if he asks me.”
Megan Young (Photo from Reuters)
Megan Young’s win as Miss World 2013 has seemingly invigorated the country, banishing, if only for a little while, thoughts about various ills and controversies that have mired the archipelago in gloom for some time now.
Indeed, by winning the elusive crown, Young has not only made Pinoys stand tall and proud anew, she has allowed for a bit of sunshine following numerous storms that have wreaked havoc on the republic.
A Big Honor
Young is set to be recognized by Congress with Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez already filing a resolution to honor the beauty queen.
Romualdez cited Young’s win as a landmark achievement for the country.
The resolution is supported by the independent minority bloc which includes former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco, Buhay partylist Representative Lito Atienza, actress and Cavite Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla among others.
Proud Mom
Young’s mother, Vicki, was only too happy of her daughter’s success relating how she cried seeing her daughter being crowned.
“Sabi niyang ganyan ‘Maraming salamat po sa aking mga kababayan.’ Eh, alam mong di naman siya ganyan kadalas magsalita ng Tagalog, (tapos) unang-una niyang sinabi ‘yun noong ipinatong ‘yung korona sa kanya, doon ako umiyak,” she told “TV Patrol.”
The Young matriarch who flew to Bali, Indonesia to lend support to her daughter admitted that she along with the beauty queen’s siblings Victor and Lauren were emotional when they met with Megan backstage after the coronation.
“Ang una pong nabanggit ni Megan: ‘Mommy I miss you!’ Doon pa lang naiyak na po ako. Ang tagal ko po kasi siyang tinitingnan sa stage, sabi ko: ‘Ang lapit-lapit mo, nandiyan ka lang pero parang di naman kita mayakap,” she recalled.
Beautiful Baby
Asked if she expected the win, the Young matriarch shared how, when Megan was born, all the nurses at the hospital told her that hers was the most beautiful baby in the nursery.
“Pinuri po siya ng buong ospital,” she said.
Zero Love Life
The matriarch related in the same interview that her daughter always finds time for her studies, family and friends despite her busy schedule as model and actress.
Lauren herself attests in a separate report on GMA News that it was her sister who supported her schooling prior to her joining show business.
Asked if her daughter is currently in a relationship, Vicki answered in the negative refuting suggestions that Megan is exclusively dating model-actor Mikael Daez.
“Magkakabarkada lang naman po sila. I don’t think there is a commitment there… Wala naman po kasi halos lagi ko silang nakakasama,” Vicki said.
Queen of Twitterverse
A good number of celebrities congratulated Megan on Twitter following her win including Miss World 1993 Second Princess Ruffa Gutierrez.
“Blessing in disguise that she wasn’t accepted at Binibining Pilipinas Our very first Miss World!! Well deserved!” Gutierrez posted via the micro-blogging site.
“Congratulations, @meganbata! Beauty, brains and heart! The perfect person to represent! We are so proud of you!!!” singer Jed Madela said.
Former beauty queen Miriam Quiambao posted, “Congrats @Meganbata!!! We’re proud of you!!!”
Other celebrities who greeted the new Miss World include Anne Curtis, Maxene Magalona, Bianca Gonzales, Xian Lim, Georgina Wilson, Denise Laurel, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Elmo Magalona, Rocco Nacino, Andi Eigenmann, Kean Cipriano, Iya Villania and Chris Tiu.
She’s The One
Cory Quirino, national director of Miss World Philippines, revealed in a report on Bomboradyo that days before coronation night, she already had an inkling that Megan would bag the crown, noting how the 23-year-old made a big impression on the judges.
According to Quirino, Megan made jaws drop when she arrived at the Miss World headquarters in Indonesia with most if not all of the judges immediately inquiring about her. There and then Quirino said, some judges have apparently decided that “she’s the one.”
Never In Her Wildest Dreams
Megan herself, however, still cannot believe that she is the first Filipina to be crowned Miss World.
Via a post on the Miss World Philippines Facebook page, Young shared: “Seems like only yesterday that I was flying out to Bali, Indonesia to represent the Philippines and show the world what I had. And now, at the foot of my bed, I see the Miss World sash. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine to be in this position. Never did I think of myself to be worthy of such an honor. But the paths I’ve chosen have proven me wrong.”
The “early favorite” at the pageant – besting 126 candidates from all over the world – is hopeful that she will fulfill her duties with aplomb.
“This year will be an amazing one. I can already feel the good vibes and positive energy and I can’t wait to start planning for things so that you can witness my journey as well,” she added.
Young went on to recognize her supporters and her critics.
“Thank you for the happiness, thank you for the tears, thank you for the heart to heart talks, thank you for the heartbreak, thank you for the hugs, thank you for being mean to me, thank you for understanding, thank you for misunderstanding, thank you for caring, thank you for not giving a damn, thank you for the love and affection. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she wrote.
The newly crowned Miss World also hopes that her win will serve as an inspiration to fellow Filipinos.
“Maraming salamat sa mga Pilipino na sumuporta. Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Sana maging inspirasyon ako sa inyo. Samahan niyo ako sa aking lakbay bilang Miss World 2013,” she said. “This isn’t the end of the journey. It is only the beginning.”
Young is currently in London to attend a charity gala as part of her duties. She is set to return to the Philippines in eight days.
Lady Gaga (Photo from AP)
NEW YORK (AP) — YouTube is launching its own music awards and Lady Gaga will perform at the first-time event.
The Google Inc.-owned company announced Tuesday that Eminem and Arcade Fire also will perform at the YouTube Music Awards on Nov. 3. It will take place at Pier 36 in New York City and stream live online.
The awards show will honor “artists and songs that YouTube fans have turned into global hits over the past year.” Nominees will be announced Oct. 17.
Actor Jason Schwartzman will host the YouTube Music Awards. A press release says the awards show will also feature events from Seoul, Moscow, London and Brazil.
Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes.
Just one month after finally admitting that they were romantically involved, Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes have reportedly called it quits.
But neither Derek nor Cristine — who both said their relationship officially started on August 28 — has confirmed the break-up. “I don’t want to make any statement. I want to keep this private. Thanks,” Derek said in a text message to Philstar.com.
For her part, Cristine also has not declared that the relationship was over but hinted about it when she posted an intriguing screenshot of her iPhone playing the song, “Warning Sign” by Coldplay.
Said post simultaneously appeared on her Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts and was accompanied by the caption, “guys have no idea how long something they said can stay in a girls mind.”
Fans of the actress immediately interpreted this as referring to Derek and posted sympathetic replies that range from “You’ll be fine” to “You’re better with @rayvercruz” in reference to her former boyfriend to “unfollowed @kidlatramsay11 ang sakit e” referring to Derek’s newly-renamed Instagram account that until recently carried the name, “kingderekramsay” and is currently set to private.
Cristine herself has renamed her own Twitter account from @QueenCKRamsay to @AwesomeQueenCK.
Derek and Cristine are starring together in the upcoming romantic drama “Trophy Wife” with Heart Evangelista for Viva Films. No playdate has been announced for the movie directed by Elwood Perez and produced by Viva Films.
While Derek continues to post new tweets, most of it involves the latest promos of Dunkin Donuts which he is endorsing. Ironically, one of the mechanics of the promos will reward lucky winners with “an entire day with Derek either for shopping, for playing, for hanging out and oh, even for a fun date!”
In an interview with InterAksyon just last month at the story conference of “For Love Or Money,” his coming weekly drama series for TV, Derek admitted feeling both euphoric and awkward as he still found it surreal to be in a relationship with Cristine, whom he described as a “good friend for three years” prior to falling in love with her.
“With the recent changes in my life I’m really motivated to work again, I’m excited. The great thing about this relationship is it has a very good foundation which is friendship. We got to know each other with no intention other than friendship. I did say I’ll never date anyone from showbiz but here I am, I ate my words and just goes to show that love can bite you anybody in the ass. That’s the strange thing about love,” he declared at the time.
In Yahoo Answers, a user with the handle, “ClevelandCudi” asked what the Coldplay song “Warning Sign” is all about. The best answer came from user “piano4” who posted:
“The meaning ranges from person to person. It can be a song for your boyfriend or girlfriend after a fight. Or to someone else that you regret fighting with. Or realizing what you had in front of you, but never took the time to experience it and now that it is gone, you wish you hadn’t neglected it. Or just looking back at your life wishing to be that person again. It can mean many more things, it just has to do with you. See how the lyrics relate to you.”
Robin Padilla
Action star Robin Padilla has challenged Senate President Franklin Drilon to step down from his post while the pork barrel controversy rages.
Padilla posted an edited photo of the lawmaker on Instagram, captioned “Ngayon senador ipakita mo sa mga kabataang Pilipino ang delikadeza at karangalan na inyong sinumpaan kasama ng inyong tungkulin bilang boses at amain ng Inangbayan bilang pinakapinuno ng mataas na kapulungan hinihingi ng Mapayapang Rebolosyon ang inyong pagbibitiw at harapin ang paglilitis ng mga Anak ng Bayan.”
The actor’s outburst came following Drilon’s admission that he “received” P100 million from the Disbursement Acceleration Plan (DAP) funds months after he voted to oust former Chief Justice Renato Corona. The senator clarified, though, that he used the “requested” fund for an infrastructure project in Iloilo.
The showbiz “Bad Boy” noted his nearly three-year imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms. In 1995, during the term of Drilon as secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Padilla was sentenced to 17 to 21 years of imprisonment for illegal possession of three firearms.
“Ang dating DOJ secretary na nagpakulong sa akin dahil sa salang Kayabangan at pagiging mapusok,” the 43-year-old actor recounted.
Padilla ended his caption, saying “Oras na para sa tunay na pagbabago at pagkapilipino.”
As of this writing, his post has amassed more than 2,400 likes and 180 comments, most of which back the actor’s stand.
Jericho Rosales in ‘Alagwa’ (Photo from the film’s Facebook page)
The Jericho Rosales-starrer “Alagwa” (international title “Breakaway”) bagged two major awards at the 2013 Guam International Film Festival (GIFF) held at the Agana Center Stadium Theaters in Agana, Guam from Sept. 24 to 29.
Chosen as the festival’s closing film, “Alagwa” got the Grand Jury Award winner for Best Narrative Feature, as posted on GIFF’s official website. The film about human trafficking bested the other nominees from the United Kingdom (“Girl Shaped Love Drug,” Simon Powell) and South Korea (“Jiseul,” O Muel).
The third run of the annual festival, with over nearly three hundred submissions from over 30 countries worldwide, also saw Rosales getting an Achievement in Acting plum. In the movie, Rosales plays the impoverished single parent, Robert Lim, who unearths the dark facets of human trafficking when his son Brian (Bugoy Cariño) goes missing.
This isn’t the first international award for Rosales. The Kapamilya actor won Best Actor awards at the Newport Beach Film Festival 2013 and at the First ASEAN International Film Festival. The film also earned Rosales his Gawad Urian Best Actor.
As posted on his Facebook page, Rosales said of his and the film’s latest feat: “Thank you so much @ianlorenos for giving me the most meaningful movie role to date in my career. Congratulations to us and our entire #Alagwa team for bagging best narrative and outstanding acting achievement in #GIFF2013! To God be the glory! We have great actors in our movie and artists&crew with big hearts!!i can’t wait for October 9! @alagwamovie @manila_genesis #breakaway.”
“Alagwa” is set for a theatrical run in the Philippines starting Oct. 9.
