Entertainment hub to rise in the South

Ka Andres Bonifacio alive and well at South Park

Once upon a time, Alabang was quite the enticing place, particularly for many youngsters easily lured by the big come-on that was Big Bang Sa Alabang. Back then, it lorded over other carnivals in and around the metro, if only due to its massive size.

Nowadays, a visit to Muntinlupa and Alabang is considered quite the chore by some Pinoys – too far, too much traffic, the place not exactly teeming with activities compelling enough for a quick stopover, are some of the reasons they cite.

That is soon to change, however, with Avida Land baring its plan for the huge 6.6-hectare South Park District. On it will rise a mix of residential condos, a mall, and several office buildings anchored by a central park.

According to Joyce de Guzman, project marketing manager, The District will be a venue for convergence set to bring to life the concept: “Part City. Part Nature. Pure South.”

“It is a complementary addition to Ayala Land’s roster of developments in the area, such as Ayala Alabang Village, Madrigal Business Park, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Southvale and Avida Towers Alabang,” she told Bulletin Entertainment.

“But more than that, it is also aimed at boosting the already flourishing business atmosphere in the area. Apart from a regional mall that will house local and international shops and commercial establishments, there is the Central Park, which we plan to develop into a hub of activities that will entice Filipinos from all over the to visit the south again.”

To spruce up the place, the company brought in premier food & lifestyle market Mercato Centrale.

Inspired by the other markets of Mercato Centrale in Florence and the Borough Market in London, the Mercato Centrale at South Park District is a lifestyle market like no other. It will offer gastronomic food finds and other delicious food surprises rarely found in the south.

This is just the first of the many events happening at the South Park District. In fact, among their future undertakings are stage shows and concerts.

De Guzman intimated that, as a first salvo, they would be staging “Rock Supremo,” a dance musical celebration of the life and times of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio.

Originally envisaged by Ballet Philippines in collaboration with Rock Ed and supported by the National Historic Commission of the Philippines, the show also features the music of several popular Filipino artists including Gloc-9, Ebe Dancel, Rico Blanco, Dong Abay, as well as bands like Peryodiko, Sandwich, Pedicab and Radioactive Sago Project. The best thing about it is that it’s for free.

“The plan is to raise awareness about the project through meaningful undertakings that will serve to highlight our efforts for relevant, substantial entertainment,” said de Guzman.

Entertainment hub to rise in the South

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 02:05PM)

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Kris to Kim's fans: Stop sowing intrigues

MANILA -- Actress-host Kris Aquino appealed to the fans of Kim Chiu to stop sowing intrigues and implying that the "KrisTV" host is playing favorites.



Kris to Kim's fans: Stop sowing intrigues

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 31, 2013 at 12:56PM)

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Janine’s time to shine

Janine Gutierrez (Photo by Rowena Tan)

Janine Gutierrez, who comes from a family that’s been in show business for a long time now, shares they are happy that it’s her time to shine via the new GMA afternoon prime “Villa Quintana.”

“Palagi lang po nilang pinapaalala sa akin na do your best, wag mo sayangin yung opportunity… kasi alam ko naman po na once in a lifetime po ito eh so nararamdaman ko po na dapat talaga galingan,” she told Bulletin Entertainment at the press launch of “Villa Quinatana” recently.

The daughter of celebrities Lotlot de Leon and Ramon Christopher Gutierrez was asked if she feels pressured being considered by many as part of showbiz royalty. The 24-year-old actress quipped, “Opo, mejo mataas po yung expectation sa akin.”

She nonetheless thinks that “ginagamit ko nalang yun na inspirasyon na talagang galingan, na kailangan pagbutihin ko po talaga kasi dala ko yung pangalan na yun eh.”

Beauty Queen Shoo-in

Even if she has classic mestiza looks as well as the height and the intellect of a potential beauty queen, Janine considers showbiz her priority. She doesn’t even have plans of joining a pageant any time soon.

“Actually pinu-push nila ako na ‘uy sumali ka,’ ganon. Medyo nagulat ako nung nagsimula akong tanungin kung sasali ba ako kasi hindi ko po nakita sa sarili ko na parang pwede pala sa ganun…”

New Series

“Villa Quintana” is a heartwarming love story that became a phenomenal hit series in the mid ‘90s. People turn sentimental remembering the love between Isagani (now played by Elmo Magalona) and Lynette (Janine), first portrayed by Kempee de Leon and Donna Cruz, respectively.

The new series is directed by Gina Alajar and also stars Roy Alvarez,Maricar de Mesa, Tanya Garcia, Kyla, Marky Lopez, Juancho Trivino and Rita de Guzman, among others. It will premiere on Nov. 4 on GMA Afternoon Prime.

Janine’s time to shine

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 01:00PM)

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Gloria Diaz counts on Ariella to bring home Miss U crown

Gloria Diaz has high hopes that this year’s Miss Philippines Ariella Arida will become the next Miss Universe titleholder come Nov. 9 in Moscow, Russia.

The first Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown in 1969 (with the second win from Margie Moran in 1973), Gloria said Ariella is her “manok.”

“Siya ang choice ko noong Binibining Pilipinas. I was her judge when she won (as Binibining Pilipinas-Universe). I chose her and hopefully, she will do well and of course, there’s a lot of pressure on her now because of the winning of the other one (Miss World 2013 Megan Young) but she’s a different girl and this is a different contest… if she does well, it will really be something – earth-shaking – so I’m happy for her,” Diaz told Bulletin Entertainment in an interview after the launch of Neurogen E’s “Life in Your Hands” Advocacy Campaign held Wednesday in Makati City.

As message to the aspiring third Filipina Miss Universe, Diaz said: “Do your best, hope for the best. It’s not the end whether you win it or you don’t. I’m wishing you the best. We’re counting on you and everything you do, you must remember, you are representing the Philippines.”

‘Me First’

As an advocate for “Life in Your Hands,” Diaz is one proof that aging isn’t an excuse to compromise anybody from doing things they are passionate about. At 62, Diaz maintains an active lifestyle, keeping fit with tennis as one of her sports.

During the campaign’s launch, Diaz talked about how mature Filipino women can fight the effects of nerve aging through initiatives that enable them to do more and be more. The beauty queen-turned-actress shared some of her hobbies like flower arranging and also gave tips on how to stay fit and active.

“Feeling good for me means sleeping well and maintaining a positive outlook in life. I think, more than anything, it’s keeping your finances down and not overspending (makes you feel positive). I don’t care what vitamins do you take (but) if you overspend and have a credit card that you cannot pay, that won’t help. Also, having a good boyfriend, lover or husband helps,” Diaz said.

With regards to being a mother, especially to her celebrity daughter Isabelle Daza, Diaz said that she follows what her parents taught her when she was a teenager – explore and be independent. “I never stressed out with ‘Will she be okay?’ or what. Isabelle will figure it out coz she’s like me. Parang over, she gets involved with little things. So I figured, ‘let her be stressed out.’ You let go and just take care of the necessary things.”

As advise to mothers her age, Diaz said, “You have to ‘me first.’”

She explained, “When I turned 62 last April, I said okay, from now on, me first. Because before it was always them (my children), so I made sure I have these, my vitamins, the newest tennis racket, everything. Kasi when you were young, and your children are young, inuuna mo sila eh. But no, when you reach a certain age, you have to ‘me first.’”

Gloria Diaz stays active and maintains a positive outlook in life at 62 (Photo by Jecelyn V. Macahindog)

Isabelle’s No. 1 Fan

Isabelle may not have followed in Diaz’s footsteps as a beauty queen but the latter didn’t mind as she puts it “One crown is enough for the family.”

According to Diaz, she didn’t dream for Isabelle to be like her. “I’m more concerned with – if anything – it’s one chance, not in a million, but 10 million, na pwede siyang manalong Miss Universe. Kung hindi siya manalo, although I think she’s definitely more beautiful than me, but being a beauty queen is not necessarily being beautiful. Ninety-nine percent is being lucky. Kung hindi siya kasing swerte ko or iba naman kasi ang landas niya, she can be a First Lady or whatever, I think it will be sad. I will be the saddest.”

She added that Isabelle is young and that she doesn’t want for her to take the risk because “she can be good at other things. Isabelle is very good with children, and she really wants to be able to put up a school and especially, she graduated early education which I did not. She has a lot of other things going for her. Being a beauty queen for her is not ’yung pinaka-goal niya sa buhay. Being an actress, I only encourage her to do acting and she seems to be enjoying it.”

Being her daughter’s number one fan, Diaz shared that she has been doing photo albums of Isabelle’s projects in showbiz. “I’m very happy for her. She says nga I’m her biggest fan. And true! I am!”

Gloria Diaz counts on Ariella to bring home Miss U crown

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 12:50PM)

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An old haunt: For real or reel?

A real haunted house? The Ilusorio Mansion in Bulacan (Photo by NR Ramos)

Much has been said about the Don Ramon Ilusorio Mansion in San Ildefonso, Bulacan – chiefly, that it is supposedly haunted by spirits.

It doesn’t help that most of the locals, who actually refer to the house as (insert chilling sound effects here) the Bahay Na Pula, adamantly attest to such lore even today.

We first heard about the house from a college friend who once shared a story about how he supposedly saw an apparition in the window of the old house – a seemingly long-haired woman in a white flowing dress, floating mid-air. We’re not sure if he told us why or how he came to experience such a scary scene but we must say, it was an effective yarn that strengthened out fascination on the Bahay Na Pula.

Some friends agreed to visit the place but with various preoccupations, the plans fell through. After graduation, we went on separate paths and our interest in the Bahay Na Pula waned in the ensuing years.

We were reminded of the Mansion a few years later when the place was used as a set for a few episodes of the campy ABS-CBN horror series “Oka Tokat.” The show ran from 1997 to 2002 and starred the likes of Diether Ocampo and Jericho Rosales. It is considered the longest-running horror series on Filipino television.

Three years ago, we were reminded again of the Bahay Na Pula when it was featured in an episode of “Motorcycle Diaries,” followed a year later by “Kapuso Mo…Jessica Soho.”

Our interest to visit the house was rekindled, mainly wanting to see, once and for all, what the fuss was all about. The clincher came early this year when TV5′s “Kasindak-Sindak” supposedly caught an image of a ghost on camera during a visit.

One weekend, early this year, we took a short drive there. Imagine our disappointment when we found the gates to the mansion closed. After all these years, and all the media mileage, we all thought it would have been made open to the public already. A few hours of waiting for someone to talk to or let us take a peek inside proved futile.

Then, a few weeks ago, we passed the house on our way to visit a friend. We were lucky enough to finally catch a lone figure opening the gates of the Ilusorio mansion. We stopped and asked him if he could let us in and, not surprisingly, he agreed but only after we handed him 300 bucks. He made it all worthwhile, nonetheless, acting as our official tour guide.

He refused to divulge his name, but he shared that he is the son of the original caretakers hired by Don Ramon himself. According to him, rumors about the house being haunted started a few years after World War II.

Apparently, the house played a very important role in the Japanese occupation of Bulacan, serving as a military garrison where Japanese soldiers allegedly tortured and killed Filipino guerrilla fighters. He added that the place might have also served as temporary housing place for “comfort women.”

From the outside, the house looked quite imposing indeed, with its bright red facade burning brightly against the midday sun. Indeed, based on the stories, one could only imagine what sort of cruel horror it had witnessed.

The man unlocked the door and a cold gust of air greeted us.

It was kind of sad to see the inside of the house, with the smell of guano permeating the whole building. There were holes everywhere and all the furniture were gone, except for a few antique chairs and a dirty bathtub. There was dust everywhere, and the second floor felt like it was ready to give up the ghost (pardon the pun).

The caretaker said he is trying his best to preserve the house given its history but that he could only do so much. He feels like the owners might have forgotten about it already or that they simply don’t care anymore.

Asked if he had experienced anything eerie there, the man said no. He said he has been living at the back of the house and has never heard or seen anything that could be considered spooky. He also shared that he used to play in and around the house as a little boy with nothing untoward ever happening.

He admits having heard certain “stories” from neighbors, though; the kind that include people hearing crying and moaning and running and marching from inside the house late at night. Still, he insists that it’s all in the head and that he would only start believing it if he experienced it himself.

We explored every nook and cranny of the house that day, eager to experience something, anything, that would somehow validate the rumors but… nothing.

Well, one might argue that we visited the place at the wrong time; or that, being a loud bunch, we unwittingly scared off the ghouls. Who knows, really? In the end, we were just happy to finally visit a place that was sort of a big deal to our once young and curious selves.

An old haunt: For real or reel?

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 12:36PM)

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Katy Perry tops Billboard in worst week for album sales since 1991

Singer Katy Perry performs during the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show at the Lexington Armory in New York November 10, 2010. (Reuters/Lucas Jackson)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Pop singer Katy Perry shot to the top of the weekly Billboard 200 album chart on Wednesday with her latest album, “Prism,” although overall album sales for the week were the lowest since the publication began charting in 1991.

“Prism,” Perry’s fourth studio album, which features the lead single “Roar,” sold 286,000 copies in its first week, according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan, making it the biggest sales week by a female artist this year. It came in ahead of Miley Cyrus’ “Bangerz,” which sold 270,000 copies in its first week earlier this month.

The success of Perry’s latest album has been aided by the popularity of “Roar,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

But the opening week sales of “Prism” did not come close to the year’s biggest debuts, led by Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience,” which opened with 968,000 copies in March. New albums from Jay Z, Kanye West and Daft Punk also opened with bigger sales earlier this year.

Overall album sales for the week ended Oct. 27 fell to a record low of 4.5 million units. Album sales have generally been lower this year compared with last year, partly because of listeners finding new digital platforms to consume music, often for free.

Other new albums in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart, which measures physical and digital sales, include girl band Fifth Harmony at No. 6 with its “Better Together” EP, hip hop DJ Khaled at No. 7 with “Suffering from Success,” and rockers AFI with “Burials” at No. 9.

On the Billboard Digital Songs chart, which measures digital single sales, New Zealand newcomer Lorde reigned at No. 1 with “Royals.” Swedish DJ Avicii’s “Wake Me Up” climbed two spots to No. 2 and Lady Gaga’s new single, “Do What U Want,” with R&B singer R. Kelly, rounded out the top 3.

Katy Perry tops Billboard in worst week for album sales since 1991

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 12:20PM)

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Sharon tells KC in jest: Anak, pahinging apo

MANILA – If things were only up to her, veteran actress Sharon Cuneta said she would have urged her daughter, actress KC Concepcion, to settle down soon and give her a grandchild.



Sharon tells KC in jest: Anak, pahinging apo

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 31, 2013 at 11:51AM)

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Daniel Radcliffe to star as Olympic runner Seb Coe

British actor Daniel Radcliffe arrives on the red carpet for the screening of ” Kill Your Darlings,” as part of the 57th BFI London Film Festival at a central London cinema on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013. (Photo by Jon Furniss/Invision/AP)

LONDON (AP) — “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe has signed on to play British Olympic runner Sebastian Coe in a movie about rivalries on the running track.

“Gold” will tell the story of the tense rivalry between Coe and fellow middle distance runner Steve Ovett in the run-up to the 1980 Moscow Olympics, where Ovett won the 800 meters and Coe took the 1500 meters. Coe, also a gold medalist in 1984, went on to become a politician and headed the London organizing committee at last year’s summer Olympics.

The movie reunites the 24-year-old Radcliffe with James Watkins, the director of the 2012 film “The Woman in Black.”

Filming is expected to begin in in April 2014.

Radcliffe’s publicist confirmed Radcliffe’s casting on Wednesday. The casting for Ovett has not yet been announced.

Daniel Radcliffe to star as Olympic runner Seb Coe

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 12:12PM)

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Robin Padilla mulls leaving ABS-CBN

MANILA – Action star Robin Padilla did not mince words in announcing that he is thinking of moving to another network now that his contract with ABS-CBN has expired.



Robin Padilla mulls leaving ABS-CBN

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 31, 2013 at 11:44AM)

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Hugh Jackman honors mother-in-law at Angel Ball

Actor Hugh Jackman attends Angel Ball 2013 on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — When Hugh Jackman decided to marry the daughter of a woman who’s dedicated her life to fighting cancer, he became part of the fight as well — it was a package deal.

The “X-Men” actor said that when he asked his mother-in-law Fay Duncan — president of the Fight Cancer Foundation in Australia — for her blessing when he proposed to Deborra-Lee Furness, she told him that supporting the fight against cancer was one of the requirements to get that blessing.

On Tuesday night, Jackman and his wife paid tribute to Duncan, one of several honored at the annual Angel Ball benefit that raises funds for cancer research.

He joked: “If you’re expecting an actor to start sucking up to his mother-in-law, you’re absolutely right.”

The evening featured performances from Pharrell Williams, Usher and Chaka Khan.

Hugh Jackman honors mother-in-law at Angel Ball

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 11:37AM)

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Marvin Gaye’s children sue over ‘Blurred Lines’

This Aug. 1, 2013 file photo shows R&B singer-songwriter Robin Thicke in New York. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two of Marvin Gaye’s children sued Robin Thicke and his collaborators on the hit song “Blurred Lines” on Wednesday, accusing them of copyright infringement and alleging music company EMI failed to protect their father’s legacy.

Nona Marvisa Gaye and Frankie Christian Gaye’s suit is the latest action in a dispute over Thicke’s hit and whether it copies elements of Gaye’s song “Got to Give It Up.”

Their lawsuit seeks to block Thicke and collaborators Pharrell and T.I. from using elements of their father’s music in “Blurred Lines” or other songs.

Thicke has denied copying Gaye’s song for “Blurred Lines,” which has the longest streak this year atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has sold more than 6 million tracks so far. The suit also accused Thicke of improperly using Gaye’s song “After the Dance” in his song “Love After War.”

Much of the lawsuit focuses on claims that EMI should have pursued a copyright infringement claim. It also alleges the company’s executives used intimidation to try to stop the Gaye family from pursuing a lawsuit.

The suit claims EMI, which is owned by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has allowed a conflict of interest between the family’s rights and the profits it is earning from “Blurred Lines” sales.

“This conflict has resulted in EMI’s intentional decision to align themselves with the (‘Blurred Lines’) writers, without regard to the harm inflicted upon the rights and interests of the Gaye Family, and the legacy of Marvin Gaye,” the lawsuit states.

Sony-ATV said it takes “very seriously” its role of protecting its songwriters’ works from infringement.

“While we have not yet seen the claims by the Gaye family against EMI, we have repeatedly advised the Gaye family’s attorney that the two songs in question have been evaluated by a leading musicologist who concluded that ‘Blurred Lines’ does not infringe ‘Got To Give It Up,’” the company said in a statement.

Sony-ATV also said that while it treasures Marvin Gaye’s works and the company’s relationship with his family, “we regret that they have been ill-advised in this matter.”

Thicke and his collaborators filed a case in August asking a federal judge to rule that the singers did not copy “Got to Give It Up” for their hit.

Howard King, who represents the singers, said the Gayes’ countersuit was not unexpected.

He rejected the notion that EMI ignored improper copying of Gaye’s music. “EMI is in the business of collecting money for infringements,” King said.

Marvin Gaye’s children sue over ‘Blurred Lines’

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 11:20AM)

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ABS-CBN ventures into TV shopping

MANILA, Philippines - With the advanced technology today, people like it better if what they need is given in the easiest and most convenient way.



ABS-CBN ventures into TV shopping

Source: Philstar.com (October 31, 2013 at 11:07AM)

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Amid legal battle with Claudine, Raymart wants to see children

MANILA, Philippines – Raymart Santiago admits he misses his children, Santino and Sabina, and hopes to see them again soon as he is in the middle of legal ba



Amid legal battle with Claudine, Raymart wants to see children

Source: Philstar.com (October 31, 2013 at 11:00AM)

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Robin Padilla wants to leave ABS-CBN

MANILA, Philippines - Robin Padilla announced on Wednesday afternoon that he already wants to leave ABS-CBN and move to another network.



Robin Padilla wants to leave ABS-CBN

Source: Philstar.com (October 31, 2013 at 10:36AM)

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LeAnn Rimes’ invasion of privacy suit dismissed

In this July 1, 2013 file photo, Leann Rimes performs at the Friend Movement Anti-Bullying Benefit Concert at the El Rey Theatre, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP, file)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An invasion of privacy lawsuit that LeAnn Rimes filed against two Northern California women has been dismissed.

Los Angeles court records show the actress-singer’s suit against Kimberly Smiley and her daughter Alexis Smiley was dismissed Monday. The dismissal prevents Rimes from re-filing the case.

Rimes sued the women in August 2012 claiming they recorded a phone conversation with her and posted it online. She said the recording damaged her reputation and relationships, and caused her emotional distress.

Kimberly Smiley denied wrongdoing in an interview after the suit was filed.

Steve White, an attorney representing the Smileys, says the two sides resolved their differences and he could not comment further.

Rimes’ lawyer, Larry Stein, was not immediately available to comment.

LeAnn Rimes’ invasion of privacy suit dismissed

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 11:13AM)

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DreamWorks acquires Goodwin’s ‘Bully Pulpit’

NEW YORK (AP) — Steven Spielberg and Doris Kearns Goodwin are teaming up again after their Oscar-winning collaboration on “Lincoln.”

DreamWorks Studios announced Wednesday that it has acquired the film rights to Goodwin’s upcoming “The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft and the Golden Age of Journalism.” Spielberg, a principal partner of DreamWorks, last year released his acclaimed adaption of Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.”

Spielberg said Goodwin has “once again given us the best seats in the house where we can watch two dynamic American personalities in a battle for power and friendship.”

The 900-page book chronicles the friendship and then political rivalry of the two Republican leaders, both U.S. presidents of the Progressive Era.

DreamWorks acquires Goodwin’s ‘Bully Pulpit’

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 11:07AM)

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Michael Jackson ‘still loves me,” says freed doctor

Dr. Conrad Murray (AFP)

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Michael Jackson’s former doctor Conrad Murray said Wednesday that the late pop icon still loves him, and would be appalled by fans who attack him over the star’s 2009 death.

In his first public comments since being released from jail on Monday, Murray said he never harmed the “Thriller” icon, who died from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol administered by the medic.

“I loved Michael very much. I’m a fan of Michael probably more than most,” he told the celebrity news website TMZ.

The 60-year-old, who was interviewed through the window of his car, had noticeably darker and thicker black hair than in the first photos of him shortly after he left jail, in which he looked significantly grayer than during his 2009 trial.

Murray, who was looking after Jackson as he rehearsed in Los Angeles for a series of comeback concerts in London, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and jailed for four years. He served two, let out early for good behavior and due to prison overcrowding.

Asked Wednesday about criticism he has faced, he said Jackson “would be appalled, absolutely appalled .. to see what has happened. All of his fans who judge me .. I think Michael will basically tell them to take a look in the mirror.”

And he added: “Not that he doesn’t care about them. But I don’t think he would say that you should judge lest ye be judged. Because Michael knows the truth. The truth is, I never harmed him.

“Michael loves me no less than he loved me then, and I know he loves me today like I love him. He was a man of love, like I am a man of love. And I’ll continue to give love.

“For all of those who try to fester hate in their hearts, I’m not going to go there. I don’t need to do that. I will give love. I will give respect and I will remain dignified.”

Michael Jackson ‘still loves me,” says freed doctor

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 10:58AM)

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Experimental electro artist Blake wins Britain’s Mercury Prize

British singer-songwriter and producer James Blake poses with the 2013 Mercury Prize trophy during the awards ceremony in central London. (AFP Photo / Andrew Cowie)

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – Electronica singer-songwriter James Blake won Britain’s prestigious Mercury Prize on Wednesday for his second album, “Overgrown.”

The 25-year-old art-school graduate beat off competition from bookmaker’s favourite Laura Mvula, legendary singer/songwriter David Bowie and Sheffield rockers Arctic Monkeys to claim the £20,000 ($32,000, 23,350 euros) prize at a ceremony in London.

The bashful winner thanked his parents – his father is also a musician – for teaching him to be “self-sufficient”, before forgetting to pick up his award.

He said it was “amazing” to be nominated for the same award as Bowie, and promised to make sure the prize money “goes to some good use”.

“This is the first award I’ve ever won apart from a tennis trophy which I won when I was about 12-years-old at my school and I’ll hold them in equal esteem,” he joked.

Blake was nominated for the prize, which honours the best British or Irish album of any genre released in the year to July, in 2011 with his breakthrough eponymous release.

He immediately gained critical acclaim for his musicality and fusion of different styles including hip-hop, dubstep, electro and soul.

Soul singer Mvula was nominated for her album “Sing to the Moon” while the Arctic Monkeys were shortlisted for their fifth LP “AM”, but could not repeat their 2006 triumph.

Bowie, who was not at the ceremony in London’s Camden Town, received a nomination for “The Next Day”, his first studio album in a decade.

It was third time unlucky for folkie Laura Marling, who lost out again with her record “Once I Was an Eagle”.

Organisers claim the Mercury Prize is Europe’s top arts award in terms of influence and media coverage.

Winning, or even being shortlisted, usually sparks a surge in sales, but winners have often fallen back into obscurity.

The prize is known for representing an eclectic range of styles, but usually leans towards indie and rock music.

Previous winners include Pulp, Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand and M People. Leeds indie-band Alt-J claimed last year’s prize.

Experimental electro artist Blake wins Britain’s Mercury Prize

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 31, 2013 at 10:48AM)

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'Ender's Game' explores complexity of youth, isolation and warfare

LOS ANGELES - Based on a story written three decades ago and set in a future dystopian Earth where children are manipulated into fighting an enemy race, the film "Ender's Game" could make its young adult and family audience ponder what ails present-day society.



'Ender's Game' explores complexity of youth, isolation and warfare

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 31, 2013 at 07:33AM)

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Richard Curtis puts happiness through time travel in 'About Time'

NEW YORK - Director Richard Curtis' latest film "About Time," a time-traveling romantic comedy, began with a conversation between old friends about happiness and what would make a perfect final day.



Richard Curtis puts happiness through time travel in 'About Time'

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (October 31, 2013 at 07:31AM)

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