Nominees (clockwise from top left) G-Dragon, SHINee, IU and SISTAR (Photos courtesy of Melon website)
The top 10 artists and other nominees in the 2013 Melon Music Awards have been revealed.
These 10 artists are G-Dragon, EXO, BEAST, SISTAR, Davichi, Dynamic Duo, Busker Busker, SHINee, IU and Ailee.
For the first round, 1.74 online votes were cast, representing 20 percent of the selection. The 80 percent was based on music charts.
The 10 will compete for the Artist of the Year award and the results will be revealed during the ceremony on Nov. 14.
For Album of the Year, the nominees are EXO’s “XOXO” (repackaged version), G-Dragon’s “Coup d’etat,” SHINee’s “Dream Girl: The Misconceptions of You,” IU’s “Modern Times,” Busker Busker’s “Busker Busker 2nd Album,” Cho Yong Pil’s “Hello,” Huh Gak’s “Little Giant,” Lee Hyori’s “Monochrome” and Dynamic Duo’s “Lucky Number.”
The Best New Artist nominees are Roy Kim, Lim Kim, BTS, Ladies Code and History.
Netizen Popularity Award nominees are Girls’ Generation, EXO, BEAST, SHINee, G-Dragon, Roy Kim, Lee Hyori and SISTAR.
Psy’s “Gentleman” is nominated for the Hot Trend Award along with Crayon Pop’s “Bar Bar Bar,” Rose Motel’s “Long Time Lover,” UV’s “Because of You,” and Hyungdon and Daejun’s “Hemansahang.”
The Global Artist nominees are Super Junior M, Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, Psy and EXO.
Crayon Pop’s “Bar Bar Bar” is nominated for the Music Video Award along with EXO’s “Growl,” BEAST’s “Shadow,” Lee Hyori’s “Miss Korea” and Psy’s “Gentleman.”
The Best Original Soundtrack nominees are Yoon Mi-rae, Kim Bo Kyung, Akdong Musician, MEN and Gummy.
CNBLUE is vying for the Rock Award along with Kang Seung Yoon, Cho Yong Pil, Younha and Yoo Seung Woo.
The Hip Hop Award nominees are Leessang, San E, Baechigi, Geeks and Verbal Jint.
Nominees for the R&B/Ballad Award are K.Will, Huh Gak, Bumkey, Lynn and Lee Seung Chul.
Bruno Mars is nominated in the Pop Award category along with Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, David Guetta and Bingo Players.
Ariella Arida.
Should she make it as far as the interview portion of the Miss Universe pageant, fellow beauty queens see nothing wrong with Miss Philippines Ariella Arida answering in Tagalog and getting help from an interpreter.
In separate interviews, Miss Universe 1999 1st runner-up Miriam Quiambao, Miss Earth 2004 Priscilla Meirelles and Binibining Pilipinas-International 2010 Krista Kleiner (now known as singer Krista K) expressed their concerns on Arida’s perceived weak command of the English language following her controversial TV interview with Karen Davila on the ANC show, “Headstart”.
“Sa tingin ko, kung mas kumportable siya sa Tagalog. Okay lang naman sumagot siya in Pilipino kasi meron namang translator. Pero kung sa tingin niya, kaya din niyang magsalita ng English, ang importante, yung gist ng sagot niya, yung totoo at nasa saloobin niya. Kung mai-deliver niya yun ng maayos, pasok siya dun,” Quiambao told InterAksyon and other media during the culminating press conference of World Vision’s Celebrities for Children project.
Miriam Quiambao. (Analy Labor/InterAksyon)
Meirelles, a Brazilian who has been based here in the Philippines even before she married actor John Estrada, said she had seen Arida’s interview and had taken no offense from her remark citing Latinas as examples of beauty pageant contestants who don’t speak good English. She did, however, say it’s okay for candidates to get translators to interpret more effectively what they mean to say.
“It’s really hard for a candidate that does not speak English very well like myself when I first competed in Miss Earth. You cannot make yourself heard the way you’re supposed to be and you can’t express yourself properly,” Meirelles told InterAksyon during the recent launch of the Miss Teen Earth and Little Miss Earth pageant.
Priscilla Meirelles.
“But in beauty pageants, they also have translators, so just make sure you get a good one, say what you want to say in your own language and make sure the interpreter does his job right. And I don’t think it should be an issue”.
In an earlier interview, actress and Binibining Pilipinas-International 1994 Alma Concepcion likewise said she sees nothing wrong with Arida using an interpreter in the Miss Universe pageant.
(Next page: Gloria Diaz’s solution to Venus Raj’s ‘major major’ problem)
Pinoy ghouls like the tiyanak, manananggal, kapre, among others have figured in many films and in various mutations. But are they true?
Bulletin Entertainment consulted metaphysical expert Rey Sibayan to know the nitty-gritty about these mythical creatures, far from what shown in movies.
Sibayan began: “Before God created the physical reality, God created the non-physical reality…”
This baby kills! But can anyone kill this baby? (Screengrab photo)
Tiyanak
This demonic child has appeared in the iconic Peque Gallaga film (as the “Anak ni Janice”), in “Juan Tanga, Super Naman, at ang Kambal na Tiyanak,” “Impakto” and even in the animated film “Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia.”
While Sibayan said that “there’s no definite definition about tiyanak,” it is believed to imitate an infant or an elemental spirit, like a goblin.
In stories, tiyanak usually cries to get the attention and sympathy of a person. Once it is picked up, it transforms to a monstrous form and attacks its prey.
“In the paranormal or metaphysical field, it is basically a demonic spirit na puwedeng mag-appear anytime, kahit saan. But normally, people believe that itong tiyanak, could be spirits of unborn child na hindi nagma-manifest in material body,” explained Sibayan.
He clarified, though, that “there’s no such thing as tiyanak attack. Maybe attack as parang nanakot lang, maaring humagikgik lang sa tabi, pero I don’t think na merong harm na ginawa sa iba.”
Gardo Versoza as Kanlaon, the male manananggal. Will he find the ‘itinakda?’ (Screengrab photo)
Manananggal
Manananggal, one of aswang varieties, is the Philippines’ badass counterpart of Western vampire. It is said to fly by night with huge bat-like wings on the haunt for pregnant woman and her unborn baby as prey.
In movies, manananggal are often portrayed as a woman whose upper torso separates from her lower body, but Sibayan said they could also be male and a whole bodied creature.
“Akala mo lumilipad pero they just walk. Nagle-levitate sila sa air, they walk on air,” said Sibayan, based on the testimony of a clairvoyant. “Hindi mo makikita nang harapan iyang mga ‘yan pero kung babaliktad ka at tutuwad ka at titignan mo sa ilalim, you could see them.”
Sibayan debunked the belief that garlic can drive away manananggal. He said that salt, holy water, sacred tools or sting ray tail (buntot pagi) are more effective in warding it off.
The friendly kapre in ‘One Day Isang Araw: Ang Alaga Kong Kapre’ (Screengrab photo)
Kapre
Unlike the tiyanak and manananggal, kapres are sometimes depicted as friendly creatures, as depicted on the kiddie shows “Moomoo & Me” (2010), “Wansapanataym” (2011) and “One Day Isang Araw” (2013). Kapres are said to be hairy giant that smokes tobacco and lives on trees.
Sibayan’s first-hand account bears out these portrayals.
“I’ve encountered one kapre in Banahaw and he’s a healer kapre. Of course, basically they are using their tobacco (ash) to heal a person. And also, they have family, sons and daughters,” he said.
While these elemental spirits are dubbed as Guardians of Forest, he said that some of them have actually been displaced due to deforestation.
Tikbalang Santana takes the selfie (Photo from Vice Ganda’s Instagram account)
Tikbalang
Tikbalang is also a gigantic creature that lurks in the forest. It is like Greek mythology’s centaur or hippocentaur that is half-human, half-horse. A tikbalang, however, has a head of a human with disproportionately long limbs.
The creature is said to be playful especially when it is searching for a partner. A sign that tikbalang is around is when the smell of burning hair fills the air.
Some of the movies it has appeared in are “Da Adventure of Pedro Penduko” and even in the Canadian supernatural crime drama “Lost Girl.”
It is said that one can tame a tikbalang if you pluck three golden hairs from its mane. It didn’t work out, though, as Vice Ganda found out when he played one named Santana on “Juan dela Cruz.”
Nuno sa Punso – Claudine Barretto’s friend in “Spooky Night Presents: Nuno Sa Feng Shui’ (Screengrab photo)
Nuno Sa Punso
The 1950 film “Nuno sa Punso” shows that these tiny elemental creatures nuno can use their power to give a reward or punishment depending on how you treat them, using their magical power.
“If you go to a place that is very strange sayo and you’re a stranger, of course, kung balahura ka du’n sa lugar, they will cause harm against you,”Sibayan noted. “It is very important to say ‘Tabi, tabi po’ to pay courtesy or acknowledge them.”
This Sept. 22, 2013 file photo shows actress Claire Danes at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP, File)
NEW YORK (AP) — Claire Danes has been tapped to host the 20th anniversary Nobel Peace Prize concert in December.
The Emmy-winning “Homeland” actress will host the Dec. 11 event in Oslo, Norway.
The concert will celebrate the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which was awarded the prestigious honor earlier this month.
The watchdog agency works to eliminate the world’s chemical weapons and received the prize days after OPCW inspectors started arriving in war-torn Syria to oversee the dismantling of President Bashar Assad’s chemical arsenal.
The Nobel Peace Prize concert typically attracts top celebrities. Past luminaries have included Paul McCartney, Rihanna, and Tony Bennett. The lineup for this year’s concert has yet to be announced.
This 2013 file publicity photo released by FOX shows American Idol XIII judges, from left, Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. One thing about season 13 of “American Idol” is that unlike last season, the judges seem to be getting along. (AP Photo/FOX, Michael Becker)
ATLANTA (AP) — One thing about season 13 of “American Idol” is that unlike last season, the judges seem to be getting along.
At an audition stop in Atlanta on Wednesday, Jennifer Lopez said she’s excited for people to see how funny Harry Connick Jr. is and how much he knows about music.
“He is incredibly funny. His music education is so far beyond the normal person I think,” said the singer. “What he has to offer to America … is the art of singing, the art of playing, all of that. … It’s gonna be something new for the show.”
When Connick Jr. was asked about Lopez, he returned the pleasantries.
“No one really has any idea what it takes to be Jennifer Lopez. I mean people say, ‘Oh, I want that.’ Well, if they wanted it they would do what it takes to get there and they don’t even have a 10th of a percentage of an understanding to do what it takes. These people that are auditioning for this show are so lucky to have a minute of (Lopez’s) time, whether they make it through or not because the essence of ‘American Idol’ is looking for a new superstar and Jennifer embodies superstar.”
Lopez also said she has been surprised by how emotional Keith Urban is.
“I find that I’m like that and women are like that but to see a man so kind of in touch with that place it was really a pleasant surprise for me again. People got to know him last year but I think they’re gonna get to know him even more this year.”
Lopez sat on the judges’ panel with Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler for seasons 10 and 11 of the show. She took season 12 off to go on a world tour. Keith Urban joined the show for season 12 and is returning for his second season. This is Connick Jr.’s first time judging.
“There’s a lot of subtle change everywhere,” said Urban. “Not just with us but with the way the show looks, the way it feels.”
Two changes we know of: The results show has been cut to 30 minutes and Randy Jackson will remain on the show but in a mentoring capacity.
“American Idol” premieres its 13th season with a two-hour episode on Wednesday, Jan. 15, on Fox.
Sid Lucero
Playing Andres Bonifacio on “Katipunan” has had actor Sid Lucero mulling over the decision in naming the country’s National Hero.
Sid thinks the Filipinos were influenced by the American government when it framed our national identities and so the preference for Rizal’s diplomatic stance over Bonifacio’s bloody thrust.
“Were the Americans the ones who appointed our heroes?” he asked in an interview with Bulletin Entertainment, then added, “I’m more on the sword than pen.”
While Sid believes Bonifacio has the qualities of a National Hero, he cannot assert if Supremo is better than Rizal or not. He clarified having nothing against Jose Rizal.
“I cannot really say I know as much. But… (if) we didn’t appoint him, we should take a look at the entire list,” Sid said.
Playing Andres
Sid initially laughed off the offer to play Bonifacio, surmising that he doesn’t have the qualities and features of the hero. The father of the Philippine revolution, he said, would probably look like a young Art Acuña.
The actor shared the difficulty in delivering some of his Tagalog lines.
“I got the script in advance (to study) and honestly, hindi ko pa rin ma-diretso. Buckle talaga!” he exclaimed. “Ewan ko ba, bakit pinipilit nila ako, alam naman nilang bulol ako.”
He related that one scene took him an hour to tape because he kept stammering.
Taking on the role gave him the “second education” to review the history and have some realizations.
“I can’t help but reflect to myself that I wish I was like this, I wish I was like that. It enlightened me on the strong side of the Filipino people, ones that aren’t pushed over. Nowadays, and I’m sorry to say this, parang we are being pushed around by the bigger people. It’s nice to know about some people who really fought back,” he continued.
Robin Padilla (Photo by Annie S. Alejo)
Robin Padilla was a tad surprised when, during a pocket interview at the Talk ‘N Text (TNT) press conference, the subject of an upcoming movie with BB Gandanghari had been broached.
With a smile, he said, “Ang bilis ah! Naikwento na ba niya?”
Nevertheless, he confirmed as much: “Kaming tatlo… Ako, si Kylie (his daughter) at saka si BB. Isang pelikulang patungkol sa gay rights.” Apparently, its working title is “BB Ama,” an obvious play on one of Robin’s older film, “Anak Ni Baby Ama.”
Robin, of course, had been very candid about his views before regarding sexuality and his subsequent falling out with BB had been media fodder for some time. BB’s hospitalization in July paved the way for their reconciliation.
“Nagkataon nandito si Ali,” Robin shared. “In-explain ko sa kanya kung (sino) ’yung Tita BB niya. Isa lang sinabi sa ‘kin… ‘It’s just respect, Pa.’ ‘Yun, na-realize ko, oo nga parang hindi ko nga yata nirespeto ang kapatid ko ah. Mali yata.”
After talking it out with BB, “Na-explain din nung anak kong napaka-bata, ’yun na, nabuhay na ako… umalis na ako dun sa sinasabi nating morality (stance). Para sa akin ang morality ngayon is equality.”
Apart from producing the film, Robin said he would be playing a soldier “na may Medal of Valor, kasi gusto ko naman bigyan ng kaunting recognition ’yung ating Philippine Marines.”
BB’s Action Star Dreams
When asked about BB once saying that her dream was to do a film with Robin, an action movie at that, the latter immediately said, “Action ‘to, UFC fighter si BB rito. Kaya ko siya pinagti-training…” He declared that BB had, in fact, gotten so good at it.
“Mataas na ang martial arts ni utol… Sumasabit nga ‘yun eight-feet above the ground,” joking, “Hindi below ha, above!”
He added, incredulously, “Nung ginawa niya ’yon sabi ko, ‘Wow ‘tol, magre-retire na akong action star. Ikaw na ang action star!’ Disiplina ’yun. Conquering your fear. Ako mayabang ako sa stunts, pero may karton. Siya wala!”
On Gay Rights
Still getting used to his renewed relationship with BB, he noted, “Hindi ko kasi siya kilala, ‘pag kausap ko (siya) ngayon, parang ibang tao… Nahihiya ka minsan kasi iba talaga eh… Minsan ‘pagka nagtawanan, bigla kong natatapik, malakas na malakas. Si Mariel (whispering), ‘Babae na ‘yan!’”
Asked if he would be willing to be a spokesperson for gay right, he replied, “Ah, hindi papel na niya (BB) ’yun. Ang dami ko nang pinaglalaban na. May Muslim rights, meron na tayong education rights. Sobra na ’yun, kanya naman!”
Floating Star
Robin’s contract with ABS-CBN had just expired, but in considering returning or signing up with a new home network, he said at the general press conference, “Kailangan meron naman kwenta. Hindi kwenta, iba ’yun. Ako’y may edad na rin (43), gusto ko naman ‘yung proyektong makakatulong naman. Hindi naman ’yung puro na lang ako pa-cute. Marami na akong pamangkin na pa-cute – andiyan si Daniel, si Ralph… May anak din ako si Kylie, pa-cute! Pwede na akong pa-TNT!”
He added, “Humahanap ako ng istasyon na tatanggapin ako bilang producer, hindi lang bilang artista. Gusto ko rin pumasok sa TV, mag-produce ng mga proyekto na may kinalaman sa kasaysayan…”
Apparently, leaving “Toda Max” had also just coincided with the expiration of his contract. “Ang nangyari diyan, ayoko na nung hindi natutulog. Ngayon masakit na sa katawan eh. Hindi ko kaya ’yung nagti-TV, nagsu-shooting. Eh dalawang pelikula ang ginawa ko. Kaya nagpaalam ako nang maayos kay Mam Cory…”
Robin likewise dispelled the rumors of any bad blood with his co-stars in “Toda,” even if he hadn’t been able to personally say goodbye to them.
Projects And Advocacies
Aside from his upcoming movies “10,000 Hours” opening on Dec. 25, and “Kuratong Baleleng,” a movie with his “Teen King” nephew Daniel, Robin is still the face of Talk ‘N Text after years of being brand ambassador. He now represents the brand in its partnership with the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation (YBHF) in support of education in its countrywide partner communities.
“Sa Zamboanga po, ang mga bata po diyan lumalangoy para pumunta sa paaralan… akala natin sa telesserye lang nagaganap (‘yan). Bagamat ang mga Badjao ay magaling lumangoy, eh ‘wag naman nating sanayin sila na pupunta sa eskwelahan eh lalangoy pa.”
TNT has since donated 15 boats to the YBHF and 80 units of baranggay phones. They have also expanded their help by offering scholarships, supplies, livelihood and medical missions to other communities nationwide. TNT and Smart subscribers can now also forward donations by texting YELLOWBOAT (space) (amount) and send to 4438. Available denominations are P5, P10, P100, P300 and P500 that will simply be deducted from the subscriber’s load.
Thea Tolentino (Photo by Pau Aguilera)
Teen actress Thea Tolentino wishes to continue her studies given the chance.
“Siguro po pag nakaluwag-luwag na tsaka pag na-manage ko talaga ’yung schedule ko,” Thea told Bulletin Entertainment and other select members of the press during a recent set visit to GMA-7’s “Pyra: Ang Babaeng Apoy.”
The 17-year-old is taking a two-year Multimedia Arts program at STI College – one of her prizes for being one of the grand winners on talent tilt “Protégé” – although she still hasn’t finished it.
She explained, “Nung time na ’yun kasi ang daming pumapasok na schedules (projects). Tapos ’yung pasok ko, Monday to Friday, so ang dami ko talagang nami-miss – mahirap… kawawa ’yung transcript ko.”
Thea gets her fascination with the arts from her father.
“Talagang na-curious na ’ko (sa multimedia arts) kasi Architecture ’yung kinuha ng tatay ko – nakikita ko ’yung mga plates niya, nung bata ako gumagawa ako ng floor plans, (at) ginagaya ko ’yung tatay ko,” she narrated.
For Thea, having an artist-dad turned out to be advantageous because “’yung multimedia arts parang may halo din kasi – meron kaming basic drawing and drafting na subject, so nagagamit ko ’yung templates ng tatay ko, ta’s tinuturuan niya ko kung pano i-drawing ’yung parang figure talaga, ’yung shaping.”
Anime lover
Another reason she took multimedia arts is because “mahilig po kasi ako sa anime, so gusto kong matuto ng proper na pag-drawing nun… ’Yung mga iba kong drawings, sinusubukan ko na siyang kulayan sa computer.”
She related, “Nung nagustuhan ko ’yung anime, nag-follow na rin na, bumili nga ’ko ng seven dictionaries, Japanese books. Gusto kong matuto (ng Japanese), gusto ko ding pumunta dun (Japan). Dumating nga ’yung point na gusto ko (na ring) mag-try mag-cosplay.”
The Ultimate Female Protégé is also interested in “stageplay(s).”
Thea related, “Dinala ko nung friend ko, may play sa UST nun, comedy, tawa ’ko nang tawa, ta’s parang ang saya, ta’s (I asked myself,) ‘Ano kayang feeling?’”
She is aware that in theatre acting “kailangan talaga dun, large expressions, movements, eh dun ako nakukulangan sa sarili ko kaya kailangan ko (talaga).
“’Yung weakness ko, maliit ’yung movements pati expressions ko.”
Thea explained, “Kasi ganun talaga ’kong tao – tahimik ako, mahiyain ako. Kaya siguro, nadadala ko rin (sa acting)… Sa ‘Anna Karenina’ (where she played Angel, the fake Anna Karenina) nga, nung una talaga, (tinatanong ko sa sarili ko), ‘Pano ba ’to? Pano ba magtaray?’
“Pero ngayon, kasi nung ‘Pyra’ nagwo-workshop na kami… nababawasan naman (’yung hiya).”
Jessy Mendiola (Photo from ABS-CBN)
The Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) has chosen Pinay actress Jessy Mendiola as their Honorary Ambassador for Korean Tourism.
The “Maria Mercedes” star left for South Korea recently to meet with KTO for her ceremonial appointment.
“I am very honored and thankful that the KTO chose me as ambassador. The Koreans are very nice to me when I visited their country and they instantly became dear to my heart,” said Jessy in a statement sent to Bulletin Entertainment.
The 20-year-old Kapamilya talent was scheduled to have a five-day tour of the country’s famous tourist spots, and meet with KTO Chairman Charm Lee to talk about her duties and promote Korea’s tourism to the Philippines.
As South Korea’s Honorary Ambassador for Tourism, Jessy joins the ranks of K-pop singers Psy and Jay Park and actor Kim Soo Hyun.
Jessy is no stranger to Korea having visited the country a number of times in the past to work on some projects. She gained popularity in Korea when she appeared on the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) show “World Date with Shinee” as one of the lucky eight women from different countries to meet and spend time with the K-pop boy group. Jessy is also the current local endorser of a popular Korean mobile messaging application.
ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III and CJ O Shopping chief executive officer Harri Lee during the ceremonial toast (Photo by NR Ramos)
TV Shopping has been available on dedicated cable channels for a few years now. But what about TV shopping with a hefty dose of quality entertainment?
This is what ABS-CBN promises via its brand new O Shopping Channel, a joint venture between the network and CJ O Shopping Corporation Ltd., one of the world’s largest home shopping companies.
The tie-up marks ABS-CBN’s re-entry into TV home shopping business after Skymall in the 1990s.
“We closed it down a few years after and walked away with a valuable lesson: We need a strong and competent partner. ABS-CBN is in the business of reaching audiences so we needed a partner in the business of selling great products,” ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III shared to media at a recent gathering.
“Choosing the CJ Group was not a difficult one since we share a similar history and adhere to the same work culture. Our companies were both founded by families with roots in the sugar industry,” he said.
CJ O Shopping chief executive officer Harri Lee is confident that Filipinos will embrace the venture.
“Home shopping business is a complex combination of the retail, broadcasting, logistics, and IT systems. Nevertheless, I express with full confidence that AC J will succeed through the synergy of CJ O Shopping’s global business expertise and ABS-CBN’s trusted image and strong influence,” he said.
Recognizing that Filipinos put great value on resources like time and money, the project introduces a new shopping lifestyle where consumers given information about highly reliable products that they can purchase through an efficient process.
The home shopping experience starts after teleshoppers are able to acquire comprehensive information about the product through an innovative and entertaining format.
They are then to call a hotline, where sales consultants can assist them with their orders and home delivery arrangements.
The O Shopping channel started broadcasting 24/7 shopping programs via SkyCable and Global Destiny on Channel 11, as well as programs through ABS-CBN’s Channel 2 and Studio 23 last Oct. 15.
CJ O Shopping is the cable home shopping channel of South Korean conglomerate CJ Group.
Apart from the Philippines, CJ O Shopping has entered several Asian markets, including China, India, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand.
