Friday, November 1, 2013

Kin remember Bella Flores; Charice remembers dad

Espesyal ang ginawang paggunita sa Undas ng pamilya ng namayapa nang kontrabida queen sa pelikula na si Bella Flores.



Kin remember Bella Flores; Charice remembers dad

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (November 01, 2013 at 10:02PM)

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Miss Earth 2012 heads environmental projects in the Philippines

Miss Earth 2012, Tereza Fajksová, Manila Bulletin

Miss Earth 2012 Tereza Fajksová (Photo from missosology.info)



Miss Earth 2012 Tereza Fajksová is in the Philippines following her year-long travels to 100 countries in line with her environmental advocacies spearheaded by the pageant.


Tereza aims to create a “Learn, See, and Do” environmental project that will involve “convincing and influencing governments around the world to make environmental studies compulsory in early education,” she was quoted to have said on www.missearth.tv.


With more than a decade’s worth of eco-service to the world under its belt, the Miss Earth pageant has continually produced beauty queens, who serve as eco-ambassadors inspiring worldwide cooperation to promote and work towards a sustainable Earth.


Miss Earth organizer Lorraine Schuck said that they will continue in their cause, emphasizing that “the environment we live in will reflect on the kind of life we have.” She recognizes that the nationwide and worldwide campaigns of Miss Earth will not be as effective without the help of governments around the world as “they are the ones given the power by the people to implement what is good for the people.”


While here, Tereza will welcome the arrival of 100 “beauties for a cause” who are competing for the coveted Miss Earth 2013 crown next month. Meanwhile, Miss Earth shall work hand-in-hand with the ABS-CBN Foundation to promote poverty alleviation through eco-tourism.


Miss Earth 2013 will be telecast live on Star World on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 8 p.m. and on a delayed basis on ABS-CBN on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 10 a.m.






Miss Earth 2012 heads environmental projects in the Philippines

Source: Mb.com.ph (November 01, 2013 at 10:00PM)

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TomDen thrills fans with release of new GMA records album

Dennis Trillo, Tom Rodriguez , Manila Bulletin, MHL

Tom Rodriguez and Dennis Trillo crosses over their ‘MHL’ success

to the recording scene



The pairing of Tom Rodriguez and Dennis Trillo on primetime TV via “My Husband’s Lover,” broke convention but it also stole the hearts of millions of Filipinos. Not only did this unlikely twosome made their characters Eric and Vincent one of the most adored couples on national TV, but their welcome arrival on the scene came at a time when the hotly contested issue of gay marriage continues to rage on. The “My Husband’s Lover” tandem confronted stereotypes to open up the overlooked idea that love is universal in whatever form it takes. And it manifests even on their new record, “TomDen.”


Crafted with the intent to tell Eric and Vincent’s story in a format that is just as authentic as on the screen, the duo exhibits a generous helping of romance through tender tunes under the guidance of seasoned producers and songwriters.


Opening track “One More Try” sets the tone of the album. It shows the duo’s resolve underneath the delicate ballad, harmonizing and intertwining their warm vocals to complement the lovely musical arrangement.


Immediately after the initial duet, Tom and Dennis exchange emotionally honest songs that appear to be meant for each other if taken from the “My Husband’s Lover” context. ”Ikaw Ang Sagot,” which was chosen to be the theme of the upcoming Kapuso primetime Koreanovela ”A Hundred Year Legacy,” finds Tom displaying an underlying ability to be a promising singer. Dennis, meanwhile, holds his own on the equally romantic “Kailanman” where he allows himself to be vulnerable without sounding soft.


Equally engaging is “Photograph” that signals a change in direction of the lyrical themes. Its sparkling guitar and piano combo belies the ballad’s allusion to a lost love filtered convincingly through Tom’s beautifully restrained vocals.


Following in a similar vein is ”It’s Over Now,” one classic effort with a choral background and a plaintive Dennis belting about heartbreak and coming to terms with the reality of a love that has since burned out.


While the songs’ arrangements throughout the record appear to be cut from the same cloth, they make up for it with emotionally direct and rich themes. ”Hey It’s Me” and ”Stay” are both engrossing, merging lyrics about chance encounters and crossing paths with fantastic adlibs and memorable hooks.


Clearly, the finest tracks are the duets but in the closing number “Forever” written by Louie Ocampo and Martin Nievera, Tom and Dennis are at their most ambitious. Delivering a confident performance, the duo played up the bright melodies and enigmatic chorus with spirited voices. ”Forever” is currently enjoying favorable airplay in pop radio stations in Metro Manila and provincial cities nationwide.


It’s a satisfying finale to a tale of two men out for a happy ending. This collection of ballads feels genuine, focusing on matters of the heart to take listeners on Eric and Vincent’s journey. But at the same time, constructing Tom and Dennis’ identities as promising singers in their own right.


Just a day after ”TomDen” was made available on digital format, it debuted at the 9th slot on iTunes Philippines’ Top Albums chart, based on full album downloads. The following day, it topped the chart.


• • •


Dingdong Dantes, Wish ko lang, Manila Bulletin

Dingdong Dantes in ‘Wish Ko Lang’



Dingdong, Candy On ’Wish Ko Lang’


Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes pays tribute to the Philippine Marines, and comedienne Candy Pangilinan goes undercover in search of a Good Samaritan on GMA’s “Wish Ko Lang”, Nov. 2.


The recent conflict between government forces and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Zamboanga changed several lives forever. Among them is Private First Class Edgardo Jose of the Philippine Marines, who is still recuperating in the hospital after being mortally-wounded in battle. Valiant soldiers like PVC. Jose are modern-day heroes – people who would readily risk life and limb for the motherland. This Saturday, Dingdong, lead star of primetime show “Genesis,” visits these unsung heroes and prepares a surprise in honor of their valor.


In observance of Halloween, Filipinos often flock to cemeteries to commemorate the memories of their dearly departed. The eerie mystery surrounding Halloween-inspired “Wish Ko Lang” to team up with comedienne Candy Pangilinan in finding this Saturday’s Good Samaritan. Candy dresses up as a person with hypertrichosis or werewolf syndrome to try and look for the grave of her departed “mother.” Who will help this “Taong Lobo?”


• • •


Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings, Nov. 2, go to former Rep. Lynnette A. Punzalan, former actress and magazine editor Jenny Syquia, singers Jaime Blanch and Mell Salas, Engr. Remigio P. Biazon, Anthony Ramos, Alexander Asuit of PCSO PR Dept, Yolanda Ibuna Fajardo, Frederick R. Sibug, Mark F. Gavino, Norshie Sali, Jenny Trinidad Fernandez, Llorick Vincent Leguarda Tompong, Ezekiel Joshua Dimaguila and multi-awarded broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio of GMA-7’s “Unang Hirit”…






TomDen thrills fans with release of new GMA records album

Source: Mb.com.ph (November 01, 2013 at 10:00PM)

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Unlikely alliances in ‘Thor’ sequel

There are surprising life-and-death stakes and unlikely alliances in Alan Taylor’s “Thor: The Dark World”—that’s par for the course for a film franchise that began with an Origins story that was given a gritty narrative heft and Shakespearean context a la “Henry V” by director Kenneth Branagh.



Unlikely alliances in ‘Thor’ sequel

Source: Inquirer.net (November 01, 2013 at 08:33PM)

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Constant state of threat and dread

Tom Hank’s latest starrer, “Captain Phillips,” is an arresting viewing experience—but, we can’t say that we “enjoyed” it. The fact-based film about the captain of a US container ship hijacked by Somali pirates kept us on tenterhooks from start to finish, but the empathetic experience was more stressful than dramatically “exciting.”



Constant state of threat and dread

Source: Inquirer.net (November 01, 2013 at 08:25PM)

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De Niro is ‘violently’ vital in ‘The Family’

Robert De Niro may already be a septuagenarian, but he’s still in top character actor-comedian form in his latest starrer, Luc Besson’s “The Family,” in which he plays the irascible head of a most unusual family that’s attempting to start a new life in France, under the auspices of the United States’ Witness Protection Program.



De Niro is ‘violently’ vital in ‘The Family’

Source: Inquirer.net (November 01, 2013 at 08:21PM)

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Mitoy, Janice rock ‘The Voice’ compilation

The success of the local edition of “The Voice” is instructive in a lot of ways, so we’re happy that the popular talent search has released three compilation albums—featuring its Top 14, the Final Four, and big winner Mitoy Yonting—that celebrate talent over looks, and substance over flashy theatrics.



Mitoy, Janice rock ‘The Voice’ compilation

Source: Inquirer.net (November 01, 2013 at 08:20PM)

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FPJ classics still a treat

Elena Barrera, housewife: “Each time I watch a Fernando Poe Jr. film on television, it transports me back to the times when actions films lorded it over other genres in local cinema. During FPJ’s prime, the annual film fests were never complete without an entry from ‘Da King.’



FPJ classics still a treat

Source: Inquirer.net (November 01, 2013 at 08:13PM)

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Long litany of ‘required’ atonements

Last month, “Muling Buksan Ang Puso” concluded its storytelling, and it was a lallapalooza of an ending, with three of the series’ leads at death’s door—namely, its young female protagonist, Julia Montes, and the half-siblings who both loved her, played by Enrique Gil and Enchong Dee—!



Long litany of ‘required’ atonements

Source: Inquirer.net (November 01, 2013 at 08:10PM)

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What were they thinking?

Some show biz stars think they’re so popular and powerful that they can do anything they want, and everybody else will just have to grin and bear it. Well, that may have been the simpering, submissive lay of the land in the past, but the times sure have changed.



What were they thinking?

Source: Inquirer.net (November 01, 2013 at 08:07PM)

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Idina Menzel on ‘Wicked’ the film, new musical

“All I ever hear is it’s in development and that Kristen Chenoweth and myself will be way too old to play the roles, so maybe I’ll play the witch’s mom or something,” Idina Menzel quipped when we asked her for an update on “Wicked,” the film. We talked to her in New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel last Oct. 26, a few days before the iconic Stephen Schwartz musical in which she originated the Wicked Witch role, marked its 10th anniversary on Oct 30.



Idina Menzel on ‘Wicked’ the film, new musical

Source: Inquirer.net (November 01, 2013 at 07:50PM)

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Living sparks

The beginning of November should make us reflect on our existence and direction in life. Some insights for All Saints and All Souls Days:



Living sparks

Source: Inquirer.net (November 01, 2013 at 07:45PM)

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New reality challenge achieves the improbable

Last Saturday morning, we caught a new reality challenge on the Discovery channel, “The Big Brain Theory,” that made our viewing day, because it achieved the improbable—it made engineering, problem-solving and invention exciting!



New reality challenge achieves the improbable

Source: Inquirer.net (November 01, 2013 at 07:43PM)

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LRI’s visual feast

At the “Artmoves” exhibit, there were eight dynamic artists with different styles: Evie Roque and I worked on digital art portraiture (portraits digitized with layers of colors and textures that created color-filled imagery evoking Andy Warhol). Kuh ledesma’s works included images of a cello, a guitar and a violin.



LRI’s visual feast

Source: Inquirer.net (November 01, 2013 at 07:40PM)

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Robin Padilla doesn’t plan to enter politics

MANILA, Philippines- Robin Padilla doesn’t have plans of entering politics.



Robin Padilla doesn’t plan to enter politics

Source: Philstar.com (November 01, 2013 at 06:37PM)

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Spotted: Sandara meets Jessy in Seoul

K-pop darling Sandara Park once again took to social media to share her Filipino connection on Friday, this time with a photo of her with "Maria Mercedes" star Jessy Mendiola in Seoul, South Korea.



Spotted: Sandara meets Jessy in Seoul

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (November 01, 2013 at 07:06PM)

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John Prats stars on his first indie film

MANILA, Philippines- Actor John Prats is very happy to finally work on his first independent film.



John Prats stars on his first indie film

Source: Philstar.com (November 01, 2013 at 05:58PM)

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'Juan dela Cruz' ends as ratings juggernaut

MANILA -- The ABS-CBN series starring Coco Martin as a superhero ended on a high note last Friday as it pulled away as the No. 1 TV show in the Philippines.



'Juan dela Cruz' ends as ratings juggernaut

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (November 01, 2013 at 05:21PM)

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Baron says his faith was shaken while doing 'Sapi'

MANILA - Actor Baron Geisler admitted that his faith was shaken when he was doing the horror film "Sapi."



Baron says his faith was shaken while doing 'Sapi'

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (November 01, 2013 at 04:27PM)

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Kathryn, Daniel gear up for 'Got to Believe' mini-concert

MANILA - Fans of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla and their hit ABS-CBN series, "Got to Believe," will get an early Christmas treat this November.



Kathryn, Daniel gear up for 'Got to Believe' mini-concert

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com (November 01, 2013 at 03:15PM)

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