Bb. Joyce Bernal (File)
Filmmaker Joyce Bernal admitted having a hard time finishing the horror-comedy film “Da Possessed,” with his leading man Vhong Navarro having been traumatized following the controversial mauling incident that occurred some months back.
Joyce said she tried everything to help the actor regain his bearings, even going on to ask the help of the film’s leading lady, Solenn Heussaff.
“Mahirap sabihing move on and huwag pansinin ang problema, on going kasi (ang filming), (so) usap kami ng ibang bagay,” explained Joyce. “Si Solenn kinausap ko siya. Kasi itong si Vhong kahit tumingin sa boobs or lips hindi kaya. So she has to make him comfortable na di magka-feeling na nanamantala.”
It was hard but thankfully, Vhong followed through. “Mahirap i-direk si Vhong kasi roller-coaster emosyon niya pero nakakasabay siya sa mga co-stars niyang komedyante,” attested Joyce.
Vhong is grateful for the director’s efforts. He is even more grateful for Solenn, especially since it was their first time to work with each other.
“Nakatulong talaga ‘yung ginawa ni direk Joyce na pag-uusap sa aming dalawa ni Solenn. Kinailangan kasi ‘yung mga eksena namin, in-love na in-love kami sa isa’t-isa. At hindi pa kami nagka-time mag workshop para magka-bonding,” shared Vhong.
So how did Solenn do it?
“I possessed him with my happiness,” she replied.
Despite the two pairing for the first time, Joyce is confident about their chemistry.
She was surprised with Solenn’s comedic flair. Joyce described Solenn’s comedic timing as impressive. She also noted how quick she was able to establish “great rapport” with Vhong and the entire cast. The director commented that Solenn’s performance was “refreshing.”
Written by Athena Aringo-Tengco, Ays de Guzman and Antoinette Jadaone, “Da Possessed” is a joint project of Star Cinema and Regal Films. It also stars John Sweet Lapus, Empoy, Smokey Manaloto, Beverly Salviejo, Lito Pimentel, Joy Viado, Matet de Leon, Aaliyah Belmoro and Joey Marquez.
“Da Possessed” opens in cinemas nationwide on April 19.
Jessica Soho (File)
Jessica Soho, GMA’s Vice President for News Programs and host of the multi-awarded winning programs “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” and “State of the Nation with Jessica Soho (SONA),” is, undoubtedly, the most
awarded broadcast journalist today.
And the accolades keep on coming.
At the recent Gandingan 2014: the 8th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Broadcast Choice Choice Awards held in UP Los Banos, Soho won as Best News Anchor and Best Magazine Program Host for “SONA” and “Kapuso Mo,
Jessica Soho,” respectively.
At the 10th USTv Students’ Choice Awards in Feburary, Soho and “State of the Nation with Jessica Soho” brought home four awards; while “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” won the Students’ Choice Magazine Program
Award.
Soho also won Best Magazine Program Host in the 5th NorthWest Samar State University Students’ Choice Awards for Radio and Television (NSCART) held recently in Calbayog City; where “Kapuso Mo, Jessica
Soho” also won as Best Magazine Program.
Last year was even more memorable for Soho.
Before 2013 ended, “SONA” earned back-to-back recognition as Best News Program from the 35th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) and the PMPV Star Awards. “SONA” also won a Silver Screen Award at the 2013 US
International Film and Video Festival. “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” also earned a Certificate for Creative Excellence for Television (news magazine format) at the same festival.
Soho was also named the most Trusted News Presenter by Reader’s Digest Asia Trusted Brands for the third straight year in 2013; she was also elevated to the Anak TV Roster of Makabata Stars Hall of Fame for
consistently leading the annual Anak TV survey for the past eight
years.
In 2013, Soho earned a total of 25 awards and accolades – the highest single-year tally in her broadcasting career which spans three
decades.
Yet another feather to her cap in 2013 was being invited to serve as juror of the Emmy Awards for the Current Affairs category for the fourth straight year. She judged short-listed entries from Germany, Romania, The Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Hungary, Russia, Canada, Sweden and France.
Said Soho with pride: “It’s gratifying to know that an esteemed organization such ad the Emmys would find value in the opinions of a Filipino broadcast journalist, and I thank them for letting me be part of the judging process.”
Four days before Christmas 2013, the veteran broadcast journalist was invited to a one-on-one interview with the United Nations’ Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in Makati City — the only media professional invited to do so.
Said Soho: “It was humbling for me to personally ask questions and hear the views of the most senior diplomat of the world’s largest international organization. I am grateful that the United Nations gave me the rare opportunity.”
Flea (AP)
NEW YORK (AP) — Michael “Flea” Balzary of the Red Hot Chili Peppers has embarked on a “sacred” mission: writing a memoir.
The 51-year-old bassist has a deal with Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. Grand Central announced Tuesday that the book, currently untitled, would be a window into Flea’s “intense and dynamic life.” He will cover his years with singer Anthony Kiedis and his “tumultuous” path with the Red Hot Chili Peppers over the past three decades. The band has sold more than 80 million records and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
In a statement released through the publisher, Flea says he regards books as “sacred” and that they had helped shape his identity.
No release date has been set for his memoir.
Frankie Knuckles (AP)
CHICAGO (AP) — Frankie Knuckles, a Grammy-winning Chicago disc jockey known as the “Godfather of House Music” who worked with artists including Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, has died at age 59.
Knuckles died Monday in Chicago, the Cook County medical examiner said Tuesday. The medical examiner said a cause of death was not available.
Knuckles is considered a key figure in the evolution of the house music genre, dating back three decades to venues in Chicago and New York.
“When you’re as fortunate as most of us working DJs to be able to share our creative blessings with the rest of the world, no matter how great or small, wouldn’t you agree that it’s best to give the world the best of who you are?” Knuckles said, in a quote provided Tuesday in a release from his company, Def Mix Productions.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Tuesday that Chicago has lost “one of its most treasured cultural pioneers.”
Knuckles was born Francis Nicholls on Jan. 18, 1955, in the Bronx. He worked as a DJ in the early 1970s in New York before moving to Chicago in the late 1970s. In Chicago he was resident DJ at the city’s The Warehouse club until it closed in 1983.
It was there that he defined House music’s distinct style and took on the role of DJ as tastemaker, said Phil White, co-author of “On the Record: The Scratch DJ Academy Guide.” Knuckles “defined really what House music was in terms of style,” White said. Knuckles even would cut and tape together pieces of reel-to-reel recordings to make extended tracks, he said.
Knuckles went on to have a high-profile a recording career, putting out his own albums on Virgin Records and working as a producer and remixer with many famous musicians. He had a hit with his first album’s first single, “The Whistle Song.”
Knuckles won a Grammy in 1997 for Remixer of the Year and Chicago named a stretch of road near downtown for him, calling it “Honorary ‘The Godfather of House Music’ Frankie Knuckles Way.” He also was a governor and trustee for the New York City chapter of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Kanye West (AP)
NEW YORK (AP) — Kanye West has postponed his May tour of Australia so he can concentrate on new music.
West announced Tuesday that he’ll postpone seven dates in five cities scheduled for May 2 to 11 until Sept. 5 to 15 because of “unexpected timing requirements” to finish his new album, expected to be released later this year.
The announcement included no other details about the 36-year-old Grammy Award-winning rapper-producer’s new album. The follow-up to 2013′s divisive but critically acclaimed “Yeezus” LP will be one of 2014′s most anticipated releases.
Sam Worthington in 'Avatar'.
NEW YORK | The photographer charged along with “Avatar” star Sam Worthington after a street altercation in Manhattan, on Tuesday blamed the Australian actor’s model girlfriend for starting the fight and wants her arrested, his lawyer said.
Mark Heller, the lawyer representing photographer Sheng Li said his client, who appeared in court on charges of assault, reckless endangerment and harassment for the February 23 incident, was attacked by Worthington, 37, and his girlfriend Lara Bingle.
Heller also distributed a video of the scuffle to the press.
“There’s video showing Lara Bingle aggressively pursuing and coming towards my client. There’s no video of him attacking her; she was the aggressor,” Heller told reporters outside Manhattan Criminal Court.
“She has to be charged. There has to be a warrant issued for her arrest,” he added.
Li’s case was adjourned until next month.
There was no immediate comment from Worthington’s representatives. The actor was charged with assaulting Li and is also due to appear in court next month.
Photographer Sheng Li , left, and his lawyer Mark Heller speak to the press outside the Manhattan Criminal Court following his hearing in New York, April 1, 2014. (Reuters)
Heller said Li was doing his job and that Worthington and Bingle were trying to grab his camera and deprive him of his livelihood.
“I think we made it clear today that paparazzi are not second-class citizens and they are certainly not celebrity punching bags,” he added.
Worthington, born in England but raised in Australia, starred as Jake Sully the 2009 blockbuster “Avatar” and is due to reprise the role in upcoming sequels. He also appeared in “Wrath of the Titans” in 2012.
Sarah Geronimo at the 5th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition at the SM Mall of Asia.
By all indications, it seems like Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo has plenty of reasons to light up the fireworks these days.
In a recent interview with InterAksyon and other media, Sarah recently confirmed that she’s back for a second go-round as mentor-judge in “The Voice of the Philippines”. Her new bouncy dance single, “Star Life”, the theme song of an ongoing campaign by SM Development Corporation, has now garnered over 163,000 views on YouTube since it was uploaded last February.
And even if she and rumored boyfriend Matteo Guidicelli remain mum on the real score of their relationship, a recent viral photo of them holding hands coupled with reports that they recently performed a duet of John Legend’s “All of Me” on Matteo’s recent birthday bash have all but confirmed that they are making beautiful music together.
Short of saying that they are officially an item, Sarah also replied in the affirmative when asked if Matteo likes her new short, cropped hairstyle. “Oo naman po,” she said smiling. In his own interviews, Matteo himself said he approves of Sarah’s new hairstyle.
Given that she’s currently endorsing a real estate company known for its stylish but reasonably priced condominiums, Sarah was asked about her thoughts on getting a condo unit that she can transform as her own bachelorette pad. The 26-year-old singer-actress, who is still living with her conservative and famously overprotective parents, laughed and said she’ll probably consider the idea when she’s 30.
“Right now, my goal is to invest in some units and turn them into a business by renting them out in the future,” she said.
She sees nothing wrong with living independently, though.
“Having your own place to live does not necessarily mean you are leaving your family behind, or that you want to be away from them. People have different reasons for wanting their own place. Some want to experience an independent life; while others are more interested on investing. The purpose really varies,” Sarah pointed out.
Sarah added that one reason why she’s proud to be part of SMDC’s “Star Life” campaign is that because it is anchored on an uplifting song written by PhilPop winner Thyro Alfaro. She performed the song during the recently concluded 5th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition held at the SM Mall of Asia.
“The song has a very positive message and it is very aspirational to those who hear it. When I listen to the song, I am inspired to really try and achieve my goals. I don’t mean just my goals as an artist, but also in contributing to having a good life with my family. I think everyone aspires for that,” she said.
While she also understands that “life is a little harder here in our country,” Sarah admires those who always aspire to provide a better life for their families, be they the numerous hopefuls who join “The Voice of the Philippines” or just plain ordinary folks who deliver an honest day’s work.
“The song’s message is that you don’t have to be a millionaire to be able to have a good life or live a star life. Living a good life with your loved ones, with your family does not mean you need to be living in a super expensive mansion,” she argued.
