Just recently, I had the privilege of joining Gary Valenciano, Jed Madela and Angeline Quinto in a concert at The Star Theatre in Singapore. Of course, we all know how great they are as performers and, suffice to say, they allowed for a memorable experience not only for me but for all those in attendance.
Prior to the concert, Gary V. led the crowd in prayer. It was one of the most beautiful prayers I’ve heard. Luckily, my husband was able to capture it on video. Here it is, verbatim:
JED MADELA, Gary Valenciano, the author and Angeline Quinto at The Star Theatre in Singapore
“Dear God, we are four people coming onstage here in Singapore Lord. Many times Father, in the middle of our work, we sometimes forget the impact we have on people. There are overseas Filipino workers here in Singapore, many of whom are professionals, who would have rather been professionals back home. But they are away from their families. Yes, they may be earning more here. Yes, they are providing for their families back home, but many are separated from the people they love. And here we are Lord, together. I pray tonight Father, na kahit apat lang kami, we know that we are still complete because You are a part of this. And because You are a part of this, we know Lord that You are going to make us shine. People may say after the performance, ‘Ang galing ng Pilipino’ but they find a will, a reason why, and that is because of You. We don’t have to speak about You, we just have to show it when we go onstage. We’re giving You our very best because You Father have given us Your very best, You always do and You never fail to do so. Thank You father for everything, bless us.”
I was really touched by Gary’s prayer. It was so selfless and humble. It is so perfect especially as we start the first week of advent. It made me want to work harder. It made me realize that as entertainers we have a responsibility to others not just ourselves. As Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Bianca King.
Bianca King was still in college when she started her career in showbiz. Since then, the Filipina-German actress has been identified in mostly dramatic roles in film and television. So when TV5 offered her the romantic-comedy mini-series “His Secretary” for the popular primetime show “Wattpad Presents”, Bianca was intrigued by the prospect of making people laugh.
“Lagi na lang kasi akong nalalagay sa mga heavy dramas, rom-com na lang na primetime ang hindi ko pa nagagawa,” the 28-year-old actress told InterAksyon during her pocket press conference for this week’s “Wattpad Presents” story.
In this popular Wattpad story by Elise Mae that has garnered nearly 10 million reads, Bianca portrays Amanda, a struggling young woman who supports her family by taking all kinds of odd jobs. Her fortunes take an interesting turn when she becomes the secretary of Dale (John James Uy), a good-looking but woman-hating businessman who also happens to be the sole heir of a prominent business empire. But just when she and Dale start falling for each other, her past starts to catch up on her.
“Doing this project has been a very fun and very encouraging experience. I didn’t know I had this little ability to make people laugh,” she enthused.
The project was also a timely blessing for Bianca as the offer came a few months after she learned that GMA Network, her home studio for 10 years, did not renew her contract. This was months after she was lent by the network to TV5 to do the weekly medical thriller “Obsession” earlier this year.
As much as Bianca initially felt bad for not being renewed, she also saw a silver lining to her situation as she can now be more selective when it comes to film and TV projects. She’s also excited about the prospects of working with other talented actors from other networks and film studios.
Right now, comedy seems to be the direction she wants to take. After “His Secretary”, Bianca will be in the cast of the new TV5 sitcom “Mac & Chiz” which stars the unlikely tandem of hunky actor Derek Ramsay and comedian Empoy Marquez, who also plays her best friend in “His Secretary”. Also in the cast is the equally hilarious Jojo Alejar.
“Ang sarap gawin ng mga ganito. It’s light work compared to dramas and it’s a restful experience for me kasi hindi siya nakakapagod. The mood on the set is also fun,” she noted.
Bianca’s relatively “lighter” showbiz workload these days also gives her enough time and energy to concentrate on her business endeavors that she put up with several partners.
“I have a new restaurant opening this month called Runner’s Kitchen along Tomas Morato that serves healthy cuisine. I also opened a new yoga studio called Beyond which is located in 38 Rockwell Drive,” she revealed.
“I also have a blog called The Closet Housewife. It’s all about wholesome living but not just about my restaurant or the yoga studio. It also covers all the fitness crazes that I’ve tried. There are also recipes that people can try at home. I want to inspire people to switch to a healthier diet so there are guidelines in my blog as well.”
As for her own matters of the heart, Bianca, who has been in previous relationships with actors Patrick Garcia and Dennis Trillo, says she is now very much happy with her current non-showbiz boyfriend Julio Villafuerte, younger brother of Camarines Sur governor Migz Villafuerte.
And no, the thought of tying the knot is not yet on their minds. Although Bianca has declared that she’s ready if and when he pops the question, she doesn’t want to put pressure on Julio since he’s only 23 and five years her junior.
Also starring Max Eigenmann, “Wattpad Presents: His Secretary” airs on TV5 every weekday this week at 9:30PM.
F(x) (Photo: www.newsen.com)
The Department of Health (DOH) used a song by K-pop girl group f(x) as inspiration for its music video that warned about teen pregnancy.
The music video was uploaded on the DOH’s Facebook page last November 30 but was taken down a few hours later.
In the video, the melody of f(x)’s song “Rum Pum Pum Pum” was used but with different lyrics.
“Rum Pum Pum Pum” was the title track of f(x)’s 2013 album “Pink Tape.” The song peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s K-pop Hot 100 chart and on Gaon chart.
The DOH music video features a cheerleading squad executing routines.
The teen pregnancy video received criticism for using the words “gaga,” “bobo” and “tanga” in the lyrics. It’s not known if the DOH took it down because of the flak.
At the end of the video, Health Undersecretary (now acting Secretary) Janette Garin said, “Ang Planadong Buhay ay Maayos na Buhay.”
On Twitter, people pointed out the use of the f(x) song in the DOH video.
“DOH’s teen pregnancy ad sounds a lot like Rum Pum Pum Pum!! HAHAHA kpop, srsly DoH?” wrote @geeyahbells.
@Heekyups posted, “That DOH anti pregnancy video used rum pum pum pum as the song they just changed lyrics orz can you be more originaaaal”
“lol f(x)’s rum pum pum rip off in doh’s teenage pregnancy campaign,” said @athenaesque.
“Uhm, that DOH infomercial song is definitely a Rum Pum Pum Pum rip-off,” wrote @karixie.
Lyrics of the DOH music video:
Gaga girl
Bobo boy
Pag kita kits kita
Sabi ng puso ko
Boom, boom, boom, boom
Ahahay!
Pag kita kits kita
Nakakagigil ka
Parang di ko na kayang magpigil pa
Naku naman hija
Naku naman hijo
Maghunos dili ka
Dahil bata ka pa
Magtapos ka muna
Maghintay ka muna
Wag kang rumagasa
Nang di ka madapa
Di naman ako gaga girl
Di naman ako bobo boy
Di naman ako gaga girl
Di naman ako bobo boy
Salamat sa payo
Gets ko naman kayo
Buhay ko nga ito
Bukas ko’y iingatan ko
May isip na ako
Cool, chillax lang kayo
Kung madapa ako
Babangon, matututo
GaBo, GaBo
Pag kita kits kita
Sabi ng puso ko
Boom, boom, boom, boom
Ahahay!
Pag kita kits kita
Nakakagigil ka
Parang di ko na kayang magpigil pa
Di mo ba alam na hindi ka pa handa
Di mo ba alam na di niyo pa kaya
Easy lang kayo, pagkatiwalaan nyo ako
Tama at mali natutunan ko sa inyo
Dapat naman magtapos ka muna
Dapat naman maghintay ka muna
Wag magkasala, wag madapa!
Dapat naman magtapos ka muna
Dapat naman maghintay ka muna
Wag mag-alala, di kami tanga
Salamat sa payo
Gets ko naman kayo
Buhay ko nga ito
Bukas ko’y iingatan ko
May isip na ako
Cool, chillax lang kayo
Kung madapa ako
Babangon, matututo
GaBo-GaBo
Kung ako’y mahal mo
Surrender mo ang bandila
Ibigay mo na
Sagot kita, sagot kita
Kung ako’y mahal mo
Di mo ako pipilitin
Di pa ‘ko ready
Maghintay ka, maghintay ka
Are we cool?
Salamat sa payo
Gets ko naman kayo
Buhay ko nga ito
Bukas ko’y iingatan ko
May isip na ako
Cool, chillax lang kayo
Kung madapa ako
Babangon, matututo
GaBo-GaBo
Di naman ako gaga girl
Di naman ako bobo boy
GaBo-GaBo
Di naman ako gaga girl
Di naman ako bobo boy
GaBo-GaBo
Andre Paras
Well-rounded individuals make good basketball players. Andre Paras does not only hustle on the hardcourt but has applied this multitasking discipline in his own life. In fact, he actively pursues varied interests like being an actor, MTV Pinoy VJ, a basketball player and student.
Keeping this pace may be tiring to some but Andre is not letting up. He is now also aiming to start a career as a rapper, and dreams of conquering Hollywood some day.
In an interview, Andre said he turns the poems he writes for his English and Filipino classes into rap songs.
“Ever since I was a kid, I’m a hip-hop person na… mga rap. Kasi the good thing about rapping is you don’t need to sing, you just need to have a message,” he said.
The son of basketball icon Benjie Paras shared that he used to listen rappers like Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Macklemore and J. Cole.
Asked why he wants to be a rapper, Andre answered, “Kasi I love entertaining people. I want to be a role model kasi nga sabi ko ’di ba they (rappers) usually have messages in their songs.”
Other dreams
Aside from rap dreams, he also hopes to one day to get into the National Basketball Association (NBA).
“I want to be a good basketball player. I want to make it to pros – I mean there’s nothing wrong in dreaming,” he said. This, however, does not mean that Andre is letting go of his acting career.
“No naman. Kasi as of now I have the best of both worlds. I can do showbiz, basketball and other things,” he said.
He recalled how his father encouraged him to always follow his dreams. “Sabi niya do what makes you happy and just make sure that you know your priorities in life,” he said.
Balancing his schedule is tricky to say the least but Andre makes sure he divides his time equally. A very important matter for Andre is keeping to his studies.
“Advice din kasi ni daddy to finish my school first. Sinasabi niya palagi na don’t make yourself not go to school,” he said.
On critics
Having set one foot in show business may have given Andrew his share of critics, but the young actor welcomes this. “I thank all the people saying that I’m not good. Kasi they are the ones pointing out kung ano ’yung mali sa akin,” he said.
However, he noted. “Sometimes they are OA na,” relating how some act as if “akala nila they know my
life…meron ding nagsasabi na hindi ka sisikat kundi sa father mo.”
In the end, however, he just tries to live with it and keep his eye on his goals.
Waiting for Ms. Right
Despite having close friends who are all in a romantic relationships, Andre, 19, is patiently waiting to meet the right girl. “What’s important for me now is that I can go out with my friends… they are the source of my happiness,” he said.
Asked what kind of girl is he looking for, Andre said, “The girl should be an athlete… someone who knows how to balance school and sports like me.”
Connection
Andre is close to his brother Kobe, who is now in based in the US as a scholar of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is thankful that being the new ambassador of Globe Telecom, as it’s
made it easier for him to keep in touch with his brother.
“Ever since I was a Globe user na. And now I use it to connect to my brother… we’re always on the Skype and talk about anything like ilan ’yung na-shoot niya during his most recent game, ganun,” he said.
“Kahit we have different time zones, we get to talk everyday. Kahit morning du’n gabi dito maguusap talaga kami,” he added. This, he said, makes Globe his “new love.”
