Pacquiao saddened over Valero’s death

People's Champ Manny Pacquiao is saddened over the news that Venezuelan boxer Edwin Valero committed suicide in prison on April 19.

“Nagulat ako sa pangyayari. Malaki siguro ang problema nila,” the pound-per-pound king related on “TV Patrol World,” April 20.

The 28-year old Valero, a former WBC Lightweight Champion, was arrested on Sunday after admitting to have killed his young wife, Jennifer Carolina Viera de Valero, at their hotel room in Valencia. He hanged himself inside his cell using his pants as ropes. Security personnel were still able to rush him to the hospital but shortly after, he was declared dead due to asphyxiation.

Pacquiao expressed his condolences to the family of the pugilist who was being considered as one of his future opponents. Valero and his wife are survived by their two children.

“Kung anuman ‘yung problema nila, ipagdasal na lang sa Panginoon,” he said.

Known as the only boxer with a perfect knock-out record, Valero was undefeated in all his 27 fights. He is recognized for his aggressive style in fighting, thereby earning him the tag “Inca,” which means “warrior.”

“It was a terrible tragedy… he and Manny would’ve made a great fight,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.

Pacquiao and Valero are friends. Valero even went to the Philippines in December 2008 to attend Pacman’s 30th birthday celebration in General Santos.

Source: The Manila Bulletin "Entertainment Article"

A broken-hearted KC

"It was like a movie scene, the way I fell for you. Only you didn’t fall. Now it’s not like the movies at all,” KC Concepcion sang to prove two points via her single “Not Like The Movies.”

First, that she can make heartbreak believable.

Second, that a good original can still light up a troubled OPM industry where it’s almost impossible to predict which songs would hit.

The Megadaughter recently launched her sophomore CD “KC,” a follow-up to “a.k.a. Cassandra,” both from Sony Music. In the new all-original compilation, KC wrote three songs “Magandang Umaga,” “Takipsilim,” and “Worth the Wait.”

KC told Bulletin Entertainment how she felt the songs were like her babies.

“Parang mga baby ko ‘yon. I wrote three songs in six hours. Sabi ko, para talaga akong nanganganak ng triplets, yung after 20 minutes, ito na naman, parang meron pang lalabas,” said KC at Hard Rock Café in Makati City where the CD was launched.

Apart from “Not Like The Movies,” the chosen cuts include “Breathe You” and “Hulog.” “Very romantic ‘yong ‘Breathe You.’ Nung kinakanta ko siya, parang sobrang sarap lang kantahin. ‘Hulog’ is a song actually written for a girl. Ginawa namin, we changed one line to make it parang a girl singing it to a guy. So, pag nakita ninyo yung lyrics, actually merong glitch, dahil yung nakasulat talaga ‘malambing ngunit pumapalag.’ Yun ‘yong guy version, pero actually yung girl version na ni-record namin is ‘mahigpit ngunit pumapayag.’”

In the genes

KC is proud to have started a new breed of young artists coming from celebrity parents, like her interviewee, Andi Eigenmann, on The Buzz two Sundays ago.

KC shared, “Actually ngayon, I’ve come to terms with it. Ang naiisip ko lang, free for all. Kumbaga, if you have the heart for it then you have the right to be in it. I feel good that, you know, I guess kahit papaano, nauna ako sa movement na ‘yon and puwedeng ako yung maging ate nilang lahat dahil na-experience ko yung music, teleserye, pelikula. Pinasok ko rin yung pagbi-VJ, pinasok ko yung hosting, pinasok ko yung commercials. So, if they need any advice in the future, kung pareho yung pinagdadaanan nila, I can be there for them.”

She was also happy to be in touch not only with siblings by Sharon Cuneta and stepdad Kiko Pangilinan but also with her other siblings by her biological father Gabby Concepcion.

“Lahat kami in touch. To be in touch with my sisters and also to let Frankie and Miel know that I also have other sisters and to see that open sila doon and very generous naman sila na hindi sila nagta-tantrums about it or anything. Medyo mahirap kasi yun, e. Yung parang masabi sa kanila na, ‘Hey, this is what’s happening and I love you. I’m your ate for life, you’re my baby sisters for life. But I want you to know I also have sisters on my Papa’s side.”

KC then showed the pictures of her other sisters to which Frankie remarked after seeing one of them, “‘Ate, she really looks like you!”

Source: Manila Bulletin

Nikki Gil parts with Star Magic; calls her move a ‘calculated risk’

Kapamilya star Nikki Gil surprised people Tuesday with the announcement of her shift in management team from Star Magic to ALV Talent Circuit.

At the press conference feted by her new manager Arnold Vegafria, she described her decision as a “calculated risk” and one that her camp had talked over with people who matter to her, including Star Magic head Johnny Manahan.

“It pains me to think I am no longer one of his daughters but I will always look up to him as a father and mentor. I won’t be where I am today if not for Star Magic’s assistance but as they say, nothing is permanent in life. I just look at this like that of a daughter na nagdalaga na and who is now in transition,” Gil told Bulletin Entertainment in an exclusive interview.

She rebuffed suggestions that her boyfriend, singer Billy Crawford, also under ALV Talent Circuit, had a hand in her latest career decision.

“No, magkahiwalay ang work at personal life namin. But since gusto ko ‘yung nakikita kong pagpapatakbo ni Arnold sa career niya at sa best friend ko [Iya Villaniya], I signed up with ALV na din,” she explained.

Gil also nipped in the bud the ill talk that she has been comparing the frequency and quality of her exposure on “ASAP XV” vis-a-vis Toni Gonzaga’s and Sarah Geronimo’s. She said the two stars belong to an entirely different league so it’s illogical to engage them in rivalry.

“And in the first place, bakit naman ako magbibilang ng segments? EP [Executive Producer] ba ako? Advertiser o kliyente para gawin ‘yon?” she exclaimed trying to make light of the matter.

Then turning serious, Gil intoned, “Sino ang matutulungan o mapapasama kung gagawin ko ‘yon? I know that like me, Sarah and Toni are just doing their jobs on ‘ASAP.’ And the three of us are friends. I mean we’ve shared the same dressing room for five years now! And we hang out and text each other. I just pray na mapagod ang mga tao who are out para pagsabungin kami.”

She added that given the number of stars on “ASAP XV,” the amount of work that she’s being given is “big enough” and “more than usual.”

Gil’s contract with the show will expire in June. Still, she would not say if she will leave the show or the network altogether by then.

“I leave it up to my new manager to decide on such things. My focus is on honing my craft. I am happy being a Kapamilya at the moment,” she emphasized.

Does she have second thoughts on moving out of Star Magic?

“No. I trust my new manager and my bigger manager, God. He has seen me through my career and everything has been smooth-sailing naman. I admit, though, that with all these changes, I’ll be needing His grace and favor more than ever.”

Gil said that, as usual, she will take everything one day at a time.

“Although leaving family behind is heartbreaking, I have to train myself to look ahead or I’m never gonna get anywhere.

“Like I said, this move is a calculated risk. I just hope the odds are not against us.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

Venus (finally, finally!) starts Binibini training

A light at the end of the tunnel, at last?

Keep your fingers crossed.

After the brouhaha over her dethronement and eventual reinstatement, 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj started training yesterday preparatory to the Miss Universe pageant scheduled for August perhaps in Las Vegas (tentative venue).

Said “beauty-contest specialist” Gerry Diaz, “Venus and her supporters who genuinely have her welfare at heart should appreciate the fact that the Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) for the first time in 46 years has reconsidered a dethronement and has agreed to a reinstatement. While the BPCI may have missed a step or two in dethroning Venus, I still credit it for this move, and it should no longer matter whether this was for humanitarian reason or not. Let’s not forget as well that from the very start, BPCI has said, and I heard it on GMA News when it broke the story of Venus’ dethronement, that it wished to emphasize that Venus did not have malicious intent.” (Again, I agree.)

Gerry added (and I also agree) that first runner-up Nicolette “Nikette” Henson, tapped to replace Venus if and when Venus won’t be able to leave if she can’t get a passport, acted “queenly” through it all. Nikette visited Venus after her dethronement and assured her that whatever the outcome would be, they would remain friends.

“When Nikette visited her folks in Pampanga,” Gerry said, “they asked her why she didn’t look happy. Nikette said, ‘Why should I be happy over somebody’s misfortune?’ She accepted best wishes from her friends but she never proclaimed herself as the new Bb. Pilipinas-Universe in her Facebook account. Tahimik lang siya.”

In a brief phone chat with Funfare yesterday, BPCI head Stella Marquez-Araneta confirmed that Venus has indeed reported yesterday to start training.

“She and her court will take up crash courses at the school run by Vivienne Tan (the judge who asked Janina San Miguel the ‘controversial’ question at last year’s Binibini pageant),” said Madame Stella. “The 2009 winners (Bianca Manalo, Universe; Melody Gersbach, International; and Marie Anne Umali, World) will also help train Venus and her co-winners.”

Meanwhile, Venus should rush the application for a passport, or else...

Source: The Philippine Star

Is Mariel Rodriguez next?

First it was John Lloyd Cruz. And then Angel Locsin. These last few days, it has been director Joyce Bernal.

So, is “Wowowee” and “Pinoy Big Brother” host Mariel Rodriguez next to be rumored as an alcoholic?

During the press conference for her Cossack Blue endorsement last week, Mariel said she is ready for such talk but warns that she would only accept being called a drinker, not alcoholic.

“Di naman ako pa-sweet so let me say this: Drinking alcohol is not dirty – it’s fun. We all drink to have fun pero iba ‘yung umiinom lang sa lasinggera na di na makapagtrabaho o pumupunta sa work na lasing-lasing,” she said.

“Ang alcoholic, it’s like alcohol na ang breakfast mo!”

Mariel calls herself a “vodka girl” and that she used to drink more before she had regular shows on ABS-CBN because it can be a good way to bond with people.

“But remember, drink moderately,” she said. “Especially sa aming mga artista na may mga bata who look up to us. Di pwedeng laklakera.”

The desire to drink comes over Mariel when she is stressed from work. Mariel describes herself as one who “works like a mad dog” that’s why she deserves a bit of fun from time to time.

If not drinking, it’s traveling that Mariel indulges in to beat stress. She and boyfriend, model-actor Zanjoe Marudo went to Hong Kong to unwind recently.

“Kapag Holy Week, Mahal na Araw and Christmas lang talaga ako nakakapag-biyahe ng hindi job-related so we make the most of the free time we have,” she said.

Asked if she and Zanjoe drink during their break, Mariel simply said, “Umiinom din naman si Zanjoe paminsan-minsan – ‘di naman siya nagmamalinis pagdating ‘dun.”

Will she ask her new “Wowowee” co-hosts to drink with her?

“Why not? Like I said, it’s a good way to bond and even Kuya [of PBB] tells me I should bond with the new girls.”

Among all the new “Wowowee” hosts, Mariel is most amused with Malasyian actress Carmen Soo because of the latter’s limited English and Filipino vocabulary.

“Ako ang interpreter niya. When something is said on the show that she doesn’t understand, I take the initiative to explain it to her. Kulang na nga lang ay ako ‘yung laruan na nilalagyan ng mga barya tapos biglang gagana para mag-interpret. Carmen is so cute!”

She denied speculations that she is insecure of the newbies.

“I have had my time to shine on the show. Sila naman.”

Source: The Manila Bulletin

26th PMPC Star Awards winners known on April 24

MANILA, Philippines - The 26th PMPC Star Awards for Movies is all set to give awards to deserving winners on April 24 at the Ateneo de Manila University’s Henry Lee Irwin Theater.
Main hosts are Boy Abunda, Ruffa Gutierrez and Lorna Tolentino, while trivia hosts are Toni Gonzaga and JC de Vera.
Billy Crawford will sing and dance in the opening, a showdown of dance number will be performed by Bangs Garcia, Rochelle Pangilinan, Joross Gamboa, Rainier Castillo, Edgar Allan Guzman, Mariposa, Luningning and Milagring.
Christian Bautista will sing for Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Awardee Gina Pareño.
Kyla, Jay-R and Kris Lawrence will sing the nominated theme songs.
The finale number will be performed by a surprise star.
The PMPC gives its First Ulirang Alagad ng Pelikula sa Likod ng Kamera and the recipient is the Komiks King, TV and Movie director and National Artist Carlo Caparas.
The 26th PMPC Star Awards for Movies is produced by Starview Productions and directed by Arlene Tolibas. It will be aired on April 25, 9:30 to 11:30 pm at TV5.

Here are some of the nominees:
Movie Of The Year:
Ang Panday (GMA Films and Imus Productions); I Love You Goodbye (Star Cinema); In My Life (Star Cinema); Kimmy Dora (Spring Films); Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love (Regal Entertainment)

Digital Movie Of The Year:
Astig (Cinemalaya Foundation, Boy Abunda and Boy So Productions); Ded Na Si Lolo (APT Entertainment and Directors’ Guild of the Phils.); Dinig Sana Kita (Cinemalaya Foundation and Echo & Mirage Media); Dukot (CDP Events and Entertainment Productions and ATD Entertainment); Puntod (ADC Productions)

Movie Director Of The Year:
Mac Alejandre (Ang Panday); Joyce Bernal (Kimmy Dora); Laurice Guillen (I Love You Goodbye); Joel Lamangan (Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love); Olivia Lamasan (In My Life)

Digital Movie Director Of The Year:
Cesar Apolinario (Puntod); Joel Lamangan (Dukot ); GB Sampedro (Astig); Mike Sandejas (Dinig Sana Kita); Soxie Topacio (Ded Na Si Lolo)

Movie Actress Of The Year:
Iza Calzado (Dukot); Sharon Cuneta (Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love); Eugene Domingo (Kimmy Dora); Angelica Panganiban (I Love You Goodbye); Vilma Santos (In My Life)

Movie Actor Of The Year:
John Lloyd Cruz (In My Life); Allen Dizon (Dukot); Roderick Paulate (Ded Na Si Lolo); Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (Ang Panday); Lou Veloso (Colorum)

Movie Supporting Actress Of The Year:
Gina Alajar (Dukot); Gloria Diaz (Sagrada Familia); Heart Evangelista (Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love); Zsa Zsa Padilla (Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love); Rhian Ramos (Ang Panday)

Movie Supporting Actor Of The Year:
Aldred Gatchalian (Bente); Luis Manzano (In My Life); Phillip Salvador (Ang Panday); Fanny Serrano (Tulak); Dennis Trillo (Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love)

Movie Child Performer Of The Year: Nash Aguas (Kamoteng Kahoy); Mica dela Cruz (T2); Patricia Gayod (Puntod); JP Mesde (Tulak); Robert Villar (Ang Panday)

New Movie Actress Of The Year:
Louise delos Reyes (Agaton And Mindy); Iren Liel Escaño (Ded Na Si Lolo); Barbie Forteza (Puntod); Paloma (Pitik Bulag); Maricar Reyes (And I Love You So)

New Movie Actor Of The Year:
Enchong Dee (Paano Ko Sasabihin); Zyrus Desamparado (Engkwentro); Romalito Mallari (Dinig Sana Kita); Joey Paras (Last Supper No. 3); Chase Vega (Agaton And Mindy)

Movie Original Screenplay Of The Year:
Laurice Guillen, Mark Meily, and Karen Ramos (I Love You Goodbye); Roy Iglesias (Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love); Raymond Lee, Olivia Lamasan and Senedy Que (In My Life); Chris Martinez (Kimmy Dora); Carmi Raymundo, Norissa Soriano and Chie Floresca (You Changed My Life)

Digital Movie Original Screenplay Of The Year:
Cesar Apolinario, Melchor Encabo and Tammy Dantes (Puntod); Charlotte Dianco (Fidel); Jerry Gracio (Astig); Mike Sandejas (Dinig Sana Kita); Soxie Topacio (Ded Na Si Lolo)

Movie Original Theme Song Of The Year:
Tanging Ikaw from Ang Panday, music, lyrics by Ogie Alcasid and interpretation by Regine Velasquez; Kimmy Dora from the movie of the same title, music by Michael Angelo Manalang, lyrics by Emman dela Cruz and interpretation by Ricci Chan

Digital Movie Original Theme Song Of The Year:
Ang Buhay Nga Naman from Ded Na Si Lolo, music, lyrics and interpretation by Noel Cabangon; Astig Ka from Astig, music by Jojo Espinosa and Edgardo Rustia, lyrics by GB Sampedro and Candy Pangilinan, interpretation by Rodrum; Gabay Ang Awit from A Journey Home, music by Janette Ayroso, lyrics by Mia Louise Ramos , interpretation by Jonathan and Denden Beltran, Devin Villacruz, Joy Villacruz, Kimberly Kwok, Wally Ang, Will Tan and Katherine Dematera; Sana, Ako’y Marinig from Dinig Sana Kita, music and lyrics by Francis Brew Reyes and Niña Sandejas, interpretation by Zoe Sandejas

Darling Of The Press:
Toni Gonzaga; Angel Locsin; Vicky Morales; Annabelle Rama; Donna Villa.

Source: The Philippine Star

Michael V stars in first reality sitcom

As we all know Michael V has a bottomless reservoir of creative ideas. His been trough a lot of projects recently commercial adds and TV shows. His newest newest brainchild is the first-ever reality sitcom, “Pepito Manaloto” which will premiere on March 20 after “Pinoy Records” on GMA 7’s “Sabado Star Power.”

Its almost a true-to-life story of Pepito (Michael V), a poor man who dreams of providing a good life for his wife Elsa (Manilyn Reynes) and only son Jonjon (Joshua Pineda). His life changes dramatically when he becomes the lone winner of P700 million in the national lottery.

Pinoys would certainly desire Pepito’s rags-to-riches story. Michael V himself had humble beginnings.

What does he miss about his life before he became rich and famous? “I miss the anonymity,” he says. “But I can find that by going somewhere else. Rich and famous is a tall order. I’d like to think of myself as comfortable.”

How does he keep himself from being trapped in the trappings of success? “We in the family keep each other grounded,” he quips. “We are our own worst critics. I keep in mind what my good friend Ogie Alcasid told me that hindi mo ’yan madadala sa langit. Our kids are the only treasure we can take up there.”

What have fame and fortune taught him? “That I can use money to make not just my life better but other’s lives as well.” Michael V has truly found the joys that money can and cannot buy!