PST: February 07, 2012

PST: February 07, 2012

                                                                                                Photo of KC Concepcion

Matthew Vaughn to direct "X-Men: First Class" sequel

He will return for the sequel to Marvel's film that starred James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender.

Down the movie aisle with David

The stars are coming out this week to drum up interest for their respective film projects in The Late Show with David Letterman.

GMA bags honors at Gandingan Awards

GMA Network stepped one notch higher as it bagged honors at the recently-concluded 2012 Gandingan Awards, the Sixth University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Isko’t Iska’s Broadcast Choice Awards. 24 Oras, anchored by Mike Enriquez and Mel Tiangco, was awarded this year’s Best News Program.

Sweet Binibini memories

More than 100 wannabes met last week’s deadline for the submission of application forms to this year’s search for the three Bb. Pilipinas who will represent the country in the Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Tourism pageants.

Bibo Reyes: The real deal

Once in a while, a young theater actor makes a breakthrough performance in his first show, signaling the start of an exciting career as a professional actor.

Newest teleserye from ABS-CBN

ABS-CBN recently announced that its upcoming Primetime Bida drama series titled Nang Dahil sa Pag-ibig will feature (from left) Jericho Rosales, Cristine Reyes, Maricar Reyes and Piolo Pascual.

Angel Locsin: Yes, I love Phil

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Angel Locsin got a surprise from her rumored boyfriend Phil Younghusband while she was promoting her film "Unofficially Yours" on “The Buzz” on Sunday.

Priscilla Meirelles and John Estrada welcome their first child Sammanta Anechka

Priscilla gives birth to a healthy baby girl!

Part 2 Jean Garcia reveals daughter Jennica wants to settle down at an early age: "Medyo nawindang ako sa sinabi ng anak kong 'yan!"

Jean says relationship of Jennica and Alwyn Uytingco is stronger after rumored breakup.

Part 1 Jean Garcia returns to playing kontrabida: "Ngayon, ready na ulit ako na magtaray at gumawa ng gulo sa buhay ng mga bida!"

Jean is proud that she is still a Kapuso; says "Magmula nang nag-start akong magtrabaho with GMA-7, never akong nakaramdam na pinabayaan nila ako."

Carmi Martin attains gay-icon status for her catchy dialogue in No Other Woman; plans to stay in showbiz "forever"

Carmi on playing villain roles: "Hindi kasi bagay sa akin na inaapi ako. Hindi ako magmumukhang kawawa."

Alwyn Uytingco on maintaining relationship with girlfriend Jennica Garcia: "Para...See More

Alwyn flattered by Jean Garcia's statement that she likes him for daughter Jennica.

After 15 years, KC Concepcion renews bonds with half-sister Cloie Syquia Skarne

KC recalls the photo she received from Cloie years ago.

Maxene Magalona defends herself against Twitter critics: "Actually, aaminin ko, hindi po ako singer, I never said I was a singer."

Will Maxene sing again?: "Of course! Why not?"

Cloie Syquia Concepcion reveals Sam Milby is her dream leading man; excited to work with half-sister KC Concepcion

Cloie was thrilled to have shared the stage with her Ate KC.

Kris Aquino: "Annulment is not a cause of joy. The truth is, it was a marriage that failed but it's a cause for optimism."

Kris says she has no desire to be in a relationship after nullity of her marriage to James.

Part 2 Janelle Manahan talks about her relationship with Ramgen Revilla's family in showbiz talk show

According to Janelle, Ramgen was the disciplinarian in the family.

Part 1 Ramgen Revilla and Janelle Manahan love story featured in pilot episode of Showbiz Inside Report

Janelle says she started living in with Ramgen when she was just 17.

Dingdong Dantes takes his shirt off for new serye and launch of deo-cologne

He looks super yummy.

Jasmine Curtis Smith on working with David Archuleta: "Lahat po kami na-enjoy yu...See More

"We are all so overwhelmed, we still can't believe that he actually did this show with us," Jasmine adds.

PST: January 23, 2012

PST: January 23, 2012

Hugo a must-see family adventure movie

Set in the 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father from whom he receives a hidden message and an automation.

DiCaprio at his best in J. Edgar

Funny how this writer regularly find interesting tidbits of regular, random conversation between stars and their handlers when I review my recording before I start transcribing my interviews.

Performers at Hard Rock Café

Mocha Girls leads the pack of featured artists at Hard Rock Café (HRC) as the girl group displays its unique and sensual brand of music on Jan. 26 and 29. Hard rockers look forward to an exciting evening as they jam and party all-night long with Mocha Girls as the group dishes out some of today’s hottest chart-toppers, homegrown favorites and standard party anthems.

Opportunity for comebacks

With the proliferation of afternoon and primetime teleseryes, the networks have realized their packaging of stars is getting to be monotonous.

Musica Chiesa & other local sounds

Just what I needed, a great stress buster, I thought as the first strains of Musica Chiesa came from the machine.

A 'heartfelt' message from Kris

Kris Aquino (photo) is the type who opens her heart generously.

Model-actor moonlighting as valet

The pictures on this page should speak well for Steven Chan, a 6’2” model-actor whom my friend Raoul Tidalgo and I “discovered” recently at the five-star Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills where Steven is moonlighting between assignments as valet together with Pinoy Vela brothers Benjamin and Chris (grandchildren of the late Helen Vela).

Confessions of a third-world celebrity

 It’s been over a decade — 12 years to be exact — since I packed my bags and several balikbayan boxes and relocated to the Big Apple.

Pinoy rock icons at Music Museum

Pinoy rock icons and legends will rock the Music Museum on Jan. 26 via the one-night only concert titled Rockin’ The Roots At Music Museum.

Designer brands Pinoys prefer

One recent weekend, out of curiosity and being a designer bag lover myself, I decided to survey which designer bags were the choice of Pinoys.

Lee Min Ho is the City Hunter

ABS-CBN kicks off the Year of the Dragon with the biggest Korean drama City Hunter premiering tonight in Primetime Bida.

TV & movie stars in Today

 The whole cast of The Artist will be gracing the studios this week on The Today Show airing weeknights at 9.

Tintin's 10 smart baby care tips

There is no substitute for some smart steps that come naturally when mom’s instinct dictates.

Councilor Shalani Soledad finds "home and happiness" in Congressman Roman Romulo

The church wedding was attended by some 500 guests.

Nadine Samonte on working with ex-boyfriend Oyo Sotto: "More professional na. More mature na siya."

Nadine and Oyo play siblings in the TV soap, Valiente.

Lorna Tolentino says her grandchild looks like her late husband Rudy Fernandez

The veteran actress feels blessed with her new apo.

Iwa Moto wants to make a comeback: "Sana unti-unti akong makilala ng tao... pagbubutihin ko naman, pag trabaho, trabaho talaga ako."

Iwa says she really needs to work.

Ogie Alcasid wants to do another father role after Daldalita: "Parang malapit sa puso ko yun, e. Yung pagiging father."

Ogie says at home, he burps Baby Nate.

Gladys Guevarra talks about losing her father

Gladys and her brothers had a premonition of father's death.

Gino dela Peña on being voted off Survivor Philippines: "Sobrang nagulat ako, na-surprise ako!"

"Like I said, it's a game," he says.

PST: January 20, 2012

PST: January 20, 2012

Angelica thanks Kris for 'Segunda Mano'

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Angelica Panganiban thanked Queen of All Media Kris Aquino for having her in the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Segunda Mano”.

Camille Villar now Wil Time mainstay

BREAKING NEWS: Starting tomorrow, Camille Villar (photo) will be one of Willie Revillame’s co-hosts of TV5’s Wil Time, Bigtime together with Mariel Rodriguez as Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad goes on indefinite leave after her wedding to Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Bourne Legacy producers say Manila has great visuals

Manila provided great visuals for the upcoming action thriller Bourne Legacy, its producers said.

A show of heartfelt brotherhood

Kapatid and Kapuso stars descended here last week to take part in what has been dubbed as the mother of all Philippine festivals — the Sinulog.

Maria-Sabrina rift heats up in Maria La Del Barrio

After the slapping incident between the characters of Erich Gonzales (photo, with Enchong Dee) and Jewel Mische, viewers can expect for more tension-filled scenes on ABS-CBN’s Maria La Del Barrio.

Minstrels, Circus Band members reunite for concert

It is once again that time of year when Filipinos are ready and very willing to spend more on candy, flowers, dining out and watching shows.

Scouted set to premiere on E!

What do Selita Ebanks, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Gisele Bundchen, Elle Mcpherson, Claudia Schiffer and Cindy Crawford have in common?

Upsurge of Komiks-based teleseryes in 2012

If the name Lulu Coching Rodriguez would automatically register connection with a portraitist who had made a name for having done the most famous celebrities and government officials from the ’70s onward, our memory of Lulu went farther to our days as fledgling writer and artist at the Manila Times publications.

Why India wouldn't dare play Juliet

BEVERLY HILLS — Two newcomers are cast in Underworld Awakening, the fourth in the hit franchise which now focuses on the epic battle between Vampires and Lycans, shot in 3D with Kate Beckinsale (featured in last Sunday’s Conversations with Ricky Lo) back to reprise her role as Selene the Vampire Huntress who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan...

Showcasing Manila sans politics

Back in 1999, GMA executive Joey Abacan initially thought their blocktimer Maynila was a political propaganda.

Gino dela Peña gets voted off in Survivor

Another blindside occurred on GMA 7’s Survivor Philippines as the island’s resident strategist Gino dela Peña (photo) was voted off in the show’s tribal council last Tuesday night.

UE launches Dance Fuzion

The University of the East, through its Office of Cultural Affairs (UE OCA), has launched a dance competition dubbed as Dance Fuzion as one of the universityís cultural presentations for the 2012 Philippine Arts Festival celebration next month.

Bola premieres at UPFI Jan. 21

Bola, an indie movie which dares to examine the bonds between basketball players and their “managers” and the clash between genders both inside and outside the hard court, in the most basketball-crazed nation in the world, premieres at the University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI) Adarna Theater tomorrow night at 7.

Hired killer

Piolo Pascual (photo) topbills ABS-CBN’s Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) tomorrow, Jan. 21 in an action-packed episode where he portrays the role of a hired killer named Randy, who did everything just to support his family, especially his sick brother....

Sponge Cola's Stargazer out

After a very fruitful and successful 2011, which include numerous shows both here and abroad, two No. 1 singles, and scoring the elusive Diamond Record award, Sponge Cola (photo) opens the year with the release of its newest single Stargazer from its fourth full-length studio album Araw Oras Tagpuan under Universal Records. 

Cartoon Network launches new HD service on SkyCable

US-based cable channel Cartoon Network has chosen the Philippines as the first country in Asia for the release of its new brand and high definition (HD) service, which will be broadcast via SkyCable.

REtroSPECT at Strumm's Makati

Fans of The REtroSPECT can now watch the triumvirate of Goldie, Ogie and J. Martin (photo) as they stage their special send-off party gig at Strumm’s, Makati tomorrow, Jan. 21 at 9 p.m. before they go back to Guam.

Maja still shy to go out on date with Matteo

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Maja Salvador said that while she has become more open about her relationship with actor Matteo Guidicelli, she is still shy to go out on dates with just the two of them.

PST: January 19, 2012

PST: January 19, 2012

Empress takes on first mature role

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Empress Schuck said it is her first time to take on a mature role in her upcoming ABS-CBN television series “Mundo Man ay Magunaw”.

Regine: Which is 'Susan' and which is 'Amalia'?

After fielding questions during the print-media portion of her first post-natal presscon with husband Ogie Alcasid yesterday at Cravings (Roces Ave. off Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City) and before the round of TV interviews, Regine Velasquez excused herself to breastfeed their two-month-old son Nathaniel (nicknamed Nate like the son of Krista Ranillo and Niño Jefferson Lim)....

The Chinese New Year in Life & Style

GMA News TV 11’s Life & Style with Gandang Ricky Reyes welcomes the Year of the Water Dragon on Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.

Classical meets pop-rock with 2Cellos

If you think classical and pop-rock music make for strange bedfellows, think again. And whatever lines there are, dividing the two, seem to blur what with such talents as the Croatian duo 2Cellos.

Why Ayen is still 'high'

Her role as Hara Lingayan on GMA 7’s Amaya had “graduated” from the series a few weeks ago but Ayen Laurel is still “high” with the way her portrayal has brought her closer to the public that praised her for a job well done.

A 'compelling' afternoon drama in Broken Vow

GMA Network takes afternoon prime dramas a notch higher as it brings an intense and intriguing offering to Kapuso viewers via Broken Vow.

A 'surprise' B-day party for Piolo

Piolo Pascual celebrated his birthday last week with a surprise party from his friends and family.

Matteo & Maja deeply in love

Matteo Guidicelli has been always vocal about his feelings towards Maja Salvador who, he says, is his crush even before he joined showbiz.

Raymart guest in Daldalita

This week, viewers of GMA 7’s Daldalita will get an extra treat with the guest appearance of Raymart Santiago (photo, with Jillian Ward).

Can you guess who this girl is?

Somebody sent me this picture and asked me to guess who she was.

Ystilo franchise-renewal contract signed

The country’s premiere beauty salon, Ystilo Salon will continue to provide the best salon experience to the SM City-San Lazaro market.

Us Girls unveils 2012 fashion trends & styles

The long wait is over for the annual fashion forecast of Us Girls as (photo, from left) Iya Villania, Angel Aquino and Denise Laurel reveal in tonight’s episode the upcoming trends and styles that will rock in 2012.

Last but definitely not the least

As usual, it’s the family Christmas Card from Julio Iglesias and wife Miranda that comes, postdated Indian Creek Village, Florida.

McKnight at Big Dome March 16

Brian McKnight is coming for two shows, first at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on March 16 and at the Cebu Waterfront & Casino in Cebu City on March 17, with Angeline Quinto as front act.

Ariel and Fred join The Sound of Music

Resorts World hosted a press conference for the launch of the new cast members of The Sound Of Music.

Enchong Dee admits having occasional "tampuhan" with screen partner Erich Gonzales

Enchong describes his mature role in "Maria La Del Barrio" as perfect timing.

NO VISA = YES ENTRY

Pinoys can visit at least 20 countries without visas - DFAJanuary 18, 2012 10:00amhttp://www.gmanetwork.comFilipino travelers do not need a visa to visit at least 20 countries, according to information provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs. These countries include most of the Philippines' Southeast Asian neighbors, but also Latin American tourist destinations Brazil, Peru, Bolivia and Costa Rica....

Nikki Gil confirms boyfriend Billy Crawford is still leaving for the UK in mid-2012

The singer-actress is excited to play a contravida role in "Mundo Man ay Magunaw."

Sam Milby on pursuing a Hollywood career: "It's something that you do fear. At the same time, it's an opportunity that you cannot pass up."

Sam is saddened by the breakup of friends KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual.

PST: January 17, 2012

PST: January 17, 2012

Carmina Villarroel returns to Kapamilya network; wishes to work with Kim Chiu

Carmina is set to do a talk show with Janice de Belen and a teleserye.

Camille Prats takes her time recovering from husband's death

Camille's son celebrates birthday for the first time without his father.

Seeing stars in Big Apple

The Big Apple was crowded with Filipino stars during the holiday season.

Privacy of public figures

Interviewing a person in deep pain is one of the most harrowing experiences an interviewer can go through.

Cirque du Soleil dances to MJ music

This was to be expected but still quite a surprise.

Patrick Garcia and Luis Manzano face each other in one-on-one interview

Both men are willing to do a project together with Jennylyn Mercado.

Solenn Heussaff "fully charged" after a two-week vacation in Argentina with boyfriend

Solenn communicates with her boyfriend's family through an "interpreter."

Cristine Reyes and Rayver Cruz celebrate New Year in New York

Cristine recalls memorable moments with Rayver while they were in New York.

Jolina Magdangal and Mark Escueta share marital bliss as newlyweds

Mark Escueta produces album for his wife.

Beth Tamayo's mom wants her daughter to stay in the U.S. for alleged death threats

Mrs. Zeny Tamayo admits still being mad at son-in-law Johnny Wong.

Sarah Lahbati still being courted by Derrick Monasterio, but says she has no time yet to entertain suitors

Sarah reveals the sweetest thing that Derrick has done for her.

Alessandra de Rossi considers "baking" in Italy as a fallback to acting career

How about marrying an Italian? Her reply: "Feeling ko, pang-Pinoy talaga ‘yong ako."

Jinkee Pacquiao celebrates 33rd birthday on private island reportedly bought by Pacman for her

Jinkee reportedly wants to convert her island to a world-class resort.

Vivo Ouano finally free after being detained in Camp Crame for more than two months

The StarStruck alumnus realizes some important lessons in life while in detention.

Ynez Veneracion warns other celebs about two deceitful show promoters in Mindanao

The sexy actress is feeling extra happy these days.

Nadia, Annabelle fight over 'gifts'

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Nadia Montenegro is seeking the dismissal of the theft complaint filed against her by talent manager Annabelle Rama last December.

Carmina wants to work with look-alike Kim Chiu

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Carmina Villaroel revealed she wants to work with young actress Kim Chiu. Villaroel said she gets a lot of comments saying she and Chiu look alike.

Nadia, Annabelle fight over 'gifts'

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Nadia Montenegro is seeking the dismissal of the theft complaint filed against her by talent manager Annabelle Rama last December.

Marian Rivera reunites with Katrina Halili in My Beloved; wants to enrol in a culinary school

Marian plans to make this year more meaningful—hindi raw bilang artista kundi bilang tao.

Piolo Pascual gets "indirect" birthday greeting from KC Concepcion; says he will not stay single forever

Piolo on when he will get married: "Noong nag-thirty ako, mga thirty-five. So, ngayon, baka kapag forty, puwede na!"