This is probably the sexiest concert ever in Araneta Coliseum, it's the Anne Curtis “Annebisyosa – No Other Concert World Tour”. Sexy? View more together with Cristine Reyes after the jump
Showbiz Inside Report: Premieres February 4 (TV)
ABS-CBN levels up the TV viewers’ weekend showbiz experience with the launch of its newest showbiz-oriented talkshow titled, “Showbiz Inside Report (S.I.R.)” this Saturday (February 4), featuring a fresh combination of empowered hosts including original Kapamilya star Carmina Villaroel, muti-awarded TV host-actress Janice de Belen, actor-politician Joey Marquez, and ‘blind item’ king Ogie Diaz.
With the exciting set of some of the country’s seasoned hosts, expect for a funfilled highly opinionated “S.I.R.”–with the ever curious and bubbly Janice; Janice, who just like a real sister, will be the guests’ trusted confidante; Joey, meanwhile, will balance out the discussions as he bring up the male perspective amid the issues; and Ogie will surely tickle the viewers’ imagination with his freshest ‘insider’ scoops.
Don’t miss the newest showbiz-oriented talkshow of ABS-CBN, “Showbiz Inside Report,” coming this February 4, Saturday, after “Happy Yippee Yehey.” For more updates log on to www.abs-cbn.com, follow @ShowbizInsideTV on Twitter, and ‘like’ http://www.facebook.com/ShowbizInsideReport.AbsCbn on Facebook.
A sizzling Skin party with the country’s top models
Skin is presented by Resorts World and Genting Club, in cooperation with All Famous, Inc., and Belo Medical Group.
Around 100 of the top high-fashion, commercial, print models will show their real skin during the event. Celebrities who started their careers as models will also be part of the event.
This Skin Party provides the attendees with the ultimate sensory experience that lives up to the glamour and stylishness of the modeling world. This also underscores how TAO understands the basic essentials of model requirements – going to the skin of things.
TAO is a professional organization of legitimate and topnotch agents in the Philippines. Composed of THIRTY-SEVEN (37) members, its main vision is to unite and professionalize the talent agencies in the Philippines as well as meet the constant demands of talent requirements of all its ever-growing set of clients.
Skin is also being supported by Philippine Star and Manila Escapades Magazine.
ABS-CBN confirms 'It's Showtime' to officially become it's noontime show
–Bong Osorio, Head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications
After two years of being a morning kapamilya favorite, “It’s Showtime” will be ABS-CBN’s newest noontime program effective Monday, February 6, 2012.
The new show will be hosted by Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Billy Crawford, Karylle, ‘Kuya’ Kim Atienza, Teddy Corpuz, Jugs Jugueta and Vice Ganda, whose camaraderie, spontaneity, talents, and shared sense of humor have brought joy to kapamilyas. Joining them in “It’s Showtime” are dance master Jhong Hilario, and favorite “ex hurados” Ryan Bang, and Coleen Garcia.
Together, they will be bringing a new and more exciting show filled with surprises and engaging segments that will make viewers experience MORE FUN IN SHOWTIME.
ABS-CBN thanks the “madlang people, ” here in the Philippines and in The Filipino Channel (TFC) markets worldwide, for being with Showtime and its hosts in their journey of bringing joy and hope every morning the past two years. ABS-CBN invites the viewers to continue their unwavering support for Showtime as it moves to noontime, from Monday to Saturday starting February 6.
GMA-7 'seals alliance with fox international'
-By Darwin G. Amojelar
The content acquisition and distribution subsidiary of GMA Network Inc. on Tuesday said that it signed a three-year output deal with an international cable channel.
In a statement, the Gozon-led GMA Worldwide, Inc. (GWI) said that the deal comprised a minimum of 350 hours worth of locally produced programs and 25 feature films for airing thru FOX International Channels’ this year. FOX, which is among GWI’s top global partners, is a subsidiary of a global media conglomerate that reaches millions of households worldwide.
Among GMA productions delivered to Hong Kong for airing over FOX’s Philippine feed include hit fantasy series Encantadia, Darna, Dyesebel, and Super Twins; Filipino television adaptation of renowned dramas Stairway To Heaven, Trudis Liit, and Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita; and News and Public Affairs programs Wish Ko Lang, Pinoy Meets World, and Pinoy Abroad.
GWI also distributed best-selling films like My Best Friend’s Girlfriend, When I Met You, Yaya and Angelina, Temptation Island , and the 1998 award-winning biopic film by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Jose Rizal.
Other than FOX, GWI made strong sales in Africa, Brunei , Korea , and China in 2011 with more than 2,000 hours worth of programs to these countries. According to GWI VP Roxanne Barcelona, GMA’s programs do not only appeal to domestic viewers but are steadily gaining interest and popularity among international viewers as well.
In fact, GWI recently made a landmark achievement thru licensing an all-original drama production by the GMA Entertainment TV (ETV) Group for the Chinese locals. The production will run for 50 episodes.
GWI achieved record sales in 2011 on strong syndication of programs and acquisition of canned programs for GMA’s two free-to-air channels.
Janice de Belen 'ready for challenging roles'
-By ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines - Actress and television host Janice de Belen is in search for more challenging projects at this point in her career.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Tuesday, de Belen said she is now ready to take on jobs she wouldn’t normally do in order to put the full potential of her prowess to the test.
“I want to be challenged. I want to do things na normally ikakanerbiyos ko or ikakatakot ko. I want that,” she said.
De Belen said her confidence in herself was restored when she came back to ABS-CBN.
According to de Belen, ever since she took on the television project “Budoy,” there was a part of her that made her more confident about herself as an artist.
“I think nu’ng limipat ako for ‘Budoy,’ everything started din. Nabalik ‘yung confidence ko,” she said. “I think that project itself [made me] remember how it feels to be a star... When you are affirmed, ang sarap ng feeling.”
Since she considers ABS-CBN as her home network, de Belen said she couldn’t help but feel nostalgic now that she’s back.
“Dito din ako galing eh, so iba ‘yung pakiramdam ko dito, so the confidence came back. I remember how I have this renewed passion for acting, so ‘yon nagbabalik lahat—confidence and everything else,” she said.
'Showbiz Inside Report'
De Belen will be part of ABS-CBN’s new entertainment talk show “Showbiz Inside Report.”
Joining her will be her fellow returning Kapamilya stars Carmina Villaroel and Joey Marquez, and entertainment reporter Ogie Diaz.
A few years back, de Belen said she no longer wanted to take on talk show gigs.
Asked what made her change her mind now, she replied, “That was 2004 [nu’ng sinabi ko 'yon]. That’s 8 years ago. Eight years ago, marami nang nagbago, marami nang naiba sa akin. I think I’m slowly coming out of my shell again.”
Amid all the controversies she has faced in the past few years, de Belen said she is ready again to face the public and pour her heart out.
“Naisip ko lang: Ano pa ba ang hindi niyo alam tungkol sa buhay ko? Wala naman na ‘di ba, so okay na. Kaya natin to,” she said.
Interviewing John Estrada
Since “Showbiz Inside Report” tackles entertainment news, it is likely that de Belen will stumble upon news concerning her estranged husband John Estrada.
When asked whether she’s willing to personally interview him, she replied, “If there’s an issue that needs to be addressed, yes. Kung kinakailangan, yes.”
However, de Belen reiterated that she has no plans to take on projects with Estrada.
“But the situation, like I said before, that I wouldn’t work with him. I wouldn’t work with him outside of just talk,” she stressed.
“Showbiz Inside Report” is set to premiere on ABS-CBN channel 2 on Saturday, February 4, at 2:30 p.m.
Sam Milby 'to leave on February 1'
-By ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines - A send-off party was held for actor Sam Milby, who is set to leave for the United States on Wednesday, February 1, to pursue his Hollywood dream.
The party was attended by some of his friends in showbusiness including KC Concepcion, Sarah Geronimo, Derek Ramsay, Xian Lim and Kim Chiu.
Star Magic head Johnny Manahan was also present to wish the actor all the best.
Milby, who will be auditioning for a role in a US TV series, admitted that he is feeling nervous over his upcoming trip.
“Mixed emotions eh, excitement. I don’t know what to expect,” he said.
Milby also said he will not stop chasing his Hollywood dream in the event that he doesn't pass the audition.
“Kahit walang mangyari this trip, it doesn't mean na give up na ako,” he said.
John Prats thankful to be a part of 'HYY'
-By Gretchen Fullido, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines – Actor and television host John Prats is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the “Happy Yipee Yehey” family.
Despite the gloom of the show’s impending end, Prats said he is glad he is for all the wonderful experiences he gained during the short time he spent with the ABS-CBN afternoon variety show.
“Ibang experience din 'yung naibigay sa akin ng show na 'yon,” he said.
Moreover, Prats also expressed his sincerest thanks to the show, which ran for almost a year, because it paved way for him to meet the love of his life, his co-host Bianca Manalo.
“Kung hindi naman dahil sa show na 'yon, hindi ko makikilala si Bianca,” he said.
“Happy Yipee Yehey” is set to air its final episode this coming Saturday.
It will be replaced by “It’s Showtime”, which will premiere on February 6.
Carmina Villaruel revives 'star value' in ABS-CBN
-By ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines - Actress and television host Carmina Villaroel said she can’t help but be reminded of her “star value” now that she’s back in the Kapamilya network.
“Personally, naramdaman ko [ngayon dito sa ABS-CBN] na, ‘Ay, artista pala ako. Ay, medyo star pala ako,’” she said during the press conference for her upcoming television program “Showbiz Inside Report.”
Villaroel said she is overwhelmed by the way people welcomed her back in her mother network.
“Parang homecoming, so nung pag-apak ko pa lang dito parang reunion ‘yung sigawan, ‘yung talagang na-feel mo na na-miss ka nila,” she said.
With all the love and support she’s getting from everyone around her, Villaroel said she has affirmed that “coming back home” is the right choice for her
“Dito lang talaga sa Kapamilya network, I just feel na dito talaga ako, parang siguro panahon na nga para bumalik ako dito,” she said. -Report from ABS-CBN News
100 countries back world environment agency
-By Richard Ingham, Agence France-Presse
PARIS — More than a hundred countries now support a French proposal to create a "World Environment Organisation" at the upcoming 20th anniversary conference of the Rio Summit, France's ecology minister said on Tuesday.
"More than 100 countries have now associated themselves with the proposal," Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet said at a conference in Paris aimed at stimulating ideas for June 20-22 global gathering.
The idea is to beef up the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which critics say lacks muscle for dealing with the world's worsening environmental crisis.
But rather than be just a branch of the UN, the proposed agency would help implement international environmental standards and include grassroots groups and business, according to the proposal.
Speaking afterwards to reporters, Kosciusko-Morizet said the United States "has yet to back" to the proposal, citing questions of sovereignty.
"However, we have already overcome the north-south divide in terms of numbers," she said.
Kosciusko-Morizet said the new agency was a key to the success of the "Rio+20" conference, designed to assess the two decades that have elapsed since the Rio Summit which nailed the environment to the political agenda.
It should be part of a rethink of the world's economy, in which green issues and social questions should be integrated into the search for profit, she said.
"The new capitalism which emerges from the crisis has to be environmental, or it won't be new," she said.
"We are looking for a new kind of environmental governance, something more inclusive, in which all parties have a stake and it's not just governments which have the right to speak."
She insisted on the word "World" in the organization’s name, saying it was an important nuance compared with "international," meaning an exclusive focus on nations.
The Paris conference gathered several hundred representatives from national and local government, think tanks and civil society with the declared aim of gingering up a program, called "draft zero," that is being hammered out for Rio.
According to a background document issued by the ecology ministry, countries that are supporting the French idea comprise more than 30 European countries and the 54 members of the African Union, as well as Thailand, Malaysia, Nepal, Chile and Uruguay.
Based in Nairobi, UNEP was set up in 1972 as an office of the UN, but as a "program" it does not have the scope of an agency.
Its mission, according to its website, is "to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations."
Many environmental experts believe UNEP is too underpowered for dealing with a crisis that now ranges from climate change and ozone depletion to overfishing, pollution and deforestation. — Agence France-Presse
Getting into the nerves of Camille Villar
Camille describes hosting stint in Wil Time Big Time a learning experience and an opportunity to make people happy
-By Bibsy M. Carballo (The Philippine Star)
We remember seeing a new face once in Wil Time Bigtime while surfing the TV channels. We remember stopping to listen, finding the new girl adept at her hosting job and wondering who she was. Next time around, she was no longer around.
Late last week, we were invited by Lolit Solis to lunch with one of her “alagas” she said, and since we hadn’t seen her in a while, we quickly said yes. At Cibo in Greenhills, we chatted over lunch while waiting for a girl named Camille Villar. Soon enough, in came a young girl whom Lolit quickly introduced to us. We quickly recognized her as that girl we had noticed in Wil Time Bigtime and told her so. We asked why she had disappeared when we tuned in to the show another time.
It turned out that Camille, 27, (looking like a teener) was no ordinary wannabe host on television. Her guest hosting in Wil Time Bigtime came about when regular host Mariel Rodriguez had to take a leave to accompany husband Robin Padilla on his birthday out of the country. Camille is the only daughter of realty giant, Sen. Manny and Cynthia Villar. Sen. Manny had come so close to winning the presidency in 2010 until a series of unexpected changes in the political landscape led to the final unforeseen presidential and vice-presidential results.
A Business Management graduate of the Ateneo, she now heads the 30-strong Britanny division of her dad’s company that develops luxury properties in Sta. Elena City, Sta. Rosa in Laguna, Portofino in Daang Hari, Alabang as well as the Crosswinds in Tagaytay. She confirms she is exactly where she wants to be, in real estate, where she swears she will still be 10 years hence. She has two brothers who had also tried out the business. For now, she just wants to concentrate on the show of Willie, because Willie is close to the family, her dad is assured she will be cared for, and she likes the concept to helping people and making them happy. She doesn’t see herself part of show business. “Tita, wala akong talent kumanta, sumayaw, at umarte, aaminin ko na. Even hosting is a learning process.” No commercials, even as a kid? She thinks back and remembers a drink called Aloe Youth that she once did.
We needle her into trying out more entertainment-based activities. She muses, then says, “My dad has always said to seize all the opportunities that come your way since that is the only way one progresses. But for now, I’m very happy with Wil Time Bigtime.” She describes it as a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that has come her way to help people. Being in the show, seeing old people and kids, hearing of their struggles in life, and being given the chance to help them are what to her make it a unique experience.
We probe further, doesn’t she think the format is espousing dependence and laziness? That Willie, perhaps in his eagerness to help people, is quick to pull out a thousand pesos as reward, so that instead of searching for jobs, it becomes their ultimate goal to get into Wil Time Bigtime? “I don’t think so,” Camille quickly replies. We get the feeling that we are now getting into her nerves with our constant questioning. Her answers are no longer thought-out but they come out in rapid fashion.
“Many of them have jobs and are trying their best. I also think that sometimes people need to be given an opportunity to catch a lucky break. People who are there, pinangarap nila ito, na makapasok sila. And this is just one day of their lives, and Willie and I, too, feel so blessed that pag andun na sila, gusto mo na lang sila pasayahin, di ba, ayaw mo na silang lumungkot. In whatever capacity you can, it’s more like sharing. Willie has achieved so much, and the reason why he loves the people is na parang family na niya, like throughout all his struggles hindi siya iniwan, kahit saan siya pumunta sinusundan siya nila. I think what he’s doing in the show is not that he is teaching them to be tamad but just sharing his blessings. I think that’s very important. And that’s the same view we share, that my Dad shares. I believe in that.”
Ellen Adarna: I don't find myself sexy
-By Nathalie Tomada (The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines - After striking her most sultry pose on the cover of FHM’s January 2012 issue, Ellen Adarna may look the part as one of the country’s sexiest, but she claims she doesn’t feel it.
“Honestly, for me, I don’t find myself sexy,” Ellen says.
The 23-year-old Kapuso artist from Cebu adds, “When I go out, I don’t really care about what I wear. My usual get-up is T-shirt, shorts and slippers. I’m used to the Cebu lifestyle, which is laidback.”
Her idea of sexy is “Victoria’s Secret” and she cites the likes of Lovi Poe (“I love her abs!”), Solenn Heussaff, Cristine Reyes and Sam Pinto as her sexiest women.
“I used to be fat. But from 120 lbs., I trimmed down to my current 98 lbs. through diet and regular exercise,” says Ellen, who goes to the gym almost every day and does Muay Thai and plyometrics as part of her workout regimen.
Ellen entered the showbiz industry in 2010 with a built-in fan base. After all, she was already a cyberspace darling, having gained popularity by virtue of her widely-followed social networking sites.
Actually, Ellen’s story would make a good case study on how to become a celebrity, the Internet way. But that’s another story.
Ellen says that showbiz wasn’t among her future plans — she’s the only daughter of the owner of Cebu’s biggest motel chain — but at that time, she rebelled, ran away from home and decided to find work and support herself. “I’m pasaway!” she admits. She and her parents are okay now, although they still react strongly to her posing for men’s magazines. She has graced the cover of FHM twice; the same with Uno.
Calling to mind her first showbiz assignment which was as the “angelic assistant” in the now-defunct game show Asar Talo, she candidly remarks, “I had to be prim and proper because that was how I was packaged, but eventually, my true self came out, ha ha ha.”
Apart from being very outspoken, she can also be feisty, as seen in her Twitter war with fellow Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Doubles castaway, Arnold Aniñon.
“He told me and (fellow castaway) Angelicopter that we wouldn’t be sikat unless we have a sex tape. Coming from a guy, that’s very (disrespectful),” she says, adding that she won’t take comments like that sitting down.
Meanwhile, as a former member of Survivor’s Tala tribe, she’s rooting for Maey or Betong for the big win.
Asked if she’s open to do daring movies, Ellen says, “I’ve never even had a kissing scene... well, let’s talk about it ’pag magaling na ako mag-acting.”
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 'gets R-18 without cuts'
MANILA, Philippines - Columbia Pictures’ critically-acclaimed and Oscar-nominated thriller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has been approved without cuts by the Movie & Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) with an R-18 rating. It means only audiences 18 years old and above may be admitted when it opens today in selected theaters.
Dragon Tattoo caused a stir when it was released in the US last December, owing to its dark themes and graphic scenes of sexual assault, violence and nudity.
Recently, the film earned five Academy Award nominations, notably for Best Actress (Rooney Mara), Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing.
Director David Fincher uncoils the world of author Stieg Larsson’s global blockbuster thriller on the screen in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Within the story’s labyrinth lie murder, corruption, family secrets and the inner demons of the two unexpected partners chasing the truth of a 40-year-old mystery. Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is a financial reporter determined to restore his honor after being convicted of libel. Engaged by one of Sweden’s wealthiest industrialists, Henrik Vanger (Academy Award nominee Christopher Plummer), to get to the bottom of the long-ago disappearance of his beloved niece, Harriet — murdered, Vanger believes, by a member of his large family — the journalist heads to a remote island on the frozen Swedish coast, unaware of what awaits him.
At the same time, Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), an unusual but ingenious investigator with Milton Security, is hired to do a background check on Blomkvist, a job that ultimately leads to her joining Mikael in his investigation of who killed Harriet Vanger. Though Lisbeth shields herself from a world that has repeatedly betrayed her, her hacking skills and single-minded focus become invaluable. While Mikael goes face-to-face with the tight-lipped Vangers, Lisbeth plies the wired shadows. They begin to trace a chain of homicides from the past into the present, forging a fragile strand of trust even as they are pulled into the most savage currents of modern crime.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.
