Piolo: 'I'm at peace'

MANILA, Philippines -- Actor Piolo Pascual said he is focusing on the more positive aspects of his life, months after his controversial breakup with actress KC Concepcion.

"Basta dasal and having a positive outlook. You have to love yourself," he said during the cover shoot for the magazine Men's Health on Thursday.

Pascual also said he is content with his life right now.

"I'm at peace," he declared. "Just let go and focus on everything positive."

Pascual is currently shooting for his upcoming series, "Nang Dahil sa Pag-ibig," which also stars Jericho Rosales. He is also working on his latest film with Angelica Panganiban.

Despite going through a rough period after the breakup with Concepcion, Pascual managed to stay in good shape.

In his second cover for Men's Health magazine, the actor showed of his rock-hard abs and fit body, which he credits to constant workouts.

"I eat everything I want, including a lot of rice," he said of his diet. "Balanse lang since I work out so much."

Source - Ginger Conejero, ABS-CBN News

'Unofficially Yours' earns more than P100M in 1 week

MANILA, Philippines -- Star Cinema's Valentine offering, "Unofficially Yours," is now officially a mega-hit after gross revenues have topped P100 million in just over a week.

The movie, starring John Lloyd Cruz and Angel Locsin, made its debut on February 15 and earned P18.5 million on its opening day. It is on track to hit the P200-million mark, possibly overtaking last year's hit, "No Other Woman," as the second-highest grossing local movie of all time.

This is now Cruz's seventh film to make more than P100 million in its local release.

On Thursday, the film's stars left for Los Angeles, California to attend the film's international screening on Friday at the Alex Theater in Glendale.

Reviews of the film have been generally positive. It was also graded B by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Baby Gil, writing for The Philippine Star, said the film "raises the bar" in romantic-comedies.

"'Unofficially Yours' is successful because of the chemistry between John Lloyd and Angel, and their dedicated acting," Gil wrote. Their characterizations are sharp, their dialogue smart and modern befitting reporters working in a news office, but at home reverting to traditional manners of the oldies."

Blogger Nicole Latayan said: "While others might say that this has a been-there-done-that feel with the friends with benefits topic, what I like about the film is that it stayed true to its intentions. It featured the highs and lows of that scenario, and it never attempted to feel that it’s above or beyond that. It also contained probably the best balance of comedy, romance, and drama in a long time."

Clickthecity.com also praised the film's stars. "The film is mostly charming. Much of the credit goes to the two leads, who share great chemistry. John Lloyd Cruz carries the movie with puppy dog eyes and a relaxed performance that gives the character a shade of realism. Angel Locsin looks quite comfortable in her role as well, making the character's vulnerabilities visible through the artifice of toughness."
Source - Ginger Conejero, ABS-CBN News

Fil-Am Sanchez makes Top 24 of 'Idol'

Fil-Am Jessica Sanchez belts out "Natural Woman" during the American Idol auditions in
 San Diego. Photo from americanidol.com

MANILA, Philippines – Another Filipina has made it to the Top 24 this year’s “American Idol.”

On Wednesday’s (Thursday morning in Manila) episode of the reality singing competition, Filipino-Mexican Jessica Sanchez was among the 14 contestants who made it to the Top 24.

The 16-year-old from Chula Vista, California was shown singing “The Prayer” by Josh Groban and Celine Dion during the auditions.

Netizens were ecstatic by the youngster’s talent.

Popular “Idol” blogger Rickey (www.rickey.org) wrote: “‘Idol’ just discovered the new Charice! Amazing! I’m so happy Filipino readers are going to support my blog again. Mabuhay!”

Twitter user Natalie Grant said: “OK - so I'm watching American Idol for the 1st time this season but this 16 year old Jessica Sanchez girl blows my mind. What a TALENT. Wow.”

Another Twitter user Q94jackson gushed: “She is the freaking winner !!! I'm sorry but she just made me cry and shiver and everything that music is suppose to do!”

The New York-based newspaper Newsday said Sanchez appears to be an early favorite to win the contest.

“Jessica Sanchez might be the favorite right now to win it all; you have to listen when she sings, something compelling about her powerful voice. She's also got complete control and a burning desire,” the newspaper wrote on Wednesday.

For the past several seasons, male contestants have always emerged on top. The last female “American Idol” winner was Jordin Sparks back in Season 6.

‘America’s Got Talent’

In a video posted on the “American Idol” website, Sanchez said she has wanted to join the contest since watching Kelly Clarkson win Season 1. Sanchez was only five years old at that time.

“I’ve been singing my whole life. My love for singing is what brought me here,” said Sanchez, who said Jennifer Hudson is her favorite “Idol” contestant.

Sanchez, who has been singing songs of Whitney Houston and Celine Dion since she was a little girl, said she likes R&B, urban and soul music,

“My tone is a lot different from the others,” she said, when asked what sets her apart from the other contestants.

This is not the first time Sanchez has joined a talent search. She was only 12 years old when she tried out for the first season of “America’s Got Talent.” Sanchez did not make it past the first voting round, and 11-year-old Bianca Ryan went on to win the show.

“I believe, I feel like I have something different,” Sanchez said in her “Idol” video. “I’m ready to bring it.”

Robles cut

This season of “Idol” also showcased another Filipino-American Ashley Robles, who was a standout at the San Diego auditions, where she sang Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”

Robles, however, was cut during the Las Vegas rounds last week.

Also making it to the Top 24 were: Jen Hirsh, Haley Johnson, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt, Chelsea Sorrell, Baylie Brown, Brielle Von Hugel, Creighton Fraker, Joshua Ledet, Reed Grimm, Phil Phillips Jr., Collton Dixon and another Asian-American Heejun Han.

Source - ABS-CBNnews.com

Sexy Kapuso star Sam Pinto, happy na raw sa kanyang body

Pinagtatapat pagdating sa paseksihan ang mga Kapuso star na sina Sam Pinto at Ellen Adarna, kapwa paboritong cover ng mga men’s magazine.

Last year ay nakuha ni Sam ang titulo bilang sexiest Pinay ng FHM magazine. Last month naman ay pinagkaguhan ng mga kalalakihan ang naturang babasahin kung saan ang sexy photo ni Ellen ang nasa cover.

Sa Showbiz Exclusive ng GMA News TV nitong Miyerkules, sinabing hindi ikinaila ni Ellen na may bahagi ng kanyang katawan ang dumaan sa cosmetic surgery.

Dito ay natanong si Sam kung okey din lang ba kanya na maging kabilang sa mga matatawag na “salamat po doc" beauty.

Pero sabi ni Sam, masaya na siya sa kanyang katawan ngayon. Pero wala naman daw masama kung may mga taong sumasailalim sa cosmetic surgery.

Source - FRJ, GMA News

Grace Lee, naglahad ng mga detalye tungkol sa kanila ni PNoy sa isang magazine

Cover photo ng isang magazine ang itinuturing “woman of hour" at “apple of the eye" ni Pangulong Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III na si Kapuso host Grace Lee.

Sa ulat ni Nelson Canlas sa Chika Minute ng GMA news 24 Oras nitong Huwebes, ikinuwento umano ni Grace sa Inside Showbiz magazine kung papaano sila nagkakilala ni Aquino.

Inilahad din ng 29-anyos na Kapuso host sa naturang babasahin kung ano ang mga common interest nila ng 52-anyos na binatang pangulo.

Sinasabing nagbigay din si Grace ng ilang detalye tungkol sa regalong ibinigay niya kay Aquino.

Nais umano ni Grace na makilala nang lubusan ang pagkatao ni Aquino, at hindi lang ang pagiging lider nito ng bansa.

Kamakailan ay namataan ang dalawa na magkasama habang tumitingin ng mga libro sa isang mall.

Source - FRJimenez, GMA News

Marian Rivera, napabilang sa ‘Top 10 International Beauties Of 2012’

Nakasama ng ilang sikat na international models at celebrities ang Kapuso Primetime Queen na si Marian Rivera sa listahan ng ‘Top 10 International Beauties Of 2012’ sa isang website.

Sa Chika Minute ng GMA News 24 Oras nitong Huwebes, iniulat na nasa No. 9 position si Marian na ipinakilala sa TopTenz.Net bilang “major star in the Philippines."

Si Marian ang tanging may dugong-Asyano na nakasama sa top 10 list. Hindi naman ipinaliwanag sa Chika Minute at maging sa website kung papaano pinipili ang mga nakasama sa listahan.

Kasama ni Marian at nasa no.1 spot ang model-actress na si. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley na lead star sa Hollywood action movie na Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

Pang-pito naman sikat na Colombian singer-songwriter na si Shakira. Habang nasa No 3 spot naman ang Australian model na si Miranda Kerr – na misis ng Hollywood actor na si Orlando Bloom.

Kasama rin sa listahan sina:

- Lara Stone, no.2 (Dutch model)
- Irina Shayk, no.4 (Russian model)
- Katrina Kaif, no.5 (Actress-model)
- Cheryl Cole, no.6 (English pop and R&B recording artist)
- Laetitia Casta, no.8 (French model)
- Leryn Franco Asunción, no. 10 (Paraguay athlete-model)

'Inside Showbiz' 2012 sexiest women

Samantala, kasama naman sa 2012 Sexiest Women ng Inside Showbiz magazine ang ilang Kapuso stars.

Kabilang sa listahan sina Jennylyn Mercado, Heart Evangelista, Sarah Lahbati, Sam Pinto, at Bela Padilla.

Source - FRJimenez, GMA News

Moments of laughter break ‘monotony’ in Corona trial

Just how fast is “faster than 12 o’clock”? And what is a military rank called DD? Do guys really shun from gossip? These were the topics that provided some smiles, if not laughter, in the otherwise monotonous impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona in the Senate on Thursday.

No less than the usually stern Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, after he asked one prosecutor how fast is “faster than 12 o’clock,” admitted that he was just trying to “break the monotony of the proceedings.”

The 88-year-old Enrile asked the question after public prosecutor Raul Daza responded to Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada’s inquiry on how fast the Supreme Court issued the temporary restraining order on the implementation of the watch list order against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband.

“Inilabas po ‘yung TRO nang mas mabilis pa sa alas-dose,” Daza said.

“Gaano ba kabilis ang alas-dose?” Enrile asked, sending many in the Senate session hall into laughter.

Read full story here By ANDREO CALONZO and KIM TAN, GMA News

Dingdong Dantes enrols in a Bacolod university; stresses importance of education

Muling nakausap ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Dingdong Dantes sa shooting ng isang bagong TV commercial sa Marcos Hi-Way, Marikina, noong Martes ng gabi, February 21.

Pero bago pumunta sa TVC shoot ay napag-alaman namin na nanggaling pa si Dingdong sa Bacolod noong araw na yun.

Nagpunta ang Kapuso actor sa Bacolod hindi dahil sa anumang showbiz commitment.

Ito ay para sa isang personal na rason—ang makapagpatuloy ng pag-aaral sa isang unibersidad doon.

Sa kabila ng pagiging busy niya sa kanyang showbiz commitments ay naisisingit pa rin pala ni Dingdong ang kanyang pag-aaral. At nangangahulugan din ito na kailangang magpabalik-balik siya sa Manila at Bacolod.

Paliwanag naman ni Dingdong dito, "Gusto ko lang tapusin ang college ko. Konti na lang.

"Naka-enroll ako ngayon sa West Negros University sa isang particular program na swak na swak sa schedule ko at saka sa lifestyle ko as a working student."

Pero ang malaking tanong namin sa kanya: bakit sa napakalayong Bacolod niya napiling pumasok?

"Kasi doon lang ino-offer ang course na kailangan ko," sagot ni Dingdong.

Ang kursong kinuha niya ay Techno Management, na isa ring business course.

Hindi pa masabi ni Dingdong kung kailan siya eksaktong matatapos sa kinukuhang kurso. Depende raw sa frequency ng pagpunta niya sa Bacolod.

Saad niya, "Once a month, nandoon ako. Inuuwi ko lahat ng kailangan kong aralin at sagutan.

"Then, I communicate with my professors via email.

"May kailangan lang na minimum requirements na kailangan nandoon ako physically sa school."

Bakit niya naisipang magbalik-eskuwela gayong nakatapos na siya ng isang kurso sa Ateneo de Manila University?

Double major siya noong college, pero kinailangan niyang i-give up ang isang major niya para ma-accommodate ang schedules niya sa showbiz.

Sabi ni Dingdong, "Konti na lang kasi, I only need a few units left to get my degree.

"So, nagkataon na yung school offered this course that is very suitable sa working condition ko.

"Tamang-tama na yung mga subjects na kulang ko, ino-offer rin sa course na yun."

Read full story here By Rose Garcia, PEP

Alden Richards on doing daring roles

Kapansin-pansing mas payat si Alden Richards nang humarap siya sa media para sa press conference nitong Miyerkules, February 22, kaugnay ng international release ng The Road.

Hindi itinanggi ni Alden na ang kalalabas lang na sexy billboard pictorial niya para sa Folden & Hung and dahilan ng kanyang pagpapapayat.

"During the pictorial po kasi at saka mine-maintain ko na rin po.

"Ayoko na rin pong bumalik sa dating katawan na medyo chubby po.

"Kaya tuluy-tuloy ko na lang po ang fitness ko po," sabi ng young actor.

Magpapaalam na ba siya sa pagiging tween star at magpapaseksi na siya?

"Hindi ko nga po alam," nakangiti niyang sabi.

Bakit siya nag-decide na mag-pose na naka-topless samantalang tanggap naman siya sa pagiging wholesome?

Ayon kay Alden, "Sa pictorial po kasi, nagkaroon po ng deal ang Folded & Hung.

"Na sabi nila sa akin, 'Bibigyan ka namin ng billboard, pero dapat mag-topless ka.'

"Parang ganoon po ang naging deal. Pinag-isipan ko po yun nang matagal.

"Before ako na nag-sign up, napag-usapan na po yun."

Bakit siya nag-decide na mag-topless magkaroon lang ng billboard?

"Kasi po, it's time na rin po kasi sa akin dahil 20 na rin po ako.

"Pagdating sa pagiging tween, masyado na rin po akong matanda.

"So, parang sinubukan ko lang po kung ano ang magiging effect ng billboard at naging okay naman po.

"Like sa sarili ko, nag-start po akong mag-gym. Gumanda naman po ang katawan, naging fit.

"Kaya happy po ako na nagawa ko ang billboard at wala naman po akong pinagsisisihan."

Sa palagay ba niya ay hindi pa rin mawawala ang wholesome image niya dahil sa billboard na ginawa?

"Siguro po hindi naman. At saka billboard lang naman po siya. For summer lang naman po."
Papunta na kaya ang desisyon niyang yun sa pagiging mas daring na niya?

"Kung sakali at may mga chances naman po na ganoon, open naman po ako magpa-sexy.

"Dapat hindi po ako maging choosy sa role kasi blessing po yun saka project.

"So, kung maganda po ang script at require ang pagpapa-sexy, okay lang po sa akin."

GOING INTERNATIONAL. Pero kung may nakakapagpasaya raw kay Alden ngayon, ito ay ang hindi raw niya inaakalang mangyayari sa pelikulang ginawa niya sa GMA Films noong 2011, ang The Road.

Bukod sa ipapalabas ito sa U.S. at Canada, partikular sa Los Angeles, isa rin si Alden sa nasorpresa sa announcement ng direktor nila na si Direk Yam Laranas kahapon na in competition din ang The Road sa Brussels International Fantastic Festival, na itinuturing na isa sa pinakamalaking festival para sa mga horror, thriller, at science-fiction films.

Ayon pa rin kay Direk Yam, kasali ang The Road sa 8th Fantaspoa - International Fantastic Film Festival of Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Sabi nga ni Alden, "Hindi pa rin... parang kung iisipin po talaga natin, parang mahirap paniwalaan.

"Na sa tinagal-tagal ng industriya ng showbiz sa paggawa ng pelikula, parang first time po na magkaroon ng international Filipino film na ipapalabas pa siya sa mga mainstream cinemas sa U.S.

"Na dito sa atin, parang SM, Robinson... as in mainstream talaga na pupuntahan siya for international screening.

"Masayang-masaya po ako na naging parte ng film.

"Masayang-masaya rin po ako na binigyan ako ng chance ng GMA na mabigay sa akin ang project na ito.

"At excited po ako sa mga susunod pa pong mangyayari."

Kung sakaling makakapunta raw siya sa premiere ng movie sa US, magsisilbing unang biyahe ni Alden yun sa ibang bansa.

"Pinagmamadali po nila akong kumuha ng passport.

"Kaya if ever po, first out of the country ko po 'to.

"Excited po ako. Super!

"So, excited po akong talaga kung sakaling matuloy."

DATE WITH ALDEN. Last Valentine's Day naman, nag-trending si Alden sa Twitter dahil sa gimmick niyang "Date With Alden Richards."

May sampu raw siyang napili, pero anim lang ang nakarating.

"Yung apat po kasi, malayo. Kailangan by plane pa po. Pero natuloy po ang date.

"Nakakatuwa kasi sineryoso po talaga ng mga fans," sabi ng young actor.

Saan sila nag-date?

"Noong February 16 na po. Kasi noong Valentine's Day po, nag-live chat po ako, doon ko po ini-announce.

"'Tapos noong 16, nag-date po kami ng mga girls sa Centerstage po. Nag-videoke po kami."

Naging masaya ba siya sa naturang date?

"Opo, kasi ibang experience po at bihira ko lang din pong makasama ang mga fans sa ganoon.

"After po ng date, nagkaroon po ng parang game sa Showbiz Central.

"Hinati sila sa tatlo at doon po ako pumili ng isa.

"Bale kahapon po nangyari yung one-on-one date, sa Taguig naman po. Sa The Fort."

MY BELOVED. Ipinagmamalaki rin ni Alden sa kanyang bagong primetime series na My Beloved, kunsaan siya ang gumaganap na kapatid ni Dingdong Dantes.

"Ang taas po ng rating. Sobrang natuwa po ang mga bossing natin.

"'Tapos, medyo natutuwa rin po ako dahil parang nag-iba na rin po ang role ko ngayon kesa do'n sa dating Alden sa Alakdana.

"Parang mas serious po. Mas maraming puwedeng magawa.

"Happy naman ako dahil kahit paano, may pumupuri naman kahit paano po.

"So, okay naman po."  By Rose Garcia, PEP

PHILSTAR: The race for next world champ

SPORTING CHANCE
By Joaquin Henson │The Philippine Star

Newly crowned IBF lightflyweight champion Johnriel Casimero of Ormoc City is the latest Filipino fighter to join Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Brian Viloria, Donnie Nietes and Ana Julaton as world titlists. There are at least 13 Filipino contenders in line for cracks at the throne this year and it’s a mad race to the top. First in the queue is Sonny Boy Jaro who takes on WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand in Chaburi on March 2. Jaro, 29, is up against an experienced veteran with a record of 83-3-2, including 44 KOs. Pongsaklek, 34, is on his second reign as WBC titleholder. Jaro was previously thwarted in two attempts to win a world title by Edgar Sosa and Giovani Segura so a third strike may mean it’s over and out. Like the Thai, Jaro is an “oldtimer” with a record of 33-10-5, with 23 KOs, but it’s his first try to capture a flyweight crown. A few weeks ago, Jaro looked scary in mowing down Samuel Apuya in a single round in Caloocan. He’s ready for the biggest challenge of his career. If Pongsaklek isn’t careful, he might be steamrolled by the rugged Jaro.

Next is former WBC lightflyweight champion Rodel Mayol who’s gunning for his second title in as many divisions. Mayol, 30, battles WBA flyweight king Hernan (Tyson) Marquez whose only career loses were to Filipinos Nonito Donaire (KO8) and Richie Mepranum (W10), both inflicted in 2010. Mayol takes on Marquez in Mexico on March 24. Mayol is unbeaten in his last four outings since losing the WBC 108-pound title to Omar Niño Romero on a unanimous decision two years ago. Mayol was deducted two points in the loss to Romero but even without the twin penalties, he would’ve lost the decision anyway as the judges showed margins of three, four and eight points. Marquez, 23, has a 32-2 record, with 25 KOs, compared to Mayol’s 30-5-2, with 22 KOs. Marquez has won his last five bouts, all inside the distance, with Filipino Edrin Dapudong one of the victims.

WBC No. 1 superflyweight Silvester Lopez has an appointment with Japanese Yuki Fujimoto in Laoag on Feb. 25 and is expected to dispose of the visitor easily. Lopez, 24, has been cleared by WBC president Jose Sulaiman as the mandatory challenger of the winner of the title fight between defending champion Suriyan Sor Rungvisai of Thailand and Yota Sato of Japan in Toko on March 27. If Lopez takes care of Fujimoto, it will be his fifth win in a row looking ahead to his title shot.

WBC No. 2 minimumweight Denver Cuello, 25, is nearing a title shot, too. He faces Indonesia’s Kid Suryana in Iloilo on March 10 in a tune-up for his title eliminator against Mexico’s Ganigan Lopez here in late April or early May. Cuello’s manager Aljoe Jaro won the purse bid to stage the eliminator here. Jaro said the eliminator may be a fight for the vacant title as WBC champion Kazuto Ioka of Japan has indicated he will relinquish the throne and move up to superflyweight rather than risk his unblemished record against Cuello.

Others in the list are flyweight Milan Melindo, superflyweight Drian Francisco, bantamweight A. J. Banal, bantamweight Malcolm Tunacao, bantamweight Rolly Lunas, flyweight Rocky Fuentes, flyweight Froilan Saludar, featherweight Lorenzo Villanueva and lightweight Mercito Gesta.

Melindo, 23, has a 26-0 record, with 10 KOs, and is fresh from a seventh round demolition of Mexico’s Juan Esquer. Melindo is ranked No. 1 by the WBO whose champion is Viloria. In fact, Saludar is No. 2 and Fuentes No. 3. Melindo would rather challenge a titlist who isn’t a Filipino so he could try the WBC’s Pongsaklek, the WBAs Marquez or the IBF’s Moruti Mthalane. Pongsaklek and Marquez are tied up with defenses against Filipinos, leaving Donaire victim Mthalane who’ll probably insist on fighting in South Africa where the chances of an invader winning are slim or none.

Francisco, 29, was once the interim WBA superflyweight titleholder. He lost the crown to Thailand’s Tepparith Singwancha who’s now the regular champion. The loss to Tepparith remains the only stain in Francisco’s record. Tepparith is due to stake the title against Tomonobu Shimizu in Yokohama on April 4. If the Thai retains, he might be persuaded to face Francisco in a rematch. Since losing to Tepparith, Francisco has beaten highly regarded Michael Domingo on points. Francisco’s record is 21-1-1, with 16 KOs.

Banal, 23, has rebounded from his shock loss to Rafael Concepcion four years ago to win nine in a row, the latest a decision over Mario Briones. Banal’s record is 26-1-1, with 19 KOs. He’s rated No. 1 by the WBO and if bantamweight champion Jorge Arce abdicates to challenge Donaire, the way is clear for a shot at the vacant throne. The No. 2 contender is Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand. Banal is also rated No. 3 by the IBF, No. 5 by the WBC and No. 5 by the WBA. More on future Filipino world champions in Sunday’s column.