Star Powerhouse

“Maria Mercedes” star Jessy Mendiola flew to Korea last night to meet with the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) for her ceremonial appointment as Honorary Ambassador for Korean Tourism. Jessy will immediately attend to her duties as ambassador in her five-day trip as she is slated to meet with KTO Chairman Charm Lee and go around the country’s famous tourist spots to promote Korea’s tourism to Philippines. “I am very honored and thankful that the KTO chose me as ambassador. The Koreans are very nice to me when I visited their country and they instantly became dear to my heart,” said Jessy. The newest primetime princess is no stranger to Korea since she’s been there for several times to do the KBS show “World Date with Shinee” and to do some photo shoots for a magazine. She was also chosen by a Korean mobile messaging application as endorser. Jessy currently sizzles the television screens as “Maria Mercedes” every weeknights on primetime. The story continues to heat up eve...

This is a continuation of our previous campaign for kids "Take a Step, Turn a Page" program where we launched a book and shoe drive for the children. Alpha Angelicum Academy and The Learning Tree participated on the said event. This time we want the children to experience watching a musical play. Our mission is to give them a chance to watch an educational play that they can use as a tool in achieving their dreams and aspirations. For every P600.00 (six hundred pesos), a sponsored child from GawadKalinga will get to watch Sandosenang Sapatos “The Musical” on December 15, 2013 3:00 pm at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Inclusive of food and gifts for Christmas. We also accept donations/sponsorship of gifts or giveaways for the said event. P600.00 – name of sponsor/name of organization will be included on a full-page ad allotted for sponsors Sponsors of in-kind (candies, chocolates, drinks) – name/logo of the company will be included on a full-page ad al...

Here the list of the five finalist of the 39th Metro Manila Film Festival under the New Wave Full Length Feature Category: 1. “DUKIT” : Screenplay and Direction: Armando Lao / Producer: Center Stage / Stars: Raquel Villavicencio, Wifredo Layug, Bor Ocampo, Mark Grisworld, Thea Lelay, Bambalito Lacap, Petite Dobles, Rhea Lim and Mary Grace Martinez. “Dukit” is a rags-to-riches story of a sculptor in Betis, Pampanga. Set against a rural backdrop of woodcarving activities in his province, it is a story of a man who has personal issues with his father who abandoned him, his three younger siblings and his ailing mother at an early age making him the sole breadwinner of the family. His works of art are reflective of his sufferings in life until that fateful day when he comes to terms with himself by forgiving his erring father. 2. “ISLAND DREAMS” :Screenplay and Direction: Aloy Adlawan and Gino M. Santos / Producer: Kenau Pictures / Stars: Louise delos Reyes, Alexis Petiprez , C...

Last year, Gloc-9 scored big when he released his single Sirena (featuring Ebe Dancel) became a phenomenal hit and a critics’ favorite. Sirena, which tackles the life of gays in a different and inspiring light, also became the favorite collaboration song among the biggest live concert artists like Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Noel Cabangon, among others. The album Mga Kuwento Ng Makata, which scored a Gold Record award for its outstanding sales, also included the hits Bakit Hindi (with Billy Crawford), Hindi Mo Nadinig (with Jay Durias), among others. The said album was named Album of the Year in the recently-concluded Star Awards for Music. Gloc-9’s outstanding feat last year is hard to top, but for the rapper’s latest release Liham at Lihim, it is easy to say that indeed the wordsmith has outdone himself in his latest release. In the album, Gloc-9 plays with other possible ways of telling timely stories, but never really talked about. Magda, the first single to be released...

The first episode of the highly-anticipated game show “Bet On Your Baby” hosted by well-loved showbiz personality and hands-on mom Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo is finally taking to television screens this Saturday (Oct 19) with none other than three favorite Kapamilya stars and their babies as the show’s very first contestants. Ai Ai delas Alas, Anthony Taberna and Benjie Paras, along with their babies, are set to take on the “Bet On Your Baby” stage. Along with their respective companions, the three will be taking on the three different rounds of the game show, namely the initial round, the puzzle round, and the jackpot round. In the first round, Ai Ai, Tunying and Benjie will be asked to guess how things will turn out inside the “Baby Dome”, where their babies will be. Whoever guesses right will be rewarded with P10,000. After that, the three celebrities will all look on as their babies dive into a pile of toys, slowly revealing a picture puzzle underneath. The first contestant...

In celebration of its 46th year, Repertory Philippines proudly announces the last production for its 76th theater season with THE PRODUCERS, the hilarious Broadway musical based on the 1968 Mel Brooks film of the same Written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with songs arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman, the original Broadway production of THE PRODUCERS (which opened at the St. James Theater on April 19, 2001 and starred Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick) won an unprecedented 12 Tony Awards, running for 2,502 performances. It spawned a successful London production running for just over two years, US national tours, many productions worldwide, and a 2005 film version. THE PRODUCERS is about two wily theatrical producers who cook up a scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. The humor of the show draws on ridiculous accents, homosexual stereotypes, and Nazis, along with many show business in-jokes. It is a satirical comedy that is deep enough for both in...

ABS-CBN recently scored two international nods as “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK) clinched a nomination from International Emmy Awards 2013, while “Wansapanataym” was named finalist in the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Prizes 2013. Upholding 60 years of greatness of Philippine television, “MMK” is nominated in the Best Drama Series category for its episodes titled “Manika” (starring Jane Oineza and Angel Aquino) and “Pulang Laso” (starring Carlo Aquino and Joem Bascon), which were both directed by Nuel Naval. “MMK” is the only nominated TV program from the Philippines. Meanwhile, “Wansapanataym’s” episode titled “Number One Father and Son” is finalist under ABU Prizes 2013’s Television Special Jury Prizes-Children’s category. The Sponky Villarin-directed episode starred Kapamilya child wonder Zaijian Jaranilla and Epy Quizon. The 41st International Emmy Awards Gala will happen on November 25 at Hilton New York Hotel; while the finals of ABU Prizes 2013 will take place on October ...

In celebration of Museums and Galleries Month, visitors of the CCP will be given free entrance to the Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino at the 4th floor of the CCP Main Theater Building. Guests will also be given a 50% discount to the admission fee of BADONG: SALVADOR BERNAL DESIGNS THE STAGE at the Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery) at the 3rd floor of the CCP Main Theater Building. This will run until 31 October. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

Glendambo, South Australia – The Philippines’ Sikat II has reached eight of the nine control stops of the 2013 World Solar Challenge, the global solar car race currently being held in the Australian continent.   The country’s representative to the biennial event travelled a total of 2,171 solar miles, keeping its third place ranking in the Adventure Class.  A solar mile is the distance traveled by a vehicle relying solely on the sun’s energy. Sikat II is expected to reach the finish line in Adelaide on October 11. Team Manager Dr. Alvin Culaba is hopeful that the Philippines will be among the top finishers. “The race to the finish line is exciting because we are being challenged by the unpredictable weather, but the team is confident that we will cross the finish line with the world’s best. Team Sikat Solar Philippines is composed of a core group of mechanical and electrical engineering students and faculty members from De La Salle University. Additional impro...

Itching to do something new this summer? You can find new and interesting places to visit right from your smartphone. Check out these top 5 apps for your phone to get you out of the cubicle or the home office: Poynt Many apps are tailored to helping you find local sights and attractions, but according to the tech blog PC World, one of the best on the market is Poynt. The app allows you to search for restaurants based on the type of cuisine you’re craving and make your reservations on the go. It also allows you to search for movie listings and special events and concerts happening near you. TripAdvisor in Augmented Reality If you’re looking for an on-the-ground guide to the best restaurants and attractions in an unfamiliar city, it doesn’t get any better than this free app from TripAdvisor. The “augmented reality” feature works alongside your phone’s camera to provide you with reviews of popular sights and restaurants as you pass them. Simply open the app and point your camera towa...

Darwin, Australia -- Sikat II, the country’s representative to the 2013 World Solar Challenge (WSC) in Australia, reached another milestone when it placed first in its class during the qualifying round of the world’s biggest solar car competition held at Hidden Valley Raceway on October 5. The Philippines clocked 2:30.53, beating closest competitor Team Aurora of Australia which timed 2:32.95. There are five other solar cars participating in the Adventure class. This achievement earned Sikat II the pole position in the biennial meet, beginning October 6in this Northern Territory city and will end in Adelaide on October 11.  It covers 3,021 kilometers of the Australian Outback. This is the best performance of the Philippines in the qualifying round since it joined the WSC in 2007. Sinag placed 12th that year while Sikat ranked 19th in 2011. “I’m ecstatic that we reached the coveted pole position. The whole team has prepared hard for the past few days so I’m very happy,” says...

We might say that Pinoy rap is going through a revival. What we must know is how different Gloc-9's kind of rap remains, regardless. At the heart of Gloc-9's icon is the fact of his creativity. This is a rapper who dares writes songs from nation, trailing an eye on the things we fail to see, listening to words no one else hears. If the first single off his new album Liham at Lihim is any indication, then Gloc-9 has again raised the bar for songwriting in general, Pinoy rap in particular. A collaboration with rock icon Rico Blanco, “Magda” is Gloc-9's storytelling at its best. For one thing, he doesn't take on the persona of Magda; instead he speaks as Ernesto, telling the story of Magda – the little of it that he knows. For another, Magda's story doesn't unfold easily, where many things are left unsaid, and much of what is truth happens in a letter. This is also why Gloc-9 thinks “Magda” the best choice for a carrier single, given the CD's title. But...

They are three of this generation’s biggest stars. He is a two-time Best Actor winner and one of the top leading men in television and film. She is the undisputed box-office queen and he is one of the hottest young actor today. They have earned the respect of critics and the support of their audience. But they have never done a project together—until now. This October, on its 20th anniversary, Star Cinema brings to the big screen Dingdong Dantes, Enrique Gil and Bea Alonzo in “She’s The One”, a story that combines the excitement of an unexpected romance with the epiphany that comes with finding the one person you can’t live without. “She’s The One” hits theaters on October 16 and is directed by Mae Cruz from a story and script by the award-winning Vanessa Valdez. It also stars upcoming screen sweetheart Liza Soberano in her biggest, most important and most challenging film role to date. After giving life to some of the screen’s most iconic female characters—Basha in One More ...