Wednesday, December 29, 2010

A Repost From Daniel Estrin of Associated Press

Researchers: Ancient human remains found in Israel

Professor Avi Gopher from the Institute of Archeology of Tel Aviv University holds an ancient tooth that was found at an archeological site near Rosh AP – Professor Avi Gopher from the Institute of Archeology of Tel Aviv University holds an ancient tooth that …

JERUSALEM –

Israeli archaeologists said Monday they may have found the earliest evidence yet for the existence of modern man, and if so, it could upset theories of the origin of humans.

A Tel Aviv University team excavating a cave in central Israel said teeth found in the cave are about 400,000 years old and resemble those of other remains of modern man, known scientifically as Homo sapiens, found in Israel. The earliest Homo sapiens remains found until now are half as old.

"It's very exciting to come to this conclusion," said archaeologist Avi Gopher, whose team examined the teeth with X-rays and CT scans and dated them according to the layers of earth where they were found.

He stressed that further research is needed to solidify the claim. If it does, he says, "this changes the whole picture of evolution."

[Related: Chinese archaeologists discover 2,400 year old soup]

The accepted scientific theory is that Homo sapiens originated in Africa and migrated out of the continent. Gopher said if the remains are definitively linked to modern human's ancestors, it could mean that modern man in fact originated in what is now Israel.

Sir Paul Mellars, a prehistory expert at Cambridge University, said the study is reputable, and the find is "important" because remains from that critical time period are scarce, but it is premature to say the remains are human.

"Based on the evidence they've cited, it's a very tenuous and frankly rather remote possibility," Mellars said. He said the remains are more likely related to modern man's ancient relatives, the Neanderthals.

According to today's accepted scientific theories, modern humans and Neanderthals stemmed from a common ancestor who lived in Africa about 700,000 years ago. One group of descendants migrated to Europe and developed into Neanderthals, later becoming extinct. Another group stayed in Africa and evolved into Homo sapiens — modern humans.

Reposted From Daniel Estrin of Associated Press

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A Repost From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)



Dina Bonnevie says son Oyo Sotto and future daughter-in-law Kristine Hermosa have prepared themselves before getting married

Dina Bonnevie says son Oyo Sotto and future daughter-in-law Kristine Hermosa have prepared themselves for marriage
Slideshow: Showbiz Photos

Balik-pelikula na uli ang aktres na si Dina Bonnevie via Who's That Girl? ng Viva Films. Pinagbibidahan ito nina Anne Curtis at Luis Manzano at idinidirehe ni Wenn Deramas.

Ginagampanan dito ni Dina ang papel bilang nanay ni Anne.

Ang iba pang nasa cast ay sina Eugene Domingo, Dino Imperial, at Dennis Padilla. Ang target playdate nito ay last week ng February o sa March 2011.

Sa tagal nang hindi gumawa ng pelikula ni Dina, hindi na nito matandaan kung ano ang huling pelikulang nilabasan niya. Sa pagkakatanda niya, "2004 o 2005" pa ang huling pelikulang nilabasan niya.

Sa pagkakaalam ng PEP, ang huling pelikula ni Dina ay ang I Will Survive ng Regal Films noong 2004. Nakasama niya rito sina Maricel Soriano, Eric Quizon, at Judy Ann Santos.

DINA'S CHOICE. Sa panayam ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) kay Dina, sinabi niyang choice niya ang pamamahinga sa paglabas sa mga pelikula dahil nawalan daw siya ng gana at naging busy rin siya sa kanyang telecommunication business.

Hindi na rin masyadong pinagtuunan ng pansin ni Dina ang pelikula dahil lumalabas naman siya sa mga TV series na parang pampelikula na rin ang treatment.

Pero aminado si Dina na nami-miss niya ang paggawa ng mga pelikulang gaya ng Tanging Yaman (2000) na idinirehe ni Laurice Guillen.

Mas excited siyang gumawa ng acting projects ngayon dahil sa pagbabago sa kanyang figure. Pumayat na raw siya ng ilang pounds.

Aniya, ang pagtanggap niya ng Who's That Girl? ay "testing the waters" lang muna kung kaya pa niyang gumawa ng pelikula.

LOSING WEIGHT. Napapangiti si Dina kapag napapansin ang laki ng ipinayat niya ngayon. Kaya nga kapag mas pumayat pa siya, posibleng alukin siya uling mag-pose sa isang men's magazine gaya ng ginawa niya sa FHM.

"Dyusko naman, baka sakalin na ako ng mga anak ko niyan! 'Mommy, may apo ka na!'

"Niloloko ko nga si Danica, 'Bakit? Tinatawag nila akong hot mama noon. E, di ngayon, hot lola!'

"Hindi na siguro, nakakahiya na!" sabi ni Dina, na may isang apo na sa panganay na anak na si Danica.

Paano nga kung alukin siya at pilitin na mag-pose uli?

"Magbu-Boracay na lang kaya ako o magpa-Palawan, tapos titipan ko na lang sila na, 'Kunan n'yo ako ha habang umaahon sa tubig!' But that's stolen!

"Grabe, hindi ko alam!" natatawang sabi ni Dina.

Malaki raw ang tulong ng bagong mga doktor ni Dina para pumayat siya.

"Since I was in Medical City, they changed my diet. Isa sa mga nalaman nila, I was taking steroids for my allergy.

"Di ba, no'ng nagsu-shooting kami [ng Tanging Yaman] sa Pampanga, lahar? I was allergic to lahar, kasi yung dust.

"So, araw-araw akong nag-i-steroids talagang nag-bloat ako. Water retention ang effect ng steroids saka nag-moon face ako dahil doon.

"Plus, my hormones went haywire dahil nga sa kaka-steriods. Parang naging abnormal ang function ng body.

"So, kinorek yun, and I also slowed down. Nag-slow down ako sa business, nag-slow down ako sa TV. I gave myself time to workout.

"Kasi that time, wala na akong panahong mag-gym. Talagang office-taping, office-taping.

"I didn't have time to have a lovelife. As in wala, zero. And ilang taon rin yung starting 2004 na parang tuluy-tuloy na.

"Tapos, I had only one relationship, tapos hindi pa ma-take no'ng guy. 'What? You're never available. You're always busy, lagi kang... You don't have time anyway.'" kuwento ni Dina.

Binalikat at sinalo na lang daw ni Dina ang kumpanya nang maapektuhan ito ng recession. Si Dina mismo ang nagpalakad ng sarili niyang negosyo kaya nawalan siya ng panahon sa personal na buhay at sa kanyang career.

Ngayong nakahanap na ng partner niya si Dina, binigyan muna niya ng break ang sarili para asikasuhin naman ang kanyang personal na buhay at career.

Kahit daw tumutulong pa rin siya sa marketing at implementation, ang kanyang partner daw ang siya namang humahawak sa engineering side ng kumpanya nila.

DATING AGAIN. May dahilan ang mga matatamis na ngiti sa labi ngayon ni Dina. Hindi naman niyang itinatangging lumalabas siya on dates sa mga nanliligaw sa kanya.

Tumanggi na lang si Dina na pag-usapan ang detalye ng mga taong umaaligid sa kanya ngayon dahil baka mabulabog daw ang kanyang privacy. Pero hindi raw "same age" niya ang mga sinasamahan niya on dates.

"Ang hirap kasing humanap ngayon ng same age, halos lahat may asawa na. So, it's either they're much, much older, or younger. What can I do?" sabi niya.

Hindi pa nga lang makapagdesisyon si Dina kung mas matanda ba o mas bata sa kanya ang susunod niyang magiging boyfriend.

"Ang hirap pumili, e," sambit niya.

"Kasi pag much older, ang maganda lang doon, stable na sila, hindi na sila childish. Mature. Kumbaga, wala ka nang iisipin, just be a wife.

"Kaya lang, wala nang hilig mag-gym, mag-workout, wala nang hilig manood ng sine, sumayaw, wala nang hilig mag-hangout pag Saturdays.

"Pag bata naman, mahilig mag-hangout pag Saturdays, mahilig mag-gym, mahilig mag-sports, masarap kasama, funny.

"Kaya lang, hindi stable. Nagiging problema ang insecurity factor na parang you're made and I'm just starting."

Hanggang dating lang muna raw ngayon si Dina dahil bukod sa inaalagaan nito ang kanyang ama, nagsisimula pa lang daw siya uling bumalik sa acting.

NEXT APO. Next month, January 2011, na ang kasal ng bunsong anak ni Dina na si Oyo Sotto sa kasintahan nitong si Kristine Hermosa. Aminado ang aktres na excited na siya sa masasaksihang event.

Itinuturing niyang dagdag miyembro ng pamilya niya si Kristine, pero ang request niya ay huwag siyang maging lola ulit agad.

Pero kung papipiliin si Dina, gaya ng ex-husband niyang si Vic Sotto, gusto raw niyang babae naman ang susunod niyang apo.

"Kasi meron nang son si Danica, at meron naman silang ampon na boy. So, sana naman may apo na girl, para maiba naman."

Ang tinutukoy ni Dina na may "ampon" ay sina Oyo at Kristine.

Hindi pa makapagbigay ng detalye si Dina sa kasal ng anak dahil mas gusto niyang ang mga ito ang magsabi ng mga impormasyon tungkol sa kanilang kasal.

Saka na lang daw siya magbibigay ng details kapag pinayagan siya ng kanyang anak at ni Kristine. Ayaw raw niyang mag-away sila ng anak.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT. May kuwento lang si Dina sa kung paano niya nakita ang engagement ring ni Kristine nang bisitahin siya nina Oyo, Danica, at ng mamanugangin sa kanyang opisina.

"Nagtaka ako, 'Why are you visiting me in the office? It's rare. You normally visit me at home. Parang strange. Why are you visiting me in the offce?'

"Tapos, tawa sila nang tawa. Sabi ko, 'Danica, ano bang nakakatawa?'

"Tapos, sabi ni Oyo, 'Ate, ano daw bang nakakatawa?

"Sabi ko, 'Oyo, may itinatago ka ba sa akin?'

"Sabi niya, 'Wala, Ma, wala, wala, wala.'

"Nakagano'n si Tin at hindi ko napapansin na nandoon na pala yung ring sa kamay niya. I didn't notice it kasi nga I'm busy dahil yung utak, nasa office mode.

"Tapos sabi niya [Oyo], 'Ma, Tin and I are engaged na.'

"Don pa lang ako napatingin sa kamay niya na, parang... one, two, three beats. Siyempre, nabigla ako, e.

"I would have expected na normally magsasabi muna siya na, 'Ma, I plan to propose na.'

"More or less, dahil nanay ako, in-expect ko na magsasabi na muna siya sa akin na may plano na mag-propose. 'Ma, what do you think?' Hindi siya sa akin nagsabi.

"So, inisip ko lang na, well, if my son made this decision, he must be very sure.

"So, ang natanong ko lang, 'Are you sure you love each other?' 'Yes Ma, yes Tita.' 'Okey.' Sabi ko, 'I'm happy for you,'" kuwento ni Dina.

Sa pagkakatanda ni Dina, last September nag-propose si Oyo kay Kristine. Kasabay raw 'yon ng birthday ng aktres.

May nakahanda na raw na regalo si Dina kay Kristine. Hindi lang niya alam kung isang araw bago maganap ang kasalan o ilang oras bago maganap ang kasal niya ito ibibigay.

"Nakahanda na, oo naman. Usually naman, it's jewelry, di ba? Surprise ko yun," sabi ni Dina.

THE TALK. Inaasahan ni Dina na walang problemang susulpot sa kasal nina Oyo at Kristine dahil kinausap na raw niya ang mga ito.

"Kinausap ko na si Tin. Sinabi ko sa kanya, 'Ready ka na ba? Siyempre, hindi na magiging pareho ang buhay mo. Baka hindi ka na makakatanggap ng gano'ng kadaming projects.'

"So, sabi ko, 'Nakahanda ka ba sa gano'n? Siguro naman, in the beginning, hindi pa kayo puwedeng mag-lifestyle na branded yung mga clothes, kasi mag-iipon pa kayo and everything.

"Sabi niya, 'Okey lang naman yun, Tita. Nakita ko na yun. Saka nakita ko na yun.'

"Hindi naman niya plano maging that busy sa showbiz.

"So, sabi ko, 'Sana lang huwag mong papayagan si Oyo na pigilan kang mag-work. Kung gusto mong mag-work, okey lang.'

"Sabi niya, 'Hindi, ako naman ang may ayaw ng sobra. Gusto ko yung tama lang na meron akong time para sa kanya at time para sa...' Siyempre, anak na'ng tawag ko doon, e.

"Pero ako kasi, I don't make pakialam, e. I let them be.

"Kung ayaw na niyang magtabaho o medya-medya lang magtrabaho, it's up to her. Or kung gusto pa rin niyang mag-full blast.

"I can only give 10 cents of my unsolicited advice. But it's really up to them," saad ni Dina.

May titirhan na raw na bahay sina Oyo at Kristine sa bandang South, ayon kay pa Dina.

"Ready na. Si Oyo ang... Hindi naman purchase. Rent lang muna, and sabi niya, after eight months, they're going to build na.

"Sabi ko nga, 'Bakit eight months?' Sabi niya, 'Wala, gusto ko lang eight months."

Na-impress si Dina sa balitang nagpahayag si Vic Sotto na willing siyang ibigay ang anuman, kahit bahay at lote, para kina Oyo at Kristine.

"Wow naman! Oo naman, one of the highest taxpayers siya, kaya niya yun!" tawa niya.

"Hindi ko kayang ibigay yun. Baka nga, why not?

"Si Danica din naman... Hindi naman binigyan, pero Danica and Marc [Pingris] are living in Vic's old house.

"May plano rin si Marc na magpatayo ng sarili nila. Gusto rin ni Marc their own, siyempre."

LESS PRESSURED. Mas tanggap daw ni Dina ang pagpapakasal ni Oyo kaysa kay Danica noon.

Paliwanag niya, "Hindi naman nakatira sa akin si Oyo. Sa akin siguro, not as scary kesa noon kay Danica. Kasi si Danica lived with me, e.

"Parang si Oyo left the house when he was 14. Although we're very close, we talk to each other, like most Sundays, we're together, we go to church together. We have dinner together or lunch.

"Every week 'yan. Unless may shooting ako, or may shooting si Oyo. But normally, walang paltos 'yan. Unless nagbiyahe sila.

"Hindi ko masyadong napi-feel yung emptiness. You know, na parang wala na akong birds to feed, gano'n. Gano'n yung feeling ko kay Danica kasi we lived together.

"Pero kay Oyo, he didn't live with me ever since he was 14. Hindi ko masyadong napi-feel yun.

"Ang mas napi-feel ko kay Oyo, yung parang, for a guy, 26, mature na ba siya? Ready na ba talaga?

"Kaya I keep asking him, 'Are you ready? Are you sure? Are you sure? Are you ready?

"Si Kristine rin, every time we have dinner, 'Anak, handa ka na ba talagang mapangasawa ang anak ko? Mahal mo ba talaga ang anak ko? Talaga bang gusto mo? Sure ka? Sabihin mo sa akin, ha? Huwag mong pilitin ang sarili mo.'

"'Tita, totoo talaga, mahal ko si Oyo.'

"Kasi, di ba? Ayoko namang ma-pressure.

"Oo, talaga, may worry ako. Kasi, di ba, men nowadays they get married at 30, 35? Minsan nga, 40 wala pang asawa, e.

"So, medyo natatakot ako. Twenty-six? Mag-aasawa na ang anak ko? Sure na ba? Sure na?

"E, sabi niya, 'Ma, I'm sure.' Saka naghanda naman sila maigi. They took marriage seminars.

"Nakita ko talaga na pinaghandaan nila. Hindi yung, 'Ay, buntis, sige, papakasalan ko.' Hindi gano'n. Talagang pinaghandaan nila.

"They went to the necessary procedure—licensing, seminars, counseling...

"Hindi buntis si Kristine, 'no!" diin pa ni Dina.

"Baka kasi isipin nilang buntis kaya magpapakasal, 'no! It's impossible.

"Kita mo ba siya ngayon kung gaano siya kapayat, mukha siyang patpat! Lalo pa siyang pumapayat ngayon."

Walang maisagot si Dina kung nasa plano na ba nina Kristine at Oyo ang magkaroon ng baby dahil wala naman daw nababanggit ang dalawa tungkol dito.

Pero sigurado naman si Dina na gusto siyempre nina Oyo at Kristine na magkaroon ng sarili nilang mga anak.

MIGRATING IN CANADA? Pinagtatakhan naman ni Dina ang balitang plano raw nina Kristine at Oyo na mag-migrate sa Canada kapag nagpakasal na sila.

"Walang nababanggit sa akin si Oyo," sabi niya.

"Kung may plano silang mag-settle sa Canada, e, di sana wala siyang plano na magpatayo ng bahay. I don't think so.

"Ano'ng gagawin niya doon? Hindi siya puwedeng mag-artista doon.

"Hindi naman siya puwedeng magtrabaho doon dahil dito, nag-aaral pa siya. He's taking up film kay Marilou Diaz-Abaya. So, parang imposible yata yun.

"Yung family ni Kristine, nandoon na sa Canada... I don't think so.

"Kung plano ni Oyo yun, e, di sana sinabi na niya sa akin. And why there?

"He has more opportunities if he go to Switzerland because he's a Swiss citizen.

"And bilang Swiss, when you go there, the head hunters will find you a job.

"He doesn't need to go looking for a job on his own. The Swiss government look for a job for you.

"And then, pag Swiss citizen ka, at pumunta ka ng Switzerland nang wala ka pang bahay, the government will help you in your housing until such time na kaya mo nang bumili ng bahay nang sarili mo.

"The government will pay for your schooling para matuto ka ng French.

"Bakit siya pupunta ng Canada, e, wala naman siyang opportunity doon?

"Sa Switzerland. O, di ba? Doon kami!" diin niya.

Inisip din daw ni Dina na umalis na lang ng Pilipinas at manirahan na lang sa Switzerland.

"Actually, last June, wala na sana akong balak na bumalik. I wanted to go home to Switzerland.

"I mean, my whole family is there. My mom and all of my sisters are there. Umuwi nang lahat, ako na lang ang hindi pa umuuwi and my dad.

"I can't, e, kasi sinong mag-aalaga sa tatay ko? So, dito ako, kasi nandito ang tatay ko.

"And my dad can't live there because he's not Swiss. Si Danica and my apo are Swiss," banggit pa ni Dina.

Reposted From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

Monday, December 27, 2010

A Repost From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)


Ai-Ai delas Alas gets her big wish to win Best Actress in MMFF

Ai-Ai delas Alas gets her big wish to win Best Actress in MMFF
Slideshow: Showbiz Photos

Ang pagiging Comedy Concert Queen ni Ai-Ai delas Alas ay hindi lang napapatunayan sa tuwing meron siyang live performance sa mga concert, sa sarili man niyang show or as featured guest artist, kundi sa anumang pagkakataong nasa sentro siya ng entablado at pinanonood ng maraming tao.

Tulad kagabi, December 26, sa awards night ng Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2010, kung saan itinanghal si Ai-Ai bilang Best Actress para sa pagganap niya sa Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na 'To)!.

Sa kanyang mahabang acceptance speech, naging emosyunal si Ai-Ai.

Ilang segundong hindi muna nakapagsalita dahil sa totoong pag-iyak, pero ito'y naging kaaliwan ng mga taong nanood ng seremonyas sa Meralco Theater dahil, sa sandaling nagsalita na ang actress-comedienne, ay tuluy-tuloy na ang pagbibitiw niya ng witty punchlines, na animo'y nasa comedy bar siya.

"Pasensiya na... Nahihiya kasi ako kung lahat sila nanalo, tapos ako lang ang hindi," umiiyak na simula ni Ai Ai, habang tangan sa may dibdib ang kanyang MMFF Best Actress trophy.

Earlier that night, tinawag din si Ai-Ai sa entablado ng mga kasama sa pelikula, led by Wenn Deramas (Best Director winner), para sa Best Picture award ng Ang Tanging Ina Mo.

Hindi dama ng audience ang matinding kaba na nararamdaman ni Ai-Ai ng mga sandaling 'yon dahil natural pang nagpatawa ang komedyana bilang pag-"thank you" rin.

"Ang gagaling n'yo," sabi niya, patungkol sa mga hurado. "Tama lahat ang desisyon n'yo... tama lahat!"

Wala pang best actress award no'n. Pero ang major awards (Best Picture, Director, Story, Screenplay, Supporting Actress, Child Performer) ay napagwagian na ng comedy film ng Star Cinema na pinagbibidahan ni Ai-Ai.

In a few minutes, in-announce na ngang si Ai-Ai ang nanalo bilang pinakamahusay na pangunahing aktres.

"THANK YOU!" Isa-isang binanggit ni Ai-Ai ang mga taong gusto niyang pasalamatan—buhay man o patay na—sa una niyang pagpanalo ng best actress award sa MMFF.

"Thank you so much po sa lahat ng mga bumoto," sabi niya, "at sa ABS-CBN family. Thank you po kay Direk Wenn na gumawa nitong lahat po. Lahat ng mga [gumanap na] anak ko—si Marvin [Agustin], si Shaina [Magdayao] na magagaling po dito. Kay Carlo [Aquino], kay Nikki [Valdez]...

"Thank you sa lahat po ng nagdasal para sa akin... Father Allan, lahat po ng Dominican nuns... Opo, nagdasal sila. Sabi nila, dapat Best Actress ako! Thank you sa mga bishop and the clergy!"

Nagtawanan ang audience sa bahaging ito ng speech ni Ai-Ai. At lalong nagtawanan sa sumunod na binanggit ng comedienne.

"Thank you sa mga kaibigan ko po na nagdadasal... Manager ko po, si Boy Abunda. Ang una kong manager, si Nap Gutierrez, tsaka yung namatay ko na pong manager, si Tita Angie [Magbanua]...

"Tsaka sa lahat po... Lito Alejandria, partner ko [sa business]. Lahat po ng mga press people na tumulong sa akin... sina Jobert [Sucaldito], si Richard Pinlac, si Tita Lolit [Solis], si Jojo Gabinete, si Ricky Lo, si Shirley Pizzaro, si Bayani San Diego, si Jun Nardo...

"Yung mga nakalimutan ko po, pasensiya na, pasasalamatan ko kayo sa The Buzz," banggit pa ni Ai-Ai.

KIDS AND CO-NOMINEES. "Siyempre po, dine-dedicate ko itong award na ito sa mga anak ko—kay Sancho [19 years old], kay Sean [17], at kay Sophia [14]," sabi rin ni Ai-Ai.

"Sa aking mga co-nominees... sino bang co-nominees ko?" tanong ni Ai Ai.

"Kay Kris [Aquino, para sa Dalaw], kay Jennylyn [Mercado, para sa Rosario]... Si Jennylyn ang mahigpit kong kalaban...

"Jennylyn, para sa 'yo rin 'to. Pasensiya ka na. Tutal, mas matanda naman ako sa 'yo, ibigay mo na 'to sa akin. Ibibigay ko sa 'yo, mas marami next time," kuwelang pagbibiro pa niya para sa Kapuso star, na nasa kaliwang bahagi ng audience section, katabi ng actor-boyfriend niyang si Dennis Trillo.

SPORT KRIS. Nasa kanang bahagi naman ng audience section si Kris at nakita itong nagtsi-cheer para kay Ai-Ai. Higit kailanman, ipinakita ni Kris na isa siyang good sport, lalo't matalik na kaibigan ang nagwagi.

Sa guesting nga nila ni Ai-Ai sa The Buzz noong hapon na 'yon ay sinabi ni Kris na kung hindi si Jennylyn ang mananalo bilang Best Actress ay gusto niyang si Ai-Ai ang mag-uwi ng tropeyo.

Kay Kris, nagsalita si Ai-Ai: "Friendship, sabi mo asa ako? Sabi mo, 'Asa ka pa?' O, tingnan mo!"

Hindi nabanggit bilang nominees for Best Actress noong gabing yun sina Jennylyn at Kris. Sa bagong ruling ng MMFF ay ang three top nominees lang ang babanggitin ng presenters.

Ang mga nakasamang nabanggit sa pangalan ni Ai-Ai ay sina Carla Abellana para sa Shake, Rattle & Roll 12 at Marian Rivera para sa Super Inday and the Golden Bibe.

Isinisigaw ni Kris na banggitin din ni Ai-Ai si Marian, pero nakalimutan na ng komedyana na banggitin ang Kapuso actress.

WISH FULFILLED. "Siyempre po, talagang nagpa-elevate po ako, sabi ko, 'God, sana mag-topgrosser kami at sana, Best Actress ako.' Ayan, ibinigay Niya agad. Thank you, God!" patuloy pa ni Ai-Ai, na muling napaiyak.

At press time ay pumapangalawa sa takilya ang pelikula ni Ai-Ai, kasunod ng nangungunang Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote nina Vic Sotto at Bong Revilla.

In a few seconds naman, back to her element bilang comedienne ang award-winning actress, na may nakakatuwa pang sinambit:

"Isa lang po talaga ang hinihiling ko na hindi pa Niya ibinibigay—mapangasawa ko si Vic Sotto!

"Para kami na yung mag-produce [ng pelikula] at hindi ko na siya kalaban sa filmfest! Sa amin na lahat yung kita!"

Tawanan uli ang manonood, na may kasabay na palakpakan, bilang pagtanggap sa pagwawagi ni Ai-Ai.

"Thank you, Lord! Thank you po sa inyong lahat! God bless you po!" panghuling sambit ni Ai-Ai.

Reposted From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

Sunday, December 26, 2010

A Repost From Gerry Plaza Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Last 'Tanging Ina' bags 10 awards; Dolphy sets record

By Gerry Plaza, Yahoo! Southeast Asia Sunday December 26, 2010 08:08 am PST

It was a hands down choice.

Being the last chapter of the beloved and blockbuster franchise, it was but fitting for the Metro Manila Film Festival to let the Ai Ai delas Alas family comedy take its final bow with a bang.

Star Cinema’s “Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na ‘To)” bagged the coveted Best Picture award in the festival during the 36th MMFF Awards Night Sunday, December 26, at the Meralco Theater. This was a finality quite distant from the more recent stagings of the yearly all-Filipino filmfest during the Christmas season. Unlike the past years when box office performance was the main criterion, the 36th MMFF based its judging on artistry, creativity and technical excellence, innovativeness, thematic value and global appeal, which comprise 70 percent, and Filipino cultural and/or historical value, 30 percent.

The historical epic “Rosario” from Cinemabuhay and Studio 5 was named second best picture of the year, while the first-ever Filipino made CGI-based 3D animated film, “RPG Metanoia,” another Star Cinema entry in collaboration with Ambient Media, landed as the third best picture winner.

Aside from the Best Picture plum, “Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na ‘To)” also bagged nine other major awards, including Best Actress for Ai Ai delas Alas, Best Director for Wenn Deramas, Best Supporting Actress for Eugene Domingo, Best Story and Best Screenplay for Mel Del Rosario, Best Musical Score for Jesse Lazatin, and Best Child Performer for Zyrel Manabat. It also won the award for Gender Sensitive Film.

Another fitting tribute was made to Comedy King Dolphy, who set a record of being the first-ever double acting winner in festival history by winning both Best Actor for “Father Jejemon” and Best Supporting Actor for his special role in “Rosario,” which also won the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award. The legendary comedian has indicated that this may be his last appearance in the festival due to his failing health.

Meanwhile, the Adolf Alix, Jr. film, "Presa," won the award for Best Indie Film in a separate competition.

Other winners include:

Best Make-Up: "Si Agimat At Si Enteng Kabisote"

Best Visual Effects: "Si Agimat At Si Enteng Kabisote"

Best Editing: John Wong for "Rosario"

Best Theme Song: “Kaya Ko” from "RPG Metanoia"

Best Sound recording: “RPG Metanoia” and “Super Inday and the Golden Bibe”

Best Production Design: Joey Luna, Mickey Hahn for “Rosario”

Best Cinematography: Carlo Mendoza for “Rosario”

Male Face of the Night: Bong Revilla

Female Face of the Night: Sam Pinto

Best Dressed Male Celebrity: Dennis Trillo

Best Dressed Female Celebrity: Jennylyn Mercado

Best Float: “Rosario”

With reports from Glenda Villena and Chuck Smith

Photos courtesy of NPPA Images and TV5

Reposted From Gerry Plaza of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

A Repost From GMA News.TV



Fil-Am family gets $10-M settlement for Toyota car crash

CHICAGO – Automaker Toyota acted as Santa Claus Wednesday but it looks like the car dealer was a Grinch.

Toyota offered $10 million to settle out of court a lawsuit that followed an August 2009 Toyota car crash in San Diego, California, which killed in a fireball a family of four people, including two Filipino Americans.

The tragic crash allegedly resulted from the Lexus "accelerating on its own" while on the freeway. The case against the Toyota manufacturer was dropped, but the civil case against Toyota car dealer Bob Baker Lexus will continue, according to the San Diego counsel of the families of the victims. Toyota agreed to pay $10 million to settle the lawsuit that arose from the crash of a Lexus car in a San Diego suburb, which killed California Highway Patrol officer Mark Wesley Saylor, 45; his Filipina wife, Cleofe L. Saylor, 45 (a native of Nabua, Camarines Sur); their daughter, Mahala Manda Saylor, 12; and Cleofe’s younger brother, Christopher N. Lastrella, 38. Lexus is the luxury brand of Toyota car models. THE VICTIMS. Mark Wesley Saylor (from left), 45, a California Highway Patrol Officer, and his daughter, Mahala Manda Saylor, 12, his wife, Cleofe L. Saylor, 45, a native of Nabua, Camarines Sur in the Philippines, and his brother-in-law, Christopher N. Lastrella, 38, are seen in this composite file photo provided by the Saylor family to newsmen after they all died in a ball of fire when their Toyota Lexus “accelerated on its own" last August on a freeway in San Diego, California. Courtesy of Joseph Lariosa.

The amount was part of a settlement reached in September between Toyota and the Saylor relatives, who had wanted the settlement kept under wraps. Toyota had opposed efforts of Bob Baker Lexus and several media organizations to make the settlement amount public. “Toyota and the Saylor and Lastrella families reached a private, amicable settlement through mutual respect and cooperation without the involvement of the courts, so we are disappointed that the amount of this settlement has now been made public against the express wishes of these families and Toyota," according to a Toyota statement. The accident turned into a national debate as Fe Lastrella, the mother of Mark Saylor’s wife, Cleofe, was invited before the Oversight and Government Reform Committee of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. to speak about the car crash. It also got the attention of the world’s largest automaker and prompted Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the Japanese company’s founder, to testify in an extraordinary appearance before a committee of the U.S. Congress.

Toyoda apologized to Congress, the millions of Toyota owners, and to the Saylor family repeatedly during his three hours of testimony. –MRT/JV, GMANews.TV

Reposted From GMA News.TV

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