Friday, January 28, 2011

A Repost From GMA News.TV


PNoy on Lexus: This is the last time I will talk about cars

President Benigno Aquino III has just about had it talking about his cars to inquisitive reporters.

Seen aboard a bullet-proof Toyota Lexus when he visited the victims of the Makati bus bombing Tuesday, Aquino took extra time to explain on Friday that he did not buy the armored vehicle. He said the car, which model belongs to Toyota’s luxury line, was leased by his brother-in-law and lent to him.

“This the last time I will talk about cars unless any of you says it has impact with the national interest," Aquino said, in obvious reference to earlier media reports about his passion for expensive cars and his efforts to explain his recent purchase of a Porsche 911 Turbo.

Yung sasakyan na gamit ko ngayon ay security vehicle. Hindi ko pwedeng i-discuss sa inyo ang security features, capacity dahil parang sinabi ko na rin sa mga kalaban na ito ang paghandaan nyo. Nilease ng bayaw ko. [The] alternative is to buy a different vehicle by the government," he explained.

(The car I’m using now is a security vehicle. I can’t discuss with you its security features, its capacity, because that would divulge to our enemies what they should prepare for. It was leased by my brother-in-law.) The President said the official vehicle that MalacaƱang’s previous occupant left for him to use was a Mercedes Benz limousine, which was damaged when typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila in 2009.

Noong unang apat o limang beses na nagamit, tatlong beses bumalik sa kasa. So ang alternative dun, dalawang sasakyan na first day ko pa lang sa office sinabi na unreliable na daw," Aquino told reporters in a hastily called briefing to clarify the issue. (Within the first four or five times that it was used, three times it had to be sent back to the repair shop. So the alternatives were two vehicles that, in my first day in office, were already marked as unreliable.)

Aquino said if he would have his way, he would just use his personal vehicle, a white Toyota Land Cruiser, but the Presidential Security Guard won’t allow him to since the car is not bullet-proof. “Mag-o-object ang PSG, tataas yung risk ko sa PSG kung unarmored yung sasakyan na ginagamit ko dahil lalo sila magba-body shield," he said. (The PSG will object, my risk level will rise if I’ll use an unarmored car because it’s the PSG men who will provide body shields.) Aquino, a car enthusiast, said “riding an armored vehicle is not the most comfortable thing in the world."

“It’s not the most comfortable vehicle. Amongst the things na hindi mo pwedeng gawin, yung salamin me limitation ang pagbaba. Pag me kumakaway na mga kababayan natin, hindi ko maibaba pag kailangan para kawayan sila," he said. (It’s not the most comfortable vehicle. Among the things that you can’t do, there are limitations in rolling down the windows. When some of our people wave to us, I can’t roll down the window as needed to wave back.)

Aquino refused to say when exactly he started using the Lexus, but revealed that his supporters have been offering to give him an armored vehicle since the campaign period started for the May 2010 elections. “The choice is [to] buy something like P15 to 20 million [worth] armored vehicle or have the stopgap measure [like this one for now] to meet the needs of security aspect as well as my need not to spend the people’s money unnecessarily," Aquino said. Just a couple of weeks ago, the President was criticized by some opposition leaders and media commentators for his decision to buy a second-hand but still luxurious Porsche. (See: PNoy buys himself a Porsche) Aquino owns a Ford Everest aside from a Porsche and a Land Cruiser.

He previously owned a BMW, which he said he sold to raise the money to buy the Porsche for P4.5 million.—JV, GMANews.TV

Reposted From GMA News.TV

Thursday, January 27, 2011

A Repost From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

15-year-old Filipino Thia Megia passes American Idol audition

15-year-old Filipino Thia Megia passes American Idol audition
Slideshow: Showbiz Photos

Ngayong gabi, January 27, ipalalabas sa Pilipinas ang episode ng American Idol Season 10 kung saan nag-audtion ang 15-year-old Pinay na si Thia Megia.

Sa audition niya sa Milwaukee, kinanta ni Thia ang "Chasing Pavements" ni Adele.

Pinabilib ni Thia ang tatlong judges na sina Randy Jackson, Steve Tyler, at Jennifer Lopez sa kanyang husay sa pagkanta. Tatlong "yes" ang nakuha ni Thia mula sa judges kaya tutuloy siya sa Hollywood para sa next round.

Ayon kay Jennifer, "total package" daw si Thia at kumportable ito habang nagpe-perform.

"I love your voice," sabi naman ni Steven. Nagustuhan din ng Aerosmith lead singer ang "character" ng batang singer.

Si Thia ay unang napanood sa U.S. nang mag-audition siya sa isa pang reality show, ang America's Got Talent, noong 2009. Nakapasok si Thia, na noo'y 14 years old lang, sa semifinals.

Ayon kay Thia, isang high school student, ang plano niya sana talaga ay sa Season 11 pa siya mag-o-audition para sa American Idol. Pero nang babaan ang age limit mula 16 years old to 15 ay nagdesisyon na siyang subukan ang kanyang kapalaran.

Lumipad pa sa Wisconsin si Thia at ang kanyang mga magulang para sa Milwaukee audition. Hindi niya na raw kasi mahintay ang audition sa California, kunsaan sila nakatira sa Mountain House.

Tiyak na maraming Pinoy ang mag-aabang ngayong season ng American Idol dahil isa na namang kababayan natin ang nakapasa sa audition at malaki ang tsansa na makapasok hanggang sa Top 12.

Ang American Idol ay napapanood dito sa Pilipinas sa Q11 at Star World.

Reposted From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

A Repost From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)



Vandolph Quizon signs first managerial contract with Viva Artist Agency

Vandolph Quizon signs first managerial contract with Viva Artist Agency
Slideshow: Showbiz Photos

Simula nang pumasok si Vandolph Quizon sa mundo ng showbiz, ang ama na niyang si Dolphy, ang Hari ng Komedya, ang naging tagapamahala ng kanyang career.

Ngayong taon, napagdesisyunan ng dating child star na tanggapin ang offer ng bossing ng Viva Entertainment na si Vic del Rosario na maging parte ng kanilang hanay ng mga artista.

Kaninang hapon, Enero 26, pumirma ng five-year contract si Vandolp, pati na ang asawa niyang si Jenny Fernandez, sa opisina ng Viva Entertainment sa Tektite Bldg, Pasig City.

"Sabi ni Boss Vic, 'It's about time na raw to medyo ibahin ko or ilihis ko 'yong tinatahak ko," sabi ni Vandolph.

Ayon pa sa anak ng Comedy King, mismong ang ama na rin niya ang nagmungkahi na pumirma ng kontrata sa Viva. "Sabi ni Erpat, 'This is the time to grow na. Gawin mo na 'yong mga alam mong puwedeng okay sa'yo.'"

Bukod sa pagiging manager niya noon, madalas ding kasama ni Vandolph ang kanya ama sa telebisyon at pelikula.

Sa TV, nariyan ang long-running TV series na Home Along Da Riles (1992), Quizon Avenue (2005), John en Shirley (2006), at Pidol's Wonderland (2010).

Sa pelikula naman, nagsama sina Vandolph at Dolphy sa Home Along Da Riles, Father and Son (1995), Tataynic (1997) Nobody, Nobody But Juan (2009), at Father Jejemon (2010).

Dahil sa beterano na ang kanyang ama sa industriya, madalas ay napapangaralan at pinapaalalahanan si Vandolph kung paano mapapatagal ang pananatili niya sa showbiz.

Kuwento ni Vandolph, "Lagi 'yan. Minsan may ibang usapan, 'tapos biglang maiiba. Minsan sasabihin, 'Ito tatandaan mo...' Siyempre, tumatanda na raw ako, kailangan be more responsible lalo na at may pamilya na ako.

"Tama na raw ang papetiks-petiks ko. Magtino na raw ako. E, nagtino naman na ako simula noong nagkapamilya ako. Sa awa ng Diyos, strong tayo ngayon."

Sa kanyang pagpirma ng kontrata, isang pelikula ang nakahandang gawin ni Vandolph kasama ang komedyanteng si Vice Ganda.

Ayon kay Vandolph, tulad ng kanyang ama, sa comedy rin siya malilinya. Pero ano naman ang masasabi niya na siya na rin daw ang susunod sa yapak ng kanyang ama?

"I'll do my best," sagot niya.

"I'll do what I can na alam ko na na-witness ko sa kanya noong lumalaki ako sa tabi niya. I'll try my best to execute the same punchline or anything.

"Pero Dolphy is Dolphy. Hindi natin puwedeng sabayan 'yon. I can do it but in my own way. Tingnan na lang natin kung papayag 'yong madlang people doon."

UPDATE ON HIS MOTHER ALMA MORENO. Bukod sa kanyang ama, sigurado rin daw na matutuwa ang kanyang inang si Alma Moreno-Salik sa pangyayaring ito.

Hindi pa raw niya ito naibabalita sa kanyang ina dahil abala ito sa katatapos pa lamang na eleksyon ng mga officer ng Philippine Councilors League. Si Alma ay konsehal ng lungsod ng ParaƱaque.

"My mom is busy, she's running for the Philippine Councilors League. So, medyo full-time politician na talaga siya. Talagang gusto niyang tumulong sa maraming tao, e."

Bagamat nauubos ngayon ang oras ni Alma sa kanyang tungkulin bilang konsehal, sinabi ni Vandolph na hindi pa rin nawawala sa isip ng kanyang ina ang showbiz.

"Nami-miss din niya, pero siyempre, iba 'yong puso niya, iba 'yong devotion niya ngayon, e. Doon talaga sa politics. Marami yata siyang plano for the rest of the councilors of the Philippines.

"Parang gusto niyang i-share sa councilors na parang paano pagagandahin ang liga natin na walang lokohan, pagmamahalan ang namamayani."

Reposted From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A Repost From Jason Gutierrez of AFP and Thea Alberto of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Terror alert in Philippines after bus bomb kills 4

By Yahoo! Southeast Asia Editors – January 25th, 2011
600nppa_busexplosion

By Jason Gutierrez, Agence France-Presse and Thea Alberto, Yahoo! Southeast Asia

MANILA, January 25, 2011 (AFP) – A bomb on a packed bus in the Philippines’ financial hub killed four people on Tuesday, sparking a warning from President Benigno Aquino that the country faced a raised terror threat.

Authorities said it was too early to say who was behind the explosion as the bus traveled along one of Manila’s busiest roads, but Aquino ordered security forces on alert.

“We have asked the police and military and the intelligence services to review their threat assessment, with the end view of hardening all areas considered under threat,” Aquino said in a nationally televised address.

“So far the investigation is ongoing, but the mechanical and electrical causes are being ruled out for this explosion. There appears to be an explosive device… we are looking at the terrorist aspect of it.”

Metropolitan Manila police chief Director Nicanor Bartolome said the bomb appeared to have been placed under one of the passenger seats.

Police initially placed the death toll at two, but later revised it to four after two of the 15 injured people taken to hospital died from their injuries.

Jhohanson Reyes and an unidentified female victim died on the spot while another victim identified as Mariano Salustiano was declared dead at the Ospital ng Makati, according to the PNP Southern Police District.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, a former mayor of the Makati financial district, arrived quickly at the scene and said it appeared to be a powerful blast.

“There’s a huge hole and the debris indicates it is a bomb,” Binay said, adding the legs of one injured woman had been blown off.

Police investigators were seen scouring the scene for evidence, with blood drying on the pavement.

The driver, who survived the attack unscathed, said at least two men who acted strangely quickly got off the bus just moments before the explosion.

“They were moving from one seat to another although we had no idea there was an explosive aboard,” the driver, Maximo Peligro, told reporters.

In November, the US, Australian, British, Canadian, French and New Zealand governments updated their travel advisories to the Philippines to warn that terrorist attacks were likely.

Some of the warnings specifically mentioned that an attack would take place in Manila.

Aquino strongly criticised the advisories then, saying they were not based on firm intelligence, prompting some of the governments to downgrade the threat assessment.

However, Aquino admitted Tuesday that his government had received a report last year that a “Muslim secessionist group” he did not identify was planning to carry out attacks in Manila.

“We have had a report that there were terrorist groups planning the same. But the assessment at the time was that there was a lack of resources to be able to carry it out and a lack of support base,” he said.

Aquino said the report mentioned plans for a bomb attack, but he did not elaborate.

The Philippines faces a range of security threats, most prominently the Abu Sayyaf Muslim militant group that operates mainly in the south of the country, and communist rebels who have been waging a rebellion for 42 years.

The Abu Sayyaf bombed a passenger ferry on Manila Bay in 2004, killing more than 100 people in the country’s worst terrorist attack, according to authorities.

The Abu Sayyaf was also blamed for a bomb attack on a bus near Makati in 2005 that left three people dead.

In an incident that was not terrorist-related but nevertheless raised international concerns about security in Manila, a disgruntled ex-policeman hijacked a tourist bus in August last year.

After a day-long stand-off, police stormed the bus and killed the hijacker, but eight Hong Kong tourists also died.

Reposted From Jason Gutierrez of AFP And Thea Alberto Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

A Repost From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)


PEP EXCLUSIVE (Part 1): Boy Abunda on The Buzz interview with Baron Geisler: "There was no agenda."

PEP EXCLUSIVE (Part 1): Boy Abunda on The Buzz interview with Baron Geisler: "There was no agenda."
Slideshow: Showbiz Photos

"I did not express, I did not indicate, and I did not imply that brilliance is an excuse to abuse anyone," says Boy Abunda about his The Buzz interview with Baron Geisler last January 23.

This is a just a part of his reaction to the sentiments of Ed Instrella, Cherry Pie Picache's manager, on the way the segment of the 29-year-old actor accused of harassment was handled by the Kapamilya talk show.

It's not typical of the famous host to offer a lengthy explanation about a controversy involving himself. "Hindi naman ako pala-react kasi," he begins. "It's as if I defended my article when I defend my body of work. Parang ang hirap-hirap ipagtanggol ang sarili mong trabaho."

But his 17-year stint as a showbiz talk show has taught him two things: (1) His statements can affect people. (2) His statements can have varying effects on different people.

In this case, he asked the permission of Roxy Liquigan, creative consultant of The Buzz: "Let me react."

That's after learning about the article (CLICK HERE) posted in PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) yesterday, January 24.

One of the arguments raised by Ed Instrella was, "Boy emphasized and underlined he's [Baron] such a good actor. Parang justified maging bastos in the name of good acting."

Boy affirms during his 30-minute interview with PEP at 2:00 p.m. today, January 25, "I said that he was brilliant. But what was the context? [Baron says] 'Tito Boy, I'm going to be on rehab for 90 days.' I said, 'Baron...'

"There were two things that I said. Buti na lang naaalala ko kasi fresh pa. 'Baron, you are a brilliant actor. You will always have space in the industry.'

"But, in no way did I suggest that brilliance is an excuse to harass anyone. It was in that context. Sinabi ko pa sa kanya, exact word ko, "You know, Baron, you are lucky. You are lucky because the industry has been good to you in spite of all your cases. You have jobs. You have good jobs. You have been given jobs and work."

THE NOW-CONTROVERSIAL INTERVIEW. Instead of focusing on the harassment issue alone, the management of The Buzz decided to do a profiling of the interviewee.

In a phone interview with Liquigan at around 6:43 p.m., he says, "We want to make it different from the other shows, so ang topic namin aside from the issue, 'Why is he like that?'"

The major talk points were discussed by the bosses and the host prior to the 40-minute exclusive interview.

But on-cam, the flow depended on the questions asked by the interviewer and the answers of the interviewee.

Boy elaborates, "I had no script. It was an interview where there were no guidelines. We play politics in this business to be able to get stories. Not with Baron Geisler. I was assigned to do that interview. I did my little research. I prepared for that interview.

"You know how I started that interview? 'Baron, hindi ko alam kung saan ako mag-uumpisa, ni hindi ko alam kung anong una kong itatanong sa iyo. Dito na lang tayo magsimula, what do you wanna say? What is in your mind and heart? Tell me.' Dun ko pinaikot."

For his part, Baron came prepared. "He came ready. Naka-Amerikana, malinis, may kurbata. Sober na sober ang appearance. And he knew his lines," according to the host/ talent manager/ teacher.

Only 19 minutes and 47 seconds of the entire footage was aired. Liquigan says during the material's preview, they made sure the essence of the whole story was captured.

Boy admits he was not able to see the final tape, but he is pleased with what he saw during the actual show.

His explanation: "What came out on air is an editorial decision. Pero, hindi ko iiwanan ang show ko because I watch what came out. I take full responsibility for it pa rin. I'm not to say, 'Ay, sisihin mo ang staff ko.' Hindi. I stand by what the staff had done, and I don't think I deliberately—because we are in the context of perception—made Baron Geisler guwapo for what...

"The 40-minute conversation was wonderful to write. There were moments we agreed. There were moments we disagreed. There were moments I thought he was mad at me. There were moments I was disagreeing. There were moments I was compassionate. There were moments I was feeling for a boy who wanted to do something but was not akin of what he wanted to do. I saw the anger. I saw a lot."

NO-AGENDA INTERVIEW. But the people's perception is beyond his control. And their judgment will not rely on his questions alone, but more importantly, on Baron's account of his experiences as a child and an adult.

Boy states, "I have no agenda about Baron. With my all heart and with all the years I have spent in the industry, I can say to anybody, eye to an eye, and I will say that I did the best that I can in that interview. It was a free-flowing, spontaneous, fluid interview. There were no agenda. I am not here to make Baron look good. If the boy is guilty, then so be it. If he's not, so be it. I am not a judge. I did not in any way malign or put Pie [Cherry Pie's nickname] into an embarrassing situation."

When he actually learned that he was doing the interview, his first reaction: "There he goes again."

In addition, he's not exactly good friends with Baron and his manager Arnold Vegafria. "But what is my attitude when I don't want an interview?" he asks before saying, "My biases are in my mind but I ask the question."

To prove his point, he cites this story on SNN, a nightly showbiz talk show he co-hosts with Bianca Gonzalez. "I was the first one who reacted...Baron and his manager are not understanding each other. They are not saying the same thing. And I said, 'I am confused,' on-air. That precipitated Jun Rufino [president of PAMI or Professional Artists and Managers Inc.] to put a deadline on when a public apology should be done by Baron.

"My first reaction was, 'What is it again? There he goes again...Admittedly, it is very judgmental because I am reacting based on what I have been reading and what I have seeing in the past stages.

"But you know, sinasabi ko nga, when I go to an interview, I don't say I am interviewing somebody guilty—which is unfair. I also did not face Baron and say I am facing an innocent man being accused of a crime. I interview, I ask the question as an interviewer."

Several times he mentions that he's hurt over the insinuation that the interview was manipulated to work in Baron's favor.

In a level-headed tone, he underscores: "To be accused of making him look good is wrong. And they are wrong. I went to the interview with an agenda to make Baron look good? I did not. Categorically, I did not and I will not."

Reposted From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

Monday, January 24, 2011

A Repost From ABS-CBN News



New Azkals coach primes wards for aggressive play

New Azkals coach primes wards for aggressive play

MANILA, Philippines – Aggressive and offense-oriented. This is the game plan of the new coach of the Philippine football team Azkals as his team clashes against Mongolia in the Asian Football Federation (AFC) Challenge Cup in February.

"We'll push up the line a little bit more," Hans Michael Weiss told the media after the contract-signing between ABS-CBN Sports and Philippine Football Federation Monday at the ELJ Communications Center at the ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City.

"We'll be closer to the goal," Weiss added.

Weiss, who has previously managed teams in China, Japan, and Rwanda, arrived in the country last week to lead the team's training and conditioning routine.

He said the team must try a "different approach" to come strong against their Mongolian foes.

"We should not underestimate Mongolia too much," he said.

The Azkals, who rose to stardom overnight after defeating Vietnam - the AFF champion during the last season, lost to Indonesia, 0-2 in the semifinals last December.

In the dying minutes of the concluding Philippines-Indonesia game, the Azkals was reduced to 10 men, a player short of 11 per side. They also had three players getting yellow cards, or warning, for fouls.

After the Azkals' loss, Indonesia, on the other hand, thumped Malaysia to bag the crown.

New coach, new players

A new batch of half-Filipinos are expected to buttress the team and will arrive in the country next week. But they will not yet be allowed to play in the February games, coming fresh into the team.

In an interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com, Weiss revealed he is confident with his lineup of "quality players."

"They're good prospects. They are players who grew up in a very different environment... that's very important," he said.

Weiss said everyone in his team has had his own unique experience in football. He said each style and knowledge acquired about the game will enrich the team as its players gear up for the AFC Cup.

"For me, there's no Filipino or foreign players. There are just players who have had different training," he said.

Meanwhile, the Azkals said they are looking forward to playing under the leadership of a new coach.

"It's great. [He] has a different aspect," the team's captain, Aly Borromeo, said. "I believe we'll have a solid team [against] the Mongolian team."

Phil Younghusband, one of the team's most popular players along with brother James, said he is relying a lot on Weiss. "Coach promises we'll be fit for the game," he said.

"He knows what he's talking about, he has experience. We're looking forward to playing the game," he added.

On Simon McMenemy

Weiss replaced Simon McMenemy, the Azkals' mentor during their competition in the AFF Cup, just this January.

Azkals team manager Dan Palami had said McMenemy's coaching permit, issued by the Union of European Football Associations, expired December 31. He said this technically allowed them to scout for a new coach for the team.

However, the transition wasn't easily accepted by McMenemy, who said on his Twitter account that he felt "disrespected" with the team management's lack of effort to communicate the decision directly to him.

Weiss told abs-cbnNEWS.com he believes the issue needs to die down for everyone's sake.

"Forget about the past, football is a growing sport," he said.

Nevertheless, Weiss said McMenemy can still pour out his support for the team in the upcoming match in Bacolod.

"He's welcome to watch," Weiss said of the Azkals' former coach.

But Younghusband said he doubted it if McMenemy would indeed watch the games at the Panaad Stadium, the venue of the event, since McMenemy is now in England.

Amid their split, the team acknowledged McMenemy's contribution to the team.

"He deserves the credit," Weiss said.

"Even though he lost his job, he is still part of the team," Borromeo, the team captain, added.

Reposted From ABS-CBN News

Sunday, January 23, 2011

A Repost From Angela Lim

Pretty stewardess stunned by in-flight proposal

By Angela Lim – January 21st, 2011
400yahoo_stewardess

29-year-old Vera Silva was ‘embarrassed’ by her boyfriend’s mid-flight proposal (Youtube).

Talk about sweeping a woman off her feet, literally.

An unsuspecting Portuguese air stewardess, Vera Silva, this week received what could be the most adorable in-flight marriage proposal thousands of feet in the air from her boyfriend.

After sneaking on board without her noticing, Joao Viera used the public address system to propose to his girl in front of dozens of passengers.

Shocked by the proposal, the pretty 29-year-old admitted to being embarrassed at her beau’s grand gesture.

“I thought about hiding in the bathroom, but then I thought twice,” she said.

She eventually agreed to marry him, to cheers and applause from the 80 passengers on the flight.

Crew members on board the flight from Lisbon to Barcelona helped Mr Vieira set up the magical moment.

The aircraft’s captain, Pedro Mathias, said, “In 35 years, this is the first time this has happened — it was funny.”

Watch Mr Viera’s heartwarming proposal here:


Reposted From Angela Lim

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