A Repost From Gerry Plaza

Grace Lee on James Yap: ‘We were never introduced’

By Gerry Plaza – July 24th, 2010

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Showbiz Eye by Gerry Plaza
Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia

As Kris Aquino’s nullity of marriage case appears to go full steam, with her lawyers revealing its strong case against James Yap –notably a claim that the talk show host-actress’ grounds for separation would “shock” the public — there are developments in the story that would not help James’ cause to avoid such proceedings and save their marriage.

Such is the emergence of another claim, which was published on gossip columns in the form of blind items that James was spotted in a beauty salon with a popular Korean TV news anchor, host and radio DJ. In yet another twist to this story, Grace Lee comes into this sordid picture.

According to the reports, James and Grace were allegedly seen in the beauty parlor “together.”

Grace, who hosts the GMA-7 morning talent show “Diz Iz It” and anchors showbiz segments on QTV-11’s “News on Q” and the weekend “24 Oras” edition, denied this.

In a text message to Yahoo! Southeast Asia, Grace puts that particular “link” to James in proper perspective.

“We go to the same parlor. That’s it,” Grace said.

Grace further revealed that while they were in the same room, there was no chance by any figment of imagination that they came and left the establishment “together” at the time.

“We were never introduced. Although I saw him there twice, (there were) no hellos or anything.”

Grace would not relish the idea of being on the list of purported girlfriends of the basketball star while he was very much married to the TV talk show host and actress.

For her, it’s downright absurd.

Grace is very much happy with her real romance, a Seoul-based Korean book publisher whom she met through a friend. She said she met him right after graduating from the Ateneo when he visited Manila for a business trip.

Also the popular DJ, who hosts the widely followed “Good Times” radio program wherein she shares the top billing with fellow DJs Mo Twister and Mojo Jojo, said her relationship with her boyfriend began “way before” she first started her career in media.

And, she doesn’t mince words in describing her unnamed partner in a previous chat with this sleepless blogger.

“He was my boyfriend before I started and he sees the transition I’m going through,” Grace said. “He’s proud of what I’ve achieved and he’s also worried, which is why he’s trying to be my guide if I’m going off track emotionally, mentally.”

“He is such a strength for me. He’s such a rock in my life. He holds me down. He makes sure I’m level headed at times when I might not be. He always pulls me down to the ground whenever he feels that when something good that is happening in my life might carry me away too much. He makes sure I’m very down to earth,” Grace added.

Grace said she looks forward to marrying her boyfriend, although not in the immediate future. According to her, she would like her future family, with four children, to permanently settle in Manila.

Photo courtesy of GMA-7

Gerry Plaza is a longtime entertainment editor and writer who would not like to get “linked” to Megan Fox, especially in tabloid blind items, Perez Hilton, or worse TMZ, just because we were seen beside each other in the LAX arrival area. Totally absurd…

Reposted From Gerry Plaza

A Repost From Sid Ventura Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Mayweather’s Mouth

By Sid Ventura – July 23rd, 2010

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By Sid Ventura
Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia

You really have to hand it to Floyd Mayweather Sr., the outspoken father of Pretty Boy Floyd. He’s always been mouthing off against his opponents, or against his son’s opponents, whenever he gets the chance. Sometimes you just dismiss it as his contribution to pre-fight hype, other times you just scratch your head and think that maybe the old man is just attracting attention to himself.

Take the time he trained his guns at Freddie Roach in the build-up to the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton (mis)match in May of last year. Mayweather Sr., who was training Hatton (pretty badly, as it would turn out), initially called his opponent the “Joke Coach Roach,” and belittled Roach’s training capabilities. Roach shot back, pretty admirably, I might add, by inviting Mayweather Sr., to be the one to award him his Trainer of the Year trophy for an upcoming awards night.

“I want you to present that to me this year because that’s as close as you’ll get to it,” Roach said, adding that for that fight their biggest advantage was having Mayweather Sr. in the other corner. Turned out to be pretty prophetic.

Of course, Mayweather Sr. wasn’t done. He called Roach a bum, and made fun of his short-lived boxing career. As a final parting shot, he even challenged Roach to get into the ring with him. Much of this you could easily dismiss as playful trash talking, but listening to Mayweather Sr. speak, you get the feeling that sometimes he’s also trying to convince himself of what he’s saying.

Then last month, the Mouth was at it again. In this article, Mayweather called Pacquiao’s Boxer of the Decade award from the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) bullsh*t, among other things, and predictably said his son should have won it. What a surprise.

A couple of days ago, though, Mayweather topped his remarkable self. A few days after his son’s camp denied that talks for a fight with Pacquiao ever took place, despite Manny already agreeing to virtually all of Floyd Jr.’s demands, Floyd Sr. accused Pacquiao of being the one who doesn’t want to fight. Then he also found time to call Manny a “little Filipino midget,” a coward, a f*ggot, a b*tch and, just to make sure he got his point across, a sissy.

For what it’s worth, you can read the complete transcript of Mayweather Sr.’s tirade against not only Pacquiao but a few other boxing figures here.

I really don’t know what this guy’s been smoking. He’s obviously got major issues. It’s one thing to talk smack and belittle an opponent’s skills; there’s always a place for that in sports. It’s another thing to insult his race and question his masculinity, especially in this era of political correctness. That’s so 1975, Floyd.

Pacquiao’s reaction, on the other hand, was pure class. Made me proud to be Pinoy, or a “little Filipino midget” in Floyd Sr.’s words. He actually laughed when told about it, and simply said he would rather not comment. The perfect response. Loved it. It was a picture of someone who is so sure of himself and has no insecurities. Way to go, Manny.

It’s also a pretty humble reaction from a guy who recently ranked fifth among non-US athletes in terms of total earnings over the past 12 months, behind only Roger Federer, Lionel Messi, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Pacquiao was the only boxer to make it to the top 20. He finished ahead of the likes of Ichiro Suzuki, Yao Ming, Rafael Nadal, and Dirk Nowitzki.

Amongst the best athletes in the world, our very own “little midget” stood pretty tall.

Reposted From Sid Ventura of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

A Repost From ABS-CBN News

Pacquiao to appear in US action film?

ABS-CBN - Thursday, July 22

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Pacquiao to appear in US action film?

MANILA, Philippines – Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao might appear in an American martial arts action movie, an online report said.

Quoting Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, FanHouse reported that a film company is eyeing the Sarangani congressman to be part of an American action film. His appearance will be a “small, perhaps cameo role,” the report said.

Koncz told Fanhouse: "[There’s] a company that is interested in doing something with Manny. They want to do some action movie with Manny, but not as the main character."

"I told them that because of our time constraints, we'll consider a proposal where he's a guest in the movie and I'll present it to Manny. I told them we don't have the time to do anything more than that. They produced Dr. Dolittle and worked with Eddie Murphy." Koncz added.

Aside from his boxing career, Pacquiao also appears in many television shows, movies and TV commercials in the Philippines.

He is currently hard at work after being elected congressman of Sarangani province.

In a previous interview, Pacquiao said he would refrain from doing films so as to focus on his new job as a legislator.

His last movie, “Wapakman,” was a box-office bomb last year.

Reposted From ABS-CBN News

A Repost From AFP

Filipina maid inherits millions from Singaporean employer

By Yahoo! Southeast Asia Editors – July 21st, 2010

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By Agence France Presse

A devoted Filipina maid inherited six million Singapore dollars (more than $4 million) from her late employer after more than 20 years of service, a newspaper report said Wednesday.

“I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money,” the 47-year-old single woman — identified only by the pseudonym “Christine” — told the Straits Times in an interview.

The maid refused to be named in public for fear of possible threats to her life in the impoverished Philippines, where wealthy people have been kidnapped for ransom and some killed by their abductors.

The windfall, including cash and a luxury apartment near the Orchard Road shopping belt, came from the estate of her employer Quek Kai Miew, a medical doctor and philanthropist who died last year at 66.

The maid had also taken care of the doctor’s late mother, and was told that she would be a beneficiary of her employer’s will when it was drawn up in 2008.

“There were no secrets between us. I was not surprised at all when she told me how much I was going to get,” the maid recalled.

“Christine” was devastated when Quek died a year ago, as the two were inseparable, and temporarily moved in with the doctor’s nephew for solace.

“It was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Doctor Quek than with my own mother. I would break down every time I thought about her. I could not be by myself,” she said.

“I was always beside her. Wherever she went, I was with her.”

The maid, who is now applying for permanent residency in Singapore, said her newfound wealth had not changed her lifestyle.

“I do not really think much about the money I got. I just live my life as I did before, and not as a rich person,” the maid, dressed simply in a blouse and slacks with short-cropped hair, was quoted as saying.

“I am still who I was before. I cannot behave differently because I have money now. Even my Filipino maid friends here still treat me the same.”

Nearly 200,000 foreign maids, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, work in affluent Singapore, which has a population of five million.

Reposted From AFP

A Repost From Manila Bulletin

Mariel Rodriguez declares 'I heart Robin Padilla'

Manila Bulletin - Monday, July 19

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She has maintained that nothing romantic is going on between her and Robin Padilla, but Mariel Rodriguez surprised many when she made a bold declaration of her feelings for the action star on her Twitter account.

"I ♥ robin padilla," the TV host-actress tweeted early morning of July 18.

An hour later, Mariel explained the story behind her post:

"I was feeling down because a friend (atleast I thought we were friends) made me feel bad. Robin cheered me up.that's why again I ♥ ROBIN!"

She reiterated her explanation on "The Buzz" later that day.

"Kasi he really supported 'Cinco' [Mariel's first movie] and nung time na 'yon kasi, I was going through something with another friend, really feeling down. And siguro dun sa mga nakakakilala kay Robin, they know that he can really make someone feel good so super chineer up niya talaga ko."

She then added: "At you know what, I say 'I love you' to everyone!"

Mariel said it's "unfair" that out of the many people she expresses her love to, people make a big fuss out of her declaration for her former "Wowowee" co-host.

"Iba 'yung dating kapag nag-'I love you' kay Robin Padilla, 'di ba?" "Buzz" host Charlene Gonzales told her guest.

"I heart, cute lang," Mariel quipped.

KC Concepcion, who did the interview with Charlene, then noticed something on Mariel's finger: a ring.

"Mariel, what's that ring on your finger?" KC asked.

Mariel said it's simply a "ring," but KC insisted, "it looks like an engagement ring." The former maintained, with a seeming sheepish grin, "No, it's just a ring. It's just a ring."

When the camera focused on the ring, however, Mariel moved her clenched left hand (which was on her lap) to the side of her thigh, as if trying to hide the ring.

Not letting go of the subject, KC prodded, "Mariel, how much do you love Robin?"

The 25-year-old Kapamilya star turned wide-eyed, and quickly replied, "Oh my gosh! No he's a friend, he's a friend."

"How much do you love him as a friend?" KC asked.

"Like how much I love you," Mariel told her. "I love everyone. We (Robin and Mariel) are just friends."

"I will save you Mariel, just thank everyone for watching 'Cinco,"' Charlene said.

Mariel went on to thank those who have watched the Star Cinema horror movie and even related that she herself went to see the film on Saturday, July 17.

"Buzz" host Toni Gonzaga, who is one of Mariel's closest friends in showbiz, yelled from the audience: "Sinong kasama mong nanood?"

Mariel answered, "Mga friends ko."

"Pero Charlene lagi silang nakikita ni Robin Padilla after ng 'Wowowee' nanonood sila ng movie sa Rockwell... Feeling ko talaga love na love mo siya," said KC, bringing up another Mariel-Robin rumor.

When Mariel was showed on the screen, she looked to be quiet, only smiling slightly.

KC did not let go of the issue though. "Unless sinabihan ka ng guy ng 'I love you,' hindi naman magkakaron ganun-ganun na lang ng confidence ang babae na isigaw sa mundo 'yon," she said.

Charlene remarked: "KC parang may ibig sabihin 'yon."

"Parang iba 'yung napag-uusapan natin," Mariel blurted.

Mariel's declaration on Twitter was not the first she made about the 42-year-old actor. Two weeks ago, she admitted (after some hesitation) on "The Buzz" that for her, Robin has the most beautiful face in showbiz. She has also confirmed in another recent interview that she and Robin went out on a date.

"We went to Rockwell. We watched a movie, 'Knight & Day.' Ang ganda ng movie. Wala, we're just getting to know each other," she said.

Reposted From Manila Bulletin

A Repost From Gerry Plaza Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Vic, Pia: We’re good, we’re okay

By Gerry Plaza – July 19th, 2010

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Showbiz Eye by Gerry Plaza
Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia

For weeks, it had been the talk of the show biz town. Speculations and blind items spread like wildfire, describing a popular couple whose relationship was on the rocks and lately was reported to have ended.

These reports revealed a seeming, sudden chilliness or indifference between Vic Sotto and Pia Guanio whenever they were spotted together on “Eat Bulaga,” the daily noontime show that they host. Other reports recounted overhearing Pia at a gathering mentioning that she was already “free.”

These speculations came to a head when reports surfaced that their Brazilian “Eat Bulaga” co-host Daiana Menezes was said to have “caused” their breakup and that she was Vic’s new girlfriend.

After Daiana’s denial in media interviews, Pia and Vic, who for the first time spoke lengthily about such an issue, denied once and for all that they have separated.

And for both, their relationship was “good” and “okay.”

“Wala po kayong kailangang ikabahala,” Pia said on GMA-7′s “Showbiz Central” on Sunday, July 18. “You have nothing really to worry about because me and Vic, we’re very okay. There’s nothing wrong with us. We’re good. Even our working relationship in ‘Eat Bulaga’ has not been affected in any way.”

Vic confirmed this in a separate interview via phone patch on the same show.

“We’re good, we’re okay. Kasi minsan yung mga spekulasyon na walang imbestigasyon, minsan nakakagulo sa isang relasyon.”

Both, however, admitted that they are experiencing “rough” times in their relationship.

“Of course, I do have to admit na just like any other relationship, there are ups and downs. You go through rough patches… and that’s why I have to keep quiet because I didn’t want too many people to get involved. I wanted us to fix it muna and we are in the process of doing that,” Pia tearfully said.

Vic further said their problems were not that serious and it was simply a small, misunderstood petty quarrel or huff that was blown out of proportion.

“Wala namang problema,” Vic added. “We don’t even consider it a major problem. In other words, konting tampuhan binigyan ng masamang kahulugan ng ilang tao. Hanggang sa lumaki ng lumaki yung tampuhan. Parang naging away. Yung away naging hiwalayan.”

Despite the apparent and continuing friction between the two (they did not communicate during the televised segment), both likened their relationship to an incomplete building or a road that was “under construction,” saying they were working hard to fix the problem.

“Kumbaga sa kalye o sa building, we are under construction right now so I really want to ask everyone’s understanding right now. I just want you guys to give us some more time. Be patient. This is not something that you just throw away in one go. And, it’s hard enough as it is for the two of us (with) ten gazillion people giving their opinions, making up stories, getting involved, so it’s really all I have to say about it,” Pia said.

To end all speculation, Vic further stressed and echoed Pia’s statement.

“Kung anuman yung naging tampuhan namin, o kung anuman ang magiging desisyon namin, nasa aming dalawa na yun. And right now, that’s all we can tell everybody that we’re good, we’re okay. We’re having a nice time. As Pia said earlier, it’s always under construction. It’s like a house na under construction at minsan nauulanan pero nothing to worry about,” Vic said.

Photos courtesy of GMA-7

Reposted From Gerry Plaza Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

A Repost From AFP

Sushi-hungry Japan sells monster tuna

AFP - Friday, July 16

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A monster tuna caught off Japan has turned heads at a Tokyo fish market, where the 445 kilogram (981 pound) bluefin -- the biggest caught here since 1986 -- sold for 3.2 million yen (36,700 dollars). Decades of overfishing have seen global tuna stocks crash, pushing some Western nations to call for a trade ban on endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Slideshow: Faces of Asia PH

TOKYO (AFP) - – A monster tuna caught off Japan turned heads at a Tokyo fish market Friday, where the 445 kilogram (981 pound) bluefin -- the biggest caught here since 1986 -- sold for 3.2 million yen (36,700 dollars).

"Many of the people who work at the market have never seen a tuna that big," said an official of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which runs the Tsukiji fish market, the world's biggest seafood market.

The fish, which was auctioned at 7,200 yen per kilogram, had already been gutted and cleaned of its gills, meaning it must have weighed more when it was caught off Nagasaki prefecture this week, the official said.

"It is extremely rare to see a tuna heavier than 400 kilograms," he said.

The biggest Japanese tuna sold at Tsukiji was a 496-kilogram beast caught in April 1986 -- but the biggest tuna from the world's oceans to be sold here was a Canadian fish caught in 1995 weighing 497 kilograms.

Decades of overfishing have seen global tuna stocks crash, pushing some Western nations to call for a trade ban on endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Japan consumes three-quarters of the global bluefin catch, a highly prized sushi ingredient, known in Japan as "kuro maguro" (black tuna) and dubbed by sushi connoisseurs as the "black diamond" because of its scarcity.

A piece of "otoro" or fatty underbelly can cost 2,000 yen (22 dollars) at high-end Tokyo restaurants.

Reposted From AFP