Claudine Barretto transfers to GMA 7

Claudine Barreto has just signed a two-year contract with GMA 7 earlier today

Top-grossing Pinoy films of 2009

As of October 4, 2009, the top-grossing  film in the Philippines is Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz starrer, You Changed My Life. Based on the data released by Box Office Mojo, the movie has earned more than 4.7 million US dollars in Metro Manila alone.

Here is the list of top-grossing local films of 2009:

2009 International EMMY awards winners

International Emmys winners were announced  Monday night, Nov. 23 at the Hilton New York.

Emmy Awards nominee Angel Locsin wearing the 1 million-peso gown designed by Michael Cinco, the same designer who made Miss Earth First Runner Up Sandra Seifert's evening gown.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR

Aliw honors best in live entertainment

By Nickie Wang

Aliw's Entertainer of the Year Regine Velasquez

A combination of big and virtually unfamiliar names in the world of live entertainment were recognized by the Aliw Awards Foundation Inc. in the 22nd edition of the annual awards presentation held on Nov. 17 at Mega Tent in Pasig City.

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez was the big winner of the night bagging three major awards including Entertainer of the Year, Best Major Concert (female category), and Best Collaboration in a major concert, which she also shared with contemporaries Pops Fernandez, Kuh Ledesma, and Zsa Zsa Padilla. The four singers did a concert in December last year called Divas 4 Divas.

Films from the Land Down Under

By Nickie Wang

There have been debates whether the Australian film industry still needs the control and support of the government or not. The cinema of Australia can thrive without any assistance and the industry can do more in terms of global competitiveness if it is not controlled by the government’s funding body, Screen Australia.

The Black Balloon director Elissa Down

The films from Down Under have done more in making people around the world become aware of the country, thanks mainly to the success of actors like Nicole Kidman, Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Eric Bana, Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce, Naomi Watts and Cate Blanchett who have become synonymous to modern filmmaking.

Australia’s world-class facilities, state-of-the art digital and visual effects production services, acclaimed cast and crew and spectacular locations also make it a sought-after location for foreign films including Superman Returns, Matrix Trilogy, Charlotte’s Web, Ghost Rider and The Ruins. It is, of course, something that our local cinema lacks.

Pop star Patrizio is an Italian delight

By Nickie Wang

Listening to the music of Italian pop star Patrizio Buanne is like drinking the finest wines in Italy. The experience is sweet, romantic and can go as far as intoxicating if you let yourself be in a trance with his elegant and captivating voice.

Patrizio is an Italian baritone who is making a name for himself as an international entertainer with numerous sold-out shows across Europe. He has just sold his one millionth record through the help of his growing fan base in Australia, United States, UK, South Africa, and in some parts of Asia. He has performed before prominent people like United States President George W. Bush and Pope John Paul II.

Brickman dedicates a song to the Philippines

By Nickie Wang

For the modern-day Filipino language, “Noche Pacifica” does not sound very local. But nobody could dismiss the idea that it is still very Filipino in a sense that even average people can understand the meaning of it and sure American pianist Jim Brickman couldn’t think of any other phrase to describe his impression of the country.

“Noche Pacifica” is one of the title tracks included in Jim Brickman’s latest work entitled Beautiful World, an album for Universal Records.

According to the American pianist, the song “Noche Pacifica” (Peaceful Night) is inspired by his visit in the country five years ago. While touring the Philippines, he was comforted by the distinct Filipino hospitality offered in a cruise ship that took him to Cebu, Palawan and Boracay.

Streaming Brillante’s flicks

By Nickie Wang

Brillante Mendoza has directed nine films since he started making movies in 2005. Three of these films (Tirador, Foster Child, Masahista) were exhibited at the Cannes Film Festival, and two others (Serbis and Kinatay) were part of the main competition.

To win best director award at Cannes Film Festival, which is considered as one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the world, is not an ordinary achievement. The honor puts his name alongside the best filmmakers in the world like Quentin Tarantino and Ang Lee.

Recently, Brillante’s film Kinatay received two more awards at the Sitges International Film Festival in Spain. The director wanted to receive the Best Director and Best Original Soundtrack trophies but he was in Paris on the day of the awards night. He was having a meeting with a big film outfit that is willing to distribute his film Kinatay commercially.

Just another music awards

Winners (from left): Jmore, Maricris Garcia, Rachelle Ann Go, Jed Madela, Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo, and Myrus (Image By: Chris Cahilig)

By Nickie Wang

Veteran artists who have been attending different music awards every year and music awards red carpet virgins alike would agree that the 1st PMPC Star Awards for Music offered nothing special.

The awards night that took place at SkyDome in SM North Edsa on Oct. 29 handed out awards like Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year (Male and Female), to name a few, and all of these awards can be described in three simple words— same old usual.

Learning from ‘Ocean Deep’ cover singer

By Nickie Wang

If listening to the radio is your pasttime, you may have heard of the latest cover version of “Ocean Deep,” a song popularized by Cliff Richard. And most probably, you’re also one of those listeners who wondered whether Leah Salonga has just released a new single, or it’s just another upcoming artist with a voice similar to the Broadway star.

If you have an exceptional hearing sense, then you would consider the latter. But the singer of the song is not just any other upcoming artist; she is a veteran in music if we would go over her credentials. Her name is Michelle, Michelle Nikki Junia in real life. She’s been around using the name Nikki J. and now has decided to use her first name.

Reliving Basia’s music at the Big Dome

By Nickie Wang

“A musician is different from a singer,” and to paraphrase the words of Ryan Cayabyab, the dilemma of aging singers when they perform is that the audiences distinguish the striking changes in their appearance and vocal quality, but when an aging musician performs, they begin to love the artist even more.

Polish singer-songwriter and record producer Basia was in town and successfully staged a one-night concert at the Araneta Coliseum last Oct. 21.

Jacko at Resorts World Manila

By Nickie Wang

Michael Jackson is alive and kicking, at least through the impersonation of Kenny Wizz who is considered as one of the best Michael Jackson tribute artists in the world.

The King of Pop impersonator is in Manila doing a series of live performances at Resorts World Manila, a newly-opened prime destination for entertainment and casino enthusiasts. The complex is situated right across the Naia terminal 3.

Resorts World Manila is the largest casino complex in the Philippines located in Pasay’s Newport City, a tourism estate that houses Marriott Hotel and two other luxury hotels. It is co-owned by tycoon Andrew Tan and Genting Berhad Group of Malaysia.

Cesar Montano charms thousands of Zamboangueños

By Nickie Wang

If the elections were held on Oct. 11 in Zamboanga, and Cesar Montano was running for a political post in the province, he would have possibility won the majority of people’s vote.

But the big day was an annual festival and not a political event. It only so happen that thousands of Zamboangueños were celebrating the culmination of Hermosa Festival, and Buboy (as he is fondly called in showbiz) was fortunate enough to be the man of the day. In fact, Defense secretary and presidential aspirant Gilbert Teodoro was also there, but resounding cheers by a ten thousand crowd for Buboy was simply a tough act for him to follow.

Gossipy facts about ‘Gossip Girl’

By Nickie Wang

Humans are natural eavesdroppers. Whether we admit it or not, we like to peek into someone else’s life. Don’t we get our daily dose of gossips by the time we turn on the television, browse the Internet, or read the newspaper?