Piolo Pascual and Angelica Panganiban’s Every Breath U Take earns P42.82 million in 2 weeks

Star Cinema’s romantic comedy film Every Breath U Take top-billed by Piolo Pascual and Angelica Panganiban grossed P42.82 million pesos after two weeks at the tills.

The film helmed by Mae Czarina Cruz, released domestically on May 16, was Graded B by the Cinema Evaluation Board and rated PG-13 by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.

Small stars play important roles

by Nickie Wang

To be a big star in showbiz is a test of patience. At the same time you also need some amount of luck to land on plum roles that can make your star shine brighter. And this is exactly what is happening to young stars Lauren Young, JM De Guzman and Enrique Gil.

Piolo Pascual’s colorful Valentine

After Piolo admitted that he and KC Concepcion are already been a couple since October last year, people wonder no more on how the actor would celebrate the most romantic day of the year.

But then again, Piolo chose to spend the Valentine’s Day with his fans, probably he and KC celebrated it in advance. Anyway, here are some snaps of the concert entitled “Piolo Meets the Maestro Ryan Cayabyab- Love Songs and the Heartthrob.” According to Mr. C, Piolo has improved by leaps and bounds through hard work. Indeed, his vocals was a pleasant surprise.

I Love You, KC – Piolo

Finally, Piolo Pascual has revealed the real score between him and KC Concepcion. The actor explained that the reason why he had kept the relationship (which started in October 2010) to themselves is that he’s protecting someone and wanted to separate his personal affairs from his professional life.

“But I guess I’ve come to a point na gusto kong magpakatotoo regardless of what people might say, regardless of people’s judgment or opinion. I guess because the person deserves it, I just don’t owe it to myself, I owe it to the public and I owe it to the person,”  he says.

“You know how it is, I have a son na hindi mo makasama, ayaw mong mapariwara ‘yung bata, ayaw mong magkaroon ng ibang reaksyon kasi bata ‘yon, he’s only 13 years old. But I think I have decided kung ano man ang magiging reaksyon ng anak ko from here, you just have to deal with it. Para na rin matigil ‘yung mga nagpaparinig kay Kristina,” adds Piolo.

Postscript:

Read it from PH:

Carjacking near Ayala. Flooding in Jeddah. Nonstop rains in South Africa. And now, KC and Piolo na? Strange times indeed. Strange times. Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you…

What are the brightest local celebs up to?

by Nickie Wang

Who are making waves in local tinseltown these days and what are brewing it the country’s big media networks?

Kristine Hermosa’s “I do” response to the question “Will you marry Oyo Boy Sotto” is to date her best gift to Dina Bonnevie and Vic Sotto’s unico hijo. The 26-year-old Oyo Boy, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, exchanged vows with Kristine in a very simple and private ceremony. This celebrity event is the first to add sparkle to other showbiz happenings that will take place in the coming days and weeks.

Showbiz’ most stylish celebrities

by Nickie Wang

There are people who never run out of style no matter what the trend is; they eternally stand out and remain in. Similarly, this follows the idea that fashion trends change but styles remain timeless. So what would you rather be – stylish or fashionable?

During the first-ever Star Studio Celebrity Style Awards, popular names in the world of entertainment turned the red carpet at the Dusit Hotel Thani into a fashion runway as they walked and posed for the cameras in their most glamorous outfits.

Stars like Piolo Pascual, Ely Buendia, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Angel Aquino, and Sarah Geronimo were among the big winners that night. Voted by fans, they simply depict what star quality is and what it takes to be called stylish personalities in their own right. They were awarded Most Stylish Leading Man, Male Celebrity Style Icon, Female Celebrity Style Icon, Most Stylish Female Host, and Most Stylish Female Performer, respectively.

Poised for a more colorful career

By Nickie Wang

Before embarking on a trip to the United States to join Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby as a support act in the Heartthrobs and Friends concert tour, Bea Alonzo faced the entertainment press and the media to express her delight for having a blooming career.

Fresh from the massive success of Miss You Like Crazy, a movie that reunited Bea’s box-office tandem with John Lloyd Cruz, she is pleased to inform her fans that she is set give life to another challenging role entrusted to her by Kapamilya network.

A different side of Piolo Pascual

By Nickie Wang

Piolo Pascual has about 300,000 photos in his computer. He has accumulated that amount of still pictures using a digital camera he takes with him whenever he goes on a trip around or out of the country. Yes, the guy loves staying behind the camera to take some awesome shots that capture his adventure, his emotion, and point of view.

People 12.19.09

…are talking about

Krista Ranillo

Members of the entertainment press patiently waited for her at the NAIA to get a scoop only to find out that she was whisked away by airport officials. The ubiquitous sexy starlet was expected to answer all the questions that put her in the limelight. But instead of facing the media and all the people who are waiting in bated breath, Krista makes a guest appearance in one of primetime’s most watched series, May Bukas Pa. Can the miracle boy change the fate of the controversial actress or is it just part of the whole damage control scheme that both Manny’s and Krista’s camps have been doing all along?

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:

People 10.3.09

…are talking about

Ondoy telethons

The country’s two major TV stations immediately initiated telethons dedicated to raise funds and collect relief goods for the victims of typhoon Ondoy. We saw how people can make great efforts to help, and we saw how ABSCBN’s Sagip Kapamilya proved how powerful it is in convincing even big companies to extend some assistance. The station has generated more than 100 million pesos in cash and in kind. Does this mean that ABS-CBN is the more trusted media organization?

Christine Reyes

Christine Reyes: Real-life damsel in distress

New York Times called her a real-life damsel in distress after being stranded on top of the roof for twelve hours and saved by Patient X co-star Richard Gutierrez. Among the celebrity victims, Christine’s story is the closest to a fairy tale or a scene in a movie where a knight in shining armor emerged from nowhere and swept her off to safety.  Only one thing that we noticed though, while other celebrities tried to help as many people as they could, Christine’s rescuer didn’t save anybody else apart from her and her family.

Gerald Anderson

Gerald Anderson swimming murky floodwaters

Tiagong Akyat literally  swam the murky floodwaters and climbed walls to check on his neighbors who might have needed help during the calamity considering that his own house was also flooded. And there were no video cameras, although neighbors caught his near heroic deed in still and amateur video cameras. In times like the recent disaster that wreaked havoc in Metro Manila, we can really see celebrities who genuinely help people and those who are just eager to have photo opportunities in the middle of rescue and relief operations. We don’t have to name names. They parade themselves on TV anyway.

…are not talking about

GMA Drama Series

Kapuso network profiles leading characters in its television series as people who are martyrs, and thus promote and tolerate culture of cruelty. In this time and age, no person who is in his or her sound mind, would desire to be occasionally slapped or dragged on the floor. If the big wigs in the station thought viewers enjoy this kind of drama, then they have to check their calendars because they seem stuck in the old ways. Aren’t they wondering why they can’t even score any higher than the Kapamilya shows in the provinces? And why theirs are slowly losing audiences in Mega Manila? Time to change ways, Kapuso! You’ve been lingering long in your old and rotten formula.

Lovers In Paris

Lovers in Paris stars Piolo Pascual and KC Concepcion

Primetime’s latest localized series debuted modestly in the ratings race amid massive publicity and promotion. The viewers seem not too excited to follow the love affair of Carlo and Vivian. Is it because the lead stars are an aging matinee idol and a commercial model turned actress who is obviously not fit for the role?

Mark Herras

The Bad Boy of the dance floor is enticed going to the gym because of an aim to be part of Cosmo Bachelor Bash next year. Did he suddenly feel inferior by the attention Gerald Anderson and Aljur Abrenica got when they flaunted their well sculpted torsos? The truth is, Mark needs more than just doing crunches and barbell curls; he needs to work double time because most of his contemporaries’ careers are moving faster than his.

Cinemalaya is bigger at 5

By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today

The much-awaited opening of the 2009 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition pushed through last July 17 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines amid the torrential rain that flooded some areas of the metro. Just like the previous editions of Cinemalaya, the filmfest furthers and highlights its hallmark: there’s a story for everyone to enjoy.

Cinemalaya Cinco, which is being tagged as the “big, small film festival”, is featuring the following sections, namely, Competition, World Premieres and NetPac films, Lino Brocka Retrospective, Kids’ Treats, Gay/Lesbian films, The City in Focus, Women in Indies, Off Center, Documentary and Ani: Best of Last Year.

The actual exhibition of competing films runs for nine days before it culminates tomorrow, which is also the day of the awarding ceremony.

“The success of Cinemalaya for the past five years would not have been possible without the unwavering support of many organizations and individuals,” said CCP president Nestor Jardin.

Cinemalaya has been a venue to innovative short and feature films for independent filmmakers and its previous editions received strong reception from the audience. Last year, almost 30,000 people went to the CCP to watch the exhibition and competing films.

“For the next 10 days, thousands of indie film enthusiasts will flock the CCP to watch 20 films with stories that are not dictated by the constraint of big [film] studios,” Jardin furthered, supporting the strong audience interest and reception gained by Cinemalaya.

The festival’s annual question that also serves as a challenge, “Anong Kwento Mo?” is answered by 10 digital films competing in the full-length category. These are 24K by Ana Agabin, Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe by Alvin B. Yapan; Astig by GB Sampedro; Colorum by Jon Steffan Ballesteros; Dinig Sana Kita by Mike E. Sandejas; Engkwentro by Pepe Diokno; Last Supper No. 3 by Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel; Mangatyanan by Jerrold Tarog; Nerseri by Vic Acedillo Jr.; and Sanglaan by Milo Sogueco.

Competing in the short film category are: Behind Closed Doors by Mark Philipp Espina, Blogog by Rommel “Milo” Tolentino; Bonsai by Alfonso “Borgy” K. Torre III; Hulagpos by Maita Lirra Lupac; Latus by John Paul S. Seniel; Musa by Dexter B. Cayanes; Si Bok at ang Trumpo by Hubert Tibi; Tatang by Jean Paolo “Nico” Hernandez; Ugat sa Lupa by Ariel Reyes and Wat Floor Ma’am by Mike Sandejas and Robert Seña.

The winner of the full-length feature category will receive the Cinemalaya Balanghai trophy and an additional grant of P200,000. Each full-length feature category finalist was given an initial P500,000 production grant. The winner of the short feature category will receive P100,000 and Cinemalaya Balanghai Trophy.

Film Congress

Another major event of Cinemalaya Cinco is the Cinemalaya Film Congress held at the CCP Little Theater. With the theme “Linking Digital Highways,” the Cinemalaya Film Congress aims to discover the major centers of independent filmmaking in the country.

The congress also intends to assess the artistic achievement of cinematic works produced in the last five years, to invite indie filmmakers from the different regions to speak about the state of indie filmmaking in their areas, and to establish a network of indie filmmaking centers to consolidate all efforts to create, promote and market indie films both here and abroad.

Manila in Black and White

The opening night of the 2009 Cinemalaya saw the Philippine premiere of Manila. Directed by Adolfo B. Alix Jr. and Raya Martin, it was first screened in the 62nd Festival de Cannes and the 31st Moscow International Film Festival. Co-producer and lead star Piolo Pascual presented the film and gave a short remark, which was applauded by hundreds of fans who were present at the event.

Manila pays tribute to Lino Brocka’s Jaguar (1979) and Ishmael Bernal’s Manila By Night (1980). Thus, the film is divided into two stories or parts showcasing the city’s landscape both by day and by night.

Contemporary moviegoers dislike the idea of a film being shot in black-and white. But Manila, which is shot on 16-mm black-and-white film before being transferred to 35mm, attempts to build a statement of artistic style but the issue of financial constraint is more considered because the film lacks the technical pulling power to involve the audiences.

For the first part, Piolo portrays a drug addict named William in honor of William Martinez who played the lead role in Manila By Night (but this segment depicts Manila by day). After a drug bust, he visits some of his pals who could satisfy his addiction to prohibited drugs but to no avail. While in the middle of his effort to score drugs, he tries to reconnect with his loved ones. The character is always seen running and wandering around, which is apt to describe the entire first part of the film. Most of the scenes are left suspended and lacks proper transition that guides the audience into the next scene.

The other half of the film, which is the night segment, sees Piolo as a bodyguard named Philip. The character pays homage to Philip Salvador who played the lead in Jaguar.

This second part is introduced by an opening credit that appears from nowhere. Some might think that it is still part of the first segment because of the established fact that most scenes in the first part of the movie jump into another scene without fitting transitions.

This time, however, the story is more comprehensible, it is perfectly narrated. Here, Piolo is a poor guy who works as a faithful bodyguard to a politician’s son who turns his back on him after a heated altercation. The squabble forces him to seek refuge in a mucky slum area where he meets his unfortunate end.

Both characters show how Piolo can deliver and act convincingly, but the technical part of the film does not convince the audience that Manila can make resounding critical and commercial success. In more than one occasion, the shaky hands of the cameraman in capturing simple shots tells us that this film has a lot more to work on.

People 7.4.09

Source: Manila Standard Today

…are talking about

Christine Reyes

Fans of Marian Rivera and Angel Locsin must stop their word war on who is the sexier between their respective idols. FHM, the local edition, of the international men’s magazine, has spoken. It is Christine Reyes.
Will she now be a hot item with producers scrambling for her services? Her contract with the Kapamilya network had expired and Reyes said she wouldn’t go back there, not by any chance. Rumors that she’d like to go back to GMA 7 have been circulating, but her management company, Viva Talent Agency, has not denied or confirmed. In any case, Christine says she wouldn’t really mind if she has no regular TV project for as long as she’s happy. Atta girl!

Rosalinda

July 6 is a crucial day both for Geoff Eigenmann and Carla Abellana because many are curious on how they will fare on primetime TV as a love team. The two are playing the localized characters of Fernando Jose and Rosalinda in the newest adaptation of a Mexican telenovela on GMA Telebabad.
Many say Carla, daughter of 80s matinee idol Rey “PJ” Abellana and granddaughter of 40’s star Delia Razon, could be the next “it” girl, and Geoff, frozen for two years at the Kapamilya coop seems to have sprung to life in the new series.
Kapamilya fans are more than excited…they are already raving!

Diether Ocampo

He collapsed and his head hit the floor in middle of rehearsals for the show in Ontario, Calfiornia’s segment of “Star Magic: The World Concert Tour.”
Many feared he could be suffering from something serious, but apparently he was just overworked. Diether needs to rest, that’s a fact, and even if he takes a whole year off to make himself fitter than fit won’t change the fact that he’s one of the best actors on television these days. We wish him well.

…are not talking about

Piolo Pascual

Fans are just too happy to see Piolo on weekend primetime TV as Krsitine Hermosa’s newest love interest.
Nasaan Ka, Maruja? seems to have taken a new twist with the entry of Piolo in the cast of characters, eclipsing Derek Ramsay and the other male stars that have made the series a weekend favorite for many.
So, are the fans ready as well for Lovers in Paris?

The Wedding

The marriage of good looks and publicity is not enough to put this series at the pinnacle of the ratings race. The stars of the program, Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsay and Zanjoe Marudo, will not be very happy to know that the performance of the The Wedding wasn’t something their fans would be crazy about. In the Mega Manila ratings it only managed to pull viewers to land the show on no. 10 and nor 9 in the nationwide ranking..
Canned for the last two years, the series is showing its age in many scenes, we hope the current production staff could cure it before it hits the inevitable…Disaster.

Gretchen Espina

It takes more than just mental calisthenics to remember such name; it even took us some time just to identify her face. To refresh everyone’s memory, Gretchen is the first ever winner of the reality talent search Philippine Idol, and she’s back to rekindle the career she left a year ago.
When asked why she’s gone for such a long time (one year is a very long time in showbiz), she said that it’s the strategy of her mother network. Unlike other reality search winners who are given heavy exposure soon after they won, Gretchen claims that GMA Network advised her to rest for year before the management could launch her career in full blast. Yes, she is being re-launched now when nobody could even care.

Is it shine or just glint for Jericho Rosales?

His television series Kahit Isang Saglit ended just like the way it started – unnoticed. During its presence on primetime, it can even hardly get a modest rating. If viewers had observed, the series even got endorsement from Sharon Cuneta and Kris Aquino, but no matter how they tried to publicize the series, it just ended a loser.

Gone are the days when Echo was basking in fame, and just like his ex-lover Kristine Hermosa, and the rest of his fellow Hunks (except for Piolo Pascual), his star is slowly fading like a dying ember. He is good actor, he might even win another acting award at the Metro Manila Film Fest, but it’s not his versatility as an actor that keeps him in showbiz, it’s the fans or the viewers who decide whether he would shine or just glint.

ABSCBN dominates Star Awards

BY NICKIE WANG/ MANILA STANDARD TODAY

Network rivalry has never been this searing as Internet forums heated up few hours after the 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV held at the SMX Convention Center on Nov. 30.

ABS-CBN Network dominated the event walking home with 25 awards while its rival station GMA-7 won 19 awards including the coveted Best TV Station.

Since 2004, the award for Best TV Station has been given alternately to the two local TV giants that next year, people will expect that the trophy will be given to ABS-CBN (unless miracle happens it would land on TV5).

GMA’s terrestrial channel QTV-11 won five awards while ABS-CBN’s Studio 23 got just one trophy. UNTV-37 and ABC-5 both won two awards each. RPN-9 and IBC-13 went home empty-handed.

This year’s nominees were programs aired from June 13 until July 1 of this year. Two special awards and 54 trophies where given out by the Philippine Movie Press Club.

The event that saw celestial shower was hosted by Paolo Bediones, Gabby Concepcion, Anne Curtis and Judy Ann Santos.

Iza Calzado and Dingdong Dantes were the trivia hosts with a pre-taped segment entitled “Icons [sic] in the Philippine Television.”

The drama category was a battle between the novice and veteran actors. Child actor Joshua Dionisio bested other nominees like Dolphy, John Lloyd Cruz, Eddie Garcia, John Wayne Sace, and Gabby Concepcion for Best Single Performance by an Actor category via the Maalala Mo Kaya (MMK) episode “Sako.”

Angel Locsin, who graced the awards night with Male Star of the Night Luis Manzano, received the Best Single Performance by an Actress trophy for her first acting project on ABS-CBN through MMK episode “Pilat.” She went up on stage twice after receiving the award for Lobo as Best Primetime TV Series. Angel’s leading man Piolo Pascual was named Best Drama Actor for his performance in Lobo while Sunshine Dizon, who was in a psychedelic black dress, won Best Actress award for her moving performance in Impostora.

Boy Abunda was the most decorated personality of the night. He won Male Showbiz-Oriented Show Host for The Buzz and Best Celebrity Talk Show Host, with Kris Aquino, for Boy And Kris. The Buzz was named Best Showbiz-Oriented Show with Ruffa Gutierrez and Cristy Fermin tied for Best Female Showbiz-Oriented Show Host award.

Edu Manzano, who thanked Pinky Webb (if she blushed, it’s hard to guess but she turned her back on the camera) during his speech, won Best Game Show Host and his program Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba! was awarded Best Game Show. Perennial noontime rivals Eat Bulaga and Wowowee shared the award for Best Variety Program. Valerie Concepcion got the award for Best Female TV Host while Vic Sotto snatched the award for the male category. The Best Musical Variety Show went to SOP Rules.

As it has been predicted, in the News and Current Affairs category, the awards were split between the Kapamilya Network and GMA Kapuso, but UNTV-37’s Bitag surprisingly snatched the Best Public Service Program and Best Public Service Program Host for Ben Tulfo.

Best News Program went to TV Patrol World with Julius Babao winning the Best Male Newscaster. Best Female Newscaster was given to Vicky Morales for Saksi: Liga Ng Katotohanan. Best Documentary Program was won by I-Witness: The GMA Documentaries while its hosts Kara David, Howie Severino, Sandra Aguinaldo and Jay Taruc won Best Documentary Program Hosts.

Signos: Ang Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima, GMA’s special documentary on climate change and hosted by Richard Gutierez won Best Documentary Special.

This year’s Best Magazine Show Host Korina Sanchez went back-to-back receiving the PMPC trophy as Best Magazine Show.

The night of entertainment

The 22nd edition of the PMPC Star Awards for Television had seen great entertainment from the personalities who were nominated during the night, but the show it self was crappy that people would want to watch the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Philippines instead.

There were lively performances that made the crowd screaming at the top of their lungs like the dance number rendered by Rayver Cruz, Maja Salvador, Mark Herras, Erich Gonzales, Marky Cielo and Ryza Cennon. Other performances were simply rubbish. Regine Velasquez, who lip-synced just like the rest of the performers, rendered a mediocre performance. The opening number however was a great visual treat seeing Toni Gonzaga, Rachelle Ann Go and Karylle onstage covering Robbie Williams’ “Let Me Entertain You.”

Ogie Alcasid serenaded Senator Loren Legarda and Rosa Rosal who received the Excellence in Broadcasting Lifetime Achievement Award and Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively.

One of the witty speeches came from Female Star of the Night Rufa Mae Quinto who also received the award for Best Comedy Actress. Not that she gave the most intelligent speech but she blurted some punch lines that truly justified her being the winner of the award in comedy. Boy Abunda’s speech was dedicated to all the gay men and women all over the world.

Most awards nights see several torpid-minded presenters, and the 22nd PMPC Star Awards is no exception. Lovi Poe was the only presenter who committed a mistake. This year’s Best New Male TV Personality Robi Domingo was about to announce the winner for Best Public Affairs Program Host, but Lovi, who probably was out of her mind, announced I-Witness: The GMA Documentaries as the winner.

Other winners of the 22nd PMPC Star Awards for Television are:

Best Talent Search Program—Shall We Dance, ABC-5;

Best Talent Search Program Host—Lucy Torres-Gomez, Arnell Ignacio and Dominic Ochoa (Shall We Dance), ABC-5;

Best New Female TV Personality—Patricia Gayod (Maalaala Mo Kaya / “Dagat” episode), ABS-CBN;

Best Youth-Oriented Show—Boys Nxt Door, GMA-7;

Best Horror or Fantasy Program—Komiks Presents: Volta, ABS-CBN;

Best Public Affairs Program—(Y-Speak) Studio 23;

Best Public Affairs Program Host—Jessica Soho (Hot Seat), QTV-11;

Best Morning Show—Unang Hirit, GMA-7;

Best Morning Show Host—Arnold Clavio, Susie Entrata-Abrera, Lyn Ching-Pascual, Rhea Santos, Jolina Magdangal, Winnie Monsod, Oscar Orbos, Regine Tolentino, Drew Arellano, Eagle Riggs, Love Añover and Lhar Santiago (Unang Hirit), GMA-7;

Best Lifestyle Show—Living It Up, QTV-11;

Best Lifestyle Show Host—Raymond Gutierrez, Issa Litton, Sam Oh and Tim Yap (Living It Up), QTV-11;

Best Reality Program—Gandang Ricky Reyes: Parlor Game, QTV-11;

Best Reality Program Host—Ricky Reyes (Gandang Ricky Reyes: Parlor Game), QTV-11;

Best Travel Show—Pinoy Meets World, GMA-7;

Best Travel Show Host—Katherine de Castro, Uma Khouny, Franzen Fajardo, Kian Kazemi and Jayson Gainza (Trip Na Trip), ABS-CBN;

Best Educational Program—Matanglawin, ABS-CBN;

Best Educational Program Host—Kim Atienza (Matanglawin), ABS-CBN;

Best Children Show—Art Angel, GMA-7;

Best Children Show Host—Pia Arcangel, Tonipet Gaba and Krystal Reyes (Art Angel), GMA 7.