The country’s Superstar, Nora Aunor, is shortlisted for the 10 Best Asian Actresses of the Decade category of the 2010 Green Globe Film Awards, starmometer.com said.
Aunor, Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, in real life is vying for a slot in the Top 10 against a number of actresses across Asia, mostly from China, Japan and South Korea led by Gong Li and Maggie Cheung.
From the shortlisted nominees in 37 categories, Aunor was the only Filipino who made it to the list.
Fondly called Ate Guy, Aunor is the only movie actress to receive the Centennial Honor for the Arts awarded by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1999, thus naming her Actress of the Century.
There are other award categories in the 2010 Green Globe that celebrate the Asian entertainment scene like Best Asian Film of the Decade, Asian Cultural Ambassador of the Decade, Best International Entertainer from Asia, Best International Actor/Actress from Asia, and Best International Film from Asia.
Considered as one of Hollywood ’s largest film award programs, the Green Globe Film Awards will culminate on March 23, 2010.
One hundred Viewers’ Choice Awards being selected by film lovers, critics and movie viewers from around the world will be announced. (PNA)
LOR/JCA
Filipino-American actress Arielle Jacobs is featured as the lead role of Nina Rosario in the first national tour of Tony and Grammy-winning musical “In The Heights” which kicked off in Tampa, Florida which kicked off October 27, 2009 and ends in Costa Mesa, California on August 15, 2010, the PhilippineCinema.Com said Tuesday.
PhilippineCinema.Com said San Francisco-raised Jacobs got her Filipino blood from her mother’s side.
Jacobs’ grandfather, who was originally from Pangasinan in the Philippines, moved to the U.S. with his wife and three children in 1965 after 17 years of petitioning for U.S. citizenship.
Graduating magna cum laude from New York University (NYU), with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance, Jacobs has originated the role of Gabriella Montez in the national tour of Disney’s “High School musical” and the world premiere of High School Musical 2.
She was also seen in musicals a Chorus Line, Cinderella, Babes in Arms, The King and I, Ragtime and Rose of Corazon.
“Like Nina Rosario, I always put a lot of effort and focus on academics. In high school, I took theater arts classes and had a 4.2 G.P.A. when I graduated. I had dreams to go to an Ivy League university, like Harvard or Columbia. I wanted to be an environmental activist,” Jacobs said.
“IN THE HEIGHTS”, which features music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2008. It was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, winning three, including Best Musical.
IN THE HEIGHTS tells the intertwined stories of various characters living in the Dominican Republic neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City.
The music of IN THE HEIGHTS is very different from the familiar Broadway style as it fuses music genres of Latin, hip-hop, soul and rap. (PNA)
LOR/JCA
The Movie & Television Review & Classification Board (MTRCB) has stood firm on the 20-day preventive suspension of ABS-CBN’s talent show “Showtime” following an incident involving one of the show’s judges.
MTRCB chairman Ma. Consoliza P. Laguardia said during a live show last January 7, contest judge Rosanna Roces made controversial statements against the show’s teachers and co-contest judge Vice Ganda.
In the episode, Roces encouraged students who guested on the show to ask questions from their teachers. She went on to describe teachers as “repeaters.”
Her co-judge on the show, Vice Ganda, later reminded the audience that there are many teachers who are good at their profession, and that people should not generalize when they criticize the failures of educators.
On January 8, the show then announced that Roces has been removed as a judge of the show, as part of the network’s self-regulation.
But the network will question the need for the preventive suspension of the show, after the removal of Roces as judge.
“A preventive suspension is issued to stop further violations, if there were any committed, or for the interest or welfare of the public.
Thus, the network questions the need for said preventive suspension when Rosanna Roces has already been removed from the program,” said ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network president Charo Santos-Concio.
“Showtime is a highly entertaining show watched by many Filipinos. It helps promote and showcase the creativity and talent of kapamilyas nationwide, uplifts their spirit and provides opportunities to improve their lives,” she said.
Concio said the cast and staff of the show said they were not given any notice of the suspension.
ABS-CBN has filed an appeal in court on Tuesday, while a hearing is scheduled on January 14 to let the show air their side of the story on the MTRCB decision. (PNA)
LOR/JCA
Actress Anne Curtis sent flowers to the Indian Embassy in Makati City on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia.
Curtis and PETA thanked the Indian government for its ban on the use of elephants in all the country’s zoos and circuses.
Under the direction of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), the freed elephants will be placed in government-run sanctuaries where they will be able to walk freely and play with other elephants.
Curtis and PETA are hopeful that the CZA’s efforts will be among the first steps in changing the policies of zoos across Asia.
Some zoos in Europe and North America have removed or are in the process of removing elephants from zoos.
“I am delighted to hear about India ’s recent decision to remove all elephants from zoos and circuses and place them in sanctuaries,” Curtis said in her letter to Ambassador Shri Yogendra Kumar.
“Sadly, many captive elephants—such as the Manila Zoo’s Mali —continue to languish in solitude and suffer from boredom. I sincerely hope that other countries will be inspired by the example that you have set,” Curtis said.
In the Manila Zoo, an elephant named Vishwamali (“Mali” for short) has been living in loneliness and boredom since 1977.
With a small pool at the back of her enclosure serving as her only form of entertainment, Mali has shown signs of psychological distress.
She paces incessantly and has been observed standing in one spot with her trunk to the ground.
She has also been seen walking to the edge of her tiny enclosure and reaching out her foot in the futile hope of going farther.
PETA is calling on the zoo to relocate Mali to an accredited sanctuary immediately.
At a sanctuary, she would enjoy the vital companionship of other elephants and roam and forage amid lush, natural vegetation.
According to David Hancocks, former director of the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle , Washington , in the U.S., “[Elephants] are actually very poor candidates for life in captivity.
Their requirements are so substantial—it is probably beyond the capabilities of most zoos to even begin to resolve them.” (PNA)
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Veteran actress Mila Ocampo, the mother of showbiz personality Snooky Serna died Wednesday morning, a report said.
Broadcaster Jobert Sucaldito announced over ABS-CBN’s dzMM “Showbiz Mismo,” that Ocampo, also a movie actress who rose to fame in the 50s, passed away.
Ocampo, who was married to Von Serna, was part of 1952 film “Romansa sa Ngayon” together with the late Rogelio dela Rosa, the late Nida Blanca and the late Nestor de Villa.
In 1961, she was paired to the late movie king Fernando Poe Jr. in a movie called “Sandata at Pangako.”
Her other movies are: Sta. Claus is Coming to Town, “Paano kung wala ka na (1997),” “Sinungaling mong puso” (1992),” Zuma (1985), Experience (1984), Tender Age (1984), Strangers in Paradise (1983), and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (1971) where daughter Snooky was introduced. (PNA)
vcs/JCA/PR
The drama that unfolded at a Senate hearing between cosmetologist Dr. Hayden Kho and actress Katrina Halili as well as celebrities filing candidacies for public office topped this year’s showbiz news.
Entertainment critics were one in saying that it was a good year, a bad year. a happy year, sad year but with a happy ending for the showbiz industry in 2009.
As Philippine Star movie columnist Ricky Lo puts it: it is complete with all the ingredients: Action, drama, tragedy, excitement, suspense, fantasy, surprises and — you’re right — sex, lies and videotapes.
In the middle of 2009, sizzling videotapes “starring” Dr. Kho and, among others, Halili and Maricar Reyes turned all of us into insatiable voyeurs.
Dermatologist Dr. Vicki Belo accused Halili of “stealing” her boyfriend Kho and Halili in turn accused Kho of having filmed their bedroom mazurka with neither her knowledge nor permission.
Reyes wisely opted to remain tight-lipped up to now. Charges were filed against Hayden whose license was revoked by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).
Towards the end of the year, Kho was reported to have tried anew to commit suicide but his lawyer denied it.
The suspension of ABS-CBN’s Wowowee host Willie Revillame showed a video of the remains of former President Cory Aquino last August being transferred from La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong City to the Manila Cathedral was inserted into the telecast of Wowowee, catching host Revillame unaware and startled.
He protested on air for the “rude intrusion,” and he was right in saying that it didn’t look good for such a solemn “insert” while the studio audience was cheering the contestants of the Willie of Fortune segment. ABS-CBN didn’t have a choice but to suspend him.
In politics, led by former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada who is running for again president, several other showbiz personalities and relatives of entertainers are threw their hats into the 2010 political ring.
Among those who have also filed their certificates of candidacy (CoCs) were: Sen. Manny Villar (whose grandmother is former LVN actress Evelyn Villar) for president; Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino for president; television host Edu Manzano for vice president (as Gibo Teodoro’s running mate); Sen. Loren Legarda (as Manny Villar’s running mate);
Newscaster Jay Sonza for vice president; Sen. Mar Roxas for vice president (Noynoy’s running mate); Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for reelection; Sen. Bong Revilla for reelection; Sen. Lito Lapid for reelection; former Sen. Tito Sotto again for senator; former Sen. Ralph Recto again for senator; Imelda Papin for senator;
Amay Bisaya for senator; newscaster Alex Tinsay for senator; newscaster Rey Langit for senator; Anthony Castelo for senator; Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte for congressman (fourth district of Quezon City); Laguna Congressman Dan Fernandez for reelection; Congressman Anton Lagdameo (husband of Dawn Zulueta) of the second district of Davao del Norte for reelection;
Gina Vera-Perez de Venecia for congresswoman (fourth district of Pangasinan); Lani Mercado for congresswoman (of the lone district of Bacoor, Cavite); San Juan City Mayor JV Ejercito for congressman; Makati City Councilor Rico J. Puno for congressman;
Richard Gomez for congressman (in Leyte); Manny Pacquiao for congressman (in Sarangani); newscaster Maki Pulido for congresswoman (first district of Pangasinan); Jestoni Alarcon for congressman (second district of Antipolo); Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos for reelection;
Rizal Gov. Junjun Ynares (husband of Andeng Bautista of the Revilla clan) for reelection; Cesar Montano for governor of Bohol; Rommel Padilla for vice governor of Nueva Ecija; Bacoor (Cavite) Mayor Stryke Revilla for reelection;
Former Parañaque Mayor Joey Marquez again for mayor of the same city; Guia Gomez for mayor of San Juan City; Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista for Q.C. Mayor; Joy Belmonte for Vice Mayor of Quezon City;
Anjo Yllana for vice mayor of Parañaque City; former Caloocan City Mayor Rey Malonzo for vice mayor of the same city; Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno for reelection; Quezon City Councilor Aiko Melendez for vice mayor of Q.C.;
Ara Mina, Ricky Davao, Roderick Paulate, Alfred Vargas, Ogie Diaz, Jigo Garcia and Arnell Ignacio for councilor of Q.C.; Caloocan City Councilor Marjorie Barretto for reelection; and Manila Councilor Edward Maceda (son of Marichu and Ernie Maceda) for reelection.
The death of Francis Magalona moved fans to tears last on March 6, 2009. The country also mourned for the passing of the Rap Icon after a year-long brave battle with leukemia.
Instead of saying “Rest In Peace,” the priest in a homily gently reminded FrancisM to “Rap In Peace.”
Others who have “crossed the bar” included the well-loved Douglas Quijano, Sampaguita legendary actress Paraluman (Sigrid von Giese in real life), Berting Labra (Mickey Rooney of the Philippines),
Espiridion Laxa, Johnny Delgado (the versatile bida-kontrabida), Bernard Bonnin (of Alyas Palos fame), Tita Muñoz and Yaya Luring (the Mega-Babysitter of Megastar Sharon Cuneta).
The Judy Ann Santos- Ryan Agoncillo exchanging “I do’s” at a “very private wedding” at a church in a Batangas town, the same place where Ryan’s parents got married also shook the showbiz industry.
The wedding of Sen. Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez was crowd drawer. Other marchers down the aisle: Klaudia Koronel and her non-showbiz boyfriend, Angelika dela Cruz and her non-showbiz boyfriend (the couple already has a months-old child), Michelle van Eimeren and Mark Murro (in Australia), and Alma Moreno and a mayor of a Mindanao city.
Showbiz personalities were not spared from the wrath of Typhoon “Ondoy”. Stranded, shivering and hungry with her mom and a little nephew at the roof of their house in Provident Village in Marikina City was Cristine Reyes.
She unwittingly became the Poster Girl for Ondoy victims that also left virtually homeless K Brosas, Jean Garcia and daughter Jennica, Gladys Reyes and a dozen others whose beautiful houses were submerged in floodwaters, including Carmina Villarroel and Zoren Legaspi, Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto, Lindsay Custodio, Chokoleit, Edgar Mortiz and wife Millette Santos, Willie Nepomuceno and Pilita Corrales.
Independent filmmakers like Brillante Mendoza also shared the limelight.
Nearly three decades after the likes of Lino Brocka and Mike de Leon paved the way for Filipino movies to Cannes, Mendoza did it with Kinatay, the second film (after Serbis) he entered in the world’s most prestigious film festival.
Kinatay also won Best Picture at the Sitges Filmfest in Spain while Dante’s other film, Lola, won Best Film in the recent Dubai International Film Festival.
Other international winners: Pepe Diokno whose first film Engkwentro won the Orizzonti & Lion of the Future Award at the Venice International Film Festival;
Alvin Yapan, Best Digital Film at the Cairo International Film Festival for Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe; Ralston Jover, Special Mention at the Thessaloniki & Vancouver Filmfest for Bakal Boys;
Raya Martin, the Grand Prize and NETPAC for Independencia at the Bangkok Filmfest; Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Special Mention for Imburnal at the Bangkok Filmfest;
Milo Sogueco, Silver Prize New Cinema and Bronze Grand Prix du Public Audience Award for Sanglaan at the Lyon Filmfest in France; Gina Pareño, Best Supporting Actress for Serbis at the Asian Film Awards;
Francis Xavier Pasion, Best Feature Film at Asian Hot Shot Berlin Film Festival for Jay; Lou Veloso, Best Actor for Sanglaan at the Brussels Independent International Film Festival;
And Mike Sandejas, Grand Prix Special Competition at the International Deaf Cinema Section for Dinig Sana Kita. (Report filed by Funfare’s Toronto-based “International Correspondent” Ferdinand Lapuz). (PNA)V3/JCA
Actress Megastar Sharon Cuneta on Tuesday said she and her second husband, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, are planning to adopt baby boys to add to their brood of three daughters.
Cuneta disclosed their adoption plan during her best actress acceptance speech at the 35th Metro Manila Film Festival Philippines awards rites at the SMX Convention Hall of the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City Monday night.
She said they want as many adopted sons. We can arrange the adoption,” she told reporters after the awarding ceremony.
“We want it official. The papers are ready,” she quipped. Cuneta’s announcement came after her reported visit to Hospicio de San Jose, a Catholic Welfare institution and a home of orphans, abandoned and special children and elderly people.
Cuneta has three daughters; actress KC Concepcion, 24, Simone Francesca Emmanuelle (Frankie), 9, and Mariel Daniella Sophia (Miel), 5. KC is Cuneta’s and first husband Gabby Concepcion’s daughter.
Meanwhile, the Sharon Cuneta-topbilled “Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love” earned P 7 million during the opening day of the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival, making it the highest grossing “Mano Po” movie to date during its first day.
Lauded for its artistic and technical quality and the notable performances from its cast, led by the megastar, “Mano Po 6″ was given an A rating by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB), a government agency tasked to evaluate movies intended for commercial release.
This rating makes the movie eligible for a 100 percent amusement tax exemption.
“Mano Po 6″ is the only entry in the filmfest which garnered an A rating from the said board. The movie also earned good reviews from the critics and the public, as well.
In the film’s credits, it was said that “Mano Po 6″ is Regal matriarch Lily Monteverde’s story.
In the movie, written by Roy Iglesias and directed by Joel Lamangan, Sharon plays a Chinese matriarch whose desire is to get back her rebellious daughter (Heart Evangelista) at all cost.
The compelling family drama strongly delves on relationships and the bond within the Chinese clan. It espouses the family values and the rich culture and tradition of the Chinese.
The film’s lead star Cuneta impressed the audience with her maturity as an actress in “Mano Po 6.”
She was strongly supported by a strong ensemble of the most respected, talented and promising actors in the country like drama king Christopher De Leon, singer-actress Zsa Zsa Padilla, young stars Heart Evangelista, Dennis Trillo, Ryan Eigenmann, Ciara Sotto, Zoren Legaspi, Nina Jose, JC De Vera, Glaiza De Castro, Nicole Uysiuseng, John Manalo and movie icon Boots Anson-Roa with Kris Aquino in a special role. (PNA)
LOR/JCA
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released over 300 pages of previously classified papers on the late Michael Jackson, including information on child abuse cases.
The documents were released on a request made by several media outlets under the national Freedom of Information Act, and describe how the FBI helped Californian police investigate child molestation allegations against the singer in 1993, which never went to trial.
The papers also provide information on a second child abuse case in 2004, in which Jackson was tried and acquitted.
However, the files do not shed light on his sudden death at the age of 50 on June 25 this year.
The documents describe several other cases up to 2005, when the FBI assisted local authorities on incidents concerning the singer.
Around half of the FBI’s files on Jackson remain classified. (PNA/RIA Novosti)
vcs/rsm
Matinee idol Actor John Lloyd Cruz was prevented from entering Japan last Saturday due to problems with his travel papers. But he was able to go back two days later with the right documents, his talent managers said on Tuesday afternoon.
Cruz is an ABS-CBN network talent and a contract star with Star Cinema.
Japanese Immigration officials thought Cruz was in Japan for a concert with Martin Nievera but it turned out he has a concert with Nikki Gil, according to ABS-CBN spokesman Bong Osorio.
Following the instructions of Japanese authorities, Cruz flew back to Manila the same day, obtained the correct papers and is now back in Tokyo.
The network said Cruz was not detained and would explain the matter further upon his return next week.
Japanese immigration officers at the Narita International Airport in Tokyo denied entry to Cruz Saturday for allegedly giving false information.
Cruz, accompanied by a certain Ms. Montalbo, believed to be his manager, left the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at around 3 p.m. Saturday and flew to Japan on a tourist visa. He was allegedly brought to the Narita airport’s immigration office for questioning regarding the true reason why he went to Japan.
He never left the Narita airport and was deported back to Manila the following day, sources said. The sources did not specify what kind of work Cruz allegedly intended to do while in Japan for a couple of days. (PNA)
DCT/JCA
Veteran international singer Lea Salonga mesmerized her audience during a recent performance at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), entertainment critics said on Monday.
Oliver Oliveros of Broadwayworld.com said fans and the general audience did not mind staying late at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last Thursday, to check out Tony winner Lea Salonga, in a fairly casual demeanor uncommon in the public eye.
Salonga won her audiences anew with a concert performance that is fresh, full of surprises, and consistently world-class.
She belted her Broadway songs “Memory,” “I Dreamed A Dream,” “Electricity,” and “Defying Gravity” with show-stopping pipes that evening.
Her pop song numbers like “If You Leave Me Now,” “Now and Forever,” “Open Arms,” “No Boundaries,” and guess what, yeah “Poker Face,” and her tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, were a real treat.
Salonga’s “Rehab” song and dance number with hip-hop dance group The Philippine All Stars was totally unexpected.
Her stage collaboration with “comedy queen” Ai Ai delas Alas brought the house down.
Delas Alas’ entrance hinting an oversized “Annie” complete with the signature red dress, accompanied by a helium dog (HAHAHA), left the audience members in stitches!
The audience roared with laughter when delas Alas quipped by saying: “it’s cool to be with you. I’d like to greet Ms. Lea Salonga’s fans. You’re so great. All of you are dressed for the occasion. Oh, hi there my fans at the balcony, it’s good you came and afforded the expensive tickets.”
Original Pilipino Music (OPM) medleys, including Lea’s renditions of “Hanggang,” “Huling El Bimbo,” “Salamat” (featuring rock band singer Jett Pangan), “Kahit Isang Saglit,” “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal,” “Mahal Kita, Walang Iba,” “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” (featuring big band crooner Richard Poon) and the show finale and most requested song “Bayan Ko,” were a showcase of beautiful Filipino music permeating the packed concert hall.
From over 5,000 song requests from around the globe – the U.S., United Kingdom, Australia, and Dubai – Lea had selected a diverse and electrifying set that delighted her loyal fan base, and new concertgoers alike in her two-day holiday concert (December 11-12) at the PICC.
Produced by AmbientMedia, Lea performed under the direction of Bobby Garcia (Avenue Q, Dogeaters), and musical direction of brother Gerard Salonga (West Side Story, Sweeney Todd) together with the 36-piece FILharmoniKA orchestra.
The event’s aim was to reach out to victims of Ondoy and Pepeng. The proceeds is coursed through World Vision of which Salonga is Ambassador for Child Sponsorship.
From over 5,000 song requests from around the world, including San Francisco, London, Australia and Dubai, Salonga as selected a diverse repertoire. (PNA)LOR/JCA
The country’s Superstar, Nora Aunor, is shortlisted for the 10 Best Asian Actresses of the Decade category of the 2010 Green Globe Film Awards, starmometer.com said.
