Istorya Kuris-kuris

It's a baby girl for Kristine and Oyo

2011-12-29T17:42:00.000-08:00

Yahoo Philippines - Kristine Hermosa gave birth to Ondrea Bliss, her first-born by husband Oyo Sotto, last Dec. 26, 11:49 p.m. at St. Luke’s Medical Center at the Bonifacio Global City.

The baby, says Dina Bonnevie, Oyo’s mother, weighed almost six pounds at birth. Kristine had a normal delivery.

“I was with Kristine the whole time she was giving birth,” recalls Dina. “I even wore a scrub suit. Oyo, was taking pictures.”

The proud grandmother describes the baby as “very cute, with a cleft chin and long fingers which she got from Tintin, and Oyo’s thick eyebrows.”

Dina adds that Oyo is not that new to the demands of fatherhood since he and Kristine have an adopted son, Quiel, who is now three years old.

“But since their newborn is a girl, things will be different this time,” adds Dina.

Erupting underwater volcano off Spanish coast.

2011-11-15T18:42:00.000-08:00

Residents of La Restinga on the island of El Hierro were recently evacuated after weeks of earthquakes and the growing threat of an erupting underwater volcano that is making its presence known on the surface with an expanding, bubbling patch of dark debris.

Nattanateology: Sino ba talaga ang totoong suspect sa pagpatay kay...

2011-11-08T23:19:00.000-08:00

Nattanateology: Sino ba talaga ang totoong suspect sa pagpatay kay...: Sinubukan ko na hanapin ang facebook ni Genelyn Magsaysay (ina ni Ramgen Revilla at kasalukuyang asawa ni former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr.) I ...

Regine and Ogie to welcome a baby boy

2011-11-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

YAHOO - A proud father for the third time, Ogie Alcasid announced that his wife, Songbird Regine Velasquez has given birth to their firsborn son, Nathaniel James.

Ogie told Yahoo! Philippines OMG! that the birth of his son is a "blessing from God" hence the name Nathaniel "which means gift from God."

Asked what he felt when Regine gave birth, Ogie simply replied "blessed".

Ogie also said that "mom and baby are safe" and that Regine's delivery was through Caesarian section.

In his Twitter post on Tuesday night, November 8, Ogie revealed, "At 7:47pm nov 8,2011. God gave us Nathianel James. Thank you for the prayers. God bless you all!"

The couple was married last December 22, 2010 at a beach resort in Punta Fuego, Nasugbu Batangas.

Ogie added in a separate tweet that Regine fully completed her 36-week term of pregnancy.

Ogie has two daughters from his first marriage with former Miss Australia, Michelle Van Eimeren.

Leo Dominguez, Ogie's talent manager, told Yahoo! Philippines OMG! that Regine giving birth on November 8 "was unexpected." He said they thought "next week pa."

Leo said he was "happy and excited na 'uncle' or 'tito' ulit" with Ogie's new baby.

Anti-Epal Bill of Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago

2011-11-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

Credit belongs to the taxpayers, so take those billboards with your big smiling face somewhere else. This, in essence, is the message of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago in Senate Bill No. 1967, her version of what the man in the street would call an “anti-epal” measure, as it is directed at politicians or bureaucrats who claim credit for projects built with public funds. - inquirer.net

Ram Revilla Murder, Case Closed!

2011-11-03T08:22:00.001-07:00

GMA News - The police on Wednesday declared as closed the murder case of aspiring actor-politician Ramgen "Ram" Revilla after investigators tagged the victim's brother and sister as responsible for the crime.

"Opo. Na-solve na po ‘yung kaso, nalutas na," Chief Inspector Enrique Sy, head of the task force looking into the killing, told GMA News Online in a phone interview Wednesday.

Two of Ram Revilla’s siblings — Ramon Joseph "RJ" Bautista, 18, and Ramona Bautista, 21 — were slapped with murder and frustrated murder charges for the killing of their brother and the failed killing of his girlfriend Janelle Manahan.

Ram Revilla, half brother of Sen. Ramon “Bong" Revilla Jr. and son of former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., and his girlfriend Janelle Manahan were attacked in his Parañaque City home on Friday, Oct. 28. Manahan survived.

Quoting witness Roel Puzon, police said that RJ masterminded the plan to murder Ram and that Ramona conspired with him to execute it. RJ is in police custody while Ramona is still at-large.

"Matibay po [ang ebidensya] dahil mayroon tayong vital witness na nagsasabi na kasama siya [RJ] sa pagpaplano sa pagpatay at nakita niyang [Puzon] ibinigay noong ating suspect ang pera para pambili ng mga baril na gagamitin kay Ramgen… sa pagpatay," Sy said in a separate interview aired over GMA News TV's “Quick Response Team" (QRT) on Wednesday.

He said they have no witnesses tagging Ramona to the crime but that circumstancial evidence, including her alleged fabricated story of being abducted by the killers, led the police to conclude that she was involved in the crime.

"I assure you na tiningnan natin ang lahat ng angulo nito. Every step of the way we've been very careful. Lahat ng impormasyong pumasok sa amin ay talagang tiningnan namin," Sr. Supt. Billy Beltran, head of Parañaque Police, said in another interview aired over QRT.

Also charged along with the Revilla siblings were Michael Altea and Roy Francis Tolisora, who were earlier arrested by the police. Sy noted that the two admitted breaking into Ram's house.

"Sila po ang nagtuturo na ang nagbigay ng pera kay Bryan ay si Joseph," said Sy.

Three other suspects, identified as Norwin de la Cruz and two others with the aliases Bryan and Glaiza, are still at-large.

Police earlier said they have suspended the hunt for Ramona because jurisdiction over the case is now in the hands of the prosecutor.

"Alam na po ng ating mga operatiba kung nasaan sila, ‘yung mga pinaglalagian nila. At anytime na dumating po ‘yung warrant of arrest ay kukunin po natin kaagad sila," said Beltran.

The remains of Ram were laid to rest before 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Angelus Eternal Garden in Imus, Cavite, said GMA reporter Lei Alvis.

She said that Ramona and Revilla Sr. did not show up for Ram’s burial. Revilla Sr. was rushed to the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City on Tuesday after RJ was taken into police custody.

After the burial, Alviz said Sen. Revilla called on the police to reinvestigate the case because the family cannot believe that RJ and Ramona supposedly committed the crime.

The senator reportedly said, if it is proven that the siblings were involved, the family would have no choice but to follow the rule of law.

Sy said the police was open to a reinvestigation but that their investigation was very "thorough" and not rushed.

"Hindi kami nagmamadali. Mausi po at in-exhaust ang lahat ng means para ma-solve ang kaso na ito," he said. — VS, GMA News

Charice’s father was killed.

2011-11-01T03:21:00.000-07:00

YAHOO PHILIPPINES - Ricky Pempengco, father of international singing sensation Charice Pempengco, was stabbed to death last Monday night, October 31.

The incident happened along A. Bonifacio Road, Barangay Laram, San Pedro, Laguna, where Ricky was having a drinking session, a report on the ABS-CBN morning program "Umagang Kay Ganda" said on Tuesday, November 1. He left to buy a cigarette when the suspect, whom local police identified as Angel Capili, Jr., approached him.

The suspect stabbed Ricky with an ice pick. According to the report, Ricky fled but the suspect returned and stabbed him again.

The suspect quickly left the scene. Ricky’s drinking buddies didn’t help him because they were afraid the suspect would hurt them.

Ricky and the suspect had a fight in 2005, the report added.

“Nung 2005 pa yun, yung biktima raw, parang naitulak nya yung suspect. Ngayon, siguro yun din yung dahilan at bumalik yung suspect,” a policeman said in an interview with “UKG.”

Separated

Ricky was separated from his wife Raquel and their two children many years ago. Raquel, a victim of domestic violence, left Ricky and brought Charice and her younger brother with her to search for a better life.

According to abs-cbnnews.com, Raquel was shocked by tragedy. Charice is currently in Jakarta for a concert with David Foster.

Raquel said she and Ricky have lost touch a long time ago.

"Hindi kami nagkausap at wala kaming koneksyon," she told abs-cbnnews.com.

'Masakit pa din'

She added that she has forgiven her husband.

"Kung bakit masakit pa din sa akin at kung mayroon pa din bang love para sa kanya, siyempre ama siya ng anak ko," Raquel added.

Charice, on the other hand, expressed her feelings over her dad’s death on Twitter.

“I loved him and I will still love him. He's still my Dad after all.”

Charice said on her Twitter that she was with someone yesterday who looked like her father, which could also be his form of premonition.

“Last night, may kasama ako pero sabi ko kamukha nya daddy ko. Di ko alam na nagpaparamdam na pala sya,” she said.

“Gusto ko lang malaman nyo, na we had a really great relationship bago nangyari lahat ng gulo. Sinabi niya sa akin nung ako'y bata pa na hindi actually alam ni mommy, gusto nya akong maging sundalo kasi sabi niya matapang daw ako. I loved him and I will still love him. He's still my Dad after all,” Charice added.

In an interview with “Umagang Kay Ganda” today, Ricky’s sister expressed her thoughts saying that Charice’s family might now be happy because of her brother’s death.

“Siguro masaya na sila kase wala na ang kapatid ko,” Ricky’s sister said.

Charice lashes back at father's siblings

Charice, meanwhile, expressed her resentment.

“Para sa mga kapatid ng daddy ko, wala kayong karapatang sabihin o hulaan ang nararamdaman ko. Sino kayo para sabihing masaya ako sa pagkawala ng SARILI KONG AMA? Kapatid lang kayo at ako ay ANAK,” she tweeted.

“Kung natatandaan nyo, KAYO MISMO ANG NAGSABI SA AMIN NA IWASAN ANG DADDY KO. Sinabi nyo pa na wag gamitin ang apelyido nya. Hindi pinagbawal ni mommy na dalawin ang daddy namin pero HINDI NYO KAMI PINAYAGAN. Wala kayong respeto sa PAMILYA NYA para sabihin nyo yan ngayon! Imbis na ayusin nyo, sinisira nyo pa! ,” Charice said on Twitter.

Charice shared that she admits feeling resentful towards her father before, but she didn’t disown him. She added that she is not afraid expressing her feelings, especially to those who don’t have respect.

“Alam ko na nagalit ako sa kanya! Pero hindi ko sinabing itinatakwil ko sya! matagal akong naging tahimik sa mga eskandalong ginagawa nyo. Pero ngayon, di ko na kaya pati sa pagkamatay nya GANYAN PARIN KAYO. Hindi ako takot. Lalo na sa mga taong walang respeto,” Charice said.

Charice is slated to do a concert in Singapore for “David Foster and Friends Concert Tour,” but due to the tragedy, she has canceled her appearance and apologized to her Singapore fans.

“I am very sorry to all my fans from Singapore. I am not going to be there to be part of David Foster and Friends concert. I have to go back to the Philippines as soon as possible to be with my family. I hope you all understand. I love you all and I will see you next year,” Charice said.

Shaina: Im not insecure!

2011-10-31T03:41:00.000-07:00

PEP.PH - "Lahat siguro ng pinagdaanan ko sa buhay ko."

"Nakilala ko ang sarili ko. Kung ano yung capabilities ko. "

"Kung ano yung kaya kong gawin at hindi ko kayang gawin sa kapwa ko."

Boy Abunda then turned to John Lloyd Cruz, na nakikinig lamang sa mga naging pahayag ni Shaina Magdayao.

Upon listening to Shaina, ano ang gusto nitong sabihin?

"Ako, nirerespeto ko ang pagpunta namin dito. I respect the story.

"And to tell you honestly, Tito Boy, ngayon ko lang narinig 'yan kasi ang tagal naming hindi nag-usap.

"So, nirerespeto ko yun," saad niya.

Totoo bang nag-apologize siya kay Ruffa pagkatapos na mag-text ni Shaina?

"Yeah, totoo yun," pag-amin ni John Lloyd.

"Tinawagan ko siya kasi hindi malinaw sa akin, e. Hindi malinaw sa akin yung mga nangyari.

"Pagkabasa ko ng phone ko, may mga text messages na hindi maganda ang laman and they were not intended for me.

"So, alam ko, may problema.

"Ang inisip ko, instantly, ayoko nang palakihin pa. Ayoko siyang idamay.

"Sabi pa nga niya sa akin, 'Okay, I won't say anything about it para huwag nang lumaki.'"

Sa puntong yun ay hindi napigilan ni Shaina na matawa nang mahina.

Sabi naman ni John Lloyd, "I was just trying to do the right thing, Tito Boy."

BREAK OR NOT. Pagkatapos nito at tinanong ni Boy sina John Lloyd at Shaina kung ano ang estado ng relasyon nila ngayon. Sila ba ay hiwalay na?

Natatawang sagot naman ni John Lloyd tungkol sa tanong, "Akala ko sa dulo yun, a!

"Hindi... nandoon kami Tito Boy sa... I think, after our conversation the other night, malinaw naman sa amin na ina-acknowledge naman na namin na meron kaming pinagdadaanan.

"Meron kaming hinaharap na medyo mahirap.

"And pareho kami na nag-a-agree na alam namin pareho kung ano ang dapat at kailangan naming gawin."

Ayon naman kay Shaina, "Siguro na-realize namin na if para bang gusto namin na maayos pa, or siguro gusto namin na tapusin na, kailangan i-work out namin ang personal issues namin.

Sen. Bong Revilla, Strike offer P500,000 reward for tip leading to Ram’s killers

2011-10-31T00:32:00.000-07:00

Yahoo Philippines - Sen. Bong Revilla and his brother, Bacoor mayor Strike Revilla are offering a P500,000 reward to anyone who can give any tip or information leading to the killers behind their younger brother Ram Revilla’s brutal death.

This, they revealed in an official statement they issued to the press which says: “The family and loved ones of Ram Revilla deeply mourn his brutal and heinous murder. The entire Revilla family calls on the public to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul . To assist in the immediate resolution of the case, Senator Bong Revilla and Mayor Strike Revilla of Bacoor shall provide a reward of P500,000 for any tip or information that will lead to the immediate capture and conviction of the perpetrators of this dastardly crime. Again, we humbly request the public to pray for justice for Ram.”

Ram was proclaimed dead on arrival at the Paranaque Medical Center past midnight today after an unknown gunman entered their house in BF Homes.

Bong remembers Ram as a good, friendly and helpful young man who would call him Kuya and consult him whenever he had problems.

“He was my late mom’s favorite. My dad (former senator Ramon Revilla) would bring him to the house.”

Bong added that Ram wanted to run for Imus councilor in the next elections. But Bong advised him to wait for awhile so he can be better prepared for the job.

Bong is even proud of his late half-brother’s political lineage on his mother side.

“Ram’s mom, Genelyn Magsaysay, is related to former president Ramon Magsaysay and senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr.,” reveals Bong.

Ram, 22, proved showbiz ran in his veins when he joined ABS-CBN’s “Tonyong Bayawak” and GMA’s “Kamandag.”

His remains lie at the family-owned Angelus Eternal Garden in Imus, Cavite. Interment is on Nov. 2.

PHILIPPINES UNDER-23 MEN'S FOOTBALL LINE-UP FOR THE 26TH SEA GAMES (WITH NUMBERS AND POSITIONS)

2011-10-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

PHILIPPINES UNDER-23 MEN'S FOOTBALL LINE-UP FOR THE 26TH SEA GAMES

#23 MARK HARTMANN (MF)
#10 MATTHEW HARTMANN (MF)
#1 ROLAND MULLER (GK)
#14 CARLOS ALBERTO DE MURGA (DF)
#17 JASON DE JONG (MF)
#28 GERARDO VALMAYOR (FW)
#26 RAYMARK FERNANDEZ (DF)
#20 JEFFREY CHRISTAENS (MF)
#24 MARWIN ANGELES (MF)
#12 JAKE MORALLO
#7 OJ PORTERIA (MF)
#2 PAOLO PASCUAL (GK)
#11 JOSHUA BELOYA (FW)
#9 OJ CLARINO (FW)
#27 NECKSON LEONORA (DF)
#16 PATRICK HINRICHSEN (MF)
#18 MARK DRINKUTH (MF)
#4 JACQUES VAN BOSSCHE (DF)
#15 DAVID BASA (DF)
#22 TOPHER CAMCAM (GK)

Sa mga magtatanong kung bakit wala si James at Phil Younghusband....huwag na kayong magtanong by commenting in this post. Ang gawin nyo...e research nyo kung anu yung ibig sabihin nang U-23/Under-23. Pero obvious naman....huwag kayong tanga! haha...ayuz???

David Beckham, LA Galaxy to play Azkals in Manila in December 3.

2011-10-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

AKTV - The Los Angeles Galaxy, led by football glamor boy David Beckham, will visit Manila on December to play against the Philippine national men’s football team at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The apparent announcement was made by Azkals team coordinator Patrick Ace Bright on his Twitter account on Saturday night.

The game is scheduled on December 3, with members of the Galaxy also looking to conduct a football clinic prior to the match.

The Galaxy squad had long been scheduled to play in Australia against the Melbourne Victory on December 6. An earlier report by Agence France-Presse said that the American side was in negotiations to book dates in Southeast Asia, with possible stops in Singapore and Indonesia.

If it pushes through, the Manila leg of the LA Galaxy tour would come as a pleasant surprise, as the Philippines has never been a priority for football clubs touring Southeast Asia. Earlier this year, Liverpool played a series of exhibition matches in Singapore and Malaysia.

Beckham figures to be the biggest draw for the Galaxy, which also features stars Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. It could also be one of the last opportunities to see Beckham in an LA kit, as his contract with the club ends at the end of the season.

Ram Revilla killed in shooting and stabbing incident

2011-10-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

YAHOO.PH - Ram Revilla, half-brother of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, was declared dead on arrival at the Paranaque Medical Center today past midnight after being shot and stabbed in his home in Paranaque City.

According to a report from ABS-CBN News, Bong told DZMM that his brother was shot and stabbed by a gunman who entered their house in BF Homes. Ram’s girlfriend, Janelle Manahan, sustained a gunshot wound and is under observation.

Ram, 22, is the son of former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. and Genelyn Magsaysay. He is also an actor and has appeared in ABS-CBN’s “Tonyong Bayawak” and GMA’s “Kamandag.”

Bong cited a police report saying that Ram was gunned with a 9 mm or a .45 caliber gun and was stabbed.

No enemy

“Wala akong alam na may kagalit ito. Ang alam ko, gusto niya...nagaambisyon siya na tumakbo na konsehal sa bayan ng Imus," he said.

According to his Facebook page, Ram plans to run as councilor in Imus, Cavite. Bong described Ram as a kind person.

“Mabait na tao ito, wala akong masabing masama. Paborito ng daddy ko 'to,” he said.

Bong said they don’t know how to break the news to their father, who is currently sick. Bong also noted that robbery is not the motive as nothing has been taken from the house.

"Sobra ang galit para gawin ito," Bong said. The Revilla family wants to seek justice for the heinous crime.

Inuman Elementary School :D :D :D

2011-10-28T08:06:00.001-07:00

Siguro eto na ang pinaka Masayang school. Hahahahaha

Best Halloween costumes of 2011

2011-10-27T22:31:00.000-07:00

Halloween is coming up, and, yes, it’s on a Monday, but promised parties the weekend before should allow just enough excitement for costume purchases and creations to sky rocket as usual. Costumes can soar to unimaginable prices and on a college-student budget you can either save up for a few months for the ultimate costume, or make something yourself.

The following costume ideas can either be purchased at said ridiculous prices or created for less. Leggings, sweaters and a mild amount of creativity can be thrown together to make almost any costume.

Here are the top costumes you’ll be seeing (or wearing) this weekend.

Celebrity costumes

Mass interest in karaoke and Rock Band, along with the amount of people looking for their big singing break on YouTube, suggests that a great deal of today’s population dream of being rockstars. Halloween can help you there. Imitate celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Ke$ha or the very recognizable band KISS for an easy costume creation or purchase.

To be any of those ladies, pop on a wig, coordinated with said popstar’s current look, glue some candy, stuffed animals or sharp objects onto a leotard and add some stripper heels and ripped stockings for the ultimate diva look.

KISS requires some simple black and white face paint, black leggings and long sleeve shirt with some silver fabric to cut into lightening bolts. Super glue the lightning bolts you’re so proud of onto the clothes you hopefully don’t care that much about, and done.

Charlie Sheen took over the tabloids (and the news stations) this year with his “winning” attitude. You, too, can pick up his drinking problem, just for the night, and easily look like the man who is making bank off of your imitation. Some knock off Ray Bans and a bowling shirt or a black shirt with “#winning” written on it, throw on a straw hat for good measure and your fellow parties will know your drinking abilities should not be challenged.

Humorous costumes

Because we are so influenced by pop culture and the music videos it produces, Bruno Mars has something to do with the popularity of the monkey mask that has been making its way around the Halloween stores as the party animal costume.

A significantly cheaper alternative is to just buy the mask and create the rest yourself. A trip to Old Navy for a cheap sweater to write “party animal” on will get the point across, without having to consume jugs of beer that the monkey totes around in the music video. Plaid shorts are optional and everyone has pants so this costume is a piece of cake.

Angry Birds, a cell phone epidemic you’d have to live under a rock to not hear about, is a Halloween craze for every age group. Purchasing one of these costumes can be on the pricier side, but access to black pants and a red shirt can help recreate this look for a more reasonable price. Get your most artistic friend to copy the angry bird face onto your shirt and then proudly fight off pigs for the rest of the night.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been around for ages and with recent news of plans for a new movie and series in 2012, this a perfect costume for Halloween. Be ahead of the curve this year by taking charge of your favorite character regardless of if you want to be dressed head to toe in a green suit or if you want to add some sex appeal into the mix.

To make the first costume, get the turtle mask, green tights and green shirt. To add a yellow stomach, tie fabric colors around the middle of the stomach and knees, and skip the shell for an easy costume.

If a sexy costume is what you’re after, my sewing skills are limited and the only tip I can offer is to suck it up and buy the costume.

Who's really in charge of EDSA's streetlights? MMDA or DPWH?

2011-10-27T07:33:00.001-07:00

GMANews.Tv - So who's really in charge of EDSA's streetlights?

This was the question on many online Filipinos' minds when the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) pointed at each other when asked by one concerned netizen whom to contact concerning the maintenance of the highway's lighting.

Facebook user Ronnel Cuison posted on the official MMDA page to complain about the darkness on EDSA at night due to lack of functional streetlights. The MMDA's social media team responded, saying they would recommend Cuison's concern to the DPWH. Cuison then posted on the DPWH's Facebook page a paraphrased version of his first post, only to be pointed back to the MMDA.

A screengrab showing Cuison's brief correspondence with both MMDA and DPWH has made its rounds on social media, effectively drawing flak at the two agencies' seeming lack of accountability.

However, Beth Pilorin, chief of the DPWH Public Information Division, issued the following statement to GMA News Online:

"Maintenance of streetlights along EDSA, or any national or local road within their jurisdiction, is the responsibility of the concerned Local Government Units. Inasmuch as the LGUs in Metro Manila are under the Metro Manila Development Authority, the MMDA should be on top of it. Hence, we advised the message sender that this is the concern of MMDA."

MMDA's Traffic Discipline Office Director Yves Gonzalez also clarified his agency's stand, saying,

"EDSA streetlights are managed by several entities. [Streetlights on] EDSA Buendia-Ayala [is under the responsibility of] DPWH; EDSA Taft-Roxas, MMDA; Edsa Shaw, Mandaluyong LGU and EDSA Buendia flyover, Makati LGU.

"During the first query, we were well-informed that the person is pertaining to EDSA Ayala due to numerous videos and posts. That is the reason why we told him that it's within the jurisdiction of DPWH. After that, we also told him that MMDA is not the only one managing and maintaining streetlights along EDSA. There are also LGUs and other concerned Agencies," he added.

Ang mga Baboy na kulay green sa angry birds

2011-10-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

NATTANATEOLOGY: Ang mga Baboy na kulay green sa angry birds: PARANG SILA!!!! kamukha yung mga baboy...hahahahahahaha

Darren Criss and Lea Salonga on stage together

2011-10-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

www.celebuzz.com - Glee guy Darren Criss was a little star struck himself on Monday night when he was asked to perform for Oscar winning writer Alan Menken, who received the 2011 Maestro Award at the Billboard/Hollywood Reporter Film & TV Music Conference.

Darren first did an acoustic spoof of some of Alan’s Disney songs, before performing a lovely duet of “Part of Your World” with Lea Salonga. Can all Leas sing?! Darren tweeted his excitement, writing:

”I am beside myself with joy. I got to sing with @MsLeaSalonga for one of my musical idols, @AlMenken today."

SEA GAMES 2011: FOOTBALL DRAW ‘LIVE’ ON RCTI TOMORROW

2011-10-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

www.aseanfootball.org - The draw for the men’s football event at the 26th edition of the SEA Games will be held ‘live’ tomorrow at the RCTI Studio in West Jakarta.

The drawing will be done at Studio 4 RCTI at Jl. Raya Pejuangan No. 1, Kebon Jeruk in Jakarta Barat.

The ‘live’ programme has been scheduled for 1530hrs.

In the meantime, the official draw for the Futsal event will be held on the same day and at the same venue although it will not be shown ‘live’.

The draw for the Futsal event for both men and women will be held earlier at 1300hrs.

This statement was made by Nur Laily, the NOC Services Manager of the NOC Relations Directorate.

NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) as 'worst' airport again.

2011-10-18T02:03:00.001-07:00

YAHOO PH - Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 has just been voted, again, as among the world's worst airport in a reader poll.

According to travel website The Guide to Sleeping in Airports, NAIA tops the 2011 list of the world's least favorite when it comes to safety concerns, comfort, and facilities.

Manila's NAIA Terminal 1 also topped the list for Asia's worst in 2010.

"Forget about sleeping in this airport! You will not want to even close your eyes here! Bribery and theft exists," the travel site said, alongside contributed photos of the airport.

"Airport taxes are collected, but the money does not seem to go towards the betterment of the airport," it added.

The site said poll results are determined by the following: "site visitor votes; reviews submitted to the site over the past year; and information provided by airports regarding their facilities."

Users cited different concerns such as safety, airport staff attitude, the availability of comfortable seating, the state of the facilities, and poor access for people with long layovers.

The Guide to Sleeping in Airports also pointed out drawbacks such as the lack of luggage counters and pay-in lounges for transit passengers.

It also lamented that NAIA prohibits travelers from entering the airport premises three hours before their flight, a claim denied by a staff from the Manila International Airport office.

The site also mentioned a ceiling collapse incident earlier this year.

But if NAIA had "plus" points, it would be it's Free Public WiFi, and it's Terminal 3 being “clean” and “spacious,” although reportedly "structurally flawed."

Other "worst" airports in the list include Paris Beauvais Airport, Keflavik Airport, Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport, Kiev Airport, Frankfurt Hahn Airport, London Luton Airport, Pisa Airport, Paris CDG Airport and the Los Angeles Airport.

Singapore's Changi Airport meanwhile tops the list of the world's best with its modern amenities and wonderful restaurants. It was also praised for making the airport "fun."

Susan Sarandon calls Pope a 'Nazi'

2011-10-18T01:54:00.000-07:00

www.tmz.com - Susan Sarandon referred to Pope Benedict XVI as a Nazi over the weekend – not just once, but twice.

During an interview at the Hamptons Film Festival, Sarandon was talking about sending the pope a copy of the book, “Dead Man Walking,” when she clarified ... “The last one [Pope John Paul II], not this Nazi one we have now.”

When interviewer Bob Balaban expressed disapproval, Sarandon reportedly said the Nazi comment AGAIN -- drawing laughter from the audience.

The Pope's PR people acknowledged that Benedict WAS a member of the Hitler Youth as a boy, a requirement at the time for German boys his age -- but the rep insists he had no "active participation" in the group.

Zachary Quinto( Heroes' star) is GAY!

2011-10-17T00:21:00.000-07:00

www.theimproper.com - Zachary Quinto, best known for hunky roles in “Heroes” and 2009′s “Star Trek” movie, put his Hollywood career on the line by coming out of the closet and admitting he’s gay. But he says the gamble is worth it.

Quinto wrote on his blog that he decided to speak out publicly about being his sexuality, after gay teen Jamey Rodemeyer committed suicide last month as a cry against gay bullying.

Quinto’s sexuality has been a bit of an open secret, especially after he shot a video as part of the anti-gay bullying “It Gets Better” campaign.

But he’s never publicly proclaimed his sexuality, until now.

“When I found out that Jamey Rodemeyer killed himself, I felt deeply troubled. But when I found out that Jamey Rodemeyer had made an ‘It Gets Better’ video only months before taking his own life, I felt indescribable despair,” he wrote.

“In light of Jamey’s death, it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality,” he added.

Quinto also said he was motivated by his role in the off-Broadway revival of Angels in Americ

He played a gay man who abandons his AIDS-stricken boyfriend, and the portrayal also weighed on his conscience.

“As a gay man, it made me feel like there’s still so much work to be done, and there’s still so many things that need to be looked at and addressed,” he said.

The question now is has Quinto committed career suicide.

Gay actor Rupert Everett ripped Hollywood for its homophobia in 2009 and advised actors to stay in the closet, if they hoped to continue to find work.

The ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ star said that he has been denied leading man roles because of homophobia in Hollywood.

“It just doesn’t work and you’re going to hit a brick wall at some point. You’re going to manage to make it roll for a certain amount of time, but at the first sign of failure they’ll cut you right off,” he said.

Quinto is in “What’s Your Number?” playing a boyfriend of Anna Faris and plays a gay dead owner of the haunted house in “American Horror Story,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.

His new movie, “Margin Call,” which he co-produced and stars opposite Demi Moore, Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany and Jeremy Irons.

ZANJOE MARUDO AND BEA ALONZO CURRENT RELATIONSHIP STATUS.

2011-10-16T01:34:00.000-07:00

dailypinoyshowbiz.com - Zanjoe Marudo publicly admitted his romantic relationship with Bea Alonzo. He revealed their relationship in an interview with Toni Gonzaga in The Buzz.

The shy type actor need not to verbalize it but he said that he is very much in love with Bea. He also made the crowd excited by saying that he sees Bea as the woman whom he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

When asked about his relationship with the beautiful actress, he said,” “Ako nandoon na ako. [Siya] malapit na yata, malapit na.” He expressed that he is scared of losing Bea and he admitted that he already told her how much he loves her.

Their sweetness started last year and was already known to public but it was just now that Zanjoe admitted their true status. It was last month when they were spotted in Tagaytay, playing golf. They were seen having a nice time and they were not ashamed to show it to the public.

Just recently, the two flew to Paris to work for a while but they were able to take a trip and spend more time together in the city of love. It was Bea’s first time in Paris, while Zanjoe already went there when he taped Lover’s in Paris with KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual. Zanjoe served as her tourist guide. The sweethearts stayed there for two weeks.

Zanjoe also shared that he took Bea to a garden restaurant but he said that it could have been more romantic if it wasn’t for the sun still up at 9 in the evening.

Meanwhile, both are busy with their careers and respective commitments. Bea is the leading lady of Robin Padilla in Guns and Roses while Zanjoe is back in Banana Split and is busy promoting his movie with Toni Gonzaga and Euene Domingo, Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi.

Many showbiz followers admire them for their honesty. Unlike other rumored but very obvious showbiz couples there, they don’t deny the special thing that they have because there’s nothing wrong in being in love in the first place.

Carli de Murga (Philippine Azkals/Racing Club Portuense) scored a goal against Peña Rociera

2011-10-12T22:23:00.000-07:00

photo found in: www.golfutgol.com

www.golfutgol.com (google translator) - Portuense Racing ended the game 3 minutes before it reached the 90 minutes and went on to win 1-0 to losing 1-2 in those 3 fateful final minutes. That cluelessness sentenced a Portuense Racing was found with a 3-minute goal and turned to keep the advantage. Faith was the best ally of Michelangelo Alcacer that, despite not making a great game, believed to end in victory. Two plays in 3 minutes, turning and marker making it Cuvillo José Peña Rociera favorable by 1-2.

Started the game very involved with Racing, seeking the immediate goal of an insecure Rivas. After the first attack local chain Dani makes a good play on the edge of the area, and yield to Alex Exposito in the area and the center of it, after rejection of Rivas, is at the foot of the Philippines newcomer Carli, which enters with everything and get the 1-0.

The goal, far from spurring the red and whites, leads them to go with the inertia of time. A couple of distant shots, one on each side, apart from the goal, was the most remarkable of the first 25 minutes. In 26 David Anton makes a very good move by the center, attends Diego and Ezekiel blocks the shot of it. In 29 the referee annulled a goal for offside Juanma. In 30, Chunk is left alone to Ismail and he beats one-on-one, clearing a corner. Ezekiel draws a foul on the crosshead of Rivas, Luis Castillo is another very good goalkeeper stops and Dani has one last chance on a shot from the edge of the area that touches the pole. The first half comes to an end after a header from Villalon, all alone and in the small area that goes out for a little after the release of a corner.

The referee did not want to miss the game without star of it and literally sewed cards to both teams, especially the locals, which showed 7 yellow and 1 red as visitors would show 4 yellow. Although it might seem otherwise in the number of cards, it was a clean, hard, hardly any entries without violence.

At the start the second half, Dani Cadena, the best in the Galisteo David today, has a good chance that rejects Rivas. In minute 6 comes the disadvantage for Racing in the field. Luis Castillo takes his second yellow for protesting the lack who had just committed on a teammate. Luis Grave error that had won the first entry after 3 minutes earlier. The game becomes dull and if the locals trying to swim and eat, visitors seemed able to score. Arrivals to the goal were few and with little danger. It was the 87th minute, changes by racinguista were exhausted and, except for anger with the referee because he was to prey upon the red and whites with the cards, nothing happened remarkable. But in a throw, a bounce-foot drops to the recent sagging Diego Marquez and built it from the line of the area marks adjusted to the post of Ishmael. The goal came as a jug of cold water in the wards of David Galisteo. Racing does not play anything but seeing the visiting team did not seem to be in danger the result when the equalizer came. Three minutes later, the ball reaches the goalkeeper Rivas looks like there is two for two racinguista field, takes in length and Gordi commits a flagrant foul on Juanma that the referee does not see and goes straight at goal. Ishmael goes on gordi desperate but crossing the ball out well away from the keeper making the final 1-2 racinguista, thereby silly face for the whole parish racinguista.

A game ugly, bland, bland, which the Rock Rociera undeservedly got the win with a Racing that deserved to win, but seeing the merits of each other, neither deserved to lose. The reality is that you can not negotiate as much a pyrrhic result in an oversight and that it costs two points or, as in this case, two forgetfulness cost you 3 points. The team racinguista, low hours, now moves Pozoblanco will be played on Sunday beginning at 5 pm. For its part, Peña Rociera receive at bottom club CD Marinaleda, a good time to take a leap in the standings after today's victory in the Cuvillo Jose.

R.I.P. Steve Jobs Scam

2011-10-09T03:02:00.000-07:00

Yahoo Ph / Pandalabs.pandasecurity.com - As you all probably know, Steve Jobs passed away yesterday. These are sad news, and everyone is talking about him and his life as he has achieved so many fantastic things. Social Networks are flooded with quotes from Steve, and all of us have only good words to talk about him.

But as you can imagine, there are always people trying to take advantage of these situations. Some cybercriminals created a Facebook page called “R.I.P. Steve Jobs”, and innocent people have been joining by the thousands. In just a few hours it had more than 90,000 fans. Criminals published a link using the popular shortener service bit.ly, where they said that Apple will be giving away 50 iPads.

Of course all the stuff is a scam, and once you click to that URL (which ended with “restinpeace-steve-jobs”) you were redirected to a place where you are offered a number of gifts, such as iPads, Sony Bravia TVs. For that they ask for your information, such as Full Name, Address, Phone Number, e-mail address, etc.

Facebook has closed the page and bit.ly has done the same with their link. There are some really interesting statistics that I’d like to show you. Out of those > 90,000 fans, 25,669 clicked in the link provided by the criminals! This is the breakdown of victims (clicks) per country:

Steve Jobs Has Passed Away

2011-10-05T18:31:00.000-07:00

According to a statement just issued by Apple’s Board of Directors, company co-founder and longtime CEO Steve Jobs has passed away.

Apple has also put up the following website in memory. They’re asking for “thoughts, memories, and condolences” to be shared by way of this email address: rememberingsteve@apple.com

It was only a little over a month ago that Jobs stepped down as CEO saying at the time, “I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.”

Jobs remained Chairman of the Board at the company, as well as director and an Apple employee. He recommended that company COO Tim Cook take his place as CEO. Yesterday, Cook gave his first keynote address as CEO, unveiling the new iPhone 4S.

While that device had been the focal point of Apple’s website for the past 24 hours, Apple.com is now simply dedicated to Jobs, using a famous picture of him (above) that will also grace the cover of his upcoming biography by Walter Isaacson due out next month.

Jobs had battled cancer, and in 2004 had an operation related to the disease. In recent years, illness had forced him to step back from his role as CEO of Apple on separate occasions. He also had a liver transplant in 2009 during one of those medical leaves.

But after each battle, he came back and continued his amazing work at Apple. In 2007, he unveiled the iPhone. In 2010, the iPad. His last appearance on stage was at Apple’s 2011 WWDC event in San Francisco. There, he laid the groundwork for Apple’s latest innovations including iOS 5, OS X Lion, and iCloud.

That performance as well has his announcement that he was stepping down as CEO of Apple for the final time, led to two of my favorite posts that I’ve ever written. Both were about Jobs:

“It Just Works.”

One More Thing…

Steve Jobs was 56 years old. Rest in peace, Steve.

The release from Apple:

Statement by Apple’s Board of Directors

CUPERTINO, Calif. — We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.

His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.

The statement from Jobs’ family:

Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family.

In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve’s illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.

We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief.

Tim Cook’s email to Apple employees:

Team,

I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing

human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.

Tim

The message on Apple’s website:

2011 Long Teng Cup - Final Team Standings

2011-10-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

2011 Long Teng Cup - Final Team Standings:

First - Hong Kong (7pts)

Second - Philippines (5pts);

Third - Taipei (4pts)

Fourth - Macau (0pt).

Golden Boot Award: Chieffy Caligdong (Philippine Azkals - FW )

Top climber perishes in Himalayan avalanche

2011-10-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

A top Russian climber, who scaled many of the world's highest peaks, has died in the Himalayas after being swept away by an avalanche.

ABCNews - Sergei Cherezov was caught up by an avalanche when his five-member team from the Siberian region of Krasnoyarsk set out to climb the 7,059-metre peak Tulagi on Friday.

"Sergei Cherezov got caught up in an avalanche which occurred at an elevation of 6,000 metres," the Krasnoyarsk government said in a statement.

The body of the climber, who was in his early 40s, was brought to the Nepalese capital Kathmandu by helicopter on Sunday.

The rest of the team consisting of the four climbers and a doctor made a decision to cut short their expedition and were returning to Kathmandu by foot.

The body of Mr Cherezov, who is survived by a wife and son, will be flown to Russia as soon as all the necessary paperwork is complete, said the regional department for sports, tourism and youth policies.

The Russian Climbing Federation said the tragedy happened on a "simple snow slope" when the climbers were not tethered to one another and a board slipped from under Mr Cherezov.

The federation said the multiple Russia champion scaled many of the top peaks and called his death "a very heavy loss".

The Philippines drew with Hong Kong 3-all

2011-09-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

The Philippine Azkals came back from two goals down and if not for a late Hong Kong strike, could have won the game but was held to a 3-3 draw in the second edition of the Long Teng Cup at the Kaohsiung National Stadium in Taiwan.

Consecutive goals by Lee Wai Lim and Cheng Lai Hin in the second and 22nd minutes of the match gave defending champion Hong Kong an early 2-0 lead.

A Phil Younghusband penalty kick got the Philippines on the board in the 32nd minute of the first half.

Thirteen minutes later, Azkals co-captain Chieffy Caligdong’s scored the Philippines’ second goal to tie the count at halftime.

Buoyed by the comeback the Azkals pressed for the winner and it was the Air Force winger from Iloilo that came up with the big shot.

Receiving a diagonal ball in the 63rd minute from James Younghusband Caligdong gained control and fired into the top corner to put the Philippines ahead for the first time in the match.

Hong Kong then was reduced to 10 men as Ng Wai Chiu received his marching orders and despite threatening on the wings throughout the game the Azkals held firm.

The Philippines thought they had achieved a remarkable comeback leading 3-2 into the final five minutes of the game but Hong Kong’s Au Yeung Yiu Chung turned in the equalizer from a free kick in the 87th minute.

The equalizer brought the teams back onto level terms, probably a fair result given Hong Kong’s better use of possession throughout much of the game. Both teams hung on to the draw and in the end it still signals a good result.

In the same fixture last year, Hong Kong’s Under-23 squad scored a 4-2 win over the Azkals. Now the Philippines have held their seniors team to a 3-3 draw. Seemingly fond of six goal thrillers both teams will be looking to Taiwan and Macau to maximize their goal difference as if Hong Kong and the Philippines win their remaining two games only goal difference will decide who wins the competition.

The long search for a trophy continues for the Philippines but they are making progress and showed great heart. Unlucky not to have won this game they have put in a performance full of resolve. The slow start is perhaps attributable to the debuts given to five new players; Roland Müller made many good saves despite conceding three while Matthew Hartmann, Jeff Christiaens, Carlos de Murga and Oliver Poetschke showed potential.

It was veteran winger Chieffy Caligdong who stole the plaudits though. Scoring a brace within the game he was unlucky to have been injured and replaced by Christiaens. After the game coach Michael Weiss hailed the winger for his “fantastic" performance and mused that “We should have been rewarded with the win just for Caligdong’s effort."

Clearly disappointed with some of the referee’s decisions he particularly thought the team could have won the game when Phil Younghusband appeared to be wrongly flagged offside. Through on goal at that time it would have put the Philippines up 4-2, an exact reversal of last year’s score and would have put the game to rest.

With Hong Kong slight favorites to win the competition avoiding defeat means the Philippines have a real chance at winning their first trophy in almost a century. Weiss now has the options to switch things up when needed after being criticized in the past for not trusting his substitutes. His main concern, though, will be the injury which forced Caligdong off the pitch. With a race to the highest goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded) imminent, the Philippines will need all the creativity they can get.

A big disappointment in the game, however, was Jason de Jong’s second yellow card in the last minutes of the game. Obviously disappointed he once more failed to hold his temper, received his marching orders for dissent and will miss the game against Taiwan on October 2. Hong Kong, however, was reduced to nine men when Loi Keung was also sent off. How the teams will react remains uncertain and the Long Teng Cup remains wide open. — JVP, GMA News

Philippine Azkals vs. Hongkong Live Stream

2011-09-30T02:19:00.001-07:00

Hong Kong vs. Philippines on Sept. 30, Fri at 9:30 p.m. on Studio 23 (r- Oct. 1, Sat at 1 p.m. on BALLS) as per ABS CBN Sports.

Sorry guys! wala talaga akong ma e-share na livestream. Maghintay nalang muna tayo hanggang 9:30 PM at ipapalabas eto sa Studio 23.

Or maybe click this site AZKALSLIVE.COM..baka available na... :))

Go Azkals!!!!!

Cat with two faces lives years, sets record

2011-09-30T02:16:00.000-07:00

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Frank and Louie the cat was born with two faces, two mouths, two noses, three eyes — and lots of doubts about his future.

Now, 12 years after Marty Stevens rescued him from being euthanized because of his condition, the exotic blue-eyed rag doll cat is not only thriving, but has also made it into the 2012 edition of Guinness World Records as the longest-surviving member of a group known as Janus cats, named for a Roman god with two faces.

"Every day is kind of a blessing; being 12 and normal life expectancy when they have this condition is one to four days," Stevens said, stroking Frank and Louie's soft fur as he sat on her lap purring. "So, he's ahead of the game; every day I just thank God I still have him."

Frank and Louie's breeder had taken him to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, where Stevens was working at the time, to be euthanized when he was just a day old. Stevens offered to take him home, but experts told her not to get her hopes up.

Janus cats almost never survive, and most have congenital defects, including a cleft palate that makes it difficult for them to nurse and often causes them to slowly starve or get milk in their lungs and die of pneumonia. The condition is the result of a genetic defect that triggers excessive production of a certain kind of protein.

But Frank and Louie did not suffer from most of the common Janus problems. Stevens used feeding tubes to nourish him for three months, hoping that would also save him from the danger of choking on food going down two mouths.

It turned out she didn't have to worry about him choking, because Frank and Louie used just one of his mouths to eat.

"The condition itself is very rare, and I think that the fact that this cat became an adult, a healthy adult, is remarkable," said Dr. Armelle deLaforcade, an associate professor at Cummings and head of the emergency services section.

Colleagues at the veterinary hospital told Stevens that trying to raise Frank and Louie might not be good for him — or her.

Still, she "stood firm and stood by the cat, and I'm really glad she did because this cat really has fewer problems than many cats that have very normal anatomies," deLaforcade said.

Frank and Louie's two faces have a complicated relationship. Both noses work, but one mouth does not have a lower jaw and isn't connected to his one esophagus, so he can't eat with it.

Stevens discovered that only after the cat got an MRI later in life.

The animal can see out of only two of his three eyes. The middle one can't even blink and makes Frank and Louie appear to be staring even when his other eyes are closed.

Frank and Louie does not seem to be bothered by his condition and has developed a friendly personality. The breed is known for its soft and silky fur, docile temperament and penchant for relaxing in a person's arms like a rag doll.

He is "very, very laid back, not afraid of people, very friendly and he's actually more of a dog than a cat," Stevens said. "He walks on a leash, he goes right in the car; he loves car rides."
People often want to touch Frank and Louie's long, luxurious fur while Stevens is out walking him.

"It's funny because people walk up to him thinking it's a nice, fluffy white cat and they're walking up with a big smile on their face to pat him, like, 'Oh, what a beautiful cat' and I see a look of horror come over their faces when they actually see his face," Stevens said, laughing.

Thirty years ago, a cat like Frank and Louie might not have been given a chance to live.

Said deLaforcade: "You can look at a cat like this as either a very strange and bad omen, or you can look at this cat as a miracle."

He gets paid to sleep on the job

2011-09-29T09:33:00.001-07:00

Kuala Lumpur (The Star/ANN) - He has the best excuse to sleep on the job.

Lee Jia, 27, earns 10,000 yuan (US$1,600) a month just to test the comfort level at hotel rooms.

Besides sleeping, he checks out the scent of the rooms, the cleanliness, the brand of toiletries and the type of TV programmes available.

Sin Chew Daily quoted Lee, a Chinese national, as saying that his job was more than just sleeping in hotel rooms and that it could get stressful at times.

His job, he said, required him to observe well his surroundings.

Lee, who loves travelling, said he would then write a review of the hotel and its facilities on his blog.

"You need to be highly focused and articulate to observe every detail in order to produce a comprehensive report," he said.

'Backroom fired Erik,' says Boy Abunda

2011-09-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

INQUIRER.NET - TV personality Boy Abunda, who used to head the talent management company Backroom Inc., said he was disappointed with his former ward, singer Erik Santos, and wanted to “set the record straight” on why the artist transferred to Star Magic.

“Erik didn’t leave Backroom. He was released,” Abunda told Inquirer Entertainment in a phone interview on Sunday night. “We gave him a formal letter explaining why we had to let him go. This was because he badmouthed Backroom and lied to some of our common friends.”

Abunda was reacting to a story published Sept. 21 in Inquirer Entertainment, in which Santos said he left Backroom because “there were a lot of changes in its management” since Abunda left it to focus on caring for his ailing mother.”

In the same story, which quoted Santos during a media gathering for his new album, “Awit Para Sa ’Yo” (Star Records), the singer explained: “I’m not saying I didn’t like the changes. It’s just that I have other considerations, both personal and professional.”

Santos ended his seven-year business relationship with Backroom Inc. in August, and is now comanaged by ABS-CBN’s Star Magic group and Cornerstone Talent Management Center headed by Erickson Raymundo.

“I nurtured him, although he also worked hard,” Abunda said. “I think Erik has forgotten this. It’s sad that he has disregarded the contributions of Backroom to his career.”

Abunda said he felt bad when he found out that Santos had spoken to people about how he felt Backroom had neglected him. “Erik also said he disliked some of the people in the office. I just want to remind Erik to slow down. He should give credit where credit is due.”

Abunda, however, is open to talking with Santos. He added that he understood how difficult it must have been for the singer to answer questions in a press conference. “I still think he should have spoken the truth, or he could have just said, ‘I don’t want to talk about it anymore’ when reporters tried to grill him. He had a choice not to go into details.”

He may not be a perfect manager, Abunda admitted, “but I know I deserve respect. I still love him (Erik). I consider this just a crack in our relationship. I just want him to learn a lesson.”

The World's Most Shocking Xrays

2011-09-26T00:33:00.000-07:00

The X-ray picture shows a 5-centimeter nail stuck in an unidentified South Korean patient's skull Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004. According to a Seoul hospital, doctors found the nail after the man came to the hospital, complaining about a severe headache. They speculate that the nail stuck in the man's head four years ago in an accident but the man didn't know about it. The nail was removed in a surgery last Saturday. (AP Photo/Yonhap).

This X-ray released by New York's Montefiore Medical Center, Monday, July 16, 2007, shows a screw that was inserted in the broken neck of Paul Robinson, of Kirkland, Wash. Robinson, 53, was in the steep upper deck of Yankee Stadium with his wife and son July 8, 2007, when an unidentified man above him fell down several rows of seats, breaking Robinson's vertebra. (AP Photo/Montefiore Medical Center)

MORE XRAYS HERE

Camille Prats' husband passes away

2011-09-23T02:07:00.000-07:00

Camille Prats’ husband Anthony Linsangan died of nasopharyngeal cancer Friday morning, September 23 at St. Luke‘s Medical Center Global City. He was 32.

Camille was by her husband’s side when he passed away, a year after he lost his battle with cancer.

Nasopharyngeal cancer involves the presence of malignant cancer cells in the nasopharynx, the passageway at the upper part of the pharynx (throat).

The wake will be at Heritage Park, Fort Bonifacio. The family has not yet decided on the interment date.

Camille and Anthony have a three-year-old son named Nathaniel Caesar. They had a church wedding on March 5, 2010, two years after they got married via civil rites in Los Angeles, California.

By Maridol Ranoa-Bismark

New controversy over Miss Universe 2011

2011-09-22T00:35:00.000-07:00

Washington, Sept 17 (ANI): Controversy hounds the 2011 Miss Universe pageant after new allegations that the winner, Miss Angola, used false documents to enter and win a qualifying contest in England.

The Argentinian newspaper Infobae published a report Thursday alleging that Lopes was unfairly allowed to participate in a Miss Angola competition for Angolan citizens living in the UK, even though she has never lived outside of Angola, reports ABC News.

The report claimed that a man named Charles Mukano helped falsify documents identifying Lopes as a student of business management at a British school, enabling her to enter and win the contest there.

Infobae cites reports in Angolan media that allege that Mukano may have even bribed judges in England to ensure Lopes' win.

Lopes was the first Miss Universe from her country, but came under attack in the following days by Miss France and fans of Miss Phillipines as undeserving of the crown.

13-year-old boy shoots alleged 16-year-old boyfriend, then himself in SM Pampanga

2011-09-21T23:07:00.000-07:00

The 13-year-old boy who shot his alleged 16-year-old boyfriend in the head before shooting himself using a caliber .22 pistol inside SM Pampanga yesterday, September 21, was declared brain dead, according to a radio report today.

The family of the 13-year-old boy, whose identity has been withheld because he is a minor, is now contemplating which organs they can donate before authorizing his doctors to unplug the life support system that has kept him alive.

According to a news report by Bandila last night, this is the second incident that someone carrying a gun/pistol was able to enter inside an SM mall.

The management of SM Pampanga, on the other hand, said they did their job of ensuring safety inside the mall but its metal detector failed to uncover the pistol used by the boy in the shooting.

-ABS-CBN NEWS.COM

5 Korean, 12 Filipino mountaineers arrested in Mt. Banahaw

2011-09-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

Inquirer News - An environment official and policemen arrested five South Koreans and 12 Filipino mountaineers inside the prohibited areas of Mount Banahaw in Dolores, Quezon, on Sunday.

Salud Pangan, park superintendent for Banahaw, identified the foreigners as Hak Su Kim, Eob Kyo Lee, Yanug Su Kim, Nak Si Ji and Chang Yong Lee, all of Barangay (village) Iruhin in Tagaytay City. They were members of one of two mountaineer groups found in an area which was still closed to outsiders, she said.

“They claimed that they were not aware that Banahaw is still closed (to the public). But it is impossible for any mountaineer not to know that,” Pangan said by phone.

The Filipino mountaineers with the Koreans were identified as Jeffrey del Rosario, Dave Dela Cruz, Bryan Maglalang, Roderick Perez, Aries Ilocario and John Paul Dulan.

Pangan said she received information on Friday that two groups of mountaineers, including some foreigners, would sneak into the mountain.

“I immediately alerted our forest guards to monitor the entrances, but the trespassers eluded my men when they sneaked very early (morning) and under cover of darkness,” Pangan said.

Police said the first group was composed of five Koreans and six Filipinos, while the second had 17 Filipinos from Metro Manila.

The 17 were identified as Wilson Labrador, Jonorie Boticario, Jaybee Laurel, Feil Gulane, Feves Estacion, Mark Arnold, Vilson Gahoy, Anne Estipona, Ronald Tugade, Dana Alarcon, Jan Ann, Rommel Anthony Britana, Michael Joseph Abalos, Jedeah Mariz Claro, Serlina Surian, Dennis Pensotes and Alfred Lazona.

The climbers were brought to the Dolores police station and were expected to be transferred to Lucena City on Monday. They will be charged with violating Republic Act No. 9847 or the Mounts Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape (MBSCPL) Act of 2009.

The offense is punishable by a fine of P5,000 to P500,000 or imprisonment of one to six years or both.

Pangan warned mountaineers and religious devotees that they would be arrested if they entered the prohibited mountain spots. They could only go as far as areas identified by billboard signs, she said.

In February, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) stopped pilgrims and mountaineers from sneaking into the closed areas through the backdoor being offered by several resorts at the foot of Banahaw.

In 2004, the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) started a a five-year program to resurrect the mountain’s resources which were damaged by slash-and-burn farmers and visitors who littered the place with trash.

With barbed wires, the PAMB sealed off several trails leading to certain areas in the bosom of Banahaw.

Protest Planking in Manila

2011-09-20T08:39:00.001-07:00

PROTEST PLANKING. A police officer tries to dissuade protesters from carrying on their "planking" by lying prone on the pavement, blocking briefly the traffic at a busy roundabout in Manila, Philippines, Monday, Sept. 19, 2011 to support calls for a nationwide "transport holiday" following unabated oil price increases in the past weeks. The sign at left reads: Transport Strike Against Oil Price Hikes! AP Photo/Bullit Marquez.

I don't need Pacquiao: Mayweather

2011-09-19T06:51:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - The prospect of a long awaited mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Filipino Manny Pacquiao seemed as distant as ever after the flamboyant American's fourth-round knockout of Victor Ortiz.

Though Mayweather improved his perfect professional record to 42-0 by claiming the WBC welterweight title from Ortiz, he was reluctant to commit to the showdown most desired by the boxing world.

"I don't need Pacquiao," Mayweather, 34, told reporters after beating Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. "With or without Pacquiao, every time Floyd Mayweather goes out there, he's going to make over $70 million.

"I don't need him. Where was Pacquiao in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 when I was dominating the game? He never asked me (for a fight) when I was in my twenties or when I was in my teens."

A duel between the defense-minded Mayweather and the aggressive Pacquiao, the two biggest drawcards of their generation, would decide the mythical title of the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

Five-division world champion Mayweather had been expected to meet Pacquiao last year until negotiations collapsed over the American's demand for random drug testing.

Shane Mosley then stepped in to take the Filipino's place but he was outclassed by Mayweather in a non-title welterweight bout in May.

Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in November and, should he win that bout, there is speculation the Filipino southpaw could finally meet Mayweather next May.

However the American, who made a minimum of $25 million from his victory over Ortiz, repeatedly questions how Pacquaio could have won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight classes.

"Sugar Ray Leonard, we knew he was going to be great from his Olympic days," Mayweather said. "Michael Jordan, we knew from college he was going to be a great professional.

"Floyd Mayweather, from the beginning of his career in the '90s, we knew he was going to be a great professional. Now ask yourself, a fighter just don't get to 25 years old and all of a sudden he becomes great," he added, referring to Pacquaio.

Mayweather also criticized Pacquiao for riding on his coat tails financially and also with the selection of his opponents.

"Pacquiao is famous because he is attached to my name," the American said. "When they say Pacquiao, they say that's the guy they are trying to get to fight Floyd Mayweather. When they say Floyd Mayweather, they say the greatest ever. All Pacquiao is doing is fighting my leftovers man.

"Before he goes about fighting Floyd Mayweather, he has to get his business in order. We're talking about a guy that gives up, when he fights, 30 percent of his check to two different companies. I keep 100 percent of the revenue."

For his part, Pacquiao continually defers any talk of a Mayweather mega-bout to his promoter.

"I'm not going to fight anybody as long as there is a problem with the decision of the promoter," the Filipino said earlier this year. "That's my promoter's job. I'm just a fighter to do my job and train hard for the fight."

(Editing by Julian Linden)

'American Idol' finalists to perform in Manila

2011-09-17T04:13:00.000-07:00

MB - She failed to get the coveted ‘American Idol’ crown, but Fil-Am Thia Megia will still get the chance to shine onstage — with her fans and ‘kababayans” right here.

Megia, a Season 10 finalist of the iconic American Idol (AI) TV show, will perform with 10 others, including eventual winner Scotty McCreery.

Reports said they will perform at the Araneta Coliseum for two nights — Sept. 20 to 21.

They arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via Philippines Airlines PR-103 flight before dawn Saturday.

The youngest Idol’s finalist after they lowered the minimum age limit to 15, Megia said she was excited on her second visit to the Philippines.

She said she was only four years old when she and her family came back to the Philippines.

“It’s been 12 years since I was here,” said the 16-year-old lass.

“I want to go back to my roots,” she stressed.

She also said the Idol finalists are raring to have a taste of Filipino hospitality, as well as local cuisines.

“We’ve been told we had a lot of Filipino fans,” she added.

McCreery, whose deep-baritone voice, wowed the voting fans, is eager to experience Filipino food.

Aside from Megia and McCreery, in town are finalists Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Naima Adedapo, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Stefano Langone.

The Top Ten are usually featured in the Idol’s Tour but a “save" by judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez allowed an eleventh one — Abrams — to break into the elite group.

The Top 11 are expected cover a wide range of musical genres from country, pop, jazz to rock.

Llullaillaco Maiden mummy

2011-09-17T01:51:00.001-07:00

Llullaillaco Maiden, a 15 year old girl sacrificed during the Inca Empire for both purposes of religious rite and social control. She was chosen a year prior to her death, fed a ritualistic diet for an approximate twelve months to make her gain weight, then was drugged and left on the shrine at Volcano Llullaillaco, where she was left to die of exposure. For five hundred years, her body had been preserved at 82 ft. She is considered to be the best preserved Andean mummy ever uncovered. - found in tumblr

'Ang Babae sa Septic Tank' is Philippines' entry to the Oscars Best Foreign Language Film Category next year

2011-09-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

By Jamie Ortega, Photo Courtesy of Star Cinema

After bagging five major awards at the 7th Cinemalaya Awards Night and grossing 20 million pesos in its first five days of nationwide screening, the critically-acclaimed Indie-comedy Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank is now attempting to make it in the international film festival circuit.

The movie is the country's official entry to the Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film Category next year. The selection committee of the Film Academy Of The Philippines was in charge of choosing which film to send to the Oscars.

Directed by Marlon Rivera and starring Eugene Domingo, JM De Guzman, Kean Cipriano and Cai Cortez, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank is a mockumentary that chronicles a day in a life of three ambitious, passionate and misguided filmmakers who are dead set on producing an internationally-acclaimed indie film. The movie, which satirically depicts the present situation of our local indie film industry, was also recently nominated for the Young Cinema Award in the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Shalani Soledad and Rep. Roman Romulo engaged.

2011-09-16T10:08:00.000-07:00

MUKAMO.COM - Valenzuela Councilor and TV host Shalani Soledad is now reportedly engaged to Congressman Roman Romulo of Pasig City.

The engagement happened at the Our Lady of Fatima church in Valenzuela where Romulo gave Shalani a diamond ring. Their wedding is set for next year. The 44-year-old Congressman also revealed that he first asked permission from Shalani’s mother, Evelyn Soledad. Meanwhile, Shalani’s uncle Mon Soledad believes it’s about time that she gets married. “She is already 31, dapat may pamilya na siya at mga anak.” he said.

Mother of Phil and James Younghusband finally laid to rest

2011-09-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

PEP - Inihatid na sa kanyang huling hantungan ang mga labi ng ina ng magkapatid na Phil at James Younghusband na si Mrs. Susan Placer-Younghusband, kaninang hapon, September 15, sa Heritage Park, Taguig City.

Sumakabilang-buhay si Mrs. Younghusband noong Sabado, September 10, pagkatapos nitong atakihin sa puso. She was 49.

Bago ang interment ay nagkaroon muna ng memorial mass sa chapel ng Heritage Park na dinaluhan ng ilang mga kaibigan at kamag-anak.

Sa misa ay nagsalita sina James, Phil, at ang bunso at nag-iisa nilang kapatid na babae na si Keri.

Nagpalabas rin ng AVP presentation kunsaan ipinakita ang mga larawan ng mag-anak noong nabubuhay pa ang ina ng dalawang Azkals players.

Kabilang sa mga nakidalamhati sa magkakapatid ang ilang miyembro ng Azkals na sina Anton del Rosario, Aly Borromeo, at Misagh Bahadoran.

Naroon din ang rumored girlfriend ni Phil na si Angel Locsin, kasama ang kaibigan nitong si Bubbles Paraiso.

Kitang-kita ang pagsuporta ni Angel kay Phil sa mga oras na iyon.

Habang ibinababa ang mga labi ni Mrs. Younghusband sa huling hantungan nito ay magkahawak-kamay at nakaakbay si Angel kay Phil.

Namataan din ng PEP sa libing ang dancer na si Gab Valenciano, na kaibigan nina Phil at James.

Matapos ang libing ay sinubukan ng media na makunan ng pahayag sina Phil at James, at maging si Angel. Ngunit tumanggi ang mga ito na magpa-interview.

Bagkus, ang family friend ng Younghusbands na si Jojo Durian ang tumayong spokesperson ng magkapatid na Phil at James.

Narito ang kanyang pahayag:

"Phil and James Younghusband would like to extend their thanks to all the friends and visitors who visited them.

"Maraming salamat sa lahat ng prayers ninyo. Kasi alam n'yo naman na ito yung pinaka-lowest time nila na malungkot sila.

"We would like to thank also the press for understanding and not stepping in.

"Thank you so much! Thank you so much!

"Yun talaga yung message na gusto iparating ng magkapatid na Younghusband."

Kinumusta rin ng media kay Jojo ang magiging practice ng magkapatid na Younghusbands para sa susunod na laban ng Azkals sa Taiwan. Maaapektuhan ba ito?

"Hindi maaapektuhan 'yan," paniniguro ni Jojo.

Derek Ramsey signs for Pachanga FC

2011-09-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

Eto na naman...kung si Jake Cuenca pumirna sa Socceroo FC, si Derek naman ay pumirma na rin sa Pachanga FC... Laos na ba ang dalawang to'? Bat kasi isasabay ang sarili sa mga...alam mo na! hehehehe.... ay ewan. lolz

Hindi pa ako inaantok....haaaay! boooring!

Jake Cuenca will join Socceroo Fc

2011-09-14T20:13:00.001-07:00

Jake Cuenca signs for Team Socceroo Fc. Team Socceroo will play in UFL Cup.

For me... what a joke! hahaha

Coach Weiss warns Azkals on absences

2011-09-14T19:56:00.000-07:00

By Cedelf P. Tupas

Philipppine Daily Inquirer

The next match may be a few weeks away, but Philippine Azkals coach Michael Weiss insisted that it should not be a reason for several players not to show up or even slow down in training.

Weiss aired his concern following reports that several players from the first team have not been regularly showing up during the first week of training camp for the Long Teng Cup in Taiwan slated next month.

Weiss said he is not afraid to relegate players in the pecking order if they fail to correct their attitude.

“The concern is that once you start to rest, once you start to take a little more slower approach and once you think you have achieved something in football, its the first step to decline and a couple of players obviously do not understand that,” Weiss told the Inquirer.

Weiss, however, did not name the players.

The Azkals went on a month-long break after losing to Kuwait in the second round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers last July 28. They are scheduled to leave for Bacolod tomorrow to undergo a week-long training camp until September 15.

The German coach stressed that training in preparation for matches should be a “daily bread” for players.

“I’ve seen players more on billboards coming from Alabang to the training. I see them on billboards more often than on the pitch,” said Weiss. “And here they are on clubs and wherever they are. If that is their major priority now, they have to do that. But they shouldn’t be surprised if they are not too high on the list of the coaching staff and the management.”

The Azkals face defending champion Hong Kong on September 28, before playing Chinese-Taipei and Macau on October 2 and 4. They are also scheduled to visit Singapore on October 6 for a friendly.

Oprah and Shamcey Rumors

2011-09-14T18:27:00.000-07:00

YAHOO PH - Hours after Philippine bet Shamcey Supsup was named as the 3rd runner-up at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant, a purported statement from U.S. “Queen of Talk” Oprah Winfrey spread like wildfire online.

This alleged statement was aired via NBC News: “I have reservations with the results. If the only basis is the Q and A portion, after having been trimmed down to 5, Ms. Philippines deserved to win. What made her different from the rest is that she had no seconds to rethink of her answer as she had no interpreter to break the ice. The rest had their interpreters and having breaks on seconds to think about their answers. Hands down, Ms. Philippines answered straight to the point.”

But sorry to burst your bubble, the highly influential celebrity did not actually say that.

Answering a query on the alleged statement, a moderator on Oprah's official website Oprah.com said Oprah has not issued "any comments of this nature."

OWNModerator13 responded: "There is no truth to the statement. Ms. Winfrey has not made any comments of this nature. Thank you for asking."

Maria Aragon to sing in Pacquiao’s next fight

2011-08-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

Phimam247 - Fil-Canadian YouTube sensation Maria Aragon could not hide her excitement over the possibility of being the artist to sing the Philippine National anthem in Manny Pacquiao's fight this November.

"I just really never wouldn't have expected it. I watched Manny Pacquiao's fight ever since I was little. Now getting the chance to sing and seeing his fight live, I feel very blessed. It feels very amazing and [I'm] thankful to Manny," Aragon told abs-cbnNEWS.com on Wednesday during the launch of her self-titled debut album under Star Records.

"I am a fan and I think Manny is very godly and that he's very amazing," she added.

"Well there's no official agreement yet but hopefully it becomes real and that I'll be singing in November," she said.

Azkals' 'hometown heroes' join Team Suzuki Philippines

2011-08-25T10:14:00.001-07:00

PhilStar - Suzuki Philippines, Inc. (SPH) proves that it is oozing with the astig factor; as yet another group of formidable players join the ranks of Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. and Angel Locsin in Team Suzuki’s band of “Astig” riders. This time, it is the Philippine Men’s Football team’s “hometown heroes”: Chieffy Caligdong, Roel Gener, Ian Araneta, Yannick Tuason and Paolo Pascual. All five seek to inspire young and old alike, as SPH continues its expansive campaign and highlights the city roots of all five players, with billboards strewn all over the Visayas and Mindanao. Caligdong, Araneta and Gener all hail from the city of Barotac Nuevo, in Iloilo, where it is said that boys learn how to play football the day they begin to walk. While Paolo Pascual traces his roots in Cebu City and Yannick Tuason is from Tagum, Davao.

How fitting it is that SPH chose these five players, who are all motorcycle riders (Araneta, in particular, is a drag race enthusiast). And as members of the Philippine Men’s Football Team, they bear much likeness with a Suzuki motorcycle — tough, quick and brimming with an astig aura.

Suzuki unites with the Hometown Heroes to become inspirations to other aspiring football players, especially for the kids who come from their respective hometowns. As a true blue football fanatic, Araneta wants nothing more than to inspire young ones to embrace the sport. “Our satisfaction comes when kids come to us and say that they also want to play and be an Azkal in the future,” said Araneta.

Suzuki is no stranger to giving support to Philippine sports, as they also desire to develop more hometown heroes. Just recently, the PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup was concluded, where the winners were given the chance to be selected for the national football team.

But that’s not all. Suzuki knows how hard it is for the youth to partake in sports, especially when their hometown is in dire need of a helping hand. For this, the brand aims to develop the countryside of Visayas and Mindanao by providing affordable transportation that is valuable in its economic growth.

These hometown heroes have come a long way from their humble beginnings in their respective cities. As people gaze at their billboards in Bacolod, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and Tagum, they will know that they are all heroes in their own right. And just like Suzuki, the Hometown Heroes are truly astig.

Steve Jobs Quits as Apple CEO

2011-08-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

Ailing Apple Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs said he is unable to continue at the helm of the technology giant and will step down, handing the reins of one of the world's most valuable companies to Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook.

Apple said Mr. Jobs submitted his resignation to the board of directors on Wednesday and "strongly recommended" that the board name Mr. Cook as his successor. Mr. Jobs, 56 years old, has been elected chairman of the board and Mr. Cook will join the board, effective immediately, the company said.

"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know," Mr. Jobs said in his resignation letter. "Unfortunately, that day has come."

"The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO," said Art Levinson, chairman of Genentech and Apple board member, in a statement.

He added that Mr. Jobs will "continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration."

After a brief halt, Apple's shares slid 5.13% to $355.70 in after-hours trading, after closing at $376.18, up $2.58, at 4 p.m. on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Mr. Cook, 50, has been widely considered as the leading candidate to succeed Mr. Jobs, who has been on medical leave since January. The 13-year Apple veteran, who joined the company shortly after Mr. Jobs took over for the second time in 1997, has been running the day-to-day operations during this period as he has done during two prior medical leaves of absence by Mr. Jobs in the last seven years.

The timing of the announcement raised questions about the health of Mr. Jobs, who was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer in 2004 and underwent a liver transplant two years ago.

Mr. Jobs hasn't commented on his health since he said in a letter in January that he was taking another leave of absence to "focus on my health." He made an appearance at the launch of the iPad 2 in March and Apple's annual developers' conference in June but appeared thin both times.

People familiar with the situation said that Mr. Jobs has continued to be active at Apple and closely involved in the company's product strategy. To the extent his health permits, some Apple watchers think that involvement is likely to continue even after Mr. Cook takes the CEO post.

Still, Mr. Cook faces a big challenge in stepping into Mr. Jobs's shoes because he must prove that Apple can succeed without Mr. Jobs. Mr. Jobs not only co-founded the company, but brought Apple back from near bankruptcy when he returned to the company in 1997. He is considered the visionary behind Apple and has played a key role in reviving the Macintosh computer business and developing new products like the iPod, iPhone and iPad.

"Great companies rarely go from strength to strength," said Charles O'Reilly, a management expert, at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, adding that Apple faces a particular challenge in that Mr. Jobs has had an unusually strong influence in setting Apple's corporate culture and strategy.

Tributes to Mr. Jobs and his tenure began flowing in quickly after the announcement.

"I think his brilliance has been well-documented, but what gets forgotten is the bravery with which he's confronted his illness," said Howard Stringer, Sony Corp.'s chief executive. "For him to achieve this much success under these circumstances doubles his legacy."

Mr. Cook, an Alabama native who previously worked for International Business Machines Corp. and Compaq Computer Corp., is known as an operational genius and was instrumental in wringing out inefficiencies in Apple's manufacturing and setting up its supply chain in China. Since then, he has gradually increased his responsibilities, becoming chief operating officer in 2005.

He has also led the company during Mr. Jobs's absences in the past.

Unlike Mr. Jobs, who is a legendary showman, Mr. Cook has tended to stay outside of the spotlight apart from quarterly earnings calls with analysts.

"I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it," Mr. Jobs wrote in his letter Wednesday. "And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

"I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you," he added.

The announcement was met with little surprise on Wall Street. "This was a 'when' not 'if' moment," said Mike Binger, a fund manager for Thrivent Asset Management in Minneapolis, which owns Apple shares.

He added that he had no plans to change his holdings, saying that the stock is still "really cheap for the kind of operating fundamentals they've been putting up."

The value of the company, however, has been skyrocketing as the success of products like the iPhone, iPad and ultra-thin Macintosh computers keep setting records.

At close to $350 billion, Apple's market valuation is second only to Exxon Mobil's, and recently eclipsing the oil giant for a brief period.

Tim Ghriskey, chief investment officer for Solaris Asset Management in New York, which holds Apple shares, said he has confidence in Apple's executive team even without Mr. Jobs, but is hoping for more details on who will be Apple's "creative force" now that he is gone.

PCs starting to say goodbye?

2011-08-23T19:16:00.000-07:00

The stunning announcement by Hewlett-Packard, the world's top personal computer maker, that it is taking steps to exit the business is the surest sign yet the post-PC era is here.

"We tend to throw the 'post-PC era' term around a lot, but it's clear that, in the wake of HP's announcement, were closer than ever to that reality," said independent technology analyst Carmi Levy.

"When a stalwart of hardware's golden age essentially walks away from the business on which it was built," Levy told AFP, "it's easy to conclude that the point of no return has been officially passed."

HP said its board has authorized the evaluation of "strategic alternatives" for its unit that could sell or spin off its PC business into a separate company.

The Windows-powered PC has been at the center of the lives of consumers for years but the arrival of powerful smartphones -- essentially pocket computers -- and touchscreen tablets like Apple's iPad has lessened its importance.

Consumers no longer need a desktop or a laptop to be connected and with the steady erosion of profit margins on PCs, HP failed to position itself with the products of the future, Forrester Research analyst Sarah Rotman Epps said.

"What (the post-PC era) really means is not that PCs go away but that there's a shift away from computers to computing," Rotman Epps told AFP.

"Computing happens now on many different devices and it's a much diverse landscape than one type of computer," she said. "And HP really didn't have an answer for what was next beyond the PC.

"Where there are higher margin computing products being made HP hasn't been able to succeed," the Forrester analyst said, pointing to Apple as a technology company that has been able to do so.

"Apple has been able to innovate, to sell the iPad, an all-new form factor, because of its non-hardware ecosystem," Rotman Epps said. "It has the channel in the Apple store, it has the service, and it has the software -- iTunes, the App store, the whole developer platform."

"HP took a baby step towards getting there when they acquired the Palm webOS but they weren't willing to really go full throttle and invest the capital that would have been needed to make that a successful business," she said.

California-based HP also said it was stopping production of its iPad rival, the TouchPad, and phones based on the webOS mobile operating system acquired from Palm last year for $1.2 billion.

Explaining the moves, HP chief executive Leo Apotheker said the weak economy was having an impact on PC sales but there is also a "clear secular movement in the consumer PC space."

"The velocity of change in the personal device marketplace continues to increase and the competitive landscape is growing increasingly more complex, especially around the personal computing arena," Apotheker said.

"The tablet effect is real and sales of the TouchPad are not meeting our expectations," he said.

Gartner analyst Mark Margevicius said HP's decision to sell or spin off its PC division was more about the shrinking profit margins in the PC industry than anything else.

"The PC market has transformed into a tactical, commoditized business," Margevicius said. "We're not in an era when the PC is dead. The PC market is flat but it's still a huge business.

"If the PC business was a business that generated 20 percent margins HP's not dumping their PC business," Margevicius said.

In jettisoning its PC unit, HP is taking a page from the playbook of IBM, which sold its PC business to China's Lenovo in 2004 to concentrate on servers, software and services for the enterprise market.

"In a way, these two transactions bookend the transition from hardware to a software- and services-based post-PC focus where the device that runs a service is less important -- and profitable -- than the service itself," Levy said.

"The trend has been building for years, as margins on hardware have become consistently tighter," the Ontario-based analyst said.

"While it is still possible to build a profitable business based on selling hardware, the returns -- coupled with limited future growth potential -- are often insufficient for edgy investors," he said.

"HP's move confirms, as if we weren't already convinced, that the box itself no longer matters," Levy said. "It's the value of the software that runs that box, and the services delivered via that software, that are most notable -- and profitable -- now."

July 2011 NLE Results

2011-08-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Saturday announced that 37,513 out of 78,135 (48%) passed the Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, La Union, Legazpi, Lucena, Nueva Ecija, Pagadian, Pampanga, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga last July 2011.

The members of the Board of Nursing are Carmencita M. Abaquin, Chairman; Leonila A. Faire, Betty F. Merritt, Perla G. Po, Marco Antonio C. Sto.Tomas, Yolanda C. Arugay and Amelia B. Rosales, Members.

The results of examination with respect to six (6) examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examination.

Pursuant to Section 16, of Republic Act No. 9173, “all successful candidates in the examination shall be required to take an oath of professional before the Board or any government official authorized to administer oaths prior to entering upon the nursing practice”.

Registration for new nurses shall require the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 2 pieces passport size picture (colored with white background and complete name tag), 1 piece 1” x 1” picture (colored with white background and complete name tag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession; and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2011-2014. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

RESULT (click here...)

Lorna Tolentino mulls transfer to TV5

2011-08-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

angalat.blogspot.com - The news is confirmed: Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin actress Lorna Tolentino has been in the talks with TV5 executives for a network transfer.

According to a source, Lorna thinks that TV5 has better offer than ABS-CBN.

"My manager nay lolit will have meeting with tv5. Then we will talk about the offer. Im already old so what is best po sana. Thank you," she said in her tweet.

"I guess with senior actors ang pinakamaganda na offer na ang titignan. We are not young anymore. Nothing is definite yet,” she said in another tweet, in reply to her follower.

Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin will be ending in August or September. By that time, her contract expires too.

Gino Pavone

2011-08-16T01:32:00.000-07:00

the newest in Azkals

follow his facebook fanpage and TUMBLR page

First Pinoy Biggest Loser Winner: LARRY MARTIN

2011-08-15T22:30:00.000-07:00

"The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition" Fab Five.

Angela, Art, Larry, Raffy, at Hazel

Hazel >> 206 lbs - 138 lbs (33.01%)

Angela >> 220 lb - 148 lbs (33.63 %)

Raffy >> 287 lbs - 100 lbs (34.84 %)

Art >> 341 lbs - 212 lbs (37.83 %)

GRAND WINNER!!!!

Larry Martin >> 255 lbs - 154 lbs (39.61%)

Ryan Razon The Biggest Loser: Pinoy Edition At-Home Player Winner

Hilary Duff Is Pregnant

2011-08-15T22:19:00.000-07:00

Hilary Duff and husband Mike Comrie, 30, who are celebrating their first wedding anniversary this weekend, are expecting their first child, the singer-actress announced on her official website.

In the post, Duff, 23, reflected on her marriage– she and Comrie wed on Aug. 14, 2010 – and then made her big announcement.

"We also want to share the exciting news that… BABY MAKES THREE," she wrote. "We are extremely happy and ready to start this new chapter of our lives."

Hilary Duff with her husband Mike Comrie

How Catholic Talibans stormed the CCP

2011-08-15T18:21:00.000-07:00

PHILSTAR.COM - The Catholic Church in our country is so messed up that it cannot even stop its own followers from spewing fire and brimstone.

The internationally respected human rights and communications luminary Florangel Braid said that she was surprised at the language used by the Catholic group protesting the art work “Politeismo.” The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) conducted a forum last August 5 for the artists and the public to discuss the art exhibit. Flor, who is my good friend, is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the CCP, the venue for the exhibit “Kulo” which featured the controversial art work of Mideo Cruz.

“Malaswa! Hindi gawa ng Pilipino, Gawa ng demonyo, (Vulgar! Not the work of a Filipino. It’s the work of the devil)” raved one of them. “If you are a Catholic you can no longer think independently!” asserted another woman identified as a theologian with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The same woman was quoted by media for ridiculously claiming that the exhibit was intentionally timed to occur at the height of discussions on the RH Bill. In a rally, the Church group and its followers branded artists and members of the CCP as “anti-Christ.” We thought this had ended with the Inquisition.

On August 4, the art work was vandalized and there was an attempt to set fire to the exhibit. A Manny Andrada, identified as an author/businessman, smugly boasted on TV News 5 that he was the culprit and that if he chanced to see the artist, Mideo Cruz, he would maul him and break the wooden phallus that Cruz had attached to the image of Jesus Christ on the artist’s mouth. How very Christian.

What gave him the confidence that he would go unpunished? Like the Overlords of the Inquisition, he probably thinks that it’s okay to vandalize in the name of Christ, that he will be cheered for it and that he knows he has the support of the same rabid group that mounted protests against the RH Bill and now the art work.

Instead of cooling down tempers, foreign and Filipino priests who were present during the forum reportedly stoked further animosity by interjecting comments and interrupting speakers from the artists’ side. How very Christian indeed. Last Friday, a group of priests performed a rare ritual of asking God to “forgive the sinners” — referring to those behind the exhibit. They invited media so it was obviously meant for show.

What’s happening to the leaders of the Catholic faith? We would expect the Catholic clergy to exude an aura of holiness, calm and peace. We’d expect them to vibrate a certain loving kindness, the kind of spiritual energy that does not judge but seeks to understand and establish harmony. We can see these virtues and traits in the Catholic Focolare Movement that lives the gospel of love and interfaith harmony but we rarely see this in the CBCP and its rabid right-wing followers.

Our Church hierarchy and its followers claim to represent the nation’s 80 percent Catholics — presumably based on baptism numbers, which does not mean practice. Naturally, they lure grandstanding politicos to support them and when the issue happens to resonate in media, it becomes a formula for lynching.

However, the myth of the Catholic influence stops there. Surveys have shown that the Catholic followers do not necessarily toe the Church line. The latest SWS survey on people’s opinion about the RH Bill and family planning reveals a whopping 82 percent favoring freedom of choice in selecting method of birth control.

No wonder the credibility of the Catholic Church hierarchy among its own flock had plummeted. There are Catholics today who nurture their faith by independently using their own spiritual discernment or have totally shifted to another faith and belief system.

While other Catholic countries, including Italy, have adapted to the times, the Philippines remains the only predominantly Catholic country in the world that does not allow divorce. When asked for a reaction, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz beamed with pride, insinuating that the Philippines is the only country that stood on moral ground. That demonstrates the “I can’t be wrong” attitude of the Overlords of the Inquisition and that this Philippine Catholic Church doesn’t intend to change or adapt to the times.

There is no divorce in our country but the rich can always get a marriage annulment. It is not only hypocrisy; it is also anti-poor and oppressive. Sometimes, it’s hard not to wonder if all the duplicity and hypocrisy in our system is a result of the friar — conquistador tradition, reminiscent of Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere.

While our nation cries for justice for victims of crimes and abuses and while we all need to address the gnawing gaps in wealth and education, these “holy and venerable champion and defenders of our morals” have opted to harass the CCP board for allegedly betraying public trust and the artists for being what they consider anti-Christ.

We’re witnessing the terrifying emergence of a Catholic Taliban who threatens to destroy the very foundations of our Christian morality. Read about the Inquisition and ask yourself if our lives will improve with a revival of that dark chapter of Catholic Church history.

Nicholas Sparks to visit Philippines.

2011-08-14T22:03:00.000-07:00

confirmed via twitter...

Paris Hilton says 'Maayong buntag Pilipinas' to Filipinos

2011-08-14T19:52:00.001-07:00

American Idol Live in Manila

2011-08-13T23:07:00.001-07:00

"American Idol" will hold its first foreign show for its Season 10 finalists in Manila on September 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Filipino fans will get to see Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery and other top 10 finalists such as Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Naima Adedapo, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Stefano Langone and Fil-American Thia Megia.

Various 'American Idol' alumni have already visited the country to perform but this is the first time 'American Idol' will be bringing its top finalists on tour in Asia as they normally hold it in different states in the US.

Casey Abrams got to join the top 10 on live tour because of the save option of judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez during the show. Season 10 'American Idol' Scotty McCreery showcases his country roots as he performs songs such as 'Your Man' by Josh Turner and 'Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not' by Thompson Square.

On tour, Scotty also performs his single and victory song, 'I Love You This Big.' In an interview, Scotty said that performing the song on tour is different compared to performing it in American Idol.

"It's in an arena every night. It's a huge crowd every night. Luckily for me, I got the chance to play an arena when I went to the Walmart Convention in Arkansas, and then I got to play with Josh Turner at LP Field in Nashville for Fan Fest in front of like 70,000. So I've had a little bit of experience," Scotty told Billboard.com.

In 'American Idol Live! Tour,' fans will also get to see duets and collaborations of the finalists to give a sample of the popular singing show. Scotty performs 'When You Say Nothing at All' with Lauren Alaina and 'Gone' with Lauren, Thia, Pia and Haley.

The Top 11 will perform fan favorite performances from the show, as well as current singles from solo projects. Pia Toscano also performs her new single, 'This Time.'

"American Idol Live! Tour 2011" is presented by ETC, Jack TV and Ovation Productions with media partners 2nd Avenue, DIVA Universal, Universal Channel, Talk TV, BTV and Solar Sports.

By Karen Valeza

Anu ba ang matutunan mo kay 'Dora the Explorer'?

2011-08-13T08:57:00.000-07:00

Anu ba ang matutunan mo kay Dora the Explorer? Para sakin....eto!

una!

2% Spanish

pangalawa??

98% Backpacking!

'Backpack! backpack!'

Hahahahaha....

Rebecca Black Left School After Endless Bullying

2011-08-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

BY STEPHEN M. SILVERMAN

aunting by classmates forced 14-year-old YouTube sensation Rebecca Black to withdraw from her Anaheim Hills, Calif., school – to be homeschooled by her mother.

"When I walk by they'll start singing 'Friday' in a really nasally voice," the teen told ABC News. "Or, you know, they'll be like, 'Oh hey, Rebecca, guess what day it is?' "

Her mother, Georgina Marquez, said the move to homeschooling also permits Black to focus on her career. "She certainly did not need that kind of pressure," said Marquez about the teasing on campus.

When it debuted on YouTube in March, the video for "Friday" received 167 million views – roughly half of the population of the United States, ABC News notes.

But it was also harshly criticized by listeners, though Simon Cowell staunchly defended Black, telling PEOPLE, "I love her [and] the fact that she's gotten so much publicity. People are so upset about the song, but I think it's hysterical."

Black has now released her latest single, "My Moment." As of Thursday morning, the new video has gotten nearly 22.5 million views, as well as 276,581 likes and 492,489 dislikes.

Melanie Moore - So You Think You Can Dance Season 8 Winner

2011-08-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

Fresh off being named America's Favorite Dancer on Thursday night, So You Think You Can Dance season 8 winner Melanie Moore was still recovering from the shock of her victory that to many viewers had been a forgone conclusion since the beginning of the season.

"I was ready to take second [place] very graciously. In my head I really thought Sasha was going to win," Moore told reporters of her fellow finalist moments after the winner was announced. "Just being up there and being named one of the final two I was like, 'Wait, is this really happening?' I just started crying."

She also cried over her family's flying in to be with her for the finale.

"[The show] sort of has brought us all back together," said Moore, 19. "We haven't really been that close with my dad's side of the family – especially after he passed away when I was 12 – but we've heard so much from them and they've been so supportive."

Fame and Fortune

Winning $250,000 is a life-changer for Moore, though, so far, she has no big plans for spending the money.

"I am going to hopefully go back to school," said the humble teen from Marietta, Ga., who hopes to return to New York to study dance and learn to choreograph.

"I'm really looking forward to spending time with my boyfriend. I haven't really got to see him very much. I got to see him and give him a really quick kiss and then ran out here."

After the SYTYCD Top 10 tour is finished, Moore is "really excited to just hang out and then I'll get really bored and have to go do stuff again."

That "stuff" could include acting in Kenny Ortega's Dirty Dancing remake or dancing on Lady Gaga's tour.

"Either one. I don't care. I'll take them," Moore said, laughing about the offers made to her by the guest judges this season. "Kenny Ortega, give me a call."

Just Happy to Dance

One thing Moore doesn't want: fame to change her.

"I hope that it won't really affect me," she said. "And if it does, feel free to tell me, because I don't want to turn in to one of those people."

And even if Hollywood doesn't come knocking, Moore says she will be just fine, because "as long as I'm dancing, I'm happy."

She added, "I just want to make a living dancing. You guys could put me in a random costume, just in the background, dancing, and I'd just be so happy to do it, because it's what I love."

Facebook reorganizes chat list 'again'

2011-08-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

After receiving flak for reorganizing users’ chat lists, social networking giant Facebook did it again: reorganizing the list and placing friends they interact with most at the top of the list.

Friends whose profiles the user interacts with most are listed at the top of the list, while others are placed in a list of “more online friends" below.

The changes were implemented Thursday morning in response to user feedback from a redesign of chat in July, tech site Mashable quoted a Facebook spokesperson as saying.

Mashable noted about 28,000 people had “liked" a Facebook Page entitled “I hate the new Facebook sidebar chat" – the first time Facebook had recently reorganized the chat list.

The latest redesigned chat now stretches from the top of the browser to the bottom instead of being contained to its previous pop-up box.

It showed only a selection of friends instead of everyone who was online.

Before July, all online friends appeared in the same bar in alphabetical order.

Mashable quoted the Facebook spokesperson as saying this most recent change is not a test. — TJD, GMA News

Two Filipinos in 'So You Think You Can Dance Season 8' Finale (Top 4)

2011-08-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

The Pinoys are still alive on So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). The finalists for this season’s SYTYCD have been revealed and Marko and Tadd are still in the running. They are joined in the finale by Melanie and Sasha. Meanwhile, Ricky and Caitlynn hopes of making it in the competition were dashed when they were eliminated last night. The four finalists will be competing for this season’s title next week. They will be joined by returning contestants Mark Kanemura, Robert Roldan, Lauren Froderman (season 7 winner), and Joshua Allen (season 4 winner).

It will be interesting to see who will emerge as the winner of So You Think You Can Dance this season in what many have said as the best yet. The two Pinoys, Marko Germar and Tadd Gadduang , will not only have their work cut out against each other, they will have to contend with Melanie and Sasha, two of the judges’ favorites this season. But the viewers’ votes will play a big factor in the finale.

The Top 4

Marko, Sasha, Melanie and Tadd

Facebook Messenger

2011-08-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

Facebook recently launched a mobile messaging client, a standalone app that aims to challenge carriers, handset makers and others as the company expands its platform.

www.mobiledia.com - Facebook Messenger will let users to exchange instant messages, images and location information by using contact numbers stored on smartphones, regardless of whether they are friends on Facebook, according to the Palo Alto, Calif.-based company. Messages can also be broadcast to a group of people at once, a feature the company said can help organize activities and socializing on the go.

The client will run on iOS as well as Android smartphones. Facebook in March acquired messaging firm Beluga, which helped develop the app.

Facebook Messenger builds upon the increasing popularity of Facebook's communications features. Its email-like messaging and chat features, available to the social network's estimated 250 million active users, have made Facebook one of the top destinations on the Web and on smartphones, expanding the company into a full-fledged platform.

The company describes Messenger as an extension of the Facebook communication experience, which currently allows PC users to text chat. The company's prior IM offerings worked only among Facebook friends and required mobile users to go through the Facebook app, which is much slower than the new chat-optimized app.

"The positioning has always been how do we make Facebook messages more readily accessible and useable," said Peter Deng, product manager at Facebook in charge of the Messenger app.

By releasing its own standalone messaging client, Facebook is taking on competing offerings like BlackBerry maker Research In Motion's BBM service and Apple's future iMessage service. The Messenger service also goes up against niche offerings like GroupMe, and competes against mobile phone carriers' own text messaging services.

Carriers themselves, who derive profits from texting fees, may pose the biggest challenge to Messenger by managing networks in a way to hinder Facebook's app.

Messenger's launch also seems timed to respond to rival social network Google+ and its much lauded Hangout and Huddle features, which allow group videos and instant chat with friends. The new network has grown to more than 25 million users in just a little over a month, so Facebook may be feeling pressure to roll out new features like Messenger to keep people away from its rival.

A standalone app is a rarity for Facebook, which has so far attempted to consolidate its activity either on its website or via apps. Necessity may have prompted the release, since a dedicated client offers more speed and reliability in delivering messages, but Messenger could also herald other standalone apps, especially as Facebook moves to offer more videos, for example.

The company also recently announced a partnership with Skype to offer video chat through its website last month, offering another way Facebook may expand its suite of services and features.

Misagh the Dentist :D

2011-08-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

My Project Misagh 101... :D

It's 12:41 AM na... I made this because I have insomnia and I have nothing else to do..lol

"The Corrs" will be in Manila and Cebu this coming October 2011

2011-08-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

NOYPISTUFF - The Corrs reportedly will be coming in Manila again to hold a concert this October 2011! The band is also said to be performing in Cebu as well.

Astroplus broke the news Wednesday by posting the following on Facebook:

"SOMEONE IS COMING TO MANILA THIS OCTOBER WHO WILL LEAVE YOU BREATHLESS....GO ON...GO ON..." it said.

"MANILA AND CEBU WILL BE SHARING ALL THE LOVE IN THE WORLD!!!" it added.

Of course, we all know who will be coming. "Breathless" and "All The Love In The World" are both hits of the Irish band.

However, rumors are saying that Andrea Corr is the only one who will be coming back to promote her solo album. But we'll see when new info arrives in the coming days.

Please keep posted as this page will be updated with details about the concert including ticket prices, venue and exact schedule.

Leana Tabunar: The new Youtube sensation

2011-08-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

Eight year-old YouTube Sensation Leana Tabunar signs contract with GMA Network and will be a regular performer in Party Pilipinas.

7 Magic Balls of Dragon Ball: They Exist

2011-08-09T23:22:00.000-07:00

"Magugunaw na ang mundo! Hanapin na natin ang pitong dragon balls. At mag wish!"

Haha..just for fun only. I found this picture from a certain facebook fanpage...

Mexican Beauty Queen Cynthia de la Vega Is Stripped of Crown for Gaining Weight

2011-08-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

Softpedia.com - Mexican beauty queen Cynthia de la Vega is making a series of very damning claims against the Nuestra Belleza Mexico beauty pageant for stripping her of the crown and eliminating her from the Miss World race: they did it because I gained weight.

De la Vega came in second at the Nuestra Belleza contest, which means she won the chance (and the crown) to compete in this November’s Miss World pageant.

She would never compete now, since organizers took away her crown, thus blocking her from taking part in the very important pageant, the Daily Mail informs.

The beauty queen claims the decision was entirely based on the fact that she’s gained some weight since winning the crown. Organizers, on the other hand, say she was unprofessional and did not play by the well-known rules.

According to de la Vega, who’s already given several interviews to the press on the topic, organizers told her she needed to lose the weight she gained because of stress, but they hardly made an effort to assist her in it.

As such, they had no right to kick her out of the competition.

“Organizers of the Nuestra Belleza Mexico contest demanded that I lose a few kilos, but they never provided a nutritionist or any other assistance to ensure the weight loss,” Cynthia says, adding that they emailed her a “diet” consisting of eating “the same food during the whole month.”

“[A weight loss diet] should be specific for each day of the week and should also be supervised to make the necessary adjustments,” the beauty queen underlines.

“I feel healthy enough to represent my country, and I think this is an injustice. They took away the crown that I earned. That is mine,” de la Vega adds.

Organizers, on the other hand, are adamant that it was Cynthia’s fault that she was kicked out of the beauty pageant circuit.

“It was a lack of dedication and discipline. [She] did not comply with the recommendations and goals agreed upon for her preparation,” Nuestra Belleza says in a statement.

Who is Misagh Bahadoran???

2011-08-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

For Azkals striker Misagh Bahadoran, school was his key to get into football.

The 24-year-old Filipino-Iranian said he had to prioritize his studies before he could get his father's permission to join the national team.

"They invited me to join the Philippine football team but because my fist priority was my school and college, my dad did not allow me to go," said Bahadoran.

With years of hard work in school, he earned his college degree and was finally allowed to join the Azkals.

"I just graduated as a dentist from the Centro Escolar University," said a beaming Bahadoran. "He (his father) then allowed me to play football."

Bahadoran maintained a good relationship with football ever since he was a boy.

"My brother was a very good football player. I used to play football with him so I've loved football back when I was 5, 6 years old," he said.

Now that he fulfilled his father's wishes, he's glad to fulfill his own.

"My parents are happy with what I'm doing," he said.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name: Misagh Medina Bahadoran

Age: 24

Birthday: January 10, 1987

Birthplace: Mabalacat, Pampanga

Position in the Azkals team: Left/ Right wing

Start of football career: He's been playing since he was 7

Where's your mother/father from?

My mom is Kapampangan. She's a Filipino and my dad is Iranian.

What leagues have you played in?

I played for Kaya FC, after that I went to Global FC. I'm also a national futsal player since 2006 and I was 2-time top scorer of Southeast Asia. We also qualified in AFC in Japan.

What made you decide to join the team?

I wanted to try Philippine football team which before was not Azkals in 2007. They invited me to join the Philippine football team but because my fist priority was my school and college, my dad did not allow me to go. But I just graduated as a dentist from the Centro Escolar University. He then allowed me to play football. They invited me, Dan Palami, manager of Global FC, same manager of the Azkals.

What's your pet peeve? What's the thing that you hate the most?

When my dad or my parents keep on asking me 'Where are you? What are you doing? Why are you late?' I hate that.

What's the best thing you like about football?

The thing I really love about football is the challenge and the winning because when we win, I really love it. People are screaming and my parents are happy with what I'm doing.

Posted by: http://theteamazkals.blogspot.com

MORE ABOUT MISAGH here...

CCP Art Exhibit Scandal

2011-08-09T02:08:00.000-07:00

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Art Exhibit entitled "Kulo" is now in hot waters after several Catholic groups said that this is irreligious and blasphemous.

As reported by GMA News, Eric Manalang - President of Pro-life Philippines said,

"By Thursday afternoon, we will file a case if they do not stop the exhibit and if they do not also make amends because stopping is not enough. The damage has been done"

According to local news reports, the controversial art exhibit includes images and statues such as:

A wooden replica of male genital in front of Jesus Christ image.
An image of Christ wherein his eyes had been darkened by ink.
Crucifix with condom.
Religious pictures beside women underwear models.
Seated Christ statue with red ball on His nose and a semi mickey mouse ears.

wallyibong.blogspot.com

Azkals in Guimbal, Iloilo

2011-08-08T20:50:00.001-07:00

Watch out for Azkal’s ANGEL GUIRADO, CHIEFFY CALIGDONG, IAN ARANETA and MISAGH BAHADORAN in Guimbal, Iloilo. Aug 19th!!! Sponsored by Cong. Sharon Garin, AAMBIS-OWA Party List in cooperation with LGU Guimbal and Guimbal FA.

Planking Celebrities

2011-08-08T19:18:00.000-07:00

PLANKING - Planking or the lying down game is an activity consisting of lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. The hands must touch the sides of the body and having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on the internet is an integral part of the game. Players compete to find the most unusual and original location in which to play. The term planking refers to mimicking a wooden plank.

Check out some of your favorite celebrities planking below:

Xian Lim planking inside a bus

Smart Gilas team members planking

Paolo Paraiso planking

Matteo Guidicelli and Xiam Lim planking in HK International Airport

Lauren Young planking down the stairs

KC Montero planking inside a store

Photos courtesy of their respective owners

Paris Hilton will Visit Manila, Philippines

2011-08-07T01:52:00.000-07:00

Paris Hilton is coming to Manila, Philippines on August 13.

The heiress, who stars in her own reality TV show and runs a business empire of Paris Hilton merchandise including beauty products and books, will be in Manila on August 13 to do some projects with Century Properties.

The socialite was chosen to design the Beach Club amenity of Azure Urban Resort Residences, a six-hectare residential project of Century Properties in the southern part of Manila. Paris is also expected to meet the boxing legend Manny Pacquiao as she dished on visiting the champ after Pacquiao-Mosley fight at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. She is also looking forward to meet her Filipino fans.

In a related news, Paris Hilton has opened her fourth store in the Philippines located at the SM MegaMall. The store features her products including handbags, shoes and accessories.

The dangers of illegal parking

2011-08-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

Vilnius mayor Arturas Zuokas drives an armoured personnel carrier over a car parked in a cycle lane, during a publicity stunt to warn against illegal parking on city streets.

--- balagtuk

Mr. Bean survives supercar crash

2011-08-06T06:23:00.000-07:00

We all know that Mr. Bean bring fun and entertainment to the whole world from kids to adults. He makes us laugh even if we are in deep sadness. That is the power of comedy comes in, Rowan Atkinson, known as Mr. Bean encounter a deadly crashed which many people can say a "Miracle".

Rowan Atkinson crashed his £650,000 supercar car last night, with a source describing his survival a “miracle”.

The 56-year-old British actor is famed across the globe for his roles playing clumsy TV character Mr. Bean and Johnny English in the eponymous spoof spy film franchise.

Rowan is a big fan of fast cars, and last night his McLaren F1 vehicle, believed to be one of only 100 in the world, reportedly hit a tree and a lamppost before catching fire in Cambridgeshire, England.

"We were called to a single vehicle road traffic collision at 7.30 tonight on the A605 at Haddon," the East of England Ambulance Service confirmed yesterday.

A spokesperson added that a man was taken to a Peterborough hospital with "a minor shoulder injury".

Meanwhile, a source told British newspaper The Sun that Rowan has been extremely lucky not to have sustained worse injuries.

"It's a miracle he walked away," claimed the insider.

Rowan had previously damaged the front of the car when it collided with a Rover Metro in Lancashire over ten years ago. He later confessed the incident had been embarrassing.

"The prang was embarrassingly low-speed and therefore not related to my handling of the car, thank God. I was very, very lucky," he blushed.

--- Pachugong

Janela Lelis: Batang babae, isinalba ang watawat ng Pilipinas mula sa baha.

2011-08-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

This page requires a higher version browser

Si Janela Lelis habang sinusuong ang baha sa Albay bitbit ang watawat ng bansa sa larawan kuha ni Francisco Pena Lozano.

List of world's fastest-growing airports: Istanbul #1

2011-08-03T00:27:00.000-07:00

Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport is the world's fastest growing airport, according to a new report released by Airports Council International (ACI) August 1.

The World Airport Traffic Report 2010, which analyzed the performance of over 1,300 airports in 157 countries around the world last year, suggests that traffic at Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport, completed in 2009, jumped by 75 percent last year.

That puts it considerably ahead of Campinas in Brazil, the world's second-fastest growing airport, and Rio de Janeiro, the third.

Charleroi in Belgium and Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport rounded off the top five list.

Overall, traffic through the world's airports grew by 6.6 percent in 2010, the report shows, a total of 5.04 billion passengers -- the first time global air travel has passed the 5 billion mark.

The fastest growth was observed in Latin America and the Caribbean (13.2 percent), ACI said, followed by the Middle East (12 percent), Asia-Pacific (11.3 percent) Africa (9.5 percent), Europe (4.3 percent) and North America (2.5 percent).

Preliminary statistics show that for the first six months of this year, global passenger traffic is up by six percent again.

The busiest airports in the world overall were Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson in the US, Beijing, Chicago in the US, London Heathrow and Tokyo Haneda.

However, stripping out domestic passengers to include just international travel, London Heathrow holds the top spot, followed by Paris Charles de Gaulle, Hong Kong International, Dubai International in the United Arab Emirates and Frankfurt in Germany.

The world's fastest-growing airports

1. Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Turkey

2. Viracopos-Campinas, Brazil

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

4. Charleroi, Belgium

5. Moscow Sheremetyevo, Russia

6. Belo Horizonte, Brazil

7. Bogota, Colombia

8. Phuket, Thailand

9. Shanghai Pudong, China

10. Muscat, Oman

11. Ankara, Turkey

12. St Petersburg, Russia

13. Medan, Indonesia

14. Shanghai Hongqiao, China

15. Milwaukee, WI, USA

Senator Zubiri resigning from post?

2011-08-03T00:25:00.000-07:00

Unconfirmed reports abound that Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri will be resigning from his post Wednesday.

Reports say Zubiri will announce his resignation in a privilege speech, 3 pm.

This, amid fresh revelations by Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol of alleged fraud in the 2007 elections.

An administration bet, Zubiri landed the 12th and last spot for the Senate, narrowly defeating opposition bet, lawyer Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III.

Pimentel has since contested Zubiri's win and sought but failed to get the high court's restraining order on Zubiri's proclamation.

Zubiri was proclaimed Senator on July 2007 with 11,001,730 votes, a little over Pimentel's 10,983,358.

In a telephone interview, former Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. said he is also waiting for Zubiri's announcement.

"I will wait until it happens," Pimentel told Yahoo! Southeast Asia.

Pimentel said should Zubiri abandon his post, he is hoping his son Koko could soon get the post.

"We are hoping it will happen sooner or later," he said, noting that Koko still have less than two years to work in the Senate.

Malaysian envoy’s wife denies tweeting Rizal's an 'infidel'

2011-08-02T09:45:00.000-07:00

The wife of the Malaysian ambassador to the Philippines denied the claim by newspaper columnist Jarius Bondoc that she had maligned Jose Rizal on Twitter, insisting that she was being set up by the Malaysian opposition.

Dato Zainab, wife of Malaysian envoy to Manila Dr. Ibrahim Saad, on Monday tweeted: “pls read twt in full. twt was from Bikmama2U & she tagged me. that is a false account set up by the MAL opposition. Contacting Phl S".

Earlier Monday, the Philippine Star columnist wrote about a tweet that “caused a stir in Kuala Lumpur political circles last week" because it had “sullied the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal."

“@BikMama2U: @datozainab Biasala tu, @anwaribrahim mmg pro-Kristian, pemuja Jose Rizal si Melayu kafir tu! Oh ya, jgn lupa..."

(“@BikMama2U: @datozainab... That’s usual. Anwar Ibrahim is clearly pro-Christian, an admirer of Jose Rizal the infidel Malay! Oh yes, don’t forget...")

Bondoc explained in his column that the offensive tweet spoke of former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who now leads Malaysia’s Opposition. Anwar is coming to Manila this Friday to lecture at the University of the Philippines on Jose Rizal's influence on ASEAN leadership as part of celebrations of the national hero's 150th birth anniversary.

Bondoc had written that “[c]alling Rizal an ‘infidel Malay’ is insolent, to say the least. …If true that a diplomat’s wife is defiling the memory of Rizal as ‘infidel,’ then it not only drives a fanatical religionist wedge in Southeast Asian ties. It also derides global peace efforts through interfaith dialogue." — Marlon Anthony Tonson/VS, GMA News

Tattoo, epic spelling fail!

2011-08-01T04:40:00.000-07:00

This tattoo of the Bible verse made famous by Samuel L. Jackson in "Pulp Fiction," has at least 10 spelling mistakes. Can you find them all?

Photo by: yourtattoosucks.com

Happy Feet 2 - Official Teaser Trailer [HD]

2011-07-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

By Gig Patta

Warner Brothers Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures released the theatrical trailer for the upcoming animation “Happy Feet 2” on Yahoo! Movies.

The film stars Elijah Wood, Pink, Robin Williams, Sofia Vergara and Hank Azaria.

Here is the synopsis provided on Yahoo! Movies:

Mumble, The Master of Tap, has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreophobic. Reluctant to dance, Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven—a penguin who can fly! Mumble has no hope of competing with this charismatic new role model. But things get worse when the world is shaken by powerful forces. Erik learns of his father’s “guts and grit” as Mumble brings together the penguin nations and all manner of fabulous creatures—from tiny Krill to giant Elephant Seals—to put things right.

The animation is directed by George Miller (“Happy Feet,” “Mad Max”). The screenplay is written by Miller, Warren Coleman (“Happy Feet”), Gary Eck (“The Nation,” “You Can’t Stop the Murders”) and Paul Livingston (“Good News Week”).

The film will be released in 2D and 3D on November 18th later this year.

140 people rescued from troubled TransAsia

2011-07-31T03:43:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine coast guard and fishermen have rescued more than 140 people who were on board a passenger ship that dangerously tilted in choppy waters in the central Philippines.

Coast guard chief Admiral Ramon Liwag says the M/V Asia Malaysia left central Cebu region for Iloilo province on an overnight trip when it began to tilt to its right, or starboard side, at dawn Sunday. The cause of the problem was not immediately clear.

Liwag says the captain ordered all passengers and his crewmen to abandon the ship, which was listing about four miles (six kilometers) from its destination.

He says a private ship, fishermen and coast guard personnel later arrived to help in the rescue. A helicopter was checking to see whether there is an oil slick from the ship.

Azkals Live: Meet the 'Azkals' of Barcelona, Real Madrid

2011-07-31T03:34:00.000-07:00

Azkals Live: Meet the 'Azkals' of Barcelona, Real Madrid: "A screenshot of football.cebunetwork.com showing a photo of Real Madrid goalkeeper Eduardo Teus López-Navarro and the Philippine flag at the..."

Manny Pacquiao HP Commercials

2011-07-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

This Too Shall Pass

2011-07-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

If I can endure for this minute

Whatever is happening to me,

No matter how heavy my heart is

Or how dark the moment may be-

If I can remain calm and quiet

With all the world crashing about me,

Secure in the knowledge God loves me

When everyone else seems to doubt me-

If I can but keep on believing

What I know in my heart to be true,

That darkness will fade with the morning

And that this will pass away, too-

Then nothing in life can defeat me

For as long as this knowledge remains

I can suffer whatever is happening

For I know God will break all of the chains

That are binding me tight in the darkness

And trying to fill me with fear-

For there is no night without dawning

And I know that my morning is near.

How to remain alert without caffeine

2011-07-30T06:42:00.000-07:00

Every office worker faces the challenge of staying awake both during those slow days and when the stress keeps piling on like there's no tomorrow. The world's favorite go-to office stimulant is a cup of joe, and these days it's easy to get your coffee fix. These days, it’s easy to get a cup of coffee. There’s a Starbucks on almost every corner and if there isn’t, there’s 7-Eleven or Mini Stop. But for those who don’t drink coffee, staying awake at the workplace can be a bigger challenge.

Here’s EYP’s list of coffee alternatives to keep you awake all day.

1. Ice Cold Water

Drink cold water. The cold will help you stay awake plus, dehydration can make you feel tired. Drinking lots of water will also make you go the bathroom – giving you a necessary break from the computer or book.

If drinking water isn’t your thing, you can also splash it on your face and pulse areas. This will not only waken you up, but also refresh you.

2. Energy Drinks

Another drink option is energy drinks. Energy drinks have varying levels of caffeine along with other stimulating substances like vitamin B and ginseng.

(Find a nearby convenience store.)

3. Eat Some Food

Sitting at the office all day can make you forget the need to stay nourished. Sometimes the solution is as simple as getting some food delivered. Changing your diet can drastically improve your energy levels. Space your meals evenly throughout the day to keep a constant stream of glucose flowing in your veins. Adding more iron to your diet is one way. Iron deficiency can cause fatigue and iron can easily be found in tofu, liver, and oatmeal. On the other hand, you can reduce the meat in your diet because meat requires more energy to digest. If you want a reliable source of steady energy, eat complex carbohydrates like whole-wheat grains, pasta, potatoes and every Filipino’s favorite, rice. If you need something to immediately boost your sugar levels, eat fruit.

(Don't go hungry! Have some food delivered.)

4. Frequent Breaks

Eye strain can also be another cause for drowsiness and sitting in the same period for a long period of time can cause fatigue. Taking frequent breaks should help that. These breaks can be getting yourself a glass of water or going to the bathroom. Not allowed to leave your desk? Exercise at your desk then. Simply stretch your head, arms, legs, and body. Chewing gum can also create enough movement to help stay awake.

Garci says 'Hello' again.

2011-07-30T05:27:00.000-07:00

After shying away from the public's eye for years, controversial poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano on Saturday finally resurfaced and insisted he did not participate in supposed cheating in the 2004 presidential elections.

At a press conference in Bukidnon province shortly before 2 p.m., Garcillano also urged the Filipinos, including the Aquino administration, to just "move on."

Garcillano said he was willing to cooperate with the administration to effect reforms in the election system. But when asked if he could provide information that could help prove there was cheating in the 2004 presidential polls, Garcillano said: "Nasabi ko na lahat ng sasabihin ko. Ano pa makukuha nila sa akin."

Earlier, Malacañang expressed interest in what Garcillano was to say at the Bukidnon press conference.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that while the Palace will withhold comment, it wants to know what the former Comelec official had to say.

Garcillano is a key figure in the “Hello Garci" poll fraud scandal that broke out in 2005.

The scandal involved wiretapped conversations (about rigging of 2004 poll results) between Garcillano and many personalities, including a female voice believed to be that of then President Gloria Arroyo. — LBG, GMA News

Romi Garduce Reaches Summit of Carstensz Pyramid

2011-07-30T02:58:00.000-07:00

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Azkals lose to Kuwait, out of World Cup

2011-07-28T21:14:00.000-07:00

The Philippines Azkals gave it their best shot, but in the end Al Azraq of Kuwait was simply the better team, brushing aside a red card on one of its midfielders and relying on its overall superiority to hack out a hard-fought 2-1 victory to wrap up their second-round 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.

The Kuwaitis broke the hearts of the 13,000 Azkal supporters who packed the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium hoping to see their heroes overhaul a 0-3 deficit. And while the Philippines played much better than they did in the first leg in Kuwait, it wasn't enough to overcome their opponents' vast experience and superior skills.

Both teams had scoring chances in the first half, and Kuwait, despite sitting on a three-goal cushion, came out looking to score. Al Azraq often tested goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, hitting the goal post three times in the first 45 minutes. The Philippines had the first shot on goal, though, in the ninth minute, when Rob Gier headed a free kick from Chieffy Caligdong straight to Kuwaiti keeper Nawaf Al Khaldi.

In the 24th, a long strike by Fahed Al Ebrahim almost found the mark, and it took some brilliant goalkeeping from Etheridge to deflect the ball and prevent Kuwait from lighting up the scoreboard first. Nine minutes later, Bader Al Mutwa beat Etheridge with a strike, but the ball hit the goal post instead. The Azkals stepped up their attack after that, with Manuel Ott and Caligdong keeping Al Khaldi busy with successive long strikes.

It was midfielder Stephan Schrock who finally broke through in the third minute of first-half injury time, fielding a short pass from Caligdong from the left wing and unleashing a brilliant strike to the far right of the goal. Al Khaldi had no chance of saving it, and suddenly the Philippines was up 1-nil at halftime.

Needing three more goals to win the tie outright, the Philippines pressed on early in the second half, and had an excellent chance to go up 2-nil in the 52nd minute when Etheridge's long ball found Phil Younghusband deep in the Kuwaiti defensive line. The Fil-British striker deftly outmaneuvered two defenders and had a clean shot on goal, but Al Khaldi was up to the task and deflected the strike. Later coach Michael Weiss would call the miss "the crucial point" of the match.

In the 60th, the Azkals gained a huge advantage when Al Ebrahim was sent off by referee Liu Kwok Man for a hard foul. However, despite being down a man, it was Kuwait that would score next. In a cruel twist of fate for the Azkals, midfielder Yousef Naser, who was just waiting for the next dead ball to be substituted, rifled in a shot from 30 yards out that beat Etheridge and found the back of the net. The stunning goal silenced the crowd and appeared to deflate the Azkals, who just couldn't capitalize on their one-man advantage the rest of the way.

The Philippines never seriously threatened after that, as Kuwait defended well and launched counter-attacks often to keep the Azkals' defensive line on their heels.

The Kuwaitis added one more goal in the 83rd, when Waleid Ali found himself unmarked in the penalty box and eluded a charging Etheridge to flick home the ball despite a last-second effort by Aly Borromeo to kick it out.

Kuwait thus won the two-leg tie 5-1 on aggregate, and will advance to the third-round group stage of the Asian qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. While the Philippines made great strides this year by advancing to the second round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time in history, this match also showed there's still a lot of ground to cover before the Azkals move up the Asian football pecking order. Kuwait's short passing was simply superb, and even their long balls were oftentimes spot on. Individually, players like Fahad El Hanazi constantly outplayed Filipino defenders with great footwork and ball control on solo runs.

"I think we were in control in the first half," said Kuwait's Serbian coach Goran Tufegdzic. "We had many chances to score."Tufegdzic added his two substitutions at midfield in the second half paid off and changed the complexion of the game.

"I think this game and the previous game showed how bitter and hard football can be," Weiss said after the match. "It's a tough sport." The German coach admitted there were just too many lapses on defense, and they allowed Kuwait too many shots. "Our defenders are only waiting and inviting other teams to score. It's something we have to rectify."

Philippine Azkal #16 Ray Jónsson tries to score a goal during the first half match of Philippines vs Kuwait in the second leg of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Overall, though, Weiss said his side played as hard as they could, and sees further improvement down the line with the proper support. "The Philippines is on a very good track, and we will be a contender in four years. But in those four years, we need the proper preparation, we need support, we need money, we need new pitches."

The Azkals will take a much-needed rest for several weeks, before beginning their preparation for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup in March. Weiss hopes to have a full complement of players for this tournament, where the top four teams advance to the Asian Cup in 2015. Before that, Weiss will coach the under-23 team in the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in November, hoping to give the country its first-ever football medal in the biennial meet.

Win or lose, Azkals to stay busy after qualifying game.

2011-07-28T20:41:00.000-07:00

Kuwait's Yussef Nasser al-Sulaiman (L) and the Philippines' Jason Sabio battle for the ball during their 2014 World Cup Asian zone qualifying football match in Kuwait City last July 23. Kuwait won the match 3-0. (AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — There's so much to look forward to for the Philippine football team whether it advances or not to the third round of the qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup.

At least three tournaments are lined up for the Azkals in the next four months that will keep the team busy until the end of the year.

The Azkals were playing Kuwait's Al-Azraq at presstime in the second leg of their second round qualifying series at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, facing a gargantuan task of overhauling a 0-3 deficit before the home crowd.

Regardless of the outcome, Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Jr. and team manager Dan Palami are both convinced that the team has already made great strides in the sport, coming along way from just ‘minnows’ in Asia and Southeast Asian neighbors to an emerging and developing football power.

“Whatever happens, facing Kuwait has already cemented the development of the team considering that a few months ago we have not imagined playing against them,” Palami said.

“We are actually making great strides in the sport. I think that fact that we’re facing Kuwait, an Asian Cup champion, a one-time World Cup finalist and a Gulf champion, is already a great testament.”

Araneta said fans and critics should not forget that the Azkals, down three places at 162 in the latest International Football Federation (Fifa) rankings have already made a lot of heads turn when they made Philippine history by reaching the second round of the World Cup qualifiers.

The Azkals have crushed Sri santiagoLanka on 5-1 aggregate in the first round early this month to reach the second round – a feat no Philippine team has achieved since the country started competing in the World Cup qualifiers in 1950.

Araneta said the Azkals are set to compete in the four-team Long Teng Cup in Taiwan in September against Hong Kong, Macau and the host nation.

In October, the PFF will host a four-nation invitational tourney with Malaysia and Singapore confirming participation and the last slot going to either Thailand or Vietnam. The event will be sponsored by Asia Brewery Inc.

In November, Azkals coach Michael Weiss will lead the Under-23 football team in its bid to win a first ever medal in the men’s football competition of the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia slated from Nov. 11-22 in the capital of Jakarta and Palembang.

Philippine Azkals vs Kuwait LIVE July 28, 201: 2nd League Game Goes Ahead

2011-07-28T02:14:00.000-07:00

The 2nd leg game of the Azkals vs Kuwait will push through despite the bad weather. This was announced earlier after Azkals fans feared the game will be postponed due to heavy rains brought about by Juaning.

Meanwhile, midfielder Stephan Schrock has arrived from Germany to boost the Azkals chances of winning against Kuwait. Schrock, who plays in the second division Bundesliga, was instrumental in the Philippines’ win against Sri Lanka in their second match. It is hoped that Schrock and team captain Aly Borromeo will boost the Azkals chances of winning against Kuwait. Its a tall order for the Pinoys after their foes erected a three-goal lead in the first leg.

Watch the Azkals vs Kuwait LIVE. The Philippine Azkals vs Kuwait match will be broadcast live via:

SkyCable BALLS and Studio 23 at 5:30 PM.

Replays are on Friday, July 29 at 3 PM via BALLS TV

Saturday (July 30) 9:30 AM via ABS CBN

Sunday (July 31) 10AM via BALLS, and on

Tuesday, August 2 at 2 PM via Studio 23.

Nora Aunor, now a KAPATID.

2011-07-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

German Moreno has confirmed that Nora Aunor is finally returning to the Philippines on Tuesday, Aug. 2, after eight years of living in the United States.

In a live phone patch interview direct from Los Angeles, Nora said, “Nakaempake na po ako. Naka-ready na lahat. Excited na rin po ako makabalik matapos ang walong taon. Sa wakas makakabalik na rin. Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo sa pakikapag-usap sa mga tao para matupad 'to at sa TV5."

The announcement was made official by Kuya Germs in his radio program last Wednesday, July 27. This ends speculations on whether or not Nora will indeed return to Manila following several rumored arrivals.

Kuya Germs also confirmed that Nora will do projects for TV5, her official network while she's in the country. Nora will topbill an upcoming series slated to air on TV5. Several preparations are also in the works for Nora’s fans day.

Perci Intalan, TV 5 Head of Creative and Entertainment Production said they had long wanted to get Nora’s services. They consulted details of the agreement with her, working around her available schedule, consulting with Kuya Gerns and getting her approval for the concept of the series they tailor-made for her.

Intalan added that Nora signed the deal with TV 5 while she was in the US and is set to have a formal contract signing when she arrives here for a three-month stay.

The network executive said the agreement was between Nora’s NCV Productions and TV5.

“We have been working with artists based abroad, like Alice Dixson, Jasmine Curtis and Leandro Munoz. Alice, for instance, will still be doing a project with us even if she goes to Canada,” Intalan goes on.

They can do the same thing with Nora.

“We’ll play it by ear,” he reveals. “We will be announcing details about Nora’s work with TV 5 through a press conference.”

It will be recalled that Nora was first rumored to be returning to the Philippines last Thursday, July 21. But she didn’t board the Manila-bound plane from the US, even if her name appeared in the passenger’s list.

Dolphy’s health getting better on 83rd birthday

2011-07-26T19:45:00.001-07:00

Dolphy was in high spirits on Monday, July 25, when he celebrated his 83rd birthday since all signs show his health is improving.

He is looking forward to doing away with his oxygen support system a few weeks from now.

An interview with ABS-CBN's “TV Patrol” showed Dolphy celebrating his birthday with family and friends in his home in Marina, Parañaque. Dressed in red sweater and denim jeans, the Comedy King looked healthier and in better shape as compared to late last year when he was promoting his Metro Filmfest movie "Father Jejemon." Dolphy revealed last December that he was having weak lungs and that pneumonia forced him to be on oxygen tank support.

“At least nag-i-improve ako,” Dolphy said when asked about his health. “Halata naman e, tignan niyo dito oh, lumulusog na eh,” Zsa-Zsa Padilla said while touching Dolphy’s tummy.

Dolphy even joked about it. “Bumalik na naman 'yung kutis natin, medyo gumanda-ganda. Dati talagang bangkay na eh,” he said in jest.

Zsa Zsa thanked those who prayed for Dolphy’s health. “Maraming-maraming salamat sa lahat ng nagdarasal para kay Dolphy,” she declared.

Dolphy also commented about the supposed win of his friend Fernando Poe, Jr. in the 2004 presidential elections.

“Dapat naging presidente talaga yun eh. Kaya Garci, lumabas ka na. Please naman. Nasa iyo ang susi eh,” Dolphy pleaded.

He also asked everyone to give President Noynoy Aquino, who delivered his SONA on Dolphy’s birthday, more time and consideration.

“Pagbigyan natin. Nag-aapura tayo eh. Iisang taon pa lang naman. Siyam na taon tayong medyo tagilid,” Dolphy said.

Eric Quizon, Boy2 Quizon and Vandolph were also at their dad’s birthday celebration.

Ely Buendia died of ruptured aneurysm: NOT TRUE!

2011-07-26T05:55:00.000-07:00

A rumor circulated through SMS announcing the death of one of Filipino music legends and Pupils’ lead vocalist, Ely Buendia. The rumor reached the internet via social networks, Twitter and Facebook. The message which says “We Love You Ely.. Ely Buendia pass away, at exactly 12:17am july 26, 2011 due to cardiac arrest bcoz of ruptured aneurysm. He arrived critical in St. Lukes, emergency department, E. Rodriguez Ave. QC. After a Gig party for an advertisement of a bottling company. Pls. Pass to all fans.” quickly upset fans, sending their condolences to his family and friends.

But contrary to what has been spreading, Ely Buendia is still alive. This was confirmed by Ely himself in his Twitter account. “Next time na may magkalat pa na patay na ‘ko di na talaga ‘ko maniniwala.” A message was also posted on the official Facebook website of Pupil, saying that he is still alive.

1 Billion for Coffee Fund

2011-07-26T02:46:00.000-07:00

In President Benigno Aquino III's State of the Nation (SONA) on Monday, rampant corruption in government took on a new and unlikely form: coffee.

Luxury cars, expansive mansions and lavish dinners were pushed to the backseat when Aquino, toward the end of his speech, revealed that the coffee expenditures of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), amounted to about P1 billion during the previous administration.
"Sa isandaang piso na lang po kada tasa, lalabas na nakakonsumo sila ng sampung milyong tasa," Aquino claimed. "Baka po kahit ngayong iba na ang pamunuan ng PAGCOR ay dilat na dilat pa rin ang mata ng mga uminom ng kapeng ito. Hanapin nga po natin sila, at matanong: nakakatulog pa po kayo?"

Filipino social media users, palpably repulsed by Aquino's blood pressure-raising news, took to the web to air out their surprise and disbelief of PAGCOR's spending on something that would otherwise cost just a few pesos from the local sari-sari store.

Aquino's eye-opening coffee expose, it seems, easily eclipsed other cases he cited in his SONA, as the word "PAGCOR" ranked fifth in Twitter's worldwide trending topics list by the end of Aquino's annual speech.

View "PAGCOR's P1B coffee fund raises eyebrows" on Storify

Before coffee, there were burgers

But prior to this controversy around coffee, the same government agency had already been embroiled in a food and beverage expenditure that went beyond normal market prices.

In July last year, it was revealed that PAGCOR, under the stewardship of then PAGCOR chief Efraim Genuino, spent more than P21 million for the chicken and hamburger meals allegedly consumed by some 15,000 members of the police force in just a week.

In an earlier interview, Genuino said it has been customary for PAGCOR to give food assistance to policement over the years, and that the amount is merely an accumulated value for the first half of 2010.

“Installment kasi ‘yan. Kung minsan, nakaka-accumulate kami ng P2 million, P3 million, P5 million o P6 million, saka pa lang kami magbabayad," Genuino said in an interview aired over GMA News' “24 Oras." — TJD, GMA News

How To Fix Your New Facebook Chat

2011-07-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

Out of frustration of the new facebook chat system, you know - the one that shows offline contacts jumbled up awkwardly with online and Idle contacts - I decided to create an extension to hide all the offline contacts to have a simplified interface which will show only Online and Idle contacts side-by-side, similar to the old interface, with the added bonus of the new search function and multi-person chat function!

You can download this extension here!

Facebook's new chat design has received varied degrees of hate in recent reviews... Most people see this as Facebook trying and failing to keep up with Google's new social network, Google Plus. Google Plus has so far gotten exceptional reviews and gained in excess of 20 million users in 3 weeks of operation, despite being an invite only network for the time being...

I suspect this is the first of many changes we are about to see on Facebook and indeed, facebook chat. With Microsoft's recently acquiring Skype, Facebook is slowly loosing the massive lead it has obtained over the years by two of the largest companies in the world - Google and Microsoft! Facebook will i'm sure, step up to the plate, but in the mean time, do yourself a favor, and download "Fix the New Facebook Chat" extension... NOW!