Nora Aunor, now a KAPATID.

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

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!

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

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

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