Does Bianca Manalo Deserve the Title?

Looks like show business talk has been really rough about beauty queen and actress Bianca Manalo. According to several articles, she has been tagged as a "Politician Hunter" because of the interesting people she was seen allegedly involved with. This "allegedly" includes Jonathan Tan of Antique, and recently seen Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

She was first crowned in 2009 and did the Miss Universe pageant on the same year. She did several TV shows and movies, her colorful though has been the topic of local flock of "marites" and showbiz write-ups.  

Local TV News reports also covered a boat accident which included her, the Antique Mayor and Ehra Madrigal. This started a lot of talk about them in articles, entertainment TV news and social media, much of which includes their supposed connection. A few months/year after, Bianca and Senator Win Gatchalian were pretty much public. They already had very colorful showbiz-politics connections even before that. With all these, does it warrant the title?

Let's see... if the plot thickens!

TOLS: Kelvin Miranda, Abdul Raman, Shaun Salvador + Rufa Mae and Betong in New Show Come June 25th

I've had the pleasure of watching a couple of trailers this afternoon during the TOLS Media Conference held at the Novotel in Quezon City. This is the child project of Tyrone Escalante Artist Management and Merlion Events Production Inc. which will be shown on GMA's GTV channel. TOLS is a story of triplets Uno, Dos, Third played by Kelvin Miranda, Abdul Raman and Shaun Salvador. Rufa Mae Quinto plays their Mom in the weekly series and Betong Sumaya plays anti hero.

The setting is a Barber Shop and we all know pretty much by now that this isn't going to be your usual scripted story line as the peg was going to be a riot that's much like previous late 80's to early 90's Palibhasa Lalake as inspiration. Thing is, these guys are probably in a younger demographic which means they'd be connecting well with Gen Z's, Millennials, onward. Rufa Mae Quinto's casting has proven to be valuable because they'll be putting in her expertise in the genre and they guys lauded her about being so generous in throwing punchlines they'd be able to follow through with their own antics, tell them to stop if it didn't land too. 

 I love the fun, the format, and as Rufa observed, these guys have their own traits that people would find endearing. Aside from their good looks, Kelvin is a bit uncontrollable, whilst Abdul was unnerving and Shaun was the one that always got bullied. There were several times in the Media Conference where they divulged some pretty interesting relationships and rumors. Some of them shouldn't land on video but here goes a few minutes in this one if you're raring to know more about it.

Suffice to say, this was something interesting for me as an avid viewer of primetime shows. These guys look good on screen and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of ladies would adore them and this project. The previews and small clues they left us were devoured easily by the press covering the event and if that's piqued our interest, things would probably be same with the general public. Now make sure you go watch the first episode come June 25 at 7PM on GTV. Just make sure you've scanned the channel on digital boxes so you can start watching the show. 

Don't say I didn't tell you about it... a toast to the new crazy show! Who knows, they're already wishing for a second season, that might be even be in the pipeline already. :)

Charee Pineda's Surprise Birthday Party

We traveled all the way to Valenzuela City Hall up north to find Charee Pineda. She's a recent addition to GMA's stable last year as she came from the other channel. What we didn't know was how busy she is these past few years, not just with shooting shows but also serving the people of the 2nd District of Valenzuela. She's a Councilor, and she's well loved by her peers, the Mayor and her constituents. So when they planned to do a surprise party, they did it in style! They had a workshop and leadership training seminar that morning for the scholars under her office. It was also facilitated by World Youth Alliance which is an NGO that she also helps. She thought that she was going to be interviewed about it only with one camera crew but was shocked when she came inside the venue. Surprised as she was, she cried because she didn't know it was going to be her birthday celebration that was going to happen that afternoon. GMA Artist Center, prepared everything including some goodies that they gave away to the youth of Valenzuela City.

Charee here with the representative from World Youth Alliance, wishing her happy birthday.

Mayor Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela City and Charee's co councilors were also there to celebrate with her.

She was so happy because she didn't expect anything on this day but a simple dinner with family. Celebrating it with the people who care for her meant a lot to Charee and she says "I'm a crybaby even if I'm watching TV I cry a lot. I didn't expect this and I was really touched by this gesture. My staff didn't give me any clues. My scholars, the Mayor, it just feels so good to belong with the best people just to surprise me. I was supposed to go to Manaoag but I begged off because of the traffic and only planned to be with family later. I miss showbiz and miss shooting. Hopefully soon I would be able to work in a soap, time management, I hope GMA Artist Center takes care of that even if I'm still in school and with Valenzuela. My love life is so good and it's nice because he's not from showbiz. He's from Valenzuela and he also grew up here so he understands what I do. I want to be a councilor again, it's my first term but I want to learn a lot so that once I get to be in a higher position I would be well equipped. It's the same reason why I'm taking up Political Science. I wish that I could take time and get to appreciate everything that I have right now".

Be Candidly Candified This Last Quarter!

When I was asked about what I know about Candy Pangilinan, I said I know a lot. I probably know a lot of details that she might not even want to remember i.e. her love life, some funny moments with people etc. I was a little serious when I said that I actually adore her. Her humor, her spunk for life and the reason for her existence "Quentin". I also love the little stories in between. I've been a silent reader of her blog since its inception and I find it therapeutic to read the entries she wrote via the comfort room (she sits there and write from her laptop if I remember it correctly). I am fond of her anecdotes and experiences with her "Mom and her amigas" for catechism class/feminist groups or whatnot. I love how she inserts those jokes in between and her relationships with Aiko, Carmina and Gelli... plus the spicy details of the men in her life. I also know what she said about UST on hosting their quadricentennial celebration but that's too much information. I stopped quite a while reading her entries because she rarely updates her blog aptly named CANDIDLY, but I don't blame her for that. She needs the time for work and family and I'm just a fan of her work; plus the fact that I like how she lives her life... she's a good person. I'd really love to meet her someday.

I guess everyone knows by now that she's working with Manny Pangilinan's TV-5. She currently stars on the adaptation of an 80's hit movie called Bagets, which also airs on the same channel Sundays at 3 p.m. right after Paparazzi. Candy is also working on an upcoming television adaptation the Gabby Sharon starrer; the classic film "P.S. I Love You" to be shown also on the Kapatid network soon. She's got some projects coming up like individual improv shows that will be the delight of everyone! With her timing and comedic sense I'm sure there will be more opportunities coming her way and I can't wait to watch her shows, movies and series. I saw she worked with a couple of veteran actors and actresses already in Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin and she fared quite well afaik. I'd be glad to watch her soon, so for you guys who are up for this promising actress and her work make sure you stick to TV5, Viva and Genesis projects. Candy will surely make you feel better! :)

Capisce?!


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Twitter Wars: @PilyangSweet and @SGeronimo25

I love twitter wars. When celebrities turn on each other and show their true colors. It is somewhat bitter sweet when you both adore them but the backlashes of words are so amusing! Here's the story:

It looks like there was a short exchange of jokes in the rehearsals of ASAP XV. It probably was meant as a joke between the stars Sarah Geronimo and John Pratts because of their (Sarah and Christine) former love interest Rayver Cruz. The bad news is, Christine Reyes found out about it because it was said while Sarah was on the microphone. This made Christine flare up hence this series of tweets.



Maybe after seeing her tweets on this event, their Manager reacts like this:

Which probably means she is on the side of Sarah (Maybe because she earns more hehe)

And their manager says:

Christine Reyes, as outspoken as she has always been answers back their Manager:

And so the twitter wars go on. Make sure you follow @pilyangsweet for more updates. I'm sure she'll tell you all about it! Ha-ha!

Party Pilipinas: Fans versus Zombies

Party Pilipinas... Oh where do I start...

It was one of those things that you wake up for. I went to GMA Channel 7 yesterday to watch Party Pilipinas. Mind you this was just a breeze to walk from my place (I live a few blocks away from the station). This particular show was for Halloween and as you know in the Philippines it's a pretty big deal to celebrate this American tradition. Riding on the popularity of the game Plants versus Zombies, Party Pilipinas wanted to put a twist on it. This episode is FANS versus Zombies!

Kris Lawrence, Mark Bautista and Aljur Abrenica

I was eager to see some of the best singers in the country. On that part I wasn't disappointed. Since we went there early we saw the rehearsals and to tell you honestly I couldn't believe I was in front of Regine Velazquez, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya, Jay-R and Kyla. They had that presence. I've heard these guys sing through radio and their CD's but not live. It was a treat and not a trick if I may say so. Their belting prowess was but awe inspiring. The crooners were all good too. If only Oprah saw these guys too she wouldn't agree more that we are a nation of singers.

I won't tell you things that I don't know of and please forgive me if I don't say so much stuff about the other singers. I don't watch Party Pilipinas regularly or know much of the singers in GMA so this visit to the show definitely was an eye opener. I had a very positive outlook that day and I believe in second chances. This logic was tested and torn apart when I heard them sing one by one.

The opening performance was great. One number to take note of was the "Bring me to Life" performance from Elmo Magalona and a certain Julie Anne... it was really good. If I wasn't too tired that day I would have stood up for a standing ovation just for that. This girl can really sing and I hope she gets more exposure. She never held back on showing how good she was... IT WAS VERY POWERFUL! I didn't know her before the show and after that jaw dropping performance I'm a converted fan. Elmo was good too, he picked up bigtime from his father's footsteps. Mom Pia should be darn proud! After a few more years I wouldn't be surprised if he gets record deals and be a star on his own.


Kyla , Rachelle Ann Go , Frencheska Farr, Jolina Magdangal and La Diva did a medley of Sweet Dreams which to me is pardon the word "mediocre". I had some doubts that it would work with that musical score since they ended up eating each others lines. They are a class on their own. Maybe if it were a separate portion for these guys and La Diva it would have been better; but that is my opinion you may have felt otherwise. La Diva can definitely stand on their own.

(*this photo is for Zai because he likes naked guys LOL*)

I love the number with my new crush Rhian Ramos (and I wish that we'd get married! *yeah right you wish!* LOL). They were definitely hot in their dance number with Aljur Abrenica. I didn't even know Heart Evangelista had assets like that, she should definitely try a more sexier image because she can definitely carry it. If she didn't run across me to go to the backstage I wouldn't have known that.


As for April Boy Regino, these guys above and his son JC, it was his son who was a BIG hit among the girls... but everyone kept asking who he was (literally! as in "SINO KA KUYA!?" via the people at my back) and April Boy gladly introduced him. Surely he's going to be a feather on the hat of his Dad. Yeap, I think he got a lot of screams than his father but if you close your eyes and listen to them they almost sound alike. Kinda slightly creepy but its Halloween so we'd have to leave it at that! They have an album out and the carrier single is a duet so you better get a copy to get to know them! Bino of Damuhan.com even got the famous cap April Boy throws away hehe!

Jaya, hands down you are really awesome... I didn't know you can get that high on live television! Regine you are the only one that can do that... everyone dreams to sing like you! I also have more appreciation now with Mr. Ogie Alcasid, his presence seemed very regal at that time (maybe because he had a suit on) but he sang with passion and you can feel every word. It takes a songwriter to do justice with songs like that. I really felt that aura of being in the midst of superstars when they went out. The jokes on the side though about Regine and Ogie was another treat! They were really sweet and I understand why they fell in love with each other! You should see them off cam! Hehe!


Jolina Magdangal, I have no doubt you can sing but please ask your people to do something about your audio. I couldn't quite hear you from where I am and most probably that's what people watching also felt. Your soft voice is good but please ask them to pump up the volume so at least we could feel your presence.


Kyla I love you and your voice and I hope you feel the same way hehe. JayR you know what you are doing. Man you are crazy in Twitter but you are one helluva singer!

Randy Bieber aka KC Montero we didn't get to talk but I was there. I was the one who taught you how to do battery pulls on your blackberry remember?! Heheh...


One of the surprises they had on the program was this Pinoy KPOP group POINTEN. They had their share of limelight there. It was refreshing to see these korean-filipinos perform korean songs and mind you I was impressed. They were definitely cute. I specifically like the part when they said tagalog phrases to the amusement of the crowd. I laughed because they said it like kittens with conviction. Hihih!

All in all, you should give Party Pilipinas a second look. I wasn't fond of afternoon shows until I saw the hard work they put into these programs. I hope when your mind is closed on just watching the other station just give this one a try and see the talent they have to offer. At this time I felt the Philippines had so much talent. Party Pilipinas rocks! You should definitely go give them a visit if you can. It's totally different if you watch them live but you can always choose GMA and watch them on TV if you prefer not to go through the brouhaha. I'd recommend you do that this coming Sunday when they'll be showing their SENTI side. For details, please like their Facebook Fan Page here CLICK THIS.

Thanks to the people who made this possible! Thanks also to the people at Party Pilipinas! Watch them at 12:10 PM every Sundays on GMA!



P.S. Now for some serious stuff. I was excited because this was an invitation from another blogger and the folks from Party Pilipinas. I'm a professional and I expect be treated like one. If they went out of their way to invite us and write about the program the last thing we should worry about is logistics. I couldn't tell you more details about the horror we went through just to get my DSLR camera in (and I didn't hence you see Anton of Pusangkalye.net's photos on my site). Anyway back to regular programming.

P.S #2 from an unpublished comment on this article (couldn't publish because of email address) Party Pilipinas apparently didn't have knowledge about us going there. Still, I wish there was some process to get our cameras in and not brush us off like we weren't important. Thanks though for helping Anton get his camera in! No issues, but I'd really have to beg off next time. Thanks peeps!

Cristy Fermin Suspended! (O_O)

Nadia Montenegro and Cristy Fermin now burning bridges.

Cristy Fermin has been suspended for 2 months from her radio show "Showbiz Mismo". ABS CBN has acted on the complaint lodged against her by Nadja Montenegro at MTRCB. She will not be appearing on it until December 31, 2008. I'm sure a lot of her followers via the web and TFC would feel sad about this. Perhaps the hundreds she greet each day too.

The action done to her was justified with her exposing Nadja Montenegro's kids saying they were illegitimate but was actually her real kids from other men, that they were her real kids out of wedlock years ago. Nadja told MTRCB these were all lies. ABS CBN mentioned that the kids above all times were not supposed to be mentioned since they were not part of their fight at all. I guess that part of the story is right... kids should be still protected. ABS CBN punished her for this. I hope this issue ends and does not go ballistic this weekend when she probably would speak in her own defense come Sunday at the same program. She would maybe end up as a guest in her own show. Funny ey?!