Gretchen extends Bong her birthday wish

It was a star-studded birthday celebration for Senator Bong Revilla last September 24. The actor turned politician celebrated his 42nd birthday and was very happy that all his closest friends from the senate and showbiz were able to come despite the bad weather.

A big surprise however, was the presence of Gretchen Barretto, who was once linked to Bong before. She even went up the stage to give the birthday boy her special message. Lani Mercado, Bong’s wife was up there on stage with him and was all smiles during this moment.

It was reported before that Lani and Gretchen had a long standing riff between them because of the latter’s closeness to Bong. It seems like the gap has been fixed with Gretchen being invited to the party.

Gretchen though could not avoid the press’ queries about rumors of her being kicked out of her partner Tony Boy Cojuanco’s home. The actress emphasized that she’s getting quite annoyed with recurring rumors of her being thrown out of their house. Although she and Tony Boy had a fight, she denied leaving their home in ForbesPark. Gretchen even said that she stayed inside the house for 10 days because she was nursing a flu.

The actress admitted that her partner was the one more affected by the rumor. Gretchen confessed that she’s so used to these kind of news that she doesn’t even cry about it anymore.

(abs-cbn.com)

Vina Morales is two months pregnant

Actress / Singer Vina Morales finally broke her silence and admitted that she is two-months pregnant.

The Cebuana actress, however, did not mention any name when asked about the father of her baby. We heard that the guy is still not officially annulled from his marriage.

.

John Lloyd Cruz plays psychotic in Maalaala Mo Kaya

I had goosebumps when I saw the trailer of the Maalaala Mo Kaya episode that will be aired on October 20 because the ever handsome John Lloyd Cruz plays a husband who is schizophrenic or with psychotic disorder who believes that he is a devil advocate.

John Lloyd shows how versatile he is with the role and his acting is made even more convincing with the make-up that really effectively portrays him as a psychotic.

"After two years, I'm back sa MMK at nakakatuwa kasi ang kasama ko si Alessandra de Rossi, ang galing nya. Walang effort on her side, kung nasabi ninyo na ako walang effort umarte, mas magaling si Alessandra," John Lloyd told the press.

John Lloyd prepared so much for his role in MMK even to the point of going to the National Mental Hospital to do research on people with psychotic disorder.

"Nag research ako sa role na baliw kung paano at saan nagmula, sayang nga, wala akong nalapitan aksi yung iba inilayo kasi baka kung ano raw ang gawin," the young actor said.

ABS-CBN statement regarding the GMA libel suit

This is ABS-CBN's official press statement regarding the libel charges filed by GMA-7:
"We are waiting for a formal copy of GMA-7's complaint so our lawyers can evaluate its merits.
We are disappointed but not surprised by GMA-7’s reactions to the discovery of TV ratings manipulation.

We continue to stand by our earlier news reports that AGB-Nielsen Media Research General Manager Maya Reforma identified GMA-7 as the broadcast network behind the efforts that compromised panel homes in Bacolod.

Furthermore, in the attachment to Reforma's affidavit submitted to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, she admitted that "79 of the 532 homes interviewed from the 6 cities were confirmed by panel homes to have been exposed to efforts by GMA."

Let's remember that the issue here is about having a clean TV ratings process, the reason we filed a civil case against AGB-Nielsen Media Research. Filing defamation charges against ABS-CBN diverts attention from the real issue. We are confident that the truth will come out."

.

GMA 7 files P15-million libel case vs. ABS-CBN

A multi-million peso libel suit was filed yesterday morning by GMA Network against ABS-CBN, its executives and talents. The libel case was filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

The filing of the case was prompted by alleged erroneous and malicious news reports and commentaries aired by ABS-CBN that pointed to GMA Network as responsible for the alleged TV ratings manipulation in Bacolod.

Among those sued for libel were DZMM station manager Angelo Palmones, DZMM news manager Alona Magtalas, DZMM reporter Junrie Hidalgo, DZMM hosts Cristy Fermin and Jobert Sucaldito, Bandila over-all in charge of production Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Bandila Executive Producer (EP) Boyet Agustin, legal department head Atty. Maximilian Uy, Bandila host Korina Sanchez, "Entertainment Live" overall in charge of production Malou Santos and Luis Andrada, "Entertainment Live" EP Lani Gutierrez, "Entertainment Live" and "The Buzz" headwriter Romer Gonzales, "The Buzz" EP Nancy Yabut, and " The Buzz" headwriter Ian Reyno.

GMA Network is asking for a total of P15-million in damages.

In its complaint, GMA Network said ABS–CBN made it appear in its TV and radio programs that GMA "rigged and manipulated the ratings in Bacolod and that Ms. Maya Reporma admitted in that (DZMM) ambush interview that GMA 7 was behind the ratings manipulation."

... continue reading

.

Miss Tourism Metropolitan International 2007 Result

Sorina Neacsu, 17, of Romania was crowned Miss Tourism Metropolitan International 2007 on New Year's Eve in Petaling, Jaya, Malaysia. Karen Blanco, 22, of Venezuela is 1st runner-up while Essi Poysi, 20, of Finland grabs the second runner-up award.

Watcharawan Suntarintu, 19, of Thailands ends up as 3rd runner-up while Anna Marie Morelos, 18, of the Philippines is 4th runner up.

ABS-CBN intensifies Primetime Bida in 2008

As a glimpse on ABS-CBN's more intensified primetime programming, the Kapamilya Network recently aired their newest Primetime Bida trailer featuring their banner shows this first quarter of 2008 - "Maging Sino Ka Man", "Kung Fu Kids", "Palos", and "Lobo".

In the trailer, "Maging Sino Ka Man's" sequence continues to entice the audience imaginations with what may happen in the lives of Eli (John Lloyd Cruz), Jackie (Bea Alonzo), Celine (Anne Curtis) and JB (Sam Milby) especially now that new characters are being introduced in the story.

Hardcore action, on the other hand, is being pledged by the cast of "Kung Fu Kids", lead by Makisig Morales, and the cast of "Palos" which stars veteran actor Cesar Montano and rising action star Jake Cuenca.

Fans will also grasp for air as they witness the romantic yet intriguing scenes of the much awaited tandem of two of the country's hottest stars, Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual, in "Lobo".

These are only among the many exciting shows to watch out for in the Kapamilya Network this first quarter of 2008.

Top 20 Scandals that dominate Philippine Showbiz in 2007

1. Joey de Leon vs. Willie Revillame
2. GMA vs. ABS-CBN
3. Gretchen Barreto kisses John Estrada
4. James Yap Scandal
5. Ruffa vs. Yilmaz
6. Angel Locsin transfers to ABS-CBN
7. Lolit Solis vs. Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby
8. Pops and Martin
9. Christine Reyes vs. Carlene Aguilar over Dennis Trillo
10. Nora Aunor weds female manager
11. Regine and Ogie admits relationship
12. Rudy Fernandez battles cancer
13. Ely Buendia suffers heart attack
14. Rico Blanco leaves Rivermaya
15. Bong Revilla vs. Edu Manzano
16. Desperate housewife questions Pinoy's medical schools
17. Stars lose spark in elections
18. Marian Rivera ressurects Marimar fever
19. John Estrada arrested over bomb joke
20. Piolo Pascual vs. Ryan Agoncillo

Ellen Degeneres impressed with Charice Pempengco

Little Big Star finalist Charice Pempengco was rewarded two standing ovations from the audience of The Ellen DeGeneres show that happened recently.

It is recalled that Ellen herself announced that she wanted to guest Charice, who became popular on the internet. She performed "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "I will Always Love You".

Ellen hugged Charice saying "You're amazing! You're amazing! We just witnessed the beginning of this girl's career that we're gonna go, 'I was there, I saw her' she is unbelievable.

Ellen gave Charice an iPod because the girl lost her own iPod during her flight to the US.

Clarification on the AGB Nielsen TRO

The Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued to AGB Nielsen Media following the request of ABS-CBN was not to release data in the area where the supposed anomalies may have taken place (in Bacolod).

It does not mean that AGB could not release ratings figures in the Greater Manila Area, said GMA VP for Legal Department Atty. Dick Perez.

On Thursday, Judge Charito B. Gonzales of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 80 issued the TRO.

ABS-CBN filed charges against AGB Nielsen on Dec. 14 when the research body allegedly failed to conduct an investigation on the supposed anomaly report the Kapamilya network gathered from an informant who requested anonymity.

"Plaintiff (ABS-CBN), through counsel, demanded that the defendant shut down its TAM (Television Audience Measurement) data polling operations nationwide and to disclose to all its clients that the integrity of its panel homes was seriously compromised and that the plaintiff was not responsible therefore," read ABS-CBN's complaint.