Katorse: Will the 'magic kamison' still work?

The late ’70s and early ’80s, when the Regal Babies burst on the showbiz scene, were indelibly marked by, among other symbols, the Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde’s “magic kamison” which spelled M-A-G-I-C at the tills when worn in the “bold” launching starrers of Regal stars like Gina Alajar (Diborsyada), Cherie Gil (Problem Child), Rio Locsin (Disgrasyada), Kristine Garcia (Exploitation) and, who can ever forget, Dina Bonnevie in Katorse, a story of sexual awakening in which she was torn between two men, Gabby Concepcion and Alfie Anido, megged by Joey Gosiengfiao, that period’s campiest director.

That was 30 years ago, in 1979. The “magic kamison” (which was, according to urban legend, given by Remy Monteverde to Mother Lily as a honeymoon gift) now hangs in the Regal Matriarch’s cabinet as a remembrance of an era which sizzled with flicks that were insanely entertaining.

It’s 2009 and ABS-CBN is reviving Katorse on its Primetime Bida block, airing nightly for one season starting on June 8 with fresh new faces topbilled: Erich Gonzales playing Dina’s character torn between Ejay Falcon (Gabby’s role) and Xian Lim (Alfie’s role). At the helm is Malu Sevilla.

Nope, Erich isn’t wearing Mother Lily’s mothballed “magic kamison” but a new one. Will it spell the same “magic” and make the rating soar?

Ejay was the top “graduate” of the Pinoy Big Brother 2008 edition, Erich the winner of the 2005 Star Circle Quest and Xian the latest addition to the fast-growing roster of US-bred Pinoy talents.

Besides being products of broken homes (an information they freely volunteered), the three have another thing in common: They were not born yet, were not even a glint in their parents’ eyes, when Katorse was shown.

“But before we started shooting,” said Erich, 19, who hails from Davao, “we were made to watch a DVD copy of Katorse. It’s a fun movie set at a time far different from today.”

“Wala pang celfone noon,” said Ejay, 18, who grew up loading sacks of copra and abaca at the pier of a Mindoro town with his adoptive parents (Ejay’s biological father, whom he hasn’t seen yet, is French). “Wala pang Internet.”

“At wala pang video-video,” added Xian, 19, who spent his first 10 years in San Francisco with his mom, without actually referring to the current controversy around the sex video of Dr. Hayden Kho and Katrina Halili.

Come to think of it, how would they react if they were confronted one day with copies of similar videos featuring them? In this age when everything is possible, especially with the “splicing” or digital-altering process, stars are easy prey to sick minds.

“I’ve been a victim, too,” said Ejay who was rumored to have “starred” in a video with another guy. “‘Yon pala, kahawig ko lang ‘yung guy.”

In local showbiz, a male aspirant is suspected to be — take your pick — a closet queen, a macho dancer, the boytoy of a gay benefactor, an unwed father or a call boy as part of his initiation into the, grrrr, lions’ den. Female aspirants are not spared from the same roasting.

“I almost gave up,” said Ejay. “I’m glad I did not.”

During an acting workshop organized by ABS-CBN with Gina Alajar as facilitator, the three underwent such sessions as “Sensuality” (designed to make them overcome discomfort or self-consciousness during love scenes, no matter how tender) and “Being” (in which they pour out pent-up emotions and, if any, accounts of traumatic experiences).

“We talked about mostly family problems,” said Xian, an only child, 6’2” tall and 25 percent Chinese, who had his early schooling in San Francisco and is now enrolled at the University of the East where he’s a varsity player. “My parents are separated but they have remained friends; they have constant communication. My father, Godofredo Lim, used to play basketball; he was the contemporary of Alan Caidic.”

“I’ve never known my father,” said Erich, youngest of three children. “He left us when I was barely two years old.” (Her father was reported to have died only recently).

“I, too, haven’t seen my father,” seconded Ejay, “not even in pictures.”

Together, they bring a lot of “angst” into the revived Katorse which has to be tamer than the original, understandably so because it’s on primetime TV watched also by minors.

“Mayroong love scene pero tender,” assured Erich who claimed that it’s only on Katorse that she’s having her first kiss ever, from Ejay.

It would have been a good idea if Dina and Gabby were in the cast to give Katorse some “continuity.” Instead, included are the likes of Cherie Gil and Gardo Verzosa.

Katorse served as Dina and Gabby’s springboard to stardom (sadly, Alfie died, at 20, just when the Big Time was a grab away).

Will the “magic kamison,” even if not the orig, still work for Erich, Ejay and Xian?

Just wait and see.

Source: Ricardo F Lo (Yahoo Philippines, News)

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Hayden Kho's apology not enough, Katrina says

MANILA, Philippines - Actress-model Katrina Irene Pe Halili was not impressed Friday with the apology of celebrity doctor Hayden Kho over the scandal that erupted from their sex video that was uploaded on the Internet.

Halili said a forced apology from Kho is not enough to atone for what he did, adding she will continue her legal battle against him and those who uploaded the video.

"Parang ang hirap naman po ... Di dapat pwersahan po, di lang ganon di lang paghingi ng tawad. Dapat siya [ay] parusahan [I find it difficult to forgive him just like that. And his apology should not be a forced one. That apology should not get him off the hook. He should bepunished]," Halili said in an interview on dzBB radio.

She said Kho had told her the video was in his personal collection and that he never meant to post it on the Internet.

But when told that Kho deplored the video was posted without his knowledge, she said; "Di ko po alam kung anong merong klaseng pagiisip meron ang taong yan, di ko alam [I don't know what kind of mind he has. I really don't know].

"When asked if she believed Kho's apology and explanation, she said she might believe the part that he did not know the video would be posted online.

"Pero wala akong pakialam sino nagkalat, nandoon na, pinagpipiyestahan na ng tao [I don't care at this time who posted it online. The damage is done]," she said.

She said she had included Eric Johnston Chua, a friend of Kho who supposedly posted the video online, in her complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation.

When told that Kho said he is suspending his medical practice, Halili said: "Naku dapat lang naman talaga [It's about time].

"Halili also confirmed the account of Kho's former girlfriend Vicky Belo that Kho underwent "professional counseling." She said Belo told her about it last December.

For now, she said she is just resting and is avoiding reading the newspapers or Internet news sites.

Halili lodged a complaint against Kho before the NBI on Wednesday, a day after Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. delivered a privilege speech lambasting Kho for the video's being posted online.

She has also asked the Professional Regulations Commission to revoke Kho's medical license.

Source: GMANews.TV

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Richard Gutierrez caught in a car accident

Naaksidente ang sasakyan ng aktor na si Richard Gutierrez bandang ala-una ng madaling-araw ngayon, ika-22 ng Mayo, sa Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, Puting Kahoy Village, sa Silang, Cavite.

Ayon sa panayam ng dzBB kay PO1 Bonifacio Tanola of Cavite Police, namatay ang kasama ni Richard na isinugod sa Adventist University of the Philippines Hospital. Habang ang 25-year-old na anak nina Eddie Gutierrez at Annabelle Rama at ang kanyang bodyguard, na kinilalang si George Mastura, ay parehong nagtamo ng sugat at dinala sa Tagaytay Hospital.

Bale bumangga po sa poste, malalim ang lugar na binagsakan niya. Medyo may bangin at bumangga sa puno ng niyog," ang sabi ni Tantola sa dzBB radio.

Sa report naman ng dWIZ, ang assistant ni Richard ay pinangalanang Norman Pardo.

Samantala, ilan pang impormasyon ang umabot sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sa pamamagitan ng text message. Ang source ay isang taga-industriya. Ayon sa text message, "Si Richard yung nagda-drive...[Nissan] Skyline na sports car...Tumalsik yung kasama niya di pa nila nakita sa sobrang lakas ng talsik tapos nung nakita nila patay na..."

Idinagdag pa niya na hiniram lang daw ni Richard si Norman, ang PA, kay Raymond. Matagal nang naninilbihan si Norman sa pamilya Gutierrez. Noong nasa States pa ang mga Gutierrezes, kasa-kasama na raw ito bilang alalay kay Eddie, ang padre de pamilya ng mga Gutierrez.

Sa ngayon, nasa Asian Hospital raw si Richard. Nag-a-undergo ito ngayon ng CT scan, isang proseso na tumitiyak kung walang dapat ipangamba sa ulo ng isang pasyente.

Ayon sa isa pang source na tiga-industriya rin, sinabi raw ng GMA-7 CEO na si Atty. Felipe Gozon na sasagutin ng GMA-7 ang lahat ng expenses sa naturang aksidente: ang pagpapa-ospital ng mga naaksidente at ang pagpapalibing ng PA na namatay.

Nang nangyari ang aksidente, ang mga ito ay galing sa taping para sa plug ng Full House, isang adaptation ng isang Koreanovela, na siyang bagong teleserye ni Richard. Sinasabing ang Zorro ay magtatapos bandang Hulyo.


Source: Trisha Alvarez (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

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Kris Allen wins American Idol

American Idol has crowned 23-year-old college student Kris Allen from Conway, Arkansas, as its new winner. Kris beat 27-year-old stage actor Adam Lambert from San Diego, California, in the finale of American Idol Season 8 held earlier today, May 21 (May 20, U.S time), at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

A night before the grand finale, Kris and Adam faced off for their final performances wherein they sang three songs each: their favorites, American Idol creator Simon Fuller’s choice, and this season’s victory anthem "No Boundaries" (co-written by American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi).

In the first round, Adam performed Tears For Fears "Mad World," which he first sang during The Year They Were Born week; while Kris performed Bill Withers’s "Ain’t No Sunshine" from Popular iTunes Downloads week.

In the second round, Fuller chose Sam Cooke’s "A Change Is Gonna Come" for Adam, and Marvin Gaye’s "What’s Going On" for Kris.

Finally, Adam and Kris both performed the victory anthem "No Boundaries" but with entirely different versions; Adam went to the rock road while Kris gave it a pop-R&B sound.

The match-up between Kris and Adam is one of the most interesting in the history of American Idol. As host Ryan Seacrest perfectly puts it: "acoustic rocker" (Kris) vs. "glam rock" (Adam). Adam is known for his "theatrics" and his mad vocal range while Kris is at his best when he is with playing an instrument (guitar or piano) acoustic style and making each song his own.

In the end, Kris prevailed and won the hearts-and votes-of America with almost 100 million votes cast.

Kris’s victory is considered by many as a surprise since the American Idol judge-Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi-favored Adam along with third placer Danny Gokey; to the extent that Simon even reminded the viewers to make sure to vote for the rocker to ensure his place in the Top 2. The other judges were also very generous in giving their comments to Adam. But Kris has proven himself by infusing his personal touch in every song.

Kris was almost speechless after Ryan announced him as the new American Idol. Even Kris was surprised by his victory that he said, "Adam deserves this."

The more than two-hour grand finale featured spectacular musical numbers from the American Idol finalists and special guest performers.

The Top 13 opened the show with Pink’s "So What"; followed by last year’s winner David Cook performed his single "Permanent"; finalist Lil Rounds sang a duet with Queen Latifah; finalists Anoop Desai, Alexis Grace, and the rest of the Top 11 with Jason Mraz performed "I’m Yours"; Kris with country singer Keith Urban sang "Kiss A Girl"; the female finalists performed with Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas; fourth placer Allison Iraheta with Cyndi Lauper sang "Time After Time."

Third placer Danny Gokey performed "Hello" and then he was joined by Lionel Richie; Adam rocked the house with Kiss; Carlo Santana with the Top 13; finalists Megan Corkey and Matt Sarver with comedian Steve Martin; the male finalists with Rod Stewart; Adam and Kris closed the show with "We Are The Champions" accompanied by the remaining members of legendary rock band Queen.

Even new Idol judge Kara Dioguardi took the stage with "Bikini Girl" Katrina Darrell singing "Vision of Love."

Kris succeeded last year’s winner David Cook, who incidentally staged a very successful concert with his runner-up, David Archuleta, here in Manila last May 16.

Other winners of American Idol include Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, and Jordin Sparks.

For winning American Idol, Kris went home with one million dollars and a chance of a lifetime. Both Adam and Kris got a brand new car from Ford.


Source: Erwin Santiago (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

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Katrina Halili on fight against sex video scandal culprits: “Hindo ako uurong…”

Kahapon, May 20, at around 1:00 p.m. ay nagtungo ang young actress na si Katrina Halili sa Senate office, sa mismong opisina ni Senator Bong Revilla, kasama ang kanyang handler at lawyer.

Kaugnay ng sex video na kumakalat ngayon sa Internet at DVD ang naging sadya ni Katrina. Sa paglabas ng kuha ng mga private moment nila ni Hayden Kho, nais humingi ng tulong ng 23-year-old actress tungkol sa mga hakbang na dapat niyang gawin laban sa tao o mga taong nasa likod ng iskandalo.

Sa loob ng kuwarto ng nasabing action star, nagkaroon ng pag-uusap si Katrina at ang dalawang abogado na mag-aasikaso ng pagsasampa niya ng reklamo, sina Atty. Mamyrlito Tan at Raymond Palad.

Pagkatapos nito, sumunod naman na pinuntahan ni Katrina ang opisina ng N.B.I (National Bureau of Investigation) para pormal na mag-file ng complaint laban kay Hayden Kho.

Sa pagkakataong ito ay nakapanayam siya ng ilang media, kabilang ang TV crew ng Saksi ng GMA-7. Noong siya ay nainterbyu, hindi na napigilan ni Katrina ang maging emotional at kitang-kita sa telebisyon ang walang patid na luha ng aktres.

Ayon sa StarStruck alumna, "Nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat ng taong tumutulong sa akin. Basta po, hindi po ako uurong. Dapat lang po na magbayad ang mga taong gumawa nito, pati yung mga taong nagkalat ng video. Kasi, napakawalanghiya nila."

Handa na rin daw si Katrina sa lahat ng kahihiyan na aanihin niya sa iskandalong ito. At ang hangad niya ay magsilbing aral ito para sa ibang kababaihan upang hindi na maulit.

"Lalaban po ako sa kanila. Wala po akong pakialam. Basta gusto ko, magkaroon ng takot yung mga taong gumawa ng ganito ulit," ang nasambit ng Kapuso star.

Ayon naman sa N.B.I., ipapatawag daw nila si Hayden para imbestigahan ang mga posibleng pangyayari sa likod kumakalat na sex video. Hahanapin din daw nila ang mga taong nagkalat nito sa Internet.

Sa ngayon, wala pang batas ukol sa pagkalat ng malalaswang video at iba pang material gamit ang Internet bilang medium. Pero ayon kay Senator Bong, puwede raw kasuhan si Hayden sa paglabag sa Anti-violence Against Women and Children’s Act ng 2004.

Pagkatapos ng NBI, nagtungo rin si Katrina sa tanggapan ni Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez sa DOJ (Department of Justice), na nagsagawa na rin ng hakbang na ipalagay si Hayden sa immigration watch list sa loob ng 60 days para matiyak na makakasipot ito sakaling ipatawag sa imbestigasyon.

Kasabay nito, umapela na rin si Bong sa iba pang biktima na lumabas na rin daw at maghain ng reklamo.

Samantala, hinihimok naman ng Malacanang ang publiko na huwag ng kunsintihin ang paglaganap ng naturang sex video.



Source: Rose Garcia (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

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Sharon ups 'reward' money to P10-M!

Remember the P1-M “reward” money Sharon Cuneta put up last year for whoever could produce “hard evidence” (pictures, etc.) that her husband, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, has a mistress?

Sharon named that “price” sure as she is that the persistent rumor is untrue and without basis.

Don’t look now but Sharon is even willing to raise the amount to — hold your breath — P10-M because she said she knows fully well, convinced beyond any doubt, that the rumor is the product of an evil mind’s wild imagination.

“In this age of the Internet and sophisticated cellphones,” said Sharon during a one-on-one with Funfare the other day after the press launch of her new album Children’s Rhymes and Lullabies (released by Sony Music), “how come nobody is producing any proof?”

The “old issue” was casually brought up during the one-on-one because Kiko has already announced his intention to run for vice president in the 2010 elections, again as an Independent like he did in 2007 when he ran for reelection.

For sure, skeletons will be rattled and Kiko’s opponents will dig up as much “dirt” (if any) as they can, including the yarn about his having “another woman” with whom he has not just one but two children (daw).

“What else can they throw at us?” asked Sharon. “Everything about us is public knowledge.
There’s nothing left to dig up.”

Asked if she’s ready to be a Second Lady, Sharon said she is.

“It’s something you should prepare for.”

Sharon graced the Rock The Vote concert held a few days ago to encourage new voters (numbering more than one million) to register and, that’s it, vote in 2010. Kiko was among those who organized the event.

“I am supporting my husband all the way,” she stressed, adding that she and Kiko thoroughly discussed his 2010 plan before Kiko announced it. “I believe in my husband’s ability.”

Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos is being lured by some presidentiables as their running mate. If Gov. Vilma says “yes,” she’ll be pitted right smack with Kiko.

What if...? Funfare asked Sharon who is an avowed Vilmanian.

“Of course,” she said, “I will have to root for my husband. I’m sure Vilma will understand. If, for example, her husband Ralph (Recto, director-general of the National Economic Development Authority) would run against my husband, siempre Vilma would rally behind Ralph.”

In the meantime, while the start of the campaign is eight months away, Sharon is focused on her career.

Her latest movie, Star Cinema’s BFF (Best Friends Forever), a riotous comedy directed by Wenn Deramas and co-starring Ai-Ai delas Alas, shows to the hilt Sharon’s comic side which has never been fully exploited. BFF pokes fun at the two stars’ physical defects — Sharon’s excess poundage and Ai-Ai’s prominent chin — and moviegoers lap up with gusto the two stars’ self-deprecating humor.

“I enjoyed doing the movie,” admitted Sharon. “It was so much fun that after the shooting, I really missed everybody.”

She’s now busy promoting the Sony album which is divided into four parts, each consisting of English songs with corresponding Filipino translations: School/Learning Time (Alphabet Song, Seven Days a Week/Pitong Araw Sa Isang Linggo, Sampung Mga Daliri, etc.); Play Time (I’m A Little Teapot/Ako Ay Maliit na Pitsel, Maliliit Na Gagamba/Eency Weency Spider, etc.); Activity Time (Magtanim Ay Di Biro/Bahay Kubo, Leron Leron Sinta, etc.); and Sleep Time (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, When You Wish Upon A Star, etc.), plus the bonus track You’re My #1 from Sharon’s Nido Milk TV commercial. The CD comes with a Sing-Along with Sharon Disc 2.

She’s also preparing for her US concert tour that will start at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, produced by US-based journalist Jackie Regala; and, possibly, the production of an indie movie in which she herself might star.

But even if she and ex-husband Gabby Concepcion have recently already “made peace” personally when they crossed paths in ABS-CBN, much to the relief of their daughter KC who had been wishing for it, Sharon dismissed any possibility of them doing a “reconciliation” movie (preferably with KC) — not now anyway...not with the forthcoming 2010 elections.

“I don’t want my family to be dragged into the movie’s promotion and publicity,” said Sharon, referring especially to her and Kiko’s young daughters Frankie and Miel who are too young to draw a line between the reel and the real. “It’s enough that Gabby and I have talked na personally although we’d been talking on the phone.”

And what did she and Gabby talk about this time?

“Wala lang. About small things.”

Nothing heavy, really.


Source: Ricardo F. Lo (Yahoo Philippines, News)

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Marian Rivera reveals the name of her “boyfriend” at John Lapus’s Sweet 16 show

Usap-usapan ang guesting ni Marian Rivera sa Sweet 16 show ni John Lapus na naganap noong May 16 sa Teatrino, Greenhills. Sa nangyaring palitan nila ng dialogue ni Sweet, may isang linya ang Kapuso actress na naging dahilan upang maghiyawan ang mga manonood.

Ang bungad ni Marian pagkatapos ng kanyang portion, "Nakakatuwa, kasi kanina, nag-rehearse kami pero hindi ganun, so, iba talaga ‘pag mga show na ganito."

Ang tinutukoy ni Marian ay ang naging palitan nila ng hirit ni Sweet sa isang segment, kung saan tinawag siya na impostor ng PEP blogger. Bawat bagay na gawin at banggitin ni Marian ay kinokontra ni Sweet at sinasabihan niya itong siya ang totoong Marian Rivera.

Ang huling tinuran ng host-comedian, siya raw, ang pangalan ng boyfriend niya ay Dingdong Dantes.

E,ikaw,sino?

Pero sa halip na gayahin ang sagot ni Sweet, ang sinabi ni Marian ay, "Ako, ang pangalan ng boyfriend ko, Jose Sixto Dantes III."

Siyempre, umani ang hirit na iyon ni Marian ng katatawanan at kilig mula sa ilang fans na nanood. Ang pangalang binanggit niya kasi ay ang real name ni Dingdong.

The question is, dapat bang seryosohin ng mga nanood ang sinabi niya or part of the script lang talaga?

“Actually, wala akong dapat ipaliwanag kasi, nandito ako para paligayahin ang lahat," ang nakangiting sabi ni Marian. "Ang misyon lang naman namin ni Sweet ay mapaligaya namin ang manonood. Kaya naman ako nandito para masuportahan si Sweet at mapaligaya ang mga manoood."

Nilinaw din ni Marian na yung concept ay ipinaalam naman daw ni Sweet sa manager niyang si Popoy Caritativo at parang thank you na rin daw niya ito kay Sweet.

Aniya, "Alam kong mahalaga ang araw na ito para sa kanya. Kaya thank you kay Sweet dahil inimbita niya ko rito at thank you rin dahil kapag may intriga sa akin, unang-una ka rin na sumusuporta sa akin. Basta, makakaasa ka na nandito rin ako para sa’yo."

Samantala, ilang araw na rin may sakit si Dingdong, nadalaw na ba niya ito?

"Oo naman, siyempre, hindi puwedeng hindi. At saka, wala namang masamang rason kung dalawin ko siya bilang may sakit naman siya. I’m sure, kapag nagkasakit ako, dadalawin din naman niya ako," ang maikling paliwanag ni Marian.



Source: Rose Garcia (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

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