Liza Soberano Handpicked to Join the Next Miss Universe Pageant

Liza Soberano shared that she was supposed to attend the Miss Universe 2016 national gift auction at the Conrad Hotel on January 23 with reel (and real-life) love interest Enrique Gil but she failed to make it because of the prior work commitment.

"I really wanted to go but I was doing a shoot at that time. Di ako nakapunta," she said.

The world's second prettiest face also shared that she's glad Quen got to enjoy the event so much that he even called her to encourage her to join the Miss Universe pageant in the future.

"Quen is a guy. He is not really into a girly girl things. Natuwa s'ya and he called me. He said, "Why don't you join?"

Watch the video below of Liza sharing her reaction on Quen and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach's decision to pick her to join the pageant in the future:

By: JENG On 1/28/2017 10:59:00 PM

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Flo Rida Arrives in Manila to Perform in the Miss Universe 2016 Coronation Night

Hours after American television host Steve Harvey landed in Manila, Flo Rida also arrived Saturday noon to perform for the 65th Miss Universe coronation show on Monday, January 30 (Manila time).

The famous rapper was welcomed by Department of Tourism Undersecretary Frederick Alegre. Also performing during the coronation night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena is the Grammy award-winning R&B group Boys II Men.

By: JENG On 1/28/2017 06:57:00 PM

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VP Leni Robredo Not Invited by DOT in the Miss Universe 2016 Coronation Night

When asked by the members of the press if she will be attending the 65th Miss Universe grand coronation on Monday, January 30 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Vice President Leni Robredo said, "Hindi e. Hindi ako imbitado."

However, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo clarified that her department did not have the intention of leaving Vice President Leni Robredo out of the guest list. But the staff of DOT had a hard time getting better tickets for her saying that only lower box tickets were available and they didn't want to give the Vice President a lower box seat. She said that she wanted Robredo to be seated in VIP section, just like President Rodrigo Duterte.

She further explained that some cabinet secretaries and ambassadors only got lower box tickets due to the high demand of tickets.

FB/Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat: @showbiznest

By: JENG On 1/28/2017 01:39:00 PM

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ASAP Celebrates Year of the Fire Rooster this Sunday with the Music of Bruno Mars and Basil Valdez

Celebrate the Chinese New Year and welcome the Year of the Fire Rooster with your favorite Kapamilya stars on “ASAP” this Sunday (January 29 Manila time).

Get lucky with the cast of the top-rating drama “Doble Kara,” Maxene Magalona, EA Guzman, Sam Milby, and Julia Montes; and the stars of the upcoming movie “I’m Drunk, I Love You,” Paulo Avelino and Maja Salvador.  Join tribute master Martin Nievera alongside special guests Jacqui Magno and Pat Castillo of Circus Band, Roselle Nava, Michael Pangilinan, Dessa, Dulce, and “ASAP’s” very own Yeng Constantino, Erik Santos, and ZsaZsa Padilla as they honor the music of Basil Valdez in “ASAPinoy.”

“ASAP” Birit Queens give viewers a double musical treat while “ASAP” Soul Sessions feature Bruno Mars’ newest breakout hit.

 

The concert experience continues with Janella Salvador, Inigo Pascual, Top Suzara, Toni Gonzaga, Richard Poon, and Jolina Magdangal in “ASAP LSS” as they sing themes inspired by destiny love stories.

Last but not the least, the super fans are in for an ultimate kilig experience this February as they get the chance to date their favorite BoybandPH member.

Don’t miss “ASAP” this Sunday (January 29), only on TFC in key countries worldwide. Don’t forget to share your thoughts this Sunday using the official hashtag #ASAPLucky2017. 

By: JENG On 1/28/2017 01:37:00 PM

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Steve Harvey Arrives in Manila

Famous American television personality Steve Harvey arrived in Manila on Saturday, January 28 at past 9 a.m. to host the 65th Miss Universe competition scheduled on January 30.

Harvey was met at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and tycoon Chavit Singson.

Despite his famous flub last year, wherein he mistakenly named Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the new Miss Universe, when the title was supposed to go to Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach, Harvey is set to continue his hosting stint in the beauty competition.

Harvey reportedly told the Miss Universe Organization that he wanted to personally apologize to Filipinos after making a hash of the announcement, hence his decision to accept the hosting stint anew.

Pia, however, said that she has long forgiven Harvey for his error.
 

By: JENG On 1/28/2017 01:08:00 PM

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McCoy de Leon, Joshua Garcia, and Bailey May: Who Among These Young Actors Is The Most Charming?

Content originally published on Thepulse.ph

 

Smiling has only one purpose, and that is to share your happiness to the people around you. It is contagious and heart melting most especially if it’s coming from your crush! Try not to smile back to these charming photos of the today’s fresh actors in 30 seconds and let us see if you can contain your kilig! Are you up for the dare?

Content originally published on Thepulse.ph

By: JENG On 1/28/2017 12:44:00 AM

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Catch THE RETURN OF THE EXORCIST Beginning February 16 on Thrill

There may be hundreds of horror movies created throughout the years but no one will beat one of the most frightening movies of all time, “The Exorcist”. The iconic 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin has scared generations for its disturbing story about demonic possessions with body levitating, creepy voice changing and 360-degree head rotation.

Now, Thrill, Asia’s only regional horror, thriller and suspense movie channel, is ready to scare the wits out of a whole new generation.  Thrill brings to the small screen the original “The Exorcist” film but more than that, Thrill announced the release of the brand new “The Exorcist” TV series. After four decades, the ultimate horror classic is making a comeback in a new format that will be equally, if not more, intense than the movie.

“The Exorcist” series will be based on the best-selling novel written by William Peter Blatty, who recently passed away. The brilliant novelist and filmmaker will surely be remembered for his contribution to the horror film industry and without a doubt, his legacy will live on. And to keep his memory alive, viewers of the series can expect that that the show will bring the chills that nightmares are made off. Whether you’re a fan of the original film or a newbie to the horror genre, this series is a must-watch for all Thrill seekers.

 

The suspense-filled series stars Alfonso Herrera, Ben Daniels, Hannah Kasulka, and Geena Davis. You can catch the premiere of The Exorcist on Thrill on February 16 (Thursday) at 10pm 2017.

For those who have not seen the classic horror film or simply want to watch it again, you can watch the 1973 horror film, The Exorcist on February 15 (Wednesday) at 9pm, 2017.

It’s time to unleash the inner Thrill-seeker in you!

Thrill is available on (Skycable Ch. 107, Cablelink Ch. 201, Destiny Cable Ch. 11 and Cignal Ch. 51).  For more information, you can log on to www.thrill-tv.com or www.facebook.com/WatchThrill.

By: JENG On 1/28/2017 12:32:00 AM

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Millennial Moms Level up their Home Security with PLDT Home Fibr and its Suite of Security Devices

For most moms, peace of mind is a never-ending aspiration especially when they have to be away from their families. This is often the case with celebrity moms who have hectic schedules and out-of-town work commitments.

The advent of digital and mobile technology has opened up opportunities for families to connect better and manage the home more efficiently, among other priceless benefits. However, when left unchecked, digital platforms can also become an unsafe space especially for children. Young and digitally savvy moms like Denise Laurel and Isabel Oli-Prats are among the celebrity moms who are strong advocates of home security in this digital age.

Recently, they hosted an intimate event powered by PLDT Home where they, together with psychologist and expert Michele Alignay, talked about pressing digital and security concerns at home. They were joined by other celebrity moms like Camille Prats and Issa Litton. During this event, these moms got a chance to know more about PLDT Home’s digital ecosystem of products specifically designed to help provide moms with invaluable peace of mind. 

There’s the home monitoring system FAM CAM which moms can use to check and even talk to their kids remotely; the multi-functional kiddie watch Smart Watch which allows parents to track their kids’ location and get instant notifications when they go beyond a set ‘safe zone.’ Asia’s Songbird and PLDT Home ambassador Regine Velasquez and son Nate as well as Eat Bulaga’s Bae-by Baste and Mommy Sheila are among the thousands of parents and children who are enjoying the family-friendly benefits of this kiddie gadget.

The latest addition to this suite is the FAM ZONE, a product that enables parents to create a safer internet experience for their children. It is the country’s first online parental control device which allows parents to manage their kids’ internet use. They can turn on the internet filtering feature which screens out sensitive sites using keywords. Parents can also set alerts and reporting to monitor their kids’ online activities as well as pre-approve sites that kids will visit.

As part of PLDT’s Smart Home, a suite of innovative, reliable, and family-friendly products, the PLDT FAM CAM, Smart Watch and FAM ZONE are designed to give parents “peace of mind” by helping them feel more secure about the safety of their children especially when they are away. 

These Smart Home devices can be best experienced with the country’s most powerful broadband, PLDT Home Fibr, which delivers speeds of up to 1Gbps and with plans now as low as P1,699 per month. Fibr has the widest coverage in the country and is available in 2.5M homes.

PLDT VP and Home Marketing Director Gary Dujali said, “Working with real moms is always a great learning experience for us. It helps us understand them better and make sure that our products truly address their unique and dynamic needs. Working with celebrity moms like Regine, Denise, Isabel and Camille also gives us an opportunity to bring our message to a wider audience so it can benefit more moms.”

Visit pldthome.com or follow PLDT Home on Facebook for more information about FAM CAM, Smart Watch and FAM ZONE.

By: JENG On 1/27/2017 11:51:00 PM

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HACKSAW RIDGE Receives Six Oscar Nomination Including Best Picture and Best Actor for Andrew Garfield

Hacksaw Ridge, a true story of a World War II hero – Desmond Doss, a “non-combatant” medic who singlehandedly saved the lives of 75 fellow comrades, has earned its rank with a total of six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor (Andrew Garfield), Best Director (Mel Gibson), Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing.

 
Hacksaw Ridge is cemented as the comeback film for Mel Gibson, whose last Oscar nomination was for Braveheart back in 1996. This is also the first ever Oscar nomination for Andrew Garfield. One of the most critically acclaimed movies of the year, Hacksaw Ridge is a strong contender at the awards season, and was also nominated at the Golden Globe Award, Critics’ Choice Award and Screen Actors Guild Award.

The film follows an unwavering soldier who voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army but refused to carry weaponry and firearms to defend himself. His unit was ordered to take part in the near-impossible capture of the massive Maeda Escarpment – aka Hacksaw Ridge.  Atop this steep, looming 400-foot cliff lay heavily fortified machine-gun nests, booby traps and Japanese soldiers in caves who vowed to fight to the end.  It was there that Doss demonstrated that he was made not only of principle but also rare courage.  Facing a desperate assault of heavy fire, Doss refused to seek cover.  When his battalion was ordered to retreat, he alone remained behind and ran repeatedly into the kill zone, with nothing but his convictions, to drag to safety an estimated 75 badly injured men who were destined to die had he not intervened.

The 89th Academy Award will be presented on 26th February at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center.

Hacksaw Ridge will be opening in Philippine cinemas on February 22, 2017.

By: JENG On 1/27/2017 11:33:00 PM

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“Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids” Continues to Create Buzz Worldwide

Filipinos in and outside the Philippines continue to tune in to “Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids,” as the program’s cute performers impersonate more and more local and international music icons.

Based on data from Kantar Media / TNS, a local television viewership measurement company, the program led the list of the most watched programs in the country on the weekend when it premiered (January 7 and 8).  “Your Face Sounds Familiar’s” first episode on Saturday recorded a national TV rating of 31.4%, while it drew more viewers on Sunday with 33.2%.  To date, it continues to rule the Saturday and Sunday Philippine evenings at 35.4 and 37% respectively.

Breakout Child Star Awra Briguela was named the edition’s first weekly winner, winning 24 points, for his spot-on impersonation of Dionisia Pacquiao. He impressed not only the jurors Sharon Cuneta, Gary Valenciano, and Ogie Alcasid, but also the online world. The video of his performance has now reached over 5,578,726 million views to date and was marked by YouTube as “#1 on Trending” in the list of most-talked about videos in the Philippines at launch.

Following him in the ranking were Dance Sweetheart AC Bonifacio who impressed as Britney Spears (19 points), Big Shot Belter Elha Nympha as Beyonce (18 points), and Talented Cutie Sam Shoaf as Bruno Mars (17 points). Getting 12 points each were Bibong Child Wonder Alonzo Muhlach as Harry Styles of One Direction, Musikerong Charmer Justin Alva as Michael Jackson, Young Diva ng Masa Lyca Gairanod as Katy Perry, and Daytime Princess Xia Vigor as Selena Gomez.

During the second week, the kid performers faced another set of challenges: Briguela as Daniel Padilla, Bonifacio as Sandara Park, Nympha as Sharon Cuneta, Shoaf as Alicia Keys, Muhlach as Rico J. Puno, Alva as Adam Levine, Gairanod as Lady Gaga, and Vigor as Taylor Swift. 

While Nympha won for her seamless portrayal of the Megastar, Vigor‘s impersonation made waves across the globe and has gotten the attention of various foreign news outlets, including Huffington Post, and the online sites of TIME and Billboard magazines.

People magazine called the impersonation “spot-on,” while British tabloid The Daily Mail described her performance as “extraordinary” and “pitch-perfect.”  Teen Vogue also noted Vigor’s “incredible display of showmanship,” while MTV said Taylor herself would be proud of Vigor’s performance of her hit “Your Belong With Me.”  The performance was also featured in sites such as Mashable, Refinery 29, Cosmopolitan, JustJared, and caught the attention of celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

Vigor’s video has so far garnered 8,490,590 million videos, and became top trending video at YouTube Philippines.

Last week, she scored another win as she portrayed Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses.  The other kid performers also impressed with Gairanod as Jessa Zaragoza, Alva as Francis Magalona, Muhlach as Justin Bieber, Shoaf as Elvis Presley, Nympha as Meghan Trainor, Bonifacio as Jessie J, and Briguela as Rihanna.

Briguela, Nympha and Vigor all won Php 50,000 each and an additional Php 50,000 were given to their chosen charities Harvesters’ Foundation Inc., Mary Child Foundation at Lingap Pangakabataan Inc.

Others have a chance to improve their rankings because no one will be eliminated and their scores will be tallied each week.

See how these eight cute child stars transform weekly in “Your Face Sounds Familiar,” hosted by Billy Crawford.  Catch them via TFC Video on Demand (VOD), cable, satellite and TFC.tv in key countries worldwide.  Catch-up episodes are also available via TFC IPTV and TFC.tv also in key countries worldwide.

For more updates about the show, visit facebook.com/KapamilyaTFC. Connect with fellow global Kapamilyas, follow @KapamilyaTFC on Twitter and Instagram.

By: JENG On 1/27/2017 11:21:00 PM

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89th Oscars 2017 Nominees: 14 for La La Land, 6 Black Actors,1 Asian and 1 Big Best Actress Snub

After "Titanic" and "All About Eve," the neo-musical “La La Land” earned 14 Oscars nominations including Best Film, Director and Acting nominations for lead stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

This year, the Academy Award also honors a record breaking six black actors, indie films “Moonlight,” “Fences” and “Hidden Figures”. India-born actor Dev Patel is also nominated for the Australian-made movie "Lion".

In a surprise, the science-fiction film “Arrival,” which emerged as one of the most honored films, with support in eight categories, failed to get a nomination for its lead female star Amy Adams. Even worse, a website managed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC, which broadcasts the Oscars, initially listed her as a nominee.

Here are the nominees:

Best Picture

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Lion

Manchester by the Sea

Moonlight

Best Actress

Isabelle Huppert (Elle)

Ruth Negga (Loving)

Natalie Portman (Jackie)

Emma Stone (La La Land)

Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins)

Best Actor

Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea)

Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge)

Ryan Gosling (La La Land)

Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic)

Denzel Washington (Fences)

Best Supporting Actress

Viola Davis (Fences)

Naomie Harris (Moonlight)

Nicole Kidman (Lion)

Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures)

Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea)

Best Supporting Actor

Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)

Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water)

Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea)

Dev Patel (Lion)

Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals)

Best Director

Denis Villeneuve (Arrival)

Mel Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge)

Damien Chazelle (La La Land)

Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea)

Barry Jenkins (Moonlight)

Best Adapted Screenplay

Eric Heisserer (Arrival)

August Wilson (Fences)

Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi (Hidden Figures)

Luke Davies (Lion)

Barry Jenkins and Alvin McCraney (Moonlight)

Best Original Screenplay

Taylor Sheridan (Hell or High Water)

Damien Chazelle (La La Land)

Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou (The Lobster)

Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea)

Mike Mills (20th Century Women)

Best Animated Feature

Kubo and the Two Strings

Moana

My Life as a Zucchini

The Red Turtle

Zootopia

Best Foreign Language Film

A Man Called Ove (Sweden)

Land of Mine (Denmark)

The Salesman (Iran)

Tanna (Australia)

Toni Erdmann (Germany)

Best Documentary Feature

Fire At Sea

I Am Not Your Negro

Life, Animated

OJ: Made in America

13th

Best Original Song

La La Land - Audition by Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

La La Land - City of Stars by Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Moana - How Far I'll Go by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Trolls - Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin and Karl Johan Schuster

Jim: The James Foley Story - The Empty Chair by J Ralph and Sting

Best Original Score

Jackie by Mica Levi

La La Land by Justin Hurwitz

Lion by Dustin O'Halloran and Hauschka

Moonlight by Nicholas Britell

Passengers by Thomas Newton

Best Cinematography

Arrival

La La Land

Lion

Moonlight

Silence

Best Costume Design

Allied

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Florence Foster Jenkins

Jackie

La La Land

Best Make-up and Hairstyling

A Man Called Ove

Star Trek Beyond

Suicide Squad

Best Live Action Short

Ennemis Interieurs

La Femme et le TGV

Silent Nights

Sing

Timecode

Best Sound Editing

Arrival

Deepwater Horizon

Hacksaw Ridge

La La Land

Sully

Best Sound Mixing

Arrival

Hacksaw Ridge

La La Land

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Best Documentary Short

4.1 Miles

Extremis

Joe's Violin

Watani: My Homeland

The White Helmets

Best Production Design

Arrival

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Hail, Caesar!

La La Land

Passengers

Best Visual Effects

Deepwater Horizon

Doctor Strange

The Jungle Book

Kubo and the Two Strings

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Best Animated Short

Blind Vaysha

Borrowed Time

Pear Cider and Cigarettes

Pearl

Piper

Best Film Editing

Arrival

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

La La Land

Moonlight 

By: JENG On 1/25/2017 08:14:00 AM

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Jasmine Curtis-Smith to Transfer to GMA-7, Plays Dennis Trillo's Love Interest in "Mulawin" Remake

Is it true that Jasmine Curtis-Smith is set to leave TV5 in favor of a brighter career in GMA Network?

According to a report published in gossip blogsite FashionPulis, Jasmine might sign up with GMA-7 and work with Dennis Trillo in the remake of ‘Mulawin.’ Rumors have it that Jasmine auditioned for a role in the next flagship project of the network. Although the station has yet to confirm the rumor, her audition was even said to be impressive.

Lately, Jasmine’s camp has been quiet on matters concerning her career. After receiving good reviews for ‘Imagine You and Me’ and Cinema One Originals, ‘Baka Bukas,’ no word has been floated on her next acting project. The re-orientation of TV5, where she has been regarded as one of its prime stars, has left Jasmine and its other talents out in the cold, as the station has decided to focus on sports, rather than continue investing in acting projects.

By: JENG On 1/24/2017 07:28:00 PM

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A LOVE TO LAST is About Kilig, Filipino Values and Family Comfort

Viewers are tuning in to ABS-CBN newest family drama “A Love To Last” because not only lead stars Bea Alonzo and Ian Veneracion spread kilig vibes all over, but the stories reflect Filipinos values and sensibilities that resonate with the audiences.

In its pilot week, the program showed how Filipino families are ready to support and help each other during difficult times like how Andeng (Bea) was comforted by her family, who stood by her after she caught her fiancé cheating on her. Andeng drew strength from them during this trial.

Viewers like student Roselle Arao, who was moved by these touching moments in the program, shared, “It really struck me how Andeng was so broken and she has her family with her to back her up in all her battles in life.”

Gemma Bacani, on the other hand, shared that her mother, father, two kids, and herself can relate to the Agoncillo family. She said, “They are very much intact just like us.”

Aside from Andeng, Anton’s (Ian) story also highlighted the importance of family, how Anton fought for his marriage and tried to save his family, and how children are affected if their parents are not on good terms.

While some viewers can relate with the situations and draw life lessons, others are drawn by the ‘kilig’ and undeniable chemistry between Bea and Ian on-screen.

“Nakakakilig especially when Ian sings. He’s very handsome,” said housewife Vivian Baranda.

Based on Kantar Media’s TV ratings data covering both urban and rural homes nationwide from Jan 9 to Jan 13, “A Love to Last” ruled on its timeslot during its pilot week with an average national TV rating of 25.8% vs rival program’s 20.8%. The show is also a consistent trending topic on Twitter nationwide every weeknight.

As the story continues, viewers are in for a total ‘kilig’ experience as Anton and Andeng finally bond and get to know each other more in Germany. How will romance blossom between the two?

Don’t miss “A Love to Last,” which airs on its new timeslot after “My Dear Heart” beginning Monday (Jan 23) on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (Sky Cable ch.167). Catch-up on the show’s past episodes via IWanTV or skyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers.

By: JENG On 1/24/2017 07:13:00 PM

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MY DEAR HEART Touches the Hearts of Televiewers, Beats Competing Program in Nationwide TV Ratings

The touching story of “My Dear Heart” instantly captivated viewers nationwide as its pilot episode last Monday (January 23) scored high in national TV ratings.

Viewers warmly welcomed the series into their homes as it garnered a national TV rating of 29.2%, beating “Alyas Robin Hood’s” 20.9%, according to data from Kantar Media. The show also made it to the list of trending topics on Twitter, with its official hashtag #MyDearHeartAngSimula earning thousands of tweets.

In the series’ pilot episode, viewers were introduced to Dra. Margaret Divinagracia (Coney Reyes), the best heart surgeon in the country. Unexpectedly, her daughter Gia (Ria Atayde) got pregnant by her boyfriend Jude (Zanjoe Marudo). Believing that Jude destroyed her daughter’s future, Margaret ruined his dreams by successfully having him removed from his scholarship program.

But just when he thought he lost everything, Jude was blessed with a baby girl, who was given to him by a woman involved in a children trafficking syndicate.

What changes will the baby bring to Jude’s life? Is he ready to face the responsibilities of being a father?

Don’t miss the series that will remind viewers how to love, “My Dear Heart,” weeknights after “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” on ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN HD (Skycable ch 167). Watch the show’s past episode on iWant TV or on skyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers.

By: JENG On 1/24/2017 06:29:00 PM

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HongKong Superstar Andy Lau Plays a War Strategist in THE GREAT WALL

After starring in Zhang Yimou's dazzling, award-winning romantic adventure House of Flying Daggers in 2004, Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau now reunites with the director for Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures' epic fantasy The Great Wall. 

Lau is one of Hong Kong's most commercially successful film actors, performing in more than 140 projects since the 1980s. Voted the No. 1 box-office star of Hong Kong for decades, he truly deserves the moniker of superstar of the Chinese cinema. 

In the filml, when a mercenary warrior (Matt Damon) is imprisoned within The Great Wall, he discovers the mystery behind one of the greatest wonders of our world. As wave after wave of marauding beasts, intent on devouring the world, besiege the massive structure, his quest for fortune turns into a journey toward heroism as he joins a huge army of elite warriors to confront this unimaginable and seemingly unstoppable force.

Lau plays Strategist Wang, perhaps the smartest guy in the movie. "He's got these incredible inventions and is the brains behind The Nameless Order," remarks co-star Matt Damon. "He's somebody that my character, William, cottons to, and has a great deal of respect for."

That respect was also evident between the two actors who had never met before the five-month shoot, but who had a professional connection in their prior work. Turns out that they played the same character in two different movies - Lau as the corrupt police inspector in the 2002 Hong Kong crime thriller Infernal Affairs, and Damon as the devious undercover cop in The Departed, the 2006 English-language adaptation. It was something the actors joked about during some of their casual chats on the set during breaks in filming.

"I told Matt that he was cleverer than me because he got paid more for his movie," the veteran of more than 150 films jests. "Matt told me that I'm cleverer than he is because he dies in that, and I lived to do two sequel movies. I enjoyed working with Matt and feel he has become a good friend. I'm looking forward to working with him again."

Lau describes Strategist Wang as "a scientist spending his life doing the research about the enemy and trying to fight against them. During the Song Dynasty, the society was quite open, so lots of Chinese culture was well developed and many great thinkers and inventions were founded. That's why I think they (chose) Song Dynasty as the background for this movie."

As for the challenge of the bilingual role, Lau confesses that "it's really hard for me to practice speaking English. I got the script a month before shooting and it took me two weeks to fully understand the story. Then it took me another two weeks to remember all the lines. Luckily, we had dialogue coaches on set, who coached me in a very good way. I also have to say thank you to Matt and Willem [Dafoe] because they gave me very good suggestions while I was performing. Willem was like a teacher of mine, trying to polish my performing to make me feel great in front of camera. Matt was also a team player, always considerate to everyone's place on the set."

"Andy Lau is one of the best actors in China," Zhang hails. "He has been popular in China for 40 years. There was a lot of English dialogue for him, even more than the foreign actors. Though he speaks English well, he wanted to tell the world Chinese actors speak English well, and he practiced hard."

Opening across the Philippines in IMAX and regular cinemas on January 25, The Great Wall is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

FB/Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat: @showbiznest

By: JENG On 1/24/2017 12:25:00 PM

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TV5 to Air Exclusive Coverage of Miss Universe 2016 Swimsuit and Evening Gown Competition on January 29

As the pageant fever continues to rise in the Philippines, only one television network gives everyone access to the preliminary show of the universe’s most beautiful competition.

Kapatid network, TV5, invites everyone to catch its exclusive airing of the swimsuit and long gown rounds of the 65th Miss Universe competition. Happening at the SM MOA Arena, the preliminary swimsuit competition will air on January 28, 9:30PM, and the long gown competition on January 29, 8:45PM. A must-watch for all pageant fans, the performances of the candidates during the two events will greatly impact their standing in the competition.

“The preliminaries are very important because these are the only part where the girls will have the chance to shine as a big group for the last time. By January 30, only the top 15 girls will really get their spotlight on stage for the final swimsuit competition, and 10 for the evening gown,” explains world renowned pageant enthusiast, Norman Tinio. “The preliminaries are very much-awaited every year as they represent the make or break part of the competition. These events give everyone a better idea of who really deserves the crown.”

“You can basically determine who will enter the top 15 and top 10 from the preliminaries,” adds Aces & Queens founder Jonas Gaffud. “It’s in this stage where judges are able to clearly see if you are smart, beautiful, and if you have the ability to own the stage. That’s why a candidate must really have what I call ‘power’. I tell that to everyone I train- they should have that power to make the stage their own.”

Dubbed “beauty queen maker”, Gaffud has been training the Philippines’ representatives in international beauty competitions, including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa.

Pageant enthusiast and multi award-winning director Joey Reyes also shares, “The preliminaries are so much harder than the semi-finals, because when you become a semi-finalist, you enter a stage in the competition where you are competing against 14 other women only. But in the preliminaries, there are 85 of you. This is the part of the competition where beauty alone won’t carry you through.”

In partnership with the Miss Universe Organization and official Philippine broadcast partner of Miss Universe 2016 Solar Entertainment, TV5 is the only television network that will cover the preliminaries of the 65th Miss Universe competition. In a statement, its President and CEO, Coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes, said that the station really pushed to gain rights to air the events as part of its commitment to provide world-class entertainment to Filipinos.

“Filipinos can look forward to watching their favorite contestants compete even before the grand finale, which is something only TV5 can offer. We aim to bring the pageant to life by bringing it closer to the hearts and enthusiasm of every Filipino.”

In addition to the preliminaries, TV5 will also air a live national telecast of the 65th Miss Universe Competition’s Coronation Night on January 30.

By: JENG On 1/24/2017 01:09:00 AM

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Kylie Padilla is Pregnant with Aljur Abrenica's Child

It is confirmed! Kylie Padilla is pregnant. The father? Her on and off boyfriend Aljur Abrenica.

In the report posted on Pep.ph, the Encantadia star is already three months pregnant.

To quote:

Kumpirmadong buntis ang Kapuso actress na si Kylie Padilla.

Ayon sa pinakahuling impormasyong nakalap ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), mula sa iba't ibang sources, tatlong buwan na ang dinadala ng Encantadia star.

Totoo ring ang Kapuso actor na si Aljur Abrenica ang ama ng ipinagbubuntis ni Kylie.

Nagkabalikan ang dalawang Kapuso stars noon lamang September 2016, pagkatapos ng mahigit dalawang taon mula nang mag-break sila.

Dahil dito usap-usapan na papatayin na ang karakter nito dahil makakasama raw sa kalagayan ng aktres ang fight scenes sa fantaserye.

Watch the video:

FB/Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat: @showbiznest

By: JENG On 1/23/2017 07:19:00 PM

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Sarah Geronimo Wins Best Asian Artist of The Year in the 4th Annual Hello Asia Awards

Popstar Sarah Geronimo, for second year in a row, wins  the coveted Asian Artist of the Year in the 4th Annual Hello Asia Awards in Australia after garnering more than 400,000 votes.

The Annual Hello Asia Awards is an independent Australian source for the latest music, film and trends from the world of Asian entertainment and culture.

By: JENG On 1/23/2017 06:29:00 PM

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Look: James Reid and Nadine Lustre's Sweetest Off-Duty Photo

Original content published on ThePulse.ph

James Reid and Nadine Lustre's fans always see them sharing sweet moments on television, magazines, billboards, and in all of endorsement materials. It is very rare for the trending couple to publicize photos of them when they are off-duty, that’s why when Nadine posted on Instagram a photo of her and James on a vacation, the fans went crazy.

The photo looks very romantic and cozy - taken during their beach getaway in Batangas while the couple was on a road trip. Nadine is grabbing the love of her life and gives him a sweet kiss on the cheek as the wind blows her hair. What makes it even more romantic is the young actress’ message to James in the caption that says, “I mis you already.”

Original content published on ThePulse.ph

By: JENG On 1/23/2017 04:15:00 PM

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65th Miss Universe 2016 Photos: Smart Exclusive Meet and Greet #SmartMissU

SMART subscribers, media partners and beauty pageant enthusiasts got the chance to meet and greet the 65th Miss Universe candidates at the exclusive Smart-sponsored lunch event at the SMX Convention Center on Saturday, January 21.

Present in the event are Misses Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Colombia, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Vietnam.

Check out some photos below:

By: JENG On 1/23/2017 03:58:00 PM

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World's Top 5 Mobile Brand VIVO Introduces the Most Advance Selfie Camera in PH - the Vivo V5 Plus

After months of speculation and leaks on specifications of the newest and most advanced selfie phone in the market, VIVO Philippines finally launched the Vivo V5 Plus.

The perfect selfie phone is the newest flagship model of Vivo, the top five global smartphone premium brand 1 , ideal for today’s selfie age, when millennials and even adults enjoy sharing beautifully-captured self-shots with the world of social media.

Basketball superstar Stephen Curry is the official endorser of all Vivo phones, including the Vivo V5 Plus. The NBA star earlier said he believes in the brand’s values - energy, professionalism and pleasure - all embodied in its newest flagship model.

Most Advanced Selfie-Technology to Date

Equipped with what is, so far, the most advanced selfie technology, Vivo V5 Plus has the world’s first-ever dual front-facing cameras. The primary front camera, a 20-megapixel IMX376, was co-engineered with top electronics company, Sony, while the secondary 8-megapixel camera was designed to collect depth-of- field information for improved self-portrait quality.

The Vivo V5 Plus boasts an advanced selfie technology that features a ‘bokeh’ effect - a background-blurring photography filter. This is complemented by Vivo’s enhanced face beauty algorithm that allows users to take radiant selfies with no need for editing or correction, and ‘selfie soft light’ which makes selfie-taking possible even in poor lighting conditions.

As for its rear camera, Vivo V5 Plus features an impressive 1/2.8-inch 16-megapixel sensor for ultra-clear and high-quality photos.

Sound, Speed and Style

Aside from its stunning camera features, the Vivo V5 Plus boasts a superior sound system, using the same Hi-Fi system of Vivo’s recent flagship models, and perfected in over two years - the AK4376.

Equipped with 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, the new Vivo model is capable of performing multiple phone tasks in a speedy and efficient manner. For a unique touch, the phone runs on Vivo’s very own Funtouch 3.0 operating system, based on Android 6.0.

The Vivo V5 Plus also features an updated fingerprint recognition technology, allowing users to unlock the phone in just 0.2 seconds. Its fast-charging feature is also expected to come in handy for most users.

Style-wise, the Vivo V5 Plus has a 5.5-inch large display, with an ultra-slim bezel technology, and is made of 5th generation Coring Gorilla glass with enhanced resistance.

Finally, the V5 Plus has a dome-style, 1.8 mm wide u-shaped antenna for better signal reception and, at the same time, a more stylish exterior design.

For inquiries about Vivo V5 Plus, visit Vivo at:

Website vivoglobal.ph

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vivophil

Twitter https://twitter.com/vivophil

By: JENG On 1/23/2017 10:20:00 AM

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Miss USA Olivia Jordan and Nia Sanchez are Special Guests of PLDT and Smart in the 65th Miss Universe

Miss Universe 2015 Second Runner-up Olivia Jordan and Miss Universe 2014 First Runner-up Nia Sanchez will be visiting the Philippines to watch the 65th Miss Universe on January 30, 2017.

The two beauty queens will be arriving tomorrow, January 23,2017, on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Los Angeles. The two Miss USA will be in the Philippines as special guests of PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. 

 

Olivia and Nia are both excited to attend the 65th Miss Universe to support outgoing Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbachand to cheer for Miss USA Deshauna Barber who will be competing with 85 other candidates from all over the world for the Miss Universe 2016 crown. 

 

PLDT & Smart supports the 65th Miss Universe. Follow Smart's Social Media channels in Facebook (fb.com/smartcommunications), Twitter (@LiveSmart), and Instagram (@LiveSmart) for more behind-the-scene photos and videos.

FB/Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat: @showbiznest

By: JENG On 1/22/2017 11:50:00 PM

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Win an Exclusive VIP Access, Overnight Stay at Conrad Hotel and Coronation Night Tickets to Miss Universe 2016 Pageant

The Philippines is a country that takes pride in its roster of beauty queens. International beauty pageants are a sport in their own right in this country and are highly anticipated events regarded with the utmost passion from Filipino fans, cheering and supporting each Ms. Universe-Philippines candidate both online and offline.

The Ms. Philippines sash is not a stranger to the spotlight. Amidst the win of 2016 Ms. Universe, Pia Wurtzbach, was a full blown controversy after her title was mistakenly awarded to Ms. Colombia. This became a trending topic all over the world, dominated by Filipino netizens who showed their support to the newly crowned Ms. Universe Royalty.

All eyes, therefore, are now on reigning Ms. Universe-Philippine Maxine Medina as she attempts a two-peat win for the Philippines and snag the coveted crown. Even weeks before the pageant, Filipinos are already showing their support online by using the hashtag, #4M4MU.

“We all know that the Philippines is not just a beauty queen-devoted country, it’s also a social media-obsessed country. We, as a nation, have always showed our support to our fellow Filipinos during momentous events through social media. And the Ms. Universe pageant is no different–which is why freenet is glad to enable Filipinos all around the country to participate in this much-anticipated event as we once again play host to the Ms. Universe pageant here in our shores,” said Heidi Garayblas, Business Unit Head at freenet, the free Internet platform of Voyager Innovations.


The Complete Experience
 

FREENET is bringing everyone the royal Ms. Universe experience through free access to some of the country’s top pageant sites and even a chance to witness the Ms. Universe coronation night LIVE at the SM MOA Arena on January 30, 2017.

Starting today until February 12, freenet users will be able to keep up to speed with the latest Ms. Universe news and updates in the run-up to the coronation night with free access to top pageant sites such as Missossology, among many others. Smart, Sun, and TNT subscribers can access these exciting and engaging content via freenet without having to worry about data charges.

And to complete the experience, freenet is also giving one devoted fan a treatment fit for a queen through the freenet Miss Universe Royal Experience promo. 

From today until January 26, fans who will download the freenet app and submit an entry form from within the app will stand a chance to win two (2) premium tickets to the coronation night, including an overnight stay at the nearby Conrad Hotel.

For those who won't be able to watch the final event live, they can still chime in and show their support for the Philippines’ bet with free access to Facebook Lite, Twitter, and Instagram from within the freenet app.

“Freenet is all about access. More than just allowing our users a way to access their favorite sites for free, we put a great deal of work in giving them ways to participate in momentous events like the Miss Universe coronation night,” Garayblas added.

To access all of these exciting perks for free and without data charges, simply download the freenet app on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, or visit www.freenet.ph. Access the royal Ms. Universe experience with freenet, the free and fun way to connect! 

Per DTI-FTEB Permit No. 0318 Series of 2017

By: JENG On 1/22/2017 11:01:00 AM

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