Gary V., Maja, John, Joseph, Robi, and Beauty Remain Exclusive Kapamilya

Six ace celebrities remain Kapamilyas after renewing their respective contracts with ABS-CBN last August 16. 

The line-up of Kapamilya stars include "Mr. Pure Energy" Gary Valenciano, who will continuously be seen in the Sunday noontime variety show "ASAP." Fans of the show in Sydney, meanwhile, can expect to catch him as he joins "ASAP Live In Sydney: The Grand Kapamilya Party Down Under" in October. He will also serve as a hurado in "It's Showtime's 'Tawag ng Tanghalan'" and a juror in the program "Your Face Sounds Familiar." 

Meanwhile, Maja Salvador is set to do a new program and movie with the Kapamilya network that are yet to be disclosed. The "Dance Princess" shared how grateful she is to ABS-CBN as she was given the opportunity to showcase her talent to a bigger audience specifically in Thailand, "Thankful talaga ako sa ABS-CBN. Sobrang lawak ng nararating ng Kapamilya programs. Masaya ako na parte ako ng magagandang shows na 'yun (Bridges of Love, Legal Wife, and Wildflower)."

Actor, comedian, dancer, and TV host John Prats also remains a Kapamilya as he continues his role on "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano" and hosting stint on "Banana Sundae." "Forever grateful. I'll be entering my 26th year in the industry and in ABS-CBN. Lagi akong grateful dahil sa tagal na 'yun may tiwala pa rin sila at patuloy na naniniwala sa akin," John said.

Robi Domingo, on the other hand, will continue being one of the hosts of the Sunday noontime variety show "ASAP," the sports program "U Town" together with Gretchen Ho, the digital travel series "Lakwatsero," and will still be regularly seen as a VJ of the music channel "MYX." Robi will also be seen on the new Kapamilya program "Star Hunt" and on the new season of "Pinoy Big Brother" set to air by the end of the year. He also disclosed that he is working with kids on a new project.

Beauty Gonzales also inked her contract with ABS-CBN. Her upcoming projects are yet to be disclosed. "I'm very excited because it's my first contract with ABS-CBN, exciting times ahead," shared Beauty.

Star Magic artist Joseph Marco completes the roster of celebrities who renewed his contract with ABS-CBN. With projects still confidential, Joseph cannot hide his excitement as a Kapamilya actor: "Signing up with ABS-CBN is still overwhelming for me. Nakaka-ilang sign na ako pero I still feel the happiness and excitement so I'm really looking forward."

Present in the signing were ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak, chief operating officer of broadcast Cory Vidanes, TV production head Laurenti Dyogi, head of finance for Broadcast and news and current affairs Cat Lopez, along with the respective managers of the artists.

By: JENG On 9/02/2018 10:47:00 PM

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Toni and Alex Gonzaga Reveal Rules for Strong Sisterhood in New Book “Sissums”

Celebrity siblings Alex and Toni Gonzaga divulge the many roles they have played in each other's lives in "Sissums: the 18 Rules of Sisterhood," a new book under ABS-CBN Publishing where they revealed how Toni became a role model, a critic, and even a bully to Alex, while the latter became Toni's lawyer, cheerleader, and more when they were growing up.

"We've realized we have different roles in each other's phases in life, and we share them in this book. Whether positive or negative, these are the roles that helped us grow individually and as sisters." explained the "Sissums" co-authors who were at first surprised that many tagged them as #sistergoals. 

Alex wrote how Toni became her "Inang Yaya" who took care of her when their parents were very busy at work. Toni likewise became a role model, a critic, and even a bully to her younger sister who triggered Alex's amusing attempt to run away from home when she was just five years old. 

Meanwhile, Toni disclosed how Alex became her lawyer, PR manager, cheerleader, and travel companion, while both of them considered each other as partner in crime growing up. Now, Alex also serves as the best TiNang or aunt-godmother to Toni's son, Seve. 

Also in the "Sissums" book, the pair shared different set of rules they live by at home, at work, and at play. Among these rules are that sisters should be roommates by default and that they should respect each other's differences and remain loyal at all times. They also stressed the importance of veering away from comparison and envy.  

The book likewise contains exclusive photos and quirky comics, illustrating funny and relatable situations they have been in. Quizzes and a mini-scrapbook are also ideal to bond over with siblings.

"Sissums" is Toni's first venture into publishing while it is Alex's third book project, after her best-selling books "Dear Alex, Break na kami. Paano? Love, Catherine" and "Dear Alex, We're Dating. Tama ba o Mali? Love, Catherine."

Find out the secrets to Toni and Alex's strong sisterhood in "Sissums" book, available for only P225 in leading bookstores nationwide. For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abscbnpr.com.

By: JENG On 9/02/2018 10:43:00 PM

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Netflix Releases the First Look at Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip in “The Crown” Season 3

 

Netflix has released a first look photo of Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip in The Crown season 3. Menzies, best known for his roles as Frank Randall/Jonathan Randall in Outlander and Edmure Tully in Game of Thrones, is taking over the role from Matt Smith, who played the prince in the acclaimed series' first two seasons. 

Joining Menzies in the all-new cast for season 3 are Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret, Ben Daniels as Antony Armstrong-Jones, and Olivia Colman, who will play Queen Elizabeth this time around. 

The Crown season 3 will launch in 2019.

By: JENG On 9/02/2018 10:40:00 PM

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X-Men’s Nightcrawler Kodi Smit-McPhee Goes Wilder in “Alpha”

Young Australian actor Kodi Smit-McPhee ("Dawn of the Planet of the Apes", "Let Me In," "X-Men: Apocalypse") provides the crucial human element in Columbia Pictures' new epic adventure, ALPHA (in Philippine cinemas September 5).

 

Set in the last Ice Age, ALPHA tells a fascinating, visually stunning story that shines a light on the origins of man's best friend. While on his first hunt with his tribe's most elite group, a young man named Keda (Smit-McPhee) is injured and must learn to survive alone in the wilderness. Reluctantly taming a lone wolf abandoned by its pack, the pair learn to rely on each other and become unlikely allies, enduring countless dangers and overwhelming odds in order to find their way home before winter arrives.

 

Seventeen-year-old Keda is a Solutrean, part of a creative, resourceful Cro-Magnon tribe living in the area we know as southern France and Spain at the end of the last Ice Age, when most of Europe was uninhabitable, covered in ice two miles deep. Glacial winds blew. Winters were brutal and lasted nine months. Dangerous predators roamed the vast, unpopulated landscapes in search of food. The isolation was extreme, and bonds of family and community were essential for survival.

 

The casting of Keda was of vital importance, because for a large part of the movie, he is the only human character onscreen, and one-half of a carefully knit relationship that needed to cover a lot of emotional ground: from ingrained distrust to hard-won friendship.

 

Kodi Smit-McPhee's measure of a script, when he reads it for the first time, is where it hits him in his heart and his emotions. "I've been doing a lot of modern tales and I've been waiting for something that deals with earth and mother nature" says the Australian actor.

 

Smit-McPhee, who at twenty is already a veteran film actor, has been making his own journey from boyhood to manhood onscreen. "I always find a pattern with the characters I play," he says. "They are quite vulnerable, coming of age, and eventually transformed at the end, but this has been the transformation on the biggest scale."

 

"When you see Kodi on the monitor," says actor Mercedes de la Zerda, who plays a fellow hunter, "you see the subtleties in his work and it blows you away. It's just him and a handful of words in two-thirds of the movie. To have found a talent who can communicate so much, just in body language and to have so much of an inner life happening without dialogue is a major accomplishment."

 

"Kodi is a deeply and naturally gifted actor," says director Albert Hughes. "His instincts are very mature, and he doesn't come from an intellectual place when he's acting. He comes from an emotional place. He comes from the character, so he's really exciting. I'd say he's leaps and bounds above a lot of guys his age. Then, when I see a close-up, I go 'God! This guy is really special.'"

 

ALPHA  is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

By: JENG On 9/02/2018 10:04:00 PM

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TNT Singers Bring Historical All-Star Showdown to Cebu this September

 

On the heels of the success of their Araneta concert, the country's best singers are once again joining forces to bring the historic "TNT All-Star Showdown" to Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on September 21.

For the second time, "Tawag ng Tanghalan" grand champions Noven Belleza and Janine Berdin, online sensation Sam Mangubat, and the international big shot trio and Philippine pride TNT Boys are coming together to headline the Cebu leg of the concert.

The "TNT All-Star Showdown" will also serve as a homecoming for Janine, as well as fellow Cebuanas Marielle Montellano and Sheena Belarmino. 

Also bringing their talents to Cebu are Steven Paysu, Ato Arman, Anton Antenorcruz, Eumee, Froilan Canlas, Reggie Tortugo, and Arabelle Dela Cruz.

Aside from giving world-class performances, the TNT singers will also surprise fans in an after-party and meet-and-greet sessions.

Joining the concert are TNT Divas Rachel Gabreza, Gidget Dela Llana, and Remy Luntayao, the Cove composed of Sofronio Vasquez, Christian Bahaya, and JM Bales, and the comical threesome Hala, which includes Hazelyn Cascano, Lucky Robles, and Alfred Relatado. 

Cebuanos can also look forward to performances by young-at-heart serenaders The Erpats Rico Garcia, Antonio Sabalza, and John Raymundo, the newest belter band Bukang Liwayway with Pauline Agupitan at Lalaine Arana, "TNT Kids" grand champion Jhon Clyd Talili, Jex De Castro, Aila Santos, and Mark Michael Garcia.

Last July, the concert made a lasting mark on fans as it ran for four hours non-stop and made it as this year's longest and biggest musical showdown.

Ticket prices for the "TNT All-Star Showdown" are at P4,500 for Platinum, P3,800 for VVIP, P2,650 for VIP, P2,100 for Gold, P1,650 para sa for Silver, and P450 for Bronze.

They are now available at Ticketnet outlets and at the Araneta Coliseum Box Office. Simply call 911-5555 or log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph.

For more information, visit TNTV at Facebook.com/tntversions, or @tntversions on Twitter and Instagram.

By: JENG On 9/02/2018 10:00:00 PM

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“Pokemon Detective Pikachu” Movie Reveals Official Title Logo

At the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Pokémon World Championships, The Pokémon Company, along with its partners from Legendary Entertainment, unveiled the official title and logo for the first-ever live action Pokémon movie, POKÉMON Detective Pikachu.

 

Mr. Tsunekazu Ishihara, president of The Pokémon Company, welcomed the movie's director, Rob Letterman, and actors Justice Smith and Kathryn Newton to the stage for the surprise reveal.

 

The stars also engaged the room full of the world's best Pokémon players in a chant of "Pikachu!" which was recorded for use in the upcoming film.

 

For official assets unveiled at the event as well as photos of the cast's appearance, please visit the link below:  https://mediapass.warnerbros.com 

 

In Philippine cinemas June 12, 2019,  POKÉMON Detective Pikachu is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a WarnerMedia Company.

By: JENG On 9/02/2018 09:50:00 PM

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TNT Boys Serenade the Meralco Scholars During the MVP Academic Achievement Awards 2018

The singing trio of Francis Concepcion, 11, Mackie Empuerto, 12, and Kiefer Sanchez, 13, also known as the "TNT Boys," wowed a jam-packed theater at the MVP Academic Achievement Awards (MVP AAA) held recently at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City.

 

The group, which caught the attention of TV audiences in the U.S. when they performed in the hit talent show "Little Big Shots," serenaded close to 300 awardees of One Meralco Foundation's annual recognition program, which rewards the academic achievement of children and siblings of qualified employees of Meralco and its subsidiaries.

 

On its eighth year, the MVP AAA recognized 210 winners and 76 top achievers.

 

Each winner received an MVP AAA medal and a P20,000 cash prize. Meanwhile, top achievers — those who won during the previous year and continued to excel academically and have received honors during the current academic year — each received an MVP AAA Top Achievers medal.

 

The awardees and their parents cheered as the TNT Boys rendered a back-to-back performance of Angeline Quinto's "Patuloy ang Pangarap" and Sarah Geronimo's hit single "Forever's Not Enough." 

 

Addressing a primarily young audience, the boys congratulated the MVP AAA winners for doing their best to deserve the recognition. They also shared that despite their very tight work schedule, they still set aside time for their studies in between shows. They are currently home-schooled.

 

"Natutuwa po kami na nandito kami para makisaya sa inyo kasinaniniwala rin po kami na mahalaga talaga ang pag-aaral," Kiefer said.

 

"Sa guidance ni God, sa tulong ng parents natin, at sapamamagitan ng edukasyon, talagang walang imposible. Kaya tayong lahat, patuloy lang sa pangarap," he added.

 

The TNT Boys capped the show with an encore performance of "This is Me," a theme from the musical film, "The Greatest Showman."

By: JENG On 9/02/2018 09:47:00 PM

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Award-Winning Young Actor Jacob Tremblay Triggers Return of “The Predator”

From the outer reaches of space to the to the backwoods of southern Georgia, the hunt comes home in director Shane Black's explosive reinvention of the Predator series. Now, the universe's most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before. And only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and an evolutionary biology professor can prevent the end of the human race.

 

Young gifted child Rory (Jacob Tremblay), unknowingly triggers the return of "The Predator" to Earth when he tinkered with the package that contains alien technology his dad , Quinn McKenna (Boyd Holbrook), sent to their home from a recent military mission.  With the government attempting to cover up the extent of Predator incursions on Earth, a rag-tag group of military veterans must figure out what is going on and how to save the world – or at least themselves – as the battle spreads from the depths of outer space to once-safe suburbia.  Rory's gift for solving puzzles helps him understand the Predator language.  "He's really good at figuring out the Predator," Tremblay says.

 

Shane Black directs an extraordinary cast from the script he penned with Fred Dekker.  Boyd Holbrook heads the ensemble which also stars Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen, Augusto Aguilera, and Sterling K.  Brown.  "The Predator" is produced by John Davis, who brought the seminal Predator franchise to life. 

 

Quinn's son, Rory, is on the autism spectrum.  To help research his role, Tremblay and Black paid several visits to the Canucks Autism Network, a Vancouver-based organization providing sports and recreational programs for individuals with autism.  "We made friends and got to hang out with some of the kids," says Tremblay. 

 

 "This wonderful little boy was probably the most dependable actor in the cast," says Black about Jacob Tremblay, who plays Rory.  "He's a one-take wonder." Black notes that when they were pressed for time, they never needed to worry about young Tremblay hitting his marks.  "We'd get all three shots because he'd do every one perfect, the first take!"

              

Jacob Tremblay has quickly established himself as one of the industry's finest working young actors.     Tremblay garnered international recognition for his breakout performance opposite Brie Larson in the critically-acclaimed, Oscar-nominated film Room. Tremblay received the "Breakthrough Performance Award" from the National Board of Review, a Critics' Choice Award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for "Best Young Actor," and a nomination for "Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role" by the Screen Actors Guild, among other accolades, for his performance in the film.

              

"The Predator" opens September 12 nationwide in cinemas from 20th Century Fox.

By: JENG On 9/02/2018 09:41:00 PM

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