Dayanara Torres Shocked Maxine Medina Failed to Enter Miss Universe Top 3

Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1993 and former actress in the Philippines, was shocked Maxine Medina did not enter the Top 3 spots of the 65th edition of Miss Universe pageant held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines on Monday, January 30.

The Puerto Rican beauty queen was one the six world-renowned personalities who sat as telecast judges of the beauty competition.

According to Dayanara, the Pinay beauty queen was such a beautiful, sweet, natural and real candidate, a qualities she was looking for in a Miss Universe.

"I'm in shock too!" she told the press at the sidelight of the afterparty at Okada Manila.

"She was incredible, and very beautiful, and sweet, and one of the things we were looking for. She wasn't robotic, with a tough attitude, because we want somebody very much natural, and real. And she was that," she said.

Miss France Iris Mittenaere was crowned Miss Universe 2016 beating other 85 candidates from around the universe.

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By: JENG On 1/31/2017 05:13:00 PM

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Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes to Maxine Medina: "She lacks the characteristic of a beauty queen!"

Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes who served as one of the judges in the recently concluded Miss Universe 2016 pageant held at SM MOA Arena in Pasay, Philippines said Philippines representative Maxine Medina lacked the characteristic to make her stand out among the other 85 candidates.

"She's beautiful, I think she's very classy also. But you know, even though she was home, and she had the crowd supporting her, I think she was lacking something," Lopes said at the red carpet before the pageant's afterparty at Okada Manila.

The first Miss Universe from Angola and a former United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Desertification said she could not pinpoint exactly what Maxine lacked, but whatever it was, Miss France Iris Mittenaere had it.

"I don't know exactly, but there was something missing. And I believe Miss France had what we're looking for," she said.

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By: JENG On 1/31/2017 04:51:00 PM

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ABS-CBN’S Anti-Piracy Head Elisa Lawrence to Speal at Brand Protection & Anti-Counterfeiting Executive Roundtable in San Franciso ON March 9

Consero, which brings senior executives together to build relationships and gain insights through uniquely intimate networking and learning opportunities by way of conferences, announced recently that it is holding its "Brand Protection & Anti-Counterfeiting Executive Roundtable" on March 9, 2017 at the historic five-star Fairmont San Francisco atop Nob Hill.

Among the Faculty Members of said conference is Elisha Lawrence, ABS-CBN International Assistant Vice President for Global Anti-Piracy & Content Security.

Lawrence will be part of the roundtable on "Optimizing The Structure Of Your Team: What Does Success Look Like"?  The talk will attempt to address the following:

• Where does Brand Protection sit within your organization?
• How do you emulate culture held in a corporate office to those in disparate locations? How do you maintain consistency?
• How are you working cross-functionally with other departments to increase awareness and compliance to reduce risk of brand abuse proactively?
• How are you making a business case for budget and buy-in with your senior leadership? What metrics do you find most useful to demonstrate ROI?

Joining Lawrence at the roundtable are Andrew Love, Head of Brand Security, Global Investigations & Legal Enforcement of Specialized Bicycle Components, and Q VanBenschoten, Vice President of Compliance & Risk of Intertek.

ABS-CBN produces hundreds of daily television shows, news shows and films for its numerous television stations and for international distribution to the Filipino community living in over 100 countries. Lawrence has over 25 years of experience as in-house Intellectual Property counsel creating and implementing anti-piracy/anti-counterfeiting strategies to mitigate risk and significantly increase sales in the US and globally for leading Fortune 500 organizations such as Levi Strauss, Twentieth Century Fox and Adobe Systems. She also has experience prosecuting criminal cases as a District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles. Lawrence holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut and a law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, CA.

Other topics of the conference are:

• Heading Off Brand Abuse Before, During & After A Trademark Infringement
• China in Macro: Challenges & Successes
• All Along The Watchtower: Protecting Your Global Supply Chains
• Protecting Your Brand Against New & Evolving Threats

Aside from ABS-CBN International, participants of the executive roundtable include representatives from the following companies: Fitbit, Inc., eBay Inc., Tiffany & Co., Western Digital, Procter & Gamble, Fossil Group, Inc., Specialized Bicycle Components, Adobe, Vans, VF Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Google Inc., Speck Products, Element Case, Silicon Valley Bank, AMD, SunPower Corporation, Levi Strauiss & Co., adidas Group, GoPro Inc., UL LLC, lululemon athletica, Qualcomm, and The HD Lee Company.

For more information, visit https://consero.com/event/brand-protection-anti-counterfeiting-executive-roundtable-mar-9-2017-fairmont-san-francisco-ca/

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By: JENG On 1/31/2017 04:30:00 PM

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Ogie Alcasid Signs an Exclusive Contract with ABS-CBN

Ogie Alcasid is now officially a Kapamilya.

The singer-songwriter posted a photo collage on Instagram showing him formally signing a contract with ABS-CBN ABS-CBN executives led by ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak and chief operating officer of broadcast Cory Vidanes on Monday, January 30, 2017.

 
Ogie is currently one of the judges of "Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids," as well as "Tawag ng Tanghalan" on "It's Showtime."

By: JENG On 1/30/2017 11:54:00 PM

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France Iris Mittenaere Wins Miss Universe 2016 Title

Beauty, grace, confidence, intelligence. These are the qualities that made Miss France Iris Mittenaere wins the coveted 65th Miss Universe crown.

RUNNERS UP

First Runner-up: Haiti - Raquel Pelissier

Second Runner-up: Colombia - Andrea Tovar

TOP 6

Kenya - Mary Were

Philippines - Maxine Medina

Thailand - Chalita Suansane

TOP 9

USA - Deshauna Barber 

Mexico - Kristal Silva 

Canada - Siera Bearchell

TOP 13

Indonesia - Kezia Warouw

Peru - Valeria Piazza

Panama - Keity Drennan

Brazil - Raissa Santana

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By: JENG On 1/30/2017 12:53:00 PM

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65th Miss Universe 2016 Top 3: Maxine Medina is Out After Her Failed Q&A

Here are the 65th Miss Universe Final 3 gorgeous, confident, intellect ladies who are still in the running to become Pia Wurtzbach's successor. They are determined based on their responses during the Top 6 Question and Answer round.

France - Iris Mittenaere

Colombia - Andrea Tovar

Haiti - Raquel Pelissier

By: JENG On 1/30/2017 11:51:00 AM

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65th Miss Universe 2016 Top 6: Maxine Medina Conquers Made it Halfway to the Crown

Here are the Top 6 semi-finalists of the 65th Miss Universe competition as announced during the coronation night on January 30 at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines (in order of announcement):

France - Iris Mittenaere
Kenya - Mary Were
Colombia - Andrea Tovar
Philippines - Maxine Medina
Thailand - Chalita Suansane

Haiti - Raquel Pelissier

By: JENG On 1/30/2017 11:42:00 AM

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65th Miss Universe 2016 Top 9: Miss Philippines Maxine Medina Stays in the Competition

Here are the Top 9 semi-finalists in the 65th Miss Universe competition as announced during the coronation night on January 30 at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines (in order of announcement):

USA - Deshauna Barber
Thailand - Chalita Suansane
France - Iris Mittenaere
Mexico - Kristal Silva

Kenya - Mary Were

Colombia - Andrea Tovar

Canada - Siera Bearchell

Haiti - Raquel Pelissier

Philippines - Maxine Medina

By: JENG On 1/30/2017 09:19:00 AM

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65th Miss Universe 2016 Top 13: Philippines and Colombia are In!

Here are the Top 13 semi-finalists of the 65th Miss Universe competition as announced during the coronation night on January 30 at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines (in order of announcement):

Kenya - Mary Were

Indonesia - Kezia Warouw

USA - Deshauna Barber
Mexico - Kristal Silva
Peru - Valeria Piazza
Panama - Keity Drennan
Colombia - Andrea Tovar
Philippines - Maxine Medina
Canada - Siera Bearchell
Brazil - Raissa Santana
France - Iris Mittenaere
Haiti - Raquel Pelissier
Thailand - Chalita Suansane (chosen from over 100M+ votes)

By: JENG On 1/30/2017 08:33:00 AM

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TV Remake of Award-Winning Film PINULOT KA LANG SA LUPA Airs on GMA-7

The Ishmael Bernal masterpiece makes a big comeback with a modernized version that tackles the life struggles of two women intertwined by lost love.

Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa features an ensemble of talented Kapuso actors headlined by Julie Anne San Jose as Santina, Benjamin Alves as Ephraim, Martin del Rosario as Kiko and LJ Reyes as Angeli.

With equally important roles are Ara Mina as Mariz and Ms Jean Garcia as Diony.

Joining them are Victor Neri as Cesar, Allan Paule as Hector, Geleen Eugenio as Yoleng, Janna Dominguez as Chona, Lharby Policarpio as Boggs.

Julie Anne is Santina, an orphaned girl who was forced to work hard after her aunt’s death. Later on, she will work in one of the restaurants of Diony played by Ms. Jean Garcia. Due to her kindness, Diony will send her to school and treat her as her own daughter.

LJ, on the other hand, is Angeli. She is homeless and is longing for a mother’s love. Diony will adopt Angeli and she will eventually help her in running the business.

As Santina and Angeli’s worlds collide through Diony, the two will also vie for Ephraim’s love (Benjamin Alves). Ephraim is Diony’s son who blamed her for the death of his sister. At first, Angeli will see Ephraim as a competition but after an incident, she will fall secretly and obsessively in love with him. Ara Mina as Mariz, is Angeli's neglectful mother. Angeli is a product of rape that's why Mariz hates her daughter and left her with Diony.

Meanwhile, Santina and Ephraim are childhood best friends. Their friendship will eventually blossom into a romantic relationship. Known for getting everything she wants, Angeli will stop at nothing stop from getting not only Diony’s attention but also Ephraim’s love. But Santina is also willing to fight for herself and for the people she loves. In the end, who will get the love that she’s been hoping for? Santina or Angeli? And how are they supposed to fight for it when they’re just both pinulot lang sa lupa?

Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa is under helm of award-winning actress and director Gina Alajar together with second unit director Aya Topacio.

Behind this engrossing drama is the creative team composed of Creative Director Roy Iglesias; Creative Block Head Jake Tordesillas; Creative Consultant Aloy Adlawan;  Headwriter Marlon Miguel; Writers John Kenneth de Leon, Maria Priscilla Hidalgo; Brainstormers Kenneth Angelo Enriquez, Gilda Olvidado-Marcelino, Roda Sulit Marino; Concept Creator Gilda Olvidado-Marcelino.

The program is another original creation of the GMA Drama group under the supervision of Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Lilybeth G. Rasonable; Vice President for Drama Redgie Acuña-Magno; Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; Program Manager Ali Nokom Dedicatoria and Executive Producer Jocelyn Arino.

Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa airs Monday to Friday, 4:15 P.M. after Hahamakin Ang Lahat on GMA Afternoon Prime.

Get the latest updates about Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa from the official Facebook page of GMA Drama www.facebook.com/GMADrama, Twitter account @GMADrama and the GMA Network website www.GMANetwork.com.

By: JENG On 1/30/2017 01:26:00 AM

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"STAR WARS THE LAST JEDI" Movie Production in the Works

Lucasfilm has announced the official title of the film previously known as Star Wars: Episode VIII.

The studio says, “We have the greatest fans in this or any other galaxy. In appreciation of the fans, we wanted them to be the first to know the title of the next chapter in the Skywalker saga: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

THE LAST JEDI is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.” 

By: JENG On 1/29/2017 12:00:00 AM

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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.

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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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