Twitter: Noranians angry at Georgina over Twitter photo

MANILA, Philippines -- Veteran actress Nora Aunor has a word of advice for model-host Georgina Wilson after she allegedly posted "disrespectful" mock-up image of the veteran actress wearing a two-piece.

Entertainment: Ease up on 'flaunting' gifts, Cristy tells Angelica

MANILA, Philippines – Talk show host Cristy Fermin has words of advice for actress Angelica Panganiban on her supposed "flaunting" of gifts reportedly given to her by rumored boyfriend John Lloyd Cruz.

Angelica Panganiban's Instagram photo, wearing a diamond ring

Ilang araw pa lamang ang nakalilipas mula nang lumabas ang balita na diumano'y niregaluhan ni John Lloyd Cruz si Angelica Panganiban ng Mercedes Benz SLK350, na nagkakahalaga raw ng P5.1 million.

Nagsimula ang balita tungkol dito nang mag-post ng photo collage si Angelica sa kanyang Instagram account noong August 28.

Oprah is Forbes' highest paid celebrity

LOS ANGELES - Her new television network is struggling, but Oprah Winfrey's bank account is doing just fine, according to financial website Forbes.com, which on Monday named the talk show queen as the highest paid celebrity for the fourth straight year.

Annabelle Rama is 'very serious' in Congress bid

…says she 'can't be stopped' from running

MANILA, Philippines – Controversial talent manager Annabelle Rama is set on bringing her brand of feistiness to Congress next year.

"I am very, very, very serious to run for Congress. Wala na makakapigil sa akin," Rama said in a post on micro-blogging site Twitter on Saturday.

Zsa Zsa diagnosed with kidney cancer 40 days after Dolphy’s death

“When life situations get rough, I find myself taking deep breaths… And I am ready 2 take on new challenges. Living life. One day at a time.”
That was Zsa Zsa Padilla’s tweet early Sunday morning as news broke out that the already grief-stricken partner of the late, great Comedy King Dolphy had been diagnosed with stage 1 kidney cancer.
Earlier reports stated that the 48-year-old singer-actress was conspicuously absent at the Mass for the 40th day after Dolphy’s death held Saturday because she had left for Los Angeles to seek medical treatment.
She consulted doctors at Cedars Sinai Hospital after her doctors at the Makati Medical Center had detected an abnormal growth in her kidneys.
Zsa Zsa told ABS-CBN News on Sunday that a certain Dr. Folkes, her doctor at the Los Angeles-based medical facility, told her that she has a malignant growth the size of a golf ball.

Is Angelica Panganiban confirming romance with John Lloyd Cruz?

Actor Aga Muhlach joining administration party

Actor Aga Muhlach will soon join the league of actors-turned-politician, as he is set to take his oath as a member of the administration Liberal Party in preparation for a bid  for local office in Camarines Sur.

According to a media advisory from the LP, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II will swear in Muhlach at the party's headquarters in Quezon City on Friday.

LP declined comment on which position Muhlach will be running for, saying the announcement will be made after he formally joins the party. But reports say the actor is eyeing a seat in Congress.

Aerosmith's Tyler: "American Idol" job "not my cup of tea"

LOS ANGELES - Rock singer Steven Tyler said he "loved and hated" his two-year stint as a judge on "American Idol" but admitted the TV singing contest was "not my cup of tea."

Tyler, who announced in July he was quitting America's most-watched entertainment show after two years as a judge, told Rolling Stone magazine that he took the job partly to wait out an internal feud in his band, Aerosmith.

"It was something to do while the storm blew by, to be honest," he said in an interview in the upcoming August 2 issue.

"I loved it and hated it. It was a great job, I sat next to J. Lo and I made a ton of money. It was a moment in life and it became larger than life," he added.

Tyler and singer Jennifer Lopez, who is also leaving the show, were brought onto "American Idol" two years ago after the exit of acerbic British judge Simon Cowell.
The Aerosmith rocker said he had come under pressure from producers to fill the nasty-judge role vacated by Cowell.

"The show's about kids and what you do to nurture their talent. They wanted me to take the piss out of the kids and I don't have that in me. That's not what I'm about. That's more about that other guy. Not me," he said.

Aerosmith -- made up of frontman Tyler, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford -- have since patched up years of internal strife and have been working for months on their first album of new material since 2001's "Just Push Play."

The new album, "Music from Another Dimension!" will be released in November.

Fox television and "American Idol" producers announced last week that pop singer Mariah Carey would take one of the vacant seats for the new season starting in January. They expect to announce a second new judge in a few weeks' time.

Janet Jackson regrets actions this week, including reportedly slapping niece Paris Jackson

Janet Jackson (in photo), along with Randy and Jermaine—siblings of the late Michael Jackson—banded together to overthrow the executors of the dead popstar's estate, but Janet is reportedly sorry she ever got involved. Her actions from this week include reportedly slapping her niece Paris during an altercation at Katherine Jackson's house on Monday (July 23).

Photo: Bang

Janet Jackson regrets her actions this week.

Janet, along with Randy and Jermaine—siblings of the late Thriller singer Michael Jackson—banded together to overthrow the executors of the dead popstar's estate, but Janet is reportedly sorry she ever got involved.

Her actions from this week include reportedly slapping her niece Paris during an altercation at Katherine Jackson's house on Monday (July 23).

This was when Janet and her brothers arrived to take Michael's children Prince Michael, 15, Paris, 14, and Blanket, 10, to Arizona, where Michael's mother Katherine was then staying.

However, the children defied the decisions of their family, causing Janet to slap Paris and allegedly calling her a "spoiled little b***h."

Paris fired back by hitting her aunt, saying: "This is our house, not the Jackson family house. Get the f**k out."

However, Janet is said to be upset by her actions and how everything spiraled out of control.

A source told RadarOnline: "The public has seen a very different side of Janet this past week, and she has to be regretting following Randy's advice.

"Janet is very much like Katherine in that she likes to keep a low profile, and not have family drama play out in the press."

source:PEP

Jessica Sanchez now a Bench endorser

MANILA, Philippines – Local clothing brand Bench has announced that “American Idol” runner-up Jessica Sanchez is the newest addition to its long list of celebrity endorsers to promote its products.

In its official Twitter and Facebook accounts on Saturday, Bench said it is proud to welcome Sanchez as part of the family.

"Let's all welcome the fashionable @JSanchezAI11 to the ever-growing @benchtm family! #JessicaSanchez4Bench," said Bench.

We are thrilled to welcome the voice that has won the hearts of many. Truly proud to have @JSanchezAI11 part of the #Benchsetter family!
— bench/ (@benchtm) July 28, 2012

“We are thrilled to welcome the voice that has won the hearts of many. Truly proud to have @JSanchezAI11 part of the #Benchsetter family,” Bench added.

Sanchez is not the first "Idol" graduate to be part of Bench.

Prior to the 16-year old Filipino-Mexican-American, Bench also clinched a deal with “American Idol” Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta to be among their endorsers.

Archuleta's Bench billboards and posters can now be seen in different Bench stores nationwide.

Filipino-American "Idol" Season 3 contestant Jasmine Trias also did commercials for Bench after she placed third in the popular reality talent search.

Source: ABS-CBN

JESSICA SANCHEZ, Excited To Meet Pinoy Fans! See Her Live On July 29!

16 hours ago, Jessica Sanchez took to her Twitter account to say she's excited to meet her Pinoy fans via her Skype Party on July 29, "Mabuhay Philippines! I can't wait to see you all at our Skype Party on July 29, SM Megamall Events Center, 10 am onwards! Love you all!," Sanchez stated.

BLUJAYS! Join the grandest event of the year - “THE ULTIMATE JESSICA SANCHEZ SKYPE PARTY!” happenening on July 29, 2012 (Sunday), from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the SM Megamall Events Center. 

Jessica Sanchez was the runner-up on the eleventh season of the reality singing show, American Idol. She is the first female and fourth recipient of the judges' ‘save’.

At the same time, she is also the first recipient of the save to reach the finale. Prior to appearing on American Idol, Sanchez competed in the first season of America's Got Talent at the age of 11. 

Catch Jessica and the other Season 11 finalists at the American Idol Live Tour 2012 on September 21, 2012, 8pm at the Smart Araneta Coliseum!

Source: MYXPH

Pixar co-founder: Time to shine spotlight on Filipino animators

MANILA -€“ It's about time that the work of the Philippines' best creative talents is recognized in the global stage, according to the co-founder of animation company Pixar.

Ralph Guggenheim, the producer of the 'Toy Story' franchise, said there is a lot of promise in the Philippine creative services sector.

"We see the Philippines as one that is under realized so far in the world and that there is a great deal of animation work and gaming work that can be made in the Philippines that can be sent back to the world," said Guggenheim.

While most Filipinos in the industry work for hire, Eli Noyes, president of California-based animation production consultancy firm Alligator Planet LLC, feels they are now ready to adopt a different mindset and create their own intellectual property to showcase to the world.

Top entertainment industry lawyer David Kostiner said this is an exciting time for Filipinos who can take advantage of their ability to maintain some "closeness regardless of geographic location” as they seek a global audience.

"That creates an amazing market that can be accessed by an upload on YouTube or other channels that can feature Filipino or Asian content and open possibilities of a self-sustaining marketplace where there are stories for Filipinos abroad, domestically, around the region or the Asean nation," said Kostiner.

Guggenheim said his company is not in a position to invest in the Philippines, but urged the government to create a roadmap to support a creative industry that will help facilitate the development of content originating in the country.

"We believe that it's not enough simply for Filipino writers to have great stories and great ideas. It's also necessary for private sector here to be willing to invest in those stories and ideas," he said.

The Philippine economy has so much to gain from investing in the creative services sector, which generated revenue of about $142 million for animation and $7 million for game development in 2011, according to data from the Department of Trade and Industry.

"Even if remittances of OFW remittances even go higher, it does not make economic sense for us as a country anymore because it doesn't add value to the economy. What Eli said about creating original content, that is something that will add value, that's something we can see and that's something we can sell outside. It's a new way of generating earnings," said Josephine Romero, special trade representative of the DTI.

Guggenheim, Noyes and Kostiner will be joined by Cartoon Network Online creator Doug Barry, entertainment production manager Audie Vergara, and entertainment executive Jon Nelson during the Film, Animation, and Gaming Congress 2012 starting Thursday at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

"These people have expressed their very keen interest in the Philippine creative talent and the huge potentials of the Philippine film and animation industry for local and global success," said DTI Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio.

The two-day conference will gather stakeholders to discuss issues, challenges and potentials of the local creative services sector and come up with recommendations that would promote the Philippines in global film and animation production.

President Aquino earlier approved the Investment Priorities Plan 2012, which includes creative industries under preferred activities entitled to incentives such as income tax holiday, duty free importation of capital equipment and tax exemptions, among others.

Source: Interaksyon

Mariah Carey is the new American Idol Judge

LOS ANGELES - Grammy-winning pop star Mariah Carey will join Fox television's "American Idol" singing contest as a judge next season as the highly rated show fights to regain its slumping audiences.

Kevin Reilly, president of entertainment for Fox Broadcasting, told television critics on Monday in Los Angeles that popular singer Carey will be one of the replacements for departing judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.

Tyler, the front man for rock band Aerosmith, announced his exit earlier this month to focus on his revived music career. Lopez, too, has hinted at her departure in recent weeks and, on Monday, Reilly confirmed she will not return for the upcoming season.

"I can say it is 100 percent that Jennifer won't be back to the show," Reilly said.

Reilly said the deal with Carey was finalized early on Monday and, in a dramatic move for TV critics at the conference, he called the singer on his cell phone to announce the deal.

"Hi Mariah. How are you? I have just uttered your name for the first time. We do have a deal, don't we?" Reilly said.

Carey, answering on speakerphone, said: "I am so excited to be joining 'Idol'... I wish I could have been there myself to tell you, but this all kind of just happened. I can't wait to get started."

Reilly declined to comment on the status of Randy Jackson - the only original member of the show's judging panel - but said he expected to announce a second new judge within the next two weeks, adding that some of "the biggest names in the business are interested in doing the job."

One-time "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert has been mentioned in the entertainment media as a possible contender for one of the new jobs.

Carey, 42, known for soaring ballads like "Hero" and "We Belong Together," had been named in reports as a frontrunner and she is expected to bring attention and viewers to the 11-year-old singing contest, which lost some 20 percent of its audience this past season.

CAREY ALREADY A MUSIC IDOL

The singer has won five Grammys, the music industry's top honors, and she sold more than 200 million records worldwide. She is currently working on a new album and plans to release a lead single - "Triumphant" - next month.

"American Idol" creator Simon Fuller said Carey "defines the word 'Idol' and will inspire every singer that has the honor of performing in front of her."

Reilly did not discuss the financial details of the agreement, but Carey previously has been reported to be in negotiations for a payday of around $15 million a year.

Carey, who was courted last year by Simon Cowell for the U.S. version of his "X Factor" singing show, joins a roster of superstar celebrity judges on reality TV.

Britney Spears was signed earlier this year for Fox's upcoming second season of "The X Factor" and "shock-jock" Howard Stern joined NBC's summer series "America's Got Talent."

"American Idol" has been a ratings and advertising juggernaut since it debuted in 2002 and has been the most-watched entertainment program on U.S. television for nine consecutive years. But its audiences are now only about half the more than 30 million who watched regularly in the show's 2005 and 2006 heyday.

The most recent season finale in May was the least-watched in "America Idol's" history, attracting just 21.5 million viewers.

Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told journalists earlier on Monday that he thought "Idol" should swap judges every season, partly to accommodate the careers of top artists.

Reilly declined to speculate about that possibility, but he told journalists that "Idol" is "12 years old now. We need to keep it fresh."

The show returns with Carey and at least one other new judge for a 12th season in January 2013.

Source: ABS-CBN

Gwyneth Paltrow cooks with Datu Puti

MANILA, Philippines -- The local brand Datu Puti has found an unofficial celebrity endorser for its "toyomansi" product.

In her website Goop, Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow shared a cooking lesson on how to prepare pan-seared black grouper with local veggies.

Among the ingredients used to give the vegetables -- purple okra, zucchini, carrots and breakfast radishes -- an Asian flavor was Datu Puti Toyomansi, which even had a photo in the website.

"In this preparation, the veggies are touched with some South East Asian overtones. Toyomansi, a calamansi (Filipino citrus)-infused soy sauce, and a soy sauce with bonito," the actress wrote in her post dated July 5.

"Veggies are plated first on a bed of raw arugula, then the fish," she said.

Many Filipinos use "toyomansi" as a condiment for grilled food.

The Oscar-winning actress got the idea of using "toyomansi" from chef Keith Rhodes of Wilmington, North Carolina, who was on Season 9 of the hit reality TV show "Top Chef."

"The other day I had the great fortune of getting a kick-ass cooking lesson from James Beard nominee Keith Rhodes (one of if not the best chef in Wilmington, N.C.). He and his lovely wife Angela are the owners of Catch, a casual and delicious seafood spot serving local, seasonal food with a lot of thought behind it. Careful to stick with what is in abundance in his community, Keith feeds his customers food that is fresh, inventive and delicious. It was a really great afternoon," Paltrow said.

Paltrow started Goop, a weekly digital publication, in the fall of 2008 "to share all of life's positives."

"From creating a delicious recipe to finding a perfect dress for spring, Gwyneth began curating the best of lifestyle to help her readers save time, simplify and feel inspired," the website said.

Apart from the fish entree, Rhodes also taught Paltrow how to prepare shrimp ceviche, tuna tataki and a cucumber tequila cocktail.

KC Concepcion on the cover of Cosmopolitan Mexico

MANILA, Philippines – It seems that the charm and popularity of actress-host KC Concepcion has reached as far as Mexico.

Concepcion showed viewers of “Kris TV” a copy of her first and only cover on the Mexican edition of women’s magazine Cosmopolitan which, she said, was released two or three years ago.

The cover showed KC shot against a blue background, wearing a revealing low-cut white dress.

“Hindi ko nga alam na may ganito ako eh,” she said of her Cosmo Mexico cover, laughing. “This was two or three years ago.”

Concepcion showed off her spacious condominium in Taguig City during the Kris TV episode.

The show’s host, Kris Aquino, was surprised to see the actress-host’s cover with Cosmopolitan Mexico, and suggested that she store it in a safe place.

International appeal

Early this month, Concepcion was included in a list of sexiest international actresses compiled by a New York-based lifestyle website.

The actress-host ranked 23rd in a list titled “25 Sexiest International Actress You Haven’t Heard Of” by fashion and lifestyle website Complex, the only Filipina who made the cut.

Those who made it to the list were seen to be “the next beautiful foreign woman who can sideline the exhausted A-list actresses fronting every contemporary US film.”

Sharon Cuneta’s eldest daughter, who is not new to being named “sexiest” (she has been consistently included in men’s magazine FHM’s “World’s Sexiest” list), was recognized not only for her achievement in showbiz, but also for her being the United Nation’s National Ambassador Against Hunger.

Source: ABS-CBN

Jessica Sanchez reveals boyfriend

The couple looking intimate during a prior video chat with fans.

“American Idol” runner-up Jessica Sanchez has found love on the “Idol” tour – with fellow Season 11 finalist DeAndre Brackensick.

Jessica broke the news during a UStream chat on Friday. First, she teased her fans with this message: ”I got a secret and I want you guys to guess. I’ll nod if it’s no or yes.”

Fans soon got the hint that she meant she has a boyfriend. The 16-year-old “Idol” runner-up readily revealed that he is no other than 17-year-old Deandre.

“He’s my boyfriend. Love you guys. Byeeee!” she said.

DeAndre, who placed 8th in the competition, quickly confirmed the relationship on Twitter.

“Me and Jessica are officially dating,” he said, punctuated by a smiling face. ”Yes Jessica is my girlfriend,” he added, with another smiley.

Jessica and DeAndre, both California residents, are currently on tour in California with the other “Idol” Season 11 Top 10 finalists.

The tour kicked off on June 6 in Detroit and will have visited 45 North American cities when it winds up in Milwaukee on September 11. It will reach Manila on September 21 with a concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.