philstar.com - Entertainment

Feb 042016
 

Curtain-raisers:

  • Reactions to the recent story about 1976 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Lizbeth de Padua: From Dr. Danny David: You wrongly identified Lizbeth as a neurosurgeon (one who operates and does surgery on the nervous system). Actually, she’s a neurologist (like Dr. Joven Cuanang), one who diagnoses and treats disorders of the nervous system…From Leah Salterio: I don’t know Lizbeth personally but she has an equally accomplished younger brother, lawyer Dan Albert de Padua, whom I’ve known since he was with GMA 7 in the ’90s until he moved to TV5 where he was vice president. However, he took an early retirement late last year and “is happily retired.” When a friend asked him why he retired so soon, Dan wrote poetically in his Facebook: “My heart can take the pounding. My mind can take the grind. But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.” (TV5 PR executive and STAR columnist Peachy Guioguio confirmed that Dan has retired from TV5.)
  • Starting today (Feb. 5) until Sunday, Feb. 7, Travel Specialist Ventures is participating at the 23rd Travel Tour Expo 2016. Check it out at the second floor of Function Hall 3, booths 166/167/178/179, at the SMX Convention Center. Offered are up to 70 percent discount on selected destinations both on air tickets and tours.
  • Just a recap on the early 2016 break-ups: Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino, Jojo Oconer and Ciara Sotto, Luis Manzano and Angel Locsin, John Lloyd Cruz and Angelica Panganiban, and Bea Alonzo and Zanjoe Marudo. Hope no other couples will jump onto the “split-up-wagon.”

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Named one of the Power Up organization’s “10 Amazing Gay Women in Showbiz,” Jane Lynch stars in Angel From Hell as Amy, “a colorful, brassy woman who insinuates herself into the life of an organized and seemingly perfect young woman, Allison, claiming to be her (Allison’s) ‘guardian angel.’”

Lynch started acting with the Second City comedy troupe at the Steppenwolf Theater and in many church basements in the Chicago area. Her TV credits include Glee for which her role as Sue Sylvester won her an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. She also won another Emmy for her role as host of Hollywood Game Night. She also appeared in such films as The Three Stooges, Alvin and the Chipmunks (in which Charice did a guest appearance) and The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

As an author, Lynch wrote the autobiography Happy Accidents which topped several national best-seller lists including The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, and also the children’s book Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean. She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013. She joined the Ban Bossy campaign as a spokesperson advocating leadership roles for girls.

Excerpts of an e-mail interview with Lynch:

Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

What do you find interesting about your role in Angel From Hell?

“What I find wonderful about Amy is that she indeed is an angel and she cares very much for Allison and wants her to have a terrific life, but she’s very flawed. She loves to drink alcohol. She loves to eat sugar. She loves to overdo it in the sex department, but she has no shame around any of these things. She loves life. She loves being a human being on this planet and she wishes that Allison would experiment with all of that instead of being so pent-up and by-the-book.”

Anything about Amy that you can identify with?

“Yeah. I’ll tell you what, I identify with the desires for everything that tastes good and feels good but what I have that Amy doesn’t have is shame. I like, shame myself for it. I’m learning a lot from Amy.”

How different is Amy from characters that you’ve played in other TV shows and films?

“I think she’s the most pure-hearted character I’ve played, except for maybe Constance from Party Down. She is pure-hearted. Amy embraces life like no one I think I’ve ever played before. No one comes to mind and that is for sure attracted me to it. She’s like the song on my mind, the song that came to my mind was the Louis Armstrong one, What A Wonderful World. She could look at a tree and it could bring her to tears with laughter. She’s a lover of this planet and everything it has to offer. She’s unafraid, and unashamed and undeterred, and I love that about her. She has this innocence that just appeals to me.”

You are an advocate for leadership roles for girls. Do you believe that women today are at par with men in various fields (politics, business, etc.)?

“Gosh, I never think like that. I kind of don’t have an answer for this.”

Would you say that you are an “angel” in real life?

“That’s a very nice thing to say if you think I am. I think so. I think we all are. I was bringing this up the other day. Jamie Foxx, the actor, he saved a man from a burning car the other day and though I wouldn’t know if Jamie Foxx thought of himself as an angel, but he sure was in that moment. I think the best of us comes out sometimes in spite of our negativity, and we do wonderful, miraculous things so I think all of us could be angels.”

Do you think you’re more like angel? Or are you a bit more like succor?

“I think I’m both of them, I inspire more to Amy that’s for sure. Amy represents the best of who I am. I’m a fact of protective to people who I love and I think that’s the goal in this life and I think for Amy in particular is that everybody is deserving of love.”

Why is Amy named an angel from hell?

“I think it’s a play on the dichotomy of what people think of angels. Angels are these pure heaven sent being, and Amy is anything but you know she’s messy, she’s sloppy, she loves being in a body, she loves being on the earth. We think of angels as being kind of celestial with acquired angels behind them, with wings that fly, usually dressed in white, and Amy is very, very earth-bound. And I think that’s where the dichotomy comes in.”

(Angel From Hell is airing on RTL-CBS Entertainment starting tonight at 9 o’clock. RTL-CBS is available on Destiny Cable Channel 23, SkyCable Channel 53 [SD], SkyCable Channel196 [HD], Dream Satellite Channel 17, Cablelink Channel 37 [SD] and Cablelink Channel 313 and 800 [HD].)

 

Among the PAMI members who signed the statement on the Dalin Sarmiento-director Jay Altarejos (inset) case.

PAMI statement on Altarejos-Sarmiento issue

According to STAR contributor Edgar Cruz, indie actress Dalin Sarmiento threatened to sue director/writer/producer Joselito “Jay” Altarejos for libel after Altarejos posted in his Facebook page of Oct. 9, 2015, that “Dalin Sarmiento = most unprofessional performer.”

The libel case, added Edgar, has also led Sarmiento to accuse Altarejos of “verbally abusing me, hitting me, slapping me, and punching my stomach on the set of Saecula, Saecolorum (retitled TPO, Temporary Protection Order), Altarejos’ official entry to the Sinag Maynila 2016 Film Festival, and also warned her against filing a criminal case against him.”

Edgar described TPO, based on the script of Ricky Lee, as “both realistic and mystical in exploring domestic abuse and the attraction that binds the victim and the abuser in a cyclical violence.”

PAMI (Professional Artists Managers, Inc.) has issued the following (belated) statement on the matter, signed by Ethel Ramos (chairman), June T. Rufino (president) and members Joji Dingcong, Cornelia “Angge” Lee, Bettina Aspillaga, Popoy Caritativo, Sandra Chavez, Leo Dominguez, Malou Choa-Fagar, Veana Fores, Ricky Gallardo, Dolor Guevarra, Norma Japitana, Shirley Kuan, Perry Lansigan, Carlo Orosa, Chito Roño, Manny Valera, Arnold Vegafria, Betchay Vidanes and Girlie Rodis (Dalin Sarmiento’s manager who filed the complaint with PAMI).

One of our PAMI members, Girlie Rodis, has brought to our attention that she is currently representing indie actress, Dalin Sarmiento, who has shared with her that she was physically abused by Indie Director, Joselito “Jay” Altarejos, during the filming of “In Saecula Saeculorum,” an official entry to Sinag Maynila 2016.

Said director slapped her, hit her in the arms several times, punched her stomach, and pulled her hair off-camera during the filming of the movie. All these were done without prior warning or permission from her. She was also subjected to verbal power-tripping on set. Moreover, Jay Altarejos went on to slander Dalin Sarmiento in public through Facebook.

As an association of managers, we strongly denounce all acts that create an unsafe environment for our talents in the workplace.

There is no place for violence and aggression in our industry. Verbal and physical abuse must never be tolerated. All members of the creative process must be treated equally and with respect. We should all rise as one and proclaim that never again must these incidents be allowed to happen.

We support Dalin Sarmiento in her quest for non-violence in any working set.

(Note: According to Edgar Cruz, Jay Altarejos has already apologized on his Facebook. “The issue started on Facebook, so Jay decided to issue an apology on his Facebook,” explained Edgar.)

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)

Dec 142015
 
WATCH: MMFF 2015 thriller entries ‘Honor Thy Father,’ ‘Nilalang’

Former Japanese adult video Maria Ozawa stars in the movie “Nilalang,” one of the entries in the upcoming 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival. Contributed photo MANILA, Philippines – Two thrillers are part of the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival. John Lloyd Cruz’ “Honor Thy Father” and Cesar Montano and Maria Ozawa’s “Nilalang” are part of the eight entries in this year’s film festival. The film “Honor Thy Father” tells the story of a father (Cruz) who is trying to save his family after his wife (Meryl Soriano) convinced a rich couple to invest on her father’s “easily get rich” business. Unfortunately, his father was killed and the money went missing. Now the couple threatens to kill his family if the money is not returned. This film is the first entry of John Lloyd in the film festival, and will also be his first time to join the annual film fest. Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Meanwhile, “Nilalang” tells the story of a cop (Montano) who is trying to resolve the murder of fourteen women, which happens to be similar to the one that happened in Japan. He then seeks the help of Miyuki (Ozawa), without knowing that her life is also in danger. The film almost didn’t push through after Robin Padilla begged off from doing the film to focus on Mariel Rodriguez’ pregnancy. A week after Mariel had a miscarriage. READ: Robin Padilla backs out of MMFF entry with Maria Ozawa After almost a month, Read More …

Nov 202015
 
Kyla still ‘flying high’ on her 15th year

Kyla was emotional when she recalled the 15 years of her journey together with her fans at the “Kyla Flying High” concert.  MANILA, Philippines – After 15 years in the industry, Kyla proves that she still has a lot to offer. On Friday, Kyla celebrated her 15th year in the industry through the “Kyla Flying High” concert that happened at the Kia Theater in Cubao, Quezon City. “This means so much to me,” she said at the opening of her show. “Welcome to a milestone year in my life.” She then recalled how as a child she would pretend performing in New York in front of a big crowd who are applauding her talent. “It was just an ordinary dream for me from Tondo and now, who would have thought na it’ll be an extraordinary reality for me,” she said. “Tonight is a special night of special moments filled with the best music and I wish that I’ll leave smiles in your faces.” One of the highlights of the show is when she performed the song “Hanggang Ngayon,” which she said changed her life. Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “[Year] 2000 no’ng ni-release ko po ang song na ‘to from my album ‘Way to Your Heart.’ Hindi ko talaga ine-expect na magiging hit song siya talaga,” she said about the song. “Kaya ngayon, gusto ko talaga muling ipakilala sa inyo the song na bumago a buhay ko,” she added. While she was performing, the people lit Read More …

Nov 032015
 
'Honor Thy Father' to be part of MMFF 2015

“Honor Thy Father,” which stars John Lloyd Cruz and directed by Erik Matti, will be part of the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival.  MANILA, Philippines — The John Lloyd Cruz-starrer “Honor Thy Father” will be part of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. According to reports, “Honor Thy Father” will replace the historical film “Hermano Puli,” which was supposed to star GMA-7 artist Aljur Abrenica and to be directed by Gil Portes. It was earlier reported that “Hermano Puli” pulled out of the annual film festival due to lack of funding. READ: ‘Honor Thy Father’ may replace ‘Hermano Puli’ in MMFF “Honor Thy Father,” directed by Erik Matti, was submitted earlier this year to be part of the 2015 MMFF. However, it was not chosen as the film festival’s official eight entries and was instead sidelined as a one of the two reserve entries. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last September. Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 It will also open this year’s Cinema One Originals film festival this November 8. With “Hermano Puli” backing out of the film festival, here are the eight entries in 2015 MMFF. “All You Need is Pag-ibig” (starring Kris Aquino, directed by Dan Villegas) “Beauty and the Bestie” (starring Vice Ganda and Coco Martin, directed by Wenn Deramas) “Buy Now, Die Later” (starring Alex Gonzaga, Rayver Cruz and Vhong Navarro, directed by Randolph Longjas) “Haunted Mansion” (starring Janella Salvador, directed by Jun Lana) “Honor Thy Father” (starring Read More …

Sep 092015
 
Young JV and friends in new album

In his latest release YJV, Young JV collaborates with KZ Tandingan, Karylle and Vice Ganda After two hit albums under his belt, the platinum-selling Ready or Not and the gold record Doin’ It Big, Young JV is making a bid to repeat the success with his latest release, YJV. And the singer-actor is getting a little help from some of his friends. Working with recent Philpop winner Thyro Alfaro, the Star Records and Cornerstone co-managed artist recently scored a hit with the upbeat song called Ale. The music video for the song is also making waves in music channels and various social media sites. The new five-song album sees the young rapper collaborate with the likes of KZ Tandingan on Mismo Baby and Karylle on Hurts So Bad, tracks he co-wrote with ace songwriters Jungee Marcelo and Marcus Davis Jr. But his list of friends who lent him a hand does not end there. YJV, which will soon be re-released as a repackaged album, now gives Young JV the chance for another noteworthy collaboration with Vice Ganda. The two worked together to come up with the track PasaDiyos for inclusion in the special edition release. The exciting third album, as Young JV says, will be “a fusion of EDM (electronic dance music) and R&B.” Moreover, he described this combination of music genre as “an explosion of heavy, melodic and uplifting synths that can only come from my heart.” The heartfelt offering to fans has endeared the young rapper to his Read More …

Aug 262015
 
Healthy inside out

MANILA, Philippines – Among today’s showbiz celebrities, Regine Tolentino ranks high among the list of age-defiers — the elite few whose youthful looks and lithe physiques make it look like they’ve stumbled upon the secret to immortality. Unlike her much younger contemporaries who have all succumbed to “going under the knife” to hack away at those unsightly fats and unwanted pounds, Regine can only shake her head at such shortcuts, which only provide short-term results. In her book, real wellness — and the beauty that springs forth from it — comes from within. A stickler for the all-natural approach to fitness, Regine’s success story is a testament to the benefits of a healthy diet, regular exercise, a happy disposition and a harmonious family relationship, which have made her the best choice for her latest endorsement for Organique, a nutritional drink derived from the Acai (pronounced ah-sah-ee) berry originally found in the Amazon jungles, which has been recently touted for its miraculous health benefits. “It was my brother and his group of martial artist friends who first told me about this Acai berry,” Regine recalls. She adds, “And it was serendipitous that the Organique people approached me during an event last year, where they encouraged me to try it. And because I loved the results, I’d always tell my friends about it. I guess that’s when they realized that I’d make the perfect endorser, along with Ms. Cory Quirino, another tireless health and beauty advocate.” Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: Read More …

Aug 232015
 
Wally Bayola multiplied

The varied characters played by Wally on Eat, Bulaga!, from a self-made duktora to an over-protective grandmother to a flirtatious English-speaking girl named Duhrizz who has a crush on Alden Richards (shown below with Wally as Lola Nidora and her nanny Yaya Dub)— PHOTOS FROM THE EAT, BULAGA! FACEBOOK AlDub Nation was relieved…rejoicing! The highly-touted YaKie wedding of the reluctant Divina Ursula Bokbokova Smash (a.k.a. Yaya Dub) and Frankie Amoy Arenoli (played by Jose Manalo) was aborted because the pastor was exposed to be an impostor and the doctor was a charlatan as well, promised money by Lola Nidora to diagnose her as a terminal case so she could extort P51,500M from Frankie.  Alden Richards was relieved, too. He wiped his tears (“They were real!” assured Joey de Leon, one of the Eat, Bulaga! hosts) and swapped flying kisses with Yaya Dub. Expect the AlDub long-distance/split-screen romance to continue until it hits happily-ever-after. Off-screen, the one laughing the hardest could be Wally Bayola whose career has gotten an unexpected second wind with his evolving character (starting with a doctor who dished out tips from a self-made medical booklet) in the Problem-Solving portion of the noontime show’s peripatetic segment Juan For All, All For Juan. Isn’t Wally confused playing those multiplied all-female characters? Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Sometimes I do,” Wally told Funfare, “especially sa boses. They would remind me, ‘Hoy, hindi ka si duktora, si Lola Nidora ka.’ We just laugh about it.” Added to Read More …

Aug 222015
 
‘Dimple & Simple’

Alden ‘The Dimple’ Richards with the ALDUBARKADS — Pia Guanio, Pauleen Luna, Julia Clarete, Anjo Yllana, Keempee de Leon, Sam YG, Ruby Rodriguez and Ang Poet N’yo. By the way, yun nga palang mga may ALDUB-PRESYON ay dinadala namin sa KILIG-NIC! Nangyaring KALYESERYE problemang maganda, Kami man ay hirap ipaliwanag s’ya! Anthropologists, Sociologists, etcetera, Para maintindihan ay tulong-tulong na! Maraming nagsusuri kung bakit s’ya ganyan, Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Sa tamang panahon daw sikreto’t dahilan, May mga meeting daw upang pag-aralan, May mga nag-meeting din para lang siraan? At eto pa NAKATUTU-NAKATATAWA — Mga tagahanga nagtatalo-talo pa! Tungkol sa mangyayari ay may kanya-kanya, Sa ‘ming KALYESERYE nagkatrapik-trapik na! Katuwaang gumawa ng pagkukumpara Ang Poet N’yo ng Kalyeserye at sa iba, Nang malaman kung merong naggagaya-gaya, At baka kung bakit mahalina’y makita! Kung ang Kapamilya ay may Bahay ni Kuya, Dito naman sa’min ay sa LUPA NI LOLA! At alam n’yo namang P-B-B ‘yung kanila, PA-BE-BE naman ang nais ng Kabarkada! Ngeh! At kahit pa nga sila pa ang nauna, PA-BE-BE na kami’t ‘wag nang makialam pa! Eh kasi pag sa Tagalog binigkas sila Ay magiging PA-BA-BA ang letra pagbasa! Ngek! Eh ‘yan naman ay kung maniniwala ka, Eh kami nga unang salita pag binasa Nang paatras… E-A-T… Ngek! O, alam n’yo na? At natatapak-tapakan pa nga, hindi ba? At para sa akin ‘yun din nama’y maganda, Dahil “dumi” na ‘yan sa lupa makikita, At bukod sa “swerte” raw’y sumisimbulo pa Ang lupa sa nakararaming mga Read More …

Aug 192015
 
Body Talk with the Mutya Queen

Like the current Crush Ng Bayan Alden Richards of the surprise kalyeserye hit Aldub of Eat, Bulaga! Juan For All, All For One segment, newly-crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific Leren Mae Bautista is from Laguna. “I am a promdi (from the province),” Alden told The STAR, “and I’m proud of it.” And so is Leren. Asked during the contest’s crucial final Q&A what tourist destination fitted her personality, Leren was confident. “Laguna. Because in my province, I learned the value of being responsible…responsible for myself, responsible for my family and responsible in a way that benefits others as well.” Leren is one of three children, the only girl and the youngest. She finished elementary grades at the Maquiling School Incorporated, high school at Trace College and college at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba. An Aquarian (Jan. 28, 1993), she stands 5’9”, weighs 128 lbs. and measures 36-26-36.5. Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Being a beauty queen was not really my childhood dream,” confessed Leren. “But when I started joining pageants when I was in third year college, I realized that I loved the challenge. Na-enjoy ko na.” She looks up to Misses Universe Philippines Venus Raj and Ara Arida (also from Laguna), and Miss World Megan Young as role models. “Their pageant journey was so inspiring. They never stopped believing and I really admire them for that.” How did you prepare for the Mutya pageant? “I prepared my mind and body because I Read More …

Aug 192015
 
Liza Soberano plans to celebrate debut with 4 charity events

In this June 7, 2015 file photo, Liza Soberano performs with Enrique Gil for the finale of the ABS-CBN talent show “Your Face Sounds Familiar.” “Ayoko po talaga…as I said, nervous po ako ‘pag madaming tao. Like kunwari Star Magic Ball, kinakabahan na po ako,” Liza said when asked about her thoughts on having a full-blast debut. Philstar.com/Jonathan Asuncion MANILA, Philippines – “I’m not really big on gifts. I like giving back on my birthday,” Liza Soberano said during the press launch of Camp Courage of Johnson & Johnson when asked about her preferred gift for her birthday on Wednesday. According to the ABS-CBN star, who will turn 18 on January 4, she would rather give away stuff than receive big gifts.  Therefore, she plans to have four charity events in celebration of her 18th birthday. “I’m gonna request sana help from my endorsements to help me so that I have my giveaways to give sa charity events ko,” said Liza when asked about how she is planning to organize the events. Despite her popularity, Soberano is keen on having a simple, intimate celebration. READ: Liza Soberano bares goals before having a boyfriend “Ayoko po talaga… as I said, nervous po ako ‘pag madaming tao. Like kunwari Star Magic Ball, kinakabahan na po ako,” she explained. Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “I’d rather keep it simple and nasa comfort zone ko kasi birthday ko, so I should enjoy. Ayoko yung ma-stress ako sa debut ko kasi ninenervous ako, kailangan uptight ako, ganun,” added Soberano, who also mentioned about not being comfortable on wearing ball gowns and the like. The “Just the Way You Are” star also revealed that she isn’t much of Read More …