Melai Cantiveros says she will always have time for Jason Francisco

As part of ABS-CBN’s newest noontime variety show Happy Yipee Yehey!, Melai Cantiveros shared that her boyfriend Jason Francisco is both happy and excited about her newest project.

“Sabay kami na-shock din siya nung nalaman namin. Siyempre masaya naman siya para sa akin kasi may noontime show na ako,” she said.

Melai said that she is nervous about how the show will do and shared that the entire cast and crew have been working very hard to come up with a good show.

“Kinabahan nga ako eh. Sana makayanan namin para mag-rate. Si God na ang bahala sa atin dito,” she added.

Until now, Melai says she cannot believe she was chosen to be part of the Happy Yipee Yehey! ensemble.

“Nasuwertehan lang siguro ako na nalagay ako dito. Siyempre deserve ko naman siguro pero na-shock ako na parang sino ba ako para mapili ‘di ba? pero choks lang, thank you very much na lang. Yun na lang iniisip ko,” she said.

Even with her new daily show and other projects, Melai isn’t bothered by the fact that she might not have as much time for Jason anymore since they still have another project they’re doing together, Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Mana Po.

“Mabuti nga ngayon meron akong noontime show, dati kasi di ba parati kami magkasama sa aming mga show? Dahil magkasama kami palagi, kesa magkasawaan kami, mag-away kami ganyan-ganyan, mabuti ito para medyo magkahiwalay kami ng konti. At least mami-miss namin ang isa’t isa, ganun. Pero kahit papano meron pa rin naman kami time para sa isa’t isa kasi may indie film tapos meron din kaming Mana Po so choks lang yun,” she said.

The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate said that having a little distance between them will actually be beneficial for their relationship.

“Hindi naman ako nababahala kasi mas gusto namin ngayon na maghiwalay din minsan kasi lagi na kami magkasama. Minsan nag-aaway kami kasi hindi na mabigay yung kinakailangan ng isa’t isa so mabuti ngayon mami-miss namin ang isa’t isa. Para meron kaming thrill sa aming relationship. Naisip ko rin yun,” she explained.

This coming Valentine’s Day, Melai said she prefers that Jason be the one to make plans for the both of them.

“Siya na bahala. Alangan naman ako pa ang magplano. May regalo na ako naiisip para sa kanya pero secret pa. Siyempre may naiisip isip na ako na gusto niya,” she said.

But if she were the one to decide, Melai said spending quality time together is what she considers the best gift he could give to her.

“Siyempre ang sa akin lang is gusto ko mag-spend kami ng time together. Kahit saan kami magpunta, kahit sa kalsada pa yan, basta maka-spend time kami together. Siyempre ang gusto ng babae romantic naman talaga. Kahit saan, kahit sa CR basta maraming flowers ‘di ba? (laughs) Hindi naman kailangan the best yung lugar. Kahit saan basta romantic na may flowers, nakaka-touch naman. Yan ang gusto ng babae. Yun lang ang aking choice, romantic,” she said. (report from Rhea Manila P. Santos, Push.com.ph)

Sarah Geronimo on Gerald Anderson and Matteo Guidicelli: ‘Pareho silang professional at gentleman’

Sarah Geronimo admitted that she had a heart-to-heart talk with director Mae Cruz together with her co-stars Gerald Anderson and Matteo Guidicelli before they started shooting their movie with Star Cinema.

But the Pop Star Princess didn’t say if she opened up to them about her past heartbreak as well, to help her internalize deep emotions for her character.

“Ano lang ‘yon, kasama si direk Mae nun, kami ni Gerald at Matteo, parang getting to know conversation. Nakapag-shooting na kami ng few days. Masaya po sa set, everyone’s positive, walang nakasimangot. Hopefully, ganun na rin ‘pag malapit na yung playdate,” said Sarah, who’s very careful when it comes to the media’s questions related to her love life.

Sarah also refused to comment on the fact that she used to be romantically linked to Matteo who had a huge crush on her.

But she was quick to say that she has good rapport with both of her leading men.

“Pareho silang professional at pareho silang gentleman, inaalalayan ka nila, yung respeto sa babae na co-star makikita mo sa kanila. Masaya, para nga kaming magkakaptid dun sa set, nagkagaanan kami ng loob agad. Pero sa ngayon hindi ko pa masabi yung mga bagay na napagkakasunduan namin kasi nasa proseso pa rin kami ng getting to know each other.”

As the current box office queen, there’s really pressure for Sarah to come up with another hit movie.

In the same way that Gerald is challenged to measure up to Sarah’s former ka-love team, John Lloyd Cruz.

But Sarah remains optimistic that their fans will support them no matter what.

“Ang pressure lagi namang nand’yan ‘yan. Yun nga, sabi ni Gerald let’s take it as a challenge, para pagbutihan ang trabaho namin para hindi ma-disappoint ang mga tao. Bahala na si Lord kung ano ang magiging outcome ng proyektong ito, kung ma-appreciate ng mga tao. Pero alam namin sa sarili namin binigay namin ang makakaya namin para pagandahin ang pelikula.”

Despite the intrigues about her love life and showbiz career, Sarah didn’t fail to entertain the guests of the 16th Jollibee Maaga Ang Pasko thanksgiving event at the Mandarin hotel last February 8.

She wowed them with her renditions of “Firework,” “Love Will Keep Us Together” and “Number One.”

“I feel so blessed na bahagi pa rin ako ng Jollibee family. Every Christmas nand’yan ang ‘Maaga Ang Pasko’ para bigyan ng happiness ang mga batang Pinoy. Aside from giving away toys and books, we also marked the turnover of the proceeds from the Jollibee and Friends dolls novelty promo to the Department of Education to build public school rooms in 2011. So I’m really proud to be part of a meaningful cause na tulad nito,” she cheerfully added. (report from Rachelle Siazon, Push.com.ph)

Venus Raj admits being star-struck in her first interview with Piolo Pascual

Venus Raj described her first week as segment host of Umagang Kay Ganda as happy.

She said that she is still adjusting to her new job, but is grateful that her fellow co-hosts are more than willing to assist to perform her job well.

The beauty-queen-turned-TV-host even joked that it is more difficult to be the interviewer than to be the interviewee.

“Kasi nasanay ako na kami ‘yung tinatanong, tapos ngayon kami ang mag-i-interview, magre-report, kung ano ang nangyayari. Kasi ‘pag interviewee ka sagot ka lang, hindi ka na mag-iisip ng itatanong mo… Nakakatuwa. Dati sanay na sanay ako ang ini-intervew. Ngayon ako naman ang nagtatanong. At least alam mo na ‘yung mga bagay na ‘di dapat tinatanong. Minsan may mga tanong na ayaw mo na ring sagutin pero kailangan mong sumagot.”

Last February 10, Thursday, Venus did her first celebrity interview which happened to be with Piolo Pascual.

Venus confessed that she was star-struck by the ultimate heartthrob.

“Sobra siyang makatingin,” she said giggling.

“Nakakaloka. Pero ang saya. Kasi ako, ‘yun lang ‘yung first time ko na nakita ko siya nang harapan.” She shared that she was touched by Piolo’s concern for her since the actor knew that she is still adjusting. “Sobrang bait niya, kasi sinasabi niya, ‘Okay relax ka lang kasi alam ko first time mo ‘to.’ Dream come true na ma-interview siya.”

Venus also wished that she could have the opportunity to interview the actor again.

Venus said that right now, she may still be falling short of other people’s expectations, but she is not affected.

“Alam naman nila siguro kung ano naman ang kakayanan ko, ‘yun din naman ang gagawin ko.”

She justified that she is still learning.

“Sobrang willing ako mag-improve kaya kung anuman ‘yung itinuturo nila, like nagpa-practice ako ng prompter reading araw-araw para at least kung ‘yun ang inaasahan nila, ibibigay ko sa show at sa mga viewers din, magagawa ko nang maayos.”

The Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up continued that she is also taking people’s criticisms constructively to make herself better.

“Kung ano ang gusto nilang ma-improve sa akin, tama lang na ginagawa nila ‘yon kesa naman sa nagkakamali ako on air tapos hindi nila sasabihin, ako naman ang mapapahiya. Para at least may improvement everyday.”

Venus also firmly believes that she was given this job because ABS-CBN can see that she can do it well. (report from Bernie Franco, Push.com.ph)

John Estrada reveals some details of his upcoming wedding to Priscilla Meirelles

Sobrang pinaghahandaan na ngayon nina John Estrada at Priscilla Meirelles ang kanilang garden wedding na gaganapin sa Thunderbird Resort sa La Union on February 26.

Exclusive na mapapanood sa Kapamilya network ang coverage ng kasal ng dalawa.

“Di pa namin napapag-usapan kung kailan ipapalabas pero yes, exclusive sa ABS-CBN. Nakaka-stress din pala ang pag-aayos ng wedding pero masaya dahil kasama ko si Priscilla,” pahayag ni John.

Magiging bahagi ng wedding entourage nina John at Priscilla ang ilan sa mga taong malapit sa kanila.

“Sa ABS-CBN of course si Tita Cory Vidanes, Mr. M, Ms. Kris Aquino, parang inspirational message sa amin at bible siya. Nandiyan si Lorna Tolentino, Randy Santiago, Anjo Yllana, Aiai Delas Alas, tapos Sharon Cuneta tapos Gabby. Yung best man ko dalawa, si Willie at si Richard,” pagde-detalye pa ni John.

Very special din ang participation ng mga anak nina Janice De Belen at John sa kasalang ito.

“Yung tatlong Maria ko, three daughters will be part of bridesmaids tapos yung anak kong lalaki, junior best man ‘yun,” dagdag pa ni John. Hindi rin daw muna matutuloy ang plano ng mommy ni Priscilla na ipakasal ang dalawa sa Brazil dahil sa bagong noon time show na gagawin ng aktor.

Saan naman kaya ang pina-planong honeymoon nina John at Priscilla after their garden wedding?

“Okay na yun, matagal naman kami nag-honeymoon. Hindi importante yun, ang importante kasal kami, nagmamahalan kami. Mga taong mahal din kami, yun ang importante,” pagtatapos ni John. (report from James Cantos, Push.com.ph)

Mariel Rodriguez is happy about Zanjoe Marudo and Bea Alonzo’s budding romance

Given her husband’s reputation as a certified ladies’ man, rumor has it that Mariel Rodriguez has been frequenting the set of Guns and Roses so that she could keep an eye on Robin Padilla and his leading lady Bea Alonzo.

But Mariel claimed that there’s no truth to such reports because she knows that the two are complete professionals.

“Although wala pa naman talaga akong naririnig na ganon, pero siguro ganon talaga, yun ang interpretation nila. But I am very excited for their show. We respect Bea, we respect Robin’s work. Robin has good work ethics. Siguro hindi naman siya tatagal for the last 25 years in the movie industry kung wala siyang work ethics ‘di ba? Hindi [ako nabo-bother na baka magkadevelopan sila], ngayon pa,” said Mariel in an interview with Push.com.ph.

Incidentally, Bea is currently dating Mariel’s ex-boyfriend Zanjoe Marudo.

When asked how she feels that the two are now an item, Mariel said that she’s really thrilled that Zanjoe has improved a lot when it comes to expressing his feelings.

“I am happy na nasasabi niya yung nararamdaman niya openly, that’s good.”

For the record, the bubbly TV host stressed that she has no angst towards Zanjoe even though they didn’t exactly part on good terms last year.

“Wala naman talagang issue kasi Zanjoe and I were no longer together when I met Robin last year. So kumbaga may closure naman kaya there are no issues for us to worry about.”

In fact, Mariel can see herself being good friends with Zanjoe again.

But there would have to be certain limitations because of her status as a married woman.

“E sa akin naman lahat ng nakilala mo na tao dapat talaga meron kayong friendship, what more towards someone that you had a relationship with? It’s just that we have to respect na I’m married now, parang hindi rin proper na lalabas kayo, parang hindi ko nakita na ganon ‘di ba?”

In the meantime, Mariel’s excited to celebrate her first Valentine’s Day with Robin.

Although she’s been working almost 24/7 for Happy Yipee Yehey!, she made sure that they would still have quality time together at home.

“Everyday is Valentine’s for us, kinikilig ako. Siyempre mag-uumpisa pa lang yung noontime show, so ang ang sabi lang niya sa akin, ‘Think of your work, don’t think about me first,’ very supportive naman siya. On my part, sinabihan ko din naman ang handler ko na basta Sunday and Monday ‘wag mo ko iko-commit ha. Wife ako n’yan. I’m really happy,” she beamed. (report from Rachelle Siazon, Push.com.ph)

Sarah Geronimo says she has learned her lessons from her career mistakes

Sarah Geronimo revealed that she learned a big lesson in 2010 as far as her career is concerned.

The Pop Star Princess received negative feedback from critics because of the unsuccessful short run of her last teleserye, Idol.

But the singer explained that what happened to her is not an isolated case.

“Sa lahat naman ng career natin may ups and downs,” she justified.

She then added that what is important is she learned from her mistake.

“Kung anuman ‘yung mga pinagdaanan ko na hindi masyadong maganda ang importante naman natuto ako, natuto ‘yung management (Viva Entertainment) ko ‘di ba? Para sa susunod mas alam na namin kung anong gagawin, mas magiging careful na kami sa mga desisyon na gagawin namin.”

Sarah also confirmed that her movie project with Gerald Anderson will push through next year.

The singer related that she has mixed emotions about their highly anticipated team-up.

“Siyempre nandun ‘yung excitement, alam naman natin na magaling na aktor si Gerald at nandun din ‘yung kaba, ‘yung tension kasi alam naman natin ang pinagdadaanan niya ngayon,” she said, referring to the controversies that the actor has recently dealt with concerning his personal and professional life.

Sarah added that she already has an idea what their movie will be about, but she has not yet talked to Gerald about it.

Aside from the movie, Sarah will also have a major Valentine concert in February 2011 together with Concert King Martin Nievera at the Araneta Coliseum.

On a personal note, Sarah denied claims that she and Matteo Guidicelli are already a couple, and they are supposedly hiding this from the public.

“Matagal ko nang hindi nakausap si Matteo through text messaging.”

She added that they don’t even get to communicate often.

Sarah laughed when Push.com.ph asked her if she intends on focusing on having a relationship by next year.

“Basta darating din ‘yan sa tamang panahon,” she replied.

For Christmas, Sarah shared that she will be going to her hometown in Pampanga to celebrate with her relatives. (report from Bernie Franco, Push.com.ph)

Angel Locsin and Phil Younghusband’s tweets cause a stir in online world

Mainit na pinag-usapan ang pagkapanalo ng Philippine Football Team na Azkals laban sa team Mongolia noong Miyerkules.

Kahapon, ang star player ng team na si Phil Younghusband ang naging sentro ng balita dahil ginulat nito ang lahat nang mag-post ng message sa twitter para kay Angel Locsin.

Niyaya ni Phil na maka-date si Angel sa darating na Valentine’s day. Narito ang eksaktong mensahe ni Phil para kay Angel.

“Hi Angel! This Phil. How are you? I was just wondering if you are free for Valentine’s day?”

Sinagot din agad sa twitter ng aktres ang imbitasyon ng binata sa kanya.

Ayon kay Angel ay mayroon daw siyang trabaho sa Valentine’s day pero very open naman daw ang dalaga na matuloy ang kanilang date sa ibang araw kapag maluwag na ang kanyang schedule.

Ito naman ang eksaktong sagot ni Angel kay Phil.

“Hi! This is Angel Congrats on your win last night! Tnx for the invite but I have work on Valentines..Let’s try another day ” Nagulat at natuwa si Phil dahil sa pagsagot ni Angel sa kanyang imbistasyon.

Matatandaang inamin ni Phil kamakailan na isa si Angel sa mga crushes niya sa showbiz, nabanggit din ng binata na apat na taon na rin siyang loveless tuwing Valentines.

Ngayon ay pina-follow na nina Angel at Phil ang isa’ isa sa twitter kaya posibleng nagpapalitan na rin sila ng direct messages.

Saan kaya hahantong ang imbistasyon ni Phil kay Angel at Kailan kaya matutuloy ang much-awaited date ng dalawa? Posible na magkagustuhan ang dalawa since pareho naman silang single sa ngayon. (report from James Cantos, Push.com.ph)

Sarah Geronimo hopes to reinvent herself this year

Aside from her career, Sarah Geronimo shared that she is also focused on improving herself this 2011.

“Gusto ko pang mag-improve pa as a singer [and] as an artist,” she said at the 16th Jollibee Maaga ang Pasko thanksgiving event at the Mandarin Orientel Hotel, Makati, last February 8, Tuesday.

While she is aware that it is challenging, Sarah is determined to work on her singing and acting career at the same time.

“Kasi mahirap talagang pagsabayin kapag focused ka sa isang bagay, [pero] ‘yung balance lang ng mga priorities [ang kailangan].”

She said that she is doing this to make her supporters proud of her.

“Para hindi ko naman ma-disappoint ang mga taong naniniwala sa akin, ‘yung mga supporters also.”

Likewise, she also wants to prove her detractors wrong.

“Sa critics [at] dun sa mga hindi natutuwa sa akin, inspirasyon ko sila. Bahagi [sila] ng inspirasyon para pagbutihin ko itong trabaho ko,” she explained.

The Pop Star Princess also said that she is thinking of reinventing herself.

“Importante kasi ‘yon, bilang artist, ‘yun nga para laging may bagong nakikita ‘yung tao, para hindi sila magsawa.”

When Push.com.ph asked the singer-actress if she will strive for an edgier image, she replied, “Hopefully. Sana po. Sana sa tulong ng team na tumutulong sa akin, mula sa make-up artist, wardrobe, manager ko, sana magkaroon ng reinvention naman.”

Part of her resolution is to be more physically fit for health reasons and to look good.

“Siguro dahil gumagawa kami ng movie tapos may concert din. Also ‘yung pag nagpe-perform ako hindi magandang tingnan ‘pag sumasayaw ka ‘di ba? Mahirap din gumalaw ‘pag ganun.”

She was quick to add though that showing more skin is out of the question.

“Wala naman akong ipapakita,” she joked. “Mag-tone lang para hindi naman [pangit] tingnan.”

Sarah will be holding a Valentine concert with Martin Nievera at the Araneta Coliseum on February 12.

She said that it is a big blessing to have the chance to work with him and that she hopes to learn a lot from Martin in terms of performing

Meanwhile, Sarah has also started shooting with Gerald Anderson for her next movie and described her new leading man as a real gentleman. (report from Bernie Franco, Push.com.ph)

Piolo Pascual is looking forward to seeing KC Concepcion on his Valentine concert

Noong isang linggo ay naging successful ang pagtatapos ng teleseryeng Noah dahil sa magandang feedback sa programa.

Sa ngayon ay pahinga muna si Piolo Pascual sa paggawa ng teleserye, pero mayroon ibang pinagkaka-abalahan ang aktor ngayon.

Pinaghahandaan ni Piolo ang kanyang series of shows na gagawin sa Amerika.

“Punta muna ako sa States, magtu-tour ako. I’m doing six shows in March, puro America lang,” bungad ni Piolo.

Bukod sa concert tour abroad ay dalawang pelikula rin ang susunod na gagawin Piolo at sa America rin daw kununan ang isa dito.

“I’m doing a movie while I’m there. Pagbalik ko ay simulan ko yung movie dito by April. Di pa napa-finalize yung casting. Malalaman natin, wala pa kaming artista. Wala pa yung final concept kung sino at ano ang istorya. But I’m still looking forward to working with Kim Chiu because nakakasa na yun eh kumbaga,” pahayag pa ng aktor.

Magsisimula na rin daw gawin by April or May ang Bagong TV show ni Piolo.

Looking forward ngayon si Piolo sa pagdating ni KC Concepcion sa kanyang Valentine Concert na gaganapin sa PICC on February 14.

“I’m so excited, we wanted to get her as a guest kaso nga siyempre she opted to just watch, being in the audience, and I think it’s sweeter because hindi trabaho. She’s just really there to watch,” pagtatapos pa ng aktor. (report from James Cantos, Push.com.ph)

Jericho Rosales says he doesn’t mind spending Valentine’s Day alone

While he’s busy wrapping up work for the February 14 premiere of his newest teleserye Green Rose, Jericho Rosales is also busy with last minute preparations for his Valentine concert entitled And I Love Her.

The actor, who has consistently denied rumors linking him to Andi Manzano, said he has no Valentine’s date this year.

Instead, the singer-actor plans to spend February 14 out of town after a scheduled doctor’s appointment.

“May date ako, with my chiropractor. I have a neck problem because of an accident on the show. Nalalag ako, na-aksidente, yung leeg ko. Medyo na-disalign yung isang buto. Nakabaluktot siya ng ganun. So ginagamot namin ngayon. Kung napansin niyo hindi ako masyado nag-gagagalaw lately. Yun lang yun. Sa February 14, baka mag-surf na lang ako. Ginawa ko na yun three years ago. Kasama ko naman yung best friends ko,” he shared during the Green Rose press con held last February 9 at the ABS-CBN compound.

After his breakup with SNN reporter Cesca Litton late last year, Echo said he has no regrets about keeping their relationship relatively low-key.

”We were open naman. But it’s not that open kasi hindi ko gustong masyadong pinag-uusapan. Yun yung respeto ko dun sa kanya, sa akin, sa family because katulad ng sabi ko, hindi ko gustong na-te-tense yung relationship namin, parang ganun. And I really respect everyone na rumespeto dun sa kagustuhan ko na medyo quiet lang. She’s not really showbiz na showbiz ‘di ba so hindi siya sanay sa relationship na showbiz. Ako sanay na ako eh and alam ko na yung repercussions at consequences pag ganun so I said its better for us to be quiet so that we can enjoy it to just stay quiet. We’re not hiding na hindi tayo or tayo, ganun,” he shared.

Echo said his relationship with Cesca was unique because of how they dealt with the breakup.

“I’m glad that we’re friends even though it didn’t work. She’s the first person na naging girlfriend ko na after ng relationship namin naging magkaibigan kami,” he admitted.

Echo also revealed minimal details about his concert And I Love Her, which runs February 11 to 12 at Teatrino, The Promenade in Greenhills.

“Obviously I want to keep it a surprise. Gusto kong i-surprise yung mga tao sa kung ano ang repertoire kasi hindi ko masasabi. Kakantahin ko yung mga original songs ko na naging hit din naman, maririnig niyo rin dun. But imagine niyo na lang na medyo may pagka-swing ng konti,” he said.

The show, which Echo co-directed with Paolo Valenciano, is one of the projects he has really been looking forward to for the year.

“When I say it’s a different kind of show, it’s something na hindi ko pa nagagawa and hindi pa siguro nakikita ng karamihan so I’m excited kung ano magiging reaction ng tao. May love songs ako definitely. It’s going to be fun. It’s just different. Hindi ko puwede ibitaw lahat ng mangyayari eh. But my dream kasi is mas masubukan ko yung pagiging stage actor, yung sa play. Makagawa ng musical. So I tried something here. Let’s see if it will work. So yun yung buong idea nun,” he said.

Echo, who also sang Green Rose’s theme song “Bumuhos Man Ang Ulan,” said that he hopes to pursue singing as much as acting this year which makes his concert very meaningful for him.

“For me, this kind of show is a dream come true. So it really means a lot. Sir Gary Valenciano is helping out with the production. Ito na yun, ito yung future ko eh. Gusto ko mag-produce nung mga concerts, mga shows, eto na yun. I’m living my dream right now. I promise you, even though madaming nagsasabi sa akin ng negative stuff, hindi ako nagpapatama dun. Basta I want to entertain people and I want to show them na eto talaga yung buhay ko. Meron akong special guest pero hindi ko talaga masasabi kung sino. But all I can promise you is I will try my best. We’ve prepared something good para sa lahat ng manunuod so I’m hoping that they will like the show,” he shared. (report from Rhea Manila P. Santos, Push.com.ph)

ShoutOut, Tambayan ng Kabataang Pinoy is Over

Post from JaCia.net

February 10, 2011… a memorable day for a lot of us. On this day, our very own Tricia Santos performed on a production number in Shoutout Level-up together with her fellow teenmates — Rhap, Kyle, Sue and Bret. And of course, as a JaCia Bebe, James Reid’s supportive reaction was exposed.

We thought that this means more production number for the second chance takers, but we are wrong. Later this day, we have read some intriguing tweets in the twitter world.

And here are some of them:

On Thursday 10th February 2011, @Sipatnishaider said:Happy, pero sad face beh?☺ –RT @Innosandino: Another day………sa lahat ng mga sumaya at sa mga tumangkilik…salamat……let’s all sleep and be happy..*

On Thursday 10th February 2011, @Sipatnishaider said:@sam_concepcion wala namang may gusto…we just have to deal with what fate dealt us… I’m sure di **** dito natatapos ang lahat… Naninwala kami na malayo ang mararating ng lahat ng @letsSHOUTOUT teenmates … ♥♥♥.

On Thursday 10th February 2011, @Sipatnishaider saidaniiiiiiiiiiii…stopppppeeeet –RT @danitiongsonjr: sana paggising nila magbago ang isip nila! i still have faith, kaya matulog tau ng may mga ngiti at pagasa na maganda ang magiging bukas =)

Babaha bukas! RT @Sipatnishaider: @juliebelb ayaw paawat ng @letsSHOUTOUT teenmates sa twitter chat… Paano na lang bukas? Haaaaaaaaaaaay….

Its a start of a greater beginning**RT @Rhap_Salazar: @danitiongsonjr @Sipatnishaider @jumarjomar @anythingpotato Thank you, Thank you so much! mamimiss ko kayo?*

Based on these tweets, one thing entered our minds. Shoutout Level Up is over. February 11, 2011, is the final day for us to be with the teenmates, for us to see all the teenmates – the regular hosts, team UP, team OVERLOAD and team COOLELATS.

Without any notice to the fans of the teenmates and of the show, this will going to be a surprise, especially for those who are not aware of what’s happening on the said social networking site. Everyday at 4:15 PM many were waiting for the show to air. Many wanted to see how the teenmates prove their worth, not just to their mentors but most especially to the fans that were supporting them.

For most of us who were also tweeting and were followers of the people behind Shoutout, this is a big disappointment. We have been looking forward for more production numbers especially for James Reid and Tricia Santos. We have been looking forward for the Teenmates’ improvement. We expected that the show will continue, for all the Teenmates did their best to give the televiewers a worthwhile show.

And, with the rumors spreading around, different kinds of emotions were expressed, not just by the teenmates but also by the fans. Many were sad, frustrated and disappointed. A lot of us were wishing, that Shoutout will continue to air. Like one tweet posted above, we are hoping that the Executives and ShoutOut Officials will change their minds.

John Estrada says he will give exclusive coverage of his wedding to ABS-CBN

As his February 26 wedding to his longtime girlfriend Priscilla Meirelles draws near, Happy Yipee Yehey! host John Estrada admitted he is in high spirits in anticipation for his upcoming nuptials despite the fact that Willie Revillame will not be one of his best men anymore.

The 37-year-old comedian-host said he originally planned to have two of his closest friends in showbiz stand with him at the altar to be with his new bride, but with the recent turn of events, it looks like it will just be his former Palibhasa Lalake co-star Richard Gomez who will take that position.

“Dalawa talaga sila ni Goma na best man. So si Goma na lang ngayon. Wala na akong magagawa dun kung nag-back out siya. Desisyon na niya yun. Sa akin lang naman, kung ‘di man siya sisipot, as long as sisipot si Priscilla, masaya na ako. (laughs),” he said in jest during the Happy Yipee Yehey! presscon held last February 8 at the Dolphy theater inside the ABS-CBN compound.

Although he was initially in talks with TV5 for the coverage of his wedding, John said that he decided to give exclusive rights to ABS-CBN after the recent turn of events, which included him getting unexpectedly axed from a show on his former network a short while after accepting ABS-CBN’s offer to do a noontime show.

But John said that TV5 has accepted the fact that he changed his mind about whom to give the TV rights to.

“Kausap ko yung mga taga-TV5 at sinabi nila sa akin na gusto nila ituloy. Pero parang nakakatawa dahil isipin mo sila magko-cover ng kasal tapos after nun parang, ‘Thank you ha, wala na next week ha!’ Ganun. ‘Di ba parang naman hindi naman makatotohanan yun. So sinabi ko sa kanila na although wala naman kaming pinipirmahan pang kontrata, sabi ko, ‘Pagpasensiyahan niyo na pero ibibigay ko na sa ABS-CBN ito.’ Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa ABS-CBN. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako kay Tita Cory (Vidanes), Tita Charo (Santos) at kay Boss Gabby (Lopez) at kinuha na nila ang exclusive coverage ng kasal ko,” he said.

Although he is excited to start working on Happy Yipee Yehey!, John expressed sadness over having to sever ties with a network that he still fells very grateful to for having given him good career opportunities.

“When I talked with ABS-CBN executives over lunch, ang hinihingi sa akin ng channel 2 nun ay umalis na sa ako sa 5. Sinabi ko sa kanila na hindi ko puwedeng iwanan yun dahil sila ang nagbigay sa akin ng sitcom na matagal ko ng hinihingi dito at nagpapasalamat ako na kinuha ako ng TV5. Hindi pa si Manny Pangilinan ang may-ari nun. Masakit lang nung nalaman ko dahil sinabi sa akin na aalisin na ako sa mga programa ko. Dun sa isang program, I had to resign pero dun sa isang sitcom ay nalaman ko na aalisin na nila ako. Alam naman siguro natin kung paano mag-isip, we can read between the lines,” he said, alluding to the fact that things are connected to his having chosen to forego that network’s counter offer for another show for him and Randy Santiago that Willie Revillame was supposedly arranging for.

John said he feels most disappointed about the fact that he has been asked to leave a program that he has been a part of for the past three years.

“Ang totoo ay nasaktan ako dahil matagal na ako dun eh. Yung mga artista dun naging close ko na rin so kung tatanungin mo ako kung anong reaction ko dun sa tinanggal sa akin na sitcom ay medyo masakit sa akin,” he shared.

Despite everything that has happened, John still hopes that things will eventually smooth over between him and Willie.

He said that he understands his best friend’s sentiments, but he hopes that their friendship will still endure in the end.

“Totoo na medyo naputol yung communication namin for some reason, hindi ko alam. Kami ni Randy, sinusubukan naming palambutin ang puso niya. Parati naming sinasabi na wala talagang maaayos sa mundo kung walang komunikasyon o pag-uusap. Hindi natin makakamtan yun dahil yung kabilang kampo eh ayaw kaming sagutin. Kami naman ay walang hinahangad na masama sa kanya. Dahil kami ay tao lang, tumanggap lang kami ng trabaho dahil may sari-sarili kaming pamilya at dahil dun, kung sumama man ang loob niya, humihingi kami ng pasensya. Pero kailangan naming magtrabaho dahil may buhay kami na sarili namin at alam ko one of these days, darating ang panahon na mag-aayos din kami at sana hindi na magkakagalit,” he said. (report from Rhea Manila P. Santos, Push.com.ph)

Toni Gonzaga says she waited six years to host a daily noontime show on ABS-CBN

For the first time since she became a Kapamilya, Toni Gonzaga finally agreed to host a daily noontime show via Happy Yipee Yehey. Apparently, she refrained from doing so to avoid conflict when she first transferred to ABS-CBN in 2004.

“Sinabi ko nun kay Ms. Linggit (Tan) na ‘wag po muna [akong ilagay sa noontime show] kasi masyadong maaga. Sinabi ko yun in respect dun sa dating programa na kinabibilangan ko [which is Eat Bulaga]. Although nandun talaga yung level of comfortability ko when it comes to hosting, kasi mas dun ako nasanay, dun ako nagsimula. So instead I did ASAP, which is a variety show. So I’ve waited six years for this to happen,” she said during the grand presscon of "Happy Yipee Yehey!" last February 8.

As a matter of fact, Willie Revillame also asked her to co-host the now-defunct noontime show, Wowowee, at that time.

“I remember even si Mr. Willie Revillame, he approached me nung bago pa lang ako na, ‘Mag Wowowee ka na, i-try mo na.’ Sabi ko, ‘E respeto na lang dun sa dati kong show na kinabibilangan. Tapos nung dumating ‘tong offer na ‘to, ang hirap tumanggi at sabihing ayoko. Kasi I’m taking it as a blessing para pagkatiwalaan ng management sa isang ganitong programa kasama sila kuya John (Estrada), kuya Randy (Santiago), Mariel (Rodriguez) and the rest of the cast. Ang hirap-hirap magsabi ng no, so yun.”

Toni further explained that it’s not as if having her as host is a huge threat to Happie Yippie Yehey’s rival program.

As it is, she and her co-hosts would rather focus on doing their job than worry about TV ratings.

“Siyempre isa na pong institusyon ang katulad ng Eat Bulaga na 30 years na naging bahagi ng iba’t ibang henerasyon. Ang sa amin ho kasi, ang main goal namin hindi na po makipag-compete. We’re just here to give an alternative to make the people happy. At the end of the day, kaya kami nagkasama-sama is because gusto namin magpasaya ng kapamilya kasi ‘di ba nawalan po tayo ng noontime show. So ngayon babalik kami kami para makapagbigay ng pera, magbigay ng saya at in a way makapag-inspire ng mga kapamilya natin araw-araw.”

But she did not deny the fact that her movie with Vic Sotto got cancelled because of her decision to be part of Happy Yipee Yehey.

“Yeah, hindi na siya tuloy because of this. Ganon po talaga, maraming mga bagay na kung hindi para sa atin, hindi para sa atin. Yung [movie ko noon with] Robin Padilla ’di natuloy, tapos ito rin, so medyo nasasanay naman tayo d’yan (laughs). Pero ang pangit naman kung ’di natutuloy dahil walang kapalit. Ang maganda naman dun, kaya ’di natuloy e dahil may maganda namang kapalit. So tignan na lang natin yung good effect or yung brighter side of things,” she added.

Toni also answered the issue of possible overexposure since she’ll be hosting three shows in all— Happy Yipee Yehey on weekdays plus ASAP and The Buzz on Sundays.

“Yung schedule ko siyempre may nag-aayos po nun. Regarding sa over exposure, siyempre hindi pa naman po tapos ang lahat, ‘di pa lumalabas ang noontime show, so alam ko magagawan ng paraan yung ibang program na kasama ako. Yung ABS-CBN management ang nag-decide sa akin na mag noontime show ako, so sila rin po siguro ang mag-aayos ng proper management ng oras tsaka exposure ko.” (report from Rachelle Siazon, Push.com.ph)

Toni Gonzaga and Mariel Rodriguez describe their friendship as a ‘work in progress’

Ever since it was announced that Toni Gonzaga and Mariel Rodriguez would both be on Happy Yipee Yehey!, people have been wondering how they would work together after their controversial falling out last year.

But during the press con of their upcoming noontime show, they refused to say how they managed to overcome their misgivings about their friendship.

“Kasi kung i-elaborate pa namin, ang haba na e. Tsaka ang hirap na rin pong mag-explain at magkwento dahil ang tagal na. Kahit ano pang sabihin namin, yung ibang tao may mindset na about us, so hayaan na lang namin. Ang importante, kaya kami nagkasama ulit ni Ma, hindi dahil may show, pero dahil matagal na rin kaming naging okay, actually last year pa naman. Siguro ngayon magiging sensationalized lang dahil ngayon lang ulit kami makikita na magkasama together,” said Toni who previously accused Mariel of betraying her several times.

Mariel admitted that she was scared that they would never be able to revive their friendship.

But one thing she learned from what they went through is the fact that anything could be solved through proper communication.

“Ako nagkaroon ng ganong worry na baka hindi na maibalik yung dating samahan, because the friendship matters. If you don’t care about the friendship, [deadma na] ‘di ba? Pero yun nga siguro yung magic dahil maganda yung foundation ng friendship namin [kaya nalampasan namin yung misunderstanding namin noon]. But it’s what happens after which matters now, na ngayon okay na kami.”

Toni further shared that they didn’t expect to be part of the same show soon after their reconciliation.

But it’s definitely meant to happen especially because they can’t deny the fact that they work so well together as hosts.

“Ako sobra akong na-excite sa idea na inofferan ako ulit mag-noontime show, mahirap naman tumanggi. Si Mariel naman, setting aside yung mga pinagdaanan namin, we worked together for many years already. Yung chemistry at rapport na nabuo namin, hindi mo makukuha na yun, buo na yun. So ang sarap ng feeling na magkakasama kayo sa isang show.”

At this point, Toni and Mariel were honest enough to say, however, that they’re not yet one hundred percent okay with each other.

Not because they have lingering doubts about their friendship, but it’s just that they’re still in the process of working things out.

“When you experience new storm or a bump in the road, tapos magsisimula kayo ulit, you take it one step at a time. It’s a work in progress,” said Toni.

To which Mariel added, “Parang sa mag-boyfriend at girlfriend ‘di ba? Ganon naman talaga yun e. Ito yung natural na nararamdaman namin ngayon. Hindi naman yung mine-measure na, ‘Ay mas close kami noon!’ Hindi na pinaplano, meron siyang tamang panahon.”

For now they’re still planning when they would spend quality time with their good friend Bianca Gonzalez who’s really thrilled with Mariel and Toni’s reconciliation.

“Siya ang pinakamasaya ngayon. We still have to set a date kasi ngayon we have dry runs for the show. Basta dadating tayo d’yan,” Mariel stated. (report from Rachelle Siazon, Push.com.ph)

2 missing after plane crashes on landing in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines — A light aircraft on Tuesday exploded on landing at an airport here at about 10 a.m., police said.

Chief Inspector Realito Rodriguez, deputy police chief of Lingayen, said Japhit Chua and Raven John Mirasol, both student pilots who were seen boarding the plane here at 9:25 a.m., were missing.

He said policemen and rescuers did not find Chua or Mirasol in the plane or near the crash site.

Citing witnesses' accounts, Rodriguez said the plane (body number RP-C8204) veered off the runway as it touched down. It then crashed into a concrete wall and exploded.

Officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines here declined to issue a statement pending an investigation. (report from Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon)

Arroyo hails Reyes for ‘courage, patriotic service’

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Former president and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hailed former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes for his “courage and patriotic service” as she condoled with his family over the untimely death.

“We join the family, friends and colleagues of Secretary Angelo Reyes in mourning his tragic passing. … We pray for the repose of his soul, and call on our people to remember above all his courage and patriotic service,” Arroyo said through her spokesperson Elena Horn-Bautista.

Arroyo said Reyes “served his country well in uniform and in the halls of government, particularly at a critical moment in our history when our people called for radical reform of governance, an extraordinary time that demanded extraordinary measures.”

Arroyo personally went to see Reyes at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center where he was brought after reportedly shooting himself.

In separate text messages, former colleagues of Reyes in the Arroyo Cabinet expressed sympathy to his family over his death.

Bohol Representative and former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said Reyes was not only a colleague in government service, but a family friend.

"Manong Angie [Reyes] saw me grow up playing tennis with his kids. He was a friend of my father. We continue to be in shock over what has happened and find it difficult to say much at this point except that we will sorely miss him,” Yap said.

Former presidential legislative liaison office head Jake Lagonera also expressed shock over the incident.

“Angie was a friend. I knew him as a good and honorable man. We worked together and I always found him to be a gentleman. He will be missed,” he said.

Former Public Works Secretary Vic Domingo remembered Reyes as a man who deeply cared for the environment.

“I remember working with Secretary Reyes on the reforestation of the denuded mountains around Catbalogan [Samar] while I was presidential assistant for Eastern Visayas. He was a man who cared deeply for the environment ,” Domingo said.

Reyes served as chief of staff, defense secretary, local government secretary and energy secretary during the nine-year administration of Arroyo from 2001 to 2010. He played a large role in catapulting Arroyo to power when, as Armed Forces chief, he led the military in ousting then president Joseph Estrada in a second “people power revolt.” (report from Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, Inquirer.net)

Suicide one of the biggest sins against life — Bishop Iñiguez

MANILA, Philippines — It is one of the biggest crimes and sins against life. If a person committed suicide, he is not allowed a Christian burial.

This was what Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said in a Radyo Inquirer interview Tuesday regarding the alleged suicide of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes who was recently tagged in massive corruption in the military.

Iñiguez, however, said that Reyes could still be granted a Christian burial “if there is any doubt that it was a deliberate suicide or there were signs of repentance before he died.” (report from Inquirer.net / DZIQ-Radyo Inquirer)

Reyes said ‘sorry’ — eyewitness

MANILA, Philippines — “Sorry” was the last word that former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes uttered when he committed suicide Tuesday morning in front of the grave of her mother at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.

This was according to a Radyo Inquirer interview with Feliciano Recorba, a contractual maintenance staff at the Loyala Memorial Park, who rushed to help Reyes upon hearing a gunshot.

“Ang narinig ko po na sinabi niya ay sorry, palagay ko po ay para sa anak [I heard him say sorry, perhaps to his son],” Recorba told Radyo Inquirer. (report from Don Lejano, DZIQ-Radyo Inquirer)

Australian fires destroy 68 homes

PERTH - Firefighters on Tuesday brought a raging wildfire that destroyed 68 houses and damaged 32 others near the Australian city of Perth under control, officials said.

As soldiers and emergency workers helped clean up and repair battered towns on the country's east coast and restore electricity to residents hit by top-strength Cyclone Yasi last week, blazes burned in the west.

"One hundred... firefighters have worked throughout the day and into the night to contain the fire," the Western Australia fire service said after an all-night battle to control a devastating fire that erupted Sunday.

Fast and unpredictable flames swept through rugged terrain at Roleystone, on Perth's southern fringes, and along its northern outskirts at Red Hill, levelling 68 homes and scorching hundreds of hectares (acres) of forest.

The smouldering ruins of houses dotted the landscape on the outskirts of the country's fourth largest city, as the flames that sent residents fleeing from their homes into emergency shelters died down.

"We are talking hundreds of people (homeless), with 68 homes, that's 68 families, that are affected," said Allen Gale of the state Fire and Emergency Services agency.

About 150 firefighters worked through the night to dig fire breaks and strengthen containment lines around the Roleystone blaze, which has burnt about 440 hectares (1,100 acres).

Officials said that despite the ferocious flames, firefighters managed to save a number of homes, sheds and fences from the fire, which was accidentally sparked by someone using an angle grinder.

No deaths or serious injuries were reported, but a fireman was in a stable condition in hospital after being hit by a vehicle while several other people were treated for smoke inhalation.

The fire came just four days after Cyclone Yasi hit Queensland state, wreaking at least Aus$500 million ($500 million) in crop damage, and weeks after record flooding that killed more than 30 people and swamped tens of thousands of homes in Queensland and Victoria.

An especially strong La Nina weather system, typically bringing cyclones and floods to Australia, has been blamed for the extreme conditions. (report from Agence France-Presse)

MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE 4) Former Armed Forces Chief and Defense Secretary Angelo Tomas Reyes on Tuesday morning committed suicide by shooting himself in front of the grave of his mother at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.

He was 65.

A close friend of Reyes called the Philippine Daily Inquirer to break the news, while Colonel Boogie De Leon, a former administrative officer of Reyes when he was AFP chief, said Reyes was rushed to the Quirino Hospital at about 7:45 a.m. to revive him. Members of his family could not be reached for comment.

De Leon said that Reyes’s son Jett called him up to inform him of the incident.

Reyes, who earlier suffered a mild stroke before the congressional investigations on the alleged AFP financial irregularities, said he could not take anymore the smear campaign against his name and his family.

“Not my family,” he said.

Reyes, who loved his mother very much when she was still alive, earlier told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview that he would never do anything that would besmirch the name of “my good mother.”

In a press conference aired on radio and television, Health Secretary Enrique Ona confirmed Reyes has died from gunshot wound to the heart. He said Reyes was proclaimed dead on arrival at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

Ona said the doctors tried to resuscitate Reyes who was brought to the hospital at 7:30 a.m. from Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City where he visited the grave of his mother.

Ona refused to say what caused the gunshot wounds and could not determine the kind of gun used, saying all these were under investigation.

He “was brought here to the emergency room, wala nang pulso at di na humihinga. Nilagyan ng tubo at nag-resuscitation, swero, binigyan ng gamot. But after 45 minutes, which means that at 8:32 a.m., talagang wala na (without pulse and not breathing. He was tubated and resuscitated, put on IV. But after 45 minutes, which means that at 8:32 a.m., he’s really gone)."

He had a gunshot wound to the heart and an external wound to the back. However, doctors cannot determine yet if the bullet wound was self-inflicted.

Ona said that an autopsy of the body of the retired general will be conducted to determine if he had committed suicide.

A bullet wound on the left side of the chest near the heart was the cause of death.

"Malamang may tama sa puso (The heart was probably hit)," Ona told reporters.

In a separate press briefing, Dr. Fernando Lopez, a spokesman for the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, said Reyes was brought to their hospital at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Reyes had no blood pressure, heart beat, and respiratory rate, his pupils were dilated, he was not breathing and had cold, clammy skin, Lopez said.

A gunshot wound, with entry point at the 5th intercostal space on the left side of the chest and with one centimeter in diameter was seen. The exit wound was on the left side of the back, also 1 centimeter in diamater.

Reyes, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class ’66, was AFP chief under President Joseph Estrada, and secretary of defense, interior and local government, and energy during the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from 2001 to 2003. He graduated as the class valedictorian in high school and was among the top ten graduates of the PMA.

He went on to obtain two masteral degrees, namely: Masters in Business Administration from Asian Institute of Management in 1973 and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1991. He also took up International Defense Management Course in Monterey, California in 1983.

In 1987, he graduated No. 1 in Trust Operations Management Course conducted by the Trust Institutes Foundation of the Philippines at the Ateneo Business School which eventually earned him a scholarship to the Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. (report from Katherine Evangelista of Inquirer.net, Cynthia Balana and Nancy Carvajal of Philippine Daily Inquirer/DZIQ-Radyo Inquirer)

Six civilians killed in N. Cotabato rebel feud

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - Six civilians including a four-year-old boy were killed as a feud between two Muslim rebel groups escalated in Mindanao, police said Monday.

The deaths bring to 19 the number of people killed since the clashes erupted a month ago, with commanders from the rival groups battling for control of valuable rice farming land in the province of North Cotabato.

However the latest casualties, which occurred over the weekend, were the first time civilians had been killed.

The six villagers died as the warring groups fired mortars and rifles at the each other in the remote town of Kabacan, said local police chief Superintendent Joseph Semillano.

"Civilians in the area told us there were already six fatalities as of Sunday, including the boy," he told reporters.

The violence has pitted hundreds of guerrillas from a unit of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) against a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The MILF has been waging a decades-old struggle to forge an independent Muslim homeland in Mindanao, and is set to resume peace talks with the government this week.

However the MILF leadership has admitted to losing control of some factions in recent months, in developments that have raised alarm in Manila.

The rival MNLF signed a peace treaty with Manila in 1996 but many of its members have kept their weapons, and its leaders similarly cannot always control sections of the group.

Kabacan social welfare chief Susan Makalipat said the dead child belonged to a family living beside an evacuation centre which they thought was safe from the fighting.

"The mother had just gotten food supplies for the family from the evacuation centre. As the children were looking at the food, a stray bullet came into their home and hit the boy," Makalipat told Agence France-Presse.

About 6,500 villagers, mostly impoverished Muslim farm hands, had already fled the fighting, she said, but some people had remained to guard their farms. (report from Agence France-Presse/Inquirer.net)

Prosecutor has different version of gun-toting incident with salesman

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutor allegedly involved in a gun-toting incident last week in Quezon City now has his own version of the incident.

Assistant State Prosecutor John Resado on Friday lodged criminal raps against the salesman he allegedly threatened with a firearm, saying the salesman was the one who acted aggressively during the incident.

In a five-page affidavit before the Quezon City prosecutors office, Resado filed a complaint against Carlo Gaw Lim for grave threats, alarm and scandal, discharge of firearms and attempted homicide.

The DOJ prosecutor’s recollection of the February 3 incident outside his rented house on Ilagan St. in San Francisco del Monte painted a different version, as Resado claimed he was respectful toward Lim.

The complaint was filed on Friday afternoon, hours after Lim lodged a complaint for malicious mischief, threat using a firearm, and slight physical injuries against Resado.

“I am a responsible duly licensed gun owner for more than 10 years and I was never involved in any incident like this,” Resado’s complaint read.

Resado is known for having handled the illegal drugs case against the so-called Alabang Boys in 2009.

The DOJ prosecutor alleged that Lim shouted at him and even tried to grab his gun, and that the gun was fired during the struggle for the gun.

Lim, 25, alleged that Resado fired a gun at his car while Lim was visiting his girlfriend Kathleen Bautista.

The salesman’s car was parked in front of Bautista’s compound along Ilagan St. where Resado is a tenant.

According to Lim’s version, Resado was allegedly drunk and was angered upon seeing Lim’s car blocking the gateway. The prosecutor was accused of pointing the gun at Lim and firing at Lim’s car.

Lim claimed that some bits of metal flew off and wounded his legs during the incident, which happened at around 10:45 p.m. that night. Resado left the compound after the incident.

Resado said he wanted to report the incident at once to the Masambong police station but did not.

“…I prevented myself from doing so because it would appear that I was at fault being the gun owner and that the car of the respondent was hit by a bullet… I fear that I might be arrested and accused of the crimes that were committed by the respondent,” Resado said.

In his version, Resado said he saw Lim’s maroon Honda City parked in front of the gate and that he politely asked Lim to move his car so that Resado can park his own sedan.

The prosecutor alleged that Lim shouted at him, even shouting invectives at him but Resado claimed he maintained his courteous demeanor.

“I was totally shocked and surprised because I was so polite and respectful, and yet he replied as if I was disturbing him where in truth and in fact… he was at fault by not properly parking his car away from the driveway.”

Lim allegedly threw punches at him and that it was during the scuffle that Resado’s gun became visible through his barong.

The prosecutor alleged that Lim managed to grab his gun but while grappling for control, the gun fired and hit the car.

After recovering his car, Resado claimed that Lim was still aggressive, prompting him to just drive away to avoid any more harm or trouble.

“I preferred to leave the place although he continued to shout at me to avoid greater evil, avoid the involvement of my family and to avoid his aggressive mood,” the affidavit added. (report from Julie M. Aurelio, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Globe Telecom to borrow P7B from BDO to fund capex and pre-pay debts

MANILA, Philippines — The Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. is borrowing P7 billion from Banco de Oro Unibank (BDO) for the refinancing of maturing obligations and to fund expansion projects in 2011.

In a disclosure, the country’s second largest telecommunications firm said it wanted to take advantage of low interest rates offered by banks today.

“We intend to use the BDO facility to fund our capital expenditure (capex) requirements this year and prepay up to P3 billion in loans that originally mature in 2012. The current low interest rate environment allows us to replace these loans with cheaper debt, generating savings for the company,” said Albert De Larrazabal, Globe Telecom’s chief financial officer.

In 2010, the company had a capex of about $500 million. Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu has said the firm plans to spend a similar amount, or even less, in 2011. (report from Paolo Montecillo, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

No military report linking police general to car thieves

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines does not have any report linking Police Director Roberto Rosales to car theft syndicates, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Robredo, who earlier said his department has been investigating the possible coddling of carjacking syndicates by police officials, said he had asked AFP Chief of Staff Ricardo David about the existence of the so-called intelligence report implicating Rosales. But Robredo said David "totally denied there is such a report."

A report published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted a source in the military as saying that there has been information about Rosales’s coddling of the car theft syndicate allegedly headed by brothers Roger and Raymond Dominguez in Central. The alleged military intelligence report has also pointed to information linking Superintendent Napoleon Cauyan, former head of the defunct Traffic Management Group (TMG) in Central Luzon, to car theft.

Rosales and Cauyan denied any link to carjacking syndicates, and said their track record in apprehending carjackers could be the reason why unseen forces have been trying to destroy their reputations.

At the same time, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group said it did not receive any report, whether intelligence data or validated ones, linking Rosales to car theft, as alleged by an intelligence report purportedly from the AFP.

“I officially informed him (Rosales) that as far as HPG is concerned, we have not received any report or information, whether intelligence or investigation, pertaining to him as one of the coddlers involved in carnapping (sic),” HPG director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina told reporters during a news conference.

Espina said police are the main unit investigating car thefts and said that they were “surprised” over the release of the report.

“I would like to be fair to the good director. In fairness to him, there are no intelligence reports linking him as far as we are concerned,” Espina added.

Rosales seemingly was also cleared by no less than PNP Director General Raul Bacalzo.

Quoting Bacalzo during their conversation on Sunday, Rosales said, “He told me, ‘Boysie, that’s nothing.’ But I told him, ‘Sir, this is very serious and I have to face this query.’”

However, Bacalzo still organized an investigating body to look into these allegations and coordinate with the AFP to obtain a copy of the intelligence report.

Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said police are coordinating with the AFP’s intelligence unit (or J2) to obtain a copy of the report.

Espina said that the supposed intelligence report from the AFP was being treated as “yet raw and unconfirmed.”

“Anybody can name anyone in intelligence reports using perception, issue blind items, and others including their enemies, taking advantage of the sensitiveness of the issue at hand…to muddle our investigation or skirt specific cases we have charged them with,” he said.

Espina appealed to concerned units, including the “intel community,” to forward to them reports for proper investigation.

Meanwhile, Rosales on Monday reiterated his denial of any involvement in car theft.

He challenged those behind the report to come out and back up their allegations.

“Face me like a man and accuse me with that so-called confidential report. In person. In front of the people. Together with your cohorts. Let us face the investigating body of the executive and legislative branches of the government and answer all the questions bedeviling us,” Rosales told a separate news conference.

He said that he was using his skills in intelligence-gathering to identify the person or group behind the report, which he called as “malicious” and a “smear campaign” against him.

“Bakit hindi siya lumabas? Kung talagang meron talaga silang report, ebidensiya, bakit hindi sila lumalabas? Isa lang ang namumuo sa isipan natin: kung meron silang kinalaman sa sindikatong ito, gagawa at gagawa sila ng paraan dahil well-entrenched yan (Why won’t he come out. If there is such a report, or evidence, why doesn’t he come out? Only one thing is forming in our minds: if they have something to do with this syndicate, they will do everything because they’re well-entrenched),” Rosales said. (report from Abigail Kwok and Alcuin Papa, Inquirer.net & Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Lacson’s lawyers threaten to sue DOJ, NBI over continuing manhunt

MANILA, Philippines -- The camp of Senator Panfilo Lacson threatened on Monday to sue authorities should they insist on arresting the missing lawmaker despite the Court of Appeals ruling clearing him of involvement in the 2000 murders of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito.

Lawyer Alex Poblador argued that the Court of Appeals (CA) order immediately took effect despite a motion for reconsideration that was expected to be filed by the complainants.

The senator has been on the run since January 2010, shortly before an arrest warrant was issued against him.

Lacson denied the allegation, saying he was a victim of political persecution under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"If he decides to come out and they arrest him on the basis of the warrant that has already been set aside, we will file cases against the authorities and the (Department of Justice), if (it) instructed (them) to do so, for arbitrary detention or illegal arrest," Poblador said in a statement.

Poblador refuted Justice Secretary Leila De Lima's contention that the arrest warrant remained in effect because the CA ruling could still be appealed to the Supreme Court.

The lawyer said arrest warrants were "obviously mere ancillary to the main criminal case and are therefore deemed automatically lifted when the criminal cases against Senator Lacson were dismissed."

"Therefore, the nullification of the arrest warrant is immediately executory," he said.

Citing Rule 39, Section 4 of the Rules of Court, Lacson's lawyer maintained that decisions on injunctions "shall be enforceable after their rendition and shall not be stayed by an appeal taken there from."

"Since the arrest warrants have been nullified, there is no more basis to deprive him of his liberty," Poblador said.

"A person is entitled to immediate liberty, particularly considering that he is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, and not until the appeal or motion for (re)consideration is over."

Poblador acknowledged that the complainants could still file a motion for reconsideration and later ask the Supreme Court to review the case.

But he said "the pendency of such petition cannot stay the execution of the judgment, which is the subject thereof, in the absence of any preliminary injunction ordered by the Supreme Court."

Last Friday, De Lima said the National Bureau of Investigation, an agency attached to the DOJ, has been ordered to continue the hunt for Lacson because "the warrant of arrest is still subsisting." (report from Christian V. Esguerra, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Mancao to govt: Try best to reverse Court of appeals ruling on Lacson

MANILA, Philippines--Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, counsel for former police officer Cezar Mancao, on Monday urged the government to do its best to reverse the Court of Appeals decision clearing Senator Panfilo Lacson of double murder for the death of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito.

Topacio said the pleadings filed by the Office of the Solicitor-General before the court is weak.

"We hope that with Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz, they will be able to raise stronger arguments to reverse the decision," Topacio said taking note of the capability of Cadiz, who is a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

At the same time, Mancao, who met with Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, maintained that there are no inconsistencies in his testimony contrary to the Court of Appeals ruling.

He said he is ready to reaffirm his testimony and he is not afraid despite the court's decision that cleared Lacson.

Also, the parties pushing for the prosecution of the senator will hold a joint conference to determine the next step to assail the decision of the Court of Appeals clearing him of plunder.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said they need to convene to discuss the merits and demerits of the case and determine their next step.

Last week, the Court of Appeals reversed the findings of probable cause issued by the Manila City Regional Trial Court Branch 18 and invalidated the warrant of arrest issued against the fugitive senator.

Meanwhile, counsel of the Dacer family Demetrio Custodio said his firm will file a motion for reconsideration before the Court of Appeals. (report from Tetch Torres, Inquirer.net)

Rosales: Cauyan gave information on carjack operations

MANILA, Philippines – Police Director Roberto Rosales today said Superintendent Napoleon Cauyan had volunteered information regarding carjacking operations in the past, which the latter claimed to have yielded positive results.

Rosales, chief of the Northern Luzon Directorate for Integrate Police Operations, said Cauyan, a former head of the defunct Traffic Management Group of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Task Force Limbas, had not been under his command during his stint as National Capital Region Police Office head.

"He volunteered some pieces of information. It turned out most of information volunteered by Cauyan turned out to be true," Rosales said during a media briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City this morning.

Rosales and Cauyan have been named by a newspaper article as among the protectors of carjackers, quoting an intelligence report.

Rosales said the arrest of two Land Transportation Office (LTO) personnel was the result of such information given by Cauyan.

He said two more LTO's plate division employees managed to evade arrest during the raid by authorities.

Asked if he conducted an investigation on Cauyan for his sources of information, Rosales said all the inputs volunteered to them had been validated.

He said he knew that Cauyan, now on floating status, had been saddled with several cases when the police official approached him with the information.

"I have heard those (cases) repeatedly. But I did not know what were these cases, which the Supreme Court already dismissed. Let the case of Cauyan rest," Rosales said. (report from Dennis Carcamo, Philstar.com)

Meet the Faces of KaJoyfulness Episode 7

Episode 7 of Meet the Faces of KaJoyfulness featuring KaJoyfulness/Studio Gwapings talent Glenn Cañones which they shown the preview of his own show, Glenn-Joke.