Album Review : Piolo Pascual - Timeless

Take it from the title itself – “Timeless”. This OPM album is very truthful to its objective to render everlasting music. The album contains 16 timeless tracks sung in Filipino and English. This was released on August 12, 2007 for Philippine Ultimate Heartthrob – Piolo Pascual. This is under Star Records, a recording company owned and managed by ABSCBN. The album reached the Gold status on September 16, 2007.

In this album, you can feel Piolo’s sincerity to give quality and outstanding album for his listeners. What I really like about this album is - it showcases combination of original and revival songs. Piolo serenades his listeners with his timeless renditions of popular songs.

The album starts with the songs ‘One More Chance’. This is the theme song for the box office movie of Star Cinema featuring bankable stars; Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz. The songs exposes how a man wanting for another chance to love. Defeating the odds of time just to win back the love he once own. A very good song to be positioned in the beginning of the album. It is followed by a Tagalog song ‘Ikaw Na Nga’. Piolo sang very fluent and clearly in each of his song. I almost forgot that Piolo was a product of theater arts. The third track is ‘If Only Love’ with Toni Gonzaga. I’d like to take note of the beautiful arrangement for this song. 

The fourth to sixth songs are ‘Why Can’t Be Together’; ‘Nagmamahal ng Tunay’ and ‘There For Me’ respectively. Tagalog songs ‘Wagas’ and ‘Turuan Mo Ako’are two of my favorite track for this album. The next track is ‘To Hear You Say You Love Me’ featuring Jim Brickman. This song has a very beautiful lyrics and very addictive melody. Next song is ‘Ikaw Pa Rin’. As I listen to the song, I noticed that Piolo has a resemblance to Gary Valenciano’s voice. Especially when he stressed on the high notes. The next track is a cover of True Faith’s ‘Ikaw Pa Rin’. Piolo gave a very excellent rendition for this song with a twist of romantic ballad.

Followed by song ‘Ikaw Lamang’ – a theme song for his television series ‘Sa Piling Mo’ with Judy Ann Santos. Another track is ‘Walang Kapalit’ also a theme song for his TV series with the same title with Claudine Barreto this time. The last track is ‘Complete’ – a theme song for multivitamins Centrum which is endorsed by Piolo Pascual.

No doubt that Piolo Pascual is tagged as the Philippine Ultimate Heartthrob. Box Office films, Top Rated TV shows, Bankable Concerts and Multi Platinum Album. No doubt he remains to be successful for past years and to come. He maintains his star in the limelight despite the coming of young stars. The secret of his success is his humility and sincerity to his craft. Also, he never ending grateful to our almighty God.  

photo courtesy of Pep.ph and Google.com

Charice is back with "One Day"

Charice is back on the scene with her latest endorsement and single – “One Day”. The music video is now posted on youtube and now becoming viral of every social networking site. Charice describe her latest single as to empowering youth to overcome their adversity and finding the confidence within you to achieve their dreams. The video showcases lucky fans who won to be part of this music video. Those are the winners for Acuvue 1 Day contact lenses contest exclusive in the United States only. Acuvue is a brand of contact lenses prescribed by eye doctors in the US and anywhere in the world.

Back to Charice, she does a little bit of dancing in this latest video. She showcases her talent in dancing and singing. She only proved her versatility of her performance. She mentioned on her tweet posted last June that she was so excited for the shoot of her dance scene in the video.

Meanwhile, Jonas Brothers member Nick Jonas co written the lyrics for the song ‘One Day’.  In the interview by MTV, Nick Jonas shared her thoughts about Charice. He described the Filipina singer as just a normal girl and she will really shine because of her vocal talent. He mentioned that he is so blessed having the chance to work with Charice for the latter is extremely talented and he was amazed to see her big voice comes from within.  

Here is Charice’s newest video:

Top Facebook Pages in the Philippines

Since Facebook has been known in the Philippines 3 years ago, everyone has to like certain pages of personalities and entities - whether it would be in showbiz or politics. Last 2010 election, campaign were not just in streets and avenues but also in the television/radio broadcast and social networking sites that includes Facebook. Today, you can easily access to your idol’s official fan page. Unlike the yesteryears, when fans mobbed their idols either inside the cinema or in the studios. Fans now a days, easily adapts the cyber world to reach the attention of their idols.

Here are the top facebook pages in the Philippines:

The top spot belongs to comedian/singer Vice Ganda garnered an overall 3,431,683 likes. Followed by Angel Locsin and President Noynoy Aquino with 2,352,452 and 2,143,928 consecutively. ABSCBN noontime show Showtime rank at number four with 2,039,575 and actress Cristine Reyes positioned at fifth spot with 1,735,599. Other list are included from top six to twenty.

This tabulation was made by Fameaccount. Their aim is to help people locate and connect with the stars and personalities in each major social network – Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. The manually categorize, process and order the data into the pages you see. They are an independent service provider and they are not affiliated to Youtube, Twitter, Facebook and other networking sites.

So whether you are a fan, a hater or just simply a facebook liker, you are counted.


Fameaccount: http://www.famecount.com/about

Piolo Pascual, Anne Curtis and Sarah Geronimo for My Phone

My Phone is the first and lone Filipino mobile phone product that offers dual SIM mobility. It grew from a support for friends to try out a local mobile phone brand in an effort to join the field of established international giants. Started three years ago, My|Phone has proven to be a definitive contender in the Philippine mobile phone landscape, consistently averaging significant sales figures. The response has driven My|Phone to continuously strive to develop better phones at much affordable prices.

Top Celebrity endorser of this local phone products are Philippine Heartthrob Piolo Pascual, Pop Princess and Box Office Queen Sarah Geronimo and Goddess Anne Curtis. I love their new advertisement where these celebs post as super heroes. In the real poster, they are joined by Viva Talent XLR8.   

My Phone is everywhere – used by everyone around me now. Aside from the affordability of this product it has features unique to competing brands. No doubt a revolutionary mobile handset provider, My|Phone is the first and leading Filipino mobile phone manufacturer in the Philippines and My|Phone is the first mobile phone provider with customized applications and content tagged as "Pinoy Phone", a software exclusively created for My|Phone with a gamut of data such as recipes, jokes, and even prayers.

Asian Teen Obsession Mario Maurer - A Certified Kapamilya

PR Publicity Asia Queen B, Miss Joyce Ramirez broke the news about the forth coming of Asian Teen Sensation and Thai Heartthrob Mario Maurer to the Philippines for Penshoppe Endorsement. But here is the good news – PR Asia pronounces that Mario is also set for an ABSCBN TV Show and a Star Cinema project. Ms. Joyce Ramirez describes the projects to be “BIG”.  She confirmed that Mario is going to do a Star Cinema film and a TV project with Kapamilya Network. She also added the she will co-produce there up-coming grand project.

Mario and Erich

Mario and Sarah

Mario and Anne

Kim and Mario

Angel and Mario

Scripts are already finished and Miss Ramirez has to check it. They are also on the look for who is going to be Mario Maurer’s leading lady. Names that were suggested are Sarah Geronimo, Erich Gonzales, Anne Curtis, Kim Chui and Angel Locsin. I am sure who among these popular teen celebrities will be picked will equally blend with Mario’s sexy and handsome appeal. I am sure that the chemistry will be a sure hit to the fans.

Miss Joyce Ramirez of PR Publicity Asia - The same name that brought 'Chuck Bass' Ed Westwick to Manila

Mario is set to arrive in Manila on either first or second week of August. I am looking forward to meet this ultimate Asian Teen Obesesion.

Quentin Tarantino's admiration to Brillante Mendoza's "Kinatay"

I was browsing the net when I found a written letter of Quentin Tarantino to Brillante Mendoza. American film director and producer Quentin Tarantino describes Filipino director Brillante Mendoza’s “Kinatay” as an extraordinary film. Brillante Mendoza won the award for ‘Best Director’ for the film ‘Kinatay’ (The Execution of P) at the 62^nd Cannes Film Festival in 2009. Brillante brought nobility to the Philippines when his film ‘Foster Child’ was included in the Director’s Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival in 2007. He was the first Filipino director to bring a film competition at Cannes for two years in a row.

Filipino Director Brillante Mendoza

Academy Award winning director Quentin Tarantino

Our very own film maker did not just managed to impress the judge but also his contender. ‘Kill Bill’, ‘Inglourious Basterds’ and Academy Award winner Quentin Tarantino is vocal with his admiration to Brillante and his film. Quentin defended ‘Kinatay’ on one of his interview that it may receive worst critics but for him the film was “extraordinary”. Here is the letter of Quentin to Brillante.

courtesy: Teresa Barrozo, Boys in Pixels, google.com

RIP Amy Winehouse

English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse found dead at her London flat after suspected ‘drug overdose. The 27 year old singer had been in a long battle with drink and drugs. She was found by the London Ambulance Service at 3:54 PM but they weren’t able to revive her.

Here is the statement from Amy Winehouse’s U.S. record label: ‘We are deeply addened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer. Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans at this difficult time.'

One neighbor, who did not want to be named, said she saw the singer's grief-stricken boyfriend, believed to be film director Reg Traviss, on the ground outside the house. Two women then came 'speeding' up in a black Mercedes and walked in and out of the house crying. They said they believed the singer was at home last night. Winehouse's father, Mitch, is understood to be returning to the UK from New York. He had been due to perform at the Blue Note jazz club in the city on Monday.

This tragic loss of Amy Winehouse has stole us of a young, fatally troubled, life cut down performer in its prime. She is one of the outstanding vocalists of this generation without any doubt. I could certainly say that without her, the world will not have Adele and Lady GaGa. Sad thing is that she lived in an era of assembled stars and tooled puppet of entertainment industry. She cannot handle the fame and her personal demons that caused her to take drugs overdose. She is a lost in this industry and to the world.

Amy Winehouse's Booed performance 

Dionne Bromfield and Amy in her last appearances 

Amy Winehouse’s tragic death at the young age placed her in ranks of famous musicians who have all died at the same age. Amy now follows the notorious 27 club – also known as Forever 27. These are the musicians who have all died at age of 27.

Club Members: Kurt Cobaun, Jimi Hendix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison

Too bad, so sad that another great talent has fallen out of luck because of careless decisions and actions in life’s challenges. This taught me one great lesson: ‘It’s not what life you have lived for here in on Earth, it’s how you live’.

courtesy:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2018020/Amy-Winehouse-dead--Found-dead-London-flat.html

Xian Lim and His Kileeg Pick Up Lines

As I was digging the web world due to anxious boredom, I came to a place wherein I met the cute and hot actor Xian Lim’s youtube videos. Xian Lim is ABSCBN talent introduced in Kapamilya drama series, Katorse with Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee. Born, Xian Alexander Lim on July 12, 1989 in a Filipino-Chinese descent. He is studying Management at the University of the East and also a member of the university’s men’s basketball varsity team.

This cute hunk is not just handsome but oozing with talent and sex appeal. He is a man is dozens of talents. He dance, he sing, he act – and play loads of instruments. Aside from playing basketball, Xian also plays many instruments including guitar, keyboard, ukulele, and even a trombone. In an interview with Push.com Xian said that his hobby is to collect musical instruments. He loves to play with it and just give him an instrument and he will play it for you.

Xian Lim singing How to Save a Life by Coldplay

Xian loves to upload videos of him performing renditions of popular songs in the Youtube. Also, he uploaded his video wherein he uttered his collected pick up lines. And I am very sure that many girls would fall to this pick up lines and even non female gender will drop their heart out.  Here are some:

Pag namatay ba ako, iiyak ka? Kasi ngayon pa lang, patay na ako sayo.

Miss, pwede ko bang itie ung shoe lases mo? So you won’t fall for anyone else.

Hindi ka ba nalulungkot, kasi nagiisa ka lang sa puso ko.

Para kang kuto, Coz I cant get you get out of my head.

So girls be prepare if you meet this guy, better keep your feet onshore because when he smiles – I’m sure your gonna fly. And boys, learn from the expert. And watch out for more of Xian on his youtube channel : http://www.youtube.com/user/XianLim8. He will bealso seen in Kim Chui's upcoming series "Binondo Girl".

Heart Evangelista Breaks her Silence Against Marian Rivera

Heart Evangelista breaks her silence regarding the feud between her and Marian Rivera. Almost weeks ago, Marian Rivera lambasted the mom of Heart Evangelista during the press conference of their movie ‘Temptation Island’. Marian went emotional during the forum while she talks about what happened between her and Heart. Heart wasn’t able to attend the said conference because she was with her boyfriend Daniel Matsunaga in Brazil.

But Heart opened up her side after such a long time that she kept her silence. She confirms that there were details of stories tackled in the ‘Temptation Island’ presscon that are not true. She said that throughout the shooting of ‘Temptation Island’, she and Marian are in good terms. She confirms that the friction between her and her co-star happened on the last 2 days of their shoot in Ilocos. Heart said that Marian was last person to know that Dingdong Dantes (Marian’s present boyfriend) and her will collaborate in one project. She mentioned that Marian misunderstood one of her interviews discussing her excitement to work with Marian’s boyfriend.

Heart Evangelista verified that Marian went to her room and threatened her. Heart mentioned that Marian warns her that she will be killed by the latter’s fans.  She honestly confessed that she was traumatized on what happened. She confirms that there were no confrontation happened between her mother and Marian Rivera on the airport - against to the allegations that Marian said during her emotional presscon.  Heart clarifies that she has death threats coming from Marian Rivera’s fans. Here is the full video of Heart Evangelista’s conference. 

video courtesy : YOUTUBE - http://www.youtube.com/user/peparazzo ; http://www.youtube.com/user/DCRJPhilippines

'Hiram' - An Immortal Song

An immortal song – This is how I will going to describe the song ‘Hiram’ by the Divine Diva, Zsa Zsa Padilla.

The song is about having a borrowed time just to be with someone who you love most. The song was written in the metaphoric Filipino language, originally sang and popularized by Zsa Zsa Padilla. It was originally used as theme song for the movie ‘Palimos ng Pag-ibig’ in 1986. The song was composed by Filipino composer George Canseco.

‘Hiram’ speaks about having borrowed moment to be the person you love even he is committed. Having a stolen moment together and enduring the love that they have known. This song is the most celebrated theme song for television soap operas. It was over and over used and I guess the most favorite song used for a local love story in Philippine TV.

July 12, 2004 when it was first used for Kris Aquino’s soap with the same title. The soap is shown on ABSCBN and runs until May 20, 2005. The story revolves around the relationships between Diana, Sophia, Beatrice, and Edward. Diana takes care of Beatrice's child Margaret after Beatrice dies. Sophia has a daughter Stephanie, from a past one night stand. The soap also starred Dina Bonnevie, Anne Curtis, Heart Evangelista and Geoff Eigenmann.

The second time this song was used as theme song is for the soap-opera ‘Palimos ng Pag-ibig’ starring Rica Peralejo, Diether Ocampo and Kristime Hermosa. This soap was a TV adaptation of 1986 movie of the same title. Palimos ng Pag-ibig was first serialized in Komiks before it was translated in the big screen. Nerissa Cabral was the creator and writer of the story. This movie was home of the famous tagline: "Para kang karenderiang bukas sa lahat ng gustong kumain!" (You're like a restaurant that's open to anyone who wants to eat!).

Now for the third time, the song ‘Hiram’ is used for a new soap on TV5 featuring new Kapatid princess, Nadine Samonte. Former Kapuso star signed exclusive contract for Kapatid Network. She will be paired by combacking actor Leandro Munoz and model turned actor Victor Silayan. This soap will be directed by ever gorgeous director Bb. Joyce Bernal.

How immortal isn’t it? One song used for three soap. I will not wonder if someday, this will be used again for another love story. I may not know why they keep on using it, but whenever I hear the song, I put shivers on my spine.

Film Review - Temptation Island 2011

Upon writing this post, I am tempted to smash the writer and the director of the film ‘Temptation Island’ 2011. But I paused and think and gaze at the big picture. I walked out of the theater – simply entertained.

The 2011 film ‘Temptation Island’ is a remake of 1980’s film of Joey Gosiengfiao. This starred Dina Bonnevie, Azenith Briones, and Bambi Arambulo. Of the three new actresses introduced in this film by Regal Films, only Dina Bonnevie became successful in show business. During this year, Philippine must have been under a sky of very conservative and conventional audiences. I was not even born when this was showed. Audiences during this age get easily attached and persuade by the so called ‘slap stick’ type of comedy. The story and the characters are perfectly made in this era.

On the other hand, the 2011 Temptation Island, doesn’t appeal on my taste – as an audience born and living the new millennium. As an audience I look for a comedy film that is not just funny but something generous enough to give the audience a hard time to laugh. Chris Martinez, also known for his ‘Here Comes the Bride’ did not get enough formula for this film. They may have loyal to the original material that they didn’t scratch and repaint the old material for today’s generation of audiences.

On the lighter note, the portrayal of characters is superb. Summing up all beautiful women of this generation in one film, plus three hunks is more than enough appealing on the visual context. I’d like to take not of the hues used for the gowns and other materials are visually excellent. I see potential in Solenn Heusaff and Mikael Cruz as next big thing in local entertainment industry, if they will be given great deal of projects. Solenn equally competes with tenured in show business, but her acting was natural and effortlessly good. Marian Rivera proved that she is really outstanding in comedy rather than drama. Heart Evangelista is undeniably beautiful and elegant. I could say that she is the next Gretchen Barretto of this age. Lovi Poe shines in this film. She had proved to the world that she is not just an easy chick to get along with, but an intelligent actress. Ruffa Mae Quinto shines her star less in this film. I haven’t felt the Ruffa Mae humor all throughout. Aljur Abrenica and Tom Rodriguez shares equal extinct-ness of sexiness and hotness. Finally, I will give John Lapuz a great round of applause for being the star that shines brightest in this film. John’s acting is really superb and consistent.

The remake of the ‘Temptation Island’ is still a success. But we need to learn to innovate for the audience and for the quality of films we produced.