Author: Angela Lopez de Leon

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 26, accepted the apology of media giant ABS-CBN over his campaign ads that were not aired during the 2016 presidential election. In an interview at Malacañang, Duterte told reporters that he accepts the apology. “Nandiyan na ‘yan. Yes, I accept the apology,” Duterte said. However, he noted that he would leave the fate of the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN to Congress. The President also distanced himself from Solicitor General Jose Calida, who filed a quo warranto petition against the network for allegedly violating the terms of its franchises. “The SolGen does not clear with…

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Another Kapuso star has expressed support for rival network ABS-CBN in relation to its franchise renewal. Talking to LionhearTV, actress Kris Bernal said the presence of another network will bring out the best in each celebrity that will hopefully benefit the audience they aim to serve. “Sana hindi matuloy ang shut down kasi bilang artista, maganda rin sa amin iyong may kabilang network na nakakapag-excite rin sa amin. May pressure, may challenge, at saka may pag-uusapan,” the actress said. “Doon nagkakaroon ng excitement when you’re competing with another network, with another person. Diyan dumarating iyong challenge bilang artista rin… So…

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Some Kapuso celebrities have expressed support for rival network ABS-CBN amid the challenges it is facing regarding its franchise renewal. Actor Dingdong Dantes said despite being competitors, GMA Network and ABS-CBN are still part of one industry. “Magkaiba man ng bakod, we are one in the media industry,” Dantes started in his series of tweets on Tuesday. “We have one love for the many talents and crafts under this Network, the products, and output of which, directly or indirectly, benefit the lives of millions of Filipinos,” he added. https://twitter.com/dingdongdantes/status/1227125797799907328?s=19 Dantes further noted that “this Congress is really paralyzed with inaction;…

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Many netizens have called for solidarity of Philippine television networks and other private media outfits amid the challenges of ABS-CBN with its franchise renewal. A certain Rayner Christopher wrote on Twitter that “the message would be more powerful if GMA, TV5, and other media companies will rally behind ABS-CBN.” https://twitter.com/raynermantos/status/1226769459500634112?s=19 “It will also be a milestone to hear GMA Network and TV5 to plead allegiance to the service, hold hands in this trying times where power is being used to bully press freedom,” a netizen with Twitter handle @rodmagaru also said. https://twitter.com/rodmagaru/status/1226738387115098114?s=19 A certain Christian Corpuz also tweeted: “True. Dapat…

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ABS-CBN reporter Mike Navallo earned praises from netizens after he was confronted by Solicitor General Jose Calida on Monday, February 10. Just minutes after filing a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to revoke the ABS-CBN’s franchise, Navallo, together with other journalists, approached Calida and asked for a copy of the petition. Calida then asked for Navallo’s name, although it seemed he already knew who he was. “You’re a lawyer? You’re from Cagayan de Oro?” Calida asked Navallo. “Surigao. Why sir?” the reporter asked. “Because I’m also from Mindanao,” Calida said, who is from Davao City. Before leaving, Calida…

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Kapamilya actress Beauty Gonzalez took a trip down the memory lane and shared the moment when she almost left ABS-CBN for GMA Network. In the final press conference of the Kadenang Ginto on Wednesday, Beauty admitted that the afternoon drama series was her “make it or break it” teleserye. She noted that if not for Kadenang Ginto, she would probably be a Kapuso now. “Muntik na akong lumipat sa… Muntik na kong maki-piyesta sa kapitbahay natin. Pero mas masarap ang pagkain sa ABS-CBN,” the former Pinoy Big Brother housemate said. “So bumalik po ako dito (ABS-CBN) at kailangan kong patunayan ang sarili…

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The “Genie-Nga” of Kapamilya noontime show It’s Showtime, or Christine Krisha Samson, admitted she has never had a boyfriend. Christine disclosed her “no boyfriend since birth” status in an interview on Tonight With Boy Abunda show on Monday. “Hindi naman po dahil sa super strict ang parents, pero parang choice ko lang din po,” she told the show’s host, Boy Abunda. When she was asked if it was true that It’s Showtime host Jhong Hilario was courting her, Christine denied the rumors. “Wala po talaga… Trip lang po ni Meme Vice na tukso-tuksohin (kami),” she said. Christine also revealed that…

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With GMA Network’s new drama soap Love of my Life exploring different forms of love, the show’s cast members were asked about their romantic relationships. For her part, veteran actress Coney Reyes admitted that she’s no longer interested in love anymore. “Ako, malabo na. Pero like I always say, it’s the Lord who has everything under control,” the 65-year-old actress said during the media conference of Love Of My Life held at GMA Network Center on Tuesday. “Pero hindi iyon (finding new love) desire ng heart ko. Kasi ang dami ko kailangan gawin. Ang dami ko ginagawa,” she added. Coney said…

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Actress Ina Raymundo, who has played a variety of roles throughout her career, said she will no longer accept “zombie” roles. During the Block Z movie’s bloggers’ conference on January 29, Ina admitted that it will be her “first and last” time to play a zombie in a film. The 44-year-old actress plays a patient, who turns into one of the shambling fictional undead characters, in Mikhail Red’s zombie flick “Block Z.” “Na-realize ko noong last day of shooting ko, ayoko na maging zombie. First and last na yon. You know, I’m so happy na nagawa ko iyon. Pero that’s…

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The award-winning indie folk-pop band Ben&Ben has assured fans that their bassist “is safe” after an onstage accident last Saturday. Bassist Agnes Reoma got injured during a concert at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City. Reoma fell through the stage after a hole opened up, while she was jumping to their performance of “Ride Home.” The accident was caught on video and was uploaded on social media by a netizen with Twitter handle @GeloMigBaylon. “Sana hindi ka po nagka-injury ate @agnesreoma! Still, thank you for the solid night!! @BenAndBenMusic,” he tweeted. https://twitter.com/GeloMigBaylon/status/1221073443573002240?s=19 In reply, the band tweeted: “@agnesreoma…

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Veteran actress Dina Bonnevie on Tuesday said she is being urged by “many, many people” to run for political office. During the media conference of Anak ni Waray vs Anak ni Biday held at the GMA Network Center, Dina said among those who encouraged her to enter politics were her husband, Ilocos Sur Representative Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, and Batangas Representative-actress Vilma Santos-Recto. “Marami talaga naghihikayat sa akin na ‘ikaw na, ikaw na pagkatapos ni DV.’ Hinihikayat nila ako tumakbo, na maging bokal o whatever, to run kapag natapos na iyong term ni DV,” the veteran actress said. “Ate Vilma…

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Actor Baron Geisler is now a dad. The former FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano actor welcomed his first child with wife Jamie Evangelista. In an Instagram post on January 20, Baron happily shared photos of himself and his daughter inside the nursery room of Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City. The 37-year-old actor also uploaded photos of himself beside his wife, who was still lying in a hospital bed. “I’m in love,” Baron wrote as a caption to his post. https://www.instagram.com/p/B7iXi9lF6Zv/?igshid=13ikffi4fr1h1 Congratulatory messages have since poured in for the couple. The actor earlier shared his baby girl’s name publicly—Talitha Cumi. Baron wed…

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Actor Martin del Rosario, the digital movie Mystified, and animated show Barangay 143″were some of the winners honored at the 24th Asian Television Awards. The awarding ceremony was held at the Newport Theater in Resorts World Manila on January 11. Martin accepted the award for Best Leading Male Performance–Digital for his gay role in Born Beautiful. Diana Zubiri and Karylle received the award for Mystified, which won in the Best Single Drama or Telemovie category. Synergy 88 Entertainment and GMA Network’s Barangay 143 won in the Best Theme Song category. Titled “Alanganin,” the song was performed by Kris Lawrence and…

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Indonesian-born singer Anggun said Asian talents have recently gained more attention than ever before. “More than ever, the world has their eyes on Asia and on Asian talents. The world has yet to know more and more what’s going on here,” Anggun said in her acceptance speech at the 24th Asian Television Awards on January 11. The singer said, “This new year, new decade, is for Asia and for Asian talents.” Anggun cited a South Korean program that is now conquering the world. “You know there is The Masked Singer,’ which is a concept coming from South Korea and now…

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Actor-singer Billy Crawford volunteered to play a role in the movie, Mia. Actress Coleen Garcia, who plays the lead character Mia, said her husband, Billy, personally talked to the “bosses” of the film to get a role. “Siya talaga nag-prisinta sa sarili niya. Siya talaga nag-volunteer. Iyong mga bosses naman namin sabi, ‘O sige go! No problem,'” Coleen said on the sidelines of the media preview for Mia on Thursday. Billy, who tied the knot with Coleen in April 2018, has a surprise appearance in the film. Although it’s just a cameo role, the actor’s role is very important and…

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Many average people became overnight sensations because of their talent, some luck, and the power of the Internet. Here’s a look at seven Pinoys who went viral last year. • Dante Gulapa Dante Gulapa quickly became everyone’s favorite macho dancer in 2019. He became an internet sensation after posting a video of himself dancing provocatively. He was famous for his gyrating moves and the eagle dance step, which were then edited to a number of different songs. His popularity stayed mostly because everyone loved his good personality and genuine talent. • Mimiyuuuh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu8Df4fe2SU Mimiyuuuh got her break from her dancing…

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