Author: Rochelle Pamotongan

Recently on Father’s Day, Kapamilya star Sofia Andres revealed that she and boyfriend Daniel Miranda were already parents. The announcement was made in an Instagram post where she expressed her admiration towards her partner. Sofia shared how “Daniel has been there every step of the way” of her pregnancy journey and how he assured her that they are in this together. She said, “He’ll wake up in the middle of the night to massage me, to comfort me….He would do the laundry, wash the dishes…..he made everything easy for me.” Meanwhile, Daniel on Instagram showed how deeply he loves Sofia…

Kapuso actress Lauren Young has recently been very vocal about her opinions about certain social issues that surfaced online. Lauren, however, did not only earned admiration but also criticism for speaking her mind. Recently, in an online conference that GMA Network held for Megan Young and husband Mikael Daez, Megan reacted on the issues involving her younger sister Lauren. Beauty queen Megan showed her support for Lauren by defending her, saying that she knows her sister well and trusts that she is careful with everything she does. She said, “Of course, she will talk to me about certain things but…

Megastar Sharon Cuneta was enraged after a certain Sonny Alcos threatened that he would rape her daughter Frankie Pangilinan. Recently, her daughter Frankie spoke up about rape culture on social media where she contradicted the perception that revealing clothes invites harassment. However, Frankie did not only earned praise but also criticism from those who apparently believe in victim-shaming. One such critic named Sonny Alcos threatened to rape Frankie and even insulted Sharon’s husband Kiko Pangilinan whom he addressed as ‘Matsing’. “Pasalamat ka iha, kung ang edad ko 12 yrs. Magtago ka na sa tatay mong Senador Kiko Matsing Pangilinan dahil…

Many of the 11,000 employees of ABS-CBN—composed of rank and file, professionals, and talents—have continuously suffered anxiety caused by the network’s forced shutdown amid the COVID-19 crisis. It has been more than a month since the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order against the Kapamilya network after its broadcast franchise expired. And the ongoing Congressional hearings on its renewal seem to be going nowhere with congressmen repeating the same questions on issues already settled. Since ABS-CBN went off the air, many of its contract artists have publicly shared their support for their home network while they appealed for…

Singer-songwriter Daryl Ong recently explained his absence from ABS-CBN. On June 15, Ong posted a video blog that narrated the events that led to him and Bugoy Drilon being banned from their home network. Ong and Drilon were reportedly banned for dismissing the results of a petition for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. This confession set the online world abuzz and caught the attention of comedian John Lapus who posted a cryptic statement on his Twitter account. In his post, he highlighted that being grateful is a virtue and captioned a reminder that though it is understandable that losing a job can…

Vivian Velez is someone who is very vocal about her strong political views and is quick to comment on social media. She had a recent argument with actress Jaclyn Jose because of their different views on Pinky Amador’s viral video. Jose lambasted Velez for defending Amador as she implied that cursing and humiliating the staff was uncalled for despite Amador’s valid concerns. Jose later apologized to Velez but the latter turned down the apology.’ In a talk with Philstar writer Cristy Fermin, Isabel Rivas said that she fully supports Jose’s side. She claimed that this is because she knows Velez well…

Kapamilya actress Angel Locsin shed tears while expressing her wish of an ABS-CBN franchise renewal. It was on May 5 that ABS-CBN went off the air following the cease-and-desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). But despite the shutdown, the network has come back in part through the Kapamilya Channel. Angel, who is a known philanthropist, is hosting for the first time in Iba Yan, a public service program that focuses on inspiring life stories of real people. On June 13, her newest television show had its virtual press conference. During the interview, DZMM Teleradyo anchor Ahwel Paz raised…

GMA network senior reporter Joseph Morong shocked many netizens after he unexpectedly posted a selfie that exposed an ‘adult-only’ image which is inappropriate for a public photo. On June 15, while waiting for the live nation address of President Rodrigo Duterte about the restricted quarantine measures of COVID-19, Morong posted a photo of himself on his Twitter account. However, Morong was clueless that his selfie displayed an erotic image captured on his Twitter feed. He was later notified and he right away deleted the post but many had already taken screenshots so it eventually went viral. https://twitter.com/Joseph_Morong/status/1272547186228768769?s=20 In reply, he…

Daryl Ong and Bugoy Drilon, two members of the all-male vocal trio ‘BuDaKhel, set the online world abuzz after the former confessed how he and his fellow artist Drilon ended up being banned from ABS-CBN. On June 15, Ong cleared things in his video blog and narrated the unfortunate circumstance that led to their separation from the Kapamilya network. According to Ong, he and his fellow band members were on a trip to an event at Iloilo when they had a discussion about investing in stocks which later led to the ongoing ABS-CBN franchise issue. It was about how ABS-CBN…

On June 15, the Manila Regional Trial Court dealt a blow to press freedom after convicting Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher-writer Rey Santos Jr. of cyber libel over a 2012 article that linked a businessman Wilfredo D. Keng to suspected illegal activities. Ressa described the verdict as ‘devastating’ yet ‘not unexpected’ but assured people that she and her colleagues will keep fighting for press freedom. She said, “The decision for me is devastating because it essentially says that we are wrong. “It’s a blow to us, but it’s also not unexpected considering we are going to stand up…

ABS-CBN’s veteran news anchor Korina Sanchez-Roxas stands with Rappler CEO Maria Ressa after the latter was convicted of Cyberlibel. Maria Ressa and former researcher-writer Rey Santos Jr. were found guilty of cyber libel in a case filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng. The case concerned a 2012 online article investigating former chief justice Renato Corona’s links to multiple businessmen, including Keng. It cited that the latter was allegedly involved in an illegal activity, which he denied. Ressa is known for being an outspoken critic of the government has faced numerous investigations and judicial harassment that attempted to silence her and Rappler.…

The debate on the Anti-Terror Bill became more prevalent after it passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte for final approval. Despite the many contradictions that led to protests to discard the bill, the government still insists on its relevance and enactment. Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III has been actively hitting back at critics who are asking for its dismissal. Recently, Sotto took to Twitter his praises for Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez for defending the bill. https://twitter.com/sotto_tito/status/1271354343262838785?s=20 In an Instagram post, Gomez shared clarifications on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. She urged…

Bohol Chronicle Radio Corporation was listed by the ABS-CBN as among those broadcast companies whose franchise was authored by SAGIP Partylist RodanteMarcoleta and who obtained their first franchise more than 50 years ago. Marcoleta was one of the lawmakers who refused to grant ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal for allegedly violating the 50-year rule as provided by the Constitution (a rule which he misinterpreted). But the said network denied going beyond the 50-year mark. Bohol Chronicle, through their legal counsel Jay Dejaresco, denied the claim of ABS-CBN as it was evidenced by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) document which shows that…

Actress Agot Isidro took to Twitter her rage towards the Philippine government after hearing about a woman who died while waiting for a bus to ride home. Frustrated by the incident, Isidro stated how the lives of the poor are being perceived as cheap and unimportant by the government. She said, “Napakamura at napakaliit ng buhay ng mahihirap ngayon. Nakakatulog pa ba kayo nang maayos? Nakakakain pa ba kayo nang hindi ito iniisip? “Pilipinas, hindi pa ba kayo galit?” she added. https://twitter.com/agot_isidro/status/1270537585689899008?s=20 Netizens also shared Isidro’s anger with the government’s incompetence and neglect of the poor amid a pandemic. https://twitter.com/KaEnchong/status/1270583833000280064?s=20…

ABS-CBN is still fighting its franchise renewal in the Congress. Many of its personalities have already shown their support and even some of its former talents who are now with GMA Network have backed up the network as well. Singer-actress Glaiza de Castro, a Star Magic talent of ABS-CBN back in 2002, recently displayed her frustration on the results of the ongoing congress hearings. https://twitter.com/glaizaredux/status/1269976924807258112?s=20 Lauren Young, also a Star Magic artist and who was with ABS-CBN for 6 years, expressed her annoyance with Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta’s arrogant statement. https://twitter.com/loyoung/status/1269897492268584960?s=20 Ivan Dorschner, a former Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash…

Bills for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal are still languishing in Congress with the hearings being bogged down by repeated questions from representatives Rodante Marcoleta, Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Michael Defensor. The issues raised concerning taxes, labor, and PDRs were already resolved and explained by ABS-CBN and representatives from the BIR, SEC, and DOLE. “Did Marcoleta, Remulla & Defensor forget that the people can see the way they act & respond to the issues they are addressing? This is what happens when people are blinded by their own personal agendas – lumalabas ang totoo nilang kulay,” as posted by a netizen in…