Author: Jude Cartalaba

My Letters to Happy does not mimic the 2010 romantic-comedy film Letters to Juliet. It’s an original work of director Pertee Brinas that took three years to create.  The ‘My’ in the title pertains to the character of TJ Trinidad as Albert and the singer-songwriter-actress, Glaiza De Castro breathes into the role of Happy. If Sophie Hall (Amanda Seyfried) discovered the letters to Juliet at the Verona courtyard in Italy, in this local film, Albert gets to write letters to Happy via his small notebook that he carries wherever he goes. At first glance, moviegoers might mistake the film as…

After the couple declared their relationship in February 2018, just a year and four months or so, the Filipino film producer Neil Arce finally proposed to TV and film actress Angel Locsin just today, an hour ago. Based on the couple’s (Arce and Locsin) Instagram posts, both showed the most memorable moment in their lives. https://www.instagram.com/p/BzSThxUgOV1/?igshid=17mtkmt74vbo8 https://www.instagram.com/p/BzSak2WFyYq/?igshid=1cz8j4id400d6 Arce once dated  actresses Maxene Magalona and Bela Padilla, while Locsin had relationships with the late Miko Sotto, Dennis Trillo, Oyo Boy Sotto, the Filipino interernational football player Philip James ‘Phil’ Younghusband, and host Luis Manzano.

The Internet has been a great equalizer of sorts as it levels off the playing field between stars and their fans; and that’s what Global Crypto Offering Exchange (GCOX) has developed and has persuaded the international boxing superstar like Manny Pacquiao, who is also a public servant as a senator. On Friday, June 14, Friday at Shangri-La Makati’s Isabela Ballroom C, GCOX launched the 40-year-old senator, Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Dapidran Pacquiao as the latest international celebrity endorser along with football legend Michael Owen, tennis superstar Caroline Wozniacki, and pop artiste Jason Derulo. GCOX is the world’s first platform-of-its-kind that allows celebrities…

After jukebox impressed Filipinos, karaoke followed suit and the love affair of Filipinos to the gadget is indeed world-renowned. WOW! Videoke was the one who revolutionized and introduced a portable videoke microphone into the homes of Filipinos. The singing companion became handy in almost all gatherings. This 2019, Grand Videoke unveiled the Symphony SE Pro Plus infused in the iconic design of the first Symphony model. It just made the 20th anniversary of the company even more special. It’s a classic re-imagined. Symphony SE Pro Plus boasts of an impressive 8,500+ songs. Everything is done seamlessly and wirelessly in just…

The 2018 beauty queens have proven themselves well in their respective international competitions. Catriona Elisa Gray and Karen Juanita Gallman won as Miss Universe and Miss Intercontinental, respectively. Maria Ahtisa Manalo placed first runner-up in Miss International, while Jehza Mae Huelar was part of the top 10 finalists in Miss Supranational and Michelle Gumabao as top 15 finalist in Miss Globe and also won the special award as Miss Dream Girl. This year’s batch of Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Universe-Philippines 2019  candidates are challenged to match or surpass the performances of the five reigning queens. Based on the ‘free speak’…

On Wednesday evening, the country’s most prestigious national beauty pageant called Binibining Pilipinas 2019 recently held its fashion show where all the 40 candidates strutted the runway in Jag and World Balance wear but the highlight of the evening was the parade of jaw-dropping national costumes designed by Filipino fashion designers, That evening, the Top Three in Best in Talent were also named. They were Samantha Mae Bernardo of Palawan,  Cassandra Colleen Bermeo Chan of Bacolod and Alanis Reign Binoya of Batangas. From the 40 candidates, the judges made their choices for the Top 10 semi-finalists for Best in National…

Yearly, the most prestigious national beauty pageant in the country–Binibining Pilipinas showcases not just the beauty, wits and talents but also the forms or the figures of candidates in summer wear via its Grand Parade of Beauties. Today, May 25, the 40 beauties from across the Philippine regions paraded in their floral summer wear via a motorcade around the Araneta Center. Each candidate garbed in festive-inspired designs with touches of Gumamela (local name for Hibiscus) flowers, fitting enough to rival the annual Flores de Mayo or Flowers of May, which is a takeoff from the traditional parade of long, formal…

It’s been more than a century, 125 years to be exact when the first bottle of Martell Cognac came to the Philippine shores in 1894, and on May 17, Friday at the Marina Bay Spa and Lifestyle Club–a new blend of aroma and sensation via its new brand called Perspective was introduced to the public. Selected lifestyle media, simple dilettantes and expert connoisseurs were invited to a tasting experience and discover what Martell is known for its name–elegance, complexity and balance.   Martell Chanteloup Perspective is made from four of the most prestigious cognac crus and carefully blended by the…

The 40 candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2019 visited the head office of PLDT. Six candidates were chosen to sit down with the selected digital media to express their thoughts about their pageant journeys. PLDT Home has supported the various causes and events of Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI). On Thursday, May 16, the 40 candidates for this year’s Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant paid a courtesy visit to the head office of leading telecommunications and digital services provider Philippine Long Distance Telephone, Inc. (PLDT) to kick off activities leading to the coronation night on June 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.…

Ai-Ai delas Alas officially announced to the public her resignation as talent manager of Ex B. According to her, she just waited for the film S.O.N.S. to be shown and eventually decided to let go of the group after. It was due to disrespect and some of the group members’ stubbornness and being hard-headed that compelled her to make such crucial decision. On May 15, Ai-Ai de las Alas during an afternoon gathering with selected traditional (both print and TV) and digital media, she finally blurted out the bomb she has been trying to drop a long time ago that…

Chuckie Antonio tried showbiz when he was younger, but he found his calling in public service. He is seeking for a councilor seat for Quezon City District 3. He is the youngest and an independent candidate representing the youth sector. It is a fact that the Philippines, is run by remarkably few political families. A study in April 2016 shows 70 percent of members of the Congress are part of political dynasties. According to political activists and analysts, the elite rule and celebrity politics have deeply entrenched in the country’s politics and its elections. Such a route that is both…

Jace Roque promotes his song Sober. His song is described as Pop-EDM.  He dedicated the song to those who have mental health concerns. The word sober can be defined in many ways. According to singer-songwriter Jace Roque, his latest song titled Sober is about his faith and the darkness he had to face to get to where he is today. Roque who wrote and sang the song, further described himself as, “I’m in a place where I’m not drowning in my emotions and I’m not masking what I feel anymore. Over the years I’ve learned to accept life for what…

An independent but award-winning actor Kristoffer King died on Saturday evening, February 23 at the Adventist Medical Center in Pasay City, where he was rushed after his heart stopped from beating for five minutes. However, a few minutes later, the actor expired and was pronounced dead at 8:45 p.m. at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the aforementioned hospital. Though King is believed to be diabetic, the cause of his death is still not clear. The 36-year-old actor was last seen in Kapuso shows ‘The StepDaughters,’ ‘Inday Will Always Love You’ and ‘Tadhana.’ He also appeared with Coco Martin in…

Jiggy Manicad is underfire after his thoughts about press freedom is not under attack. His colleagues in the broadcast and journalism field went against his stand. Manicad is running under Sarah Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago. The erstwhile broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad who made an official exit from his post in TV programs like Quick Response Team and 24 Oras Weekend in April 2018; and received flak from media practitioners and even from campus journalists after he made a statement about the government’s stand and agreed that press freedom in the country is not under attack. Manicad, a senatorial contender mentioned…

The 67th Miss Universe Catriona Gray kicked-off her reign via guesting on two US TV shows—Good Morning America and Live Kelly and Ryan, yesterday. She was crowned in Bangkok, Thailand succeeding Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa. The beauty queen from the Philippines recently celebrated her birthday on January 6. After a short Christmas break and as she soon as she arrived in New York, New York on January 2; and right after her birthday (January 6)—Catriona Gray, the fourth Miss Universe from the Philippines officially began her duties via her guesting in two US television shows—Good Morning America and Live…

Darren Criss won as Best Actor at the recently concluded Golden Globe Awards. He revered his Mom from Cebu to whom he credits most of his successes. Criss is the son of a native Cebuana mother and a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania father. In the recently concluded 78th Golden Globe Awards, held on Saturday, January 6 (Sunday, January 7, Philippine time) the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, American actor-singer-songwriter Darren Criss received his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture made for television; and he acknowledged and revered his Filipino mom. During…