Author: RJ Mataro

On December 27, Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Best Actor Awardee Cedrick Juan dedicated his recent accolade to Filipinos who don’t get the justice they deserve. At the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal, which LionhearTV covered, Juan cited the historical significance of their film when discussing injustice in his dedication of his award to his fellow Filipinos. “Inaalay ko po ito, itong parangal na ito, para sa lahat ng Pilipinong hindi nakakakuha ng tamang hustisya. 152 years ago, ganon po ‘yung nangyari sa atin, ‘yun po ‘yung kwento ng tatlong paring martir na sana ay matuto tayo…

On December 18, Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards clarified rumors that he and Sanya Lopez had dated before. At Alden Richards’ Thanksgiving Party, which LionhearTV attended, the Kapuso actor explained that he and Lopez are good friends. “Ay wala pong ganon. Hindi po kami nag-date.  “Well, nagkikita-kita po kami sa GMA, pero we’re friends, pero wala pa pong something romantic, and hindi po kami nagde-date.” He then disclosed that he would feel ready to settle down once he deemed prepared to leave showbiz. “Ready na po akong iwan ‘yung work ko. Ready na po akong mag-lie low. Ang hirap kasi…

On December 22, actress-director Gina Alajar admitted feeling frustrated with the health restrictions and how it limits senior actors from getting projects. At the media event for ‘Pieta,’ which LionhearTV covered, Alajar expressed exasperation with how the health restrictions affected their morale as actors. “Aba siyempre, nakakapikon, nakaka– mas lalong nakakawala ng moral, nangyari na nga na nag start na sa pandemic na ang mga senior citizen ayaw palabasin ng bahay, kahit na kaya naman natin.” She also emphasized how healthy and ready she was to continue working. “Kami ni– eh senior citizens, we’re up and about eh. Ang lakas-lakas pa…

On December 21, stars Empoy Marquez and Kim Molina reacted to ‘My Zombabe’ becoming the opening salvo of Viva Films for 2024. At the media conference for ‘My Zombabe,’ which LionhearTV covered, Marquez admitted that he felt nervous with the trust given to them to be the first movie of Viva Films for 2024. “Ah ‘yun, tulad ng sabi ni Direk, kinakabahan kasi sa amin pinagkatiwala nila Boss Vic at tsaka nila Boss na ‘yung opening–pagpasok ng 2024 kami ‘yung first movie ng Viva para magpasaya ng mga tao. At sana ayun tangkilikin ng mga tao at ipag-pray natin ‘yan.”…

On January 2, reports seemed to affirm that Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera’s Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 entry became the highest-grossing MMFF film.  According to a report from entertainment blogger Rod Magaru, based on his reliable source, the Star Cinema drama movie has reportedly grossed over P368 million, ending January 1, 2023, nationwide screening. According to estimations, ‘Rewind’ would reach the P400-Million-Mark any time this week.  While the report isn’t an official tally of the earnings of each MMFF entry, DongYan’s ‘Rewind’ may have broken various box office records if the reported gross earnings would prove true. According to Magaru’s article,…

On December 29, Kapuso star Herlene Budol revealed her plans to release the single ‘Kain Tayo’ after the viral issue involving her and ‘Magandang Dilag’ co-star Rob Gomez. Budol posted a photo of her vocal training with Kumusikero Music Worship Tutorial via her Instagram account.  She captioned the photo, thanking her previous talent manager, Wilbert Tolentino.  “Thank you Mima ko @sirwil75. Yung kht indi na cya Manager ko pero andyan parin cya thru thick & thin at pinupush nya ako mag voice lesson at classmate ko narin si Little KaFreshness Willard King Tolentino.” She then cited her experience with the…

On December 28, Kapuso Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera got emotional over the awe-inspiring support of fans for their Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 film, ‘Rewind.’  In an Instagram post from Star Cinema, Dantes was holding back his emotions while comforting Rivera, who was in tears with the overwhelming support of their fans for ‘Rewind.’ The powerhouse couple went on a mall tour in SM Pampanga to promote their MMFF 2023 film and met with a large crowd of moviegoers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqYlK81MxgA Some fans attributed the mind-blowing moment to the marketing strategies of Star Cinema. https://twitter.com/AltStarMagic/status/1740641208052187470 https://twitter.com/AltStarMagic/status/1740641208052187470…

On December 27, actress Vilma Santos shared her Best Actress Award in the Metro Manila Film Festival with her fellow nominees. At the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal, which LionhearTV covered, Santos remarked how her Best Actress Award was for her friends Sharon Cuneta, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Eugene Domingo, and Pokwang. “Sa inyo pong lahat, sa bumubuo po ng MMFF, maraming-marami pong salamat sa lahat ng mga taong sumusuporta sa sampung pelikulang pinapalabas maraming-maraming salamat po.  “Shawie, my friend, this is for you. I love you. And to my inaanak, Marian, and Dingdong. I share this…

On December 29, estranged couple Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati seemingly took off their respective wedding rings, as shown on their social media posts. Via an Instagram story, Richard was hugging his niece, which showed his hands without his wedding ring. As for Sarah, she posted a photo of herself and her family during their trip to Bohol, and the actress-model wasn’t wearing her wedding ring as well. The embattled couple were previously wearing their wedding rings in their previous photos. Earlier, rumors about Richard and Sarah’s separation surfaced after netizens noticed they didn’t have pictures of them together on…

On December 20, Aficionado president and CEO Joel Cruz revealed that his youngest son is on the autism spectrum. In his recent vlog titled ‘Joel in Paris| Europe Tour Part7,’ Cruz explained why his son Ziv Cruz wasn’t present in his video about their family’s trip to Paris, France. “Actually, kakasagot ko lang sa isang question doon sa mga vlog namin ba’t tinatanong, ba’t seven lang daw ‘yung kasama ko na bata, hindi eight.  “Sabi ko nga sa kanya, tama ‘yung alam niya na wala ‘yung mga bata. However, ‘yung ika-walo kasi, ‘yung bunso, na-diagnose siya ng doctor na mayroon siyang Autism…

Many shocking news surprised fans and audiences this 2023. That included the passing away of celebrities and personalities people came to love, with some of them abrupt. Now that 2023 is about to end, it is time to look back to this year and remember those celebrities and personalities from the entertainment industry who fans, and fellow showbiz people mourned. This list pays tribute to the celebs and personalities from various forms of media who left a mark on the showbiz industry and in people’s hearts: Lualhati Bautista Filipina writer, novelist, and activist Lualhati Bautista passed away on February 12,…

On December 18, Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards remarked that he doesn’t plan to tarnish his relationship with TVJ and Dabarkads. During his Thanksgiving Party, which LionhearTV attended, Richards addressed why he had not appeared in Eat Bulaga or EAT to promote his recent projects. “Parang ‘yun nga po ‘yung sinabi ko before bago pa lang mangyari ‘yung paglipat sa TV5, na if I have to do the promos in all of the shows, siyempre I will not the deprive the project that I’m working with with the opportunity to promote it on different shows po, especially with the noontime…

On December 23, actor-director Coco Martin attributed the success of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo to the team effort of the cast and crew. During the visit of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo cast at the Blessed Family Elderly Care Facility and the National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City, which LionhearTV attended, Martin shared the secret behind the ratings success of their Kapamilya action drama. “Alam ninyo, ang sikreto honestly, ‘yung pagsusuportahan at pagmamahalan ng lahat ng bumubuo, ng mga actors at creatives. Kasi, sabi ko nga, noong gumawa ng Ang Probinsyano noon, kami rin ang gumagawa ng Batang Quiapo, kilala na namin ‘yung…

On December 27, Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Best Supporting Actress Awardee Miles Ocampo recounted her showbiz journey from a child star to getting an acting award at 27. At the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal, which LionhearTV covered, Ocampo felt surreal when accepting her award. “Knock, knock po, six years old po ako nag-umpisa sa industriya, 27 na po ako, first time ko makatanggap ng award. Ganito po pala ang feeling ng mga artista.” She also admitted having apprehensions about accepting the role because of her recent surgery. “Sobrang pinag-isipan ko po kung tatanggapin ko po…

On December 19, actress Cherry Pie Picache talked about the state of her heart. At the media conference for ‘Firefly,’ which LionhearTV covered, Picache seemingly confirmed her split with actor Edu Manzano, citing how they remain good friends. “Di ba sa edad kong to ngayon, I cannot, I cannot depend my happiness on someone–somebody else. Besides, dapat din buo ako or whatever, or kumpleto ako kung magmamahal ako di ba? Ulit.  “No, we’re [very] good friends. He’s a very good person. We’re [very] good friends. You know, we will always love each other. Ayun.” She then remarked that despite not…

On December 18, Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards refuted rumors that he plans on transferring networks. At Alden Richard’s Thanksgiving Party, which LionhearTV attended, the Kapuso actor remarked that he would remain loyal to GMA Network. “Wala po, wala pong ganyan. Wala po. Loyal po tayo sa GMA until sa GMA until the last day… pati Sparkle.” He also highlighted talks of a futuristic drama with Anne Curtis-Smith under GMA Public Affairs. “Sa ngayon, wala po, mayroon pong niluluto for Anne Curtis and me. Medyo ano po drama po na futuristic ‘yung concept. Parang Direk Irene Villamor din po. Parang…