Author: RJ Mataro

On November 7, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran highlighted the importance of the Diwali Festival to the Filipino Indian community.  At the media event for Diwali Mela 2023, which LionhearTV attended, Kumaran noted how the festival brings the Filipino Indian community closer to the local communities in the country. “Diwali [is] celebrated as a community–everybody [in the community] joins. So when the community in the Philippines celebrates it–actually they bring the local community also as part of the festival. So we like to see it as a festival [that] we share with our Filipino friends.” He also mentioned…

On October 26, TV5 artist Maoui David revealed why she left showbiz 15 years ago. In a LioneharTV exclusive interview with the newest hosts of TV5’s ‘Good Morning Kapatid,’ David disclosed about her pregnancy at 19 years old, which led her to leave showbiz. “Ang nangyari po kasi ng time na ‘yun, nabuntis ako so I had a baby. Eh noong time na ‘yun medyo kontrobersyal pa. I was 19– nabuntis ako, so nanganak po ako at 20, so kumbaga dati nasa Star Magic po ako na dati tinatawag nating talent center.” She also detailed her life outside of showbiz…

On October 26, actress Lovi Poe asserted she would not have limitations with her career after getting married. At the media event for her endorsement with the jewelry brand Imono, which LionhearTV covered, Poe addressed whether she would put limitations on her career as an actress after tying the knot with her husband, executive producer/scientist Monty Blencowe. “I feel like no, I feel like as an actress talaga. One thing na natutunan ko is that I want to keep portraying different characters. ‘Yun naman talaga ‘yung trabaho namin bilang actors. Of course, some people choose to do the same kind…

On October 26, actress Lovi Poe highlighted her values in affordable fashion over expensive price tags. At the media event for her endorsement with the jewelry brand ‘Imono,’ which LionhearTV covered, Poe discussed she would rather wear what she loves instead of concerning herself with expensive fashion pieces. “There is nothing wrong with it, but let’s not always get carried away by the price tag. Because usually, I see everywhere–is like, ‘How much is this person wearing?’ You always– you know, ‘How much and what kind of signature outfit.'” “You know, it’s like–let’s slow down and relax and enjoy fashion.”…

On October 25, Quezon City Film Commission executive director Liza Diño-Seguerra highlighted QC’s goal of becoming the Philippines’ film hub.  At the media conference for QCinema, which LionhearTV covered, Diño-Seguerra noted QC Mayor Joy Belmonte’s goal of having their city as the country’s film hub.  “So ngayon, with the trust of our dear Mayor and her goal to really leave a legacy. Naumpisahan na with the QCinema, in the past ten years to make sure na ang Quezon City ang magiging heart at hub at film capital po ng bansa. The Quezon City Film Commission–is now being revived as an…

On September 22, actress Alessandra de Rossi revealed that she didn’t want to do the role of Valentina in ‘Darna’ (2005). During the scene drop event for ‘Firefly’ at Azadore Restaurant in Quezon City, which LionhearTV covered, de Rossi recounted how she felt apprehensive about accepting the role for the series, which caused her to intentionally increase her talent fee before joining the project. “‘Yung worst–‘yung tanggapin ko ‘yung mga ganon, ‘yung Valentina, alam ko ayaw ko naman siya from the start, nagtaas nga ako ng presyo. I think mas mataas ‘yung sweldo ko kay Darna, charot. Para kasi ‘yung…

On October 13, actress Maui Taylor remarked that it was time for her to evolve in acting through her role in ‘Haliparot.’  At the media event for ‘Haliparot,’ which LionhearTV covered, Taylor talked about her role as the mother of her co-star Aiko Garcia in the sexy film. “I think it’s to [ano]– time to evolve. The fact [that] I’m playing a role of a mom, ibig sabihin, I already took one step– a giant step forward. And being a mom to Aiko (Garcia) in this film, actually ano, proud ako at tsaka honored ako kasi, first things first, I…

On October 26, actress-entrepreneur Dimples Romana explained that she remained a Kapamilya after joining TV5’s ‘Gud Morning Kapatid.’  At the media event for the newest hosts of TV5’s ‘Good Morning Kapatid,’ which LionhearTV covered, Romana thanked ABS-CBN heads for allowing her to be part of TV5’s morning show. “It’s nice na ang tawag ni MJ kanina dual citizen. I love it because first, I’m not leaving the Kapamilya network–I’m still a Kapamilya, still with Star Magic. I’m so grateful to our bosses that I [was given] the permission to do Good Morning Kapatid, kasi this is for News5.” She discussed…

On October 13, Kapuso music artist Anton Paras admitted that he felt surprised with his AWIT Awards nomination. At the media event for his new single ‘Can’t Wait,’ which LionhearTV covered, Paras recounted how he found out about his AWIT Awards nomination. “Super nagulat po ako noong nakita ko na lang po sa post na–tinag po ako ni si Pao, sir Paolo Agudelo na sa Instagram, sa story na nandoon po ako, na ‘Oy, nandito pala ako sa Awit Awards.’ Nagulat na lang po ako tapos ayun po pinost ko na po, pinakita ko po sa mga friends and families,…

On October 27, actress Yassi Pressman congratulated Coco Martin and the cast of ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ (FPJBQ). At the media conference for ‘Black Rider,’ which LionhearTV covered, Pressman noted how much she would love to meet her ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’ (FPJAP) co-star in the future to let him know how she appreciates Martin’s current action series. “Hindi pa po, sayang nga po nagkasalisi po kami doon kay Senator Robin eh, pero tinanong niya po ako tapos pagdating ko po doon, tinanong ko naman po siya. Kapag nakita ko po siya, ico-congratulate ko po siya napakaganda ng ‘Batang Quiapo.’ Simula day…

On September 26, Kapuso artist Anjay Anson recalled getting bullied because of his Indian heritage. At the media conference for their Kapuso youth-oriented series, ‘Sparkle U,’ which LionhearTV covered, Anson recounted how his schoolmates would tease him with Indian-themed music when he arrived. “Hindi naman po online ‘yung sa akin, pero since Indian po ako, parang– yeah may race issue po ito. As in everyday kapag papasok ako sa School, lagi akong may maririnig niyan na– as in. “So parang noong una, parang naano ako na-apektuhan po ako. Pero noong tumagal naman po, parang naging immune ka rin naman po.”…

On September 29, Philippines Concert Queen Pops Fernandez highlighted what she wanted to do with her career now that she signed with Viva. At the media event for her contract signing with Viva Artist Agency, which LionhearTV covered, Fernandez remarked that she wants to work on light-themed projects. “Parang gusto ko nga mga-light-light muna, again I haven’t done movies in a long time. So I guess as a warm-up. Gusto ko rin ng mga thrillers, because that’s what I love to watch. Ayaw ko masyado ng drama kasi parang galing na ako doon in real life. Gusto ko naman ng…

On October 10, A1 Members Ben Adams, Mark Read, Christian Ingebrigtsen, and Paul Marazzi recalled their funniest stage moments when they were performing. At the media conference for ‘A1 Twenty Five Manila,’ which LionhearTV covered, Adams began recounting that he once fell through a stage they performed when they were younger. “Remember one of our first live gigs, and my leg [just] went straight through.” Marazzi noted that each member had their own experience falling through a stage during their live gigs when they were starting out. “When we started doing anything together, we did under 18 discos and schools,…

On October 27, Kapuso actor Ruru Madrid recounted Coco Martin’s praise as the new Kapuso action star. At the media conference for ‘Black Rider,’ which LionhearTV covered, Madrid narrated how he met the Kapamilya actor-director in an event with seasoned action stars such as Philip Salvador and Senator Robin Padilla. “Nagkita po din po kami doon sa same event na kung saan kami nagkita ni Tatay Ipe, ni Senator Robin, eh sakto nandoon po si sir Coco. Nilapitan ko po siya para magpakilala po ako, dahil sobrang taas po ng respeto ko sa kaniya, sobrang taas po ng paghanga ko…

On October 10, the Danish pop band Lukas Graham vocalist Lukas Forchhammer said he wanted to collaborate with British singer Adele in a ‘big love song.’ At the media event for their upcoming concert ‘Lukas Graham: Asia 2023,’ which LionhearTV covered, Forchhammer remarked that their collaboration would create a ‘sound the world need.’ “I think a big love song with Adele would be absolutely amazing. I think it would sound wonderful– and it’s a sound the world would need.” Aside from his dream collaboration, Forchhammer also gave a piece of advice to aspiring singers about finding their niche in music. “I…

On September 29, Philippines Concert Queen Pops Fernandez recounted how she got a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role in the 1999 film ‘Linlang.’  At the media event for her contract signing with Viva Artist Agency, which LionhearTV covered, Fernandez starred with Richard Gomez and Joyce Jimenez in the Fernandez Maryo J. de los Reyes movie. “Pero maganda rin ‘yung Linlang, kaya lang parang ang hirap mag-emote. Goma and Joyce Jiminez, and I think I was nominated as Best Supporting Actress for that. So that’s really a good movie for me. That’s under Viva.” She garnered a Best Supporting…