Saturday, November 29, 2008

Twilight Fever!

TWILIGHT is an action-packed, modern-day love story between a teenage girl and a vampire. Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) has always been a little bit different, never caring about fitting in with the trendy girls at her Phoenix high school. When her mother re-marries and sends Bella to live with her father in the rainy little town of Forks, Washington, she doesn't expect much of anything to change. Then she meets the mysterious and dazzlingly beautiful Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a boy unlike any she's ever met. Edward is a vampire, but he doesn't have fangs and his family is unique in that they choose not to drink human blood. Intelligent and witty, Edward sees straight into Bella's soul. Soon, they are swept up in a passionate, thrilling and unorthodox romance. To Edward, Bella is what he has waited 90 years for - a soul mate. But the closer they get, the more Edward must struggle to resist the primal pull of her scent, which could send him into an uncontrollable frenzy. But what will Edward & Bella do when a clan of new vampires - James (Cam Gigandet), Laurent (Edi Gathegi) and Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre) - come to town and threaten to disrupt their way of life?

ABOUT TWILIGHT: Based on the #1 New York Times Best-Selling series with over 17 million books in print by Stephenie Meyer, TWILIGHT is a cultural phenomenon, with a dedicated fan base that eagerly awaits this movie. There are over 350 fan sites devoted to TWILIGHT, and it has been chosen as the New York Times Editor's Choice, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Amazon's "Best Book of the Decade...So Far", Teen People's "Hot List" Pick, and The American Library Association's "Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults" and "Top Ten Books for Reluctant Readers," among others. Critically acclaimed director Catherine Hardwicke brings to life this modern, visual, and visceral Romeo & Juliet story of the ultimate forbidden love affair - between vampire and mortal.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Manuel Chua Sets Fear Factor World Record

Manuel Chua smashed the Fear Factor world record in the slippery car stunt.

The previous record of 3 minutes 7 seconds set by a contestant from Hungary was smashed by the Pinoy participante. Manuel Chua, the very first participante to try the stunt, finished the slippery car stunt by a whopping 44 seconds! The Philippines now holds the record for the said stunt besting contestants from more than 30 countries which also undergone the Fear Factor camp and did the same stunt.

Video Link: Manuel Chua - Slippery Car Stunt

Mariah at the 2008 American Music Awards

Mariah gave a rousing live performance of her new single, "I Stay In Live," at tonight's American Music Awards.

Mariah received the "Honorary Award" for most #1 songs by a solo artist & most weeks at #1 by any artist - her 12th career American Music Award! The inscription on the trophy reads:

"The American Music Awards honors Mariah Carey for surpassing two of the longest standing records in music history, formerly held by Elvis Presley. In 2008, Mariah Carey became the solo artist with the most number one hits of all time. In addition, Mariah has now spent more weeks at number one than any other artist in the history of recorded music. Congratulations!"

Mariah lost in the "Favorite Female Artist - Pop" and the "Favorite Album - R&B" categories. The awards went to Rihanna and Alicia Keys, respectively.


Friday, November 21, 2008

Geoff and Tisha Finished 2nd in Amazing Race Asia Season 3

Dating couple Geoff Rodriguez and Tisha Silang finished second in Amazing Race Asia season 3, the best placement so far by a Philippine team in the Asian version of the award-winning reality show since season 1.

Geoff and Tisha caused trouble to 7 teams by using the yield and u-turn option of the game. This is why they made it to the 11th and final leg of the race from Oman to Phuket, Thailand.

Hong Kong boys Vince and Sam, who started 3rd in the final leg managed to stepped on the mat first winning the 3rd season of Amazing Race Asia and $100,000.00 cash prize. The Malaysian team, who started the final leg with four hours advantage finished third.

Video Link: Amazing Race Asia 3 - Final Episode

Filipino Wins 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize


Filipino writer Miguel Syjuco won the $10,000 Man Asian Literary prize Thursday, a fledgling award launched by the backers of the world-renowned Booker prize to recognize the region's top literary talent.

Manila-born Syjuco won the award for his debut novel Ilustrado which tells the tale of an acolyte of a famous Filipino writer who dies in mysterious circumstances in a family saga spanning four generations of Philippine history.

Syjuco was chosen from a shortlist of five Asian authors including Kavery Nambisan and Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi from India, Yu Hua of China and Alfred A. Yuson of the Philippines.

The judges of the prize were Canada's former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, Australian scholar and writer Nicholas Jose and writer Pankaj Mishra.

"Ilustrado seems to us to possess formal ambition, linguistic inventiveness and sociopolitical insight in the most satisfying measure," the judges said in a statement.

"Brilliantly conceived, and stylishly executed, it covers a large and tumultuous historical period with seemingly effortless skill. It is also ceaselessly entertaining, frequently raunchy, and effervescent with humor."

Chinese writer Jiang Rong won the inaugural prize last year for his autobiographical novel "Wolf Totem" about self-discovery and the relationship between man and wolf on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia during the Cultural Revolution.

Man Group Plc is known for sponsoring the world-renowned Man Booker Prize, which rewards the best novel of the year by a writer from Britain, Ireland or a Commonwealth country. The Booker, founded in 1969, has gone in the past to literary giants such as Salman Rushdie and J.M. Coetzee.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Charice Pempengco Featured on David Foster’s Album ‘Hit Man’

Our very own Charice Pempengco has a track included in the upcoming album “Hit Man: David Foster and Friends” coming out in November 11, 2008 worldwide.

Charice Pempengco’s cut in the album is Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” and “I Will Always Love You”, the same songs she performed in the benefit concert David Foster and Friends which is going to be televised on PBS at the last week of November.

Also featured in the “Hit Man” album are Andrea Bocelli, Katharine McPhee, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Peter Cetera and Brian McKnight among others. Included in the CD are 2 DVD’s covering the David Foster and Friends concert.

Track listing:
Disc 1:
1. Love Theme From St. Elmo’s Fire (Kenny G.)
2. Home (Michael Buble and Blake Shelton)
3. I Have Nothing/I Will Always Love You (Charice)
4. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Josh Groban and Brian McKnight)
5. Somewhere (Katharine McPhee)
6. Look What You’ve Done To Me (Boz Skaggs)
7. Wildflower (Blake Shelton)
8. Hard To Say I’m Sorry/You’re The Inspiration/Glory Of Love (Peter Cetera)
9. The Prayer (Andrea Bocelli and Katharine McPhee)

DVD content:
Act I
1. Andre Agassi Intro
2. St Elmo’s Love Theme(Kenny G.)
3. Can’t Help Falling In Love(David Foster)
4. Beauty/Man In Motion(Michael Johns)
5. Mornin’/After The Love Has Gone(Brian McKnight)
6. Video(Barbra Streisand)
7. Somewhere(Katharine McPhee)
8. Through The Fire(Renee Olstead)
9. Got To Be Real(Cheryl Lynn)
10. Wildflower(Blake Shelton)
11. Video(Urban Cowboy)
12. Love Look What You’ve Done(Boz Skaggs)
13. Jo Jo(Boz Skaggs)
14. Chocolate Legs(Eric Benet)
15. Hard To Say I’m Sorry/You’re The Inspiration/Glory Of Love(Peter Cetera)
16. Amapola(Andrea Bocelli)
17. Because We Believe(Andrea Bocelli)
18. The Prayer(Andrea Bocelli and Katharine McPhee)

Act II
1. Asturias(William Joseph)
2. Video-Because You Loved Me(Celine Dion and David Foster)
3. I Swear(Babyface and Kevon)
4. Feeling Good(Michael Buble)
5. Home(Michael Buble and Blake Shelton)
6. Save The Last Dance(Michael Buble)
7. Video-Bodyguard w/Kevin Costner
8. I Have Nothing/I Will Always Love You(Charice)
9. Alla Luce del Sole(Josh Groban)
10. Bridge Over Troubled Water(Josh Groban with Brian McKnight)
11. You Raise Me Up(Josh Groban)
12. Got To Be Real(All)

Pre-order the album now! Click the photo below to pre-order the album:

Charice Pempengco Performs at Good Morning America

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Dureza wants GMA to stay beyond 2010


Be careful what you pray for.

President Arroyo was put on the spot yesterday after her press secretary openly sought divine help for her to continue serving the country beyond the end of her term in 2010.

At the start of the Cabinet meeting, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza prayed: “Bless the President so we will have forbearance, good health, and tolerance to lead this nation up to 2010 and perhaps, who knows, even beyond.”

Mrs. Arroyo, with her head bowed in prayer, covered her face with her hands and said under her breath, “Oh my God.” But the microphone in front of her caught her words, and she gave an embarrassed smile as she raised her head.

Dureza also prayed for Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, who recently celebrated his birthday, and for newly installed Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=416644&publicationSubCategoryId=68

Monday, November 17, 2008

Charice to Perform with Miley Cyrus and David Archuleta

Our very own Charice will join Hannah Montana teen superstar Miley Cyrus and American Idol season 7 runner-up David Archuleta as headliners of this year’s Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Nov. 27, 2008.

According to Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre of the Philippine Star:

“Charice will join Hannah Montana megastar Miley Cyrus and American Idol runner-up David Archuleta as headliners of this year’s Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Nov. 27. The event, presented by Macy’s, the world’s largest retail store, is one of America’s most lavish celebrations seen by over 3.5 million live spectators and over 44 million televiewers across the US. Aside from famed celebrities, the event’s notable attractions are its inflated giant balloons in the shape of well-loved cartoon or comic book characters.”

Charice, Miley and David will ride on different colorful floats and will perform separately along with other notable artists such as James Taylor, Andy Williams, The Cheetah Girls, Broadway superstars Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, the cast of Broadway musical Hairspray, the muppets cast of Sesame Street

, plus Miss USA Crystle Stewart.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Charice will promote David Foster’s album (in which she has 2 tracks) on Good Morning America on ABC, live from the Times Square in Manhattan. According to reports, Charice’s US album is also in the works.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Mariah is Rolling Stone's 79th Greatest Singer

The November issue of Rolling Stone names the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. Mariah is ranked at no. 79.

79 | Mariah Carey

Born:
March 27th, 1970
Key Tracks:
"One Sweet Day," "Vision of Love," "Fantasy"
Influenced:
Brandy, Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis

"When I was little," Mariah Carey says, "I used to wake up with a really raspy voice and"--she shifts to her signature squeak--"talk in a really high voice. My mother couldn't understand it, and she's an opera singer. But then I started to try to sing using that voice." Carey is famous for her staggering vocal range -- including those ravishing high notes -- and power. Her mastery of melisma, the fluttering strings of notes that decorate songs like "Vision of Love," inspired the entire American Idol vocal school, for better or worse, and virtually every other female R&B singer since the Nineties. But technical skill alone doesn't make for hits, and Carey's radiant, sweetly sexy presence has been knocking them out of the park for two decades. She's scored more Number One singles than any solo artist -- 18 and counting.

For the complete Top 100 list, click here.

Tisha Silang and Geoff Rodriguez Make It to Final 3 of Amazing Race Asia




Dubbed by the viewers as the beauty queen and her rude boyfriend, the Philippine representative–Tisha Silang and Geoff Rodriguez–made it to the final leg of Amazing Race Asia season 3.

Tisha and Geoff cannot explain how they managed to come so far after committing many critical errors that caused them valuable time and put them in danger of elimination. Not to mention the hot-tempered Geoff who is always ready to melt-down in the middle of the race.

But luck favored the dating couple as the other teams got lost going to the roadblock in Muscat, Oman as Geoff and Tisha arrived there the same time as the other teams. They even finished the roadblock easily to come in second behind Ida and Tania from Malaysia. Securing the third and final spot in the finals are buddies Sam and Vince from Hong Kong. A.D. and Fuzzie from Singapore were eliminated.

Tisha and Geoff are now assured of duplicating Rovilson Fernandez and Marc Nelson’s third place finish in season 2 or they can even surpass their feat. In season 1 of the Asian version of the Emmy Award-winning reality show, two teams from the Philippines competed but neither of the 2 make it to the finals. On season 2, the Philippines fielded two teams again with one team making it to the final and ended up 3rd place (Rovilson and Marc). This season, we only have 1 team representing the Philippines and they are now among the top 3 teams who have the chance of winning $100,000.00 cash prize and the title of the first Philippine team to win the Amazing Race Asia.

The finale episode of Amazing Race Asia season 3 will be aired on Thursday, November 20, on AXN.

More about Tisha and Geoff here.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Jess Espanola is the First Pinoy to Win an Emmy Award


Jess Espanola, a Filipino American animator, recently won the 2008 Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program by the Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences for his work on “The Simpsons- Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind.”

Jess is the Assistant Director for the said Simpson’s episode which was named Outstanding Animated Program (for programming lest than one hour) during the 60th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards.


click this...

http://pinoypower.net/?p=197



ABS-CBN 2008 Christmas Station ID

ABS-CBN has just launched the official Kapamilya Christmas Station ID for 2008.

This year’s theme is “May Katuparan ang Hiling sa Kapamilyang Kapiling.” Selected Kapamilya stars like Judy Ann Santos, Dolphy, Sharon Cuneta, Gabby Concepcion, Sam Milby, Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino, John Lloyd Cruz, Angel Locsin, Ai Ai delas Alas, KC Concepcion, etc. share what Christmas means to them and how they celebrate the season with their families. The theme song “Kapamilyang Kapiling” is sung by Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo.


‘Himala’ is CNN’s Best Film of All Time in Asia Pacific



Pinoy power fueled the country’s bid for Nora Aunor’s movie “Himala” (Miracle) to be the Best Film of All Time in the Asia Pacific via a poll conducted by CNN.

Himala is a 1982 Filipino classic film about a girl who claims to have been chosen by the Virgin Mary as the messenger of good faith in a backward town. It’s a masterpiece of award-winning director Ismael Bernal starring erstwhile superstar Nora Aunor.

During the Asia Pacific Screen Awards on Tuesday in Australia’s Gold Coast, “Himala” was announced as the best film in the region. The film won via online voting through CNN’s website.

Himala bested tough competitors, namely Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon from China; The Seven Samurai from Japan; Gabbeh from Iran; Gallipoli from Australia; Pather Panchali from India; Oscar-winning Spirited Away from Japan; Oldboy from South Korea; Internal Affairs from Hong Kong/China; and Chungking Express from China.

Himala was the Best Picture in 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival and 1983 Catholic Mass Media Awards. It also raked numerous awards that time from Famas to Urian. It also won the Bronze Hugo Price at the Chicago International Film Festival.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Miss Earth 2008 - Miss Philippines, Karla Paula Henry




MISS EARTH 2008: PHILIPPINES, Karla Henry
Miss Earth Air: TANZANIA, Miriam Odemba
Miss Earth Water: MEXICO, Abigail Elizalde
Miss Earth Fire: BRAZIL, Tatiane Alves

COLOMBIA, SPAIN, SWITZERLAND, VENEZUELA

Top 16 Semi Finalists

CZECH REPUBLIC, KOREA, NIGERIA, POLAND, ROMANIA, RUSSIA, THAILAND, USA

Special Awards

Miss Photogenic - Miss Philippines
Best in National Costume - Miss Panama
Best in Swimsuit - Miss Mexico
Miss Talent - Miss Australia
Best in Long Gown - Miss Venezuela
Miss Friendship - Ecuador


Winning Answer

Final Question in Miss Earth 2008: "What would you tell US president-elect Barack Obama about the state of the global environment if ever you were to meet him?"

Answer of Miss Earth 2008: “Environmental knowledge is something that all of us must share, but most importantly we must teach the youth that this is something that we should instill in them so that in the near future they will be the ones to take care of our mother Earth."

- Karla Paula Henry, represented Philippines


Monday, November 03, 2008

'High School Musical 3' remains top box office earner

"High School Musical 3: Senior Year" hauled in $15 million to remain the top box office earner.

Hollywood made audiences repeat senior year.

Disney's "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" hauled in $15 million to remain the top movie for the second straight weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Starring Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens in a big-screen sequel to the Disney Channel TV movies, "High School Musical 3" raised its 10-day total to $61.8 million.

Obama and McCain Ads...



Obama vs. McCain



Barack Obama enjoys a lead in the polls before the US presidential vote, but experts say the race for the White House is not yet over with a comeback by John McCain still possible.