ASAP XV That's Christmas Highlights!

It’s that time of the year once again that the hosts and performers of ASAP XV were divided into 3 groups to perform special Christmas presentations called “That’s Christmas”.

Group 1 or “Angas XV” group is composed of Gary V., Piolo Pascual, Sarah Geronimo, Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Sam Milby, Enchong Dee, Robi Domingo, Yeng Constantino, Shaina Magdayao, Erick Santos, Karylle, Nina and Zsa Zsa Padilla. They performed “How The Grinch Hates Christmas” inspired number to the tune of Michael Jackson‘s hits.

Group 2, collectively known as “2 Become 1″, is composed of John Lloyd Cruz, Jericho Rosales, John Prats, Gab Valenciano, AJ Dee, Rayver Cruz, Mickey Perz, Sitti, Jed Madela, Nel Gomez, Gerald Anderson and Vina Morales. They performed through dance (with mixture of comedy acts) a “Celebration of Christmas Around The World”.

Group 3 called themselves as “Ka-Pamilya 3″. The group is composed of Bea Alonzo, Nikki Gil, Luis Manzano, Enrique Gil, Princess, Young JV, Empress Shuck, Bugoy, SuphaKids and Anne Curtis. Their “Christmas in Heaven” themed performance, depicts how fun and rewarding it is to be in heaven after a tragic life on earth.

Rayver Cruz Admits Relationship With Cristine Reyes

Actor Rayver Cruz has finally admitted that he and actress Cristine Reyes are officially a couple.

In his exclusive interview with “The Buzz” host Boy Abunda, the young actor admitted that they recently reconciled after their first break-up in April this year.

Cruz also revealed that he had loved Sarah Geronimo, but decided not to pursue the singer in deference to the wishes of the pop star princess’s parents.

Prior to his confession, Cruz was mum on the real score between him and Geronimo as well as on his relationship with Reyes.

He recently got involved in a controversy after Reyes tweeted angry posts targeting Geronimo over a remark the Box Office Queen had made.

Cruz admitted that he was the one who told his girlfriend about Geronimo’s statement that sexy women are always chasing guys who are great dancers.

But the young actor said it was not his intention to hurt Geronimo, and that he was only doing his duty as Reyes’s boyfriend.

“I take full responsibility for everything kasi nga alam ko namang tama ang ginawa ko. Naging honest lang ako sa girlfriend ko. Lahat naman ng bagay bago ko ginagawa pinag-iisipan kong mabuti,” he said.

He added: “Walang anumang intensyon akong makasakit o makasamaan ng loob lalong lalo na kay Sarah.”

He also defended Reyes from harsh criticisms as he described her as a “gift.”

“Sa kabila ng lahat nanghu-husga sa kanya, hindi nila nakikita ang totoong Cristine. Ako nakita ko ‘yon. Masayahin,makulit,parang bata paminsan. Higit sa lahat napakasarap magmahal,” he said.

He said he is hoping that the public will also be happy for them.

Photo courtesy of Pinoy Parazzi.

Good Vibes on Bida Best 2011

Join the teen barakada who will give you nothing but GOOD VIBES on ABS-CBN's Bida Best this 2011!

On Spotlight: Kyle Amor of Shout Out!

Kyle Amor left his family and the comfortable life he had in the US to pursue showbiz in the Philippines. The price though of his decision is living alone and spending the coming Christmas away from loved ones. In an interview with Push.com.ph during the rehearsals for ShoutOut, Kyle explained why he cried like a baby in one episode of Music Uplate Live when he received a phone call from his mother in the States. “That was very embarrassing! Ha ha ha! But that was real. I was surprised because I haven’t heard my mom’s voice for a long time. I barely had the time to chat with her online. Kaya when I heard her voice I was very emotional.”

While working as a graphic artist in Los Angeles, Kyle was also interested in performing. He would often upload on YouTube videos of himself singing, and that’s how he got discovered and was encouraged to try showbiz in the Philippines. “I got introduced to Erickson Raymundo, the manager of Sam Milby, during one of the Heartthrobs tour in the States. I’ve been here a year and a half na.”

Kyle started modeling for fashion show, print ads, and TV commercials. Since he has a good singing voice and can play musical instruments, he was made part of the band 3 AM with fellow showbiz newbie James Torres and Mica Caldito. The band just signed a contract with Star Records and they are about to finish their debut album set for release next year. They were also seen playing friends and band mates to Sam Milby’s character in the teleserye Idol.

Kyle, who still has difficulty speaking straight Tagalog, recounted his experience doing Idol. “Learning the lines was pretty hard. Sometimes they would just cut my lines, ha ha ha! But it was still a good experience. I still continue with my Tagalog lessons along with other workshops under Star Magic.”

Before coming home to the Philippines, Kyle already had an idea how people can be cynical towards English-speaking cute boys from the US who would only come to Manila thinking they could have an express pass to showbiz. “Medyo natakot ako nung una. But this is really what I love. I wanted to get in the business on my own terms. Ayoko na biglaan lahat and mabilis. People will just look at me and say, ‘Who is this Amboy thinking he can become famous instantly?!’ I want to take my time. But I guess it was God’s will that things came in a rush.”

When told that he would be part of the Tuesdelicious group of ShoutOut, Kyle was very excited because the program would give him the chance to do his first, which is performing. For now he would like to learn to be more fluent in Tagalog before he can try acting. “I would watch ABS-CBN shows, read Tagalog children’s books. I would ask Sam for advice. He would tell me that whenever I encounter a Tagalog word that I don’t understand, I should write it down and research what it means.”

Kris Aquino Joins Showtime

After its grand finals on December 18, Showtime will welcome Christmas week with a very special guest judge in the person of Kris Aquino. The Queen of All Media happily agreed to sit in the judge’s chair on Showtime from December 20 to 24 to promote her new horror film Dalaw which is set to premiere on the 25th. When reporters became speechless over this news, Kris said, “Bakit kayo natatawa? Lahat ibibigay ko for Dalaw! This is it na talaga! Ha ha ha!”

Every celebrity judge on Showtime has to please the “madlang people” live audience with a “sample” performance. Kris won’t come to the program unprepared, that’s why she had told resident judge Vice Ganda to get ready to be blown away by her “sample.” “Si Vice Ganda ngayon pa lang naghahanda na dahil nalaman niyang araw-araw may sample ako na hindi ninyo kakayanin. Exciting ang sample ko. May kanta, sayaw, magic, at may duet.”

Kris had called on the whole battalion of talents from her show, Pilipinas Got Talent, to back her up in her sample performances. “Lahat ng nakasama ko sa Pilipinas Got Talent pinakiusapan ko. ‘Yung Ezra Band kakantahin naming ‘yung ‘It Must Have Been Love.’ Ang lakas ng loob ko di ba? Join! May comedy routine rin ako with Ruther and Tintoy. May magic with Alakim.”

Kris will also be joined by two important people in her life: her three-year-old son Bimby and her good friend and Dalaw leading man Diether Ocampo. “Si Bimby sasayaw ng Michael Jackson. At may duet kami ni Diet ng ‘Save The Best For Last.’ Hindi ninyo kinaya, no? Ang lakas ng loob ko! Ha ha ha!”

Kris is definitely all pumped up to rock Showtime in the remaining weeks of 2010 because as soon as 2011 begins, she is set to return to TV with two new programs. “Ang una kong gagawin is Pilipinas Got Talent. Sa unang weekend ng January we’re going to Cebu, then Davao, tapos sunud-sunod na sa iba’t ibang lugar every weekend. ‘Yung Price is Right baka third Monday of January ang start ng rehearsals and taping. Baka mag-premiere siya mga last week ng January or the first week of February. Pero sana umabot sa last Monday ng January which is the 25th, ‘yun ang birthday ng mom.”

Sam Milby on Star Studio's Travel Special Collector's Edition

Before entering showbiz, Sam Milby spent his growing up years in Dayton, Ohio. Now, this Star Magic heartthrob spends most of his days on the road, entertaining his fans from countries like Japan, Guam, London, and Ireland. This works just fine for the Fil-Am actor as he is able to combine work and pleasure because of his love for travel.

As the cover story in Star Studio’s Travel Special Collector’s Edition, Sam talks about his newfound love for photography and how the most memorable places he’s visited. “That’s the best thing about my job. I love traveling, even for work. It like going on a paid vacation,” he says in the Star Studio interview. When he is on tour abroad, Sam shares that he looks forward to their days off so he can explore. “Normally, we have at least one day to ourselves in which we do some sightseeing, or shopping. Pero hindi din masyado because we do a show, then lilipat kami (to the next city), do a show, then move on to the next. Usually the free day comes at the end of the whole tour. And that’s when I go and do my thing,” he shares.

The 26-year-old, who is set to do a movie with KC Concepcion by next year, admits that Japan tops his list as one of the best places he’s ever been to. “I like Japan. The people are very honest. You can leave your wallet anywhere, no matter what happens, you’ll get it back kahit paano. And when you’re in Japan, you don’t even tip. They actually find it offensive,” he adds in Star Studio Travel Specials cover story.

Because of all his trips, Sam also discovered a love for photography, specifically landscape photography. Sam got the idea from Diether Ocampo. “When I take pictures, I am normally not in them. When I go around, I take pictures of just the view and the scenery,” he says. Among the places on Sam’s travel wish list right now is the scenic countryside of Scotland and exotic-looking Monaco. In the Philippines, Sam would love to get the chance to visit the luxury beach resort of Amanpulo in Palawan. “I heard it’s really nice there,” he says.

This Christmas, Sam still hopes he can fix his schedule in order to squeeze in a quick trip to Ohio to spend the holidays with his family.

Read more of Sam and other celebrities travels abroad in Star Studio’s Travel Special Collector’s Edition available in news stands and bookstores nationwide.