Kim Chiu on Simon Atkins' Proposal

De La Salle University basketball player-model Simon Atkins’ dream to talk to young actress Kim Chiu finally came true.

In a press conference, Chiu told ABS-CBN News that she spoke with Atkins over the phone on Tuesday.

Chiu admitted that she got curious after it was reported that the UAAP basketball player wanted to meet her.

To satisfy her curiousity, she confessed that she searched Atkins on the Internet.

"Simon Atkins, actually hindi ko siya kilala, naririnig ko lang, hindi ko pa siya nakikilala pero nag-usap na kami. Kasi ‘yong isang friend niya pinakausap sa akin," Chiu said.

"Sabi ko, ‘Bakit ko siya kakauusapin?’ Gusto daw akong makausap," she added.

Would she agree to go out on a date with him? "Hindi ko pa alam, depende, depende."

Chiu is said to be the former girlfriend of actor Gerald Anderson, her longtime on-screen partner.

The young actress said she is not searching for love right now. "'Yong pagmamahal… darating at darating 'yan. Hindi naman hinahanap 'yan. Darating ng kusa 'yan ng hindi mo sinasadya," she said.

As for actor Jason Abalos, Chiu’s rumored suitor, the actress said Abalos is just a friend.

"Si Jason kasi mabait siya… Sobrang bait niya, palabiro, joker, pero 'yon, magkaibigan lang muna kami," Chiu said

Piolo Pascual Serenades KC Concepcion During Valentines Concert

Piolo Pascual’s romantic gesture to girlfriend KC Concepcion during his concert definitely got everyone's attention.

A Feb. 15 report by PEP on the "Piolo Meets the Maestro Ryan Cayabyab" concert held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on Monday said that Piolo went to KC while singing “Ikaw ang Pangarap.” He knelt before her and hugged her after the song.

In front of the audience, Piolo expressed how he feels for KC.

“When I was thinking about the lyrics of that song, I realized there's just one dream that I've always wanted to fulfill: to be with that special someone.

“I've always been single most of my life. I'm giving love a chance. I've always been a private person. My admission on ‘The Buzz’ was nerve-wracking. I had to stand up for somebody... somebody who's really...” It was at this point that a teary-eyed Piolo stopped and said, “Naiiyak ako.”

“Somebody who's been there, who showed me the true meaning of love. Thank you, Kristina,” he finished, addressing KC by her full name to the delight of the crowd.

Backstage after the concert, Piolo admitted that it’s his first time to spend Valentine’s Day with someone and that he did not expect that he'd get emotional on stage.

“Hindi ko rin alam, e. Hindi ko naman ine-expect yun. I just wanted to say a few words to thank her. Nadala siguro.

“Whatever came out, it came from the heart. Kaya siguro naging emotional ako,” said he.

Piolo added that while he and KC do not want their relationship to be more “showbiz” than it already is, he considers it a “malaking regalo” that his girlfriend watched his concert.

Piolo was reported to have shared to the audience his dream of settling down. This signaled the press to ask him if he and his girlfriend are now ready “to take things to the next level.”

“Whatever it is, let's just go with the flow. We don't want to preempt things. Whatever KC and I have, yun na yun. Whatever you guys see, just support and pray.

“Let's not try to be ahead of what we have. Pray with us and pray for us,” he answered.

Meanwhile, Piolo considers his collaboration concert with Ryan Cayabyab one of the most memorable performances in his career.

“I was looking at the PICC... I never thought I would be able to perform here for my own solo show. This is a dream come true. I'm really happy sa outcome. First time nga na may nag-standing ovation sa akin at first time na may [sumigaw ng] 'More!' It's really momentous and I'm really excited kasi na-boost ang morale ko,” he said

Star Circle Quest for the Next Kiddie Superstars Grand Finals

After the ultimate search for the cutest and most talented kids, three boys and three girls will now complete the Star Circle Quest for the Next Kiddie Superstars’ MAGIC CIRCLE of six.

On February 19, Saturday, the Magic Circle of 6 are all set to show that they’ve got what it takes to be the next Kiddie Supertsars as they face STAR CIRCLE QUEST FOR THE NEXT KIDDIE SUPERSTARS’ GRAND FINALS. They have proven their charm when it comes to comedy and drama, but who among them will emerge as winners as they showcase their individual talents? From the boys, will it be the Little Mr. Funny Guy, Clarence? The Small Boy with a Big Voice, Jelo? Or Kristoff, the Future Icon of Drama?

Among the girls, who will shine the most? Brenna, the Dancing Darling? Will it be the Diva in the Making, Maurice? Or Veyda, the Kikay Beauty Queen?

Together with the surprise production numbers from the hottest Kapamilya stars, find out who will emerge as the new Boy and Girl Kiddie Superstars in the biggest and most prestigious kid talent search in the Philippines, Star Circle Quest, The Grand Kiddie Questors Night on February 19 after MMK, 8:45PM only on ABS-CBN.

Alvin Elchico's Krusada on Disaster Preparedness

The saying “history repeats itself” usually holds water when it comes to calamities that hit the country. Time after time, Filipinos see themselves facing the same natural disasters, as if never learning from the pain and danger of the ones that came before.

Alvin Elchico has his fair share of coverage of typhoons and calamities. With all the tragedy he has seen, it has become his crusade to inform as many people as possible about disaster-preparedness, and also to watch over the actions and measures that the government takes to address the problem.

This Thursday (Feb 17) on “Krusada,” Alvin will determine why Filipinos seem always unprepared whenever the environment strikes back. Join him as he looks for changes and projects initiated by the government and the private sector to prevent calamities from happening again.

Alvin strongly believes that citizens are responsible of disaster-preparedness as much as the government. Find out what to do before, during and after a disaster on his report.

Listen, take part, and be one with the crusade for disaster-preparedness. Catch Alvin Elchico this Thursday (Feb 17) in “Krusada,” after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN. Because it takes more than words to make a stand.

Jake Cuenca on Being Kontrabida in Green Rose

Though he is already recognized as one of the hottest teleserye leading men today, Jake Cuenca said he never had any hesitation when he was offered to play kontrabida to Jericho Rosales in the Koreanovela remake Green Rose. During the press conference for the new drama, Jake described his character Edward Fuentebella. “Hindi siya marunong magmahal. Gagawin niya ang lahat para makuha ang gusto niya. Ang taong mahal lang niya is si Angela, played by Anne. Along the story makokonsensya siya kasi makikita niya na maraming nagmamahal sa kanya. Makikita niya ‘yung pagkakamali niya, magsisisi siya.”

Jake said he was convinced that the role would enable to mature as an actor. “When this project was presented to me I thought I needed to do this for my maturity as an actor. Gusto ko ma-enhance ang aking craft. Also I wanted to work with Jericho and Anne (Curtis) who are both good actors.”

Now that Green Rose is already in its final days of taping, Jake said he learned so much from playing Edward and from being directed by Manny Palo. “Nasa last five days of taping na kami and madami madudugong eksena, marami akong natutunan from Direk Manny who’s such a great director. I’ve learned so much from this project and I’m very proud of it. I’m excited sa pag ere namin kasi matagal na namin itong pinaghihirapan lahat.”

Direk Manny revealed why he felt reluctant about working with Jake before. “Dati apprehensive akong makatrabaho siya kasi parang ang pormal pormal niya. ‘Yun pala ‘yung pagiging pormal niya sa set nagta-translate into sa pagiging intense niya as an actor. Nakakatakot siya minsan sa mga eksena. Sa mga mabibigat na eksena gusto ko sana ‘wag muna niyang ibigay lahat. Pero si Jake, gaya rin ni Jericho, kahit rehearsal pa lang umiiyak na.”

Jake expressed his gratitude to ABS-CBN for entrusting him with roles and projects that gave him the opportunity to prove his acting talent. “Malaki ang utang na loob ko from the other station. But kaya kong sabihin na because of ABS-CBN nailabas ko ‘yung galing ko as an artista. Nagtiwala sila sa akin, marami na akong shows na nagawa in almost four years. Ang sarap ng feeling na sumusugal ‘yung network sa ‘yo, nagtitiwala sila ng responsibilidad sa ‘yo.”

Melai Cantiveros on Leaving Banana Split

Aside from working on I Dare You and her upcoming Precious Hearts Romances series Mana Po, Melai Cantiveros is also part of ABS-CBN’s new noontime variety show Happy Yipee Yehey!

The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate admitted that she feels both lucky and overwhelmed to be given such opportunities this early in her career. “Excited ako kasi first time ko mapasama sa noontime show. Kinakabahan ako pero kakayanin ko kasi kasa-kasama ko rin yung ibang comedian. Magulo ako eh tapos magulo din si Bianca Manalo, si Kuya Jobert at Kuya Bentong. I’m sure na o-over kami dun. Manggugulo kami (laughs). Kami ang panggulo dun. Basta marami kaming gagawin dito. Kakayanin ko na maging enjoy sila sa panunuod sa aming variety show,” she shared during the Happy Yipee Yehey! pictorial last February 4 at a photo studio in Quezon City.

With all her new projects, Melai said she had to give up Banana Split because her schedule was becoming too full. “Umalis na ako sa Banana Split kasi kailangan ko din naman matulog, alangan naman mamatay na ako sa kakatrabaho kasi diri-diretso na (laughs),” she said.

The 22-year-old former teacher from Gensan admitted that she went through a rollercoaster of emotions after finding out the news. During her last taping day with Banana Split, Melai found it so hard to hold back tears. “Nalungkot nga ako, pero masaya naman dahil andito na ako sa noontime show. Family ko din yung Banana Split, nag-iyakan kami kahapon pero magkapitbahay lang naman yung studio namin so puwede naman ako dumaan dun. Nag-iyak iyak pa ako,” she added.

Now that she has more TV exposure, Melai said she is concentrating on improving her way of speaking, after being advised by ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio that she should enunciate her words and speak more slowly. “Ang skills na kailangan ko gawin is magdahan-dahan ako sa salita ko paramaintindihan naman ako ng mga tao. Nag-pra-practice na naman ako. Marami ng nag-a-advise na bagalan ko. Nag-practice nga ako ngayon. Sabi ni Ma’am Charo bagalan ko daw ang aking pagsasalita kasi kumbaga papunta na ako Malabon, kayo nasa Quezon City pa kayo (laughs) kaya babagalan ko na pagsasalita ko,” she admitted.

When it comes to hosting, Melai shared that she really looks up to the Happy Yipee Yahey! hosts when it comes to delivering spiels. “Kasi napaka-spontaneous talaga ni Ate Toni (Gonzaga). Ang galing niya sa ganun. Magaling din sila John (Estrada) at Randy (Santiago), nakakatawa sila. Napapanuod ko na sila before pa sa Magandang Tanghali Bayan. Siyempre may TV din kami dun sa probinsya (laughs),” she said.