Kim Chiu Goes Back to School

In spite of her crazy showbiz schedule, teen star Kim Chiu has put studies on top of her priority list this year.

The Kapamilya actress told ABS-CBN.com in a recent interview that she has enrolled in a home study program in a school in Parañaque.

"Once a week lang ako papasok and binibigyan nila ako ng modules. Ngayon lang kasi ako bumalik after four years so fourth year high school muna ako ngayon," she related.

Prior to becoming a star, Kim was a student at the Cebu Cherish School. She is said to be an active student, having joined declamation and dance contests. Kim also excelled in Chinese.

Going back to school was something Kim had been aching to do. It was her "barkada," the Chiurigogobaschu girls, who encouraged her to hit the books once again.

"Nag-usap-usap kami na sabay-sabay kaming mag-first year college para magka-classmates kami nila Melissa at Empress," Kim said.

Chiurigogobaschu is composed of Kim, "Pinoy Big Brother" fellow Teen Edition housemate Beauty Gonzales, "Star Circle Quest" alumni Melissa Ricks and Erich Gonzales, comedienne Kitkat and "Rosalka" lead star Empress Schuck.

Kim is determined to squeeze in school work with her actual work, and with the help of her tutor, believes that, "Wala naman ako masyadong dapat ika-worry kasi habang nagte-taping siguro masisingit ko naman 'yung pag-aaral lalo na kung may quizzes ako."

At the very least, the 20-year old actress wants to earn a diploma---"kahit high school lang."

Regarded as one of the youth's role models, Kim confessed that she is also pressured to do well not just in her craft but also in school.

"Dapat [maganda lagi ang grades ko] kasi 'pag nalaman ng mga classmates ko na, 'Ay boba pala si Kim Chiu!', parang ang pangit pakinggan, 'di ba? Tapos parang ate pa ako ng mga classmates ko since mas matanda ako sa kanila. So dapat mag-aral ng mabuti," she said.

As a student, Kim admitted: "Favorite subject ko ang History pero aminado ako na mahina ako sa Math. Hahaha!"

She and her friends are also into clean fun. They usually spend time together shopping, watching movies, singing at videoke bars, and playing bowling. And unlike some cliques, Kim stressed that Chiurogogobaschu is not into picking fights with anyone.

"Ewan ko ba... Lagi nga kami iniintriga e. May kaaway daw kami e hindi naman kami masama," she maintained.

Her advice for her peers?

"Mag-aral mabuti lalo na mahirap ang buhay ngayon. 'Yung parents natin talagang kumakayod para lang makapagtapos tayo so huwag natin sasayangin 'yung opportunity kasi hindi lahat ng bata nakakapag-aral."

ABS-CBN Gains Visual and Graphic Edge Through HP Workstations

ABS-CBN Corporation has been enriching the lives of Filipinos all over the world with superior television programming and top-rating shows produced for local and international audiences. Achieving tremendous growth throughout the years, they credit a big part of their success to high-performing computing technology to meet the highly demanding requirements of their technical production department.

Given this, I-POST, ABS-CBN’s post-production division, employed innovations from leading IT company, Hewlett-Packard, to power-up their critical requirements in video editing, visual effects, graphics, 3D design and animation, composing and musical scoring, and sound design.

The HP Z-series Workstations were incorporated in their extensive AVID post-production system provided by Digital Media Inc. to handle the bulk of their production needs.

“With the very demanding workflow of our technical production department, we require ultra reliable IT solutions that can get the job done. Throughout the years, we have been using HP Z-Series Workstations across all our divisions, and we have been depending on these technologies to perform our mission-critical tasks,” says Edwin Mendoza, Head for Technical Production Facilities Management of ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN employs almost 50 workstations for video editing, 30 workstations for visual effects and 3D design, 20 workstations for scoring and audio lay-in, and another 50 workstations for animation. Seeking to better support their technical needs, ABS-CBN migrated their core post-production systems to an HP-based platform using the next-generation revolutionary HP Z-series workstations.

“Considering the time-critical nature of our processes, IT hardware is essential in being able to successfully perform editing tasks by the time the shows air on television. And since we’ve encountered servicing issues with our past technology providers, we chose HP Workstation solutions with the advice of our IT teams. So far, HP has shown an outstanding track record and we’ve been enjoying exceptional reliability with the HP Z-series Workstations,” he explains.

Combining bold design, best-in-class engineering, robust tools and visual collaboration solutions, the HP Z-series workstations like the HP Z800 and the HP Z400 Workstations allow ABS-CBN’s I-POST department to leverage on superior performance and reliability that give them the strategic edge. Visual effects and animation-intensive shows like Kokey and other top-rated programs have been created and produced using HP Z-series workstations.

Andi Eigenmann Resumes Work After Accident

Drama princess Andi Eigenmann has gone back to work.

Eigenmann, who plays a soldier in "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin," resumed shooting for the hit television series although she has not fully recovered from the injury she sustained during last week’s taping.

The young actress was hit by a blank bullet while taping an action scene on Friday after co-star Martin del Rosario accidentally pulled the trigger of his firearm.

Speaking to "Showbiz News Ngayon," Eigenmann said she is ready to do some hard-hitting action scenes.

"Medyo mahirap at mahapdi pero okay naman na po ako compared to Friday when it happened. Hindi talaga ako makagalaw pero ngayon okay na ako," she said.

The 20-year-old actress divulged that her mother, veteran actress Jaclyn Jose, was emotional after learning about her daughter’s accident.

“Naiyak mommy ko kasi siyempre natakot siya kung anong puwedeng mangyari pero ‘yon okay naman ako. So, okay lang din siya, basta mag-ingat na lang,” said Eigenmann.

But she said her mom was not making a big fuss out of it because she knew that it was just an accident.

“My mom was very calm about it kasi siyempre di ba you'd understand. We're doing action series… ang aksidente, here and there, imposible naman talagang hindi mangyari. Parang hindi mo naman yata maiiwasan ‘yon,” she said.

"Ang gulo-gulo ko kasi. Feel na feel ko nag-aaction ako tapos biglang, ayan tuloy. Siyempre po mag-iingat na ako ngayon, 'di ko na iisipin ‘yong sarili kong ginagawa basta kailangan maging aware ako, alert ako sa surroundings," she ended.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ai-Ai delas Alas on Maria la del Barrio

After her successful movies, actress-comedienne Ai-Ai de las Alas will now appear in ABS-CBN’s remake of hit Mexican series "Maria La del Barrio."

De Las Alas will portray Maria’s (Erich Gonzales) surrogate mom in the television series.

Gonzales said she is excited to work with delas Alas. The young star was all praises for the veteran comedianne, saying she is a great actress.

Delas Alas, dubbed as the Concert Comedy Queen, is the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival's best actress.

She also starred in "Your Song Presents: Maling Akala."

Delas Alas is one of the judges of Kapamilya's “Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2” alongside Kris Aquino and Freddie Garcia.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Piolo Pascual's Successful Solo Concert in Canada

Piolo Pascual’s first solo concert here brought hordes of fans from various regions in Canada.

Some fans said they traveled hundreds of miles just to see him.

"We're so excited. Galing pa kami ng Mississauga papunta dito sa Toronto. Gustong gusto naming makita si Piolo. We can't wait," one fan said.

Another said: "Piolo is so fantastic."

"He's very good, we're having fun," a fan added.

The famous Youtube sensation, Maria Aragon, also joined the Filipino actor-singer in his concert. Aragon became famous after Lady Gaga tweeted about Aragon’s version of her hit, “Born This Way.”

Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN, Pascual denied rumors that he might enter the political arena.

“It’s something I’m not interested in, I’m happy with my life. I’ll never trade myself or my life or to be anyone else,” he said.

Pascual said that had he not gone into show business, he would have been a pilot or a newscaster. But he said it wasn’t in the plans for him, and intends to just go with the flow.

He said: “You should know your strength and weakness and pursue what you want to pursue. Put your heart onto it and go for it.”


Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Us Girls 5th Anniversary Party

The stars are coming out to party this Thursday (Mar 24) as “Us Girls” caps off its month-long fifth anniversary celebration with a summer anniversary party at the Icon Bar in Makati City.

Celebrating with hosts Angel Aquino and Chesca Garcia-Kramer are “Catch Me…I’m in Love” hottie Matteo Guidicelli, singer-actress Karylle, drama princesses Andi Eigenmann and Empress, boy group A-POP, rock legend Jet Pangan, and Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano.

Karylle, Empress, and Andi, a self-confessed fan of the show, will pinch hit for Iya Villania who is currently on a US Tour.

Apart from blazing performances from the celebrity guests, the hosts will also take us on a trip down memory lane as they feature some of the best moments in the show’s five fabulous years.

Finally, whet your appetite for style with a scorching fashion show featuring the summer creations of the Philippines’ brightest and young designers.

Witness the first part of Us Girls’ summer anniversary party this Thursday (Mar 24) in the country’s fashion and lifestyle magazine show authority, on its new timeslot at 9:30pm on Studio 23.

Happy Word of the Day on Happy Yipee Yehey

Win latest gadgets daily and P50,000 Weekly on Happy Yipee Yehey‘s “Happy Word of the Day.”

The country’s growing noontime show Happy Yipee Yehey! (HYY) proudly launched recently the now-trending Happy Word text promo, which gives avid viewers a chance to win whopping prizes everyday—P10,000 plus cool gadgets daily, and P50,000 plus cool gadgets weekly.

To be one of the lucky winners, just watch Happy Yipee Yehey! and find out the Happy Word Of The Day revealed by humorous HYY co-host Bentong. Text HAPPYword of the day and send to 2366. Deadline of submission of entries is 9a.m. of the next day. Most sought after Happy Yipee Yehey! hosts will deliver the prizes themselves to the lucky winners!

An enormous weekly prize of P50,000 plus cool gadgets, on the other hand, await the texter who’ll send the Happy Word Of The Day from Monday to Friday (HAPPYMonday word of the day, Tuesday, word of the day…). All entries will be raffled daily and weekly.

Don’t miss the exciting and happy games and promos only Happy Yipee Yehey! can offer. Hosts sina Randy Santiago, John Estrada, Mariel Rodriguez and Toni Gonzaga, and co-hosts Bianca Manalo, Melai Cantiveros, Mattheo Guidecelli, John Pratts, Jobert, Bentong and Sam Milby are sure to complete your afternoon dose of fun and pure entertainment. make Happy Yipee Yehey your daily habit, Mondays through Saturdays, after Showtime on ABS-CBN. Bida Best Kapamilya!

2011 Sexiest Stars on Star Studio Magazine

Summer sizzles as StarStudio Magazine celebrates its 10th anniversary with a feature on 2011’s Sexiest Stars.

StarStudio conducted a poll to choose the Sexiest Man, Sexiest Woman and Sexiest Young celebrities in showbiz. This year’s winners were Piolo Pascual (Sexiest Man), Angel Locsin (Sexiest Woman) and the tandem of Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu, who emerged as the Sexiest Young Celebrities in Showbiz. Exclusive photo shoots with top photographers and interviews complete this special anniversary package.

Grab a copy of StarStudio’s April 2011 anniversary issue and find out who else made the annual StarStudio Sexiest Stars list!

This issue also contains photos of the February wedding of John Estrada and Priscilla Meirelles, the 18th birthday of Empress Schuck and other sizzling features.

Students Prefer ABS-CBN

Judging from the number of awards received from different university-award giving bodies, ABS-CBN is the runaway winner as the students’ choice when it comes to television and radio.

ABS-CBN has received a total of 97 awards from the University of the Philippines’ Gandingan, University of Santo Tomas’ USTv Awards, St. Dominic College of Asia’s Gawad Tanglaw, and the Northwest Samar State University’s Students’ Choice Awards this year in recognition of its news and entertainment programs, broadcast journalists, and celebrities.

In the Gandingan 2011: The 5th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Broadcast Choice Awards, ABS-CBN took home 18 awards, including the highest honor of Most Development Oriented TV station. DZMM was declared Best AM Radio Station, while Tambayan 101.9 won Best FM Radio Station.

ABS-CBN was also the most awarded TV station is the USTv Awards of the University of Santo Tomas, winning a total of 15 honors for its teleseryes, news programs, and personalities.

Eleven awards were bestowed on ABS-CBN in the 2nd Northwest Samar State University Students’ Choice Awards for Radio and Television, while a staggering 53 recognitions were awarded to ABS-CBN by Gawad Tanglaw, including the TV Station of the Year, Radio Station of the Year, and Best AM Radio Station.

Bianca Gonzales Gives TLC to Muntinlupa Kids

“SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon” host Bianca Gonzalez brought cheer and inspiration to kids of Brgy. Tunasan in Muntinlupa City last March 19 as a storyteller for the DZMM TLC (Teaching Learning Caring) project.

Aside from reading a story, Bianca also bonded with the children during an art activity and helped out in the feeding program that followed.

Bianca joins the growing list of celebrities who have offered their time and effort in support of DZMM’s clinic-on-wheels and classroom-on-wheels project. Since its launch last November 2010, DZMM TLC has gone to different communities in Metro Manila, particularly those which were devastated by Typhoon Ondoy, to bring free medical check-up and learning sessions to residents.

Anne Curtis Sings in Whisper TV Commercial

Its no stopping for Anne Curtis to show her singing prowess. Now, she has a new TV commercial for Whisper singing in the tune of I Will Survive.