Xian Lim on Leading Lady Kim Chiu

Xian Lim, one of Kim Chiu’s new leading men in the series My Binondo Girl, shares his Chinese-mestizo looks was plus points for him in landing the role of Andy Wu. “My dad's side is Chinese. They're very genuine, like they do the rituals. They do everything, the tradition and all. But I wasn't here to experience it. I was in the States,” he shared during the press conference for the upcoming show.

The 22-year-old basketball player-turned-model-turned-actor spent many years living in the US but he still speaks fluent Tagalog because he lived in the Philippines when he was a child. Xian revealed that at that time, he recalled his father discussing with him about this girl that the family wants him to marry when he reaches the right age. Arranged marriage is a popular custom among Chinese families that been continuing since ancient history.

Xian shared, “Sinabi sa akin na meron daw silang irereto. Nagpaparinig sila, and I know naman na hinihiritan na ako. I heard my dad na sinabi na, 'Papa-arrange marriage ka. May ipapakilala kami sa iyo. Chinese din.’ Mga ganun. I guess they were trying to keep it Chinese.”

At that time Xian didn’t like the idea, and luckily he was brought to the US, and the plan was never pursued. Though family is very important, he said he still values freedom and personal happiness. “I'm the type of person na hindi ko talaga kayang gawin ‘yung hindi ko gusto. Gusto ko palagi one hundred percent, puso ang susundin ko.”

Xian also talked about re-learning Chinese traditions in preparation for his role in My Binondo Girl, primarily how to speak fluent Mandarin. “Na-expose na ako sa Chinese culture nung maliit pa ako. But now, it's more of refreshing than what I experienced before. I do need to study it more kasi hindi ko talaga siya one hundred percent alam. I took up some Mandarin lessons para malaman lang yung mga intonations kasi I know for this role kailangan talaga.”

Xian’s first acting project in 2008 was with Kim in Your Song presents My Only Hope, and since then the two have become good friends. “We got to know each other very well. Nakita ko talaga yung mga good traits niya. Ang gustong gusto ko talaga kay Kim is she smiles everytime. Iisipin mo wala siyang problema. Kapag ikaw ang may problema, parang mawawala ‘yung kapag nakakwentuhan mo si Kim.”

Source: www.push.com.ph

Ai-Ai delas Alas Talks About Friendship

Comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas opens up about the most painful thing a friend has ever done to her.

“Ang akin lang naman, unang-una ayoko ’yung pinagbibintangan ako ng hindi ko naman ginagawa. And pangalawa, ayun yung pinagbintangan niya ko tungkol sa pera, na mukha daw akong pera. Never akong naging gano’n,” she related in a live one-on-one interview with “The Buzz” on Aug. 21.

According to the actress, the incident happened a long time ago but “yun yung isang ‘di ko makalimutan.”

When interviewer Charlene Gonzales prodded her to tell more since she felt pain emanating from delas Alas’ words as she told her story, the latter said “masakit yun eh.”

“Tinrato mong kaibigan tapos ‘yun yung tatratuhin niya sa’yo. Kasi ako pananaw ko sa buhay, ang buhay ay isang echo. Kumbaga kung ano yung tinanim mo, yun yung aanihin mo.

“Kaya gusto ko mabait ako sa kanila kasi later on yun yung babalik sa ’yo – kabutihan din,” said she.

Asked how she got over the incident, delas Alas said that she just prayed for her friend.

“Saka ‘di naman kasi totoo yun. Alam naman natin na never akong naging gano’n sa buong buhay ko. Kaya nga ayoko lang yung pinagbibintangan ako ng hindi naman ako gano’n.

“Pero minsan kasi hindi mo naman pwedeng i-explain sa lahat ng mga tao na hindi ka gano’n eh. Yung iba pababayaan mo lang. Pero ‘di ba sa bandang huli, sabi nga nila, ‘the truth will set you free,’" she said.

Delas Alas described herself as a very “possessive, protective [and] selosa” friend.

“Sobra ‘ko makipagkaibigan. Kumbaga minsan nga blinded na ‘ko ng pagiging… ‘pag kaibigan mo ako loyal ako sa’yo, masaya ka man [o] mabuti ka man tatanggapin kita kasi gano’n ako. And gusto ko, gano’n ka rin sa ‘kin,” she said.

Through the years, the Comedy Queen has kept close friendships in and out of show business with people such as Kris Aquino, Sharon Cuneta, Vilma Santos and owner of the comedy bar “The Library,” Andrew de Real. As it turned out, delas Alas is said to be easy to be friends with.

“Ah siguro kasi yung pananaw ko sa buhay na gusto kong maging mabait, gusto kong ‘pag nawala na ‘ko sa mundo – kunwari pumunta sila sa wake ko – ‘pag tumingin silang ganyan [sa kabaong ko ay] umiiyak sila. Hindi yung pumunta sila do’n tapos mumura-murahin ako. ‘Yan! Pinahirapan ako niyan!’ yung mga gano’n. ‘Wag naman gano’n.

“Saka gusto ko ‘pag humarap ako sa Diyos, alam Niya na naging mabuting tao ako sa lupa. Kaya straight ako sa heaven!” she related, laughing.

Meanwhile, delas Alas shared the most valuable gifts she has ever given her friends. On the non-material aspect, the comedienne said that it’s support.

“Support sa kanya sa emosyonal, support sa kanya ng walang perahan. Basta. Kasi minsan ‘di ba ang isang tao, hindi mo naman kailangang parating nakikita para maging friends kayo eh.

“Kagaya nga ng sinabi ni Governor, ni Ate Vi [Vilma Santos], parating sa puso namin [ay] mahal namin ang isa’t isa kahit hindi kami masyado nagkikita. ‘Yon, yung parang ‘pag nagkita kayo, i-assure mo lang siya na nandito lang ako. Saka ‘pag malungkot ka, tawagin mo lang ako [at] papatawanin kita,” she said.

Delas Alas laughed while enumerating the most expensive gifts she’s ever given.

“Ay marami. Car, phone. Oo nga, gano’n. Pero second hand lang naman ‘yon. Nagbibigay ako ng phone, alahas nagbibigay rin ako.

“Pero walang tatalo dun sa Kris Aquino kung magbigay, saka kay Ms. Sharon Cuneta. Wala talaga. Kumbaga ako one-fourth lang,” she joked.

Jake Cuenca Asks Lovi Poe to be his Date on Star Magic Ball

Kapamilya actor Jake Cuenca will have Kapuso actress Lovi Poe as date at the Star Magic Ball in September.

“Opo, napagusapan na po namin at nagkataon naman na libre siya nung araw na yon so…” he confirmed shyly at the press conference for Regal Entertainment Inc.’s “My Neighbor’s Wife.”

Asked if she hesitated accepting the offer considering that she will likely be the only GMA-7 talent at the ball, Lovi, who was seated beside Jake at the presidential table, said, “Of course, ninenerbyos po ako---”

“ Akong bahala sa yo. Wala kang dapat alalahanin,” Jake interrupted, giving Lovi a reassuring look.

“---oo nga, bahala na si Jake magentertain sa kin don,” she said, nodding.

Both Jake and Lovi are rumored to have come from breakups: he with Melissa Ricks, she with Ronald Singson. Though neither of the two admitted to the rumors, except to say they were “exclusively dating,” either relationship---whatever kind it was--- has gone south.

As for Star Magic Ball, it is a yearly event that though not exclusive to ABS-CBN talents as other Kapamilya stars have brought “outsiders” as date in the past, bringing in someone from GMA-7 (a rival station) is almost unheard of.

Yet Jake is unperturbed.

“Ipinaalam ko naman ang paginvite ko kay Lovi,” he quipped.

Then again, no one should be surprised if they want to know more about each other following working on “My Neighbor’s Wife.” According to whispers, the intimate scenes that Lovi and Jake shared in the steamy, sexy film can’t possibly have been “just acting.” It is said that one time, Lovi and Jake lay down in bed even after the cameras have stopped rolling

“Wala, may iba lang ni-shoot from another angle kaya we stayed,” Jake explained.

“My Neighbor’s Wife” opens in theater on Sept. 14. Apart from Lovi and Jake, the cast includes Dennis Trillo and Carla Abellana under the direction of Jun Lana.

“My Neighbor’s Wife” mall tours will be on Aug. 27 at Market Market; Aug. 28 at SM San Lazaro; Sept. 4 at Robinson’s Dasmarinas; and Sept. 10 at SM Bicutan

Sharon Cuneta Commends Ai-Ai delas Alas' Humility

TV host-actress Sharon Cuneta couldn’t be more proud that in spite of her “BFF’s (best friend forever)” thriving career, actress-comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas has maintained her humility through the years.

In a letter she gave “The Buzz,” which delas Alas read on the show’s Aug. 21 airing, Cuneta wrote, “Nakakahumble ang pagiging humble mo, BFF. Kaya naman marapat na idolohin ka kasi kahit napaka-successful mo na ay mapagkumbaba ka pa din.”

To which delas Alas replied in jest, “Nako nakakahiya naman,” and added, “oo kasi diba para kakorte ko naman yung ugali ko, mapagkumbaba,” while touching her chin.

Considering herself blessed for having found a true friend in delas Alas, “The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition” host said, “Eto lang ang gusto kong sabihin. Una, hindi ko akalain na magkakatrabaho, makikilala at mamahalin kita nang tunay na tunay.

“Pangalawa, maraming salamat sa totoong friendship na hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin akong nakikitang dahilan na pagdudahan kasi alam ko hindi lang tayo friends sa showbiz pero sa totoong buhay,” Cuneta said.

In closing, the Megastar expressed her love for her "BFF" and noted that all the blessings coming delas Alas’ way were well-deserved.

"Sana magkatrabaho pa tayo. Maraming salamat sa iyo, BFF kasi napakasarap mong katrabaho at walang problema kapag pinapatawa mo ako. May God continue to bless you at lahat ng bigay ng Panginoon natin sa iyo, you truly deserved. I love you," she said.

Delas Alas, who was reading the message in tears, responded to the heartfelt message saying, "BFF alam mo naman kapag sinasabi ko sa iyo, kapag malungkot ka lang at may gusto kang sabihin sa akin eh pupuntahan kita palagi."

"I love you, sana magkasama ulit tayo," she enthused directly to Cuneta.

Cuneta and delas Alas worked together in the 2009 comedy film "Best Friends Forever" wherein their characters, similar to what they are in real life, were best friends.

The “My Binondo Girl” star explained that their term of endearment, “BFF,” was derived from their film’s title as it was the time when their friendship grew deeper. She recounted however that prior to the film, she and Cuneta were already close, but working together, “doon kami naging mas close, tapos sa totoong buhay, tinodo na namin,” delas Alas explained.

Source: Maureen Marie Belmonte, Manila Bulletin

Kris Aquino Delighted Over Ai-Ai delas Alas' New TV Project

TV host-actress Kris Aquino couldn’t be more ecstatic to see the performance of her “Friendship” Ai Ai delas Alas in ABS-CBN’s new primetime series, “My Binondo Girl.”

In her interview aired on “The Buzz” last Aug. 21, the Queen of All Media enthused directly to Ai Ai, “alam ko talaga kung gaano mo ito pinaghirapan, pinagpaguran.”

She further related that those who’ve seen previews of “My Binondo Girl” were in awe of Ai Ai’s performance.

“Bow lahat sa performance na ginawa mo kasi nga ikaw lang daw ang nakakagawa ng umiiyak natatawa, ume-emote nagpapa-comedy, all in one. 'Yung parang [ito] ‘yung performance of a lifetime ni Ai Ai so I'm excited for 'My Binondo Girl.' Congratulations in advance,” said Kris.

Prior to “My Binondo Girl,” the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) best actress also had a special appearance in the Erich Gonzales starrer, “Maria La Del Barrio.”

Kris and Ai Ai have maintained a strong friendship through the years despite it having been tested at one point. Recall that Ai Ai and Kris’ estranged husband, James Yap, had a falling out back in 2007 at the height of the controversy involving him and Hope Centeno.

The star cager got offended after the ace comedienne remarked in jest that Kris should return James to his mother. Ai Ai had since apologized to James, but it was only last year at James and Kris’ joint birthday celebration that they finally made peace.

Kris and Ai Ai ironed things out sooner—in 2009—after the latter greeted the former on TV. Ai Ai was, at that time, in the hospital because of gastritis and kidney infection.

The two eventually clarified in separate interviews that there was never any problem between them.

Mutya Orquia Becomes Twitter Trending Topic

Child star Mutya Orquia landed on the top trending local topics of microblogging site Twitter on Tuesday, as she won praises for her performance in ABS-CBN's newest television series "My Binondo Girl."

In the show that premiered on Monday night, the 5-year-old played the role of young Jade. The character would later grow up to be Kim Chiu.

Netizens praised Mutya's outstanding performance in the show.

"Ganda ng 1st body ng #MyBinondoGirl, no? Husay nina Ai Ai, Gina and Mutya," Janis Ramos said.

"Wow! Mutya is trending pala. She's so cute in My Binondo Girl! :))," Jan Yvone said.

"Agree ako jan üRT @SieCastro: Her voice,hair,faces, and everything about her is cute. #mutya," user AkoSiEllaine19 added.

The hashtag #Mutya made it to the 10th spot on Twitter's list of top trending topics for the Philippines on Tuesday morning.

Mutya, whose full name is Angel Olano, recently signed a 5-year-contract with ABS-CBN.

She was introduced in the hit series "Mutya."

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Vilma Santos Confirms Movie With Kim Chiu

After much speculation if she will do another movie this year, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos has finally confirmed that she will topbill another Star Cinema project.

In an interview with “Showbiz News Ngayon,” Santos said she will work with actress Kim Chiu in a horror-suspense film and they will start shooting in September.

“Oo, confirmed. It’s a horror movie, horror-suspense. Tentatively, ang shooting namin ay September. May commitment ako talaga sa Star Cinema. Dapat nga kay Sharon but unfortunately, hindi nga nagtutugma ang schedule namin so naging Kim Chiu. Kaming dalawa ni Kim under Chito Roño,” she said.

Meanwhile, aside from her upcoming film with Santos, Chiu was also elated over the warm welcome of her supporters in her primetime comeback.

“Nakakatuwa kasi sa lahat ng mga shows ko, ngayon lang ako nag-block screening. Akala ko premiere night kaya nakakatuwa dahil ang daming mga fans na dumating, ang daming mga kaibigan kaya nagpapasalamat talaga ako. Sana abangan siya ng mga tao and tanggaping siya ng buo,” she said.

“My Binondo Girl” started to air on ABS-CBN on Monday.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com