Toni Gonzaga Supports Boyfriend Direk Paul Soriano by Attending his Movie

TV host-singer Toni Gonzaga has put to rest speculations that all is not well between her and boyfriend Paul Soriano by attending the premiere of his movie, "Thelma," at SM Megamall on Sept. 4.

“Ang ganda ng pelikula,” Toni told Bulletin Entertainment and other members of the press at the after screening party.

The controversial actress admits getting teary eyed over some scenes in the film.

“Back-to-back kami ni Ate Uge (Eugene Domingo’s nickname). Hindi na kami magkandaugaga ni Ate Uge sa pagiyak,” she said.

Recall that Paul, Toni and Maja hogged headlines recently after rumors spread that something romantic brews between Paul and Maja behind Toni's back. Paul and Maja had flatly denied the issue even as Toni herself said nothing of that nature is going on.

Maja broke down when she addressed the issue a few days back. “Masyado na. Tinatapakan na masyado ‘yung pagkatao ko. Tao lang din po ako na nasasaktan. Hindi porke’t artista...,” she said between sobs.

Paul in a separate Bulletin Entertainment report only shook his head when asked about the rumor. He dubbed the rumors "unfortunate" and "unfair” since he only sees Maja “like a little sister.”

He insisted that what he and Maja have is a “work relationship” and that linking them together was”unnecessary.”

How does Toni feel about it? The report mentioned that Paul is "certain" that Toni is unaffected by the issue because they are “very secure” about their relationship.

Asked to comment about Maja's tearful interview on "The Buzz" where she admitted causing the fistfight between Matteo Guidicelli and Coco Martin on Sept. 3, Toni simply said, "Irespeto na lang natin kung ano yung mga nangyayari at pinagdadaanan niya [Maja].

"Bata pa si Maja hindi siguro makakatulong kung marami pa tayong magsasalita para sa kanya. Hayaan na lang natin siya on her own. I think what she needs right now is the love and support na mabibigay ng tao sa kanya especially in this tough time that she’s going through."

“Thelma” tells the story of a teenage barrio girl from Ilocos Norte who uses her gift for running to improve her life and those of her loved ones. The movie also stars Tetchie Agbayani, John Arcilla, Eliza Pineda, Jason Abalos, Sue Prado and with the special participation of Philippine Track and Field champion Elma Muros.

Matteo Guidicelli Apologizes for Commotion With Coco Martin

Appearing live on the noontime show “Happy Yipee Yehey” on Sept. 5, Matteo Guidicelli expressed “the biggest sorry” for his reported fistfight with fellow Kapamilya actor Coco Martin.

“Gusto ko lang po sabihin na I’m very, very sorry for what has happened. It was a very unnecessary matter, sorry talaga sa nangyari. Sa lahat ng mga fans, sa lahat ng mga bosses namin, sorry talaga po.

“Tita Cory [Vidanes, ABS-CBN Channel Head], nandun po siya. Si Sir Deo [Endrinal, Business Unit Head], nandun sila. Sorry talaga. At sa lahat ng mga director, sa lahat ng mga tao na naapekto[han], the biggest sorry, the biggest sorry,” Guidicelli stated.

More, Guidicelli said that he’s “very sad” about the incident.

“You know, Kuya John [Estrada], nandito ko bilang artista para magpapasaya sa tao, para mag-smile sila. Pero ito, we had a problem so I’m very, very sorry. Gagawa po ako ng paraan para maging maayos ang lahat.

“I love you guys,” he said.

After sharing that Guidicelli has a reserved seat at the premiere of Salvador’s film “Thelma” last night (the actor failed to show up), “HYY” host Toni Gonzaga asked Guidicelli for his message to his lady love.

“Congratulations unang-una sa movie. I’m very, very proud of you and I’m always here for you. And maraming-maraming salamat sa lahat. You’re a blessing, you’re a great person.

“Congratulations and we’re all here for you to support you,” said he.

On Sept. 4, an emotional Salvador appeared in a live interview on “The Buzz” where she admitted to having a relationship with Guidicelli. The actress also confirmed the rumor – which spread online hours following the 2011 Star Magic Ball on Saturday night – that she was the cause of the two guys’ brawl at said event’s after-party at The Peninsula Manila’s Salon de Ning.

The rumor further alleged that the fistfight was due to Martin kissing Salvador on the lips – which the actress was said to have denied as told by "Buzz" host Boy Abunda.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN’s talent arm Star Magic issued a statement about the incident, describing it as “a simple misunderstanding.”

”Both Coco and Matteo are sorry it happened. Everything has been resolved,” the statement said as flashed on screen via “The Buzz.”

Martin has yet to air his side as of this writing.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Andi Eigenmann Names Albie Casiño as the Father of her Unborn Child

At first she refused to directly name him. But now, months after news of her pregnancy spread, Andi Eigenmann finally named the father of her unborn child.

"Maybe instead of feeling bad that Albie (Casiño) left me to take on this responsibility by myself, I should thank him for giving me the opportunity (to) go out and find genuine happiness once again," Andi said in her post "#welliwasneverreallytheconventionaltype" on Sunday, September 4 in her blog "The Good That Won't Come Out Chapter: Deux" at andieigengirl.posterous.com.

Andi stressed that while she is not expecting Albie to take on the responsibility, she hoped he will eventually realize his role.

"I'd obviously love for him to be around eventually. You know, to save myself the struggle to find a good way to explain his absence to his child. At the same time, I'd understand. Cus after all, I have no idea who or what kind of a person all the fame and fortune has turned him into now. All I hope is that he's well," Andi posted.

In the revealing blog, Andi presented the challenges she is currently facing -- her shattered dreams of a grand wedding, her delayed plans for a successful career.

"I thought, maybe thinking about how my life should be right now, like the freedom and lightness of dreaming of the next wedding of the century, would readily bring me to tears again," Andi said. "Tears of regret in terms of being fully aware of the greatness and success that should have been. But no. No, because God really does love me."

Andi also mentioned that she remained strong and optimistic, fully accepting the consequences of her action.

"As soon as I have learned to embrace the fact that instead of having a child at the age of 29, it was blessed upon me as early as now, all those points that would usually bring me to endless tears, have remained to be dreams, STILL highly possible from coming true. This just goes to show that, yes, amidst the lack of maternal instincts and no ounce of being nurturing or maternal whatsoever, I am now undoubtedly ready to raise a child on my own," she noted.

Backed with what she calls "the best set of supportive family members," Andi said she continues her life with renewed faith. In her words, "God didn't create us to be immature spoiled brats who have to get everything as planned. Nothing's perfect, but I can assure you one thing: God is awesome and He knows what's best for us, without a doubt. Though not everything may go our way, things will always end up to be just what would keep us happy and contented," Andi added.

So what does the future hold for Andi?

The soon-to-be single mother has only one answer – patience.

"Everything will soon fall into place," wrote Andi.

Filipinos Love for Cooking on Patrol ng Pilipino

They say Filipinos’ love for good food and cooking is what makes Filipinos good cooks or chefs. And in recent years, the country has witnessed a boom in culinary schools sprouting everywhere.

Many Filipinos now aspire to become chefs in fancy restaurants for a living and see it as a career that will help them improve their lives and achieve their goals. But these institutions offering high-end culinary courses charge tuition that are far beyond the reach of regular Filipinos. Would it still be possible for them to achieve their dream?

Join Jeff Canoy tomorrow in “Patrol ng Pilipino” as he scouts different culinary schools. Get to meet culinary students and know how they intend to fulfill their dream of making it big in the culinary world.

Meanwhile, Niko Baua joins the festivity of Eid’l Fitr, the most celebrated event by our Muslim brothers and sisters. Get to know more about the Muslim ideology–as a religion and a culture and learn how one simple commemoration can promote oneness among them.

“Patrol ng Pilipino” airs earlier at 9:15 pm tomorrow on DZMM TeleRadyo (SkyCable channel 26) and after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN.

Matteo Guidicelli Didn't Show Up in Maja Salvador's Movie Premiere

Actor Matteo Guidicelli failed to show up at the red carpet premiere of “Thelma” on Sunday.

He did not say why. This comes on the heels of revelations from Maja Salvador, the movie's lead actress, that he and actor Coco Martin had a fistfight on Saturday night.

“All I have to say is congratulations, unang-una sa movie. I’m very very proud of you. I’m always here for you. Maraming-maraming salamat sa lahat. You’re a blessing. You are a great person. Congratulations and we are all here for you to support you,” he said in the Monday episode of “Happy Yipee Yehey.”

On Sunday, Salvador admitted on “The Buzz” that she was the reason why Guidicelli and Martin had a fistfight after the Star Magic Ball.

Salvador said that after what happened, she is not sure anymore where their relationship is going.

According to a source of “The Buzz,” Guidicelli got irked when he learned that Martin kissed Salvador on the lips during an after party at Salon de Ning, a bar inside Peninsula Manila Hotel.

Meanwhile, the security of the posh hotel said no one who witnessed the brawl, including the hotel management, would give any statement.

Hotel Duty Manager Marie Mangalili also stated the management would not be releasing any video of the fight, if there is indeed one, supposedly caught on CCTV.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

SNN Bids Goodbye

ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs (NCA) head Ging Reyes has confirmed that “Showbiz News Ngayon” will air its last episode on Sept. 30 before its host Boy Abunda joins “Bandila” on Oct. 3.

The disclosure puts to rest speculations about the show Abunda will give up in order to accommodate his stint on the late night evening news program. Apart from “Showbiz News Ngayon,” Abunda hosts “The Buzz” and “The Bottomline” on the Kapamilya network.

Reyes said that Abunda’s inclusion on “Bandila” will further “strengthen” its thrust of being “makabayan, mas malawak and mas malalim” type of news program. However, Abunda will not just have a “showbiz segment” but will deliver in-depth reportage about entertainment, lifestyle and culture, as well as conduct one-on-one interviews, which Reyes believes is right up the TV host’s alley.

“He [Abunda] is very conversant…knowledgeable. I’m hopeful he’ll be an asset to ‘Bandila,’” she said.

Reyes said this and other moves being undertaken by the network’s NCA division are aimed at bringing the news to even more people. “Bandila,” for one, will air earlier “so that the hosts won’t do their extros by saying, ‘Good morning.’”

“Besides, it’s frustrating for the people behind ‘Bandila’ to come up with such an excellent program only to have it aired so late,” she added.

Since taking the reins last year, Reyes has restructured the system in that their journalists have access to many platforms. This is the reason viewers now see, say, DZMM reporters also giving the news over ANC or Channel 2 or vice-versa.

“Since we are all under one network, it won’t hurt for us to share resources. It’s synergizing, collaborative,” she said.

Meanwhile, according to a release, DZMM marks another milestone on its 25th anniversary with the launch of ABS-CBN’s NCA time block on DZMM TeleRadyo.

Starting Sept. 5 at 9:15 p.m., DZMM will air “XXX,” “Patrol ng Pilipino,” “Storyline,” “Krusada,” and “SOCO,” weekdays after “Usapang De Campanilla.”

Reyes added that while viewers can still watch the programs on their original airing days on Channel 2, DZMM will offer something special to viewers.

“The current affairs programs will have a ‘live’ feel as we will be using the DZMM TeleRadyo Interface to make the shows more interactive. While a program is airing, viewers can send their thoughts and comments, which will be displayed on screen,” she was quoted as saying.

Maja Salvador Co-Produced Thelma

Just before filming wrapped up for “Thelma,” lead actress Maja Salvador accepted an offer from producer Rino Que to join them as co-producer.

Without as much as a second thought, the drama actress conceded and did not collect the rest of her talent fee for the film. It is Maja’s first time to become an industrial partner in a business venture, a move that stemmed from her faith and confidence in the project.

“Thelma” is an indie film produced by Time Horizon Pictures about a marathon runner who battles against the odds. To get into the athletic mode, Maja was trained in long-distance running by national athlete Elma Murros.

The training introduced Maja to running as a sport, and which she now uses as a measure to keep fit and lose weight.

There were a lot of sacrifices made in the making of the movie. Maja endured bruises in her feet and legs as she ran on rugged country roads, oftentimes bare-footed as she played a poor peasant’s daughter in the picture.

While fast-track running is her thing in the film, the same can’t be said of Maja’s attitude towards her acting career. “I’m not in a hurry, ako yung artista na hindi nagmamadali,” she told media during the film’s launch at the ABS-CBN’s 9501 Executive Lounge recently.

The actress said she loved her profession too much she will not want to rush in a bid to become a very big star. It’s not among her wishes, she explained.

Maja has just finished a high-rating teleserye, “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin,” which sealed her partnership with Coco Martin. She’s embarking soon on an international promotional tour for “Minsan” but hoping to make a stop in Hawaii in October for the screening of “Thelma” at an international film festival in the island.

“Thelma,” described by its director, Paul Soriano, as an inspiring film, also stars Jason Abalos, Tetchie Agbayani, John Arcilla, among others. It has won the nod of Star Cinema, which has agreed to distribute the film starting on Sept. 7.

ABS-CBN News Team Trapped in Baguio Storm

They went to Baguio one stormy weekend to produce a documentary about a national artist not knowing that they would stumble on a big story. But more than just breaking the news on TV, the team had to overcome obstacles in returning to Manila.

According to ABS-CBN Current Affairs Division’s production unit head Carmina Reyes, the Patrol ng Pilipino had interviewed National Artist Ben “BenCab” Cabrera for the show’s art episode when they received word that one of their interviewees could not make it because he was trapped down the Asin Road in Barangay Tadyangan.

“We did not take it seriously and collectively thought that we could get over whatever was blocking the road,” she said.

The team was traveling for a few minutes along Kilometer 6 of Asin Road in Tuba, Benguet when they noticed that the road was littered with trash and in a matter of minutes, they figured what happened.

A portion of the wall surrounding a dumpsite in Barangay Irisan had collapsed due to the heavy rains. The road was blocked by about 20 tons of trash.

“It was shocking. I mean, one would expect a landslide. But not trash. And the stench, well, even days after, I have no words to describe it,” said Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN reporter who was doing the story on BenCab.

Their van stopped at the foot of the mountain of trash. And even before they could decipher how to get out of there, their journalistic instincts put them to work.

Carmina informed the ABS-CBN news desks in Manila and Baguio to alert them of the situation, while Jeff started to gather information from the residents.

Director of photography Joseph delos Reyes and cameraman Anthony Garces climbed the mountain of trash and started to roll their cameras. Researcher Cherrie Anne Ongteco started looking for amateur video from residents. News and Current Affairs head Ging Reyes called the team to check if they were safe. Carmina told her that they were filing the news and that no one was hurt and that the vehicle was fine. The ABS-CBN RNG Station had alerted local officials of the situation.

“When you work for news, reporting is automatic and instinctual. It’s like breathing or blinking,” Jeff said.

In a few minutes, Jeff went live via phone and broke the news on ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel. Carmina was sending photos from the scene using MMS, which were aired and used on ABS-CBN platforms. ABS-CBN was first to break the story and air the first images of what had happened.

“It was so difficult for MMS and e-mails to get through because of dying signals in Baguio,” Carmina said. “I had to re-route the photos via Blackberry Messenger to our PR department to send it to the news desk.”

Residents said there was a steep road that the crew could drive through but that the darkness and heavy rains could make it dangerous. BenCab and his partner Annie opened their home to the team, who continued working on scripts and sending videos to Manila using the Wi-Fi in BenCab’s home.

“None of us was trained editors or system engineers but we were able to send our videos back to Manila and do live reports from there,” said Jeff.

Very early the next day, the Patrol ng Pilipino team negotiated the steep mountainside road. They were calm but scared. They could see the ravine but were encouraged by sights of houses on the other side of the road.

“We’ve probably never prayed as much as when we were driving through thick fog, drizzle and branches that Sunday morning,” said Carmina. “We will be forever grateful to Ben and Annie for keeping the ABS-CBN team safe.”

Looking back, Carmina and Jeff said it was teamwork that helped them during the crisis situation, a corporate value that ABS-CBN adheres and inculcates among employees.

“We were trapped. We didn’t have the necessary equipment to break the news. But we knew that we had a singular goal which is to let the public know. It was an amazing display of synchronicity. So with teamwork, a dash of resourcefulness and a little bit of luck, we managed,” he said.

On their way back home, the team was still in good spirits. They played Show the Dance Choreography as Jeff played ’90s music from his iPad until another vehicle accident on NLEX slowed the traffic.

Jeff went down to inquire about the accident from traffic officers and learned that no one died. “Great! ABS-CBN, we’re coming home,”Carmina said.

Source: The Philippine Star