Roxanne vs Rico

Looks like our heartthrob DJ Rico Robles is heading towards a major heartbreak as Big Brother reveals Roxanne's special someone, Martin Gallego.

In an interview with host Toni Gonzaga, Gallego pleaded with Rico to back off , saying that his advances have affected not only Roxie but also Roxie's parents, Tony and Rose Barcelo.

"Wala silang relasyon!", Rose Barcelo stressed as she further clarified that Rico only courted her daughter but they never had a relationship because Roxanne dumped Rico when she found out that he was courting her when he already had a girlfriend. She even recounted the story where Rico told Roxanne that it was good that they were being promoted as an item and even said, “Ayaw mo yun may isyu”.

 

 OUST RICO!

2nd Nomination Night - PBB Celebrity Edition

 

FINAL RESULTS:
Christian Vasquez – automatically nominated*

Rustom Padilla – automatically nominated*

Rico Robles – 12 votes

*mouthing of words and use of hand signals.

To vote, text BB <name of housemate> and send it to 2331(Globe and Sun Cellular) or 231 (Smart, Talk N’ Txt and Addict Mobile). Each text costs P2.50.

StarStruck Batch 3 Final Four

StarStruch Batch 3 Final Four

Jackie Rice of Olongapo, Marky Cielo of Mountain Province, Iwa Moto of Las Pi�as, and Gian Carlos of Iloilo comprise the Final Four of StarStuck: The Nationwide Invasion.

The competition said goodbye to Chuck Allie of Davao and Jana Roxas of Tarlac, who were the last members of this batch to be tagged 'Avengers'.

The announcement of this year's Final Four came amidst turmoil, both in the competition and in the country's current events. The week was full of tears for all of the contestants, culminating with early favorite Iwa breaking down on national television, shocking viewers across the country.

Keep on voting for your favorite! Text STARSTRUCK [survivor] and send to 4627 for Smart, Talk 'N Text and Addict or 2364 for Globe, TM and Sun.

***

My bets are Iwa and Gian. hehe…

Who are your bets?

Philippine Idol soon on ABC 5

'Philippine Idol'
ABC 5, the number three broadcasting channel, which previously experimented with a beauty queen reality search show, may not have anything to match ABS-CBN's and GMA-7's gold mines for now. But it is not idly watching the competition between the two.

The network is finalizing the contract for the franchise of "American Idol." ABC 5 executives are still mum about the details. Its main come-on is the winner's shot at the "World Idol," where he or she will be competing with winners from other countries. 

 

John Prats bares all!

John Prats, 16 years-old ng Nadevirginized! (source)

February 24, 2006 (10:00 PM PhilTime)

Sa kanilang pag-uusap kanina with some housemates, nai-share ni John Prats na 16 years old siya ng na-devirginized. Ito ay naganap sa Hongkong with a Chinese girl.

Dinala daw sya ng tita niya sa isang place for prostitutes. Sabi pa niya, Chinese girl yung pinili ng tita niya for him kasi yung mga British puro malalaki at malulusog, kesehodang totoy palang si John sa mga panahong iyon.

What do you think of this sharing by John Prats?

Ist Eviction Night - PBB Celebrity Edition

TALLY:

Rudy – 22.6 %
Keeana – 27 %
Rico – 50.4 %

 

Bye bye Tatang Rudy

I was right, it was Rudy to first go (excluding the voluntary exit and the drama) by eviction.  But i kinda thought it was Rico who was going to go because he irritates me already when he makes a scene with Roxanne. But i guess everyone was touched with what he did for Mich’s yaya. He like has to take vitamins to grow his hair and took about 3 yrs to get that long. (well, it was still short) I really admired him for that. And everyone likes Keanna for her kakwelahan, i especially like the “KFC – Ay! KSP pala” dialogue with Mich. Hahaha!

Anyways, more Keanna Reeves PUNCHLINES here.

 

 

 

Hunt for Filipino Mudslide Survivors Ends

GUINSAUGON, Philippines - With only 139 bodies recovered and nearly a thousand villagers missing, officials in the Philippines Friday declared an end to the search for survivors of the landslide that engulfed this farming village a week ago.

Emergency crews will now focus their efforts on helping evacuees who lost their homes in the disaster.

"We have decided to move on to recovery and rehabilitation of survivors because our greater responsibility ... is to rebuild the lives of those who have been devastated by this disaster," Rosette Lerias, governor of Southern Leyte province, said Friday.

Hundreds of U.S. Marines and other rescue workers have been digging Guinsaugon out from under the mud for the past week but not a single person has been found alive since the first hours after the Feb. 17 disaster.

Rescuers have retrieved 139 bodies, including three more in Friday. Another 973 people are believed buried beneath tons of earth that swept over the village when a mountain collapsed, Lerias said

Search teams plan to continue looking for bodies for a week or two before the area is converted into a memorial. Officials plan to shore up the earth so it settles as giant mound of earth with the remaining bodies inside.

Lerias said the decision to call off the search for survivors came after heavy rain on Friday forced rescue teams to halt their work for risk of further landslides.

Wet conditions have hampered search teams, which include Philippine soldiers, U.S. Marines, and Malaysian and Taiwanese workers, since the early hours of the disaster in the southeastern Philippines.

The decision to abandon the search was accepted by villagers staying at temporary shelters, the governor said. She added that donations for the 3,314 evacuees left homeless by the disaster were beginning to pour in.

PBB Update: Mich faces 24-hr deadline

 

Mich now faces eviction from the PBB house after suffering from an asthma attack and being hospitalized this afternoon. Big Brother gave Mich 24 hours to return to PBB house which means she has to recover from her asthma problem by tomorrow. History seems to repeat itself since it would be remembered that last season; housemate Bob was also given a 24-hour deadline after being hospitalized prior to a heart attack. Bob was able to meet the deadline and return to the PBB house. Will Mitch be able to do a Bob comeback? Go home early for tomorrow is eviction night!

 

Housemates discuss Mich’s behavior

 

While chilling in the garden, the housemates composed of John, Gretchen, and Keanna discussed Mich behavior at the house. They were unanimous in saying that Mich was difficult to get along with because she refuses to adjust and would pick up fights frequently. Mich has quarreled with most of the housemates with the exception of Zanjoe and Bianca. She has quarreled with Christian, Angela, Gretchen, Roxie and recently, John and Keanna.

 

Here are some of their thoughts on their quarrels with Mich:

 

Keanna on Mich:

“Ang layo ng agwat namin, ako nag-aadjust..pasensya..eh di yun ang pinasok ko dito..para pasensyahan..sobra na..selfish..ayoko ng ganun..minsan lang ako nagkaron ng kaibigan..ipagtatanggol ko..pano ko pagtatanggol eh lahat ginagawa nya mali..kung di ka iiyak, biglan Waaah..tapos di mamamansin..tapos biglang..waaah .wag nya akong topakan dahil may topak din ako..mahaba pasensya ko pero kung di na makapag pasensya..pasensayahan na lang tayo.”

 

Gretchen on Mich : 

“Sana okay na siya..sana magbago na..lesson na..nagkalma siya, eh Nag-try siya makipag-usap..antay na lumamig..hindi kami ang kaibigan mo..iba kami..hindi yung kinalakihan mo..hindi mo expect na yun ang gagawain namin sa yo..di ikaw ang aasikasuhin namin..bigyan kami ng halaga na kawawa sila lagi akong iniintindi..biglang iba moods..immature..di mo alam kung paano patatahanin..spoiled brat, eh sorry siya dito pumasok, eh...close lang kami pag natutulog..tapos kinabukasan di kami nag-uusap..dahil tulog..o walang laman.puro beh, beh..”

 

Rustom even drew the tiers of quarrels with Mich. They all agreed that she was very selfish and was acting like a spoiled brat. They hoped she can change and they look forward to patching things with her when she comes back.

 

© pinoybigbrother.com

 

“Hika attack? or is she doing this to get herself out of the house? I hope she doesn’t get back within 24 hours!”

PBB Update: Mich vs. Keanna

Keanna earned the ire of the la fashionista when she commented "Maganda yung hindi umiiyak kapag nagpapakalbo." After hearing what Keanna said, Mich was obviously irritated and refused to speak to anyone. Moments later, she confronted Keanna regarding the matter, which led to their big fight.

 

Keanna, who was also seemingly annoyed with Mich didn't let the incident pass without getting back at the la fashionista. "Wala akong pakialam sa'yo...Opinyon ko naman yun! Ano ako robot? Didiktahan mo ako? Iiyak-iyakan mo lang ako? Lahat naman kasi sa'yo big deal! lahat big deal! Ang gusto mo ikaw na lang parating iintindihin ng lahat! lahat na lang nakakaaway mo!" Keanna said while shouting at Mich. The controversial sexy star also told Mich how much she hated her unpredictable mood swings.

Keanna was unstoppable as she fumed in anger. The la fashionista couldn't interrupt Keanna. Moments later, Kilabot ng Senado went ballistic and started banging kitchenwares. The othere celebrity housemates remained silent as they watched Keanna, apparently stunned to see the person who always makes them laugh, showing extreme anger.

At the climax of last night's confrontation, everybody laughed when Keanna mistakenly labeled Mich as "KFC" instead of "KSP" or "Kulang Sa Pansin." (wakokok)

PBB Update: Rico and Aleck go BALD!

In another surprising twist in tonight's show, Big Brother calls Rico and Aleck to the confession room where hairstylists are waiting to shave their hair. In the previous episode, Big Brother hinted that two girls will have to shave their hair but minutes before the live show, Kuya took Rico's and Aleck's words that they are willing to go bald in exchange for the 100,000 pesos that their beneficiaries will get. Another twist involved Roxie doing the actual shaving of Rico's hair since she promised Rico that she would support him by doing so.

Lalaking lalaki na si Aleck ha…. Musta ‘tol? hehe..

Philippines under STATE OF EMERGENCY

Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency yesterday, hours after senior military officials said they had foiled a coup attempt - the 12th since the late President Ferdinand Marcos fled from office 20 years ago today.

In a televised address, the president said: "Some [officers] attempted to break the armed forces chain of command, undermine the civilian government and establish an unconstitutional regime."

She signed a proclamation commanding the armed forces to "maintain law and order throughout the Philippines, prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence and any act of insurrection or rebellion".

Mrs Macapagal said some of the plotters had been detained and the chain of command from the military chief of staff down to battalion commanders was intact. "As commander-in-chief, I am in control of the situation," she said.

Thousands of anti-government demonstrators took to the streets to protest against Mrs Macapagal's move and press for her resignation over allegations that she cheated in the May 2004 presidential elections.

Pro-democracy groups yesterday condemned Mrs Macapagal's declaration of a state of emergency, described by one human rights organisation as "a licence given to the military and police to use against [whoever] they perceive to be enemies; it silences all forms of criticism, including media reporting".

Police yesterday forcibly dispersed between 15,000 and 20,000 demonstrators who tried to assemble along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, the capital's main road. This was in stark contrast to February 22-25 1986, when hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the same road to protect a small group of military officers who broke away from Mr Marcos.

Many of the people who led the 1986 uprising, including former president Corazon Aquino, are calling for the resignation of Mrs Macapagal. She was swept to power in 2001 by another people-power revolt against then-president Joseph Estrada but is herself now facing allegations of corruption and electoral fraud.

Reflecting growing disenchantment with politics, two-fifths of Filipinos surveyed in October said they would not join future popular uprisings amid growing doubts that changing leaders really improves the country's lot.

It also comes as Mrs Macapagal and her political allies move to overhaul the 1987 constitution, perhaps the most important legacy of the anti-Marcos civilian revolt, to change what they consider an essentially unstable presidential system that is prone to coup attempts and civilian uprisings. Another complaint is that the system is easily dominated by popular but politically inexperienced people including actors or sports stars.

Mrs Macapagal's declaration of a state of emergency came after the chief of staff of the armed forces, General Generoso Senga, announced that the commander of an elite fighting unit was being held for planning to lead soldiers joining anti-government protests today.

Gen Senga said the commander of the Scout Rangers regiment, Brig-Gen Danilo Lim, asked him on Thursday night to withdraw support from Mrs Macapagal. He said he refused and instead ordered the commander's confinement; he added the armed forces remained loyal to Mrs Macapagal and the government.

A military spokesman said disgruntled troops had planned to announce to the protesters that they were withdrawing support from the president in the hope this would trigger a groundswell of opposition to her.

American Idol Producer Okays Sway!

Jose “Sway” Penala might turn out to be the most controversial non-controversy in American Idol history.  Reality TV Magazine reported on information online that indicated that Sway was a member of the band 6th Day.  Reality TV Magazine also reported on information online that suggested 6th Day released a CD on Brownjungle.com and did a promotional tour in Manila after Sway’s initial American Idol audition.  According to the FAQ section on Idolonfox.com, “contestants are not permitted to have any CURRENT recording or talent management agreements.”

Reality TV Magazine also reported that various rumors were circulating that Sway could be disqualified, while also carefully noting that nothing had been said by anyone officially connected to American Idol to indicate that he was at any risk.  The article was picked up by various news outlets across the U.S. including People Magazine, E! Online, and The New York Post. 

After our report, a 6th Day band member apparently came forward with additional information, which he posted on the 6th Day MySpace page.  According to a post attributed to the 6th Day band member Drey, 6th Day apparently did the Manila promotional tour without ever having a contract with their label E-Real Records.  The same band member also indicated that “the only entity Sway was bound to on paper was 6th Day and management.”  Of course, management agreements are also not allowed according to the FAQ section on Idolonfox.com.  The post by the band member has since been removed from the 6th Day MySpace page.

Many fans have rallied around Sway and voiced their support that he should remain in the competition.  The fan site JosePenala.com is reporting receiving large amounts of traffic.  An anti-Sway movement has also apparently developed.  Reality TV Magazine has received numerous emails from an individual identifying themselves as GoAway Sway.  The emails point to the same articles referenced in the initial Reality TV Magazine report as well as some additional articles, such as the ones published on INQ7.net and on Malaya.com.

During a conference call with the media on Friday, February 3, American Idol producer Ken Warwick was asked about the raging Sway controversy.  Warwick cleared up some of the rumors, but his answers could likely create even more controversy.  In response to if Sway had a recording contract at the time of his San Francisco audition, Warwick replied “when the thousand turn up you can’t go into their backgrounds, you can’t check everything.”  When pressed on if Sway was still in the competition, Warwick replied “He’s still on the show.  Yes, absolutely...I mean as far as I know he at this moment in time…the minute he went forward we then get into it and say have you got any recording contracts.  Now, if he did have and lost them the minute he got through to the second round then, you know, at the time he got through then he didn’t have a contract, he tells me, so we checked and at this moment in time and that’s all we can really do, he does not have a recording contract.  So you know that…that..you know we have to take it at face value, he is not contracted to anybody and anybody who progresses in the competition can’t be under contract to anybody else for obvious reasons and he is not to our knowledge.  We look into it and the affairs look into it so I have to take it as it’s told to me.”   

Ken Warwick’s answer seems to offer a new clarification as to exactly when the rule of not having any current recording or talent management agreements starts to apply.  Under Warwick’s explanation of the rules, it sounds as if someone with a manager and currently contracted to a label could audition for American Idol.  However, if that person were to make it through to the second round, then they would have to immediately get out of any current contracts or management agreements.  Evidently in the case of Jose “Sway” Penala whatever agreements he may or may not have been bound to, he was able to get out of before advancing to the second round of American Idol.  Therefore, any rumors circulating that Sway may be disqualified can apparently be put to rest based on Ken Warwick’s statement.

Warwick’s explanation of the rules though will probably surprise many potential American Idol applicants, as it seems like a change to what many had interpreted the rules to be.  It could also lead to an influx of applicants for American Idol 6 who are under contract or management agreements who just plan to get out of the agreements if they make it through the auditions.  There are bound to be some cases where records labels or managers refuse to let artists out of contracts which could lead to contestants having to drop out of the competition.  It’s very possible that artists in the future might even add provisions in their management contracts that they can break their contracts if they wind up qualifying for the Hollywood round during an American Idol audition. 

The controversy over Sway could very well help him if he makes it past the judges and to the viewer voting stage of the competition.  In the early stages of American Idol, contestants who have received frequent screen time or who have been talked about in the press seem to hold an advantage.  Many Sway fans will likely feel like they have something to prove and will be dedicated to keeping him in the competition.

WWE Raw Live in Manila

WWE RAW Live Tour

Date: February 24–25, 2006
Venue: Araneta Coliseum
City/State: Manila, Philippines

On-Sale Date: Thursday, December 15, 2005, at 9 a.m.

Ticket Information: Ticket prices: PHP 3,500, 3,300, 2,000, 900 and 400
Reserve now at 9115555 and www.ticketnet.com.ph
or go to your nearest SM ticketnet outlet for tickets.
Hurry as tickets are being sold fast.

Matches (Subject to Change)

WWE Championship
John Cena vs. Edge (with Lita)
Special Referee Mick Foley

Big Show vs.Triple H

Intercontinental Championship
Ric Flair vs. Shelton Benjamin

Visera vs. Snitsky

Rob Van Dam vs. Carlito

Venis Venis vs. "The Masterpiece" Chris Masters

Women’s Championship
Trish Stratus vs. Torrie Wilson

Chavo Guerrero vs. Tyson Tomko

Gretchen returns...

Gretchen successfully accomplished her affairs with the Air Force. She returned at the house at aroung 10 pm, Tuesday.

The Celebrity Housemates' Ultimate Sacrifice?

Will they do it? Will they SHAVE their hair for money??? For P100k???

Just this afternoon, the Housemates were deciding wether they’ll shave their hair for 100k that’ll be given to whomever BigBrother choses. In the case of Bianca, if she decides to shave her hair off, 100k will be given to her dad, even though she wouldn’t personally want it to be given to his that, rather she’ll choose her mom or sister.

For the male housemates, their hair on the head, underarms and legs will be shaved. It’s much easier to decide on their case. I would personally do it if I were them.

As for the female housemates, they said they could do it, but the problem is what’s next for them after they come out of the house. Will they get any projects? (Bianca – model) They even talked about wigs already.

 

What I thought.

I wouldn’t think that it will be very selfish to decline BigBrother’s deal with the Housemates. As celebrities, or kahit na hindi, i believe that the hair is something that represents dignity, pride. In their case, makukuha naman nila siguro yung 100k sa work nila. I really felt bad for the female housemates because this is a very big deal for them.

I dont know. Probably, this is just a test for them. Hope so. Stay Tuned.

 

McDonald's Sued Over Its Fries

McDonald’s face at least three lawsuits after they confirmed the fries contain milk and a wheat protein.

Mark and Theresa Chimiak are suing the company because of their daughter’s intolerance to gluten, a substance found in wheat, contained in the fries, a thing which they were unaware of when the parents served their daughter with the product.

The lawyer declared that the family checked with the company before serving their daughter the French fries. Until now, for people like the Chimiaks, these fries were one of the few foods safe for the children on the menu. All this until this week McDonald’s declared that the oil in which the fries are cooked is derived from wheat and dairy, forbidden for those with food allergies.

Annalise, the daughter of the family mentioned above, became ill with celiac disease, suffering from epileptic seizures and ulcer, all these triggered by gluten. Jack Daly, senior vice president of McDonald's Corp., declared on Friday that they did not have time to review the case, but that the fries will be tested at an allergy research center.

The company also stated that wheat and dairy, ingredients which can cause allergies in consumers sensitive to different foods, are used to flavor the fries. McDonald’s added to the ingredients listed on its website "Contains wheat and milk ingredients", after new rules from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A spokesperson for the company declared that the ingredients were previously removed, but the flavoring constituent in the cooking oil is derived from wheat and dairy. Following the damages requested by the Chimiak family, Nadia Sugich also sued the company on the grounds that she is a vegetarian and ate the fries unaware that they were not vegan.

Also, in previous settlements, McDonald’s paid $10 million dollars to a vegetarian organization because the oil in which the fries were cooked was beef flavored.

 

“ Love Ko ‘To?  “

Gretchen's 24-hour chance

In tonight’s show, Big Bro delivered a heavy blow to Gretchen’s chances at staying at the PBB house when he informed her that she will the house at exactly 8 a.m. and will proceed directly to Philippine Airforce General Headquarters to face summary investigation.

 Kuya reiterated his conditions:

(1) Gretchen will only deal with persons involved with her investigation

(2) she has 24 hours to return to the house or risk never entering the PBB house. Since Gretchen is required to be in her airforce uniform, Kuya gave it to her in the confession room.

©pinoybigborther.com

Brian Viloria retains WBC title

Filipino American boxer Brian "Hawaiian Punch" Viloria outslugged Mexican fighter Jose Antonio "El Jaguar" Aguirre to retain the World Boxing Council light flyweight belt at the Alladin Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was an unanimous decision for the judges after 12 rounds.

Viloria started off slow against Aguirre but came back in the second and third rounds and rallied all the way into the remaining period. Aguirre sufferd a severe cut in the forehead which Viloria used to his advantage.

The 25-year-old Viloria (19-0, 12 KOs), who won the belt with a first-round knockout of Eric Ortiz in September, claimed the cards by scores of 116-112 (.J. Ross),117-111 (Glenn Trowbridge) and 116-112 (Ray Hawkins).

The Hawaiian Punch's victory came following the win of another Filipino boxing icon, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, against another Mexican, Erik "El Terrible" Morales, on January 21, also in Las Vegas. Incidentally, Pacquiao and Morales will have face each other for the third time in September this year.

***
weeeeeeeee

2nd Nomination Night - PBB Celebrity Edition

Big Brother sprang a suprise on the housemates when he announced that nominations will push through next week. Rico, Rudy and Keanna are still nominated for eviction.

Likewise, Big Brother has announced that Gretchen will be sent to General Headquarters to resolve her absence without leave case with the Philippine Airforce. He gave two conditions: (1) she will only deal with the investigators, (2) she has 24 hours to return to the PBB house and failure to do so would mean never entering the PBB house again.

Members of the red team were suprised with 325,000 worth of perfumes each from Aficionado of Germany.

Also, My Big Hero was launched during nomination night which effectively resolves the debate the housemates had in the afternoon about how to help the Leyte landslide victims. The show, through its host Toni Gonzaga encouraged Filipino viewers to give whatever they can.

Light Moments

The nomination night also had its light moments when Toni teased  Zanjoe about his pigsa and his crush on Bianca; asked Roxie about she felt on Rico leaving PBB and how Bianca felt when she could brush her teeth again. Or how housemates felt when they had appliances, comfortable mattresses and slippers again.

The housemates were also in a good mood before and after rehearsals as they engage in teasing the emerging couples in the PBB house. Budoy and Keanna were the topic before the show started. Rico and Roxie were often seen sweet with each other. The housemates even played with refrigerator magnets showing their faces to pair them with their so-called partners.

Angela Update

A live interview revealed that Angela is doing well in Cebu and that her case is under investigation. She reveals that drugs maybe behind and that perhaps, one of her relatives maybe involved.

Expect more suprises from Big Brother next week as housemates vote to evict either Rico, Rudy or Keanna. Save them by voting for them and stay tuned to what will happen to Gretchen.

©pinoybigborther.com

Idol: Jose "Sway" Penala

Jose Penala, a Filipino-American, started singing at the young age of seven.  Over the years he would sing at family gatherings and found he had a passion for music.  As a teenager growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area he put together his first singing group.  Serenading the hallways of their high school, with soulful music and smooth harmonies, they became known as "Simply Smooth."  The group sang together for a few years until they decided to go their separate ways.  Jose realized that he enjoyed performing for audiences and that music was his life.

Jose began writing lyrics and continued to perfect his voice through the years.  In 1996, he partnered with his good friend, Darrell to form the group “DnH” - short for Drop n Harmony.  Friends, Jerome and Lionel, joined the group within the next three years.  The four self-starters worked hard on their craft, practicing constantly to blend their voices into the perfect mix of breathtaking harmonies.  This San Francisco based group, was a favorite in the Bay Area and were likened to a Filipino Boyz II Men.  In 1998, they were signed by a professional label and released their self-titled debut album in 1999.  DnH's first album was a hit among the Asian community but was unfortunately overlooked by mainstream media and did not receive the airplay that it deserved.  Popular for their ballads, some of DnH's memorable hits include, "Anything" and "Because I Love You".

At the end of 2001, Jose began a compilation with members of other Asian-American singing groups.  During this initial collaboration, the four singers: Jose, Errol, Drey, and Cyrus, realized that they shared the same passion for music and similar visions of success.  This led to the creation of a new group, “6th Day”.  Their debut album, "Forever Starts Today" was released to International audiences and received much success in the Philippines.

Throughout these chapters of his life, Jose has developed both personally and professionally into a mature and powerful singer.  However, this is just the beginning...

The future looks bright for this shining star!

 

© 2006 JosePenala.com

 

:: 6th Day’s MySpace Profile ::

Up to 3,000 feared dead in Philippine landslide, 109 bodies found

TACLOBAN, Philippines (AFP) - Up to 3,000 people are missing and feared dead after a massive landslide buried a village in the central Philippines, officials said, as 109 bodies were recovered.

Rescue official Hermigildo Castil told AFP by phone from Guinsaugon village that 109 bodies had so far been found as rescue work resumed early Saturday.

The number of survivors remained at 57 after Friday's disaster in the south of Leyte province.

Maria Lim, mayor of the nearby town of Saint Bernard, and Roger Mercado, the legislator representing the district in the House of Representatives, both raised the number of missing villagers to 3,000.

The Red Cross earlier estimated about 200 people were killed and said 1,500 others were missing.

Castil said the rain had stopped but dark clouds were so far preventing helicopters from landing. About 500 rescuers at the village were using shovels to search for victims.

Richard Gordon, the head of the Philippine Red Cross, said in a radio interview. "We're hoping for the best but preparing for the worst," he said.

The first footage from the devastated village showed a sea of mud covering what had been lush green valley farmland. The mud was estimated to be at least six metres (yards) deep.

Only a few sheets of tin roofing and the occasional coconut tree could be seen. Tiny groups of mud-spattered survivors walked through the muck, apparently stunned by the scope of the destruction.

Among those feared buried in the mire were nearly 250 children and adults in the village school, officials said.

Experts blamed deforestation for the tragedy, which came after days of rainfall that was five times higher than usual.

In a televised address to the nation, President Gloria Arroyo said rescue teams were rushing to the area from "air, land and sea" to cope with the catastrophe.

"I have ordered the Coast Guard and our entire naval force in the (central Philippines) region to the area," she said.

"Naval ships will be used as floating hospitals and command centres for relief and rescue."

The international community led by the US offered assistance while the Red Cross in Geneva appealed for two million Swiss francs (1.52 million dollars) to fund a relief operation.

It appealed to donors to come forward fast as it needed to provide temporary shelters, mosquito nets, medical supplies and other aid for survivors.

The United States, which had been taking part in joint military exercises in the Philippines, sent two military ships to the stricken area to help and would look at other ways to provide urgently needed help, the White House said.

"We hope and pray that ongoing search and rescue operations will help save as many lives as possible," spokesman Trent Duffy said.

The United Nations had deployed a special team to assess the disaster at Guinsaugon, as Secretary General Kofi Annan expressed sadness at the huge loss of life, a spokesman said.

"The secretary general is deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction caused by the mudslide that hit the village of Guinsaugon," said Annan's spokesman.

"He extends his deepest condolences to the families of those who have been killed or injured in the disaster."

Leyte Governor Rosette Lerias said the last census showed there were 375 houses with 3,000 people living in Guinsaugon before the landslide. She described the village as totally flattened.

"It was like mud running down the mountain and it covered the village in seconds," she said, quoting survivors.

Lerias said many Guinsaugon residents had been evacuated after landslides earlier in the week had killed more than 20 people on Leyte, but that many had returned Friday because the rains had stopped and the sun had come out.

A mild 2.6-magnitude earthquake which struck before the landslide may also have helped set off the wall of mud that crashed down on the village, said Rene Solidum, head of the government vulcanology office.

"The area could have really been ready for a landslide because of the amount of rainfall and if there was a minor earthquake, it might have hastened it," Solidum said.

Army Colonel Nestor Sadirin, head of a rescue task force, said 16 bodies had been recovered so far and 100 people rescued.

Gordon said the Red Cross would dispatch sniffer dogs to hunt for survivors. "This is one of the most remote and inaccessible regions of the country. The mud is waist-deep in some areas and this is making it very difficult to search for survivors and get help to the injured," he told reporters.

Military helicopters were able to reach the area despite heavy clouds but the flights ceased after nightfall because the aircraft did not have night-flying capabilities.

Much of the rescue effort had to be called off after nightfall because there were no lights and because "the soil was very unstable," said civil defense spokesman Anthony Golez.

Relief groups called for drinking water, food, blankets and body bags to be brought to the scene.

More than 5,000 people were killed in a combined flood and mudslide on Leyte in November 1991.

American Idol's Top 24

GIRLS

1. Katherine McPhee
2. Mandisa Hundley
3. Melissa McGhee
4. Lisa Tucker
5. Brenna Gethers
6. Stephanie Scott
7. Ayla Brown
8. Becky O’Donohue
9. Heather Cox
10. Paris Bennett
11. Kellie Pickler – My bet!
12. Kinnik Sky

GUYS

1. Ace Young
2. Robert Bennett, Jr.
3. David Radford
4. Sway Penala – PiNOY! i just hope he doesn’t get disqualified.. *cross-fingers
5. Elliot Yamin
6. Gedeon McKinney
7. Chris Daughtry – My bet!
8. Bucky Covington
9. Patrick Hall
10. Kevin Covais
11. Taylor Hicks
12. William Makar

Angela exits Big Brother's House

 

After Angela’s house was broked in by burglars last Tuesday, She had finally decided to voluntary exit herself from PBB. Luckily, her daughter, Aira, was left unharmed. Last night, after the live episode of the show in ABS-CBN, she told her housemates that she suspects his teenage brother, who she said was a drug-addict, was behind the incident. The nanny, whom she left her daughter with, said that was not the first time that burglars have broken into apartment unit. The burglars took Angela’s component.

With this unprecedented turn  of events, No one among Keanna, Rudy and Rico, the three nominees for eviction, will be leaving the house on Saturday. The earnings accumulated from the voting process will be donated to charity.

© Pictures | ABS-CBN

Man Shot by Cheney Suffers Heart Attack

Dick Cheney (US, VP) during a hunting accident is expected to stay in the hospital for about a week after suffering a mild heart attack when a shotgun pellet in his chest traveled to his heart.

Harry Whittington, who was moved back to the intensive care unit Tuesday after the heart attack, will be watched to make sure more metal pellets do not reach other vital organs, hospital officials said. The 78-year-old was reported in stable condition.

Doctors at Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial said Whittington suffered a "silent heart attack" — obstructed blood flow, but without the classic heart-attack symptoms of pain and pressure.

Doctors said they decided to leave the pellet alone rather than operate to remove it. They said they are highly optimistic Whittington will recover and live a healthy life with the pellet in him.

Hospital officials said they were not concerned about the six to 200 other pieces of birdshot that might still be lodged in his body.

Cheney was using 7 1/2 shot from a 28-gauge shotgun. Shotgun pellets typically are made of steel or lead; the pellets in 7 1/2 shot are just under one-tenth of an inch in diameter.

Cheney watched a news conference Tuesday where doctors described Whittington's complications. Then the vice president called and wished him well and asked if there was anything he needed.

"The vice president said that he stood ready to assist. Mr. Whittington's spirits were good, but obviously his situation deserves the careful monitoring that his doctors are providing," the vice president's office said in a statement.

Cheney, an experienced hunter, has not spoken publicly about the accident, which took place just before nightfall Saturday while the vice president was aiming for a quail on a ranch in South Texas. Critics of the Bush administration called for more of an explanation from Cheney himself.

Through hospital officials, Whittington has declined to comment.

Hospital officials said they knew Whittington had some birdshot near his heart and that there was a chance it could move closer since scar tissue had not had time to harden and hold the pellet in place.

After Whittington developed an irregular heartbeat, doctors performed a cardiac catheterization, in which a thin, flexible tube is inserted into the heart, to diagnose his condition, said Peter Banko, the hospital's administrator.

The shot was either touching or embedded in the heart muscle near the top chambers, called the atria, officials said. Two things resulted:

• It caused inflammation that pushed on the heart in a way to temporarily block blood flow, what the doctors called a "silent heart attack." This is not a traditional heart attack where an artery is blocked. They said Whittington's arteries were healthy.

• It irritated the atria, caused an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation, which is not immediately life-threatening. But it must be treated because it can spur blood clots to form. Most cases can be corrected with medication.

White House physicians helped advise on the course of treatment, hospital officials said.

Texas officials said the shooting was an accident and no charges have been brought against the vice president.

A Texas Parks and Wildlife Department report issued Monday said Whittington was retrieving a downed bird and stepped out of the hunting line he was sharing with Cheney. "Another covey was flushed and Cheney swung on a bird and fired, striking Whittington in the face, neck and chest at approximately 30 yards," the report said.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said it has sent a letter to the chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission urging that Cheney's hunting license be revoked. 

***

hala ka!

Busy week...

sorry guys, di ako nakakapag-post this past few days… and maybe the following days.. pero ill try… midterm exams kasi namin and we’re moving to another place…

MTRCB reviews Joey's reaction on EB

“We didn’t see anything wrong”  – – MTRCB

Ok, ok, hindi na nga sinabi ni Joey yun, but what’s that gesture for??? (gili sa leeg) He did it twice. Hindi niya pa ineexplain yun! grrrrrrr..

 

Joey speaks out on StarTalk

What The World Needs Now Is Love: Lyrics+MP3

Lovapalooza hangover? Here’s the theme song.

What The World Needs Now Is Love
The Carpenters

What the world needs now is love sweet love,
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.
What the world needs now is love sweet love,
no not just for some but for everyone.

Lord we don’t need another mountain,
There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb,
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross
Enough to last until the end of time

What the world needs now is love sweet love,
it’s the only thing that theres just too little of,
what the world needs now is love sweet love,
no not just for some but for everyone

Lord, we dont need another meadow,
there are corn fields and wheat fields enough to grow,
there are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine,
oh listen Lord, if you want to know

What the world needs now is love sweet love,
its the only thing that theres just too little of.
what the world needs now is love sweet love,
no not just for some, oh but just for every every everyone.

what the world (whoa whoa) needs now,
is love (is love) sweet love
what the world ( oh oh) needs now
is love (is love) sweet love
what the world (whoa whoa) needs now
is love (is love) sweet love

 

:: DOWNLOAD THE MP3 ::

Joey de Leon reacts on StarTalk

Remember this?

As i was browsing through the channels yesterday, i saw Joey de Leon crying on StarTalk. Right away i knew he was going to react about the txt messages spreading. I only saw the latter part of his “speech.” Hehe…  He was blaming Willie for this. Nagpaparinig siya, halata naman. Parang pinapasa daw ni Willie ang kasalanan niya sa iba. (or probably pertaining to ABS-CBN)

And at the end, sabi niya:

“Ito totoong luha ‘to”      translation: Willie’s cries/tears were fake.

Aba, nagmamalinis nanaman! Oh sabihin na natin fake yung tears ni Willie and Di niya sinabi sa Eat bulaga yon. Pero in the past, paano ba si Joey de Leon? Hay naku. Akala mo ang bait bait niya! Buwisit. Best Actor ka rin! hmmp. Sabagay, veteran actor. Tanda kasi.

Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition First Nomination Night

Rustom 2 points for Rudy; 1 for Angela
Rudy 2 points for Keanna; 1 for Zanjoe
Aleck 2 points for Keanna; 1 for Mich
Angela 2 points for Rudy; 1 point for Rustom
Rico 2 points for Aleck; 1 point for Mich
Roxie 2 points for Rico; 1 point for for Angela
Mich 2 points for Rico; 1 point for for Rudy
John 2 points for Angela; 1 for Rico
Bianca 2 points for Rico; 1 for Gretchen
Budoy 2 points for Aleck; 1 for Zanjoe
Christian 2 points for Keana; 1 for Rustom
Keanna 2 points for Budoy; 1 for Rudy
Gretchen 2 points for Keanna; 1 for Aleck
Zanjoe 2 points for Mich; 1 for Keanna

Final Nomination Tally:

• Keeana with 9 votes
  
• Rico with 7 votes
  
• Rudy with 6 votes

John Prats, Bianca Gonzales, Roxanne Barcelo and Christian Vazquez were not nominated.

I would like to see Tatang Rudy be evicted this coming Eviction Night. Yes, nakakaawa siya, he is physically challenged, he is old, but i think it is better for him not to stay in the house. Because it’ll be more like sympathy votes for the audience and his contribution to the team is put aside. I’m not being insensitive or inconsiderate at all. I just think that he is better off with his family and tulungan na lang sana siya ng ABS-CBN. Eh di siya na mananalo kung maawa lang tayo. Di ba?

First Nomination Night - PBB Celebrity Edition

Tonight will be the first ever Nomination Night for the Celebrity Housemates. It will be tough for ‘them cause they’re really getting closer or just starting to get along with each other.

Too bad i cant watch it.  (Lovapalooza) Balitaan niyo ko ha? hehe… ciao*

Video iPod with Touch Screen?

Think Secret can confirm recent rumblings that Apple is nearing completion of a completely revamped video iPod that will shed the ubiquitous mechanical click wheel for a touch screen and will sport a 3.5-inch diagonal display.

This video iPod, which has been in development and on the table since before Apple released the 5G iPod last year with video playback, will feature a display that will occupy the entire front face of the device. Sources who have seen the device report that it features a digital click wheel, one that overlays the touch-sensitive display and appears when a finger touches it and disappears when the finger is removed.

Apple has been working with at least two other companies to perfect the digital click wheel display technology. While not all the engineering was completed in-house by Apple, sources have said Apple could hold an exclusive license on the technologies it borrowed from other developers for a period of time, limiting the ability of competitors to copy Apple's design.

Additional details concerning the new iPod have yet to be confirmed, including capacity and a release date, although all indications point to the Spring, possibly as early as late March or early April. During the Macworld Expo San Francisco, Apple CEO Steve Jobs alluded to a major announcement on or around April 1, Apple's 30th anniversary as a company.

Like previous iPods, sources insist that this video iPod will lack any sort of wireless connectivity, and will continue to connect to televisions using the conventional cabling solution of current models.

While Apple no longer publicly releases the numbers for how many specific iPod models it sells, Think Secret has learned exclusively that during Apple's most recent December quarter, the company moved 3.9 million 5G iPods, exceeding internal estimates and confirming that strong demand remains for higher capacity, higher priced iPod models, especially with additional functionality. By comparison, 8 million iPod nanos were sold during the same period.

Readers will recall that during the brouhaha leading up to the October release of the 5G iPod last year, Think Secret maintained that the video iPod would not be released at the time and, following the roll-out of the 5G iPod, that that iPod was "not the video iPod" but rather a souped up 4G iPod with video capabilities. This forthcoming iPod revision is what sources have said for some time will be the incarnation of a complete video iPod solution.

"Sikat ang Pinoy" Dance Craze

The choreography of the new theme song of PBB Celebrity Edition, Sikat Ang Pinoy, has just been finished at around 5:50 pm a while ago. Expect it to be shown tomorrow night at PBB Primitime on ABS-CBN.

The dance was mainly choreograph by Mr. Dancefloor Dynamite himself, John Pratts, pero almost all of the housemates contributed, in fact, some of the steps were named sa pangalan ng mga housemates na nagsuggest… like the aleck step, gege step (Gretchen), tatang step (Rudy Fernandez), keanna step…

It has an ethnic touch to it and also depicts some of the proud moments of the housemates, being pinoy, like the boxing step (for Manny)… basta.. watch it na lang tomorrow.. hehe… it’ll be a sure hit like the first one… you can download the song here on my blog too…

 

Connivance?

Popularized by Mariel Rodriguez, it has now been a popular substitue to almost any word to the Celebrity Housemates, but this is what it means on the dictionary:

Noun: connivance  ku'nIvuns
Agreement on a secret plot
- collusion
 
(law) tacit approval of someone's wrongdoing
- secret approval, tacit consent

Derived forms: connivances

Type of: agreement, approval, commendation

SM Mall of Asia to be the 3rd largest mall in the world

SM Mall of Asia is a shopping mall to be completed in February 25, 2006 and would be the Philippines' largest mall in terms of gross floor size. It is owned and operated by SM Prime Holdings, under the management of Henry Sy, a former Chinese immigrant to the Philippines.

Mall of Asia is being constructed within the reclaimed lands west of Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City. It is built on 19.5 hectares of reclaimed land and has a gross floor area of 381,075 square meters. The mall is located at the southmost tip of EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue). A rotunda was constructed in the front of the mall with a huge bronze globe similar to Universal Studios. An Esplanade or walkway was constructed at the back of the mall where it served as the observation center for the world's first World Pyro Olympics in December 2005. The mall will have a state-of-the-art theater, an Olympic sized skating rink and possibly a science museum. The mall will also provide office space. Dell International Services, a subsidiary of Dell, Inc. will be occupying a 13,470.5-square meter are at the north parking building of the mall. It is now becoming to be the 3rd largest mall in the world, behind the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and a retail center in Beijing, China.

The mall would have opened before Christmas Day of 2005 but had been delayed because of hitches in the delivery in construction materials. Frequent rains in the last quarter of 2005 also delayed the turnover of mall space to tenants.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_Mall_of_Asia

Finally!

YEHEY! I’m Finally on the 24/7 live streaming of Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition!