Commotion as Sandara Park, 2NE1 arrive in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - A slight commotion greeted K-pop sensation 2NE1, including former teen idol Sandara Park, when they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila Friday.

Airport reporters were incensed after they were shoved and jostled by security personnel protecting the K-pop group. A woman, allegedly a live production staff of PULP, even flipped the bird on reporters while a Korean man threatened one reporter that he would be fired.

The group arrived Friday onboard an Asiana Airlines flight OZ701 from South Korea.

2NE1 will perform at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, June 4. (report from abs-cbnNEWS.com)

Kim Chiu does her first international magazine pictorial in Hollywood

Last March, Kim Chiu flew to Los Angeles, California in a whirlwind schedule which included performing in the Star Magic show tour and to do the cover shoot for Metro magazine’s Big Style issue out this month.

Except for a temporary scare when Kim lost her wallet at the airport, the pictorial went on as scheduled, full steam ahead.

The 21 year-old flew to the US a few days ahead of her fellow celebrities to join the Metro team in one of their grandest photo shoots ever.

The cover pictorial, which took six months in the making, also included Hollywood heartthrob Matt Lanter, who is part of the cast of the hit TV series 90210, which is shown through Metro’s partner cable channel, Velvet.

Although this was not her first time to grace a Metro cover, Kim admitted it was definitely an unforgettable experience to do the shoot with a foreign actor.

“I was in awe. First of all, I was thrilled that I’ll be doing a photo shoot in the U.S. I felt privileged when I found out that I’d be doing this with Matt Lanter,” she told Metro magazine.

The statuesque chinita, who wore clothes shipped in from Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, and New York, was up bright and early for the 7 am calltime for the shoot held at locations like Hollywood Boulevard and The W Hollywood Hotel.

Despite battling jetlag, the pretty actress had instant rapport with Matt, which showed through their photos.

Despite being constantly dressed by some of the country’s top designers, Kim admitted it took awhile for her taste in fashion to evolve to what it is now.

“I still don’t consider myself fashionable, it’s a work in progress. There are many talented Filipino designers. I feel honored every time I get to wear their creations,” she said in Metro’s cover story entitled L.A. Confidential.

Currently busy taping for her upcoming new series Binondo Girl, Kim is looking forward to moving on from the intrigues and issues hounding her personal and professional life, mostly due to the fact that her love team with Gerald Anderson is on indefinite hiatus.

“I just pray and acknowledge that everything I have and don’t have is a gift from God,” she said in Metro.

To read more about Kim and Matt’s Hollywood encounter as well as the hottest news in fashion lifestyle, get your copy of the June issue of Metro magazine’s Big Style issue, available at all leading bookstores nationwide.

This month’s issue also features the hottest new restaurants, bars and books, and gadgets. Metro magazine is published monthly by ABS-CBN Publishing. (report from Rhea Manila Santos/Push.com.ph)

Christian Bautista admits he feels pressure to deliver a good performance in 'The Kitchen Musical'

After being cast as Daniel, the budding cook on the first ever pan-Asian television musical drama series The Kitchen Musical, Christian Bautista will be joining the rest of the Pinoy cast, which includes Karylle, Thou Reyes, and Ikay Canoy of Akafellas, in Singapore for four months where they will be subject to an intensive boot camp with the rest of the production.

Auditions for the original series, which took place last year, was a cutthroat competition of the country’s best musical talents.

Unfortunately, Christian was not able to participate in the initial screening.

“Ang ginawa nung production group na ito, called The Group from Singapore ay binuo muna nila yung show bago nila binenta. So gumawa sila ng pilot, so yung pilot na yun may isang buong storya tapos nung nagustuhan na nung ibang mga companies, saka sila nag-final casting. Nung gusto nila ako i-interview for the role, nasa Indonesia ako kaya natuwa naman ako nung ipinasok na lang nila ako. I’m just very happy that I got a call from them saying they were looking for me. It’s an honor naman. Kasi daw, meron na akong presence sa Southeast Asia. Kilala na ko,” he shared during the presscon for The Kitchen Musical held last May 30 at D’Ace Plaza in Pasig City.

The 29-year-old singer, who has already gained popularity in other Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, admitted that foregoing the audition process actually put a bigger pressure on him instead of making things seem easier.

“I’m very happy and very excited. Pressured din. Nakakatakot talaga. Kasi kailangan galingan ko eh, hindi na puwede yung dadaya-dayain mo yung galing mo. Kung sasayaw ka, kailangan itodo mo yung sayaw mo so I’m excited also kasi matututo ako magluto, matututuo ako sumayaw. Malay niyo pagbalik ko na dito marunong na ako talaga ‘di ba? Hindi nila ako in-audition so kelangan mag-deliver talaga ako,” he said.

Christian, who was out of the country for two months last year to film a movie in Indonesia, said that his stint on The Kitchen Musical will be the longest he’s ever been away from the country.

He will be flying to Singapore this Sunday after his last appearance on ASAP until October.

“Ngayon lang ako mabibigyan ng experience na kahit mawala ako ng konti, after ng four months ay mapapakita ko naman sa madaming bansa so it’s a good investment. Okay siya na opportunity,” he admitted.

Christian also brushed off speculation that his extended absence might affect his popularity in the country.

“Meron din akong takot na ganyan. Yung perspective ko ngayon nag-iiba-iba na eh. Parang I’ve been wanting to do soap operas and movies here or a teleserye, something like that and wala pa, hindi pa dumadating and then here comes again a project from the regional scene,” he shared.

Christian credits his manager from Stages, Carlo Orosa, for helping him get to where he is today.

“Pero kami ni Carlo, iniisip namin na ganito pala ung resulta ng lahat ng sakripisyo na ginagawa naming effort outside the country, dahil lagi kaming wala, doing stuff sa Indonesia, doing this sa Thailand, parang hindi naman masyado nagre-reflect sa Philippines, parang mas nakikilala pa ako sa ibang bansa. And then this comes and then ipapalabas pa sa Studio 23 pa. It’s like an answered prayer,” he explained.

The singer-actor shared that his fans should expect to see a more diversified Christian Bautista in The Kitchen Musical, especially since there are a lot of exciting dance sequences required from all the cast members.

“Hopefully pagbalik ko, mas marunong na ako sumayaw at magluto (laughs). Mga pop songs rin kakantahin namin dito, parang Glee rin na mga remake. Hindi ako producer pero I believe na yes it was inspired by that show, but ito all Asian cast and crew,” he said.

Christian also sent out a message for his fans who will miss him in the local scene, saying they can always keep in touch with him through social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook.

“I trust my fans and I believe in my fans. I love my fans na talagang susuportahan nila ako kahit saan, wherever I am and I’m very thankful and I love them,” he said. (report from Rhea Manila Santos/Push.com.ph)

Mark Gil gives his side on the Andie Eigenmann-Albie Casiño controversy

Hindi pa rin natatapos ang issue sa pagitan nina Andi Eigenmann at Albie Casino.

Kung kamakailan ay nagbigay ng official statement ang ina ni Andi na si Jaclyn Jose tungkol sa alitan ng dalawa, ngayon ay naglabas na rin ng saloobin ang ama ni Andi na si Mark Gil dahil sa nasabing gulo.

Nasasaksihan daw ni Mark ang mga pinagdadaanan ni Andi ngayon.

“She would talk to my wife more than me. Kasi I always keep that respect. Walang detalye pero totoo nga raw. Pero hindi ako galit or anything pero siyempre masama ang loob ko dahil tatay ako eh, anak ko yun, umiyak siya oo,” seryosong kuwento ni Mark.

Sobrang naapektuhan si Mark sa mga naging post ni Albie sa social networking site na Formspring.

“Ang facts ko lang yung Formspring, doon ako nabo-bother, huwag na, 24/7 everyday that’s enough. That’s not a man’s thing, men don’t do that. I hope a friend would tell him. Don’t talk anymore kasi tapos na, may sugat na, pinapalalim mo pa, dinidiin mo pa. you’re not only hurting one person, you’re hurting one family,” emosyonal pang pahayag ng aktor.

Umaasa naman daw si Mark na maaayos din ang gusot sa pagitan nina Andi at Albie.

Sana ay humarap din daw sa pamilya ni Andi ang binata.

“It’s not my issue but I believe it will die down eventually, pero sana tama na comments. Then personally since we know each other, nayakap na kita, tinanggap ka na namin. You’ve been to my house, Tita Cherry (Albie’s mom), hey it would be nice to have an apology,” pakiusap pa ni Mark kay Albie. (report from James Cantos/Push.com.ph)

PNP forms TF Apoyon

The top leadership of the Philippine National Police has ordered the creation of Task Force Apoyon to probe the circumstances behind the death of veteran Davao newsman Satur P. Apoyon.

The PNP said it will proceed with the investigations despite lack of interest on the part of the Apoyon family.

The police said it is under obligation to do the fact-finding, or file charges when appropriate, because the victim is a newsman.

Newsmen deaths have become a priority for government following international criticism of unsolved murders victimizing media men in the Philippines.

Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, director of the Police Regional Office 11, earlier ordered the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and the Governor Generoso Municipal Police Station to conduct a backtrack investigation to determine the circumstances behind the death of the former bureau chief of the Philippines News Agency (PNA) Davao.

Morente said the report of the medico-legal officer of Governor Generoso hinted foul play behind the death of Apoyon, 75, due to the stab wound on his right abdomen.

The wife of Apoyon, meanwhile, said she was not inclined to believe the foul play theory.

Annie Apoyon told a GMA News interview that the wound could had been sustained when her husband fell to the sea and carried by waves to Davao Oriental.

Insp. Emmanuel Caquilala, Governor Generoso chief of police, said Apoyon was found by fishermen at mid-sea about seven to 10 miles at the boundary of Malita, Davao del Sur and Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental. He was hooked by “payao,” a fish aggregating device made as temporary shelter for fish in the area.

Caquilala said Apoyon’s bloated body was seen around 10 a.m. Tuesday and they were able to bring him to Governor Generoso at 6 p.m. He theorized that he was already dead three or four days.

Morente said the police have to determine the actual cause and time of death and the person or persons behind the incident to give justice to the Apoyons. “An investigation must be pursued,” Morente said.

Senior Superintendent Rene Aspera, director of the DCPO, affirmed the conduct of a backtrack investigation and revealed that his investigators are already coordinating with Satur's family.

He said their earlier investigation revealed that Satur was last seen by a colleague walking aimlessly in one mall along J.P. Laurel Avenue at around 6:00 p.m. on May 19.

Aspera said Satur was also seen in Matina, kilometers away from his residence at 71 Opal Street, Bangkal, Davao City at around 2 p.m. on the same day.

“We theorize that he took a ride in one of the vans which took him to Davao Oriental. But we are still pursuing the investigation to shed light on the cause of his death,” Aspera said. (with PNA)

Duterte won’t forgive clerk for stealing P2.3-million

There is no plan to forgive, Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said of his jailed secretary who stands accused of stealing from him P2.3-million.

Speaking with local reporters, Duterte said he valued the services rendered to him by his long-time secretary, 40-year old Hezelene S. Osiones, "but the amount is significant."

Duterte corrected earlier reports that the P2.3-million was only for his charity fund to help cancer patients. He said most of the money were intended to pay lawyers handling the election protest filed against his daughter, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Elements of the San Pedro police station arrested Osiones, at Jollibee store in Dipolog City on May 26 where she supposedly tried to hide after taking the P2.3-million cash from Duterte's vault in the office.

She was charged with qualified theft after Prosecutor Shahruddin Roberto Sencio Jr. found probable cause to hold her for court trial based on the affidavit executed by the vice mayor. No bail was recommended for the respondent's temporary liberty. It was learned that Osiones was among Duterte's trusted employees at the City Hall for the past nine years.

In March and May, this year, Duterte reportedly handed to his executive assistant, Christopher Go, P500,000 and P1,500,000 to pay for attorney's fees and other legal expenses in relation to the election protest filed and various cases filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman and Sandiganbayan.

On March 11, Duterte also handed to Go P31,932 for cancer patients. Due to other administrative works, Go turned over the money worth P2,031,932 to Osiones for safekeeping.

Last May 25, Duterte instructed Go to get P500,000 from the vault inside his office and send it to Manila-based lawyers as payment for their legal services.

But when Go opened the vault, he found out that the money was missing. Witnesses testified that Osiones did not report for work on that day. (report from Mindanao Insider Daily)