Jean Kiley explores Latin dance pop in ‘Te Amo’

by Punch Liwanag, MB

Singer-actress-host Jean Kiley is out with a delightfully catchy and body-moving new song.

Titled “Te Amo,” the song is a Latin pop-tinged number written by the former Pop Girl member herself.

Note the song also features actress Ella Cruz and singer Krissha Viaje.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to Jean, she is simply going to her first love, which is dancing, with “Te Amo.”

She added, “I am a big fan of dance music. Hearing Latino style sounds, reggaeton and the like makes people groove a little and dance. That’s the quality that attracted me to it rather than the usual solemn, mellow songs that we listen to now.”

She also added that she went for her gut feeling when it came to choosing what style of  music to do next. “Dance music has always been a passion project that I always wanted to do.”

As to what led her to collaborate with Ella and Krissha, Jean said, “I love K pop and it was my dream to do a collaboration with people who share the same enthusiasm for K pop. I happen to know that Ella and Krissha are big K pop fans themselves. So we clicked on our common interests.” 

Jean wrote “Te Amo” in the early days of the Pandemic. “My demo was only an acoustic version. I reached out to a producer friend to collaborate. We arranged the song together and finally got the version we wanted.”

Jean also wrote the rap verse for the song and on the spot, while she was already in the studio to record the tune.

As for the theme of “Te Amo,” Jean is doubling down on his K pop influence. “I was inspired by a character in a K-drama I watched on Netflix. After watching, I wrote down the lyrics about the characters feelings, then got my guitar, found the right chords to back up my melody. After about an hour or so, I finished the song while I snacked on some dark chocolates.” 

Jean revealed that it was a scene from the hit drama “Itaewon Class.”

“The song is all about Kim Da Mi’s character Jo Yi Seo’s feelings,” Jean shared. “You know when you love someone, you get butterflies, you want to say it, confess, you want them to like you back, you’re kinikilig and all that, I just translated those feelings into words.”

“Te Amo” is now available in digital music platforms.

Bb. Pilipinas queens set to banner Filipina excellence on international stage

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Bb. Pilipinas queens set to banner Filipina excellence on international stage_BBP Queens.

The mighty queens of Bb. Pilipinas are set to conquer the international stage as they banner Filipina excellence during the Miss Intercontinental, Miss Globe and Miss Grand International pageants happening this October.

“Pasabog Queen” Gabrielle Basiano is eyeing a back-to-back win for the Philippines as she prepares for the 50th Miss Intercontinental pageant in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt on Oct. 14.

The Waray beauty hailing from Borongan, Eastern Samar aims to follow in the footsteps of reigning Miss Intercontinental 2021 Cinderella Faye Obenita.

Bb PIlipinas Intercontinental 2022 Gabriel Basiano

“Nobody said it would be impossible. I am here to make history; giving me a sense of place,” Basiano said.

Basiano advocates for mental health and grief support, and she hopes to touch more lives as she strives to win the Miss Intercontinental crown this year.

Meanwhile Bb. Pilipinas Globe Chelsea Fernandez has her eyes on one thing and one thing only: winning the Miss Globe crown for the Philippines for the second straight year in a row in Tirana, Albania on Oct. 15.

“My heart is so full, witnessing all your support, and for believing in me. Let’s all use social media to spread positivity. I am in a winning mindset. Now that I’ve been given the chance to wear a Philippine sash, ‘di ko sya sasayangin. A back-to-back win is hard but, with determination, it is possible,” said the Tacloban queen.

Bb Pilipinas Globe 2022 Chelsea Fernandez

Fernandez recently won the Head-to-Head challenge, where she competed against the top 20 finalists of the Miss Globe pageant this year. She hopes to empower women and children through her advocacy through education.

“Education is important because it empowers the future. I wish that all Filipino children would have access to education so that they can pursue their aspirations in life,” she wrote on Instagram.

For Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Roberta Tamondong, this is the year for the Philippines to win the Miss Grand International Crown, as no Filipina has ever won the crown.

Bb. Grand International 2022 Roberta Tamondong

Tamondong expressed her gratitude for being chosen as the country’s representative for the said pageant happening on Oct. 25.

“Every day is a day for us to learn, to learn from our mistakes and turn it into a lesson, for us to grow as a person,” said the beauty queen who hails from San Pablo, Laguna.

Tamondong is known to be an advocate for environmental awareness, and she will surely banner her mission as she jet off to Jakarta, Indonesia for the pageant’s Grand Coronation Night.

For more information about Binibining Pilipinas, visit the new and improved https://www.bbpilipinas.com/. You can also download the new Bb. Pilipinas mobile app, it’s available for both Android and iOS users. You may also like and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also subscribe to Bb. Pilipinas on YouTube.

Yassi is ready for ‘Rolling In It Philippines’ Season 2

by Annalyn S. Jusay, Manila Bulletin

Yassi Pressman is on a roll. Her movie “More Than Blue” is consistently No. 1 most streamed on Netflix for weeks now. She’s kept very busy with her various entrepreneurial ventures, and she also confirmed that she’s happily in a relationship with a mystery non-showbiz guy.

Most of all, she reprised her role as the only solo female game show host in the Philippines with the launch of “Rolling In It Philippines Season 2” on TV5 last Saturday, May 28.

As “Rolling In It Philippines” enters its second year, viewers should prepare for more family-friendly action and high-stakes excitement with their favorite stars as playing partners. Award-winning young actress Nadine Lustre will make a special appearance in the first episode, alongside Youtuber Chad Kinis and theater-star Jerald Napoles.

“We’re launching the second season with Nadine who hasn’t been on TV for four or five years, so I was really surprised to hear that she agreed to guest in the show. We’ll also have Zeinab (Harake), Diego Loyzaga,  Marco Gumabao. We will have a lot of the big gamers and a lot of TikTok superstars. I won’t spill the beans completely so people have something to look forward to, but it’s nice to have them all on the show,”  the 27-year-old Yassi announced in a media conference at the TV5 studios in Quezon City. 

Asked about what advice she can give to contestants in the show, Yassi said focus is key. “I would advise players to focus, especially when they reach the last round. If they really don’t know the answer, they should pass and come back later,” she said.

Under the “Rolling In It” mechanics, the regular player and the celebrity partner will each take their turn as they try to collect as many points to win up to P2 million. By rolling the Power Coin on the giant arcade, the players can choose between PLAY to improve their chances of winning or PASS the opportunity to a different pair. Based on the performance of previous winners, it takes teamwork, skill and luck to ace the game and win the prize.

The show’s good ratings during its first season proved that viewers loved taking a look into the off-screen and playful side of the many celebrities and talents that graced the show. This gave them many bonding moments and look forward to weekend nights at home.

Aside from the regular telecast on TV5, catch-up episodes of “Rolling In It Philippines” will be available on Cignal TV CH. 3 and SatLite CH. 30. It can also be watched Live and On-demand via the Cignal Play App, which is FREE to download for Android and iOS users.  

LET'S ENTERTAIN OURSELVES!

 

Not a single day goes by without the capital "C". It makes us tired and sick - mentally and physically. Many give up and withdraw themselves in their loneliness. A legal solitude from "somewhere up there".

Many wonder whether it is good for our future, for the economy, for education, and for our personal life and its surroundings. Well, I don't want to swap with those up there ahd having to make the right decisions at the right time. You can already notice some things, people are becoming more and more aggressive, no matter where in the world.

Let's entertain ourselves! Quite simply and clearly expressed. Since my retirement but staying longer  in my home office, I've been trying to entertain myself. I enjoy writing more - writing was and still is one of my hobbies. I enjoy playing my different instruments. I ignored that for years.

I enjoy listening to music from my incredibly large record collection back to 1936. I put my photo album collection in the right order. Incidentally, this is a wonderful task, since I am currently working on my  biography.

Entertaining means to talk with my wife and family personally too, and not only by messenger. Playing with the dogs, gardening, watching the daily TV-mass, praying ... .

Yes, it's our new abnormality we have to live with. We must not get down. Trust in God. It's all in His hands.

THE DARK SIDE OF CELEBRITY:

How technology is raping PH entertainment

by Neil Ramos , Manila Bulletin

Pop quiz, hot shot: What do Ivana Alawi, Anne Curtis, Liza Soberano, Kathryn Bernardo and Maine Mendoza have in common?

While most of us would answer simply they’re all celebrities, a growing segment of the population will mention them being among stars who have been embroiled in the now notorious “deepfakes” phenomenon.

If it sounds sinister, it’s because, well, it is.

Deepfakes are videos that use artificial intelligence called deep learning to swap images of people, usually celebs, with another.

Sounds far out? Well, Virginia…

Anyway, a lot of these videos are actually pornographic too and as such many women’s group are crying foul deeming it another “weapon” against them.

They have a point.

Imagine having your face super-imposed on someone doing some unholy act and displaying it to the world.

Embarrassing?

Degrading?

Bloodcurdling?

All of the above?

The most infuriating thing about it is we seemingly can’t do anything about it.

At least for now.

Sadly, in a world that has become more and more digitally-entrenched, the technology, as harmful as it is, looks very much like it is here to stay.

It might even be tweaked to the point that it will make reel vs. real more confusing than ever.

Believe it.

Deepfakes already made headlines around these parts several weeks back when Mendoza, her mom, as with her manager, trooped to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to complain about her image being used in these videos.

The NBI promised to look into the complaint.

The agency said the person or persons responsible for said videos could be hauled to court in violation of the Anti-Voyeurism Act, the Safe Spaces Act, as well as for cyber libel, unjust vexation, and identity theft.

So far, no suspects.

Indeed, as popular as Mendoza is, it seems that her complaint is not enough for the powers that be to actually crack the whip on the matter.

Abroad, there are already tech firms working on systems that would help detect and flag deepfakes.

When will we work on something similar?

Meanwhile, in related developments, Sue Ramirez and Maris Racal were “disrobed” recently by some no-good individuals, posting their handiwork on social media, to the chagrin of the two stars as with their home network, ABS-CBN.

The rape of local entertainment continues.

Angelica Panganiban Named Top Comedy Actress

Angelica Pangaiban won the Outstanding Performance by an Actress award in a Gag or Comedian Program for the show "Banana Split" in the Entertainment Press Society Golden Screen TV Awards. She first received this award in 2011 for thr same show. Angelica also appears in the newly launched "Banana Nite", the nightly serving of the gag show where they feature new gags and talents. "Banana Nite" airs Monday to Thursday after "Bandila" on ABS-CBN.

Sarah and GMA Fight

GMA Network addressed all issues raised by Sarah Lahbati - starting from her posts in the social networking and microblogging site Twitter, which were eventually picked up by the media.

"Sarah Lahbati's Artist Management Contract with GMA Network is effective until February 21, 2015. There is no provision for leave of absence in said contract. Any leave is subject to prior agreement between the Network and Sarah. Therefore, Sarah's unilateral decision to go on leave, despite its earlier disapproval by the Network, is a violation of her contract with the Network. Further, her declared trip to Switzerland for an indefinite period, without the prior and approval of the Network, will be an additional violation of her contract!"

Klaro? No more comments.

Voiceworks Theater Company Davao City, Inc. Presents...

Order your tickets now...

Witness another great play from talented Davao City's performer.

See you then.

Papa Ogie Turns Sexy Mama

Be careful what you wish for - it might just come true! Since June 11, 2012, GMA-Network presents viewers the spell-binding and hilarious yet heart-warming story of Bong and his daughter Daisy in the new family romantic-comedy series MY DADDY DEAREST. Multi-awarded singer-songwriter-actor and friend Ogie Alcasid plays the role of Bong, son of a rich man grew up without guidance and care of his mother.

I don't want to tell you the whole story - just check it out yourself. 

Joining Ogie in this enchanting series are Jolina Magdangal as Rose, Pinky Amador as Mercedes, Sherylin Reyes as Daphne, Ehra Madrigal (left!) as Ivy and many more.

The new family drama is being aired weekdays before 24 ORAS an GMA-TV 7.

Philippine Film Industry in Decline

As one could learn from AFP, the number of films produced in the Philippine movie industry has halved over the past decade in the face or privacy and Hollywood competition, a government study showed.

Only the rise of independent film-makers has saved the industry from declining further, with "Indie" movies now accounting for more than the half the total made in the Philippines.

"There are many factors causing the fall. There is piracy and competition from foreign movies. Local movies are also not given as much support from the oublic", said government statistical  coordination officer Gerald Clarino.

No wonder, the top-grossing movies in the Philippines were typically US-made films with multi-million-dollar  budgets that the local movie industry could not afford.

Filipino "indie" directors, such as Brillante Mendoza (check out here http://www.germaninthephilippines.tropicalpenpals.com) and others, have won awards at prestigious foreign film festivals.

Lovi Poe in MUZIKLABAN

Beer fans will surely look forard to the upcoming Muziklaban grand finals on January 28 at he Aseana City in Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City, with the recent addition of actress lovi poe to San Miguel Beer's roster of celebrity endorsers.

The fast rising KAPUSO network star will jin rock legends Pepe Smith, Ely Buendia, Slapshock, Razorback, Greyhoundz, Kjwan, Wilabilaw, and past MUZIKLABAN champions in spicing up the culmination of the 2011 Red Horse Beer Muziklaban, the biggest, loudest, and most prestigious amatuer rock band competition in the Philippines. 

Enjoy guys!

Maricel Soriano - Filmbug

 It's sometimes difficult to write or report about Philippine entertainment stuff. 

Actress Maricel Soriano, i.e. has been summoned by barangay officials in Makati City to answer the complaint against her by two of her housemaids.

The two house helpers had accused her of physical and verbal abuse.

HAY NAKU...!

According to Michael Gonzales, Barangay Poblacion administrator, barang chair Benhur Cruz has ordered Soriano to attend a hearing at the barangay hall.

By the way, two other housemaids filed a complaint against Soriano in Februrary 2011 but it was dismissed when they failed to pursue it.

Famous, well known, an ordinary Filipino or just a neighbor (expatriate or not!)... Barangay, court... HAY NAKU... .

Good luck Maricel!!!