GOSSIP GIRL: Meg Imperial’s vertical film 'Purse Lady' on Facebook goes viral

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Apr 29, 2025 11:12 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Vertical films are short and creative movies in portraits instead of landscapes.

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Meg Imperial

Vivamax Queen Meg Imperial’s new vertical film,” Purse Lady,” is going viral on Facebook. The sexy actress has three million followers on Facebook. 

Vertical films are short and creative movies in portraits instead of landscapes. These are the short films you see on Facebook, like Dhar Mann, which focuses on good values and faith, which I like. There is another vertical program I love, which is about the emperor of China disguising himself as a pauper to find a wife. When you watch it, you will get hooked and proceed to the viewing app it is promoting. 

I was able to interview Meg regarding her new project on the set because I am also a part of Purse Lady. I asked Meg about her role and a little synopsis of the film, “My name is Jade Yu, in the vertical film, and I am the 'Purse Lady.' I am a multi-millionaire but a recluse, very shy, like a hermit. I own an international bag and purse business, such as Louis Vuitton or Chanel. My bags are known worldwide, but not me as a person. I don’t come out on social media. Everybody knows my name, but cannot put a face to me since I live like a hermit. Since elections are coming up, many candidates seek financial support from my company through solicitation letters, even if they do not know my face. But I do not know these politicians, so I got an idea from my secretary to be an undercover assistant to these politicians, to check if they deem me fit to support them financially for their campaign. But lo and behold, while this happens, a lady imposter suddenly emerges and poses as me, the 'Purse Lady.' She takes my esteemed and prestigious reputation, wealth, influence, and money. How to get it back? Watch our program in the Just Vibin App since you can only watch so much on Facebook," Meg tells Gossip Girl. 

The Just Vibin App is a downloadable app on your iPhone or Android phone that features creative content produced by the Purse Lady and other content creators. Just Vibin has a Creator Boost Program, which helps emerging talents monetize their content through tips, subscriptions, and product sales. Just Vibin allows creators to be featured on curated community pages and live events, making finding and building an audience easier. The creator who produced Purse Lady is director Nijel de Mesa, an award-winning director who recently won the  Best International Film Director award for his movie "Malditas in Maldives" at the 2024 Jinseo Arigato International Film Festival. 

I asked the writer-director and former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB)  Vice Chairman why he called his vertical film “Purse Lady”. Was this a pun to our “First Lady,'' “Hahaha! Giselle, you are always a funny, brilliant girl! The Purse Lady is about a Lady who owns a purse business. So it has nothing to do with the First Lady of the Philippines. But for the title to ring a bell, I did hook it to the title First Lady, but no allegory or insinuation to her in the film. The series highlights the journey of woman entrepreneurs focusing on her resilience to get out of her rut because of an impostor ruining her reputation. I produced this in my production NDM studios and used the Just Vibin App as my social platform to release it.”

Those who are intrigued by "Purse Lady" can download the Just Vibin App for free and enjoy its programs and entertainment. 

GOSSIP GIRL: Ina Raymundo ready to strut the runway

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Feb 25, 2025 03:33 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• As a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, Ina's debut in Body of Work has sparked immense excitement. 

Ina Raymundo

“I’ve always loved fashion, and being a part of Bench's Body of Work show is truly an honor. I was not yet part of the Bench Family when they did the first Bench Body of Work at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in 2023, so this will be my first time wearing a bathing suit in front of 20,000 people, so I am preparing for it. Being part of this fashion show with all these young actors and actresses is very exciting for me. In the Bench Fashion Show, you are surrounded by many creative and talented individuals. I’m looking forward to being part of something so special," actress Ina Raymundo tells Gossip Girl as she is ready to strut the stage at one of the most anticipated fashion events of the year — Bench’s Body of Work Fashion Show at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on March 21.

As a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, Ina's debut in Body of Work has sparked immense excitement. Known for her timeless beauty and dedication to fitness, she is eager to showcase her strength, confidence, and health at the iconic event, which has become synonymous with style, glamour, and passion. 

The actress, who, at 48, looks just as youthful as ever, has advocated for biohacking and staying healthy inside and out. “I believe in taking care of my body through a combination of fitness and proper nutrition,” she explained. “It’s about living a lifestyle that honors your body, mind, and spirit.” As for her fitness regimen, Ina revealed that she stays active by incorporating various exercises, from strength training to Zumba. “Consistency is key for me,” she shared. “I also prioritize balance and recovery so my body can recharge. It’s about setting achievable goals and not being too hard on yourself.” 

Ina Raymundo (left) and Giselle Sanchez

Ina is an enduring figure in Philippine showbiz. She is known for her acting chops and commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In a recent interview, she shared her enthusiasm for participating in the prestigious Bench Fashion Show. Raymundo also emphasized how the event symbolizes empowerment and self-expression, making it the perfect platform for her to shine.

She will be joined by an impressive lineup of artists and models, each with a unique flair. The Body of Work show will feature top-tier personalities, including actors, models, and influencers like Alden Richards, Kathryn Bernardo, David Licauco, Janine Gutierrez, Kaila Estrada, Kelvin Miranda, and Lovi Poe, as well as rising stars from the fashion industry. This year’s show promises to be an unforgettable experience, showcasing the dynamic ways in which personal style and confidence can be expressed.

The Bench Fashion Shows have a rich history of pushing boundaries in Philippine fashion. Established in 1990, Bench has become an iconic Filipino brand known for its fashion-forward pieces, and its fashion shows are celebrated for their creativity and innovation. The annual event has seen countless legendary performances, with designers, models, and artists collaborating to bring their vision to life on the runway. As a brand that continually champions Filipino culture and talent, Bench’s fashion shows have become a platform where fashion meets art.

GOSSIP GIRL: Stars born in February and birthday wishes

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Feb 11, 2025 08:59 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• A study by some students at the University of Arkansas published in Science Publications found that more celebrities are born in February than any other month.

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Giselle Sanchez and Martin Nievera

We Filipinos joke that people born in February are “kulang-kulang” (born with a deficiency) because February lacks several days to complete the month. 

I disagree because some of the brightest stars in Hollywood and the Philippines celebrate their birthdays in February – Heart Evangelista, Anne Curtis, Lea Salonga, Kris Aquino, Shakira, and Michael Jordan. 

It seems like a lot of stars are born in February. A study by some students at the University of Arkansas published in Science Publications found that more celebrities are born in February than any other month.  

With Parokya ni Edgar lead vocalist Chito Miranda

For my column today, I asked three of our brightest stars their birthday wishes. Concert King Martin Nievera, born Feb. 5, recently celebrated his 62nd birthday last Feb. 2 on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show ASAP. I asked him for his birthday wish, and he gladly told Gossip Girl, “My birthday wish is that I could live long enough to give back to all those who have blessed me with a full beautiful life and career. I want to keep singing and performing for audiences worldwide until I can’t sing a note anymore—so good health would be at the top of that wish list. Also, I still feel I still have so many shows to do. So I pray that the people are still willing to listen to my songs and that I am entertaining and interesting enough for people to hear my music.” 

Actress Katya Santos whose birthday falls on Feb. 2 is praying for a baby with her non-showbiz fiancée Paolo Pilar. The celebrity got engaged last month when Paolo proposed to her at Lake Ashi in Hakone, Japan. The 43-year-old actress knows in her heart that God will give an answered prayer.

“Conceiving in your 40s is difficult, so Paolo and I have been going to fertility doctors, and we are even contemplating on IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). Of course, we will get married first, but work-ups need time to prepare. I also need to finish all my projects and shows by the end of year. So to answer your question, my birthday wish is to give Paolo a child that we will raise together as husband and wife.” 

Katya Santos (Ross Paris Photography)

Parokya ni Edgar’s lead vocalist Chito Miranda (Feb. 7) got his birthday wish last Dec. 5 when his wife Neri Naig Miranda was released after spending almost two weeks in prison.  

I randomly saw them walking together on a beach with their kids a few days ago, and I told Neri that I would continue to pray that justice would be served and that she would finally be exonerated from all charges filed against her. 

Neri is currently facing 14 counts of violation of the Securities Regulation Code and Estafa. The reinvestigation of all cases will allow Neri to respond to the allegations against her.

GOSSIP GIRL: Celebrity experience at Sinulog 2025

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Jan 28, 2025 10:06 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Cebuanos are pretty territorial, and knowing that Kim, Derek, and I played with our own Cebuano friends in the streets of Cebu while growing up had a lot of bearing. 

Giselle Sanchez holds an image of Señor Santo Niño during the Sinulog parade in Cebu.

As a devotee of the Señor Santo Niño, He answered my prayers when HomeMaker Furniture chose me to be their celebrity on their float. 

To become a celebrity in the grand Sinulog parade is not easy. Corporate sponsors hold polls and surveys about who the Cebuanos’ favorite celebrities are, and the winners were Coco Martin, Kim Chiu, Ian Veneracion, Sofronio Vasquez (The Voice USA 2024 grand champion), Derek Ramsey, and myself, who were all in our respective floats.

Cebuanos are pretty territorial, and knowing that Kim, Derek, and I played with our own Cebuano friends in the streets of Cebu while growing up had a lot of bearing. I am 50 percent Visayan and 50 percent Ilongga. I was born in Manila but spent my summer vacations in Cebu, so I learned to speak Cebuano fluently. So, talking to Bisaya in the float on a microphone was second nature to me. It’s just so fascinating that every year, one million people get added to the parade due to the popularity of the experience. People dance in the streets with their respective Sto. Niños. They paint each other’s faces blue and share drinks and food in the sun's heat until it sets, and more partying happens at night in the streets.   

With Noam Allouche, furniture designer of HomeMaker Furniture. Behind us is the Cebu City grandstand filled with thousands of devotees.

 The celebrity experience

If you were watching the parade, you would think that the celebrity-in-a-float is the grandest experience of all time. I'm going to tell you how we celebrities work. We wake up at 4 a.m. to take a bath, have our hair and make-up done, and get picked up at 5 a.m. because the parade grounds will be closed to vehicles between 530 and 6 a.m. We hurriedly eat breakfast in the car and pee as much as possible in nearby toilets before we step on our floats at 730 a.m. since the grand parade starts at 8 a.m. This grand parade will tour you to the entire Cebu City with thousands of people watching you and taking your pictures in a 360 view of people. So when you step on the float at  730 a.m., it is non-stop waving and smiling for photos for you in the sun's heat (floats have no roofs ). Finding a toilet will be nearly impossible because of the sea of people watching you.  By noon, in the scorching heat, you are in the grand stadium to be presented to thousands of people, so you talk in your microphone in your float and wave your Sto. Niño shouting Pit Senyor! (As a devotee, proclaiming my faith was the best part of my job despite the blistering sun). Your job does not end there after the grand parade (And so I thought); you will now be paraded to other parts of Cebu City, where thousands of people await your entry. I was in the float from 730 a.m. to 730 p.m. Some celebrities even stayed till 1 a.m. I was blessed that the HomeMaker management felt happy and satisfied with me promoting their brand for 12 hours, and I did not have to stay on the float till 1 a.m. There were moments I wanted to stop because of the heat, fatigue, hunger, and the need to relieve myself in the toilet. But everywhere the float went, I could hear screams of people calling my name, taking pictures on their camera phones, and waving at me. How can you stop when the love is so evident? And so I didn’t. I kept raising Señor Sto Niño and shouting Pit Senyor, to which all the devotees would shout back Pit Senyor! My dad asked me if I wanted to repeat such an experience, and I told my dad, “Dad, since 1995, I have been doing this. Dancing with my Santo Niño on floats whenever God gave me a chance. Do you think a little sun, fatigue, hunger, and bladder problems will stop me? Every year, I will pray that a corporate float gets me again. And I know Señor Santo Niño will grant the desires of my heart."

GOSSIP GIRL: New Year countdown concerts all over the Philippines, including Bini at Newport World Resorts

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Dec 31, 2024 07:57 AM 

AT A GLANCE

• Checking out the schedule in Manila, singers and stars will be very busy entertaining hotel guests as they say hello to 2025 in grandeur.

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BINI

I have made Henann Bohol my home every New Year, where I host their New Year’s Countdown and, at the same time, hold a New Year’s Eve concert for their guests. Checking out the schedule in Manila, singers and stars will be very busy entertaining hotel guests as they say hello to 2025 in grandeur. All dinner concerts below will be on Dec. 31 at 7 pm. 

The much-celebrated P-pop girl group Bini will perform at Newport World Resorts with Bamboo, Jed Madela, and Angeline Quinto. SVIP dinner concert tickets are at P25,000 per person; other dinner tickets are at P23,000, P20,000, P18,000, and P15,000. Children below 7 years old have a special rate of 3,500 per dinner concert ticket. 

Lani Misalucha, ZsaZsa Padilla, Christian Bautista, and Mitoy Yonting serenade the ballroom guests of Okada Manila. The buffet dinner concert tickets start at P12,000. In the same hotel, Darren Espanto and Jona hold a free concert in the fountain of Okada Manila for all its guests. 

Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, and  Bituin Escalante will be performing for the New Year’s Eve dinner guests of Solaire Resort Entertainment City. Dinner concert tickets are at P13, 8888. 

For my Henann Bohol Countdown dinner concert at the beach of Henann Bohol, tickets are at 4,000 per person, and priority sale of dinner concert tickets will be given to Henann hotel guests.

GOSSIP GIRL: Filipino indie actress Althea Vega joins judges' panel at 2024 Swimsuit USA International Model Search World Finals in Mexico

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Dec 3, 2024 12:22 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• With over 44 films on her resume as an actress, Vega’s top three most memorable films are General Commander, Metro Manila, and No Way Out

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WINNERS: From left: Caroline Jacquis, of Sacramento, California, 2nd runner-up; Krissy Mccarthy, Toronto, Canada, 4th runner-up; Swimsuit USA International Dr. Angel Bathal, Edmonton, Canada; actress-judge Althea Vega; Lauren Denton, Scottsdale, Arizona, 1st runner-up; and Delaney Pricilla, Panama City, Panama, 3rd runner-up.

One of the biggest annual events in Mexico is the Swimsuit USA International Model Search World Finals. Last year, Althea Vega received the Director’s Choice Award at the 2023 Swimsuit USA International Model Search.

This year, I got an overseas call from the award-winning indie actress, and she told me the good news that the competition directors chose her to judge this year’s event, the now New York-based actress and model told Gossip Girl.  

“As a candidate last year, I did my best despite the pressure and challenges. At the same time, I saw it as an opportunity to push myself to greatness to the best of my capabilities and to thrive even more. I was grateful for the support I got from fans, family, and friends; though they were not with me physically, their support and encouragement helped me keep going. But now that I am a judge, it is much different as a judge when tasked with choosing and contributing. People rely on their extensive experience and expertise in worldwide modeling, beauty pageants, fitness, and the show business industry. I feel honored to have been invited to serve as one of the esteemed Judges for the 2024 World Finals of Swimsuit USA International. It is flattering when people recognize my characteristics of being responsible, punctual, helpful, and always having a positive attitude, demonstrating my keen eye and ability to evaluate.”   

I asked the female star of the award-winning indie film Metro Manila what the criteria for judging and what quality she was looking for from candidates. 

“Joining beauty pageants and judging beauty pageants is not new to me. I am looking for the whole package: stage presence, charisma, intelligence, personality, and advocacy. Still, I also follow, apply, and respect whatever rules the beauty pageant organization gives. Most candidates who join the Swimsuit USA International competitions are aspiring models, women who want to enhance their confidence, or those who want to experience sisterhood. But among these women, there will always be someone who will excel above the rest. I have an eye to spot that queen.”

With over 44 films on her resume as an actress, Vega’s top three most memorable films are General Commander, Metro Manila, and No Way Out. You can check the rest on imdb.com.

Catch up with the stars at Illo’s Home Buffet on Shaw Boulevard

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Nov 19, 2024 03:10 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• I could play catch-up with the stars that graced the fast-rising buffet restaurant chain opening in Metro Manila. 

From left: Ryza Cenon, Giselle Sanchez, Andrea del Rosario, and Regine Tolentino
 

Ryza Cenon, Rocco Nacino, Regine Tolentino, Andrea del Rosario, Enzo Pineda, Michelle Vito, and I grace the opening of Illo’s Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong. 

Located at Lancaster Hotel, the legendary Chef Niño Rodillos of Illo’s Party Trays opened three huge halls providing an events place for up to 200 guests plus delicious food. 

I could play catch-up with the stars that graced the fast-rising buffet restaurant chain opening in Metro Manila. 

Rocco Nacino, Melissa Gohing, Giselle Sanchez, Chef N, Cong Gus Tambunting, and Maq Agapito

Ryza Cenon

I was particularly impressed with Ryza’s semi-bald look. Only Ryza Cenon can pull off such a hairstyle and still look stunning.

The TV5 actress tells Gossip Girl why she is sporting that look, “My character Christine Maceda in Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa demands such a hairstyle. She’s a bad-ass. You should watch her Mondays thru Fridays at 7:30 pm on TV5.” 

Regine Tolentino

I recently visited Regine Tolentino Atelier to rent a sexy casino-royale-inspired dress and hosted an event with that theme. I was surprised to see beautiful gowns and event dresses aside from the usual costumes she rents for themed parties. I was in awe and told Regine how significant the expansion of her business was. The actress-businesswoman told me a secret, “Never stop innovating, never stop expanding. Resting on your laurels will stagnate any business. Continue working hard to excite your customers so they will always return.” 

Andrea del Rosario 

When Andrea was a councilor in Calatagan, Batangas, I heard from constituents that she did a fantastic job with her projects to help the people's economic livelihood. I was surprised she did not run again with her impeccable work for the town: "I have to be a mom first. My daughter will undergo her third surgery. Please pray for her.” 

Beatrice Anne is the daughter of the award-winning actress. Bea is currently suffering from a rare congenital disease called Jejunal Atresia, which is a rare type of obstruction of the small bowel. 

From left: Regine Tolentino, Cong Gus Tambunting, Enzo Pineda, Chef Nino Rodillos, Michelle Vito, Maq Agapito, and Lancaster Hotel owner Ronald Lim

 Illo’s Home Buffet Shaw

And finally, the main star of the night – Illo’s Shaw. The New Illo’s Home Buffet is at Lancaster Hotel, 622 Shaw Blvd. You can check out their website, www.illoshome.com. They have three event venues for weddings, corporate parties, and baptisms. Illo’s party trays still deliver food to your doorstep, especially this Christmas; you can check out their menu on their website www.illospartytrays.com, and for larger catering needs, there is Illo’s prive (www.illosprive.com)