Kathryn Bernardo joins Alden Richards as new Century Tuna 'Superbod'

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

April 25, 2024 | 1:16pm

MANILA, Philippines — Kapamilya star Kathryn Bernardo joined Kapuso star Alden Richards as the ambassador of Century Tuna Superbods 2024. 

Flaunting her well-toned physique, Kathryn is ecstatic to be part of the Century Tuna Superbods campaign, which is a dream that has become a reality since her teenage years, according to the star.

“I’ve always found the Century Tuna Superbods to be inspiring and being a part of this campaign feels like a dream come true," Kathryn said.  

"It’s an honor to become part of the Century Tuna Superbods and through this campaign, I hope that I’ll also become an inspiration for every Filipino to let them enjoy full, happy, and healthy lives,” she added. 

Leading the "Best You Ever" campaign, Kathryn started her fitness journey with her trainer, Mauro Lumba, who is also the Century Tuna Superbods 2014 Grand Champion.

As the Century Tuna Ambassador steps into a new phase of her life, she aims to inspire Filipinos to embody Century Tuna’s belief that everybody can be a superbod through the "Best You Ever" campaign.

“Anyone can achieve the best version of themselves with the right discipline and determination, proper exercise and nutrition, and a good support system. So I encourage everyone to take that first step towards your ‘Best You Ever’ and join me in Century Tuna Superbods 2024! Let’s redefine fitness by embracing self-love, challenging growth, and inspiring others,” she said.

Launched in 2006, Century Tuna’s Superbods campaign has been a trailblazer in promoting health, fitness, and an active lifestyle. This year, their “Best You Ever” movement takes it a step further by advocating for self-love and holistic self-improvement. 

'The end is here': Wave 89.1 waves goodbye after 49 years on-air

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

April 16, 2024 | 12:21pm

MANILA, Philippines — Radio station Wave 89.1 has officially signed off. 

"We want to thank everyone for all the love and support over the years. What a wild ride it has been, Manila," Wave said. 

"We've been receiving many stories on how Wave touched your lives, and how you've grown up with us. The feels are real.

“While our heart is being pinched, we want to officially announce that Wave 89.1 has made its final broadcast.

“Thanks to all the former DJs, managers, directors, techs, guests, and anyone who has ever set foot in our studio. You helped us make history." 

Reports said that the station is taken over by Adventist Media and might broadcast religous content. 

The radio station first started broadcasting in 1975. It played mostly dance and hip-hop songs.

Sheree retires from doing sexy roles, to stage 1st solo concert

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

In an interview with the media during the launch of her upcoming concert "L’Arte de Sheree" next month, Sheree said that her son talked to her about doing sexy roles in the movies. 

"Sinabihan lang ako ng anak ko na parang inupo niya ako one day at sinabing, 'Ma, whatever is it you're doing, please stop,'" Sheree said.

"So, parang nagkaroon ako ng wake-up call na okay, I mean, okay naman 'yung mga ginawa kong movies na sexy pero it's time to retire," she added. 

"L’Arte de Sheree" is scheduled on May 24 in Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan.

“Siyempre, I’m not getting any younger and my son is growing up and I’m very thankful naman for the opportunity na binigay sa akin ng Viva. Hindi ko talaga makakalimutan lahat ng mga projects na binigay sa akin, pero siguro it’s time for me to change something. 'Yung parang I have to reveal na 'yung skills na inaral ko. Hindi naman alam ng mga tao na that I really sing. So, I really want to showcase my skills and my talents so I produced a show,” she said. 

Sheree said that she got the inspiration for the show when she went to Europe and watched a performance there. 

“What got me really inspired is when I went to Paris and I watched a show called 'Crazy Horse' before the pandemic and I was blown away. Dun sa show na 'yun naman, everyone was really super sexy and naked. When I watched the show sabi ko, ‘Oh my God nakahubad silang lahat!’ Pero sobrang mind-blowing kasi after the show, I forgot that they were all naked. So it was really the skill talaga 'yung pinakita nila and the performances. So, I really want to share that to our fellow Filipinos and hindi naman nila kaya pumunta dun at manuod ng ganung klaseng show. I was given the opportunity. So, why not do it myself?" she said.

"This show is going to be something like that but it meets Cirque de Soleil and burlesque. Actually mixed siya na show. It has Broadway and some of the musicals na ginawa ko. Kakantahin ko rin 'yung mga songs. So, it’s a different kind of entertainment for our kababayans,” she added. 

Women's Month: PDEA women agents honored in 'Buy Bust Queen'

 'Buy Bust Queen' stars Phoebe Walker with the special participation of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Gen. Wilkins Villanueva. It is directed by JR Olinares.

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

March 3, 2024 | 10:03am

MANILA, Philippines — In time for Women’s Month, women agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will be honored in the film “Buy Bust Queen.”

Produced by Pinoyflix Films and Entertainment Production in cooperation with PDEA, the film is a true story-inspired narrative about women leading the operations.  

This tale centers on seven women who defy gender norms, showcasing their dedication and resilience in joining an institution traditionally dominated by men. 

"Buy Bust Queen" stars Phoebe Walker and with the special participation of PDEA Director Gen. Wilkins Villanueva (as himself). It also features Ritz Azul, Maxine Medina, Ellaine Ochoa, Cheng Alessa, Ameera Johara, Ayeesha Cevantes, Ervic Vijandre with Christian Vazquez, Jeric Raval, Alex Medina, Jeffrey Santos, Dindo Arroyo, Ping Medina and Ricardo Cepeda. It is directed by JR Olinares.

“In reality today, women agents in PDEA have been increased. Despite being under-represented, women are highly successful in major operations of the agency. This film shall break stereotypes and will flip the gender scales a bit, proving that women can join spaces previously dominated by men,” Olinares said. 

“Buy Bust Queen” is now screening in more than 100 cinemas nationwide.

Sam Concepcion 'excited' to play John Lloyd Cruz's Popoy in 'One More Chance' musical

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

March 2, 2024 | 12:44pm

MANILA, Philippines — Sam Concepcion admitted that he is pressured to play John Lloyd Cruz's Popoy in "One More Chance: The Musical."

In the press conference earlier this week held in Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) Theater, Sam shared that he has mixed feelings about playing the role in theater. Originally a movie character played by John Lloyd, Sam is happy, excited and nervous as he prepares to become Popoy on stage. 

“We are very challenged and very happy, excited and a bit nervous. We are really looking forward sa kung ano ang magagawa namin with the story of 'One More Chance' and music of Ben&Ben,” he said. 

"Never in a million years na maiisip ko na mangyayari ito. I don't think any of us expected na 'One More Chance' will be staged here in PETA. It's really monumental. We’re just glad," he added. 

Former child star CJ Navato will alternate as Popoy, while Anna Luna and theater newcomer Nicole Omillo will play Bea Alonzo's Basha.

“May pressure talaga, but at the same time, excited kami kung paano namin mapo-portray itong iconic roles na 'to,” Anna said. 

"One More Chance" is a 2007 romance drama film starring John Lloyd and Bea about two college lovers, Popoy and Basha, who fell apart from each other after being caught up in their own careers and ambitions. 

Meanwhile, Ben&Ben said that they are thankful that their songs were chosen for the musical. 

“Sobrang na touch kami. I think it's safe to speak for all of us. Medyo napa-throwback kami to the time na we were writing the songs together. It’s overwhelming to see what PETA is doing is fresh. Ang galing talaga nila, wala ako masabi,” shared Miguel Benjamin, one of the vocalists of the band. 

“When this project came to us, parang we questioned why us, especially because we are relatively still young in terms of our work,” added his twin, Paolo Benjamin.

PETA has added more shows after tickets sold out months before the show opened. "One More Chance: The Musical" will now run from April 12 to June 30 in PETA-Phima Theater in New Manila, Quezon City.

Selena Gomez becomes first woman to have 400M Instagram followers

 

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — A few weeks after dethroning Kylie Jenner as the most followed female celebrity on Instagram, Selena Gomez became the first woman to have 400 million followers on the platform.

Kylie has 382 million Instagram followers. 

Selena, however, is the third celebrity who has the most followers on Instagram. Football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are on the top with 562 followers and 442 million followers respectively.

In her Instagram account, Selena posted photos with her fans celebrating the accomplishment. 

"Wishing I could hug all 400 million of you," she captioned the post. 

Selena was the most followed woman in 2019 until Ariana Grande and then Kylie took the title. 

Her comeback as the most followed woman on Instagram came in the middle of her retreat from social media. 

She recently told Vanity Fair that she only has TikTok app in her phone and tried to put filters to avoid hurtful comments. 

“People can call me ugly or stupid and I'm like, 'Whatever',” she said. 

“But these people get detailed. They write paragraphs that are so specific and mean. I would constantly be crying. I constantly had anxiety... I couldn't do it anymore. It was a waste of my time,” she added.

Adobo becomes first Filipino food featured in Google Doodle

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Today’s animated Google Doodle celebrates Adobo, the first Filipino food to be featured in the platform.

"Adobo is an important part of the story of Filipinos. It is an evolving, well-loved comfort food or way of cooking that crosses all economic boundaries. For adobo to be featured as a Google Doodle – the first Filipino dish at that – is a Pinoy Pride moment,” said Mervin Wenke, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Google Philippines.

“It is an honor to launch this Doodle that celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of Filipino cuisine on such a global platform," he added. 

Adobo can be found far and wide, whether it’s at a five-star restaurant in Manila or inside the homes of Filipino families around the world. The word “adobo” was first added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) in December 2006 and was included on the word list of the next OED quarterly update, released on this day in 2007.

There are many different kinds of Adobo, but they all share the same basic elements: marinated meat or vegetables braised into a stew. Common ingredients include vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. The local flavors make Filipino adobo much sweeter, sourer, and saltier in taste compared to other versions.

Several areas within the Philippines give their Adobo a regional twist. Locals in Visayas enjoy adobong puti (White Adobo), considered by some to be the original indigenous style, which exclusively uses vinegar without any soy sauce. In places like Southern Luzon, where coconut milk is a food staple, creamier adobo recipes like Adobong Manok sa Gata (chicken adobo with coconut milk) are extremely popular. Others substitute meat with seafood like squid, or locally available vegetables like kangkong (water spinach) or sitaw (string beans).

"Adobo is a source of Filipino pride and identity. The mere mention of the word 'adobo' to Filipinos wherever they are in the world will easily get them craving for the taste of home. Whether it's eaten with rice, pandesal or just on its own, there is nothing like our very own Adobo," said renowned restaurateur and food writer Claude Tayag. 

"Celebrating Adobo as the very first Filipino food Google Doodle is truly commendable. This is a great way to create meaningful conversations online about our rich and diverse food heritage," he added. 

Anthony Irwin, the Doodle artist from Google reflected on the process, “I ordered some southern-style chicken Adobo from a local restaurant to stir up some memories while working on the art for this Doodle, and the first thing that hit me was the smell. It was so bright and nostalgic, and instantly filled my apartment with that familiar feeling: this is exactly how things are supposed to be. So I tried to capture that simple childhood joy of leaning in and savoring the kind of food that makes home feel like home. Kain nang mabuti!”

After evolving throughout the centuries, this iconic dish is now enjoyed worldwide. It’s a symbol and expression of Filipino pride that varies from region to region, family to family, palate to palate. The history is rich, the taste is unmatched, and the aromas are enticing – the children in today’s artwork would definitely agree. Wherever and however it’s served, Adobo leaves stomachs happy and mouths watering for more.