Where's Angel Locsin?

 BY STEPHANIE BERNARDINO

Sep 13, 2023 05:09 PM

  

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People are still curious about where their favorite actress Angel Locsin is.

It's been a whole year since she took a step back from the public eye.

But in a recent video, talent manager-comedian Ogie Diaz said everything is fine. 

He shared: "Si Angel Locsin po ay nasa bahay, at ini-enjoy ni Angel Locsin ang kanyang absence sa social media. Ayaw niya muna mag-social media."

Ogie also said the gossip about her supposedly breaking up with husband Neil Arce is false.

"Sila pa rin ni Neil Arce... Ini-enjoy lang niya ang kanyang pagiging maybahay kay Neil Arce," he emphasized.

He thinks people should give Angel the space she deserves. 

Ogie also remembered how hardworking Angel was when she was younger.

"Siyempre, gumagalaw pa rin ng cellphone si Angel. Naaaliw siya sa mga games. Yun. Ibigay natin kay Angel Locsin yun."

He also denied talk that Angel is already pregnant. 

MJ Lastimosa defends opinion on 'Barbie'

BY STEPHANIE BERNARDINO

  

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Beauty queen-actress-TV host MJ Lastimosa was quick to erase her controversial post relating the Hollywood film "Barbie" after she was bashed by fans.

Note that the post read: "Sobrang waley ng barbie movie sayang 600 ko haha!"

It didn't end there.

In another post she said, "Okay naman some parts but in general mehh parang school project film."

As usual, some fans were only too quick to react.

"If you did not like the movie, you could have said it in a better way. Remember, public figure ka at former Miss Universe candidate. Think through ur tweets next time," a netizen said.

MJ explained, "...yung pagkakagawa lang scenes and conflict kasi Diko maxadong nagustuhan not the message it was great."

Then she reacted to the backlash.

It read: "Wait lang naman sobrang online bullying naman agad kayo. Nakakatakot naman mag ka opinion dito minumura nako ng iba sa ibang socmed ko only because I did not like a film? I liked Little Women and Lady Bird naman, why attack me if I say I didn’t find it as good."

"It’s just my opinion and it has nothing to do about the movie being feminist, which is the only part that I liked, specially the speech of America Ferre, parang dapat nga wala na si Will Ferrell dun. But it’s just me, you’re entitled to like and dislike a movie. It’s not that deep mare."

MJ pointed out: "Wala akong inapakang tao."

"Natatakot din akong itweet to kasi magagalit nanaman kayo kasi dapat in unison ang opinion naten dito or else bobo na agad kami? sorry na agad mga mare kalma na maxado na kayong galit." 

Regine Velasquez: 'It’s no longer my time'

BY STEPHANIE BERNARDINO

  

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Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez has accepted that it's no longer her "time."

Despite this, the seasoned singer-actress is grateful for the success she enjoyed the last four decades.

“I know that it’s no longer my time. But, I’m still here. And I’m still doing what I love to do most, which is performing, singing, recording, doing 'ASAP,'” Regine said in an interview on "Tao Po."

According to her, she's "very blessed" that she is still able to do her passion.

"But ako naman, parang alam ko naman na meron ng mas magagaling... mas magagaling na yung singers ngayon," she said.

More than anything, Regine is content that she is able to share and impart lessons to a younger generation of artists.

"You know lahat ng singers, those kids in 'ASAP,' kapag humihingi ng advice, yun talagang I would just really give it to them. I am happy that I'm able to inspire other artists," was how she put it.

Regine then turned emotional, declaring: "Habang may makikinig sa akin, siguro, I'll keep singing."

She added: "Kasi parang kaya mo bang iwan yun? When you love something, di ba you fight for it? You work so hard to be able to be successful at it and then just one day you decide: 'I don't wanna to this anymore.' Parang, mahirap gawin."

"God gave you this wonderful talent, and you should share it with everyone."

Regine said that the way she sees it now, she is not just a singer.

"We entertain people. We inspire people. Hopefully, we inspire other artists, also. So that's how I look at it now.”

Regine was just five years old when she started singing, sharing her realization even then: "I wanna do this for the rest of my life."

She joined different amateur singing contests to fulfill her dreams.

"Ito yung dream mo e. You do whatever you can to make your dreams come true,” she related.

Apparently her beginning in showbiz wasn't smooth.

When she won in "Ang Bagong Kampeon" in 1984, someone told her then-manager: "Naku, hindi yan sisikat kasi, oo, magaling siya kumanta pero hindi siya kagandahan."

But rather than feel insecure, Regine proved herself.

"Lagi kong sinasabi, wait until you hear me sing. Pinapatunayan ko naman yung sarili ko sa kanila na I also deserve to be part of this industry."

This is not the first time Regine opened up about her mindset regarding her career.

Last year, she echoed the same sentiments, relating: "I’m very aware that it’s no longer my time, kasi we all are given naman our own time in the industry and in life in general."

“So, natutuwa ako na nandito ako ngayon to mentor. And more than the fame right now, at this time of my life, I love that part (mentoring) because they listen to everything that I say. And they think they learn from me, and I hope they are.”

Because she experienced so many things being in the business for that long, she feels like it's her duty to pass down what she has learned."

Issa Pressman marks Pride Month with coming out story

BY STEPHANIE BERNARDINO

  

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Issa Pressman shared an inspiring message to social media followers to mark Pride Month.

On Instagram, she noted how she has been "blessed" to experience "love" from both men and women.

"Blessed to be seeing who they are & how they loved me. Seeing beyond the physical," she said.

According to her, it’s the "heart, personality, dreams, and the connection" that becomes the basis of these relationships.

Issa shared that she first came out to sister Yassi via phone call.

"At 16, I was living alone. One night, I couldn’t sleep, I decided to come out to her. It was surprising news for her but she accepted me. If any, it was a start of us being solid,” she said.

“A couple of years after, I told my dad. He was honest he wasn’t for it, but said, ‘If this is what makes you happy, then be it,’ and he was there for me all the way.”

Issa reiterated that point of her post is that everything could have gone south if it weren’t for her loved ones.

"So may I inspire each household, friend group & work environment to accept & respect a loved one who wishes to or is too scared to come out," she said.

"At the end of the day, we should be on the side of happiness. We want to see the people we love glow. Let them be PROUD.”

In 2018, Issa made headlines making public her relationship with a girl.

She was in the news most recently, being romantically linked to James Reid.

Ruffa Gutierrez shares update on academic life

BY STEPHANIE BERNARDINO

May 12, 2023 11:25 AM

  

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Actress-beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez continues to inspire her supporters sharing her journey as a student.

Note that after finishing college last year, Ruffa is now bent on earning a master’s degree.

"Amid my hard-pressed schedules, I continue to pursue my MA in Communication at Philippine Women’s University - School of Arts and Sciences. I am now conceptualizing my thesis under the tutelage of an adviser who has published in SCOPUS-indexed international journals," she wrote in her recent Instagram post.

"As an adage says, hope springs eternal. If I can do it, so can you. Aim high! Onwards and upwards," she told her followers.

Her post is accompanied by photos and videos taken during her graduation ceremony last September.

"More than 8 months ago. Time flies indeed."

Ruffa couldn't be prouder of the achievement, something she accomplished amid her busy showbiz schedule.

“Don’t downgrade your dream just to fit your reality. Upgrade your conviction to match your destiny," she declared.

READ: Ruffa Gutierrez to graduate from college at 48, preps for master's degree

She also shared a realization.

"I realize that you can graduate at any age... Gusto ko magsilbing inspirasyon sa mga anak ko, for Lorin and Venice. As a single mom, I worked so hard. Nag-stop ako after high school kasi I made the most of my opportunities that were coming my way back then. But it’s never too late to go back to school.”

READ: Ruffa Gutierrez: 'I'm now knowledgable'

Kim Chiu marks 17th year in showbiz

 BY STEPHANIE BERNARDINO

  

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Grateful.

This is what actress Kim Chiu reiterated in her recent post as she celebrated her 17th year in the entertainment scene.

In a lengthy post, Kim expressed gratitude for all the opportunities that were given to her for almost two decades.

She related: "When I entered showbiz, I had no weapon in my pocket. All I have is my dream to provide for myself and especially for my family."

"In a few days, I’ll be a year older plus 17 years in showbiz. Looking back, I am just extremely grateful, most especially to my #ASAP FAMILY. They’ve been with me since day one, the time that I don’t know how to perform on stage; shy girl, often nervous," she added.

According to her, there was a time she asked herself: "Why are they giving me this opportunity even if I messed up a lot??? Should I give up my dream to provide?"

Then suddenly, a thought came to her mind, relating that even if she didn’t know how to do all those stuff meant to entertain viewers, the management believed in her.

"Seeing my supporters smiling while I was performing made me know the purpose of why I was here," she said.

"Whenever I accomplish a performance, I get giddy and excited."

She then thanked her family on the Sunday musical-variety show for allowing her the "confidence" she now posseses.

"Thank you for not giving up on me and showing me your support and love," Kim added. "Truly ASAP IS A FAMILY!!!!FAMILY that sees you grow and celebrates with you and is always proud of what you have become. THANK YOU ASAP; performer/host KIM CHIU will not be here without you."

"Indeed advance HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! #forevergrateful #giftofFAMILY," the actress, who will be 32 on April 19, ended.

Kylie Verzosa reveals dating Marco Gumabao before Jake Cuenca

BY STEPHANIE BERNARDINO

  

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Beauty queen-turned-actress Kylie Verzosa admitted recently that she and hunk actor Marco Gumabao were once an item.

In an interview with Boy Abunda, she shared that it was long before she and ex-boyfriend Jake Cuenca started dating.

“A long time before Jake, long way before Jake — mga two years ago. We tried. We tried it out, but we were…bata pa kami nun eh,” she told Boy.

Kylie reiterated she and Marco remain good friends.

“Happy ako sa lahat ng mga pinagdaanan niya sa buhay niya. I’ve seen him grow as an actor, as a person. Nagka-catch up pa rin kami. So yeah, we remain very good friends,” she said.

Well, it's obvious as the two are to star together in "Baby Boy, Baby Girl."

Kylie also admitted that she and  Jake are yet to communicate almost a year after their publicized breakup.

“I know it’s been a long time pero siguro in time. Only time will tell kung we’re able to already see each other in a friendly setting,” she said.

“Ayoko siyang pilitin pero darating ang panahon when we’ll meet each other and maybe, who knows? Time will only tell.”

Jake is now rumored to be in a relationship with sexy actress Chie Filomeno.

BIR honors top tax paying celebs of 2022

BY STEPHANIE BERNARDINO

  

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Several celebrities were recently honored during a ceremony hosted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in a Quezon City mall recently.

This, for being among top tax paying personalities of 2022.

Among those cited were Coco Martin, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Anne Curtis, Willie Revillame, Jed Madela, and Bugoy Drilon.

Also making it to the BIR list of top tax paying celebrities were Liza Soberano, Vic Sotto, Judy Ann Santos, Sarah Geronimo, Maja Salvador, and Michael V., among others.

In his speech, Daniel thanked the agency for the recognition.

"Maraming-maraming salamat po sa award na ito at maraming-maraming salamat sa dami naming binayaran na tax," he quipped.

Kathryn, on the other hand, said: "Hopefully, this would inspire everybody to do our responsibility bilang Pilipino na magbayad ng tax."

Anne echoed the same thing.

"I just wanna say that now I am a mother, I think it's so important that we lead by example to the future generations and encourage others to think about the progression of our country as well for the future generations that have yet to come," she said. "So, let's all lead by example and support the BIR and let's pay everything on time."

Pokwang: ‘The best revenge is to be fit and healthy’

by Stephanie Bernardino, MB

Pokwang reiterated the need to be fit and healthy in an Instagram post.

On Instagram, she uploaded a video of her doing some exercise routine.

Her caption read: “The best revenge is to be fit and healthy, not to impress some one or anybody, dapat fit para sa mga anak lalo na kung single mom ka.” 

“Hindi dapat sinisisi ang isang ina kung napabayaan ang katawan kaya nag hanap ng iba si mister, siguro kaya napabayaan kasi kakaalaga sating mga anak? kakaisip pano tayo palalakihin ng maayos? hindi maka pag pa salon kasi kulang sa budget? kakainin nalang ng mga anak, pang baon sa school pang tuition fee,” she added.

She then told her followers to refrain from ridiculing women, particularly mothers.

“Dahil para mo narin sinisi sarili mong ina na nagpabaya dahil sa pagmamahal sayo,” she related.

The Kapuso star ended her post with: “#PeaceEveryone ang ganda ng katawan ay kumukupas at babalik sa alabok pero pagmamahal ng isang anak ay walang kamatayan.”

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Pokwang also used the hashtags: “#womenempowerment” and “#Labanlangnanay.”