The VOICE Pinas 2013

(photos courtesy of the Voice ph FB)

Finally, we have the Philippine version of The VOICE. 

I was  fascinated by the judges which are Sarah G., Bamboo Manalac and what made my day was the news that Lea Salonga agreed to be the 3rd judge, and it has been confirmed that Apl.de.App is the fourth judge.

That is just awesome   I have always been an admirer of Lea and I believe that she will be a credible and great mentor to newbies. Of course, so will Bamboo, who is an exceptional talented singer/songwriter as well as Apl.de.App and Sarah G.

I don’t really watch singing realiTV but I am quite excited with this one. Hopefully I will get to watch this everytime it airs, but it will really depend on my schedule…booo…

I will definitely monitor this show if not on TV then online  

Happy new year!!

Happy new year!! The best is yet to come I spent my new year at work…sad really, but hey, that’s life. At least my pals and I got to watch fireworks outside the building, hehehe. How about you, guys? Hope your new year was a blast! 

This 2013 is election year once again, and we are experiencing a barrage of tarps and posters from politicians running..how pathetic, but that’s politics. 

My wish for this year is to travel to Hongkong and Thailand.

I am going to do my very best to fulfill this wish! 

What’s your new year’s resolution? I don’t have one. I keep on breaking them after a few weeks

Let’s all pray for blessings, good health and safety this 2013!

Be safe and God bless : )

NO to Cyber crime law

Hey guys. It’ s been a while since I have blogged about stuff. My trusty laptop crashed so I needed to shop for  a new one.

I admit I am a bit late when it comes to this news but hey, better late than never : )

The Cyber crime law passed  has been met with outrage and with good reason.

This law  could see people sentenced to 12 years in jail for posting defamatory comments on Facebook or Twitter.

I agree some netizens are over the top when it comes to what they post but most of us are responsible writers.

If we cannot express ourselves and give out opinions on what we feel about certain happenings or people (especially politicians) then what are we left with?

I feel like we are still under a dictator rule where we have to screen out what we post or be ready for the consequence.

Some of my friends even shared a post on facebook that stated that in the long run we are not kapamilya, kapuso or kapatid but kakosa as we might find ourselves in jail over something as simple as liking a post or retweeting.

See u kakosa

Here are some excerpts from an article on abs-cbnnews:

The stated aim of the wide-ranging law is to tackle a multiplicity of online crimes, including pornography, hacking, identity theft and spamming, following police complaints that they lacked the legal tools to combat them.

However, the act also includes a provision that puts the country’s criminal libel law into force in cyberspace — but with far tougher penalties for Internet defamation than in traditional print media.

Anyone posting a libellous comment online, be it on Facebook, Twitter or anywhere else, faces a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and a fine of one million pesos ($24,000).

Meanwhile, newspaper editors and other trained professionals working in traditional media face prison terms of just four years and fines of 6,000 pesos for defamation.

The Cybercrime Act also allows authorities to collect data from personal user accounts on social media and listen in on voice/video applications, such as Skype, without a warrant.

Prominent Manila blogger Noemi Dado, who edits a citizen media site called Blog Watch, said unwary teenagers retweeting or re-posting libellous material could find themselves facing the full force of the law.

“Not everyone is an expert on what constitutes libel. Imagine a mother like me, or teenagers and kids who love to rant. It really hits our freedoms,” Dado told AFP.

While harsh criminal libel remains in force in other parts of Asia, Dado said the new law sent the wrong signal in a country that overthrew the military-backed Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship just 26 years ago.

Dado, a lawyer’s wife known online as the “momblogger”, is among a group of critics campaigning for the libel element of the cybercrime law to be repealed.

Bruce Adams, Asia director for New York-based Human Rights Watch, said the law was having a chilling effect in the Philippines, which, with its population of almost 95 million, is one of the world’s biggest users of Facebook and Twitter.

“Anybody using popular social networks or who publishes online is now at risk of a long prison term should a reader — including government officials — bring a libel charge,” Adams said.

Five petitions claiming the law is unconstitutional have been filed with the Supreme Court. The petitions all say the law infringes on freedom of expression, due process, equal protection and privacy of communication.

The lone opponent when the bill was voted on in the Senate, Senator Teofisto Guingona, filed one of the petitions.

“Without a clear definition of the crime of libel and the persons liable, virtually any person can now be charged with a crime — even if you just re-tweet or comment on an online update or blog post,” Guingona told the Supreme Court. “The questioned provisions… throw us back to the Dark Ages.”

The petitions all state that the law infringes on freedom of expression, due process, equal protection and privacy of communication.

Law professor Harry Roque from the University of the Philippines, who filed another, said the country was one of a shrinking number worldwide where defamation remained a crime punishable by prison.

Star Magic Ball 2012 pics

Stars, couples and gowns!

Here are some of the pictures from Star  Magic Ball, a black and white affair, courtesy of push.com.ph and spot.ph

Maja looks like a fairy. Her gown…I like!

Julia looks older than her age

Kathryn

Is this Julia Baretto? I’m not totally sure. She looks great, though.

Vina looked gorgeous, I like her gown

Melai

I forgot her name, she used to be in Goin’ Bulilit now she ‘s all grown up

I don’t her name, but she is in Princess and I

Jewel, she looks pretty here unlike her look last year..

Kim

Xian and Kim

The beautiful Jessy

Angelica

Controversial couple Angelica and John Lloyd

Shaina in white, I like the back

The front, not so much

Shaina and Sam

Bea’s gown looked really unique and daring

Bea and Zanjoe

I like Erich’s Gown and whole look..she looked stunning.

Iza

The ever beautiful Dawn

Sexy Kaye..like her gown

Megan

I like Melissa’s gown but her hair and makeup, leaves a lot to be desired.

Andi

I only know her as Aryanna..lol..she looked pretty

Empress

Myrtle had too much makeup on..

Real-life couple Maricar and Richard

Sweet couple Felix and Venus

Another couple Nikki and Billy

ex-lovers Gabby and Janice

Carmina looking elegant

Sisters Paula and Rica

Nikki Valdez

Pokie

Angeline,Eric,Yeng

Mother Lly and Piolo

Coco and James

Aaron and someone I don’t know

Paulo

Jake

Matteo

Khalil

Randy and Rowell

—to be continued—-

Star Magic Ball 2012

Here we go again with the Annual Star Magic Ball. The elite agency’s finest stars graced the event. I look forward to this gala because I want to see their gowns!

Here’s an article from push.com.ph

(I will post the pics later)

This year’s annual Star Magic Ball was a black-and-white themed affair that Kapamilya artists look forward to as a time to relax and celebrate with their fellow Star Magic artists. Each celebrity had their own unique experience while at the formal affair. First-time attendee PBB Teens Big Winner Myrtle Sarrosa was so excited that she started off the evening with a mini-pictorial at the grand staircase of the Makati Shangri-la hotel. Another early bird included Megan Young who came straight from her finals exams in the College of St. Benilde and drove through Manila traffic to the event in order to be a guest correspondent and red carpet host for E! for the night.

Celebrity couples were all around as PUSH spotted many who were literally inseparable all night. This year’s list of lovebirds included Kim Chiu-Xian Lim, Zanjoe Marudo-Bea Alonzo, Daniel Padilla-Kathryn Bernardo, Paul Jake Castillo-Melissa Ricks, Paul Salas-Ella Cruz, Billy Crawford-Nikki Gil, Gab Valenciano-Coleen Garcia, Maricar Reyes-Richard Poon, and PBB Unlimited’s Pamu Pamorada-Kevin Fowler. If Carlos Agassi proudly introduced to the press his British model girlfriend Margo Midwinter, Diether Ocampo chose to keep mum on the identity of the “special someone” who was his non-showbiz date for the night.

Some celebs came with friendly dates like PBB Unlimiited’s Slater Young and Divine Smith, Ejay Falcon and Empress, JM De Guzman and Charee Pineda, Jake Cuenca and Tin Patrimonio, Kaye Abad and Guji Lorenzana, Marco Gumabao and Miles Ocampo, and PBB’s Paco Evangelista and Jessica Connelly. Some celebrities opted to go dateless like Enrique  Gil, who admitted that it was the first time in four years that he came stag to the Star Magic Ball. Also seen enjoying the party were celebs like Coco Martin, Erich Gonzales, Jessy Mendiola, Jewel Mische, Carmen Soo, Sam Milby, Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, Paulo Avelino, Khalil Ramos, Robi Domingo, Joem Bascon, Vhong Navarro, Ryan Bang, Igi Boy Flores, Iza Calzado, Carmina Villaruel, Jason Abalos, Ina Feleo, Dimples Romana, Thou Reyes, Eda Nolan, and Kitkat.

Another interesting sight at the event was the appearance of controversial couples who were noticeably not mingling with each other from the red carpet to the event proper. Matteo Guidicelli arrived before Maja Salvador while John Lloyd Cruz was a few steps ahead of rumored newfound love Angelica Panganiban. Bianca Manalo came by herself but gamely answered questions from the press about the state of her heart after seeing ex-boyfriend John Prats at the event. The night also became an alumni of sorts for former cast members of Ang TV like Patrick Garcia, Guila Alvarez, Lindsay Custodio and Rica Peralejo who all showed up to support Star Magic’s 20th anniversary. The awarding ceremony was made even more memorable with the formal reconciliation between Matteo Guidicelli and Coco Martin who were involved in a scuffle at last years ball.

This years Star Magic Ball awards was a mix of old and new categories like:

Hot Mama award – Carmina Villaruel

Hot Papa award – Gerald Anderson

Star Magic Breakout Style award – Daniel Padilla  and Kathryn Bernardo

Star of the Night award – Maja Salvador and Enchong Dee

Couple of the Night – Xian Lim and Kim Chiu

Female Stunner Award – Bea Alonzo

Sweetheart of the Night award – Julia Montes

Prince and Princess of the Night award – Khalil Ramos and Julia Barretto

Standout Star award – Coco Martin

Star Magic Icons award – Diether Ocampo and Angelica Panganiban

August 2012 news

A lot has happened the past few months in  our lives. I, personally can say that Anyway, if you have been watching and reading the news, this August has been filled with chaos, turmoil, calamity and death.

There was the flood that affected our kababayans in Manila and nearby provinces because of heavy rains or what we call Habagat. Many people died and thousands lost their homes.

It’s a good thing with us Filipinos, that we are united when it comes to helping our fellow kabayans with their basic needs. Millions  helped when it comes to monetary, ready to eat food, clothes and safe drinking water.

You don’t have to be a millionaire to help, your used clothes, that you no longer use will help warm some of the Pinoys who lost their clothes because of the flood.

Then there was the hullabaloo of Senator Tito Sotto’s speech against RH Reproductive Bill. With all his dramatic speech, he failed to mention that he just copied part of his speech from a US-based blogger. Now, that is an epic fail, a shame, really. I approve of the RH Bill because with a controlled population, we can strive to better our economy, find jobs to those unemployed people and give couples a chance to choose what contraceptive to use to prevent conception.We do not need an increase in population as we are overpopulated already.

This weekend, we were devastated with the news of another small plane crash that took the lives of the pilots and DILG secretary Robredo. I may not know them personally, but I feel sad for another lost life and how their family must feel at this moment. My condolences to the families of the bereaved.

Some say that August is an unlucky month for PNoy. His father was killed on August 21, 1983 and his mother passed on August 1, 2009. And let us not forget that PNoy was shot five times after rebel soldiers attacked Malacanang on August 28, 1987, when his mother was president. He still has one bullet embedded in his neck up to this day. There was also the August 2010 hostage taking incident in Rizal Park which left 8 tourists dead.

If you believe in bad lucks, August is considered bad luck by the Chinese as the month falls on the 7th month of the lunar calendar. It is referred to as “ghost month” as they believe this is the time when ghosts and spirits come out from the lower realm.

The “ghost month” is said to climax every August 14, when the Chinese celebrate the Festival of Hungry Ghosts. Here, they are not allowed to swim and wander alone at night, as they may figure in an accident.

There you go. I read that Chinese bad luck belief  in abs-cbnnews. I only found out about that belief   If you believe on those type of things then now you should be more careful when August comes. Let us pray to God for safety every time we go out. It’s a good thing though, that August is about to end. It is September next week, the BER starts again. Christmas!!  lol…

Angelica dating John Lloyd?

Very interesting. I thought for sure it was just for publicity for their upcoming movie but it seems like they are taking this reel thing into a real deal. After splitting with their partners, they decided to date. Hmmm…I am still skeptical but in a world of show business, LIES and covers are part of their lives.

Anyway, a lot can happen in a few months, both in our professional and personal life.

I read this at abs-cbnnews website, check it out.

(ABS-CBNNEWS)

Actress Angelica Panganiban on Tuesday finally opened up about her closeness to actor John Lloyd Cruz as she appealed to the media for some privacy and allow her to enjoy the happiness she has now.

Although the actress neither confirmed nor denied that they are now in a relationship, she described the state of her heart as “perfect,” referring to the “perfect Sunday” post she made on the photo-sharing site Instagram on August 12.

Talking to reporters during the press launch of her endorsement for shampoo brand Pantene, Panganiban admitted that she has had other “perfect days” since then.

“Perfect Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday hanggang Sunday, balik Monday. Nasa iyo naman ‘yon kung paano mo papagandahin ang araw mo. So ‘yun siguro ang importante sa akin ngayon,” she said.

The actress also said it was Cruz who posted their photo in her Instagram account.

“True, correct, parang test. Oo, siya ‘yung naglagay,” Panganiban said, although she refused to say where the photo was taken.

Noting that she had always been honest to the press, Panganiban then appealed to the media to give her the chance to enjoy her life.

“Siguro may karapatan din akong huwag magsalita at piliin kong manahimik. Hayaan niyo na muna akong i-enjoy ko ‘yung privacy at happiness na mayroon ako ngayon. In time darating tayo diyan kapag nag-desisyon ako at bumait akong magsalita at i-share sa inyo kung anuman ang nararamdaman ko. Sobrang proud ako na gagawin ‘yon, pero ngayon hayaan niyo muna ako na nasa ganito,” Panganiban explained.

The actress also said she is a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” type of person.

“Hindi na kailangan kasi malinaw naman ‘yung sinabi ko. Kung ano ang nakikita niyo sa labas, ‘yun din ang nararamdaman ko sa loob. So, hindi ko na kailangang mag-explain pa,” she said.

What is important now, she said, is that she is enjoying life after her breakup with long-time boyfriend actor Derek Ramsay

“Nararamdaman ko na paganda ng paganda ang bawat araw na mayroon ako. At hindi ko kailangang hingin ‘yon sa ibang tao. Nararamdaman ko ‘yon sa sarili ko dahil nahanap ko kung ano ang gusto kong mag-achieve — ‘yung panahon sa sarili ko, maalagaan ko ‘yung sarili ko, pagandahin lalo ang sarili ko — at mukhang achieve na achieve ko ang kagandahan na ‘yon,” she said.

The actress added that she’s also learning to love herself.

“Siyempre mahalin mo ang sarili mo kasi kapag doon ka nagsimula, masaya ka na agad. ‘Yung di mo na kailangan ng ibang tao para ma-appreciate ka kasi alam mo na ‘yung hangganan mo, ano ang magpapasaya sa iyo, ano ang pwedeng ibigay at hindi pwedeng ibigay at maiiwasan mo ang masaktan o malungkot,” she said.