POP NEWS PHILIPPINES

A scholarship pageant for young men and women has been launched to foster education for a better and brighter future among Filipinos. Known as Mr. and Ms. Republic of the Philippines, the scholarship pageant also aims to unite young Filipinos around the world to uphold their heritage, and strengthen their identity. "Mr. and Ms. Republic of the Philippines is a revolutionary approach to pageantry with emphasis on scholarship for winners and Philippine pride among the new generation of Filipinos based here and abroad," said CEO and President Lynette Padolina, during launch held at Via Mare Restaurant, Shangri-la Mall in Mandaluyong City recently. "It's an engaging concept to cultivate a positive image of Filipinos that they can now be empowered with education and create a good and lasting social impact with their influence. The new Mr. and Ms. RP focuses on education, Philippine heritage and strengthening Filipino communities around the globe," Padoli

Former Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach has said that she wanted to have a gay child in the future. "I really believe na aalagaan ka nila kapag matanda ka na, not to say na hindi ka aalagaan kung straight yung anak mo pero based on my experience, ibang mag-alaga yung beki," said Wurtzbach during an interview on "Tonight Wuth Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. "Gusto kong ma experience yung merong excited na bibihisan ako, na ayusan ako, alagaan ako, parang magiging best friend ko. Na-imagine ko na yung anak ko magiging best friend ko pag beki sya," she said. Facing the Golden Mirror, Abunda asked Wurtzbach to an advice to the girl in the mirror. "Kalma ka lang, Wag mo ng pansinin yung mga bashers mo. Christmas na!" she said. When asked about one piece of advise she would give her before she walks down the aisle, Wurtzbach said: "Life doesn't end when you get married, your career doesn't end when you get married. You having fu

Following her disastrous performance at the New Year's Eve ball in New York City in 2016, Mariah Carey will take the stage once again and determined to put on a good show at the Times Square. "We can all agree that last year didn't go exactly as planned and we are thrilled to move forward together to provide America with an incredible night of music and celebration on 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018,'" the statement read. "See you in Times Square!" Carey has said that in 2016, she was humiliated by technical issues at the annual televised ball-drop. Carey and other special performers will ring in 2018 in what weathermen forecast as the coldest New Year's Eve since 1961. Aside from Carey, other scheduled performers are Camilla Cabello, Nick Jonas and Sugarland. A performance of Britney Spears will be broadcast from Las Vegas, Nevada. "Going to be ending 2017 with the last #PieceOf

Ace comedian Vice Ganda has said that she will watch the other movies of her showbiz friends competing in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival. Asked if he will watch "Ang Panday" by Coco Martin, Vice Ganda said: "Ay opo! Kahit yung pelikula ni Jasmine Curtis panonoorin ko din, yung 'Siargao.' Manonood din ako ng 'Haunted Forest' kasi andun din yung ibang kaibigan ko. Hangga't kaya kong manood ng iba, kung may pagkakataon, manonood po ako." Vice Ganda is joining the MMFF this year under the action-comedy film "Gandarrapido: The Revengers'' which also stars Daniel Padilla and Pia Wurtrzbach. The "It's Showtime" host said that he is proud of Coco as they grew up together in show business. "Ang sarap makita na pare-pareho kaming nagtatagumpay at umaasenso lalo na kami ni Coco; "Kasi po hindi pa kami nag-aartista ng ganito e pangarap na namin ito eh. Pangarap naming yumaman. Pangarap namin m

Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend-turned-actor Benjie Paras has said that he would support his sons Andrei and Kobe should they decide to raise a family one of these days. "Syempre unang reactioin ko mabibigla ako. Pero darating eh. Siguro sa akin hindi masakit kasi mga lalaki," said Benjie, when asked a hypothetical question if he is ready for his children to settle down, during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. Asked if his sons Kobe and Andrei have girlfriends these days, Beniie said: "Nagkakaroon eh. Very vocal naman sila pareho. Pero sa ngayon, wala pa naman yata." Benjie said that he and his sons are vocal when they talk about having a girlfriend. "Nakasanayan na namin especially (pagkumpleto kami). Minsan na lang kami makumpleto eh. Pag-umuwi si Kobe or pumunta kami run. Para pagnag sama-sama, andun na lahat." But Benjie admitted that it is hard on his part to be far away from son Kobe

Still thinking of what to give to your loved ones or friends this holiday season? Maybe the traditional feng shui good luck symbols to attract fortune will do. "We are aware that different charms and practices could help us attract good fortune, excellent career, harmonious relationships and healthy long life," said Master Hanz Cua during an interview in Mandaluyong City. Here's a rundown of some of the traditional lucky feng shui symbols which you may want to consider as gifts for the holidays. * Number eight (8) - The Chinese pronunciation of number eight is “ba” which is close to the sound “fa” meaning prosperity or to make a fortune. The number eight also has a perfectly symmetrical shape and connotes perfect balance, considered to be the ideal in feng shui. "If you’d observe, other business owners would request or purchase special phone numbers with a few number eights in it. Number eight is believed to attract good fortune endlessly."

Jasmine Curtis has said that she plans to open a mini luxury hotel in La Union. "It's like a small private luxury hotel. Hopefully. Claim it and it will happen," said Jasmine during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. Apparently, Jasmine wanted to open her hotel business in La Union where her boyfriend surf entrepreneur Jeff Ortega is based. Jasmine appeared on the late-night talk show to promote her latest movie "Siargao," one of the official entries to the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival. It also stars Jericho Rosales and Erich Gonzales. The younger sister of Anne Curtis-Smith also said that she has no regrets that she settled in the Philippines. "I think for me more than anything parang curiosity lang always. Maybe nakikita ko sa mga friends ko na marami pa rin ang bagong graduate dun, nakasabayan ko sa high school. Parang may konting 'what would have happened in my life?' But I'm just so thankful

Queen of independent Filipino movies Baby F. Go has said that she is excited about the year 2018 because of the several quality movie projects she has lined-up. "May movie ako ngayon na sinu-shooting sa Italy. At may apat kaming naka line-up pang international at local. Meron din pang mainstream sa showbiz, hindi lang pang indie," said Go during an exclusive interview at her office in Mandaluyong City recently. The first salvo for BG Productions International this year is the movie "Almost A Love Story" starring Kapuso stars Barbie Forteza and Derrick Monasterio. The film is now being shot in Italy. Also joining them are Ana Capri and Lotlot de Leon. The multi-award winning film producer also said that she's focused on competing in film festivals abroad rather than the local ones. "Sasali dapat talaga ako nun sa Metro Manila Film Festival. Naka-attend pa nga ako ng meeting nun sa MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority); "Pero

Director Paul Soriano and wife actress Toni Gonzaga are sleeping separately these days. But don'f get them wrong. The celebrity couple are just doing it for their son Severiano Elliott or Seve. "Right now, she (Toni) sleeps with him. I'm on the bed and she's in the sofa with Seve. So we haven't been sleeping for a couple of months now," said Paul, during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. "But I'm really wanting to bring them to the bed now. But he's still very young. There are challenges in the marriage and we have to work at it. And it can be forever a work in progress; "But Seve has made the marriage more of a blessing. There's so much love in the house right now. And Seve is the center of all that," Paul said. Paul appeared on the late-night show to promote his directorial movie "Siargao," one of the official entries to the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival. It stars Jericho R

A photographer who styled the pre-debut photo shoot of the granddaughter of President Rodrigo Duterte has appealed to critics to know the whole story first before reacting to the controversial shoot in Malacanan. Top photographer Lito Sy has pointed out that Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte of Davao City, eldest son of President Duterte, has nothing to do with the photo shoot of his daughter Isabelle in the Palace. "People are saying that Paolo Duterte used government funds for the photo shoot of Isabelle. Naaawa ako kay Paolo because he really has no idea about this photo shoot," said Sy, during an exclusive interview at the Christmas party organized by the Mutya ng Pilipinas for members of the beauty pageant press at Aposento in Makati City last Dec. 19. Sy said that the photo shoot was the idea of Lovelie Sangkola Somera, mother of Isabelle, and former wife of Paolo. "Gastos ito ng mother ni Isabelle at hindi nga ito alam ni Paolo. Isabelle's mother is a ri