POP NEWS PHILIPPINES

There's so sign of slowing down for Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's "Despacito" featuring Justin Bieber as it led the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the US for 16th week. The upbeat song which also featured an appearance by Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera now matches "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men for the longest reign at No. 1 which topped the same charts for 16 weeks in 1995-1996. But there are threats to dislodge "Despacito" on the top of the 59-year chart. Observers said that one of these songs could be "Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift which Billboard reported that the single may sell over 500,000 digital copies during its first week of release. Also, the Associated Press reported that on release day alone, "Look" was streamed more than 8 million times. Taylor's music video also raked in more than 31 million views on YouTube in its first 24 hours. Her latest song is th...

Actress Shaina Magdayao has said that she is looking forward to get married but she said that was not sure if she has found the right one. "Aba'y oo naman! Oo naman, 'wag na tayong mag kunwari," said Magdayao as she laughed, when asked if she wanted to settle down, during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. Asked if she has found the right one, Magdayao said: "I really woudn't know. I'm never assuming. Sa tagal ko yatang single medyo kailangan mo ng sabihin sa akin upfront. But let's see! "Maybe after this episode, kung may tumawag at sabihin na 'oy, andito lang naman ako,' bakit hindi? Sasabihin ko naman po. But right now, at this very moment, I wouldn't know," she said. Sought to give a message to her future husband, the star of "The Better Half" said: "I guess you are the perfect one for me." Magdayao, 27, is being linked to actor Piolo Pascual who revealed in Fe...

I always have this impression that Mario's Restaurant on Timog Avenue in Quezon City is the in-place for celebrities. In the 80s, I would read in the newspapers or magazines almost every day that some showbiz personalities would hold their press conferences there. Some stars would just make late-night reservations for their family or friends and enjoy the good food. These days, it's not just movie stars who patronize Mario's. Even politicians have become frequent visitors to this resto not only to talk about current events but to savor the awkward mix of Filipino and Spanish dishes. With good food and sophisticated dining area, I am not surprised if it's always full-house at Mario's. It's better if you will make reservations first if you plan to visit the restaurant. Politicians, lawyers and business partners frequent the place on weekdays. On weekends, it's still a family affair. Named after the husband of Nenuca Benitez, Mario's in Qu...

Actress Toni-Gonzaga Soriano has dismissed rumors linking her husband director Paul Soriano to actress Erich Gonzales. "Naniniwala kasi ako sa intuition. Kahit walang isyung lumabas, wala ka man, pag may naramdaman kang intuition, mostly 80 per cent of the time, it's true," said Gonzaga during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. "So pinakiramdaman ko. So far wala pa naman. Next month, tignan ko," Gonzaga said. Gonzales and Soriano were part of a movie that was shot in Siargao earlier this year. Gonzaga said that she first heard about the rumors between her husband and Gonzales sometime in May this year. "Alam mo sinabi nya rin yan sa akin nung May. Sabi nya 'I think some people are gonna make an issue about me and Erich.' "Just like how they did to me in 'Thelma' with Maja (Salvador) and me before sabi n'ya. So I guess it's inevitable because Erich already talked to me. And she s...

Actress Alice Dixson has said that she is happy being in a relationship with a foreigner for four years now. "Four years na kami. Nakakadagdag s'ya sa happiness. I think lovelife is the extension of yourself," said Dixson during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. Asked if beauty has something to do with lovelife, Dixson laughed and said: "I don't know. Kasi pag malungkot ako noon, maganda pa rin ako." "Siguro in spirit. Kasi inspired ka eh," said Dixson, who appeared in the late-night program to promote the horror flick "Ghost Bride" which also stars Kim Chiu. It is directed by Chito Rono. Dixson, 48, did not reveal so much details about her boyfriend. She even had her boyfriend's eyes covered with sticker when his photo was splashed on screen during the same show. "He's not there. I covered him." When asked if she still wanted to get married, Dixson said: "Not a priorit...

Singer-composer Ogie Alcasid has given a netizen some lessons after he criticized him on social media. "I was performing with these guys and sabi nya 'ikaw lang ang hindi sikat dyan.' Okay. Opinions are opinions and that was certainly his opinion. But parang me galit eh. May galit sa pagte-tweet nya," said Alcasid, during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. "So instead of dagdagan pa, I always say 'God bless you' because that is written. If someone curses you, you bless them. When someone blesses you, you bless them. So this one person who's cursing me, so I just blessed him. "And the magic began after I did that. Then he kept on going. So sabi ko should I engage this person? Okay I will because I always believe 'hurt people, hurt people.' "So here's one person who is obviously going through something and he's taking it out on me. So I tried to give him my opinion about the matter...

CNN Philippines senior anchor and correspondent Amelyn Veloso passed away last Thursday, Aug. 24, following a three-year bout with cancer. She was 43. Veloso was surrounded by her husband Rodney; son Gab. 14; and mother Amelita, during her final hours, according to a report by CNN Philippines. Following her diagnosis, the veteran broadcast journalist still went on with her duties for the morning shift of the television network. Later, Veloso underwent chemotherapy and surgery and still managed to report for work. Staff members of CNN Philippines described Veloso as calm and collected when breaking news. "She was soft-spoken, but she also had a loud and memorable laugh. She was beautiful inside and out." Veloso would also bake cookies and bring sandwiches to the set for her colleagues. Born on April 25, 1974, Veloso finished a degree in Broadcast Communication at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Later, she earned a master's degre...

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) will have a soft launch of an online video contest on Aug. 31 which will highlight the reasons for “loving” to travel to any part of the Philippines. Open to both Filipino and foreign participants, the contest dubbed “Phil the Love” is expected to provide the various brand definitions to “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” based on the tourists’ own perspectives and experiences. TPB Chief Operating Officer Cesar Montano said the contest would optimize the country’s online brand presence and visibility, broaden its value proposition, position it as a preferred global destination, and reach and capture a sizable block of the millennial market, both in the Philippines and abroad. “The campaign (Phil the Love) will virtually serve as an international and domestic market survey or census involving primary data sources, upon which we can base our future marketing strategies and tactics.  It will thus enlighten us on which of our selling poin...

Kapamilya star Zanjoe Marudo has said that he is not in a hurry to fall in love again. Marudo, 35, is currently linked to actress Bela Padilla, star of the hit movie "100 Tula Para Kay Stella." "Kaming dalawa ni Bela meron kaming pagkakaintindihan bilang magkaibigan. Ayoko madalian, ayoko pangunahan lahat ng bagay. Nadidiskaril eh kapag marami ng nangyayari," said Marudo during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. "Kung ano man yung tungkol sa personal ko, gusto ko maging private muna," Marudo said. The actor said that he will announce his new relationship when everything is settled. "I-a-announce yan!" Padilla earlier said that she wanted to give Marudo a chance. "To be honest, I would like to keep myself not available because I wanna give him a chance. But I'm not sure so let's see," said Padilla. In January, Padilla and boyfriend producer-director Neil Arce called it quits. ...

The Miss World Philippines 2017 has announced the Top 7 finalists for the Beach Beauty challenge. The Miss World Beach Beauty competition started in 2003. Despite being an important part of the pageant, the swimsuit category was discontinued in 2015 after pageant organizers believed that "it doesn't do anything to women." In the Philippines, however, the Beach Beauty competition remained one of the challenge events for the pageant. This year's seven finalists were announced after the swimsuit round held at the Savoy Hotel in Boracay on Aug. 24. The winners of the fast track events will advance to the semis and will be revealed during the finals of the Miss World Philippines beauty pageant at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Sept. 3. Here are the seven finalists who made it in the Beach Beauty challenge:                                               ...

Actress Lovi Poe has refused to confirm her relationship with French-Filipino Chris Johnson but said that they are always together. "I think now, not for you, but for other people, what you see is what you get, right?" said Poe during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. "We're always together." Poe, 28, appeared on the show to promote her latest movie "Woke Up Like This" with comedian-singer Vhong Navarro. The actress also said that she is not clingy when it comes to relationship. "I really love my space. I need my alone time. I think I'm the type of person that the way to love me is to feel free. So it's like I do the same naman," she said. "He (Chris) lets me be. I go out with my girls. He goes out with the guys. It's nothing. I don't want to be restricted because the moment I feel na I am being restricted, talagang kumakawala ako," Poe said. Poe added that she is not ...

For the first time, top broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez-Roxas debuted as a product endorser for a popular beauty product line - RDL. "I don't really endorse. This is the first endorsement that I'm gonna do in my career. Right now I'm on leave from news. So I asked permission from ABS CBN if I could start endorsing because in all the years that I've been working as a journalist, I don' really endorse. I don't really do that," said Sanchez, who is the newest ambassador of RDL Placenta soap, during an exclusive interview in Quezon City recently. "But since I am not with news right now. I'm doing 'Rated K,' and I'm doing another ANC show which is lifestyle, so it's not really a conflict of interest if I start endorsing. "I have to be very discerning about the brands that I endorse, and when this offer came along, I had to do research, I have to use the product, and I do believe not only in the product, but in...

Since the movie “Bar Boys” opened last August 16, it has generated many positive reviews on social media and testimonials at block screenings. “Bar Boys,” written and directed by young filmmaker Kip Oebanda, tells the story of four friends, Josh, Erik, Chris and Toran, who all wanted to go to law school and how they try to keep their bond and amid the trials and sacrifices they need to endure. The film shows their bittersweet journey from the day they learn about the results of the entrance exam until they graduate, take the bar and pursue their heartfelt dreams. The barkada movie stars Rocco Nacino, Carlo Aquino, Enzo Pineda and Kean Cipriano, with Anna Luna and Odette Khan in a very special role as a law professor. Also starring are Mailes Kanapi, Sebastian Castro, Hazel Faith dela Cruz, Pontri Bernardo, Maey Bautista, Rener Concepcion, Irene Celebre, Vance Larena, and Lharby Policarpio. Over 50 groups such as fan clubs of Rocco and Enzo, law schools, student orgs, law...