Philippines enters semis of World Team Pool Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Former World No.1 Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo secured an important win against Polish Rodoslaw Babica to send Team Philippines into the semifinals of the World Team Pool Cup Championship late Friday (Manila time) at Hall 13 Hannover Exhibition Grounds in Hannover, Germany.

Orcollo helped the Nationals score a 4-2 victory over Poland by defeating Babica, 7-3, in the quarterfinals.

With the win, the Nationals will square off against Russia in the semi-final round.

Bannered by Konstantin Stepanov and Ruslan Chinahov, Russia eliminated Germany II, 4-1.

The 31-year-old Orcollo, who is a Bugsy Promotions star player, had to brush off pressure in his match against Babica to avoid a possible sudden-death shootout.

“Again, all the expectation was on me coming to the deciding match,” the former fisherman of Bislig, Surigao del Sur told his long-time benefactor and Bugsy Promotions chief Ceferino “Perry” Mariano in a long distance call.

“But I managed to cope well and did not make any mistake, which enabled me to win the match,” added the reigning International Predator 10-ball champion Orcollo, who also led the six-man Philippine team past Czech Republic (4-1) and Nowary (4-2).

The unbeaten Filipinos opened their bid on a high note after thrashing England 2 (4-0).

Mariano, founder of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) commented: “It was tough as everyone expected it to be. Pero talagang inaasahan namin iiskor si Dennis sa crucial match kaya nga siya binansagang Robocop sa pool world kasi matibay ang kanyang dibdib. Hope manalo tayo against Russia para makapasok sa finals.”

With two more wins away for the title, Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) chairman Florentino “Yen” Makabenta said, “I just hope we can sustain our momentum.”

Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) president and co-founder of BMPAP Jonathan “Bacolod” Sy added: “We should continue to pray for them.”

The Filipinos, who are backed up by BSCP, Raya Sports, Bugsy Promotions and NBS, had a great start, sweeping the 8-ball Scotch doubles event as the tandem of Ronato Alcano-Marlon Manalo and Orcullo-Warren Kiamco scored 6-4 and 6-3 victories, respectively.

Japan based Antonio “Nikoy”Lining, the pride of Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, made it 3-0 for RP with an 8-3 win over Mariusz Skoneczny in the first 9-ball game.

Poland, however, forged a deciding third event (10-ball) when Mateusz Sniegocki beat Alcano (8-4) in the second 9-ball game.

Poland then made it two in a row with another win by Karol Skowerski over two-time BSCP National Pool Championships ruler Lee Vann Corteza (7-5) in the first 10-ball duel before Orcullo stepped up and clinched the tie for RP.

Great Britain and Greece, meantime hurdled their respective rivals to complete the final four.

Powered by world 9-ball champion Daryl Peach and world 10-ball champion Darren Appleton, Great Britain edged China (4-3) while Greece, headed by Evangelos Vettas blasted Switzerland (4-0).

The 48-nation tournament, the first of its kind and sanctioned by the World Pool Billiard Association (WPA), stakes a total purse of $400,000 (roughly P19.2 million) and uses a point-system scoring patterned after the Davis Cup. The champion team gets the lion’s share of $100,000 (roughly P4.7 million).

Steven Seagal wants movie with Pacquiao

LOS ANGELES, California – Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao had dinner with action star Steven Seagal in Hollywood early this week, Balitang America reported.

Pacquiao and Seagal talked about the possibility of doing a movie or concert together.

“We had a great time together. The time just flew by,” said Pacquiao.

"We discussed the possibility of working together in movies and making joint concert appearances," he added.

Both men had plenty of common interests, both being accomplished fighters, actors, and musicians.

“We also discovered that we share a bond in Asian philosophy and philanthropy. I invited Steven to be with me at Jerry Jones’ Cowboys Stadium on March 13 when I defend my World Welterweight title against Joshua Clottey and he accepted,” Pacquiao added.

Seagal currently stars on A&E’s popular reality series “Steven Seagal Lawman.”

Meanwhile in Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather Sr. says the world does not care about Pacquiao’s fight against Clottey. The Mayweather camp continues to blame the Filipino boxing champion for the failed Mayweather Jr. – Pacquiao Dream Match.

“Who wouldn’t fight for that kind of money? I think it was $40 million, something like that. They will both get that kind of money. I think that he’s scared,” said Mayweather Sr.

The Mayweather camp however said they are still open to the possibility of fighting Pacquiao in the future.

Schwarzenegger cancels trip to Manila

MANILA, Philippines - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will no longer push through with his scheduled visit to the Philippines, ABS-CBN learned Friday.

Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Marcial Paynor said Schwarzenegger's trip was canceled due to pressing concerns in California. The announcement was made by former San Francisco Mayor Willy Brown during a San Francisco-Manila sister city committee event Thursday.

Butch Meily, executive director of the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF), earlier announced that Schwarzenegger is set to arrive in Manila on February 7 to help with reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in areas destroyed by storms Ondoy and Pepeng last year.

Schwarzenegger, who is famous for starring in the blockbuster film franchise "Terminator" and other gun-blazing roles, has prior experience in rehabilitation efforts in New Orleans, which was battered by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Schwarzenegger has been governor of California since 2003. He is married to Kennedy scion Maria Shriver, a veteran TV journalist.

Beyonce heads to Grammy's with 10 nominations

LOS ANGELES – R&B superstar Beyonce will battle country star Taylor Swift at the 52nd Grammy Awards Sunday as the music world descends on Los Angeles for the industry's equivalent of the Oscars.

Beyonce heads a star-studded field of contenders with 10 nominations going into Sunday's extravaganza at the Staples Center, just ahead of the precocious 20-year-old Swift who has eight.

Beyonce has nominations in the coveted record of the year and album of the year categories, for her single "Halo" and her chart-topping double-album "I Am ... Sasha Fierce." The former "Destiny's Child" singer is also nominated in the song of the year category.

But Beyonce is likely to face fierce competition in the major categories from Swift, as well as wacky songstress Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas, who all have nominations in the best album, record and song categories.

Trailing Beyonce and Swift in overall nominations are the Black Eyed Peas, Maxwell and Kanye West with 6 nods each.

Swift, 20, who enjoyed success last year at the American Music Awards and Country Music Awards, has rocketed to fame over the past 2 years.

Nielsen SoundScan reported earlier this month that Swift was the top-selling digital artist in music history with over 24.3 digital tracks to date.

Grammy chief Neil Portnow has praised Swift as a "phenomenon in entertainment." "She crosses so many genres and generations. She’s really struck a chord with people because her music is so honest," Portnow said.

Sunday's show -- which gets under way at 5pm (0100 GMT) -- is the first Grammy Awards since Michael Jackson's death last year and is expected to feature an extended tribute to the late "King of Pop."

The tribute will include a 3-D film clip made before his death as well as performances from Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson and Usher. Jackson will also be honored with a lifetime achievement award during the show.

However, Grammy show producer Ken Ehrlich has distanced himself from reports that Michael Jackson's children -- Paris, Blanket and Prince Michael -- would perform on Sunday at the Staples Center, the same venue where they bade a poignant farewell to their father at last July's memorial service.

"Don't know where that came from and I really don’t have anything to say about it," Ehrlich told the Access Hollywood entertainment news show.

Meanwhile, in the record of the year race, Beyonce's "Halo" will go up against Black Eyed Peas's pop track "I Gotta Feeling", the Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" and Swift's "You Belong with Me."

The nominees for song of the year, awarded to the songwriters, are Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," Maxwell's "Pretty Wings," Beyonce's No.1 single "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)," Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" and Swift's "You Belong with Me.

The best rock album nominees, meanwhile, comprise AC/DC's "Black Ice," "Live From Madison Square Garden" by Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood, "21st Century Breakdown" by Green Day, "Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King" by the Dave Matthews Band and "No Line on the Horizon" by U2.

The best new artist category features the Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups and The Ting Tings.

Alaska finally gains automatic semis entry

MANILA, Philippines -- Alaska finally clinched the last automatic semifinal slot with a hard-earned 95-94 squeaker over Rain or Shine at the close of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup elimination round Friday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Two-time MVP Willie Miller scored the last 9 points of the Aces including a banked shot in the last 12 seconds that turned out to be the game-winner. He finished with 22 points.

Miller’s shot also helped Alaska snap their two-game slide.

Elasto Painters guard Sol Mercado, who fired a career-high 35 points, had the chance to steal the game but his drive in the final play was foiled by Larry Fonacier.

Alaska ended its elimination campaign with 13-5 win-loss mark, same with San Miguel Beer but got the No. 1 spot in the Final Four round as it swept the Beermen in the elims.

“Honestly, the whole game my heart was in my throat because there was a lot of pressure on us,” said Aces head coach Tim Cone who also drew 15 points each from LA Tenorio and Joe Devance.

“The last time we’re in this situation (automatic semis), we won the championship. It’s really a big advantage to be in the semis already,” he added.

The Aces have four chances to seal the semis slot but lost four of their last five games and were pressed to beat Rain or Shine last night to avoid the playoff spot for the No. 2 spot.

Giants in quarters
Purefoods Tender Juicy went straight to the best-of-five quarterfinal series with an 88-78 win over Sta. Lucia Realty.

James Yap scored a game-high 19 points while KG Canaleta added 17 for the winning team. Marc Pingris netted 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Giants, who ended their elimination round with 4 straight wins for a 12-6 win-loss card.

They tied Barangay Ginebra in the standing but clinched the No. 3 spot due to a better quotient. The Kings are No. 4 team while Talk ‘N Text (11-7) is No. 5.

“We wanted to finish 12-6 and it was within our goal but we did not reach the semis,” said Purefoods head coach Ryan Gregorio.

Joseph Yeo had a team-high 17 points for Sta. Lucia, which is relegated to the knockout wildcard stage and faces No.9 Rain or Shine. Marlou Aquino had 14 markers for the Realtors.

Angel picks Luis over Efren?

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN contract star Angel Locsin said she is not open to being courted by 2009 CNN "Hero of the Year" Efren Peñaflorida at the moment.

In an interview, Locsin stressed that she and Peñaflorida are just good friends. "Iki-clear ko lang 'yon. Hindi ako nagpapaligaw. Right now, we are good friends," Locsin said.

(I'd just like to clarify. I am not open to being courted. Right now, we are just good friends.)

Though she has seemingly rebuffed Peñaflorida's romantic advances, she says they are in constant communication and even go out with his students on occasion.

"Minsan, pumunta sa bahay kasama ang mga kids. Minsan, lumabas kami, nanood ng sine. Kasama namin 'yong mga bata din," Locsin said.

(One time, he came to the house with the kids. One time, we went out and we watched a movie. We were with the kids also.)

Locsin said she is letting Peñaflorida down easy before things get too serious. "I just want to be true to myself and wouldn't want to give him any false hopes," she said.

Considering ex

Meanwhile, Locsin is reportedly back on speaking terms with ex-boyfriend Luis Manzano.

She said this is one of the reasons why she has graciously declined to be courted by Peñaflorida.

"Ayaw ko na kausap ko si Luis, may kausap akong iba. Ayaw ko namang nagpapaasa sa isang taong nage-effiort. (I don't want to entertain Luis while I'm entertaining others. I don't want to lead on someone who is making an effort)," Locsin said.

Last week, Manzano admitted to "The Buzz" and "Entertainment Live" that he is courting Locsin again.

"I'm trying to win her back and make up for my mistakes in the past. I realized she's a good girl worth fight for," Manzano said.

Though open to talks with her ex, Locsin said she won't jump into a relationship so easily. The actress said Manzano visits her at home and she agrees to come down and see him.

"May effort naman so na-appreciate ko naman 'yon. Tignan natin kung ano ang mangyayari. (There's an effort, so I appreciate that. Let's see what happens)," she said.

"Hindi naman kami nagmamadali pero hindi naman maalis kung gaano ka-special sa akin si Luis. Pero right now ayaw ko munang pumasok sa relationship," Locsin said.

(We're in no rush, but Luis will always be special to me. But right now, I don't want to go into a relationship.)

Manzano was lukewarm to Peñaflorida's plans to woo his ex-girlfriend. He stated, however, that he respects Peñaflorida's work as a social worker who teaches out-of-school youth through his "Pushcart Classes" project.

'Avatar,' 'Hangover' take home top Golden Globes

BEVERLY HILLS, California – A pair of box office sensations, "Avatar" and "The Hangover," earned top film honors at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday in a ceremony that took on a somber tone after the recent earthquake in Haiti.

Action adventure "Avatar," whose 3-D effects have wowed critics and fans and helped it earn $1.6 billion at global box offices, claimed best film drama and top director for "Titanic" filmmaker James Cameron.

"3D is going to be the future," Cameron told reporters backstage. "The one thing 'Avatar' could do because of its success -- especially its critical success -- is give permission to other filmmakers to think of 3D."

Among actors, Sandra Bullock earned the title of best film actress in a drama for football movie "The Blind Side," while industry veteran Jeff Bridges was best dramatic actor for his turn as a down-and-out country singer in "Crazy Heart."

"The Hangover," about guys on a trip to Las Vegas that goes woefully wrong ($277 million at US and Canadian box offices), claimed best film comedy. It showed that after recent years of favoring art house films like last year's big winner "Slumdog Millionaire," Golden Globe voters at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) liked crowd pleasers of 2009.

"It is such a wonderful trip this film, we just set out to make a funny comedy," director Todd Phillips told reporters.

Robert Downey, Jr. won the Golden Globe for best comedy actor for his turn as super sleuth Sherlock Holmes in "Sherlock Holmes," and Meryl Streep was the top actress in a comedy for cooking film "Julie & Julia."

Germany's "The White Ribbon," a major success at the 2009 Cannes film festival, was named best foreign language movie.

Haiti weighs on Hollywood

The Golden Globes are given out by some 90 members of the HFPA, and a win here can give movies the momentum they need in Hollywood's race for Oscars, the world's top movie honors given out in March.

But awards seemed less on the minds of many Hollywood stars than did the recent disaster in Haiti as several acceptance speeches were filled with statements of thankfulness by A-list celebrities. Many stars wore yellow, blue and red ribbons to show their support for victims.

Streep said she had to remember "my happy movie self, in the face of everything I'm aware of in the real world."

Elsewhere, "Inglourious Basterds" star Christoph Waltz was named best supporting actor in a film, and Mo'Nique earned best supporting film actress, going against her reputation as a comedienne and playing an abusive mother in dark drama "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

Disney adventure "Up" won two early Golden Globes, best animated movie and original score.

Among television awards, "Mad Men," about the lives of Madison Avenue advertising executives, claimed its third straight Golden Globe for best drama and upstart musical "Glee" was named best comedy or musical in an upset over past winner "30 Rock."

"This is for anybody and everybody who ever got a wedgie in high school," said creator Ryan Murphy, the brains behind the quirky show about a high school singing and dancing troupe.

Former "ER" star Julianna Margulies won best actress in a drama in "The Good Wife", playing the spouse of a disgraced public official, and "Dexter", a profile of a serial killer, won best actor in a drama for lead Michael C. Hall.

Alec Baldwin won the Golden Globe for best actor in a TV comedy playing a network executive in "30 Rock," and Toni Collette was best comedic actress for "United States of Tara."

Cathy Remperas evicted from PBB house

MANILA, Philippines – Viewers voted to evict Cathy Remperas from the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Double UP house on Saturday night.

Remperas garnered the lowest total save and evict votes of -13.54%, with viewers saving Hermes Bautista (-10.43%), Mariel Sorino (-3.55%), Tibo Jumalon (+2.82%) and Melisa Cantiveros (+31.86%).

But the "charming babe from Bohol" will not be leaving the PBB house just yet.

This as Big Brother cooked up another surprise for the remaining 8 housemates: Hermes, Melisa, Tibo, Mariel, Paul Jake Castillo, Jason Francisco, Johan Santos and Kath Lopena-Ortega.

Former housemates Princess Manzon, Delio Dimaculangan, Yuri Okawa, Rob Stumvoll, Patrick Villanueva and Rica Paras as well as forced evictee Tom Mott returned to the house for a special task called "resbak attack".

Paras said their goal was to "bring out the beauty or the beast in them (current housemates)."

'Give my sister some space' - Noynoy

MANILA, Philippines – Kris Aquino-Yap’s only brother, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, has appealed to media and the public to give his youngest sister time to sort out her personal problems.

Aquino reiterated his appeal amid the latest controversy faced by his sister and her husband, basketball star James Yap.

News reports said the actress-TV host made a scene outside the house of Mayen Austria in Valle Verde, Pasig City. While there, she allegedly hurled invectives at Austria, Yap’s rumored girlfriend, and at her mother.

On Friday, Aquino-Yap issued her side of the story. She denied the allegations against her.

The senator said his sister has yet to ask their other siblings for advice on the matter. He also could not confirm or deny if the incident really did happen as he was in La Union when news broke out.

The Liberal Party standard-bearer maintained that his sister’s problem is in no way connected to his candidacy and capacity to lead the country.

He also apologized for not being too “showbiz” about it.

Yap family airs side

Meanwhile, the star cager of Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants seemed unfazed by the controversy.

Yap was seen spending quality time with his son after a commercial shoot.

Yap’s parents also refused to be affected by the negative reports about their son and daughter-in-law.

Yap’s mother Annie made a similar appeal to put a stop to rumors about her son and daughter-in-law.

Mrs. Yap believes that her daughter-in-law is not capable of doing such a thing. She likewise belied reports that her son has another woman.

She added that politics could be behind the spread of negative reports about her family particularly since James’ father is running for a political post in Negros.

10 cars set for global launch at India's biggest car expo

NEW DELHI - Small will be big at an Indian auto show when the world's leading manufacturers unveil a slew of compact cars designed for one of the world's fastest growing markets.

AutoExpo 2010, which begins on Tuesday and runs until January 11, is expected to be the biggest ever, featuring global releases of new models from the most famous names in the industry.

Recent months have seen foreign giants like Ford, General Motors, Hyundai and Renault join a stampede to India, where each has promised a small, cheap model designed for what Ford boss Alan Mulally termed the "sweet spot" of the market.

Many of these will be on display during the week, including the Figo from Ford, concept small cars from Japan's Honda and Toyota as well as the India-made Polo by Germany's Volkswagen.

"India is developing as a small-car hub," senior director at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Sugato Sen, told AFP.

He pointed to government policies that have promoted the production of small cars domestically, while rising incomes have driven demand for basic, no-frills vehicles.

"India ultimately is a developing country where the average annual income is below 1,000 dollars a year, so this is reflected in the vehicles we use," he said. "They're not sophisticated, but the market is growing double-digit."

Third largest car market

India is Asia's third-largest car market after China and Japan, but what has manufacturers excited is the potential explosive growth in a country with a billion-plus population.

"Growth in developed counties is almost saturated so they are looking for where they can sell, especially in the low-end, entry-level segment," said analyst Vaishali Jajoo from Angel Broking.

She said sales of passenger vehicles have been growing at above 10% a year for the last 5 years and will carry on at "12 to 13% for the next 4 to 5 years."

Incomes are rising steadily, meaning Indians are following the familiar pattern of upgrading their personal transport from push bikes, to motorbikes, then to cars.

The market is forecast to triple to 6 million car sales annually in a decade -- a mouth-watering proposition for car groups, but a concern for those who drive on the already traffic-clogged streets of India's cities.

"The train is leaving the station and you want to make sure you have the products on line," Carlos Ghosn, who runs Renault and Nissan, said in November as he announced plans to produce an ultra-low-cost vehicle.

Such is the buzz around the India show this year that some insiders are beginning to speak of it in the same breath as the Detroit auto event that kicks off on the day the Delhi exhibition finishes.

Global launches

The Volvo C70 sedan showcased at the 2008 India AutoExpo. Ten global launches of new vehicles are expected to be made at this year's car expo.

Ten global launches of vehicles from heavy trucks to two-wheelers are planned at the Delhi event, which will see an expected 1.8 million visitors pass through the doors.

This year's Delhi is the 10th, but it first caught the world's attention in 2008 when Indian manufacturer Tata Motors unveiled its Nano, the world's cheapest car that has since hit the roads, though production remains restricted.

Ranojoy Mukerji, an auto sector analyst and adviser on a government car certification project, underlines that the range of new vehicles set to hit the market is good news for consumers.

But it means manufacturers will face a highly competitive market that is currently dominated by Indo-Japanese group Maruti Suzuki, which has about 55% market share and a strong track-record in the small-car segment.

"It will become a very tough market because the consumer will have a lot of choice," Mukerji told AFP. "Before (consumers) had five cars to choose from, suddenly they will be looking at 20."