(Update) FG belies money laundering yarn

MANILA - First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo has belied the yarn coming from opposition circles that he is wanted in the US for alleged money laundering.

In an interview with reporters in Washington D.C., Mr. Arroyo branded as lies the reports that he has avoided going to the US since he may be arrested.

"Kasinungalingan ho yon. Ilang beses na kong pumunta sa America. Ang bumabantay po sa akin...meron akong escort, [US] Secret Service, so walang nagaaresto sa akin. Puro malisyoso lang yung mga nagsasabi nun. Paninira lang yun," Mr. Arroyo said.

"At saka wala akong bank account dito. So yung sinasabi nilang money laundering, hindi po totoo yon. Paano magma-money laundering ako, wala ako ni bank account dito. Wala kaming property, Wala kaming stocks. Wala maski ano. So how can that be? Saka hindi totoong iniimbestigahan kami ng FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation," he added.

On the contrary, Mr. Arroyo said it is Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former President Joseph Estrada who cannot go to the US due to the espionage case involving Lacson's former aide, Michael Ray Aquino, and Filipino-American Leandro Aragoncillo.

"Ang hindi makakapunta dito ay si Lacson at saka si Estrada. Ako puwede akong magpunta dito. May valid visa ako," Mr. Arroyo said.

Rumors that Mr. Arroyo was wanted in the US for alleged money laundering surfaced November last year after the chartered plane the Philippine delegation to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was using made an emergency landing in Japan after Mr. Arroyo suffered stomach pains. (Read: Ermita: FG out of danger)

President Arroyo left Manila on Wednesday with the First Gentleman, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, other Cabinet members, and over 20 lawmakers for a two-day visit in the US highlighted by a meeting with US President Barack Obama on July 30 (July 31 in Manila).

Erap reacts: I can visit US, too

In response to the First Gentleman's charge, Estrada told dzMM on Thursday he can go to the US anytime since he still has a valid visa.

Estrada also said he has no pending espionage case in the US.

"Wala kahit anong summon akong natanggap. Wala ako kahit ano mang kaso," he said.

Estrada criticized Mrs. Arroyo's frequent trips abroad, saying that when he was president, he did not like to travel since it is taxpayers who have to pay for the bill.

"Kahit nung ako president, hindi ako mahilig mag-abroad, puwera lang kung kailangan na kailangan. Hindi ako mahilig sa biyahe ng biyahe. Alam ko magastos yan," he said.

Meanwhile, presidential deputy spokesperson Anthony Golez said the fact that the First Gentleman has not been arrested in the US shows that he was just a victim of the opposition's propaganda.

"It just goes to show na ang lahat ng mga allegations ay puro propaganda lamang at gawa-gawa lang ng mga kritiko ng administrasyon," Golez said.

On the First Gentleman's statement linking Lacson and Estrada to espionage, Golez said: "That's just a statement of fact. Espionage is a very serious case in the US and it is a mockery of democracy especially if it involves a former president and a sitting senator."

'She will step down'

The First Gentleman also told reporters in Washington D.C. that President Arroyo had clearly announced in her State of Nation Address (SONA) last Monday that she would step down from office in 2010, contrary to reports that there was no clear goodbye.

"Ayaw lang maniwala talaga sila. Yung ayaw maniwala, wala kang magagawa. Pero she said it very clearly: her term ends in 2010. What can be clearer than that?" Mr. Arroyo said. "Ngayon inulit niya, di ba? Bababa siya after 2010. Ano pang gusto nila?"

Speaking in a dinner engagement before a group of around 200 Filipino-Americans, Mrs. Arroyo repeated her statement during the SONA that she has "never expressed a desire to extend" her term.

Aside from Obama, President Arroyo will be meeting US National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair, US lawmakers, and US Senate majority leader Harry Redd.

Only 15 from the Philippine delegation will be with President Arroyo at the White House, and only five will join her in her 45-minute meeting with Obama at the Oval Office.

According to a US State Department official, the Obama-Arroyo meeting will take up the global economic crisis, climate change, regional security, the peace process in Mindanao.

Human rights on agenda

Another source told ABS-CBN's North America Bureau Chief Ging Reyes that Obama will also bring up the issue of human rights in the Philippines. A Filipino-American Melissa Roxas has claimed she was illegally arrested and tortured by the military during her visit to Manila recently.

Human rights activists are expected to hold protests during Obama-Arroyo meeting at 3 p.m. [Washington D.C. time] Thursday.

In Manila, leftist activists on Thursday held a rally across the US embassy along Roxas Blvd.. They were blocked by police from getting near the embassy.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) warned that Mrs. Arroyo could use the occasion to expand US military presence beyond what is allowed under the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement, and the further opening up of the economy to foreigners.

"Mrs. Arroyo will be desperately seeking the approval and support of the US government, now that her stay in power is about to end. She may offer the US concessions for the basing of US soldiers in Mindanao and a greater US role in so-called counter-terrorism efforts in the country," said Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes.

"We should be very concerned with the agenda of the Arroyo-Obama meeting. We don't know if Mrs. Arroyo will sell us down the river again. In her desperation to stay in power, she may offer the US de facto basing rights, increased troop deployment and 100% foreign ownership of land. We have to closely monitor whatever deal they will strike," he said.

Bayan also alleged that "for Arroyo, the photo-ops with Obama was to die for."

"Arroyo photo-ops with Obama somehow legitimizes her isolated and discredited regime. She is after all the most unpopular Philippine president meeting with a hugely popular American president," Reyes said.

Bayan said that "Obama's photo-ops with the hugely unpopular Arroyo may leave a bad taste in the mouth and may send a wrong message to people."

"It would surely contradict everything Obama said in his inauguration speech," he added.

(UPDATE 2) Anne Curtis released from hospital

MANILA – Anne Curtis, who suffered minor injuries after figuring in a car accident, has been discharged from a hospital. Reports said the young actress is now resting at her home after leaving the still undisclosed facility. Curtis opted to skip her scheduled X-ray examination and went straight home in order to rest, reports added. Curtis was reportedly grateful to all those who came to her aid, some of whom were her friends from show business.

"The Wedding" artist, who was driving a Porsche Cayenne, hit an L-300 delivery van on the corner of Congressional and Mindanao Avenues in Quezon City around 2:30 a.m. Monday.

Aquino Marcelino, the van's driver, said the actress possibly fell asleep while at the wheel. Some of the actress' celebrity friends, including former boyfriend, Sam Milby, actor Jericho Rosales and singer Christian Bautista, reportedly rushed to the scene to help her.

Richard Gutierrez on criminal case: I'm upset

MANILA – Richard Gutierrez is “saddened” and “upset” by the criminal complaint filed against him in connection with the car accident in Cavite that killed his personal assistant, Nomar Pardo, two months ago. Last week, Richard was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide by Pardo’s widow, Lorayne, before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Imus. In a statement read by his older sister, Ruffa, on “The Buzz” Sunday, Richard branded this move as an “unfair act.” He maintained that what happened on May 22 in Silang was an accident. He also stressed that he was not negligent and did not commit any crime. The young actor was driving the car when the accident occurred. Like Richard, his bodyguard, Jorge Mascora, was also wounded in the mishap.

Richard pointed out that it was an incident that could happen to anyone, citing the reported six vehicular accidents that occurred in the same area.

“Nomar was more than an assistant to me, he was a good friend. What happened in the morning of May 22 was an accident; one which took my friend's life and where I also could have died,” Richard said.

“I wonder, if anyone else had been driving, would Lorayne have sued?” he added. Also in his statement, Richard recalled that, even before the filing of the criminal complaint, he made public his desire to help Pardo’s children by supporting their education, an offer purportedly rejected by Lorayne’s camp. He explained that he made the offer “because I cared for a friend that I had lost and I knew that is what my friend would have wanted.” “Let me repeat this, it was an accident and my family and I will not be pressured or coerced by the filing of this case. We will trust that the justice system will vindicate me in the end,” he added. He said he will present pieces of evidence “at the proper time.”

Richard, according to Ruffa, took a break from work to do some “soul searching for a few days.” ‘Be strong’ Ruffa also came to her younger brother’s defense Sunday. The television host said nobody wanted it to happen. She pointed out that her brother almost lost his life, too, because of the accident.

“Richard was very careful. Hindi siya nag-speeding, hindi siya nakainom. Kung nasasaktan sila, nasasaktan din kami because we lost a family member,” Ruffa said.

She maintained that, like the Pardo family, the Gutierrezes also mourned the demise of Richard’s personal assistant. Ruffa also clarified that her family has never abandoned the Pardos. “Nagkaroon ng pag-uusap ang mommy ko at ang pamilya Pardo. At ang sinabi ng mommy, ‘ito ang gusto naming maitulong sa mga bata. Gusto namin bigyan kayo ng education fund para sa dalawang anak ni Nomar para makatapos sila ng college.’ Kasama na doon ang financial assistance na hindi nila tinanggap,” she said. Ruffa said she hopes her family and the Pardos will settle the issue privately “so that Nomar’s soul can also rest in peace.” She added that her family will always be behind Richard.

Body Talk with Cristine Reyes

What makes Cristine Reyes this year’s sexiest woman in the world (according to FHM magazine’s 2009 survey)?

Before we start to find out, let’s thresh out the issues first.

1. Did she really plan to move back from ABS-CBN to GMA (but she changed her mind when ABS-CBN made a counter-offer she couldn’t refuse)?

“It wasn’t really because tinapatan, although in my contract ABS-CBN has a right to match the offer of a third party. So kapag na-match nila ‘yon, I can’t move to another station. But if they can’t, then I can go.”

2. Did she bump heads with her co-stars in the ABS-CBN show Banana Split, specifically RR Enriquez (the Wowowee girl) because they were doing a spoof on the Katrina Halili-Hayden Kho sex video and it hurt Cristine because Katrina is her friend?

“Before I quit Banana Split, they knew na na gusto kong lumipat sa GMA. It just so happened that a misunderstanding cropped up kaya napaaga ang pag-alis ko sa show. I told them na ayoko na mag-taping even if my manager (Veronique del Rosario-Corpuz) and I didn’t tell management yet about our plan. But I can’t deny that there was a misunderstanding between (RR) and me.”

3. Did she really spread the rumor that a soap actor (no clue, please!) has bad breath?

“I won’t say where the rumor came from. All I can say is that I trust people easily, so I wouldn’t know kung ‘yung pinagkatiwalaan kong mga kaibigan ay kaibigan din ako. I have learned my lesson — don’t trust people too easily.” (Asked if the actor really has bad breath, Cristine begged off, “Ayoko na magsalita...”)

4. Why did she and Dennis Trillo consistently deny that they were “on,” only to admit that they really were after they broke up?

“There was no problem with me kung aaminin namin o hindi. Siya lang ang ayaw umamin. Basta ako, once it’s over, it’s over na talaga. Wala nang balikan.”

5. Is there any sibling rivalry between her and her Ate Ara (Mina)?

“As far as I’m concerned, none. I don’t know sa kanya.”

Anyway, besides acting, what keeps Cristine busy these days is her band. “Super fun,” she said, “I’m enjoying it.”

Cristine measures 34-25-35, evenly distributed in her 5’4” frame.

How did you prepare for the FHM “sexiest” selection?

“I didn’t really prepare for it. I learned that I was No. 1 a little late, so what I did was prepare for the show.”

What’s your regular diet? Are you able to take three square meals a day?

“Actually, more than three; sometimes six meals pa nga, eh, but small portions lang.”

What’s usually for breakfast?

“Whatever our maid prepares. I’m not choosy with food; hindi ako mapili. Whatever is there, I eat. Basta kino-control ko lang.”

For lunch?

“Rice with viand. As I said, I don’t deprive myself. If you do, if there’s a party or whatever, doon ka mati-tempt kumain ng marami. You pig out and it’s not good.”

For dinner?

“Usually, I’m out with friends, eating in restaurants. I order what I want to eat. Pero hindi ako mahilig sa steaks.”

Snacks?

“Sometimes, just a little ice-cream especially when I’m with my nephews and nieces. I’m not fond of sweets.”

Any food that you always crave?

“Seafood noodles.”

How much water do you take per day?

“D’yan ako mahina. But I’m forcing myself to take more, if not the required eight glasses. Honestly, I don’t like water because it’s tasteless; I prefer juice(s) kasi may lasa. I like orange juice, ‘yung Tropicana.”

Coffee or tea?

“Coffee with milk.”

Soda?

“No. As I said, hindi ako mahilig sa sweets.”

What vitamins do you take?

“I take Vitamin C kasi mahina ang immune system ko. It’s my doctor’s advice; 1,000 mgs. if I’m working and 500 mgs. if I’m not.”

Do you work out?

“Naku, d’yan ako patay. Not that I don’t have time, I’m just too lazy. Wala akong gana mag-work out, unless my friend pushes me into it. Like this morning, I was invited to join a fund-raising fun run at The Fort for Ilog Pasig. At first I was reluctant because madali nga akong mapagod due to lack of exercise. But then, I went at okey naman. Enjoy ako. If there’s a next time, I will join again.”

You look perfect enough from head to foot. Any part of your body that needs improvement?

“I’m happy with my body.”

What part is most vulnerable?

“My back. During a long ride na matagal akong nakaupo, my back aches.”

What part naman is your favorite?

“My legs. ‘Yon ang unang nano-notice sa akin ng mga tao, so siguro nga maganda. Mabuti na lang because mahilig din ako mag-shorts. Hehehehe!”

What part of a guy’s body do you notice first?

“The upper body...the part between the lower neck and the hips, especially his arms.”

What other qualities do you like in a guy?

“‘Yung fun to be with para may pag-uusapan kayo. ‘Yung natural lang, walang pretensions.”

And what turns you off?

“No. 1 ‘yung mayabang at nagpapa-impress. Hate ko ang ganoon.”

With your busy schedule, are you able to get enough sleep?

“Luckily, I sleep for seven hours per night. When I’m sobrang puyat, umaabot ng eight hours.”

Are you a light sleeper?

“If not too tired, I wake up even to the ringing of the cellphone.”

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“Turn off my laptop.”

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

“Turn on my laptop and check my farm.”

Farm? I didn’t know you have a farm!

“Hindi naman talagang farm. It’s my favorite game, Farm.”

Favorite sleep wear?

“Whatever I’m comfortable in. Sometimes, pajamas; or manipis na shorts and sando.”

Do you snore?

“No, I don’t.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“No, I don’t.”

Do you sleepwalk?

“I hope not! Hehehehe!”

How many pillows do you sleep with?

“Four. The pillows make me feel secure.”

Do you want the aircon turned on full blast?

“I put it on ‘timer’ kasi madali akong ginawin.”

How’s your love life?

“Zero pero masaya naman. Hahahaha!”

Nightlife?

“When I go out it’s always with my brothers. Mga bodyguards ko. Joke lang! And my friends. We would go to The Fort or hang around in a friend’s house. Nagko-computer, kwentuhan, sometimes nagluluto-luto.”

What’s your outlook in life? Are you an optimist or a worrier?

“Ay naku, sobrang worrier. Nobody supports me so I’m worried about the future. My motto is: Live life to the fullest. I don’t want to have regrets when I grow old.”

How do you cope with stress?

“Nagpapa-full-body massage and then I relax in the jacuzzi.”

How do you take care of your skin?

“I just take a bath every day.”

Any other beauty “secrets” you want to share with Funfare readers?

“Ayoko namang sabihing ‘Drink lots of water’ dahil ako nga, I don’t drink enough water, eh. Basta, take a bath every day and wash your face with soap and water. ‘Yon lang.”
Name three men you think have nice bodies.

“Chris Evans. Sobrang patay na patay ako sa kanya. David Beckham. Mukhang hot siya, di ba? Hehehehehe! And Chad Michael Murray.”

And three women...

“Megan Fox (Only No. 2 on the FHM Philippines’ 100 Sexiest but No. 1 in FHM international’s list. — RFL). Sobrang hot siya sa Transformers. Siempre hindi mawawala si Angelina Jolie; malakas ang appeal niya sa akin. And Lindsay Lohan.”

Using only body language, how would a guy know that you admire him?

“Ay, huwag na lang; mabubuko ako! Pero, sige na nga. I just keep quiet. Deadma style.”

Kobe imparts hard court know-how to Pinoy fans

MANILA – Being a successful athlete is the result of intense hard work and discipline.

National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Kobe Bryant showed this "hard work" by letting his fans take a peek of his grueling “Blackout” workout during the Manila stop of the 2009 Kobe Asia Tour.

Bryant, also known as the “Black Mamba,” got down to business by showing exactly what he does during practice. He was joined by a group of up-and-coming young basketball players called Nike Elite Campers.

The basketball clinic kicked off with Bryant choosing one elite camper, Mico Salva of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, to follow his instructions.

Salva and the crowd were eager to learn, and Bryant was ready to show his stuff.

The counter move

Amid blasting hip hop music, Bryant detailed his “Blackout” workout wherein he makes 20 shots per spot.

In “the interest of time,” however, Bryant could not show the whole workout so Salva was asked to make 10 shots in selected spots.

Salva started off on the dots, then on the free throw line, and was made to shoot from other spots. Bryant related that he does the shooting from the left and right, and also from the other side “over and over and over again.”

Bryant, who was chewing gum while giving instructions to Salva, was very particular with the moves. He paid attention to the details as every little thing mattered to him.

Whenever he taught a move, he wanted that move to be done 10 times. When Salva tried to do a variation, Bryant reminded him, “Never do that move again.”

The “Black Mamba” then taught Salva the importance of a counter to the move. “It’s not about how many moves you can do. It’s about having one and having a counter to that.”

Bryant also told Salva to keep the ball at his side so that the opponent will be unable to tap it. He also mentioned the importance of stepping off and creating space.

When Bryant noticed that Salva seemed to be hastening a sequence, he remarked, “It’s not about doing it fast, it’s about doing it right.” The crowd cheered every time Bryant demonstrated a move.

Meantime, he told Salva, “Very good.” The crowd applauded. But Byrant added, “We’re not yet done.”

'One step ahead all the time'

Bryant went on to the fade away. While Salva was in the process of doing a sequence, he slipped on the floor. Bryant helped him get up while someone mopped the floor.

Salva had to do every shot and sequence 10 times. When Salva missed his ninth shot, Bryant told him, “You gotta make two in a row to finish.”

Bryant commended Salva after the workout exhibition, “Good job.”

The Lakers superstar reiterated that he does all those shots from both sides at mid post, post, elbow, free throw, top of the key, and isolation spots “over and over and over again.”

Salva was thrilled to have Bryant tutored him on the rudiments of his game. He said the lessons he learned from the NBA superstars will definitely be put to good use.

"I'm a really huge Kobe fan, I really feel lucky, its such a blessing," he said. "Definitely I will remember this, everyday I practice, everyday I take it on the court the things I learned from him."

Bryant then played a 1-on-1 mid post game against Nike Elite Camper Ian Sangalan of the RP Youth Team.

“When I was growing up, I was smaller than everybody else,” he said before the race to 5 game started.

The 6’6’’ Bryant swept the game, 5-0. He made a fade away, did lay-ups. He also blocked and tapped the ball.

He mentioned that a “defensive player knows what an offensive player is thinking.” It is a must to be “one step ahead all the time,” he told the crowd.

Sangalang said that even if he failed to score against Bryant, the experience of playing with the NBA-MVP will not be forgotten. "Hinding-hindi ko makaklimutan tong araw na to, lahat ng tinuro nya sa akin. Kahit di ako naka-shoot sa kanya, at least naka-one on one ko si Kobe," he said.

'For the kids'

Bryant picked Manila to be the first stop of his Asian tour because of the Filipinos’ sheer love for basketball.

“It feels great, this is like my home away from home. It's great to be back with people who truly enjoy the game as much as I do,” he said.

Apart from promoting the new Nike Dream Season shoe, which he helped design, he said he returned to Manila for the Filipino "kids" he taught basketball during his RP visit in 2007.

"I really came here for the kids, they love the game," said Bryant. "The last time I was here, I pushed them really really hard, but they had the inner fortitude, the inner strength... to me that said a lot."

Bryant is set to show his workout to other cities part of his Asia Tour: Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Chengdu. With reports from TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News and Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS.com

Angel, Mother Lily make peace

Angel, Mother Lily make peace

MANILA - ABS-CBN contract star Angel Locsin can finally heave a sigh of relief now that things have smoothed over between her and Regal Films matriarch Lily Monteverde. This came after reports surfaced alleging that Monteverde got angry with Locsin when she turned down a film role on "Mano Po 6: My Mother" with Megastar Sharon Cuneta. "Nakakagaan sa loob. Kasi na-bother talaga ako ng nabalitaan ko 'yon nga daw nagalit daw si Mother. Siyempre kay Mother din ako nagsimula at walang pinakitang di maganda sa akin si Mother, kaya na-bother talaga ako," Locsin said. She said that if given a choice, she will definitely do the film. However, she has an exclusive contract with Star Cinema. "Kaya [ganun] dahil sa sitwasyon. Unang una, sa commitments ko. Pangalawa, exclusive ako sa Star Cinema. Medyo hindi tayo magkakaroon ng chance na gawin yon," Locsin said. Locsin, who said she was happy that things were fine with the seasoned producer, added that she is planning to find time to talk to Monteverde. Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Monteverde clarified that she has no-ill feelings against Locsin. She said she was just disappointed that Locsin was unable to be part of the movie. "Hindi naman ako galit. I just want to explain the things that happened. Ang sinasabi ko, hindi naman 'yong availability but yong previous commitments. Ako naman, anak ko si Angel, wala sa akin 'yon. I don't want to be misunderstood, I just want to explain and share my sentiments," she added. According to Monteverde, Locsin, a former exclusive star of GMA-7 still had a contract with Regal Films to do three more movies but the actress' decision to move to ABS-CBN last July 2007 overlooked the film contract.

Remittances hit record high in May; growth still slow

MANILA - Money sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFW) reached a record high in May, but the pace of growth is still slow as the world economy reels from the crisis. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that remittances grew 3.7% to $1.48 billion in May, the highest since March 2009. The latest figure brings the country's total remittance inflows to $6.98 billion for the first 5 months of the year, a 2.8% growth from $6.79 billion reached in the same period in 2008. "The stream of remittances from overseas Filipinos continued to show signs of strength despite lingering global economic fragilities, providing some basis for cautious optimism regarding steady remittance levels for 2009," BSP Governor Amando Tetangco said in a statement. The country's major sources of remittances for the 5-month period were the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Italy, and Germany. The BSP attributed the rise in remittance inflows to the steady demand for professional and skilled workers and the expanded access of OFWs and their beneficiaries to a wide range of financial products and services offered by banks and other financial institutions. Aside from this, it would be noted that May is traditionally a strong month for remittances, as this is the month when parents pay the tuition fees of their children and other beneficiaries. The government continues to give assurances that jobs overseas remain available to absorb Filipinos looking for employment. Aside from hiring agreements it signed with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, the government said it remains focused on job generation programs to help displaced workers find alternative jobs amid the economic downturn. Consumption

Local companies watch the pace of remittance growth for their own business and investment strategies. Fastfood giant Jollibee Foods Corp., for instance, has expressed concern that the slow rise in remittances for the past months may impact the company's sales this year. This has led Jollibee to forge a partnership with money transfer firm iRemit for a food remittance delivery service, allowing them to profit directly from remittances as OFWs will use their earnings to send meals to family members and beneficiaries in the Philippines. Real estate firms, however, remained confident that the slowing pace of remittances has not made much of an impact on their profits. Residential units have been one of the choice investment outlets of OFWs for the past years. "There's a very small impact, if any. [The slowdown in remittance growth] is compensated by the exchange rate," Subdivision and Housing Developers Inc. (SHDA) Chairman Eduardo Alunan told abs-cbnNEWS.com in an interview last month, not citing figures. SHDA is one of the country's largest organizations of property developers with 200 members, including real estate giants Ayala Land Inc., Robinsons Land Corp., Megaworld Corp., and Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc.

Philippines to witness solar eclipse on July 22

MANILA - The Philippines will witness a partial solar eclipse on July 22, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Thursday. The state weather bureau said the path of the moon's umbral shadow will begin in India and is expected to cross Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Central China, the Pacific Ocean, Ryukyu Island, Marshal Island and Kiribati. It said a partial eclipse will be witnessed in several parts of the Philippines including Metro Manila, Calayan Island, Laoag City, Tuguegarao City, Baguio City, Angeles City in Pampanga, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Lucena City, Naga City, Iloilo, Cebu, Zamboanga, Sulu, Davao and General Santos City. PAGASA said the eclipse will start in Metro Manila at exactly 8:33:01 a.m. The eclipse's full visibility will be seen at 9:43 a.m. and will end at 11:01:51 a.m. Other areas in the globe that will witness partial solar eclipse are those in eastern Asia and the Pacific Ocean. The weather bureau, meanwhile, cautioned spectators to avoid directly looking at the eclipse without safety eye devices. It said people can cover their eyes with X-ray films, sun glasses, smoked glass and photographic films and negatives. It said the safest method to view the eclipse is by indirect viewing "like projecting the image with a pinhole camera."

KC: No truth to sex video rumor

KC: No truth to sex video rumor

MANILA - Young actress KC Concepcion has finally broken her silence on the issue linking her to the sex video scandal. The star of the upcoming “Lovers in Paris” disputed speculations that she also has a sex video with Dr. Hayden Kho and that her mom, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, purportedly paid P20 million to make sure that it would not spread on the Internet. "Kung ano ang sinabi ni mom iyon ang totoo. Kung may statement din si dad (Sen. Francis Pangilinan) iyon na. Namatay na din iyon (sex video issue) and honestly there's nothing I can say right now," she told "SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon." Cuneta already debunked the rumors last week. "Kung totoo 'yon ay hindi ako makakaharap sa inyo (press) kasi I cannot lie. Wala talaga, there's no truth talaga.” Cuneta added: "Sabi parang binayaran ko, sabi ko 'ipakulong ko kaya muna siya bago ako maglabas ng 20 million.'" Talk is rife that Concepcion was unknowingly being videotaped by Kho while the two were having sex just like in the case of actresses Katrina Halili and Maricar Reyes. Concepcion was not the only celebrity whose name was dragged into the controversy. Earlier, Bea Alonzo laughed off a rumor linking her to Kho’s sex videos. Alonzo maintained that she was never introduced to the cosmetic surgeon.