Saturday, July 24, 2010

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Friday, July 23, 2010

Pops and Martin's son wins 2010 MYX VJ contest

MANILA, Philippines - The eldest son of Concert King and Queen Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez is one of the 3 newest VJs of the MYX music channel.

Robin Nievera, along with Julz Savard and Ton Vergel de Dios, was proclaimed the winner of this year's search for MYX VJ during the awarding ceremonies Wednesday night. With their victory, Nievera, Savard and De Dios will now be part of the music channel.

Special awards, meantime, were given to Mana Manalaysay (Garnier Fresh Face of the Night), Kirsten Rice (Charmee Girl of the Night), and De Dios (SM S3's Stylista Challenge Winner).

Twelve aspiring young jocks have competed their way to become part of the MYX family, but only 3 were chosen.

Passion

Born Roberto Martin Nievera, Nievera said in his previous interview that his passion for music and talking about anything made him decide to join the competition.

"I love talking. I love to talk besides making music kasi I like making people laugh. I like doing things with the camera," he told abs-cbnNEWS.com.

Aside from talking and making people laugh, he said being part of the search would help him promote his music. Nievera is the guitarist and vocalist of indie-rock band "Wagyu."

He also acknowledged his parents’ help in his quest to make a niche in the local music industry. He said they would always give him advice on how to talk to the camera and have fun on-cam.

"They are still helping me. Whatever I do, even if it's not music, they will help me. So, both my parents will be part of my life and supporting me with whatever I do. So, they are helping me now," he said.

Bare essentials: 7 must-haves this rainy season

MANILA, Philippines - Being in a typhoon-prone area, the country experiences devastation every year, usually from June to September.

During these times, it pays to be ready for a downpour whether you're at work or in school. Having your rainy day gear will not only prevent you from getting sick -- it will also keep you looking clean, dry and fabulous.

The umbrella is the top must-have this rainy season. Choose one with a funky design. Credit: www.fotosearch.com

Here are 7 must-haves this rainy season:

Umbrella

When buying an umbrella, choose one that can withstand strong winds and is big enough to keep you dry.

Also, consider your lifestyle and daily activities. If you often use public transport to go to work or school, it would be better to get a foldable umbrella that's small enough to fit in your bag. If you have a car, choose a bigger umbrella for better coverage.

You don't have to use an umbrella that looks drab. There are a lot of designs currently available in the market -- from the cute to the sophisticated. If selected properly, an umbrella can even improve your overall look.

Jacket or raincoat

A raincoat or a jacket will protect your clothes from getting wet and soiled, and will keep you warm as well.

Feel free to experiment with different styles, from the sporty to the glamorous ones. If you're not a fan of waterproof cover-ups, you can opt for the more fashionable trench coats, cardigans and blazers.

As much as possible, go for bright colors -- these will help keep your mood up amid the low, gloomy weather.

Boots or plastic shoes

Wearing the right pair of footwear can save you from the hassle of walking the streets with wet feet. It will also protect you from a number of rainy day diseases such as leptospirosis.

Leather shoes are a big "no" this season -- these will only be ruined by the rain.

If you usually walk in flood-prone areas such as the University Belt in Manila, get yourself a pair of rubber boots, as recommended by the Department of Health (DOH).

"Do not allow children to wade in floodwaters to avoid diseases such as leptospirosis. If you must, wear rubber boots," DOH said in its health advisory.

But if you want something more fashionable, try wearing jelly or plastic shoes that come in funky designs.

A sturdy bag

Arm yourself with a bag that has enough room for all your rainy day needs, so you don't have to worry about carrying too many things on your way to work or school.

Look for a bag that's waterproof, or bring an extra plastic bag for your wet umbrella or jacket.

And like all other items, make sure that your bag goes well with your daily outfits.

A pack of tissue

Clear yourself of dirt, sweat, mud and rain with a pack of tissue paper.

This can also be used to remove makeup, or to clean items that have been drenched in the rain such as books.

Alcohol or hand sanitizer

It's a must to wash your hands often to keep yourself from getting sick during the rainy season.

"Maintain personal hygiene. Always wash your hands before and after eating, and after using the toilet," DOH said.

But if there are no washrooms in sight, a bottle of alcohol or hand sanitizer will be handy in keeping you safe from rainy day diseases and infections.

There are plenty of alcohol and hand sanitizer variants available in the market today -- from the fruit-scented to the powder-scented ones. Choose one that suits your preference.

Moisturizer

Always carry some lip balm and lotion to keep your lips and skin moisturized during the cold, rainy weather.

Buy items in small packaging so you can bring them wherever you go.

Luis, Angel rekindle their romance?

MANILA, Philippines - Are former lovers Luis Manzano and Angel Locsin back together?

Last Sunday, Manzano admitted in Sunday talk show “The Buzz” that he would visit former sweetheart Locsin after the show for a "long overdue talk."

The 2 ended their relationship last year and Locsin had been linked to vocalist Chito Miranda and to CNN Hero of the Year Efren Penaflorida. Manzano reportedly continues to court the actress.

"Angel will always have a special place in my heart and I will always equate it to love," Manzano told Toni Gonzaga last Sunday. He, however, remained unsure on how long he'll wait for Locsin.

During the premiere of his latest film "Hating Kapatid," where he played the love interest of Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo, Manzano refused to divulge what he and Locsin talked about on Sunday night.

"Nakwento ko na ‘yon sa 'The Buzz,' iwan na natin doon. Kumabaga at least nasabi ko na ‘yon, kung ano man ang pagu-usapan, kung ano man ‘yon. Kung ano man mangyari, i-balato na lang sa amin ‘yon," he said.

"Before pa naman kami nag-usap maayos kami. So, siguro it was a good talk that we had," he told “SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon.”

Manzano, however, admitted that he was happy after the talk but stated "no comment" if there's a possibility of mending the relationship.

Jennifer Aniston launches perfume, changes name

LONDON - Jennifer Aniston launched her first fragrance on Wednesday with a last-minute switch to her own name.

Originally titled "Lolavie," which meant "laughing at life," the name of the perfume was abruptly changed to simply "Jennifer Aniston".

"It turned out as we were getting close to the launch, there was something out there that was very similar and it was just going to get very confusing in the marketplace," the 41-year-old former Friends star told Reuters Television at the perfume's launch at Harrod's department store.

"And at such a late hour, I didn't want to postpone the launch so the only thing we could really clear (in terms of rights to perfume titles) was my name."

News of Aniston's perfume and the name Lolavie became public in April. Asked by Women's Wear Daily magazine at the time as to why she chose that name, the actress said: "It's a long story and honestly it's too personal to tell, but it has a special significance."

The self-titled perfume marks Aniston's first venture into beauty products. She said it took her two years to come up with the right mixture of scents and smells.

"I knew what I didn't want to smell like that's for sure," Aniston said. "I brought in a hair serum, a candle, a lotion, a sort of combination of all these things."

The new perfume is a mixture of citrus, rose water, wild violets, amber and jasmine. Aniston wanted the perfume to evoke a natural scent from her love of warm temperatures growing up in California and family trips to Greece.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Old toys and trinkets get a new quirky look

MANILA, Philippines - There is hope for old toys and forgotten trinkets. Just give them a dash of pop art, a quirky look and a whole lot of love. The result: new stuff from old, new treasure from outdated junk.

This is exactly what craft-loving sisters Maan and Roma Agsalud of the online shop PopJunkLove did. They have made measuring tapes into ribbons, Lego bricks into jewelry, safety pins into earrings, signages into note pads, and Scrabble tiles into pillows.

"We believe using pop art as our inspiration is our way of recognizing the past and embracing the possibilities of today. For us, nothing is ever too old or outdated. It's just a matter of perception," said Maan. "It may be cliche but other people's junk is our very own treasure."

This concept is called 'upcycling,' a term coined by William McDonough and Michael Braungart who wrote the book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. "Instead of recycling, we want to think of upcycling materials--turning old and seemingly useless supplies into new materials with a different value and purpose," explained Maan. "It's a creative and fun way of being earth-friendly. By mixing the old and the new, we create something that's different, something quirky, something that will stand out from the rest."

PopJunkLove's products have become quite popular among the young people who like finding new stuff online.

Among their best sellers are toy accessories. "People may have outgrown playing with them but they will never go out of style. Lego and Scrabble pieces allow our buyers to relive their childhood days with a fashionable twist," said Maan.

Lego bricks made into rings. Credit: popjunklove.multiply.com

Also saleable are "switch" shirts which feature detachable pins one can use to spruce up the top any way you like. The pins can also be attached to jackets and blazers.

Tee couture feature detachable pins. Credit: popjunklove.multiply.com

Scrabble fanatics have been ecstatic over the Scrabble pillows. "It's a different kind of pillow that's not just for word-nerds. It's interactive because if you buy enough pillows, you can spell out different things. It's also personal as well because you can spell out your name," explained Maan. There are also Scrabble earrings.

Spell out your favorite word with Scrabble pillows sewn by PopJunkLove. Credit: popjunklove.multiply.com

Other quirky stuff that fly off the shelves are their have-not monsters -- "plushies that have been rejected by the Cuddly Society"--and go-green notebooks, which are made of used bond paper.

All the products are lovingly handmade by Maan and Roma. "By giving [customers] the satisfaction of owning a DIY item that's not readily available in the malls, we provide them something refreshingly different and delightfully new. This probably explains why people still support our products even if they're relatively more expensive than other mass-produced items. They know our products are one of a kind, made out of craft and a whole lot of love," said Maan.

PopJunkLove has no brick-and-mortar store yet, but they do participate in bazaars aside from doing brisk sales online. They currently have a booth at the 2nd Multiply Bazaar ongoing at the Rockwell Tent in Makati from July 9 to 11.

Is your child the next web sensation?

MANILA, Philippines – A leading mobile phone manufacturer has launched a video contest for children who has got what it takes to be the country’s next web sensation.

With Sony Ericsson’s Wonder Kidz, children can show off their talents in singing, dancing, playing sports, making art, or just being funny or fascinating.

Parents can capture their children’s amazing act on camera and upload the 30- to 60-second videos on the new Sony Ericsson Philippines Facebook page.

Each entry must be labeled with Vivaz Wonder Kidz and a video title. Contestants must provide a brief description of the video, along with the contestant’s full name, e-mail and contact numbers.

Contestants are encouraged to promote their videos through their various social networks to become the “most liked.”

The top 10 “most liked” entries will qualify as finalists for judging by a celebrity panel of judges.

The winning entry will receive the new Sony Ericsson Vivaz with HD video and a cash prize worth P50,000.

Entries will be accepted until August 31, 2010.

HD handsets

Vivaz and Vivaz Pro handsets offer touch video capture in HD quality. Vivaz comes with an 8.1-megapixel camera with continuous auto focus for video, 4x digital zoom, touch capture, video light, geo tagging and image stabilizer.

Meantime, Vivaz pro, with its full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, also features HD quality image and video capture through its 5.1-megapixel camera.

Both handsets offer WiFi capability, Facebook and Twitter applications, FM radio, 3D games and impressive music and media players.

Past videos are also allowed as long as the child is still 7 years of age at the time of the contest.

FIFA Flag Bearer

Wonder Kidz comes on the heels of the successful Sony Ericsson Search for the FIFA Flag Bearer, a video contest that brought the Philippines’ first flag bearer to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Twelve-year-old Megan Lo of Pangasinan carried the FIFA flag with children from across Asia in the England vs. Algeria match.

Visit the Sony Ericsson PH Facebook page for the Wonder Kidz contest’s full mechanics.

Sports foremost on Filipinos' Google search

MANILA, Philippines - Three different sports--tennis, football, and basketball--have been on Filipinos' minds this week as the three made it to the fastest rising news for the week of July 2 to 8, according to Google Zeitgeist.

Topmost is the recently concluded 2010 Wimbledon tennis tournament which was won by Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams in the men's and women's categories, respectively.

The World Cup also generated interest as the heat is on for the final match between Netherlands and Spain on Sunday, July 11.

And of course, basketball won't be left out as LeBron James, a free agent this summer, is being wooed by both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls to join their team. Derek Fisher, another free agent this summer, is negotiating with the Los Angeles Lakers for the next season.

In local news, the buzz about actor Leonardo DiCaprio's visit to Legazpi City in the Bicol region for an environmental promotion got many people excited on the web.

The discovery of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and his Cabinet of several irregularities left by the Arroyo administration, such as midnight deals, also registered as one of the fastest rising news for the week.

Newsmakers

Meanwhile, the fastest rising newsmakers list for the same period is headed by President Aquino who was sworn into office on June 30 at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is also on the list as options for a fight with Juan Manuel Marquez continue to surface.

James Yap, basketball star and husband of presidential sister and TV personality Kris Aquino, figured on the list too as he revealed his plan to save his marriage with Kris.

Vice President Jejomar Binay also became a fast rising newsmaker when he asked for an official office and residence.

Here's the complete list of the fastest-rising news for July 2 to 8:

1. Wimbledon
2. World Cup
3. NBA basketball star LeBron James
4. NBA Lakers - Derek Fisher
5. Legazpi City
6. Google – Google paid tribute to artist Frida Kahlo’s 103rd birthday by displaying a Google doodle of the artist’s 1940 self-portrait on their home page.
7. "Eclipse," the third installation of the "Twilight" saga
8. Aquino cabinet
9. World Wrestling Entertainment
10. Airbender

The fastest rising newsmakers for July 2 to 8 are:

1. Aquino III
2. Pacquiao
3. LeBron James
4. Michael Jackson
5. James Yap
6. Christina Aguilera
7. Rafael Nadal
8. Jejomar Binay
9. Venus Williams
10. Roger Federer

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Charice's rendition of national anthem hailed

MANILA, Philippines - International young singer Charice got thumbs up from singers Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez for singing the National Anthem the right way at the inauguration of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

“Charice’s version of the Philippine National Anthem was very nice. It was the original tempo,” said Velasquez as she and Alcasid were being escorted by marshals to the tent behind the makeshift stage at Quezon Memorial Circle, site of the inaugural street party of the new President, last Wednesday night.

“Okay ang pagkanta ni Charice ng Pambansang Awit,” added Alcasid, who co-wrote Noynoy’s inaugural song “Bagong Pilipinas” with progressive artist Noel Cabangon.

The National Historical Commission reportedly also gave a raving review to Pempengco’s rendition and for adhering to its lawful interpretation under the masterful guidance of Ryan Cayabyab.

Spirits high

Alcasid and Velasquez had a "marathon" concert Wednesday which began in the morning as they performed during the inauguration of Aquino at the Quirino Grandstand.

At dusk, the couple headed to the Quezon Memorial Circle to participate in the “Panalo sa Pagbabago” victory show organized by Aquino supporters.

Gary Valenciano, too, didn't show signs of fatigue as he sang for Aquino's inauguration and later shuttled to the Quezon City park.

Even the impending rain didn’t dampen their spirits and enthusiasm to participate in the new administration's pursuit of change.

The audience, who numbered in the thousands, didn’t mind the drizzle as they watched Gary V strut his stuff.

If the figures were an indication, Valenciano, in his call for reform through his songs, had cut across all sectors of society.

They all shouted for joy at Gary’s medley of pop and inspirational songs.

Coming as far as Laguna and Batangas in the south and Bulacan and Nueva Ecija in the north, people of all ages trooped to the venue to witness a well-meaning gig tagged as a street party in the history of a nation.

As one bystander observed, “all walks of life talaga ang mga tao dito sa Quezon Memorial Circle.”

It seemed the festive mood was a symbol of Filipinos’ emancipation from bondage and tyranny.

Stars from rival networks

Kris Aquino with sons Joshua and Baby James in tow came with sisters Ballsy and Viel. The sisters sat in front of the stage and braved the rain.

“Wow, kahit si Ms. Kris Aquino, kapiling ninyo sa gitna ng ulan,” announced Vhong Navarro which drew applause and cheers from spectators.

Mariel Rodriguez, in her opening spiel, said she was seeking the approval of Kris to have her photograph taken with Kris's brother P. Noy. Kris readily gave her approval.

It was a fiesta-like event with Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pokwang, Jovit Baldivino, Pooh, Kim Chiu, Rayver Cruz and many other stars providing entertainment.

It was also a time for the coming together of both Kapuso and Kapamilya celebrities who sang side by side. Jay-R, Nina, Jed Madela and Kyla took to the stage to represent “ASAP” and “Party Pilipinas” in the show.

Before the main concert, bands dished out songs to the delight of the young people in the crowd.

One of the most anticipated numbers in the concert was the solo number of P. Noy. Many stayed around for his arrival and performance on stage.

Earlier, spokesperson Jing Magsaysay refused to reveal what the President would sing.

Later on, one of the senior production staff of the show said P. Noy would sing “Got to Believe in Magic,” a song popularized by David Pomeranz.

In the end, however, P. Noy sang “Watch What Happens” by Michel Legrand.

As the public demanded another song, P. Noy called on other singers and he sang with them Freddie Aguilar's “Estudyante Blues”.

According to reports, P. Noy changed his mind about performing a number but had to sing just the same for the people.

Paris Hilton questioned by police after Cup match

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa – Hollywood socialite Paris Hilton was arrested after a World Cup match in South Africa on Friday but subsequently released without charge.

"Paris Hilton was questioned today by police in South Africa on allegations of smoking marijuana," a publicist for Hilton said. "However I can confirm that the incident was a complete misunderstanding ... The case has been dropped against Paris and no charges will be made."

Hilton was arrested after the Brazil-Netherlands World Cup quarter-final game. She arrived at a special court hearing in the South African city of Port Elizabeth looking tense and wearing a beige cardigan, boots and green trousers.

A prosecutor subsequently said that she was free to go. "The charges against her were dropped," he told the court.

The celebrity heiress arrived in South Africa on Thursday, according to her posts on Twitter.

Hilton, 29, the great-granddaughter of Hilton hotels founder Conrad Hilton, made world headlines in June 2007, when she was spent three weeks in a Los Angeles jail for violating her probation in an earlier reckless driving charge.

The wafer-thin blonde, who has worked as a model, singer, actress, fashion designer, reality TV star, has since adopted a lower public profile.

However she remains a staple on red carpets around the world for movie premieres, night-club openings, and as a celebrity endorser of products ranging from wine to clothing.

Lady Gaga heads for 10 million Facebook fan record

LOS ANGELES – Glam pop singer Lady Gaga is on the brink of becoming the first living person to have 10 million fans on a single social networking site, having already overtaken US President Barack Obama on Facebook, a British group that measures online popularity said on Friday.

Famecount.com said Lady Gaga is already the most popular living musician online, according to her following on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

On Friday, the provocative "Bad Romance" and "Paparazzi" singer had more than 9.9 million Facebook fans and 4.7 million Twitter followers.

The 24 year-old performer, who released her first album two years ago, overtook Obama last week. The US president has 9.4 million Facebook fans and 4.4 million Twitter followers.

"Any moment, Lady Gaga is set to become the first living person to achieve 10m (million) fans on Facebook or, indeed, on any single social network," Famecount.com said on its website.

But Lady Gaga faces some stiff competition before she achieves total dominance of the social networking world.

The late Michael Jackson has some 14 million Facebook fans, but the winner by a long margin is the online game "Texas Hold'em Poker" which has more than 20 million.

Famecount.com, based in southern England, aggregates online popularity worldwide across multiple social media channels.

Lady Gaga made her debut on the Forbes magazine 2010 Celebrity 100 power list for the first time this week, entering in 4th place with estimated earnings over the past 12 months of $62 million.