Indonesian actors feel at home in Manila

It may be their first time to set foot in the Philippines. But Indonesian actors Agung Saga and Marcelino Lefrandt, who are in town to promote their film, “The Witness”, already feels at home in the country.

“It doesn’t feel like I’m outside of my country... the culture is almost the same—the atmosphere, the people feel the same,” the two chorused.

Saga and Lefrandt, together with co-star Gwen Zamora appeared in GMA 7’s Eat Bulaga and Startalk on Saturday, March 17.

Saga plays Aris, a mysterious figure in the dreams of Zamora’s character, Angel. Dutch-Indonesian actor Lefrandt, on the other hand, is Detective Indra, an Indonesian member of the Interpol, in-charge of investigating the gruesome deaths of Angel’s relatives.

Lefrandt spoke highly of Gwen’s work ethic and dedication.

“She’s so amazing. She’s so adorable. [From] the first time we met, we blended. Then when I saw her work—wow—astonishing! I saw a scene which was very tiring and it was two or three in the morning and she was doing the stunts by herself. And I suggested that they give her a stunt double to replace her in the tiring and risky scenes, but they already asked her that and she just said ‘no, I want the feeling, I want the emotion there.’”

Saga, Lefrandt, Gwen and their director Muhammad Yusuf will grace the premiere night of “The Witness” on Monday, March 19 at Resorts World Cinema 4.

The movie opens in the Philippines on March 21 and in Indonesia on April 26.

By Jozza Palaganas | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

EnPress reveals how voting process went

The Entertainment Press Society’s (EnPress) awards night on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at the Teatrino, Greenhills is turning out to be a controversial one.

Broadcaster Jobert Sucaldito is questioning the non-nomination of Laguna governor E.R. Ejercito in the Best Actor category for the Metro Manila Flmfest entry “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story.”

EnPress, on the other hand, stands by its list of nominees and reveals how the voting went in the following official statement:

“For the past nine years since the group’s inception, the Entertainment Press Society (EnPress) has been giving out its movie awards known as EnPress Golden Screen Awards fairly and consistently.

“EnPress is proud of its winners’ circle, recognizing both mainstream and independent movies’ achievement without fear or favor and purely on its merits. All nominated movies are duly reviewed and screened and individually scored by the voting members of EnPress.

“For the 2012 Golden Screen Awards, 15 of the 24 regular members participated in the screening. All movies screened are given individual score sheet where members get to all possible categories. Scores range from one (1) or not satisfactory to ten (10) excellent and this will be tallied after all movies are screened and the process of screening officially closes.

“During the screening, individual votes are sacred and will not be known to the other screening members but to the Executive Committee Chairman only.

“There is no deliberation during this process of individual voting.

“With any/every category/individual achievement getting a score between 150 (everyone scoring 10) and 15 (everyone scoring 1), the EnPress Executive Committee peg a rating ceiling between 110 and 120 scores depending on the number of possible nominees. Only those reaching the ceiling scores can qualify for a nomination slot.

“The nominee list is then read by the Executive Committee Chairman for the Golden Screen in a special meeting of EnPress and is approved by the members collectively. The approved nominee list becomes final and official and to this, EnPress stands by its result.

“The EnPress is proud to award its set of winners this March 24, all nominees deserving to win by the high standard the Society has set from the start.

“In good faith, the EnPress is returning the one hundred thousand pesos sponsorship given by Laguna Governor ER Ejercito for the Golden Screen TV Awards last November (for which the society has fully compensated by media mileage given to the Governor and his MMFF 2011 movie Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story).”

By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

BB Gandanghari mum on sex change issue

BB Gandanghari is back in town. But although she revealed that she’s never been surer of herself and is a lot happier these days, BB remained mum about whether or not she underwent a sex change procedure in the US.

BB just turned her back when the press asked about the issue after her live interview on TV5’s “Paparazzi: Showbiz Exposed” on Saturday, March 17.

The US-based androgynous model wants people to take her for who she is. But she won’t lose sleep over people who don’t agree with the choices she makes.

“If you regard me as a man, that’s your thing. But as far as I‘m concerned, kung para sa `yo, kailangan ipakita ko pa sa `yo para irespeto ang pagkababae ko, problema mo na yan,” she stressed.

And since BB flew back to the country to stay here for three months in the hope of finding an acting job, preferably a teleserye, she says that she won’t mind doing a project with Carmina Villaroel.

Carmina married Rustom Padilla, BB’s name before she came out in the open about her sexual preference, in 1994. The marriage was annulled in 2002.

“I’m open to working with Carmina,”stated BB. “Mas maganda mag-usap muna kami. Ganon kami ni Carmina. We always take things out in private.”

BB has yet to see Carmina after all these years. “I want to see her first and take it from there,” she revealed.

What will her first sentence be upon seeing Carmina?

“Hi, I’m BB, I’ve heard so much about you,” BB replied.

Until then, BB can only guess what Carmina’s reaction will be. “I’m a polarizing person. Either you love or you hate me,” she admitted.

BB wants to say thank you to those who love her. But to those who don’t, BB says it’s okay. “I respect you. But you have to understand that everyone is unique.”

It is this uniqueness that she celebrates and wants to show to anyone who wants to know her more.

By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Maricel, househelp end differences

Maricel Soriano and her two househelp have finally settled their differences.

A statement released through the office of Viva Entertainment Group top executive Vic del Rosario and Shirley Kuan stated that Maricel and her former house help Camille Acojedo and May Cachuela have agreed that the incident that led to a complaint of physical and verbal abuse against the actress was a case of misunderstanding that led to emotional outbursts among the parties.

The statement added that each of the parties involved was able to discuss the issue peacefully and agreed to end their differences.

The settlement was made possible through the help of Mon Tulfo and ALE Partylist Rep. Catalina Bagasina.

It will be recalled that Acojedo and Cachuela went to Tulfo’s program “Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo” in June 2011 and accused Maricel of threatening them physically and verbally in her condo unit. The last straw came when Maricel allegedly kicked Cachuela and threatened to shoot her.

By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Iya: No to anything with sexual connotations

Twenty-five year old TV host-actress Iya Villania showed a more daring persona on the pages of Uno magazine and as a Tanduay Calendar Girl last 2011.

So will her fans see more of her in "lesser outfits" anytime soon?

The answer is no.

According to Iya, she doesn't like endorsing products with sexual connotations like condoms. It is also the same principle she follows in deciding which magazine to be a cover of. She said that she could do a sexy cover for a magazine as long as it doesn't carry sexual content.

Her responsibility as a public figure or a celebrity is not just shown in the magazine covers she would and wouldn't do but in the products she endorses.

"I endorse an alcoholic drink but if you're a responsible citizen or a responsible individual you'll drink moderately and not use that as an excuse for whatever wrong-doing you make," explained Iya.

Healthy lifestyle

Iya's healthy lifestyle keeps her from going overboard when it comes to "drinks." In fact, she wants to promote a healthy lifestyle in her showbiz career. Iya handles a fitness segment in the daily morning show "Umagang Kay Ganda", where viewers can follow her dance steps or even exercise routines.

"Exercising is a good way to start your day because your body releases endorphins or the happy hormones. I like working out with our viewers every morning," remarked Iya who was recently launched as one of the new faces of Bioessence Spa and Skin Care Clinic.

She added that she was chosen as endorser because she frequents spas as a means of pampering herself after working so hard.

Iya's more defined physique is also visible on television whenever she dances or teaches exercises. She attributes her slimmer body to her healthy regimen.

"Pinaghihirapan ko yan. I run. I work out. It's part of my interval training. Right after 'UKG' I work out. I normally work out once in the day not unless sobrang light lang yung work out that I can do something else.
Timing lang namin ni Drew na kung mag-work out sasabay na ako. Or siya ang sasabay sa akin," explained Iya.

A fit life, showing off her sexier side, hosting and acting are just some of the many aspects of her showbiz career that Iya's discovering and exploring. She said that this is part of her growth as a person and the reasons she and her beau of eight years, DrewArellano, are not yet getting married.

"Ako yung mas bata and ako ang mas marami pang pagdaanan in life, discover and experience sa life ko. Drew knows what he wants in life and who he is. He knows kung ano hanap niya. While I need to discover and know more about myself," comments Iya.

Going strong with Drew

Drew's understanding and support is a key factor in their long and happy relationship.

"It's him being patient with me and understanding me and allowing me to grow and blossom into whatever God wants me to be. That's another reason why I'm happy in this relationship is because Drew and I can enjoy our love life without it restricting me," she said.

Iya further expressed, "He allows me to grow, make my own decisions even if it means para sa kanya making the wrong decision to learn more about myself. So be it. He allows me to become my own person."

By Walden Martinez Belen | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom