Tropical Depression's Papadom passes away

Reggae stalwart Dominic “Papadom” Gamboa has passed away.

Papadom was most known for bringing reggae music into prominence in the 90s through his band Tropical Depression, with songs like “Kapayapaan” and “Bilog na Naman ang Buwan.”

Tropical Depression was part of the “Alert Level” compilation which introduced them along with fellow Club Dredd acts Color It Red, Rizal Underground, and The Breed.

Prior to that Papadom had an extensive stint in the underground circuit as frontman of the second iteration of punk band Betrayed, and eventually the Skavengers (which had musical greats Chikoy Pura and Mally Paraguya among its members).

The cause of Papadom's death was complications due to kidney failure. He was undergoing dialysis when he collapsed, according to former Club Dredd owner Robbie Sunico.

Tomorrow, December 19 would have been his 48th birthday. He left behind his wife and two sons.

Other musicians have gone on to social media to pay their respects:

”Hanggang sa muli Papadom Gamboa, mahal na mahal kita ang aking guro nung nagsisimula pa lamang ako sa eksena.”  - Cookie Chua, Color It Red (via Facebook)

“Naalala ko nung may dala siyang ahas sa NU107 noon. RIP Papa Dom.” - Gelo Lagasca, the Lowtechs (via Facebook)

“Yes it's True....Papadom Gamboa passed away today.....  Rest in Peace kapatid..... kakabigla.” - Myra Ruaro, Brownbeat Allstars (via Facebook)

“R.I.P Papa Dom. hay [hassle].” - Zach Lucero, Imago (via Facebook)

“Heard on FB that Papadom of 'Tropical Depression' has passed away. Love and light!” - Jim Paredes (via Twitter)

Papadom's family has requested for two days of privacy. Details regarding his wake will be announced shortly.

Biyaheng Langit by Tropical Depression (YouTube video)

By Adrian Arcega | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom

KC Montero, Rhian Ramos call it quits

After almost two years, it’s over between Rhian Ramos and KC Montero.

According to a report published on Philippine Entertainment Portal on Wednesday, December 18, Rhian and KC had a “good breakup,” as the two remain friends.

Rhian said they still see each other regularly, and do not let their  breakup ruin the friendship they have long established.

“We're good enough as friends, and sometimes kasi even if you go through something difficult or as weird as a breakup, ang worth it talaga, yung person. You're gonna really keep the man in your life. That’s why I see him. I wanna keep him in my life, so that’s why we’re still okay,” Rhian said in the interview.

Without disclosing the reason of their split, Rhian revealed it was a mutual decision.

“I'm constantly seeing him right now, so it’s not a sawa problem. It’s just something that we decided together.”

Since there’s “no bad blood” between them, is she open to a possible reconciliation?

“I can’t tell the future. I’m just saying na parang we get along, he’s a good person. I don’t know, I don’t wanna close any doors.”

For now, Rhian wants to “fly solo” for awhile.

By Karen Valeza | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom

Karylle neither confirms nor denies marriage

Is she or is she not tying the knot with her boyfriend, Spongecola’s Yael Yuzon, in March?

Karylle neither confirmed nor denied the issue in an intimate interview for her renewed endorsement of  Fruitas’ The Mango  Farm recently.

All the “It’s Showtime” host said was, “I’m getting married on Thursday, Friday and last Saturday (as the title role in “Cinderella”). Doon muna ako ikakasal.  Kung ako magco-confirm, ako na ang magsusulat.”

Zsa Zsa Padilla’s eldest daughter would rather talk about her long-time advocacies for children as way of paying it forward after going through a “difficult childhood.”

“We can’t have a big party this year (for the children). Simple lang.  We are  gearing towards teaching children how to eat healthier. Next year, my plan is to talk to Maya Kitchen to help us  slowly change the diet of children. Your diet can be yummy but not boring.”

Karylle is delighted  Fruitas sent a cart of healthy fruit juices for the children who watched Cinderella.

“Pumunta sila sa bahay (in San Juan) before I went to Resorts World (venue of “Cindrellla”) para magbigay ng libreng juice.”

Her new business, which she put up in Shoppesville, San Juan, is turning out to be rewarding for Karylle.

“Ang dami nilang concepts. I didn’t appreciate mango as much as my balikbayan friends or lola would.  They would come looking for mangoes for dessert or fruit salad, mangoes for ulam. We had a barkada outing in Subic. Yung iba, kinayod up to the last piece.”

The Mango Farm, she adds, is different from her other business, Centertage, because people just drop by to check the cart.  Centerstage requires making last-minute room reservations, especially for Christmas.

Karyle will be spending Christmas with her dad, dentist Modesto Tatlonghari because her mom is in Las Vegas.

Next year, Karylle’s supposed wedding year, promises to be just as busy.

She will start the year right with her annual Three Kings Party for the orphans of White Cross, San Juan where Yael is free to do his share for the kids.

“By the time January comes along, everyone disappears. The children have separation anxiety.  So we fill up the pantry with stuff.”

Karylle is also releasing her album with a music video to go with it.

“You have to make sure your life is well-balanced: your health, your love life, etc.  You just can’t be successful in one area tapos napapabayaan ang iba.  That’s the secret to a healthy life.”

So, is Karylle tying the knot next year?

Read between the lines and you’ll get the answer, loud and clear.

By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom

Derek, Cristine remain friends after breakup

They are not meant to be lovers, but they’re certainly meant to be friends.  That’s what Derek thinks of his relationship with former girlfriend Cristine Reyes, who proved that she has moved on when she played a practical joke on the Kapatid actor.

One day, while on a break from a story conference, Cristine decided to switch to her playful self. She pretended to go out and buy food.

She  promptly returned to find Derek still busy with his spaghetti.  All of a sudden, Derek heard a strange squeaking sound right beside him. Before he knew it, Cristine had thrown what looked like a rat into his spaghetti (it was actually a  toy).

“Nagtatakbo ako. Napahiya ako sa lahat ng tao,” Derek recalls.

Turns out Cristine knew Derek has a phobia for rats.

Derek’s knee jerk was to lash out at Cristine.  But after the smoke finally cleared, he just learned to laugh it off.


“It only shows that our friendship is back to normal,” he told reporters on the set visit of his TV5 romance drama “For Love or Money.”

Besides, he has too many blessings to even think of getting angry or feeling bad.

Movie and TV roles cast him as the man beautiful women fight tooth and nail over  (remember “No Other Woman” with Anne Curtis and Cristine?).  Derek is Edward, the married man Alice Dixson’s character seduces in “For Love or Money.”

The roles are becoming a habit, Derek only hopes people will realize that it’s only make believe.  He’s only playing a character.

Don’t get him wrong.  Derek is not complaining.

“I’m a very happy man.”

He feels so blessed, he decided to share his good fortune to natives of  Palawan where he marked his birthday last December 7.

“May maliit na bahay na ginawa ang mga katutubo don para sa retired kong mga magulang. They want fresh air out of the city. Binigyan ko ng laruan ang mga bata. Yung  mga matatanda binigyan ko ng rosary. Nagpakain ako sa property namin.”

The act of kindness not only made the people he helped feel good, it also made Derek happy.

“Ang  sarap ng feeling when you see those kids with smiles on their faces at masasaya ang mga magulang nila.”

Derek doesn’t stop at admiring the smiles on the Palawenos’ faces. He’s thinking of spending more time with them.

“I’ve seen how happy my dad is with his Palawan project. In this industry, I don’t get to see them much of them. I’m entertaining the thought of doing something else. I am at a point in my life where I’m wondering  where my career will go, what the next chapter in my life will be.”

Derek’s fans need not panic. He just shot a new commercial endorsement and there’s his ongoing TV series with Alice Dixson and Ritz Azul to watch out for.

These should be enough to convince Derek to stay longer in the biz. If not, well, at least, the networks – and the companies who trust in him – tried.

By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom

Jason, Melai exchange amusing wedding vows

Jason Francisco and Melai Cantiveros exchanged their vows last December 9 at the Holy Cross Parish in General Santos City.

The couple, who first met at the “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB)” house, was happy to celebrate their special day with family and friends, including Melai’s “Banana Split” costar Ryan Bang, former PBB housemate Paul Jake Castillo and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

Jason and Melai uttered lines from popular songs like Pink’s “Just Give Me a Reason” and “Selena Gomez’s “Love You Like a Love Song” and sent guests laughing.

‘Willing victim’

Melai told Jason, “Right from the start you were a thief, you stole my heart, and I, your willing victim.”

The comedienne promised to be Jason’s best friend and to always love him no matter what happens.

“In this road that we will go through, everything is going through. Many humps, very rough curves and crossroads that we will experience, but no matter what obstacles it may be, at the end of the day, 7:30 p.m., it’s always you and me. I promise to be not just a lawful wife, but your best friend. I may not be able to be the best wife, but I will try my very best to be a best, not a beast mother like my mother to my father, char-char lang. I promise a lifetime of bliss and inner happiness. I love you and I will always will,” Melai said during their exchange of vows, which was aired in “Buzz ng Bayan” on Sunday, December 15.
Jason, on the other hand, told Melai he loves her “like a love song,” a line from Selena Gomez’s hit single. He added that he expects rough times along with happy ones. But he vowed to always be there for her and their future baby.

Jason's wedding vow

“Melissa, you know I love you like a love song baby. I really do. It’s the reason why we are here in church, to share it with our loved ones and our fans and our families. I, Jason Francisco, say this and proud as always that I love you always and soon to our baby that I will give all the best that I could to be a good father and husband to you and your family.  I love you with all of my heart. I love you more and more and more. I love you Melissa Cantiveros. God bless you and to our baby and let’s get loud.”

Jason told “Buzz ng Bayan”  that he composed the vow himself on their wedding day.

“Meron kasi tayong lines sa mga songs na favorite natin. Nakakatouch at very sweet.”

Why did she utter the line “Willing ako magpa-steal sa kanya” from Pink’s song?

“Naiyak ako sa vow. Pinipigilan ko lang kasi baka sabihin ang OA ko. Maganda yung delivery ko kasi sa kanta iyon ng “Just Give Me a Reason.” Nahirapan kami sa English, so dinaan na lang namin sa mga songs,” Melai replied.

The reception was held at Greenleaf Hotel, where Jason and Melai entertained guests with a  dance number. Bugoy Drilon sang “This I Promise You.” Nat Manilag designed the reception dress and suit of Melai and Jason, respectively.

“Mas excited kami sa baby. Kasi yung wedding parang for formality and blessing,” Jason said.

The couple plans to use the money guests gave them for their unborn child.

By Karen Valeza | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom

Christian proud of Rachelle Ann’s Miss Saigon role

Christian Bautista is proud of former girlfriend and fellow Kapuso Rachelle Ann Go, who will play Gigi in West End’s “Miss Saigon” next year.

“I’m very happy na nakuha niya yung role, and sad also na aalis siya. Pero as a friend, kaming lahat, kaming mga Champions (their former group in the noontime show ASAP), full support,” Christian said at the renewal of his contract with Ink All-You-Can on Tuesday, December 10.

Christian shared that if their schedule permits, he and fellow Champions plan to watch Rachelle in London. Rachelle, Christian and Mark Bautista are now with GMA, but they have maintained their friendship with Sarah Geronimo, Erik Santos, Jed Madela and Yeng Constantino who are ABS-CBN talents.

While Christian has performed in international shows and musicals, he feels that he is in no position to advise Rachelle about her “Miss Saigon” stint.


“Advice? Hindi ko alam kasi ngayon mas marami na siyang alam kaysa sa akin. Siya yung naka-meet kay Cameron (Mackintosh). I’m very happy that she’s gonna be there. She’s gonna learn so much. And when she comes back, wow, I would love to learn (from Rachelle).”

Still single

Although he doesn’t have a new relationship, there is no bad blood between Christian and former girlfriend Carla Dunareanu.

“Before we didn’t want to talk about it. But we’re friends. We’re happy.”

Meanwhile, Christian’s “Cinderella” co-star Karylle is rumored to be tying the knot early next year. He admitted that they haven’t talked about the issue yet, but if ever the rumor is true, Christian wishes her the best.

“I wish whatever next year brings will be filled with happiness. And we are here to support you.As a friend, tatanungin ko muna siya, kung totoo iyon, ano ang kakantahin.”

By Karen Valeza | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom