Monday, 24 March 2014

Zsa Zsa Padilla's New Love Architect Conrad Onglao A No Show At Karylle's Wedding

THOSE WHO expected to see Zsa Zsa Padilla’s new love, Architect Conrad Onglao, at the wedding of her daughter Karylle at the St. Antonio de Padua Church in Tagaytay last Saturday were disappointed as he didn’t accompany Zsa Zsa at all. Instead they saw her reunited with Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari, the dentist who she married when she was only 16 years old and is the dad of Karylle.

They haven’t been on speaking terms for many years but they walked together with Karylle in her march to the altar to meet groom Ysmael “Yael” Yuzon, Yael couldn’t help but cry as he watched his resplendent bride walking towards him.

Zsa Zsa’s new love is said to be separated from his legal wife, an interior designer, and has been linked to beauty queens before Zsa Zsa, who’s been widowed by the late ace comedian Dolphy for nearly two years now. A son of Dolphy was asked how their family feels about this development in Zsa Zsa’s lovelife and he said they all approve of it as Zsa Zsa certainly deserves her own happiness now that their father is gone.


Full Story @ Showbiz Portal

Candy Pangilinan's journey with her special child


Caring for a special child is no walk in the park, especially when you're a working mom. Ask Candy Pangilinan, whose son, Quentin Alvarado, 10,  was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) plus a “high-sensory integration problem.”

Candy's only child has a hard time focusing on just one thing and making heads and tails out of his thoughts, feelings and situations.

“Sabi sa akin (ng doctor) gumagawa siya ng sarili niyang mundo. Lahat ng  gulong, pinapaiikot niya. Kahit square, pinapaikot niya. Dati, ang gagawin niya, iuuntog ang ulo sa dingding at kakagatin ang sarili nya. Noong mas bata pa siya, matatalisod siya. Mahina ang motor skills e. At dahil hindi na-signal sa brain yung pain, kapag bumagsak siya at nakita kaming nagulat, doon siya magsasabi ng  ‘Ouch!” says Candy.

Surprise of her life

Signs pointed to autism – or so Candy herself thought as she answered a questionnaire from her doctor.  Other physicians agreed with her. So she got the surprise of her life when she returned to the only one who withheld judgment -- Dr. Francis Dimalanta. He ruled out autism in Quentin some six months ago.

Candy asked him if her estranged husband’s presence is needed to heal her son.  The doctor said no, all her son needs at this point is consistency.

When he rolls the ball, Candy tells him over and over that he must bounce it instead. When he cries his lungs out because she, or the therapist gives him instructions or a schedule to follow, Candy steels herself and ignores the boy.  

Tough love

“Natuto ako ng tough love,” she says on the set of “Beki Boxer,” where Candy plays lead star Alwyn Uytingco’s doting mom “Wala pang batang namatay sa iyak. Hinahayaan ko siyang umiyak hanggang mapaos. Kailangan matigas ka.  Ayaw kasi ng kagaya nila ang sistema, yung may structure.”

She developed her son’s speech, not just by talking to him.  She drills him on the right pronunciation of words, even if she’s out working on a teleserye or another project.

“Pasalamat ako sa gadgets kasi kahit out of the country ako, nakakausap ko siya araw-araw. Vini-video ko ang sarili ko at sinasabi sa kanya, “Good morning, Quentin!”

She plays the video over and over so her son will learn the right way to pronounce words.

“Naloloka nga ang nanay ko kasi ginagamit ko raw ang pag-aartista ko okay Quentin,” states Candy.

Paying off

But she doesn’t mind because her hard work is paying off. From using sign language,  her son has learned to talk – and talk and talk.

“When we go jogging, he asks me why we keep on running when we have our own car.  When I tell him I’m going to work, he asks me, ‘Are you going to cry? Are you going to laugh?’ If I say yes, he replies with ‘That’s good.”
Candy also reports that her son has learned how to make eye contact and has honed his social skills.

“May pag-asa because of therapy and consistency. Kailangan tutok at mahabang pasensiya.  Magastos din.”

Beki Boxer role

That’s why Candy doesn’t turn down offers, even if she’s playing a mother for the first time in “Beki Boxer.”  As an understanding mother of a gay boxer, Candy is the glue that keeps the family together.

In real life, the single mom doesn’t mind playing a mother for the first time because she needs work. Candy could use the money to pay for Quentin’s tuition in a regular school and  special education class.  She also hired an occupational therapist, a speech therapist and a shadow teacher for her son.

The enterprising mom put up  Qbags by Candy Pangilinan and set up shop at Wellworth Department Store along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.  Netizens can view the items on Facebook and Instagram.

Acting, of course, is always an option.  Fifteen years of acting experience has not kept Candy from auditioning in Dulaang UP.

“Gusto ko magkaroon ako ng role maliban sa best friend. Tingin ko naman nasuportahan ko na silang lahat (lead performers on TV and the movies).”

Tired of promises

Candy admits she’s tired of waiting for promises of a launching movie or TV project, to come true.

“Bumibilang na ng isang taon, wala pa.”
What she’s excited about is a book on her journey as the mom of a special child.  Candy is writing the book together with Quentin’s doctor, who thought about it in the first place.

“I started with pregnancy, then childbirth. Na-stress ba ang bata due to prolonged labor? Na-forcep ba siya? Nagkulang ba ang oxygen sa utak? Was it forced or induced labor? Hihimay-himayin ko yan.”

For fellow moms
Candy promises to answer questions of moms who are in the same boat. She’s already in the part where her son is age three or four.
Target release of the book is September or October and she’s already talking with possible publishers.

With Candy sharing her experience with fellow moms, expect a captive audience, relieved at finally having someone to unload their heavy burden to.

By Maridol RaƱoa-Bismark | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom


The brief life of Helena Belmonte, 28


When news broke out that model-socialite Helena Belmonte, 28, had fallen from the 28th floor of her condo unit at the Renaissance 1000 Tower in Meralco Avenue, Pasig, the public could not help but be curious about her. Certainly, her life seemed idyllic and her friends say she was a happy person who liked to travel and generally have fun, much like many young women her age.

On March 20, Belmonte's life ended when she plunged from her unit's veranda to the 7th floor of the condo.

Reports later revealed that she was the daughter of Lorraine Belmonte, the creative director of the Mega Publishing Group.

In fact, in a 2008 article written by Tim Yap in The Philippine Star, Belmonte was tagged as an "It Girl." Yap also revealed that Belmonte had already been in the spotlight ever since she was a little girl. Yap wrote, "My co-host Joey Mead (was recalling) her first ever Mega shoot and she had this little girl beside her as part of the shoot with the Wig Tysman. (That) little girl happens to be Helena Belmonte, (currently) the scene’s reigning 'It' chick."

Belmonte's boyfriend was identified as Marcel Crespo, the son of businessman and former congressman Mark Jimenez (who also goes by the name Mark Crespo). Earlier this year, the two were even featured in an article by Philippine Daily Inquirer lifestyle columnist Maurice Arcache. Crespo was with Belmonte right before she died. According to his testimony, he and another female friend had brought Belmonte home to her condo because she had too much to drink. They put her in bed and they left briefly, When they came back, Belmonte was no longer in bed. It turned out she had already fallen by then.


Belmonte's death has been ruled as a suicide. Her godmother, Sari Yap, editor-in-chief of Mega magazine, disclosed that the young model had been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. Yap said that Belmonte was under medication and that the alcohol she had may have countered the effects of the medicines, leading her to do the unthinkable. Yap said she hoped Belmonte's tragic death would help shed light on the plight of people with bipolar disorders and remove the stigma attached to mental ailments.


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