Arnel Pineda - New Filipino Vocalist Of "Journey" Rocks The House In Ellen Degeneres Show

Looks like Charice Pempengco isn't the only Filipino artist making waves abroad. Arnel Pineda, new Filipino vocalist for "Journey" got a standing ovation in a recent guest performance on the Ellen Degeneres show.

Hand-picked by Journey's lead guitarist and founding member Neal Schon (he's also a former member of Santana) after he found clips of Pineda on YouTube in 2007. He told GQ magazine that during his search, he deliberately tried to avoid a Steve Perry clone but after seeing clips of Arnel Pineda online, “The hair stood up on my arms,” Schon says. “I got up off the computer and told my girlfriend, ‘No way—this guy sounds too good. I don’t believe it.’," was what he told GQ.

Here's Arnel Pineda's rendition of "Faithfully"

Renaldo Lapuz's Fifteen Minutes Of Fame In The 7th Season Finale Of American Idol

Renaldo Lapuz had a share of the spotlight last Wednesday when he was joined on stage with judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. Known as this year's William Hung, he got to sing his own song now internationally known - "I am your brother." With Simon Cowell giving him what comes really close to a compliment.

Miley Cyrus' Best Friend Is A Filpina. Anna Maria Perez de Tagle Speaks For Miley Cyrus

One of Miley Cyrus' close friend on her hit show "Hannah Montana" plays her bitter rival Ashley Dewitt. She's a Filipina named Anna Maria Perez de Tagle. Here's what she had to say on the whole mess Miley Cyrus is in right now via E! Online:

“Sometimes I’ll talk to her on the phone and she’ll be like, 'It’s really hard' or 'I’m really tired. I can’t do this,' ” Perez de Tagle said at last night’s Declare Yourself and American Eagle party for a new line of celebrity-designed “Vote” T-shirts at Palihouse in West Hollywood. “But I’ll always say, 'You do want to do this. You love your job.' And she’s like, 'Yeah.' ”

Perez de Tagle said Cyrus’ friends avoid talking to her about the Vanity Fair controversy. “It really hurt her inside,” she said. “She didn’t know that people would look at it like that.”

Even so, Perez de Tagle insists Cyrus is no different than most other teens: “When she’s not busy, we usually go shopping, go bowling—do normal girl stuff.”

Why I Detest Banks - 10 Killed In RCBC Massacre In Cabuyao Laguna

What happened in the robbery of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. branch in Cabuyao, Laguna just a few days ago was just appalling. Imagine killing 10 people by having them kneel and just shooting them on the head!

That is just absolutely gruesome and heartless. It now has the whole Philippines talking about what will happen next now this has begun?

• Will bank security tighten? Most likely.
• Will the police be more vigilant? I don't know about that.
• Will there be more killings? Definitely

Now that we see it can be done and that it has been done and that the police have no clue how to go about it since they are just as shocked as everybody else, then unfortunately there's no reason for it not to continue.

But that is very scary though

Deal or No Deal - Around the World Philippines With Kris Aquino And Howie Mandel

Now this should be something to watch. The Deal or No Deal - Around the World Philippines With Kris Aquino And Howie Mandel apparently had the American's singing praises to the local host - who I personally do not like at all.


Kris Aquino is flamboyant and sensational in a Paris Hilton I'm-rich-and-famous-while-you're-not sort of way. This makes her a pain in the neck for some middle class professionals akin to myself. But of course she is endeared by the masses for being the daughter of former Philippine president Corazon Aquino.

Howie Mandel apparently had to mention that the Philippine airport is named after her father, the slain Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. To this, the TV host-actress added, “Have you seen our money [P500 peso bill]? My dad’s picture is on it.”

Now that's ego! Let someone else pat your back Kris! Give us a break!


Host Howie Mandel and Endemol USA marveled at how the Filipina 26K girls strut carrying their briefcases and the party atmosphere created by the lively and enthusiastic Filipino audience that cheered and danced when briefcases containing low prizes were eliminated.


“Here in the Philippines, the people party!” exclaimed Mandel during the taping of the special episode held at the ABS-CBN studio last April 24.

via Inquirer.net

The New William Hung -- Filipino Ex Tricycle Driver, Renaldo Lapuz

If you saw the earlier episodes of American Idol, you would have seen him in his cape and feathered hat - Renaldo Lapuz has now been dubbed the next "William Hung." He sang to Simon Cowell during that audition, with the now famous - "You are my best friend."


I think it's pathetic and sort of embarrassing to be known as a goof ball but I guess he's making a lot of money now so no foul. It sure takes a lot to make money these days that's for sure.


He has done a commercial for AT&T as well, now if that isn't famous I don't know what is! Here is Renaldo Lapuz's AT&T commercial with his famous song "You are my best friend" all over again.



Although he was overaged (the age limit for contestants is 28), AI producers allowed Lapuz, in his feathered hat, quilted white suit and silver cape, to sing in front of the three judges. Producers obviously knew there was potential here for an offshoot success in the William Hung fashion anyway.

Prior to auditioning on AI, Lapuz worked as a janitor in a Wal-Mart store in Reno.

Lapuz elicited a back-handed compliment from judge Simon Cowell, who quipped: “I have a horrible feeling [that song] will be a hit record.”

There are various versions of his composition “We’re Brothers Forever” on the Net—techno, hip-hop, ballad, including a “politicians’ remix” that features former Presidents Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, as well as President Macapagal-Arroyo, in a video montage.

Lapuz’s official website is holding a contest for the best remixed version of the song.

Royal Vista Water Park a.k.a. Imelda Aroma In Catmon Cebu

Imelda Aroma. It's a beautiful quaint little water park in the municipality of Catmon just off to the North of Cebu. The water park looks like it occupies a small area because the one of the pools and half of the rooms are located on top of a mountain. The place isn't exactly the 5 star quality in my opinion, but it's a fun place with 3 different kinds of swimming pools that are apparently sourced from a spring, although it is still heavily chlorinated.

# The first pool is designed for kids. It's only about 2 and half feet deep and has 4 slides in the middle where kids can play. My daughter just swam here for hours and hours.

# The 2nd pool is called the "lazy river." It's a nice stretch of water that is located almost atop a mountain the water goes down through this really long slide that connects it to the 3rd pool. This slide is no less than 10 meters long, and to me that's pretty long. My daughter was pretty excited to go down in it so I went along. It didn't fare well for us though and I have the wounds to prove it.

# The last pool is much bigger and much deeper with the shallow side starting at 3 feet. My daughter had a hard time since she was just learning how to swim.

There are day-use rates at Php 100 for adults - be wary, 12 years old and up is considered an adult in this place, while children from 3-11 years of age cost only about Php 75. Children below 3 are free. It's a nice place to hang out with a group of friends, there are kiosks that you can rent at Php 500 and umbrella tables at Php 250

They also accommodate guests who want to stay overnight. We had a room that cost about Php 2,000 for 2 people. It can fit up to 5 people but you'd have to pay for the additional mattresses. This room also had a free plated breakfast. You can also enjoy videoke at Php 5 per song, if you into that and their canteen/ restaurant is open practically 24 hours.

Imelda Aroma is also called Royal Vista Water Park by the way, if you're searching for it on the internet. This water park isn't for those who want a luxurious vacation. It's more suited to budget travelers who want to save up for an adventure in the province.

via Associated Content

Online Info on Portofino Beach Resort

Because there's hardly any info on Portofino Beach Resort online, decided to add this article I found from Associated Content.

I've been to Portofino a number of times. It's a beach resort in Mactan island. Portofino Beach Resort has one of the cleanest white sand beaches I've seen anywhere in Cebu. Entrance fee is usually Php 100 for anyone who looks 12 years old and older. Kids are usually free. Depends on the time of day or day of the week, sometimes kids above 6 years old are charged half-price for entrance. That just goes to show how flexible the place is.

Anyway, as I said the beach is great. I can't say the same about the swimming pool since they charge you again if you want to take a dip there. It's not exactly that exciting their swimming pool.

The beach on the other hand is another story. It's very seldom that you see Portofino's beach area empty. There are always people who go there for the primary reason that it's very affordable - with an entrance fee of Php 100 per person, and you can bring in as much food as you want with no corkage fee! That is just the clincher for many Filipino patrons. You can just rent a kiosk, a tent or even a set of tables and chairs at very reasonable prices. You get to use them for the whole day. And if you're really cheap you can bring your own mat and set up a picnic in the sand.

They're also quite smart. They've set up this canteen where you can order grilled food which are plated meals at about Php 100 per order - including drinks and rice. That way you can always buy food and/ or drinks at their prices (a tad bid more expensive than if you bought it yourself).

Their rooms are also very nice. There are bungalows facing the beach - it hosts 2 rooms per bungalow. They're great at about Php 3,000 - 4,000 per night. Doesn't matter how many people sleep there as long as they've paid for the entrance, again the resort isn't as strict (or it wasn't when we stayed there). They also have rooms near the swimming pool but those never appealed to me.

All that aside, if you just want to have a good time in the beach at a reasonable budget - Portofino Beach Resort wouldn't be a bad choice.

Wimps Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual Withdraw Libel Suit Vs. Vulgar Columnist Lolit Solis

I think Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual are wimps for backing out of the 12 million peso libel suit they had going against and Pilipino Star Ngayon editor Veronica Samio and Lolit Solis, talent manager and entertainment columnist who called them gay in her October 2007 article.

She has been asked to retract many times in private as well as on national television and she has refused saying that what she said was true and that she saw what she saw. Now she has backed down from her statements and apologized to Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual

Here is her actual apology care of Inquirer.net

“There is no factual basis for my article, which came out on October 15, 2007. I am extremely sorry for dragging the names of Sam and Piolo,” said Solis in a retraction letter she signed early Wednesday evening in the sala of Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Jose Mendoza.

They could have won it you know. They could have won and bankrupt the Philippine Star! It would have been a slap to the rumor mongers! Wimps!

Heart Evangelista And Jericho Rosales Break-up On National Television

It was sad the way Heart Evangelista and ex-boyfriend Jericho Rosales broke up on national television just last week.

Jericho Rosales was interviewed by Boy Abunda on The Buzz while Heart Evangelista was on the GMA counterpart. Forgot the name of their show - sorry. Star Patrol?

Anyway it was just this big mess with both parties shedding tears. Heart claims there was a third party - the hottie co-stars of Jericho's new series, while Jericho claims he has no clue what she's talking about and how they even broke up. Rumors went around that their relationship didn't "click" and that they were bringing each other down. True enough, they weren't a love team - networks shouldn't have pushed their team-up on the public

What a mess really. Everyone breaks up and that should be a natural progression of relationships but to do it on national television is just crass. The television networks are just milking their popularity for all that their worth.

(image from Heartworld)

Yahoo Will Open An Office In The Philippines Come June 2008 - I Hope They Hire Me!

The Philippines must be booming if we're seeing companies with the likes of IBM and Yahoo setting up offices here. Apparently the opening of an office here is being accelerated and should be ready by June 2008

Yahoo! is now working on improving the Internet experience of a growing number of Filipino users here and abroad, he said. The Internet giant is working on deploying caching technology to improve the network traffic coming from local users. Currently, local users accessing content from Yahoo! are routed to the United States or Singapore, and back to the Philippines.

Yahoo! is still on a hiring mode, looking for people to fill technical, marketing and sales positions for the Philippine office. Yahoo! is also looking for some local creative skills to help enhance its Internet services.

Meanwhile, the company has recently signed up big advertising deals, including one with Procter & Gamble and a government agency. Yahoo! has also signed up more local content partners.

"The digital marketing industry is poised for growth in the Philippines. If we spend more effort, we can accelerate our traffic," the executive said.

via Inquirer.net

The Marian Rivera Vs. Angel Locsin Rivalry

The Marian Rivera and Angel Locsin rivalry is just tiring. They're both hot and everyone knows it. The television networks are just giving people a head-ache by putting them up side by side. After "Marimar" the remake of the Spanish telenovela, Marian Rivera is now doing "Dyesebel" the mermaid, which is making such a hype. I don't think it's that good. The story isn't original and its not something I haven't seen before.








GMA 7 is doing its best to compete against "Lobo" that's running on ABS-CBN. I used to watch that show religiously until all those crying scenes just bore me to death. The story is rather unique (although similar to "Blood and Chocolate"), it's not that bad anyway.

But they're both gorgeous so hope they'll just leave them be.