Sen. Joseph Victor 'JV' Ejercito Advocates The Modernization Of Our Railways And Infrastructure For A Better Mass Transport System

SEN. JV (for Joseph Victor) EJERCITO is personally concerned about the sad plight of the local film industry where most home grown movies flop at the theaters nowadays. “Siempre, dyan nagsimula ang aming ama (current Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada), diyan siya nakilala, kaya handa akong suportahan ang ating local film industry,” he says.

“I’m always willing na suportahan kung anuman ang mga hakbang na gagawin ng legislators nating nasa showbiz din, like Senate Pres. Tito Sotto at ang maraming members of congress na galing sa pag-aartista, led by Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos. Kung kailangang babaan ang buwis sa film producers at ang bayad ng mga tao sa sinehan, dapat, gawin natin yan para mapabalik ang moviegoers sa panonood ng sine. Sana, mabuhay muli ang industriya ng pelikula rito sa atin kasi nakakalungkot naman kung mawala ito gayong part ito ng ating kultura all these years.”

Sen. JV is glad with the recent approval of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law that he supported. “The UHC is one of the reasons I fought for the restoration of almost P16 billion funds for the health facilities enhancement program in the 2019 budget. It makes medical consultation and many basic laboratory tests affordable and accessible. Dito sa atin, bawal magkasakit dahil mahal ang gastos. Under the UHC Law, mas abot-kaya na ang pagpapagamot dahil kahati na ang gobyerno sa mga gastusin. Makakatulong din ito sa movie workers na hindi miembro ng MOWELFUND kaya importanteng magkaroon tayo ng health card.”

Sen. JV is so busy campaigning in various parts of the country and he is happy that people give him warm acceptance wherever he goes. One of his advocacies is to push for a more extensive use of trains in our country as our primary means of mass transportation.

“We need to develop and modernize our infrastructure for the Philippine National Railways,” he adds. “This will foster growth and progress in the provinces. Right now, we are in a crisis situation when it comes to our transportation system at infrastructure development at diyan tayo napag-iwanan nang husto ng mga katabi nating Asian countries with their now modernized railways systems.

"E, tayo, our population is growing steadily. 106 million na tayong mga Pinoy, at ang mga sasakyan, padami nang padami, so lalong nagsisisiksikan lalo rito sa Metro-Manila. Only train systems all over the country can be the best solution for our transport problems and I promise to devote all my attention to the approval of legislation on this once I get re-elected in the senate.”

Sen. JV will be 50 years old on December 26. He is married to Ma. Hyacinth Lotuaco and has two sons, Jose Emilio and Julio Jose. He started his career in public administration as mayor of San Juan in 1991 when he was only 32 years old. He then became a congressman before being elected into the senate, so you can say he’s really a seasoned public servant. He is currently vice chairman of the House Committee on Local Government.

Continue reading

politics

Sen. Nancy Binay Comes Up With A Book, 'Make Love Not War' With Senyora Angelica Santibanez, Her Number One Basher

Sen. Nancy Binay and her book, MAKE LOVE NOT WAR

SEN. NANCY BINAY has come up with a book, “Make Love, Not War”, published by ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. She has co-written it with her number one basher who’s known simply as Senyora. “Okay naman yung concept when they presented it to me,” she says. “So heto ngayon, libro na siya. Nagtulong kami ni Senyora Angelica Santibanez.”

Has she finally met Senyora? “No. We wrote our respective parts of the book separately, then ABS-CBN combined them at pinagsama sa isang libro. It was designed in a way na hindi kami kailangang magkita at all. I still have no idea at all kung sino siya.”

So, after this book, has Senyora stopped bashing her? “Hindi. Inookray pa rin niya ako. Pero okay lang.”

Doesn’t she feel hurt when she gets bashed? “No, kasi I know myself naman, so why should I be bothered at all? Ang laging pintas sa akin is my skin color. Maitim daw ako. May nago-offer, papuputiin ako. Ayoko nga, this is me. At kahit paputiin nila ako, iitim din uli ako agad kasi mahilig akong magpaaraw sa beach.”


Even on social media, they keep posting photos of her in unflattering shots while in the Senate. “Wala akong magagawa, prerogative nila yun. I am not conscious kasi na there are many cameras around me who might take candid shots of me in ugly poses. But okay lang, I’m just being myself.”

That shows she’s a good sport and is quite good natured. “Well, I’ve always believed na we cannot control what they say or write about me, but I can control how I will react to them. Yung iba, nade-depress agad kapag na-bash sa social media. Ako, I don’t let them affect me at all. I-stress ko lang ang sarili ko. It’s really how much you love yourself and I love myself enough para hindi ma-stress ang buhay ko.”

She’s writing a new book in time for her 46th birthday on May 12. “Dahil 46 na nga ako, it will have 46 tips on how to deal with bashers. My first rule is: ignore trolls and bots. Don’t even answer them back. Ni hindi mo nga kilala or alam kung sino yung sinasagot mo, e. So why bother at all? The title of my new book will be ‘Charcoal Confessions’ kasi tinatawag nila akong uling or charcoal.”

Will she give a copy of “Make Love Not War” to her warring siblings Jun and Abby who are up against each other as Makati Mayor? “Gusto ko talaga silang bigyan.” So who’ll she be supporting between the two? “Abangan nyo na lang kapag nag-start na ang campaign for local elections. Abangan nyo kung kanino ako sasama.”

Some memes attached a photo of her face to the body of Catriona Gray. How does she feel about it? “Entertaining. Tuwang-tuwa nga ako, e. Pinagkaabalahan pa nila.”

She’s running for re-election in May. In her six-year stay in the Senate, what’s her most memorable experiences so far? “Unang-una, there’s really truth to the saying that there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. The senate is a collegial body, so kahit anong differences nyo, you still all have to work together. Tapos, for the general populace, I realized ang main concern pa rin nila is about health issues. Araw-araw, ang dami-daming lumalapit asking for help for their various ailments. Dapat kasi, more than medicines, what we need is preventive changes for a healthier lifestyle.”

Her book is written with humor and is very amusing. Do you know she’s the mom of identical twins and she likes doing the laundry simply because “nakaka-relax maghiwalay ng ma de-color sa puti”? She feels sad that there’s so much negativity online when “social media was created to connect us with one another, pero ngayon, paggising mo pa lang sa umaga, ang ibubungad agad sa iyo ay kanegahan na agad.”

And that, folks, is really a very valid and relevant observation. Let’s now be nicer to one another, okay?

Continue reading

politics

Jinggoy Estrada Celebrates Birthday With The Press, Happy That The Masa Still Loves Him

JINGGOY ESTRADA hosted an advance birthday lunch for the press and his daughter Janella and Edu Manzano joined him. Jinggoy is running the senate in May, while Janella is aiming to be the next San Juan Mayor and Edu Manzano is running as congressman of the lone district of San Juan. He and his good friend Bong Revilla continue to get bashed but he says it’s best to ignore them.

“It’s understandable that they try to pull us down kasi mataas pa rin kami sa surveys ng senatoriables,” he says. “Pero ako, di ko na lang pinapatulan kasi hahaba pa yan. And I want to give them respect, that’s their own opinion. But although I think okay lang na magrespetuhan, sana naman, huwag yung below the belt at pinepersonal na.”

Continue reading

politics

Bong Revilla Plans To Do A Movie For The Annual Metro Filmfest And Another One With His Three Sons

BONG REVILLA hosted lunch for the movie press in celebration of the Chinese New Year. He’s running for the senate in the next election but he says he will continue to make movies and TV shows. He wants to join the next Metro-Manila Filmfest and he also plans to do a movie along with his three sons he did “Tres” last year.

“Acting ang first love ko and showbiz is really my bread and butter, dahil ito ang bumuhay at bumubuhay sa pamilya ko, not politics,” he says. “Kaya yung mga nambu-bully sa’kin hanggang ngayon, puede kong ipaliwanag sa korte na lahat ng kinita ko, galing sa mga pelikula at TV shows na ginawa ko. Ang public service, pambayad utang sa mga tagahanga ko na all these years, e hindi ako pinababayaan. Hanggang ngayon, nasa top 10 ako sa surveys at sa pag-ikot ko sa bansa, kahit saan ako magpunta, napakainit ng pagtanggap nila sa’kin. Sumisigaw sila ng ‘Bong, tuloy ang laban!’ Naluluha na lang ako sa tuwa.”

He’s been invited to public senatorial debates by different TV stations, but he refuses to join them. “Ang taong bayan na lang ang hahayaan kong humusga sa akin sa darating na halalan.”

Did he feel bad when Robin Padilla didn’t visit him at all while he was in detention for four and a half years? “No. Maaaring he’s too busy. At hindi ko naman siya inoobligang dalawin ako. He’s a friend and we respect him. Wala kaming issue.”

But his manager, Lolit Solis, is more vocal. “Ako, may tampo ako kay Robin. Kasi noong siya ang nakakulong sa Muntinlupa, lagi siyang dinadalaw ni Bong kasama ang nasirang Rudy Fernandez. Kahit puyat sa trabaho yung dalawa, dinadalhan pa siya ng pasalubong. Pero si Bong, kasamahan niya sa industriya, hindi man lang niya nagawang dalawin kahit minsan.”

Continue reading

politics

Lani Mercado Is The Perfect Example Of The Patient & Sacrificial Wife

LANI MERCADO is the perfect role model as the patient and supportive wife. Even her own husband, Bong Revilla, acknowledges this.

“Habang nasa Camp Crame ako for four years and a half, siya ang tumayong ina at ama ng aming tahanan,” says Bong. “Ibang klase siya. Nakita ko kung gaano niya ako kamahal dahil hindi niya ako iniwan sa lahat ng laban ko. Masasabi ko talagang hindi ako nagkamali na siya ang piliing maging asawa ko.”

 Despite the trials their family has faced, Lani remains so lovely, fresh and young looking. “Hindi biro ang pinagdaanan namin, talagang very stressful, but all throughout, hindi nawala ang pananalig ko sa Diyos na malalampasan namin lahat ng pagsubok,” she says. “Nang makalaya siya, sobra-sobra ang saya ko at pasasalamat sa Diyos. Parang nabunot ang sibat na nakatarak sa dibdib ko. Napulitika lang ang asawa ko after magdeklara siyang balak niyang tumakbo sa presidency.

"But God gives certain events in our lives for certain reasons. Pinatitibay lang siguro talaga kami as a family, kasi mas naging united kami, more than ever. I really told our children, we should give our total surrender sa Panginoon kasi we have no one to turn but God.

"Napakahirap pero nagpapasalamat akong nagawa kong itaguyod ang family namin habang wala si Bong. Now, I realize, more than ever, that the Lord is using to make us instruments in helping people, in touching their lives, especially the poor and the needy.”

This coming election, Lani will be busy campaigning for reelection as mayor of Bacoor. Their son Jolo will also for reelection as Cavite Vice Governor and their brother Strike Revilla as Bacoor representative. How about Bong? “Sana hindi na muna siya tatakbo. But sa surveys, laging number 7 or number 8 siya, so ibig sabihin naroon pa rin ang tiwala sa kanya ng mga tao.”

Continue reading

politics

Mother Lily Monteverde Hosts Lunch For Bong Revilla To Meet The Entertainment Press

MOTHER LILY MONTEVERDE and Manay Ichu Maceda hosted lunch at Gloria Maris for the first encounter of Sen. Bong Revilla with the entertainment press since he gained his freedom last month. With him is his wife, Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado. Bong was so touched as Mother Lily played the song “There’s No Place Like Home” on the piano as he entered the function room.

In her welcome speech for Bong, Mother Lily said: “From the bottom of my heart, I am welcoming home a dear friend who we have missed so much. We are all friends in welcoming him again in our arms, someone who was not with us for reasons beyond our control or explanation. Bong Revilla, you are our dear friend and we are happy that you are back. There is no greater treasure than appreciating the blessing of friendship that has been given to us.”

Continue reading

politics

Camille Villar, Daughter Of Sens. Manny & Cynthia Villar, Will Run As Representative In The Lone District Of Las Pinas

CAMILLE VILLAR, only daughter of Sens. Manny & Cynthia Villar, once forayed into showbiz as a co-host of Willie Revillame five years ago. “I learned so much from that experience,” she says. “Masaya siya but I didn’t really see myself being in showbusiness. I had to leave hosting because I have to do further studies abroad. But the experience helped me prepare for politics in the way I deal with people from all walks of life. And not just politics, but even in business, even in retail, knowing what people want.”

She’s now running in the 2019 election as representative of the lone district of Las Pinas. “I’m now 34 and I want to be of better service to the people of a place I really love. The love for Las Piñas has always been there, so it’s quite exciting to be given the opportunity serve there. My family has been in Las Piñas for many, many years and helping people from Las Piñas is something that’s not new to me.” Meanwhile, her mom, Sen. Cynthia is very passionate about the enactment into law of the Rice Tariffication Bill, of which she is the principal sponsore as chair of the Senate’s agriculture committee.

“Once the law is passed, the NFA will be buying palay from our local farmers to protect them from the influx of imported rice,” she says. “We will also help them reduce the production cost of locally-produced rice and stabilize rice prices throubh mechanization, better seed production, cheaper credit from the Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines, and various training programs for rice sufficiency.”

Continue reading

politics

Gen. Ronaldo 'Bato' De La Rosa Talks About His Advocacies If He'd Win A Senate Seat, First Of Which Is Reinstating Death Penalty For Drug Traffickers

GEN. RONALD ‘BATO’ de la Rosa had lunch with some showbiz writers and he was asked why he’s called Bato.

“I was born in Barangay Bato in Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur,” he says. “Then, dahil solid na solid ang katawan ko noon due to workouts, my colleagues called me Bato.”

He comes from very humble beginnings. Born on January 21, 1962, his dad is a tricycle driver and his mom is a market vendor. He first worked as a market porter and, later, bus conductor. He walks 8 kilometers to and from school without any “baon” and he’d get his lunch by doing his classmates’ school assignments. He’s serious in getting a good education and after going to the local high school, he got a public administration degree from the Mindanao State University then was accepted at the PMA where he graduated in 1986.

He then got his masters in public admin and doctorate in development admin from Southeastern Philippines University in Davao City. As a cop, he got more training in the USA and Australia. He became Davao City police chief and later worked with PNP HQ in Camp Crame. He was PNP chief for two years then became the director of the Bureau of Corrections before he filed his certificate of candidacy as senator. He is one of those who top surveys and he now gets his own share of bashers, but he has learned to ignore them.

“I don’t let them affect me because I have more admirers than bashers,” he says. “They want me to repackage myself but this is me, you have to take me for what I am.”

If ever his life would be filmed, he wants it to be an action-comedy. “Maaksiyon ang buhay ko dahil sa dami ng kriminal na nakalaban ako. Pero masayahin akong tao kaya dapat may comedy rin.”

If ever, he’d like Robin Padilla to portray him with Sharon Cuneta as his wife, Nancy Johnson Comandate to whom he's been married since 1989. They have three children. “But no apo yet. Ayaw pang mag-asawa ng mga anak ko, e.”

He enjoys going around the country in his motorcycle. “Mas enjoy ako kasi nakakaikot ako sa iba’t ibang probinsiya at nami-meet ko nang harapan ang mga tao,” he adds. “Gusto ko talagang magserbisyo sa bansa.”

What would be his advocacies as a senator? “First on my agenda is the restoration of the death penalty for drug traffickers. Yung mga nagbabaha ng drugs dito sa atin galing sa China. Sa ibang countries, takot sila kasi may death penalty. Dito, nakakulong lang sila and sometimes, they even operate while in prison. Then I want to return the training of cops sa PNP mismo. Kasi, paano mo sila madidisiplina if they’re not directly under you? Then I will push for the National ID as a deterrent to crime and for prepaid cellphones to be listed down kasi ginagamit sa krimen then you cannot even track them down. We need a law for that.”

What’s his take on cops complaining about how they’re portrayed in “Probinsyano”? “I can understand them kasi 2 percent lang naman ang rogue cops, pero bakit puro yun ang pinapakita nila? How about the accomplishments of the 98 percent na matino naman? Dapat yun ang ipakita nila, not just the negative.”
#showbizportal #bato #politics

Continue reading

politics

Pambansang Photobomber & Selfie King Bong Go Meets The Entertainment Press In A Private Tete-A-Tete

BONG GO got noticed because of his photos with Pres. Duterte and other world leaders that he earned such tags as Pambansang Photobomber and Selfie King. His full name is Christopher Lawrence Tesoro Go and he turned 44 last June 14. He has a management degree from La Salle. He’s been an assistant and personal aide of Duterte since 1998 in Davao.

When Duterte became president, he was appointed as Special Assistant to the President with the rank of secretary, a post which he had to give up now that he’s running for the senate. When he filed his candidacy, the president accompanied him in person, making folks say he’s a sure winner since he’s also a frontrunner in the surveys of senatoriables. Some people now call him Senator but he demurs, saying he’s more of a janitor since he used to be the president’s all around utility man and alalay since his days as mayor of Davao.

He had a tete-a-tete with selected entertainment writers and he says he’s a certified movie fan. “As a boy of around 6 or 7 in Davao, I’d watch the films of FPJ, Lito Lapid and Phillip Salvador in wooden movie houses na puede kang mag-smoke sa loob at jumingle sa floor,” he says. “Wala pang malls noon, e. Who would have thought na magiging katropa ko pala ngayon sina Ipe, Phillip and the daughter of FPJ, Grace Poe.”

Continue reading

politics

Gov. Imee Marcos On The Rumor That Her Cousin Alfred Romualdez' Marriage With Cristina Gonzales Is On The Rocks, Talks About How She Is As A Mother-in-Law & A Grandma

GOV. IMEE MARCOS will celebrate her birthday on November 12 and she started her celebration by hosting a special lunch for the entertainment press. Of course, she was immediately asked what she knows about the alleged marital troubles of her first cousin, Alfred Romualdez, with former actress Cristina “Kring Kring” Gonzales.

“I heard about it, too, but I don’t think it’s true,” she says. “Sabi, Kring Kring has a boyfriend and I will never believe that kasi napakabait niyang tao. She won’t do such a thing. I think gawa-gawa lang yan ng mga kalaban nila sa politics kasi it’s going to be election time again and Alfred is running anew for mayor. I think kumalat din yan kasi si Alfred, nawala for a while. I know he got sick after Yolanda and he went to the States para magpagamot, but that’s all. Ginawaan na ng istorya.”

Her second son, Michael, married Cara Manglapus in 2015 and she now has a 2-year old granddaughter, Mia. How is it to be a grandma? “I realize the upside of getting old pala is having an apo. Sobrang nakakatuwa si Mia. Ang ganda-ganda niya. She’s so like my mom. Recently, she had this fully beaded gold dress at kahit makati, she wore it at tiniis niya. Kaaliw talaga.”

How is she as a mother in law? “Cara, my daughter in law is great. Magaling siyang mag-make over so tinuturuan niya ko, kaya we get along fine.”

How’s her eldest son, Borgy Manotoc? Has he no regrets that he didn’t join showbiz then? “Hindi naman ako nakikialam sa kung anong gusto nilang gawin. He’s now into retail. Ayaw na niya to manage bars. My second son is a lawyer and the youngest one naman is a sports manager sa PBA. Iba-iba sila ng careers.”

Isn’t Borgy somehow envious that his younger brother now has a child of his own? “Ewan ko sa kanya. Sabi ko nga, matanda na siya. Sa bagay, uso naman sa family namin ang matatandang binata. My brother Bongbong, matanda na rin nang magpakasal. But I told Borgy, kung magkaka-baby siya, kailangan, kasing ganda ni Mia.”

Doesn’t she mind being tagged as a gay icon? “Not at all. I think it’s great, it’s flattering. Ever since naman, beki na ako. Ha ha ha! You know, we have a gay pageant in Ilocos called Ilocoslavakla at yung contestants, ginagaya ako, kinukuha pati mga damit ko. Nakakatawa. E, ang dami talagang beki ngayon. I noticed, sa SK na lang, 30 percent ng youth leaders now, mga beki, and the LGBT community is getting bigger and bigger.”

She’s running for the senate and she wants to help local showbiz by pushing for what she calls a creative industry. “It has to be a concerted effort for the whole showbiz industry, with the help of the government, gaya ng ginagawa nila sa Korea, Thailand and even Britain na full support talaga. Sa Korea nga, they even have a K-pop school to train their stars. That’s the only way we can compete globally.”

Continue reading

politics

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos Has Soft Spot For The Local Film Industry, Having Been ECP Director Before Who Produced 'Himala' & 'Oro Plata Mata'

ILOCOS NORTE GOV. Imee Marcos faced the entertainment press in preparation for her plan to run for the senate in the next elections. She was the director general of the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines or ECP in 1982, which produced such award-winning classics as Peque Gallaga’s “Oro Plata Mata” and the late Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala”. Showbiz reporters love Imee because she admits she’s a “babaeng bakla” even in the way she speaks which is sprinkled with the so-called swardspeak.

She’s really concerned with local showbiz and she feels sad that up to now, Dolphy and Nora Aunor have not yet been named as National Artist. She admits being biased to Ate Guy since ECP produced “Himala” and it was filmed in the sand dunes of Ilocos. This is also the reason why “Bagani” is near to her heart. “Kasi they shot in Ilocos. Proud na proud kaming mga Ilocano when we watch it and feeling namin, love letter yun to Ilocos,” she adds. “We asked ABS-CBN to leave their set na lang for Bagani sa sand dunes at pumayag naman sila, so may Bagani tour ngayon kami for the tourists. Teleserye capital kami ng Pilipinas. Pero yung ‘Ang Probinsyano’ napagod na ako sa panonood. Ang tagal na kasi.”

Imee is now a certified lola. She has a granddaughter, Mia, from her son Matthew Manotoc who’s married to the Cara Manglapus, the granddaughter of Raul Manglapus. How about her eldest son, former model Borgy? “He’s still single. May girlfriend pero wala pa yatang planong magpakasal. Ready na akong mag-stage mother noon when he got offers to join showbiz but ayaw niya kasi bulol siya mag-Tagalog. Sana pala, pinush ko na lang.”

Borgy was linked before to Georgina Wilson, who’s now married and has her own child. How about her? Has she found a new romance? “Wala. Matagal na akong walang lovelife. Member na nga ako ng samahan ng mga tigang,” she jokes.

Continue reading

politics

Jolo Revilla, Incumbent Cavite Vice Governor, Back On The Big Screen As A Drug Enforcement Agent In The Trilogy, 'Tres', Where He Stars In '72 Hours' Episode

 

JOLO REVILLA, who’s also the incumbent Cavite vice governor, says he really missed doing movies so much. “Na-miss ko talaga since my last movie was ‘Agimat and Enteng Kabisote’ in 2012 pa, where I did a guest role, so ang tagal na, kaya naman I’m really glad to be back in ‘Tres’, the trilogy movie namin ng mga kapatid kong sina Bryan and Luigi Revilla, produced by our family’s company, Imus Productions,” he says. “Naging part naman ako last year ng ‘Ang Probinsyano’, pero iba pa rin talaga ang pelikula.”

“Tres” has three different stories: “Virgo”, “72 Hours” and “Amats”, directed by Dondon Santos and Richard Somes. Jolo stars in “72 Hours” by Dondon. Unlike other movies now that are promoted in a presscon one or two weeks before its playdate, the publicity for this movie starts one month before it opens in theaters on October 3. The three Revilla brothers will have their own presscon each, then there will be a grand presscon on September 24, handled by Star Cinema that will distribute it.

“Yun ang gusto ng father nilang si Sen. Bong Revilla who wants all his sons to have his own presscon at para mas ma-promote ding mabuti ang pelikula,” says the film’s PR, Ethel Ramos. “Each brother will also have his own trailer for his own episode in the movie. It’s Sen. Bong’s idea to revive Imus Productions to revive the interest of local viewers in action films and to help the livelihood of the small people in the industry who lost their jobs nang mawala ang action films.”

Jolo’s episode is titled “72 Hours” because it happens in 72 hours. He plays a drug enforcement agent who teams up with a female cop, Rhian Ramos, to track down a vicious drug lord, played by Albert Martinez. Also in the cast are Tirso Cruz III as Jolo’s boss, Aaron Villaflor and Dominic Roque as Albert’s henchmen, Phillip Salvador in a special unbilled guest performance, and Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado as Jolo’s mom. “Ako mismo ang nakiusap ko sa mommy ko to appear with me at nag-yes naman siya agad,” he says.

Whose idea is it to come up with a trilogy and not just one full length film starring him and his brothers? “Concept ito ng dad ko. Marami nang horror trilogies but this time, para maiba naman, action trilogy. Viewers get the chance to watch three different action stories for the price of one. Hindi tinipid ang lahat ng episodes. You hear of some films now being filmed in 4 or 5 days. My episode was shot for 13 days, ang kay Brian, 9 days, at ang kay Luigi, 8 days, so bale a total of 30 days lahat sila. Nagpasabog kami ng mga kotse at helicopter at walang CGI special effects ang blastings kundi from scratch talaga lahat for authenticity.”

Making a cameo role in the film is his ex-GF Lovi Poe. “Ako mismo ang kumausap sa kanya and she approved it without thinking. Good friends naman kami, e.”

What about his other ex, Jodi Sta. Maria? Why didn’t he invite her also to be part of “72 Hours”? “We’re fine. All I can say is that I have the highest respects for her and her family. I will treasure everything that we had before.”

Any chance of reconciliation? “Ibalato nyo na lang sa’kin yun.” Some folks claim they’ve already reconciled. “No, no. I’m single, wala akong lovelife, which is fine as I’m busy with our movie and I will be campaigning for re-election as vice governor by next year.”
#ShowbizPortal #JoloRevilla #Tres

Continue reading

politics

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada Missed Showbiz While In Detention, Talks To The Press With Daughter, Vice Mayor Janella Estrada Who's Running For Mayor In 2019

SEN. JINGGOY ESTRADA and daughter Janella, current San Juan vice mayor, both confirmed that Sen. Jinggoy will run again for the senate while Janella will run as mayor in next year’s elections. The current mayor of San Juan is Guia Gomez, the mother of Sen. JV Ejercito who’s now on her last term and she has personally endorsed Janella to be her successor.

“I really want to thank her for endorsing my daughter,” says Sen. Jinggoy. “Malaking bagay yun and we’re grateful.”

“Nagpapasalamat talaga akong naging very supportive siya sa akin ever since maging councilor ako in 2013 when I was only 23,” says Janella. “After being a councilor, I won as vice mayor in 2016 and in those six years that I’ve been in office, I’ve realized that this is really my calling, to serve the people of San Juan. I have my own grandfather, father and uncle to follow as they’ve all served as San Juan mayor. Nakagisnan ko na ang paglilingkod nila and they served as good examples for me in serving our city.”

What’s her dad’s biggest advice to her? Sen. Jinggoy himself answers: “Gaya rin ng sinabi sa’kin ng dad ko when I first became vice mayor: huwag na huwag ko raw siyang ipapahiya sa mga kababayan namin sa San Juan. And I really did my best to serve our people. Ang maganda kay Janella, nakita ko ang kanyang dedication and determination to serve early on. Sincere siya in trying to help the people kasi umiikot talaga siya mga barangay to personally find out what they need.”

“When I started, people just refer to me as anak ni Jinggoy or apo ni Erap,” says Janella. “Andaming namba-bash sa’kin but I used them na lang as my inspiration to do better in my job. Inaral ko talaga lahat ng ordinances and resolutions sa council para hindi masabing wala akong alam.”

Continue reading

politics

Sen. JV Ejercito Definitely Running For Reelection To Push For His Passion Projects: The Modernization Of Our Railway System & Our Airports

SEN. JV (Joseph Victor) EJERCITO had lunch with some selected members of the press and we asked him about his mom, Mayor Guia Gomez of San Juan. “She’s okay now,” he says. “Nagkasakit siya, parang multiple sclerosis kasi nahihirapan siyang lumakad, pero okay na. Some people are convincing her to run for congress, but ayaw niya. She wants to retire from politics.”

He’s running for reelection next year and we heard his older brother, Jinggoy Estrada, will also run. “Honestly, mas maganda sana kung isa lang sa amin ang tatakbo so there will be better chances of winning, kaysa kung dalawa kami. Also, we represent the Filipino people, na more than 100 million na ngayon, not just our family. I believe we will meet as a family with our dad, who’s the patriarch, to be able to resolve this.”

He wants to run again so he can push for the infrastructure projects of the current administration. “Ako, I support Pres. Duterte because of his infrastructure projects. Napag-iwanan tayo ng ibang bansa kasi kulang tayo sa infrastructure. I will definitely push for the construction of the new railway system from Manila to La Union and also to Sorsogon. Sa ibang bansa, very effective ang trains for mass transport and we should also have that here. I’m also pushing for the modernization of our airports. I think we should develop Clark as an alternative and then we can build express trains servicing the passengers going to and from there. When that Xiamen plane skidded on our runway last weekend, I was one of those affected kasi stranded ako in Davao for two days after the Kadayawan Festival. We stayed in the lounge for 20 hours before we finally got a plane ride back to Manila.”

Sen. JV is a motorbike enthusiast and he goes around the country with other celebrities who have the same hobby, like Dingdong Dantes, Drew Arellano and Sam YG. “Dahil sa motor, narating ko na ang tip ng Luzon, north and south, and I was able to visit far flung places na hindi napupuntahan ng ibang public officials. I learn about their needs and how we in the government can help them.”

Among his legislative accomplishments are the Universal Access to Quality Teritary Education Act, the Unified Student Financial Assistance System Act, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Act, the Philippine Passport Law, the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 and many more. In the future, he will push for Universal Health Care, Barangay Health Workers Act, On Site In City and Near City Resettlement Program Act and many more.

Continue reading

politics

Meet Presidential Spokesperson Harry Lopez Roque Who's Very Showbiz & Wouldn't Mind To Be Part Of Coco Martin's 'Ang Probinsyano'

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON Harry Lopez Roque meets the entertainmnent press and the first question he gets is what is his reaction to PCOO Asst. Sec. Mocha Uson’s ridiculous ipepe-idede-pederalismo video she did with a blogger that she obviously thought would be a hit but turned out something most people found execrable and vulgar.

“I will not judge her kasi it’s the head of PCOO, Martin Andanar, who should make such decisions,” he says. “But I think she had the best of intentions, which is gusto niya talagang mapag-usapan ng mga tao ang tungkol sa pederalismo. Kaya lang, kapag siguro usaping pederalismo, dapat siguro mas seryoso ang treatment dahil ito po ay Saligang Batas, ang pinakamataas na batas sa ating bayan, so I will opt for a more sober approach. If you don’t agree with her, then don’t watch the video na lang.”

Harry Roque comes from a family pastors, teachers and lawyers. He majored in economic and political science at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1986, his bachelor of laws from UP in 1990 and his master of laws with merits from the London School of Economics in 1996. He was a law professor at UP for 15 years and he now misses teaching. Some of the notable cases he handled as a lawyer are the Maguindanao Massacre and the Jennifer Laude cases. In 2016, he became a congressman for Kabayan (Kabalikat ng Mamamayan) and he authored the Universal Health Care Bill. He was appointed by Pres. Duterte to be the presidential Spokesperson in October, 2017, along with being Presidential Adviser for Human Rights.

Continue reading

politics

Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade & Public Works Sec. Mark Villar Meet The Press To Explain Their Latest Projects In The Govt's Build Build Build Program

TRANSPORTATION Sec. Arthur Tugade, Public Works Sec. Mark Villar and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Director Vince Dizon met with the entertainment press and the first question they encountered is about the embarrassing Kayo ang Boss Ko toilets in PNR stations that went viral on the net, made without any partion and which the COA says cost about P295 million.

“We just want to make it clear na ang kalihim noon na si Mar Roxas ang nagpatayo niyan at tinawag nilang world class,” says Sec. Tugade. “Sabi ng mga tao noon, Wow! Pero nang makita namin, Ngek! pala. May mga kontratista raw yan na nung matanggap ang down payment, bigla na lang nawala, hindi tinapos. So, sa dating administrasyon ho yan, hindi po sa amin.”

Tugade is one of the most hardworking secretaries of the current administration. He is deadset on completing the LRT-1 extension project from Baclaran to Sucat and Cavite in 2021 which was delayed by right of way problems. With improvements he instituted, NAIA is now out of the list of the world’s worst airports and 8 local airports were awarded with on-time performance ratings. To further boost tourism in Bohol, the new airport in Panglao Island will soon open and we no longer have to land on Tagbilaran. A new Bicol International Airport is also being constructed in Daraga, Albay.

Continue reading

politics

Mayor Herbert Bautista Releases Biography, 'Bistek @ 50', In Time For His Being A Golden Boy, Reacts To Kris Aquino's Statement: 'This Is What You're Missing'

 

QC MAYOR HERBERT BAUTISTA turned 50 last month and he has now issued his own book in time for his being a golden boy, “Bistek @ 50, Life in Full Color, The Herbert Bautista Biography”. It has a foreword by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and an introduction by Bibeth Orteza.
It’s divided into three major sections. Kulay Buhay chronicles his childhood and his life with his family and as an ordinary student. Kulay Showbiz is about his life as an actor where he became known as Bistek and starred in hits like “Bagets” and “Puto”. Kulay Serbis is his life as a public servant from being a Sangguniang Kabataan official to councilor to vice mayor and mayor.

The book is full of heretofore unpublished photos showing Mayor Bistek in various stages of his life and is surely a very interesting read. But of course, he cannot escape from the press without being asked about his controversial relationship with Kris Aquino who just mentioned him again in the recent presscon of her upcoming movie, “I Love You, Hater”.

“We are dabarkads,” he says. “Not boyfriend-girlfriend, but we have a friendship na hindi namin maintindihan. I think our friendship is based on mutual respect. Yun ang anchor noon, respeto. We became close at a time na she’s at a low point. The term of her brother has just ended and then ABS-CBN didn’t renew her contract with them. It was a sad moment in her life and I was there to listen to her.”

How did he feel when Kris declared that she is ready to give up her career for him? “Siempre, nabigla ako kasi pinaghirapan niya yung career niya, but it’s flattering and I’m thankful sa sinabi niyang yun. It’s a good gesture on her part and I’ll do the same kung kinakailangan. Pero pagkatapos na ng term ko. Wala na akong igi-give up, e.”

He’s thankful for the times they’ve spent together. “Maraming salamat sa kanya dahil sa maikling panahon ng pagiging magkaibigan namin, she shared her life with me at marami kaming natutuhan mula sa isa’t isa. In some ways, she guided me, like in putting up my own social media team. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa sinasabi niyang she can now move on, okay lang sa’kin yun kasi both of us, we are moving on and I’m happy for her. Ang maganda, she was able to rise again on her own two feet at iginapang niya ang sarili niya para makabalik siya without the backing of anyone. Congratulations to her dahil may bagong movie siya. Good luck at sana, kumita.”

So what’s the status of their relationship? “Friends pa rin. It’s a special bond. We text each other. Although as of now, about one month na kaming walang communication kasi busy kami pareho.”

At the presscon of her movie, Kris removed her blaser to show off her slim figure then said, specifically addressing it to him: “Hashtag Mayor, this is what you are missing.” So what’s his reaction to that?

Mayor Herbert, with a naughty glint in his eye, then blurts out: “Iisa lang ang masasabi ko, hindi niya ako matitikman.” But he quickly took back his comment. “Joke. Huwag nyong isusulat yan. Nakakahiya. Biro lang. Ha ha ha!”

He’s on his last term as Quezon City Mayor. What is his plan for the next election? Is he really running for senator? “As of now, wala pa. I just want to leave my post na tapos na lahat ng projects ko rito. As of now, I have 14 new infrastructures constructed inside the Quezon City Hall compound, including new parking buildings. I want to leave a good legacy to the people of Quezon City. For any future plan, we have to wait muna for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President on July 23 at sa charter change.”

Continue reading

politics

Tacloban's Sangyaw Happyesta Festival A Big Success, Congrats To Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez For A Job Well Done!

WE just returned from Tacloban where we joined the Sangyaw Happyesta Festival and Parade of Lights and watched the concert of Sofia Romualdez at the Sangyawan Concert Grounds (not Balyuan as others reported) last Wednesday. It's all a very successful affair. Many local talents performed as front act for Sofia and the standouts are rap groups like Supremo, La Familia and Deadkey and Denial (who are both lawyers) with a retinue of home grown hiphop talents all rapping in Waray.

Sofia performed with so much confidence. She ruled the stage, singing and dancing with so much contagious energy from one end to another. She really tries to make a connection with the audience and even went down the stage to join the crowd below. The songs she did are “Thinkin’ of You”, “Radar”, “Rush”, “Ocean Views” and the only Tagalog number, “Pikit Mata”. All of them are her own composition.

She says she doesn’t really need an inspiration when she writes her songs. “Sometimes, it comes easy, natatapos agad. But there are songs that takes time before you can finish them. Usually, the melody comes first for me, then the lyrics follow. I intend to write more songs in Tagalog or Taglish para ma-appreciate din daw ng more masa listeners ang music ko.”

Continue reading

politics

Bong Revilla Hopeful That He Will Soon Be Freed After Almost Four Years Of Detention In Camp Crame

BONG REVILLA posted a touching message on his Facebook account and we’d like to quote it here: "Halos apat na taon o mahigit 1,300 days na akong nakapiit mula noong aking pagsuko sa Sandiganbayan noong 2014.

"Ilang birthday na nga ng aking mga mahal sa buhay at mga mahahalagang okasyon ang aking napalampas – mga mahahalagang oras na hindi na maibabalik – dahil sa aking kinalalagyan. Hanggang kailan pa kaya?

"I do not deserve to be incarcerated, gayunpaman, buo ang tiwala ko sa ating sistema kaya’t mula’t sapul ay sumailalim ako rito. Tulad ng ipinangako ko noon, patuloy kong hinaharap ang lahat ng mga paninira at kasinungalingan na ibinato nila sa akin.

"Matatag, buong tapang at buong pag-asa kong sinasalubong ang lahat ng pagsubok na dumarating, sa kabila ng napakahaba nang panahong lumipas na hanggang ngayon ay wala pa naman napapatunayan laban sa akin.

"This will never weaken my resolve to fight for the truth and what is right. I am steadfast in my commitment to our kababayans. Naniniwala pa rin ako sa hustisya. I trust that the truth will prevail and that I will be vindicated. Tiwala ako sa ating mga hukuman na tanging makapaglilinis sa aking pangalan. Kumpiyansa akong makakamit ko pa rin ang katarungan.

"Salamat sa lahat ng mga nagdarasal para sa akin. Please continue to pray for me. Tuloy lang po tayo sa panalangin at diringgin din ito.”

Bong and his wife, Mayor Lani Mercado of Bacoor, and their children, are all optimistic that justice will eventually prevail and they will be happily reunited as a family.

Continue reading

politics

Is Annabelle Rama The Manager Of Presidential Granddaughter Isabelle Duterte?

ANNABELLE RAMA wants to make it clear that she’s not the manager of presidential granddaughter Isabelle Duterte. “Noong una ako, pumayag akong i-manage siya at dinala ko kay Boss Vic ng Viva,” she says. “Bago siya pina-sign ng contract, I asked her kung may permiso siya ng father niya, si Paulo Duterte na vice mayor ng Davao. Wala raw. Pero sabi niya, no need daw kasi pinayagan na siya ng mama niya, si Lovely. But sabi ko, humingi ka muna ng permiso sa dad mo. Ama mo yun, e. Nang mag-usap kami uli, sabi niya ayaw raw, hindi siya pinayagan, mag-aral na lang daw siya muna. So binitawan ko, kasi kung ako man yun, ayoko ring mag-artista ang anak kong minor nang wala akong permiso. Respetuhan lang.”

What can she say now that the rift between father and daughter got worse, especially after Vice Mayor Paulo Duterte was vilified by his own daughter in social media for allegedly beating up her friend? “Ay, labas na ako diyan. That’s a problem between the two of them. Alam ko kung anong nangyari, but I’d rather keep quiet about it.”

Annabelle is busy today, Sunday, because of the baby shower for Sarah Lahbati, partner of her son Richard. Sarah is due to deliver their second child in May. Next Sunday, Annabelle will be busy again over the wedding of her niece, Geraldine Cubar, to Homer Dagdagan at Whitespace in Makati. Among the principal sponsors are Sen. Tito Sotto and wife Helen Gamboa, former VP Jojo Binay and wife Elenita Binay, Sen. Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee, Sec. Salvador Panelo and wife Araceli, Mother Lily Monteverde, Cong. Antonio Floirendo, and many more.

Veil sponsors are Ruffa and Raymond Gutierrez, cord sponsors are Richard gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati, candle sponsors are Elvis and Alexa Gutierrez, Junior Bridesmaids are Lorin and Venice Bektas, Ring and coin bearer is Zion Lahbati.

Continue reading

politics