AJ Raval now single; says she s open to fall in love with co-star
Actress AJ Raval revealed that she is now single after she and boyfriend Axel Torres broke up. .....»»
Sky Garden’s Ryu, Hiro and Iwa break into music SCENE
There are now two full-blooded Japanese young men bidding for adulation from the multitude of Pinoys as members of a band signed up recently by AltG, a sub-unit of GMA Music. The boyband is known as Sky Garden. The two are Hiro and Iwa, who have been living here for more than a year now upon the invitation of the band’s founder Ryu (pronounced as Rio), who is a Pinoy-Japanese brought up in Japan, finished college there and worked for a few years at Toyota in Japan. Ryu’s mother is from Isabela. When the pandemic unsettled the world, he decided to move to the Philippines where he easily landed a work-from-home job. He also landed a scholarship for a one-year course at the Ateneo de Manila University. Ryu, Hiro and Iwa (for easier recall they use their very short nicknames as their showbiz names) are very close friends from Nagoya, Japan. They have another friend -- but he took his own life sometime after he lost his job due to the economic constraints and contractions brought by the pandemic virus. Ryu was already in the Philippines when he learned about the tragedy. As casually and as briefly as he could at the launch of Sky Garden in Quezon City, Ryu revealed that he got very worried Hiro might fall into depression, too, since the latter eventually lost his job, too, and so did Iwa. Ryu convinced Hiro and Iwa to join him in the Philippines and he would take care of them until the pandemic subsides, and new jobs and financial opportunities open in the Land of the Rising Sun. To make it easy for the two guys to come to the Philippines, Ryu told them he would buy plane tickets for them. The boyish Ryu, who seems to be a well-disciplined young man who graduated cum laude in college, soon managed to raise money for the plane fares. Happily, their parents were willing to support them for a few months in the Philippines, hoping they’ll find their financial bearings on a short stretch of time. They got here just early last year. Ryu admitted that his parents, too, we’re partially supporting him which is why he is able to rent a pad in Metro Manila where all three of them stay together. Getting ‘Filipinized’ Hiro and Iwa have college degrees, too, which equipped them with enough English vocabulary to get by in the Philippines. They also find it easy to pick up a foreign language, such as Tagalog. Warm and extroverted, they do not hesitate to break into a conversation with anyone in a mixture of Tagalog and English. Or it could be that Ryu is a very good language teacher. Hiro and Iwa have picked more than enough Tagalog words to enable them to do hilarious contents for their vlog of jokes and how-tos. The two had been vlogging individually in Japan but were easily persuaded by the voluble Ryu into forming themselves into a trio of clownish characters who can also sing and dance and act and do covers of K-pop, P-pop and Japanese pop, of course. Iwa and Hiro even ventured into the streets singing to passers-by with Hiro strumming his guitar. They once found their way in Murphy in Cubao, Quezon City, sang to some kids hanging out on the street one of whom happened to be celebrating his birthday. Iwa offered to buy a cake for the boy on condition that he would take them home to their parents, and let them eat with the family -- including partaking of food that Iwa himself would buy ingredients for and cook in the family pans and stove. “Iwa has very passable cooking skills,” blurted Ryu at the presscon. The middle-class family accepted them. They ate, danced, sang and caroused with the family, including the middle-aged father of the birthday boy. Sky Garden has amassed 17 million views in less than a year for their vlogs, one of which was a gag about “first circumcision.” They also have a series of gags comparing Japanese antics with those of the Pinoys. They are at home playing an assortment of Japanese and Pinoy characters in a variety of situations. Even their covers of hit pops are well-followed to the tune of hundred thousands of views. At the presscon, they easily broke into snippets of the Voltes 5 theme and SB19’s “Gento.” They are completely un-shy in sharing themselves to the people. They seem serious at becoming “Filipinized” Japanese. Jap-Pinoy talent on the rise Their success at entertaining themselves and people prompted Ryu to offer Sky Garden to GMA Music to become a talent group of the company. He sent them email offers since he had figures to show from the video-sharing apps. He also sent the company videos of the three of them performing rock compositions of Hiro with Tagalog lyrics mainly put together by Ryu whose mastery of Tagalog is amazing. He could really pass for a Pinoy who just happens to look like a Japanese. “I’ve been vacationing in the Philippines every school break since my childhood years.That’s how I slowly grew a tongue for Tagalog with no Japanese twang,” confided Ryu. The boys were signed up by AltG just last July, although long before that they have acted as guests in the Vic Sotto-Maine Mendoza sitcom on GMA 7, Papa’s Gurl, and on Family Feud. They’ve also found a manager, Ruby Gomez, who has been a talent supplier for the Kapuso network and for ABS-CBN for some years. Their first single, “Kokoa,” was launched in all the video-sharing apps on 1 September. The boys have vlogged that the song ranked 10th on iTunes 100 on the day it premiered. They’re praying that when the music video for Kokoa is launched on 8 September, it will do well, too. The forthcoming music video may show in fleeting seconds the well-toned upper torso of Ryu and Hiro who do gym workouts. Their chest and abs may peek from unstrapped kimonos which the boys love to wear to signal to people their being Japanese. Iwa has gone a little chubby although pics of them on their FB and Instagram accounts show that Iwa looked the handsomest of them when he had less poundage. AltG will surely find exposure for Sky Garden in their weekly musical-variety All Out Sunday and in the network’s new talent competition shows one of which is hosted by the network’s hottest star for some time now, Dingdong Dantes. We recently intoned in this corner that a wave of Jap-Pinoy talents is upon the entertainment industry. The Sky Garden is one more manifestation of that wave. Sky and garden are iconic images in classic Japanese paintings. Those are images in our subconsciousness over centuries. Ryu, Hiro and Iwa surely know how to connect to the world at large. The post Sky Garden’s Ryu, Hiro and Iwa break into music SCENE appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Feel like royalty at Tivoli’s Royal Lounge
When you’re starving, you want to wolf down on great food. You crave the familiar, the basic but lip-smacking delicious. You naturally pick your comfort food and wish to be satisfied, happy and full. [caption id="attachment_156739" align="aligncenter" width="525"] country burger.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_156741" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Pot roast beef braised in red wine.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_156742" align="aligncenter" width="525"] BBQ Pork Ribs.[/caption] That’s the idea behind the Royal Lounge, Tivoli Royale Country Club’s banner restaurant located on Yakal Street, Tivoli Royale Subdivision, Quezon City. It understands the concept of great food in a way that it does not need to impress. It just wants to make you happy. The al fresco poolside restaurant is unpretentious. Right next to a glistening turquoise pool, aesthetically pleasant dining tables and chairs are invitingly open to the hungry, or to big families with little kids, or to corporate yuppies for a hearty lunch meeting. The atmosphere at Royal Lounge is chill and friendly. The menu consists of familiar Filipino favorites but upgraded to an edgy hotel experience. Their chicken pork adobo, for example, has boiled egg and pickled papaya. They have pancit canton, beef nilaga, sinigang na sampaloc (pork or salmon, your choice) and even beef and ox tripe kare-kare. Their free-range chicken inasal with java rice is finger-licking good. At P580, it can serve up to three people. This popular Visayan dish of marinated chicken grilled over hot coals is mouthwatering, perfect for lunch after a dip in the pool. For shrimp enthusiasts, I highly recommend the Po’Boy — Louisiana-inspired crispy chunks of deep-fried freshwater shrimp sandwiched between Pistolet buns (all their yummy bread is baked in-house!), but made even more deliriously good with the Cajun spice blend, topped with pickle relish and remoulade sauce. Sous chef Jomhar Marcial’s Nasi Goreng is perhaps the ultimate breakfast meal. Inspired by Indonesia’s national dish, the rich and flavorful fried rice is cooked in a wok and served like a surprise underneath a perfectly concocted omelet and served with a side of chicken satay. Just opened a little over a year ago, the restaurant revamped its menu. Since then it has become quite popular not only among the country club members, but a favorite venue for social and corporate events for its pleasant and spacious area — and the scrumptious food. Thanks to executive chef Emmanuel “Jonnel” Roxas who specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and backed by experience in both hotel dining (the Sheraton Manila Bay, Pan Pacific Hotel Manila) and casual American dining (TGI Friday’s), the restaurant experience at Royal Lounge has elevated ever since his arrival. Chef Jonnel shared that he is collaborative, allowing his chefs in the kitchen to be creative and imaginative in putting their signature twist to already well-known dishes. But chef Jonnel says that he still makes sure that the food served to the members and guests is still familiar, because familiarity brings comfort. “Siyempre po, sa country club, normally, the families would want to have a place where they can relax and unwind, to bond,” he said. “Yung tema kasi dito is: ‘I want to eat something I can eat, and my family can eat’. The concept is familiarity.” “The guests are not going to spend a lot of time thinking what to eat, so they will get a burger, club sandwich, pizza — the familiar, humble and simple everyday favorites,” he further explained. But chef Jonnel’s creativity in these “simple” dishes is notable. His European taste, for example, is evident in his pot roast beef, braised in red wine sauce, as if you are tasting Julia Child’s recipe of Beef Bourguignon — designed for family dining. It is a savory delight, the beef melts in the mouth and you are suddenly transported to east-central France, in Burgundy. For young kids, the menu does not disappoint with a wide selection of meals that will keep them coming back: beef and bacon sliders, cheesy macaroni, mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders and fries, spaghetti and a lot more. The country club burger, meanwhile, is a sight to behold. Towering and crammed with cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, bacon and a fat, juicy patty in the center of it all, which is so thick it’s like meatloaf. I had to break it down just so I can fit every single layer in my mouth. The BBQ pork ribs with a side of corn is another memorable experience — fall-off-the-bone tender. But what truly made an impact on me was the new experience: Chef Jonnel’s Tapa Don Galo, a recipe close to his heart as he grew up in the coastal town of Don Galo in Paranaque, where tapas are the specialty. One spoonful of the Tapa Don Galo is like eating the complete tapsilog experience with fried garlic sprinkled on top. It is heavenly. It comes with four kinds of dipping sauces: banana ketchup, white vinegar, chopped chili and rock salt. Mix, match, ignore, you can customize your dipping sauce. But, personally, the tapa alone is a winner. Believe me, you will dream about it for days. If you are on the hunt for afive-star hotel dining experience of your all-time favorites and more, the Royal Lounge is the ideal place. Sure, you can get a burger anywhere, or a gising-gising, or a country-fried chicken, but what the Royal Lounge does is that it adds a magic sprinkle of specialness to every dish, making it still comfortable but deliciously unique. The post Feel like royalty at Tivoli’s Royal Lounge appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Masaya : Korean star Seo In Guk, Francine Diaz release collab single, MV
Actress Francine Diaz said that she had fun shooting the music video (MV) for her and Korean star Seo In-guk's collaboration single "My Love." .....»»
Confirmed! Francine Diaz, Seo In-guk maglalabas ng collaboration song
IT’S CONFIRMED! Ang Korean star na si Seo In-guk ang makaka-collaborate ng Kapamilya young star na si Francine Diaz sa upcoming single niya. Kaya naman pala “my love” ang tawag ni Francine kay In-guk sa previous social media post ay dahil ito ang title ng kanilang collaboration song. Magugunita na noong nakaraang linggo lamang nang maging usap-usapan.....»»
Let’s fall in love : Vilma Santos on cloud nine after When I Met You In Tokyo makes MMFF 2023 list
"Star for All Season" Vilma Santos is on cloud nine after her reunion movie with Christopher de Leon "When I Met You In Tokyo" was included in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival......»»
Linking Fatima-Mediatrix to Russia-Ukraine
(Author’s Note: The Marian messages quoted here are not necessarily authenticated by the Catholic Church.) There was a report years ago from a Mediatrix devotee, who requested anonymity that Our Lady of Fatima healed the aunt of Vladimir Putin and Putin himself. No details were given. The devotee said he visited Putin several times. This report by a Mediatrix devotee links Lipa and Lisbon to Russia and Ukraine. Lipa and Lisbon were linked after Fatima’s Miracle of the Sun was repeated in a Mediatrix shrine in Mindanao on the 100th anniversary of Fatima, precisely to the hour. As a child, Putin was secretly baptized into the Orthodox Church because the Communist Party banned it. The Christian in Putin may be the potential key to ending the war in Ukraine. In 1960, Pope John XXIII unsealed the Third Secret of Fatima in the presence of Cardinal Augustin Bea and his secretary, Fr. Malachi Martin. In an interview at the Art Bell Show USA in 1997, Fr. Martin hinted that, based on the Third Secret, the solution to the world’s ills would come from Ukraine and Russia. The conversion of Russia Our Lady of Fatima revealed that the triumph of her Immaculate Heart would come from the conversion of Russia. St. Pope John Paul II soon consecrated Russia to her Immaculate Heart. Vatican Mariologists attributed the consecration to the ensuing momentary era of world peace, a “Marian intervention.” In 1994, Mikhail Gorbachev visited St. Pope John Paul II, the first visit in history by the Kremlin to the Papacy. Gorbachev instituted Perestroika (reconciliation) and Glasnost (openness), leading to the opening of Christian churches inside Russia. Immediately, Ukraine announced the legalization of the Ukrainian Church (about 70 percent Orthodox), which was brutally disbanded by Joseph Stalin in 1946. The Berlin Wall then crumbled, leading to the reunification of Germany and the end of the Cold War. Gorbachev’s reforms led to the fall of the USSR. Among its former satellites were Ukraine and Belarus, now arch-enemies in the war in Ukraine. Marian’s intimacy with Ukraine On 22 January 2022, during a Ukrainian Orthodox celebration in an unspecified town, a white dove descended on top of the altar painting of the Baptism of Jesus, a warning perhaps of a Russian invasion, which happened a few days later. Ukraine was the first nation to be consecrated to the Blessed Virgin in 1037. In 1914, two weeks before World War I, the Virgin told 22 field workers near the Church of the Holy Trinity in the village of Hrushiv: “There will be a war. Russia will become a godless country. As a nation, Ukraine will suffer terribly for eighty years — and will have to live through the world wars, but it will be free afterwards.” The prophecy was fulfilled. In 1987, a year after the Chernobyl tragedy, in the same church in Hrushiv, the Virgin told 12-year-old visionary Marina Kizyn: “Do not forget those who have died. Chernobyl is a reminder and a sign that …. THROUGH THE BLOOD OF (UKRAINIAN) MARTYRS WILL COME THE CONVERSION OF RUSSIA.” A bright light filled the church where the Virgin appeared. There were daily apparitions until 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption, which attracted about 500,000 people in total. Many witnessed the apparitions. Hrushiv became an instant pilgrim center. The Virgin of Hrushiv became Our Lady of Ukraine. Our Lady appeared to KGB agents trying to manage the huge crowds. At that time, churches were closed, and Christianity was banned. Priests from the “underground Church” emerged from hiding and defied the KGB, saying ten Holy Masses daily outside the church. The KGB did not touch them. Hrushiv was saved from a deadly cholera epidemic in 1855, with not a single death in the village, after the people offered Mass at a spring that suddenly came out of the ground. The Virgin demonstrated her love for the Ukrainian people when she said: “I have come on purpose to thank the Ukrainian people because you have suffered the most for the Church of Christ in the last 70 years. I have come to comfort you and tell you that your suffering will soon end. Ukraine will become an independent state.” (Source: oclarim.com.mo, 6 July 2018) Does Putin have a role in the “conversion” of Russia and the end of the war in Ukraine? Will peace be attained through the blood of Ukrainians as martyrs? These remain to be seen. eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Linking Fatima-Mediatrix to Russia-Ukraine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
KHIMO’S NEW SINGLE SHARES ‘HAPPY ENDING’ STORY
“Idol Philippines” season 2 winner KHIMO has released his latest R&B/soul single “Happy Ending”, inspired by a long-distance relationship he previously had. “Our love story started because we both knew a couple that were in an LDR and they were on the verge of breaking up. The guy was my friend, the girl was hers,” he shared. “We started speaking because of the other couple and their issues. That discussion turned into a conversation, and that conversation turned into our love story.” The Kapamilya singer said they ended up together in spite of their own LDR situation. “Our couple friend broke up, but we promised each other we wouldn’t be like them even though we were apart. In the end, we got together, that’s why the song is called ‘Happy Ending.’” KHIMO composed the Taglish single with the help of ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo who also produced the song, Jeremy Glinoga and Star Pop label head Rox Santos. “Happy Ending” follows KHIMO’s debut single “Nasunog” released last July. The two singles will be part of his upcoming album to be released under Star Music. KHIMO’s “Happy Ending” is now streaming on various platforms. Follow Star Music on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube. The post KHIMO’S NEW SINGLE SHARES ‘HAPPY ENDING’ STORY appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Euphoria’ actor Angus Cloud’s death ruled accidental overdose: coroner
Angus Cloud, the 25-year-old co-star of hit HBO drama "Euphoria," died from an accidental drug overdose in July, a US coroner said Thursday. "Angus Cloud died from a lethal combination of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepine in what is ruled as an accidental overdose," a spokesperson for Alameda County Coroner's office in California told AFP. "Angus suffered from acute intoxication from the combination of drugs." A statement at the time of his death said Cloud, who portrayed laconic drug dealer Fezco "Fez" O'Neill in the multiple Emmy Award-winning series, had been struggling to deal with the recent passing of his father, and had experienced ongoing mental health issues. "The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend," said his family, in a statement sent by Cloud's publicist. "Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence." "Euphoria," fronted by star Zendaya, is one of the most-watched HBO series of all time. The show has drawn controversy as well as plaudits for its dark depiction of the issues facing contemporary American teens, including drug addiction and sexual violence. The gritty hit was Cloud's first acting job, having been discovered by a casting director while walking through the streets of Brooklyn, New York with friends. "We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss," said the family statement. The post ‘Euphoria’ actor Angus Cloud’s death ruled accidental overdose: coroner appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The business of building stars
When it comes to the creation of stars who will either make it to Philippine Tinseltown or fall along the wayside, let us count the many expensive experiments and gambles that have been made with no assurance of a return of investment. StarStruck, the phenomenal reality-based artista search on GMA 7 and considered one of the shows that propelled the network to its number-one stature, dared teenagers and young adults “to dream, believe and survive.” After seven seasons and 538 episodes, the remaining women standing are all from the original batch: Jennylyn Mercado with her contemporary Yasmien Kurdi, Katrina Halili and the “avengers” who transferred to ABS-CBN, Cristine Reyes and lone guy Paulo Avelino. Mark Herras is now a character actor, and the “Bad Boy of the Dance Floor” tag he once had is nothing but a blast from the past. Rainier Castillo still possesses his killer smile, and that is still all he can offer. [caption id="attachment_186612" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF NET 25Drei Arias.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_186613" align="aligncenter" width="525"] John Heindrick[/caption] [caption id="attachment_186611" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Celyn Favid[/caption] [caption id="attachment_186615" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Patrick Roxas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_186616" align="aligncenter" width="525"] NICKY Gilbert[/caption] On TV 5, Artista Academy propelled the careers of Sophie Albert and Vin Abrenica. They are married with a daughter, while their respective careers are best described as neither here nor there. Of the three major networks, the most successful in talent manufacturing and nurturing is the network Goliath that is ABS-CBN. From Star Circle Quest, first runner-up Sandara Park produced a hit song, “In or Out,” and became an international singing sensation when she went back to Korea. From the Pinoy Big Brother House came, just to mention a few, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Sam Milby, James Reid and Maymay Entrata. A-listers have also originated from ABS-CBN’s singing contests, such as Yeng Constantino, Angeline Quinto, Erik Santos, Darren Espanto and all the biriteras and balladeers that are regulars in the network’s Sunday noontime variety show that has outlasted all its timeslot competitors. Giving new hope and perhaps the biggest push these days to fresh talents is NET 25, which recently launched its Star Center, with 32 talents comprising the Starkada. These young finds had to undergo three months of training and workshops in acting, hosting singing and dancing. Multi-awarded actor and director Eric Quizon heads Star Center. At the presscon that presented NET 25’s fresh faces to the public, the thrilling 32 performed solos, duet, trios and various other production numbers to show off their dancing and singing skills. They also hosted the presentation and showcased their acting skills in short films directed by esteemed actor and director Ricky Davao. Of the 32, my ladies with an attitude favorites are Nicky Gilbert, who moves like a modern jazz dancer and is expensive-looking, with a beauty similar to GMA 7’s Max Collins. She would fit bida/kontrabida roles. Sofi Fermazi is a true ingénue with a melodious voice that conveyed the stories of all the songs she sang during the launch. And Celyn David is a true standout beauty in the short film she was part of where she almost had no makeup. Her elegant face will remind you of the class of Sandy Andolong and the elan of Hilda Koronel. For fellows with the perfect groove, my top pick is tall and handsome Drei Arias. Every inch of him screams leading man. John Heindrick registers handsomely as well on screen and in person, reminding us of the time when the likes of Gabby Concepcion, Albert Martinez, Alfie Anido and Matthew Mendoza were the crème dela crème of matinee idols. He can even pass for Eric Quizon’s son. Patrick Roxas is the fresh prince of the Starkada. In the short film where he played lead, his eyes were not blank or devoid of emotions, but were expressive! Roxas is the truest embodiment of an eye candy. To the 32 new stars of NET 25, your talent and luck factor are the basic reasons why you are “in.” To prolong the adoration and madness of the fans, protect your “in” status with television shows and films that will matter and make an impact. Love what you do, be kind to the people you work with, and make sure discipline and professionalism are what will bolster your star to stellar heights. Longevity, respect and reverence in showbiz requires more than the usual good looks and sunshiny smiles. Dare to create your magic and pixie dust, sing your special songs and make your own kind of music. Dance as if there is no tomorrow, and act with sincerity and truth. The post The business of building stars appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Baron Geisler invited back to ABS-CBN Ball after 14-year ban
Actor Baron Geisler took to Instagram to express his gratitude upon receiving an invitation to the 2023 ABS-CBN Ball — some 14 years after he was banned from the annual event for drunken behavior. “It has been more than a decade since I was invited to the #ABSCBNBALL due to my bad behavior during the previous ones,” he candidly wrote. “Now, I am humbled and grateful that they welcome me back with open arms.” [caption id="attachment_186331" align="aligncenter" width="284"] Baron Geisler | Photograph courtesy of baron geisler/ig[/caption] The actor, whose long and public battle with alcoholism had seen him entangled in professional and legal scrapes, added that he can’t wait to thank the Kapamilya bosses personally and to have a wonderful time with his colleagues now that he has turned a new leaf. On his X (formerly Twitter) account, Geisler explained how the invitation means so much to him and that he will not take it for granted. “I’m ready for this. Sober party for me bro and still will have a blast for sure. Sa taping nga saya namin sober kaya naman sa party pa (During the taping, we had fun while sober, so even more at a party),” he said, adding that he’s receiving full support from colleagues such as director Andoy Ranay and co-star Sylvia Sanchez. In a follow-up post, Geisler admitted he’s still “God’s work in progress” when it comes to maintaining sobriety. “True, I stumble at times but I get up 7, 8, 10 times harder. Growing and moving forward each day. Maraming salamat sa support and love na ibinibigay nyo sa akin. Appreciated po (Thank you very much for the support and love you give me. I appreciate it). To God be all glory and praise,” he said. The ABS-CBN Ball 2023 will be held on 30 September. Geisler, considered one of the best actors of his generation, has bounced back with acclaimed turns in films such as Doll House. He currently stars in the new series Senior High as Harry Guerrero and is also part of Brillante Mendoza’s upcoming film Moro. The post Baron Geisler invited back to ABS-CBN Ball after 14-year ban appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kylie Minogue: having young fans is ‘alarming and exciting’
A viral TikTok hit this summer means Kylie Minogue has added another cohort to her multi-generational fan base -- many of them so young they have never heard the hits that made her a star. "Padam Padam", the first single from the new album "Tension", which is out on Friday, has put Minogue back on dance floors around the world more than 35 years after she first broke out. It has also seen youngsters around the world recreating the dance routine from the video on TikTok -- a new experience for the Australian star. "To have this new generation loving it -- they're so open-minded and accepting of me at my age -- it gives me more energy," the 55-year-old told AFP during a visit to Paris. "It's funny because I see people who have discovered me through 'Padam' and they've never heard of 'Locomotion' or 'Can't Get You Out of My Head', which is alarming but also exciting," she said. Minogue was just 19 when she released "Locomotion" in 1987, transforming her from daytime soap actress on Australian show 'Neighbours' to international pop star. Her place was confirmed with follow-up single "I Should Be So Lucky" that propelled debut album "Kylie" to more than five million sales. That was just the start. Her record company says she has sold more than 80 million records and had more than five billion streams across her career. - 'Crazy things' - The title "Padam Padam" had many in France wondering if Kylie was covering the famous song of the same name by Edith Piaf but she admits the similarities start and end with the name. "A lot of crazy things have happened to me in my life and that's another one -- being linked in the same sentence as Edith Piaf," she said with a laugh. "I did wonder if the French would be 'd'accord'," she added. The singer was able to judge the warm reception in France at a listening party for the album at a Paris club last week. Lucky attendees were surprised to see her come down from the stage to dance in the audience, dressed like Little Red Riding Hood and perched on high heels that she kicked off to move more freely. Having another pop hit in her mid-fifties was a surprise, she said. "I was completely blown away... Every song release, I have nerves and excitement, but I can honestly say I did not see this coming." As always in her career, "Padam Padam" has been a particular hit in LGBT clubs. Her gay fan base dates back to her earliest days -- she remembers the first time she heard about a "Kylie Night" at a club on Sydney's Oxford Street. "I've since been to the drag shows and I'm the least Kylie there. There are these supersonic versions of me. I couldn't compete!" she said. pgr/er/gil © Agence France-Presse The post Kylie Minogue: having young fans is ‘alarming and exciting’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BRYAN CHONG’s ‘DI PA BA SAPAT’ DELVES INTO ONE-SIDED LOVE
Former Idol Philippines season 2 finalist Bryan Chong expresses the pain of unrequited love in his new single “Di Pa Ba Sapat,” released on 8 September. The track was composed by Ralph Maligro and produced by Star Pop label head Roque “Rox” Santos. The Kapamilya artist started his journey as a musician when he joined the first season of The Voice Teens Philippines in 2017, where his blind audition performance of “Kahit Kailan” earned praise from viewers and captivated The Voice coach Sarah Geronimo. He also participated in the second season of Idol Philippines last year where he became one of the five grand finalists. Since then, he has released several singles under Star Pop such as “Mag-iisa” and “Cut Into Pieces.” “Di Pa Ba Sapat” is now available on various music streaming platforms. For more details, follow Star Pop on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The post BRYAN CHONG’s ‘DI PA BA SAPAT’ DELVES INTO ONE-SIDED LOVE appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Barbie Forteza, David Licauco light up ‘Maging Sino Ka Man’
GMA’s hit stars Barbie Forteza and David Licauco of Maria Clara at Ibarra fame will bring back their sizzling chemistry to the television in Maging Sino Ka Man, the series adaptation of the ‘90s blockbuster hit of the same title and which catapulted Sharon Cuneta and Robin Padilla to new heights in their career back in the day. The highly anticipated romantic-action series will premiere 11 September and will run from Mondays to Fridays at 8 p.m. on GMA Telebabad and at 9:40 p.m. on GTV. It is directed by Enzo Williams (Ang Probinsyano). The Kapuso Primetime Princess and Pambansang Ginoo will play Monique and Carding, two very different people who fall in love with each other. It’s a rich girl-poor boy love story jampacked with action thrills and romance. The series also features Juancho Triviño as Gilbert Arnaiz, Faith Da Silva as Cleo Ramirez, Mikoy Morales (2023 Cinemalaya Best Actor) as Gordon a.k.a. Libag and Rain Matienzo as Tetay. Also part of the roster of its exciting cast are E.R. Ejercito as Boss Frank, Jeric Raval as Alex, Jean Saburit as Shonda, Juan Rodrigo as Miguel, Antonio Aquitania as Jonas, Jean Garcia as Belinda Salazar, Al Tantay as Osmundo and Tonton Gutierrez as George. At the most recent grand media conference, Williams described his experience directing the series as “not that hard.” “It’s not that challenging kasi ang galing nilang dalawa, to be honest. Working with Barbie, working with David — andiyan na ang chemistry nila eh, parang kaunting guidance na lang. So it’s not that hard,” he said. The director also expressed admiration for Forteza. “Barbie, I think she’s one of the best actresses I worked with.” This will definitely further amp the excitement among Forteza’s cult following as she will also play a male character in Maging Sino Ka Man. In the story, she also plays a dude named Dino as her disguise. For this, the actress studied Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry, where Swank won an Oscar for her sensitive and complex role as a transman. This shows how serious Forteza is in her work for the series. Meanwhile, Licauco at the presscon admitted some challenges in his role as Carding, specifically the way the character talks as exemplified by Padilla in the hit movie: crass, crude and a thug. “As you know from the movie, mabilis magsalita si Carding. Matigas. As you can hear now, medyo mabagal talaga ako magsalita. I think iyon ang pinaka-challenging for me. But, of course, with the help of my director, I think…hopefully, nabigyan ko naman ng justice iyong character,” he replied to the question posted by a media member. Forteza also revealed that the series was created precisely for her and Licauco. “Personally, umeere pa lang Maria Clara at Ibarra, kumbaga napansin kami ng mga boss,” she said. “And they were already thinking of a follow-up project na para sa amin bilang artista. Sobrang fulfilling iyon, syempre. And kami (she and Licauco) naman po, in return, gagawin naman po ang best namin para mapaganda rin ang seryeng ito.” The creative team behind this 2023 remake of Maging Sino Ka Man is composed of creative director Aloy Adlawan; senior writers Benjamin Benson Logronio and John Kenneth de Leon; head writer Mark Duane Angos; brainstormer Louize Andrei Al-Shehri. Maging Sino Ka Man is made possible under the supervision of GMA senior vice president for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; vice president for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; assistant vice president for Drama Helen Rose S. Sese; senior program manager Camille D. Hermoso; and executive producer Darling Pulido-Torres. The post Barbie Forteza, David Licauco light up ‘Maging Sino Ka Man’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gello Marquez drops self-titled debut album
Idol Philippines season 1 alumnus Gello Marquez is ready to serenade music listeners with his newly released debut album under Star Music. “Dati nangangarap lang ako na magkaroon ako ng sariling kanta, ngayon album pa yung ibinigay. Sobrang overwhelming para sa akin na nangyayari ang lahat ng ito,” Gello said during his album launch held 7 September. The self-titled album has seven Filipino tracks including “Hanap Kong Baby,” “Kumot At Unan,” “Duda-duda,” “Kaibigan,” “Teddy Bear,” “Torpe,” and his first single “Penpen” released last month. The easy listening tracks were chosen based on his affinity for old songs. “It’s a modernized version of old songs kasi sobrang love ko ‘yung mga lumang kanta,” said Gello on his album. The young actor-singer, previously seen in He’s Into Her and Love Bites, compares love to a game of hiding feelings and trying to find it in the song “Penpen.” Inspired by the Filipino game “Penpen de Sarapen,” “Penpen” was composed by Allan G. Alveyra Jr. and Karl James Fabregas. Gello also previously released the music video for “Penpen,” which features a love triangle between him, BGYO member Akira Morishita and former Pinoy Big Brother Otso housemate Ashley del Mundo. The post Gello Marquez drops self-titled debut album appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tech’s carbon footprint: can AI revolutionize responsibly?
Across the globe, data servers are humming, consuming both megawatts and precious natural resources to bring life to our digital world. The planet's 8,000 or so data centers are the foundation of our online existence and will grow ever further with the advent of artificial intelligence -- so much so that research estimates that by 2025, the IT industry could use 20 percent of all electricity produced, and emit up to 5.5 percent of the world’s carbon emissions. This poses a real -- and to some, increasingly urgent -- question about the industry's carbon footprint as startups and companies fall behind Silicon Valley's latest forward march. "Pandora's box is open," said Arun Iyengar, CEO of Untether AI, a highly specialized chip-making company that strives to make AI more energy efficient. "We can utilize AI in ways that enhance the climate requirements or we can ignore the climate requirements and find ourselves facing the consequences in a decade or so in terms of the impact." The transformation of the world's data servers to AI readiness is already well underway, in what one Google executive called a "once-in-a-generation inflection point in computing." But the scope of the mission is huge. The creation of generative AI tools such as GPT-4, which powers ChatGPT, or Google's Palm2, behind the bot Bard, can be broken into two key stages, the actual "training" and then the execution (or "inference"). In 2019, University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers trained several large language models and found that training a single AI model can emit the CO2 emission equivalent of five cars over their lifetimes. A more recent study by Google and the University of California, Berkeley, reported that training GPT-3 resulted in 552 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to driving a passenger vehicle 1.24 million miles (2 million kilometers). OpenAI's latest generation model, GPT-4, is trained on around 570 times more parameters -- or inputs -- than GPT-3, and the scale of these systems will only grow as AI becomes more powerful and ubiquitous. Nvidia, AI's chip giant, provides the processors that are indispensable for training, known as GPUs. And while they are more energy efficient than typical chips, they remain formidable consumers of power. The ChatGPT 'problem' The other side of generative AI is deployment, or inference: when the trained model is applied to identify objects, respond to text prompts or whatever the use case may be. Deployment doesn't necessarily need the computing heft of an Nvidia chip but taken cumulatively, the endless interactions in the real world far outweigh training in terms of workload. "Inference is going to be even more of a problem now with ChatGPT, which can be used by anyone and integrated into daily life through apps and web searches," said Lynn Kaack, assistant professor of computer science at the Hertie School in Berlin. The biggest cloud companies insist that they are committed to being as energy-efficient as possible. Amazon Web Services pledges to be carbon-neutral by 2040 while Microsoft has pledged to be carbon-negative by 2030. The latest evidence that the companies are serious about energy efficiency is reassuring. Between 2010 and 2018, global data center energy use rose by only 6 percent, despite a 550 percent increase in workloads and computing instances, according to the International Energy Agency. 'Backwards' thinking Silicon Valley's AI tycoons believe discussions of AI's current carbon footprint are beside the point, and underplay its revolutionary potential. The naysayers have it "backwards," Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told reporters on a recent visit to his company's headquarters in California. The mass deployment of AI and faster computing will in the end diminish the need to go to the world's data clouds, he argued. AI's superpowers will turn your laptop, car, or device in your pocket into an energy-efficient supercomputer without the need to "retrieve" data from the cloud. "In the future, there'll be a little tiny model that sits on your phone and 90 percent of the pixels will be generated, 10 percent will be retrieved, instead of 100 percent retrieved -- and so you're going to save (energy)," he said. OpenAI's Sam Altman meanwhile believes that AI will soon enough be able to build humanity a completely new future. "I think once we have a really powerful super intelligence, addressing climate change will not be particularly difficult," Altman said recently. "This illustrates how big we should dream... Think about a system where you can say, 'Tell me how to make a lot of clean energy cheaply, tell me how to efficiently capture carbon, and tell me how to build a factory to do this at planetary scale.'" But some experts worry that the mad dash for AI has elbowed out fears about the planet, at least for now. "Large corporations are spending a lot of money right now deploying AI. I don't think they are thinking about the environmental impact yet," said Untether AI's Iyengar. But, he added: "I think that is coming." The post Tech’s carbon footprint: can AI revolutionize responsibly? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New characters join ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’
FPJ’s Batang Quiapo is adding new characters and actors, led by Jaclyn Jose and Ivana Alawi, who are set to add more excitement to the new chapter of Tanggol’s (Coco Martin) life as they join the hit Kapamilya primetime series. Aside from Jose and Alawi, the star-studded cast of also welcomes Robert Seña, Soliman Cruz, Lao Rodriguez, Jess Evardone, Vandolph, Romy Romulo, Zeppi Borromeo, Michael Rivero, Pambansang Kolokoy and Haprice. [caption id="attachment_178691" align="aligncenter" width="1792"] JACLYN Jose in ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.’[/caption] The new characters will get involved in Tanggol’s life as he braces himself for more hardships and begins his sentence of life imprisonment. Amid the challenges, Tanggol will also get to meet Bubbles (Alawi), an alluring lady who could possibly open up Tanggol’s heart to love once again while he spends time away from his long-time love, Mokang (Lovi Poe). Meanwhile, Tanggol’s loved ones will encounter challenges of their own. More family problems will pile-up for Marites (Cherry Pie Picache), while Tanggol’s half-brother, David (Mccoy De Leon), will go to extreme lengths and continue to pretend to be Tanggol so that he can take advantage of his father’s wealth. With over 2.7 billion total online views since its premiere in February, FPJ’s Batang Quiapo continues to win the hearts of viewers for its heartwarming lessons about family and its non-stop action-packed scenes. With the new addition of actors, the action-comedy series promises a lot more exciting twists and dramatic confrontations as it continues to level-up its roster of artists who join the likes of award-winning actors Poe, Picache, Charo Santos, Christopher de Leon and many more. FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, which is inspired by the original story of Regal Films, shows on weeknights at 8 pm on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, and Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Viewers who use any digital TV box at home such as the TVplus box only need to rescan their device to be able to watch FPJ’s Batang Quiapo on TV5 and A2Z. The show is also available to viewers in and out of the Philippines on iWantTFC, while viewers outside of the Philippines can watch on The Filipino Channel on cable and IPTV. The post New characters join ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Britney Spears’ husband says marriage over, files for divorce
Britney Spears' husband said Thursday his marriage to the troubled pop star is over, filing for divorce just 14 months after the pair wed. Sam Asghari said the couple would "hold onto the love" they have, but that they were going their separate ways. "After 6 years of love and commitment to each other my wife and I have decided to end our journey together," the Iranian-born model wrote on Instagram. "We will hold onto the love and respect we have for each other and I wish her the best always," the 29-year-old added. "Asking for privacy seems ridiculous so I will just ask for everyone including media to be kind and thoughtful." Court documents lodged in Los Angeles show Asghari cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for ending the marriage. The couple wed in 2022, about a year after a California judge dissolved a controversial 14-year conservatorship that had barred Spears from handling her own life and finances, a legal arrangement many fans considered exploitative. Under the conservatorship -- which was largely managed by her father Jamie Spears -- the now-41-year-old singer said she was prevented from having a contraceptive IUD removed despite her desire for more children, claimed she was forced to work and said her phone was tapped. "I just want my life back," Spears told the court in 2021. The singer -- whose hits include "Oops!... I Did It Again," and "Toxic" -- reportedly has a prenuptial agreement in place that will protect her assets. Asghari's divorce petition says the two have been separated since last month. Spears rocketed to fame in her teens on hits like "...Baby One More Time," becoming one of the world's reigning pop stars at the turn of the millennium. But she suffered a highly publicized 2007 breakdown, which included attacking a paparazzo's car at a gas station, and the conservatorship began just a year later. Asghari and Spears met in 2016 when he appeared in a music video for her single "Slumber Party." The couple announced a surprise pregnancy in 2022 but said it had ended in miscarriage only weeks later. Spears has two teen sons, Sean and Jayden, with her ex-husband Kevin Federline. She was also briefly married -- for less than three days -- to childhood friend Jason Alexander. After reports of her split with Asghari began to surface, Spears posted on Instagram Wednesday night that she was planning to buy a horse, but made no mention of her marital status. Her memoir, "The Woman In Me," is due to be released in October. The post Britney Spears’ husband says marriage over, files for divorce appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Euphoria’ actor Angus Cloud dies aged 25
Angus Cloud, the 25-year-old co-star of hit HBO drama "Euphoria," died on Monday, his family said. No cause of death was given for the actor, who portrayed laconic drug dealer Fezco "Fez" O'Neill in the multiple Emmy Award-winning series. A statement said Cloud had been struggling to deal with the recent passing of his father, and had experienced ongoing mental health issues. "The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend," said his family, in a statement sent by Cloud's publicist. "Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence." "Euphoria," fronted by Zendaya, is one of the most-watched HBO series of all time. The show has drawn controversy as well as plaudits for its dark depiction of the issues facing contemporary American teens, including drug addiction and sexual violence. It was Cloud's first acting job, having been discovered by a casting director while walking through the streets of Brooklyn, New York with friends. "We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss," said the family statement. The post ‘Euphoria’ actor Angus Cloud dies aged 25 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
KICE FIGHTS FOR LOVE IN NEW SINGLE ‘ LOSE CONTROL ‘
Idol Philippines season 2 finalist Kice expresses his desperation to keep a relationship from falling apart in his new single “Lose Control.” He penned the alternative pop track with Gab Tagadtad as producer. “It wasn’t actually inspiring but sad. It was based on real-life events and everything in the lyrics of the song happened exactly the way I said it. I just turned it into a happy-sounding song so people could enjoy it but deep down it was supposed to be a sad song,” Kice said. [caption id="attachment_161919" align="aligncenter" width="525"] SINGER-SONGWRITER Kice[/caption] The up-and-coming artist started his career when he joined the second season of Idol Philippines. He placed third. “You don’t get everything you want. That’s why you gotta be grateful for the things you have now and always be nice,” he said. As a recording artist, he has lent his voice to “Simulan” which became the theme song of the primetime series Dirty Linen. He also recently dropped the music video for “Only Girl” which stars Kapamilya actress Daniella Stranner. Listen to Kice’s newest offering “Lose Control” on various music streaming platforms. For more details, follow Star Pop on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The post KICE FIGHTS FOR LOVE IN NEW SINGLE ‘ LOSE CONTROL ‘ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Booed Azarenka blasts ‘unfair’ Wimbledon crowd after Svitolina defeat
Victoria Azarenka blasted the Wimbledon crowd as "unfair" and "drunk" after she was booed off Centre Court following her defeat to Elina Svitolina in a politically charged clash on Sunday. Ukraine's Svitolina came through 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11/9) after two hours and 46 minutes of thrilling shotmaking on Court One to set up a quarter-final clash with world number one Iga Swiatek. As has become a common feature, Svitolina did not shake hands with Belarusian Azarenka in protest over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Belarus is a key military ally of Moscow. Azarenka, who held her hand up in the direction of Svitolina, seemingly in a gesture of respect, left the court to the sound of boos. "It wasn't fair. It is what it is. What can I do?" said Azarenka. "I haven't done anything wrong, but I can't control the crowd. I'm not sure that a lot of people were understanding what's happening. "But if people are going to be focusing only on handshakes or a quite drunk crowd, booing in the end, that's a shame." Svitolina and her fellow Ukraine players all refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian rivals at the recent French Open. Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk were jeered by the Paris crowd for their stance after losing to Belarusian world number two Aryna Sabalenka. At the US Open last year, Kostyuk offered only a racquet touch following her defeat to Azarenka. Svitolina believes the booing could be stopped if tennis authorities issue a statement explaining the position of Ukraine players. - 'Victory for Ukraine' - "It was like this for me in Paris. It was also unfair," said Svitolina. "I already said multiple times that until Russian troops are out of Ukraine and we take back our territories, we are not going to shake hands. So I have a clear statement." Despite the controversy, Svitolina described victory as the "second happiest moment" of her life after the birth of her daughter. "I think after giving birth to our daughter this is the second-happiest moment in my life," said Svitolina, who is married to French tennis star Gael Monfils. "When I was down I heard you guys cheering for me and I almost wanted to cry." Svitolina, a semi-finalist in 2019, was 4/7 down in the final-set tiebreak and only three points from defeat. However, she clawed her way back, saw one match point slip away at 9/8 before sealing victory with an ace. "I know that a lot of people back home are watching, supporting me. I feel responsibility, as well," she added. "When I play against Russians, Belarusians, I feel more pressure that I need to win. That's why it means a lot to get these kinds of wins. In my own way, to bring this victory, small victory, to Ukraine." Svitolina, 28, only returned to the tour in April after maternity leave. She has now reached the last eight of successive majors after also making the quarter-finals of the French Open. "When I started playing again I didn't think that I would be here. I didn't think on the grass I would play that good," she added. "I'm just really enjoying the atmosphere, this chance. I'm really thankful for the chance to play here." On the court on Sunday, 76th-ranked Svitolina served up a love game to start the match but Azarenka then broke in the third and fifth games to pocket the first set. The former world number one and two-time Australian Open champion broke again in the first game of the second set. Svitolina pulled herself level for 2-2 but was then unable to convert four break points in the eighth game. In a tense, big-hitting conclusion, Azarenka saved a set point but Svitolina pounced on the second to level the contest. Svitolina raced to a 3-0 lead in the decider, helped by an Azarenka double fault in the second game. Back came the Belarusian to break back in the fifth game as the tie headed to its dramatic tiebreak and post-match conclusion. dj/jw © Agence France-Presse The post Booed Azarenka blasts ‘unfair’ Wimbledon crowd after Svitolina defeat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»