by Ethel Ramos
Malaya, Jan. 16, 2012

AT the presscon of their first film together, "My Cactus Heart," Maja Salvador finally confirmed reports that she and Matteo Guidicelli have been a couple for nearly three years.

Why she chose to announce it only now, Maja said it was about time.

Matteo, who was seated close to Maja, merely smiled after the revelation. He glanced lovingly at Maja.

So far, Maja added, their relationship has been smooth-sailing. Except, of course, for what she now describes as a not-so pleasant encounter between Matteo and Coco Martin, reportedly because of her, which happened at the Star Magic ball at a plush hotel in Makati.

But things have been ironed out. "It’s not even talked-about anymore, di ba?" Maja stated.

by Martin Rogers
The Post Game, Dec. 14, 2011

There isn't any Tebowing going on in Makati City, the sprawling municipality in the Philippines that was the unlikely birthplace for the most talked-about athlete in the United States. Not yet, anyway.

Tim Tebow's season, from the series of extraordinary fourth-quarter comebacks to his cult-figure status as a true believer, has been remarkable in every way.

Yet, back where the journey began 24 years ago, the spread of the Tebow phenomenon is still to happen. Basketball and boxing are the sports of choice in Makati, and news of the Denver Broncos' 7-1 ride on the shoulders of a talismanic Tebow hasn't generated any buzz.

by Rose Garcia
Philippine Entertainment Portal, Dec. 9, 2012

Muling tumuntong si Vic Sotto sa ABS-CBN compound kagabi, December 8, dahil sa press conference ng pelikula nila ni Ai-Ai delas Alas para sa Metro Manila Film Festival 2011, ang Enteng Ng Ina Mo.

Ginanap ang presscon sa Dolphy Theater ng Kapamilya network.

Sa naturang presscon ay sinubukang itanong ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at iba pang press kay Vic ang napapabalitang relasyon daw nila ng kasamahan niya sa Eat Bulaga! na si Pauleen Luna.

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ
December 6, 2011, 3:28pm

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-Australian singer-actor RJ Rosales passed away last Dec. 4 in Sydney, Australia. He was 37.

The cause of his death has yet to be ascertained. Rosales’ family also requested for privacy in their period of mourning.

Messages of love and sympathy poured out for Rosales via social networking site Twitter on Dec. 6, especially from his colleagues in the industry. Some of the tweets read:

Ogie Alcasid, singer, composer, actor: “i hope that the news that my friend RJ Rosales passed away is not true. he was a good man with a kind heart. we were together in singapore a few mos ago to perform for a charity event.”

Joanna Ampil, Broadway performer: “Please say a prayer for my friend, RJ Rosales who passed on yesterday. He was a wonderful spirit, beautiful inside-out and my true angel.”

by Maricar Cinco, Pocholo Concepcion
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Nov. 2, 2011

International pop star Charice dropped everything when she learned of her father’s murder even though she had previously been “renouncing” him though she said nothing about his reported “scandalous behavior.”

Charice’s father was stabbed to death in a drunken street fight in San Pedro, Laguna province, police said Tuesday, as the 19-year-old singer canceled a concert tour in Singapore to be with her family.

Ricky Pempengco, 43, a construction worker, died instantly from two stab wounds in the chest after an altercation with another man on a street in Laram village, San Pedro, just before midnight on Monday.

 by Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer , Nov. 10, 2011

After a series of tragedies, local showtown gets a dose of good news, as the Songbird gets visited by the stork.

Singer-actress Regine Velasquez gave birth to a baby boy on Tuesday night, according to sister-manager Cacai Velasquez.

Husband Ogie Alcasid said his son, named Nathaniel James, was born 7:47 p.m. “He’s 4.4 pounds,” he told Inquirer Entertainment via SMS. “He’s a light baby because he wasn’t due to come out yet.”

The couple expected the delivery to take place on Nov. 22.

“However, our doctor, Lilibeth Genuino, decided to do a CS (cesarean section) on Tuesday night because Regine’s amniotic fluid was low and sugar was high due to gestational diabetes,” he said.

San Jose Mercury News, Nov. 12, 2011

LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao escaped again, in a decision that left Juan Manuel Marquez fuming once again.

The Filipino sensation was taken to the limit Saturday night before winning a majority decision that infuriated Marquez and most of the sellout crowd at the MGM Grand arena. While close, the win helped Pacquiao continue a remarkable run that has made him the most exciting fighter in the sport.

In a bruising battle against a counterpuncher who was both accurate and fast, Pacquiao needed the final round on two score cards to pull out the win. He got it, even though a third judge scored the round in favor of Marquez.

As boos -- and cans and bottles -- rang down on the ring, Pacquiao celebrated another victory and another huge payday.

"My fans are very happy because they thought I won," Pacquiao said.