Dingdong Dantes Supports RH Bill; Says "I Practice Safe SEX"

Single and childless, Dingdong Dantes is advocating the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill but is strongly against abortion.

Dingdong doesn’t claim to be an expert of the said bill that’s been the subject of an ongoing national debate, but he feels it would help Filipinos with regards to family planning.

“I’m really more for the bill’s educational side which is for everyone and not just women. There’s awareness of the sexuality. There’s awareness of what can happen and precautionary measures. Whatever happens, people especially women have choices or alternatives to do what they think is right for them,” Dingdong explained.

He stressed, though, that the bill for him is aimed at educating people.

“At the end of the day it’s all about being responsible parents and responsible teachers. But definitely I’m against abortion. I’m a Roman Catholic and I practice what’s expected,” he replied.

Does he practice safe sex then?

“I think I’m very safe,” he replied smiling.

When it comes to a person’s reproductive health system, a key ingredient is a person’s healthy lifestyle. What Dingdong definitely supports is a healthy lifestyle. Proof is how fit the actor looks on television and in movies.

He is also the first local celebrity to be on the cover of Men’s Health Magazine Philippines three times.

So how does he keep healthy with his busy schedule?

“There should be a balance between working hard and staying fit. I make sure that I take care of my health because I need it in my work. I don’t think I can deliver what’s needed in my roles if I’m not fit,” he said.

Aside from working out, part of his health regimen is relaxation. Now that “I Heart You Pare” has wrapped, Dingdong has more “me” time.

“Right now I get to enjoy more time with my family. Right now I get to do the things I don’t usually do like go to the malls. But I don’t get to enjoy my free time with Marian because she’s the one who’s very busy right now,” shared Dingdong.

The actor’s vacation time could be short lived though since there are a couple of projects already in the works for him in GMA-7. His schedule for the coming months is already being filled with taping and shooting schedules.

One such project entails high-end computer graphics. He pointed out that the preparation for this project would be grueling. The said project is reportedly slated for a 2012 release.

He is also excited that he will be part again of a “bigger talent search” in the new “Starstruck” season this September.

Enchong Dee Denies Julia Montes

Enchong Dee speaks to once and for all put an end to the rumors linking him to young actress and fellow Kapamilya artist Julia Montes.

Enchong has made it clear that he Julia are just friends - no more no less, despite people often seeing them out together.

"Kasi ako talaga [ang] pagkakaintindi ko ng date kapag kayong dalawa lang. Kapag kaming dalawa nakita n'yo, date na 'yon," Enchong said, adding that they were always accompanied by Julia's "Mara Clara" co-stars Kathryn Bernardo and Diego Loyzaga whenever they are seen out.

"Once and for all, magkaibigan lang po kami ni Julia Montes." he stressed.

Photo credit: Mabuhay Beauties

Tommy Mottola and Thalia Welcome a Son Named Alejandro Mottola

Mexican singer-actress Thalia gave birth to a healthy baby boy with his husbandTommy Mottola.

The baby whom they named as Alejandro Mottola was born on June 25 and weighs 7lbs 14oz.

Thalia, 39, and Mottola, 61, have been married for 10 years and have a daughter named Sabrina Sakaë, 3.

Mottola is Mariah Carey's previous husband and the current co-owner of Casablanca Records, a joint venture with the Universal Music Group.

He used to be the head of the Sony Music Group and the former mentor and talent manager of Mariah, Hall & Oates, Carly Simon, Diana Ross, Gloria Estefan, Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Lopez.

Lady Gaga Sued Over Japan Earthquake Charity Bracelet Scam

Lady Gaga is facing class suit on deceptive advertising and misrepresentation of profits from the sale of her wristbands intended for Japan's earthquake victims.

Michigan legal network 1800LAWFIRM alleges that Gaga and other companies involved in the sale and marketing of the $5 white and red "We Pray for Japan" wristbands overcharged buyers on shipping costs and "artificially inflated reports of total donations".

"While we commend Lady Gaga for her philanthropic efforts, we want to ensure that claims that 'all proceeds will be donated to Japan's earthquake' are in fact true," said Alyson Oliver, an attorney for 1800LAWFIRM.

"Our intention via this lawsuit is to uncover any improprieties committed by Lady Gaga and appropriate the full donations assumed to the victims in Japan."

The federal class action lawsuit was filed in Michigan on Friday while the "Born This Way" singer was in Japan for a benefit concert for victims of the March earthquake and tsunami.

The pop superstar is reported to have donated about $3 million to Japan disaster relief through sales of the wristbands and other ventures.

The official website for the singer's store however has several comments from frustrated fans complaining about long delivery times and shipping and handling costs of more than $5 for the small rubber wristbands.

Lady Gaga and her representatives has yet to comment on the lawsuit.

Asteroid 2011 MD Almost Reaches the Earth (Video)

An asteroid the size of a tour bus zipped by Earth today (June 27) in a flyby so close that the space rock was nearer to the planet than some satellites, giving skywatchers and astronomers a tantalizing target for photos.

The space rock, called asteroid 2011 MD, reached its closest point to Earth just after 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT), when it crept within 7,500 miles (12,000 km) of Earth before whipping away again like a slingshot. The asteroid was flying over the southern Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Antarctica, at the time of its closest approach.

The asteroid was discovered just last week on June 22, but there was never any risk of it impacting Earth, NASA scientists said. Astronomers with the LINEAR near-Earth object survey in Socorro, N.M., made the find.


Video of Asteroid 2011 MD



The space rock is on the small side, with latest size estimates ranging from 16 to 66 feet (5 to 20 meters) wide.

That means asteroid 2011 MD would likely be too small to survive the fiery plunge through Earth's atmosphere, let alone reach the surface, NASA scientists said. Asteroids this size can be expected to buzz Earth with close shaves about once every six years, they added.

The asteroid's close brush with Earth sent it off on a new trajectory through the solar system. The space rock flew well below geosynchronous satellites, which orbit 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above Earth, but well above the 220-mile (354-km) altitude of the International Space Station.

There was little chance the asteroid would hit a satellite because of the vastness of space and relatively small number of satellites, experts said.

By Tariq Malik, SPACE.com Managing Editor

"100 Days To Heaven," Xyriel Manabat and Jodi Sta Maria Earn Critics' Nods, Top TV Ratings

The teleserye about a successful executive who was killed and given a second chance to make up for her life's mistakes within a time period has not only gripped the nation, but has also won the nods of the country's TV critics.

ABS-CBN's "100 Days to Heaven" is currently the most-watched TV program across the country. Kantar Media reported that the teleserye starring Xyriel Manabat, Coney Reyes, and Jodi Sta Maria obtained a national TV rating of 32.6%, which is the highest among regular programs in May.

The series has also gained nice reviews from TV critics who did not only talk about “100 Days to Heaven” impressive plot but also praised Xyriel and Jodi’s portrayals in the show.

Isah Red of Manila Standard Today wrote that "100 Days to Heaven" is the kind of soap opera that has everyone wondering why it works and is leading in nationwide surveys. He cited two reasons why it is beating competition in the ratings game: novel concept and good performances.

Red wrote in his review, "The concept is novel to many Filipinos. I think the writers have been able to make each week dramatic enough for audiences to look forward to the next level."

In the acting department, Red said the lead child actress "Xyriel Manabat proves that she can deliver punches as well as buckets of tears and the audience are loving her."

"Coney Reyes who plays the older woman must be delightfully amused that she has found her clone. More so, the series is populated with competent performers among whom Jodi Sta Maria and Rafael Rosell," he added.

Tito Genova Valiente of Business Mirror also praised Xyriel as really a mature actor and that her portrayal of the character exudes a sense of truth.

“Manabat, because she is so good, is really a mature actor trapped in a cute and charming little girl’s body. Onscreen, she manifests all the mannerisms of a mature person in the character she plays. She is supposed to be the young Anna/Reyes but one realizes that we are not ‘supposing’ anything in and with her,” he said.

Nestor Torre of Philippine Daily Inquirer welcomed the introduction of a street-smart seam artist in the series, that is played by actress Jodi Santamaria. Torre described Jodi's portrayal as "bracingly edgy and textured."

"Unlike many of her contemporaries, she (Jodi) has the imagination and work ethic to act, rather than merely pass muster with lazy, little variations on herself. It would be really great if more young-adult performers would be similarly ambitious and gung-ho creative,” Torre added.

Keep watching "100 Days to Heaven" and find out how Anna Manalastas will find her way to heaven. The show airs weeknights after “TV Patrol.”

Emma Watson Says Farewell to Hermione in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2”

She first played Hermione in the “Harry Potter” film series at age nine. Eleven years and eight movies later, with the final one, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” showing in July, Emma Watson is ready to close that chapter in her life. Or is she? Find out in the following interview.

Question: How are you feeling now that the films are coming to a close? Are you nostalgic?

Emma Watson: That question never gets clearer or easier really to answer. It’s hard for me to answer because I still don’t really know how I feel about it. I’m still processing it. So, to give you an answer is actually quite hard. I have days where I feel relieved and I have days where I feel very sad. And I have days where I’m like, ‘I’m so excited.’ Because this just took up my life, all of my time; my life revolved around Harry Potter. That was the focal point of my existence. And it’s exciting now that I have this time, I can accept other things. I mean, I know the grass is always greener, but there were moments when I was making this when I was like, ‘God, I wish I could go and do that.’ Or something would come up and now I have time to go and do different things. So, it’s exciting too. I swing kind of like a pendulum back and forth between all these different emotions.

Q: Is there any particular scene in any of the films that you would like to go back and reshoot, even as a different character?

Watson: Ooh, that’s interesting. I actually had a really good time playing the evil Hermione in Ron’s vision, so I’d quite like to go back and play a bad guy for once. I think that would be fun.

Q: You seem to take the media stuff in stride.

Watson: It’s experience. I’m twenty years old now and I was nine when I went into my first press conference, so you just get used to it. It takes too much emotional energy to get upset every time something’s written that you don’t want to see. You just have to let it go. I would be a crazy person.

Q: Did you realize that early on?

Watson: It took me a while to figure that one out, actually. I mean, I would be lying if I said I didn’t still get upset. I do still get upset. But I don’t care quite so much, which is good. I mean, I still get misquoted all the time. And there’s so much information out there about me you think it would be very easy to check facts, but…

Q: So would you still think of an acting career or is it still up in the air for you?

Watson: No, definitely, and this film’s given me a lot of confidence. I just did a movie called My Week with Marilyn, which is a Weinstein production with Eddie Redmayne and Michelle Williams and that went really well. And, no, I think I will keep acting. I think I’d like to make maybe one movie a year or something.

Q: This movie really gives all of you a chance to really act. What does David Yates bring to that?

Watson: The thing about working with David Yates is that you always hear this word, “truth” and finding the truth and being honest and real. He really hates anything false; he wants it to be from the heart. And so I think that made me a better actress. Especially at the very beginning; I felt I was playing such a character and when I was playing Hermione I could really put on this act and become this kind of big personality and use that to avoid being as truthful. And then he just said, ‘Just do it from here. Just forget all of that stuff. Just be honest.’ That’s what I tried to do. And I think it made a difference.

Q: Which of all the scenes with Ron and Hermione was your favorite to film?

Watson: In “Part 2,” we go off on this little adventure together to destroy the horcrux. And it’s kind of like a comedy act because it’s the first time you see Hermione and Ron in tune. We’re usually so offbeat. We’re always going to miss each other and we kind of clash. And then, in this one scene, we’re this real team and it’s so funny and we’re both so into it. There are just a couple of really funny comedy moments and I just really enjoyed them. Rupert’s a great comedic actor and so we had a really good time just really bringing the humor out of everything that we could.

Distributed by Warner Bros., “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” will be released in Philippine theatres and IMAX, in 3D and 2D, beginning July 14.

‘Forever and a Day’ Grosses P23.27- M in First 5 Days

Star Cinema’s “Forever and a Day” starring Sam Milby and KC Concepcion had an opening weekend gross of P23.27 million at the box-office.

HIGHEST-GROSSING FILMS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR 2011
(As of June 22, 2011)

1. Kung Fu Panda 2 – P197.65M *
2. Thor – P173.98M
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – P155.32M *
4. X-Men: First Class – P147.25M *
5. Fast Five – P126.8M
6. Catch Me…I’m In Love – P120.21M
7. In the Name of Love – P117.2M
8. Gulliver’s Travels – P82.33M
9. Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! – P72.31M
10. Green Lantern – P72M *


TOP-GROSSING PINOY FILMS FOR 2011 SO FAR
(As of June 22, 2011)

1. Catch Me…I’m In Love – P120.21M
2. In the Name of Love – P117.2M
3. Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! – P72.31M
4. Bulong – P67.27M
5. Who’s That Girl? – P58.31M
6. My Valentine Girls – P44.26M
7. Forever and a Day – P23.27M
8. Tumbok – P10.53M
9. Tum: My Pledge of Love – P5.16M

* still showing in theaters

Figures are estimates from third party tabulator Box Office Mojo

Marcelito Pomoy is Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 Winner (PGT Season 2 Grand Finals Photos)

Marcelito Po Moy‘s powerful rendition of “The Prayer” at the grand finals of “Pilipinas Got Talent” not only earned him a standing ovation at the Araneta Coliseum last Saturday, but also the honor of being the winner of the country’s leading talent-reality show.

Marcelito Po Moy, who became an internet sensation via YouTube at the early part of the contest, bested 13 other grand finalists by getting the highest number of text and online votes (19.56%).

He came to Manila to search for his mother and siblings, but little did he know that he will also be able to realize his other dreams by joining “Pilipinas Got Talent.” Not only did he get to be reunited with his family and he also topped the talent-reality search for the best Filipino talent and brought home the P2 million cash prize.

Tapdancing brothers Happy Feet, on the other hand, came in second place with 18.32% and deathdefying breakdancers Freestylers on third with 9.46%. They won P100,000 each, while the eleven other grand finalists received P50,000 each.

The eleven other grand finalists were Madrigal Siblings, B4, Angel Calalas, Jem Cubil, Filogram, John Michael Narag, Buildex Pagales, DJP Trio, Leoniel Enopia and Elizabeth Dazo, Rico the Magician, and Skeights.

The grand finals of “Pilipinas Got Talent” season 2 became the most-talked about topic in the social networking site Twitter worldwide. The results night got even more exciting with superb performances by Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Jhong Hilario, Rayver Cruz, Gab Valenciano, and John Prats.

Watch the reunion of “Pilipinas Got Talent” contestants this Saturday (July 2) and Sunday (July 3), 8:45 PM.

Meanwhile, the search for the country’s best acts continues as “Pilipinas Got Talent” premieres its third season this July 9 on ABS-CBN with Luis Manzano and Billy Crawford as hosts and Kris Aquino, Ai Ai Delas Alas, and Freddie M. Garcia as judges.


See PGT Season 2 Grand Finals photos below:

The winning moment when Marcelito Po Moy was declared winner of PGT Season 2

Marcelito Po Moy brought the house down in Araneta Coliseum with his powerful rendition of "The Prayer"


Marcelito Po Moy receiving his P2M cash prize


Marcelito Po Moy sings for the screaming crowd at the Big Dome


Happy Feet placed second in PGT Season 2 Grand Finals


Freestylers placed third in PGT Season 2 Grand Finals


PGT judges Ai Ai Delas Alas, Kris Aquino and Freddie M. Garcia


PGT hosts Luis Manzano and Billy Crawford

Photos courtesy of ABS-CBN

The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of The Riles - Full Trailer Starring Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco

Star Cinema and Sine Screen bring the grandest and the pinaka-bonggang movie event of the year, "The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of The Riles".

Starring in her first major movie role is PBB's 5th Season Female Big WinnerMelissa "Melai" Cantiveros.

Joining Melai is her real and reel sweetheart Jason Francisco. With Martin del Rosario, Nico Antonio, Bekimon, Joem Bascon, Bianca Manalo and Ms. Gina Pareno in supporting roles.

Directed by Soxie H. Topacio, "The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of The Riles" hits theaters on July 13, 2011.


The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of The Riles - Full Trailer: