Pilipinas Win na Win launched

Last Saturday, ABS-CBN’s newest noontime show, Pilipinas Win na Win (PWNW), captured the hearts of the Kapamilya viewers.

Fresh from her US trip, Kris Aquino joined co-hosts Robin Padilla, Pokwang, Mariel Rodriguez and Valerie Concepcion in the launch of PWNW that introduced new segments, games and prizes.

The opening of was star-studded. Guests included Martin Nievera, Piolo Pascual, Boy Abunda, Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach, KC Concepcion, Christian Bautista, Jericho Rosales, Cristine Reyes, Karylle, Bianca Manalo, Juris, Duncan Ramos, Xyriel “Momay” Manabat and Zaijan “Santino” Jaranilla.

Business unit head Jay Montelibano shared that the new combination of hosts was an added excitement factor. “We know of course Kris as being the Media Queen, and bihasa na siya sa pag-ho-host ng mga ganyang palaro. Robin has the charisma. It would actually be an interesting combination. Both have one goal – to make people happy. So both have the heart. Both have the passion. It’s very interesting to see the mix.”

But aside from the hosts, Montelibano said that what will define Pilipinas Win na Win is the new set of games and prizes that will elevate the excitement level not only of the studio audience but of everyone watching. “Focused ang Pilipinas Win na Win sa indibidwal, barangay, pamilya at sa lahat ng Pinoy sa buong mundo. eMamimigay pa rin s’yempre ng milyong papremyo. But now, there will be more winners. Before, the games were one-is-to-one. But now, they’re more geared for the family, for more people. It’s interactive with the barangay at may palaro para sa pamilya.”

The fun-filled opening featured the balloon game Lobo Ko ‘To which was followed by a more exciting Ping Pong Pang. Barangay game, Yaman ng Bayan was also played where Jericho won together with ka-barangayers from La Union. Echo reached the jackpot round called Open Susi-Me but failed to open the P1-M door.

Pilipinas Win na Win airs Mondays to Saturdays after Showtime.

Christian Bautista does K-Pop

Christian Bautista broke new ground again as the first Filipino artist to collaborate with a Korean Pop Group. He recorded the hit song Wrong Number with K-Pop group One Way.

“2010 has been a year of many firsts and many surprises and my collaboration with One Way is one of them,” says Christian. “Being part of one of the best upcoming K-pop groups is a great opportunity, a challenge to continue to explore other music genres. I hope fans will appreciate the version we did.”

In preparation for this special duet, Christian mustered enough courage to overcome what people see as his limitation as a performer by undergoing extensive dance classes almost every other day.

“People have a hard time imagining me dance, so I really want to devote as much time as I could to practice,” says Christian, who has Jungee Marcelo as his dance coach. “I am working very hard and I know

I’ll be better in the future. I am determined. And, I am thankful I have Jungee’s support.”

This proved Christian’s dedication to his craft. It is also a part of his new persona — bolder, more exciting . He started off improving his physique, exposing his “to-die-for” abs in a number of billboards for brands he endorsed.

Formed last February, One Way was in the country recently to promote its first album, One Way Street, distributed by Universal Records.

Buboy wants Sunshine to record an album

CESAR MONTANO and Vic Jose, a record industry whiz, are prodding Sunshine Cruz to record an album.

Shine comes from a family of musicians. No night is complete in Buboy and Shine’s resto, Bellisimo, without a song or two from Shine.

During our recent dinner there, we requested Shine to sing OPM classics that would be part of her album, if it materializes. Of course it will include a duet with Buboy.

Shine surprised Buboy on his birthday with an Hermes belt and three pairs of True Religion jeans. “Ubos ang savings ko,” Shine says, laughing. “But I love seeing him happy. His birthday gift to me na dream bag ko, six months to a year pa ang delivery. Advantage daw for him so he can save up for it.” When Buboy and Shine’s hearts are in it, the sky’s the limit!

Iya performs for princess of Brunei

Iya Villania flew to Brunei with her assistant Tricia Portillo and me to sing for the birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah, daughter

of Brunei Sultany Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, at the Istana Sports Club.

With mostly family members, the intimate barbecue dinner party was also attended by the Crown Prince HRH Al-Muhtadee Billah (successor to the Sultan) and his wife HRH Princess Sarah. Also present were the husband of Princess Rashidah, HRH Yang Amat Mulia and the sultan’s other younger son, HRH Prince Malik.

“I am so overwhelmed with this experience. This is the first time I’ve come face to face with real prince and princesses. They treated us so well. I had so much fun and they are genuinely nice people. I will never ever forget this weekend I had with the royal family for the rest of my life.” says Iya.

Iya’s rendition of Love Song, Bad Romance, Love Story, Money Honey, Smile and Last Dance was warmly received. The evening’s program also had group numbers by the children of the royal families. Other invited celebrities were two popular film actors from Indonesia — Joshua and Dimas, who sang famous Bahasa songs.

Iya enjoyed a short tour around the city with members and friends

of the royal family at the Empire Hotel, the famous Water Village and some of the malls and mosques.

Charice, Botox, negative effects on emotions

AT the rate that all columnists, beauty experts, entertainment writers, and showbiz personalities here and abroad are commenting on the Charice “botox” issue, it has emerged as the most controversial aspect of her career, almost as stupefying as her rise to fame.

While the dizzying breaks that accompanied Charice’s international career did have a few bumps and reproaches along the way (“she’s not that good; so many Filipino youngsters are better”), no one can dispute that her being at the right place at the right time catapulted her to an enviable position not only for herself, but also for her country.

And there, comes the rub. Charice must think country before she thinks of herself. Everywhere she goes, she carries the country with her. When she sings out of tune, when she dresses unbecomingly, when she speaks out of line, when she undergoes botox. Poor girl, such a heavy load for one so young. But that is the prize of fame.

Without going into details of whether or not she did get botox as the Belos and the Charice defenders are exercising damage control on, I would simply like to share something I picked up from a columnist of another publication. According to this lady, a study on botox in the scientific journal “Psychological Science” showed that not only does botox numb and paralyze the muscles resulting in the erasure of facial lines responsible for the ageing look, it also is responsible for disrupting emotions so that patients cannot express themselves well. And this is according to a team of scientists who conducted experiments on ladies injected with botolinum toxin-A commercially known as botox.

What this means is that an actress or a singer may look marvelous, but when singing or acting out anger or sorrow, our brain that cues facial muscles to move accordingly to bring out these emotions are hindered significantly from doing so in time. And that is the negative effect on those whose careers depend on effective emotions from unparalyzed facial muscles. Take this information with a grain of salt.

Star-studded opening of 'Pilipinas Win na Win'

NAPANOOD na kahapon ng tanghali (July 31), ang pinag-uusapang bagong noontime show ng ABS-CBN na Pilipinas Win na Win.

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakaton, nagsama-sama sa isang noontime show sina Robin Padilla at ang kararating lang mula sa kanyang US trip na si Kris Aquino. Kasama rin sa show sina Pokwang, Mariel Rodriguez at Valerie Concepcion.

Star-studded ang simula ng Pilipinas Win na Win kahapon dahil special guests sina Martin Nievera, Piolo Pascual, Boy Abunda, Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach, KC Concepcion, Christian Bautista, Jericho Rosales, Cristine Reyes, Karylle, Bianca Manalo, Juris, Duncan Ramos at child wonders na sina Xyriel "Momay" Manabat at Zaijan "Santino" Jaranilla.

Ayon sa business unit head ng show na si Jay Montelibano, walang dudang kasama sa inabangan ng publiko ang bagong kombinasyon ng mga hosts.

"We know of course Kris as being the Media Queen, and bihasa na siya sa pagho-host ng mga ganyang palaro. Robin has the charisma. It would actually be an interesting combination. Iisa kasi ’yung adhikain nila, ‘yung mapasaya ‘yung tao. So both have the heart. Both have the passion. It’s very, very interesting to see the mix."

Ngunit higit pa sa mga hosts, inihayag ni Jay na ang bagong hatid na palaro at papremyo ang mas lalong magbibigay-saya sa mas maraming Pilipino.

“Focused ang Pilipinas Win na Win sa indibidwal, barangay, pamilya at sa lahat ng Pinoy sa buong mundo. Mamimigay pa rin siyempre ng milyong papremyo. Pero ngayon, mas maraming mananalo. Kasi kung dati, ’yung games ay one is to one, ngayon, mas pampamilya at mas pangmaramihan. It’s interactive with the barangay at may palaro para sa pamilya,” ani Jay.

Ilan sa mga exciting games ng PWW ay ang Lobo Ko ’To na tumuloy naman sa mas exciting na Ping Pong Pang. Nilaro din ang barangay game na Yaman ng Bayan kung saan nanalo si Jericho at ang mga “kabarangayers” niyang taga-La Union.

Inabot ni Echo ang jackpot round na Open Susi-Me ngunit bigo siyang mabuksan ang P1-million door. Kasama pa sa mga dapat abangang palaro sa mga susunod na araw ang family game na Perfect Combination at ang personality-beauty contest na Muse ng Bayan.

Kris Aquino alleged affair with senator denied

President Aquino’s elder sister Pinky Abellada on Friday denied rumors that their youngest sister, television talk show host and commercial endorser Kris Aquino-Yap, was having an affair with Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

"Not true, not so true," Abellada told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on the sidelines of a tree-planting event in Quezon City in commemoration of the first death anniversary on August 1 of former President Corazon Aquino.

"Mas madalas ko pang makausap si Chiz [I speak more often with Chiz], more than Kris," she said, adding that Kris herself will speak on the matter later.