Showbiz News
Narzil Ariel in Perterporn Scandal gets arrested
0JAKARTA – An Indonesian rock star surrendered to police Tuesday after 2 homemade sex videos of himself with his celebrity girlfriends appeared online, sparking a raging debate about Internet porn.
Singer Nazril Ariel, 28, has been at the center of the “Peterporn” scandal, named after his band Peterpan, since the grainy but explicit videos went viral on Indonesian websites earlier this month.
“Ariel surrendered today at 3:00 am (2000 GMT Monday) after police named him a suspect for breaching the anti-pornography law. If he hadn’t surrendered we would have arrested him,” police deputy spokesman Zainuri Lubis said.
The mainly Muslim country’s first celebrity sex video scandal has underscored the widening gulf between traditional values and modern, Internet-driven youth culture in the Southeast Asian archipelago.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has cited the videos in voicing his support for tougher controls on the Internet.
“We have increasingly realized that our nation should not stay naked and be crushed by the information technology frenzy, because there will be many victims,” he told reporters on Friday.
The videos were apparently filmed by Ariel and appear to show him having sex with his current girlfriend Luna Maya, 26, and his ex-girlfriend Cut Tari, 32, on separate occasions.
Both women were prominent television personalities but their careers have imploded since the videos were made public and they have been dropped by their corporate sponsors.
Tari, who is married and also could face up to 9 months in prison for adultery, is due for another round of questioning later Tuesday, police said.
The celebrities deny uploading the clips but could still face up to 12 years in jail for breaches of the country’s 2008 anti-pornography law.
The case is the first major test of the law, which sets stiff prison sentences for anyone who produces, disseminates, trades or provides pornography.
The law — which defines pornography as all works and “bodily movements” deemed obscene or capable of violating public morality — has been criticized by human rights and civil society groups as a threat to pluralism.
But Yudhoyono said last week the Peterporn scandal highlighted the need for more controls tailored for the Internet, which many see as the main source of pornography even though pirated porn DVDs are widely sold on the streets.
Communications Minister Tifatul Sembiring, of a conservative Islamic party, has jumped on the scandal to revive his pet project — shelved due to broad opposition earlier this year — to filter the Internet for “negative” content.
Sembiring has promised to issue a ministerial decree by the end of the year to “save the young” from Internet porn.
But he was forced to issue an apology on social networking websites after linking the scandal to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
He also linked pornography to HIV-AIDS and said funding to fight the disease was a waste of money.
The country’s blogosphere has lit up over the Peterporn debate.
A “Support Ariel” feed on micro-blogging site Twitter included this comment from a fan: “The police are always champions when it comes to arresting people in cases like this. Try getting them to arrest corruptors…”
Indonesia has about 40 million Internet users out of a total population of 240 million, according to official figures.
via: Agence France-Presse
First Pilipinas Got Talent Grand Winner
0Jovit Baldivino, 16, a born Batangueno, took home the first Pilipinos Got Talent (PGT) grand winner title held at Araneta Coliseum, Cubao.
Jovit vested the other 11 grand finalists from around the archipelago getting 48.81% or almost half of the total votes.
Jovit was a just a poor siomai vendor before he joined PGT. Not anymore, because along with the title, he won 2 million pesos.
“Gusto ko pong matulungan yung mga kapatid ko, yung pamilya ko,” Jovit answered when Kris Aquino asked him what he asks for to ABS-CBN and to the Filipino people.
From thousands of talented Pinoy who auditioned, the 36 semi-finalists were deduced to 12. Each of the twelve grand competitors was assigned to a group to form unique production numbers.
Velasco Brothers and Baguio Metamorphosis joined Jovit Baldivino in the top three. The two received 100,000 pesos each while the other nine finalists got 50,000 pesos each.
Luis Manzano and Iya Villania hosted the grand competition. Joining them were of course the judges, Kris Aquino, Ai-ai delas Alas and FMG.
Present in the event were ABS-CBN heads lead by Miss Cory Vidanes.
Revilla to Host Wowowee?
0After Senator Bong Revilla confirmed that he was given the offer of ABS-CBN to become the permanent host of Wowowee, he said he had to turn down the offer out of respect to Willie Revillame.
Willie Revillame is still on his “indefinite leave” while the “Kanto Boys” Billy Crawford, John Lloyd Cruz and Luis Manzano took over his place to entertain the Filipino people every noontime.
Senator Revilla who ranked as number 1 in the last senatorial race was the last person offered by ABS-CBN after Aga Muhlach who also declined the hosting opportunity.
Idol Robin Padilla hosted the show for about a month before Revilla and Muhlach got the offer.
Is Revillame going back after his leave? Or is there any other guy who has that “mass-factor” who will take over his place?
Willie Revillame Resignation Letter
9So after an indefinite leave at the noontime show Wowowee, Willie has submitted some sort of a resignation letter to the Chairman and President of ABS-CBN.
Here’s a copy of the resignation letter:
12 May 2010
MR. EUGENIO LOPEZ, III
Chairman of the Board
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Mo. Ignacia Ave., Quezon City
Through: Ms. Charo Santos-Concio
President
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Dear Sir Gabby and Ma’am Charo,
I have labored over the past week on what to do in the face of another setback in my relations with the management of the network. ABS-CBN has been my home for the last five years and five months and it has given me the greatest gift – the opportunity to reach out to people who have so little in life.
In the process, I have come to realize that my gratitude to the network would be more meaningful if I considered the impact of my recent actions which has placed the station in a bad light. This is among the reasons, as I will explain in this letter, that I humbly request the management, to release me as a talent of the network. (Willie’s contract is good for one year and a half more. — RFL)
It is no secret that the program “Wowowee,” for almost five and a half years, has been the core of my existence. The program gives me a sense of purpose because I make people happy and I give them hope that, despite their difficulties, they can make things happen for themselves. Because of this, my world has revolved around the show. The desire to make it the best noontime show, has consumed my waking hours, as I conceptualize its format and contents from Monday to Saturday. Apart from this, I want the show to give the network excellent ratings to maintain its reputation as the leader in the broadcasting industry.
My devotion to the show is unparalleled that I have even been besieged by health problems due to the long hours I spend daily, thinking of how to bring “Wowowee” closer to the public. In fact, I have developed a heart blockage, which has already once posed a real threat to my life. I have sacrificed so much. Now, I have to accept the reality that I also have to take good care of my health.
Hence, it is very painful to hear every time my show is the target of unwanted and unnecessary tirades. I do not think that these people even have the slightest clue of what I go through to put together a show like “Wowowee”’. The show is not for me, but for those people who dream of a better life. Is it too much to ask that we be respected for what we do? Is it too much to ask that we be defended from such attacks?
My outburst last week during the live presentation of the show is nothing more than a reflection of my frustration over these things, and was not at all meant to disrespect the network and its management. I implore you to understand that several incidents, which were beyond my control which have marred the reputation of the show to some extent, have already taken their toll on me.
There was the “Wilyonaryo” incident wherein we were accused of deceiving contestants about their winnings; the Ultra stampede wherein I was blamed and severely criticized; the misunderstanding about my remarks when the coverage of the funeral of the late Pres. Corazon Aquino was unexpectedly shown in the giling-giling portion of “Wowowee”’s airing, for which I have apologized. In all these incidents, I took responsibility even if I was not at fault.
I do not want to cause any further embarrassment to the network. I know that all these have caused so much strain on our relations and I would like to save the situation by asking that I be released as a talent of the station. This way, I will have the much-needed space and time to contemplate on my direction in life and, at the same time, maintain the relationships I have built within the network, which are all worth preserving.
Before I end this letter, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all the important people I have had the good fortune to work with during the years I have been with ABS-CBN. Ma’am Charo, maraming salamat sa lahat ng pagkakataon na naibigay ninyo sa akin. Kayo po ang tinuturing kong ina na patuloy akong tinatanggap at minamahal sa kabila ng lahat ng aking kahinaan. Hinding-hindi ko po kayo makakalimutan at lahat ng mga bagay na ginawa ninyo para sa akin.
Kay Mr. Gabby Lopez, maraming salamat po sa inyong pagtitiwala sa aking kakayanan na magbigay ng mahusay na programa. Kay Tita Cory Vidanes, maraming salamat sa pagiging maunawain ninyo sa akin. Kay Mr. Johnny Manahan, maraming salamat sa walang-sawang pag-suporta ninyo sa akin at sa “Wowowee,” at lalong lalo na sa pagtayo ninyo bilang aking pangalawang ama. Kay Ms. Linggit Tan, Mr. Jay Montelibano at Mr. Edgar Mortiz, maraming salamat sa suporta at tulong ninyo na mapabuti and programang “Wowowee” para sa ikaliligaya ngmga natutulangan natin. Sa lahat ng bumubuo ng management ng ABS-CBN, maraming salamat sa tulong ninyo sa aking programa.
Higit sa lahat, sa lahat ng mga taong sumuporta at patulong na sumusuporta sa show na “Wowowee,” maraming salamat at kayo ang nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas na gawin ang mga dapat kong gawin. Sana po ay maunawaan ninyo ang aking kahilingan sa sulat na ito. Ayaw ko na pong may masasaktan pa at gusto ko lang na maisaayos lahat. Taos-puso akong humihingi sa inyo ng tawad at lubos na pang-unawa sa lahat ng pinagdadaanan ko ngayon.
There will never be enough words to express my gratitude to all of you…
Salamat at mabuhay po kayong lahat!
Respectfully yours,
— Willie B. Revillame
Copy furnished:
Ms. Charo Santos-Concio
Ms. Cory Vidanes
Mr. Johnny Manahan
Ms. Arlene De Castro
Ms. Linggit Tan
Mr. Jay Montelibano
Mr. Edgar Mortiz
Vice Ganda is top Facebook Personality in the Philippines
0Kapamilya talent, Vice Ganda, is currently the top most followed Philippine personality on Facebook with a total of 1,499,228 people follower the Fan Page.
Vice Ganda (real name: Jose Marie “Vice Ganda” Viceral) is a show host, actor/performer and comedian. He’s a resident-judge of the noontime show called Showtime under the ABS-CBN network. He is currently managed by columnist and talk show host Ogie Diaz.
The comedian has been popularly known for the catchy phrase “at dahil dyan, may nag text!” which is both wittyb and funny at the same time. The close to 1.5million fans/followers on Facebook is a testament as to the popularity of Vice Ganda in Philippine showbiz.
Facebook Campaign for Kris to leave Philippines
0In the eve of Noynoy Aquino’s apparent ascendancy to the Philippine presidency, a new controversy is brewing and this time, it’s about the younger sister, Kris Aquino, is the subject of an online attack.
Jennifer Gumarang from BDO, Buenavista
2It’s been several weeks since we first heard of this Filipina named Jennifer M. Gumarang. We really don’t know who she is and why she has been the subject of curiosity among a lot of people.
Some said it is because of a recent BDO scandal in Buenavista. It is still unknown what happened but we will keep on checking about this and update you on any developments.
Dingdong & Marian for San Marino Corned Tuna
0This would be one of the best shot TV Commercial as some of the viewers thought they were having an upcoming film shoot, but it was meant for a TV Commercial for San Marino Corned Tuna, this time, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera makes this ad more exciting as they depict a short story about finding true love. San Marino Corned Tuna contains Omega 3, a nutrient that is good for the heart. Find your true love in San Marino Corned Tuna, now available in leading supermarkets nationwide.
Bianca Gonzalez for UNO Magazine September 2009
0TV Host and Model Bianca Gonzalez is on the latest issue of UNO Magazine. On its September issue, Bianca reveals her sexy body with some bit of her flesh peeping in, but it was a very artistic shot without the malice. Bianca will join Toni Gonzaga in hosting the weeknight show, Showbiz News Nagyon, filling in for Kris Aquino who will be on a vacation with his family. See more of Bianca Gonzalez as you grab a copy of UNO Magazine, now available at your favorite bookstores and magazine stands nationwide.
Star Cinema’s “In My Life” to be shown in SM Cinemas
0Star Cinema’s ” In My Life ” is set to open on September 16, nationwide and will be having international screenings to. But the good news is, the movie will be shown in SM Cinemas again after they settle some things that resulted in Star Cinema pulling out their movies from SM Cinema, beginning with Bea Alonzo’s And I Love You So because of revenue sharing issues. But this time, In My Life will be screened in SM Cinemas this coming September 16 as both parties promised to settle the issue on their own. ” In My Life ” stars John Lloyd Cruz, Luis Manzano and Star for all Seasons Ms. Vilma Santos directed by Olive Lamasan.