Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Be the new PBB housemate

Wake uppers:
• Feliz compleaños to our birthday celebrators: Fr. Jose Sumampong, Feb. 20; Rep. Edgar Chatto, Feb. 21; and Fiel Angelie Gabin and Dr. Jojo Maniwan, Feb. 24.

• Could it be true that some provincial board members have the sticker “Official Use Only” removed from their official vehicles? An unimpeachable Very Reliable Source (VRS) relayed this “scoop” when she saw the vehicles no longer have with the official sticker. “They want to have the government vehicles as their own,” VRS said.

• Could it be true that a Boholana nurse from Tagbilaran City is in “hot water” after she allegedly left an old woman with broken arms for four days in New Zealand in 2007? The incident was published last week and the talk of the town there. The old woman died in 2008 and she was terminated from the company after “the Human Rights Review Tribunal investigated and found she failed to maintain proper standards of care and professionalism.”

***
It’s confirmed: The ABS-CBN’s reality-based show Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) for its third season and Teen Edition 3 will have its audition on Bohol on April 17 (the venue is to be known— yet) according to ABS-CBN Production Development and Control Head and one of PBB’s business unit heads Linggit Tan in a text message she relayed to Bared.

Most auditions for TV reality shows are held in big cities like Cebu, Iloilo and Davao; however ABS-CBN decided to include Bohol in their list.

“We want to go to places where we have not had auditions before to give more people a chance to join,” said Linggit on Thursday.

Linggit and I met years ago when she was a producer of ABS-CBN’s defunct show MTB Ang Saya Saya. She was in Bohol for the live telecast of MTV Ang Saya Saya at Bohol Beach Club (one of the show’s hosts AiAi de las Alas was “harassed” — and Bohol that time was at peaked of its promotion as a tourist destination).

Back to our story, the PBB Season 3 audition is “highly” requested by the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group to hold a special audition in Bohol, according to Maru Benitez, the PBB production manager in a phone interview.

The qualifications are: “you must be Filipino or have at least some Filipino blood
in you, and must meet the age requirement.”

For PBB Season 3, from 19 to 35 years old and for PBB Teen Edition Season 3, from 14 to 17 years of age. So bring your NSO Authenticated Birth Certificates with you. Be sure to bring in also a biodata and your best pictures! You could also try to bring in your videos and other stuff that could catch the attention of the judges.

Remember the key is to stand out! It wouldn’t hurt if you also bring your Body of Work Portfolio for those who are already in the business but is yet to carve a name in the business. This is a good idea rather than wait for the Private Go-See, if you are already a model or an aspiring actor/actress. The judges will be impressed that you went through the rigors of a public audition. For all aspiring housemates, if you don’t meet the qualifications, you could at least try and see if they can relax the rules for you. Who knows, your good looks or great body (or even better, both!) could save you from the hassles of the age requirements.

The venue is to be determined sooner though there are sources from Cebu that it will be held at the Island City Mall.

“Interested participants should watch ABS-CBN for further announcement,” Benitez added.

After the two (2) seasons of Pinoy Big Brother, the mysterious voice of "Kuya" will be heard again soon. Who will the next Boholano to enter Bahay ni Kuya? Who is ready to face Big Brother’s challenges—No TV. No radio. No newspapers. No telephones.

Totally no communication with the outside world?

Abangan!

***

Kris Aquino’s recent trip on Bohol

Here’s an article about actress and Queen of Talk Kris Aquino who shares what happened on her birthday trip to Bohol:

“It’s really beautiful kasi sobrang beautiful ng Bohol. We went to Panglao. We stayed in Eskaya and ang beautiful kasi we did everything. Lahat ng Lubok river, ‘yung magla-lunch ka tapos kakantahan ka? Tapos siyempre ‘yung dalawnag anak ko ayaw magpatalo. Nakisayaw sa kanila. Kasi hanggang Boom Tarat pa lang sila. Wala silang Giling-Giling. Pero meron talaga silang medley of songs so join sila. Naki-dance doon and then after the Loboc river we went to the tarsier.”

Natuwa rin daw ng todo si Baby James sa mga Tarsier at na-amaze naman si Kris sa man-made forest doon. “He wanted to grab it (tarsier) and bring it with us. I said, ‘No, you cannot touch.’ Tapos we went to Chocolate Hills. Pero going to Chocolate Hills mas na-impress ako doon sa man-made forest. Kasi parang ‘di ba feeling mo maraming area doon ang nakalbo na iniwan ng mga illegal loggers? Doon talaga million ‘yung trees. Talagang mapi-feel mo na pwede palang mangyari ito sa Philippines, na pwede nating alagaan ang kalikasan. Amazing! And then after that ‘yung Chocolate Hills punung-puno rin ng puno. So, talagang masasabi mo ang ganda-ganda at iba ‘yung hangin. It was just so fresh and everywhere you look ni isang wrapper wala ka’ng makikita. Sana ganu’n din dito. Kasi ganu’n ka-conscious, e. Ganu’n ka-consicous ang mga tao about keeping the place clean and they are so proud of it. And then after the tarsier I went to Baclayon church, Fiest of the Assumption church, Immaculate Concepcion church and then the Cathedral. Lahat napuntahan namin. ‘Yung mga church from the 1600,1700, napuntahan namin. Ang galing!”

Parang ang daming napuntahan nina Kris kaya’t tinanong naming kung gaano nga ba kalaki ang Bohol. “Small lang. Hindi ganu’n kalaki. Pero parang malaki rin naman kasi it takes two hours to get to the othe area. And ang ganda-ganda ng mga ano daan. Kasi prinayoritize raw ng national government. Walang lubak at all! Then after that we went, so, that was day one. Tapos nu’ng day two si Claudine (Barretto) sabi niya you have to wake up. So, sabi ko okey. Kasi she went there nu’ng Christmas break. Tapos siya ‘yung nagsabi talaga, siya ‘yung kumausap sa mga owner para bigyan kami ng discount. Dahil na-friend na niya. She really insisted, sabi niya, ‘You really have to go. Wake up.’ So, 5AM of my birthday, gumising kami. Nag-boating kami to go watch the dolpbhins. Forty-five minutes ka sasakay nu’ng pump boat. Tapos hanggang sa sine-serve ka ng coffee and pastries. Tapos dadating ka doon mga ano siguro, mga more than a dozen dolphins or swimming beside you. Jumpyty-jump silang ganu’n. But they’re not like Flipper na silver? Black (sila). Iba ‘yung color. Sabi ko, ‘Ay, ba’t black?’ Kasi raw in captivity parang they breed. So, ito raw ‘yung in the wild talaga. Tapoos talagang parang nakikisayaw-sayaw sila sa ‘yo.

Ang galling. And from there we went to the honey be farm nu’ng afternoon naman ‘yun. Ang galing! First time ko. I’ve never been kasi to Sonia’s garden, e. It’s more like daw, naka-try ako ng salad na bonggavilla? As in flowers, huh.
You’re eating the flowers. Very fresh. Medyo cologne. Hahaha! ‘Di ba may ganu’ng feeling? Super fresh siya. And then we also went to doon sa isa sa mga simbahan.

Kasi raw si Bea Zobel, ‘yung daughter, is so active in revitalizing it. So, ang galing! ‘Di ba kapag ang mga madre nagluluto ‘di ba parang masarap. So, ‘yung mga madre raw ang nagbi-bake. Parang sa Good Shephered (Baguio), Bohol chapter. May bread carrot muffins, banana muffins, salabat.”

Ano ang ginawa nila ni James nu’ng Valentine’s day? “Iba-ibang church. Super tour ng tour ng church. Tapos we went to the Honeybee farm. We went to that café. Tapos nu’ng gabi, I don’t know if they jjust arranged it for me. I’m not sure, ha. Kasi biglang ‘yung Lubok children’s choir, they sang. Mga one hour ‘yung performance nila. It was so nice. Tapos they had almost 20 minutes na fireworks. Sabi ko, ‘Ahhh!’ Na-amaze kami talaga. Ang ganda-ganda! ‘Yung kids pala eight years old nagi-start. Tapos ‘pag 13 out ka na. New batch naman. Ang galing.” Nabigay na ni Kris ang Valentine and at the same time birhtday gift niya kay James na isang mamahaling Swiss watch. Nakatipid daw si Kris sa pagbili ng regalo niya kay James dahil binigyan siya ng discount. “Me naman, wala pa ‘yung gift niya sa akin. Hindi pa dumadating. Naka-order pa. I asked for a new laptop kaya lang ‘yung bagong version will be out first week of March. Na-delay,” tapos ni Kris.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Here come the grooms: Kenneth Tirol Andan to wed Alvie Gonzales

Cong. Adam Relson Jala to lead guests, Steve Carosus will be the ‘officiating priest’ and Raul Gatal will be the wedding host

Surprise, surprise! Fabulous and classy socialite, handler and travel consultant Kenneth “Mizken” Tirol Andan is getting married. Yes! This piece of information is shared by a Bared reader (who also sent some undated pictures) with a message “It’s about time that Mizken is able to talk about his plan freely and his partner Alvie Torillo Gonzales!”

The soon-to-be-couple will exchange “I do’s” (but they call it “ring vows”) on March 22, 2009 (Sunday) at the Harbor View, Bohol Tropics Resort, this city.

“Everything is ready. They have already paid for the place and the guests are informed already,” the “anonymous” sender said.

On the other hand, “Cong. Adam Relson Jala and other friends are definitely invited to the wedding,” a friend, who is close to the couple, squeals. “Mizken wants Steve Carosus to be the minister. Steve was also the officiating minister to the wedding of Blaire and Patrick in Panglao.”


Mizken and Alvie have been going out for quite some time, and when Mizken (then
choked back tears of joy) announced the news that he’s getting married to his friends, they cheered wildly. Whatever, if any, controversy this creates, Mizken is used to it. Mizken famously "came out" after a promising singing and acting career on ABS-CBN when he was a teen and has been as open as anyone about being gay since then in Bohol.

Earlier, Mizken told friends he was "thrilled" about tying the knot. He’s so excited
and emotional now. He can’t imagine how that's going to be and they want it to be memorable.

"We are happy for them…Di bah we all deserve the same rights?" a friend said.

The invited guests and luminaries (yes, friends of the couple to be) who will give their inspirational speeches are Cong. Adam Jala, Jerber Mercado, Dr. Aileen Tan, Dennis Du, Loida Lagonoy, fashion icons EJ Relampagos, Maximiel Tallo, Henry Baron, Jan Del Valle, Baba yap, Ron Tan, Eric Ngo, Cathy Remperas, LJ Lumayag, Lalaine Husain, couple Jimabel Magallo-Ramirez and Geraldine Ramirez and Leizl Lim Gregorio.

Raul Gatal will be the master of ceremony, while Steve Carosus will be the officiating priest/minister.


It is not clear if what Mizken has to wear during that memorable day. He has invited fashion designers. However, the guests are advised to wear all white and should wear black slippers or black sandals only. Wearing of gowns, Americana, leather shoes, high heels and rubber shoes are strictly prohibited.

The couple-to-be thank their parents for teaching them the true meaning of
friendship, trust and most importantly, love.

Gay marriage has become a hot-button issue in this country. In the US, the gay marriage ban was lifted and Ellen DeGeneres took the chance to marry actress Portia de Rossi. So is George Takei. And Rosie O'Donnell married Kelli Carpenter.

For the skeptics, gay marriages will not happen in Bohol but there are actually gay marriages held in Bohol— and are getting popular! In 2005, a gay marriage between two women was held in Panglao conducted by the Gahum Philippines, Inc. with the late founder Tonette Lopez). Another gay marriage between two men (a local beauty and an American) was held last year. A marriage between two women (who came from two prominent families) was cancelled two years ago—yet the couple lived happily together. Most of these gay marriages are done privately because they’re not given the chance to jump at the chance to walk down the aisle.

In the Philippines, gay marriage is illegal but if two people who make the pledge to love each other has a binding force and effect equal to that of a law.

What’s up------------------------------------

• Celebrate your Valentine’s Day with soul siren Nina live at Bohol Tropics (at the Dagohoy Grand Ballroom) on Feb. 14! Nina is best known for her immortal hits, Love Moves in Mysterious Ways, Someday and Through the Fire. She has released multi-platinum record sales and seven number 1 singles topping the charts. Her album Nina Live! is the biggest selling album by a female OPM artist, and the third biggest selling album in OPM History. Tickets are worth P200. Get yours now! For details, please call (+63 38) 411 3510 to 14 or 411 2529.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Their favorite love song

Ladies and gentlemen (single, married, hopeless romantic, full of love and loveless), let us sing together:

I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the years, you've never let me down
You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you
Through the years

I can't remember what I used to do
Who I trusted, who I listened to before
I swear you taught me everything I know
Can't imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more

Through the years, through all the good and bad
I know how much we had, I've always been so glad
To be with you ... Through the years
It's better every day, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years

Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong, I know that I belong
Right here with you ... Through the years
I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out
I've learned what life's about, by loving you
Through the years

Through the years, you've never let me down
You've turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
It's better every day, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years...


I am sure the above lyrics are quite familiar to Bared readers and other music fans. That song, Through the Years (sung b y Kenny Rogers), we can easily belt out the entire song with all its stirring rhythm and harmony. This song will be forever famous for it is very touching, especially the line “Through the years
I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made...And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you through the years.” This song really made me thinking of special someone and it really makes me cry when I'm listened to it...it shows that love is strong when there's someone returning it through the good times and bad.

Here’s another one! Cuidarte El Alma (Take Care of Your Soul) by Chayanne, a Puerto Rican Latin pop singer, one of the most beautiful love songs I have heard! Entiendo español? Si senor! The song which is different and delightful never fails me to turn misty-eyed because it shows that love is essential and indispensable, especially the line “If I could only be with you, To have you sleep in my arms, And silently watch you, If only I could draw for you, A scene from my dreams, Where you are always present, To have you here, To tell you what I feel…” Though the lyrics are in Spanish, the English translation is like a sword that can able to pierce through the hardest hearts! Here’s the English version (you can view this at youtube.com):

Those are my favorite love songs. What’s yours?

I asked some of my friends about theirs. Here they are:

Katrina Schoof
Traveler/Entrepreneur
One of my favorite songs is Irreplaceable by Beyonce because it shows women of today, how independent they have been and emotionally strong they are now.

Jesat Cathy Duce
SK Pop Idol 2006
I Surrender is my favorite love song because I love the melody and the lyrics... and the way the song is arranged, it’s so wonderful.

Jepsy Cajegas
Nurse/Beauty Queen
Take my Breath Away by Berlin (from the film Top Gun). It’s spontaneous and so true.

Mary Ann Aparece
DILG officer
I’ve Been Waiting for You by Guys Next Door. I like it because it pictures my lovelife after 2 ½ years of waiting.

John Torralba
Youth leader
Just Tell Me You Love Me. It reminds me of someone who is very special to me.

Analyn Boniel
Police Officer
It Might Be You. I want to find a home.

Bon Ryan Bongato
StudentI Think of You by Tata Young. If you read the lyrics, you will find it inspiring, it meant someone special for you who gives you security, inspiration and will to move on even if that person is gone or just far. Thinking of someone as your idol or as someone who thinks that you can do and gives courage to take flight despite the downfalls of life…

Loida Lagonoy
Nurse/Beauty Queen
I have hundreds of favorite love songs from different generation. But I can give you one—When You Tell Me That You Love Me by Dianna Ross and Julio Iglesias. It’s very emotive and expressive of love.

Morres Sarabia
Band manager/composer
My fave song is Beyond The Sea because I always travel and hope someone will wait for me.

Gerry Lugod
Tour operator
Me by Tania. The song inspires me.

Rebeca Lusterio
Actress
Teardrops on My Guitar. The song tells about loving someone yet you’re not his type. The guy left the girl because he found someone better. It’s one of the many reasons why lovers broke apart.

Paloma
Entertainer
Listen. You can hear me singing this love song at my animal show with Prony, the biggest python in captivity. My performance is available on youtube! Watch me!

Jane Cajes and bf split up!

• First, this blind item: A young businessman (who likes to party) and his sexy girlfriend (who’s the apple of the eyes) whose sugary and sweetness has turned into bitterness couple of weeks ago. The unimpeachable Very Reliable Source (VRS) almost died laughing when he saw the two who met accidentally in a mobile business center to pay their bills. “It was an accident they met in an unexpected place in an unexpected time. They are into splitsville dear!” VRS said.

• Second splitsville item: Jane Censoria Cajes broke up with her politician boyfriend (a vice mayor in a province somewhere Luzon) for reasons never made clear. We saw the loveless Jane Tuesday who attended the regular session at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan a little bit “affected” or we say, “Heartbroken.” Asked if she can survive without a boyfriend (it’s Valentine’s Day next week! Ouch, ouch! ), she broke into a wan smile. “I have to concentrate in my studies and for the SK. My heart can wait for someone special,” she said.

• Watch Martin Nievera on Feb. 8 at the Verdant Pavilion of Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa. Martin is the man behind the soundtracks of hit teleseryes Kahit Isang Saglit and Lobo. He has the magnetic appeal, soothing voice and stage prowess, so don’t forget to buy tickets (sold at the BQ Mall at P2, 000 for VIP seats, P1, 500 and P1, 000 for sure seats and P500 for general admission. You can call 411-2969 or 09209505258 for further information.