Sixteen-year-old Jieriel Papa of Davao became the first Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus housemate to be evicted after voting ended Saturday night.

Jieriel's fellow nominees for eviction, Linda, Josef, Valerie and Priscilla were saved.

Jieriel received the lowest number of votes (4.59%) while Josef got the highest (47.49%). Automatic nominees Priscilla and Valerie got 19.98% and 18.66% respectively while Linda got 9.28%.

Known as the "Bubbly Girl from Davao", Jeriel made a tearful farewell to her fellow housemates.

She spent so much time saying good-bye that Kuya had to call her out several times before she finally left the premises.

This leaves 13 PBB teen housemates still inside the PBB house.

abs-cbnNEWS.com

BY BOY VILLASANTA
abs-cbnNEWS.com

An interesting mix of twelve wonderful teenagers makes the current "Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus" a wonderful visual experience.

The teeners were welcomed Sunday night as the new housemates of the Big Brother House, after going through rigorous auditions.

Most of the housemates were true-blue Filipinos; the rest were of mixed heritage.

One thing that a lot of the kids had in common was that they came from seemingly dysfunctional families. Here is a rundown of the colorful personalities comprising "PBB Teen Edition Plus".

Ejay Falcon, 18, comes from a poor area in Mindoro, where fishing and copra-making are the main livelihood. Ejay grew up under the sole guidance of his father, and is determined to make it on his own.

Kevin Garcia, 18, is of Spanish lineage on his father's side, and has Irish blood from his mother. He came to the Philippines with his mother after his parents separated.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Nicole from Cebu seems to be the luckiest girl in the group, having been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She is the most pampered person in her household, and comes from a tight-knit family.

Half-Swedish, half-Filipino Linda from Iriga City has joined several beauty contests, bikini opens included, but has never made it as titleholder.

Three housemates are from Davao; namely Nan, 17, a natural comedian; cheerful Jieriel, 16, who grew up with her stepdad after her biological father left her when she was just a tyke; and the incredible Priscilla, 17, who despite her hearing deficiency wants to interact with people of all persuasions. She discerns other people’s actions and reactions mostly through lip reading. Priscilla has won beauty titles, including Miss Teen Philippines-Mindanao.

Italian-born Alex, 18, left Milan with his Filipina mom who worked as a domestic helper there for twenty years, to settle permanently in Manila. His parents also ended up parting ways.

18-year-old Rona from Dumaguete, beams with pride even if her father is in prison. "This is for you, Dad. I love you," she said.

Meanwhile, a Fil-German, Valerie, 18, became fatherless four years ago. Her elder brother has been missing for eleven years, so she went to the Philippines to look for him.

Two pluses to the reality search are Robi Domingo of Ateneo and Josef of De La Salle University, who are likely to bring the archrivalry between their alma maters into the PBB House.

These young people weave colorful moments 24/7, as their lives become increasingly entangled within the Big Brother House.

Game show host queen Kris Aquino maybe six weeks pregnant with her second child by husband cage star James Yap but wants to wait for another check up with her doctor before really confirming the report.

“Had my check up w/ Dr. Pastorfide. My yolk sac was visible sa ultra sound but no fetal pole yet because i'm going on my 6th wk pa lang. I go back on Wed to 100% confirm that my pregnancy is viable. We'll also do all my blood works & other tests to make sure I'll have healthy pregnancy,” Aquino told ABS-CBN’s Mario Dumaual through a text message.

The expectant mom said she'd prefer to give other details of her pregnancy and be interviewed after the Holy Week.

In another text message she said her check-up next Wednesday would be “when we can be sure 100% sure”.

Aquino’s message rooted from abs-cbNEWS.com's breaking report that the host-actress had already announced her pregnancy during the taping of her newest game show “Wheel of Fortune.”

In the report, it said that Aquino was told by her gynecologist that there were already heartbeats heard during the Doppler Test.

Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino in real life, is the daughter of former president Corazon Aquino and the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr., both key figures in toppling the Marcos regime.


The expectant mom has a son, Joshua, with her former live-in-partner, actor Philip Salvador. On April 19, 2007, Aquino gave birth to her first child with Yap, by caesarean section.

She has been dubbed as the "Queen of Talk" because of her success in hosting talk shows. Aquino was also crowned the Box Office Queen for her hit movies "Feng Shui", "So…Happy Together" and "Sukob."

Her current television programs in the Kapamilya network are the daily talk show "Boy & Kris" and the game show "Wheel of Fortune."
Source: www.abs-cbnNEWS.com

abs-cbnNEWS.com

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court threw out a petition filed by GMA-7 which sought to stop ABS-CBN from airing reports about the alleged TV ratings manipulation scandal that purpotedly cast "dishonor, discredit and disrepute" to the former.

Judge Alexander Balut in his ruling denied GMA-7's petition for preliminary injunction on three grounds:

1) GMA-7's petition to stop ABS-CBN's supposedly libelous reports comes too late--the reports have already been aired;

2) GMA-7's petition for injunction goes beyond the prayer contained in its complaint; and

3) GMA-7's petition for injunction constitutes prior restraint of freedom of expression and, therefore, unconstitutional.

Judge Balut in his ruling said that since ABS-CBN had already aired its reports, there is nothing for the court to stop. "It is clear that plaintiff’s causes of action are based on acts that were already consummated. Having already been committed, these acts can no longer be enjoined. Simply stated, there is actually nothing to enjoin," wrote the judge.

The judge also ruled that it "appears" as though GMA-7 "seeks to enjoin acts beyond the prayer in the complaint", adding that "[this] cannot be done. It is anathema to an existing jurisprudence on the matter."

Unconstitutional

Finally, the judge said that the court cannot grant the petition for preliminary injunction because doing so would violate the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.

"To issue the writ of preliminary injunction in this case would be to impermissibly interfere defendants' freedom of expression. It would be constitutive of a previous restraint or censorship, which no less than the Constitution abhors," the judge ruled.

Balut also said that GMA-7 failed to lay down enough justifiable grounds to warrant prior restraint of ABS-CBN's reports.

"Applying one of the tests, i.e., The Clear and Present Danger Rule, the Court finds that plaintiff failed to lay down factual bases constituting a clear and present danger that would justify prior restraint. In fact, the bone of contention is purely civil in nature, such that the "substantive evil" which the State has the ultimate right to prevent is wanting."

The judge also wrote in his decision that GMA-7 may still avail of other legal remedies outside of a preliminary injunction (filing libel cases, etc.,) if it feels that it has been wronged by past or future reports aired by ABS-CBN:

"If it believed defendants' acts are contemptuous or obstructive of a free and fair hearing on the case, plaintiff has other remedies provided under the Rules of Court."

However, Judge Balut also warned ABS-CBN not to abuse the right to free expression, either to destroy GMA-7's reputation or influence the outcome of cases being heard in court:

"Needless to state, pending the trial of this case on its merits, free expression must not be used as an instrument to perpetrate unlawful ends to the obstruction of the administration of justice."

In its petition to the court, GMA-7 claimed that ABS-CBN tailored its news reports on the TV ratings manipulation scandal to portray the former as "a fraudster and manipulator of the ratings in Bacolod City by deliberately twisting and distorting the statement of Ms. Reformina, the general manager of AGB Nielsen..."

GMA-7 further complained that ABS-CBN's reports on the scandal were "orchestrated and/or scripted and intentionally perpetrated to defame, impeach and besmirch the reputation of plaintiff GMA 7".

Inhibitions

Judge Balut is the third judge to hear the P15-million libel case filed by GMA-7 against ABS-CBN. The first judge, Judge Samuel Gaerlan, inhibited himself following a motion for his inhibition by ABS-CBN. Gaerlan had earlier admitted that a member of ABS-CBN's legal department is his cousin.

The second judge to hear the case, Judge Henri Jean Paul Inting, also inhibited himself following a motion filed by ABS-CBN.

Inting had earlier granted a petition for a temporary restraining order filed by GMA-7 against ABS-CBN's airing of reports related to the TV ratings controversy.

ABS-CBN then filed a petition for certiorari before the Court of Appeals to stop the implementation of the TRO. ABS-CBN maintained that "the issue of corruption as brought out by the discovery of the TV ratings manipulation is a matter of clear public interest, and therefore needs to be reported on."

The network also deplored the fact that the TRO "grants GMA Network a virtual immunity from accusation. No person or entity has ever enjoyed such a privilege, not even the highest public officers of the land.

In his order for inhibition, Inting said that he is following "the Supreme Court ruling that at the very first sign of lack of faith and trust in his actions, whether well-grounded or not, the judge has no other alternative but to inhibit himself from the case."

"Not the end"

GMA-7 in an official statement said that the libel case against ABS-CBN will continue despite Balut's denial of its petition. The statement noted that Balut based his ruling partly on evidence that Inting had earlier dismissed.

"Current Judge Balut allowed what the previous judge found irrelevant - and that was to allow more testimonies from other ABS-CBN informants. In the hearing before Judge Balut, these ABS-CBN informants admitted they had no proof of employment with GMA, NO ID, no contracts."

Reacting to the court's ruling GMA Network legal counsel Gener Asuncion said that "Freedom of expression does not mean they (ABS-CBN) have the right to destroy another's reputation. An abuse of freedom also destroys it."

In the statement GMA-7 said that it would continue efforts to stop ABS-CBN from airing its reports. "This is not the end of the libel suit. ABS-CBN wanted the end of the TRO and they wanted to block the injuction because ABS-CBN wanted to continue atacking the reputation of GMA Network. We will try not to let them do this."

Angel Locsin is gracing the cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine, the local edition of the largest young women’s magazine in the world, for the third time, but this one’s different from what she did from any magazines before - she posed in a swimsuit!

ABS-CBN’s Lobo star, Angel Locsin has also appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine last May 2005 and November 2006.
Here are Angel Locsin’s previous covers for Cosmo:

By REYMA BUAN-DEVEZA
abs-cbnNEWS.com

Is 'Asia's Songbird' Regine Velasquez really moving to ABS-CBN now that her contract with GMA-7 has expired?

If we believe earlier reports, she isn't doing any such thing because, according to the reports quoting Velasquez's current flame Ogie Alcasid, she can never bring herself to leave GMA-7 while he still has shows there (a weekend variety show and a gag show).

But wait. Now Velasquez is saying that Alcasid never made such a statement.

“Actually sinabi niya na hindi daw nanggaling sa kanya (Actually, he told me that he never made such a statement),” Velasquez told abs-cbnNews.com during a press conference for her coming lead role in an episode of ABS-CBN’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya", held at 9501 of ELJ’s Building inside the network’s compound Saturday afternoon.

“He did not say that ‘Regine will not leave me.’ He just said that ‘I don’t think I should be talking about it’, that’s what I know,” she explained.

Velasquez made said hat her beau is a very supportive person and will always be there to comfort her and make her happy no matter what her decision may be.

“He will support me. Whatever decision I will make he will support me,” she said.

Velasquez revealed that she received offers from both networks but hasn't made up her mind yet. She added that in making her decision, she will definitely consider Alcasid's feelings.

“Kasi alam niyo siyempre iko-consider ko iyong feelings niya at saka iyong siya na hindi kami magkikita sa work iko-consider ko talaga iyon but still it’s my career, it’s my decision and he knows that.”

(Of course I'll think about how he will feel and the possibility that we won't be seeing each other at work. But still it's my career, it's my decision and he knows that)

Velasquez is starring in MMK for the second time. Her first was with hunk actor Piolo Pascual back in 2002. Her performance earned for her a Star Awards Best Actress recognition.

This time, the singer/ actress will work with award-winning actor Albert Martinez and award-winning director Jeffrey Jeturian in a story about lovers being torn apart by their families.

Watch Velasquez’s rare appearance in country’s longest running and most-awarded drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya” this coming February 22 (Friday), after “Maging Sino Ka Man.”

Velasquez is now preparing for the second season of Celebrity Duets and reports say she will be doing a movie with Alcasid with working title "Love is Deaf... And Blind."
Soure: abs-cbnnews.com

By REYMA BUAN-DEVEZA
abs-cbnNEWS.com

It's been a long time coming.

Showbiz royalty KC Concepcion became emotional and shed tears as she shared the experience of acting for her very first television drama project with ABS-CBN’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK).”

“Naiiyak nga po ako kasi parang hindi ko alam na naging dream come true pala siya na ito ang kinalakihan ko. Hindi ko na experience ang fulfillment na ito that came to reality until now,” KC told members of the entertainment media.

“I'm very, very happy to be here for another reason. So, excited about this experience, about this offering, this project. It took me 22 years to get here to be speaking to you about this TV debut, this acting project, this acting experience,” she added.

KC, Maria Kristina Cassandra Concepcion in real life, is the daughter of Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion.

Cuneta, who is now married to Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, has previously said that she did not want KC to join local showbiz.

KC said that she really enjoyed her acting debut and felt overwhelmed doing it with her very own Kapamilya network. She credited her mom for exposing her early to the entertainment business.

"Of course my inspiration for this is really my mom because dinadala niya ako sa set nong bata pa ako at doon ako gumagawa ng homework ko at doon kami nagba-bonding together. So hindi ko alam (na) malaki pala talaga iyong influence na iyon sa akin in terms of the craft at napapanood ko siya doing iyong commitment niya doon sa trabaho niya," she said.

The MMK special sees KC play the role of Darlene, a young lady who lives a comfortable life until a tragedy leaves her family without a father. From a rich and sheltered party-girl, Darlene becomes her family’s breadwinner.

Concepcion will be joined by multi-talented actor Ricky Davao, model and actor Derek Ramsay and singer actress Agot Isidro. The show is directed by Jerry Sineneng.

The MMK special will be aired this coming Friday, February 15, as the Valentine offering of Kapamilya network.

ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation's chief legal officer said the media giant will file a motion for reconsideration, after the Supreme Court dismissed the network's petition requesting a dismissal of an investigation conducted by the Department of Justice on the "Wowowee" stampede that killed 71 people.

The deadly stampede on February 4, 2006 happened as a crowd of 'Wowowee' fans (estimates run as high as 30,000 people) tried to get into the show's first year anniversary bash inside the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

ABS-CBN earlier questioned the DOJ probe before the Supreme Court, claiming that the speedy investigation as well as certain statements by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez proved that the agency is biased against the network.

The 22-page decision penned by Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales said that the high court found nothing defective in the DOJ's complaint and resolution despite having no signed affidavit from the victims. The Supreme Court said that the facts of the case as stated on record are sufficient.

The high court also said that remarks made by Gonzalez to the media do not indicate that he has already pre-judged the case. It added that any fear on the part of the network regarding possible bias is just "speculation."

The Supreme Court also disagreed with ABS-CBN's contention that the DOJ violated lawful procedure by conducting both the criminal as well as preliminary investigation on the Wowowee stampede.

The high court said that records show that it was the National Bureau of Investigation, not the DOJ, that conducted the criminal investigation.

Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez said that the high court's decision paves the way for the continuation of legal proceedings, although the network still has 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration.

ABS-CBN's official statement on the Supreme Court ruling is as follows:

"ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation will file a motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court.

"We want to emphasize that this is not a ruling on the merits of the case. There is no finding of any liability on the part of any officers or staff of ABS-CBN.

"We maintain our position that ABS-CBN was not remiss in taking the necessary precautions in undertaking the event. While we believe that there was no negligence on the part of the network’s officials, ABS-CBN has taken the lead in helping the victims’ families through the 71 Dreams Foundation."

abs-cbnNEWS.com is the online news department of ABS-CBN Interactive Inc., an ABS-CBN subsidiary.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=107308

Charice Pempengco, the 14-year-old Filipino singer whose YouTube videos wowed audiences here and abroad, guested and sang in the American television show "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" last Wednesday (Thursday Manila time), ABS-CBN News Bureau Chief Ging Reyes reported.

CHARICE PEMPENGCO LIVE ON ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW


Pempengco guested on DeGeneres's nationally-syndicated television show where she sang "And I am Telling You" from the musical Dreamgirls.

After her performance, the audience gave her a standing ovation while host DeGeneres remarked, "you're amazing."

Upon her arrival in Los Angeles, Pempengco also met with music producer Davis Foster and prominent entertainment lawyer Ed Shapiro.
Shapiro said the teenaged singer's talent is "exceptional."

"You don't find the Mariah Careys everyday - they come once in a while. The Whitney Houstons, they don't happen all the time. [We] think Charice is literally that, that next to Whitney, next to Mariah," said Shapiro.

Pempengco was also emotional after her performance on Ellen's show, saying she did not expect that kind of reception in America.
"Yung isa sa dream ko, natupad na. Tapos lalo pa ng sinabi ni Ms. Ellen na 'you're already a big star here,' sabi nya. Tapos proud na proud daw siya sakin -- tuwang tuwa po ako. Hindi ko po akalain na ganito po ako tatanggapin ng mga taga-America. Hindi po nila pinansin kahit na Pinay ako - pinansin nilang pangalan ko," she said.

(One of my dreams came true, especially after Ms. Ellen said that 'you're already a big star here,' and that she's proud of me -- I'm really happy. I did not expect that Americans would welcome me like this. They did not mind that I am a Pinay - they only noticed my name)

Pempengco will return to the Philippines to fulfill several engagements, and she expects that she still has a long way to go after her unforgettable Hollywood experience.

Pempengco was a former contestant on the ABS-CBN show "Little Big Star," a children's singing contest hosted by Sarah Geronimo. She placed 2nd in the show's Big Division (for 10-13 year old competitors), behind Sam Concepcion and Gian Barbarona.

According to show's website (www.ellentv.com), the show "features a diverse mix of celebrity interviews, musical performers, audience participation, and segments spotlighting everyday people with extraordinary stories and talents." It has already won a total of 21 Daytime Emmy Awards, the website said.

Pinoy Big Brother housemates stand-up comedienne Ethel Booba and musician Mcoy voluntarily exited the PBB house early morning of Thursday. It is unknown whether this would permanently end their stint in the second season of Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity edition, or if they would be given a chance to return.
Dubbed as the "Musikerong Daddy", Mcoy felt offended by a comment from Kuya (the Tagalog word for "Big Brother") about a 15-minute film shot by the housemates. The short film was one of the tasks given to them by Kuya.
Kuya mentioned that the film's script, which was written by Mcoy, was similar to "The Ghost of August Mayford” (a story about the ghost of a policeman killed in Alton town in the United States).
Mcoy got offended, saying that he was traumatized before by a plagiarism issue levelled against him and his (former) band Orange and Lemons.
That plagiarism accusation involved, interestingly, the song "Pinoy Ako" which is Pinoy Big Brother's official theme.
Mcoy calmed down when Kuya told him no insult was intended. Kuya said the film's concept was acceptable, but the Mcoy and the housemates could have done better. Kuya said that a more Filipino concept would have been more appropriate
In a conversation with the housemates later on, Mcoy explained that a fully Pinoy concept would be hard to do considering that the interiors of the PBB house were designed with a Victorian-era look.
Mcoy also pointed out that even the garden appears foreign because of the cherubim and peacock statues. Then Mcoy was called into the confession room for a one-on-one session with Kuya.
As soon as the Musikerong Daddy returned though, it became evident that their one-on-one talk did not resolve anything. On the contrary, he was fuming mad after their exchange.
Adding fuel to Mcoy’s anger was PBB’s “Ultimate Pasaway,” Ethel Booba. She expressed confusion over everything that was happening to them.
Already upset,Booba reiterated her "Praning Theory" (paranoid theory) regarding Mariel's true status; she asked whether Mariel was just a guest or a genuine housemate like them.
It is unclear whether the two were allowed outside the house to calm down and blow some steam, or whether they had already been kicked out. An unconfirmed report said that Ethel and Mcoy are prepared to forfeit their chance to win the PBB prize.
Prior to Mcoy and Ethel's exit from the PBB house, the nominees for eviction were Donnie, Jon and Riza.
Source:abs-cbnnews.com

Zanjoe Acuesta Marudo is a Filipino Actor, Cover boy,Fashion model and former housemate of Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition Season 1 together with Bianca Gonzales, John Prats and the big winner Keanna Reeves.
Zanjoe became a model after high school to earn money and he became a hunk of the month in the Philippine Cosmopolitan magazine. He also became of Philippine Cosmo Magazine's Top 10 Bachelors and Metro Calendar 2006. He recently appeared in the Bench Fever fashion show. In Philippine Cosmopolitan Magazine (Sept. 2006 issue), Zanjoe is one of the 10 Centerfold men in the "Cosmopolitan 69 Bachelors and 10 Centerfolds" supplement. Zanjoe is currently seen in one of ABS-CBN's top rating show Super Inggo 1.5 ang Bagong Bangis.

Sam Milby is RP's Sexiest Pinoy

Sam Milby (born Samuel Lloyd Lacia Milby on May 23, 1984 in Troy, Ohio) is a Filipino-American actor, commercial model, and recording artist. Milby grew up with a Filipina mother native to Tago, Surigao del Sur and an American father. Milby became an instant celebrity and heartthrob after leaving the Pinoy Big Brother House in November 2005. He currently appears in a Sunday musical variety show, ASAP '07, through the segment called 'The Hearththrobs' with Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz. He also rendered his version of Only You to ABS-CBN's Tagalog-dubbed Korean soap of the same title.
Milby's first major film debut was Close to You, produced by ABS-CBN subsidiary Star Cinema and co-starring John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. Milby also released a self-titled debut album in early 2006, which was repackaged in the third quarter of 2006.Heartthrobs, featuring Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby at the Music Museum last February 2 and 3, has a repeat concert on March 17 following the big success of their first concert together. Milby's top rating ABS-CBN primetime soap opera, Maging Sino Ka Man which garnered a 1.0% rating nationwide according to AGB Nielsen Philippines, will have a book 2 following a big success. Milby is a member of ABS-CBN's elite circle of homegrown talents properly named Star Magic. He is also starred in the blockbuster movie You Got Me with Toni Gonzaga and Zanjoe Marudo and he is schedule to shoot another movie with Bea Alonzo and Kristine Hermosa. Milby just concluded his successful US tour with Piolo Pascual, Pokwang and Rica Peralejo and scheduled for another European tour before the year ends. Milby is one of the busiest and bankable talents of ABS-CBNs Star Magic.

Juan Carlos Cuenca, popularly known as Jake Cuenca was born in San Jose,California, is a Filipino print and commercial model and a television and film actor. He first appeared in a youth oriented show in GMA 7 which is Click. He was a star of GMA Network but jumped to ABS-CBN when his contract with GMA Network expired. After moving in to ABS-CBN,Jake received various TV roles and shows and is now featured in the top rated shows of the network. He is also a member of the elite circle of homegrown talents properly called as Star Magic and is also a part of Bench Family and is considered as one of the Hottest young Celebrities today.
Cuenca got a big break in his career when he and girlfriend Roxanne Guinoo were given the chance to play the lead roles in the recently concluded and well received TV series Sineserye Presents: Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?. Currently, he can be seen in the sitcom with Aga Muhlach, That's My Doc. He is a mainstay of ASAP '07 and a member of the group Star Magic's The Coverboys. He is also in the new fantaserye Mars Ravelo's Lastikman with partner Roxanne Guinoo, Vhong Navarro and Iya Villania where they play characters involved in a love quadrangle(square). He will topbill an upcoming teleserye entitled Palos with Cesar Montano.

Jake Cuenca is No. 27 RP's Sexiest Pinoy 2007

ABS-CBN launches its new Christmas station Id entitled "Walang Mag-iisa Ngayong Pasko" on ASAP last Sunday, November 11. The video features the Kapamilya Stars, news and public affairs personalities as well as radio personalities.