Christian Bautista topbills Lyceum concert

Asia’s Romantic Balladeer, Christian Bautista, is slated to perform at the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Cavite Campus (General Trias) on Feb. 20. Entitled “Sunset Romance,” the musical event also features the Manila Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Professor Arturo Molina, Soprano Jennifer Uy, and rising actress-singer Denise Laurel.

This event is the second in the series of yearly concerts held at the sprawling and ultra-modern LPU Cavite Campus since it opened in June 2008. Last year’s extravaganza featured acclaimed alto Isay Alvarez and the young tenors, Angelos, together with the Metro Manila Community Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Chino Toledo.

Event proceeds are for LPU’s outreach community in Manggahan, General Trias, Cavite.

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Has Mylene Dizon found a new ‘Paraiso’ in ex-bf?

Is love really sweeter the second time around? Well, “Working Girls 2010” cast member Mylene Dizon hopes so, as she is rumored to have rekindled her romance with ex-boyfriend, Ira Cruz.

“I hope so. I’m good, I’m happy. Things are going great especially with work,” she said on “Startalk” with a little career-oriented deviation.

With this news, her ex-partner, Paolo Paraiso, had a not-so-good reaction, according to Mylene.

But according to Paolo, his reaction was “not as Paolo na ex-boyfriend ni Mylene, kundi Paolo bilang tatay nina Lucas at Tomas.”

The actor admitted he did not expect such reunion would take place since Mylene has a lot of suitors.

Nevertheless, he maintained that all is well between him and the Bamboo guitarist.

“Walang negative feelings, walang bad vibes,” he said.

Paolo also cleared that despite his busy schedule—a new business in the works included—he will not forgo his responsibilities as a father.

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Final 6 ‘struck’ with intrigues

The six remaining avengers of “StarStruck V” were grilled on “Startalk” about issues surrounding them.

Steven Silva seemed to have changed his mind about Diva Montelaba, whom he said he wanted to date on Valentine’s Day.

“Talagang close kami [ni Diva]. Pero after the Valentine’s date with the avengers, hindi ako sure now,” he said anxiously.

Unlike the chinito avenger, the gutsy Diva is very certain that her closest friend on the show, Nina Kodaka, will understand that she’s going for the gold (victory) more than their friendship.

“Nina is mature enough to understand that I really want this,” she asserted.

The petite Japanese gal affirmed such understanding, saying “Pagkatapos ng competition, nandun pa rin iyong friendship. Hindi naman po iyon mawawala.”

While shy to admit it, Nina said she has had the biggest improvement among the remaining girls in the competition.

“Lamang po ako sa pagbabago. Magaling na sila [Sarah and Diva] sa umpisa pa lang,” she said.

Enzo Pineda was Sarah Lahbati’s first choice as onscreen partner, but she admitted that they had “awkward moments” and “misunderstandings.”

“Nagkaron po kami ng ilangan times…mga misunderstandings [sa] mga simpleng bagay lang po. Pero okay na po [kami],” she related.

Meanwhile, Enzo gave his reaction on juror Gina Alajar’s upfront remarks that he doesn’t know pain because he was born with a silver spoon.

“Of course it’s a negative opinion but I respect it. Wala po akong sama ng loob ngayon dahil proud po ako sa achievements ng parents ko,” he said.

He might not know what literal hunger means, but he turned the critique around.

“Ito ‘yung gutom na nararamdaman ko ngayon—hungry ako ngayon sa competition.”

The guy who is said to be “bullying” him, Rocco Nacino, explained his naughty attitude.

“Parang sobra naman po iyong word na bully. Sa totoo lang po mahilig lang po akong mang-trip… mang-joke,” he said. Enzo, for his part, agreed that all is well between them.

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Francine Prieto explains ‘I hate God’ tweet

Sexy actress Francine Prieto is once again a subject of criticism after she recently tweeted “I hate God.”

But she told “Startalk” that she has no intention to denounce her beliefs.

“Alam ko namang may magre-react at magre-react kahit anong ilagay mo. Nagkataon lang po siguro na iyong pagkakalagay ko… alam ko napaka-strong po nung statement na nilagay ko, pero sa akin po hindi naman po ibig sabihin noon na hindi na ko naniniwala sa Kanya, na hindi ko na Siya mahal.

"‘Di ba po minsan sa tao, kahit gaano mo kamahal iyong isang tao, kung nasasaktan ka na, kung sobrang dami na ng nangyayari sa’yo, kumbaga umaabot tayo sa point na kumu-kuwestiyon ka. Nagkakaroon na po ng hate eh,” she said.

Her disheartened state must’ve taken its toll on her faith, as her mother, Annie Falcon, was recently rushed at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center due to some problems with her lung.

On their hurried way to the hospital, her sibling accidentally hit a man on a motorcycle.

The pearl-skinned actress wishes many more years for her mother, whom she deems is not yet ready to leave this world since her father died seven years ago due to colon cancer.

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Angelica Panganiban plays bida-kontrabida role in Rubi

Angelica Panganiban earns a new title by playing the lead role in ABS-CBN's upcoming primetime series called Rubi. The "Primetime Gem" will play a bida-kontrabida role in the Pinoy adaptation of the Mexicanovela, which was shown in the same network a few years ago.



"Hindi ko akalain na darating ako sa point na bibigyan ako ng ganitong project at ganito kalaking suporta sa mga taong hinahangaan ko sa industriya," she said.



Rubi is about a lady who comes from poverty and wants to get away from it in any way. She is determined to become wealthy even if it means destroying the lives of her loved ones.



"Si Rubi, siyempre, makikita ninyo ang progress ng character niya kung bakit siya naging masama. Actually, hindi siya matatawag na masama hanggang ilang weeks niyo siya mapapanood at makikita ninyo ang pain. Maiintindihan ninyo na, 'Ay, nangangarap lang pala siya.' 'Yon lang pala ang gusto niya, gusto niya lang mapabuti ang pamilya niya, Angelica further described her character.



THE LEADING MEN. In this TV series, Angelica would be working with two of the Kapamilya leading men, Diether Ocampo and Jake Cuenca.



Although her role would be a bit sexy, Angelica said she did not have any hesitation doing it with these actors.



She explained, Si Diet kasi nakaeksena ko na sa Iisa Pa Lamang talaga, so, gamay na gamay na ako sa kanya. Kahit pa ano ang ipagawa sa amin, casual lang, hindi na kami naiilang sa isa't isa."



Diether will give life to the character of Hector, who was supposed to take care of his family's thriving luxury liner business. However, he did not follow his mother's wishes. Instead, he pursued a career in medicine. He will be the boyfriend of Selina (played by Shaina Magdayao).



As for Jake, Angelica said, "Hindi pa kasi namin nakukunan ang love scenes namin at saka kissing scenes pa lang. Kumportable naman po ako kasi kaibigan ko 'yong tao. Pero pwede ko namang sabihin na mas kumportable ako kay Diet kasi nga, sa experience namin ni Diete, mas marami na kaming pinagdaanan na eksena even before pa."



Jake will be playing the role of Alejandro, a young man who fulfills his dream of becoming a doctor through the help of a scholarship grant from Hector's family foundation. Rubi thought that Alejandro was also rich so she sets her eyes on him first before Hector.



Joining these lead actors are fine actresses like Cherie Gil, Cherry Pie Picache, Bing Loyzaga, Coney Reyes, Eva Darren, Susan Africa, and Kaye Abad. Actors like Gardo Versoza, Juan Rodrigo, Allan Paule, Dante Rivero, Wowie de Guzman, Mel Martinez, PJ Abellana, and Xian Lim will also be there to do supporting roles.



Witness how Angelica Panganiban transforms from bida to kontrabida in Rubi starting this Monday, February 15 on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida.

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