for the first time in the history of Miss Universe, interactive technology will play a major role as IPOWOW “In the Now” technology turns all PINOYs (and rest of the world) as virtual judges on the night of the telecast.

see more [http://www.pilipinas.it]

“WILLIE REVILLAME IS A GOLD MINE”
By: Rosauro M. Angeles
rossmangeles@hotmail.com
buddyandmind@yahoo.com

Wilfredo Buendia Revillame is a huge mine of gold.

Indeed, he is a gold mine. Yet mining the gold out of Willie entails a lot of controversy.

He is a formidable television host. On the side, he is an actor and a recording artist. Although supported by a few talented noon time co-hosts, he alone as a single personality consistently brought the house down and rakes a lot of money for ABS-CBN defunct noontime TV show “Wowowee”.

Some of the serious controversies where Willie has been involved include “The Ultra Stampede” resulting to deaths and injuries of “Wowowee” myriad of fans; the public disgust of his behavior during the funeral march of the late President Corazon Aquino shown in “Wowowee” episode of August 3, 2009; Willie’s on air call for the termination of one of the talk show host of ABS-CBN and the latest of which is centered on a 6 year old child who performed a live macho dancing on TV 5’s “Willing Willie” episode of March 12, 2011.

TV 5 management has already made a stand on the latest child macho dancing issue. TV 5 is willing to back Willie Revillame which they think was put on a bad light and was casted unfairly as a child abuser.

Casting Willie Revillame as a child abuser is totally unfair. Although anyone who would view an edited version of a video portraying a crying 6 year old child performing a macho dance will opine that the act was made in bad taste.

In a live performance, when emotion is high, the continuity of action is very fluid and things are happening without you knowing that it had reached already the level that needs an abrupt stop, a slow down or a change in course. The host and the show management must be discerning, action oriented and must not be carried away by the emotions that is running high particularly if the large live audience are very engaging and participative.

On the one hand, there are sectors of our society particularly in the entertainment, media and government sectors who loves controversy. Others simply make controversy as their principal business. Controversy draws attention and influence peoples’ opinion. It carries with it a continued media and TV coverage that can help some personality to gain popularity and a particular business to increase its revenue. It is also a way of arresting the growing popularity of competition.

Most often, due to pressure of public opinion, it sways some agencies or branch of government to act with haste thus resulting to investigations and unnecessary spending of tax payers’ money. This is true, not only in the case of Willie Revillame.

To read more, visit http://www.buddyandmind.com

On March 3rd, 2011- Thia became the only fourth Filipino-American to ever make it into the finals of American Idol in ten years. She is one of the Top 13 finalists currently competing for the title and a recording contract. Six years since Camille Velasco and Jasmine Trias took the Idol stage and three years since Ramiele Malubay’s time.

CONTINUE READING HERE…

This is a first for American Idol! One of its TV promos, “10 reasons to watch American Idol Season 10″ mentions a contestant’s name.

Incidentally, the name mentioned is that of 16 year old Filipina Thia Megia. She makes it to number 5th reason to watch Idol this year! When Thia says her name, new judge Jennifer Lopez quips, “that’s a movie star name…”

Continue reading here to watch the video promo….

The best boxer in the world has won once again, as Manny Pacquiao put on a brilliant fighting display, defeating Antonio Margarito in dominant fashion on Saturday night in Dallas.

At the outset, it was impossible not to notice the significant size difference between the two: At 5-foot-11 Margarito is five inches taller than Pacquiao, and HBO said Margarito weighed 17 pounds more than Pacquiao when both stepped on the scale on Saturday night

CONTINUE READING HERE…

Get ready Gleeks! The season two premiere of Glee is just a few days away and we’ve got another juicy spoiler. Singing sensation Charice is set to make her first appearance on the hit show and she’s starting some serious drama!

Charice is set to take on the role of foreign exchange student Sunshine Corazon who proves to be a thorn in Rachel Berry’s side (played by Lea Michele).

PLEASE CONTINUE READING HERE…. with photos and video clip!

Another season to celebrate the magic of So You Think You Can Dance and one great reason to tune in on Fox every Wednesday and Thursday nights: Jazz dancer Filipino-American Alexie Agdeppa!!

This season couldn’t get any harder than the six previous seasons combined. This year, the producers introduced huge changes that’s never been done on the show.

Among the variations– instead of the usual Top 20 (Top 10 guys, Top 10 girls) they slashed it to half! So there are only 5 girls and 5 guys competing for the title “America’s Favorite Dancer.” Instead of the contestants being partnered with one another, they will be paired with an all-star cast from the favorite finalists from different seasons. Such tremendous challenge and Alexie Agdeppa is one of the “it” girls!!

READ MORE HERE…

I found this news rumor on Broadwayworld.com.

Broadway World is such a respectable site for everything Broadway/Theater and the like. It is very surprising to find how they can run a story without validation. Nonetheless, their main source is from the Philippine Daily Inquirer and it quoted Charice’ manager Grace Mendoza.

“The Phillippine Daily Inquirer confirms that Charise, the Philippina singing sensation will join the cast of GLEE next season. Her manager, Grace Mendoza, tells the Inquirer: “Yes, it’s true, Charice will soon join GLEE… And not just as a guest, but as part of the cast in a new season.” [Note: Yes, they've misspelled Charice name and Filipina!]

Digging into it because I am a huge Glee fan, I found out the link to the Inquirer doesn’t exist anymore. Either they have been removed because it was false or they intentionally put the story up without confirmation other than rely on the manager’s words. In which case, I strongly suggest Charice fire her own manager for starting out an incredible story that isn’t true.

READ MORE by clicking here…

Willie Revillame sends his resignation letter to the heads of ABS-CBN after weeks of leaving the show Wowowee.

In his letter, Willie asks that he be released from his contract with the network which is still 1.5 years premature. Here is a copy of the letter of resignation of Willie.

Nitong mga nakaraang araw at linggo, parang sunod-sunod ang mga presidential forums na naganap. Kamakailan, meron pong FOCAP, nung minsan, may forum ng Inquirer sa UP, noong isang linggo sa Merriam College, tapos meron din sa La Salle at Ateneo. noong dati sa UST, meron din sa AIM at kung saan-saan pa. OK po ang mga forums, kaso parang medyo nakakasawa na kung pare-pareho lang ang style. Parang nawawalan po tuloy ng saysay.

Para po maging exciting at makabuluhan ang mga forums na ito, may mga suggestions po ang Sentro ng Katotohanan. Sana po ay makarating ang mga suggestions ko sa mga nag-o-organize ng forums para na rin makatulong sa kapakanan at kaalaman ng ating mga kababayan:

1. Sana po, imbis na forums, debate ang gawin. Kung ang forums po ay tatanungin lamang ang bawat isa sa mga kandidato, e para saan pa kung bakit inimbitahan sila ng sabay-sabay? Pwede naman po silang tanungin ng hiwa-hiwalay, hindi po ba? Ang mainam po sa debate, makikita ng mga tao ang pag-kakaiba ng mga kandidato. Hindi po kagaya kapag forums lang, parang pare-pareho lang ang kanilang sinasabi. Nalilito tuloy tayo lalo kung sino ang dapat iboto.

2. Dahil hindi naman po iisa lang ang gagawing debate, dapat po ay paghiwa-hiwalayin ang mga issues sa bawat debate. Isang araw po ng debate ay puro lamang sana sa ekonomiya. Isang araw po ay puro lamang tungkol sa OFWs. Isang araw po sana ay puro lamang sa paglaban sa graft and corruption. Isang araw po sana ay puro naman tungkol sa Reproductive Health at population. Ibang araw naman ay tungkol sa Charter Change. Ang nangyayari po kasi ngayon, bawat isang forum ay pilit na itinatanong lahat ng mga tanong. Tapos ganun din ang nangyayari sa susunod na forum. Hindi naman po nakukumpleto ang sagot ng mga kandidato dahil nauubos na ang oras. Parang hindi na tayo natatapos sa pare-parehong tanong, nasasayang tuloy ang panahon at pagkakataon.

3. Sana po sa mga debate ay isang tao lang ang magtatanong o magmomoderate. Sa mga forums po na nakikita ko, ang daming nagtatanong. Lahat po yata ng mga tumulong mag-organize ng forum ay gustong magtanong. Ang nangyayari tuloy, walang nagiging follow-up sa mga kasagutan at wala rin tayong natatapos. Wag na po sanang pumapel lahat ng organizers, hindi naman po tayo lahat mahusay mag-tanong o magmoderate ng forum o debate. Sana po ay humanap ng isang professional at patas na tao, na may expertise sa issue na pag-uusapan, para magtanong o magmoderate sa bawat isang debate.

4. Dapat po ang mga tanong ay puro tungkol sa policies. Wag na po sana yung mga personal o yung mga iba’t-ibang issues laban sa kandidato. Kasi po yung mga tanong na iyon ay dapat sa individual interviews ginagawa, hindi na po sa debate o forum. Nakakadagdag lamang po sa paghihintay ng ibang kandidato, hindi naman din po nasasagot ng husto dahil nagmamadali na sa oras.

5. Sana po ay gawing televised sa primetime sa gabi ang mga debate sa maraming channels. Sana ay may replay din kinabukasan ng tanghali. Sana po ay i-sponsor na lang ng COMELEC ang mga forums o kaya ay i-air sa mga government stations. Kasi po, may mga ibang channels na parang may kinikilingan o may nilalabanan. Kung walang channel na may exclusive sponsor ng debate, mas mainam po at parang mas patas ang usapan. Hindi naman po dapat exclusive ang mga debate at forums sa isang channel, dapat po ito ay open sa lahat ng mass media.

6. Sa parte naman po ng iba sa mass media, sana po, ang lahat ng TV, radio at dyaryo ay mag-cover sa mga debate. Ang mali pong nangyayari, parang kanya-kanya ang mga media stations. Yung forum sa ABS-CBN, hindi konocover ng GMA, yung sa GMA hindi naman kinocover ng kabila. Kahit po iyong sa Inquirer hindi gaano kinover ng mga TV station. Para pong may kumpetensya pa. Public service na lang po sana ito, hindi na competition sa business. Kasi ang eleksyon po ay para rin naman po sa ating lahat, kasama na ang atin mismong business interests.

Ito po ang anim kong suggestions, ulitin ko lang po:
1. Debate po sana at hindi lamang forum, para makita natin ang pagkakaiba ng mga kandidato
2. Hiwa-hiwalayin po sana ang mga issues, iba-ibang araw ng debate po sana bawat issue para makita natin talaga ang mga solusyong ibibigay ng mga kandidato
3. Isang moderator po lamang sana bawat debate, hindi po kailangang lahat tayo ay magtanong.
4. Policy debates po sana ang gawin, wala na po sanang mga personal questions at mga issues na pwede namang gawin sa individual interviews.
5. I-televise sana ng live ang mga debate, sa prime time TV at open sa lahat ng mga channels, hindi exclusive.
6. I-cover po sana ng lahat ng mass media ang mga forums, para po mas marami ang makaalam sa lahat ng issues, Itigil na po muna sana ang kumpetensya sa mga media outlets.

Kami po sa Sentro ng Katotohanan (DWBL 1242KHz 8.30-9.30PM T-Th), ay umaasa na sana ay makita natin itong mga improvements na ito tungkol sa debate at forums. Maraming salamat po!

Here it is, 2009’s Top 10 US Lists. American Idol still dominates American homes; without a doubt Google is still numero uno in the Internet but Yahoo tops Mobile service. Surprise, surprise- Twilight Saga: New Moon isn’t number one in the Box Office. Twilight did make it top in DVD sales. Really? Taylor Swift’s album is tops? Check out the most downloaded and most listened to song in 2009 and more….

Continue reading here…

From the United States to Zimbabwe to Indonesia to the Philippines, CNN acknowledges ordinary people with extraordinary impact in its search for this year’s “Hero of the year.” Filipino Efren Peñaflorida, 28 is among the Top 10 contenders vying for the special recognition.

Efren has been making a huge difference in the lives of street kids in Manila, Philippines for the last 12 years. “Peñaflorida and his team of teen volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to children living on the streets. Their main tool: A pushcart classroom.” What he has accomplished in his young age giving back is truly remarkable if not indeed heroic.

This is sort of a last-minute plea to all readers! I just received the email from my sis in the UK and I’ve never heard of CNN’s ongoing search. To think that it started in early February! Goes to show, I am not a CNN follower.

READ MORE HERE PLEASE…

Greetings from AQ Services International!

We would like to invite you to apply for a mystery shopping program. It would require you to mystery visit several petrol stations.

1. For these mystery shops you need a PERSONAL CAR (motorcycles are not allowed). You are required to observe the service and facilities standards of petrol stations.

2. Reimbursement: The shop fee is 450 Pesos per shop. You are required to make petrol and store item purchase. The minimum amount to spend on fuel is 200 Pesos.

3. Deadline: These mystery shops have to be completed within the one week and the surveys must be completed and submitted within 24 hours of mystery shopping, latest by the 14th of November 2009

Please note that these mystery shops are to be executed between 9 am to 3 pm, 7 days a week (Including weekend).

We will inform you from the 19th October onwards if you are selected for one or more mystery shops. Do check your mailbox for updates!

Summary:

Project: Mystery Shopping for an oil & gas company
Task: Evaluating and Research
Time: 9 am to 3 pm, 7 days a week (Including weekend)
Deadline: 14th of November 2009
Fee: 450 Pesos
Location: Philippines

If you are interested in getting some extra money over the weekend please contact my colleague or myself at feisal@aq-services.com or me at alessandro@aq-services.com.

TELL A FRIEND

We are always looking for new mystery shoppers. If you have friends or family who might be interested, please refer them to us. You can redirect them to our website or use the following link (copy paste the link in your browser if it is not active):

http://www.aq-services.com/mystery-shoppers/tell-a-friend-about-mystery-shopping

And the Miss Universe 2009 is Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez!

The complete Miss Universe 2009 Result and winners are here: miss-universe-2009-result

And it’s history, today was the record-breaking Longest Total Solar Eclipse ever experienced by the Human race – 6 minutes and 39 seconds total at its maximum point.

Most only experienced a partial eclipse like us in the Philippines, but regardless, it was still an experience we will treasure and pass on to the next generation (and those who missed it).

Here’s the report of the solar eclipse, coupled with photos (locally) and video coverage (India, China, Japan).

Enjoy!!

I’m still quite sad over Karla Garcia’s short lived stint in So You Think You Can Dance and promised myself will stop watching the rest of the show this season. So I head over to my least liked reality talent show, America’s Got Talent (AGT) just to see what they have been showing.

Watching “America’s Got Talent” turned out to be a cheer me up for me. Oh my, watching and hearing 14 year old Thia Megia sing out “I am Changing” by Jennifer Holiday was unreal. But there she was, confident, beautiful and powerful! Seeing is believing! I have been scouring her and people have already compared her to Youtube sensation Charice.

Yes, she is of Filipino descent, born in Redwood City, California in 1995. Her long full name again gave her “filipino-ness,” Thialorei Lising Megia. (Any relations to Filipino comedian Gary Lising?)

Watch her audition video on America’s Got talent where the crowd goes wild for her, leaving all three judges wowed and awed. Her mom is also shown in the vid:

READ MORE HERE…

This is a special section covering videos of Karla Puno Garcia’s exposure on So You Think You Can Dance Season 5, along with partner Jonathan Platero. Karla is a Filipino-American currently in the Top 20 finalists of the number one summer reality TV show in the United States.

This will be updated weekly showing all their performances and more.

WATCH THE VIDEOS HERE….

June 3, 2009 – The brewrats’ hosts (99.5 rt) planned to beat other station’s facebook account, who has currently 50,000 followers (approx.) and still increasing.

June 4, 2009 – DJ Ramon Bautista confessed that he’s having a hard time in creating the Facebook account. That’s why he asked a brewster on the booth to create it. The Brewster immediately create the account which was named “The Brewrats Republic!”.

If you want to support the “brewrats’ show” on their advocacy please follow these steps:

1. Visit www.facebook.com

2. Create your own account. (if you don’t have an account yet)

3. Search for the Brewrats Republic! (don’t forget the exclamation point).

4. Add them up and ask your friend to support them to.

5. Spread the Bubonic Plague.

6. =)

__________
Photo courtesy of www.thebrewrats.com
www.marchristianherrera.blogspot.com

Something to smile about! A Filipino-American dancer Karla Garcia from Oxon, MD is part of this season’s So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) Top 20. She is 23 years old currently residing in Brooklyn, New York. Her dance style is Jazz and Contemporary.

For those unfamiliar with the show, SYTYCD is a dance competition looking for America’s favorite dancer. It has the same premise of Idol to find the best in America- in this case, the best dancer. The contestants are asked to perform different styles of dancing every week tutored by America’s best choreographers. The catch, they have very little time to rehearse and learn the dance ranging from hiphop, broadway, jazz, jive, disco, ballroom, salsa, etc. and my favorite- contemporary. If the contestants find themselves in the bottom three that week, they are asked to “dance for your life” in the hope that the judges will save them from eliminations. Two dancers are cut every week until it gets to the finals.

READ MORE HERE…

Charice Pempengco who goes by the name “Charice” now released her first US single “Note to God” on May 18, 2009 and just 6 days later lands on the Top 100 iTunes popular downloads chart at number 55! She beats even Jordin Sparks’ single “Battlefield” released on the same day at number 72. She is currently at the number 7 spot in Amazon.com’s own Top 100 MP3 songs. She has been in the Top 100 charts for six days. That is very hard to maintain considering Charice is competing with big worldwide names in the music industry! Impressive.

READ MORE HERE…