Congratulations to award-winning, Ateneo-educated and smart Philippine actor Dingdong Dantes for being the latest cover of StarStudio magazine for its March 2013 issue. This magazine also features his popular actress girlfriend Marian Rivera.

Both Dingdong and Marian are famous stars of GMA 7, the archrival network of ABS CBN 2 which owns StarStudio magazine through its print media subsidiary ABS CBN Publishing.

(Image below sourced from tvrage.com)

(Image below sourced from mypatrick.multiply.com)

Here is the news I received from ABS CBN Publishing, in English and Tagalog (Filipino) versions:

DINGDONG DANTES IN STARSTUDIO

For his first StarStudio solo cover, back-to-back Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor awardee Dingdong Dantes shares the journey of his life, told through exclusive photographs — including some of him and girlfriend Marian Rivera — taken during their trips together to Barcelona, Spain, Angkor Wat and Amanpulo, Palawan.

It is also the first time for Dingdong to show the latest addition to his collection of vehicles: a Chevrolet Corvette and the Ducati Diavel, which was a gift from Marian.

In the magazine’s packed March 2013 Big Summer Travel Special, Kapamilya stars also share photos of their adventures to some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. And for those who are raring to go on tour this summer, check out the latest celebrity style and travel accessories. 

All these and more in StarStudio magazine’s Big Summer Travel Special, only from ABS-CBN Publishing.

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DINGDONG DANTES TAMPOK SA STARSTUDIO

Hitik sa mga litrato nina Dingdong Dantes at nobyang si Marian Rivera ang unang StarStudio solo cover ng Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor Awardee.

Ikukuwento ni Dingdong ang mga di-malilimutang pangyayari sa kanyang buhay sa pamamagitan ng exclusive photographs mula sa kanyang trips kasama si Marian sa Barcelona, Spain, Angkor Wat, at Amanpulo, Palawan.

Ipapakita rin ni Dingdong sa unang pagkakaton ang mga pinakabagong karagdagan sa kanyang koleksyon ng mga sasakyan: ang kanyang Chevrolet Corvette at Ducati Diavel na regalo sa kanya ni Marian.

Maliban sa nakakakilig na mga litrato nina Dingdong at Marian, hindi mawawala ang mga litrato ng pinakasikat na Kapamilya stars na nagpunta sa iba’t ibang tourist destinations sa mundo. Kung sino sila, abangan na lamang sa Big Summer Travel Special ng StarStudio kung saan tampok din ang latest summer celebrity styles at travel accessories para sa mga naghahanda nang mag-impake para sa kanilang nalalapit na summer trips!

Lahat ng ito at marami pang iba sa StarStudio magazine, available na sa lahat ng bookstores at newsstands nationwide. Hatid ito sa inyo ng ABS-CBN Publishing.

Is age 15 too young for a girl or a boy to have a boyfriend or girlfriend? Are infatuations already "love"?

Miles Ocampo and Mario Gumabao, teen stars of ABS CBN 2 in the Philippines referred to here.

This is news I received from ABS CBN 2, in English and Tagalog (Filipino) languages:




MILES OCAMPO: MARCO GUMABAO IS MY IDEAL BOYFRIEND

At 15, Miles Ocampo hasn’t experienced having a boyfriend yet. But according to the teen star, she imagines that her ideal guy would most likely have the qualities of her “LUV U” on-screen partner Marco Gumabao.

“Marco is very sincere and caring. He also tries his best to make you feel comfortable and special in his own small ways. I really like that about him,” said Miles.

However, Miles clarified that she’s not looking for a special someone right now because her focus is on her career and studies. “I’m already having a difficult time juggling those two. I don’t think I can fit a boyfriend in my schedule,” she said laughing.

Likewise, Marco’s priority is his work and studies.

Will Miles and Marco’s characters in “LUV U” decide the same way? On “LUV U” this Sunday, the couples will talk about their upcoming graduation and college plans. JB (Marco) will receive an offer to be a varsity player in a large university while Boom (CJ Navato) will be forced by his dad to enter the Philippine Military Academy.

Is this the end of the “LUV U” barkada? Find out this Sunday (February 17) on “LUV U” after “ASAP 18” on ABS-CBN.



MILES OCAMPO: IDEAL BOYFRIEND KO SI MARCO GUMABAO

Hindi pa raw nagkakaboyfriend ang 15-taong-gulang “LUV U” teen star na si Miles Ocampo ngunit pag dating daw ng tamang panahon, nais niya ng kasintahang tulad ng kanyang on screen partner na si Marco Gumabao.

“Si Marco, sobrang maalaga. Mararamdaman mo talaga na special ka sa kanya. Ang sweet nya po samin na friends nya, syempre po lalo na siguro sa magiging girlfriend,” ani Miles.

Hindi pa raw niya iniisip na magkaroon ng boyfriend dahil mas importante sa kanya ngayon ang career at pag-aaral. “Nahihirapan na nga po akong pagsabayin ‘yung dalawa. Hindi ko pa po kaya isingit ang boyfriend,” ani Miles.

Tulad ni Miles, single rin si Marco at ang prayoridad nito ay nasa pag-aaral at pagtatrabaho rin.

Gaya nila, sa pag-aaral din kaya matuon ang atensyon ng mga karakter nilang sina Camille (Miles) at JB (Marco) sa papalapit na pagkokolehiyo nila? Pagkatapos ng kanilang prom, napag-usapan na ng magkakasintahan ang nalalapit na pag-aapply nila sa iba’t-ibang universities. May offer kay JB na maging varsity basketball player habang si Boom (CJ Navato) naman ay nais ipasok sa PMA ng kanyang ama.

Nalalapit na ba ang pagkakahiwa-hiwalay ng “LUV U” barkada? Alamin ngayong Linggo (February 17) sa “LUV U” pagkatapos ng “ASAP 18” sa ABS-CBN.

Congratulations to superstars Coco Martin and Julia Montes, their first movie....














Coco and Julia’s first movie, perfect Valentine’s weekend treat for the whole family…
"A MOMENT IN TIME”

The phenomenal love team of Coco Martin and Julia Montes is grateful for the overwhelming support and positive feedback of moviegoers from all over the country to their first film “A Moment In Time,” which is still showing in over 130 cinemas nationwide. Produced by Star Cinema, “A Moment In Time” was graded “B” by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

“I am so happy sa reaction ng mga tao sa movie noong pinapanood nila! Honestly, sobrang lakas ng kaba ko before mag-start ang showing pero nung naririnig ko na ‘yung iba ay nagsisigawan pa sa mga eksenang pinapanood nila, parang worth it lahat ng hirap namin sa shooting,” said Julia.



Like his love team partner, Coco is overjoyed with the warm welcome of the public to their first big screen team up of Julia. “Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng magagandang feedback na naririnig namin tungkol sa pelikula. Sobra-sobrang biyaya na po ito! Sobra rin akong happy kasi finally heto na, nakikita na naming ang pinaghirapan at pinagtrabahuhan namin ng ilang buwan. Kasi binigay ko na talaga lahat sa pelikulang ito,” shared Coco. “Yung mga hindi ko usually ginagawa ay napagawa sa akin kaya laking pasasalamat ko sa Star Cinema na pumilit sa akin gawin ang mga ‘yun. Kilala n’yo naman ako ‘di ako sumasayaw, pero dito n’yo lang mapapanood ‘yun. At base naman sa reaction ng tao sa eksena nagustuhan talaga nila.”

Aside from the new talents revealed by Coco, another hot topic among fans is the ‘first kiss’ that apparently happen in the movie. “Gusto kong may maibigay naman na bago sa audience at si Coco po naman ay kasama ko na nang napakatagal kaya nandun na ‘yung tiwala,” said Julia.



Coco added that he and Julia honestly did not have a hard time doing their sweet moments since they were both comfortable with each other. “Wala namang ilangan. Mas nailang pa ‘yata si Lola Flory (ang Lola ni Julia) kasi s’yempre first time ni Julia ‘yun. Kailangan talagang abangan sa movie kung paano namin ginawa ‘yun,” Coco said.

"A Moment In Time" shares the romantic and emotional journey of Patrick (Coco) and Jillian (Julia), who both sought for true love and tried hard to hold on to it. But just when they thought that there’s happily ever after, they would discover that something could always shatter a seemingly perfect fairytale. Does everyone get that second chance to recreate that moment when you found your one true love?





Under the direction of Emmanuel Palo, also featured in "A Moment In Time" are ZsaZsa Padilla, Cherie Gil, Gabby Concepcion, Ella Cruz, and the twins from PBB Teen Edition 4 Joj and Jai Agpangan.




Give the whole family with a special Valentine’s weekend treat and witness the first-ever big screen project of Coco and Julia, "A Moment In Time," still showing in over 130 cinemas nationwide.


For more information and latest updates about "A Moment In Time" simply visit www.StarCinema.com.ph, http://facebook.com/StarCinema and http://twitter.com/StarCinema.

Philippine singer and actress Sarah Geronimo is not only talented and popular, she is also one of the most humble, down-to-earth and good celebrities with good moral values. She is a positive role model for the youth.





(Image below sourced from kapamilyagallery.blogspot.com)







This latest news I received from ABS CBN 2:

COCO-SARAH LOVE TEAM USHERS THE LOVE MONTH IN “SGL.” Teleserye Prince and “Juan dela Cruz” lead star Coco Martin is all set to work his charms with TV viewers this Sunday (February 3) as he reunites with his former love team partner Sarah Geronimo in ABS-CBN's hit primetime musical variety show “Sarah G. Live!”.

Meanwhile, aside from Coco, also watch out for the special visit of ultimate heartthrob Piolo Pascual; the world-class serenade of Jose Mari Chan; and the return of Robi Domingo and Matteo Guidicelli as the Popstar’s guest co-host.

Still with Sarah in the upcoming episode are Gab Valenciano and the Gollayan Sisters.

Don’t miss the trending and top Sunday primetime show of ABS-CBN, “Sarah G. Live!” 8:15pm, after “Rated K.”

For more updates, log on to www.abs-cbn.comor follow @SGLiveOFFICIAL on Twitter and like SarahGLiveOFFICIAL on Facebook.

Tagalog or Filipino language version of this news:

COCO-SARAH LOVE TEAM, MAGBABALIK? Todong kilig at matinding kulitan ang matutunghayan ngayong Linggo (Pebrero 3) sa kauna-unahang pagbisita ng “Juan dela Cruz” lead star na si Coco Martin sa solo musical variety show ng dating katambal na si Popstar Sarah Geronimo na hit primetime musical variety show ng ABS-CBN na “Sarah G. Live!”.

Samantala, bukod kay Coco, abangan din sa “SGL” ang nakakikilig na pagbisita ng ultimate heartthrob na si Piolo Pascual; world-class senerade na hatid ni Jose Mari Chan; at ang pakikisaya ng Kapamilya leading men na sina Robi Domingo at Matteo Guidicelli bilang guest co-hosts ng Popstar. Kasama pa rin ni Sarah ngayong Linggo sina Gab Valenciano at ang Gollayan Sisters. Huwag palampasin ang trending at top-rating Sunday primetime show ng ABS-CBN, “Sarah G. Live,” 8:15pm, pagkatapos ng “Rated K.” Para sa karagdagang updates, mag-log on sawww.abs-cbn.com o sundan ang @SGLiveOFFICIAL sa Twitter at SarahGLiveOFFICIAL sa Facebook.

FREE MOVIES!!! Don't miss the 7^th Spring Film Festival (2013)

Now on its seventh year, the Ateneo de Manila University’s Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies together with Confucius Institute and Credit Suisse, with the cooperation of the multi-awarded Ateneo Celadon organization and Shangri-La Plaza, once again brings you the Spring Film Festival this February 1-10, 2013.

INTERESTING TIDBIT! In 2010, this same project had the interesting Chinese movie "In Love We Trust", which reportedly inspired the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) box office hit movie "One More Try" starring Dingdong Dantes, Angel Locsin and Angelica Panganiban.

I was also the founding president of the Ateneo Celadon. :)

The festival is organized every year to promote Chinese language and culture in mainstream Philippine society particularly among young Filipinos so that they may become bridges between China and the Philippines.

Another noble objective also is to introduce Chinese culture and contemporary social realities to Philippine society. This year’s film festival features different faces of Chinese society.  

Note: A total of 12,000 moviegoers attended the film festival last year. This coming
festival, the organizers are targeting 20,000. With their ties with FDCP, coupled with other event
partners in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro (mostly schools), they hope to fulfill
this goal.

Admission is free.

List of the free movies...

(Image below sourced from dubaifilmfest.com)

(image below sourced from youthareawesome.com)

Piano in a Factory

Running Time: 119 min

A man goes to unusual lengths to prove his love for his daughter in this family drama. Chen Guilin is a man who loves music and plays an accordion in an amateur band, but Chen can’t support himself on what he makes as a musician, and his job in a steel mill isn’t about to make him rich. His wife, Xiao Ju, returns home to file a formal divorce and sues for custody of their daughter. To retain his daughter, he must give her a piano. Chen exhausts all means: borrowing money from his friends and even attempting to steal a piano, but all his attempts fail. Despite these challenges, Chen always maintains an optimistic outlook. Finally, he decides to produce a steel piano with his friends.

Awards: Best Actor, 23^rd Tokyo International Film Festival; Best International Movie, 28^th Miami International Film Festival; Special Award of Jury, 28^th Golden Flower Movie Festival

(Image below sourced from thefilmstage.com)

(Image below sourced from filmfresh.com)

(Image below sourced from kungfucinema.com)

Storm Warriors

Running Time: 111 min

An epic battle is played out by warriors harnessing the power of the elements in this effects-laden fantasy /action drama Hong Kong film. The brave Lord Nameless is the leader of a band of heroic warriors. Lord Godless, his nemesis, captures Nameless in a daring raid, imprisons his soldiers and takes control of his land. As things look hopeless, three of Nameless's allies set out to free him: Cloud (Aaron Kwok), Wind (Ekin Cheng) and Chu Chu (Yan Tang). As Cloud absorbs what he's learned from Nameless and Wind is tutored in combat by Wicked, can they fend off Godless and his cronies?

Awards: won 29^th Hong Kong Film Awards, Best Visual Effects

Golden Times

Running time: 90 mins

Fueling China’s economic boom is the mass migration of workers from the countryside to cities. This leaves a special population of 58 million ‘left-behind children’ in the care of their old, and mostly illiterate grandparents. What should have been carefree years for these children can only be characterized by weariness from studying and burdensome farm work. Teacher Fang and police officer Sun Dayang realize that the affections and instructions of parents during the early years are irreplaceable. Getting support from the local government, they set up a “Home for Left-Behind Children,” which helps the kids from this population attain a healthy and loving environment in the hands of the community.

(Image below sourced from api.mrqe.com)





(Images below sourced from chinesemov.com)

Jasmine Women

Running time: 130 mins

Starring Zhang Ziyi (House of Flying Daggers), Joan Chen and Jiang Wen, Jasmine Women tells the story of one family's struggle to overcome its tragic history, as each daughter repeats the mistakes of her mother. Director Hou Yong sets his film in the 1930's, 50's and 80's against the backdrop of an ever-changing Shanghai and tells the stories of Mo, Li and Hua, which when translated to English together means Jasmine Flower.

Awards: Grand Jury Prize, 7^th Shanghai International Film Festival; Best Actress, 13^th Golden Rooster Awards


(Image below from philstar.com)

2Become1

Running Time: 129 mins

Bingo Leung, an advertising executive, has always lived a carefree life that includes guarding her turf in the office, dating, and gossiping with her three girlfriends. One day, she finds a lump in her left breast. Everything begins to fall apart as she tries to cope with the loss of femininity in a series of bittersweet events. With the help of a happy-go-lucky Doctor V and a shy but talented teenager Sing, Bingo begins to find new meanings in her turmoil and the will to face her own demons.


(Image below sourced from philstar.com)

Space Dream

Running time: 110 mins

The son of a peasant family, Zhang Tiancong (Liu Zhibing) is a veteran member of the first generation of Chinese astronauts but, now in his 40s, has yet to be selected for a space mission. Meanwhile, his family, including his daughter and ace military pilot Siyu (Jiang Ruijia), continues to support his quickly fading dream. Tiancong’s last shot is a mission is of exceptional importance; it involves docking spaceship Wentian I with a satellite to establish China's first manned orbital space station. Will Tiancong get picked to pilot Wentian I and finally realize his space dream? Or will he be stuck on backup duty again?

Featured events on the Spring Festival include:

Chinese Painting Exhibit- on display is the latest works of seasoned artists from the International Studies for Chinese Arts and the students of the Confucius Institute at the Ateneo de Manila University Chinese Painting class. Started in 2009, this annual exhibit aims to promote Filipino-made Chinese paintings and to encourage the emergence of new talents that will continue the rich legacy of the ancient art in the Philippines. The exhibit will be at the Grand Atrium of the Shangri-La Plaza Mall from February 1 to 10, 2013.

On the Wings of Culture Chinese Photo Exhibit- Images and scenes that depict a new wave of cultural reform is taking place in China, which includes improving cultural infrastructures; burgeoning cultural industries; greater creativity in arts, literature, design and high-tech applications; safeguarding of cultural heritage; cultural innovation, dialogue and youthful exchange. This exhibit is a cooperation of Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy and the Confucius Institute at the Ateneo de Manila University. The photo exhibit will be at the 4th floor of the Shangri-La Plaza Mall from February 1 to 10, 2013.

Sponsors of the 7^th Spring Film Festival include: Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Confucius Institute, Ateneo Celadon, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Credit Suisse, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Limketkai Center, ChaTime, Richprime Global Inc., CitisecOnline Financial, Chevrolet, Flexo Marketing, Raphyten Marketing, Lyric Piano, Baby Mossimo Kids, First Estan Trading, Teresa Marble, Footzone Greenhills, Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan University, Sacred Heart School- Ateneo de Cebu, Ateneo de Davao University, University of San Carlos, Ateneo de Ilo-ilo- Santa Maria Catholic School, Business World, Chalk Magazine, HerWord.com, RX93 and Chinoy TV.

For more information, please call Ateneo de Manila University Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies at 426-6001 locals 5208, 5209, 5280 and 5284. For tickets, please call Shang Cineplex at 633-2227.