Planet Philippines (Calgary Edition) February 16-29, 2012 issue

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CELEBR TY

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MANNY CONSIDERING RETIREMENT

AFTER giving away his prized fighting cocks, selling his shares in a casino in Manila, and shutting down an entertainment joint in General Santos City, world boxing sensation and Sarangani representative Manny Pacquiao is now considering hanging up his boxing gloves for good in favor of his faith and “Bible-centered” life.

LEA NOT IMPRESSED WITH ANNE’S SINGING “IM not sure that she should make a career out of singing.”

This was the curt reply of Lea Salonga when asked for her opinion on the singing career of Anne Curtis, whose fans recently filled the Araneta Coliseum in her first concert, aptly titled Annebisyosa.

LEA “She just basically let out a wish and someone made it come true,” the Broadway star said. “I cannot listen to somebody out of tune for more than 10 or 20 seconds. After that, I’m gonna kill myself.”

The Tony-award winning singer said she respects her craft. “I don’t like going to concerts where people are out of tune. To be quite honest I hate it...hate it.”

But Lea stressed that even Anne admits that she is not a singer, but an entertainer.

“I think in reality she knows what she is,” said Lea. “I didn’t diss or attack @annecurtissmith directly,” she explained in a tweet. “But I have strong opinions about off-key singers. Anne herself doesn’t identify as a singer.

I respect that and said so today,” she added. “Truth is I said Anne herself isn’t a singer so I can’t be angry with her. She made a dream come true and I respect that.”

MANNY Pacquiao disclosed recently that he is seriously pondering retiring from boxing after his scheduled June 9 fight against American brawler Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Hindi maganda na nagse-share

ako ng salita ng Panginoon tapos nananakit ako ng kapwa,” he told reporters in Sarangani.

The neophyte lawmaker said he wants to concentrate more on sharing his faith while at the same time helping his poor constituents.

“I’ve gained more than enough blessings these past years so I think it’s time for me to return the favor,” he said in Filipino.

Pacquiao said he is now a “changed man” as a result of his new found passion for studying the Bible.

Earlier this month, Pacquiao accepted an offer from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to become the Church’s “Bible ambassador.”

IS IT OVER FOR VICKI & HAYDEN?

IS celebrity doctor Vicki Belo giving up on her fiance, Hayden Kho? The Twitter world was abuzz with rumor that the May-December affair is finally over after Vicki posted in her official Twitter account last Feb. 10 that her lover can now openly date actress-singer Nancy Castiglione, also known as Nancy Jane.

The 56-year-old cosmetic surgeon wrote: “nancycastilogne you can now openly date @ haydenjr. You have my blessings.

Hope you’ll both be happy.”

Hayden immediately tried to put out the fire by firing off a tweet of his own.

“Before things go out of hand: Vicki and I are just having a misunderstanding. Don’t make conclusions. There’s no infidelity issue here,” said Hayden, who at 32, is 24 years younger than Vicki.

He added: “As a matter of fact, Vicki & 1 have been doing very well in our relationship.

And finally, since this is already public, I might as well say this in public- @vicki_belo, I love you.”

But according to Butch Francisco, co-host of the GMA-7 gossip show Startalk TX, Vicki told him, “It is over.”

Butch quoted Vicki as saying: “Yes we have been fighting regarding Nancy. I think it’s true.

I am letting him go so that they don’t have to be hiding anymore.”

Butch said Vicki admitted

HAYDEN AND VICKI that she realized that their age gap was a challenge to their relationship and was fully aware that it would not be a lasting affair.

Rumors have circulated that Hayden was spotted earlier in the week kissing Nancy at a bar in Taguig City.

Hayden appealed to the public not to cast their judgement right away for the sake of Nancy’s two young children. He said he would clarify the matter at the right time.

Nancy, a single mother to twin boys born in March 2009, denied involvement with Hayden, saying she is happy in her current relationship with her partner.

This was not the first time that the couple had been engaged in a public spat. The first and worst quarrel was in 2009 when a sex video of Hayden and actress Katrina Halili was circulated on the Internet. Hayden lost his medical license as a result of the scandal.

But Vicki and Hayden eventually reconciled. Their plan to get married has not pushed through.

The couple in happier times with Bimby & Joshua.

KRIS WON’T ASK FOR SUPPORT FROM JAMES KRIS Aquino says she won’t ask for paternal support from her former husband, professional basketball player James Yap. She made the remark following the annulment of the couple’s five-year-marriage.

“Sinabi ko na kumikita ako and it will be voluntary on James’ part if he would want to share. Pero hindi ko siya inoobliga,” she said in an exclusive interview with the gossip show The Buzz last Feb. 5.

Kris has custody of their son, James Jr., also known as Bimby.

She said James may visit their son anytime he wants to.

“He’s below seven years old. Any time a child is seven and below, custody is with the mom. But it doesn’t mean na hindi siya puwedeng dalawin ni James because I am very lenient,” she said.

Kris said Bimby will still

carry the family name Yap. But she will eventually need to “adopt” the boy since he is an illegitimate child based on the grounds of her marriage to James.

“James signed the birth certificate so Bimby is a Yap but there are legal rights that I must take to protect both Josh and Bimby. Ang next step kasi dito, I need to adopt my children. That is very complicated . . . I need to adopt them para there is no question of inheritance later on,” she said.

Kris also confirmed that she and James had a separation of properties even before their marriage was annulled, adding that both of them got a “fair” share.

She said their marriage was annulled because of “lack of authority of the solemnizing officer.”

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CELEBRITYFILES

JOHN LLOYD’S STATUS: IN A RELATIONSHIP JOHN Lloyd Cruz admits he’s now “in a relationship.”

The actor is very stingy with words in describing the current status of his relationship with Shaina Magdayao after their split in October last year. When asked by reporters to confirm if he and Shaina have indeed reconciled, John Lloyd replied, “Siguro yun muna ang maise-share ko for now.”

He added: “Siguro hanggang doon lang muna. Nagkahiwalay, and then inayos. Then, back together. Yun lang.”

Pressed further if he and Shaina are starting over again John Lloyd said, “Hindi naman all over again kasi hindi naman natapos completely or nabasura yung unang part. So, kung starting all over again, I don’t think so. . . And, okay naman kami. Papunta sa mas maganda. Walang starting all over again.”

But he did not give a specific date when he was asked when the reconciliation happened.

“Hindi lang ngayon,” he said.

“It’s been official for quite some time already.”

JOHN LLOYD WITH SHAINA

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JINKEE IS A KNOCKOUT!

CELEBRITYFIleS

CHARICE KICKS OFF WORLD TOUR IN MARCH INTERNATIONAL singing sensation Charice Pempengco is set to kick off her Infinity world tour in Dubai in March. The tour will promote her new album “Infinity.”

The concert venues and dates are: Dubai, March 2; Singapore, March 5; Jakarta, March 7; Hong Kong, March 19; and Seoul, March 21.

Charice was originally set to perform in Dubai in October last year but the concert was cancelled when her father was murdered in the Philippines.

Charice’s last visit to Dubai was in 2010, when she had a concert with singer-songwriter Billy Crawford at the Dubai Tennis Stadium.

Her first international album ranked eighth in the Billboard 200, making Charice the first Asian re-

Jinkee stars in her own ad for Belo Medical Clinic.

By jERRiCho reynaldo CHARICE cording artist to land in the Top 10 of the prestigious chart.

“Infinity,” her second international album, includes the current hit single Before It Explodes by Bruno Mars, a world-famous FilipinoAmerican singer and composer.

NO LABELS, JUST OLD-FASHIONED LOVE ANGEL Locsin won’t attach any label to her “unofficial” relationship with soccer player Phil Younghusband.

“Walang labels. Walang anniversary, walang monthsary,” she said when asked to describe their relationship.

“Pero may improvement naman, di ba? Kita naman,” she added.

She said Phil has no reason to get jealous or alarmed at her intimate bed scenes with John Lloyd in their upcoming movie, Unofficially Yours.

According to her, the halfFilipino, half-British footballermodel is just like her previous Filipino boyfriends. “Para siyang Pilipinong-Pilipino, mahilig siya sa pagkain or kung paano siya kumilos. Pati yung values niya, Pinoy na Pinoy naman.”

ANGEL AND PHIL YOUNGHUSBAND In a separate interview, Phil said he is certain that Angel is the right woman for him.

“Yes. Yes, I’m very, very sure,” he said. “I think she’s the one... For me, you just know and you don’t need any evidence, you just feel it. And when we’re together, we feel very strong about each other.”

SOLON’S WIFE NABBED IN U.S. FOR DOLLAR SMUGGLING THE wife of Senator Lito Lapid is awaiting court hearing in Las Vegas after she was caught with $40,000 undeclared cash aside from the $10,000 she had declared to customs agents at the Las Vegas airport on Nov. 27 last year.

Upon investigation, Marissa Lapid admitted to carrying the excess amount, which constitutes currency smuggling. She readily admitted her offense, saying “I screwed up.” She was later released and returned to the country.

The Nevada district court issued a warrant of arrest against her last January. She was arrested when she arrived in Las Vegas last Jan. 15 upon the invitation of the US Department of Homeland Security. She was ordered not to leave Clark county in Nevada and to wears an electronic monitoring bracelet on her ankle.

In Manila, Senator Lapid said the $40,000 was to be used to buy a house in Las Vegas. He added that his wife is engaged in business in Pampanga.

If convicted of the offense, Marissa could be sentenced to five years in jail, pay a $250,000 fine, and have the seized money forfeited in favor of the United States government.

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INKEE Pacquiao must be the Victoria Beckham of the Philippines. She had a fortune, a successful and powerful husband, and a loving family - - the envy of housewives in the Philippines. But the journey to where she is now wasn’t totally sweet... being the wife of an international boxing superstar certainly has its downside: vices, gossip and intrigues on the couple’s misuse of their hard-earned money.

Just recently, Jinkee was on the cover of local Mega magazine, with a new look courtesy of shorter hair and a thinner body.

The change, of course, led many to dub the photo was “photoshopped,” which has been a standard practice among many of Manila’s glossies. Jinkee, however, denied such claims and attributed the flattering image to make-up and her weekly visit to the Belo Medical Clinic.

Despite her alluring figure and intoxicating looks, her husband was rumored to have been involved in a number of extramarital affairs over the years.

Like many celebrities and politicians, Manny Pacquiao had had his share of women, some of which were equally famous actresses. In an interview with entertainment columnist Ricky Lo, Jinkee revealed how she persuaded Manny to stop his foolish acts: “I don’t want that to happen to our children. So I told Manny, ‘Stop na!’” She also warned those with lurid intentions that God

Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao are a transformed couple. The boxing idol’s conversion is spiritual, forsaking his vices for the Bible. The wife’s makeover, on the other hand, is physical: a ravishing new look with gorgeous body curves to boot.

Was her new look ‘photoshopped’? will punish them.

The Bible has been a constant companion for the couple during the past few months, aiding them through trials regarding relationships and Manny’s ongoing pursuit for victory. “My prayer was answered,” she said. No more casinos, alcohol, and women for Manny. “Manny has more time with the children. He’s always at home, playing with the kids,” she said.

Following the purchase of a multi-million house in posh Forbes Park, the part-time congressman from Sarangani surprised his family with a P25-million yacht. This coming July, the family plans to go on a trip for two months. Some says

this was Manny’s way of making up for his past misdeeds.

In the end, Manny was a boxer, and the unending call for a fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. has seen Jinkee nervous and on edge, especially since Manny isn’t getting any younger. Does Jinkee approve of her mother-in-law’s appeal for the boxer to retire?

Perhaps, but her support to her husband remains resolute despite everything they’ve been through.

After all, Manny has been knocked out into the reformed man that he is by the very vixen that is Mrs. Pacman. As she proclaims in her Belo ad, “Don’t get mad, get beautiful” n

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‘I just don’t want to be stereotyped and put in a box.

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DINGDONG DANTES

MORE THAN A HEARTTHROB

Being a heartthrob isn’t something Dingdong regrets. “Everything that happened to me in the past contributed to where I am now.

If I were to go back, I would do the same thing all over again.”

The real-life sweethearts are paired for the fifth time in a soap in My Beloved.

By RUEl s. de vera

OMETIMES, whEn the world gets really crazy, Dingdong Dantes finds the need to go very, very fast. “I like speed,” the 31-year-old actor admits. “when I’m alone especially, I just want to ride my bike and go somewhere and be back in three hours. That’s therapy for me.” Riding his Ducati Diavel and just getting away comforts him, the actor says; it reminds him that he’s in control.

Dingdong’s career has been an exciting ride as well. Ever since he burst into television over a decade ago, he has been a man living between time slots, caught in a hurricane of movies and TV shows. he’s been plastered half-naked on gigantic billboards and is dating FhM Philippines’ 2008 Sexiest woman, Marian Rivera.

But it isn’t easy being Dingdong Dantes, who started out as a good-looking guy and graduated to become the nation’s favorite heartthrob. After enjoying the perks of fame, he is now looking for a deeper sense of where he is and where he is headed. he’s looking for what’s next.

Contrary to his pretty boy im-

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age, Dingdong takes acting seriously. He uses phrases like “the objective” of a scene and takes nothing lightly when it comes to what he does onscreen. A recent career high was winning the Best Actor award at the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival for his role as a psychopathic killer in the horror thriller Segunda Mano.

Professing admiration for Leonardo DiCaprio and the way he involves himself in his films, he says he likes the dramatic challenges that DiCaprio set for himself, opting to work with top directors instead of just banking on being a matinee idol. Dingdong could easily be talking about himself. “I just don’t want to be stereotyped and put in a box.”

He gets his wish in his two upcoming films -- the international release Dance of the Steel Bars, a prison drama set in Manila, and the horror film called Aswang Chronicles.

Directing is something he’d like to do, having taken up formal courses in production and filmmaking back in college. Dingdong’s longtime manager, Perry Lansigan, says his ward “will be one of our country’s courageous producers, tapping social issues

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He is now looking for a deeper sense of where he is and for what’s next.

Shows from Dingdong’s home channel relevant to our everyday life and Filipino culture.”

Veteran entertainment writer Ricky Lo says that Dingdong’s directorial plans and his becoming a producer proves that he is looking at the big picture. Dingdong’s success is also due to his preternatu-

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ral savvy for working with others, says Lo. “Besides his exceptional looks and talent, he knows how to deal with people, especially the media, something that most stars today take for granted.”

Being a heartthrob isn’t something Dingdong regrets. “Everything that happened to me in the past contributed to where I am now. If I were to go back, I would do the same thing all over again.”

His current involvement however shows that he is also looking to do something different and completely new. Like NGO work in the YesPinoy Foundation.

Founded by the actor in 2009, the YesPinoy Foundation was originally meant to benefit the children of fallen military men, mainly by

providing them scholarships. It has since expanded into helping provide educational assistance to those who need it.

He says he has no interest in a government job or public office.

“I’d rather focus on my strength, which is in the [movie] industry.”

And no, he doesn’t really mind its close and often intrusive scrutiny of his love life.

He currently headlines GMA7’s latest primetime series, My Beloved, where he stars opposite real-life girlfriend and Kapuso star Marian Rivera. They were previously paired in MariMar, Dyesebel, Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang and Endless Love.

Originally dismissed by cynics as a publicity gimmick, the Ding-

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“Everything that happened to me in the past contributed to where I am now...

I would do the same thing all over again,” says Dingdong. dong-Marian real-life love team is apparently going strong. Dating in such a public profession isn’t easy but the two try their best to spend time together. “It’s very, very hard to find time,” he admits. “That why when our shows end, we

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make it a point to do something and probably go somewhere to have a vacation. For us, three days is fine, three days of not thinking about anything.”

The first thing he loves about Marian is her great sense of humor.

“It’s how she cares for me and the people I love, and that’s one of the best things I love about her.”

Dingdong admits to thoughts about marriage. “[But] that’s very sacred to me and I really want to keep it to myself and it’s the same with her. That’s something we really don’t talk about because if we ever do, we want to be at the right time and the perfect moment.”

Having a family, after all, is one of the greatest goals in his life.

(Philippine Daily Inquirer) n

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The Department of Tourism is aiming to increase tourist arrivals to 10 million by 2016.

By kAthERinE visconti

OR the past 11 years, tourism has been growing as a significant source of revenues and jobs, a recent report showed. the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) reported that the share of the tourism industry’s direct gross value added (tDGVA) to the economy averaged 5.8% from 2000-2010.

In 2010, tDGVA stood at exactly 5.8% of GDP, reaching P518.5 billion. this is equivalent to about twice as much money poured by tourism into the economy as foreign direct investments, a traditional job generator and vote of confidence to the country.

Remittances, another external source of funds and have been a dollar-earner for decades, contributed more to the economy than tourism. NSCB said it provided an estimated 9.3% share of GDP in 2010, equivalent to roughly P845.9 billion (or $18.76 billion). the Philippine government has been trying to boost tourism as a potential source of direct and alternative source of income, jobs, as well as a dollar-earner for the country.

Shopping and jobs Shopping was the main activity of tourists that contributed the most to total tourism receipts. Shopping accounted for 20.3% of tourism spending, followed by accommodation at 14.8%, recreation and entertainment at 6.8%.

According to NSCB, foreign tourists spent P100.2 billion in 2010, up 9.6% from P99.7 billion in 2009. Of this, they spent over P30 billion for shopping (28.3% of total spending), another P30 billion for food and beverage (28.3%), and almost P24 billion for accommodation (21.8%). the following benefited from tourism-related activities as well: travel agencies (5.6%), food and beverage (5.3%), transport (3.5%), and miscellaneous (0.9%). tourism is also adding more jobs to the economy at a fairly constant rate. From 2000-2010, employment in the industry grew at an average of 3.7% a year. In 2010, tourist employment rose 4.1% from the previous year.

It provided jobs to 9.7% of the

Calgary Edition

LOW FARES, SHOPPING BOOST PH TOURISM More than hotel accommodation, food and transportation, it is shopping that generates the most revenue from tourists.

Shopping was the main activity of tourists that contributed the most to total tourism receipts.

From 2000 to 2010, tourists spent over P30 billion for shopping, another P30 billion for food and beverage, and almost P24 billion for accommodation

The growing number of local tourists is due in part to the affordable fares offered by airlines and shipping lines. country’s total unemployed from Filipinos who travel within the country, are about 6 times as much 2000 to 2010. as the foreign tourists’.

Domestic tourism expenditures Domestic tourism NSCB noted that the total grew 15.1% in 2010. In 2009, the spending of domestic tourists, or year the global crisis was in full-

bloom, domestic tourism spending grew by a paltry 2.7%. the NSCB attributed the dramatic rise of Filipino travellers and their spending to the competitive rates offered by various airlines and shipping lines as well as holiday economics. the Department of tourism (DOt) is aiming to increase tourist arrivals to 10 million by 2016, and with it, the revenue that visitors bring into the country. the new target is a big jump with DOt Secretary Ramon Jimenez shooting for 4.2 million arrivals in 2012, up from 3.7 million in 2011.

Since tourism’s contribution to the economy has stayed relatively constant, the new targets may finally pull the country out of the 5.8% range.

Asean tourists Of the projected 107 million tourists visiting members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) by 2015, the Philippines expects to corner 8.2 million, a 7.7% share. the Philippines, one of the laggards in attracting tourists among the neighbors, is aiming for 10 million tourists by 2016. Around 3.7 million tourists visited in 2011. the Philippines initially aimed to double tourist arrivals to 6 million by 2016, but Jimenez said the Philippines need to drum up efforts to reduce the gap between the country and its Asean neighbors, who have been upping their game. the tourism industry is banking on the new and non-traditional branding campaign that uses the tagline “It’s more fun in the Philippine”” to reach this goal. the 10-member Asean are fast tracking the development of a common visa for foreign tourists to meet the 107 million target 4 years from now.

In 2011, the combined tourist arrivals to various Asean destinations was 79 million. the new tourism goal was set at the 15th meeting of the Asean tourism Ministers recently held in Manado, Indonesia. (Rappler. com) n