Derek Jeter's Ups and Downs in 2011

It's a pretty common for a lot of men to wish they were Derek Jeter— probably a few women too.  Who wouldn't want to be the starting shortstop of the New York Yankees?  Rich, handsome, athletic and the idol of thousands of fans. There wasn't too much not to like about the basically untarnished image of the Yankees Captain until 2011 rolled around. There was a lot of good, bad and great things for Jeter in 2011. The past year was probably the most turbulent and public twelve months in both Jeter's personal and baseball life.  The virtuous Jeter started showing a few chinks in his armor.

Coming off the Yankees losing to the Texas Rangers in the 2010 ALCS, Jeter ushered in 2011 after contentious contract negotiations with the Yankees— the only pro team he has ever played for. The leaking of the private negotiations led to a public feud with GM Brian Cashman and Hal and Hank Steinbrenner and left a bitter taste in Jeter's mouth.  A three-year, $51 million deal was deemed an overpayment by many for the 36-year old player on his last legs. At a press conference, Jeter bared his fangs but tempered his anger at how the talks were handled by management.  Not a good way to start the new year even with 51 million reasons to be happy.

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"Hugo" and "The Artist" lead the winners of the 84th Academy Awards

Source: Rappler"Hugo" and "The Artist" lead the winners of the 84th Academy Awards, held Sunday, February 26 (Monday, February 27) in Los Angeles.

Both films had 5 wins each, with the silent film "The Artist" taking Best Picture, Best Director for Michel Hazanavicius, and Best Actor for Jean Dujardin. It also took home awards for Costume Design and Original Score.

Photo courtesy

The film is the first silent film to win the top prize since "Wings," which won Best Picture back in 1928, in the first Academy Awards ceremonies.

The animated Martin Scorsese film "Hugo," meanwhile, won awards for Art Direction, Cinematography, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Visual Effects.

Meryl Streep's performance as former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady" won for her the Best Actress Oscar, beating presumed frontrunner Viola Davis ("The Help").

A standing ovation from the crowd at the Hollywood and Highland Theater (the former Kodak Theater) greeted her third Oscar win, which came after a record 17 nominations throughout her career.

Octavia Spencer ("The Help") won Best Supporting Actress, while Christopher Plummer ("Beginners") made Academy history by winning Best Supporting Actor at the age of 82, the oldest awardee ever.

The Iranian film "A Separation," meanwhile, wins Best Foreign Language Film.

The Oscars was hosted by comedian Billy Crystal, who has led the ceremonies 8 times in the past.

Here is a list of the nominees and winners (highlighted) for the major categories at the 84th Academy Awards. This list is according to presentation of the awards during the ceremonies.

Cinematography

• "The Artist" Guillaume Schiffman
• "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Jeff Cronenweth
• "Hugo" Robert Richardson
• "The Tree of Life" Emmanuel Lubezki
• "War Horse" Janusz Kaminski

Art Direction

• "The Artist" - Production Design: Laurence Bennett; Set Decoration: Robert Gould
• "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" - Production Design: Stuart Craig; Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
• "Hugo" - Production Design: Dante Ferretti; Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo
• "Midnight in Paris" - Production Design: Anne Seibel; Set Decoration: Hélène Dubreuil
• "War Horse" - Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales

Costume Design

• "Anonymous" Lisy Christl
• "The Artist" Mark Bridges
• "Hugo" Sandy Powell
• "Jane Eyre" Michael O'Connor
• "W.E." Arianne Phillips

Makeup

• "Albert Nobbs," Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston and Matthew W. Mungle
• "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," Nick Dudman, Amanda Knight and Lisa Tomblin
• "The Iron Lady," Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland

Best Foreign Language Film

• "Bullhead" Belgium
• "Footnote" Israel
• "In Darkness" Poland
• "Monsieur Lazhar" Canada
• "A Separation" Iran

Best Supporting Actress

• Bérénice Bejo in "The Artist"
• Jessica Chastain in "The Help"
• Melissa McCarthy in "Bridesmaids"
• Janet McTeer in "Albert Nobbs"
• Octavia Spencer in "The Help"

Film Editing

• "The Artist" Anne-Sophie Bion and Michel Hazanavicius
• "The Descendants" Kevin Tent
• "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
• "Hugo" Thelma Schoonmaker
• "Moneyball" Christopher Tellefsen

Sound Editing

• "Drive" Lon Bender and Victor Ray Ennis
• "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Ren Klyce
• "Hugo" Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty
• "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" Ethan Van der Ryn and Erik Aadahl
• "War Horse" Richard Hymns and Gary Rydstrom

Sound Mixing

• "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Bo Persson
• "Hugo," Tom Fleischman and John Midgley
• "Moneyball," Deb Adair, Ron Bochar, David Giammarco and Ed Novick
• "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Peter J. Devlin
• "War Horse," Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson and Stuart Wilson

Documentary (Feature)

• "Hell and Back Again," Danfung Dennis and Mike Lerner
• "If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front," Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman
• "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory," Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky
• "Pina," Wim Wenders and Gian-Piero Ringel
• "Undefeated," TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay and Rich Middlemas

Best Animated Feature

• "A Cat in Paris" Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli
• "Chico & Rita" Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal
• "Kung Fu Panda 2" Jennifer Yuh Nelson
• "Puss in Boots" Chris Miller
• "Rango" Gore Verbinski

Visual Effects

• "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler and John Richardson
• "Hugo," Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossmann and Alex Henning
• "Real Steel," Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Dan Taylor and Swen Gillberg
• "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White and Daniel Barrett
• "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew Butler and John Frazier

Best Supporting Actor

• Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn"
• Jonah Hill in "Moneyball"
• Nick Nolte in "Warrior"
• Christopher Plummer in "Beginners"
• Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Music (Original Score)

• "The Adventures of Tintin" John Williams
• "The Artist" Ludovic Bource
• "Hugo" Howard Shore
• "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" Alberto Iglesias
• "War Horse" John Williams

Music (Original Song)

• "Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets," Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
• "Real in Rio" from "Rio," Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown; Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Best Adapted Screenplay

• "The Descendants" Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
• "Hugo" Screenplay by John Logan
• "The Ides of March" Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
• "Moneyball" Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin; Story by Stan Chervin
• "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" Screenplay by Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan

Best Original Screenplay

• "The Artist" Written by Michel Hazanavicius
• "Bridesmaids" Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
• "Margin Call" Written by J.C. Chandor
• "Midnight in Paris" Written by Woody Allen
• "A Separation" Written by Asghar Farhadi

Short Film (Live Action)

• "Pentecost" Peter McDonald and Eimear O'Kane
• "Raju" Max Zähle and Stefan Gieren
• "The Shore" Terry George and Oorlagh George
• "Time Freak" Andrew Bowler and Gigi Causey
• "Tuba Atlantic" Hallvar Witzø

Documentary (Short Subject)

• "The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement," Robin Fryday and Gail Dolgin
• "God Is the Bigger Elvis," Rebecca Cammisa and Julie Anderson
• "Incident in New Baghdad," James Spione
• "Saving Face," Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
• "The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom," Lucy Walker and Kira Carstensen

Short Film (Animated)

• "Dimanche/Sunday" Patrick Doyon
• "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg
• "La Luna" Enrico Casarosa
• "A Morning Stroll" Grant Orchard and Sue Goffe
• "Wild Life" Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby

Best Director

• Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
• Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
• Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"
• Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
• Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"

2011 Governors Awards (Given last November 12, 2011)

• Honorary Awards: James Earl Jones, Dick Smith
• Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Oprah Winfrey

Best Actor

• Demián Bichir in "A Better Life"
• George Clooney in "The Descendants"
• Jean Dujardin in "The Artist"
• Gary Oldman in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
• Brad Pitt in "Moneyball"

Best Actress

• Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs"
• Viola Davis in "The Help"
• Rooney Mara in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
• Meryl Streep in "The Iron Lady"
• Michelle Williams in "My Week with Marilyn"

Best Picture

• 
  "Hugo" and "The Artist" lead the winners of the 84th Academy Awards, held Sunday, February 26 (Monday, February 27) in Los Angeles.
• Both films had 5 wins each, with the silent film "The Artist" taking Best Picture, Best Director for Michel Hazanavicius, and Best Actor for Jean Dujardin. It also took home awards for Costume Design and Original Score.
• The film is the first silent film to win the top prize since "Wings," which won Best Picture back in 1928, in the first Academy Awards ceremonies.
• The animated Martin Scorsese film "Hugo," meanwhile, won awards for Art Direction, Cinematography, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Visual Effects.
• Meryl Streep's performance as former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady" won for her the Best Actress Oscar, beating presumed frontrunner Viola Davis ("The Help").
• A standing ovation from the crowd at the Hollywood and Highland Theater (the former Kodak Theater) greeted her third Oscar win, which came after a record 17 nominations throughout her career.
• Octavia Spencer ("The Help") won Best Supporting Actress, while Christopher Plummer ("Beginners") made Academy history by winning Best Supporting Actor at the age of 82, the oldest awardee ever.
• The Iranian film "A Separation," meanwhile, wins Best Foreign Language Film.
• The Oscars was hosted by comedian Billy Crystal, who has led the ceremonies 8 times in the past.
• Here is a list of the nominees and winners (highlighted) for the major categories at the 84th Academy Awards. This list is according to presentation of the awards during the ceremonies.
• Cinematography
• "The Artist" Guillaume Schiffman
• "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Jeff Cronenweth
• "Hugo" Robert Richardson
• "The Tree of Life" Emmanuel Lubezki
• "War Horse" Janusz Kaminski

Art Direction

• "The Artist" - Production Design: Laurence Bennett; Set Decoration: Robert Gould
• "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" - Production Design: Stuart Craig; Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
• "Hugo" - Production Design: Dante Ferretti; Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo
• "Midnight in Paris" - Production Design: Anne Seibel; Set Decoration: Hélène Dubreuil
• "War Horse" - Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales

Costume Design

• "Anonymous" Lisy Christl
• "The Artist" Mark Bridges
• "Hugo" Sandy Powell
• "Jane Eyre" Michael O'Connor
• "W.E." Arianne Phillips

Makeup

• "Albert Nobbs," Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston and Matthew W. Mungle
• "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," Nick Dudman, Amanda Knight and Lisa Tomblin
• "The Iron Lady," Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland

Best Foreign Language Film

• "Bullhead" Belgium
• "Footnote" Israel
• "In Darkness" Poland
• "Monsieur Lazhar" Canada
• "A Separation" Iran

Best Supporting Actress

• Bérénice Bejo in "The Artist"
• Jessica Chastain in "The Help"
• Melissa McCarthy in "Bridesmaids"
• Janet McTeer in "Albert Nobbs"
• Octavia Spencer in "The Help"

Film Editing

• "The Artist" Anne-Sophie Bion and Michel Hazanavicius
• "The Descendants" Kevin Tent
• "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
• "Hugo" Thelma Schoonmaker
• "Moneyball" Christopher Tellefsen

Sound Editing

• "Drive" Lon Bender and Victor Ray Ennis
• "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Ren Klyce
• "Hugo" Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty
• "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" Ethan Van der Ryn and Erik Aadahl
• "War Horse" Richard Hymns and Gary Rydstrom

Sound Mixing

• "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Bo Persson
• "Hugo," Tom Fleischman and John Midgley
• "Moneyball," Deb Adair, Ron Bochar, David Giammarco and Ed Novick
• "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Peter J. Devlin
• "War Horse," Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson and Stuart Wilson

Documentary (Feature)

• "Hell and Back Again," Danfung Dennis and Mike Lerner
• "If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front," Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman
• "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory," Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky
• "Pina," Wim Wenders and Gian-Piero Ringel
• "Undefeated," TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay and Rich Middlemas

Best Animated Feature

• "A Cat in Paris" Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli
• "Chico & Rita" Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal
• "Kung Fu Panda 2" Jennifer Yuh Nelson
• "Puss in Boots" Chris Miller
• "Rango" Gore Verbinski

Visual Effects

• "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler and John Richardson
• "Hugo," Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossmann and Alex Henning
• "Real Steel," Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Dan Taylor and Swen Gillberg
• "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White and Daniel Barrett
• "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew Butler and John Frazier

Best Supporting Actor

• Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn"
• Jonah Hill in "Moneyball"
• Nick Nolte in "Warrior"
• Christopher Plummer in "Beginners"
• Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Music (Original Score)

• "The Adventures of Tintin" John Williams
• "The Artist" Ludovic Bource
• "Hugo" Howard Shore
• "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" Alberto Iglesias
• "War Horse" John Williams

Music (Original Song)

• "Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets," Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
• "Real in Rio" from "Rio," Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown; Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Best Adapted Screenplay

• "The Descendants" Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
• "Hugo" Screenplay by John Logan
• "The Ides of March" Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
• "Moneyball" Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin; Story by Stan Chervin
• "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" Screenplay by Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan

Best Original Screenplay

• "The Artist" Written by Michel Hazanavicius
• "Bridesmaids" Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
• "Margin Call" Written by J.C. Chandor
• "Midnight in Paris" Written by Woody Allen
• "A Separation" Written by Asghar Farhadi

Short Film (Live Action)

• "Pentecost" Peter McDonald and Eimear O'Kane
• "Raju" Max Zähle and Stefan Gieren
• "The Shore" Terry George and Oorlagh George
• "Time Freak" Andrew Bowler and Gigi Causey
• "Tuba Atlantic" Hallvar Witzø

Documentary (Short Subject)

• "The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement," Robin Fryday and Gail Dolgin
• "God Is the Bigger Elvis," Rebecca Cammisa and Julie Anderson
• "Incident in New Baghdad," James Spione
• "Saving Face," Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
• "The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom," Lucy Walker and Kira Carstensen

Short Film (Animated)

• "Dimanche/Sunday" Patrick Doyon
• "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg
• "La Luna" Enrico Casarosa
• "A Morning Stroll" Grant Orchard and Sue Goffe
• "Wild Life" Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby

Best Director

• Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
• Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
• Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"
• Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
• Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"

2011 Governors Awards (Given last November 12, 2011)Honorary Awards: James Earl Jones, Dick SmithJean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Oprah Winfrey

Best Actor

• Demián Bichir in "A Better Life"
• George Clooney in "The Descendants"
• Jean Dujardin in "The Artist"
• Gary Oldman in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
• Brad Pitt in "Moneyball"

Best Actress

• Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs"
• Viola Davis in "The Help"
• Rooney Mara in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
• Meryl Streep in "The Iron Lady"
• Michelle Williams in "My Week with Marilyn"

Best Picture

• "The Artist," Thomas Langmann, Producer
• "The Descendants," Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers
• "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," Scott Rudin, Producer
• "The Help," Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers
• "Hugo," Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers
• "Midnight in Paris," Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers
• "Moneyball," Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers
• "The Tree of Life," Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Dede Gardner and Grant Hill, Producers
• "War Horse," Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers

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Another first from Globe: Visayan customer hotline

Globe Telecom marks another milestone in the Philippine telecommunication industry, offering the first trilingual customer hotline service with the launch of its Visayan interactive voice response (IVR) system. 

With the launch of the new hotline system, Visayan-speaking Globe subscribers can call 730-1000 from any landline or 211 from any Globe or TM mobile number and simply follow the voice prompts so they are directed to a Visayan-speaking customer service representative. They can then inquire about Globe broadband and landline services or raise concerns and requests, while conversing in Visayan. The Visayan-speaking customer service representatives (CSR), based in Cebu, will be on hand 24/7 to accommodate calls.

“Once again, we are raising the bar of customer hotline services by putting in place a system that can fully understand queries and concerns of a specific group of subscribers,” said Joe Caliro, Head for Customer Experience of Globe. “This is a milestone not just for Globe but most importantly for our Visayan subscribers because their concerns will be addressed at the soonest possible time in their own language.” 

The hotline service is done in partnership with Aegis People Support and Tech Mahindra, two of the best-in-class contact center firms in the global business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. 

The Visayan language is the second most-widely spoken dialect in the country, with over 20 million Filipinos speaking the language in various provinces and cities in the Visayas and Mindanao. 

In addition, Globe has set up more customer service channels in addition to its existing channels such as the Talk2Globe Hotline via 730-1000 (toll-free via Globe Landline) or 211 (toll-free via Globe/TM mobile), official Talk2Globe accounts in Facebook and Twitter, and the Talk2Globe e-mail account (talk@globetel.com.ph) to reach more subscribers and to immediately respond to queries and concerns on its services available for Globe subscribers. 

These new Talk2Globe channels include chat functionality available on the Globe website or via Yahoo! Messenger (by adding the Talk2Globe account—Talk2GLOBECHAT) that provides real-time feedback from customer service representatives who are on duty 24/7. Globe subscribers anywhere in the Philippines can also get assistance by texting HELP to 1234 for free. 

Globe also launched *143#, the newest and easiest quick-service menu that allows subscribers to know more about the latest Globe promos at the touch of a button for free. Just dial *143# and press the call button on the mobile phone to quickly access billing and load details, as well as call, text and surfing promos, do GCASH transactions, download related services, and share prepaid load to Globe and TM users without having to memorize registration codes and access numbers. 

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Whitney Houston Found Dead at 48

A lot of us may have brought up an #RIPWhitneyHouston jokes on Twitter. This time, we are not laughing anymore as the singer battled with drugs.The publicist of the award-winning "I Will Always Loved You"singer confirmed her death. She was 48. Worse, she died on the eve of the prestigious Grammy Awards.While the cause of death has not yet been revealed, one can only wonder whether it was drug-related.Anyone who remembers Houston's early work and the impact it had on music can only be saddened by her death.Extending my condolences to the singer's family.

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Audition for The Amazing Race Philippines

The fastest reality show is now here in the Philippines!

From the press release:

"Fans of The Amazing Race franchise can expect the same level of heart-pumping adventure and thrilling challenges with the all new The Amazing Race Philippines."

Interested fans should now start making their audition videos.Competition will be tough thus make sure you get noticed by the production team. Heh.TV 5 will post the audition schedules and procedures soon. Will keep you posted.

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KC Concepcion on Rogue Magazine cover for January – February 2012

Charice and Jinkee Pacquiao became the cover of some of the country's leading magazines... and it had raised negativity, mostly from the netizens. This month, Rogue Magazine unveiled its January-February 2012 issue with KC Concepcion, exposing her almost perfect butt.

But in fairness to this issue, it gained positive feedback both from citizens and netizens.

KC is currently sporting a shorter hairstyle and I don't know how cutting your own hair can mend a broken heart. Hmmmmm.

And oh, is that Piolo's head? I bet it is really his head. Lol!

Say goodbye to the OA and pa-tweetums KC. Say hello to the bolder and braver (and sexier) KC!

GRAB YOUR OWN COPY NOW!

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The Amazing Race Philippines Airs on TV5

The Amazing Race Philippines is earlier reported to be hosted by actor Aga Muhlach who currently has Pinoy Explorer on TV-5.

This coming 2012, the Kapatid network is set to turn ‘dreams’ into a ‘reality’ as TV5 ushers the New Year with a formidable line-up of reality programs that promises to shake up Filipinos’ TV viewing experience.Headlining these new shows is the much awaited and highly anticipated Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Philippines. This touching reality series franchise, originally produced by Endemol, follows the original format of providing home renovations to less fortunate families and communities within the span of seven days. It seems like an impossible task, but with the help of the show’s dedicated design team and kind-hearted volunteers, EM:HE is able to bring a new home and a new hope to the lives of deserving families. For its Philippine debut, the design team will be led and hosted by the country’s “King of Reality TV” Paolo Bediones, who will be joined by Tessa Prieto-Valdez and Divine Lee.TV5 serves another heartwarming and entertaining reality show in Dancing Nation, a unique and inspiring dance-off competition that unites the whole community toward a common cause. Recognizing the Filipinos’ singing prowess, the network embarks on a nationwide search for true talent in Kanta Pilipinas.Bringing variety into the mix, TV5 also acquired two big-title reality game shows: The Biggest Game Show in Asia and The Amazing Race Philippines. The Biggest Game Show in Asia will have teams from four South East Asian countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Philippines) competing against each other through games and obstacle courses. Hosted by Richard Gomez and Joey de Leon, the show was recently shot at a purpose built production hub in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Fans of The Amazing Race franchise can expect the same level of heart-pumping adventure and thrilling challenges with the all new The Amazing Race Philippines.Finally, intrigue, drama, and titillating characters will surely spice up your viewing experience with Temptation Island: Dare to Win. Focusing on a group of beautiful young men and women marooned in a beautiful island, this show is inspired by Regal Entertainment’s ‘80s cult classic Temptation Island.TV5 understands the Filipino viewer and strives to fulfill their aspirations and dreams through this line-up of big reality shows. For 2012, expect only the most amazing and most exciting reality programs that are sure to stir the emotions of Filipinos across the nation.Text credit: showbiznest

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Movie Review: Contagion

Contagion is a sci-fi drama flick that tackles how people from different walks of life struggled from an airborne native virus. Surprisingly, this movie is a star-studded one; Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Marion Cottilard and Jude Law starred this flick.Let me tell you this in a straight-forward manner: the movie didn’t impress me at all. Nadah.As a former Biology student with an extensive background in Molecular Biology and Microbiology, facts presented in the movie, like how the virus behaved and the manner it was assayed (a scientific term of analyzing a specimen) were true, except for the part wherein the Virologist/Immunologist found the vaccine in just a short period of time. It was deliberately cut short due to obvious reasons.But, Contagion really has a promising plot and style. No sarcasm intended on that statement but because there were so many characters presented in the movie, some of them didn’t have any development at all, most especially to Marion Cotillard’s role. It could have been presented better by putting some events that transpired to each main characters as the movie nears its end.And oh, the ending was really disappointing. Don’t ask me why. You just have to watch it at your own risk.

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Product Review: AXE 2012 Final Edition

Photo credit

Worrying that you won't smell good when the world comes to its apocalyptic end?Fret no more, my friend! Axe had just recently released their latest scent, the Axe 2012 Final Edition.As a famous perfume product made especially for men, Axe had come to various scents. Most of them are eccentric yet had the power to capture the olfactory sense of women.The new scent of Axe was aptly named 2012 Final Edition in line with the much-awaited apocalypse.What I really love about Axe 2012 Final Edition is its unique scent. Despite having a citrus smell, it still has this strong masculine scent. And like any other variants, it's also a body deocologne. It eliminates body odor, leaving the you to have a fresh feeling all day long.Whether you believe in the upcoming rapture or think that the Mayans just ran out of stones during the process of making their calendars, Axe 2012 Final Edition will surely be the most fragrant body spray that ever existed.

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Filming of the 4th Bourne Installment Cancelled; Blames MMDA Cleanup

(LINK TO ORIGINAL ARTICLE)Sad news for avid fans of Robert Ludlum's Bourne series.Universal Pictures had just recently announced the cancellation of the film's shooting around Metro Manila due to MMDA's (Metro Manila Development Authority) cleanup drive.

Director Tony Gilroy

"The director and producers have chosen Pasay Taft Rotonda and other locations. Magulo talaga roon and gusto namin ayusin 'to. Nakakahiya!", quipped MMDA Chairman Francisco Tolentino during the interview.Filming locations include Intramuros, Rizal Park, Pasay Taft Rotonda, Marikina Public Market, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard and Navotas Fishport were among the included filming locations for the said movie. Director Tony Gilroy had particularly opted for these locations due to its filthiness which perfectly fits the movie's plot.

Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross

"Cleaning those aforementioned places would really destroy the ambiance of the movie that we were aiming for. We could've chosen another country if we wanted a clean environment to shoot at!", Director Gilroy explained in an interview.Sensing that they did a wrong move, MMDA would gladly return all of the trashes to its original location just to change and appease the mind of the director."Baka babalik sila pag ginawa namin iyan. Hopefully", said Tolentino.The Bourne Legacy is a story centered on a new CIA operative in the universe based on Robert Ludlum’s novels. It stars Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross alongside Ed Norton and Rachel Weisz.

MORE HERE ON SO WHAT'S NEWS

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Russell Brand, Katy Perry to divorce

Fourteen months after their grand Indian wedding, famous pop-star Katy Perry and her husband, Russell Brand will soon end their marriage.

Katy Perry and Russell Brand

"It's a sad story for us but we will still remain friends", Brand said in a statement released to The Associated Press on Friday.Brand, 36, offered no other details, but in papers filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, the British comedian cited irreconcilable differences.The couple were married in October 2010 at a resort inside a tiger reserve in India and has always been a hot item on Hollywood.Both Brand and Perry were conspicuously absent Friday from Twitter, where they often shared kind words to each other.Sad Hollywood news is sad.

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