Chef Boy gives Marian Rivera cooking assignments!

Even though Primetime Queen Marian Rivera is busy with her showbiz commitments, her desire to enroll in a culinary school continues.

During a set visit on Tweets for my Sweet, Marian admits that for now her schedule does not permit enrolling in a culinary school. She's thankful that she is working with Chef Boy Logro who serves as her mentor in cooking.

"Katulad nga niyan na busy ako, si Chef may binigay na magazines na may mga recipes niya. Sabi niya itry mo yan, kapag nalito daw ako tawagan ko daw siya. Tapos kapag inaral ko na, binibigyan niya ako ng assignments para naman patuloy akong matuto sa pagluluto." Marian shares.

Meanwhile, Tito Panch (Chef Boy Logro), the younger brother of Meg and Adele's dad will visit Same Same Café. He will tell them that he didn't pursue his plans of going to Mexico because of an illegal employer.

Will Tito Panch be the answer to Meg's question about her long lost mom?

Find out on Tweets for my Sweet every Sunday before 24 Oras Weekend on GMA

Gina Alajar as a mentor in Protégé

In an interview with entertainment bloggers last Saturday, July 8, veteran actress, director Gina Alajar said that she will combine her ferocious Dian Lamitan character in the GMA epic series “Amaya” and her motherly character as Zeny in the recently concluded afternoon soap, “Hiram na Puso” in her new stint as one of the mentors of the upcoming artista search “Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break.”

“Binabase ko rin yan sa pagtuturo ko sa mga workshop e. When you spoon feed someone, halos nakadepende na siya sayo, halos hindi na siya magtatrabaho because you’re giving him/her everything na, there’s no challenge for him na kasi you’re giving it to him/her in a silver platter. Samantalang kung maghihigpit ka nang konti at ipapakita mo sa kanya na ‘hindi, huwag kang tatamad-tamad, magtrabaho ka, you should learn and you should learn by doing. ’ So combination yan. Anyway, I have the Dian Lamitan side and the Zeny side all in one nandito kay Gina (laughs),” she said.

Asked what her bases are in selecting her proteges, she said that she is not very strict at this point in the screening although she emphasized that looks is one of the first factors she looks into.

“Kailangan mga artistahin na talaga tapos nandun na yung talent, nakikita mo na yung pwedeng madevelop, tapos madaling sumunod, madaling turuan. Importante rin na meron siyang karisma, meron siyang “It”, yung mamahalin siya ng madla. Mahirap yun e kasi hindi lahat na-chacharm ang taong bayan. So, kailangan meron siyang gaang, meron siyang magandang bukas ng mukha para i-embrace siya ng tao,” she explained.

“Mejo mahirap hanapin yun and I think dun palang natin malalaman yan kapag inintroduce na siya sa mga tao. Pero ngayon sa akin, my initial reaction is: meron ba siyang mukha, meron ba siyang tayo, meron bang pag lumakad siya sa isang kwarto ay magtitinginan sa kanya lahat, nakaka-attract ba siya ng attention, yung ganon,” the director added.

So how’s her search for the ultimate protégé going so far?

“Nag-decide ako sa sarili ko na since artista search, glamour talaga yung hinahanap mo e. Pwedeng pwede mo na dapat siyang ilakad sa red carpet. I think hindi ganun kalaki yung time para i-build up siya, kailangan maisabak na siya kaagad. I would say I would go for the looks first kasi yun yung importante as of this point. Kasi I do believe, na kahit hindi masyadong innate yung talent mate-train yun, it can be honed. Lalo na kung masipag yung tao, pwedeng pwede, magiging mabilis yun.”

Gina’s main predicament is finding the perfect blend among the many factors that make up a completely-packaged “artista.”

“Yun nga yung nagiging problema e, kasi meron namang hindi masyadong kagandahan at hindi masyadong kagwapuhan pero nandun naman yung talent, kaya lang it will not stand alone e sa search natin. If it’s only pagalingan lang ng pagiging artista, wala yung looks, pwede yun pero very thin ang line ng pagiging artista.”

Gina and the other four mentors will present their protégés to the viewing public for the very first time on August 5, during the show’s first gala night, which will be hosted by Dingdong Dantes and Carla Abellana.

Will their proteges pass the scrutiny of the judges? We’ll find that out soon on Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break only on GMA Telebabad.

Barangay LS 97.1 is Best FM Radio Station of the Year

Barangay LS 97.1 TugStugan Na! won as the Best FM Radio Station in the 2012 Yahoo! OMG! Awards. The flagship FM Radio Station of GMA Network bested four other finalists in the category in a star-studded gala held in the Mall Of Asia Arena last July 6. Barangay LS 97.1 is the first recipient of the award among twenty six FM stations in Mega Manila and over a hundred radio stations nationwide.

The Yahoo! OMG! Awards is the first of its kind purple carpet event that recognizes the most searched entertainment personalities and celebrities online. The selection of nominees was based on how they often trend in the Yahoo! Philippines search engine. The winners were those who got the highest votes in the online poll and thru text messaging.

In a news article released by the site, Barangay LS 97.1 got the fourth highest text votes - only behind the top two nominees in the Love Team of the Year category and the top nominee in the Fan Club of the Year category. In the online poll, the station cornered 38% of the total online votes cast in the Best FM Radio Station category at the close of June 28 after a month-long voting period.

Barangay LS 97.1 TugStugan Na! is a consistent favorite among listeners from all ages and social demographics. The station brings and all-hit music format spiced up with crazy fun features, interesting stories and live interaction via phone calls, text messages and social media.

The daily programs are dished out by Papa Jepoy, Papa Bodjie, Mama Cy, Papa Dudut, Ate Liza, Chikotita, Papa Tolits, Mama Belle, Papa Baldo, Papa Kiko, Papa Obet and Papa Dan. Among the highest rating programs of the station are Barangay Love Stories, Talk To Papa, and Wanted Sweetheart.

JESSICA SANCHEZ: American Idol Season 11 Highlights Album

This July 9, 2012, fans of the sensational American Idol songstress JESSICA SANCHEZ will surely be delighted as MCA Music proudly debuts her album --- “Jessica Sanchez: American Idol Season 11 Highlights”.

The album takes us back to some of her memorable and brilliant performances in the reality television singing competition, American Idol. It features five unique tracks including Jessica’s breathtaking and nostalgic rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”, her sultry cover of Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams” and her soulful version of Jazmine Sullivan’s “Stuttering”. It also includes the duet “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me” --- a powerful collaboration with fellow AI finalist Joshua Ledet plus Jessica’s anthemic finale song, “Change Nothing”, which is also the lead track of this amazing EP.

Jessica Sanchez was the runner-up on the eleventh season of the reality singing show, American Idol. She is the first female and fourth recipient of the judges' ‘save’. At the same time, she is also the first recipient of the save to reach the finale. Prior to appearing on American Idol, Sanchez competed in the first season of America's Got Talent at the age of 11. She has a worldwide fanbase known as the “BluJays”.

The album is simply going to be just the beginning of an incredible musical journey for this promising Filipino-American artist. That said, it is a must-have and collector’s item for all BluJays and American Idol fans alike.

JESSICA SANCHEZ: AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 11 HIGHLIGHTS ALBUM will be available in CDs by July 9, 2012 exclusively under MCA Music available at Astroplus and Odyssey Music & Video

JULIE ANNE SCORES ANOTHER YOUTUBE HIT

While riding high on the success of her youth-oriented series, Together Forever, Kapuso pop superstar and internet musical sensation Julie Anne San Jose continues her hot streak after her recent music video has gone viral with thousands of views in just two days.

Julie Anne’s music video for “I’ll Be There”, the upcoming single from her self titled album Julie Anne San Jose, is continuously gaining popularity after logging over 42 thousand views within 48 hours. Fans and supporters are obviously thrilled and her MTV, which premiered Sunday night, July 8, has been receiving an incredible amount of attention and positive reviews. The music video is directed by Mark Reyes.

GMA Films President Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar couldn’t be any happier and proud of Julie Anne’s rise to worldwide fame, “Julie Anne has once again proven her virality online. Her previous video on YouTube has so far garnered close to 15 million views and now we’re looking at thousands of views on her new music video, which was uploaded just the other night. She truly is a singing sensation not just on TV and but also on the worldwide stage offered by the internet.”

Director Mark, on the other hand, believes that the 18-year-old pop superstar is the next big music sensation to dominate the album charts and airwaves, “Julie Anne is this generation’s multi-media artist to watch out for. She is not only a singer, but a true musical prodigy. She is a promising songwriter / composer and a skilled instrumentalist on guitar, keyboard and even on drums. With her upcoming album and fast rising music video internet hit, I am sure that GMA has found its very own “angel of music.”

Julie Anne’s screen partner Tween star Elmo Magalona also expressed his excitement over the success of her music video and immediately posted a message on his Twitter yesterday, “Great news to start the week." Julie Anne and Elmo will topbill the teen romance movie “Just One Summer” which will be shown in nationwide theaters this August.

Meanwhile, Julie Anne is regularly seen every Sunday in the musical variety show Party Pilipinas on GMA.

JULIE ANNE SAN JOSE’S UPCOMING ALBUM

Kapuso pop star and singing sensation Julie Anne San Jose will be launching her first solo recording album on the first week of August (tentatively August 5). The album is entitled “Julie Anne San Jose” and contains 10 tracks (originals and covers). The carrier single of Julie Anne’s album is “I’ll Be There.” The album is under GMA Records.

In connection with the upcoming launch of her new album, a music video of the carrier single was shot last July 4 under the direction of Party Pilipinas co-director Mark Reyes. Julie’s screen partner Elmo Magalona also appeared in the said music video. The music video had its premiere telecast last Sunday on Party Pilipinas. Immediately after it was posted on YouTube, the music video garnered more than 40,000 views!

As part of her album's promotion, Julie Anne will hold a Grand Fans' Day on July 28 at the SM North EDSA SkyDome.

Kris, Bela, Sarah and Alden on Mega Magazine

Kapuso leading ladies Kris Bernal, Bela Padilla and Sarah Lahbati, and new primetime leading man – and the pambansang dimples – Alden Richards are on the cover of the July 2012 issue of MEGA magazine.

Kris Bernal, Bela Padilla and Sarah Lahbati had a special promotional segment last Sunday on the musical variety program Party Pilipinas to promote their MEGA cover. They also signed fans' copies of the magazine. Bloggers were also able to interview the three kapuso stars in between their performances in Party Pilipinas. (Sarah Lahbati was not around because she had tonsilitis).

Kris Bernal and Bela Padilla starred in the recently-concluded afternoon series Hiram na Puso, while Sarah Lahbati is one of Richard Gutierrez’ leading ladies in the primetime soap Makapiling Kang Muli (the other one is Carla Abellana). Alden Richards stars in the primetime series One True Love

GMA's "Protege: The Battle for the Big Artista Break"

Last Sunday, July 8, the five mentors of GMA's upcoming artista search, "Protege: The Battle for the Big Artista Break" held their final selection of proteges from among those shortlisted during a series of nationwide auditions held in 15 cities all over the country and online via GMANetwork.com/protege.

After several weeks of scouring Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao for potential stars, the five mentors in the search – Roderick Paulate, Gina Alajar, Jolina Magdangal, Ricky Davao and Phillip Salvador – finally trimmed down their lists of potential proteges to just four: two male and two female proteges.

Bloggers also had a chance to interview Gina Alajar who said that she was a little bit nervous considering that she will be competing with fellow high-caliber actor/mentors.

Director Bert de Leon, comedian Joey de Leon, seasoned actress Cherie Gil and GMA top honcho Anna Teresa Gozon-Abrogar are the judges who will scrutinize the performance of each protege (and mentor) during the live galas.

Protege: The Battle for the Big Artista Break officially begins on July 23 with a daily update dubbed "Inside Protege" hosted by Jennylyn Mercado, with webisodes hosted by Maxene Magalona. The first weekly gala night of the search will air on August 5 (Sunday), hosted by Dingdong Dantes and Carla Abellana

Belo Medical Group releases FREE Belofied App

Many people sometimes wonder how they’d look if they have smaller nose or fuller lips or slimmer waist or bigger breasts or, well, all of the above.

These days, the answer to such questions is right in the palm of their hands.

When the Belo Medical Group released in the Mac App Store last June 19, the first and only FREE cosmetic surgery simulation mobile app for iPhone and iPad in the Philippines, it became an instant hit. Belofied is a fun, creative and convenient app that allows users to play around with their features simply by using shrink, expand and mold buttons. The app opens a world of possibilities, if not, moments of novel entertainment--- especially to those who are raring to undergo cosmetic surgery but would first want to have an idea of how they will look after procedure.

Now with the “Belofy Me” feature, one can even put to survey among family and friends, the different combinations of planned enhancements as before and after photos can be generated using the app.

No wonder that the Belofied app has become talk of the town. Just a week after it was launched, the Belofied app immediately cornered the number one spot of FREE iPhone app ranking under Medical Category in the Philippines. It has also banked the top 3 spot of the Free Apps Overall category in the Philippines with a bullet. The app has even placed 17th on the list of free iPhone apps under the Medical Category worldwide. It was such a hit that it was the top app (Medical Category) in 6 countries after two weeks – Bahrain, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and United Arab Emirates!

The app is so easy to use that it’s almost like child’s play: move, drag, shape…just like that and one can already manipulate any image. A photo can be edited in detailed manner, too, since the app has a “zoom” button. A tilt of your iPhone or iPad in landscape mode gives a split-screen view of before and after shots.

Not techie enough? No problem as the feature has a Help screen, which can be accessed with one click.

Aside from the “Belofy Me” feature, the Belofied app offers a list of all the BELO services and products, as well as Belo Medical Group contact information including its Facebook and Twitter accounts.

To download the Belofied app, type the word Belofied on the search bar in the Mac App Store. The app is compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPod Touch (4th generation), iPad 2 wi-fi, iPad 2 wi-fi + 3G, iPad (3rd generation) and iPad wi-fi +4G. Requires iOs 5 or later.

As usual, way to go, Dr. Belo!

Mike Tan reveals sexier body in upcoming Cosmo pictorial

When he was interviewed by members of the press yesterday, Kapuso leading man Mike Tan, revealed that he is on a strict diet in preparation for his photo shoot on Thursday for an article in Cosmo magazine.

Mike has no idea yet as to how "sexy" the pictorial would be although he trusts that his manager GMA Artist Center will take care of it and make sure that the pictorial will be "within the limits" so to speak. He was told, however, that he would most probably be going topless.

Last year, Mike walked down the ramp with nothing on but his briefs during the Cosmo Bachelor Bash. With his well-sculpt body, he definitely has nothing to be ashamed of.

Mike has gone a long way since he entered showbiz through the GMA talent search Starstruck Season 2. Although he is now a full-fledged celebrity, he said that nothing much has changed in terms of his lifestyle.

"Wala naman masyadong pagbabago sa buhay ko except that mas daring na nang konti ang mga roles ko, mas focused ako sa work, dumami ang trabaho pero halos wala namang pagbabago sa akin," he said.

Mike appears in the afternoon soap "Faithfully," which airs daily on GMA-7's Afternoon Prime programming block. Mike said that he is enjoying portraying his character in the said afternoon soap.

"Mejo may pagka-kontrabida ang role ko dito e although hindi naman talaga siya sobrang masama, hindi lang maayos ang pagpapalaki sa kanya," explained Mike.

Mike has tried roles ranging from the most lovable to the most detestable, is there a specific role that he still wants to try?

"Yes. I want to be a psycho-killer! (laughs).

SABRINA’S ALBUM TURNS DOUBLE PLATINUM IN INDONESIA

Universal Music Indonesia, an affiliate of MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) recently announced that Sabrina’s album “I Love Acoustic 4” has turned DOUBLE PLATINUM after being declared Gold November last year and Platinum in February of 2012.

After the success of her “I Love Acoustic” series which turned Multi-Platinum and Gold in countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart SABRINA releases a brand new album “Acoustic Love Notes”.

In this album inspired by the show “Love Notes”, she collaborates with its host- popular DJ/ television personality Joe D’Mango. The song line-up includes the carrier single “Somewhere Down The Road” originally by Barry Manilow, Brian McKnight’s “One Last Cry”, “Cry” by Mandy Moore, Christian Bautista’s “The Way You Look At Me”, “Can You Help Me” by Usher, Mikaila’s “The Art of Letting Go”, “I Don’t Want You To Go” by Lani Hall, Brandy’s “Have You Ever”, “Someone Like You” by Adele, Tamia’s “Officially Missing You”, “If Love Is Blind” by Tiffany, Jann Arden’s “Insensitive” and “Without Me” by Clair Marlo.

For the first time in any Sabrina album, it features 4 original songs, 2 of which she composed herself—“One True Love” and “Over For Now But Not Forever”. Her first Filipino track “Sa Bawat Paghinga” was written by award-winning composer Toto Sorioso and the other original track “Again” is a duet with up and coming singer Anj Sulit.

Be it songs of heartbreak, love lost, letting go or falling in love again, it is here in “Acoustic Love Notes” where you will hear a different Sabrina.

Catch Sabrina as she launches “Acoustic Love Notes” at Megaworld Lifestyle Malls this July 13, 7pm at Eastwood Mall Open Park, July 14, 7pm at Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill and July 15, 4pm at Lucky Chinatown Mall. The event is presented by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Businessworld, Herword.com and MCA Music in cooperation with WOW Videoke, MyPhone, Red Box: Rock Dine and Roll with media partners: MYX, Manila Concert Scene, Chalk Magazine, Tambayan 101.9, Orange Magazine TV, Social Magzine and Juan Manila Express.

Jolina admits Marvin came close to becoming her boyfriend, reveals other 'almosts'

During her recent Live Chat session via GMA Network's website GMANetwork.com, singer-actress and soon-to-be Protege mentor Jolina Magdangal revealed that her long-time "reel life" partner Marvin Agustin came close to becoming her boyfriend.

Jolina didn't escape Marvin-related questions sent online by die-hard fans of the Marvin Agustin - Jolina Magdangal love team, which had its roots in their teenage days.

According to Jolina, among those who were paired with her in past projects, Marvin Agustin was the one who came closest to becoming her boyfriend. Although she clarified that they never became real-life lovers.

Jolina also revealed other male stars who made "paramdam" to her when she was younger. Among them were Victor Neri, Onemig Bondoc and Gio Alvarez.

When Jolina and boyfriend Mark Escueta got married in November 2011, Marvin Agustin -- according to Jolina -- was invited but he was not able to attend the ceremonies. Jolina until now does not know why Marvin didn't attend her wedding. But if fans of their long-ago-defunct love team are thinking that the reason is because Marvin is still hurting, they are most probably wrong. Marvin and Jolina have long ago moved on from their love team.

Slumbook questions

During the Live Chat, Jolina was also asked several slumbook-type questions, which she eagerly answered. Here are some of those questions (with her answers):

1. Favorite song?

"I'm in love with you." This is one of the songs sung during her wedding.

2. Stars she wants to work with in a film/TV project (again)?

Vilma Santos, Dolphy, Maricel Soriano and Roderick Paulate (in a dramatic role)

3. If you are given a chance to become a superhero, what kind of power would you choose to have?

Gusto ko yung nakakapagbigay or nakakapag-extend ako ng buhay ng isang tao. At kung sakali man gusto kong bigyan ng chance pang mabuhay lalo na yung mga namatay sa aksidente.

4. Most beautiful stars?

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes

5. Favorite Snack Food?

Isaw at Fishball

6. Favorite show?

Personalan. Gustung-gusto ko kasing pinapanood every episode na hino-host ko kasi gusto kong makita kung paano ko na-hahandle yung buong episode.

7. Favorite Movie?

The Notebook

8. Favorite Cartoon Character?

Hello Kitty

9. Favorite Place?

Memory Lane (her Family's restaurant) in Tagaytay.

10. Unforgettable childhood memory?

Noong elementary pa ako. Tinakasan ko yung guard ng school namin kasi gusto ko nang umuwi. Tapos naaalala ko noon nakikinood ako ng TV sa kapit-bahay namin kasi yung TV nila colored samantalang yung sa amin ay black-and-white lang.

Watch Jolina Magdangal on weekday afternoons in "My Daddy Dearest" (5:30pm on GMA-7) and weeknights in "Personalan" (7:30pm on GMA News TV Channel 11). Also, Jolina is one of the mentors in GMA-7's upcoming artist search "Protege: The Battle for the Big Artista Break" airing this August.

The Bottomline with Boy Abunda feat. Ivan Henares

Heritage Conservation advocate and travel blogger Ivan Henares will be on the hot seat of Asia’ King of Talk Boy Abunda’ show, “The Bottomline with Boy Abunda” on July 7, Saturday.

The episode will talk about the importance of preserving the historical landmarks in the Philippines. Are Filipinos still cares for cultural and historical spots in the country?

Watch out “The Bottomline with Boy Abunda” every Satyrday, 11:30 pm, after “Banana Split” on ABS-CBN.

credit photo: the entertainment lifestyle.con