Diether Ocampo Covers Reader’s Digest December 2009 Issue

After Michael V. and Manny Pacquiao, another Philippine showbiz celebrity made it to the cover of Reader’s Digest Asia. Yes, Diether "Diet" Ocampo - the founder of KIDS Foundation is on the cover of Reader's Digest Asia December 2009 issue.

Identified in the story as "the Filipino actor and activist," Diet is prolific in his work as the founding president of the K.I.D.S. foundation to help children and puts his philanthropic nature down to the principle of "paying it forward."

"I haven’t forgotten that I come from a poor family," he said in the interview. "This keeps me grounded and grateful for what I have today."

The Reader’s Digest Asia recognizes his efforts and makes him (and others) the cover story of the December issue.

The article My Wish for the New Year explores what celebrities and children want to see for 2010.

Aside from Diet, the magazine also features such other inspirational Asians as Malaysia’s Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina, the first Asian woman to trek the Arctic and Antarctic; and Marina Mahathir, columnist, women’s rights activist and blogger; and Singapore’s Dr. William Tan, paraplegic and world record holder for fastest person to complete seven marathons in seven countries. These people share their wishes for the new year.

For the full story, get your copy of the Reader's Digest Asia December 2009 issue available now in magazine stands all over Asia.

People pay tribute for four officers who were killed

LAKEWOOD, WA - NOVEMBER 30: People pay tribute at a shrine outside of Lakewood Police headquarters for four officers who were killed November 30, 2009 in Lakewood, Washington. Police officers Mark Renninger, Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens, and Greg Richards were killed allegedly by Maurice Clemmons the previous day in a coffee shop near Lakewood.




LAKEWOOD, WA - NOVEMBER 30: Tammy Gallier of Tacoma, Washington sobs for her firend, Ronald Owens, during a visit to a shrine outside of Lakewood Police headquarters for four officers November 30, 2009 near Lakewood, Washington. Officers Owens, Mark Renninger, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards were allegedly killed by Maurice Clemmons the previous day in a coffee shop near Lakewood.



A man prays after leaving flowers at a memorial for four slain police officers in front of the Lakewood Police Department in Lakewood, Washington November 30, 2009. Maurice Clemmons, a suspect in the killing of four Lakewood police officers, is still on the loose. Lakewood Officers Tina Griswold, 40, Gregory Richards, 42, Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39, and Ronald Owens, 37, were killed by a gunman in a coffee house a few miles from the police station on Sunday.


credit photo: Gettyimages

Rihanna Snack London Photos

Rihanna Snack London Photos

The photos of Rihanna having snack at Ochi Caribbean dated November 28, 2009.

Julia Didone Beach Pics

Julia Didone Beach Pics

The pics of Brazilian TV actress Julia Didone on Pepe beach, in Rio de Janeiro dated November 28, 2009.

Nicole Bahls Gym Pics

Nicole Bahls Gym Pics

The pics of Nicole Bahls at a gym in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro dated November 28, 2009.

Katie Holmes Dizzy Feet Foundation Celebration Pics

Katie Holmes Dizzy Feet Foundation Celebration Pics

The pics of Katie Holmes at the Dizzy Feet Foundation's Inaugural Celebration of Dance held at the Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, CA dated November 29, 2009.

Cameron Diaz On Set Of 'Knight And Day' Photos

Cameron Diaz On Set Of 'Knight And Day' Photos

The photos of Cameron Diaz On Set Of 'Knight And Day' in Sevilla, Spain dated November 30, 2009.

Lea Salonga is Grizzabella in the Musical "Cats"

Andrew Lloyd Webber was absolutely delighted when told that Filipino international singer/actress Lea Salonga would play Grizzabella in the musical Cats. This is according to Tim McFarlane, producer of The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific Pty Ltd. McFarlane was in town for the launching of Cats in Manila.

Lea, who will get to sing Memory, once again captivated the audience when she sang the song during the media launch. "This is my first time to sing Memory in public. I have not done it, not even in previous concerts," Lea declared.

"We have long wanted to bring Cats to Manila," McFarlane said. The musical which first opened in London in May 11, 1981 to rave reviews, went on to win record-breaking number of awards worldwide including two Olivier Awards for Musical of the Year and Outstanding Achievement of the Year in Musicals and seven Tony Awards. It will be staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater in July 2010.

James Cundall, CEO of Lunchbox Productions and who also served as moderator of the launch said that Lea’s appearance is a triple treat as the actress/singer would be acting, singing and dancing.

Fiz Shapur, the musical supervisor of Cats, played on the piano some excerpts from the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber including Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Cats tells the imaginative tale of a tribe of Jellicle Cats as they gather together for the annual Jellicle Ball. Each cat tells his story for the entertainment of Old Deuteronomy who must choose one of the Cats to journey to the Heavyside layer to be reborn into a new life.

It is based on T.S. Elliot’s book of poems, Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats which was first published in 1939. Andrew Lloyd Webber used Elliot’s poems as lyrics and set them to music to create a musical. Some elements from Elliot’s other unpublished writings brought to life the glamour Cat Grizabella who provides the pivotal storyline for the musical.

Cats held the record for the longest-running musical in the history of West End Theater, a position it held until October 2006 when it was surpassed by Le Miserables. It closed in London in May 11, 2002 with 8,950 performances. Cats opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater in Oct. 7, 1982 and continued to play until Sept. 10, 2000 after 7,485 performances. It was one of the longest-running musicals on Broadway surpassed only by Phantom of the Opera.

Memory, the most popular song in the musical has been recorded by over 150 artists including Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis and Liberace. Barry Manilow’s rendition became a Top 40 hit in the US, while I consider Barbra’s version to be the most heart-wrenching.

Undoubtedly one of the most popular musicals in history, Cats has played in 26 countries and over a hundred cities and has been translated into 10 languages including German, Spanish, Japanese, French, and Swedish, among others.

But why is Cats so popular? McFarlane explained, "It is because of its music, the highlight of which is the song Memory. Second, the show is great and appeals to people of all ages and all cultures."

Cats Now and Forever in Manila is produced by Lunch Box Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, Concertus and All Youth Channels in association with The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific.

Lea rose to international fame via Miss Saigon where she won the Tony Award for Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award and the Laurence Olivier Award. She played Eponine as well as Fantine in Les Miserables, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, the Witch in Into The Woods, Cinderella, among others. She has several recordings to her name and is the singing voice behind Princess Jasmine in the blockbuster Disney hit Aladdin, and in Mulan and Mulan 2.

I am certainly not going to miss this musical even if it plays at midnight, when there is no sound at the pavement. How can you miss the great Lea Salonga singing this song, not in a thousand midnights.

Nikki Gil is Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde: The Musical"

Elle Woods is Barbie incarnate. The doll and the vixen sport blonde hair and love anything pink. Stepping into Elle’s uber feminine world is Nikki Gil who leads the cast of Legally Blonde The Musical’s local staging. Atlantis Productions will present the movie-turned-musical in June 2010 at the Meralco Theater. Chari Arespacochaga directs.

"I like pink," replies Nikki when asked how she feels playing the Reese Witherspoon big screen role. "If you watch MYX, it’s their favorite character for me. I would play someone who is maarte and mouths, ‘Oh my God… what’s that?’ It is something I can do for a full-length play."

Although the singer-actress can relate to Elle with all her heart, Nikki has started preparing for the role this early.

"I got the material and I started reading the script and memorizing the songs," Nikki shares.

This shows how Nikki is serious with this new challenge in her career. Nikki has done one formal production with Atlantis and relies a lot on her singing experience on TV and in concert tours for the past years. Nikki is aware of the responsibility and the pressure of playing the Broadway character. Unlike actors who are trained for years, Nikki will put all her acting and singing know-how in seven months to act, think and sound like Elle come next year.

"I’m excited," shares Nikki. "It’s a fun gig. It speaks of something true. It also speaks of a sentiment like. I think I can be so much better than what I really am right now. I think it’s very timely." That’s the same scenario Elle has gone through in the movie. The sorority star proves that there’s much more to her than good looks.

"I’m more worried with singing than in acting," says Nikki. "Back in high school, I used to compete in dramatic monologues and one-act plays for inter-school competitions.

"Pop singing is different from theater singing. Theater actors have a different lifestyle compared to showbiz actors. TV work requires one to stay till the wee hours of the morning. I have to take a break from what I usually do because my voice might not stand the demands of musical theater."

It’s a wise decision for Nikki because there’s so much dancing and singing in Legally Blonde. It means she has to work on her physical stamina and vocal strength. Nikki will play the part for 20 shows and she has no understudy.

Legally Blonde The Musical begins when Elle’s boyfriend breaks up with her and falls for another girl who is more “serious.” To win back her man, she leaves her fabulous life to study law in Harvard. The intellectual community welcomes an unexpected visitor.

Elle’s journey to Harvard helps her find who she is and what she can do. As Atlantis puts it, being true to one’s self never goes out of style.

Legally Blonde won Best New Touring Musical, Best Design and Best Music. It will tour the US for the next two years.

Asked what she will do if a good soap opera comes her way, Nikki answers, "I have to finish first what I have started. And I have to avoid (doing) things that will ask me to stay long on the set."

For more details about Legally Blonde The Musical in Manila call 892-7078 or 840-1187.

MMFF 2009: "I Love You Goodbye" Movie Trailer

I Love You Goodbye is Star Cinema's official entry in the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

The movie stars real-life sweetheart Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsay. It also marks the silverscreen comeback of Gabby Concepcion and the first kontrabida role of young actress Kim Chiu.

Directed by Laurice Guillen, I Love You Goodbye is showing on December 25, 2009.

I Love You Goodbye - Full movie trailer:

MMFF 2009: "Ang Darling Kong Aswang" Movie Trailer

Vic Sotto and Cristine Reyes team up in the fantasy horror comedy entitled "Ang Darling Kong Aswang".

"Ang Darling Kong Aswang" also stars Richie d'Horsie, Wally Bayola and a guest appearances of Joey de Leon, Rafael Rosell, Allan K, Agot Isidro, Jean Garcia, Alfred Vargas and many more.

Ang Darling Kong Aswang opens nationwide on Christmas Day.

Ang Darling Kong Aswang - Full movie trailer:

LJ Reyes Covers FHM Philippines December 2009 Issue

Starstruck Season 2's First Princess LJ Reyes is a sexy angel on the cover of FHM Philippines December 2009 issue.

FHM Philippines December 2009 issue is now available in all magazine stands nationwide.

Starstruck 5: Final 14 Hopefuls

From thousands who auditioned, only 7 girls and 7 boys remain vying to become the ultimate Male and Female survivor of Starstruck V. Here they are:

Ian Batherson is the self-proclaimed funny guy from Germany who dreams to become an artista in the Philippines.

Sef Cadayona is the boy from Manila who dreams to entertain people with his talent and passion.

Rocco Nacino is Baguio-born but considers himself a Laguna-native who wants to fulfill his dreams of becoming an artista.

Enzo Pineda is a Makati-based aspiring actor who dreams of becoming a superhero.

Steven Silva is the Davaoeño who wants to make his parents proud through his love for singing.

Piero Vergara is the happy-go-lucky guy from Davao who also wants to be known as a journalist, a songwriter and an author.

Fianca Cruz is the impassioned dancer from Pasig who has dreamed to be an artista since she was a kid.

Sarah Lahbati is the girl who hails from Switzerland, who has left everything behind to try her luck in StarStruck.

Diva Montelaba is the Cebuaña whose wants to make her grandmother’s dreams come true.

Rox Montealegre is the Dean’s lister from Makati who wants the fast-paced (and never dull) life that only showbiz can provide.

Princess Snell is the cutie from Laguna whose showbiz-oriented dreams is rooted in the desire to give her family a good future.

Rye Burgos is a US-grown aspirant who wants to inspire through laughter.

Nina Kodaka is the contender from Japan who has always known that she wants to be an artista.

Zeryl Lim has come all the way from Bahrain to enhance her talents in entertaining people.