Status: Ecstatic
Music: Save Me from Myself - Christina Aguilera

It’s confirmed: Christina Aguilera is coming to the Philippines for a concert on July 6 at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field.

Tickets to Christina Aguilera’s concert are priced at P7,350 for VIP seats, P3,675 for patron and P1,050 for general admission. Special discounts will be given to Globe subscribers.

Tara. Nood tayo. Heto na ang pinakahihintay ko! Waaaaah!

Photo courtesy of aokeevents.com

Status: Dangerously Hungry
Music: Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5

Nigel Barker visits Manila. And Ayn, Dohna, Tez, and I were there to show some hospitality and lovin’. If Nigel Barker doesn’t ring a bell, OK, let me tell you that he’s a celebrity photographer and the British bashing (and dashing) judge on America’s Next Top Model. I actually didn’t know he was here until Dohna sent me a text message forcing me to go to Greenbelt with her. And being the kaladkarin that I am, pumayag naman ako despite the rain and very humid atmosphere. While at the train station, we came across Tez who was about to go home but we managed to do a little brainwashing on her. The program was less than an hour but it was very, very substantial. Nigel made a lot of sense and imparted several useful practical tips on fashion photography. And not to mention he was cute. At least his lips were.

I’m being a glutton nowadays. I eat a lot. I usually find myself craving for something. Two days ago, I was desperately wanting sandwiches. And yesterday, while having lunch with Shiena, Luke, and Helen (my friends from Ateneo review classes), I was crazy over sausages. Yes, sausages — food. Not the other thing you have in mind. Though I wasn’t able to have sausages for lunch yesterday, I got a bunch in the evening. Yum yum. And lately, I’m always hungry.

Status: Shakin’
Music: The Boss - Chris Richardson

As part of my usual visita iglesia, I visited the Caleruega chapel in Nasugbu, Batangas. I thought it would just be another Good Friday but hell, it was better than any Good Friday in my life. Haha. What’s the reason? It’s not really what. It’s who. Dennis Trillo. Yep, Dennis Trillo was there in the same chapel as I was, saying his prayers with us. 

Dennis Trillo is one of the most important actors of his generation. Tez Cruz and Kriz Gazmen will surely agree with me. But if our claim is not enough, there are a number of awards to support this. Anyway, I’m not posting this entry just because I saw him last Holy Week. Nah. I’m a fan (but not as huge a fan as Kriz who believes that Dennis is the centre of the solar system). In fact, I’ve always told Andre that the most beautiful face in local showbiz industry today is Dennis’s. And Andre usually blocks that statement in our conversation by saying “Oh, but he’s short,” which is true.

I remember Dennis’s first significant role: Bea Alonzo’s love interest on the short-lived youth-oriented series K2BU. And then, as Luis Alandy’s bestfriend in a Claudine Barretto starrer teleserye “Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan.” The next thing I knew, he signed a contract under GMA7, although I didn’t like the idea, I thought it was a pretty wise move. The second guy in Mulawin. Angel Locsin’s leading man in Darna. One of Majika’s lead stars. The gorgeous Super Twins’s mentor. And not to mention his cross-dressing gay guy role in Aishite Imasu, which made the critics see that he’s not just a popular actor but a good one, grabbing awards one after another. And oh, he’s now a recording artist, too!

Dennis has come a long way from doing tiny roles to being one of the most popular male stars in showbiz. And with that intense sex appeal and good looks, matched with pure talent, he’s surely here to stay.

*Photo courtesy of accesspinoy.net and pinoypride galleries 

Status: Dumbfounded
Music: Time of the Season - Blake Lewis

When I visited my hometown Lemery in Batangas last week, I was flabbergasted by the immense support that people were giving nominated Pinoy Big Brother season 2 housemate Gee-Ann Abrahan. When I was walking down the main street, I couldn’t help but notice the huge banner in front of our town’s premier hospital. And I thought it was just the banners. When I went shopping in a local department store and bought some groceries in a supermarket, there were flyers that said “Text BB G-ANN and send to 2331 or 231″ in every counter.

I didn’t know if Gee-Ann or any of her parents is from Lemery or any neighboring municipalities, but the support for Gee-Ann in our town is incredible. And I don’t have any problem with that actually because she’s one of my favourite housemates. This week, Gee-Ann is nominated for eviction again but I don’t think she’d get the boot. The support that she gets from the people in my town alone is too strong.

And I heard Gee-Ann last Monday extending her gratitude to the Batanguenos. Good thing.

Status: Triumphant!
Music: What Hurts the Most - Rascal Flatts

Have you noticed that Dawn Zulueta rapidly becomes one of the most sought-after product endorsers in the country? Waah! I’ve been seeing a lot of her lately. Pantene. PH Care. Myra 300 E. Marie France. Wow. This woman must be a lot richer now. I just can’t get enough of Dawn. She looks so amazing. The perfect face of a happy woman. She’s so refreshing in spite of her age. In fact, she’s never been this beautiful. (No, I’m not promoting her age-defying shampoo.) But really, don’t you just love her?

I saw her in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya with Maja Salvador. And I was as surprised to see her getting more and more effective and powerful as an actress.

And yep, for me, she’s a Certified Hottie.

*photo courtesy of newsflash.org

Status: Hmmm…
Music: Home - Daughtry

For the past three months, Batangas has been one of the hottest political spots in the country. Batangas has been all over the news. From former Governor Tony Leviste’s homicide case, to the Armand Sanchez and Ricky Recto verbal war, to the internal conflict within the Recto clan. Wow, Batangas is one hell of a star province!

This morning, Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos-Recto announced that she had not completely shrugged off the idea of joining the gubernatorial race in Batangas. The announcement was made in front of her constituents in a sort of rally in Lipa City. Also present in that event were various municipal mayors in Batangas, some of which are allies of incumbent governor Armand Sanchez. Vilma asked her supporters to give her a week to make up her mind considering the infamous skirmish between her and husband Senatorial hopeful Ralph Recto, and her brother-in-law Ricky Recto, who had earlier announced his intentions of running for governor. The one week ultimatum was later reduced to 2-3 days, so as not to prolong our agony.

As a Batangueno, I personally want Vilma Santos to run. This is not because she’s a movie star, but because, unlike her peers in the showbiz industry who chose to run for public office, she has already proven herself to be one of the most reliable and responsible leaders here in our dear province. She is different. She has led Lipa City to progress and order. Batanguenos, whether from Lipa or not, love her. She will win even without campaigning, hehe.

And of course, we cannot think of any better governor for Christopher De Leon (who I heard is running for vice-governor). Talk about big stars. Hihi.

*Picture courtesy of filipinoexpress.com

Status: Locked out.
Music: Nobody’s Home - Avril Lavigne

I’m starting a new category called Certified Hotties, where I will feature individuals who I think make anyone’s temperature rise to unimaginable level. And let me start with the devil’s second assistant-turned-first assistant-turned-second. Haha. I’m referring to her character in the movie, The Devil Wears Prada. Meryl Streep may have amazed everyone, but Emily Blunt is somebody you cannot ignore in that movie. In fact, this Brit was a Golden Globe nominee for that film. She went home losing to Jennifer Hudson but not empty-handed. She was awarded Best Supporting Actress in a mini-series or TV movie. And that’s something.

Is Emily Blunt hot or not?

*Photo courtesy of reviewexpress.com

Status: I feel hot literally.
Music: Understand - Christina Aguilera

When asked if she was affected by some critics’ opinion that Faith Cuneta effortlessly outstaged her in one of their concerts, Regine Velasquez said something I can never forget.

“Of course not. Why should I feel insecure?
I’m freakin’ Regine Velasquez.
I’ve been in this industry for, like, forever.”

— Freakin’ Regine Velasquez

Status: With a really happy heart
Music: Tell Me - P. Diddy feat Christina Aguilera

Contrary to popular opinion, P.Diddy’s “Press Play” album, as far as I am concerned, is something to spend some cash on. I’m not sure of this, though, because I still haven’t heard the entire album yet. But at least, his first two singles are damn hot. And the album already reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart.

I was still not over my being hooked to Come to Me (P. Diddy feat Nicole Scherzinger) when Tell Me, this time with Christina Aguilera, was released on October 30. The video is not spectacular. It’s just OK. There’s nothing that impressive in and about it except for Christina. It’s so refreshing to see her again minus the Monroe curls and the straight-from-the-40s/30s/20s costume. Christina is prettiest in this video. And she’s sooo blonde, which I’m still trying to figure out if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.

The song itself is not stunningly awesome. I just like the beat. And I share my opinion with most of the music fans in the online community — If it weren’t for Christina, the song would have been one big mess. Christina did her part amazingly but P.Diddy didn’t give any justice to it. His part is so dull I always skip to Christina’s part everytime I play this song.

And there’s something lacking. Maybe I’m already not used to hearing Christina’s singing style in the 90s (for her debut album) again. She doesn’t belt much here because the song is not something that gives her any chance to show vocal range or something unlike in her past upbeat singles (Lady Marmalade, Car Wash, etc). It’s much like the video version of Come on Over Baby, which I really love. But it’s OK. Christina effortlessly outshines P. Diddy when it shouldn’t be the case because (1) it’s a collaboration, not a showdown and (2) she’s only the featured artist and it’s P. Diddy’s single. But what is Christina to do? P. Diddy is just one big crap in this song. But I will still grab a copy of his record cos I heard the next single is going to be with Mary J. Blige. Yebah!

# # #

Another video to watch out for is Christina’s Hurt. The song is very good. The video is not brilliant but it’s emotionally charged that sets it apart from most of the videos today. The video gave me goosebumps the first time I saw it. Beware, though. Christina is a little overacting in this video. But it’s totally fine. Even Mariah Carey sucks big time in some of her supposedly dramatic videos. Christina co-directed the video with Floria Sigismondi, the same person behind Fighter (Christina’s best video to date).

*photos courtesy of concreteloop.com