by Boy Villasanta Actress Mara Lopez and American businessman Chandler Booth have the most wonderful news to break to the world. They are now proud parents of a healthy baby girl. Mara gave birth recently in the US and Chandler, who was present nearby in the delivery room, was very excited about his being a first-time dad. Lopez and Booth …
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Lav Diaz’s “Magellan” goes to the 98th Oscars
by Boy Villasanta It’s official. Internationally acclaimed director Lav Diaz’s historical film on the expedition of Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines is the country’s entry to the Best International Feature Film section of the 2026 Oscar Awards in Hollywood. This was announced last night by Paolo Villaluna, Director-General of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP). Villaluna said that …
Read More »Magellan by Lav Diaz is the Official Philippine Entry to the 98th Academy Awards
Mandaluyong City, Philippines, September 1, 2025 – The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) is proud to announce that Lav Diaz’s Magellan has been selected as the official Philippine submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. The selection was made by a committee of Filipino film industry experts approved by the Academy of Motion …
Read More »A true statesman
PASSERBYBy Nestor Cuartero People say the ancient art of statesmanship has been lost on our senators and congressmen. Remember how in the past, we used to refer to their places of work as the “hallowed halls” or the “august halls” of Congress? Yet, kudos to Senator Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto for taking the high road, standing up against all odds, in …
Read More »Kathryn Bernardo pays Mark Alcala a visit at Lucena City Hall, peeps ask, where’s the beef?
By Boy Villasanta Lucena city, quezon—The City Hall stands proudly in the middle of a sprawling ground at the same time conveys wonders, questions and mysteries, primarily about the personal innuendos of its highest occupant. Until now, the talks persist that Kathryn Bernardo and Mayor Mark Alcala are dancing to sweet music together but no one is admitting or denying, …
Read More »Revolutionizing movie reporting
Revolutionizing Philippine entertainment news wasn’t and still isn’t bucking the system. It wasn’t and still is, enhancing it. “Wasn’t” because it was our common goal when we started “Star News,” a segment of the primetime news show of ABS-CBN in 1987. “Isn’t” because it is, however, a personal pursuit. All of these are ideals to this day, to this moment. …
Read More »And now talks about Daniel Padilla romancing Maris Racal
Meanwhile, Bernardo’s erstwhile lover Daniel Padilla has reportedly found someone to replace her in his heart. The alleged replacement is none other than Maris Racal. Is it true that Daniel is courting Maris and he has already conquered her? This is the wildest and newest tale in town being shared to the public by Cristy Fermin with her cohorts, one …
Read More »Mike de Leon: The master bids adieu
He has definitely left a void in the canvas of Philippine cinema which is waiting to be painted on in an open-ended impressionistic fashion. The death of iconic film director Mike de Leon has suspended other hues and shades to contribute to the meaningful images the local movie industry has been portraying since time immemorial. Hopefully, there will be filmmakers …
Read More »Remembering Geena Zablan
Another showbiz denizen has passed on. Geena Zablan, model, actress, entrepreneur and fashion show impresario, died of lingering illnesses. Geena started her arts career in Tino Lapuz’s “Eskuwelahang Munti” until she was signed up with Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions to do movies. Zablan is survived by children Charlotte and Ryan. (Boy Villasanta)
Read More »Show people mourn, pay tribute to iconic filmmaker Mike de Leon
by Boy Villasanta The Philippine movie industry is once more in mourning with the passing of one of its beloved and respected denizens. Mike de Leon, a legendary filmmaker, died yesterday at 78. This was announced by Carlotta films and his family. De Leon, an award-winning director has given honors to the country by screening his no-nonsense films locally and …
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