MANILA, Philippines – Fans of the Harry Potter universe from all over the world have been looking forward to the latest addition to the franchise's rich cinematic world: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

In this movie, Newt Scamander's (Eddie Redmayne) has set his magical creatures loose in 1920s New York, where a whole new cast of characters, wizarding and not, are waiting to be introduced to moviegoers.

Written by JK Rowling herself, related to the original Harry Potter series (Newt wrote one of Harry's textbooks), and with 4 more movies lined up for the spin-off, this eagerly anticipated film will also indicate how much fans are willing to revisit the magical world – this time, without the Boy who Lived. 

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How did Fantastic Beasts fare with the critics? Read on!

Entertainment Weekly

Writing for EW, Chris Nashawaty gave Fantastic Beasts a B-, saying that while the special effects were great, the other aspects of the film weren't as spectacular.

"Why doesn’t it cast more of a spell? First, there are the performances, which aside from Redmayne’s are surprisingly flat. And second, the thinness of the source material gives the whole film a slightly padded feeling," writes Chris, adding that Rowling's new world and its villains weren't to his liking, either.

NME

NME gave Fantastic Beasts 5 stars, praising the film's aesthetics and Redmayne's performance: "Like the film itself, Redmayne never flinches," writes Larry Bartleet.

Potter fans will also fall in love with the world Rowling has built, says Bartleet, enchanted by one of the characters' Legilimency and the discovery of Gigglewater, among many other details.

All this fun is balanced out by the film's heavier plot points – the wizarding government's strong dislike against No-Majs (American muggles) and a No-Maj group's witch-hunt, and Chief Auror Graves's (Colin Farrell) pursuit of Newt.

The Guardian

Fantastic Beasts gets another 5-star rating from The Guardian, which commended Redmayne's performance and Rowling's skill at crafting a detailed, enchanting new world. 

"The Beasts movies may actually make clearer Rowling’s under-discussed debt to Roald Dahl," writes Peter Bradshaw, also saying that the series puts her on equal footing as George Lucas.

Indiewire

For Eric Kohn, writing for Indiwire, Fantastic Beasts merits a B+, with his highest praise going to the 1920s New York setting, singling out cinematographer Phillipe Rousselot and costume designer Colleen Atwood for their work.

Fantastic Beasts can stand on its own and apart from the previous Potter films, said Eric, but gives fans a better understanding of the original's history and politics.

"Fantastic Beasts delivers the most satisfying period fantasy since Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd, but its layers of sophistication are what yield one of the best Hollywood blockbusters of the year," writes Kohn.

The Wrap

While Jason Solomons praised the film's plot and look as well, he wrote that those two elements contributed to some of the negatives about the film.

"While this does add a layer of allegory... it also means there’s a heck of a lot going on here," said Jason, who added that some characters weren't as fleshed-out as they could be. 

Solomons also points out a "franchise-y" feel to the film, compared to the Potter films. Still, there's a lot to look forward to, and in the packed film, lots to take in for the moviegoer. 

Will you be seeing Fantastic Beasts in theaters? The film opens in the Philippines November 17. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – There are 4 nominees from the Philippines in this year's Asian TV Awards! 

The awarding body released its full list of nominees for 2016 on Tuesday, November 15.

Among the nominees were comedian Michael V, the GMA 7 comedy show Bubble Gang, news anchor and journalist Cathy Yang, and Reel Time's documentary "Isinulat sa Pag-Ibig."

Michael V will compete for Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/Actress for his role in Pepito Manaloto. 

Meanwhile, while Bubble Gang has been nominated for Best Comedy Program.

Cathy Yang was nominated for the Best News Presenter or Anchor for her show on the ANC News Channel, Market Edge with Cathy Yang.

Reel Time's "Isinulat sa Tubig" (Forgotten Children of the Waves) was nominated for the Best Social Awareness program.

The awards night for the Asian TV Awards will take place in Singapore on December 2. It will be hosted by Adrian Pang, Stephanie Carrington, Alden Richards, and Baki Zainal, with performances by JJ Lin, Charli XCX, and Rossa Roslina.

Here is the full list of nominees on the Asian TV Awards website.

BEST DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMME (ONE-OFF/ SPECIAL)

ISIL and the Taliban
Al Jazeera English
Qatar

Wild City – Islands
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore
Produced by Beach House Pictures

Operation Everest – Summiteers to Saviors
New Delhi Television Limited
NDTV Profit & Prime
India

Undercover Asia – India’s Cancer Express
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore

The Phone of the Wind: Whispers of Lost Families
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
General
Japan

BEST DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Get Real
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore

China From Above
China Intercontinental Communication Center
National Geographic Channel
China

Saltwater Heroes
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Produced by Northern Pictures

Inside the Storm: Lessons from the Boardroom
MAKE Productions Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore

The Tokyo Trials
Shanghai Media Group
International Channel Shanghai
China

The New Silk Road
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore

BEST NATURAL HISTORY OR WILDLIFE PROGRAMME

Green Animal
EBS (Educational Broadcasting System)
EBS1
Korea

Manas: Return of The Giants
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
Discovery Channel
Singapore

Produced by Kosmik Global Media Private Limited

Black-Necked Crane
Shanghai Media Group, DocuChina
Shanghai Documentary Channel
China

ORIGINS OF LAND: Nishinoshima Island
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
General
Japan

Scent from Heaven: On the Trail of Oud
Al Jazeera English
Qatar

Korean Geographic – The Hantan River, The Lifeline of a Lava Plateau
Korean Broadcasting System
KBS1
Korea

Wild City – Islands
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore

Produced by Beach House Pictures

Jawai: India’s Leopard Hills
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Produced by Robin Roy Films

Best News Program

Reporting from Pyongyang
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore

The Buck Stops Here: Terror in Pathankot
New Delhi Television Limited
NDTV 24×7
India

News Stream
Turner Asia Pacific
CNN International
Hong Kong

Squawk Box Asia
CNBC Asia Pacific
CNBC
Singapore

60 Minutes, Belt and Road Initiative, what we must know
China Television Company
CTV
China

BIG5@10
TV18 Broadcast Ltd
CNN-News18
India

Newsday
British Broadcasting Corporation
BBC World News
Singapore
Produced by BBC News (Asia Bureau) Pte Ltd

Best Single News Story/Report (10 minutes or less)

China’s Left Behind Children
British Broadcasting Corporation
BBC World News
Singapore
Produced by BBC News (Asia Bureau) Pte Ltd

The Human Cost of a Cup of Indian Tea
British Broadcasting Corporation
BBC World News
Singapore
Produced by BBC News (Asia Bureau) Pte Ltd

Adopting JiaJia: Abandoned Chinese boy heads ‘home’ to U.S.
Turner Asia Pacific
CNN International
Hong Kong

South China Sea: Flying into Asia’s Flashpoint
British Broadcasting Corporation
BBC World News
Singapore
Produced by BBC News (Asia Bureau) Pte Ltd

China’s Black Market Organs
British Broadcasting Corporation
BBC World News
Singapore
Produced by BBC News (Asia Bureau) Pte Ltd

Best Current Affairs Program

Undercover Asia – Murder in Paradise
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore
Produced by MAKE Productions Pte Ltd

Get Real – Pakistan’s Education Disaster
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore

Boat People
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore
Produced by MAKE Productions Pte Ltd

Undercover Asia – Children of the Cybersex Dens
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore
Produced by MAKE Productions Pte Ltd

Inside the Storm – Kodak
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore
Produced by MAKE Productions Pte Ltd

Undercover Asia – Blood Jade
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore
Produced by Ali Fowle

Get Real – Heart of the Haze
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore

Undercover Asia – North Korean Slaves
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore
Produced by MAKE Productions Pte Ltd

Best Drama Series

The Hush
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Weiyu Films

Descendants of the Sun
Korean Broadcasting System
KBS2
Korea

Halfworlds
HBO Asia
HBO
Singapore
Produced by Infinite Frameworks Studios

Downtown Rocket
Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc.
TBS
Japan

The Journey: Our Homeland
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 8
Singapore Marriage Contract
MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation)
MBC TV
Korea
Produced by Pan Entertainment

Bingit 3
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Suria
Singapore
Produced by Eaglevision

The Dream Makers 2
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 8
Singapore

Best Single Drama or Telemovie Program

Red Cross -The Enlisted Nurses-
Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc.
TBS
Japan

Tulus Ikhlas
Measat Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd
Astro, Astro First Eksklusif
Malaysia

The Cave Man
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
BS Prime
Japan

The Cat in the Closet
Public Television Service Foundation
PTS
Taiwan
Produced by Dot Connect Studio Ltd.

Through Their Eyes
WOWOW Inc.
WOWOW, WOWOW Prime
Japan
Produced by ViViA

Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door
Endemol Shine Australia
Seven Network Australia, Seven
Australia

Best Comedy Program

Short End of the Stick
Television Broadcasts Limited
TVB, Jade Channel
Hong Kong

Bubble Gang
GMA Network, Inc.
GMA-7
Philippines

Run Rachael Run
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Toggle
Singapore

Ra-Berd Therd-Therng Dancer Thaluang Sai (House of Blast – The Girl Next Door)
Workpoint Entertainment Public Company Limited
Thai Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Workpoint TV
Thailand

Ronny Chieng: International Student
Sticky Pictures Pty Ltd
ABC, ABC TV & ABC iview
Australia

OK-JEK
PT. NET Mediatama Televisi
NET.
Indonesia

Best Children's Program

Art Attack Season 4 – Heroes and Villains
The Walt Disney Company S.E.A Pte Ltd
Disney Channel Asia
Singapore
Produced by Non Stop Production

Junior Edison Season 3
Shanghai Media Group
News Channel
China

Oddbods – Marooned
One Animation
Disney Channel
Singapore

Little Masters
Shanghai Media Group
Toonmax Media Co., Ltd., HAHA TV
China

Finding Genius
SBS
Korea

George of the Jungle Series 2
August Media Holdings Pte Ltd
Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc, Cartoon Network
Singapore

Best Pre-school Program

Leo the Wildlife Ranger
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
okto
Singapore
Produced by Omens Studios

Doby & Disy: Sing With Us
Guangdong Winsing Company Limited
Youku, Youku Animation Channel
China

Origanimals
Giggle Garage Sdn Bhd
Astro/ StarHub/ Indovision, ZooMoo
Malaysia

Pororo The Little Penguin
ICONIX Co., Ltd
EBS, EBS1
Korea
Co-produced with OCON, EBS & SK Broadband

Hiccup and Sneeze
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
okto
Singapore
Produced by Beach House Pictures

Hi-5 House! Series 3
Hi-5 Australia Pty Ltd
Netflix
Australia

Best Entertainment (One-off/annual)

GeTai Challenge – The Ultimate Battle
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 8
Singapore

Let’s Go to School
Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc.
TBS
Japan

2016 Jiangsu TV Spring Festival Gala
Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation
Jiangsu Satellite Channel
China

MTV World Stage Malaysia 2015
MTV Asia
StarHub & Singtel
Singapore

NET 3.0 Presents Indonesian Choice Awards 2016
PT. NET Mediatama Televisi
NET.
Indonesia

MAMA (Mnet Asian Music Awards)
CJ E&M
Mnet
Korea

Best General Entertainment Program

The Great Australian Spelling Bee
Endemol Shine Australia
Network Ten Australia, Ten
Australia

Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded
BBC Worldwide Media Pvt Ltd
Viacom18, Colors
India

A Variety Show with Real Buddhist Monks
TV Asahi Corporation
TV Asahi (Channel 5)
Japan

The History Hustle
Mustard Collective Limited
A+E Networks Asia, History™
Singapore

The Eco Traveller – El Nido
GOASEAN Sdn Bhd
Astro, GOASEAN
Malaysia

Lek Auat Kam (Secret of Numbers)
Workpoint Entertainment Public Company Limited
Thai Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Workpoint TV
Thailand

DoDo Go Shopping
Television Broadcasts Limited
TVB, Jade Channel
Hong Kong

Best Game or Quiz Program

Still Standing Thailand
Zense Entertainment Co., Ltd.
BBTV Channel 7
Thailand

The History Hustle
Mustard Collective Limited
A+E Networks Asia, History™
Singapore

Crime Scene 2
JTBC
Korea

The Brain China Season 3
Endemol Shine China
Jiangsu Broadcasting Corp., Jiangsu Satellite
China

Amra Na Ora
Fremantle India Television Productions Pvt Ltd
Star India Pvt Ld, Star Jalsha
India

Pritsana Fah Laep (Lightning Quiz)
Workpoint Entertainment Public Company Limited
Thai Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Workpoint TV
Thailand

Best Music Program

Produce 101
CJ E&M
Mnet
Korea

Talented Singer
Shanghai Media Group
Dragon TV
China
Produced by Motion Magic

Just Duet
PT. NET Mediatama Televisi
NET.
Indonesia
Co-Produced with PT. Dunia Visitama Produkski (FremantleMedia Indonesia)

The Remix
PT. NET Mediatama Televisi
NET.
Indonesia

The King of Mask Singer
MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation)
MBC TV
Korea

Sing Your Face Off Thailand Season 1
Zense Entertainment Co., Ltd.
BBTV Channel 7
Thailand

China Star
Shanghai Media Group
Dragon TV
China
Produced by Canxing Productions

Best Reality Show

Dad, Where Are We Going? Season 3
Hunan Broadcasting Station
Hunan Satellite TV
China

Death is Our Business
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Threesixzero Productions

Real Mom, Real Life
Chosun Broadcasting Corp.
TV Chosun
Korea

Survivor Games
Shanghai Media Group, SMG Yunji Media
Shanghai Radio & TV Station, Dragon TV
China

MasterChef Australia Season 7
Endemol Shine Australia
Network Ten Australia, Ten
Australia

Power Couple India
Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd.
Sony Entertainment TV
India
Produced by Colosceum Media Pvt. Ltd

The Dance Floor 2
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore

We Are In Love Season 2
Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation
Jiangsu Satellite Channel
China

Best Infotainment Program

Three Men and A Journey
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel U
Singapore
Produced by Threesixzero Productions

Zeb’s River Journey
Fox Networks Group Asia
National Geographic Channels Asia
Hong Kong
Produced by Infocus Asia

Somewhere Out There – Musclemen Village
August Pictures Pte Ltd
Channel U
Singapore

The History Hustle
A+E Networks Asia
History™
Singapore
Produced by Mustard Collective Limited

The Big Idea – My Robot, My Friend
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore

Chinese New Year: The Biggest Celebration on Earth
China Intercontinental Communication Center
CCTV, CCTV-9
China
Produced by Lion TV

Food To Go
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel U
Singapore
Produced by WaWa Pictures Pte Ltd

Best Talk Show

Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi
BBC Worldwide Media Pvt Ltd
Star India Pvt Ltd, Star Plus
India

India Questions SRK
New Delhi Television Limited
NDTV 24×7
India

Perspective
JSL Global Media Company Limited
MCOT, Channel 9
Thailand
Produced by Black Dot Co., Ltd

We The People – Stop Sexism. Period
New Delhi Television Limited
NDTV 24×7
India

Channel NewsAsia Exclusive: Interview with United States President Barack Obama
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore

Best Social Awareness Program

Witness: China’s Fake Boyfriends
Al Jazeera English
Qatar

Sabah Earthquake Decoded
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Produced by Matavia Reka Sdn Bhd

101 East – Too Young to Wed
Al Jazeera English
Malaysia

TV Animal Farm; Rescue the Fighting Dogs from the Ring of Death
SBS
SBS, Channel 6
Korea

Witness: Pakistan – No Place like Home
Al Jazeera English
Qatar

Reel Time: Isinulat sa Tubig (Forgotten Children of the Waves)
GMA Network, Inc.
GMA News TV
Philippines

Fukushima: On the Frontline with Joel Lambert
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Produced by Japan Cable Television, Ltd.

Best Adaptation of an Existing Format

Celebrity Lipsync Battle Indonesia
PT. NET Mediatama Televisi
NET.
Indonesia

Sing Your Face Off Thailand Season 1
Zense Entertainment Co., Ltd.
BBTV Channel 7
Thailand

MasterChef Asia
A+E Networks Asia
Lifetime
Singapore
Produced by Endemol Southeast Asia Pte Ltd

Still Standing Thailand
Zense Entertainment Co., Ltd.
BBTV Channel 7
Thailand

You Have Been Warned With Eas Nasrun
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Produced by Red Communications Sdn Bhd

Let Me In Thailand
Workpoint Entertainment Public Company Limited
Thai Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Workpoint TV
Thailand

The Face Thailand Season 2
Endemol Shine Asia
Thai TV3, Channel 3HD
Singapore
Produced by Kantana Group Public Company Limited

The Remix
PT. NET Mediatama Televisi
NET.
Indonesia

Best Digital Fiction and Non-fiction Program/Series

Get Real
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia, CNA Insider
Singapore

Hey Orang Kita
Red Communications Sdn Bhd
FEEFO.TV
Malaysia

Run Rachael Run
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Toggle
Singapore

Space Reporters
China Intercontinental Communication Center
Tencent
China
Produced by OXBOX Productions

India’s Menstruation Man
Al Jazeera English
Qatar

Sabah Quake Specials
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia, CNA Insider
Singapore

Best Lifestyle Program

Photo Face-Off Season 2
A+E Networks Asia
History™
Singapore
Produced by Beach House Pictures

Twist of Taste – The Persian Trail
Fox Networks Group Asia
NGC Network (India) Pvt. Ltd., FOX Life
India
Produced by Mass Entertainment

China’s Grand Canal: A Photographer’s Journey
Fox Networks Group Asia
National Geographic Channels Asia
Hong Kong
Produced by Beach House Pictures

A Taste of Hong Kong Season 2
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
TLC
Singapore
Produced by Beach House Pictures

Go Fast or Go Home
GOASEAN Sdn Bhd
Astro, GOASEAN
Malaysia

Nomad Chef: Up In The Air
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
TLC
Singapore
Produced by Chemical Media & Beach House Pictures

Best 2D Animated Program

George of the Jungle Series 2
August Media Holdings Pte Ltd
Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc, Cartoon Network
Singapore

Chuck Chicken
Animasia Studio Sdn Bhd
Disney Channels (Asia & China)
Malaysia

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress
Fuji Television Network, Inc.
Fuji TV
Japan

Chhota Bheem Himalayan Adventure
Green Gold Animation Pvt Ltd
Turner Broadcasting System, POGO
India

Kuu Kuu Harajuku
Vision Animation Sdn Bhd
Network Ten, Eleven
Malaysia
Co-produced with Moody Street Kids & Red Flags Fly

Sushi and Beyond
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
World TV
Japan

Best 3D Animated Program

Leo the Wildlife Ranger
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
okto
Singapore
Produced by Omens Studios

ZombieDumb
Anyzac Co., Ltd.
KBS, KBS1
Korea

Oddbods – Marooned
One Animation
Disney Channel
Singapore

Origanimals
Giggle Garage Sdn Bhd
Astro/ StarHub/ Indovision, ZooMoo
Malaysia

The Insectibles
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
Discovery Kids
Singapore
Produced by One Animation Pte Ltd

Boonie Bears: Sunsational Summer
Fantawild Animation Inc.
CCTV, CCTV-14
China

Best Live Sports Coverage

25th Hockey Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: New Zealand vs Malaysia
Astro Arena Sdn Bhd
Astro, Astro Arena
Malaysia

AFC Live
Fox Networks Group Asia
FOX Sports
Singapore

Pro Wrestling League
Greymatter Entertainment Pvt Ltd
Sony Entertainment Television, Sony MAX/ Sony Six/ Sony Pal
India

Asian Tour Golf – Ho Tram Open Final Day
Asian Tour Media
VTV/ K+
Singapore

World Table Tennis Championship 2016
Astro Arena Sdn Bhd
Astro Arena
Malaysia

Singapore 2018 World Cup Home Qualifiers – Singapore vs Japan
Eleven Sports Network
Eleven
Singapore

International Friendly ‘A’ Match 2016: Malaysia vs Macau
Astro Arena Sdn Bhd
Astro Arena
Malaysia

ONE Championship: Ascent to Power
ONE Championship
FOX Sports, FOX Sports 2
Singapore

Best Sports Program

John Eales Reveals: Life after Sport
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Produced by Triton Media

Spirits of the Athletes – Tadahiro Nomura: The Last Shoulder Throw
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
BS1
Japan

Cerita Bola Malaysia (Malaysian Football Documentary)
Astro Arena Sdn Bhd
Astro, Astro Arena
Malaysia

The Three Japanese Beauties -Looking Beyond the Win-
Kansai Telecasting Corporation
KTV
Japan

Today at the Games
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
okto
Singapore

THE GREAT RACE: The Mongolia Bike Challenge Part 2
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
BS1
Japan

Best News Presenter or Anchor

Yvonne Man
Asia Edge
Bloomberg L.P.
Hong Kong

Sharanjit Leyl
Asia Business Report
British Broadcasting Corporation
Singapore
Produced by BBC News (Asia Bureau) Pte Ltd

Kristie Lu Stout
News Stream
Turner Asia Pacific
CNN International
Hong Kong

Cathy Yang
Market Edge with Cathy Yang
ABS-CBN News Channel
ANC
Philippines

Sri Jegarajah
Capital Connection
CNBC Asia Pacific
CNBC
Singapore

Zakka Jacob
India@9
TV18 Broadcast Ltd
CNN-News18
India

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER

Aviani Malik
News Story Insight
PT. Media Televisi Indonesia
Metro TV
Indonesia

Belinda Lee
Somewhere Out There – Dhaka Tanneries
August Pictures Pte Ltd
Channel U
Singapore

Nagieb Khaja
People and Power: Syria – Under Russia’s Fist
Al Jazeera English
Qatar

Kristie Lu Stout
On China
Turner Asia Pacific
CNN International
Hong Kong

Zakka Jacob
CNN-News18 Tracks Dawood
TV18 Broadcast Ltd
CNN-News18
India

Eunice Yoon
Inside China
CNBC Asia Pacific
CNBC
Singapore

Haslinda Amin
Trending Business
Bloomberg L.P.
Hong Kong

Steve Chao
101 East: Bringing Them Home
Al Jazeera English
Malaysia

BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTER/HOST

Allan Wu
Somewhere Out There – Musclemen Village
August Pictures Pte Ltd
Channel U
Singapore

Debbie Wong
Food Wars Asia 2
Scripps Networks Interactive
Food Network Asia
Singapore
Produced by Endemol Shine Group

Marco Borromeo
Art Attack Season 4, Pirates and Princesses
The Walt Disney Company S.E.A Pte Ltd
Disney Channel Asia
Singapore
Produced by Non Stop Production

Gurmit Singh
Don’t Forget To Remember
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore

Kan Kantathavorn
I Can See Your Voice Thailand
Workpoint Entertainment Public Company Limited
Thai Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Workpoint TV
Thailand

Pornsak
GeTai Challenge
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 8
Singapore

Panya Nirunkul
Pritsana Fah Laep (Lightning Quiz)
Workpoint Entertainment Public Company Limited
Thai Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Workpoint TV
Thailand

Greta Georges
Big Food
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by The Moving Visuals Co. Pte Ltd

BEST SPORTS PRESENTER/COMMENTATOR

Colette Wong
Fox Sports Central
Fox Networks Group Asia
Fox Sports
Singapore

Andy Penders
Sports Vlog
Red Card Group
RedCardTV
Singapore

Paula Malai Ali
2016 Australian Grand Prix – Qualifying
Fox Networks Group Asia
Fox Sports
Singapore

Richard Lenton
Singapore 2018 World Cup Home Qualifiers – Singapore vs Japan
Eleven Sports Network
Eleven
Singapore

Jason De La Pena
2016 Australian Open – Day One
Fox Networks Group Asia
Fox Sports
Singapore

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

A. Panneeirchelvam
Thalaimurai
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Vasantham
Singapore
Produced by Millenia Motion Pictures

Bront Palarae
Eropah, Here I Am
Measat Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd
Astro, Astro Citra
Malaysia
Produced by Wayang Works Sdn Bhd

Sukollawat Kanaros
The Sisters
Bangkok Broadcasting & T.V. Co., Ltd
Channel 7
Thailand
Produced by Pordeecom Company Limited

Christopher Lee
Crescendo
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 8
Singapore
Produced by WaWa Pictures Pte Ltd

Chen Kun-Chang
The Taste of Dang-Liang’s Family
Tzu Chi Culture and Communication Foundation
Da Ai TV
Taiwan

Frederick Lee
Turning Point
Natseven TV Sdn Bhd
ntv7
Malaysia
Produced by Mediacorp Production

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Ko Chia-Yen
La Grande Chaumiere Violette
Sanlih E-Television Co., Ltd
Sanlih Taiwan Channel
Taiwan

Kristal Tin
Ghost of Relativity
Television Broadcasts Limited
TVB, Jade Channel
Hong Kong

Jojo Goh
The Love Machine
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Birdmandog

Cheryl Yang
A Touch of Green
Public Television Service Foundation
PTS
Taiwan
Produced by TSAOism Production

Fonthip Watcharatrakul
The Sisters
Bangkok Broadcasting & T.V. Co., Ltd
Channel 7
Thailand
Produced by Pordeecom Company Limited

Farhana M Noor
Bunja Tanjong
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Suria
Singapore
Produced by Eaglevision

Mei Fang
Laugh for 24 Hours
The Moment Film Co., Ltd
Public Television Service (PTS)
Taiwan

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Keagan Kang
The Love Machine
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Birdmandog

Jeff Catz
Bunja Tanjong
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Suria
Singapore
Produced by Eaglevision

Max Loong
Lion Moms
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Ochre Pictures

Lan Chun-Tian
A Touch of Green
Public Television Service Foundation
PTS
Taiwan
Produced by TSAOism Production

Zhang Zhen Huan
The Dream Makers 2
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 8
Singapore

Pierre Png
Rise
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Weiyu Films

Muthusamy Lingam
Annamalai Sr 3
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Vasantham
Singapore
Produced by The Media Pte Ltd

Gerald Chew
Lion Moms
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Ochre Pictures

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Normah Damanhuri
Rahsia di Malam Syawal
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Suria
Singapore
Produced by Eaglevision

Tien Hsin
A Touch of Green
Public Television Service Foundation
PTS
Taiwan
Produced by TSAOism Production

Khanungnij Jaksamithanont
Disparity
Bangkok Broadcasting & T.V. Co., Ltd
Channel 7
Thailand
Produced by Nine Bever Films Co., Ltd

Julie Tan
The Dream Makers 2
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 8
Singapore

Xu Li-Wen
The Youth!
Hakka Television Station
Hakka TV
Taiwan

Nadia M D
Baby Bumps
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Bobbing Buoy Films

BEST COMEDY PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR/ACTRESS
Vernetta Lopez
Rojak
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Verite Productions

Bernice Liu
Lion Moms
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Ochre Pictures

Michael V.
Pepito Manaloto
GMA Network, Inc.
GMA-7
Philippines

Carla Dunareanu
Rojak
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Verite Productions

Vernetta Lopez
Run Rachael Run
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Toggle
Singapore

Alaric Tay
Rojak
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Verite Productions

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Ken Minehan
The Love Machine
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Birdmandog

Matthew Allard
101 East: On Thin Ice
Al Jazeera English
Malaysia

Lau Hon Meng
China From Above
China Intercontinental Communication Center
National Geographic Channel
China

Joey Bania, Claire Clements, Victor Tang, Kenny Chua, Anthony Quek, Adele Bennett, Lau Hon Meng & Mark Sharman
Wild City – Islands
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore
Produced by Beach House Pictures

Sivarajah Kanesananthan
Muthar Kanave
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Vasantham
Singapore
Produced by Millenia Motion Pictures

Kohei Higuchi
The Three Japanese Beauties -Looking Beyond the Win-
Kansai Telecasting Corporation
KTV
Japan

Ical Tanjung
Halfworlds
HBO Asia
HBO
Singapore
Produced by Infinite Frameworks Studios

BEST DIRECTION (NON-FICTION)

Jane Adcroft
Wild City – Islands
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore
Produced by Beach House Pictures

Daniel Holmes
Witness: China’s Fake Boyfriends
Al Jazeera English
Qatar

Pang Zhi Tsung
Somewhere Out There – Hong Kong Dwelling
August Pictures Pte Ltd
Channel U
Singapore

Aditya Thayi
Deciphering India with Anjan Sundaram – Godmen
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore
Produced by Endo Productions Pte Ltd

Liang Renhong
The Great Wall: A Story of China
China International TV Corporation
CCTV, CCTV-9/ Beijing TV, Beijing DOC/ CETV, CETV-1/ Shanghai TV, DOCU TV
China

Victor Tang
First Time Filmmakers Singapore: Singapore Stories – Birth of a Marine Park
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Produced by Beach House Pictures

Sun Sheau Huei
Death is Our Business
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Threesixzero Productions

BEST DIRECTION (FICTION)

Tsao Jui-Yuan
A Touch of Green
Public Television Service Foundation
PTS
Taiwan
Produced by TSAOism Production

Joko Anwar
Halfworlds
HBO Asia
HBO
Singapore
Produced by Infinite Frameworks Studios

Lin Tzu-Ping
The Taste of Dang-Liang’s Family
Tzu Chi Culture and Communication Foundation
Da Ai TV
Taiwan

Qiu Hao-Zhou
The Black Box
Hakka Television Station
Hakka TV
Taiwan

Lee Thean-Jeen
The Hush
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Weiyu Films

Nelson Yeh & Chen Zhang-Lun
La Grande Chaumiere Violette
Sanlih E-Television Co., Ltd
Sanlih Taiwan Channel
Taiwan

BEST EDITING

Natalie Soh
Halfworlds Episode 8
HBO Asia
HBO
Singapore
Produced by Infinite Frameworks Studios

Danial Haris, Alex Lim, Huda Azzis & Grace Xiao
Inside the Storm: Lessons from the Boardroom
MAKE Productions Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore

Laxman Bhambhoriya
BSF – India’s First Line of Defence
Fox Networks Group Asia
NGC Network (India) Pvt Ltd
India
Produced by Dreamcatchers Films

Gan Jia Yi
Halfworlds Episode 6
HBO Asia
HBO
Singapore
Produced by Infinite Frameworks Studios

Andy Tseng
The Love Machine
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Birdmandog

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Huang Shih-Ming
A Touch of Green
Public Television Service Foundation
PTS
Taiwan
Produced by TSAOism Production

Ammar Adzis
Cili
Measat Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd
Astro, Prima
Malaysia
Produced by Juita Viden Sdn Bhd

Ler Jiyuan
The Love Machine
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Birdmandog

Yu Shangmin & Liu Ruixuan
Sunset
Hakka Television Station
Hakka TV
Taiwan

Liu Cheng-Nan & Chen Yu-Jie
Laugh for 24 Hours
The Moment Film Co., Ltd
PTS
Taiwan

Lee Thean-Jeen
The Hush
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Produced by Weiyu Films

BEST THEME SONG

Lai Yu-Jiao & UrbanCat
The Youth! – True Freedom
Hakka Television Station
Hakka TV
Taiwan

Manish Tipu, Ujjawal Kashyap, Paritosh Hazare, Ikrammudin Iochoor, Sreekanth Agneeaswaran & Daniel B. George
OMG! Yeh Mera India
AETN18 Media Pvt Ltd
TV18 Mumbai, History TV18
India

Hamed Ismail & Amri Amin
Bunga Tanjong – Tarian Hidupku
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
Suria
Singapore
Produced by Eaglevision

Kyls Burtland
Destination Flavour Scandinavia
SBS (Special Broadcasting Service)
SBS1
Australia

Chen Xiao-Xia
A Touch of Green – As It Is
Public Television Service Foundation
PTS
Taiwan
Produced by TSAOism Production

Aghi Narottama & Tony Merle
Halfworlds
HBO Asia
HBO
Singapore
Produced by Infinite Frameworks Studios

– Rappler.com

LOS ANGELES, USA –  She is famous for jealously guarding her privacy, favoring a small wedding to a lavish celebrity ceremony and taking her grandmother's maiden name to shield her family from the limelight.

But Natalie Portman said Monday, November 14, portraying grief-stricken Jacqueline Kennedy had taught her the virtue of celebrities giving more of themselves to the public.

Jackie, Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain's first English-language feature, is a searing and intimate portrait of the first lady in the week after John F Kennedy's assassination in 1963.

{source}<iframe width="100%" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g9pW3B8Ycc4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>{/source}

Portman told journalists at the American Film Institute's AFI Fest in Los Angeles, where Jackie was getting its US premiere, how she admired the stoic and dignified face Jackie put on for the public.

"It's understanding that even when she was going through something incredibly private, it meant something to other people how she presented herself publicly," Portman, 35, said.

"It's like other people share in whatever you're going through and that's really impressive that she was able to do that," she added.

Born Neta-Lee Hershlag in Jerusalem to a doctor father and an artist mother, Portman has taken on tough roles since starting her big-screen career.

She got her break at age 11 in The Professional, the tale of a hitman-for-hire (Jean Reno) who becomes the mentor to a young girl.

But she turned down 1996's Romeo + Juliet because of the age difference between her and Leonardo DiCaprio, and rejected the 1997 remake of Lolita, which she deemed "sleazy." 

She also signed on to Anywhere But Here (1999) with Susan Sarandon only after a nude scene was dropped.

'More than sex symbol' 

"I value my private life and security way more than getting parts by flashing my boobs on some magazine or being a sex symbol in films," she said in a 2000 interview.

Portman won a best actress Oscar for 2010's psychological ballet thriller Black Swan. 

It was on the set of that film she met her future husband, French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, with whom she is expecting a second child.

She has been tipped for a second Oscar for her performance in Jackie, with critics raving about how accurately she managed to capture Kennedy's voice and personality.

"The easier things were... the more superficial details like the way she talked and the way she moved and looked," Portman said on the red carpet at Hollywood's TCL Chinese Theatre.

"Those are things you spend a lot of time on but it's really the way she felt that takes the imagination and the real searching. The other stuff is like learning a skill as opposed to exploring your own depths."

Jackie peaks with the first lady's real-life strategy of painting a fairy-tale picture of JFK by using "Camelot" as a sobriquet for the Kennedy administration, an epitaph which stuck.

"I loved that she defined herself as a wife primarily, but then lived a life that was very counter to that where she was her own woman," said Portman.

"It was like she didn't know how to be any other way, except exactly herself – very strong, very able to author her own story. And (she) really became the author of her own story and his story."

Fox Searchlight Pictures is scheduled to release Jackie in the United States on December 2. – Rappler.com

LOS ANGELES, USA –  Dwayne Johnson was declared "sexiest man alive" by People magazine Tuesday, November 15, joining an elite club of chiseled charmers that includes Brad Pitt, Sean Connery and last year's winner David Beckham.

NBC's Today show announced the 44-year-old WWE champion and Hollywood star had received the title during its morning broadcast.

{source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/people">@People</a>&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SexiestManAlive?src=hash">#SexiestManAlive</a> is... <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRock">@TheRock</a>! <a href="https://t.co/34EquEFOZd">https://t.co/34EquEFOZd</a> <a href="https://t.co/TFPSYQIeTJ">pic.twitter.com/TFPSYQIeTJ</a></p>&mdash; TODAY (@TODAYshow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TODAYshow/status/798508798717657088">November 15, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

"I'm not quite too sure where we go from here. I've done it all, this is it," the Herculean actor, who stands at six foot five inches (196 centimeters), told People.

{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM1WqqRDLJ8/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">This just means I&#39;m still up at 4am trainin&#39; hard, takin&#39; care of my babies, drivin&#39; my pick up truck and tellin&#39; a few dirty/nerdy jokes... extremely sexily of course. Huge THANK YOU you to the entire hard working and very cool staff at @People as well as all the fans worldwide. I&#39;m honored and grateful for the luv! Remember, sexy isn&#39;t something you &#34;try and be&#34;. Sexy happens naturally when you&#39;re comfortable just being yourself. Trust me, I&#39;m an expert at this. (plus I read the &#34;how to be sexy and a great kisser&#34; guide when I was 8). #SexiestManAlive</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by therock (@therock) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-15T14:10:47+00:00">Nov 15, 2016 at 6:10am PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

Johnson, nicknamed "The Rock" due to his strength in the ring and roughhewn features, is the latest in a long line of heartthrobs to be honored since the inaugural title went to a 29-year-old Mel Gibson in 1985.

At 245 pounds (111 kilograms), he is almost certainly the heaviest winner and, controversially, one of only two who have not been white, after Denzel Washington in 1996.

"Remember, sexy isn't something you 'try and be.' Sexy happens naturally when you're comfortable just being yourself," the father-of-two wrote on Instagram on Tuesday as he announced the honor.

It has been a good year for the veteran of 36 movies, who was named the world's highest paid film star in 2016 by Forbes magazine.

He is lending his voice to Disney animation Moana, due for release on November 23, and will appear in a range of 2017 films including Fast 8, Baywatch, and Jumanji, as well as the third season of his HBO comedy Ballers. 

Clearly a man who can handle a busy schedule, Johnson told Vanity Fair earlier this week he wasn't ruling out a run for president in 2020. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are a beautiful couple, and the proud parents of two have now been together for 4 years.

And while they tend to keep their family life private Ryan recently told GQ about the moment he knew Blake was the one for him.

"When did you know it was going to happen with Blake?" GQ asked in an interview with Ryan for their latest cover.

"Probably after the sex," Ryan joked.

He followed it up with a more serious answer, though, saying, "No, we were hanging out at this little restaurant in Tribeca that's open really late, and this song came on and I was just like, 'Want to dance?'

"No one was in there, so it was just totally empty. And it was just one of those moments where halfway through the dance, it was like, 'Oh, I think I just crossed a line.' And then I walked her home. And, uh, you know, I don't really need to go into what happened after that."

Ryan does remember the song, but declined to reveal what it was.

Ryan and Blake have been married since 2012 and have 2 daughters together, James, 1, and another daughter – whose name they haven't revealed – who was born in October. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines –  The romance between characters Princess Leia and Han Solo in the Star Wars movies was popular among fans, but it looks like the actors who played them – Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford – took the romance offscreen.

In an interview with People, Carrie revealed that she and Harrison had a 3-month affair while doing the first movie in 1976. The actress was 19 years old, while Harrison was 33 and married with two children.

“It was Han and Leia during the week, and Carrie and Harrison during the weekend,” she said, describing the affair as “intense.”

Carrie felt it was time to come out with the revelation after she found some of her old journals from when they they were shooting the movie in London. The story of her time with Harrison is included in her new book The Princess Diarist. 

In the book, Carrie recalled their first night together after celebrating director George Lucas’ birthday. She said that began to doubt herself.

“I looked over at Harrison. A hero’s face — a few strands of hair fell over his noble, slightly furrowed brow,” she said. “How could you ask such a shining specimen of a man to be satisfied with the likes of me?”

According to People, Harrison had been informed that she was disclosing details about their relationship in the book.

On Twitter, Carrie hinted there were things she would rather keep quiet about.

{source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I would never talk about how someone was in any furniture--chair, bed, coffee table or otherwise</p>&mdash; Carrie Fisher (@carrieffisher) <a href="https://twitter.com/carrieffisher/status/798654335320092672">November 15, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source} 

While their time was short, Carrie looked back at it with fondness, saying she trusted Harrison and that he was a kind person.

The Princess Diarist will be released in the US on November 22. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Billy Crawford rarely comments on politics. But the singer and host did speak up when asked how he felt about the results of the US elections last November 8, with Donald Trump emerging as the new president-elect. 

At the press conference of his new show The Ultimate Brocation on Tuesday, November 15, Billy, who is Filipino-American, said: “I normally don’t answer politics or what not. But if I may say, it’s disappointing. It’s really disappointing for me as an American. I really have no idea where this beautiful nation will be in the next 15 years from now.

"You know, I really feel bad for the kids, I really feel bad for women, I really feel bad for all the stuff that’s going on in the United States because for some reason it just makes a statement that if you have money, you have power, you can run the world. 

“And so that’s what’s implemented on people’s mind nowadays. And people don’t want to work for it, people don’t want to take chances anymore, and it’s just really disappointing that this has happened to the United States. But there’s nothing we can do about it,” he said. 

The singer and Pinoy Boyband Superstar host said he and his friends who are based in the US are hoping for the best. 

Trump's racist and misogynistic remarks throughout the campaign have taken center stage during a difficult election season. 

“We’re just praying. For me, I’m just praying for a brighter future for all of us and for unity and for maybe for peace and control on what’s happening globally. You know because it’s not just because I’m American, I need to support and really go for Americans or just because I’m half Filipino as well, you know in religion, in politics, you’ll always encounter someone who’s opposite of your opinion,” he said.

'The Ultimate Brocation' and Coleen Garcia 

Aside from from his hosting duties for Pinoy Boyband Superstar and It’s Showtime, Billy is busy promoting for his new show The Ultimate Brocation. Shot in Hong Kong, the show follows Billy and some of Asia’s popular personalities. Billy is joined by Malaysian hip hop artist SonaOne, Thai DJ and TV host P.K., Singaporean chef Bjorn Shen, and martial arts star Philip Ng of Hong Kong, who will guide the guys during their stay in Hong Kong.

{source} <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMqaxs4h8B2/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">A little over a month until we see these four hilarious BROs in action in Hong Kong! #UltimateBROcation</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Ultimate BROcation (@ultimate.brocation) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-11T08:15:03+00:00">Nov 11, 2016 at 12:15am PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

When asked why he decided to join a reality show, Billy, who started his career in showbiz as a kid, said it was something different for him to try.

“I guess it was to add on the bucket list. I guess you know it’s an added experience because I’ve never taken a trip with strangers before. It’s something unheard of and I took the opportunity, took the chance and now we’re keeping in touch,” he said of the experience.

{source} <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMlnxlohcWl/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">@itssonaone, @billyjoecrawford, @DJPK and @bjornshen checking out a local market in Hong Kong and grabbing all the fresh produce they can find! Where is @bjornshen going to put his fish? #UltimateBROcation #discoverhongkong</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Ultimate BROcation (@ultimate.brocation) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-09T11:32:26+00:00">Nov 9, 2016 at 3:32am PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

Although he has been doing on-camera work as a host and singer, Billy admitted that doing The Ultimate Brocation was a different experience, since he was being followed by cameras all day.

“I was pretty scared at first we were being filmed 24/7. But after it’s like you understand why you forget about the camera, you forget about everything and you actually just have a good time spending it with them.” 

While filming the show, Billy was away from girlfriend Coleen Garcia for a duration of time. He admitted to missing her so much, and said that he would call her a lot.

"Hindi mo lang alam. Araw-araw ko na miss [si Coleen]. As in like yung phone bill ko as in ibang klase din yung sinisingil sa akin ngayon," he said.

(You just don't know. I miss her everyday. As in my phone bill is really something else, because of how much I will have to pay.)

For Christmas and New Year, Billy said he will be meeting members of Coleen's family in Spain for the first time.

"I've never to Spain, she's never been to Spain. Yung family niya (Her family) will be there as well," he said  

Billy also took the opportunity to clarify a report that he got into an altercation in Hong Kong when he and Coleen were on vacation. According to the report, Billy was held because he hit someone for harassing Coleen.

{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:38.5185185185% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMMXTroB69I/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank"> #harbourcity #discoverhongkong #spooHKy</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Coleen Garcia  (@coleengarcia) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-10-30T16:07:32+00:00">Oct 30, 2016 at 9:07am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

Here's what Billy had to say about the incident: 

“For some reason it was taken out of context. Hindi po ako nakulong. Kasi kung nakulong ako, hindi ako makakabalik ng Pilipinas to be honest with you. In all cases (I was not arrested. Because if I were jailed, I won't be able to go back to the Philippines, to be honest with you), I’ll be deported to the United States.

"But may nangyari, may kaguluhan na nangyari dahil nabastos si Coleen, and it was a verbal altercation between someone there and me. Good thing yung shunga na nambastos kay Coleen ay ginawa niya sa harapan ng pulis. So nakita ng pulis and the thing that’s about Hong Kong police, they are very very strict. Kahit yung pinakamaliit na magsigawan kayo sa street, pwede ka i-question and pwede ka i-hold for statements.

(But something happened, there was a commotion because Coleen was disrespected, and it was a verbal altercation between someone there and me. That guy who disrespected Coleen did it in front of the police. And the police saw it and the thing that's about the Hong Kong police, they are very, very strict. Even the smallest quarrels on the street, they can question you and hold you for statements.) 

"And doon talaga lumaki yung respeto ko sa (that's where I really have much respect for) authority ng Hong Kong. Kasi (Because) they had to hold us – ako, si Coleen si Renz, yung kasama ko (my companion) at yung ibang party. They had to hold them to para malaman nila kung ano yung kaso, yung mangyayari (so they could find out what really happened). So I had to explain to them, Coleen had to explain to them. So na-detain kami nang kaunti. Pero hindi ako nakulong (we were detained for a bit. But I was not jailed)," Billy said.

Produced by entertainment channel KIX and Endemol Shine group, The Ultimate BROcation will air on December 14 via Cablelik, Cignal TV, Destiny Cable, Gsat, and Sky Cable. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - Robin Padilla had quite a day on Tuesday, November 15, when President Rodrigo Duterte granted him executive clemency– an absolute pardon at that – just hours after his wife, Mariel Rodriguez, gave birth in the US.

The next day, the actor spoke to reporters about what he now calls his "birthday" – "napanganak si Isabella, pinanganak yung kalayaan ko (Isabella was born and my freedom was born as well)," he explained.

Mariel gave birth in the US due to her delicate pregnancy – she suffered two miscarriages previously – but Robin couldn't be with her because his visa was not approved. Instead, he was with her for her hours-long labor through video call.

"Malungkot, siyempre, kasi nag-aral pa 'ko niyan eh," Robin said, when asked how he felt that he couldn't be there with her. "Pinag-tiyagaan kong aralan yung birth coaching na yun eh... Meron akong diploma niyan."

(I was sad, of course, I studied for that too. I worked hard to study birth coaching... I have a diploma for it.)

But now that he's been granted absolute pardon, Robin is hopeful that he can get a US visa to visit his wife and new baby, Maria Isabella, in Delaware.

In the past, said Robin, he had a would always be denied visas because of his conviction or be told that his visa was still in process.

Mariel is set to stay in the States for 3 more months, and will return home around February 2017, said Robin. 

Road to Robin's absolute pardon

Robin was convicted of illegal possession of firearms in 1994, before being granted conditional pardon in 1998 by former president Fidel V. Ramos.

His lawyer Rudolf Jurado, who was present at the November 16 press conference, said that his conditional pardon expired in 2003, which meant Robin could have applied for absolute pardon then.

The delay, said Robin, was because he wasn't a priority. He had been focused on changing his country, starting a farm, and more recently, caring for Mariel. 

"Regalo itong hindi ko inaasahan eh, talagang mapanganak ulit," said Robin. "Kasi dati, rebolusyon 'yun eh. Masyado tayong, 'Bayan, bayan, bayan,' biglang siyempre nung manganganak na si Mariel, pamilya."

(This was an unexpected gift, to truly be born again. Because before, that was the revolution. We were too focused on 'Country, country, country,' then suddenly, of course, when Mariel was about to give birth, it became family.)

It was Rudolf and Robin's manager Betchay Vidanes who arranged the papers and filed them for Robin at around July or August so he could be granted executive clemency.

"November, doon kami nagkagulo, ayaw niya (November, that's when we fought, because he didn't want [to file] it)," recounted Rudolf at the press conference.

Robin didn't know that they filed the papers until late August, when his name was among those in a published list of those recommended for executive clemency.

Rudolf continued: "Ngayon, [sinabi ni Robin] 'Sandali, ano 'to? Baka ako'y matira ng mga tao dito, sabihin ginagamit ko yung ano ko.' So inaway niya ako doon, dahil doon, sabi niya, ''Di dapat ganoon, ba't ganito?'"

(Now, [Robin said] 'Wait, what's this? People might hit at me and say that I'm using my relationship with the president.' So he fought me on that, because of that, he said, 'It shouldn't be like this, why is it like this?)

But they couldn't do anything anymore once the papers were filed, said Rudolf, who added that they went through all the right processes, presenting their petition to the Board of Pardons and Parole and the Department of Justice, before the president.

On people saying that he did use his influence on the president to be granted pardon, Robin said it's unavoidable.

"Gusto ko lang sabihin sa mga tao, lahat ng naging pangulo, malapit ako. [Fidel V Ramos], kinandidato ko po 'yan.

"Si [Joseph Estrada] po, uncle ko po 'yan... Kamag-anak ko po yan ang masasabi natin, hindi ko po 'yan hinigan.

"Si [Gloria Macapagal Arroyo] kinampanya ko po yan. Kung saan-saan ako inutusan niyan sa Mindanao, hindi po ako hiningan.

"Si [Benigno Aquino III], kasama ko si [kapatid niyang si Kris Aquino] sa [TV series] Kailangan Ko Ikaw. Pwedeng-pwede ko pong sabihin, hindi ko hiningan. Lahat po ng naging pangulo, malapit po 'yan. Pero hindi ko po hiningi. Ang humingi nito, siya," said Robin, pointing to Rudolf.

(I want to tell everyone that I was close to all the presidents. I supported Fidel V Ramos. Joseph Estrada is my uncle... he's family, and I didn't ask for pardon. I campaigned for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She asked me to go wherever in Mindanao, I didn't ask for pardon. With Benigno Aquino III, I was with his sister Kris Aquino in the TV series Kailangan Ko Ikaw. I could have said something, but I didn't ask for anything. All the presidents, I'm close to them. But I didn't ask for anything. The one who asked for this was him [Rudolf].)

'Nagbigay siya ng pag-asa'

For Robin being granted absolute pardon by the president on November 15 was a surprise, as he had been in Malacañang with his sister Rema Padilla-Ohno to discuss her hospital rehabilitation program. Rema is the president/CEO of Himex Corporation, which distributes medical equipment and supplies.

When asked what he and the president talked about when he was granted pardon, Robin said that aside from thanking Duterte, he was speechless.

Robin recounted: "Ang sabi ko kasi, 'Salamat po.'Sabi niya, 'Eh, wala ka namang sinaktan, ang nakalaban mo bakal.'"

(I said, 'Thank you.' He said, 'You didn't hurt anyone, your enemy was metal.)

"Masayang-masaya lang si Mayor kasi nakita niya na nagbigay siya ng pag-asa (Mayor was very happy because he saw that he gave us hope)," he added later, saying that everyone, including himself and his sister, were emotional.

Now that Robin has been granted executive clemecy, Robin has his political and civil rights back, including his right to run for office. However, Robin is not looking to work in the government.

When asked if the president was interested in appointing him a position in the government, Robin said, "Iyan po ang isang quality ni Mayor ... yung kanyang paniniwala sa kasama. Dahil kasama naman po ako noong umpisa palang ninanamnam ni mayor yung pagsasama na yun.

"Pero alam namin ni Mayor na mas makakatulong ako sa kanya nang wala akong posisyon. Para sa lahat ng bagay pwede niya akong utusan. Kasi kapag meron ka nang appointment, doon ka lang... wala ka nang gamit sa iba. Eh sa rebolusyon kasi ni Mayor kailangan expendable ka anytime."

(That's one quality of the Mayor... his belief in his friends. Because I was with him from the start, the Mayor enjoyed my support. But the Mayor and I both know that I can be of better help if I didn't have a position. So that in all matters, he can ask me to do things. Because if there's an appointment, you're stuck there... you're of no use anywhere else. In the Mayor's revolution, you have to be expendable anytime.) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Kendall Jenner made headlines on Sunday, November 13, when she deleted her Instagram account without an explanation.

But two days after her disappearance on social media the model clarified on The Ellen DeGeneres Show why exactly she left.

"I just wanted to detox. I felt like I just wanted a break," she told Ellen after expressing surprise that her Instagram exit made the news.

"I feel I'm always on it, I feel I would wake up in the morning and I'd look at it first thing, I'd go to bed it was the last thing I would look at," she continued. "I felt a little dependent on it, so I kinda wanted to take a minute to detox."

If you've been missing Kendall on Instagram, though, don't worry! She later reassured her fans: "I'll be back, I'll come back."

Watch what Kendall had to say about her social media detox above and let us know what you think in think in the comments! – Rappler.com

NEW YORK, USA – Prince's estate has sued the Tidal streaming service of rap mogul Jay Z, demanding it take down most of the catalog of the late pop icon.

Prince, who had a famously fraught relationship with the music industry, last year announced a deal through which Tidal would exclusively release the prolific star's album HITnRUN Phase One.

In a lawsuit, Prince's estate said that Tidal only had exclusive rights to the album for 90 days and that the deal did not cover the rest of Prince's catalog.

Tidal and Jay Z's Roc Nation company "did not communicate" with the estate "to expand the offering of Prince works on the Tidal service," said the lawsuit filed Tuesday in a federal court in Prince's native Minnesota.

The estate asked for a jury trial to force Tidal to remove Prince's catalog and pay damages.

The streaming service did not immediately reply to the lawsuit and Prince's vast catalog was available on Tidal as of Wednesday.

Tidal, which has struggled to take a greater market share from streaming leader Spotify and new competitor Apple Music, has heavily promoted exclusives including the Prince catalog.

Prince, who died from an accidental overdose of painkillers, did not leave a will. Bremer Trust, which is in charge of his estate, has since been looking for ways to ensure steady revenue and has been negotiating future releases with labels.

Prince in the early 1990s changed his name to the unpronounceable "love symbol" and wrote "slave" on his cheek to protest his terms Warner Brothers Records, which had tried to put controls on his constant output.

Announcing the deal last year with Tidal, Prince hailed the streaming service as a way to release his music quickly and maintain artistic control. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Robin Padilla has always been vocal about his political views, and the actor spoke up on a few world and national issues at a press conference on Wednesday, November 16.

Robin was asked for his reaction to the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that allowed former dictator Ferdinand Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes' Cemetery). The Martial Law era under Marcos was marred by human rights abuses and corruption.

"Naku, nagkamali ka ng pagtanong dahil I love Marcos. I love Ninoy, I love Marcos," answered Robin. "Dahil para sa akin, wala akong political color. Hindi ako KBL, hindi ako Laban."

(You asked the wrong question because I love Marcos. I love Ninoy, I love Marcos. Because for me, I don't have any political color. I'm not for KBL, I'm not for Laban.)

Robin was referring to Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), a political party founded by Marcos, and Lakas ng Bayan (Laban), a political party founded by former senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

He continued: "Ang pinag-uusapan natin, may nagawa si Marcos, kahit sino'ng kausapin natin, sa panahon namin 'yun. Bata pa ako, naramdaman ko 'yung mga nagawa niya."

(What we're talking about is, Marcos had accomplishments, no matter who you talk to, that was during our time. I was still a child then, and I felt what Marcos had done.)

"Kung anuman sinasabi nilang naging atraso ni Pangulong Marcos sa kabilang partido, eh ganoon din talaga. Wala po tayong magagawa. Bayani sila. Sila ang mga bayani noong panahon na iyon," Robin explained.

(Whatever they say were President Marcos' sins against the other party, that's how it is. There's nothing we can do. They're heroes. They were the heroes of that era.)

Robin also echoed the sentiments of President Rodrigo Duterte, saying that since Marcos was a soldier, he deserves to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

"Parang walang logic eh. 'Yung mga nakalibing sa Libingan ng [mga] Bayani, sundalo, 'di ba? Kung hindi natin papayagan si Marcos ilibing doon, eh 'di pati 'yung mga nakalibing na sundalo doon kinukuwestiyon natin. Dahil lumaban din sila sa Komunista, lumaban din sila sa mga Moro. Pero nakalibing sila doon... C'mon, kailangan matutunan ng kabataan natin ang history, 'wag natin itago," Robin said.

(It's like there's no logic. Those who are buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, they're soldiers, right? If we don't allow Marcos to be buried there, then we'll have to question even the soldiers buried there. Because they fought against the communists too, they fought against the Moros too. But they're buried there. C'mon, our children need to learn history, let's not hide it.)

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), however, is against a hero's burial for Marcos. It said the late dictator's record as a soldier during World War II is "fraught with myths, factual inconsistencies, and lies."

Martial Law victims and activists who also oppose the burial maintain it is unconstitutional and an injustice to those who suffered under the Marcos regime. (READ: 'History lost its meaning': Petitioners react to SC ruling on Marcos burial)

Supporting Trump

Robin also explained why his wife, Mariel Padilla – a US citizen who recently gave birth in the US – supports President-elect Donald Trump.

In an Instagram post on November 13, Robin let his followers know that Mariel voted for Trump, saying, "We campaigned for Trump, [Mariel] and her family voted for the guy."

{source}

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.125% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMvAEAnlp_6/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Well i respect all views but we campaigned for Trump @marieltpadilla and her family voted for the guy. Immigration is never my problem because i am a Filipino by choice so i do not have any plan of embracing another citizenship. My concern is for the good of the collective, World Peace and the END of economic terrorism. Immigrants are coming to america because of poverty and war in iraq, afghanistan, libya, syria, yemen etc...Trump promise to work with Russia and that i believe was the purpose of ending the cold war in the 80s. I do not believe arab and asian muslims will exchange their Motherland and Fatherland to american democracy, nothing wrong with it actually i love studying it. We just need to respect each others culture and tradition. Religion has nothing to do with my political views, my faith is for me alone and travelling and exploring are part of educating myself and my family with World History and Understanding every color and race. GOD BLESS AMERICA !!</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A video posted by robin padilla (@robinhoodpadilla) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-13T02:57:50+00:00">Nov 12, 2016 at 6:57pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

Trump has had a controversial campaign season, as his comments against immigrants, women, and Gold Star families, among others, made headlines. (READ: Trump election win sparks protests across US)

In December 2015, Trump said Muslims should be barred from entering the US, "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on."

More recently, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said Trump's advisers are drafting a proposal for a registry for immigrants from Muslim countries as a security measure.

Robin, who himself is a Muslim, clarified on November 16 that he isn't interested in being an American citizen.

"Ang aking interest kay Trump kasi nakikita ko, willing siya to work with Russia," said Robin, reiterating a point from his Instagram post.

(I'm interested in Trump because I can see he is willing to work with Russia.)

"Kasi iyan ang problema natin dito eh ayaw natin magusap-usap. At least si Trump, gusto niya makipagusap sa Russia. Kasi domino iyan. 'Pag sinabi mong Russia, andiyan na 'yung mukha ng China, nandiyan na iyan. Kabila naman, America, NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization].

(Because our problem here is that we don't want to talk. At least Trump wants to talk to Russia. Because that's like a domino effect. When you say Russia, China will also be there. On the other hand, there will also be America, NATO.)

"To make the story short, gusto ko ng peace. Gusto lang natin ng world peace para maging masaya na tayo ulit. Kasi kung balikan mo naman 10 years ago, masaya tayo eh. Wala naman 'tong mga terrorism, terrorism eh, saan ba nanggaling 'to diba? Kaya ako nag-Trump."

(To make the story short, I want peace. We all want world peace so we can all be happy again. Because if you go back to 10 years ago, we were happy people. There was no terrorism, where did that even come from? That's why I support Trump.)

When a reporter asked if Robin were okay with Trump's previous anti-Muslim statements, Robin answered that he never saw Trump as anti-Islam.

"Kailanman hindi ko siya nakitang anti-Islam. Nakita ko siya anti-terrorist talaga siya. 'Yun lang, medyo, 'yung kanyang knowledge sa Islam, progressive. Mayroon lang siyang kaibigang Muslim, pero hindi niya napag-aralan ang Islam. Kaya ngayon, bilang presidente na siya, unti-unti niyang naiintindihan 'yung Islam."

(I never saw him as anti-Islam. I saw him as anti-terrorist. It's just that his knowledge of Islam is progressive. He has friends who are Muslim, but he hasn't studied Islam. So now that he is president-elect, he can slowly understand Islam.)

Some Muslims, however, do not share the same view as Robin's. They have expressed fear that America under a Trump presidency could be hostile toward Muslims.

Trump, back in August, also previously tagged 9 countries – including the Philippines – as "terrorist nations." He told supporters at a rally in Maine, "We're dealing with animals."

Robin also talked about Trump's recently announced plan to deport 3 million undocumented migrants. "Sinabi niya lang may 3 million siyang ide-deport, pero ito 'yung mostly criminals. 'Di na niya sinabing – zeroing [in] on the Muslim, sinabi lang niya illegal immigrants na involved sa crime and drugs, 'di ba?"

(He said he will deport 3 million people, but mostly criminals. He didn't say – zeroing in on Muslims, he only said illegal immigrants and those involved in crime and drugs, right?)

Robin, who was convicted of illegal possession of firearms in 1994, was recently granted executive clemency by Duterte.

Now that he has been granted absolute pardon, Robin hopes to get a US visa to join Mariel and their new baby, Maria Isabella, in the US state of Delaware. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – BB Gandanghari is now legally a woman after a California court approved her petition to change her name and gender.

BB made the announcement on Wednesday, November 16, via Instagram.

"This is it! And I thought this day would never come. And I thank my God and my Lord for making these things happen. Everything makes sense now... and to this great country, the United States of America, for providing this [basic human right]. Thank you!" she said, with the hashtag #officiallyBBlegallyGandanghari.

{source} <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM4WpdLgQj6/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">This is it! And I thought this day would never come. And I thank my GOD and my LORD for making these things happen. Everything makes sense now... and to this great country the United States of America for providing this #basicrhumanright... Thank you!!!  #officiallyBBlegallyGandanghari</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by gandangharibb (@gandangharibb) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-16T18:08:21+00:00">Nov 16, 2016 at 10:08am PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

Prior to the announcement, BB wrote on Instagram: "Good morning... Today is the beginning of forever."

{source} <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM4EoxmAiKo/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Good morning... Today is the beginning of forever... #morningafter #dawnlight</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by gandangharibb (@gandangharibb) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-16T15:30:58+00:00">Nov 16, 2016 at 7:30am PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

BB, previously known as Rustom Padilla, filed the documents last August to change her name to Binibini Gandanghari. (READ: BB Gandanghari files formal petition to change name, gender in California)

In 2006, when she was still known as Rustom, BB admitted during a conversation on Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition that she was gay. After taking time off abroad, BB came out as a transgender woman in 2009. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Ed Sheeran has made a little girl's dream come true!

The famous singer visited and serenaded Melody, a 9-year-old with Rett Syndrome, at the hospital.

In the video above, Ed sits on Melody's bed as he sings his hit "Photograph," accompanied by a tiny pink ukelele.

In another video, Ed sings "Thinking Out Loud" to Melody as the nurses and her family in the room clap and watch on. At one point, Melody even had to blow her nose.

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Watch more videos of Ed's visit to Melody's hospital room below!

{source}<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMelodyinmind%2Fvideos%2F1806465812899439%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="100%" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>{/source}

{source}<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMelodyinmind%2Fvideos%2F1807230916156262%2F&show_text=0&width=400" width="100%" height="400" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>{/source}

Aside from Rett Syndrome, a neurodevelopmenal disorder that affects the development, use of hands, and intellectual ability, Melody's Facebook page says that she also suffers from intestinal failure, internal bleeding, enteric neuropathy, and autonomic dysfunction. This is why Melody has spent 80% of her life in the hospital. 

"Her life is a constant struggle however she has an escape through her love of music. She adores music, and no matter what pain she is going through, her favorite singer – Ed Sheeran – can always get a smile from her," her Facebook profile reads.

Watch Ed's small concert for Melody, and let us know what you think in the comments!– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippine – Jose Mari Chan surprised his fans at the Ayala Triangle Gardens with a quick concert of Christmas hits!

After the Ayala Triangle Gardens' nightly Christmas lights show, members of the University of the East Chorale who were among the crowd started singing.

They soon congregated onto a stage in the middle of the garden to sing a medly of holiday songs, followed by Jose Mari's own "Christmas in Our Hearts."

To the crowd's surprise, the Jose Mari walked in as they sang it, then sang his song, "December 25."

The show ended with jingle for Samsung, as Jose Mari is their new Christmas endorser. The "Samsung Christmas Giveaways" song is one of Jose Mari's old songs whose lyrics have been changed.

Soon after, the Ayala Triangle Gardens' "Festival of Lights" started up again, bathing the crowd in its colorful glow.

What's your favorite Christmas song? Let us know! – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Comedian and actress Rufa Mae Quinto was treated to a bridal shower by her close friends and family held at Marco Polo Ortigas on Wednesday, November 16.

Among the guests were TV host Grace Lee, Shalani Soledad, LJ Moreno, CJ Jaravata, and Camille Villar.

{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM5NHsqAuOK/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">To my lovely #bridesmaids #matronofhonor @thelollicakechic @graceleemanila @camvillar @shalanisoledad @cjjaravata thanks for being with me through thick in thin, my last memories of me being single, thank you for being on my side all this time na single ako... yes this is my bridal show, 8 days to go and I&#39;m getting married ahal ko kayo  #marcopoloortigas #mpmjourneys #limacon u complete my bridal shower  @teenabarretto #eventorganizer @teddymanuel event styling @insta_mug for the bride squad tumblers @cussyorgcosmetics for the lippie @bottledupph for the cake jars #limacon for the photo and video coverage (I have the best team) @litosy @nelwinuy @jervysantiago @mervin_gobaco and @bobnicolas @everbilenaofficial for the giftpack @thelollicakefactory for the cake, cupcakes, and lollicakes @marcopolomanila for the food and venue</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Rufa mae Quinto (@rufamaequinto) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-17T02:04:20+00:00">Nov 16, 2016 at 6:04pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> {/source}

Rising actress Elisse Joson, one-half of the popular tandem McElisse also attended.  Elisse dropped by to give a gift for Rufa Mae who is set to give birth to a baby girl named Alexandria. (READ: Excited mom-to-be Rufa Mae Quinto on her pregnancy)

{source} <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:38.287037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM5OiSzgxqe/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Sa mga kapatid ko na napakaganda at bait, nag effort pa sila humanap ng gift para sa akin, ang sweet nyo !!! Salamat mga ate at napasaya nyo ako ng sobra, @kylaasy gave me a mommy @pandora_philippines charm and @sygiejan gave me a @victoriassecret back pack for my work out bag and baby bag @elissejosonn for giving our baby her first baby clothe. Alam mo first baby gift ni Alexandria yun, so cute post ko soon... mahal ko kayo salamat again #bridesmaid #maidofhonor #sister #mpmjourneys #marcopolo Thanks so much for coming and for all the laughter and time ! I&#39;m so happy @teenabarretto #eventorganizer #myweddingplanner @teddymanuel for event styling @insta_mug for the bride squad tumblers @cussyorgcosmetics for the lippie @bottledupph for the cake jars #limacon for the photo and video coverage (I have the best team) @litosy @nelwinuy @jervysantiago @mervin_gobaco and @bobnicolas @everbilenaofficial for the giftpack @thelollicakefactory for the cake, cupcakes, and lollicakes @marcopolomanila for the food and venue mahal ko kayo, forever na miss ko beauty nyo mga bunso kong kapatid #bridalshower #8daystogo #TrevorRufaMaeThisIsIt</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Rufa mae Quinto (@rufamaequinto) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-17T02:16:42+00:00">Nov 16, 2016 at 6:16pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

Here are some photos from the event.

{source} <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:33.2407407407% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM5Sy-RAp3c/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">My bridal squad! Thank you for coming lastnight, I can&#39;t believe I&#39;m celebrating my last days of me being single! Darating din tayo sa kasalan sa haba Haba ng prosisyon.. mga magaganda kong kaibigan, ipinapasa ko na ang korona ko bilang single and yes! Tie the knot na ang peg ko! Masaya ako sa Ganda nating lahat.. haha , sexy nyo lahat! Ako cute Lang ! Katuwa! #mpmjourneys #marcopoloortigas @teddymanuel for the event styling @insta_mug for the bride squad tumblers @cussyorgcosmetics for the lippie @everbilenaofficial for the gift pack @bottledupph for the cake jars #limacon for the photo and video coverage (I have the best team) @litosy @nelwinuy @jervysantiago @mervin_gobaco and @bobnicolas @thelollicakefactory for the cake, cupcakes, and lollicakes @marcopolomanila for the food and venue @teenabarretto #myweddingplanner #bridalshower #TrevorRufaMaeThisIsIt</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Rufa mae Quinto (@rufamaequinto) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-17T02:53:56+00:00">Nov 16, 2016 at 6:53pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM5UEWfA3Wz/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">As usual di mapigil ang ligaya na nadarama ko, nag laro Kami at syempre more laughter lahat ! And game na game! Katawa Diba? Haha ! @mkqua @phoemelabaranda @antoinettetaus @cjjaravata @wicked_summerzki @tomono_273 #mpmjourneys #marcopoloortigas #TrevorRufaMaeThisIsIt #bridalshower #limacon ang saya teddymanuel for the event styling @insta_mug for the bride squad tumblers @cussyorgcosmetics for the lippie @bottledupph for the cake jars #limacon for the photo and video coverage (I have the best team) @litosy @nelwinuy @jervysantiago @mervin_gobaco and @bobnicolas @everbilenaofficial for the giftpack @thelollicakefactory for the cake, cupcakes, and lollicakes @marcopolomanila for the food and venue #8daystoGo</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Rufa mae Quinto (@rufamaequinto) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-17T03:05:03+00:00">Nov 16, 2016 at 7:05pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.5189681335% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM5fw3qgMXR/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Ang sweet ng best friend ko , she made this cake/ sweet corner @thelollicakechic @thelollicakefactory since I love cooking @foodiemae , masarap at lahat ng bride squad guests ko may take home pa ! sya po ang may pakana nito pati color Tiffany color /turquoise favorite color ko, and may kitchen girl with apron, oven kitchen stove etc ! Ang saya ! I love you bff ! Nakakaiyak ka na sa sobrang blessed ko , di Lang sa asawa , sa anak, sa family pati sa kaibigan! Since 1996 til 2016 best friends forever hanggang maging magulang na tayo at maging ulirang asawa .. (20 years din ang journey of single life ko) haha! thank you Lord for this blessing my matron of honor, yes sya din nag isip ng #TrevorRufaMaeThisIsIt #bridalshower #marcopoloortigas #mpmjourneys #8daystoGo</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Rufa mae Quinto (@rufamaequinto) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-17T04:47:14+00:00">Nov 16, 2016 at 8:47pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM6VQhrAxen/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">@kalamilkph salamat so bango ng give aways ko kagabi sa aking #bridalshower #mpmjourneys #marcopoloortigas #TrevorRufaMaeThisIsIt</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Rufa mae Quinto (@rufamaequinto) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-17T12:34:41+00:00">Nov 17, 2016 at 4:34am PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM6VullAyiO/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">@insta_mug for my bongga ng bride squad tumbler! Yahoo ! Ang saya namin lahat dito ! Thanks you so much #TrevorRufaMaeThisIsIt #marcopoloortigas #mpmjourneys #bridesquad #bridalshower #giveaways #wedding #11-~25~2016 #8daystoGo</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Rufa mae Quinto (@rufamaequinto) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-17T12:38:47+00:00">Nov 17, 2016 at 4:38am PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:55.8796296296% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM3zdtKhQoI/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Instant photoshoot with @rufamaequinto &#39;s bridesmaids at her bridal shower  always such a joy to be with these ladies! @camvillar @shalanisoledad @rufamaequinto #mpmjourneys #marcopoloortigas</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Eating, Loving And Praying (@graceleemanila) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-16T13:00:54+00:00">Nov 16, 2016 at 5:00am PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

Rufa Mae is set to marry fiancé Trevor Magallanes on November 25. The two got engaged last February. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Award-winning Philippine director Brillante Mendoza has turned his cinematic skills to promoting someone many in the West would see as an unlikely hero – President Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly drug war.

Mendoza has become a celebrated figure in the global independent film industry for his gritty movies exposing social injustice and the sufferings of the poor in his home country.

While critics have condemned Duterte's anti-crime crackdown, which has claimed the lives of thousands of poor people, Mendoza has filmed government advertisements promoting it and directed the broadcast of a presidential address to the nation.

"If there's one person who understands the situation, it's the president," Mendoza, 56, told Agence France-Presse at his Manila production house that is full of posters of his movies and trophies from top film festivals including Cannes, Venice and Berlin.

"I know there are a lot of people who are not supportive in totality of what he wants and what he's doing right now, but if you actually have witnessed the real situation, this is the way to go about it."

Duterte easily won presidential elections in May largely on a campaign pledge to eradicate drugs by killing tens of thousands of people, warning the Philippines was in danger of becoming a narco-state.

Since he took office at the end of June, police have killed more than 1,800 drug suspects and about 2,600 others have died in unexplained circumstances linked to the crackdown, according to official figures.

The president has repeatedly insisted police are only killing in self-defence and that most of the unexplained deaths are due to criminals attacking each other.

But Western governments and human rights organisations have expressed fears about alleged extrajudicial killings and a breakdown in the rule of law.

Those concerns have been fuelled by Duterte's extreme language and comments viewed by critics as incitements to kill.

Culture clash 

Duterte said recently he would be "happy to slaughter" 3 million drug addicts, and likened his campaign to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's efforts to exterminate Jews in Europe. (READ: Duterte: I'm being portrayed as a 'cousin of Hitler')

The 71-year-old lawyer later apologized for his Hitler reference, but said he was "emphatic" about wanting to kill drug addicts.  

French newspaper Liberation branded Duterte a "serial killer".

Mendoza, whose films have earned him a French knighthood and a best director award at Cannes, declined to comment on the extrajudicial killings issue.

He also said he had no personal knowledge of such deaths, while insisting foreign critics misunderstood Duterte due to a culture clash.

"I would tell them you don't know our president," Mendoza said.

"You are only seeing it from your perspective as somebody who lives far away from the Philippines. Because you are living in a first-world country."

For instance, Mendoza said, it was easy for foreigners to misunderstand Duterte's cursing, which he said was merely "an expression" for people in the southern Philippines where he is from.

Mendoza said he became aware of the full extent of the nation's drug problem as he researched his film:Ma' Rosa, which won the Cannes best actress award in May and earned a nomination in next year's Oscars for best foreign language film. 

Ma' Rosa focuses on a mother selling drugs to make ends meet who is arrested by corrupt policemen. 

"I didn't know there was a huge problem of drugs in this country," said Mendoza, a former advertising production designer.  

The two short films he made pro bono for the government have been viewed millions of times on social media.

In his ultra-realist style, they tell the stories of a father who misses milestones in his daughter's life due to substance abuse and a Filipina who is working overseas sending money back home to a son hooked on drugs. 

Mendoza said he hoped the films, which carry the government's #partnerforchange hashtag, would help spur drug addicts to kick their habits.

Narrow focus 

Mendoza said artists and Asians had a better understanding of Duterte than Europeans, who were only learning about him from the media.

Indeed, tens of millions of Filipinos from all strata of society continue to support Duterte and his efforts to contain the drug menace in the belief it will make society safe. 

Many also see him as the strong leader needed to fight enduring problems such as crippling corruption, widespread poverty, a decades-long communist rebellion and Islamic militancy. 

Still, not all Filipino artists back Duterte.

Actress Agot Isidro caused controversy when she described the president as a "psychopath".

Prominent filmmaker Pepe Diokno, whose debut film focused on "death squads" allegedly run by Duterte when he was mayor of the southern city of Davao, has been another critic.

Nevertheless, Mendoza insists the drug problem is so complex that it and Duterte cannot just be looked at through the lens of mass killings.

"I am not advocating that people who are poor should be put to death. But then, at the end of the day, we shouldn't only see that in that perspective," he said.

"There are a lot of sides we have to consider."  – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The music video for Janella Salvador's version of "How Far I'll Go" is out!

Janella's music video for her cover of Disney's Moana theme song dropped on Friday, November 18.

The video features Janella recording the song with clips of the movie interspersed between.

The news that Janella was set to release a version of the song for the movie's Philippine audience was announced on November 8 at the movie's Southeast Asia press junket.

Aside from Janella, other Southeast Asian stars – Maudy Ayunda from Indonesia, Ayda Jebat from Malaysia, Myra Maneepat Molloy from Thailand, and Minh Nhu from Vietnam – are singing versions of the song in their own language too.

Disney’s upcoming movie follows Moana, a brave girl from the Pacific Islands, as she navigates the ocean with the demi-god Maui in the hopes of saving her people.

Moana is set to hit Philippine theaters on November 30, while its 14-track soundtrack will be sold and streamed on November 18. – Rappler.com

LOS ANGELES, USA – A US judge on Thursday, November 17 ordered the boyfriend of Whitney Houston's daughter to pay more than $36 million in a wrongful death suit brought by the young woman's estate, attorneys said.

Bobbi Kristina Brown, 22, the only child of pop legend Whitney Houston and singer Bobby Brown, died in July 2015 after being found unconscious in a bathtub in her suburban Atlanta home in January 2015.

Her death marked an eerie repeat of her mother's death in 2012.

Bobbi Kristina Brown's boyfriend Nick Gordon and a guest were at the home when she was found unconscious.

The lawsuit filed by Brown's estate said he had lashed out at her in a fit of jealousy that evening after being "out all night on a cocaine and drinking binge."

According to the suit filed in Atlanta, Gordon gave "Bobbi Kristina a toxic cocktail rendering her unconscious and then put her face down in a tub of cold water causing her to suffer brain damage."

Attorneys representing Brown's estate announced the $36.3 million decision for damages, awarded by Fulton County Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedfort.

"There was an urgent need, in my mind, to get justice for Bobbi Kristina Brown and that's why I took the case," attorney David Ware said in a statement sent to AFP.

"We intend to pursue, with all vigor, the full collection of the judgment. The defendant will not escape justice nor ever profit from his misdeeds," he added. "We hope that in some small way this will allow Krissy’s family to continue their quest for peace."

Gordon was not in court on Thursday when the judge handed down his decision, Ware said. His attorneys could not immediately be reached for comment.

The medical examiner's office in March said it was unclear if Brown's death was accidental or intentional.

An autopsy determined that she had marijuana, alcohol, cocaine and morphine in her body.

Brown's death drew parallels to that of her mother, who was found face down in a bathtub in a Los Angeles hotel on February 11, 2012, on the eve of the Grammy Awards.

Her parents separated in 2006 and divorced in 2007, with Houston awarded custody of their daughter, amid claims of abuse and drug use in the high-profile relationship. – Rappler.com

EDINBURGH, UK – Hundreds of cheering fans greeted Leonardo DiCaprio on Thursday, November 17, as the Hollywood star visited an Edinburgh restaurant set up to help the homeless. (READ: George Clooney grabs bite at UK sandwich shop helping homeless)

The Oscar-winning actor signed autographs for his admirers – some of whom had waited for hours – as he arrived at the Home restaurant, which opened in September as part of a broader initiative to support homeless people.

DiCaprio's visit to Home sees him follow in the footsteps of fellow actor George Clooney, who last year visited a sandwich shop run under the same Social Bite initiative.

The Home eatery in the Scottish capital is the latest venture in the Social Bite scheme, which has establishments in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, and runs a four-year program to provide training and employment to homeless people.

The concept is the brainchild of entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn, who has brought in restaurateur Dean Gassabi to run Home with a French and Scottish menu.

One of the beneficiaries is Biffy Mackay, 28, who helped prepare DiCaprio's meal and said she had been nervous about his visit.

"He was so nice, so down to earth. I told him I've loved him since I was nine and that I did a project about him at school. He said 'that's so cool,'" Mackay said.

Elise Lovell won a competition to join the actor for lunch and described the experience as "quite surreal but a fantastic couple of hours."

Donald Trump winning the US presidential election last week was mentioned over lunch, Lovell said, to which DiCaprio "kind of laughed and said it was definitely a shock to a lot of people."

After visiting the restaurant, and leaving to screaming fans surrounding his car, DiCaprio was due to speak on Thursday evening at the Scottish Business Awards, which was also set up by Littlejohn. – Rappler.com

At one point in the tangle of marital messes that Maryo J. Delos Reyes confronts in The Unmarried Wife, two minor characters, two mothers speak out to defend their embattled children (a couple). 

One mother exposes her faults both as a wife and a mother to exalt her daughter. The other mother starts to lament that precise propriety is what society presumes out of married women like them. The scene, which curiously puts the spotlight on two older women who have either skirted away from or persisted through societal expectations, affirms a point that Delos Reyes’ film discusses in its roundabout tale of a married woman trapped in a failed marriage.

In a patriarchal society dictated by antiquated laws and institutions, it is usually women who suffer.

Marital affairs

The Unmarried Wifetells the story of Anne (Angelica Panganiban) and her complicated marriage with Geoff (Dingdong Dantes). 

Through a series of flashbacks framed in between scenes from a fateful night where Anne is suddenly attacked by an angry woman who calls her a mistress, the film navigates its way around a convoluted plot where Anne and Geoff fall in love and get hitched, only to end up being trapped in a marriage that suffocates the joy out of them. They find comfort in various illicit affairs, with Geoff being the first to falter.

Anne reacts accordingly, maintaining her foothold as staunchly persevering wife all for the sake of her son. Soon after, Anne herself surrenders to the need to love and be loved when Bryan (Paulo Avelino), a man she meets while she was still at odds with Geoff, catches her attention. Bryan is also in the middle of having his marriage to his wife annulled. 

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The Unmarried Wife jumps from one entanglement to another, almost bereft of the humor that is obvious from all the bizarre and ludicrous situations. Delos Reyes keeps a consistently serious tone, diligently staging scenes to emphasize the very broad emotions that result from lovers who only end up hurting each other.

Conventionally melodramatic

The film’s very conventional, melodramatic approach to the material works at times, especially since Panganiban is most convincing when she plays the tormented wife.

The biggest problem of The Unmarried Wife is that all of its male characters are flat. Their motivations are juvenile, nearly non-existent. Their actions are plainly reactionary, lacking the depth to make them as compelling as Anne. It doesn’t help that Dantes’ portrayal of Geoff is so rigid, making his character so difficult to engage with.

Clearly, the film is written to be lopsided in favor of telling Anne’s plight. 

It is all fine. The film makes its t intentions quite clear. However, the film fails to explore the full possibilities of its milieu, which is quite intriguing since it does take a stab at defining the role of marriage in a modern world. In its effort to carve an overwrought tale of a woman trapped in a broken marriage, it stubbornly refuses to grant its male characters the same sympathy it so generously showered its anguished wife. 

Stifled by convention 

The Unmarried Wifeis a competently crafted marital drama. It is evident that the film bleeds for all the women like Anne, her mom, and her mother-in-law who have been boxed into what is expected of them by a society that subscribes to norms and labels. Sadly, it is stifled by its own conventions. It’s just not as powerful as it could have been. – Rappler.com

Francis Joseph Cruz litigates for a living and writes about cinema for fun. The first Filipino movie he saw in the theaters was Carlo J. Caparas’ 'Tirad Pass.' Since then, he’s been on a mission to find better memories with Philippine cinema.