MANILA, Philippines – Celine Dion has touched down in Manila for the first time, ahead of her upcoming shows at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Celine arrived via private plane early Thursday, July 19. It might have been pouring when the singer arrived, but the rain did not seem to dampen her spirits.

In a video posted by Ovation Productions, the singer was all smiles when she deplaned. "It's great to be here, it's wonderful to be here," she told reporters. 

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She even greeted them in song, singing “I came ready, rainy or shine."

Celine is in town for a two-night concert on July 19 and 20 as part of her LIVE 2018 tour. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Julia Barretto took to Instagram on Tuesday, July 17, to write about her tough journey as an actress with famous showbiz name.

The daughter of Marjorie Barretto and Dennis Padilla said that she was judged  and often got criticized for mistakes she did not even do and was not given a chance to give her side.

"In my whole journey as an actress, more often I was doubted, I was judged, I had to deal with scrutiny from people who did not know me, who made me suffer the consequences of the mistakes I did not commit and people did not give me a chance. People did not give me the chance to make some mistakes, learn, and to better myself," she said.

"Other than the fact that I love my craft, I love what I do and I feel strongly passionate about acting – I’ve always wanted to prove myself. I’ve always wanted to prove my doubters wrong. I’ve always wanted to be more than my last name. I wanted my hard work to get the credit and not my last name. I wanted to make a name for myself," Julia added.

She praised the cast of I Love You, Hater, saying they worked hard to deliver a film that is positive. The young actress also said that in performing the role of Zoey, she put down her walls and allowed people see who she really was. 

"I used Zoey as my outlet. I wanted to speak to people as Julia through Zoey and this is why I embraced Zoey. I embraced this film. I put down my walls, I let people in and see me at my most vulnerable," she said.

"We made a movie to add positivity to people’s lives and make them feel that they’re not alone. We are not going to allow any kind of negativity to lurk around our film," Julia added.

{source} <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlUdVuqH4nN/" data-instgrm-version="9" 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:540px; min-width:326px; 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:62.5% 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/BlUdVuqH4nN/" 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">An open letter— In my whole journey as an actress, more often I was doubted, I was judged, I had to deal with scrutiny from people who did not know me, who made me suffer the consequences of the mistakes I did not commit and people did not give me a chance. People did not give me the chance to make some mistakes, learn and to better myself. Other than the fact that I love my craft, I love what I do and I feel strongly passionate about acting— I’ve always wanted to prove myself. I’ve always wanted to prove my doubters wrong. I’ve always wanted to be more than my last name. I wanted my hard work to get the credit and not my last name. I wanted to make a name for myself. “I Love You, Hater” is a film I poured my heart and soul into. I was faced with one of the biggest challenges of my life before doing this film and I don’t think I was able to really pour my heart out as Julia and took the chance with Zoey. My every heartache, the every pain I felt in my body as Julia, I used Zoey as my outlet. I wanted to speak to people as Julia through Zoey &amp; this is why I embraced Zoey. I embraced this film. I put down my walls, I let people in and see me at my most vulnerable THE TEAM of ILYH from the actors to Direk Giselle, our writers, staff &amp; crew, Star Cinema ADPROM and ABS CBN worked sleepless nights, braved the strom and worked till our own bodies gave up on us to produce a good quality film. It’s about time they get the recognition and appreciation they deserve. We made a movie to add positivity to people’s lives and make them feel that they’re not alone. We are not going to allow any kind of negativity to lurk around our film From Day 1 of our showing, Joshua and I talk about how overwhelming the feedback, appreciation and love we’ve been receiving. Our journey has been so magical and special because we are getting the perfect amount of support... from our family, our friends, star cinema, our network &amp; our supporters.  TRULY, at the end of the day, the Lord’s plan PREVAILS.</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 post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/juliabarretto/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Julia</a> (@juliabarretto) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-07-17T04:39:01+00:00">Jul 16, 2018 at 9:39pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>{/source}

Julia also defended Kris Aquino in the comments section after people asked why there was a lack of promotions by the actors for the film. In one post she wrote: "She did not ruin the movie and no she is not spreading negativity. I can't imagine anyone else playing the role of Madam Sasha."

Kris thanked her for her kind words.

Julia also replied back and said that she'll always be there for Kris and her family.

Here's Julia's full letter posted on Instagram:

An open letter – 

In my whole journey as an actress, more often I was doubted, I was judged, I had to deal with scrutiny from people who did not know me, who made me suffer the consequences of the mistakes I did not commit and people did not give me a chance. People did not give me the chance to make some mistakes, learn and to better myself.

Other than the fact that I love my craft, I love what I do and I feel strongly passionate about acting – I’ve always wanted to prove myself. I’ve always wanted to prove my doubters wrong. I’ve always wanted to be more than my last name. I wanted my hard work to get the credit and not my last name. I wanted to make a name for myself. I Love You, Hater is a film I poured my heart and soul into. I was faced with one of the biggest challenges of my life before doing this film and I don’t think I was able to really pour my heart out as Julia and took the chance with Zoey. My every heartache, the every pain I felt in my body as Julia, I used Zoey as my outlet. I wanted to speak to people as Julia through Zoey & this is why I embraced Zoey. I embraced this film. I put down my walls, I let people in and see me at my most vulnerable.

THE TEAM of ILYH from the actors to Direk Giselle, our writers, staff & crew, Star Cinema ADPROM and ABS CBN worked sleepless nights, braved the strom and worked till our own bodies gave up on us to produce a good quality film. It’s about time they get the recognition and appreciation they deserve. 

We made a movie to add positivity to people’s lives and make them feel that they’re not alone. We are not going to allow any kind of negativity to lurk around our film

From Day 1 of our showing, Joshua and I talk about how overwhelming the feedback, appreciation, and love we’ve been receiving.

Our journey has been so magical and special because we are getting the perfect amount of support... from our family, our friends, star cinema, our network & our supporters. 

TRULY, at the end of the day, the Lord’s plan PREVAILS.

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Isabelle Daza has finally introduced her son to the public, fully showing the baby's face for the first time and revealing his name: Balthazar Gabriel.

{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlZJASHBn-2/" data-instgrm-version="9" 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:540px; min-width:326px; 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:62.5% 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/BlZJASHBn-2/" 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 child should not have to earn their parents’ love. He should rest in it”. you can rest in my love Baltie. </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 post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/isabelledaza/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> isabelledaza</a> (@isabelledaza) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-07-19T00:17:31+00:00">Jul 18, 2018 at 5:17pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>{/source}

Since giving birth in April, Isabelle has been candidly sharing her life as a new mom, but – save for one photo shared soon after her son was born – has notably kept the baby's face and his name away from the public eye.

But on Instagram on July 19, the "it girl" finally shared a closeup photo of her son, writing in the caption: "'A child shouldn't have to earn their parents' love. He should rest in it.' You can rest in my love, Baltie."

On her Instagram Stories, she went on to explain why she kept her son private for so long.

"I don't know why but I felt so instinctly protective when he was born, like I wanted to shelter him from the world. Maybe that's what it meant to become a mother?" she wrote.

"I wanted to keep these first few months with him to myself, like keeping these moments precious," she added.

She went on to share other reasons she may have had for keeping him private, including the fact that the baby hadn't "met" her late father Bong Daza yet.

She shared that she introduced Balthazar to her dad for the first time when they visited his grave on his second death anniversary last July 14.

"My dad loved Paris so much he thought he was half-French. Now I have a half-French little boy who is 1/4 made of my dad," she said. "And I wanted to be reminded of him everyday so my husband named our son after him. My dad's name is Gabriel 'Bong' Daza."

Balthazar is Isabelle's first child with her husband, French businessman Adrien Semblat. They got married in Italy in September 2016. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Rhian Ramos said she would rather focus on herself first after breaking up with boyfriend Jason Choachuy.

The actress confirmed last week that she and Jason parted ways after dating for more than 3 years. 

In an interview during a visit to the set of the movie Kung Paano Siya Nawala on Tuesday, July 17, Rhian said she's not dating anyone after reports linked her to Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla and Andre Paras.

"I'm not dating anyone at all right now. And I think the worst time in your life to date is when you just got out of a relationship, because that's the time where you should be getting to know yourself again. Because aside from relationships, being an emotional thing to go through, it's also very habit-building," she said.

"So you have to remember who you are when you're not with someone," Rhian added. She said she appreciated the friends she's surrounded with.

On her rumored new romantic links, the actress said she found them amusing but she was not surprised since it was part of the job.

Rhian also said that there was no third party in her breakup with Jason. Jolo recently confirmed he broke up with actress Jodi Sta Maria.

"Walang (There's no) third party  whether it be in this movie or that movie or this show, let's not put stories into it. It's just two people growing," she said.

On the supposed sighting of Rhian and Andre Paras being sweet with each other, the actress said in jest, "That's so cute."

"I am a huge Andre Paras fan. I really think he's one of the most adorable funny people in showbusiness. I love him but we're not romantic. I mean, I don't think we know each other that well to be sweet, " she said, adding that it was just coincidental that she and the son of Benjie Paras met after a game and had  their photo taken.

Rhian is currently busy shooting Kung Paano Siya Nawala under TBA Studios, which also stars JM de Guzman. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Netflix shared the first photos of its upcoming original, Narcos: Mexico, which sees Diego Luna (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) and Michael Peña (Ant-Man) taking the main roles.

Diego is playing drug lord Felix Gallardo, the enigmatic leader of the Guadalajara cartel which was one of the most powerful drug groups in 1980s Mexico.

Meanwhile, Michael plays Kiki Camarena, an undercover drug enforcement agent who moves from California to Guadalajara to take on Felix's cartel – only to realize that he may have bitten off more than he can chew.

Narcos: Mexico jumps off from the Netflix hit Narcos, which initially followed the life of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, and subsequently the story of the Cali cartel that gained power in the wake of his death.

Narcos: Mexico will follow the rise of the Guadalajara cartel, and take a closer look at its leader, whose ambition comes before all else.

The series is set to premiere on Netflix in 2018. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – It might have been the first time for a celebrity not only to attend a Malacañang news briefing but also to ask questions himself. Martin Nievera did just that on Thursday, July 19, when he sat in the regular press conference of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in the New Executive Building.

Members of the Malacañang Press Corps as well as viewers wondered why Nievera was seated in the front row of the briefing room. About 20 minutes into the briefing, after Roque was asked about reports that the Philippines may hurt its ties with the US if it proceeds with the purchase of grenade launchers from a US-blacklisted Russian company, one reporter could not contain his curiosity any longer.

DZRH reporter Henry Uri asked Roque why Nievera was there. In response, the Palace official said: “Because afterwards, he will ask you questions, I suppose, about me.  So, we will turn the tables after this press briefing and you will be the subjects."

Uri also asked Nievera about his thoughts on President Rodrigo Duterte.

"He is the best singing President of all the presidents, thank you," Nievera quipped. (WATCH; Duterte sings 'upon the orders' of Trump) 

A few minutes later, after all the journalists had finished asking their questions, the moderator's mic was turned over to Nievera. The singer-TV host, however, seemed to have veered from the script, at least based on what Roque had anticipated. (Nievera's questions start past the 24-minute mark.)

Instead of asking the media questions about Roque, he directed his queries directly to the official. He asked a total of 5 questions, ranging from what Roque had for breakfast, to his transparency in divulging information to the public. 

After his brief Q and A, Nievera finally revealed why he was there. "Just so you know, this is for the new show that I have in ANC, that  he (Roque) allowed us to spy on his whole day," Nievera said.

Nievera's new show is LSS: The Martin Nievera Show on ANC. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Call Me By Your Name passed through Manila all too soon with only a quick commercial run in a handful of theaters, but now the award-winning film is set to make quite the comeback for Manila viewers with a film concert premiering on October 28. (READ: Love, lust, and loss in 'Call Me By Your Name')

Call Me By Your Name In Concert will allow viewers to experience the film in a new way as it features a screening of the film accompanied by a live performance of its soundtrack as performed by the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

According to show producers CC: Concepts, the film concert marks the first time in the world that Call Me By Your Name will be screened in the format.

The film is based on the novel by André Aciman, directed by Luca Guadagnino and adapted by James Ivory. The film was nominated for a slew of awards, and won for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards and the BAFTAs.

Set in 1980s Italy, Call Me By Your Name is a tender coming-of-age film that focuses on two young men who fall in love over the course of a summer. It stars Timothée Chalamet as Elio, a precocious 17-year-old whose world is forever changed when he meets a slightly older doctoral student, Oliver, played by Armie Hammer. (READ: 'Call Me By Your Name' review: Romantic ambiguity)

Even with a limited release, the film won over audiences who reveled in its tender, sensual take on first love and first heartbreak – no doubt made even more moving by a soundtrack that features compositions by Ryuichi Sakamoto, John Adams, Erik Satie, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Maurice Ravel.

The soundtrack also includes songs by The Psychedelic Furs, Franco Battiato, Giorgio Moroder, Loredana Bertè, Bandolero, Joe Esposito, FR David, and Sufjan Stevens, whose original song "Mystery Love" was nominated for an Academy Award.

Call Me By Your Name In Concert will be held on October 28, 8 pm, at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura Premier in Taguig City. Limited early bird tickets are now available on SM Tickets. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Asia's Next Top Model has unveiled the 14 candidates for season 6 which will air on Fox Life starting August 22.

Two Filipinas – Jachin Manere and Adela Mae Marshall will compete along with other delegates from Asia in the hopes of becoming this season's winner after Maureen Wroblewitz won last year.

A look alike of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Jachin or Jach is 21-years-old and looks up to supermodel Linda Evangelista. Her favorite designers include John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.  

Jach has also appeared in various beauty and fashion editorials and is a member of the Professional Models Association of The Philippines.

{source} <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BhRVWIShpbF/" data-instgrm-version="9" 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:540px; min-width:326px; 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:62.5% 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/BhRVWIShpbF/" 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">Facundo! May nag-aaway dito sa hacienda, ilabas ang popcorn.</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 post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jachmanere/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> </a> (@jachmanere) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-04-07T13:25:52+00:00">Apr 7, 2018 at 6:25am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>{/source}

Adela is 20-years-old and considers Kiko Mizuhara as her favorite model. She considers sharks and lizards as some of her phobias. 

Like Maureen, Adela is also handled by Prima Stella Management in the Philippines.

{source} 

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgDbXizl5TI/" data-instgrm-version="9" 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:540px; min-width:326px; 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:35.0462962962963% 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/BgDbXizl5TI/" 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">Veni. Vidi. Amavi.</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 post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/adelamae/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Adela-Mae Marshall</a> (@adelamae) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-03-08T07:17:43+00:00">Mar 7, 2018 at 11:17pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>{/source}

This season's location will be held in Bangkok, Thailand. Model Cindy Bishop returns as host while photographer and fashion creative director Yu Tsai is also back to mentor the ladies. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON DC, USA –  The host of America's late-night TV program The Daily Show has drawn the ire of France's ambassador to the US after joking that "Africa won the World Cup."

Earlier this week Trevor Noah, a prominent comedy host in the United States, praised "Africa" for its World Cup victory, considering the immigrant heritage of many of the French squad's players and their families.

The joke triggered controversy in France, with some social media users accusing the comedian Noah – a South African born to a black mother and white father during apartheid – of racism.

French ambassador to the US Gerard Araud on Wednesday, July 18, sent Noah a stern letter criticizing the joke, saying "nothing could be less true."

"The rich and various backgrounds of these players is a reflection of France's diversity," Araud said. "Unlike in the United States of America, France does not refer to its citizens based on their race, religion or origin."

"To us, there is no hyphenated identity, roots are an individual reality," the ambassador continued. "By calling them an African team, it seems you are denying their Frenchness. 

"This, even in jest, legitimizes the ideology which claims whiteness as the only definition of being French."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDailyShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheDailyShow</a> , <a href="https://twitter.com/Trevornoah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Trevornoah</a> called the <a href="https://twitter.com/FrenchTeam?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FrenchTeam</a> &#39;s World Cup win an &quot;African victory.&quot; Read Ambassador <a href="https://twitter.com/GerardAraud?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GerardAraud</a> &#39;s response: <a href="https://t.co/KR0kFOxDOw">pic.twitter.com/KR0kFOxDOw</a></p>&mdash; French Embassy U.S. (@franceintheus) <a href="https://twitter.com/franceintheus/status/1019691552384352257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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 'Why can't they be both?' 

Shortly after the letter was posted on Twitter, Noah volleyed back: "When I say they're African, I'm not saying it as a way to exclude them from their Frenchness."

"I'm saying it to include them in my African-ness.

"I'm saying, 'I see you, my French brother of African descent.'"

Noah acknowledged that far-right groups in both France and the United States use the principle of heritage as a "line of attack" against immigrants to justify exclusion.

But he explained that he found it "weird" to suggest the players couldn't simultaneously be African and French.

"Why can't they be both?" he said to applause. 

"So what they're arguing here is, in order to be French, you have to erase everything that is African?" 

Saying that he "vehemently" disagreed with that notion, Noah appeared to double down on his original message. 

"I watch what politicians say about African migrants when they are unemployed, when they may commit a crime, or when they're considered unsavory, they are 'African immigrants.' When their children go on to provide a World Cup victory for France, we should only refer to it as France," Noah added.

"I will continue to praise them for being African because I believe they are of Africa – their parents are from Africa – and they can be French at the same time," he said.

"And if French people are saying they cannot be both, then I think they have a problem and not me."

"America's not a perfect country," Noah added. "But what I love about this place is that people can still celebrate their identity in their American-ness." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Kiana Valenciano recently revealed that she had battled depression and anxiety, as she explained what the tattoo on her neck means.

“2016 was a really heavy year for me. I was dealing with anxiety and depression and reached the point where I didn’t even notice I was hurting myself physically,” the actress said in a July 19 Instagram post.

{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlaAnolHDWf/" data-instgrm-version="9" 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:540px; min-width:326px; 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:44.398148148148145% 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/BlaAnolHDWf/" 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">Saved. Last night someone asked me what the tattoo on my neck means and why I got it. 2016 was a really heavy year for me. I was dealing with anxiety and depression and reached the point where I didn’t even notice I was hurting myself physically. It wasn’t until a friend pointed out that I had scratches and scars across the back of my neck that I realised I was lost and needed help. 2 years later, with the combined help of God, my family, amazing friends, and Sam, I’m able to deal with my anxiety in a healthier way. No more scratches! Just a reminder that I’m saved. If you’re going through something, don’t be afraid to let people in. Let your loved ones love you </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 post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kianavee/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Kiana </a> (@kianavee) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-07-19T08:23:30+00:00">Jul 19, 2018 at 1:23am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>{/source}

“It wasn’t until a friend pointed out that I had scratches and scars across the back of my neck that I realized I was lost and needed help"

She said that she only realized she needed help when a friend pointed out that she had scars and scratches across the back of her neck.

“2 years later, with the combined help of God, my family, amazing friends, and Sam [Concepcion, her boyfriend], I’m able to deal with my anxiety in a healthier way. No more scratches! Just a reminder that I’m saved,” she said.

She ended by encouraging people to seek help if they need it: “If you’re going through something, don’t be afraid to let people in. Let your loved ones love you.”

Kiana is a model and singer, taking after her father, veteran performer Gary Valenciano. – Rappler.com

Alfred Hitchcock once remarked that “in feature films the director is God; in documentary films, God is the director.”

In the case of Ysabelle Peach Caparas’ Jacqueline Comes Home (The Chiong Story), her muddled attempt to tell the very controversial and divisive story of the grisly rape and murder of Marijoy (Donnalyn Bartolome) and Jacqueline Chiong (Meg Imperial), God is but part of the cast. The peerless creator of the whole wide universe is portrayed as a disembodied voice who literally speaks to Chiong matriarch, Thelma (Alma Moreno), solidifying her belief that justice has indeed been obtained when all the depicted perpetrators of the dastardly deeds done to her daughters are already rotting in jail. In Caparas’ blatantly contorted account of what has happened two decades ago, Almighty God is but a tool in the film’s endeavor to coerce impressions of justice towards its side.

Startling fault

Bias is not the most startling fault of Jacqueline Comes Home.

In fact, it is impossible for any film not to be biased. Films, even fictional ones based on real stories, aren’t pieces of journalism that aim to be objective. Facts are filtered by partial minds and turned into narratives that fit agendas, whether it be commercial or something fouler.

Michael Collins’ Give Up Tomorrow (2011), a documentary that tackles the same events, is clear on its bias towards presenting an apparent injustice that occurred. It is methodical, careful and even sensitive in its approach. It is sober. It opens itself to examination and discourse. It convinces, or at the very least, rattles beliefs and brings to the fore pressing issues that should be discussed even without dwelling on the film’s main agenda.

Jacqueline Comes Home is horribly different.

It reeks of desperation. It hides underneath religion. It cowers behind simplistic characterizations, utilizing black-and-white and often unrealistic depictions of villains and heroes that are more suited for soap operas than controversial true stories. It mooches for sympathies, relying on cardboard cutouts to stand for living and breathing human beings whose innate complexities and motivations have given rise to the necessary public debate that surrounds the Chiong narrative.

More demonizing than humanizing

The film is reprehensible not because it is biased but because it is irresponsible in pushing for its biases.

It goes for fallacies to persuade. It carelessly tugs the heart. It presents unrelated scenes where valid doubts are quickly quashed by motherhood statements and blanket declarations of fealty to an imperfect judiciary. It is haphazardly edited to make the violence its centerpiece, perhaps to put a spotlight on the depravity of the fictionalized personalities that are clearly based on real people. It is fictional not just because it is more convenient to recreate a plot than to scour records and evidence from both sides but also because shallow tears and brutish fears are believed to sway more than exhaustive, deliberate and thoughtful interpretations of a crime the consequences of which include not only grieving relatives but the very integrity of an already embattled justice system an entire nation is relying on.

Surely, there is nothing wrong with making a film about a mother coming to terms with the violent deaths of her daughters. However, when grief, which is depicted in the film by Caparas in such a mechanical and predictable fashion, is intertwined with a motive to obfuscate and to earn pity for one side than empathy for all those who were affected by the atrocity, the effect is more demonizing of the film’s foes rather than humanizing of its heroes.

Cinematic ignominy

Simply put, Jacqueline Comes Home is perverted and god-awful. It is best ignored unless one has a stomach for cinematic ignominy.  – 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

SAN DIEGO, USA – British actress Jodie Whittaker was unveiled Thursday, July 18 as the first woman to play Doctor Who, telling fans of the cult BBC series she felt the weight of history – but that gender should be irrelevant.

The 36-year-old, who rose to fame in award-winning British drama Broadchurch, takes over from Scottish actor Peter Capaldi as the 13th incarnation of the Time Lord.

"I knew, obviously, being the first female it was going to have some extra responsibility thrown in," she told 6,500 fans at the annual Comic-Con convention in San Diego, which hosted the cast's first news conference together. 

"It's incredibly inclusive and it also feels, knowing that the fans are all over the world, like there's this huge Whovian family that you want to be a part of because it's so supportive and inclusive, and fun."

Fans were treated last year to a brief glimpse of Whittaker, walking towards the Tardis in a forest, in a clip shown after the Wimbledon tennis final on BBC television.

At Comic-Con, which attracts 130,000 movie, TV and comics fans from around the world, BBC America dropped the first full trailer which opened with Whittaker's startled expression.

"All of this is new to me," she says, presumably after just regenerating. "New faces, new worlds. New times. So if I asked really, really nicely, would you be my new best friends?"

There were glimpses of the Doctor with her new sonic screwdriver, some impressive-looking shots of alien worlds and the first look at her three new companions.

  'She just nailed it' 

The adventures of the Doctor – a time traveling, humanoid alien who traverses the universe – have maintained a fervent following since they were first aired in 1963.

The new season gets a 10-episode run and although there is no announced release date, fans are expecting it to return in October.

Whittaker will work alongside "Broadchurch" creator Chris Chibnall, who takes over from Steven Moffat as the new showrunner.

"She just walked in the room she was the Doctor. It was one of those things where you don't know what you're looking for until you see it, and the energy she bought was just the Doctor – but it was new, it was fresh," said Chibnall.

"It was very funny, very emotional. It's really exciting as a showrunner when you see them audition and you want to write instantly, and it suggests scenes. That's what happened really – she just nailed it."

The show is aired around the world, and marked its 50th anniversary four years ago with a special episode screened simultaneously in nearly 100 countries.

"The thing about this role, which is why it's so amazing for any actor to play, is that essentially gender is irrelevant and that's completely liberating," Whittaker told the audience.

"As a woman who isn't a genre, is just a woman, I have never approached a role thinking, 'Oh, how do women do this?' I've just done it from my perspective."

 Best so far 

It was a big day for iconic television shows, with AMC's Better Call Saul making its debut at Comic-Con and generating buzz with a new character from sleazy attorney Saul Goodman's Breaking Bad days.

"BCS" is a prequel show to the iconic series which introduced fans to Saul (Bob Odenkirk) in its second season, in 2009.

When Saul thinks he's about to be bumped off by Walt (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse (Aaron Paul), he demands to know if it was someone called Lalo that sent them.

While many fans may never have contemplated the line again, the specter of Lalo returned to San Diego as the cast hit the stage.

Co-creator Peter Gould screened that original Lalo mention from Breaking Bad to jog everyone's memory, along with the first image of actor Tony Dalton (Sens8) as the character.

Co-creator Vince Gilligan declared the fourth season, out on August 6, as the best so far, adding that the overlaps between Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul were getting bigger.

A trailer teased a more cynical Jimmy, on the verge of going off the rails and becoming Saul following the death of his brother Chuck (Michael McKean) in the season three finale.

"You know why God made snakes before he made lawyers? He needed the practice," says Jimmy. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – An Oasis reunion may be on the horizon after Liam Gallagher gave a shout out to his estranged brother Noel, suggesting that they bring the band back together.

“Earth to Noel, listen up kid I hear you're doing gigs where people can’t drink alcohol. Now that’s the BeZarist thing you’ve done yet,” Liam, who was the band’s lead vocalist said in a July 19 tweet.

{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Earth to noel listen up rkid I hear your doing gigs where people can&#39;t drink alcohol now that&#39;s the BeZarist thing you&#39;ve done yet I forgive you now let&#39;s get the BIG O back together and stop fucking about the drinks are on me LG x</p>&mdash; Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) <a href="https://twitter.com/liamgallagher/status/1020014157536677888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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“I forgive you now let’s get the BIG O back together and stop fucking about. The drinks are on me,” he added.

Noel, who was the band’s chief songwriter, has yet to respond, but the prospect of an Oasis reunion has already sent fans into a frenzy.

Oasis was one of the biggest bands of the Britpop movement, rising to fame in the 90s with songs like “Some Might Say,” “Wonderwall,” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.”

Despite the band’s success, Liam and Noel have always had a prickly relationship, and are known for publicly trading barbs and insults, and sometimes even physical blows. (READ: The clapback: 10 music feuds that hit more than just the charts)

“He’s the angriest man you’ll ever meet. He’s like a man with a fork in a world of soup,” Noel famously said, describing Liam in a 2009 interview with Q magazine.

Noel would quit the band in the same year, leading to its dissolution.

The brothers have since pursued separate music careers, with Noel forming his band The High Flying Birds, and Liam forming Beady Eye with the rest of Oasis’ members, before going solo. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Celine Dion brightened up a rain-drenched Manila as she performed in the first of her two shows on Thursday, July 19.

The show ended with one of Celine’s most iconic songs, “My Heart Will Go On.”

Wearing a fluttering pink and white dress, Celine sang a perfect rendition of the Titanic theme.

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{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And that&#39;s a wrap for Celine&#39;s 1st show in Manila! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CelineDion2018MNL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CelineDion2018MNL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CelineAtMOAArena?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CelineAtMOAArena</a> <a href="https://t.co/db2LlEwm0K">pic.twitter.com/db2LlEwm0K</a></p>&mdash; MALL OF ASIA ARENA (@MOAArena) <a href="https://twitter.com/MOAArena/status/1019978687494553605?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

The show seemed to be book-ended by the songstress’ greatest hits. According to Ovation Productions, she opened with "The Power of Love."

{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Céline sets the bar high by opening the night with The Power of Love <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CelineDion2018MNL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CelineDion2018MNL</a> <a href="https://t.co/50rBRG3UTU">pic.twitter.com/50rBRG3UTU</a></p>&mdash; Ovation Productions (@ovationprod) <a href="https://twitter.com/ovationprod/status/1019989273494237185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Also part of her set list was "To Love You More."

{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here&#39;s a classic hit from Celine, To Love You More! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CelineDion2018MNL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CelineDion2018MNL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CelineAtMOAArena?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CelineAtMOAArena</a> <a href="https://t.co/5xFMuL7045">pic.twitter.com/5xFMuL7045</a></p>&mdash; MALL OF ASIA ARENA (@MOAArena) <a href="https://twitter.com/MOAArena/status/1019957942609592320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

Celine will perform again on July 20 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Donnalyn Bartolome continues to defend herself against the backlash over Jacqueline Comes Home: The Chiong Story, this time calling out Viva for supposedly leading her to believe that the movie would end differently.

On Facebook, Donnalyn posted screenshots of comments on a now-deleted video posted online. The video, an episode of Viva TV’s Ano’ng ganap? series, features Donnalyn talking about her experience working on the film.

“Maraming hindi nakakaalam sa nangyari talaga kay Jacqueline, so I think dito irereveal kung ano talaga ang nangyari kay Jacqueline (many people don’t know what really happened to Jacqueline, so I think this is where the truth about what happened to her will be revealed),” Donnalyn said in the video.

Based on the screenshots Donnalyn shared, commenters on the video criticized the star, saying she did not do her research, and that the movie misinforms viewers on the real-life crime that it was based on.

In the post, Donnalyn asked Viva to clarify the situation, saying that she and the other actors were not told how the film would end.

“Hindi ako reklamador na artista, kasi sino ba naman ako pero Viva Artists Agency pakiklaro po sa mga taong ito kung ano ang totoo. You can all say di ako nagresearch kahit I did but the team led me to believe na may surprise ending NA WALA SA MGA ARTISTA ANG NAKAKAALAM para macurious ang mga tao SAYING kung ano talaga nangyari kay Jacqueline,”

(I am not a whiny actress because who am I, but Viva Artists Agency please clarify the truth with these people. You can all say I didn’t do my research even if I did but the team led me to believe that there would be a surprise ending that none of the artists knew about to keep people curious saying what really happened to Jacqueline).

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Donnalyn went on to say that she trusted the team behind the film even if they didn’t tell her the ending, because their source was Jacqueline’s mother herself.

She then called out Viva for uploading the Ano’ng ganap? video, saying they should take care of their talents.

“I am so tired taking all the blame tapos di niyo pa iningatan inupload niyo pa ito not thinking mamisunderstand ng mga tao. Dapat iningatan kami kung ayaw man sabihin saaming mga artista ang ending,” she said.

(I am so tired taking all the blame yet you still uploaded this video not thinking people will misunderstand it. You should be taking care of us even if you don’t want to tell us artists the ending)

Jacqueline Comes Home has been met with heavy criticism since its release, with many saying it’s a one-sided retelling of the 1997 case that began with the disappearance of Marijoy and Jacqueline in Cebu. A body believed to have been Marijoy’s was found in nearby Carcar a few days after the disappearance, but Jacqueline’s body was never found. (READ: ’Jacqueline Comes Home (The Chiong Story)’ review: God-awful)

The case saw the arrest of 8 men,including then-19-year-old Paco Larrañaga, who was accused of being the leader of the group that allegedly raped and murdered the sisters.

Larrañaga was among the 7 men convicted by a Cebu court in 1999, despite having evidence to back-up his claim that he was in Quezon City at the time of the sisters’ disappearance.

He was imprisoned and susequently sentenced to death by lethal injection, but has since been transferred to a Spain, where he is currently still serving time.

Larrañaga’s side of the case was the subject of the 2011 documentary Give Up Tomorrow, which presents Larrañaga as the victim of a broken criminal justice system. – Rappler.com

Celine Dion is one of those musical artists who could sing the phonebook and it would sound absolutely fabulous. Bearing a confident stage presence, she performed for a sold-out crowd on her first visit to the country in the first of two consecutive shows at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

As you would expect from an artist who’s been in the industry for decades, the on-stage spectacle was polished in an assuring fashion. Although it may appear nearly effortless there is no substitute for experience when it comes to a consistent and entertaining show. A sure sign of a pro is when they can make something so complicated look so simple.

Consider the sheer number of musicians on stage. Celine herself, along with 16 others: a string quartet with cello and violins, drums, percussion, guitar, bass, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, keyboard and three background vocalists. 

To everyone’s delight, the layered sound blended seamlessly for the entire rainy night, you could argue note perfect. The stage lighting was also designed extremely well, with everything balanced in an intelligent and appealing manner.

Celine immediately captivated as the concert kicked off with “The Power of Love,” catching the audience's attention and maintaning it throughout the nearly two-hour concert. (WATCH: Celine Dion sings most iconic hits at first Manila show)

The show was broken into parts and as you would expect from the diva-esque personality, included a total of 5 costume changes ranging from an elegant little black dress number to a flashy silver top and skirt ensemble with hot pink highlights.

The setlist was a solid mix that included many of her instantly recognizable hits, various covers, and medleys. Periodically in-between songs, she addressed the fans directly, which came across as more of a casual conversion between friends.

In a playful fashion she told the crowd, “Beauty and the Beast was the very first theme song that I had the privilege to sing and that one was a long…” trailing off as an audience member shouted out "1991." Humorous banter ensued mostly regarding aging.

“Don’t start now, I just turned the big 5-0, I’m a Mamacita,” she said

When announcing her heartfelt thanks to the Philippine fans she said, “You’ve been supporting my music for nearly 3 decades, it’s a miracle I don’t have a walker.”

Along with "Beauty and the Beast," she also sang other songs from films: Titanic's “My Heart Will Go On” and a more recent hit, Deadpool 2's, “Ashes.”

She was a bit starstruck as she shared how she felt when Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds asked her to record a song for the movie. “I was so proud to receive a letter from him, I was like freaking out,” she said.

Of course, the audience came through for their idol, participating gamely as she organized various parts of the arena to sing along to “Because You Love Me.”

Celine also performed other artist's songs, including Eric Carmen's "All By Myself," and Carol King's "The Reason."

The songstress' emotional connection to the music was apparent throughout the show, especially as she introduced one of her more recent songs, "Recovering," written by Pink.

“In 2016 during the most difficult time of grieving the loss of my husband René I have received an unexpected gift from someone that I admire tremendously," she said, describing the track as “a song that expresses the power and the strength to overcome any hardship that you are going through, no matter what the situation is.”

Everyone in the arena knew she was holding nothing back, and the audience could feel the genuine emotion injected into the delivery of her lyrics.

As consummate performers do, Celine laid it all out on the stage and the crowd loved it.

Combining theatrical flair and powerhouse vocals, Celine exhibited a prowess that is not often seen, and can only be matched by a handful of singers across the world.

Obvious attention to detail, animated movements, and an outstanding performance from a considerable ensemble made this concert an unparalleled night to remember. – Rappler.com

SAN DIEGO, USA – "Guardians of the Galaxy" franchise director James Gunn has been axed from the third movie over a series of offensive messages posted on Twitter several years ago.

The tweets, mainly from 2008 and 2011, joked about taboo topics such as rape and pedophilia.

Disney, which owns the franchise as the parent company of Marvel Studios, sent Agence France-Presse a statement confirming the studio was parting ways with one of its biggest stars.

"The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James' Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio's values, and we have severed our business relationship with him," said Alan Horn, chairman of Walt Disney Studios.

Gunn has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and has drawn the ire of conservative critics, who went back through his timeline and dug up the tweets.

Jack Posobiec of The Daily Caller and right-wing commentator Mike Cernovich are among those who unearthed the messages.

"Many people who have followed my career know when I started, I viewed myself as a provocateur, making movies and telling jokes that were outrageous and taboo," Gunn wrote on Twitter after the offensive tweets resurfaced late Thursday, July 19.

"As I have discussed publicly many times, as I've developed as a person, so has my work and my humor."

Gunn, who has deleted his account, described himself as a "very, very different" person than when he wrote the tweets, now focusing on love rather than anger.

"My days saying something just because it's shocking and trying to get a reaction are over," he added.

Gunn directed both "Guardians of the Galaxy" films, and was planning to head to San Diego's huge annual Comic-Con fan convention this week with a secret film project that he had teased on Instagram.

"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" is due out in 2020. – Rappler.com

NEW YORK, USA – Pop superstar Taylor Swift will take to the silver screen alongside Jennifer Hudson in a film adaptation of the popular hit musical Cats, reports said on July 20.

The movie is the latest project for British filmmaker Tom Hooper, who brought novel-turned-musical Les Miserables to the big screen and won an Oscar for directing The King's Speech.

Cats, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and featuring the classic musical ballad "Memory," opened in London in 1981 and originally was staged on Broadway from 1982 to 2000, the fourth-longest run in history.

Based on poems by T.S. Eliot, Cats tells of a feline tribe – in human form on stage – called the Jellicles who decide who among them will make a fateful ascent into a new life.

Cinema industry news site Variety said that Hudson, who won an Oscar for the 2006 film musical Dreamgirls, would play Grizabella, a formerly glamorous cat who longs for acceptance.

Variety and several other film sites said that Cats would also star, in roles to be determined, Swift, actor turned late-night comedian James Corden and veteran British actor Ian McKellen.

Film studio Universal did not respond to a request for comment. No release date has been announced for the film.

The 28-year-old Swift, who is touring through the end of November, is one of her generation's highest-grossing singers, but she has also branched out into supporting roles on film.
 
She played a chaste girlfriend in the 2010 romantic comedy Valentine's Day and, in a darker turn, appeared in the 2014 science-fiction film The Giver.

Swift is also known for her love of real-life cats. She frequently posts pictures on social media of her cats, Olivia and Meredith, who recently made a Hollywood debut in a scene in superhero film Deadpool 2. – Rappler.com

SAN DIEGO, USA – YouTube has offered the first glimpse of its new sci-fi thriller series fronted by Harry Potter star Tom Felton – revealing it is an Alien-like horror story on an isolated ship.

Resident Evil director Paul WS Anderson is to helm Origin, which brings together an international roster of talent alongside Felton, the boy wizard's conniving nemesis Draco Malfoy in all 8 Harry Potter movies.

A teaser trailer for the 10-episode show made by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television screened at a panel at San Diego Comic-Con given by the creators and cast on July 19.

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The show ​follows a group of outsiders who find themselves abandoned on a ship bound for a distant land. They have to work together for survival but quickly realize one of them is far from who they claim to be.

Felton, who also appeared in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, will be joined in the show by fellow Potter alumnus ​Natalia Tena, as well as Sen Mitsuji, Nora Arnezeder, Nina Wadia, Adelayo Adedayo and Wil Coban.

The show will air on YouTube Premium, a subscription service that offers access to the company's original content. The service is available in areas including the United States, South Korea, and Australia, but not yet in the Philippines.

YouTube, which started in 2005 as a video-sharing network – still its main function – also announced a second season of the critically acclaimed supernatural thriller Impulse.

Since its debut on June 6, the first episode has generated around eight million views. Season two of the 10-episode, hour-long series will premiere on YouTube Premium in 2019.

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Season one starred Maddie Hasson as Henrietta "Henry" Cole, a rebellious 16-year-old girl who always felt different from her peers and longed to escape her small town.

During a traumatic event, Henry discovers she has the ability to teleport and her newfound power makes her the focus of those who want to control her.

Meanwhile Netflix, the world's leading video streaming service, announced its own new original show, separate from the festivities in San Diego.

The One, which will run for 6 one-hour episodes, is an adaptation of the Mexican show Nino Santo, moved to Brazil, created and written by Pedro Peirano and Mauricio Katz.

The story concerns 3 young doctors who are sent to a remote village in the Pantanal, an immense region of tropical wetland the size of Nebraska, to vaccinate residents against a new mutation of the Zika virus.

Their efforts to bring medical aid are refused, and the doctors find themselves trapped in an isolated community shrouded in secrets and devoted to a healer who forces them to confront the power of faith over science.

Los Angeles-based husband and wife authors Carolina Munhoz and Raphael Draccon will adapt the show for Netflix.

"Brazil is rich in mythologies and spiritual beliefs and we are very excited about this opportunity to show the world more of this side of our culture and even the singularities of the Pantanal region through Netflix," he said in a statement. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The first full trailer of Miss Granny was released by Viva Entertainment on July 20, promising an entertaining film driven by Sarah Geronimo's old-school charm – and flawless musicality.

The film is a Filipino adaptation of the 2014 South Korean blockbuster hit of the same name. In it, Sarah plays Fely, a grumpy grandmother who is magically transformed into her younger self after having her portrait taken at a photo studio.

With her youth restored, she helps her grandson (James Reid) make his dreams of being a musician come true by giving his band's angry rock music a sunny 50s-pop twist. (WATCH: Sarah Geronimo goes retro for 'Miss Granny' theme song)

The film also stars Nova Villa and Xian Lim. It was directed by Bb Joyce Bernal, who is also directing President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of The Nation Address on July 23. (READ: In SONA 2018, Joyce Bernal to capture ‘how much Duterte loves the PH’)

Miss Granny is set to open in cinemas on August 22. – Rappler.com