Marian Rivera on Dyesebel: Topless kung topless!

Payat si Marian Rivera nang makita ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sa launching niya as the newest celebrity endorser/image model of Karimadon last Friday, February 22.

Trabaho ang rason niya sa pagkahulog ng kanyang katawan. Pero babawi daw siya ng kain at tulog after the last taping of Marimar na kundi sa March 6 ay sa March 7.

Nag-imbita na rin si Marian na panoorin ang final telecast ng Marimar sa March 14. Live daw ang ending nito at lalabas ang buong cast para magpasalamat sa viewers sa pagsubaybay sa telenovela and for making it the number one show in local TV.

Isa raw sa mga hindi makakalimutang eksena ni Marian sa Marimar ay ang paghiga niya sa kabaong na nakasara. Takot siya noong una, pero naisip niya na marami ang madi-disappoint ‘pag nag-inarte siya kaya ginawa na rin niya."Para sa Marimar, inalis ko ang takot at kaba sa dibdib ko. Gagawin ko ang lahat para sa show na malaking bagay ang ibinigay sa akin at ibinibigay pa," sabi ni Marian.

Hindi rin makakalimutan ni Marian na sa Marimar nagsimula ang love-hate relationship nila ng co-star niyang si Katrina Halili. Nagsimula ang telenovela na friends sila, pero sa middle part ay nag-deadmahan sila at nagkaroon ng silent war. Pagkatapos ay nagkabati sila, pero matatapos itong war na naman sila.

Ayaw na lang mag-elaborate ni Marian sa latest conflict nila ni Katrina na nag-start nang magkasabay silang mag-guest sa SiS. Pero sa tono ng pananalita ni Marian, malabong magkaayos pa sila ni Katrina.

After Marimar, sa Dyesebel na ang concentration ni Marian. Sabi niya, full training ang gagawin niya para sa underwater scenes. Payag din siyang mag-topless at nagbiro ngang "topless kung topless" ang kanyang gagawin."

"Sa pictorial pa lang, nag-topless na ako at naniniwala akong bakit ko tatanggapin ang Dyesebel kung aarte-arte ako? Naniniwala naman akong hindi papayag ang GMA-7 na lalabas ako ng TV na ikakapahamak ko at mababastos ako. Nandiyan ang MTRCB at hindi sila papayag na maging bastos ang Dyesebel, na ang target audience ay mga bata. Pero sexy at daring si Dyesebel dito, mag-e-expose ako ng skin," patuloy ni Marian.

Ikinatuwa ni Marian ang pagpapadala ng Regal Entertainment ng DVD copy ng Dyesebel ni Alice Dixson para kanyang mapanood uli. Napanood na niya noon si Alice, pati ang versions nina Vilma Santos at Charlene Gonzalez. If she has the time, panonoorin rin daw uli ni Marian ang mga ito.

Ang dinig ni Marian, sa Palawan ang taping ng Dyesebel. Pero dahil malayo, baka sa Anilao, Batangas na lang sila mag-shoot. Ang gusto nga ni Direk Joyce ay sa Palawan at Batanes ang kanilang location, na perfect para sa serye. Pero alam din niyang mahihirapan silang lahat dahil malayo.

Sa April na eere ang Dyesebel. Ipinangako ni Direk Joyce na maiiba niya ang hitsura nina Marian at Dingdong sa hitsura nila ngayon sa Marimar. Kapag pinanood daw ang Dyesebel, sina Dyesebel at Fredo na ang makikita ng viewers at hindi sina Marimar Aldama at Sergio Santibañez."Bel" at "Fredo" na rin ang tawagan nina Marian at Dingdong ‘pag nagkikita sa taping ng Marimar. Sinisimulan na raw nilang mag-internalize ng kanilang character para hindi sila magulat once na magsimula na silang mag-taping para sa Dyesebel. - Philippine Entertainment Portal

Claudine Barretto clueless about Marjorie's 'kept man'

Jobless ngayon ang mister ni Claudine Barretto na si Raymart Santiago sa GMA-7. Katatapos lang lumabas ni Raymart sa Zaido and, so far, wala pa raw bagong offer sa aktor ang Kapuso network.

Sa second night ng burol ng ina ng dating manager ni Claudine na si Manay Ethel Ramos ay nakausap siya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal). Tinanong namin ang aktres kung ano ang pinagkakaabalahan ngayon ng kanyang mister."Nagpapatayo kami ng rest house sa north, sa Tanay. Yun, busy siya dun. Halos every day nandun siya," kuwento ni Claudine.

Kung si Raymart ay pahinga muna sa kanyang career, si Claudine ay nagte-taping na para sa bago niyang teleserye sa ABS-CBN, ang second installment ng The Susan Roces Collections titled Maligno."Naka-siyam na taping days na kami, pero ngayon hindi kami makapag-taping kasi maulan. Ang daming location, ang daming effects," lahad ng aktres.

Ano ang pakiramdam na gagampanan niya ang role na unang ginampanan ni Susan Roces?"Unang-una, privileged talaga kasi Susan Roces collection," sambit ni Claudine. "Napakagandang offer, di ba? Hindi mo matatanggihan. And if I'm not mistaken, dito nanalo si Tita Swanie ng maraming awards. Sobrang challenging!"MARJORIE'S "KEPT MAN." Nagpunta sa Hong Kong last week si Claudine kasama ang buo niyang pamilya at kalahati ng Santiago family. Kabilang sa pamilya ni Claudine ang kapatid na si Marjorie Barretto at ang mga anak nito, minus ang mister ni Marjorie na si Dennis Padilla.

May balitang pinatigil na ni Marjorie si Dennis sa muling panunuyo nito sa kanya. Ano ang masasabi ni Claudine dito?"Alam mo talaga, sa totoo lang, hindi ko talaga alam ang nangyayari sa buhay ng mga kapatid ko," sabi ni Claudine. "I don't ask them. Ang konti ng oras namin ni Marjorie mula nang maging councilor siya. Hindi ko siya masyadong nakikita."After Dennis, wala bang alam si Claudine na ibang lalaki na nagugustuhan si Marjorie ngayon?"Wala e," maikling sagot ng youngest sa Barretto sisters.

Pero sa album na Unexpected ng isa pa nilang kapatid na si Gretchen Barretto, inalayan niya ng kanta si Marjorie at ang tinawag ng controversial actress na "kept man" ng kapatid."Siguro malamang may nanliligaw sa kanya [Marjorie] or something," reaksiyon ni Claudine.

Hindi kaya si Caloocan Mayor Recom Echeverri ang tinutukoy ni Gretchen na "kept man" ni Marjorie?"Binata ba siya?" tanong ni Claudine. "Na-meet ko na siya nung campaign. Buntis pa ako that time."RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. Hindi ba natatakot si Claudine na matulad din sa kapatid niya ang kahinatnan ng relasyon niya kay Raymart?"Ang difference namin ni Raymart [kina Marjorie at Dennis], siguro pareho kaming gumagawa ng conscious effort na hindi kami magkaroon ng problema. Like, nagkaka-counseling kami, ‘tapos dapat laging constant yung communication."Sabi nga ni Raymart, laging sinsabi ng iba mga tao, si God dapat ang nasa center ng relationship. Pero hindi talaga nila alam kasi wala naman talaga silang relationship with God talaga.

"Ang ano talaga namin ni Raymart is that we make it an effort to love God first before each other. Ilang years pa lang kami, di ba? Parang alam ko rin na ‘pag dumating yung araw na nagkaroon ng mga trials, pagsubok lang ‘yan ng Diyos because He wants something better for you and for your marriage and not for you to grow apart."And I'd like to think that if ever na hindi nag-work out yung kay Kuya Dennis at Marj, I'd like to think also na yung sa amin naman ni Raymart, it's gonna be more solemn. For our parents' sake na rin also and not only for our own sake. Matatanda na rin naman sila. And I want them to be proud of us naman," pahayag ni Claudine. - Philippine Entertainment Portal

Alicia admits she’s pregnant of her politician bf

Alicia Mayer has admitted she is pregnant of her politician boyfriend whom she refuses to identify as of the moment.

"Gusto ko kasi magsimula na sa ‘kin," said Alicia on her decision to approach Startalk hosts Butch Francisco and Lorna Tolentino on Saturday.

As for the background of her boyfriend, Alicia opted to play coy rather than drop a name."Let's just say that he's loving," she said, adding "Hindi, actually, hindi siya sa showbiz..."

"Politics?" quizzed Butch."Oo, politics," was the ready reply of Alicia, who for a time was involved with comedian and ex-Parañaque mayor Joey Marquez."E, kasi hindi naman kasi showbiz, e. So, tingin ko parang unfair naman for him and also for me kasi ayoko rin siyang magulo," she added.

Unnamed bachelor

To put any malicious rumors immediately at bay, the dusky sexy actress clarified that her politician boyfriend is single and free from any relationship commitments. On the first trimester of her pregnancy, Alicia proudly announced that her family was very excited with the coming of the newest family member."Actually, very happy sila," she said. "

'Yong family ko no'ng nalaman nila lahat sila supportive sa ‘kin kahit na ano'ng ginagawa ko, especially now na magkakaroon ng bagong addition sa family."According to Alicia, her boyfriend’s family also feels the same about the baby. "I think they're happy also," she said.

Marriage plans

Alicia mentioned about marriage although it is unlikely within the course of her pregnancy. "Siyempre meron in the future, ‘di ba?" she told Butch when broached on the subject of formalizing their union.

Just like any other couple, Alicia confessed that prior to her “delicate condition" she and her boyfriend were already entertaining the thought of settling down although everything were discussed in passing."

Sinasabi ko nga kanina parang dati kasi lagi kaming nagbibiruan. Di ba? ‘pag nasa relationship kayo, pakasal kayo, ganun. Parang puro biro then you put it aside," she said.Pregnancy obviously made the situation serious, altering Alicia's point of view.

"Pero ngayon parang siguro pagka tinanong ulit ako, since na merong baby, siguro I'd put it through consideration. Siguro parang gano'n."Again, an altar date at this point would just have to wait until Alicia regains that whistle-bait figure of hers."

'Pag kakasya na 'ko sa magandang gown," she wittingly hit back. - Philippine Entertainment Portal

Jamilla Bares More on At Home Ka Dito

Probably the most controversial housemate on Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition, Jamilla Obispo will be making another revelation, this time on At Home Ka Dito! This Sunday, June 25, together with Charlene Gonzales, Joross Gamboa and Roxanne Guinoo, Jamilla opens the doors to her humble home in Laguna. She will be requesting a room make-over for her son, Miggy.
Mom’s will be able to get new ideas for their kid’s rooms with the unique design decorating love team Joross and Roxanne will be executing. Of course Jam won’t be the only one getting a make-over but she and Charlene will be visiting Myla, who’s a teen-age mom like her. Myla also took desperate measures to provide for her baby. A big change awaits Myla as Jamilla and Charlene give her one surprise after another.
Don’t miss another life changing make-over on At Home Ka Dito! Catch Charlene, Joross and Roxanne this Sunday morning after Inuyasha 2.

Fed chief signals another rate cut

WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned Congress that the nation is in for a period of sluggish business growth and sent a fresh signal Wednesday that interest rates will again be lowered to steady the teetering economy.
"The economic situation has become distinctly less favorable" since the summer, the Fed chief told the House Financial Services Committee.
Since Bernanke's last such comprehensive assessment last summer, the housing slump has worsened, credit problems have intensified and the job market has deteriorated. Bernanke said that the confluence of these factors has turned people and businesses alike toward a more cautious attitude toward spending and investment. This, he said, has further weakened the economy.
Incoming barometers continue to "suggest sluggish economic activity in the near term," Bernanke told lawmakers. At the same time, he added, the Fed must keep a close eye on inflation given the recent run-up in energy and other prices paid by consumers and businesses.
Were energy prices to continue to rise at a sharp clip — which the Fed doesn't anticipate — it would "create a very difficult problem" for the economy. It would spread inflation and would put another damper on growth, Bernanke said. If that happened, he added, it would be a "very tough situation."
The central bank, which started lowering a key interest rate in September, has recently turned much more aggressive. Over the span of just eight days in January, it slashed rates by 1.25 percentage points — the biggest one-month reduction in a quarter century. Economists and Wall Street investors predict the Fed will cut rates again at its next meeting on March 18.
There are dangers that the economy will weaken even further. "The risks include the possibilities that the housing market or labor market may deteriorate more than is currently anticipated and that credit conditions may tighten substantially further," Bernanke cautioned.

He also said consumers need to be financially savvy — understanding mortgages, credit cards and other financial products.
"Well they certainly need to know the interest rate and how it varies over time and what that means to them in terms of payments," Bernanke said. - AP

What is Stock Market?

A stock exchange, share market or bourse is a corporation or mutual organization which provides facilities for stock brokers and traders, to trade company stocks and other securities. Stock exchanges also provide facilities for the issue and redemption of securities as well as other financial instruments and capital events including the payment of income and dividends. The securities traded on a stock exchange include: shares issued by companies, unit trusts and other pooled investment products and bonds.
To be able to trade a security on a certain stock exchange, it has to be listed there. Usually there is a central location at least for recordkeeping, but trade is less and less linked to such a physical place, as modern markets are electronic networks, which gives them advantages of speed and cost of transactions. Trade on an exchange is by members only.
The initial offering of stocks and bonds to investors is by definition done in the primary market and subsequent trading is done in the secondary market. A stock exchange is often the most important component of a stock market. Supply and demand in stock markets is driven by various factors which, as in all free markets, affect the price of stocks

First Metro reports 2007 income at record-high P1.41B

MANILA, Philippines- Profit at First Metro Investment, the investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group reached P1.41 billion in 2007, 33 percent higher than its 2006 level.
In a statement sent to the Philippine Stock Exchange, First Metro said this is the highest income level it has achieved in its 35-year history.
Net income was recorded at P1.06 billion in 2006."The company’s performance is reflective of the Philippine economy’s 7.3-percent growth in 2007 which is the fastest in 31 years. This growth resulted in a strong revival of capital markets, both fixed income and in particular the Philippine stock market which rose by 21 percent in 2007 to reach 3,621, beating its previous historical index high posted 10 years ago in 1997,"
First Metro said. Metrobank is the largest bank in the country in terms of assets.

source: GMANews.TV

Net foreign selling of RP stocks at P13.3B year to date

As i read the news last friday, more than P13.3 billion in foreign funds has exited the stock market as of February 27, as investors, cowed by the weakening US economy, decided to stay out of the local bourse.
In a presentation, Francis Lim, PSE president and chief executive officer, said that as of February 27, 2008, the bourse suffered net foreign selling amounting to P13.3 billion.
Earlier, the PSE said it suffered the worst net foreign selling in January when it reached P11.59 billion, surpassing the P9.4-billion net foreign selling recorded in October 2003.
He warned that if the trend continued, the PSE will lose in six months all the net foreign buying that the stock market piled up in 2007.
However, analysts remain optimistic that the stock market will weather the US economy's weakness, and even political tension in the local front.
“The market and the economy will withstand all the political problems that we have," said Roberto Juanchito Dispo, executive vice president of First Metro Investments Corp.As of February 27, the 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index was down 14 percent from its 2007 closing level, with the property index suffering the worst with a 21-percent decline.
Comparing the two-month period of the year from the January-February period in 2007, total capital raised through initial public offerings and follow-on offerings were down to P9.7 billion from P16.7 billion. - source: GMANews

Markets to weather political tension from NBN mess - analysts

MANILA, Philippines- Local market analysts are betting that the interfaith rally scheduled for late Friday, and the ongoing political unease from allegations of high-level corruption in public procurement will have little effect on stock prices and the economy as a whole. Astro del Castillo, First Grade Holdings managing director, told GMANews.
TV that the slight uptick in the stock market earlier Friday was a vote of confidence on the local bourse. The gain happened only hours before the start of a rally to pressure President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo into resigning. The president and her husband have been linked to the allegedly anomalous $329.48-million national broadband network deal with ZTE Corp. of China.

Friday's gain also occurred despite Wall Street's overnight slump.

“We’re happy to note that investors are focused on the opportunities available to them in our bourse. It is a surprise, actually. Investors were optimistic and they seemed to think that nerves will be calmer next week," del Castillo said.
Roberto Juanchito Dispo, executive vice president of First Metro Investment Corp., agreed.
“The market and the economy will withstand all the political problems that we have," Dispo told reporters on the sidelines of a joint seminar by the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Chamber of Mines in Makati City on Friday.
Lawrence de Leon, Accord Capital trader, said that although he felt that players still “traded with caution," the increase in the buying activity in the last 30 minutes of the session showed that they believe that the rally will be peaceful.
However, Sergio Ortiz-Luis, president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, said the failure of the local market in the previous days to take advantage of the recoveries posted by Wall Street and other regional markets showed that the political tension and even the rally will have an “effect" to the market and the economy.

Telecom, broadcast industry cite reforms initiated by NTC

The telecommunications and broadcast industry lauded the leadership of National Telecommunications Commissioner Ruel Canobas in bringing about reforms and providing new perspective to the agency, notably the speedy disposition of cases, regular dialogue with the industry and stakeholders, and ontime processing of permits and licenses.