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He may be better at singing than he is at acting, but Singing Macho (SM) is versatility personified where his sexual pursuits are concerned. Years ago, SM, who was rumored to be Affluent Macho’s (AM) main squeeze till they got tired of each other, is as flamboyant as the projects he appears in. But Former Acquaintance (FA) told us in confidence that SM was a “frisky” kid, even back when he was in high school. “One time, he was caught smooching with a batchmate—yes, a girl—in the school premises,” FA recalled. “So, these same-sex stories about him being circulated are a surprise to me. Oh well, whatever makes SM happy…” These days, even if SM is still considered an equal-opportunity “offender,” he prefers to sow his wild oats with persons of the same sex. Nothing wrong with that, if you ask us. But that doesn’t make his “evolution” any less fascinating. TOP OF THE TABLOIDS This week’s top show biz news from the tabloids (and why we are moved, if we are moved): • Jasmine … [Read more...] about Actor’s sexual exploits becoming more ‘diverse’

President Phuc thanked the German Government for providing COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam both directly and through the COVAX Facility, along with medical supplies to help Vietnam fight the pandemic. The two sides agreed to continue to promote the Vietnam-Germany partnership by increasing the exchange of delegations at all levels, bolstering economic, trade and investment cooperation and expanding collaboration to promising fields, especially renewable energy, supporting industry, machinery manufacturing, and logistics. The Vietnamese State leader said that about 100,000 Vietnamese people who have lived and studied in Germany as well as a community of nearly 200,000 Vietnamese currently living in the European country serve as a special bridge connecting the two countries. He expressed hope that the German Government and State will continue to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to settle down and integrate into the host society. The two leaders also concurred … [Read more...] about President meets German counterpart, concludes U.S. trip

The US’s Montana University has organized a three-week fact-finding trip to the eastern region of Vietnam for 20 students who study the environment, to give them an opportunity to learn about the climate, nature, and the lives of people in this part of Vietnam. During the trip to different localities such as Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Kien Giang, and An Giang, the participants were surprised to see animal species that they have never seen with their own eyes before. Prof. Dan Spencer from the university said that this is the fourth time he has chosen the eastern region for his students to explore because the region is home to various kinds of fish, creatures, and insects that could not be seen anywhere else. The US students in a field trip Many students also showed their excitement to learn about customs and daily activities of people in the region. They were provided with fishing techniques and learnt how to hang mosquito nets to prevent malaria. Antonio … [Read more...] about US students learn about Vietnam’s environment

As reported, under the direction of the Quang Nam provincial Steering Board 515, the Military Command of Nong Son district conducted searching, collecting, and verifying fallen soldiers’ remains from September 13 to 20. The martyrs’ remains were found and gathered in Khe Ba Nho area, Na Lau mountain, Phuoc Hoi village and then taken to the War Cemetery of Que Lam commune. At the event, the MR5 Command, local authorities and the people offered incense in commemoration of the fallen soldiers’ contributions and sacrifices. Also the Political Department of MR5 will continue working with localities to verify all sets of remains. On the occasion, the MR5 Command offered VND 10 million to Nong Son district War Veterans’ Association and 60 kilograms of dry provisions to the search and rescue force of the district. Translated by Song Anh … [Read more...] about Quang Nam holds memorial service for 18 fallen soldiers

Zanjoe Marudo I needed to understand why this happens in some relationships,” said Zanjoe Marudo, who admitted that, in order to properly immerse himself in his role as a cheating husband in the upcoming Kapamilya drama series “The Broken Marriage Vows,” he had to interview friends and acquaintances who have had similar experiences. “It’s my first time to be doing this kind of character—a married guy who purposely started an affair with another woman. Since it’s an adaptation, I’m lucky because I already have someone to base my character on. But the real challenge here is how to make the character very Pinoy. David Ilustre can’t just be the same as the character in the original version because he is a Filipino and we’re different from the Koreans in terms of attitude and culture,” Zanjoe explained to reporters during a recent virtual gathering titled, “Hanep! Kinse na Pala!” to mark his 15th anniversary in show business. “I was nervous about taking on this project so I really … [Read more...] about Zanjoe on 15-year show biz career: I simply enjoyed the ride

From left: Donita Nose, K Brosas, Randy Santiago, Rey Valera, Dingdong Avanzado, Ethel Booba and Allan K In show biz, having the right attitude can be just as important as skill and talent in achieving longevity. This is one of the things the judges and hosts of the videoke game show “Sing Galing!” have learned in their enduring careers. “This is something Joey de Leon told me: ‘Huwag kang aarteng sikat.’ Because there are many out there who are nag-iinarte or nagpi-feeling—some of them newbies, even. Don’t give production crews a headache; don’t make things hard for them… They don’t owe you anything,” Allan K said in a recent virtual conference for the TV5 show’s new “Sing-lebrity Edition.” Allan K, one of the original hosts of the show back in the late 1990s, joins this season’s panel of judges or “jukebosses” together with Rey Valera, Dingdong Avanzado and Ethel Booba. “We’re just like doing office work here in show biz,” he added. “We don’t know if or when we will get … [Read more...] about ‘Sing Galing!’ judges, hosts on ‘tugtog-pera,’ ‘aarteng sikat,’ other no-nos for biz wannabes

Sen. Richard Gordon (File photo taken from a livestream video posted on Facebook by the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau) MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s hiring in the past of a Chinese citizen, Michael Yang, as an economic adviser was “questionable,” according to Sen. Richard Gordon. He was asked about the issue on Saturday in an interview at AM radio station DWIZ. In reply, he said: “Yes, that is questionable. There are so many Filipinos. Why would you get that [person] as an adviser?” Shifting to Filipino, he added: “It means they were planning something dark, and that was what happened.” “Do you believe that I can be appointed by Xi Jinping, premier [actually president – Ed.] of China, to an economic adviser?” he added. Yang has been linked to the Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp, a company with only a paid-up capital of just P625,000 and yet allegedly got preferential treatment as it bagged a P8.68-billion contract with the government … [Read more...] about Gordon on Duterte’s getting Chinese adviser Yang: Would Xi Jinping hire a Filipino?

In this photo, taken on Nov. 23, 2017, Fidel Agcaoili (left), chief negotiator of the communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and his government counterpart, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, shake hands after the signing of supplemental guidelines of the Joint Monitoring Committee that will facilitate the processing of human rights complaints during the third round of peace talks in January 2018. The government has since scrapped the talks.  (Photo by KARLOS MANLUPIG / Inquirer Mindanao) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Philippines — Religious leaders belonging to the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP)  have renewed their appeal to the government to revive its stalled peace process with communist rebels as the country observes September as the National Peace Consciousness Month. The International Day of Peace was also observed last Sept. 21. “It is in this spirit that the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) enjoins our people to… … [Read more...] about Church leaders urge revival of peace talks between gov’t, communists

IMPORTANT REMINDER: A streamer at a pedestrian overpass in Davao City reminds residents to stay at home amid the rising cases of COVID-19 infection in the city. This photo was taken in March 2020. (Photo KARLOS MANLUPIG / Inquirer Mindanao) DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, Philippines — The city government here has started allowing home isolation for mild and asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 to prevent more patients from swamping quarantine facilities. But Mayor Sara Duterte said the priority was still to put patients in temporary treatment and monitoring facilities. Home isolation will only be resorted to when those facilities are full. In this case, those living with patients should follow minimum health standards at home, such as the wearing of masks. “Our home isolation guide is collated from the DILG [Department of Interior and Local Government], DOH [Department of Health] and our [COVID-19] response team,” Duterte said. When the new policy started being implemented several … [Read more...] about Davao City now allows home isolation for mild, asymptomatic COVID-19 patients

Facade of the DOH main office in Manila. (INQUIRER.net file photo) MANILA, Philippines — The government lost P841 million in the purchase of ambulances “overpriced” by P1 million each, according to Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who tagged a “deeply rooted syndicate” in the Department of Health (DOH) as behind the alleged anomaly. “The syndicate seems entrenched as there’s overpricing,” Lacons said in Filipino during Friday’s hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee. “That’s what we want you to look into closely so that the syndicate inside the department can be uprooted. Prepandemic or during the pandemic, it seems that buying expired medicines and overpricing have not stopped. We hope you can find a way to uproot, expose, and stop the syndicate in DOH,” he added. Lacson threw the challenge to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, saying that the syndicate appeared to be behind the “recurring” problem of wasted funds due to medicines that were expired, nearly expired, or … [Read more...] about Gov’t lost P841 million in DOH purchase of ‘overpriced’ ambulances – Lacson