Pinoy rock legends come together for ‘SenyorROCK’

The country’s rock legends will team up in a concert dubbed “SenyorROCK,” to be held at the Hard Rock Café Makati on April 8.

Participating are Joey “Pepe” Smith and Wally Gonzales of the legendary Juan dela Cruz Band, Sampaguita, Resty Fabunan of Maria Cafra, and Lolita Carbon of Asin.

Pepe is synonymous to Pinoy rock, having written some of the genre’s biggest hits including “Himig Natin,” “Balong Malalim,” “Beep Beep,” “Rock N Roll Sa Ulan,” and “Titser’s Enemi No. 1.”

Wally is a respected guitarist that many of those in the current music scene look up to.

Sampaguita, on the other hand, is recognized as the one and only Queen of Pinoy Rock. The former dancer-fashion model’s long line of hits includes classics such as “Bonggahan,” “Tao,” “Sa Diyos Lamang” and, of course, “Nosi Balasi.”

Resty is considered one of the country’s lead guitar greats. Among his contributions in the Pinoy Rock tapestry are “Kamusta Mga Kaibigan” and “Estranghero.”

Lolita is revered as local folk rock goddess. Some of her hits are “Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran,” “Usok” and “Biyaheng Langit.”

“SenyorROCK” is produced by Grace Apolinario and Bing Pala-Apolinario, and presented by Gerry’s Grill in cooperation with First Option Events and Entertainment.



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Local Celebs Grace ‘Hataw Sa Tag-Araw’

Casino Filipino (CF) will launch “Hataw sa Tag-Araw” in various branches nationwide today.

Among celebrities feature for the launch are Blakdyak (CF Cebu), Teri Onor (CF Davao), Ate Shawie and friends (Madison Satellite), Ate Glow (Ronquillo Satellite), and Eva Eugenio (CF Tagaytay).

Other artists performing in CF satellites this April are Rico Blanco (April 9, CF Olongapo and April 16, CF Parañaque); Aicelle Santos (April 11, Madison Satellite and April 12, Ronquillo Satellite); Kaye and Cris Pastor (April 11, CF Tagaytay and April 12, CF Cebu); Jaya (April 16 , CF Pavilion; April 25, CF Bacolod; and April 26, Malabon satellite); Jimmy Bondoc (April 25, 365 Plaza satellite in Laoag); and Moonstar88 (April 29, Malabon Satellite).

PAGCOR Asst. VP for Entertainment Bong Quintana said Casino Filipino’s wide variety of entertainment offerings will give guests an exciting summer.

“PAGCOR believes that Filipinos are among the best performers in the world. We take so much pride that Casino Filipino features our very own artists, from young stars to music legends,” he said.

Also featured in CF branches and satellites as part of Casino Filipino Game Shows are, Markki Stroem (April 4 in Airport CF); Liezel Garcia (April 5, CF Davao); Brod Pete and Long Mejia (April 10, CF Hyatt); Carlos Agassi (April 11, CF Pavilion); Jessa Zaragoza (April 12, CF Angeles); Hansen Nichols (April 12, CF Cebu); Bugoy Drilon (April 24, CF Tagaytay); Frenchie Dy (April 25, CF Olongapo); and Carmen Soriano (April 26, CF Bacolod).



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Globe Extends Free Facebook Offer

Want more Facebook? Globe has good news for you.

“Due to the overwhelming response from our subscribers, we are happy to extend Globe Free Facebook until April 24, just in time for the summer season, to allow more users to enjoy an innovative, seamless, and worry-free Free Facebook experience. As the country’s leading digital brand and preferred partner of technology leaders around the world, we hope to get more Filipinos online on their mobile devices and be part of a wonderful, connected world,” shared Jenny Granada-Echevarria, Vice President for Mobile Data Services at Globe Telecom.

The promo was recently showcased at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain by Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg in his keynote speech. Zuckerberg cited the partnership with Globe in connecting more Filipinos to the Internet, as he shared his vision of a connected world through his pioneering project Internet.org launched last year.

Customers are also guaranteed that there will no “bill shock” or “nakaw load” as they will be notified if they will incur data charges once a link that leads out of Facebook is clicked.

For a seamless experience, subscribers can also enjoy a one-click registration to the data plan of choice to continue browsing sites or links outside Facebook without having to leave the site.

Finally, customers can also “loan” a 10MB data plan for only R10 which will be deducted on their succeeding top-up so they can fully explore content outside Facebook.

Subscribers can dial *143# and select FREE FB or text FREEFB to 8888 to get more. Subscribers may also go to m.facebook.com/free on the phone’s web browser.


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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 4, go to awarded actress Snooky Serna, Irene Martel Santiago, Dr. Carlez C. Lasaga, Josefina “Pining” Guizon, Vicente Jimenez, UK-based Nelly Teves Marshall, Ma. Teresa dela Paz, Rosalyn Go, Jemuel C. Salterio, Dr. Adolfo Ferrer, Vidal de Guzman, Oliver Gonzalez and Bearwin Meily… Belated b-day greetings to Pagsanjan Mayor Maita Ejercito (April 2)…

Ely Buendia debuts as filmmaker via ‘Bang Bang Alley’

Rock icon Ely Buendia, who formed The Eraserheads back when he was about to finish a degree in filmmaking, makes his directorial debut via “Bang Bang Alley.” Produced by Curve Entertainment, Inc. and Nimbus Film Production, it is a trilogy that serves as a social commentary on corruption, violence, amorality and betrayal. It will be distributed nationwide by Solar Entertainment.

Ely directed “Pusakal” while playwright Yan Yuson wrote and megged “Aso’t Pusa’t Daga.” The third episode, “Makina,” was helmed by award-winning director King Palisoc, whose body of work ranges from music videos and TV/film projects to corporate AVPs and TV commercials.


King is a graduate of BA Communications from Ateneo de Manila University who went straight to directing music videos for Pupil, Rico Blanco, Sponge Cola, Kjwan and Itchyworms, among others. He also worked as director and writer for the TV show “Rakista” and co-wrote “Babe, I Love You.”

Asked which episode he deems best, Ely said, “Each of the episodes has its own merit. ’Yung episode ni Yan, in a nutshell, I would call it a Shakespearean tragedy with the political arena as backdrop. ’Yung kay King naman, a psychological drama. Mine, I would describe as Neo-Western. We did our best in each of the episodes. ’Yung audience na ang bahalang mag-judge. I think we all did a good job.”

Yan added, “It would really depend on the audience which of the episodes speaks to them the most. I guess they would perceive the best episode kung saan sila naantig, kung saan sila naka-relate, kung saan sila naapektuhan…”

Yan stressed that they are all first-timers in narrative filmmaking although they all have directed music videos in the past.

In the cast of “Pusakal” are Perla Bautista, Megan Young and Ely himself, along with Christian Bables, Krish Atchico, Darius Abueg, Jamie Wilson, Miko Abueg, Henry Yutuc and Vino Martinez. The story revolves around Abbey (Megan), an addict who finds herself exiled from the only world she knows when she accidentally kills her sister’s boyfriend. Fleeing from the authorities, the victim’s family, and maybe her own self, she finds sanctuary in an abandoned lodge in Benguet. There, she befriends the 70-year-old Manang (Perla) who has secrets of her own.

“Aso’t Pusa’t Daga” features Bela Padilla, Joel Torre, Art Acuña, Angel Yosilva, Shawn Yao, Capucine Medard, Cyrille Soenen, Jhun Petallo, Dante Rubia, Richard Pareño, Alvin Borja, Marcelino Mistica, Reynard Sumo, Jerim Villa, Rasbel Bayani, Arpee Josilva, and Kobe as the Search and Rescue dog. Director Yan also appears in a special role. The story is about Jing Ricafort, a young TV journalist who survives a political massacre and prepares to testify against its alleged mastermind. Her ill-guarded government safehouse becomes the stage for a reckoning of deceit, betrayal, horror and death.

The cast of “Makina” consists of Gabe Mercado, Kalila Aguilos, Bombi Plata, Althea Vega, Mely Soriano, Alex Medina, Acey Aguilar, Kakki Teodoro, Geraldin Villami and Dencio Gagarin.

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Kim Chiu, James Yap ‘Newsmakers of the Year’


Kapamilya star Kim Chiu and popular basketball star James Yap were named “2013 Newsmakers of the Year” by PEP readers.

This was announced by PEP editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Maglipon in a recent press conference hosted by Ai Ai delas Alas. Jo-Ann said, “Our year-long goal is to come up with a LIST, which we hope will become the reliable showbiz meter.”

The PEP List will include the Editors’ Choice, the PEPsters’ Choice, and the Audited – with the last two components tabulated and verified by PEP’s official independent auditing partner firm, Punongbayan & Araullo Associates.

About 18 million votes were cast by fans between May 17 last year to Feb. 28. The tally yielded the following results: “Celebrity Pair of the Year,” Kapuso hunks Dennis Trillo and Tom Rodriguez who were lead stars of the GMA-7 phenomenal hit “My Husband’s Lover;” Vic Sotto and Kim Chiu, “TV Male and Female Star of the Year,” respectively; Joey de Leon and Nora Aunor, “Showbiz Treasures of the Year.”

Other winners include: Elmo Magalona and Julie Anne San Jose, “Teen Stars of the Year;” Ryzza Mae Dizon and Renz Valerio, “Female and Male Child Stars of the Year;” FAB Award winners are Xian Lim and Lovi Poe; “Breakout Star of the Year” is Tom Rodriguez, while “OPM Artist of the Year” is Daniel Padilla.

All the winners will be honored at the Awards Night to be held on May 20. The event will be co-presented by SM Parisian, at the Solaire Resort & Casino.


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Tidbits: Happy birthday greetings today, April 3, go to Patty Leung, Dr. Meliza Galang of New York, Gloria Desiderio, Rina Go-Thorpe, Clara Ann Maniquis, Nina Sales, Atty. Mirma Saruca, Ana Maria Concepcion J. Abano, Joshua D. Lim, Dr. Mark Bunag, Joshua Soriano, Finance Sec. Cesar Purisima, Merzi Perez, Kath Oracion, Christian Dione Rivera, Jhordane Ejercito, Benito E. Molino, Noel Namuco, Babi Malulu, Rey Pumaloy, Amay Bisaya and Nico Ibaviosa of Star Magic…