CEBU Inmates' Tribute to MJ

Michael Jackson's choreographer Travis Payne admits to being in awe of the Cebu dancing inmates' interpretation of the late King of Pop's hit song ''They Don't Care About Us.''

''They are prisoners but they are also dancers,'' said he who had also worked with Madonna and Lady Gaga in the past.

It wasn't the first time that inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) danced to an MJ song. Two years ago, they took on his signature song, ''Thriller,'' which became a viral hit on the Internet, garnering millions of visits on YouTube.

Payne said that Michael himself saw that performance. ''He loved it. It took him a minute to register what it was [but when it did], he laughed and he got so excited, was so touched by it,'' said he.

The choreographer added that oftentimes during breaks while they were rehearsing for Michael's final concert, ''This Is It,'' Michael and the rest of the crew would repeatedly watch the Cebu dancing inmates' video of ''Thriller.''

Travis himself came to Cebu to oversee the rehearsals for ''They Don't Care About Us.'' Two of Michael's dancers, whom the singer personally picked for ''This Is It'' from hundreds of auditioners, even danced with the inmates.

''Michael was like a brother to us. When we thank him for giving us the opportunity to dance with him onstage, he'd say, 'No, God bless you. Thank YOU for being here.' That [the humility] was what's beautiful about Michael,'' said one of the dancers.

Sony Music, Michael's record label, tapped an all-Filipino crew to shoot the dance routine. The footage may end up as part of the ''This Is It'' concert on DVD which will soon be launched worldwide.

The ANC show which aired the interview with Payne said that about 800 inmates practiced the steps to ''They Don't Care About Us'' for two straight days, resting only for meals.

sources: Manila Bulletin / SonyPicturesDVD

Christian Bautista visits Indonesia

Stirring Singer of the Decade winner Christian Bautista who received his award by a video acceptance speech in last night’s STIR Awards held at Zirkoh Greenhills is now the toast not only of the metro but Asia!

After guesting in SCTV Indonesia’s “Play List” singing “Tetaplah Dihatiku,” the Bahasa version of “Please Be Careful With My Heart,” Christian with Bunga Citra Lestari stepped out of the studio and was ambushed by TV news, radio and print media.

Says Christian who guested in over 10 television shows in the last seven days, “It was an overwhelming experience I am so touched and excited that Indonesia is giving me all this attention and exposure.”

Said shows were mostly musical variety shows. In Indonesia, Christian appeared on several local TV television programs: the game show “Missing Lyrics,” “Bri Dihati,” “Sinden Gossip” and “Online on Trans TV”; the popular morning talk show “Dahsyat” on RCTI TV; “Gebyar BCA” on Indosiar TV; MNC Music Channel (also aired in Singapore and Malaysia); “Playlist” on SCTV; “Bukan Empat Mata” and TV1 “Auto Expert.”

Aside from his TV appearances, Christian also did newspaper, magazine and radio interviews during his week-long Indonesian visit.

Christian also spent five days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to launch and promote the single release of “Anugerah Cinta,” a Bahasa version of “Ngiti,” with Malaysian recording artist Noryn Aziz.

Christian was with film and TV producer Leo Sutanto. Also in photo are Christian’s Stages, Inc. manager Carlo Orosa and Indonesian agent Poppy Deviana after viewing clips from his hit films and drama series.

Much has happened since Christian moved to a new recording label late last year. For one, his newest album, “Romance Revisited: The Love Songs of Jose Mari Chan,” has quickly turned from gold to platinum to double platinum in less than three months. Secondly, Christian has regained popularity in Asia, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia.

His reed-thin frame has greatly improved. He seems fuller and many even say he looks hunkier. More than ever before, career opportunities beyond the Philippine shores have opened up for Christian. One of these breaks is “stripping” in Indonesia – which doesn’t really pertain to stripping naked before the cameras.

The term “stripping” in Indonesia refers to doing a “teleserye” or “stripping” your schedule everyday of everything else to shoot a rigorous TV drama series. Unlike here in the Philippines, where soaps are shot three times a week, soaps in Indonesia are shot for six straight days with a midnight cut-off.

Last Jan. 23, Christian personally met with top Indonesian TV and film producer of PT Sinem Art, Leo Sutanto. PT Sinem Art boasts of an impressive portfolio of more than 5,000 soap operas aired in various Indonesian networks, plus 20 major Indonesian films to date.

Christian, who was with his manager Carlo Orosa, carefully discussed his first international film offer from PT Sinem Art. “How fast can Christian learn the language of Bahasa is an important factor,” said Poppy, the singer’s representative for Aquarius Records. “Can Christian afford to stay in Indonesia for a long period of time is yet another concern,” she added.

Christian will return to Indonesia on Feb. 13 for concerts and more promotions for his latest album release there.

source: http://www.christianbautistaonline.com/home/

Imagine that! So proud of you, kababayan!

Heechul's tears at Super Show 2 [Nanjing]

The most recent leg of Super Junior’s second Asia tour dubbed Super Concert 2 was held in Beijing, China this past weekend at the Wukesong Basketball Gymnasium. More than 10,000 fans were in attendance to see 10 of 13 members from the group. Hankyung was absent because of his feud with SM Entertainment, Kangin because of his DUI hit & run scandal, and Kibumbecause he’s busy with his acting duties.

The 10 members performed 35 songs in total and also conducted a few skits. The most notable event from the night was Heechul shedding some tears during a solo performance. The crying is understandable given what the group has gone through recently.

Super Junior’s next stop on the Super Concert 2 Tour will be at the Taipei Arena in Taipei, Taiwan on February 20th and 21st. After that they’ll have a stop at the Putra Indoor Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 20th. They’ll wrap up the tour at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines on April 10^th.

source: allkpop and ELFZONE

Oh geez... Stopping here in the Philippines ought to make me happy right? But... T__T I feel really sad as a fan. When are we going to see our 13 angels together again?

Here are some moments during the show

[ these boys just won't change at all ]:

Heenim's tears T.T

No matter what happens,

even when the whole world abandons you,

nothing will ever make us give you up.

FIGHTING!!!

Wonder Girl SunMi leaves the group

An official announcement from JYP Entertainment has been released via Wondergirlsworld.com:

JYP Entertainment has announced that Mimi from the Wonder Girls has decided to postpone her musical career to pursue an academic career.

Mimi, the rest of the Wonder Girls members, her family, and JYP Entertainment have collectively decided to postpone her musical career for the time being.

JYP Entertainment said, “Mimi had a truly memorable, once in a lifetime experience while living in the U.S. and touring over 50 cities. We support her decision to pursue an academic career at this time. We will also support Mimi if she chooses to return to singing after her academics are complete. In the meantime, she plans to frequent JYP facilities and continue her dance and vocal classes.”

Mimi will remain with the Wonder Girls in the U.S., continuing with any scheduled performances and activities until the end of February. As of March, she will return to Korea and prepare to focus on her studies. JYP has named 17 year old Lim as the newest member to the quintet. Lim has gone through extensive training at the JYP Academy for three years and is fluent in four languages: English, Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese.

credits: allkpop

OMG! First was HyunA, and now it's 4D SunMi =(

Krista Ranillo says " I don't hate anyone "

" I know I said I'll speak about certain issues or whatever in time. Kasi 'yun nga, parang my world is turned upside down talaga. I'm just requesting for people to respect that I'm healing. I want to recover. Gusto ko 'pag humarap ako, 'yung buo akong tao.. "

Krista Ranillo is on the TOP 5 list of the most controversial names that marked 2009. Manny Pacquiao's alleged woman, that's how she made it to the list. Not a very cool thing, though. Anyway, she kept her silence for so long until she finally did a short interview with THE BUZZ aired last Sunday.

When asked about her holiday vacation in L.A. with her family:

" When I'm with my family, I'm always happy... "

When asked about her business in the US courtesy of Manny Pacquaio:

" I heard we have a restaurant, it's not true. It's definitely not true. "

When asked about their MMFF movie entry being a total flop because of her:

" It's kinda unfair... Kapag napanood mo naman, hindi rin naman ganun kalaki ang role ko because ako 'yung villain...You know... I don't wanna blame anybody. I don't know why it didn't do well in the box-office. I mean, I was hoping talaga. I was praying na sana maging successful because it's a project that I'm proud of. It's a project I'm part of... It's just not fair to blame it on one person. "

When asked if she regrets doing the movie:

No regrets. None at all. Because it's a very good project. I was very excited to do it. I was proud to be on the set. I gave my best... it was my first action film... "

When asked about the pregnancy issue:

" Obviously I'm not pregnant. I don't know where it started... I mean if they have proof, why don't they show it... Matapang ako ngayon...I can give you my blood right now. "

When asked about Jinkee's comment 'I hate her! ':

" Personally, I don't hate anyone. Let's move on nalang. Ako, I don't hate anyone. "

She ended the interview with these few words:

" When people say you can't, you just say, ' You watch me ' ". hmmm...

credits: PEP

---> Krista, if i were the interviewer, this would have been my one and only question:

YES or NO - Did you enjoy Manny's company in the US?

Vanness Wu is the King of Ratings!

It was a big night for the hit drama Autumn's Concerto this past Sunday as average ratings hit 7.76%, even surpassing the 7.35% achieved by My Queen starring Cheryl Yang and Ethan Ruan. Famous producer Chai Zhi-Ping (柴智屏), who cast the then unknown Van Ness Wu in Meteor Garden, previously criticized Autumn's Concerto for resembling the famous prime-time soap Blue Spider Web.Van Ness Wu came out on top in the ratings battle against the show Hi! My Sweetheart, and also leads the way among dramas starring F4 members. Interval ratings for Autumn's Concerto peaked at 8.86%, compared to 4.8% for Vic Chou’s Black & White, 4.2% for Jerry Yan’s Hot Shot and 3.38% for Ken Chu’s Momo Love.

After episode 13 of Autumn Concerto aired 2 weeks ago, many questions were raised when Ady An's character was told that her son cannot have a transfusion from those related by blood. Despite controversies surrounding the medical reference, viewers were already hooked and came back to watch the next episode last Sunday. Episode 14 reached its climax when Van Ness Wu’s character regained his memory and found out what others have been trying to hide from him. Viewers were impressed by his acting, as he showcased different depths of emotions upon realizing his past and his confrontation with Ady An.

Van Ness Wu is currently taking a break in the US and was thrilled to hear about the ratings. He was hesitant to accept the role at first as the drama requires acting with a lot of emotions. He took on the challenge anyway but viewers criticized his acting style for being “too soft” prior to the character's memory lost. Van Ness Wu was complimented for his performance on Sunday’s episode. Viewers commented that his sudden persona reversal was cool and exciting, while others worried that it might be a disaster in the making. All eyes are on Autumn's Concerto to see if it will break the previous ratings record of 13.83% in ratings set by Ethan Ruan’s “Fated to Love You”.

Source: Appledaily TW, UDN, Nownews

" I will protect Super Junior! "

Super Junior Lee Teuk expresses his new year's resolution being the group leader.

Lee Teuk wrote on a long post on his minihompy diary on 2nd January. He wrote, “Really happy.. And enjoyable. And I felt what was like to be happy. With my heart, I learned.. the ways to wait and endure. With all this, I’ve matured much.”

Even though last year Super Junior had taken the Kpop and Asian music scene by storm with their hit songs like ‘Sorry Sorry’, the group faced several crises like member KangIn in assault and DUI incident, and then recently HanKyung has reportedly filed for lawsuit against SM Entertainment for contract termination.

Lee Teuk wrote, “I’m Super Junior’s leader... Now I would want to show substance instead of for the sake of showing.. Even though they say I have fulfilled everything as a singer.. I’m still hungry.. It still feels like I am a newcomer who debuted yesterday.. I always say that right?.. That I would show..2010..I will show it..I still have so much I want to show and have yet shown..”

He added, “I will protect Super Junior.. I’m Super Junior no matter what others say.. ELF.. Feeling the truth of the world, let’s try and start walking slowly? I don’t believe in END but AND. Love and love.” relaying his gratitude and sorry to fans with the responsibilities as the leader of Super Junior.

Fans who saw the post commented, “I believe in you, oppa”, “No matter what others say we are the truth”, “I’m waiting for the stage with all 13 members”, “I don’t believe in END but AND, I will protect” etc.

Can't help but be proud of you, eternal leader...^_^

We're right behind you to back you guys up!

SuJu till the end!

HAVE FAITH!

The Park's Dara and Thunder

Siblings Dara (2ne1) and Thunder (MBLAQ) spent some quality time together amidst busy schedules. Cute, right? Dara became Korea's favorite dork after 2ne1's debut early last year because of her... err... how should i say this... being 4D? But cute, though. We like her being different after all. Anyway, her younger brother Sang Hyun aka Thunder debuted late last year with his group MBLAQ (managed by no less than Rain, btw) and made quite an impression with the Korean fans. We are certainly looking forward to see these flawless two perform onstage together. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Looking at the picture, I guess 4D-ness runs in the genes there.

Wonder Girls TOP Billboard Hot Single Sales

The Wondergirls have added fuel to JYP’s American dream by topping the Billboard Hot Singles Sales in the U.S. with their hit single “Nobody” for the year 2009. The girls outsold top American acts such as Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Lady Gaga.

So how did they do it?

Their success is due to the fact that they were the opening act for popular boy act,The Jonas Brothers on their U.S. tour. Not only that, the girls managed to get into the mainstream media with appearance on BET’s “Wendy Williams Show” and the reality program, “So You Think You Can Dance”.

You will hear more from the girls with their new album in February 2010 for the U.S. market.

source: allkpop

Congrats, girls! Good job!

Ummm... Sohee, are you happy about it or what?