The article is entitled “The rise and rise of Starmometer” and it appeared on the Technews section of the Manila Bulletin October 26, 2009 issue. It’s actually an interview by Annalyn S. Jusay, for the “blog-o-rama” column of the said spreadsheet.

Here’s the scanned image of the article from the Manila Bulletin:

And here’s the snippet of the said interview which also appeared minutes ago on the official website of the Manila Bulletin, MB.com.ph :

You can read the full article here.

Thank you very much to Ms. Annaylyn Jusay of the Manila Bulletin. It’s an honor to be featured both in print and website of the nation’s leading newspaper. Truly, there’s good news in MB.

It’s neither the flickering lights nor the colorful parols, but it’s our beloved ‘Bro’ who will make this Christmas season shine and sparkle the brightest.

With the theme “Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko,” ABS-CBN will soon kick off its Christmas campaign this coming November 4 with simultaneous Parol lighting ceremonies to be held in ABS-CBN’s compound in Quezon City, key areas in the Regional Network Group stations, and select ABS-CBN Global offices worldwide.

Kapamilyas across the world will gather in this special event to light parols which will serve as symbols of hope and sharing, especially these past months when the country faced various challenges and calamities.

The light of Christ, symbolized by the Parol, will give warmth that heals all wounds and provide light that brings back hope. The light is passed on to us and, in turn, we kindle the heart of one another. So, we become one in picking up the pieces, rebuilding and moving on.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN already started selling specially-made Christmas lanterns called “Parol ni Bro,” which was inspired from the hit primetime teleserye “May Bukas Pa,” still in line with their yuletide campaign. This project aims to gather proceeds for the benefit of ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bayanijuan and Sagip Kapamilya programs.

The “Parol ni Bro” lanterns are available at SM Kultura and SM Department store outlets in Las Pinas, Fairview, North EDSA, Mall of Asia, Megamall, and Makati. Kapamilyas may also opt to order online via http://abscbnstore.multiply.com and the Starry Starry Store at http://www.starrystarry.com.

ABS-CBN, through its Creative Communications Management group, is also set to launch its annual Christmas Station ID this November featuring the network’s biggest stars and news anchors. What will its theme be? Who will be singing its theme song? Who are the Kapamilya stars who will grace this highly anticipated music video? Find out very soon on ABS-CBN.

This November, ABS-CBN will hit the malls and celebrate early Christmas with you as they bring your favorite Kapamilya artists to SM Fairview on Oct 25, SM Southmall on Nov 7, and SM San Lazaro on Nov 14.

Watch out as the whole campaign culminates December in ABS-CBN’s Christmas Special which will be held for the very first time at the Araneta Coliseum. Keep watching ABS-CBN for details on how to watch this ultimate Christmas gathering.

Aside from Starmometer, our celebrity blog PHStars.com was also selected as one of the finalists in the same category this year.

We are honored to be listed among the following blogs which are also vying for the Best Blog – Entertainment category:

CONUNDRUM
Film-Otaku
Lessons From the School of Inattention
Music Picks
Pop Reviews Now
Reel Advice Movie Reviews
SHELU89
SHOWBIZCHISMAX
SUGARFREE

On the other hand, the organizers of the Philippine Blog Awards announced the winner of their Sponsor Award – Chikka Media “Readers Choice” for Luzon. The winning blog is Good Times Manila for getting 7,566 SMS and online votes.

The 2009 Philippine Blog Awards is happening tonight at the Peta Theater in Quezon City.

Thank you so much to the organizers of the Philippine Blog Awards for the recognition of being selected as one (or two) of the finalists in the Entertainment category. We are deeply humbled and inspired to make Starmometer.com and PHStars.com more entertaining to Filipino blog readers nationwide and outside the country.

And to the avid readers of Starmometer, maraming maraming salamat po!

From the acclaimed director of “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros”, comes a coming-of-age gay movie about a young gay poet who sells his prized comic book and action figure collection to spend a night with a macho dancer.

“Boy” is helmed by Auraeus Solito, acclaimed director of Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2006), and Tuli (2007). Starring Aeious Asin and Aries Pena, the movie is now showing at the Robinson’s IndieSine and other selected cinemas.

SYNOPSIS: One evening, young budding poet (Adam) observes lip-synching drag-queens and dancing rent-boys (macho dancers) in a gay bar. The poet finds himself attracted to Aries, who comes from a poorer part of town. Selling his comic books so as to be able to afford the macho dancer for one night, Adam’s character buys Aries at the bar and brings him home for the New Year.

Sparks fly while celebratory fireworks go off outside the house and the boys forge a fragile connection that neither of them is certain will last. Boy is a coming-of-age tale of a sensitive boy who arrives at his first lesson about love and who learns to grow confidently into his own sexuality.

VIDEO LINK: Boy – Trailer

The Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2009 comprises of remarkable individuals nominated by viewers for their sacrifices and accomplishments. CNN’s Anderson Cooper revealed one Top 10 CNN Hero every hour last Thursday on the global networks of CNN.

Our very own Efren Peñaflorida, one of this year’s Top 10, was selected for his Dynamic Teen Company that offers Filipino youth an alternative to gangs through education.

“Gang members are groomed in the slums as early as 9 years old,” says Peñaflorida. “They are all victims of poverty.”

For the past 12 years, Peñaflorida and his team of teen volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to children living on the streets in a “pushcart classroom”.

Stocked with books, pens, tables and chairs, his Dynamic Teen Company recreates a school setting in unconventional locations such as the cemetery and municipal trash dump.

Read the full story about Peñaflorida here.

Peñaflorida is running for CNN Hero of the Year. Let us show the world that blood of heroism is flowing in our veins. If we were able to make Nora Aunor’s “Himala” as the CNN Best Movie of All Time in the Asia Pacific, we can help Efren Peñaflorinda be CNN’s Hero of the Year.

Vote for Efren in CNN’s Hero of the Year for 2009.

Here are the Top 10 CNN Heroes, in order of their announcement Thursday:

Jorge Munoz – School bus driver Jorge Munoz is helping hungry New Yorkers make it through tough times. Since 2004, he has handed out more than 70,000 meals from his mobile soup kitchen in Queens — for free.

Jordan Thomas -Jordan Thomas, 20, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, lost both of his legs in a boating accident in 2005. Since then, his Jordan Thomas Foundation has raised more than $400,000 to provide prosthetics for children in need.

Budi Soehardi – Budi Soehardi founded a children’s home in one of the poorest areas of Indonesia. Today, Roslin Orphanage in West Timor provides food, shelter and education to more than 45 children.

Betty Makoni – Zimbabwe native Betty Makoni founded the Girl Child Network to provide a haven for young victims of sexual abuse. The organization has rescued more than 35,000 girls since 2001.

Doc Hendley – Bartender Doc Hendley is providing clean water to communities worldwide. Through creative fundraising, his nonprofit Wine to Water has brought sustainable water systems to 25,000 people in five countries.

Efren Peñaflorida – Efren Peñaflorida gives Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education. His Dynamic Teen Company’s 10,000 members have taught basic reading and writing to 1,500 kids living in the slums.

Derrick Tabb – Derrick Tabb started The Roots of Music to give young people an alternative to New Orleans’ streets. His music education program provides free tutoring, instruments and music instruction to more than 100 students.

Roy Foster – Army veteran Roy Foster started Stand Down House to help veterans struggling with addiction and homelessness in Florida. Since 2000, his program has provided life-changing services to nearly 900 veterans.

Andrea Ivory – Breast cancer survivor Andrea Ivory is bringing early detection to the doorsteps of uninsured women. With mobile mammography vans, her group has provided more than 500 free screenings in Miami, Florida.

Brad Blauser – Brad Blauser is providing hope and mobility to disabled children and their families in Iraq. Since 2005, his Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids program has distributed nearly 650 free pediatric wheelchairs to children in need.

Now on its 3rd year, the Philippine Blog Awards (PBA) will hold not just one but three awarding ceremonies this year, one in Luzon, one in Vizayas and one in Mindanao. This year’s theme is “One Blogging Nation” reflecting the diversity in unity of Filipino bloggers accross the country and overseas as well.

In Luzon, the awards will be held at the Peta Theater in Quezon City on October 9, 2009. For the Visayas, the awards will be held at the Cebu Business Park in Cebu City on Oct. 18, 2009 while in Mindanao, it will take place at the Pearlmont Hotel in Cagayan De Oro City on Oct. 24, 2009.

PBA official Juned Sonido announced the list of national finalists vying in 20 categories. From nearly a thousand entries, here are the national finalists as posted in the official website of the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards:

Best Technology Blog

JaypeeOnline // Blogging News & Reviews
MMO GrindHouse- fueling your daily grind on MMO Games
My Asus Eee PC
Orangeinks
sasa java
Software Critics
TechPinas : The Philippine Technology Blog
The Mike Abundo Effect
The Rookie Blogger
trashman

Best Travel Blog

A Pinay in Europe
BYAHILO: Ito ang Trip Ko!
eskapo
Explore Iloilo
Just Wandering
lagal[og]
Langyaw – Sojourns and Off-the-Beaten Path Travels
Making Things Happen
Nomadic Experiences
sagada tourism guide

Best Entertainment Blog

CONUNDRUM
Film-Otaku
Lessons From the School of Inattention
Music Picks
PH Stars
Pop Reviews Now
Reel Advice Movie Reviews
SHELU89
SHOWBIZCHISMAX
Starmometer
SUGARFREE

Best Personal Blog

ai’s cracker
Baddieverse
bikoy.net
Brief Stories
Cerebral Insights
citybuoy
Excuse My French
fritzified.com
Funny is the New Sexy
Life with Ria
Nursecissism
Platonic Trip
RALPHGUZMAN.ORG
room for squares
Succulence Unleashed
The Casual Observer
The Digitizer
The Free Lancer
writing on air
xtnpl.blog.friendster.com

Best Food & Beverage Blog

A Scientist in the Kitchen
Cebu Restaurants
Flipflopping my way around Town
hungrynez
Kitchen Cow
Our Daily Blog
Overseas Pinoy Cooking
Table for Three, Please
The Thirsty Blogger
Yedylicious: In Between Bites

Best Family & Living Blog

Absolute Cousins
Animetric’s World
BEYOND TOXICITY
Make or Break
MommyCow
occupation: SAHM
Viva La Vida Mama
What is a Progressive School?

Best News & Media Blog

Cagayan de Oro News Online
Daily Contributor
iNews Philippines
Paulnatic
PINOYWORLD
RePress
Virtual Journals

Best Business Blog

BusinessAccent.com
Millionaire Acts
MisOrJobs
Negosyo Ideas
Owning a Café
Pinoy Money Talk
Ready To Be Rich
The Sagada Lemon Pie House

Best Sports Blog

Buhay Basketball
Fire Quinito
i2runner
Lakers Today
Philippine Basketball Blog
Philippine Boxing
Sports and Tech sa Pilipinas
The Duffer

Best Hobby & Recreation Blog

Bearbrick Love
Bored & Crafty
Comicgasm
Comicology: The Study of Awesome
Dance Manila
Flying in Crosswinds
Mad Labs and Hug Dogs
Pinoy Experience Mountain Biking and Outdoor Philippines
Pinoy Mountaineer
The Singing Blogger

Best Fashion Blog

I LVOE LV
My Fashion Juice
Runway2Reality
Style and Relax
StyleAnywhere
THE UKAY QUEEN:Ukayshopping101
Ukay-ukay Escapades
who is elyoo?

Best Photo Blog

Asin at Paminta
dennisvillegas.blogspot.com
Didang Alvarez
Distilling Thoughts
I Am a Documentary Photographer
Lantaw
lawstude.blogspot.com
Lino Photography
My Manila
www.derpinsel.com/noone

Best Culture & Arts Blog

Art in Action
Bookmarked!
Coffeespoons
magnetic-rose.net: Japanese Pop Culture for Filipino Fans
Perlas Design Studio
PinoyTattoos.com – Filipino Tattoo Source
SA GUBAT NG NAMIMINTOG NA PATALIM
Sari-Saring Sineng Pinoy
The Spy in the Sandwich
Views from the Pampang

Best Commentary Blog

ad maiorem Dei gloriam
Alleba Politics
J. R. Ramos Go
Matinong Ehemplo Ng Youth Ehemplo ng Kabataan
Me and My Big Mouth
myepinOy’s bLOG
Pencil Pusher/Number Cruncher
pinoybuzz
riknakem
Splice and Dice
Staedtler
The Marocharim Experiment
Third Wave
Zzaragoza’s Weblog

Best Videocast

Digiputz.com
DoctorDude – Fun Vlogs on Health and Wellness
Entrepbuff.com
Komikero BIDJO

Best Podcast

Brink Notes Entertainment Daily
PINOY POPCAST PODCAST
World 3

Best Humor Blog

Basta…
Chiksilog
Good Times Manila
Hay!Men!
Indolent Indio
Kwentong Barbero
manik makina
Noisy, Noisy Man
Oi! Greenpinoy!
The Professional Heckler
tuyong tinta ng bolpen

Best Gaming Blog

ExcEsc
gameshogun
Mike Got Game!
Pinoy Gaming Network

Best Advocacy Blog

Autism Society Philippines
CyberRon
discourses of a free mind
Fide Quarens Intellectum
Filipino Deaf from the Eyes of a Hearing Person
Filipino Freethinkers
Foreclosure Philippines
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo RESIGN!
Greenpeace Southeast Asia
Nurses Notes

Best Beauty Blog

Candy Blush Beauty Blog
Shen’s Addiction
The Doctor Is vaIN

SPECIAL AWARDS

Special Award: Best Blog Design

Design was here
DigDesignz: Blog of a young Filipino Web and Graphic Designer
GraphiCult
Loy Meets World
Pink is Fab!
Pink Notes Diary
Simon Ong | Personal Blog and Portfolio
The Rookie Blogger
The Site Guy
The Vignette

Special Award: Best Foreign Blog

BakitWhy.com | Filipino American Lifestyle
koji ryan
My Sarisari Store

Special Award: Best Filipino Abroad Blog

AS IS
Baul ni Noel
Digifotoblog
Funny Side Up
IsladeNebz
Lilypad
myepinoy’s blog
Palipasan
PinoyBro
THE MONOLOGUES OF A DESERT DUDE
The Warped Zone

Special Award: Best Filipiniana Blog

Filipino Librarian
pamatay homesik
pilipinokomiks.blogspot.com
Simbahan – Philippine Heritage Churches and Related Structures
The Philippines and Beyond

The regional finalists, who are competing for 12 more awards, have yet to be announced.

Creators of the theme park said on Tuesday there would be three major attractions, including a “Forbidden Journey” ride set in the iconic Hogwart’s Castle.

“(It is) brand new, extremely exciting, never been done, never been seen before. I can’t say big enough words. It’s going to be absolutely mind-blowing,” said Alan Gilmore, the project’s supervising art director and art director on two Harry Potter films.

Major attractions include the Dragon Challenge, a high-speed ride described as “definitely for the brave.” It is based on the Triwizard Tournament, a fictional 13th century contest between students of the three most prestigious magical schools of Europe.

Another is Flight of the Hippogriff, a coaster based on Rowlings’ magical creature with the head, wings and front legs of a giant eagle and body, hind legs and tail of a horse.

They are:

Jose Pitoy Moreno
(Fashion Design)

Cecille Guidote Alvarez
National Commission on Culture and the Arts Executive Director
(Theater)

Manuel Conde
(Film and Broadcast Arts, Posthumous)

Lazaro Francisco
(Literature, Posthumous)

Federico Aguilar Alcuaz
(Visual Arts, Painting, Sculpture, Mixed Media)

Francisco “Bobby” Mañoza
(Architecture)

Jose Carlos Caparas
(Visual Arts and Film)

From over 75,000 who auditioned around the world and over 40 countries participating this year, here is the final medal tally for the 13th edition of WCOPA:

WCOPA 2009 Medal Tally

2009 WCOPA GRAND WORLD CHAMPIONS

2009 SENIOR GRAND CHAMPION PERFORMER OF THE WORLD
Joe Robinson (Instrumentalist – Australia)

2009 JUNIOR GRAND CHAMPION PERFORMER OF THE WORLD
Rhap Salazar (Vocal – Philippines)

CHAMPIONS PER CATEGORY

Juniors

Vocal Group:
The Young Voices of Negros ( Philippines)

Dance:
Alex Castillo (United States)

Female Model:
Kelly Hammond (South Africa)

Male Model:
Mykyta Layakh (Ukraine)

Dance Group:
Performance Ballet “Exiton” (Russia)

Actor:
Cale Moon (United States)

Vocal:
Rhap Salazar (Philippines)

Instrumental:
Navid Babwah (Trinidad & Tobago)

Seniors

Vocal Group:
Realta (Ireland)

Dance:
Roison Timoney (Ireland)

Variety:
Iouno Babaev (Australia)

Female Model:
Petronella Elizabeth (South Africa)

Male Model:
Andreas Tano (Sweden)

Dance Group:
Aristana (Malaysia)

Actor:
Darragh Kelliher (Ireland)

Vocal:
Kimverlie Molina (Saudi Arabia)

Instrumental:
Joe Robinson (Australia)

Take note that the Philippines has won more Gold medals than the number of delegates that it has sent to this year’s “Talent Olympics”. The country only participated in the vocals category and 1 delegate for the male model competition.

This is the fourth year that the Philippines captured the WCOPA Grand World Champion award (Grand Champion Performer of the World) since we started participating in 2005. Jed Madela in 2005, Aria Clemente in 2007, Catherine Loria in 2008 and in 2009, it’s Rhap Salazar. 2006 was the only year we did not capture the grand prize.

Seven Filipino performing artists have already won the global competition’s top prizes: Jed Madela (2005 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World), The Cercado Sisters (2006 Grand Champion Group Vocalists of the World), Reymond Sajor (2007 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World), Aria Clemente (2007 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World), Catherine Loria (2008 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World), and Rhap Salazar (2009 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World) and The Young Voices of Negros (2009 Grand Champion Group Vocalists of the World) this year.

Synopsis:

Based on a true story, Last Supper No. 3 is a humorous look at the circuitous path our legal system takes to justice. Assistant Production Designer Wilson Nañawa is tasked to look for a Last Supper to use as a prop for a TV commercial. He finds three, but loses the one owned by Gareth Pugeda. What happens next changes Wilson forever as he spends the next two years entangled in bureaucracy and red tape facing estafa and serious physical injury charges. How will this ordinary man fare against a system he knows nothing about? Will justice prevail for Wilson? Or will he be imprisoned for the loss of Last Supper No. 3?

Starring Joey Paras, Jojit Lorenzo, JM de Guzman, Beverly Salviejo, Debraliz Valesoto, Dante Balois, Ness Roque, Andoy Ranay, Cecile Torre, Marlon Hofer, Rommel Lunan, Malou Crisologo, Mark Meily, Bernard Laxa, Maricel Soriano, Alex Tiglao, Gina Lumauig, Kalila Aguilos, Jason Moss, Rita Iringan, Ale-Liza Lorena, Ronli Vergel de Dios and Ricky Davao.

Last Supper No. 3 is written by Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel based on the story by Winston Villanueva Acuyong. It is directed by Veronica B. Velasco.

VIDEO LINK: Last Supper No. 3 – Trailer

Screening Schedule:

July 18, Saturday 3:30 p.m. (Tangahalang Huseng Batute)

July 19, Sunday 3:30 p.m. (CCP Little Theatre)

July 21, Tuesday 3:30 p.m. (CCP Main Theater)

July 22, Wednesday 3:30 p.m. (CCP MKP Hall)

July 23, Thursday 9:00 p.m. (CCP MKP Hall)

July 24, Friday 6:15 p.m. (Tangahalang Huseng Batute)

July 25, Saturday 9:00 p.m. (CCP Main Theater)

Starring Felix Roco, Zyrus Desamparado, Daniel Medrana, Eda Nolan, Bayang Barrios, Jim Libiran, and Celso Ad Castillo. The films is written, produced and directed by Pepe Diokno.

Synopsis: Richard (Felix Roco) and Raymond (Daniel Medrana) are two teenage brothers. Richard is the leader of his gang, “Bagong Buwan,” while Raymond is just being inducted into rival gang, “Batang Dilim.” Complications at a deadly midnight engkwentro (square-off), when Raymond is given the task of killing his older brother.

Meanwhile, the City Death Squad lurks the streets. This real-life vigilante group is allegedly backed by the city mayor (Celso Ad Castillo) and responsible for many unsolved murders of teen gangsters. Today, they are hunting down Richard. Will they take the younger brother, too?

VIDEO LINK: Engkwentro – Full Trailer

Starring in the movie are Irma Adlawan as Fe, TJ Trinidad as Arturo, Nonie Buencamino as Dante with the special participation of Mercedes Cabral as Gie. Introducing in the movie are Joel Molina and Meeyo Candelaria. Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe is written and directed by Alvin B. Yapan.

Synopsis: Each morning, baskets of black fruits mysteriously appear by the front yard of Fe. Thinking that it was a reconciliatory gesture from her abusive husband, Dante, Fe tells him about it. This only confirms Dante’s suspicions that she might be entertaining a lover. Fearing her husband’s jealousy, Fe grows even more scared as the fruits kept coming, a step closer to her front door. She keeps everything to herself until she turns to a former suitor, Arturo. When Fe urges Arturo to elope, she finds out that the young man has far more binding commitments with his family. Caught between an abusive husband and an impotent lover, Fe has to decide. Will she escape with her elusive suitor who could very well be just a figment of her imagination or stay trapped with the men in her real life who could never protect her nor make her happy? Caught in a society where violence still remains unimaginably real and covertly present, could the imagined be real enough for a woman to assure her survival?

VIDEO LINK: Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe (The Rapture of Fe) – Trailer

Here is the Cinemalaya festival sched of “Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe”:

July 18 (Sat)

3:30 p.m. – Little Theater

July 19 (Sun)

9:00 p.m. MKP Hall (4th Floor)

July 21 (Tues)

6:15 p.m. MAIN THEATER – GALA NIGHT

July 22 (Wed)

12:45 p.m. Huseng Batute

July 23 (Thu)

3:30 p.m. MKP Hall (4th Floor)

July 24 (Fri)

12:45 p.m. Main Theater

July 25 (Sat)

3:30 p.m. Huseng Batute

For tickets, contact Alem at 0917.8110217 or 0922.8992536.