TOP 10 NEWSMAKERS OF 2009

1. HAYDEN KHO – Earlier this year, Dr. Hayden Kho was the topic of all headlines after his sex videos leaked on the internet. The news lingered as his controversial sex videos with Katrina Halili, Maricar Reyes and a Brazilian model circulated one by one from various porn sites to pirated DVD vendors. His saga continued the whole year round from revocation of his medical license, from getting splashed with water by an ex-cop during the Senate hearing to rumors that he committed suicide. There is no doubt that Hayden is our no. 1 newsmaker of 2009!

2. MANNY PACQUIAO – Our Pambansang Kamao made history after he became the first boxer in world to win 7 world titles in 7 different weight divisions. His winning bouts against Hatton last May and against Cotto last November were sensational. Pacquiao has been included by Time Magazine as one of the world’s most influential people for the year 2009, for his exploits in boxing and his influence among the Filipino people. Pacquiao was also included by Forbes Magazine in its annual Celebrity 100 list for the year 2009. Pacquiao had also won the 2009 ESPY Awards for the Best Fighter category. And to cap a great year for Pacman was the controversy about his alleged love affair with Wapakman co-star Krista Ranillo.

3. FORMER PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO – After the former president succumbed to colon cancer last August 1, 2009, the whole country mourned and other nations commemorated her contribution in democracy. There were even petitions to elevate her as national hero and even a saint. Her son Noynoy was then urged to run for President to continue the “people power” legacy.

4. KATRINA HALILI and MARICAR REYES (tie) – Katrina and Maricar were the two identified women involved in the Hayden Kho Sex Video scandal. The two had different ways in dealing with the controversy. As Katrina was all out to fight Hayden, Vicki Belo and the distributors of the DVD, Maricar chose to be silent and concentrated more on her flourishing showbiz career. Nevertheless, both Katrina and Maricar made various headlines and their names were prominent in the search engine “Google” for the whole year.

5. KORINA SANCHEZ AND MAR ROXAS – Their wedding last October 27, 2009 was dubbed as the marriage of politics and media. Even the tiniest detail of this event has been captured by the press as people are following the political plans of Mar and the transformation of Korina from a fierce broadcaster to a submissive wife.

6. EFREN PEÑAFLORIDA – His winning CNN Hero of the Year was a pleasant gift for the country who just suffered the Ondoy blow. Filipinos around the world celebrated this notable achievement and many were inspired to do advocacy works.

7. CARLO J. CAPARAS – To be or not to be a national artist became a dilemma to this film director whose graphic novels are being adapted on television and movies. Among the national artists awardee this year, Caparas received the most objections from critics. Even former national artist awardees staged a “necrological service” for the death of such honor because of him.

8. BRILLIANTE MENDOZA – He made everyone proud after winning Best Director in the most prestigious international film festival in the world – the Cannes International Film Festival. His work for the film Kinatay earned him accolades in the international film industry most specially when he bested Oscar winners like Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction) and Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility, Brokeback Mountain).

9. JUDY ANN SANTOS AND RYAN AGONCILLO – Their “secret wedding” in San Juan Batangas last April 28 surprised everyone. Media catched up afterwards on the how’s and the why’s in what supposed to be the wedding of the year.

10. WILLIE REVILLAME – This list will not be complete without the controversy-magnet noontime show host. Dubbed as the most powerful local celebrity and perhaps the richest (even richer than Manny Pacquiao?), Willie made it to the headlines once again as expected when he ordered his staff on noontime show Wowowee to remove the video clips of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino’s funeral cortege playing on the screen while he’s hosting his show. He took an indefinite leave after that and returned. There were also speculations about him running for public office but later announced that he won’t pursue the plan for now. The latest incident concerning the Megastar re-sparked the boycott petition against him and there were even rumors that it could lead to ABS-CBN’s drastic move to replace him with Vhong Navarro.

We picked 14 finalists in our 2009 edition of “Covergirl of the Year.” And you, our avid readers, have the power to select the winner.

The finalists for Starmometer’s 2009 Covergirl of the Year are:

Angel Locsin Metro October 2009	Anne Curtis Marie Claire April 2009
Bea Alonzo Cosmopolitan October 2009	Carla Abellana Cosmopolitan September 2009
Cristine Reyes Cosmopolitan August 2009	Jennylyn Mercado FHM November 2009
Judy Ann Santos Preview October 2009	Katrina Halili MEGA August 2009
KC Concepcion Chalk August 2009	Kim Chiu Preview September 2009
Maja Salvador Cosmopolitan December 2009	Marian Rivera Women’s Health September 2009
Maricar Reyes Metro August 2009	Rhian Ramos MEGA January 2009

Inside Mega’s August 2009 issue, Katrina shares how’s her life has been since she became an accidental porn star. Other features include “Back Track: 5 Things to Tell Your Younger You,” “Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle Features Shot in Spain,” “Fall’s Notoriously Electrifying Fashion,” “Over 200 Tips on Colors, Silhouettes and the New Trends,” plus more!

Mega’s “scandalous” issue is now available nationwide wherever magazines are sold.

Although Rosalinda is Carla Abellana’s first ever role on tv, she is supported by a powerhouse cast that will catapult her to be the next big star. Check out the characters of the Rosalinda Philippine version which is set to premiere tonight on GMA-7.

The Powerhouse Cast of Rosalinda:

Carla Abellana as Rosalinda Pérez

Geoff Eigenmann as Fernando Jose Altamirano

Katrina Halili as Fedra Pérez

Roderick Paulate as Florencio

Sheryl Cruz as Valeria Altamirano

Ariel Rivera as Alfredo del Castillo

Glydel Mercado as Soledad Romero

Gary Estrada as Javier Perez

Jessa Zaragosa as Evangelina

Yul Servo as Roberto

Sherilyn Reyes as Dulce

Sheena Halili as Becky

Marco Alcaraz as Anibal Pacheco

Ryza Cenon as Abril

Mike Tan as Rico

Mart Escudero as Beto Perez

Carlene Aguilar as Rodora

Gian Magdangal as Gerardo

Also included in the cast are Ayen Munji-Laurel as Berta Alvarez, Marky Lopez as Julio and Krystal Reyes as Lucy (Rosalinda’s younger sister).

The Philippine edition of Rosalinda is set to hit primetime beginning July 6, 2009.

These promotional photos courtesy of GMA.

Hell has no fury like a woman scorned. Just like the most devastating hurricane in history, a stronger Katrina Halili is coming back on the scene.

And on the latest issue of Cosmopolitan magazine, Katrina talks about the pain that she’s been through, her craving for peace and her fight for women’s right.

It’s the daring issue featuring Super Hot Confessions and XXX-rated Penis Files, now out wherever magazines are sold!

FHM Philippines revealed its “Tempting 10″ for the 100 Sexiest Women in the World for 2009 and the poll is topped by no other than kapuso star Cristine Reyes.

Cristine Reyes is FHM’s sexiest this year by receiving a total of 382,819 votes. Last year’s winner, Marian Rivera, received the second highest number of votes with 282,300 followed by Angel Locsin with 266,233.

THE TEMPTING TEN

1. Cristine Reyes – 382,819
2. Megan Fox
3. Marian Rivera – 282,300
4. Angel Locsin – 266,233
5. Katrina Halili – 238,558
6. Iwa Moto – 220,945
7. Ehra Madrigal – 213,287
8. Anne Curtis – 207,825
9. Angelica Panganiban – 198,236
10. Pauleen Luna – 193,197

Since the FHM Philippines staff inserted the global winner Megan Fox at no. 2 in the Philippines list, the 10th highest vote-getter who is Valerie Bangs Garcia, with 179,198 votes, missed the Top 10.

Find out the complete list of 100 Sexiest Women in the World for 2009 by FHM Philippines in the July 2009 issue of FHM.

Photo courtesy of FHM.

As those careless whispers turn into a public scandal, Katrina finds herself in the middle of a gruelling nightmare. for most of us, it is just a conversation starter. But in the middle of it all, her life is suddenly in turmoil.

She may be afraid, but cannot be silenced. Ashamed but cannot be thwarted. Rising from the ashes, Katrina Halili returns to the limelight to be an example for women who stumbled but was able to stand up once again.

Katrina chronicles her courageous journey in the July 2009 issue of Cosmopolitan Philippines. This is her second time to be cover-featured in the best-selling women’s lifestyle magazine. Coming to magazine stands nationwide this July.

This was Katrina’s first cover for Cosmo:

Although the controversy is still being deliberated in the court with Katrina suing Dr. Hayden Kho, Dra. Vicki Belo, Hayden’s mom and all other involved in the alleged leak of her infamous sex video, she is coming back to work on television setting aside the controversies for the meantime.

GMA gave her the coveted role of “Fedra” in the upcoming Philippine remake of the hit Mexican telenovela Rosalinda. Katrina will play nemesis to the lead star Carla Abellana.

Aside from the primetime series, Katrina will also grace the cover of Cosmopolitan Philippines July 2009 issue.

To herald Katrina’s return to work, GMA noontime show SOP prepared a grand welcome number for the sexy actress.

VIDEO LINK: Katrina Halili Returns to TV

Dalaw is an indie film produced by Pixel8 Entertainment Productions and written/helmed by Joven Tan with the award-winning Romy Vitug on the camera.

Also starring in the movie are Tonton Gutierrez, Glydel Mercado, Anita Linda, Mon Confiado, Matet de Leon, and Alvin Patrimonio.

The movie was shot in an abandoned house in Dalahican, Cavite where according to director Joven Tan, a real ghost appeared on the camera while shooting the film.

The Premiere night of Dalaw is set on June 1 at SM Megamall with grand opening on June 3, 2009.

Video Link: Dalaw – Teaser and Official Trailer

The Hayden Kho Senate hearing Thursday afternoon became the most exciting daytime program on television as it involves reality, drama, crime and suspense. Needless to say, the water-dousing incident builds up the climax.

Here is the monologue statement of Katrina Halili during the Senate hearing:

Artista po ako. Trabaho ko ang maghatid ng tuwa. Pantasya ng telebisyon at pelikula. Pero tulad ng iba may pribado ring buhay din ako gaya ng lahat. Sa pagkakataong ito. dangal ko at dangal ng pamilya ang pinag-uusapan dito. Minahal ko si Hayden. Bata ako kaya madaling nalagyan ng piring ang aking mga mata para isiping ako lang ang nagmamay-ari ng puso niya. Pero gaya ng lahat ng relasyong nagsimula sa kasinunagalingan, wala itong pinatunguhan.

Wala akong malay na ang bawat yakap at halik ay scripted. Buong-buo kong binigay ang puso at ang kaluluwa ko sa isang lalaking gumagawa pala ng sariling pelikula. Ang tanga ko. Imbes na doktor, direktor pala. Inaamin ko ang pagkakamali ko. Ang pagkakamali ko ay minahal ko siya. At naniwala ako na minahal n’ya rin ako ng lubusan.

Ako raw ang prinsesa niya sa ikalawa niyang mundo. Bata po ako madali niya ako napaniwala. Ako ang biktima rito. Araw-araw biktima ako habang pinapanood ang nasabing video. Hiling ko po ang hustisya sa hukuman kahit alam kong habang buhay ko nang dadalhin ang ginawa sa akin.

Patay na ako pero may video pa rin at may Internet. Dalawa lang kasong sinampa ko sa pambababoy na ginawa sa akin sa pagkatao ko. Gusto ko siyang matanggalan ng lisensiya bilang doktor. Wala siyang karapatang maging doktor. Gusto ko rin siyang makulong at pagdusahan niya ang ginawa niya sa akin.

Pero ano po ang iginanti nila. Kasama ni Hayden ang kanyang ina. Sari-saring paninira ang binato nila sa akin at sa mga taong tumutulong sa akin. Inabuso na ako at binaboy, ako pa ang may sala. Inabuso na nga ako sa sex video, inaabuso pa ako muli sa publiko.

And issue dito ay pang-aabuso sa kababaihan. Ang pambababoy sa akin at sa iba pang biktima ni Hayden. Sa kultura po natin habambuhay na latay sa pagkatao ko ang ginawa sa akin. May ina din po ako na nasasaktan. Araw-araw na nagdurusa. May anak o kapatid din po kayo na babae. Ayaw din n’yo mangyari sa kanila ang sinapit ko.

Sana ipagpatuloy ng Senado at madaliin ang pagsusulong ng mga batas na may layuning itaguyod ang karapatan at proteksyon para sa aming kababaihan dahil iba na ang ginagamit na panggagahasa at pambababoy sa karapatan ng kababaihan. Sa Intenet, sa blogs, DVDs at iba pa.

Nabiktima ako. Isa ako sa maraming babaeng naloko at niloko ni Hayden Kho. Pero may hangganan ang katangahan. At sa araw na ito buong loob na humaharap sa inyo na puno ng respeto sa sarili. Ilalaban ko ang aking karapatan ng mabuhay ng marangal, ng walang takot at malayo sa karanasang inabot ko dahil sa sex video.

Sana po sa publiko itigil na po natin ang pagtangkilik sa mga sex videos at malalaswang panoorin. Kung walang tumatangkilik wala rin din pong gagawa ng mga sex video. Sana po ang pangalang Katrina Halili na lang ang huling nasa mga sex videos. Sana po wala ng susunod pa. Salamat po.

Hayden Kho, on the other hand, accused Katrina Halili of influencing him to use drugs. He admitted that he made some of the sex videos while under the influence of drugs.

“I myself don’t know why I made these videos. I have been undergoing psychotherapy to know why I do such things and why men and women do such things,” Kho said during the Senate committee hearing.

“I am not attributing drugs as my reason for taking the sex videos. These are things that I am very, very ashamed of. I am not proud of these videos,” he added.

Kho said only two people are qualified suspects for the sex video leak: his former friends Eric Johnston Chua and Herbert “Bistek” Rosario. He said the sex videos are in his hard drive but it went missing last December 2008 after he had a falling-out with his girlfriend, Dr. Vicki Belo.

Video Link: The Hayden Kho Senate Hearing

Kris Lawrence – Careless Whisper

Careless Whisper
(Kris Lawrence)

Lalalalalalalalala…ohhh!

I feel so unsure
As I take your hand and lead me to the dance floor
As the music dies
Something in your eyes
Calls to mind a silver screen
And all it’s sad goodbye

Chorus:
I’m never gonna dance again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
Though it’s easy to pretend
I know you’re not a fool

Should have known better than to cheat a friend
Waste a chance that I’ve been given
So I’m never gonna dance again
The way I dance with you, oh

Time can never mend
For careless whisper of a good friend
To the heart and mind
Ignorance is kind
There’s no comfort in the truth
Pain is all you’ll find

(Repeat Chorus)

Tonight the music seems so loud
I wish that we could lose this crowd
Maybe it’s better this way
We’d hurt each other with the things we want to say
We could have been so good together
We could have lived this dance forever
But now who’s gonna dance with me
Please stay

(Now that you’re gone)
Now that you’re gone, I feel so alone
(Now that you’re gone)

Here are some photos of Kris Lawrence and Katrina Halili when they are still together:

Here’s the Tracklisting of Kris Lawrence’s latest album “Moments of Love”:

1) Careless Whisper
2) Suddenly
3) Right Here Waiting (Featuring Jay-R)
4) Just Tell Me You Love Me
5) Honesty
6) All My Life (Duet with Billy Crawford)
7) Your Song
8. Now And Forever
9) I Will Take You Forever (Duet with Denise Laurel)
10) Without You
11) We Fall In Love Sometimes

Bonus Track: Moments of Love