ENTERTAINMENT UPDATES

by Direk Romm Burlat When ABS-CBN came out with its press release about The General's Daughter , I had some reservations.  It seems the new teleserye is wide in scope. From the looks of it, the story centers on war, of criminals, of feuding families and some mission. Based on rating experience, love stories mostly domestic dramas involving mistresses are sure hits on television. Likewise, I see some traces of "Ang Probinsyano" in  "The General's Daughter" it being an action TV series.The only difference is the protagonist in the former is a man while the latter has the woman as central character. But with a powerhouse cast, it will surely spell the difference. Consider this as the Diamond Star Maricel Soriano 's comeback of sorts. Her fans have been waiting for the right moment where Marya has to "step" on the TV screen again after her award-winning MMK portrayal last year. After all, she was a Drama Anthology Queen . And there's Tir...

by Direk Romm Burlat There's no stopping for Kris Aquino and the Falcis brothers and it's even getting worse each and ever single day. A lot of secrets have been unearthed and no one seems to be affected from the turn of events. The Falcis brothers just released the phone conversation between Kris and Nicko sometime in September last year. From the conversation, Kris shouted and threatened to kill his former personal accountant once he comes back to the Philippines. Wonder of wonders, Kris being very frank, admitted the existence of such conversation between her and Nicko . She said she started the conversation emotionally angry because she was just diagnosed with lupus . I believe most of us if we are in the state of anger say some words like what Kris said because of what we call, "bugso ng damdamin". But I don't approve that it was right. It is definitely wrong. With Kris admission, she added that "illegal recording is inadmissible in court...

by Romm Burlat It has been a childhood dream to see myself hosting on television. Among my talents, this is the one I haven't done yet. I did some dancing and singing from high school. These talents were further developed in college when I was accepted as member of the Silliman University Dance Troupe and singing choristers. At 18, I was the dance champion of the whole university which branched out to the community where I vied in some competitions and won. Although I was not really a very good singer but I had my moments of fame in some contests. Writing followed when I tried being a contributor to our school paper. After graduation, I honed my writing skills when I was picked as Editor in-chief of a Coca-Cola plant newsletter.  My hosting skills started in college but was further enhanced when I worked on cruise ships as a cruise staff. In 1998, I was promoted as the first Filipino Cruise Director . This afforded me the chance to host and direct shows and events on the cr...

by Romm Burlat One of the greatest and biggest religious celebrations in the Philippines or even the world is the Feast of the Black Nazarene .  Most Filipino Catholics consider the Nazarene statue to be miraculous, able to heal terminal cancers and other sicknesses, to grant petitions, and to help those in need. "Every year on January 9, millions of Filipinos — newspaper reports say as many as 10 million 1  — gather in Manila for a procession of the Black Nazarene, or Poong itim na Nazareno, a life-sized statue of a suffering Jesus fallen under the weight of the cross, along a 6.5 km route from Rizal Park to the minor basilica in Quiapo.  The vigil started last night. People trooped to the Rizal Park  to wait for the "pahalik" where devotees kiss the cross or the foot of  Hesus Nazareno. Others put up some tents in the streets from Lawton to Quiapo to await this special day for the devotees of the Black Nazarene.  During the vigil, people ar...

by Direk Romm Burlat Just wondered why malicious minds are all over the social media declaring that Tony Labrusca is gay. I vehemently disagree. I tried googling issues about his sexuality. I may not have been updated. There was no instance did Tony or his close friends said he was or he is. I first met Tony during the Pinoy Boyband Superstar days where ROMMantic   Jay-R Ramos was also a contestant like him. Despite being brought up in the US, you can still see some Filipino values in him. I didn't find him disrespectful. The first time I saw him, I know he will make it in showbiz. It's true, he is Adonis personified and many women and gays will fall for him. Some Filipinos may not understand the way he talks and acts because it may be very American but I can understand him since I have lived in San Diego, California for a bit and been visiting US every now and then. Like me, I can be misinterpreted as strict and brutally frank for comfort, Tony is also like that. But...

by Direk Romm Burlat A few months ago, Multimedia Star Kris Aquino was diagnosed of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria-  a "serious, chronic and distressing skin condition that is difficult to diagnose and manage," Also called lupus, Kris has been so worried about her condition as according to her, she still wants to live until Bimby turns 18. Her alarming weight loss of 15 pounds is a reason for her, her family and her supporters to get worried.  Adding insult to injury is her rift with her former accountant, Nicko Falcis who used to manage her digital business and a partner for her other businesses. It can be recalled that in October, she filed a case against Falcis because of some financial anomalies in her companies. According to Kris, this has taken a tremendous toll on her physical and emotional health.  The issue between her and Falcis is now blown out of proportion. People in the know give their opinions. People not in the know also give some unsolicited comm...

by Direk Romm Burlat ABS-CBN star Tony Labrusca, who became a byword after his online movie with Angel Aquino billed Glorious became a hit, got involved in a controversy at the Immigration in the Ninoy Aquino International airport yesterday. The incident served as a wake up call to a lot of people. Based on the Twitter post of an Immigration employee, Labrusca after being given a 30-day allowable stay in the Philippines got furious and threw expletives to the immigration officer. For everyone's information, Tony, son of actor Boom Labrusca was born in the US, where he grew up with his mother and his step-father. In a statement released Friday morning, the Bureau of Immigration pertained to the incident involving Labrusca, but withheld his name, to “remind the public on the scope of the Balikbayan Program for former Filipinos visiting the Philippines.” “The Balikbayan visa privilege is exclusively given to former Filipinos naturalized abroad, and their spouse and ch...

by Direk Romm Burlat It has always been my dream to be a Host on national television or at least in an online show where  I can showcase my gift of gab while sharing my knowledge on topics that I am very familiar with. Since I was a kid I don't have any problem speaking in public. This gift was enhanced during my college days at Silliman University . Also, when I was sent by the Rotary International for a group study exchange to Texas, USA where I had to deliver speeches in different Rotary Clubs in South Texas. When I worked abroad, my familiarity on the English language was further strengthened. In fact, I can speak the language in different accents like British, Australian, American and even Singlish (Singapore English). Moreover, it is not only the language I have learned to live with but I also gained more knowledge on several issues owing it to my association with people from different walks of life from the different countries of the world. Modesty aside, I have tra...

by Direk Romm Burlat 2018 successfully bade us goodbye. I would always remember that year as one of my most successful years. I was able to to direct nine films and amassed five awards: two national and three Asian. Among those awards, I was greatly honored being chosen as one of the Outstanding Men and Women of the Philippines 2018 . On top of this, my films garnered 12 awards from the 5th Inding Indie Film Festival. 2019 seems promising. According to soothsayers (GaneshaSpeaks.com) , this year of the Earth Pig has predicted the following signs: Aries: " It is going to be full of ups and downs, leaving you with varied and mixed results throughout the year. During the first initial months of this year, you may feel anxiety taking over you, making you quite enraged and angry, even over petty matters in your day to day life." Taurus: " This year is going to be really exciting for you, as it is filled with a lot of astonishments and amazement. The Taurus 2019 ho...