The Wutz Up in the Philippines!

MANILA, Philippines - Very amusing, but worrisome. That was how actress Bea Alonzo described rumors that she had also been victimized by the Hayden Kho sex video scandal — allegedly recorded using a spy camera while she was dressing up in one of the clinics of the Belo Medical Group.

Bea got worried when news of the rumor spread and started affecting the lives of her family.

The Belo Group, which Bea endorses, recently released a statement denying the video’s existence.

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MANILA, Philippines—As time ticked for the squabbling partners to meet Friday’s deadline to patch up their differences and salvage a P7.2-billion contract for next year’s automated elections, advisers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) moved to see to it that the project pulls through.

The Comelec Advisory Council (CAC) said on Thursday the Comelec should consider taking over from Total Information Management Corp. (TIM) should the local partner of the Barbados-based Smartmatic International carry out its threat to withdraw from the deal.

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Prayers pour in from friends, political foes
Former Philippine President Corazon “Cory” Aquino has refused further chemotherapy or any other medical treatment in her battle against colon cancer, her spokesman said in comments published Thursday.
The 76-year-old Aquino, who led the Philippines from 1986 to 1992 after the fall of Ferdinand Marcos, was admitted to a Manila hospital last week, and is reportedly being fed intravenously.

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Located in the middle of bustling Makati City, Skin Inc. stands as a veritable grooming gold mine. To rid your skin of the city’s dirt and grime, as well as other skin blights, you can include this center in your shortlist. The clinic boasts of personalized facial services, state-of-the-art machines and certified medical staffing to help achieve your grooming goals.

“One thing we really are proud of is the customization of our services,” explains Dr. Windie Villarica-Hayano, MD, one of Skin Inc.’s founders. “It’s like you come here and we really see you first and do a proper assessment, history, and do proper physical examination. It’s a very medical approach and very personalized.

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As Marian Rivera officially fills in the shoes of Darna in August 2009, the Darna before her, Angel Locsin is now besieged with queries concerning the new title holder.

“I’m happy for her,” Angel told Manila Bulletin Online and other members of the press at the thanksgiving party that ABS-CBN feted for the “Only You” cast and crew.

The actress is nothing but grateful that she once was Darna.

“Thankful ako na na-recognize ako bilang isang Darna. So, I’m happy for her (Marian) at saka maggu-goodluck ako sa kanya at sa mga susunod pang magda-Darna.”

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Despite the economic slowdown, the domestic franchising industry remains robust with a projected 5 to 10 percent growth in sales this year over last year propelled largely by a robust homegrown franchises, which is growing faster than the foreign brands.

Robert F. Trota, president of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), told reporters at the opening of the 17th Philippine International Franchise Conference and Expo (PIFCE) that the growth in the local franchising has been robust despite the economic slowdown.

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Summer’s over, but here’s a resort still worth a visit.

Looking for a place to spend a day or two away from the busy metropolis? There’s this not-so-far and yet refreshing place in Antipolo where such goals can be met. Called Casa Ibiza, this resort ensures you that summer vacation-feel minus the overcrowding and without spending that much. On top of that, the food being offered captures the island-feel to keep you going away from the nearby city each week.

Luna, the resort’s restaurant outlet, is headed by Chef Mike Santiago, a product of CCA (Center for Culinary Arts), and a trusted head cook of Casa’s on-top woman, the pretty and perfectionist Danielle Lee. Danielle is the sister of model-socialite Divine Lee and daughter of high-profile businessman Delfin Lee. No wonder she was labeled the “Dynamic Heiress” when she once joined a reality TV show for today’s It girls.

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A member of the advisory council of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has urged the poll body to continue with the planned automation of the 2010 national and local elections despite the fact that winning bidder Total Information Management (TIM) Corp. already terminated its partnership last Monday with its foreign partner Smartmatic.

In a press briefing, Ramon C. Casiple, executive director for the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform (IPER), said that everything is not lost although TIM already abandoned its joint venture with Smartmatic
that will pave the way for the computerization of next year’s polls.

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MANILA, Philippines—There’s more to barbecue than the classic “toyomansi” (calamansi and soy sauce) with sugar and black pepper.

Celebrity Chef Robert Rainford suggests experimenting with herbs and spices to “elevate your food.”

Rainford’s grill churns out classic as well as exotic fare – from Jerk Chicken, a nod to his Jamaican heritage, to chicken marinated in coffee and cinnamon.

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Antuñez: I didn’t ask for P500M.

MANILA, Philippines—Jose Mari Antuñez, the head of local IT provider Total Information Management Corp. (TIM), denied on Wednesday he had demanded P500 million for next year’s election computerization program, or that he was close to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo.

“The first and only time that I met the First Gentleman in person or ever spoke to him was in 1994 during the blessing of TIM’s business recovery service center,” Antuñez said in a brief interview.

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