Final Battle of Manila's Rising Stars Happens Today at Trinoma!

If you're not doing anything this Sunday, February 1 at 5PM, please do take the time to watch the biggest Singing competition in this side of the world - Rising Stars Philippines. This will happen in Trinoma Mall's Activity Center. The top 50 singers from recent auditions in Quezon City were invited back last January 29 and were narrowed down to 16. It wasn't easy because they had to go through live interviews, and auditioning in front of a panel of judges. Today, February 1 will be the Final Battle for Manila's Rising Stars, and these hopefuls will vie for the final prize which I was informed to be the biggest ever yet in singing history, make sure though that the talent equals that first! They'll be picking 2 winners from this leg so they get the chance to be in the Grand Finals to be televised soon on TV5. 

The Grand Finals will also be graced by TV5's brightest stars like Danica Sotto Pingris, Rr Enriquez, Jeck Maeirhofer, Lj Moreno-Alapag, the stars of Happy Wife Happy Life which talks about housewives of Philippine's most promising Basketball Stars. There's also Tuesday Vargas,  Wendell Ramos, Sophie Albert, Mark Neumann, Shaira Mae, Nicole Estrada, Chanel Morales, Malak So, Marvelous Manzano, Alberto Bruno who stars in the gag show "Tropa Mo Ko Nice Di Ba”. Gelli De Belen will be there, she hosts TV5's Solved Na Solved a talk show about money matters and legal problems. Not to mention the one and only Empoy who plays the twin brother of Derek Ramsay in top rating Mac And Chiz, I bet you can't wait to see them all in the flesh! You'll also love the program's hosts Ogie Alcasid and beauty queen Venus Raj who'll be the main hosts. I'll tell you later about how the picking goes because I'll be there as well!

What I like about it is that the audition process can be done via the booths they have in the major malls, the application which you can use at home, or just about any other computer that can access their website via http://www.risingstars.ph. To know more about their future auditions, please like their Facebook Page by searching RisingStars.PH and following them on Twitter at @RisingStarsasia. This is a production of RisigStars Inc., see you there!

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Zalora Presents Lunar New Year Collection

Hot, fiery and floral, this printed dress is part of the CNY collection for Zalora

I love how it feels to see a new collection, especially when you get first dibs on seeing it either on the racks, their atelier, or on the show. You get to stay ahead of the pack in seeing the latest trends or get to know the designer a little better. You also get to somehow judge if the secrecy he did for the collection is effective or not. It's hard to do that but since Zalora is in a giving mood, here's what they have solely have for the Chinese "Lunar New Year" and I'm loving the pieces they came out with.

Sold separately, they've got crisp white sleeveless tops, cold floral prints (probably a transition from Winter to Summer). It's got pink, red wine, grays, blue and purple. It's cold shades, a thing that would also be perfect for evening wear if you're out on a date or  just plainly with friends. 

Feminine cuts, dresses that are above the knee could also be best to show off those calves which men find totally sexy with 5 inch pumps depending on your mood.

Want something bright? This red, blue and white printed sort of floral dress would be nice on a walk during the day!

It would be so luxurious if you get this dress with bright prints. You'll play the adorable little girl, or woman that everyone would remember because you'll definitely catch attention. Pretty!

Asian influenced prints, used fabrics like jacquard, neoprene and lace, you'll be definitely starting the festivities in pretty dresses that would go with the Year of the Sheep!

Paulo Campos of ZALORA Philippines says “Our collection gives them the chance to celebrate heritage without looking dated and empowers them to style freely as each piece can match any modern fashion accessory.” Judging from these photos, it's evident that they've researched well, I can even say these dresses would even follow Feng Shui traditions with the colors, prints that all follow the ancient ways.

Lace and a little black dress? It's something hot and sultry that you can wear for an event or if you're just going out for the evening.

The thing is, it's also affordable. The price ranges from Php 1,000 to Php 2,000 only and available exlcusively in Zalora. This is the perfect time to get it before the actual day of festivities. Aside from the charms, crystals and lucky ornaments you're planning to get for that day, you better get the dresses before it gets sold out! Shopping online has never been easy!

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Happiness with Red Ribbon Mocha Roll

Happiness. It's one word to define you - when something surprising, something unexpected happens, it just brings enormous joy. This is what happened to me a few days ago when I received this box of Red Ribbon cake. It's the Filipino go to food when they want something comforting no matter what occasion that is. For birthday parties, baptismals, graduation or just simply hanging out with friends, the moment just becomes so special when there's a cake in the mix. That sweet start or end to your meal just tastes immeasurable, I could have sworn it's the person who gave me this that mattered but aside from that, it's the CAKE... it's the Red Ribbon Mocha Roll in fact!

When I opened the box, I thought I was going to see the usual Mocha Cake I buy from them. This looks to me like they've improved a lot in the looks department. The buttery icing which was formerly decorated on top seems to have been substituted alternately with super rich, earthy milk chocolate with fragrant mocha, chocolate, coffee and caramel tones. The top is also drizzled with a generous helping of caramel syrup... then all you can do is take a slice. Mmmm... I carefully placed it on a small plate and sat down on the table - having my moment to taste this wonderful piece of heaven!

It's available in all Red Ribbon Bakeshop branches nationwide and can be ordered in half or full Mocha Roll sizes. You can even have it delivered to your home for a fee if you can't take the time to go rush to the store. It's that convenient. I know you love Red Ribbon just like me, it's affordable, it's not too sweet and it's so easy to have on those special occasions. I'd love to share this also with my family, not just on special days, but even on a regular one so we can bond, take a moment to enjoy, indulge in lovely cake anytime of the day, wherever, or whoever I celebrate it with. Bring a box of Red Ribbon when you go to your friends house (especially me), and I'll surely appreciate it! It's my favorite of course! 

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http://www.redribbonbakeshop.com.ph/

Robin and Rommel Padilla, Bb Gandanghari Stars in 2 1/2 Daddies

Robin Padilla, Bb Gandanghari and Rommel Padilla stars in 2 1/2 Daddies

They've just made a dream come true. Robin Padilla, Bb. Gandanghari and Rommel Padilla just started a show on TV5 called "2 1/2 Daddies". It premiered last January 24 and I've seen a lot of people loved it. The chemistry was unquestionable as these brothers (and sister!) got to work again on a TV show after their stint in Mistah which starred much of the Padilla clan. The premise, they've all got a little baby in the house (a foundling) and they've got to take good care of her. With Robin (who plays the tough guy), Rommel (who plays the role of a smooth talking "the ladies man") and Bb (who's the lone trans woman), this would definitely be a very difficult place to start a family.

Robin Padilla says "This is one of the things we thought about when the Bb Gandanghari came out. Will this be a blessing? or is this just a fad? This is why Bb has so much responsibility, to show in the sitcom what reality is. LGBT exists, and it's a community. With her actions, I don't find anything wrong. We're wondering how her waistline looks really, because we find it too small. In one sequence, she just came out without bras and we had to stop her. I had to let Rommel do the talking because he's the older brother. I've also offered Bb a lot of projects but she's too expensive to work with, my production is still small but we did offer. We even asked for rights on films but Bb later on wanted her own Director so it got shelved.

This next project I'm doing by the way "Ang Tatay Kong Hoodlum" will be some sort of a comeback in action films and I'll be with Kylie on this one. That you have to find out. You have to watch this new show too, 2 1/2 Daddies is something that would reflect Filipino lives, you'll learn how to handle situations like these, because ultimately, it happens." 

The former Rustom Padilla revealed a lot during the press conference. Bb Gandanghari says 'When I was compared with Carmina Villaroel, I really laughed a lot about it. Tita Celia has alzeimers here and it was just a punchline. The creative group just picked it up because there are a lot of people who often compare Bb's looks with Carmina. But I didn't have any peg, I didn't even think about it. There must be a ton foreigners that I might have looked up to but not really this. As for Robin and Rommel's treatment, whatever they do with other women, they do it also to me. I really prefer them treating me normally which is what they are doing right now. I like that part a lot. I also would love to do a classic film, hopefully this would be a start to open new doors to make more action, more dramas. 

When I did PBB I wasn't able to come out in the public. During that show, I didn't even got to talk to anyone but only one person. It was Carmina (everyone gasped). Robin even got so mad he wanted to enter the house but they had to watch it... that happened exactly 9 years ago. Rustom and Carmina had closure during 2005, so I hope people would be fair to her. We helped each other during those times, she and I had so much things going through our lives. I had to run, and I thought I was Forrest Gump. When I left in 2002, I outed in LA late 2003/04 and when I got back here everyone was talking behind my back and it did hurt a bit to hear that. I didn't even talk to people in PBB, it wasn't planned at all, so for people thinking it was scripted, you're all wrong. The thought process was all inside, I was just looking for a sign and the Mariposa that arrived inside the home was just it. It wasn't a conspiracy, it was why I did a voluntary exit. It was just at the back of my head, a one time big time thing. I didn't want people to interrogate me, and it was the time to come out publicly." 

Rommel Padilla adds "All along I thought it was just a gimmick. I talked to Robin and it looked like we're hearing from people that it's true. It did hurt that we received texts, feedback from people about his sexuality. It was bitter sweet, because it was like losing a brother, but in the end he found himself.

I've also tried a lot of things in acting, this series will be a test on how I could do comedy and I hope everyone would find me funny (Robin and BB says he's got good timing cracking jokes). Rommel also adds no matter what your blood brother is, whatever his preference is, you just have to love him. You have to maintain the respect he deserves. This is why we're in good terms. This is why it works."

2 1/2 Daddies was a riot on its first day, please watch again this Saturday 7 PM on TV5! Don't fail to watch it! 

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