Ultimate Boxing Series on ESPN5

A new reality show on ESPN5 was just launched, but this time it won’t be like those other shows will petty drama because all those involved are up and coming boxers. It’s called UBS or Ultimate Boxing Series. The place was filled with world champs and olympic medalists, but we listened in to their conversation.

Two time world champion Gerry Peñalosa says “Like what other people have said, boxing is our life. I am sure the next superstar of boxing is in this group. We went to different cities across the Philippines and have see so much talent. We need to guide them, discover and expose them to real fights. I will do everything to support them, Manny Pacquiao is also helping us, we are doing the grass roots programs and helping them realize their dreams. We try to check their records, to see them in the flesh and have them try out, we saw how good they were and picked those who have potential, all quality boxers and not just because of their sob story. We don’t have nuisance candidates. We picked those who have at least 10 fights, not less than 3, like amateur standouts. We even have people from the Philippine team, most of them have no loss record. The reason why we chose two weight classes is to make sure we pick quality fights and not confuse viewers if there would be more weight categories. We want quality not quantity. Hopefully we get around 3 wins before they get to the main fight which will be the undercard in the coming Philippine Mexico title fight.”

Our boxers, we are starting this. ESPN5 isn’t just about live events, UBS is going to be like ESPN sports stories featuring the life, their background, how they fight hard in and out of the ring. It is real drama and we hope to put this out hopefully to give honor and prestige to the country. To share the stories and the journey of the athletes, and yes people will relate to us like when we did Kwentong Gilas. This format is open to everybody, we asked Gerry to make this all inclusive and some were able to join, some were not able to do it but we have promoters and stables now in the program. As long as we feel if is relevant, we will continue doing this because it helps a lot in what we are doing in the channel, not just basketball or title fights, we want to show the developmental journey and support all sports programs. We flew the boxers here, we housed them and have logistical plans involved. Maybe in the future we’ll have more.”

This looks so exciting because we’ll get to see how their story would turn out, the fights will also be supervised and they have reserves in case they get into trouble. They have their own managers and trainers, if they hire someone it won’t be much trouble. They also have contracts with each boxer and they will be compensated, they made sure they will be happy. Rules will also be under GAB, so this will be a good fair fight in Novaliches. They will be housed in one roof and they wouldn’t be scripted, just their everyday life on TV. It will premiere on June so stay tuned!

Quezon's Game Media Launch

Just got off the media launch of Quezon’s Game, a heavily awarded film by (all 23 of them) to be shown finally in the Philippines this month.

Director Matthew Rosen says “Good question, when we started and because they were such important characters, Quezon has to be Quezon and Aurora is Aurora, 90% is casting and the rest is directing the set. I always try to make sure I have the right cast and generally, as soon as I saw them read, I knew they were Quezon and Aurora. They have always been the presidential couple in my mind. I came across this story about 10 years ago, when I knew about it in a local synagogue I felt it was a remarkable feat of humanity and we need to bring it back. It’s not a pro jew, pro american or any political agenda, it’s about being proud to be part of humanity.”

Rachelle shares “Matthew saw me first time in Spamalot, a musical and I sing and act. I was invited to audition, they had so much suggested but we had to do a lot with chemistry.”

Raymond on the other hand told us about his casting and said “I didn’t know it was me but I had to go to Kinetek, offering me a role for this movie while I was in Pusong Ligaw, so I was tired and really needed sleep, but I went there and talked to them. They said, you’re the favorite actor of my wife, and they asked me to audition. They gave me a long speech, I did it then redo it with a Spanish accent. Then they said they’ll give me a call, the whole two months I was swearing because I needed sleep that day. I was again, coming from a shoot the whole evening, but they said I had to come in and read again. Direk Matthew said they fought hard for me, albeit some other actors were being shot for the part. They fixed my hair and the suit, that’s when it started.”

Their agenda is for people to open up their history books again, for young ones to understand and help others realize how great of a country this is. This movie is also a thank you from the Director to the Philippines, to tell the world that there exists a country that is hospitable as a people, and care. This film shows on May 29, 2019.

Derek Ramsay on GMA ARTISTAKEOVER

Even though I kinda know Derek Ramsay because of his shows, I don’t quite know him as a person. I guess he’s good keeping his private life intact, and I wouldn’t blame him. Showbiz is toxic sometimes and the less people know about you, the less stress you get. He recently transferred to GMA and yes, he’s got an upcoming show in the kapuso network. A few days ago, he was tasked to be the man at ARTISTAKEOVER, an IGTV and social media initiative of GMA so he could share more of his life with his fans.

This was a bit personal, as he shares more of his life, his home, and his fur babies. He also talked about his everyday regimen, his workouts and how he keeps that Derek Ramsay body in shape. He also relaxes, takes us around some of his favorite places and gives us a behind the scenes look of the photos published online. I like the part when he talks like a friend, no fuzz, just human. Like a normal Derek Ramsay.

You may see these posts all on GMA’s IGTV coverage here instagram.com/tv/Bw94BgmBMB3/ and if you wanna know more about this hunk, watch it today!

The End of EX BATTALION

We saw a very furious and angry Aiai Delas Alas over lunch in Pamana Quezon City. This apparently stemmed from her boiling anger towards her rap crew Ex Battalion. For those who don’t know, Aiai served as their Manager around early 2018. Hearing their hit song “Hayaan Mo Sila” she was adamant to get them as talent and guide them to the crazy life of showbusiness because she has been in the industry for years.

Knowing they are from the underground scene Aiai felt then that she had to help them fix their lives. She’s like their second mother, trying to fix bouts of personal and professional problems since late last year, but she never had given up because she felt she had to help them make a career out of this, and hopefully become successful artists themselves later on. She says “I don’t know how it all came off because last week, one of them quit and told me via chat... then almost all of them followed suit. There are also some instances where I didn’t scold them even if they were a but unprofessional not going on performances and events they had a commitment with. I fell flat, on deaf ears sometimes because I am their manager. Now they might be facing charges with Viva I dunno, and without Mark, I don’t think I should even get them gigs. This is a traumatic experience for me, especially if they didn’t show up on gigs and I get contacted by producers. The last time, I told them they will face the producers lawyers and I wouldn’t be able to help them. After this, I don’t think I’d even want to manage people anymore. All I wanted to do was help these people, because I thought I’d be blessed more by God if I do that. It has happened so many times and tons of people told be about it, one year and two months isn’t a joke.”

She might be trying to make this a little funny while she delivered this but she’s seriously disappointed. I don’t think they would be able to fix this, will it spell the last time we’ll hear of EX BATTALION?

You be the judge.