Monthly Archives: May 2015

Entertainment, Film and TV, International

NEXT SEASON OF “ASIA’S GOT TALENT” WILL BE OFF LIMITS TO FILIPINOS

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imageSINGAPORE (The Adobo Chronicles) – A total of 14 countries were represented in the just-concluded first season of “Asia’s Got Talent,” now considered the largest such franchise of the reality talent competition which originated in Great Britain as a pilot broadcast.

Last night’s announcement of the grand winner — El Gamma Penumbra, a shadow performing group — made Filipinos extremely proud.  The winning act is from the Philippines, but so were three other acts that made it to  the grand finals.  The other Filipino grand finalists were classical singer Gerphil Flores, ten-year-old singer Gwyneth Dorodo, and hip-hop dance group Junior New System.

Completing the nine grand finalists were dancers Gao Lin and Liu Xin (China), musicians Khusugtun (Mongolia), dancers Triqstar (Japan), young rock stars The Talento (Thailand), and tap dancers Dance Thrilogy (Singapore).

But as Filipinos were celebrating the success of their contestants, the other 13 countries signed and sent a petition to Fremantle Media and Sony Pictures Television — the show’s producers — demanding that the next season of “Asia’s Got Talent” be made off limits to Filipino contestants.

The petitioners stated that their respective countries were put at a serious disadvantage in the competition because of the number of amazing acts that represented the Philippines in the first season.  “We just cannot compete with the Filipinos,” they added.

The petitioners concluded by threatening to pull out of the competition next year if the Philippines were not excluded.

In order to save the extremely popular show, the producers agreed to ban Filipino talents from competing, at least for the next season. The ban will be revisited in 2017.

Politics, Tourism, Travel

DEAL REACHED IN RENAMING PHILIPPINE AIRPORTS AND EXPRESSWAYS AFTER THE AQUINOS

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NLEX
NLEX

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – There had been a lot of debate over the proposal to rename the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) after the late President Cory Aquino.

Many critics have commented that there seems to be a master plan to name and rename major Philippine infrastructure to permanently establish the legacy of the Aquino family. Of course, we all know that Manila’s international airport is named after Cory’s husband Ninoy (Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA).

So what about the other Aquinos?

Well, a deal has been finally reached as a compromise, agreed to by no less than President NoyNoy Aquino himself. The new names will honor the president’s mother and  four sisters.

The Clark International Airport will be renamed Cory Aquino International Airport (CAIA).

The Southern Luzon Expressway  (SLEX) will be renamed Maria Elena Aquino Expressway (MEAEX)

The Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) will be renamed Victoria Aquino Expressway (VAEX)

The Manila North Expressway (MNEX) will be renamed Aurora Aquino Expressway (AAEX)

So what about the most famous Aquino sister, Kris?

President Aquino announced that his administration will build a new South Expressway (SEX) in Manila and will be named Kris Aquino South Expressway (KASEX).

As for the president himself, the Pan-Philippine Highway which extends from Laoag City in Northern Luzon to Zamboanga City in Mindano will be renamed NoyNoy Aquino Highway.

Hindi namin kayo malilimutan.  (We will never forget you). Long live the Aquinos!

Entertainment, Film and TV, Music

PILIPINAS GOT CELEBRITIES: “ASIA’S GOT TALENT” GERPHIL FLORES BEATS KRIS AQUINO AND AI-AI DE LAS ALAS

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Flores singing 'The Impossible Dream' during final performance in 'Asia's Got Talent.'
Flores singing ‘The Impossible Dream’ during final performance in ‘Asia’s Got Talent.’

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The Philippines’ “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino and “Queen of Slapstick Comedy” Ai-Ai de las Alas failed to make it to the top ten list in the latest Pulse Asia poll on the most popular celebrities.

Fresh from her highly-acclaimed performances in “Asia’s Got Talent” which ended in Singapore tonight, Filipina classical singer Gerphil Flores topped the list in the nationwide survey. Another Filipino act, El Gamma Penumbra, was announced as the winner of the grand finals.

Many of course are aware that Flores was voted off the semi-finals in the 2010 “Pilipinas Got Talent” by celebrity judges Aquino and de las Alas because they thought the singer, then just a teenager, should sing songs that the audience (and her fellow teens) could relate to.

After being voted off, Flores promised she would continue singing songs in her chosen music genre.  The rest is history, leading up to “Asia’s Got Talent.”

Other celebrities who made it to the top ten list include superstar Nora Aunor, actor DingDong Dantes, Manny Pacquiao, and Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

The exclusion of Aquino and de las Alas from this important list could significantly jeopardize their product endorsement appeal, meaning they will lose millions of pesos in advertising contracts as spokespersons or models for product billboards; radio, TV and newspaper ads; product labels and packaging, among others.

One Aquino and de las Alas hater posted on her Facebook account a message to the two (mis)judges, simply saying, “karma karma karma karma karma chameleon,” quoting lyrics from the popular song by the musical goup Culture Club.