Darna Pilot Episode Tops Ratings

Darna, the GMA-7 fantaserye starring Marian Rivera, generated a massive 44.1% to lead all programs, according to the latest overnight ratings of AGB Nielsen Philippines among Mega Manila households.

It has a significant margin of 11.8% over second-placer Tayong Dalawa, which posted a rating of 32.3 percent.

How did the pilot episode Marian’s Darna fare against the premiere episode of Angel Locsin’s Darna, which was shown in 2005?

Angel’s Darna still rated better with 47.1%, or a three% margin compared to Marian’s Darna.

When Angel’s Darna was airing, GMA-7 was dominating the ratings game in Mega Manila. Angel’s Darna made history when it reached 52.1% on its fourth episode, where Angel appeared in a Darna costume for the first time.

That figure was the highest rating achieved by any GMA-7 show at that time. It was only broken in 2008 when the final episode of Marimar, starring by Marian and Dingdong Dantes, achieved 52.6%

It should also be taken into account that Marian’s Darna is being broadcasted at a time when ABS-CBN is giving a very strong competition in the ratings game. Also, Darna is competing against May Bukas Pa, considered the No. 1 program of the Kapamilya network, which also topped the primetime race for a number of times.

On Aug 10, May Bukas Pa dropped to sixth place with 24.6%. Aside from May Bukas Pa, Darna’s pilot episode, which ran for over an hour, was also pitted against Only You, which came in seventh place with 24.5%.

Rounding up the top five are GMA-7’s24 Oras (31.9%) and Rosalinda (28%), and ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol World (27%).

Wowowee Host Willie Revillame Draws Criticism Over Comment on Ex President Cory’s Wake Live Feed

Are we still surprised to hear that Willie Revillame is rude and arrogant?

For all his millions, he still hasn't learned that "it's not what you say, it's how you say it." His millions also failed to teach him manners and sensitivity.

While a live feed of ABS-CBN’s special coverage of the transfer of Cory’s remains from La Salle Greenhills gym to the Manila Cathedral was airing during the noontime show’s Willie of Fortune segment, Revillame demanded that the live video be removed.

Revillame bitchily snapped “Di po maganda. Nagsasaya kami dito habang nagluluksa ang sambayanang Pilipino. ‘Di ko magagampanan ang pagpapatawa habang ipinapakita ang libing ng dating president."

In response, the Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag (AFIMA) urged the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to teach the host a lesson.

Willie Revilla, probably sensing his popularity and his source of income being threatened, explained that he meant no disrespect by his comment. “Ang feeling ko hindi magandang ipinapakita ‘yon habang kami’y nagsasaya... Sa sitwasyon na ito, kung may nasaktan ako, I’m sorry. Sa pamilya Aquino, alam ng buong pamilya Aquino [na] wala akong masamang intention doon."

A temporary suspension from the MTRCB will not, in any way, affect Willie Revillame. Hit Willie where he will be hurt the most – through the ads being shown in his show. The bulk of Willie’s income comes from companies who give him millions for just mentioning their products on his show. Without these ads, his arrogance will dry up pretty fast.

Let’s write to advertisers to boycott his show or we will boycott their products if they don’t. To make Willie’s downfall a sure thing, stop watching his show. Low ratings mean very little ads.

Somebody tell Willie that Wowowee has no social or historical significance whatsoever. Capitalizing on the sob stories of your contestants and giving them a prize for leaving their dignity in tatters on nationwide TV don’t give you relevance, Willie – merely an opportunist hiding behind the name of charity to endear yourself to people.

Somebody also give a little history lesson to Willie. He or his show will never be more important than Cory or the Aquino clan to The Powers That Be of ABS-CBN. Without Cory Aquino, there is no ABS-CBN, Meralco. The Lopezes owe a great deal to Cory Aquino for giving back to them their holdings and assets that were sequestered during the Marcos regime.

Pwede ba, Willie is the most powerful figure in entertainment only in PEP’s subjective list. In real life, isa siyang bastos at arogante na nagpapanggap na TV host.

YUCK!

Controversy Surrounds National Artist Nominations

Artists are protesting President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s decision to confer the national artist award to an official of the agency that screens the nominees for the prestigious title, and a movie director whose nomination had been rejected twice.

Critics said Cecille Guidote Alvarez should have had the delicadeza to refuse because she is the executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), which administers the award together with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Alvarez heads the NCAA secretariat that receives nominations for national artists.

Mrs. Arroyo recently conferred the award to seven individuals: Manuel Conde for cinema; Federico Aguilar Alcuaz for visual arts; Lazaro Francisco for literature; Francisco “Bobby" Mañoza for architecture; Jose "Pitoy" Moreno for fashion; Magno Jose Carlo Caparas for visual arts and film; and Alvarez for theater.

Caparas’ nomination was twice rejected by two NCAA panels. Caparas was first proposed as a nominee for literature, but the committee rejected him. He was again proposed as nominee for visual artist but the panel again turned him down. The title conferred to Caparas “appeared to have duplicated" that of Conde.

Film Academy of the Philippines director general Leo Martinez was also surprised how Caparas landed on the elite list. "He was obviously added by Malacañang," Martinez said on Spot.ph. Caparas, a comics writer who later turned to film making, is known to be a vocal supporter of Mrs. Arroyo.


The NCAA and CCP panel only submitted four names to Mrs. Arroyo: Conde, Alcuaz, Lazaro, and Ramon Santos, who was nominated as national artist for music. Santos was not included in Mrs. Arroyo’s list of awardees.

National artist for visual arts Benedicto Reyes Cabrera said “There used to be prestige. Well, since the presidency of Ramos there has been an understanding that the President can add one choice … there was Carlos Quirino (historical literature) , Alejandro " Anding ‘ Roces (literature) , Abdulmari Asia Imao (visual arts). But this time (Mrs. Arroyo) added four."

“They might as well just appoint (their own choices) and not go through the whole process. I will boycott the awards. I will not march. I will not mention any names but we heard that there was one very influential person who helped manipulate the results," Cabrera said.

Ex-President Corazon C. Aquino Passes Away (1933-2009)

Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, icon of people power in the Philippines and around the world, passed away at 3:18 a.m. Saturday, her son, Senator Benigno Aquino III, said. The official cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest.

The 76-year-old Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer in March of last year and was treated with chemotherapy. Last May, she underwent surgery to remove parts of her colon and was brought to the Makati Medical Center (MMC) in June due to loss of appetite. She never left the hospital, as her declining condition sparked a wave of emotion in the country and prompted the widespread appearance of yellow ribbons - on trees, car antennas, and even the Web.

He added that they chose a private funeral arrangement for the late president rather than avail of a state funeral in Malacañang.

After being confined for barely two months at the MMC, Mrs. Aquino passed away early Saturday morning surrounded by her children.

Dressed in her signature yellow, Mrs. Aquino rallied the middle class in a series of protests culminating in the 1986 people power revolt that toppled the 20-year regime of strongman Ferdinand Marcos and swept her to the presidency.

She blamed the Marcos government for the assassination of her husband, opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr., who was gunned down at the Manila airport upon returning from exile in 1983.

The former housewife reluctantly took over as Marcos’ main challenger, becoming an international icon of democracy after her victory sparked a wave of pro-democracy movements around the world. Time Magazine named Mrs. Aquino its Woman of the Year in 1986.

After her presidency, Mrs. Aquino retired to private life. She took an active interest in painting, with flowers and women as subjects, and joined various art exhibits to raise funds for her advocacies: the Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation, PinoyMe, ASA Foundation, and People Power People.

But she remained an influential figure in Philippine politics, lending her presence to political causes that needed her iconic stature.


Amid an overcast sky and a light downpour, Aquino’s remains arrived at the La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong City to a shower of yellow confetti.

Aquino is dressed in a yellow Paul Cabral dress embellished with Swarovzki crystal beads. Although visibly thinner, the former President looked serene.

In Aquino's hand is a rosary with pink beads and gold chain. Spokesperson for the Aquino family Lourdes "Deedee" Siytangco clarified that the rosary was not the one given by Sister Lucia, one of the three shepherd children who supposedly saw the Virgin Mary at Fatima in Portugal.

"That one is blue," Siytangco said, referring to Lucia's rosary.

The two-day viewing will be closed for three hours from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Sunday and Monday to give way to maintenance work.

From La Salle, Mrs. Aquino’s remains will be brought to the Manila Cathedral where overnight vigils and requiem masses are scheduled. A necrological Mass will be held Tuesday night.

After a 9 a.m. Mass Wednesday, Mrs. Aquino’s body will be brought to the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque for interment. No details have been disclosed yet to media about the funeral procession route.

Senator Aquino said that his mother will be buried beside the remains of his father, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., assassinated upon his arrival in Manila from the United States on August 21, 1983.

The Aquino family has also set up a memorial site at the historic EDSA Shrine called "The Dedication Garden for Tita Cory," where supporters can leave their flowers and notes for the former head of state.

Blind Items: Your Guess Is As Good As Mine

Aktres-pulitiko Na Nabuntis ng Pulitiko sa isang Siyudad, nagtago abroad para manganak

Ayon sa tsismis, isang aktres-pulitiko ang nasa ibang bansa dahil nagdadalantao ito. Nakapanganak na ang aktres at ang itinuturong ama ng anak ay ang isang mataas nga pulitiko sa syudad na pinagseserbisyuhan ng aktres-pulitiko.

Kalat na ang balita sa buong munisipyo na nanganak na ang aktres sa anak ng mataas na opisyal.

Clue: Major problem ang sitwasyon ngayon ng aktres at ng mataas na pulitiko sa isang siyudad, major problem.

My guess: Marjorie Baretto and Rechom Echiverri


Seksing Aktres, Ibinuyangyang ang Kaloob-looban ng Puday sa Sex Video Nila ng Ex-BF na singer

Ayon sa source, Matindi ang mga shots na nakita nya sa naglalagablab na pagse-sex ng seksing aktres at ang kanyang ex boyfriend. Pati ang pinakaloob na part ng flower nya pinabayaan nyang kunan nung lalaki.

Anong panama sa kanya ni _____ (ang modelong nakasex sa isang pinagpipistahan pa ring sex video nila ng isang doctor?) Magaling lang na hinete yung isang yun, pero sa pag-eemote, kabog na kabog siya ni seksi aktres.

Clue: Todo na ‘to. Walang border-border kahit sa South.

My Guess: Rufa Mae Quinto and Duncan Ramos

Rosanna Roces vs Revilla Family: Lesser of Two Evils

Rosanna Roces and Jolo Revilla (of course Bong Revilla has also put in his two cents, are at war again over the custody of Gabriel Revilla, the son of Jolo and Rosanna's daughter Grace Adriano.

I thought Rosanna has permanently faded into obscurity but she's making noises again. Her beef with the Revilla is Jolo's failure to return her grandson, whom she calls Budoy, back to her care at the agreed time.

However, I read that the boy was put into the Revilla's custody because he has primary complex and is on strict medication. The boy's mother is overseas living with her new family, so it was logical to put the boy in the care of the biological father. Rosanna is also busy with her indie films, which she did not fail to promote while making a litany of the Revilla's sins.

Rosanna is waging her war on Facebook. So netizens can easily follow her rants. She posted a photo of her with Gab flipping the bird at the camera. According to Rosanna, the boy learned the gesture from Jolo, who does the same to his father Bong, the honorable senator, everytime he is displeased with his father.

Let’s be real. The initial reaction when seeing a toddler flip the bird is amusement. But it is stupidity to post the evidence online. C’mon, pampamilya na lang di ba? I guess, Rosanna as an ulterior motive behind the posting of the picture. And it has come to fruition because Social Services is closely watching the goings on between the families.

Who should get custody of Gab? Revilla or Rosanna? Eh, it’s like choosing between the lesser of two evis, a rock and a hard place. I can’t stand Bong Revilla on principle. Rosanna Roces, she’s got a few loose screws in her head. Like Anabelle Rama, she’s someone who has mistaken honesty for tactlessness and insensitivity.

There are talks that Rosanna wants Gab with her because she will be missing out on the perks that come with the boy. We are talking about a nanny, driver and personal car for Gab. No Gab, no perks.

Gab should go to the family who can support him financially, emotionally and most importantly mentally. I think he should be adopted by the Brangelina clan. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are always on the look out for their next child to adopt.

Eh, I’m not feeling this latest pettiness between Rosanna and her ex-future in laws.

The Gutierrez Family Defends Their Own

I finally saw a scene that could possibly be an acting piece for Richard Gutierrez. The actor appeared on a taped interview with his lawyer to answer the lawsuit filed against him by Lorayne Prado, the widow of Richard’s PA, Nomar, who was killed in a car accident two months ago.

The Gutierrez family must be feeling insecure about their chances of coming out victorious in this lawsuit because one by one members of the Gutierrez family is coming out to defend their beleaguered family member.

The Gutierrez brought out the bigs guns - and I don’t mean Jun Lalin. Family patriarch Eddie Gutierrez came out briefly from under Anabelle Rama’s skirts to defend his son. Eddie Gutierrez is considered the more respectable member of the family because he doesn’t talk much. He talks only during important events, like when eldest daughter Ruffa Gutierrez came home a battered wife, and now, when Richard Gutierrez, the biggest money earner in the family, is facing a criminal case.

Ruffa Gutierrez and Richard’s twin Raymond used their respective showbiz talk shows as a platform to prop up the innocence and generosity of their brother, and in the same manner discredit the actions and feelings of the widow who is seeking justice.

I thought after the initial salvo from Anabelle Rama, the family decided to lock up their matriarch in her special room with the voodoo dolls to prevent her from spewing more inappropriateness that is bringing the family down, for reals, in the arena of public opinion.

I was wrong. Her interview in a radio program is a classic lesson on not what to say when you badly need public support. There were so many WTF moments as I was listening to Anabelle Rama. Well, if your PR person is Jun Lalin, don’t expect much, okay?

The central theme of the Gutierrez’s defense is their generosity to the Pardo family before, during and after the tragic accident. They kept on harping that the help was not out of obligation because it wasn’t Richard fault that the accident happened.

FYI, Anabelle accidents are unintentional and not premeditated but they are often caused by something or someone. There is no question that Richard did not mean for the accident to happen but he is accountable for being the driver of the car.

If we must play the blame game, who or what could be the culprit, if not Richard? Let’s see. The coconut trees for simply standing there, not getting out of Richard’s way when his car was careening off the road? Could it be the curved road for not being straight so Richard could drive on his merry way without incident? Or Nomar for not wearing a seatbelt in the backseat of the car?

According to Ruffa, her brother was not speeding and was very careful as he drove the car. Take this with a grain of salt because Richard was driving a Nissan GT-R, a car built for speed in a race track. It’s not a station wagon that the family takes on vacations or road trips.

I will assume Richard likes speed. Otherwise, he would go for a van or SUV. So for a speed enthusiast, the need for speed must be very tempting on an open, nearly deserted road considering the time the accident happened.

The family, taking note from the police and onlookers, said that the area is accident prone. There have been seven or so accidents in the same spot. How many vehicles pass through that stretch of road in a given day? Hundreds, thousands? Those seven or so have been careless while the rest respected and followed the road warnings.

By the way, the price of a Nissan GT-R is in the millions so why is the Gutierrez family quibbling over P4 M? It’s a drop in the bucket for them. If they are so really hard up, why don’t Anabelle sell two or three of her diamond jewelries? Para mabawasan naman ng kaunti ang kinang niya pag lumabas sa TV.

I don’t think Richard or any of his family members feels accountable for Nomar’s death. This is the core of the issue of why the Gutierrez cannot simply hand over the money, which is not an unreasonable amount. Richard Gutierrez, according to her nanay, has the highest per episode pay among GMA Network’s stable of stables. Is it so hard to let go of the money that you would earn back in a few days or weeks of work?

The families have reached an impasse so a logical solution is to let the courts decide on whether the family of the deceased is entitled to damages and whether Richard should be jailed for reckless driving. The Pardos are not traitors or mukhang pera for going to court. So many people have sued over the shallowest and most frivolous of reasons. Ehem, Anabelle Rama, ehem.

As Richard was explaining his side during the taped interview in Startalk, I could see the sadness in Richard’s eyes. Or is it fear caused by the unbidden thought that serious jail time is a real possibility in his future?

Richard was explaining that he too felt saddened about Nomar’s death; that it was an accident that nobody wanted to happen. Yeah, it was tragic. Who wants to have another’s life on their conscience? But I could not feel full-on sympathy for Richard simply because his mother’s name is Anabelle Rama. I don’t think I’m alone in feeling this way.

That in itself is tragic - to attract negative vibes and enemies along the way, not because of your own doing and regardless of whatever kindness or generosity you extend to others, but because there are no words bad enough that can describe what your mother is. Tactless and insensitive barely scratch the surface.

Richard’s pretty face is fucked.