Apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas Sets To Help Sendong Victims Today

Apl.de.ap

Local celebrities have been extending their help through donations and distribution of relief goods to victims of Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City. Many of them have voluntarily joined in different relief operations and offered their time to look after the needs of the helpless victims of the flash flood.

Black Eyed Peas member, Apl.de.ap, who is currently advocating quality education through ‘We Can Be Anything’ campaign, is set to visit CDO today, December 23, to personally help the victims of the tropical storm Sendong.

Apl.de.ap expressed his concerns to the victims of Sendong saying, “I want to go personally and see what I can do to help.”

Apl also said that his friends in the United States have also set to help the poor victims. Accordingly, a charity auction was launched by Apl’s friends to raise funds for the relief operations and the rehabilitation of schools in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, in an awarding ceremony held last December 19, Apl.de.ap extended his prayers to the Sendong victims.

In his acceptance speech, he said, “Now, more than ever, I realize how important it is to give back to my country, particularly those most in need…In turn, it feels good to know that I have my kababayans’ support.”

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All Souls Day: A Tribute to the Faithful Departed

While some are looking forward to celebrating Halloween, others are already busy cleaning up the cemeteries. For most catholic Filipinos, November is the month of remembering all the beloved faithful departed.

In the Philippines, a yearly special non-working holiday is especially dedicated in honor of the dead. Some even travel miles just to get home in time for All Souls Day. All Souls Day has somehow become a celebration, a special gathering, and a reunion of families, relatives, and friends in cemeteries where their dearly departed ones are buried. People offer prayers, bring flowers, and light candles as they are part of the whole tradition during this special occasion. Often, it turns out to be a festivity rather than a solemn celebration. People eat, laugh, and reminisce the old times.

Once a year, every November 1st or the 2nd, my family and I visit our close relatives in their graveyards. However, for the past 2 years, I haven’t stayed too long in the cemetery ever since my mother and two sisters left the country and are now permanently settled in the US. But I guess this year, after I take a short visit in my great grandmother‘s tomb, I’d probably be staying a bit longer in my father’s graveyard. It’s my first visit to his tomb for this year’s All Souls Day since he just died few months ago.

Unfortunately, when my father died last July due to a freak accident, my mother and two sisters were not able to personally witness my father’s burial ceremony since they can’t just simply pack their bags and go home to the Philippines. It’s also unfortunate that they won’t be able to visit him this coming All Souls Day, but I am here anyway to pay homage to his grave site.

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Christian Bautista Released First International Album ‘Outbound’

Christian Bautista

The release of Christian Bautista’s newest international album ‘Outbound’ under Universal Records was recently launched.

The said album showcased a different musical style, which sounded more upbeat and groovy–a little bit different from Christian Bautista’s previous albums with songs that were mostly ballads.

“Parang we wanna showcase another side of me. Binigyan ako ng confidence to try something na kakaiba. First, maging current and contemporary. At the same time, medyo co-writer noong song na ‘All That’s Left.’ It’s exciting,” Christian gladly shared during the album launch.

The album’s carrier single ‘All that’s Left’ was the brainchild of Tat Tong, a producer, song writer, and arranger, whom Christian had closely worked with in conceptualizing the said album.

Aside from Tat Tong, Christian also collaborated with other music producers and international artists from the United States, Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia like  the K-Pop R&B trio One Way for “Wrong Number;” Jim Brickman for “Never Far Away;” Indonesian songwriter Satrio for “I’m Already King;” and Japan’s Baby M for “Sakura.”

Meanwhile, Christian gave credits to his experiences in The Kitchen Musical where he played Daniel, a sous chef in a restaurant. It was through The Kitchen Musical where Christian got the chance to showcase his dancing skills.

In his music video of ‘All That’s Left’, he displayed some choreographed dance moves. According to the singer, it was through The Kitchen Musical that he was able to improve his dancing skills.

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Sharon Cuneta says KC needs her, “I just want to accompany her because she needs me…”

Mega Star Sharon Cuneta and KC Concepcion

Last week, KC Concepcion left for Paris to take a short break from work and give herself time to think about things that have been going on in her life. She also said that she’s going to Paris to have a bonding with childhood friends who matter to her the most.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Mega Star Sharon Cuneta last night, October 11, she said, “…Aalis na naman ako bukas because my eldest daughter needs me naman. One week naman ako sa States sandali.”

However, Sharon Cuneta did not reveal anything about her daughter’s relationship status with actor Piolo Pascual. The Mega Star only told reporters that her daughter needs her and that KC asked for her company.

“I just want to accompany her because she needs me. She requested for mama, so mama will be there. I don’t like her to think that it’s only the little kids that mama is spending time with,” said Sharon.

Sharon also told reporters that KC was invited to former US President Bill Clinton 65^th birthday and charity event on October 15 at the Hollywood Bowl. She said that KC sent her a message telling her that KC wants her presence during the said event.

“…I am very happy about it. I’ve always liked Bill Clinton, but I am especially proud of my daughter. So, actually, alalay lang ako ni KC dun,” Sharon told reporters.

Sharon Cuneta further added that her daughter KC is doing okay. “She’s ok now. I’m ok because my daughter is ok. As long as my daughter’s ok, I’m ok,” Sharon calmly said.

Andrea del Rosario shared her ordeals with Boy Abunda

Andrea del Rosario

Andrea del Rosario, who became known as a sexy actress and one of the members of Viva hotbabes, shared her ordeals with Boy Abunda in The Buzz while she was carrying her first child and her experiences after she gave birth.

It has been a while since the actress appeared on television. She left the Philippines and stayed in the United States for quite some time. It was during her stay in the US where she got pregnant and gave birth to her first born child.

However, when Boy Abunda asked about the father’s identity, Andrea kept her silence and told Boy that she prefers not to mention anything about the father’s identity out of respect. Andrea just told the TV host that she and her child’s father are okay and that he has been very good to her and to her daughter.

The former Viva hotbabe was almost in tears when she told Boy about her daughter’s condition even while she was still in her womb at the time of her pregnancy. According to Andrea, her daughter is suffering from a congenital condition called Jejunal Atresia, a rare genetic disorder, an absence of the fold of the stomach membrane that connects the small intestine to the back wall of the abdomen.

Boy Abunda asked Andrea if it was her plan to have a baby, the sexy actress immediately answered saying that she really wanted to have a baby and that her daughter was an answered prayer despite almost giving up on her condition. Andrea also told Boy that when her daughter was just few days old, she already had undergone a couple of surgeries.  She added that prayers kept her strong. She said that she would just cuddle her baby and pray.

Hopefully, Andrea will surpass all these trials and that her daughter will be her source of strength.