Good Morning Venus

Good Morning, Venus!
By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA
Published MOD March 2011

YOU KNOW her story. Born in Qatar. Growing up without a father. Hand-to-mouth life in Bicol. Darkness, her many nights. Then, just as she was about to see some limelight, a controversy, a buzz about mistakes, and it seemed she’s back in the dark.

And then splash!

Unlike beauty queens who, after representing the country in pageants abroad, seem to have been etched out of the public’s consciousness, Miss Universe Fourth Runner-Up Venus Raj continues to make news. And she’s delivering the news. Her new morning.
Venus recently joined the reformatted ABS-CBN morning show, Umagang Kay Ganda, as one of its hosts. “Okay sa akin ang hosting. Sabi nga nila, pagka-hosting, normal lang. Napapakita mo lang yung personality mo," Venus told entertainment site push.com.ph.
She added that she has no problem with the early call time. “It’s okay, because I do jogging at around 5:30 in the morning. So it’s like I’m only jogging, that’s what I think about. Plus, I am a morning person, so I don’t have any hesitation waking up early.”

Venus is excited to have started a showbiz career, via ABS-CBN. Unknown to many, she almost became a Kapatid, having been offered to be a part of Willie Revillame’s Willing Willie on TV5 as a co-host. Her mom, however, was determined for her daughter to be a Kapamilya. “She told me, ‘Anak, ang gusto ko, sa ABS-CBN ka talaga. Kasi kung hindi, hindi na talaga ako manunuod!’ She was serious when she told me that. Kaya kami ng kapatid ko tawa ng tawa, at alam ko na talagang ang saya niya na nasa ABS-CBN na ako,” she told ABS-CBN.com.

She may be focused on her hosting gig now, but Venus isn’t closing her doors on acting. “If I am given a comedy role, why not? For me, it is okay. Maybe even a dramatic role—it would also be okay for me. Or if I get to do comedy with a different role, why not? I’m willing to improve whatever it might be that would need improving. I would study different kinds of roles,” she said.
Venus also has some leading men she would want to work with—Piolo Pascual and Coco Martin.

She said of Coco, “I was still in college when he visited Bicol. I remember my barkada and I really followed his entourage just so I could get a glimpse of him. I only got to look at him for just a short while! I remember telling myself, ganito pala yung feeling na hinahabol mo talaga yung artista para magpa-picture. I wasn’t able to see him up close, so I wish that would happen soon.”

Whatever her career or lovelife status may be, Venus truly hopes in the Lord, like she did when the Binibining Pilipinas decided to sign her up with ABS-CBN. “All I’m praying for to our Lord is that He leads me to where he wants me to be going. So I know that this is where I am now, and this is what he wants for me. I’m really thankful that it is with ABS-CBN,” she said.

Andi’s beauty secrets

Andi’s beauty secrets

There is no doubt that Andi Eigenmann is showbiz royalty. Her father is Mark Gil from the vast Eigenmann clan, which includes Cheri Gil and Mark Gil. Her mother is Jaclyn Jose, an award-winning actress. Andi is also undeniably beautiful, her mother being part-American (real name Jane Guck). Her father also has foreign blood, something that's considered a premium in the colonial-crazy industry.

For years, Andi and her mother resisted offers for her to join the industry because she was still in school but when she became older, she couldn't say no anymore to promises that shooting and taping wouldn't clash with her school hours and the idea of earning her own money.

Andi became a household name because of Agua Bendita, a TV drama where she played twins, one human and the other a creature made of water. But Andi's acting ability aside, women were looking at the shade of lipstick that Bendita wore in many of the scenes. Someone would later reveal that the pinkish-peach lipstick came from a Kryolan palette.

Andi is also lucky to have a complexion that can look good even when she's wearing MAC Pink Nouveau and Viva Glam Lady Gaga lipsticks, milky blue-pink shades that would make the average woman look like a corpse.

The young star is the new endorser of Pond’s Clear Solutions. She says she's been using the brand since her mother recommended it to her.

“My mom was using Pond's Age Miracle and I used that for a while, too. But now, I’m happy to have a line that's perfect for my age. I use Perfect Matte; my mom likes White Beauty and Perfect Care,’’ says Andi.

She says she would never endorse a product just for money as she has to believe in something before making a commitment.

“I’m honest and I’m speaking as real as possible. I won't accept an endorsement if I don't personally use and like it,’’ Andi stresses.

But the star is not just all about beauty and appearances. She says she wants to study film-making just because she's curious about what goes into it.

‘‘I’m a film junkie. I love watching movies,’’ Andi explains.

She is quick to correct, however, that she's interested in directing films.

‘‘I want to take up film-making because I want to study scipt-writing. I really want to write scripts because I have so many ideas in my head but I don't know how to express them,’’ she adds.

Also in Andi's bucket list is to write a book or even just a short story. She even has something in mind.

‘‘It’s a fictional biography about a person's life. It should be real and about love but it will not be a love story. I just want to play with issues in life that may seem generic but that's my point. I want to tackle generic issues but I'd show it in a different way; in a way that's unique and very realistic.’’

Charice

Charice: Pinoy Gleek
By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA
Published MOD Magazine December 2010

FROM being a runner-up in a local singing contest to becoming a YouTube sensation to being branded by Oprah Winfrey as the most talented girl in the world, and more recently, to landing a recurring role in the hit U.S. series Glee, Charice Pempengco, or simply Charice, definitely is this year's Top Headliner and thus our Cover Girl for this yearender.



Charice is one of the few Filipinos who have successfully broken through the international music scene. Her-self titled international album made its way to the Billboard Top 100, reaching number 10, while its carrier single, Pyramid, reached number 1 in the U.S. Billboard Dance/Club charts.



But her biggest break this year—possibly her whole career--was when she got the role of a foreign exchange student in season 2 of the Emmy-award winning series, Glee. The whole Philippines eagerly anticipated Glee's season 2 premiere, where their kababayan was set to make her debut. And Charice sure made them proud! As Sunshine Corazon, Charice held her own against the show's lead actress, Broadway star Lea Michele, who plays diva glee club member Rachel Berry, in their Telephone sing-off. And during her second number in the show—Sunshine's audition as a member of McKinley High's New Directions glee club--a cover of Beyonce's Listen, Charice did even better, showing off those powerful vocals. Her Glee appearance so made its mark that Sunshine Corazon even became the second trending topic on the microblogging site, Twitter when the episode aired. Her and Michele's cover of Telephone, a Beyonce and Lady Gaga original, also landed at number 28 on the U.S. Billboard charts, while Listen debuted at no. 38.



And to think that Charice's scoring the Glee gig was rocked by controversy at the beginning. Her Botox and Thermage procedure done by celebrity doctor Vicki Belo to prepare herself for her appearance in Glee caused a stir and even made international news. It even made Glee creator Ryan Murphy rewrite the scenes for Charice with the message, ‘It's important to love and embrace one's naturally round face as it is.'



Prior to guesting in Glee, Charice performing in gay clubs also raised a lot of eyebrows, with some saying it was inappropriate and unexpected for a young singer such as herself. Charice, however, clarified that this was the practice in the U.S. and the best way to promote Pyramid. Apart from that, her talent fee was criticized, as Charice was reportedly worth $100,000 per show. To this ,Charice told ABS-CBN.com: “I’ll be honest. I don’t think that it is that big. I mean I’m just starting. Maybe people are just taking into mind all my achievements, that’s why they’re saying that it is worth that much. As for me, I don’t even know what my talent fee is,” noting that her managers handle all her bookings.



Charice’s mother, Racquel, didn't go unscathed with controversies, with reports saying she was controlling her daughter’s money and career choices. Charice quickly dispelled these rumors, saying she was grateful to her mother. “Thank you for everything that you have done for us. I admire her so much, because I’m only her daughter but all these negative comments are being thrown directly at her. I’m hurt by all these, I can’t imagine what more it is for her. I really admire her courage and strength. Always remember that me and Carl (her brother) are always here for you,” Charice said over a live interview in The Buzz .



Instead of letting these issues get to her, Charice considers them as a source of strength. “It’s my greatest fear. At the same time, it also keeps me going, those people who try to pull me down. That is the hard part, when you are so happy with all that you have achieved and then all of a sudden there are negative issues. It is super-super painful, but for me it is also like a source of strength. If ever you see people who are jealous of you, then you should show them that you are positive, a lot more than they are,” Charice said.



In the meantime, she focuses more on her flourishing career and opening the doors of international music scene to other Asian, especially Filipino, artists. “Sa ngayon po, iniisip ko na lang na talagang nakadepende sa akin na kailangang ipakita ko kung ano ang talent ng Pinoy. Iniisip ko na nagiging strength ko na mas lalo ko pang galingan para maipakita sa ibang mga lahi na meron din dito sa Asia na pwede ring international talaga,” she said.



Great Acclaim



THESE entertainment powerhouses have nothing but praises for Charice:

* “When that girl opens her mouth, angels fly out.” - Glee creator Ryan Murphy

* “You can smell the star on her.” – Ellen de Generes

* “In my opinion, she will put the whole of Asia on the map as a huge global superstar.” – David Foster

*“You are a force to reckon with. That voice comes from something bigger than yourself.” - Oprah Winfrey



Twitter Invasion



STARS tweet their congrats to Charice (@officialcharice) on her Glee debut:

· @officialcharice Great job on Glee! Very happy that so many people will hear your beautiful voice. - Josh Groban (@joshgroban)

· I finally saw the season premiere of Glee. Oh, the drama, the drama! And @officialcharice ROCKED! Congrats! - Lea Salonga, (@MsLeaSalonga)

· Way to go @officialcharice! You make us all proud! Keep ‘em coming!! Pinoy pride baby! - Sam Concepcion (@sam_concepcion)

· I just saw the scene of Charice in Glee where she sang Listen. Oh my gosh. GOOSEBUMPS EVERYWHERE! I'm so proud of her! - Pauleen Luna (@pauleenJLuna)

Where Santa Stays All Year Round

Where Santa Stays All Year Round

Ana Kristine B. Valenzuela
Published December 23, 2007 – January 5, 2008

What’s On and Expat

IF NOT delivering toys and presents on the day our Savior was born, where would Santa be? Would he be taking his bath at a barrel tub? Or maybe sleeping at his crib? Would he be playing the saxophone or even singing “Santa Clause is coming to town”? Maybe, checking his list for children that were naughty or nice during the year and supervising the elves in making toys for the latter? But the tingling question is where exactly?

North Pole is where everyone thinks Santa Claus does all these. Then, who would have thought that Saint Nick has a house right here, which is the Casa Santa. A Santa Museum that not only opens during the holiday season, for Father Christmas stays here all year long.

The Christmas spirit most positively fills the house that started out as a collection of Edna del Rosario, the owner. She began colleting Santa thirteen years ago with the prodding of another friend who is also an avid collector of Santa Claus items. Her first a green capiz Christmas is still prominently displayed in the Casa Santa. Del Rosario picked up Santa figures from department stores, antique shops here and abroad. Her collection got bigger and bigger, which eventually needed a house, until finally she decided to be open a museum for the general public in 2004.

The many faces, shapes and sizes of Santa Clause would leave visitors in awe, as they find out that the man who sneaks in to give children presents on Christmas Eve had so many depictions as can be seen in the museum. Guests most especially kids are allowed to play with the Santa present in the house. Some of the figures are interactive. With a gentle push of a button, Santa begins to move, dance, sing, even play an instrument and get you into the joyous spirit of the birth of our lord. Inside the Casa Santa, you can see jolly Saint Nick take a bath in a barrel tub, sleep in a crib and rap hip-hop Christmas songs.

So, instead of Santa subtly making his way into your home, why not try to slip into Casa Santa, and have yourself a ho-ho-ho of a time.

Reservations are requested prior to visit. Call Jardin de Miramar at (02) 817-1589 or (02) 817-1591.

I Am Pretending That My Baby Is Adopted’

I Am Pretending That My Baby Is Adopted’
As told to ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA
Published MOD May 2010

THE first time that Mirdianne* learned that she was pregnant, she cried-but they were not tears of joy.
At 28, Mirdianne was at that stage which many would consider the right age to have a baby. Also, she had a stable job working for the finance department of a retail company, so she could provide for her child.
But she and Lito, an officemate who worked for the logistics department, were not ready for parenthood. They were just having fun, they succumbed to their passions, but they were careful... or so they thought.
At first, Mirdianne noticed her menstruation skipping. But she didn’t bother about it because after all, she had an irregular pattern. But five months after, she still didn’t have that monthly visit. So she decided to have a home pregnancy test. The test turned out positive.
She didn’t know how to tell Lito. Things were complicated. They weren’t formally a couple. People in the office didn’t even know that they were going out.
Nevertheless, abortion did not cross her mind. Yet, she did not know what to do. So, she searched the Internet for answers. She found emotional support. The first person she told about her pregnancy was a pro-life minister, whom she met online.
Later on, she found the courage to tell her mother and sister, who were both in the province. She went home and told them, but they decided to keep it first from the rest of the family, including her father. Their plan: she would live in a home for women in crisis until she gives birth. Then she will legally adopt her own baby. She will tell people that the baby belongs to a less fortunate woman and that she’s adopting the baby out of charity.
Today, Mirdianne is one of the women housed at Grace To Be Born. She found a refuge in this non-government organization which helps women in crisis, especially giving shelter to pregnant women who do not want to resort to abortion. At Grace To Be Born, she is learning how to take care of babies by looking after babies of other women in the home.
Now she has accepted her baby-a boy-wholeheartedly and plans to name him Samuel, a character from the Bible who was adopted by a priest.
Things are still complicated with Lito, though. He still sends her text messages, but he doesn’t give any financial or emotional support, which Mirdianne is not hoping for anymore.
Mirdianne is on maternity leave, even as her officemates still do not know who the father of her child is. She has to work to be able to provide for her baby, but she plans to look for a job in another company.
“I will raise him up as my adopted child,” Mirdianne says of the baby she will deliver anytime soon. “But when the time comes that he can already understand, I will tell him the truth.”

Note: *Although events in the story are true, names of places, persons, and some circumstances have been altered to protect the identity of those involved. Any similarity to actual names of places and persons, whether living or deceased, is purely coincidental.
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