Belle Mariano (left) and Donny Pangilinan —STAR CREATIVES FACEBOOK Belle Mariano took a seven-day crash course in Fookien, while Donny Pangilinan walked the streets of Binondo and Divisoria incognito as part of their preparation for their characters in the romantic drama series 'Can't Buy Me Love.' 'Up to now, I'm still trying to learn more about my character Caroline. I just know that she is my exact opposite,' Belle told reporters during the recent media gathering to introduce the cast and directors of ABS-CBN's latest project that will start airing in two weeks.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/522143/donbelle-on-adjusting-to-a-teleserye-state-of-mind

#inquirer

Igiboy Flores at the ABS-CBN Ball. Image: INQUIRER.net/Dale Calanog Another ' Goin' Bulilit ' alum will be joining the list of celebrity graduates of 2023, as Igiboy Flores formally concludes his college journey this month. The former child star, who decided to pursue a bachelor's degree in business administration (major in marketing management), shared the good news during the recently concluded ABS-CBN Ball . Flores, who enrolled in AMA University's Online Education program and studied as a scholar, also talked about his experiences as an intern at a record label this year.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/521591/igiboy-flores-reveals-upcoming-college-graduation-this-october

#inquirer

Donny Pangilinan (left) and Belle Mariano Sam Milby (left) and Catriona Gray Jericho Rosales (right) with wife Kim Jones Actress Kim Chiu is grateful that her big sister, Lakam, who was hospitalized early this year, was able to attend the 2023 ABS-CBN Ball with her. Actor Enchong Dee said he was happy to have had the chance to represent the country in an international film festival this year by way of Richard Somes' 'Topakk,' while Robi Domingo was thankful that ABS-CBN has 'successfully rebranded' from being a broadcast network to being a storyteller and content provider, 'but has remained to be in the service of the Filipino, despite the absence of a broadcasting franchise.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/521344/what-abs-cbn-ball-attendees-say-theyre-forever-grateful-for

#inquirer

MTRCB chair Lala Sotto and 'It's Showtime' hosts. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Cristy Ferminute, Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Tuesday distanced itself from 'It's Showtime' and ABS-CBN's labor issues amid the 12-day suspension of the noontime show , saying the board's ruling is a 'separate and distinct matter' from the management's 'inability to provide regular employment' to its workers. In a statement released on Sunday, Oct.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/521010/its-showtime-suspension-highlights-pressing-matter-of-contractualization-mtrcb

#inquirer

(From left) Atasha Muhlach, Sandara Park, Joshua Garcia. Images: FILE PHOTOS The first ‘Ber month came to a close, with Atasha Muhlach's fabulous entrance at noontime show 'EAT' making quite an impression to loyal viewers and showbiz watchers alike. Her joining the 'EAT' Dabarkads aside, the noontime show faces a setback after the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said it will review noontime show over host Joey de Leon's 'lubid' or rope remark. On EAT's rival noontime show, K-pop icon Sandara Park drew laughs on 'It's Showtime' after asking why her portrait couldn't be found on ABS-CBN's hallway.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/520903/showbiz-roundup-atasha-muhlach-joins-eat-sandara-parks-hallway-portrait-joshua-garcias-new-flame

#inquirer

Inquirer.net is still the most visited local news website as of August 2023. This is based on data from web traffic analytics firm Similarweb. inquirer.net , as of that month, received a total of 107,193,032 web visits this year. It sits at the top of the rankings of local news websites analyzed by Similarweb. Coming in second was GMA Network with 68,180,147 total web visits in the same period. Philstar.com had 66,405,631 total web visits, followed by Rappler with 55,177,343 and ABS-CBN News with 42,079,200.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/530423/inquirer-net-continues-to-be-most-visited-news-website-in-ph

#inquirer

Inquirer.net continued to be the most visited local news website as of August 2023, based on data from web traffic analytics firm Similarweb. As of that month, Inquirer.net received a total of 107,193,032 web visits this year. It sits at the top of the rankings of local news websites analyzed by Similarweb. Coming in second was GMA Network with 68,180,147 total web visits in the same period. Philstar.com had 66,405,631 total web visits, followed by Rappler with 55,177,343 and ABS-CBN News with 42,079,200.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1838875/inquirer-net-still-most-visited-news-website-in-ph

#inquirer

MANILA  -The British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP) on Monday said it is backing the extension of lower import tariffs on major agricultural products, including pork, rice and corn. In an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel, BCCP executive director Chris Nelson said they have seen a substantial increase in the importation of British pork, which he said helped augment local supply that is still reeling from the outbreak of the swine flu. 'We strongly support that view and I think that it is also supported by other groups,' Nelson said, mentioning that the measure also helped ease the impact of the country's high inflation environment.

https://business.inquirer.net/423009/extension-of-lower-agri-tariffs-backed

#inquirer

Kathryn Bernardo. Image: Screengrab from Youtube/Seoul International Drama Awards Kathryn Bernardo is in South Korea where she received her Outstanding Asian Star award at the Seoul International Drama Awards for her performance in the ABS-CBN drama series '2 Good 2 Be True.' In her acceptance speech during an awarding ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 23., Bernardo dedicated her award to the staff and crew of the 2022 TV show, as well as to the nurses and health care workers. In the Mae Cruz-Alviar-helmed series, Bernardo played the role of Alyson, a nurse who went to care for an elderly patient with Alzheimer's Disease.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/519609/kathryn-bernardo-receives-outstanding-asian-star-award-in-south-korea

#inquirer

(From left) Diorella 'Lala' Sotto-Antonio, 'It's Showtime' cast. Images: FILE PHOTOS A broad coalition of evangelical churches in the Philippines has expressed its 'high respect' and 'full support' to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for suspending 'It's Showtime.' The Christian Coalition Movement (CCM), through its CEO Bishop Vincent Vicencio, said MTRCB's sanctions is a practice of 'sound discretion and observation of the law,' stressing that the ABS-CBN noontime show cannot 'shield their infractions under the guise of freedom of speech.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/518121/mtrcb-gets-high-respect-over-its-showtimes-suspension

#inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The attack on the residence of slain Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo lasted only for 41 seconds, his bereaved wife revealed on Monday. Mayor Janice Degamo of Pamplona, Negros Oriental, said in an interview with ABS-CBN News' Kabayan that the armed men who killed her husband last Saturday were initially stopped by the security officer outside the gates of their compound to confirm with the governor if they could be allowed inside. Degamo said the protocol for those who wanted to talk with the late governor was to leave firearms with the security officer.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1738909/41-seconds-only-gun-attack-on-slain-negros-oriental-governor-very-quick-wife-says

#inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The wife of slain Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo has expressed regrets about their relaxed security protocols, which made it easy for armed men to enter their compound and gun down the public official and some of his constituents Saturday morning. Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo, in an interview on ABS-CBN News' Kabayan radio program on Monday said that they received several threats over the past months, particularly when the late governor was about to take his oath of office.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1738880/fwd-slain-negros-oriental-guvs-wife-regrets-lax-security-despite-numerous-threats

#inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Are senators not eager to talk about charter change because their terms may be amended and cut short? This was the question posed by Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez — an ardent supporter of charter change — as to why such proposals are not gaining traction in the Senate despite getting overwhelming support in the House of Representatives. Gomez, in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel's Headstart on Tuesday, said these questions should be answered when the two congressional chambers meet.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1749116/gomez-asks-is-senate-afraid-of-cha-cha-because-terms-may-be-cut-short

#inquirer

A strategic partnership between Lopez-led ABS-CBN Corp. and Manuel Pangilinan-led TV5 last year might have been derailed by intense political pressure but the two media groups have found other ways to collaborate, albeit, quietly. After shifting gears to become a content provider to all, ABS-CBN has been selling certain transmission equipment and land it no longer needs to TV5, which is boosting its network capabilities. Tucked within its annual report was a mention of the sale of transmitters, antenna towers and two parcels of land in 13 tower sites to MediaQuest Holdings, the media arm of the PLDT Group that operates TV5.

https://business.inquirer.net/393528/biz-buzz-abs-tv5-silent-partnership

#inquirer

Coco Martin. Image: Instagram/@cocomartin_ph Coco Martin is full of gratitude as he officially bid farewell to his remarkable role as Ricardo Dalisay in 'FPJ's Ang Probinsyano,' which earlier ended its seven-year run. The actor extended his appreciation to everyone who has been part of the show, including the staff, ABS-CBN bosses, the late Susan Roces and her daughter Sen. Grace Poe, through a message on his Instagram page yesterday, Aug. 13. 'Maraming salamat, Panginoon sa pitong taon na trabaho na ibinigay nyo sa amin, napakarami pong buhay at pamilya ang natulungan dahil sa aming programa,' he said.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/460665/coco-martin-bids-ang-probinsyano-fans-goodbye-after-seven-years-ricardo-dalisay-signing-off

#inquirer

ABS-CBN and TV5 joint venture. Illustration from INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo said on Wednesday that he does not see any issue with the merger between media giants ABS-CBN and TV5, which he described as a 'dream team.' The Kapamilya and Kapatid networks signed a landmark deal last August 11, elevating their existing block time agreement to a partnership. 'Sa ngayon, wala akong nakikita. Pero again, I have to study that. I have to ask questions from experts. Tignan kung mayroong violation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/?p=1648065

#inquirer

ABS-CBN and TV5 joint venture (FILE PHOTO) MANILA, Philippines — Three resolutions seeking an investigation on the merger between media giants ABS-CBN and TV5, along with allegations that TV5 is foreign-owned, have been forwarded to the House of Representatives' committee on legislative franchises on Wednesday. During the plenary session, House Resolutions (HR) No. 280, 281, and 282 were transmitted to the said committee for possible action. HR No. 280 authored by Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Rep.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1648527/solons-want-probe-on-abs-tv-5-merger-briefing-on-deal-out-of-franchise-panels-agenda

#inquirer

ABS-CBN and TV5 joint venture MANILA, Philippines — The investment deal between media companies ABS-CBN and TV5 is 'not notifiable' and does not need approval from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), an official said Wednesday. During a joint House committee hearing, PCC officer-in-charge Johannes Benjamin Bernabe said the transaction between the two media firms did not meet the P50-million threshold set by the Bayanihan 2 law. Thus, the media entities have no obligation to notify the body of the investment deal since the transaction is not notifiable.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1652714/abs-cbn-and-tv5-deal-wont-need-ok-from-ph-competition-commission-exec

#inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The alleged middleman in the murder of Percy Lapid apparently revealed to his sister those behind the killing of the radio commentator, according to an exclusive report on ABS-CBN News' 'TV Patrol' on Monday. The sister, whom the report referred to only as 'alias Marisa,' said she got a message from her brother Cristito 'Jun Villamor' Palaña. She explained that her brother, though sentenced to life imprisonment at the New Bilibid Prison, still had a phone. Speaking in Filipino, the sister said: 'On the 18th [of October] at 11:59 [a.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1684449/middleman-revealed-to-sister-those-behind-percy-lapid-murder-report

#inquirer

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO The landmark deal between Manuel Pangilinan's TV5 Network Inc. and Lopez-led ABS-CBN Corp. has been signed, elevating their existing block time agreement to a partnership that is seen to boost content creation. On Thursday, ABS-CBN disclosed it was set to acquire 6.46 million new primary common shares of TV5 for P2.16 billion. This represents 34.99 percent of the total voting and outstanding capital stock of TV5. TV5, which will remain to be the controlling shareholder, will have 64.

https://business.inquirer.net/356924/from-block-time-agreement-to-partnership

#inquirer

Sarah Geronimo. Image: screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment Sarah Geronimo marked her return to ABS-CBN's weekend variety show 'ASAP Natin ‘To' with a song-and-dance performance of her 2018 hit 'Duyan.' The singer-actress gave an account of the people she is grateful for, in a video aired before her comeback performance during the show, as seen on the network's YouTube channel today, July 24. 'Maraming maraming salamat po sa aking mga Kapamilya in ABS-CBN, Viva and of course, sa ‘ASAP' family ko.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/454631/sarah-geronimo-sings-dances-duyan-in-asap-comeback

#inquirer

Ria Atayde at Tony Labrusca SIGURADONG ikaka-shock ng mga manonood ang mga intimate scenes nina Tony Labrusca at Ria Atayde sa afternoon series na 'Nag-Aapoy Na Damdamin'. Matagal-tagal ding nawala sa limelight ang hunk actor kaya naman nagpapasalamat siya sa ABS-CBN na binigyan uli siya ng project na maipagmamalaki niya. Ang 'Nag-Aapoy Na Damdamin' na idinirek nina FM Reyes at Benedict Mique, ay isang collaboration project ng ABS-CBN at TV5 na pinagbibidahan nina Tony, Ria (gumaganap na mag-asawa sa kuwento), Jane Oineza at JC de Vera.

https://bandera.inquirer.net/357721/tony-labrusca-naloka-sa-pagsusuot-ng-thong-sa-love-scene-nila-ni-ria-atayde-it-felt-like-underwear-being-worn-backwards

#inquirer

Maiqui Pineda and Robi Domingo. Image: Instagram/@iamrobidomingo Robi Domingo admitted he has been having a 'tug-of-war of feelings' as he couldn't stop thinking about his fiancée, Maiqui Pineda, who has been diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. The TV host opened up about this after his contract signing with ABS-CBN, as seen on his Instagram page on Friday, Aug. 4. 'What an emotional day. This moment has given me a deeper appreciation of what it is to be a KAPAMILYA,' Domingo spoke of the contract-signing event.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/512800/robi-domingo-assures-fiancee-diagnosed-with-autoimmune-disease-whatever-happens-i-choose-you

#inquirer

Alwyn Uytingco, Jennica Garcia and their kids. Image: Instagram/@alwynzky Jennica Garcia has confirmed that her annulment with estranged husband, actor Alwyn Uytingco, is currently ongoing, months after revealing that their  efforts at reconciliation didn't work . Garcia revealed in an interview during a brand launch that she and Uytingco, who's also the father of their daughters Athena and Severina, have been separated for 'three years now' when asked about the status of their relationship, as seen in a recording by ABS-CBN News.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/524246/jennica-garcia-confirms-ongoing-annulment-with-alwyn-uytingco

#inquirer

Kiana Valenciano with (left) Gary Valenciano and Sandro Tolentino. Screenshot from ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube channel, Image: Instagram/@kianavee Gary Valenciano was all praises for his future son-in-law, Sandro Tolentino, fiancé of daughter Kiana, who the singer's family considers 'a blessing.' In 'The Greatest Showdown' segment of Kapamilya variety show 'ASAP Natin ‘To' that aired last Sunday, Sept. 3, the father-and-daughter duo performed a soulful duet of Alicia Keys' 'If I Ain't Got You' in celebration of Kiana's recent engagement to her boyfriend of four years.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/517317/gary-valenciano-sings-with-newly-engaged-daughter-kiana-says-future-son-in-law-a-blessing-to-their-family

#inquirer

MANILA, Philippines— The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will meet with President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday to make a final decision on a possible extension for SIM card registration. 'Yes, we'll be discussing SIM registration, among others,' DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said over the ABS-CBN News Channel when asked if he would meet the President in Malacañang to discuss the extension. 'This is important and this is urgent because tomorrow's already the deadline, so we like to make some decisions once and for all,' he added.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1760729/dict-marcos-to-decide-on-sim-registration-extension-on-tuesday

#inquirer

Priscilla Mereilles spoke once again about her marriage with John Estrada, declaring 'all is good' between them and that they have been 'talking a lot' to address differences and expectations in their relationship. The Brazilian beauty queen said this after she was asked by ABS-CBN entertainment reporter Mario Dumaual if 'all is well' between her and Estrada. Meirelles and Dumaual had their conversation during the preliminary event of the Miss Earth Philippines pageant last Monday, April 17. 'Actually, we never really had any major, let's say… I cannot say that it wasn't well,' she told the reporter.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/495608/priscilla-mereilles-says-she-john-estrada-have-been-talking-a-lot-about-their-marriage-all-is-good

#inquirer

Enrique Gil has reaffirmed his loyalty to ABS-CBN as he inked an exclusive contract with the network after a three-year hiatus from showbiz. Gil was welcomed back to ABS-CBN at a contract signing ceremony on Tuesday, April 25, as seen in a video uploaded by ABS-CBN PR's official Instagram page. The contract signing event was attended by the actor's manager Ranvel Rufino, ABS-CBN's president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN's COO of broadcast Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. head Kriz Gazmen, and Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal, among others.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/496575/still-a-kapamilya-enrique-gil-set-for-acting-comeback-after-exclusive-contract-with-abs-cbn

#inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Maj. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Friday urged police officers, even. the lowest ranking ones, to document and report the irregular activities of their superiors. Acorda, who previously headed the PNP Directorate for Intelligence, told the junior officers to use 'counter-intelligence' to keep their ranks clean. 'Kailangan ng pagkakaisa, even the lowest, kahit yung mga juniors na mga PNP officers. Yung mga tinuruan natin sa [Institute Training Group], mga [Police Non-Commissioned Officers], sabi ko, ‘let us use, yung counter-intelligence work', so yung ating kapulisan, kung may ginagawang katiwalian yung ating superiors o head officers, please, let us document that,' he said in an interview on ABS-CBN's Sakto.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1762280/fwd-new-pnp-chief-acorda-to-low-ranking-officers-record-your-superiors-wrongdoings

#inquirer

Finally, Coco Martin and Julia Montes fans may now rejoice! Martin has finally confirmed that he's in a relationship with Julia Montes for 12 years, putting an end to longstanding speculations about their romantic status. The 'Batang Quiapo' star made the revelation on ABS-CBN's TV Patrol on Tuesday, May 23, where they were asked about the status of their romance. 'Napakasarap ng pakiramdam namin dahil 12 years na kaming magkasama, pero pareho pa rin tulad ng dati. Nilo-look forward namin kapag may project na magkasama kami and then kapag may pagkakataon, nakakalabas kami, nakikita kami ng mga tao pero name-maintain namin ang privacy sa buhay namin,' he said.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/506098/coco-martin-confirms-12-year-relationship-with-julia-montes

#inquirer