Dingdong Dantes Workout Pays Off

From GMA News: Nagbunga ng maganda ang lahat ng hard work ng Bench Body model na si Dingdong Dantes dahil sa napakagandang response ng halos lahat ng nanood ng Blackout: The Bench Denim and Underwear Fashion Show sa Araneta Coliseum kagabi, July 25.

Paglabas pa lamang ni Dingdong sa stage para rumampa, kung saan nakasuot pa siya ng pants at topless sa umpisa, dinig na dinig na siya ang nakatanggap ng pinakamasigabong palakpakan at pinakamalakas na hiyawan mula sa mga manonood. Lalo pang lumakas ang hiyawan nang ibaba niya ang kanyang pantalon hanggang sa matira na lang ang brief niya.

Nakangiti si Dingdong at halatang masaya sa naging outcome ng kanyang pagrampa nang magpaunlak ito ng interview sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at iba pang entertainment press pagkatapos ng event sa loob mismo ng the Big Dome.

"Actually, wala akong naririnig, e, dahil focus ako na malakad ko nang diretso ang rampa after having a few shots of brandy para pampalakas ng loob!" natatawa niyang pag-amin. "Kasi ganoon ako sa isang bagay kapag gusto kong mag-concetrate talaga, to the point na nasusungitan ko minsan ang lahat ng tao sa paligid ko. Pasensiya na po sa inyo, pero bukas hindi na."

Bukod sa magandang reception ng mga tao sa kanyang pagrampa at pagpapakita ng magandang katawan, obviously ay maganda rin daw ang exposure na ibinigay sa kanya sa naturang fashion show ng Bench. Sa finale kasi kung saan lahat ng mga celebrity models ng Bench ay sama-samang lumabas, isa si Dingdong sa huling lumabas bago ang mag-asawang Richard Gomez at Lucy Torres-Gomez and, of course, Bench owner Mr. Ben Chan. Pero si Dingdong na mismo ang nagsabing hindi raw niya iniisip yun.

"Sa akin lang, I want to make the most out of the moment because I want to work so hard for it. Alam ko na importante ito para sa akin at gayundin sa mga tao sa Bench dahil napakalaking produksiyon ito at nagpapasalamat nga ako na isinama nila ako rito.

"Tamang-tama lang, they gave me the opportunity at ginawa ko lang kung ano ang nararapat. At the same time, wala rin naman akong idea kung ano ang sa iba. Ang sa akin lang, yun lang ang mahalaga para sa akin," pahayag ng young actor.

Nakapagbigay rin daw ng lakas ng loob sa kanya ang makita ang mga kaibigan at pamilya niya na sumusuporta sa kanya, maging ang girlfriend na si Karylle na naroron kagabi para panoorin siya.

"Yes, yes, ‘yang si Karylle, ‘yan ang isa sa mga best critic ko kaya nagpapasalamat naman ako na nagustuhan niya," sabi ni Dingdong. "Nagpapasalamat din ako sa mga kaibigan ko na nagpunta rito, yung iba pinuntahan pa ako sa stage para bigyan ako ng lakas ng loob. That makes this event more memorable because of them, also my cousins. Napakarami ngang nanghihingi ng tickets, pero hindi ko na nabigyan lahat dahil limited masyado kaya pasensiya na po yung iba."

Hindi ba niya inaasahang manonood ang leading lady niya sa Dyesebel na si Marian Rivera?

"Well, ang alam ko, pagod na pagod na siya ngayon. Yun ang alam ko kaya't hindi na siya makakarating. Galing kasi siya sa taping kaya hindi na talaga niya kakayanin pa," paliwanag ni Dingdong.

Obvious ang pagpapaganda ng katawan ni Dingdong. Makikita talaga ang laki ng pagkakaiba ng kanyang katawan nang nakausap siya ng PEP last week at sinabi nga niyang magsisimula na siyang mag-prepare for Blackout.

Ano-ano ang mga preparation na ginawa niya?

"Inayos ko lang ang pagkain ko, mas healthy. Jogging at kahit noong nasa Amerika kami, nakapag-jogging din ako kahit paano. Pero yung pagkain doon, hindi ko maiwasan, napakasarap! Kapag kinain mo, ang laki ng serving, so challenge sa akin yun. Kaya pagkatapos ngayong gabi, medyo papataba naman ako ng konti."

Hindi rin daw totoo na days before the event ay muntik na siyang mag-backout for some reasons.

"Hindi, e," tanggi niya. "Kasi ako, kapag may commitment ako sa isang bagay, natutuloy at natutuloy talaga ‘yan no matter what. Hindi ako yung nagba-backout at the last minute. So, kahit ano pa ang status, kahit ano pa ang lagay, basta ako, ready'ng-ready."

Bago siya um-exit sa unang pagrampa niya, sa pinakamalayong part ng stage ay hinubad niya ang suot niyang pants kung kaya't saglit ay nakitang naka-brief lang siya. Yun ba ang pinaka-highlight ng Blackout?

"Hindi siya highlight, " saad ni Dingdong. "That's just part of it. It's part of the show. At maraming salamat sa challenge na ibinigay nila sa akin."
*****

That's all well and good Dingdong, we know you're a hunk. But when are you going to show us your behind like David Beckham?

Oscar de la Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao

Who do you think will win between Oscar de la Hoya and Manny Pacquaio if their boxing bout pushes through.

From Inquirer:
The world’s most sought-after fighter is seeking the biggest fight of his life. And Manny Pacquiao, if he gets his wish, wants an equal share of the purse in an expectedly slambang duel with Oscar De La Hoya.

Pacquiao, arguably the brightest star in world boxing today, said a fight with De La Hoya would be the pinnacle of his career, but one that could happen only if the price is right.

“Si De La Hoya na siguro ang pinakamabigat na makakalaban ko kung sakali, yung masasabi ko na naabot ko na ang tuktok ng career ko (De La Hoya would be my most important foe ever; it’s one fight that I could say I have reached the peak of my career),” the Filipino superstar told sports-writers over dinner Wednesday.

“Pero gusto ko lang parehas ang laban, kagaya ng purses, yung hindi tayo agrabyado sa terms ng laban (But I only want fair fight terms, like prize purses).”

Pacquiao said that given a choice from among De La Hoya, World Boxing Association super featherweight champion Edwin Valero and Humberto Soto, he’d rather fight boxing’s Golden Boy.

But the GenSan lefty conceded that his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, will know what’s best for him on his next fight.

If it’s against De La Hoya, Pacquiao said he’ll train for at least 11 weeks and will be in the best form of his ring career.

Kapusong Manny Pacquaio Mobbed in Iloilo

Kudos to Manny Pacquiao for using his celebrity status to help people in need. Not a lot of Pinoy celebrities -- most of whom are self-absorbed -- lift a finger to help other people so it is refreshing to read news reports about Manny, like other human guardian angels, serving people he doesn't know.

A report from the Inquirer on Manny's visit to Iloilo:

ILOILO CITY—There’s nothing like the “Idol” to make one forget one’s woes.

The brief visit Thursday of Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao allowed thousands of flood-ravaged folk time out from the effects of the knockout punch dealt by Typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen).

He even interrupted a wedding to the delight of all.

Men and women, even the elderly and children, lined the streets of Jaro District, shouting “Manny!” and “Idol!” as they struggled to get a glimpse of Pacquiao, who had come to fulfill a promise.

Pacquiao, his wife Jinkee and their party arrived at the Iloilo airport in Cabatuan town at around 7:30 a.m. They were driven to the residence of Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, where they had breakfast with the prelate and city officials led by Mayor Jerry Treñas.

They then proceeded to the Jaro Cathedral, where they attended Mass preparatory to distributing around 500 food packs to typhoon victims with the assistance of Treñas and members of the Catholic Women’s League.

In his small way
Pacquiao said he had entrusted his donation to the Church, which identified the families eligible to receive relief goods. He said he would also visit other areas affected by the typhoon.

“I thank the people here for their continued support for me. In my own small way, I would like to extend my help to them. Please don’t forget to pray so that you can surpass this crisis,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).

Goodbye, Toffer Rei

Ack. We keep losing the good singers of Pinoy Idol. Honestly, this show has been very disappointing I'm not that interested in watching it anymore. I'd rather go to the beaches of Boracay than watch this show. Hopefully, it will improve in the next season -- if there is a next season.

Marian Rivera is FHM's Sexiest

Last year, while Katrina Halili was basking in public adulation for being crowned as the country's Sexiest Woman the second year in a row, young actress Marian Rivera lagged behind at No. 24. In 2006, Marian ranked even lower, occupying the 38th spot.

Twelve months later and with two top-rating television series, plus a slew of endorsements beefing up her credentials, a blooming Marian Rivera finally made sure there'd be no three-peat conquest for her Marimar tormentor.

Notching the top spot despite the fact that she is yet to grace the cover of FHM Philippines, Marian Rivera was crowned last night, July 17, as 2008's Sexiest Woman at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

RUGGED WAY TO THE TOP. The route to the top was not easy for the 23-year-old actress. Facing tough competition, Marian went up against 99 equally beautiful and deserving ladies vying for the annual honor.

Marian bested perennial favorites like Diana Zubiri, Iwa Moto, and, of course, Katrina Halili. The Dyesebel lead star also nosed out last year's strong contenders Cristine Reyes and Ehra Madrigal. Marian even had to slug it out with former GMA-7 darling and 2005 FHM winner Angel Locsin in a tight and controversial race to the finish line.

Fan votes for Marian, however, were more than enough to seal the victory. In an article posted by PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on June 27, final results showed Marian amassing a total of 316,135 votes against Angel's 121,388. Two-time winner Katrina Halili, on the other hand, had 123,239 votes to secure the No.2 spot. Angel wound up third overall.

Marian's coronation was preceded with a presentation of the other contenders. Not everyone who made it in the final list was present. Angel was rumored to be abroad at the time of the event. Top Ten finalists Ehra, Diana, Angelica Panganiban, and Anne Curtis were conspicuously absent.

Marian, dubbed that evening as the "Mob Princess"—a nod to the mafia-underground theme adopted by the production team this year—emerged in a metallic red spandex midriff attire complemented by a pair of black knee-high boots. The audience erupted the very minute Marian performed her signature Marimar hip-swinging dance move, which definitely showed off that sexy body of hers.

TIME TO GRACE THE COVER. Marian's victory was touted by FHM Philippines as a breakthrough. All of the previous winners graced the cover before they bagged the coveted honor. Marian has yet to appear on the cover of the popular men's magazine.

With her victory, the FHM staff, and especially the readers, are hoping that Marian would finally give in to the huge clamor. Contrary to popular impression, Marian was already being eyed by FHM even before her career skyrocketed because of Marimar.

"Last year, I mean, sinabi ko na din ‘to, nasa mga soaps pa lang siya nasa radar na siya kumbaga ng FHM. Marimar, ganun din pero siyempre kailangan din nating igalang ‘yong mga nais ng GMA doon sa show, hindi pa puwede kasi ganito. Naintindihan naman natin ‘yan," shared FHM Philippines Editor-in-Chief Allan Madrilejos to the media a few hours before the event.

Clinching the distinction as the country's finest would definitely boost the demand considerably, according to Allan.

"Kay Popoy [Caritativo, Marian's manager] ako nakikipag-usap," shared Allan. Talking about FHM's target, he added, "Sana naman this year. Kasi it's true of all editions ng FHM worldwide na ‘yong local winner nila lumalabas to say thank you sa print aside from the party, lumalabas sa magazine. Ang ideal kasi within the year na siya yung winner."

And to prove that the entire FHM team is dead serious to get that elusive "yes" from Marian, the ever hopeful Allan good-naturedly quipped, "Sana naman," he smiled, "ipagnu-novena namin." [gma news]

Kapuso Theme

Video plug of GMA featuring our Kapuso stars. Nice. But maybe next time they should feature our Kapuso stars kissing para naman maiba hehe.

Kapuso Hunks: Marky Cielo

This Igorot boy known as Marky Cielo is a hunk no doubt. Read an interview with Marky.

Kapusong Manny Pacquiao is the Country's Olympic Flag Bearer?

It's an honor for Manny Pacquiao to bear the country's flag during the Beijing Olympic Games. But there are some people questioning whether it is possible because he is not participating as an athlete.

Oh well. Let's just wait and see what happens. A video of Manny being welcomed at GMA after his victory over David Diaz.

Marian is FHM's Sexiest!

Congrats Kapusong Marian Rivera. Talo si Dark Angel Locsin. Buti nga sa kanya, walang utang na loob kasi. DA is as trashy as Perez Hilton, ano?

Rhian Ramos Denies Kissing Pinoy Idol's Kid Camaya

Rhian denies kissing Kid Camaya according to a PEP report. If I were Rhian, I would say it's true even if it is not. Publicity pa rin iyon. And Kid Camaya looks good to kiss naman. Hehe.

Speaking of kissing, did you know that the kissing scene in Ghost has been voted as the best cinema kiss of all time?

Kapuso Hunks: Alfred Vargas

Alfred Vargas is on the thin side but there is no doubt he is a hunk. He's kinda like Ben Andrews who's also thin but hunky.

Iwa Moto's Two Timing Ex-Boyfriend

Eh, count your blessings na lang Iwa Moto. At least hiwalay na kayo ano?

GMA:Hindi maitago ni Iwa Moto ang pagka-bad trip niya sa Mr. Pogi winner ng Eat Bulaga! na si Edgar Allan Guzman. Inamin ni Iwa na nagkaroon sila ng short-lived na relasyon, pero hindi naging maganda ang ending nito nang nahuli niyang dalawa pala silang babaeng pinagsabay ng 18-year-old actor-singer na napapanood sa Daisy Siete.

Although four months na ang relasyon sa bagong boyfriend na si Michael Ablan, inusisa ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Iwa hinggil sa balitang naging mag-on sila ni Edgar. Hindi naman ito itinanggi ng young actress at ikinuwento niya ang kinasapitan nito.

"Naging kami for a month lang, pero naghiwalay agad kami," simula ni Iwa.

This Kapuso, by the way, has an interesting picture.