MMFF 2008 Best Picture

MMFF 2008 Best Picture is Baler. Baler was very victorious on the awards night and has gotten almost all the major awards.
Produced by Viva Films in cooperation with PAGCOR, this Jericho Rosales-Anne Curtis starrer bagged a total of 10 awards including the Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award.

Here is the list of winners for the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival:

Best Picture: Baler (Viva Films)
2nd Best Picture: Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat (Star Cinema)
3rd Best Picture: Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After (OctoArts Films/M-ZET Productions/APT Entertainment)
Best Festival Actor: Christopher de Leon (Magkaibigan)
Best Festival Actress: Anne Curtis (Baler)
Best Supporting Actor: Phillip Salvador (Baler)
Best Supporting Actress: Manilyn Reynes (One Night Only)
Best Festival Director: Mark Meily (Baler)
Best Festival Screenplay: Roy Iglesias (Baler)
Best Festival Original Story: Jose Javier Reyes (One Night Only)
Best Festival Child Performer: Robert Villar (Shake, Rattle & Roll X) Best Festival Musical Score: Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia
Best Festival Movie Theme Song: "Lipad" (Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia)
Best Festival Cinematography: Baler
Best Festival Makeup: Desperadas 2
Best Festival Visual Effects: Dayo
Best Festival Production Design: Baler
Best Festival Sound Recording: Dayo
Best Festival Editor: Baler
Gender Sensitive Award (for promoting equality of men and women through film): Baler
Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award: Baler

MMFF 2008 Best Actress

Best Actress for Metro Manila Film Festival 2008 is Ms. Anne Curtis for Baler. Her first ever award for 12 years in the entertainment industry.
She was really overwhelmed and Shocked. Congratulations to Anne!

Click here for source.

Oscar Ballots on the Move

It all comes down to this for The Dark Knight, Milk, Frost/Nixon, Slumdog Millionaire and all the other films labeled "Oscar hopeful" for whatever reason in 2008.

Ballots for the 81st Annual Academy Awards are due to be mailed Friday to the 5,810 voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

So, with holiday shopping (and returns) out of the way, it will be time to finally pencil in their choices for the top films, performances and technical work of 2008, be they Heath Ledger for his terrifying turn as the Joker, director Danny Boyle for Slumdog, Kate Winslet for The Reader (or Revolutionary Road) or WALL-E for either best animated film or best motion picture altogether.

Completed ballots must be back in the hands of the ballot counters and protectors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, by Jan 12.

Oscar nods will be announced in the wee hours of the morning Jan. 22, with the little gold men getting passed out Feb. 22 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

Read more on EOnline.com

Baby Born With Extra Foot

Baby Born With Extra Foot ... in Brain

Surgery to remove a brain tumor from a 3-day-old Colorado boy turned up something “borderline unheard-of,” his doctors say: a foot. When the pediatric neurosurgeon operated Oct. 3 on Sam Esquibel, he saw a small foot, other half-formed appendages, and even intestines in the baby’s head, reports the Colorado Springs Gazette. All were removed, and Sam is back home and doing fine.

You show those pictures to the most experienced pediatric neurosurgeons in the world, and they've never seen anything like it. - Dr. Paul Grabb, pediatric neurosurgeon

"It looked like the breach delivery of a baby—coming out of the brain," says the surgeon. Doctors speculate that it may have been a rare form of teratoma, a congenital brain tumor that takes the form of body tissue. It also could have been a case of fetus in fetu, in which a fetus grows inside its twin—but that usually occurs in the torso, not the head.

source: http://www.newser.com/story/45719/baby-born-with-extra-foot-in-brain.html

Hugh's the Man for Oscar Host

Well, Sexiest Man Alive is apparently a good enough credential for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The Academy announced this morning that Hugh Jackman will serve as host of the 81st Annual Academy Awards Feb. 22. (Which probably makes the complete shutout of his Australia at yesterday's Golden Globe nominations a bit more palatable.)

The selection is a marked departure for the Academy, which has typically relied on comics—Jon Stewart, Chris Rock and Ellen DeGeneres were the last three emcees—making this year's event more of an insider's job. (Sorry, Ricky Gervais.)

The likable 40-year-old X-Man is also the first host in years who could potentially find himself on the stage and at the podium, provided his Nicole Kidman-costarring, Baz Luhrmann-directed epic picks up some awards buzz.

And the Aussie has some key experience. As a three-time host of the Tony Awards, 2003-2005, he helped the Broadway kudosfest to some of its biggest ratings in years.

The Best Non-Traditional Holiday Songs

We love Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Burl Ives and Tony Bennett, but it's important to mix up the standards with some pop, hip-hop and rock 'n' roll.
Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
RUN-D.M.C. – Christmas in Hollis
Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas
Adam Sandler – The Chanukah Song
John Lennon – Happy Christmas (War is Over)
Bruce Springsteen – Santa Claus is Coming To Town
Ramones – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)
Wham – Last Christmas
The Kinks – Father Christmas
Jackson 5 – Santa Claus is Coming To Town
The Beach Boys – Little Saint Nick
The Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping
Stevie Wonder - What Christmas Means to Me
RuPaul - Santa Baby

New Moon Rises Next November

Fanggirls, mark your calendars.

>>>From EOnline News
Yesterday, you officially got a director, and today, you officially have a release date: New Moon will cross the horizon on November 20, 2009.

About a Boy's Chris Weitz directs the Twilight sequel and, oh yeah, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson return as Bella Swan and Edward Cullen.

As of right now, the vampire and his mortal love will have several major movies to battle for box-office glory on that fateful day, the most challenging of which are Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr., and a Three Stooges flick written and directed by the Farrelly brothers.

Miley Cyrus on Shopping

Miley Cyrus and her older sister Brandi were also spotted shopping for the holidays. 16-year-old Miley earned her learner's permit this week, and drives a hand me down: her mother's Porsche Cayenne.

Hottest Mamas of the Year

A Maternity Style: From People Magazine

For Gwen Stefani, Halle Berry and more, pregnancy didn't mean giving up their enviable style. Check out the hottest pregnancy-style stars of '08.

GWEN: THE ROCK STAR

While expecting her second child Zuma Nesta Rock, this singer-designer kept her edgy style in tact. Stefani stuck to A-line tops and long maxidresses, but mixed in animal prints, leather jackets, her signature aviator shades and her trendy L.A.M.B accessories for the look of a true rock-star mama.

HALLE: THE CALIFORNIA GIRL

Forget maxidresses, this Oscar winner kept her street style effortlessly cool while expecting Nahla Ariela. Letting her hair reach new volumes with funky spiral curls, Berry toggled between heavily accessorized dresses (like this Juicy Couture wrap), daringly tight jeans, leather jackets and the must-have bags of the season, including the Jimmy Choo zebra "Saba."

ANGELINA: THE MINIMALIST

Adding to her growing brood with twins Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline (kids No. 5 and 6!), Jolie put the focus on her expanding belly, often fixing her hand proudly on her bump. Whether in a sweeping Reem Acra gown or chic custom-made Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo, this superstar mom was chic and simple.

JENNIFER: THE FASHIONISTA

Being pregnant with twins Max and Emme didn't keep this style star at home! During New York's February Fashion Week, Lopez took in the Marchesa show and the Madonna-hosted Gucci party in two dresses by the designers – all in one day! And the diva kept her high heels on throughout her pregnancy – even while performing!

JESSICA: THE GIRLY GIRL

She may have never felt less sexy, but you wouldn't know it from her stylish approach to pregnancy. With concealing ruffles, like this Marchesa stunner at the Academy Awards to her forgiving maxidresses, Alba prepared for the June birth of her daughter Honor Marie in sweet, feminine frocks.

NICOLE: THE CLASSIC

Can you spot the bump? While expecting daughter Sunday Rose, Kidman kept the rumors swirling around her pregnancy with simple silhouettes in forgiving shapes. With her secret under wraps, the actress is radiant in a demure navy trapeze dress, only to proudly show off her first bump a month later in a sweet YSL dress at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Meet Ricky Martin's Twins

Meet Matteo and Valentino Martin!

Born via surrogate in early August, Ricky Martin's 4-month-old twin boys make their debut in this week's issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

A joyful Martin, 36, spoke candidly with PEOPLE at home in Puerto Rico about his desire to be a parent, the decision to seek the help of a surrogate, and juggling caring for twins -- he has no nanny!

Describe this time in your life.
"I'm so happy! Everything they do, from smiling to crying, feels like a blessing. Being a father feels amazing. This has been the most spiritual moment in my life."

Why did you choose to become a parent via surrogate?
"Adoption was one option, but it's complicated and can take a long time. Surrogacy was an intriguing and faster option. I thought, 'I'm going to jump into this with no fear.'"

Tell us about Valentino's and Matteo's personalities.
"Valentino loves to sleep. I call him 'Mr. Peace and Love' because he's so chill and serene. Matteo is more alert and active. He was up at 3 a.m. the other night and just hanging!"

What is your philosophy on raising your sons?
"I love to read books to my sons and tell them stories. I play music for them so they develop their own personalities. I want to give them information and raise them with honesty and love, and give them self-esteem and a lot of acceptance."

Source: OMG!

Britney’s Sneaky Song Lyrics

A nice come back for Britney on her 5th album and is on no. 1 as today. And here are some negative feedback.

Though her new album, “Circus” lacks a parental advisory warning for explicit lyrics, Britney Spears has found a clever way around using profane language on her track, “If You Seek Amy.” Say the title slowly and you may figure out what parents are so angry about. They lyrics in context are “All of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy.”

“I was astonished and totally taken aback when I heard my five and seven-year-old kids walking around the house singing ' ----- ’,” says parent Leonie Barsenbach. “When I asked them what it was, they told me it was Britney Spears. I was horrified.”

Ms. Barsenbach claims she bought ‘Circus’ for her kids thinking it would be good, wholesome entertainment for them over the holidays. Maybe we’re wrong, but this woman seems completely out of touch. Britney hasn’t been anything close to a desirable role model for youngsters for years. Two albums ago she had a song called “Touch of My Hand” that was very explicitly about masturbating and there was no warning on that album either.

“What I dislike most about this is that they have bypassed my authority as a parent by going under the radar by changing the wording to avoid issuing a warning,” continues Ms. Barsenback. Are we wrong for thinking the trick was sort of funny and clever?

Click here to see the lyrics
Sources: shine.yahoo.com

Britney Spears' Circus Act Tops the Charts

Britney Spears is back at No. 1.

For the first time in more than five years, Britney topped the Billboard 200. Her new album Circus sold more than half a million copies for the week ended Sunday.

This gives Spears the second biggest female bow of the year, topping debut weeks by Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Madonna, Janet Jackson and Beyoncé and only trailing Taylor Swift. Once the final retail receipts are counted, the album should claim the seventh biggest bow of 2008.

Back in October, Britney set the stage for her comeback when "Womanizer" became her first Hot 100 chart-topper since "…Baby One More Time" a decade ago. "Womanizer" also set the record for the biggest digital sales debut by a female artist (286,000 copies) since Nielsen SoundScan started tracking downloads in 2003.

"Imagine a year ago, did anyone think that today she would be able to come out with an album that would, not only just debut at No. 1, but also do half a million copies in its first week?" asks Billboard Senior Chart Manager Keith Caulfield. "It's surprising, but at the same time it's got to be pretty satisfying for Britney and for her record label."

And it's not just album and song sales soaring, because according to her website, "This tour is selling out like hot cakes! In response to overwhelming ticket sales, we have several more dates in cities including Los Angeles, London, Chicago, Toronto and Newark!"

So expect the circus to be coming to your town soon. >>From EOnline.com

A Great comeback for Britney. I really hope she won't be lost again at the middle of her Fame.

Sarah Palin blows off Oprah Winfrey

When vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin joined John McCain on the campaign trail, Barack Obama supporter Oprah Winfrey made it very clear that she would not be having the Alaska governor as a guest on her show. And, in the days leading up to Election Day, Palin did very minimal press.

Now that the election is over, and extensive appearance invitations have been extended to Palin, she’s accepted many offers—but completely snubbed Oprah.

"I said I would be happy to talk to Sarah Palin when the election was over,” Winfrey tells Extra. “I went and tried to talk to Sarah Palin and instead she talked to Greta [Van Susteren]. She talked to Matt [Lauer]. She talked to Larry [King]. But she didn't talk to me."

Is Oprah worried Palin will avoid the biggest daytime talk show forever? Not a chance. "Maybe she'll talk to me now that she has a [multi-million dollar] book deal," says Winfrey. Think Oprah will offer Palin up a spot in her book club?

Sarah Palin may be blowing off Oprah, but the host is determined to have some other, more prominent political figures back on her show. "There's always an open invitation for the president-elect and first lady," she says.

2008 Will Be Just a Second Longer

>>From Yahoo News LiveScience

On Dec. 31 this year, your day will be just a second longer.

Like the more well-known time adjustment, the leap year, a "leap second" is tacked on to clocks every so often to keep them correct.

Earth's trip around the sun - our year with all its seasons - is about 365.2422 days long, which we round to 365 to keep things simpler. But every four years, we add 0.2422 x 4 days (that's about one day) at the end of the month of February (extending it from 28 to 29 days) to fix the calendar.

Likewise, a "leap second" is added on to our clocks every so often to keep them in synch with the somewhat unpredictable nature of our planet's rotation, the roughly 24-hour whirl that brings the sun into the sky each morning.

Historically, time was based on the mean rotation of the Earth relative to celestial bodies and the second was defined from this frame of reference. But the invention of atomic clocks brought about a definition of a second that is independent of the Earth's rotation and based on a regular signal emitted by electrons changing energy state within an atom.

In 1970, an international agreement established two timescales: one based on the rotation of the Earth and one based on atomic time.

The problem is that the Earth is very gradually slowing down, continually throwing the two timescales out of synch, so every so often, a "leap second" has to be tacked on to the atomic clock.

The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service is the organization that monitors the difference in the two timescales and calls for leap seconds to be inserted or removed when necessary. Since 1972, leap seconds have been added at intervals varying from six months to seven years - the most recent was inserted on Dec. 31, 2005.

In the United States, the U.S. Naval Observatory and the National Institute of Standards and Technology keep time for the country. The Naval Observatory keeps the Department of Defense's Master Clock, an atomic clock located in Washington, D.C.

The new extra second will be added on the last day of this year at 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds Coordinated Universal Time - 6:59:59 pm Eastern Standard Time.

Mechanisms such as the Internet-based Network Time Protocol and the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) depend on the accurate time kept by atomic clocks.

America's Top Pop Culture Obsessions

>> From Yahoo News Entertainment

Teen star Miley Cyrus, pop diva Madonna, "The Dark Knight," hi-tech gadgets and Barack Obama were among America's top pop culture obsessions that turned into possessions in 2008, according to online market place eBay.

"When someone or something excites the American public, you immediately see a surge of related listings pop up on eBay," said Karen Bard, eBay's pop culture expert.

Cyrus, the 16-year-old star of Disney's "Hannah Montana" TV show, beat teen rivals like the Jonas Brothers and the cast of "High School Musical" hands down in terms of items sold on eBay, the Web site said in a survey of hot items in 2008.

Some 223,139 "Hannah Montana" related-items, ranging from buttons, to clothes and posters, exchanged hands on the Web site during the year.


Britney Spears, emerging from another year of personal woes, proved popular with eBay buyers with 32,966 items sold.

But Spears was overshadowed by "Material Girl" Madonna, who turned 50 this year and also divorced second husband Guy Ritchie after months of rumors. Madonna memorabilia, albums and posters saw sales of 96,511 items.




In a historic presidential election year, Barack Obama was the clear front-runner on eBay as well as with U.S. voters, winning the November election and to become the first U.S. black president. The Web site saw an active trade in Obama posters, coins, action figures and even the odd lunchbox that led to sales of 111,546 Obama-related items.

Months of Obama-fever outstripped sales of Sarah Palin items (20,712) after the Alaska governor was named Republican vice-presidential candidate in September, sparking a rush in buyers for look-alike wigs, Palin's trademark glasses, autographed photos and even thong underwear.




Fans went batty for "The Dark Knight," the latest Batman movie, with 60,484 related items sold -- 18 times more than those of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

Olympic gold medal swimming champion Michael Phelps broke records in the pool and sparked a buying fever online that saw 13,350 Phelps-related items sold on eBay, the world's largest online marketplace.





But the hottest of all the pop culture trends was the Nintendo Wii, which saw a whopping 2.05 million related items including accessories and games sold on eBay, outstripping the Microsoft Xbox 360 (1.29 million items), Apple's new iPod Touch (281,361) and the iPhone 3G (212,837).

The data was based on eBay listings that included key words in the listing title across all categories from Jan 1-Oct 15, 2008.

Miley Cyrus Hannah Montana Superstar

Hannah Montana is an Emmy Award-nominated American television series, which debuted on March 24, 2006 on Disney Channel. The series focuses on a girl who lives a double life as an average teenage school girl named Miley Stewart (played by Miley Cyrus) by day and a famous pop singer named Hannah Montana by night, concealing her real identity from the public, other than her close friends and family.

On April 9, 2008, it was announced that Hannah Montana would return for a third season in 2008[2] and production started on August 4, 2008. Season 3 premiered on November 2, 2008, and is still filming.
Who is Miley Cyrus?

Miley Ray Cyrus (born Destiny Hope Cyrus on November 23, 1992). She is an American actress and singer-songwriter. Cyrus is better known for starring as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana in the television series Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel.

Cyrus became a sensation after Hannah Montana debuted in March 2006. Following the success of the show, in October 2006, a soundtrack CD was released in which she sang eight songs from the show. In December 2007, she was ranked #17 in the list of "Forbes Top Twenty Superstar Earners under the age of 25" with an annual earning of US$3.5 million. As of December 2007, she is working on a movie spin-off of Hannah Montana, titled Hannah Montana: The Movie which set to release on April 10, 2009.

Cyrus's solo music career began with the release of her debut album, Meet Miley Cyrus on June 23, 2007. Her second album, Breakout was released on July 22, 2008. Breakout is Cyrus's first album that does not involve the Hannah Montana franchise. Both albums debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.

In 2008, Cyrus was listed among artists and entertainers as one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in The World.

Don't Say You Love Me

By The CORRS

I've seen this place a thousand times
I've felt this all before
And every time you call
I've waited there as though you might not call at all

I know this face I'm wearing now
I've seen this in my eyes
And though it feels so great, I'm still afraid
That you'll be leaving anytime

We've done this once and then you closed the door
Don't let me fall again for nothing more

Don't say you love me unless forever
Don't tell me you need me, if you're not gonna stay
Don't give me this feeling, I'll only believe it
Make it real or take it all away

I've caught myself smiling alone
Just thinking of your voice
And dreaming of your touch, is all too much
You know I don't have any choice

Don't say you love me unless forever
Don't tell me you need me, if you're not gonna stay
Don't give me this feeling, I'll only believe it
Make it real or take it all away...
Yeah, yeah yeah

We've done this once and then you closed the door
Don't let me fall again for nothing more

Don't say you love me unless forever
Don't tell me you need me, if you're not gonna stay
Don't give me this feeling, I'll only believe it
Make it real or take it all away

(Say you love me...)
Don't tell me you need me, if you're not gonna stay
Don't give me this feeling, I'll only believe it
Make it real, (make it real,) or take it all away
Take it all away, take it all away...

New JK Rowling book goes on sale around the world

EDINBURGH, Scotland - The latest magical tome by J.K. Rowling has started to fly off bookstore shelves.

Rowling launched "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" on Thursday with a tea party for 200 school children at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh, where she lives.

The author is donating royalties from the book to a charity, which hopes it will raise millions to help vulnerable children.

Recession-hit booksellers hope the book _ a collection of five fables mentioned in Rowling's saga about boy wizard Harry Potter _ will give them a festive boost

"We expect it to come straight in at No. 1 and is very likely to be our No. 1 book this Christmas," said Jon Howells of Britain's Waterstone's book store chain. "It's in with a fighting chance of being the best-selling book of the year, even though there are only a few weeks to go.

"This is J.K. Rowling. None of the usual rules apply," he said.

"Beedle the Bard" is being published Thursday in more than 20 countries, with a global print run of almost 8 million. But is generating only a fraction of the fanfare that greeted the Potter novels.

Rowling is donating her royalties to the Children's High Level Group, a charity she co-founded to support institutionalized children in Eastern Europe. The book is published on behalf of the charity by Harry Potter's traditional publishers _ Scholastic in North America and Bloomsbury elsewhere.

Rowling, whose Harry Potter books have sold more than 400 million copies and been translated into 67 languages, wrote the Beedle tales after finishing "Deathly Hallows" last year.

One of the stories, "The Tale Of The Three Brothers," is recounted in "Deathly Hallows," in which the storybook helps Harry and his friends defeat evil Lord Voldemort.

Rowling has described "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" as a distillation of the themes found in the Harry Potter books, calling it her goodbye to a world she lived in for 17 years.

The book was initially produced last year in an edition of seven handwritten copies. Six were given away by Rowling as gifts, and one was bought by Internet retailer Amazon at an auction for almost 2 million pounds ($3 million).

Rowling told the schoolchildren at the launch that she published the book after complaints from readers over the sale.

"There was quite a lot of high feeling from Harry Potter fans that only someone who had 2 million pounds could afford to read the book," she said. "I thought: 'fair point,' so I thought I'll publish it and then the charity can have that money too."

Rowling read a passage from the tales to her young audience, which was given free copies of book.

Amazon is printing 100,000 copies of a leather-bound collectors' edition priced at 50 pounds, or $100 in the United States.

Read on Yahoo? Click This

Merry Christmas

It is that time of year when you walk outside, the air smells crisp and the skies are a little grey. Jack Frost has touched the window panes with his magic fingers and the ice scraper needs to come out of the glove box in order to scrape off the front car window. Street lights take on a new aura as their red and green lights blink on and off. You begin to drive down the side streets on your way home to see who has the best light show on their lawn, and the children have sent their wish lists off to Santa. If you haven’t guessed what time of year it is, it is Christmas time.

Christmas itself represents a Holiday season that has taken on countless meanings all over this diverse country of ours; from snow covered hills to pink lights on palm trees, nativity scenes to peppermint pigs. Ebenezer Scrooge and The Grinch, as well as Miracle on 34th Street and It’s A Wonderful Life, all hold a special place in our hearts. Some of us may travel across the country during Christmas time, while others of us may simply travel across the street.
No matter what our Christmas traditions are, there is one very strong connection that we all share. Recent events in our country’s history, [9-11, Hurricane Katrina], remind us all of this connection and continue to strengthen that bond every day. This time of year we gather together with friends and family. As we gather, some of us may celebrate the birth of Christ, some of us may light candles on a Menorah, some of us may simply unwrap gifts with glee without a second thought. Yet there is no doubt, no question, that we all gather to celebrate each other.

We gather to celebrate life, and family, and those we love. We gather to enjoy good food, good conversation and good company. We reminisce about past holidays, remember those we love who are no longer with us, and plan for the future. We share photos, we share gifts, and we share laughs. At Christmas time we look for the innocent sparkle in our children’s eyes as we help them to create their own memories, and tuck them soundly into bed with a smile on their faces as ‘visions of sugar plums dance in their heads’.

No matter our age, our race, or our nationality; No matter our heritage, our upbringing, or our traditions; At Christmas time, we live, we laugh, and we love.