What would you do if the end of the world is near?

Fall on your knees and storm the heavens the whole day long? Hide under a rock and expect the worst? Gather your friends in a protracted road trip and go where your trusty van will take you?

The six friends in the comedy film “Coming Soon” chose option three. And boy, did they get more than they bargained for!

Sikyu (Boy 2 Quizon) drinks a potion that  made him do things he would regret to an old woman (Lilia Cuntapay). Nacho (Cholo Barretto) finally reveals his most personal secret to best friend Sikyu. Monica (Andi Eigenmann) grapples with issues surrounding her mother. Their other friends, played by Glaiza de Castro, Dominic Rocco and Carla Humphries, also wrestle with their own demons.

Read related story: Boy 2 Quizon elated over grandpa Dolphy's planned monument

The fun lies in how the barkada manages to do this in the span of one long road trip.  There are no breathtaking scenes one would expect from a road   trip movie like

Read More »from ‘Coming Soon’ review: A road trip to remember

In a war, no one wins. And when the war centers on highly-visible parents, it is the innocent child who suffers all the more.

In the case of Kris Aquino and ex-husband James Yap, it is their five-year-old son Bimby, who emerges as the the worst casualty.

Take it from psychologist-life coach Dr. Randy Dellosa.

“Parental conflict, especially when intense emotions are displayed, is always psychologically toxic and traumatic for children. Children need to feel safe and secure in the company of their parents. When they’re  exposed to their parents’ emotional battles, they grow up feeling worried, afraid, depressed, angry, and insecure,” he says.

Read related story: Kris, James officially annulled

Those familiar with the latest Kris-James saga know Bimby saw his parents wrangling right in front of him. Kris even said that she saw the boy crying because he thinks his dad was not telling the truth.

Dellosa explains the heart-rending scene at the lobby of Kris’ place.

“Children want to be loyal

Read More »from The Kris-James ‘war’: At what (emotional) cost?

Even if showbiz insiders know  Kapuso star Ogie Alcasid’s  reported transfer to TV5 months from now is a foregone conclusion, it is only  Willie Revillame, so far, who has  decided to openly hint about it on nationwide TV.
The irrepressible host of the  TV5 noontime show, “Wowowillie”  asked he audience  last weekend, “Kilala nyo ba kung sino  itong bagong kasama dito?”

Read related story: From 'Wil Time Bigtime' to 'Wowowillie'

'Nandito Ako'

Willie then sang “Nandito Ako,” Ogie’s  popular composition.

Put two and two together and you know Willie need not name names.  He is referring to Ogie, whose contract with GMA 7 is expiring months from now. His manager, Leo Dominguez,  has  reportedly started negotiations with TV5.

Asked for his reaction on the set of his upcoming comedy, “Raketeros,” Ogie’s reaction was short and non-committal.

“Ang cute naman!” he told reporters .  “Nagkita kami ni Willie sa isang party last Saturday night and he told me about it.”

Ogie is set to do one more

Read More »from Willie Revillame drops hints of Ogie’s TV 5 transfer

Senatoriable Migz Zubiri has a soft spot for the showbiz industry and its workers  since he once hosted the show “Team Explorer” for years on ABS-CBN.

He wants to provide steadier employment for movie workers by launching a second film festival besides the annual Metro Manila Filmfest (MMFF), and he is looking at June 2014 as the launch date of the mid-year event.

“Plano na namin ni direk  Joel (Lamangan) yan.  Naudlot kasi nag-resign ako ng maaga (as senator),” he said at the presentation of the 15 graduating scholars  of the Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Pelukulang Pilipino (NMPP). Zubiri gave educational grants to the scholars through his Priority Development Association Fund.

Zubiri revealed that he already spoke with  PAGCOR officials for possible sponsorship of the mid-year filmfest. He added that he can ask his friends from politics and business to sponsor the filmfest.

“Maybe we can ask MVP (business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan), na ninong ko sa kasal,” he goes on.

Zubiri believes

Read More »from Migz bats for a 2nd film festival

Not all men are created equal. Some are born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Others are abandoned right after they see the light of day.

Manila mayor Alfredo Lim belongs to the latter category. His indigent mother left him in the turning cradle of Hospicio de San Jose when he was a baby. He grew up longing for a mother’s touch until his grandparents plucked him from the orphanage and gave him a happy home.

This is what moviegoers see in the opening scenes of the biopic “Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Story.” Okay, okay. The opening of the movie (Feb. 27 in theaters nationwide) is right smack in the middle of campaign season, when Lim is battling the popular Joseph Estrada for Manila mayor.

Timeless theme

A man’s triumph over adversity could be a worn-out theme. But the appeal of true-to-life stories showcasing this theme remains as strong as ever.

Cesar Montano as the well-decorated public servant is, as always, right for the job. He is a chameleon of an actor – moving fast against

Read More »from Who’s afraid of the turning cradle?

So what if they’re going head-to-head against “American Idol” idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez on Valentine’s Day?

Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez are positive people will come and watch their show, “Foursome” at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“The parents of kids watching Jessica can go to our show, thank you,” Martin says during a recent presscon at C3 Events Place in Greenhills.

Unlike  Jessica’s solo show, this one is equal to four concerts by four artists all rolled into one.

The other big difference is that Martin and Pops broke into the scene decades ago.

“Mas maaga kaming nangailangan,” Pops deadpans.

So she and Martin can tell just how much times have changed . “Nowadays, it’s okay to be with one’s relationship and still have a career,” Martin notes. “The artists can relax with their solo careers. They can sing apart. They’re okay with who they are as a couple and who they are as artists.”

Martin is talking about Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez,

Read More »from This ‘Foursome’ is not afraid of Jessica Sanchez

'Tis the season of comebacks over at TV5.

Willie Revillame will be back 11:30 a.m. Jan. 26 for variety game show “Wowowillie.”So, too is another seasoned host, Edu Manzano, who will give insights on being a dedicated family man in the daily show “Good Morning Club” starting Jan. 21 (the other hosts are Christine Bersola-Babao, Chiqui Roa-Puno and Amy Perez).

And that’s just some of the new programs TV5 announced in a grand event dubbed “Go5!” at Resorts World Manila. The others are Joey de Leon’s “Hayop sa Galing”starting Jan. 26, the public service program “Rescues,” which pilots Jan. 26, the reality show “The Alabang Housewives”,” a game show on wheels (“Jeepney Jackpot”), a superhero drama (“Derek Ramsay’s “Kidlat”), a romance-drama (“Never Say Good-bye”) and a celebrity game show (“Game N Go”).

Since it’s the political season, the Kapatid network’s news department will air “Pagbabago 2013,” its coverage of the upcoming elections. For starters, it takes a look at powerful families

Read More »from It’s green and go on TV5

Isay Alvarez (Contributed photo)Katy de la Cruz who?

Her name hardly rings a bell for most young people. It’s a shame, because at 18, the Queen of Philippine Jazz was the highest-paid entertainer in the country. She was internationally acclaimed and her more than six-year career was one for the books.

[Related: Epy On Playing ‘Golay’ On Stage: ‘Don’t Expect A Dolphy’]

Isay Alvarez, who is playing Katy in yet another musical on the Queen of Bodabil's colorful life, offers lots of scenarios had she been alive in this age of social media.

“She’d be like Anne Curtis, with many, many followers!” gushes Isay.

That immense lung power would make her a threat to Beyonce, Katy Perry, even the late Whitney Houston, adds Isay.

Fashion statements

Katy’s fashion statements – fully-beaded sexy gowns with sweetheart necklines and breathtaking bustier – are the types JLo would wear in her high-octane concerts around the world.

Katy the tease thought nothing of giving English songs naughty Tagalog interpretations. But there’s a difference Read More »from The Katy de la Cruz-Anne Curtis connection