Charice shown performing at a David Foster concert.

The powerhouse vocalist claimed the Favorite Asian Act at the Nickelodeon’s 2012 Kids’ Choice Awards.
“Thank you Chasters for all the hard work, I love you all,” Charice tweeted, with a photo of herself holding the orange blimp on Monday.
“Yey, we won,” another of her tweet said.
The Kids’ Choice Awards, now on its 25th edition, is an annual stop for Hollywood stars who are popular among teenage and young viewers watching the Nickelodeon Cable TV network.
Charice bested other nominees such as Agnes Monica of Indonesia, Yuna of Malaysia and Wondergirls of Korea, after garnering the highest votes in online voting. The pint-sized pop star recently wrapped up her nine-Asian city Infinity tour, covering Indonesia, Singapore, Nagoya, Kobe, Tokyo in Japan, Manila and Cebu in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Seoul in South Korea. She also held a concert in Dubai.
Charice is currently preparing to release her sophomore album Infinity in the States.
Her debut movie in the US Here Comes The Boom with Salma Hayek and Kevin James, will be shown this year.
Here Comes The Boom is about a biology teacher who moonlights as a mixed-martial arts fighter in a bid to raise money to save the school’s music program.
Charice plays the role of Malia, a music student.
She is also set to come home to sit as one of the judges in the upcoming reality TV show X-Factor Philippine edition.
Charice shot to fame after her YouTube videos singing covers of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion, went viral.
Soon, she was guesting on US TV shows like Ellen, Oprah and Good Morning America.
In 2010, she released her debut album in the US and the carrier single Pyramid, shot to No. 8 on Billboard’s Hot 200 chart, making her the first Asian artist in history to enter Billboard.
Charice, likewise, starred on Fox’s Glee as Filipino exchange student Sunshine Corazon.
The voting concluded on March 31 and the awards night was held at the University of Southern California Galen Center in Los Angeles.
It will be televised on the Nickelodeon Philippine channel on April 14, 10 a.m. with repeats on April 16, 6 p.m.; April 18, 12 p.m.; and April 20, 8 p.m.

Consumers are advised to stop using the pills — which are packaged in three colors: green, yellow and blue — and discard them. They should also see a doctor if they have experienced any side effects, the agency said.

An FDA lab analysis has confirmed that the pills, “Japan Rapid Weight Loss Diet Pills Green” contain “undeclared phenolphthalein,” the agency said in a statement.

“Phenolphthalein is a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer-causing agent that is not approved for marketing in the United States.”

The FDA has classified the agent as “not generally recognized as safe and effective,” and it has been found to potentially damage or even cause mutations in a person’s DNA, the warning said.

A similar notice was issued for “Japan Rapid Weight Loss Diet Pills Yellow” because they contain both phenolphthalein and sibutramine, a weight loss agent found in the drug Meridia that was removed from the market in 2010 because it boosted the risk of heart attack and stroke.

“The product poses a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increaseblood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke,” the FDA said.

A third product, “Japan Weight Loss Blue” contains sibutramine and ephedrine alkaloids. Products containing ephedra have been banned because they can boost blood pressure to risky levels.

The agency said the dangerous weight loss pills are part of an emerging trend in which companies sell products purporting to be dietary supplements but which contain hidden ingredients that can be harmful. (Agence France-Presse)

The fees: epassport – $60 processing fee and $6 for the passport to be returned to applicant by mail; dual citizenship, $60 processing fee and civil registry, $25 processing fee and $6 for documents to be returned to the applicant by mail.

‘PRIDE OF BATAAN’ The mom of Jessica Sanchez, a hot favorite in “AI,” hails from Orani, Bataan. AP/FOX

LOS ANGELES, CAL—
Gutsy “American Idol” contestant Jessica Sanchez took on Whitney Houston’s biggest hit on performance night this week, delivering a smooth, effortless rendition that awed the show’s judges.
Sanchez, a 16-year-old high school student from San Diego, California, with Mexican and Filipino heritage, gave an assured version of “I Will Always Love You” that judge Jennifer Lopez found “just amazing. I don’t even know what to say,” Lopez exclaimed during the show.
“Jessica Sanchez and Jessica Sanchez,” Steven Tyler replied, when host Ryan Seacrest asked the panel to name this week’s top two singers among the 13 finalists.
“Jessica, you may be the one. You just made 40 million people cry,” Tyler said (adding a dose of hyperbole by roughly doubling the show’s biggest performance night audience for the season so far).
Randy Jackson didn’t hold back either, calling Sanchez “one of the best talents in the whole country.”
Sanchez, an early favorite during the San Diego auditions of “Idol,” was born in Chula Vista, California, to Mexican-American father Gilbert, originally from Texas, and Filipino mother Editha, originally from Bataan. Her grandfather Eddie Bugay is a retired United States Navy sailor from Bataan, while her grandmother Virgie hails from Manila.
‘Pride of Bataan’
In Orani, Bataan, the first thing that catches a visitor’s attention in a house in Apollo Village is a tarpaulin sign that says, “Jessica Bugay Sanchez, The Pride of Bataan, Philippines,” signed by Sanchez’s grandparents.

The neighbors said they eagerly await a visit from Sanchez, who said in an earlier interview that she plans to visit the country soon. The local government of Orani is reportedly preparing a grand homecoming for their “idol.”

Rhian Ramos

Unsurprisingly, work was “cathartic” for GMA 7 actress Rhian Ramos, who figured in one of the most shocking scandals last year after breaking up with radio-TV personality Mo Twister.
She took a “leave” of three months, before facing the cameras again for the GMA Films romantic-comedy “My Kontrabida Girl,” which opened in theaters yesterday.
“I play someone vengeful, which is far from the real me,” she told Inquirer. “I ended up using what I was going through [in real life]. In a way, it was therapeutic.”
Unruffled
She explained that her role as a villainess allowed her to act out her frustrations within the safe confines of a movie set.
She described the controversy as “worse than boot camp,” but one that pushed her to grow up. Her relationship with her family has vastly improved, she related, particularly with her mom, who survived a cancer scare last year. My parents and sister saw me through the worst crisis in my life. I realized that my family would always be there for me.”
Her job is her solace. “Work is my happiness. It was important for me to do this film because I wanted to prove to myself that I could focus in spite of what happened.”
Is she ready to love again? “No,” she remarked, then quickly backtracked. “I do not want to sound as if I have been traumatized. Not all men can be that mean. My friends, those who stood by me, are living proof that there is a lot of good in people.”
She denied rumors linking her to KC Montero, or to anyone else—not even Jeric Lacson, son of Senator Panfilo Lacson. “I apologize to KC and Jeric … who were dragged into the intrigues. I feel especially bad for Jeric, who is not from show biz. I met him through Maxene (Magalona). We went out as a group, but he was singled out.”
Happy for aunt
Rhian remained upbeat, even when talk turned to the resignation of aunt Ida Ramos-Henares as head of GMA Artist Center. “I am glad because she will have more time for her family,” Rhian explained. “She seems to be happier now.”
At the same time, Rhian is relieved. “I hope the intrigues stop. That people say I get projects only because of my aunt’s influence. I also work hard naman.”
After “Kontrabida Girl,” a new soap is in the works for Rhian.

Apart from the Arroyo couple, the anti-graft court also ordered the arrest of former elections chief Benjamin Abalos and former transportation secretary Leandro Mendoza who were also charged over the anomalous contract with China’s ZTE Corp.

Mr. Arroyo, accompanied by his counsel Ferdinand Topacio, personally went before the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division where he submitted his pictures instead of being subjected to mug shots and samples of his fingerprints taken.

The former first gentleman also posted bail in the amount of P30,000.

Former President Arroyo – represented by counsel Estelito Mendoza – and Abalos are both detained for the non-bailable offense of electoral sabotage.

Former secretary Mendoza, through his lawyer Alex Poblador, also posted the P30,000 bail.

Mrs. Arroyo, for her part, tasked her lawyer Jose Flaminiano to file a motion asking the Sandiganbayan to send a court officer to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) where she is currently detained to undergo bail proceedings there.
Gabriel Villareal, legal counsel of Abalos, said the former elections chief is in no rush to post bail since he is already in detention. Mr. Arroyo, a lawyer who was seen as a backroom operator during his wife’s troubled nine-year presidency, is accused of accepting money to push through a $329-million government contract with China’s ZTE Corp. to set up a nationwide broadband network in 2007. The contract was originally priced at $130 million.

Mrs. Arroyo approved the deal, but later backtracked under public pressure and a congressional investigation.
Mr. Arroyo has denied wrongdoing and said the graft charges are flawed because the former president canceled the deal.
“This (warrant of arrest) comes as a surprise to me because there are no valid charges against me and my wife,” he said.

“Besides, this does not apply to me because I’m a private citizen,” he said, adding his lawyers have filed a motion on the issue of probable cause against him.
Mr. Arroyo said he informed his wife of the issuance of the arrest warrant against her but did not say how she reacted to the news.
He vowed to prove their accusers wrong in the trial in the anti-graft court.
He said the Office of the Ombudsman should not have filed the charges against him and his wife since the contract was cancelled in the first place.
“That contract (with the ZTE) was abrogated so there’s no damage done. Also why was she (Mrs. Arroyo) charged, when she did not sign it (contract),” he said.
Mr. Arroyo said the previous panel in the Office of the Ombudsman that investigated the deal noted the most important part of the graft investigation, which is the contract, was missing.
“There is no contract so there is no corpus delicti (body of crime),” he said.
‘A step in the right direction’ Malacañang said the arrest warrants issued by the Sandiganbayan against the Arroyos and the other accused in the ZTE deal are a “step in the right direction” in light of the Aquino administration’s campaign against corruption.
“The warrant is a preventive measure in order to assure that the accused persons are here and that they can be present in their day in court,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
The issuance of the warrants would now allow the defendants the opportunity to rebut the allegations hurled against them and that “they will be able to defend themselves in the best possible manner,” she said.
Mr. Arroyo’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio expressed surprise over the issuance of an arrest order against his client considering that a motion for judicial determination of probable cause was filed Monday.
“We asked for a hearing to determine probable cause on this case, so we were surprised about the arrest warrant,” Topacio said.
He said there is already a Supreme Court ruling that stated that if a deal did not push through, there could have been no damage to the government. The Sandiganbayan, however, junked the motions filed by the respondents asking for a hearing for the presentation of oral arguments on Friday.
In its four-page ruling, the anti-graft court said judicial determination of probable cause is a procedure that is required “without need of any motion or intervention from the parties” who cannot even “assert any demandable right to be heard or participate thereon.”
“To repeat, this court need only personally and independently examine and or evaluate the corresponding resolutions of the Office of the Ombudsman finding probable cause to charge the accused therein, together with the records and the evidence to support the same, to determine whether or not there is reasonable ground to believe that the persons sought to be arrested, that is, the accused herein, are probably guilty of the offense charged and should face trial,” the Sandiganbayan said.
And after personally and judiciously reviewing the finding of probable cause by the Office of the Ombudsman along with records and evidence to support the same, the Sandiganbayan said “this court hereby finds, and so holds, that probable cause exists for the issuance of the warrant of arrest against all the accused therein.” The graft case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against Mr. Arroyo specifically accuses him of displaying “unusual interest in the transaction, as gathered from his acts of playing golf and having lunch with ZTE officials in Shenzhen, China.”
He was alleged to have arranged a meeting between businessman Jose “Joey” de Venecia III and Abalos who had different proposals in mind on how the botched $329-million NBN project should be carried out.
“His (Arroyo) active intervention, as reflected earlier, in the transaction makes him a conspirator in the approval of the ZTE’s proposal and the eventual signing of the contract,” the Office of the Ombudsman’s complaint said.

Mrs. Arroyo is similarly charged in addition to another separate graft case for “directly or indirectly becoming interest, for personal gain, or having material interest” in the NBN project.

The former president was likewise charged for alleged violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. She is already under arrest in a government hospital on electoral fraud accusations and has pleaded innocent.

Tiangco said Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. had told members of the House of Representatives at a caucus in December last year that Corona “is a protégé of GMA (former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo)” and would be impeached on that day.
“This is non-debatable. No q

Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco stretches his legs during a break on the 27th day of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona at the Senate yesterday.

uestions will be entertained,” Tiangco quoted Belmonte as saying. Tiangco did not sign the complaint.
Belmonte disputed the story and said House members were merely advised to vote however they pleased.

Tiangco said when Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon complained that congressmen were being asked to sign an impeachment complaint that they had not even read, Belmonte allegedly told them they could get their copies later: “Ginagawa pa sa likod, kumuha na lang kayo mamaya (It’s still being printed in the back, get your copies later).”

Instead lead prosecutor Niel Tupas of Iloilo gave a PowerPoint presentation of the eight Articles of Impeachment in “bullet points” with accompanying “narrative,” Tiangco said.

Tiangco also claimed Malacañang had used the congressional pork barrel to punish those who didn’t go along with the impeachment of Merceditas Gutierrez as ombudsman. The insinuation was that fear of similar sanctions prompted 188 members to sign the impeachment complaint against Corona.
“Hindi po ako pumipirma kung hindi ako bumabasa (I don’t sign if I don’t read it),” he said, recalling that he eventually made a privilege speech the next day, condemning the act.
Meanwhile, the Senate impeachment court rejected yesterday the latest attempt of the defense to throw out the Articles of Impeachment.
The defense was hoping to present witnesses to show that the impeachment complaint against Corona was invalid because it failed to comply with the requirements of the Constitution.
In a ruling, the court denied the defense’s applications to subpoena the secretary-general of the House of Representatives, lawmakers and the staff of a cable television news program on grounds that the court had already settled the matters involved in the pleadings in a previous ruling.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, impeachment court presiding officer, said the Senate had already acquired jurisdiction over the case, and that the trial has already reached an advance stage.
“The purpose of the subpoena is to present evidence on the circumstances of the verification of the Articles of Impeachment, which has been previously ruled on by this court when it considered the motion for preliminary hearing filed by the defense,” he said. “The request is hereby denied. It is the opinion of this court that it is too late to raise the question of the verification at this point.”
Retired Supreme Court associate justice Serafin Cuevas, the lead defense counsel, said Corona was not given due process when the impeachment complaint was transmitted without any notice to him, as well as hear his side. “The due process clause enshrined in our fundamental law is a condition sine qua non that cannot be ignored in any proceeding,” he said. “It is a matter of fact that there was no determination of probable cause. In other words, there were no evidences, there were no allegations that would prove the existence of probable cause and yet the public officer involved was immediately impeached.”

Sen. Joker Arroyo said the impeachment complaint, once it secures the required signatures of one-third of all the members of the House and is transmitted to the Senate, the upper chamber has no choice but to accept it.

“What is the objective in filing this motion?” he asked. “As I see it, supposing the Senate will grant your request, if the allegation is true, the Senate has to dismiss the complaint?”

“In the prosecution of (President Joseph) Estrada, the same issue arose. What the House transmits to Senate, defects and all, will have to be accepted by the Senate because the Senate cannot direct the House on how to make an impeachment complaint,” he added.
Sen. Franklin Drilon said the defense arguments were the same as those contained in their motion for a preliminary hearing that the Senate had denied.
“The Jan. 18, 2012 ruling of this court categorically validated the verification,” he said.
“If there was no need to present evidence on the matter of the preliminary hearing, there is no need to present evidence on the affirmative defenses.
“So it was not true that it was only the motion for preliminary hearing that was denied, it is the validity of the verification itself that was ruled upon.
“The purpose, obviously, of a hearing on the affirmative defense, is to have the case dismissed because of lack of verification, which has been ruled upon by this court on Jan. 18, 2012.”
Cuevas responded, “If that commentary was made by the members of the prosecution arm, we would have no objection. We are worried that this may be interpreted as an argument by a prosecutor.”
Drilon shot back that he took exception to the statement of Cuevas as “totally improper.”

Sen. Francis Escudero wanted the court to be more liberal and allow the defense to present some members of the House, as long as it would limit its presentation to no more than three to five members as Cuevas had stated.

Comedian Joey Guila Returns to Houston for The Adobo Hoedown!

Tropical Storm “Washi” aka “Sendong” devastated the southern part of the Philippines about a week before Christmas on December 16, 2011, leaving a ravaged trail of at least 1,257 dead, over 6,071 injured with hundreds still missing and affecting over a million people according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of the Philippines. Tropical Storm “Washi” aka “Sendong” is considered to be the deadliest and most destructive storm in history for the southern region of the Philippines and its death toll has surpassed that of Typhoon “Ketsana” aka Typhoon “Ondoy” in 2009.
The “Adobo Hoedown” is open to everyone, fun for all ages and will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2012, from 12:00 – 7:00 p.m. at War’Hous Visual Studios & MyFitness Houston, 4715 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002. Admission is $10 or $5 for children 12 and under. Proceeds will be donated to the Rotary Club of Cagayan De Oro, Philippines. Those who cannot attend and wish to make a donation online may do so here through the Greater Houston Community Foundation (www.ghcf.org) under the “Donate Now” tab then choosing the Norma Benzon Foundation under program designation.

Allan Manuel is the Best Impressionist of World Famous Icon Manny Pacquiao. He has the Uncanny look and likeness of the best Pound for Pound Fighter in the World. His stage presence is professional and his body is chiseled in the likeness of Manny Pacquiao. He even has the tattoos to match. He trains and works out daily and is a student of Pacquiao. His mannerisms are duplicated and practiced daily of the Icon Manny Pacquiao. He is the closest thing you will get to Manny Pacquiao.

The “Adobo Hoedown: People Power Party” will be the second installment of “H-town’s Adobo Hoedown” and will commemorate the 26th anniversary of the “People Power” Revolution of the Philippines. It will celebrate the camaraderie of Filipino-American culture and the resilient spirit of the Filipino people featuring Houston’s original Adobo Cook-off. For the price of admission, the first 100 attendees can sample adobo, the national dish of the Philippines, and vote for their favorite. The adobo contest has two components: First, the contestant with the most votes from the sampling will be the crowned “crowd favorite.” Second, the contestants will also be judged by local food enthusiasts such as “Yo-J” aka Jerome Ronquillo from 104 KRBE and professionals in the culinary field. The winners will receive a special edition Adobo Hoedown Trophy by artist Jed Foronda along with bragging rights and a few other goodies. Contestants should apply in advance at http://bit.ly/cookadobo2012.

Ira Perez Ira Perez is an up-and-coming female Singer and Songwriter. She is also an accomplished amazing Guitarist and Pianist. She has performed throughout Houston and Austin for the past several years. Ira is currently attending the University of Texas at Austin. Based on her academic achievements, Ira was automatically accepted to University of Texas and will study Political Science and minor in Music. At only 16 years of age, Ira began writing her own music and was soon performing throughout the Houston, Dallas, College Station and Austin Areas. Ira has won many awards. In 2010 she was voted “Best Female Vocals” by fans in the Houston Press Music Awards contest. She also competed and won the Kollaboration Houston Asian/Pacific Rim talent showcase. Ira is no stranger to the studio. She has recorded approximately 15 songs, mostly originals, and is currently in the process of recording & finishing another album. Many of Ira’s performances have been recorded and can been seen on YouTube.

A variety of Filipino cuisine, pastries and sweets will also be available for an additional charge. Guests can enjoy a variety of entertainment by Filipino comedian (featured on Showtime and Host of TV Show “MYX-Rated”) Joey Guila; the Best Pound-for-Pound Impersonator Allen Rivera Manuel “Pacquiao”; live music by Ira Perez, named “Houston Press Best Female Vocals 2010”-; the highly acclaimed ArchiTEKS Dance Crew; YouTube sensation Lauren Remo, plus Jomel Sumira, Gain Structure Incident (GSI), Sole Resonance and Voice Box. Music will be spun by a DJ lineup including the “Kracker Nuttz” DJ Crew of Houston’s “Hot 95.7″; the “Booth Pimps” DJ Johnny J & DJ Ebonix of 97.9 the “Box”; DJ Seduction of World Entertainment; BAHAla na Tribe member and Soular Grooves DJ Josh Zulu and more special guests to be confirmed with sounds provided by Aura Systems. There will also be a demonstration of Filipino martial arts by BAHAlA na martial arts and a cultural performance by Texas A&M’s Philippine Student Association (PHILSA). An art exhibit and interactive arts & crafts will be on display by several artists at War’Hous Visual Studios and Houston Press Reader’s Choice Artist of the Year of 2011, Dandee Danao.
To raise additional funds there will also be BINGO and a pick-your-prize raffle featuring a nice selection of gift certificates and items. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and may be purchased at the event.
As part of the relief effort for Tropical Storm “Washi”/“Sendong,” the BAHAla na Tribe & Friends in coordination with Houston Helping CDO & Pinoy Kargo have collected over 150 boxes of relief goods and clothing to be sent to Capitol University Foundation in Cagayan De Oro, Philippines.
About the BAHAla na Tribe & Friends
In the Filipino language Tagalog, the word “baha” means flood, “la na” is Tagalog slang for “no more.” The word “bahalana” means “leave it up to God.” BAHAla na Tribe members are Anthony Guevara, Ria Guzon, Susie Hernandez, Roy Samano, Olivia Villacorta, and Tina and Josh Zulu. The tribe salutes the Filipino heritage of helpful, faithful, resourceful and happy-go-lucky survivors who keep their chins up and help others in need—even if they are in need themselves. To celebrate Filipino culture, the tribe loves to eat adobo, sing karaoke, dance, perform and play musical instruments. The tribe would like to thank all the friends and supporters of the Adobo Hoedown especially the Filipino Young Professionals (FYP), War’Hous Studios, MyFitness Houston, Houston Helping CDO, the Kracker Nuttz, “H” Stands for Help, All the Way Live and the Norma Benzon Foundation through Greater Houston Community Foundation.

The ArchiTEKS Dance Crew are the reators of original foundation Through Experience, Knowledge & Skills. This highly acclaimed dance crew is internationally reknown for their creativity and initricate moves in their choreography. Some of the members have been featured on MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew" and travel all over the United States and the world sharing their love and passion for dance.

Follow Adobo Hoedown Twitter: @AdoboHoedown
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/adobohoedown