Showbiz Roundup: Tug-of-war over Eat Bulaga; US magazine takes notice of Liza Soberano

The ongoing tug-of-war for control over the longest-running noontime show “Eat Bulaga” was one of the hottest entertainment topic among readers for the first week of May.

Meanwhile, Liza Soberano’s budding Hollywood career, Miss Earth Philippines 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana’s unique take on her 5,000 safety pins, Jennica Garcia’s heat-beating appliances for her daughters, and Dolly de Leon’s enduring friendship with fellow actress Eugene Domingo also trended.

Keep yourself updated with a roundup of the biggest entertainment news from April 28 to May 4.

‘False’ statement

Tito Sotto and Bullet Jalosjos. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Showbiz Now Na!, GMA Network

Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon appeared slighted when TAPE executive Bullet Jalosjos said the trio could not live without “Eat Bulaga” (EB), as Tito stressed they had already made a name for themselves even before they became part of the show.

Tito said this in an interview with showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin last April 27, where he reiterated that felt prompted to speak up to air their side of the story when Fermin asked for his reaction on Bullet’s claim that the trio cannot live without the noontime show.

“Si Vic at si Joey nung pinag-uusapan namin ‘yan, galit na galit. Bakit? Remember, 1979 ang ‘Eat Bulaga’—kami ang nag-create ha—but 1976 ‘Discorama’ na kami. TVJ na kami,” Tito stressed. “Baka hindi pa sila pinanganganak no’n kaya hindi nila alam.”

“1978 ‘Iskul Bukol’—No. 1 primetime show for 10 years in channel 13. Aside from ‘Eat Bulaga,’ si Joey nagkaroon ng mahigit isang dosenang TV shows, hanggang ngayon meron pa rin. Si Vic gano’n din, meron sa channel 2, meron sa channel 7. Ako rin meron—sa ngayon meron kaming tig-iisang programa sa Net25 e,” he continued. “Kaya that statement is false. Papaanong ‘Eat Bulaga’ made TVJ?”

When asked who owns EB, Tito stressed, “Kami po ang may-ari ng programang ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Ang may-ari ng TAPE (production company) ay sina Romy Jalosjos. ‘Yun ang alam namin.” He also revealed that he had a meeting with Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez, who owns the production company Brightlight Productions.

“Maganda ang pinag-uusapan namin, maganda ang offer. I will not speak beyond that kasi ‘yun ‘yung pinag-usapan namin tatlo kagabi,” he said, although he didn’t give details about the “offer.”

Despite the ongoing word war, Tito clarified that he’s more dismayed by the turn of events against TAPE’s executives. “Masama ang loob namin sa nangyayari. Let me just put it that way para hindi naman ako maging offensive,” he said.

READ: Tito Sotto on TAPE executive’s claim TVJ can’t live without ‘Eat Bulaga’: ‘That statement is false’

Liza Soberano as one of Hollywood’s exciting young actors

Liza Soberano. Image: Instagram/@townandcountrymag

Liza Soberano seemed to have already caught the attention of the American press as she was named one of the most exciting young actors to watch out for.

Soberano was named one of Hollywood’s “exciting young actors” by the U.S.-based lifestyle magazine “Town and Country,” as seen in their official Instagram account last April 29.

The actress also took note of the “Forevermore” star’s shining career in the Philippines, where she was described as a “veteran model and actress” who is set to debut as a Hollywood star in “Lisa Frankenstein.”

“But success hasn’t made her afraid of starting over. ‘I began my career here as a nobody,’ she says, ‘which means I’m discovering things about myself that I never knew,’” the feature read.

READ: Liza Soberano named one of Hollywood’s ‘exciting young actors’ by US magazine

PH’s Miss Earth bet’s 5,000 safety pins 

Newly-crowned Miss Philippines Earth Yllana Marie Aduana/TOLEDO CITY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE PHOTO

Yllana Marie Aduana wore a nude-toned gown with peek-a-boo cutouts on her waist when she was crowned 2023 Miss Philippines Earth. But there was more to it than the sexy silhouette that emphasized her curves–around 5,000 safety pins were attached to it.

The safety pins, however, were not attached to secure the gown in place or cinch some fitting flaws. They were strategically pinned all over the dress to create design patterns usually created with beads or crystals.

This was another one of Aduana’s sustainable clothing choices throughout her Miss Philippines Earth journey this year. She has been seen elevating lowly items to high fashion pieces ever since she signified her intention to return to the national pageant.

She has worn sexy pieces made of discarded mussel shells, the “good morning” towel, a burlap sack, and other unconventional materials in pageant activities, receiving praises from spectators.

The beauty queen said she recognizes how much carbon footprint the fashion industry leaves, and this is inconsistent with the pageant’s thrust of promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.

Aduana is a returning Miss Philippines Earth candidate, who first joined in the pageant’s virtual edition in 2021, where she finished as a runner-up. She eventually came back and edged out 28 other candidates for the clinched crown. She will represent the country in the Miss Earth competition to be held in Vietnam in July.

READ: Yllana Marie Aduana used 5,000 safety pins as gown design to clinch Miss Philippines Earth crown

An aircon and water heater for Jennica’s kids

Jennica Garcia with her daughters. Image: Instagram/@jennicagarciaph

Jennica Garcia was emotional when she finally bought an air-conditioning unit and a water heater for her kids, after months of enduring the hot weather as well as the cold water when taking a bath.

The actress said this in an appreciation post for her eldest daughter Athena Mori on Instagram last April 30. Jennica gave an account of the deeds her firstborn does without being told to, including doing the dishes, cooking food for herself and her sister Alexis Severina, as well as looking after their mom.

The “Dirty Linen” star then spoke about finally being able to provide an air-conditioning unit and a water heater for them while expressing her gratitude to her ABS-CBN bosses and to everyone who has been supporting her.

“Nanay is getting emotional because I’m heading to the mall tonight to buy aircon and a water heater for our bathroom. Pagpahingain na natin yung electric fan, 10 months na tayong lapot gumigising,” she stated. “Hindi na rin ako ulit mag-iinit ng tubig para isalin sa balde pangligo niyo ‘pag malamig ang panahon. Anytime gusto niyo maligo, GO!”

READ: Jennica Garcia finally buys aircon and water heater for daughters, assures them: ‘Nanay got this’

Dolly and Eugene’s enduring friendship

Dolly de Leon and Eugene Domingo. Image: screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network, Instagram/@eugenedomingo_official

Dolly de Leon couldn’t help but look back at a “really hard time” in her time when she was struggling financially, sharing that fellow actress and friend Eugene Domingo was one of those who helped her at the time.

During an interview on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” last April 26, De Leon opened up about her friendship with Domingo and how the latter has always been there for her in good and bad times. “Si Uge (Eugene) magkakilala na kami n’yan bata pa lang kami, teenagers pa kami. Magkasama kami sa UP theater arts so barkada na kami n’yan,” she spoke of the latter.

“At the time when I was going through really hard times—kasi may time talaga na walang-wala na talaga akong pambayad ng kuryente, napatigil ‘yung anak ko sa pag-aaral dahil wala akong pambayad ng tuition—a lot of friends came to support me and Uge is one of them,” she continued.

De Leon disclosed that Domingo supported the schooling of one of the former’s four children for three years, underscoring how Domingo has remained a friend to her amid the fame.

“Totoong kaibigan ang tingin ko talaga sa kanya and ang laking tulong niya sa akin nitong buong thing na nangyayari sa akin kasi, kumbaga, dinaanan na niya ito, so alam na niya kung paano ang gagawin,” she added, referring to the numerous recognitions she received for her “Triangle of Sadness” performance.

De Leon admitted during the interview that before her Hollywood success, she was in a “bad, dark place” wherein she realized the importance of treating everyone with kindness. She also recalled the countless failed auditions she had in the past as she reminded those who aspire to be actors that “rejection is part of [the] job.” EDV

READ: Dolly de Leon recalls financial struggles: ‘Eugene Domingo paid for my son’s tuition for 3 years’

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