Author: Latest Chika TEAM

(UPDATED) Actor Miko Palanca has passed away at the age of 41. Details surrounding his untimely death are still incomplete at this time, but news of his passing emerged after the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) expressed its sympathies to the family of the actor. “The Film Academy of the Philippines extends our sincerest sympathies to the family of Mico Palanca for his untimely passing,” said FAP on its official Facebook page late Monday. His former Star Magic handler also took to social media to express her sadness over Miko’s death. Monch Novales posted an Instagram photo of her…

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) announced Monday, December 9, that it was leaving its longtime partnership with Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI). Headed by Stella Marquez Araneta, BPCI had been the Philippine franchise holder and local pageant organizer of Miss U for 55 years, from 1964 to 2019. MUO thanked the BPCI for its “more than 50 years of stewardship of the Miss Universe brand and franchise in the Philippines.” Myrna Panlilio was crowned as the first-ever Bb. Pilipinas Universe in 1964. The US-based organization also said that a brand-new team will be handling Miss Universe Philippines starting 2020. The…

A Filipino surfer broke the internet on Friday for his inspiring display of sportsmanship in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG). Filipino netizens were filled with #PinoyPride after local surfer Roger Casugay chose to abandon the race for gold in the men’s longboard open competition for surfing in San Juan, La Union, in order to help his Indonesian rival Arip Nurhidayat. The Indonesian athlete’s surfing board leash had snapped in the heat of the competition, with the massive waves sweeping him away. Roger, the nearest surfer, was seen coming to the rescue to Arip and together, they paddled back to the…

Kim Chiu, JM de Guzman and Tony Labrusca will be working with each other for the first time in a Star Cinema film. The still untitled film project is said to be horror and planned for release during first quarter of 2020. In photos shared by Star Cinema exec Mico Del Rosario, the stars can be seen with director Derick Cabrido, who also megged the horror film Clarita produced by Black Sheep, a subsidiary of Star Cinema. Cabrido was named Best Director for his work in Clarita at the 10th Mirabile Dictu International Catholic Film Festival in the Vatican in…

Friendship first before competition? It looks like it as Philippine bet to Miss Universe 2019, Gazini Ganados, found time to bond with new “amigas” from Colombia, Brazil and other countries despite a hectic schedule in the lead-up to the coronation night on December 8 (December 9, Manila time) in Atlanta, Georgia. In an Instagram post, Gazini praised Miss Colombia Gabriela Tafur and Miss Brazil Julia Horta. “Buenas dias, Bom dia, and Magandang umaga! ? Finally had some chat with mi amigas @gabrielatafur @juliahorta and they are both sooo sooo gorgeous and sweet! Makes me wait to visit South America soon! Gracias Colombia, Obrigado…

A Malaysian sports official said that the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games athletes are being “over-served” with food, Malaysia’s New Straits Times reported. The interview published on Sunday said that Malaysian Athletics Federation deputy president Datuk Mumtaz Jaafar felt that the “wide-ranging menu” and the “six meals per day” at the Athletes’ Village at New Clark City in Tarlac were “simply too good to resist.” This has been a cause of worry for the official as some of her athletes might enjoy themselves too much. “We arrived three days before athletics start and, after looking at the mess hall, I’m…

Floy Quintos, creative director of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019 opening ceremony, took to his social media account to thank the people behind the kickoff event at the Philippine Arena on Saturday, November 30. In a Facebook post on Sunday, December 1, the veteran playwright and TV director stressed that the event wouldn’t be possible without the “team work” among his creative colleagues, designers, artisans, technicians, managers, as well as the Five Currents, the foreign producer tapped for the ceremony, whom he said was “respectful, systematic and fun to work with.” “It will always be an honor to have…

Hotdog’s OPM classic Manila electrified the parade of Philippine athletes at the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena on Saturday, November 30. Post-event, some questions were raised on the appropriateness of the song choice, whether or not it was inclusive enough to “unite the nation” to root for Team Philippines. The song, titled after the capital of the Philippines, was written by Hotdog bassist Dennis Garcia and composed by his late brother and Hotdog lead singer Rene Garcia. Seemingly reacting to comments that Manila was not “inclusive” or “representative” enough of the Philippines, Dennis took…

The press reviews are in! The foreign media covering the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games had already filed their reports about the Opening Ceremony on Saturday at the Philippine Arena, and here’s what they’re saying. Singapore’s The Straits Times noted in its article title the festive mood and full house as “Duterte declares the 30th edition open”. It said that the two-hour spectacle erased a week’s worth of negative publicity in the lead-up to the official kick-off. “It took just two hours to wipe away a week’s worth of bad headlines as the Philippines rolled out the welcome mat…

Lea Salonga, Gary Valenciano, Angel Locsin and other celebrities took to their social media accounts to share their thoughts and feelings on the opening ceremony of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games held Saturday night at the Philippine Arena. The musical spectacle turned the spotlight on Philippine culture, music, beauty and performing talent, among others, as the host country officially welcomed the athletes of the participating countries to the 30th edition of the biennial sports meet. Kapuso singer Julie Anne San Jose expressed her Pinoy pride over the opening ceremony by tweeting: “Nakakaproud maging Pinoy!!!” Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano said…