Author: Latest Chika TEAM

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…

Hotdog’s OPM classic Manila electrified the parade of Philippine athletes at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena on Saturday, November 30. The song didn’t just put a spring in the step of Team Philippines that had Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach as muse, it also turned the 55,000-seater venue into an epic sing-along party, bringing the crowd — including President Duterte — to their feet. Cheers erupted when the LED screens showed the rare sight of the president clapping and grooving to the beat of the song. Hotdog’s original bassist and main songwriter Dennis Garcia took to…

The time has come for the Games to (officially) begin! The 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games opening ceremony is finally happening tonight at 7 at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Taking to the stage is an impressive line-up of Filipino artists — from concert icons, theater stars to hot young artists. These are Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.ap, Lani Misalucha, Robert Seña, Aicelle Santos, Anna Fegi, Christian Bautista, KZ Tandingan, Jed Madela, the TNT Boys, Iñigo Pascual and Elmo Magalona. They are set to sing a medley of songs including the SEA Games theme song We Win As One, originally…

Actor and Second Lieutenant Matteo Guidicelli was guest of honor at the commemoration of the 156th birth anniversary of Gat. Andres Bonifacio on Saturday, November 30, in Davao City. In photos shared by the city government of Davao’s official Facebook page, the actor was seen leading the ceremony that unveiled the newly renovated Bonifacio Monument with Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte. In a speech, the 29-year-old Cebuano actor-athlete took the opportunity to share his journey to becoming a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Force early this year. Among other things, he took on a month-long leadership-development…

John Lloyd Cruz gave some advice to the newlyweds Vhong and Tanya Navarro during his wedding speech. TV host Vhong married ABS-CBN writer and longtime girlfriend Tanya Bautista on Thursday at a hotel in Kyoto, Japan. The intimate affair was attended by Vhong’s It’s Showtime family and other celebrity friends like John Lloyd. John Lloyd and Vhong go way back as friends. They’re former co-stars and fellow members of the Kanto Boys together with Luis Manzano and Billy Crawford. Perhaps drawing from his own experience as a father to a one-year-old boy named Elias Modesto, the 36-year-old actor currently on…