MMA: Champion no more, as Folayang stunned in KO loss

It was a tough night for Filipino MMA fans after one of their champions lost his crown on Friday night.

Eduard Folayang was knocked out cold when he was tagged with a huge overhand right by his challenger, Martin Nguyen, in the main event of ONE: Legends of the World at Mall of Asia Arena.

"Landslide" was actually winning the bout in the opening round with his variety of kicks and punches.

But Nguyen, whom Folayang considers a friend, was able to sneak in the winning shot while evading Folayang's spinning back fist.

"I know he's coming with spinning back fist and it's up to me to adjust," said Nguyen. "Actually I was trying to go for a takedown by my instinct took over and it turned into an overhand right."

Right after impact, Folayang fell unconscious to the ground.

After the fight was called to a halt, Nguyen immediately went to Folayang and checked his friend out of concern.

"Honestly, it really hurt. Because I never ever wanted to see someone I know and like going through that. Unfortunately, it's martial artist versus martial artist and I couldn't help to have a little bit of hurt feeling for Eduard when got knocked out," he said.

Kevin Belingon, meanwhile, set himself for a title rematch against ONE bantam king Bibiano Fernandes by putting Kevin "Old Boy" Chung away via unanimous decision.

Belingon punished Chung with some of the heaviest shots of the night, but the South Korean grappler was able to threaten the "Silencer" with an arm lock in the second round.

The Team Lakay fighter, however, was able to escape Chung's grip and engaged the South Korean on stand-up for the remainder of the fight.

Gina "Conviction" Iniong continued her winning ways in the ONE Championship atomweight division by dominating her Indonesian foe.

Iniong secured a sidemount against Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol then trapped the Indonesian with a crucifix.

From there, she peppered the defenseless Priscilla with repeated strikes until the referee called a halt and awarded the victory to Iniong in the 2nd round.

Joshua Pacio made a successful comeback 3 months after his defeat to Hayato Suzuki by knocking out Roy Doliguez in their strawweight fight.

While mixing it up against Doliguez, Pacio spun around and connected a back fist to Doliguez's temple rendering the latter nearly unconscious in the 2nd round.

In the co-main event, Danny Kingad suffered his first career defeat when he got submitted by reigning flyweight champion Adriano Moraes.

Kingad initially had success warding off Moraes from scoring a takedown, but the Brazilian eventually found an opening and pinned the younger fighter to the ground.

Once on the mat, Moraes patiently worked his way to secure Kingad's back until he trapped the Filipino with a rear naked choke.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Miss Earth 2017: Australian candidate is half-Pinay

MANILA – Miss Australia Nina Robertson revealed during the coronation night of the Miss Earth 2017 pageant on Saturday that she is half-Filipino.

Before giving her answer in the competition’s final Q&A segment, Robertson was asked how she finds the Philippines so far.

To the audience’s surprise, the 20-year-old beauty queen said: “I am actually half Filipino so for me, this is like my second home. It is so lovely to be here but I am very proud to be representing Australia. Whichever country I am representing, I am just happy to be doing what we are doing here--advocating the conservation of the Mother Earth.”

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Robertson shared that her mother hails from Nueva Ecija.

According to her profile on the official Miss Earth website, Robertson is the youngest of three children and is constantly surrounded by her big family especially from her mother’s side.

“Living all in the same area means we all grew up spending lots of time together, celebrating special events with lots of food. Another thing that my family taught me was to appreciate all the opportunities I had growing up in a developed country compared to their upbringings in the Philippines,” her bio said.

Robertson also shared in her profile that she and her family frequently visit the Philippines “and make sure to take part in actions to give back to the unfortunate.”

After the coronation, Robertson won the Miss Earth Air 2017 crown.

“I am so excited for all the activities for the year but even after that, we are still going to continue doing what we are doing here at Miss Earth,” she said.

The Philippines’ Karen Ibasco won the Miss Earth 2017 title.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Laura Lehmann crowned Miss World Philippines 2017

MANILA -- Former UAAP courtside reporter Laura Lehman will be representing the Philippines in the Miss World 2017 pageant in China.

The 24-year-old was named Miss World Philippines 2017 Sunday at the pageant's coronation night at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

"Maraming, maraming, maraming salamat po. I heard all your cheers here in the arena. It gave me power and the energy to perform. Maraming, maraming salamat po. I will make you proud," she said after her win.

During the question and answer round, Lehmann was asked to respond to people "who believe that pageants do not provide an opportunity to empower women."

She answered: "To anyone who doesn't believe in pageants, I would ask them to take a look at the girls that we had on stage tonight. Because we had lawyers, we had architects, we had women of substance who are here to day not only because of what they look like, but also because of what's in their heart, what's in their mind, and because they brought forth 'Beauty with a Purpose' projects."

"They are here fighting to represent the Philippines and become the best version of a Filipina. And to me, that is something to celebrate, not protest," she ended.

Aside from winning the crown, Lehmann was also named Miss Cosmo Skin, Miss BYS Philippines and the Multimedia Fast Track winner.

Other winners in the Miss World Philippines 2017 are Winwyn Marquez (Miss Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas), Cynthia Tomalla (Miss Eco Philippines), Sophia Senoron (Miss Multinational), Glyssa Perez (1st Princess) and Zara Carbonell (2nd Princess).

The candidates who made it to the Top 15 are:

Glyssa Perez
Winwyn Marquez
Cynthia Thomalla
Laura Lehman
Zara Carbonell
Ella Lubag
Gabriela Ortega
Cristina Coloma
Henna Kaizzelle Nicole Cajandig
Chelsea Manalo
Sheila Marie Reyes
Noelle Uy-Tuazon
Jona Sweett
Sophia Senoron
Janela Joy Cuaton

Before competing in Miss World Philippines 2017, Lehmann joined Binibining Pilipinas in 2014 and finished as a runner-up.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Coldplay in Manila

Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, holds a banner with the word "Love" painted on it as the Philippine flag is displayed on the electronic billboard during the British rock band's highly anticipated concert, "A Head Full of Dreams," at Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

LOOK: More Miss Universe candidates arrive in Manila

More beauty queens arrived in Manila on Friday to complete the remaining 86 countries competing for the 65th Miss Universe pageant at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on January 30. The ancillary events leading to the coronation night will begin Saturday, with an event in the Philippines' famous island getaway Boracay.

Here are some images of the arrival of the Miss Universe candidates.

Miss Universe Italy Sofia Sergio arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila for the Miss Universe pageant on Friday.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Folayang inspires McLaren as Fil-Aussie challenges Fernandes

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-Australian bantamweight Reece McLaren is drawing inspiration from Eduard Folayang as he embarks on the biggest fight of his mixed martial arts career so far.

McLaren burst into the ONE Championship scene in 2015, and has since registered two highly impressive victories over top caliber opponents, earning him a shot against bantamweight world champion Bibiano "The Flash" Fernandes.

McLaren (9-3) is set to challenge Fernandes (19-3) in the co-main event of ONE: Age of Domination on December 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

He will be the underdog against Fernandes, but McLaren is drawing inspiration from the shock victory of Folayang over Japanese MMA legend Shinya Aoki two weeks ago, which gave "Landslide" the ONE Lightweight World Championship.

"I saw Eduard's fight, and I drew a lot of inspiration from it. Another fellow Filipino winning a world title shows that it can be done," said McLaren.

"Watching the fight was super exciting," he added. "I was on the edge of my seat."

"It was such a massive opportunity for him, and to see him walk away with the victory was just so inspirational."

Fernandes will bring an 11-fight winning streak into the fight, and the Brazilian star is making the fifth defense of his ONE Championship belt. McLaren, however, is unfazed by his underdog status.

"Being labeled as the favorite or the underdog doesn't really matter to me," he said. "I'm going to put a hundred percent into the work, and I hope it shows."

McLaren began his ONE Championship career with an upset victory Filipino warrior and fan-favorite Mark Striegl, and followed up that win over top Tajikistan prospect Muin Gafurov.

"I feel no difference between being the favorite or the underdog," he said. "Everyone loves the underdog story and they love it when he wins, so give me that label and I'll run with it."

"An upset to me is the man who is not meant to win, wins."

McLaren is confident that he can pull off a third consecutive upset win.

"I have Australia and the Philippines supporting me," he said. "Bibiano, it is such an honor to be facing you. I respect you a lot, but this is going to be a changing of the guard."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Selena Gomez arrives in Manila for concert

MANILA - Selena Gomez is in the Philippines.

The American pop star arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Saturday night for her first ever concert in the country at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

The July 31 performance is part of a concert tour promoting her second solo studio album, "Revival." Prior to Manila, Gomez played in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangkok.

"Revival" was released in October 2015, and has since sold more than 500,000 copies. It includes hit tracks such as "Good for You," "Hands to Myself," "Kill Em with Kindness," and Same Old Love."

Gomez, who rose to fame in 2007 with appearances on several Disney TV series, released three studio albums with the band Selena Gomez & the Scene from 2009 to 2011. She launched her solo music career in 2013 with the album "Stars Dance."

Gomez was supposed to perform cancelled several tour dates in 2014, including one in Manila, to "spend more time on myself in order to be the person I can be."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Madonna serenades Pinoys with 'Crazy for You'

"That's the first time I sang that song onstage in 30 years." We're CRAZY FOR YOU, Madonna!!!! ❤️ #BeOneWithMadonna #GlobeMadonna

Posted by Globe Telecom on Thursday, 25 February 2016

MANILA - "That's the first time I sang that song onstage in 30 years."

These were the words of pop star Madonna after belting out her 1995 ballad hit "Crazy for You" in front of thousands of fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Thursday evening.

In a video uploaded on the Facebook page of Globe Telecom, one of the official partners of the event, Madonna said it was her gift for Filipinos for fighting against dictatorship.

JUST IN: Madonna congratulated PH for 30yrs of Democracy & People Power Rev. As a gift, she sang CRAZY FOR YOU for the first time in 30yrs!

— MJ Felipe (@mjfelipe) February 25, 2016

Madonna, who was performing for a second night in a row in Manila, also sang her other older hits such as "Like A Virgin," as well as some new ones from her "Rebel Heart" album like "Iconic".

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How Pinoy fan ended up on stage with Madonna

MANILA - A lucky fan got the chance to be with international pop star Madonna on stage during the first night of her concert at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

That lucky fan is stylist Shahani Gania, who introduced himself to Madonna as "Super Starlet."

In a lengthy Facebook post, Gania shared how he ended up dancing with Madonna during her performance of the song "Unapologetic Bitch."

He said it all started when two ladies gave him an SVIP ticket, giving him a better view of his idol.


"I cried! I hugged both of them, and in between sobs I explained to them that I'm such a huge fan and that I organized this Madonna exhibit. It was an Oprah moment!" he said.

According to Gania, Madonna made eye contact with him the moment she emerged on stage. He, in turn, sang and danced to every single performance.

"From there, hindi ko na siya binitawan. I knew all the songs! I sang with her in all of them. I danced to everything, never sat down at all! I screamed out the names of all the dancers. She looked at me directly sa isang buong chorus ng 'Who's that Girl'! Heaven!" he said.

Gania said the same ladies who gave him the SVIP ticket then asked him if he wanted to be Madonna's "Unapologetic Bitch" for the night.

Of course, without hesitation, he said yes. At the end of the performance, Madonna gave him a banana and a straw.

Recalling the experience, Gania said: "I had my 4 minutes with her. She called me brave. Her eyes were so beautiful! I made her laugh! Everything was too much to handle! Nakasayaw ko si Madonna! Inakbayan niya ako. Pinatong niya ulo niya sa akin. Sinabi niya ang pangalan ko paulit-ulit: Super Starlet!"

"Ang saya-saya ko right now! Feeling ko lahat ng ginawa ko tama... Mula sa exhibit at pag-memorize ng buong concert, hanggang sa last-minute decision na mag-drag. Everything just came together. The universe gave me my moment with Madonna... The one thing I've been wishing for ever since I found out she was coming to Manila."

Fellow Madonna fans took to social media to congratulate Gania for being chosen to dance with the international pop star on stage.

One of them is "It's Showtime" host Anne Curtis, who even wore a Madonna-inspired outfit during the show.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LOOK: Madonna visits Manila orphanage

MANILA -- International pop star Madonna visited an orphanage in Manila on Tuesday ahead of her two-night "Rebel Heart" concert at the Mall of Asia Arena on February 24 and 25.

Madonna, who arrived in the country on Monday, posted a selfie with three children of the Bahay Tuluyan Foundation on her Instagram account.

"Chillin with my Homies at the Bahay Tuluyan Foundation. Inc. giving shelter to Orphans street children trafficking/abuse victims in Manilla‼" she wrote on her post.


According to Australian volunteer Catherine Scerri, the 57-year-old pop icon was warmly welcomed at the orphanage.

"She spent time with the kids, dancing and interacting with the kids," she told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview.

Scerri said the older children were able to recognize Madonna and her songs. "I think the older ones know her. They were dancing and playing, everybody enjoyed it," she said.

"She's very down to earth and loves interacting with them," she added.

Madonna is known for being fond of kids. She has adopted two children, David Ritchie and Mercy James, from Africa.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Chinese MMA fighter dies ahead of ONE FC bout

MANILA -- Tragedy has befallen the opening of "ONE Championship: Spirit of Champions" set to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Friday evening.

Chinese fighter Yang Jian Bing, who holds a 5-1 mixed martial arts record, died on Friday before his scheduled fight against the Philippines' Geje Eustaquio.

In an official statement, ONE Championship's chief executive Victor Cui announced: "There is nothing more profoundly tragic and sad than when a member of the ONE Championship family, current or past, passes away.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Yang Jian Bing. We will work closely with the family and offer all the support they need in any way we can during this very difficult time. Yang passed away this afternoon."

Yang, a native of China, was hospitalized at the San Juan De Dios Hospital in Pasay City, after collapsing Thursday morning.

He passed away 12:06 p.m. the next day due to cardiopulmonary failure.

Yang was 21 years old.

According to ONE Championship, formal hospital medical reports and procedures are still being carried out.

Cui assured that Yang received the best medical care possible while ONE officials continuously updated his family directly from his hospital bedside.

Yang competed in the ONE flyweight division. His last bout for ONE was in June.

“I want to thank all sports fans around the world for their concern, thoughts and prayers. At this time, we appreciate everyone respecting the Yang family's privacy as they mourn the loss of their beloved son and brother," said Cui.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Review: Sincere, soulful, sentimental Sam Smith

Late last year, I bought tickets on the afternoon of the first day of ticket sales, and already failed to get the section I preferred. Anyhow, I got good enough seats for my purposes. If you see the poster, the tickets prices were not too high, so this concert set for May 10, 2015 quickly sold out.

On December 7, 2014 though, there was a surprising announcement of a postponement of this much-awaited concert. Sam Smith posted a message online to explain that he had "serious issues" with his vocal cords that needed to be addressed by an American specialist. He added that this is "horrible" for him and he is truly very sorry. Tickets for the original date will be honored for the new date yet to be announced. By July 15, 2015, the new date was confirmed to be November 21, 2015.

*****

By about 9 p.m., the house lights dimmed and the show was about to begin. There were flashes of light on the stage whenever Sam Smith's distinct tenor voice started to sing. The first three songs he sang were not too familiar to me but they were very catchy just the same: "Life Support," "Together" and "Leave Your Lover."

In his spiel, he mentioned he about his cancellation, which is why this night is a "specially special night" and he intends to sing harder than he does. Since Smith only has one album so far, it was not surprising that some fans knew ALL his songs by heart, singing along with every lyric. Then as the light turned red with designs on the floor, we hear the strains of "I'm Not the Only One," a song that went to No. 3 in the UK and No. 5 in the US. The whole audience was singing along with him the whole time during this well-loved song.

Smith candidly told us a lot of personal stories behind the songs in his debut album "In the Lonely Hour," an album that signified himself being as honest as he could in the language of music. He called this album "a diary of mine." The next song is the first "really honest honest song" he wrote, "I've Told You Now." The next song I have not heard before, but it was really rousing and uplifting, "Nirvana." His signature vocals, head tones, and runs were all so especially on point in these poignant songs.

The next two songs were familiar upbeat songs that Smith had. He does not really dance too much in these songs, just like Rick Astley did back then in his upbeat songs. Everybody was singing along to catchy chorus of "Like I Can" and dancing along to the Sam's dance instructions in the super-groovy "Restart." His next number was a medley of R&B covers including "Tears Dry on Their Own" by Amy Winehouse, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Diana Ross and "Le Freak" by Chic, which featured the strong vocals of his three back-up singers. The lighting effects of the stage were spectacular during this medley.




He then slowed down the pace again, singing two songs that he felt are the heart and soul of his debut album. He talked about falling in love with someone who did not love him back, now that he has moved on from this heartbreak, the resulting songs are now not his songs anymore, but his audience's songs already. The first of these songs is the pensive "Not in That Way," which he mixed with Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" to the audience's delight. The second is the very popular song "Lay Me Down," his first hit as a solo artist, hitting No. 15 in the UK and No. 8 in the US.

Smith upped the tempo again with his infectious next song "La La La," a No. 1 song in the UK, No. 19 in the US, credited as Naughty Boy featuring Sam Smith. He ended his regular set with the only song in his album that was not about love, but about another artist he did not like who sang not for passion but for money. The song is "Money on My Mind," another No. 1 song in the UK. He mixed in a familiar line from Cece Peniston's anthem "Finally" in the final chorus of that song.

The audience clamored for more as the house lights were dimmed. After a while, the keyboardist started to play a slow melody. Sam Smith came out and said that he will sing his 2012 song with Disclosure called "Latch," his first US Top 10 hit that peaked at No. 8. He asked everyone to shine their phone lights as he sang a slowed-down version of this hit song.

The next song was a letter his "first boyfriend" which drew cheers from his fans, "Make It to Me." He saved his biggest hit for last "Stay with Me" (No. 1 UK, No. 2 US). He called the night "amazing" an opinion which I am sure his audience all shared. That last song gained a new meaning as the fans all wanted him to stay on with them.

The concert was finished in little over an hour only. I was a bit disappointed that he did not sing "Writing's on the Wall" from the latest James Bond film "Spectre." Nevertheless, with Sam Smith's candor, friendliness and his soaring vocals, this is surely one of the best, most sincere concerts I have attended ever.

This review was originally published in the author's blog, "Fred Said."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LOOK: Modern Pinoy dishes served during APEC dinner

MANILA - Via Mare founder Glenda Barretto and Margarita Fores of Cibo prepared a modern Filipino meal at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) welcome dinner on Wednesday.

Local ingredients and modern techniques came together to prepare dishes for a total of 700 guests.

"We [presented] what is classic, national in taste... like flavors of adobo, tinola, kesong puti [and] itlog na maalat," said Barretto.

Fores, for her part, said she wanted to showcase the uniqueness and diversity of ingredients available in the Philippines.

"All these... microgreens and herbs that we've taken for granted... are things that very important restaurants abroad have highlighted," she said. "It's great that we realize now that all these are actually quite unique [for foreigners], things that they don't have in their parts of the world."

Here's a look at the dishes served during the APEC dinner at the Mall of Asia Arena:

 Ensalada Tagala with duck estofado, smoked kesong puti and red egg flan with rambutan vinaigrette. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

 

Tinola with ground lapu-lapu and tiger prawns. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

Bistek Manilenya. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

 Inasal na Apahap. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

Maja Blanca with smoked coconut meringue and lambanog-poached mango. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com   

WATCH: El Gamma Penumbra performs for APEC leaders

Shadow play group El Gamma Penumbra, the first ever grand champion of "Asia's Got Talent," was given a rare opportunity on Wednesday to perform in front of economic leaders and delegates at the APEC Economic Leaders' Welcome Dinner held at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Accompanied by "American Idol" season 11 runner up Jessica Sanchez, the Batangas-based group presented in their trademark style a fascinating insight into local culture by showcasing traits innate in Filipinos such as selflessness.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LOOK: Kenneth Cobonpue designs chairs, tokens for APEC dinner

Kenneth Cobonpue has designed chairs and tokens for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Welcome Dinner. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

MANILA – Cebu-based internationally renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue is the creative director for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Welcome Dinner.

His role includes designing the set design for the dinner to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena, as well as creating souvenir tokens and special chairs for the 21 economic leaders.

(LOOK: Kenneth Cobonpue designs first restaurant)

“I wanted to transform the whole space into a huge outdoor garden,” Cobonpue said of his vision for the set design in a statement released on the APEC 2015 Philippines website. “Part of the challenge was how to transform the coldness and immensity of the arena and turn it into something that’s warm and cozy.”

The chairs of the 21 economic leaders are based on Cobonpue’s Yoda chair design, which is inspired by blades of grass, but will have armrests and wheels.

The tokens, named Sama-Sama (together), are glass-covered brass sculptures finished in yellow gold, pale silver and warm copper, showing communities of people in island formations to symbolize APEC members.

“What I always find challenging… [is] to still use natural materials and natural themes, and to make it sophisticated – to show that we are rooted in the past, but we are [also] right in the 21st century,” Cobonpue explained. “I think it’s really important… to showcase the best of who we are and what we are – and we do that with the program, and all the little details that make up the whole welcome dinner.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Steph Curry caps Manila visit with highlight-reel dunk

WATCH: Steph Curry caps Manila visit with highlight-reel dunk


MANILA - Stephen Curry is best known for his amazing shooting and range, but the 2014-2015 NBA Most Valuable Player can also throw it down.

In a visit to Manila on Saturday, the Golden State Warriors guard showed off his hops with an off-the-bounce, two-handed reverse slam to the delight of the crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The highlight reel dunk, captured in this video by Santino Honasan of ABS-CBN Sports, capped an eventful visit for Curry which saw him hold a skills clinic for high school athletes, and compete in a three-point shootout and a 15-minute scrimmage.

Curry, who was visiting Manila for the first time, performed the dunk after watching Ricci Rivero of La Salle Greenhills throw down a one-handed jam off the bounce.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Tickets for LeBron's Manila visit being sold online

MANILA, Philippines – Tickets to LeBron James' Rise Beyond Belief Tour at the Mall of Asia Arena are being sold on e-commerce websites.

Free tickets to the event were made available online last Friday, and were gone in less than 15 minutes.

On e-commerce website OLX, at least five people are selling their Rise Beyond Belief tickets, with some even packaging the tickets with shoes or shirts.

One person is selling two upper box tickets for P5,000, as he "won't be able to attend due to a change of schedule in work."

Another posted a picture of "extra tickets" for the tour, and is selling general admission tickets for P1,000 and upper box tickets for P2,000.

Another person is selling the tickets as part of a pack that also includes a Nike shirt -- all for P8,000.

Those who were able to reserve tickets to James' tour were given a confirmation e-mail saying they have two tickets reserved in their name, and instructions on which Nike store has their tickets.

The free ticket distribution was an improvement to the 2013 visit of James, when the NBA superstar's fans lined up outside the Nike store at Bonifacio High Street for days, braving the rains and long lines just to get their tickets.

(WATCH : Hundreds brave rain for free tickets to LeBron event)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Airport authorities inspect Chris Brown's plane

MANILA - Combined elements of the Bureau of Immigration and the Airport Police Department conducted an inspection to the private aircraft of singer Chris Brown on Thursday.

Two uniformed immigration intelligence officers who requested not to be identified boarded a marked airport police mobile car and proceeded to the private hangar where the Gulfstream 450 executive plane is parked.

Immigration and airport police inspected the aircraft, which has been parked at the tarmac area since Tuesday morning when Brown and his entourage arrived in the country for his one-night concert at the Mall of Asia Arena.

They then proceeded to the office of Asian Institute Aviation (AIA), which handles the maintenance of the private plane.

AIA duty manager Ron Synder confirmed that Brown has not yet left the country and is currently billeted at a nearby hotel.

He said they are fully aware of the lookout bulletin order against Brown and a certain Michael Pio Roda and assured that AIA will cooperate with authorities.

Synder added that the pilot and crew of the private plane do not plan to leave without Brown, saying that they are the authorized carrier for the singer's Asian tour.

The names of Brown and Pio Roda do not appear in any commercial manifest of any airline or private aircraft that departed Manila, according to the immigration database.

Intelligence officers from immigration have been dispatched to a nearby hotel to monitor the two's whereabouts.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Chris Brown barred from leaving PH

MANILA -Singer Chris Brown was barred by airport authorities from leaving the country on Wednesday, a day after his concert at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Brown's plane, a Gulfstream G450 aircraft, was supposed to depart at 1 p.m. Wednesday from a private hangar near Terminal 4 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

However, the singer was advised by immigration and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to secure clearance from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed that the DOJ had issued a lookout bulletin against Brown in relation to a complaint over the singer's canceled show at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan last New Year's Eve.

De Lima did not mention who specifically filed the complaint.

As of writing, Brown was still seeking clearance from authorities, with the singer hoping to leave the country within the day. -- with reports from Raoul Esperas and Dexter Ganibe, DZMM

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

IN PHOTOS: Kathryn surprises fans at Daniel's concert

MANILA – Daniel Padilla staged his third solo concert "Most Wanted," at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday night, which was filled with screaming fans, who were eager to see their idol.

Among Padilla’s guests were KZ Tandingan, Edgar Allan Guzman, Nyoy Volante, Morisette Amon, the boy group Harana, Kyla and Gary Valenciano.

Although she was not really one of the guest performers, Kathryn Bernardo’s appearance on Padilla’s concert was also a highlight of show.

During the latter part of the show, Padilla asked Bernardo, who was seated in the audience, to join him on stage. Their fans erupted in deafening cheers when Padilla kissed Bernardo.

Here are some photos taken by Nimfa Chua for ABS-CBNnews.com from Padilla’s concert.

Mobile users can view the desktop version of the slideshow here.

 

Photo by by Nimfa Chua for ABS-CBNnews.com

Daniel Padilla looks dashing in a suit and tie as he opened his “Most Wanted” concert.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com