If you have ever wondered whether Isabel Preysler really is as famous as you've heard she is in Spain, just look at the picture above where the famous Filipina is swarmed by paparazzi, tv reporters, and photographers, which was taken right after she arrived home in Madrid from her trip to the Philippines to do Inno Sotto's charity fashion show a couple of months ago.
Isabel Preysler with daughter Tamara Falcó, the self confessed "pija", in Madrid, Spain. 
La Preysler y la pija
Julio Jr, son of Filipina journalist Isabel Preysler, has a new album coming out, and he performed a concert in Naves, Asturias, Spain this past August 4. Here he is singing one of my favorite songs from his previous album, 'Ojos Negros' (Black Eyes).
"I’m very close to my grandma—she’s quite the icon in the Philippines," said Anna Maria to Janelle So on Kababayan LA. "She taught me my first Filipino song “Bahay Kubo.” Whenever she’s on stage she says ‘Oh my apo, she’s following in my footsteps,’ and I can’t disagree. When it comes to singing and acting, I owe it all to her."
Her father is former TV personality Archie Perez de Tagle (now based in San Gabriel, California, with wife Evelyn Enriquez and two older sons, Juan Miguel and Jose) and her aunt is former child star Che-Che Perez de Tagle (now a mom of two and runs a Montessori school also in California). Photo above of Anna and parents at the 1st Annual Inaugural Filipino American Visionary Awards Press Room.Anna's dad Archie: "My mother said may tono raw ang batang ‘to, and from then on, she would give voice lessons to Anna Maria whenever she could. Even during her [Sylvia] performances, she would ask Anna Maria to go up the stage and perform with her, and Anna Maria never said no."
the Philippine Star July 1, 2008:
She looks up to Reese Witherspoon and Lea Salonga as her role models.
"Lea has an amazing voice. I love her voice; I love the way she handles her professional and personal life."
Despite her being born and bred in the US, Wengky has never lost touch with her Filipino heritage. In fact, she'll mark her 18th birthday on Dec. 23 with a debut party "Filipino style."
Edmund recalled that when a Singaporean journalist asked her how Filipino she is, Wengky quickly replied: "I'm full-blooded Filipino...100 percent! I may not speak Tagalog, but I understand the language very well. I love adobo, lumpia, crispy pata and the sweet spaghetti Filipino style."
And while carving her niche in Hollywood, Wengky reveals that she makes it a point to watch the TFC — yes, The Filipino Channel — and religiously follows her favorite shows like Kapitan Boom (featuring Jon Avila), Prinsesa ng Banyera (starring Kristine Hermosa), and Lobo (with Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin).
"I love Jon Avila, he's the cutest and I want to meet him in person," Wengky gushed like any other teen movie fan. "I love Kristine Hermosa, she's so beautiful. I love Piolo Pascual and Angel Loscin. I love Sarah Geronimo. I love Sam Milby. I love Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion. I also get to watch GMA shows."
Anna Maria on Kababayan LA
Sarita Perez de Tagle, the popular green eyed Filipina actress who appeared in many popular ABS-CBN films such as My First Romance and D'Anothers and was a part of Star Circle Batch, is Anna Maria's cousin. Anna Maria is also Enrique Iglesias' fourth cousin, through her paternal grandfather, Celso Perez de Tagle. Enrique's paternal great-grandmother was Carmen Perez de Tagle.
Anne Curtis about her role in Viva Films' Baler: "Ngayon, sinusubukan ko na mag-Tagalog minus the accent. Kasi ang role ko dito is a Filipina and I need to look and act credible for the role. Pero with the help naman of some people, makukuha ko ang essence nung role."
Gabby Concepcion: "Noong araw kasi na mangyari ito, hindi ko sineseryoso, around 1980-81, so mga 15 or 17 ako noon. Imagine, hindi ko nga inisip na pumasok sa pag-aartista, kumanta pa? So, hindi talaga ako nag-concentrate na magiging career ko ang singing kaya nag-concentrate ako sa acting."
Katrina Halili on Star Magic's plans to pull out their contract stars from the movie One Night Only: "Basta po ako, hindi ko naman po ipinipilit ang sarili ko sa kanila. Pero ako po, gusto ko po sila. Wala po akong problema sa kanila. So, siguro kung meron man ayaw sa akin, hihintayin ko na lang po na magustuhan nila ako."
Happy Birthday, Gary Valenciano!
Pilita Corrales and Celeste Legaspi performed at the ¡Bravo Filipino! Music Celebration for the Filipinas Heritage Library last week. Ms. Corrales sang her hit songs 'Kapantay ng Langit' and 'Minsan Minahal'. Also singing with the divas were Rachel Alejandro, Gian Magdangal, Jan Nieto, and Frenchie Dy.
And Vanessa Hudgens especially, pictured here with her mom and sister.
Isabel Preysler is the newest spokesmodel for the prestigious line of European cosmetics 'Astor'. Spanish celebrities showed up at the press launching to show their support for the Filipina model and journalist.
And will any of her two sons, Enrique Iglesias and Julio, be getting married anytime soon?
Isabel Preysler recently celebrated her 20 year anniversary with Miguel Boyer, and appeared on the cover of Hola magazine for April 2008, and celebrated her anniversary 1 million Euros richer, as that's how much Hola paid her for the exclusive.
Britney Spears will reprise her guest starring role in CBS' How I Met Your Mother, which skyrocketed ratings for the ailing American TV network and show.
Enrique Iglesias says his girlfriend, tennis champion Anna Kournikova, keeps turning down his proposals of marriage.
David Beckham was reportedly scolded by 
his mother for posing almost completely nude in his underwear for Armani. David and wife Victoria are friends with Filipina journalist Isabel Preysler, who was one of Victoria's closest friends during Beckham's stay in Spain playing for Madrid Real. The Beckhams were regularly invited over at her house for dinner. When the Spice Girls were in Madrid for a concert this past Christmas, Victoria was happy to visit Isabel again during their stay. One of Isabel's famous sons is Enrique Iglesias. Full photo gallery and wallpapers of Posh Spice and David Beckham in W Magazine after the jump.
Download David Beckham for Armani Desktop Wallpaper
Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes were on Showbiz Central yesterday to unveil the new billboard for the upcoming GMA7 series 'Dyesebel'! Marian is hot off the hit success of Marimar, and headed towards another with Dyesebel. Enjoy these brand new custom made wallpapers, and watch the entire interview below!
Download FREE Marian Rivera Wallpapers
The likes of Edna Luna, Vilma Santos, Alma Moreno, Alice Dixson, and Charlene Gonzalez have one thing in common: famous fins. They all have graced the big screen wearing nothing but a tail and a couple of seashells and carried the famous name almost everyone can recognize: Dyesebel.
GMA-7 brings back Dyesebel in TV for everyone to appreciate as they chose none other than Marian Rivera to give life anew to the fish-tailed princess. Once again, she is paired with Marimar co-star Dingdong Dantes as they both challenge themselves to bring new life their successful love team and offer something new to the viewers.
Fresh from their set in Coron, Palawan, Marian and Dingdong graced Showbiz CentralDyesebel billboard in front of GMA Network Center. yesterday, April 20, as they both talked about the physical and emotional challenges of making the show and wait with the fans for the unveiling of the new
UNDER THE SEA. Showbiz Central host Pia Guanio commented on Marian's sacrifices for Dyesebel.
"Marian, pinapanood ko pa lang ang footage ng shooting mo sa Palawan, e, parang hirap na hirap ako. But first, getting into the costume. Mahirap ba na isuot ang buntot mo, yung headdress mo? How did you manage to stay so beautiful kahit underwater at napaka-hirap ng mga eksena?"
"Siguro sa tulong na din ng makeup artist ko," Marian replied. "Tapos yung buntot, nilalagay na lang siya ‘pag nasa tubig na ako. Kasi mas mahirap ‘pag wala ako sa tubig. So, sa tubig ko siya nilalagay."
Pia followed, "Of course, Dingdong has had some experience shooting underwater scenes in the past. One of your problems is not being able to sink. Kasi naman, sa kaseksihan ni Marian, e, paano ba naman ‘yan lulubog sa tubig? Dingdong, anong mga tips ang binigay mo kay Marian to help her out?"
"Mahirap talaga yung ginagawa niya," Dingdong admitted. "As in kailangan pang maglagay ng pabigat, ‘tapos at the same time, malamig pa sa ilalim ng tubig. Kaya sinasabi ko parati sa kanya na to relax lang talaga."
"Marian, we know for a fact na one of the scenes, talagang iniyakan mo sa hirap," Pia said as Marian laughed. "And of course, hindi ka naman namin masisisi. Talagang mahirap talaga mga eksena mo. This was your last scene na kinuha sa Palawan wherein si Dyesebel, kinailangan iaangat sa tubig si Fredo [Dingdong's character]. Alam na namin yung kwento mo tungkol diyan. Pero ikaw Dingdong, nahirapan ka din ba sa eksenang yun?"
"Actually, ako kasi, parang walang malay ako doon, unconscious ako. So hinihintay ko lang siya [Marian] na dumating at sagipin ako. Nagawa naman namin, e, yung first part."
"But you could feel her frustration?" Pia followed.
"Very much," Dingdong answered. "Kasi four, five days kami sa Palawan. Nong umpisa pa lang, mula araw hanggang mawalan ng araw, e, talagang nasa ilalim ng tubig. Hindi siya umaahon unless ‘pag kumakain lang...or nagsi-CR."
ROLE PLAYING. Dingdong's joke brought about screams as Pia can hardly hear her own question to Dingdong and Marian. Luckily, she was able to bring her question across.
"Of course, unprecedented talaga yung love team ninyong dalawa. Everybody is wondering kung papaano ninyo iibahin yung atake ninyo sa love team ninyo sa Dyesebel at what you did as Sergio and Marimar."
Marian offered to answer first by saying, "Madaming kaibahan din and siyempre, ibang-iba si Marimar kay Dyesebel. Kasi si Dyesebel kasi, sobrang pilya. Light din ang buhay para sa kanya."
Unfortunately, Dingdong's concurrent statement to Marian's answer was drowned by the crowd's unified cheers. Switching from love team-related questions, Pia asked when will two return to Palawan.
"Ngayon, ine-explore pa namin yung iba't-ibang lugar," Dingdong replied. "Bataan, at meron din kami sa Bulacan. Hangga't hindi tag-ulan."
"Pero it's not all fun and games. Alam kong si Marian madalas masugatan sa corals," Pia suddenly asked. "Nasugatan while shooting the underwater scenes. Is that true Marian?"
Marian replied, "Opo, kasi sa tubig ang hirap talagang dumilat at malabo pa yung mata ko. So, nagma-mask muna ako pero hindi ko rin maiwasan na minsan nasasadsad din ako sa mga corals na."
During the show, the giant billboard of Dyesebel in front of GMA Network Center was also unveiled.
Enrique Iglesias, will be performing LIVE in Miami, Florida at the 2008 Premios Billboard de la Musica Latina airing nationwide tonight at 7pm on Telemundo here in the USA. Other performers include the fantastic Colombian singers Fanny Lu and Juanes among others.
Since this blog has been getting around 25-30 thousand unique visitors per month and is now ranked #4 in Google search under the important keywords 'filipino blog', I've become obsessive about making the perfect first impression whenever a new post is posted so it's like Emeril Lagasse BAM!, and I could not decide which header to make the main header until I saw the sun picture. Then I thought, I spent all that time making these other headers, it would be such a waste, so I thought I'd just post them anyway for you guys' enjoyment, hehe.
Enrique and girlfriend Anna Kournikouva, who his mother, Filipina journalist Isabel Preysler described as "a nice girl" when asked by the press about what she thought of her possible future daughter-in-law. 
Enrique revealed a few months ago to the Spanish press that he had an oedipus complex as child, admitting that when he was a little boy, he was in love with his mother. 
"I think all young boys act that way towards their mothers when they're young, especially when they hardly ever see their father." The singer has repeatedly said that his father Julio Iglesias has always been very absent in his life due to his musical commitments and said that his mother Isabel Preysler was everything to him, acting as both his mother and father. He said he admired his mother so much as a kid that when he was young, he wanted to marry her, and has always admired her for her intelligence and for "the excellent way she treats other people." 
Tamara Falcó talks about her mother Isabel Preysler in Hola: 'Mi madre es mi mejor amiga. Quiero parecerme en todo a ella' ('My mother is my best friend. I want to be like her in every aspect.') Picture above: Isabel with daughters Tamara and Chabeli.
Special shoutout to mi nueva amiga Ella, who is a contributing editor to the new Playboy Philippines. Check out her blog, it totally rocks, as does she!
The Filipino version of the world famous and highly prestigious Playboy magazine is being launched this month in the Philippines, and features the fantastically beautiful and incredibly kind and sweet Brazilian model (and girlfriend of actor John Estrada) Priscila Meirelles as the covergirl. The Philippine version of the magazine will feature no nudity due to the conservative climate of the country (see video) and the strong intervention of the Catholic Bishop in practically every aspect of the daily lives of Filipinos, including the controversies surrounding the questions of abortion, sex education, and birth control.
Pinoy Idol hosted by Raymond Gutierrez and Tasya Fantasya starring the talented singer-actress Yasmien Kurdi made their debuts last weekend with impressive ratings.
TV Ratings (April 4-6): "Pinoy Idol" and "Tasya Fantasya" debut impressively
Here are the Top 10 daytime and primetime programs from April 4 to 6 based on the overnight ratings conducted by AGB Nielsen Philippines among Mega Manila households:
April 4 (Friday)
Daytime:
Primetime:
April 5 (Saturday)
Daytime:
Primetime:
April 6 (Sunday)
Daytime (not yet final):
Primetime:
AGB Nielsen Philippines
