ittle anila L . M . Confidential SEPT - OCTOBER 2013 Philip Beloso of Dolorosa Quezon plucks some flowers from the Virgin Mary to give to singer Maria Panaligan during the annual fiesta celebration held at St. Rose of Lima DOLOROSA parish. It’s beginning to feel like Christmas MANILA - Christmas, Filipinos’ favorite common sight in the Philippines. King’s Day. Since 2011, the Catholic January for the Feast of the Santo Nino de time of the year, is less than 100 days away. The Philippines, being a predominantly Church mandated that the season ends Cebu. The countdown to Christmas has stores Catholic country, observes the longest on the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, held Christmas in September kicks off with nationwide abuzz with excitement as they Christmas season in the world. The official on either the Monday after Epiphany or early bazaars for the intrepid Christmas start to play Christmas carols to remind observance is from December 16 with the second Sunday of the year. But it’s shoppers. A website, fitzvillafuerte.com has customers that the Holidays is, indeed, just the start of Simbang Gabi (midnight or the start of the “ber” months that heralds CHRISTMAS around the corner. dawn mass) until the first Sunday after Christmas time for Filipinos who extend continued on page 11 Christmas lanterns start becoming a New Year’s Day for the Epiphany or Three the celebrations up to the third Sunday of Maja reacts to Sex Video Scandals Maja Salvador is not the type who attracts speak her mind about the sex video ang sarili. Kung may gagawin kayong may nanay, may kapatid, may kaibigan na controversy because of her strongly- scandals rocking showbiz these days. isang bagay, (dapat) private yon. MAJA worded comments. But she decided to “Kayo mismo, dapat protektahan Nakalulungkot lang. Sa bawat pamilya, on page 8 Jenifer Forever 4 Diva Jenifer Camacho sings “Just give me a reason” by Pink with fellow singer Amsky Chan at Peace in Mindanao Questioned her birthday bash / presscon for her next concert entitled Jenifer Forever 4 in 2014. Guns, clans, rogue Muslim rebels undermine south Philippine peace ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, years of conflict, giving Muslims there Sept 15 - A week of violence in the more autonomy in the Catholic-majority southern Philippines has undercut hopes country. of lasting peace in the resource-rich That deal, with the Moro Islamic region and exposed the government Liberation Front (MILF), remains on to criticism for underestimating rogue track, but the assault on the commercial Muslim rebels who feel ignored by a hub of Zamboanga City by hundreds of landmark deal last year. armed rebels has underlined fears that The agreement signed by President the region’s volatile mix of guns, clans Benigno Aquino and the biggest and disgruntled rebel factions could yet Muslim rebel group last October was meant to pave the way for a revival of NO SEX FOR FLIGHT SEP - OCTOBER 2013 L. M. Confidentialsouthernmost Mindanao island after 40 continued on page 24 1 2 L. M. Confidential SEP - OCTOBER 2013 Phl Most Improved Biz Climate in Asean Availability of Trained Personnel is a Factor MANILA -The Philippines was the environment. consistent over the last five years, the most improved in business environment The most attractive countries for survey said. among ASEAN countries, a new survey new business expansion are Indonesia, Satisfaction in the Philippines of American firms operating in the followed by Vietnam, Thailand and increased across fourteen of the sixteen region revealed. Myanmar. On the Philippines, the survey business factors over the last five years, Johnny Depp lets Based on the 2013 ASEAN Business showed that corruption topped the list led by a 50% increase in satisfaction Outlook Survey conducted by the of concerns with 59 percent followed by with the stability of the government and Amber Heard American Chamber of Commerce tax structure (56%), infrastructure (54%), political system. (AmCham) in 10 countries in laws and regulations (46%), and ease of The latest survey showed that 87% ASEAN revealed that from 2008 to moving products through customs (44%). PHL MOST IMPROVED date women 2013, the Philippines showed the With the exception of corruption, continued on page 27 greatest improvement in its business these concerns have remained quite Do Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have a secret deal with one another, allowing for an open relationship? That’s what a new report alleges, though it’s not Johnny looking for extra company, it’s Kill Pork, Revive FOI Amber. Why Escudero wants cedula scrapped The couple came to an agreement that would allow for Amber to explore her bisexuality. “Johnny always knew this This, as they noted that misuse of the aspect of her life was important and he Priority Development Assistance Fund says as long as she makes it clear he’s her (PDAF) stresses the need for greater number one, she can do whatever she government transparency. likes,” an insider says. “It’s liberating for “[T]he PDAF controversy illustrates both of them.” to us the power of information as Amber reportedly told Johnny at the a check on abuses in government,” beginning of their relationship that she’ll business groups led by the Makati always be interested in both women and Business Club said. men. However, it’s alleged that the pact Demonstrators chant slogans during a protest against official corruption at The FOI bill, along with other between the couple only allows for Amber Luneta park in Metro Manila, August reforms, “will institutionalize the to see other women on the side, not men. 26, 2013, to demand the abolition of highest standards of transparency and The pair have been dating on and a misused fund for legislators’ pet accountability,” they noted. off since 2012, when Depp split from his projects. PHOTO BY FROY BAKING This, even as they lauded President partner of 14 years, Vanessa Paradis. Benigno Aquino III’s call to abolish Mia Napao at Aegis Heard was previously in a four year MANILA - The call to kill the pork the PDAF, which they said has Mia Lising Napao sings at the Aegis relationship with photographer Tasya barrel should be followed by a push concert held at the Toronto International van Ree and came out of the closet as to revive the Freedom of Information SCRAP THE CEDULA Celebration Church. bisexual in 2010. (FOI) Bill, business groups said. continued on page 24 SEP - OCTOBER 2013 L. M. Confidential 3 Spotlight Maricel Soriano - William Martinez Naku ha! by Jose Baking COMEDY LOVE TEAM OF THE 80s LittleManilaConfidential.com Hoax News Marian Rivera, placed second to Justin Bieber who is being listed as number one in the “World’s Top Ten Most Hated List” with 17% of votes. In my humble opinion, this is a hoax. People got tired of killing Jackie Chan, so now they make a news that Marian Rivera is in the list of most hated people of the world. How can Marian Rivera be included in that list when she is not even an internationally- known star. Her star power is only in the Philippines. Nobody knows her outside the Philippines except Filipinos who keep in touch with the local news. On the other hand, Justin Bieber is known worldwide. Ironically, if Marian is hated worldwide, she should be happy because it means that she is already known worldwide like the Bieber. That’s a Name? cover lang. To appear na hindi sila homophobic. you Entertainers’ eccentricity in choosing baby names can call them friends with benefits. Ehe, mali yata. does not extend to their Canadian counterparts. But what do I know? British musicians Bob Geldof and wife Paula Yates have daughters named Fifi Trixbelle, Peaches Another Sex Scandal o Gimmick? The Maricel Soriano- William Martinez love team, always funny, hilarious Honeyblossom, and Little Pixie. American magician Another scandal is brewing over “Eat Bulaga” host and riotous, is one of the well-loved, closely followed, and successful Penn Jillette and wife Emily named their daughter Wally Bayola and EB Babe dancer Yosh having a screen tandems in local cinema in the 80s. Moxie Crimefighter. Last August, Canadian crooner sex video circulating online. Is there any other way? Maricel Soriano was launched to full stardom in 1980 via Regal Films’ Michael Buble and wife gave birth to a son named Last month, it was Parokya ni Edgar Chito Miranda Underage, while William Martinez got his biggest break in Ishmael Bernal’s Noah. NOAH? So ordinary. However, I am sure and his gf Neri Naig who had a sex video leaked and City after Dark. Regal Films bigwigs found a right and perfect combination that the son is going to thank them in the future that wants the NBI to investigate. Ano ba iyan? Kailangan when Maricel and William were paired for the first time in the movie, they did not name him Sennheiser Amplifier or Bose mag-launch na rin ako ng sex video ko. Otherwise, ironically in a drama vehicle, Oh My Mama in 1981. The two young stars Loudspeaker Buble. magiging luma na itong gimmick na ito at wala nang reminded me of the 50s screen favorites Nida Blanca and Nestor de Villa. papansi sa akin. Ehe susmaryosep. Regal Films could have patterned and packaged the two in the mold of They become Politicians these veteran thespians (Regal did a remake of 1954’s Galawgaw and Aspiring lawyers in the Philippines used to have Cashless Society a sequel to Waray and Manang Biday movies--- Anak ni Waray vs Anak only five attempts to fulfill their dreams. But now, “Transforming PH into a modern, cashless society” ni Biday).