AMAZING RACE ASIA SEASON 5 : RACERS REVEALED

The 11 new teams that will be racing in the fifth season of the reality show Amazing Race Asia has been revealed, simultaneous with the show's press conference in Indonesia.

The new season was revealed earlier this year and auditions both on ground and online has been done over the past few months. The last season was already 6 years ago so it is just high time that the new season airs.

The 11 new teams are as follows:

    > Rachel and Vicky, travel hosts from Indonesia
    > Louisa and Treasuri, childhood friends from Indonesia
    > Alex and Will, brothers from Malaysia
    > Brandon and Alphaeus, old schoolmates from Malaysia
    > Chloe and Yvonne, beauty queens from Malaysia
    > Eric and Rona, married couple from the Philippines
    > Parul and Maggie, beauty queens from the Philippines
    > JK and Mike, radio DJ's from Singapore
    > Rei and Kenji, siblings from Singapore
    > Tom and Anita, dating couple from Thailand
    > Lisa and Nicole, life partners from Vietnam

Looking at the teams, this is an exciting group of racers. We have siblings, friends, colleagues and couples in the mix. I was hoping for a parent and child team, after a strong showing from Malaysia's Hussein and Natasha from Season 5. It is also good to note that we have the first team from Vietnam to compete in the show.

I also think that 3 teams from the same country is too much. There are other countries in the region - India, Sri Lanka and Japan has been represented before. We still have Myanmar or Mongolia as well. So picking 3 teams from one country is I think too much.

Let me focus now on the teams from the defending champions - after the Season 4 victory of Richard and Richard - the Philippines.

The first team in the list is married couple Eric Tai and Rona Samson Tai. Eric, more commonly known as Eruption, is not new to the television scene. He was a former host of the noontime show "It's Showtime" in ABS-CBN. He is also a player of the Philippine national rugby team - the Philippine Volcanoes. He has also endorsed several brands, most notably is Kitkat as the lead endorser in the Have A Break campaign in the past few years. He is married to model Rona Samson, whom he married 3 times. Here is Eric and Rona's online audition for the show as posted in Rona's YouTube account :

The second team from the Philippines is the team of the Beauty Queens Parul Shah and Maggie Wilson. Parul is an Indian - Filipino beauty, who won Binibining Pilipinas Tourism 2014 but was not able to compete in Miss Tourism 2014 as the pageant was not held during that year. She was handpicked in 2015 to represent the country in the Miss Grand International 2015 where she won as 3rd runner up. Her partner, Maggie Wilson-Consunji was crowned Binibining Pilipinas World in 2007. She competed in the Miss World 2007 pageant where she was one of the top 16 semi-finalist. Maggie was already in showbiz even before she won the crown, and continued in that line after the pageant. She married in 2010 and now has a son.

I am really looking forward to the show and the race. I hope to get a glimpse of the race live if it passes here in the Philippines - I really hope it does.

Good luck to the Philippine teams and hope you can retain the title with the Philippines!

DELAMAR ARIAS ANNOUNCES THAT SHE IS LEAVING THE MORNING RUSH

Delamar Arias announced this morning that she is leaving the radio show "The Morning Rush" which she is co-hosting with Chico Garcia and Gino Quillamor and airs at Monster Radio RX 93.1. The show has been on the air for 20 years already - since 1996, which started just with teh duo of Chico and Delamar.

It was also revealed that she has been thinking about this for almost one and a half year. I personally is not a loyal listener but the show has been a constant companion for me in my morning drive to work for the past year and a half.

Here is Delamar's announcement this morning :

Next week will be Delamar's last week. Rushers will definitely savor this last week.

Good luck in your future endeavours Delamar! We will miss you!

2016 FIVB VOLLEYBALL WOMEN'S CLUB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP : JAJA SANTIAGO EARNS FIFTH GOLDEN TICKET

National University stand out Jaja Santiago has earned the 5th golden ticket to participate and represent the Philippines in the 2016 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship to be held here in Manila.

This was announced during the press conference introducing the team of Foton Philippines that will participate in the AVC Asian Women's Club Championship in Laguna on September.

Santiago is currently playing under Foton club team in Pilipinas Super Liga and is still playing for National University in the UAAP. She is a reliable middle blocker but has been seen training and playing as a spiker in the past few games. She previously turned down the offer of UCLA and choose to play her collegiate games locally with NU.

It is also rumored that several scouts are in town to watch Jaja in her games and possibly invite her to their foreign clubs. Jaja has also represented the Philippines in the 2014 Asian U23 Championship in Manila and the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

Here is a post from the Twitter account of Sports5 regarding the announcement :

We have a very special announcement! Jaja Santiago receives the 5th Golden Ticket! pic.twitter.com/yKTJDp1pkP

— Sports5 (@Sports5PH) July 22, 2016

She now joins Rachel Ann Daquiz, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Kim Fajardo and Jen Reyes in the PSL All Star Team. We are just waiting for 2 more names of local players whch will play together with 7 imports during the FIVB tournament.

Congratulations Jaja!

WE LOVE OPM : TRES KANTOS IS DECLARED AS THE FIRST GRAND CHAMPION

The group Tres Kantos, mentored by the first Star in a Million grand winner Eric Santos, was declared as the first grand champion of the reality singing show We Love OPM during its grand sing off at the Resorts World Manila last Sunday.

The team composed of the first Pilipinas Got Talent champion Jovit Baldivino, Pinoy Dream Academy season 2 runner up Bugoy Drilon and It's Showtime Tawag ng Tanghalan Q1 finalist Dominador "Daddy D" Aviola.

In the grand sing off, the group performed their own version of the OPM legend Ryan Cayabyab's "Nais Ko". Here is their performance as posted in ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel :

They got a combined icon and audience score and text votes score of 80.45%. They bested 2nd placer Oh My Girls (Ylona Garcia, Alexa Ilacad and Krissha Viaje; mentored by Yeng Constantino - 58.27%) and 3rd placer O Diva (Liezel Garcia, Emmanuelle de Vera and Klarisse de Guzman; mentored by KZ Tandingan - 57.78%).

Congratulations Tres Kantos!

BATANG GILAS COMPETES IN THE 2016 FIBA ASIA UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIP

After the dismal showing of Gilas Pilipinas in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifier a few weeks ago, it is their younger counterparts' turn to wear the Pilipinas jersey. The Batang Gilas team will be competing in the 2016 FIBA ASia Under 18 Championship in Tehran, Iran starting tomorrow, July 22.

They earned their ticket to this competition by topping the 2016 SEABA Under-18 Championship early this year.

The team is composed of the following players, mostly are the players who played in the SEABA Championships:

Bahio, JB
Carino, Kenmark
Flores, Theo Joshua
Gallego, John Vincent
Lee, Rendell
Madrigal, Jethro
Mamuyac, Gian
Mendoza, Jolo
Pagsanjan, Harvey
Sinclair, Joshua
Tibayan, Joshua
Yu, Fran

The team is coached by Michael Oliver and Jonas Mendoza. Team photo below is posted in Sports5 Twitter account :

TOURNAMENT PREVIEW | Batang Gilas hopes to slay giants in #FIBAU18Asia https://t.co/9zsI6kMeLF pic.twitter.com/7fJpilBSJu

— Sports5 (@Sports5PH) July 21, 2016

Some familiar names are in the roster - Mendoza and Mamuyac are Ateneo recruits; Sinclair, Flores and Lee participated in the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championships recently and Tibayan was part of the Gilas Cadets who swept the 2016 SEABE Championship in Thailand.

Philippines was drawn in Group A in the single round robin elimination round - together with defending champions China, 2014 4th placer Chinese Taipei, Iraq, India and Thailand, Group B teams include hosts Iran, 2014 3rd placer South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Lebanon.

The top 4 in each team will advance in the crossover knockout quarterfinal round.

Here is the schedule of Batang Gilas' games in the elimination round. YouTube link to the livestream is also provided and will be updated once all links are available :

July 22 - vs Chinese Taipei (livestream link here)
July 23 - vs Iraq (livestream link here)
July 24 - vs China (livestream link here)
July 26 - vs India
July 27 - vs Thailand

Good luck Batang Gilas!

2016 RIO OLYMPICS : IAN LARIBA IS NAMED AS PHILIPPINES' FLAG BEARER

Table tennis qualifier Ian Lariba of the De La Salle University has been names as the Philippines' flag bearer in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Lariba is the first ever Filipino table tennis athlete to qualify in the summer Olympic games. The announcement was made during the athletes' orientation today with the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Lariba will be leading 11 other athletes to be fielded by the country - Eric Shaun Cray, Mary Joy Tabal and Maristella Torres of athletics, Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez of boxing, Kristie Elaine Alora of taekwondo, Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia of weightlifting, Miguel Tabuena of golf and Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie King Lacuna of swimming.

The opening ceremonies where Lariba will be carrying the flag will be on August 5, 2016 at the Maracana Stadium.

Here is Lariba with POC executive Peping Cojuangco and fellow Olympians as posted in the Twitter account of Patricia Hizon :

The flag bearer for the Philippines for the #RioOlympics is Yan Larriba! pic.twitter.com/ok8QOlV83J

— Patricia Hizon (@patriciahizon) July 19, 2016

Congratulations Ian for this achievement and good luck to all athletes that will compete in the Olympic games!

BASKETBALL : KOBE PARAS COMMITS TO CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY

After withdrawing from UCLA and touring some other schools for the past weeks, Filipino cager Kobe Paras finally committed to another school - Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He posted the announcement in his official Twitter page :

I would gladly want to announce that I am taking my talents to Omaha Nebraska.#17000Strong pic.twitter.com/dv7k6LTvLc

— Kobe™ (@Im_Not_Kobe) July 18, 2016

Creighton University is a NCAA Division I school that competes in the Big East Conference of the NCAA. Last year, the Bluejays, as the team is called, finished 6th in the Big East conference with a 9-9 win loss record.

Congratulations Kobe!

GILAS PILIPINAS : JAYSON CASTRO ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL PLAY

After Ranidel de Ocampo, another Gilas Pilipinas mainstay announced his retirement from international basketball after the Philippines' elimination in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament here in Manila.

Back to back Asia's best point guard in the 2013 and 2015 FIBA Asia Championship and Gilas veteran playmaker Jayson Castro announced in his Instagram account that he will no longer suit up for Gilas Pilipinas :

The end of our bid for a spot at the Rio Olympics will also be the end of my stint as a member of Gilas Pilipinas. For the past few years, it has been my honor to represent all of you but now it's time to hand over the responsibility to the younger generation. Maraming salamat sa walang sawang pagsuporta niyo sa Gilas. Hindi ko makakalimutan lahat ng pinagsamahan natin. Ako si Jayson Castro William, taga Guagua, Pampanga, lumaban para sa bayan. #7 #PUSO

A photo posted by Jayson Castro (@jaywill_17) on Jul 7, 2016 at 7:05am PDT

Thank you very much Jayson Castro for all the sacrifices and hardwork. When Jimmy Alapag retired, it was definitely a big shoe to fill as point guard and leader of the team but you never disappointed us.

Salamat Jayson Castro for showing us what PUSO means!

GILAS PILIPINAS : HOW ANDRAY BLATCHE FEEL AFTER PHILIPPINES' ELIMINATION IN THE FIBA OQT

Philippine naturalized player Andrat Blatche posted on Instagram how he felt after the elimination of the Philippines in the FIBA Olympic Qualifier Tournament. He posted on his Instagram account :

Walking off this court was the hardest thing for me to do n a long time the love and support I have gotten here is more the enough flying back home jus don't feel rite

A photo posted by Andray Blatche (@draylive) on Jul 6, 2016 at 5:53pm PDT

Blatche has helped the Philippines in international competiotion since the 2014 FIBA World Cup and has obviously been very close to his teammates in Gilas Pilipinas.

To Andray, we really appreciate your help to the Gilas Pilipinas. You always give your all, truly you have the heart of a Filipino - PUSO!

SPICE GIRLS WANNABEE VIDEO REMAKE TACKLES WOMEN ISSUES

In celebration of the 20 years anniversary of the girl group Spice Girls' "Wannabee" video, Victoria Beckham posted in her Facebook account a remake of the music video showing different issues women are facing nowadays.

Here is the video as posted in her Facebook account :

WIMBLEDON : TREAT HUEY BECOMES THE FIRST FILIPINO TO REACH THE SEMIS OF A GRANDSLAM TOURNAMENT

 

While the country is basking on the loss of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Olympic qualifier Wednesday night, Treat Huey officially becomes the first Filipino to reach the semifinal round of any Grandslam tennis tournament.

This is after Huey and partner Max Mirnyi of Belarus won their quarterfinals match against Jonathan Marray of Great Britain and Adil Shamasdin of Canada in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) in the gentleman's doubles tournament in Wimbledon.

Last year, Huey and partner American Scott Lipsky was only able to get into the second round. With a new partner, Huey was able to go farther this year.

Tonight, the 12th seeded duo will attempt to barge into the finals in their semifinals duel against  the 1st seeded French duo of Pierre-Hughes Herbert and Nicolas Mahut.

Good luck Treat and Max!

GILAS PILIPINAS : PHILIPPINES ELIMINATED IN THE GROUP STAGE OF THE FIBA OLYMPIC QUALIFIER

After 2 tough losses in as many days, the Philippine national basketball team - the Gilas Pilipinas has been eliminated from the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament being held held in Manila. The team dropped its two assignments in the group stage, ending winless and being eliminated.

World no. 28 ranked Gilas Pilipinas first took on no. 5 France Les Blues, which is led by no less than NBA star Tony Parker. After leading in the first quarter and majority of the 2nd quarter, the more experienced Frech team took the lead at the half and never looked back. Gilas threatened to come back in the 4th quarter, cutting the lead down from 13 to as low as 4 points. But the French team protected the lead and won with a score of 80 - 89.

Yesterday, Gilas went against the world no. 21 New Zealand Tall Blacks. The Kiwis was definitely on its A game and followed their game plan, limiting our naturalized player Andray Blatche to only 4 points in the first half. The Tall Blacks almost led all game long but again, the last quarter surge of the Philippines after curring the lead from 13 down to 5, fell short and eventually bowed down to the Kiwis with a score of 93 - 84.

The loss ended the hopes of the Gilas Pilipinas to qualify to the Olympics.

This might also be the last we see of some of the players wearing the Pilipinas jersey. Rumors has it that players like Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jeff Chan are planning to give way to younger players to be part of the national team. As of the writing, it is only RDO who has confirmed that he is indeed retiring from the national team with this post from his Twitter account :

I officially announce my goodbye of playing in Gilas Pilipinas Basketball! #PUSO

— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) July 6, 2016

Despite the loss, Gilas is undoubtedly the most successful national team in the past 20 years. Theyw ere able to reach the World Cup in 2014 and win back to back silvers in the 2013 and 2015 FIBA Asia Championships.

Eventhough we lost, let the lessons from these games make us stringer and better. Bounce back Gilas. Focus next on the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier where teams will be playing home and away games. With names such as Terence Romeo, Rayray Parks, June Mar Fajardo, Kobe Paras and Jordan Clarkson still willing to don the country's jersey, the future is still bright.

Heads up, Gilas Pilipinas! You still made us proud! Laban Pilipinas!

PINOY BIG BROTHER : ALL CELEBRITY HOUSEMATES REVEALED

All the 8 celebrity housemates that will participate in Pinoy Big Brother Lucky Season 7 has been revealed after the remaining housemates was named in TV Patrol last night.

The housemates includes members of a boy group, a young dancer / actress, a Korean star, a teen singer, a hunk model, a comedian, a radio jock and a teen commercial model.

The new celebrities housemates are:

1. Hashtags McCoy de Leon and Nikko Natividad - 2-in-1 housemates  (revealed in It's Showtime - July 2)

Let's welcome our Lucky Celebrity Housemate, Mccoy!!! #PBBLuckyReveal

A photo posted by PINOY BIG BROTHER 🏠 (@pbbabscbn) on Jul 2, 2016 at 3:40am PDT

Let's welcome our Lucky Celebrity Housemate, Nikko!!! #PBBLuckyReveal

A photo posted by PINOY BIG BROTHER 🏠 (@pbbabscbn) on Jul 2, 2016 at 3:42am PDT

2. The Voice Kids Season 1 finalist JK Labajo (revealed in ASAP on July 3)

LET'S WELCOME OUR LUCKY CELEBRITY HOUSEMATE, JK LABAJO!!! #PBBLuckyReveal

A photo posted by PINOY BIG BROTHER 🏠 (@pbbabscbn) on Jul 3, 2016 at 1:28am PDT

3. Dancer / Actress Yassi Pressman (revealed in TV Patrol on July 4)

Our 4th LUCKY Celebrity Housemate, Ang Dance Floor Dreamgirl ng Antipolo, YASSI #PBBLuckyReveal

A photo posted by PINOY BIG BROTHER 🏠 (@pbbabscbn) on Jul 4, 2016 at 5:30am PDT

4. Korean celebrity Jinri Park (revealed in TV Patrol on July 4)

Our 5th LUCKY Celebrity Housemate, Ang K-Hot Covergirl ng South Korea, JINRI PARK #PBBLuckyReveal

A photo posted by PINOY BIG BROTHER 🏠 (@pbbabscbn) on Jul 4, 2016 at 5:28am PDT

5. Hunk Model Hideo Muraoka (revealed in TV Patrol on July 6)

Our Lucky Celebrity Housemate, ang Hunky Daddy ng Taguig, Hideo Muraoka! #PBBLuckyReveal

A photo posted by PINOY BIG BROTHER 🏠 (@pbbabscbn) on Jul 6, 2016 at 5:08am PDT

6. It's Showtime My Funny One finalist and comedian Nonong Ballinan

Our Lucky Celebrity Housemate, ang Kanto Komikero ng Quezon City, Nonong Ballinan! #PBBLuckyReveal #PBBSeason7

A photo posted by PINOY BIG BROTHER 🏠 (@pbbabscbn) on Jul 6, 2016 at 5:11am PDT

7. Commercial model Elisse Joson (revealed in TV Patrol on July 6)

Our Lucky Celebrity Housemate, ang Hugot Babe ng Mandaluyong, Elisse Joson! #PBBLuckyReveal #PBBSeason7

A photo posted by PINOY BIG BROTHER 🏠 (@pbbabscbn) on Jul 6, 2016 at 5:13am PDT

8. Radio jock DJ Chacha (revealed in TV Patrol on July 6)

Our Lucky Celebrity Housemate, ang Bibig ng Pag-ibig ng Tondo, DJ Chacha! #PBBLuckyReveal #PBBSeason7

A photo posted by PINOY BIG BROTHER 🏠 (@pbbabscbn) on Jul 6, 2016 at 5:15am PDT

It was also revealed that this set of celebrity housemates will initially stay at the Big Brother house in Vietnam. As of the writing, 5 out of the 8 housemates are already in Vietnam - McCoy & Nikko, Yassi, Jinri, JK and Hideo.

Yes! You heard it right! Pinoy Big Brother LUCKY Season 7 in VIETNAM!!! This is the first time in the history of Pinoy Big Brother that we're housing the Housemates in another country #PBBLuckyReveal

A photo posted by PINOY BIG BROTHER 🏠 (@pbbabscbn) on Jul 5, 2016 at 6:22am PDT

The show will premiere on July 11 in Primetime Bida, replacing Jane the Virgin.

All images are from the PBB official Instagram account.

PINOY BIG BROTHER : FIRST TWIST AND FIRST HOUSEMATES REVEALED IN IT'S SHOWTIME

Pinoy Big Brother Lucky 7 revealed the first twist and the first housemate that will enter the house. During a segment in It's Showtime, the music stopped while the boy group Hashtags was performing and the music of PBB started playing.

Big Brother announced the first twist for this season, celebrities will be the first to enter the house.

In case you missed it, ang unang PASABOG NI KUYA: CELEBRITIES ANG PAPASOK SA LOOB NG BAHAY NI KUYA #PBBLuckyReveal

— Pinoy Big Brother (@PBBabscbn) July 2, 2016

And 2 of the members of the group were chosen as housemates. It was then revealed that the 2 chosen housemates were Nikko Natividad and McCoy de Leon. They will be acting as a 2-in-1 housemate.

Ang susunod na pasabog ni Kuya, TWO-IN-ONE HOUSEMATE sina Nikko and Mccoy! #PBBLuckyReveal pic.twitter.com/7dLgYCVHWU

— Pinoy Big Brother (@PBBabscbn) July 2, 2016

Before joining the Hashtags, Natividad won the title of Gandang Lalake in the noontime show It's Showtime. De Leon on the other hand appeared in several commercials and shows in ABS-CBN, including the hit noontime drama Be Careful with my Heart.

They also have 48 hours to clear their commitments and other things that they need to do before they enter the house.

Good luck Nikko and McCoy!

PINOY BIG BROTHER : PBB LUCKY 7 PREMIERE DATE REVEALED

The premiere date of the seventh season of the hit reality show Pinoy Big Brother was revealed tonight. Dubbed as Pinoy Big Brother Lucky 7, the show will premiere on July 11. This is the first time that the show will premiere on a weekday - on a Monday to be exact.

It was also revealed that Big Brother will also reveal some twists this weekend - during It's Showtime on Saturday and ASAP on Sunday.

Here is the video as posted on the official Twitter page of Pinoy Big Brother :

The biggest and longest-running reality show is back! See you on July 11 sa Primetime Bida 🙌🏼 #PBBSeason7 pic.twitter.com/fyv5xWkSO1

— Pinoy Big Brother (@PBBabscbn) July 1, 2016

I am really excited that PBB will be back soon since it has already been 8 months since the Big Night of PBB 737. This will definitely be a nightly habit again for the PBB fans.

AMAZING RACE ASIA : ATENEO VOLLEYBELLE AMY AHOMIRO AND COURTSIDE REPORTER LAURA LEHMANN AUDITIONS FOR SEASON 5

Ateneo de Manila University volleybelle Amy Ahomiro and courtside reporter Laura Lehmann posted an online audition video for the season 5 of Amazing Race Asia. They posted their video on the last day of submission - last June 30.

Here is the write up in their video submission :

#LauAmyForAmazingRaceAsia - use the hashtag and share the love guys! :)

Amy is originally from Auckland, New Zealand. Her family moved here 10 years ago after her mother accepted a job offer. Amy has been here ever since and she has now become one of the most popular professional volleyball players in the Philippines. 

Laura, meanwhile, has a very different background. She has American, German, Swiss, Spanish and Filipino blood, and has been living in the tropics her whole life. She won Miss Philippines 1st Runner Up in 2014 and has been an active TV Host and model ever since. She currently hosts "Listed", an immersive travel show on Lifestyle Network wherein she explores different islands and takes the road less traveled. She is also the courtside reporter for Amy's volleyball games and the rest is history. 

Sometimes opposites really do attract. Yin & yang forever.

Here is the audition video as posted in The Game Changers YouTube account :

Hope they get chosen and with Amy's physical strength and Laura's charms, they are definitely a team to watch out for!