GMA NETWORK STATEMENT ON SARAH LAHBATI (January 10, 2013)

GMA Network replies to Sarah Lahbati’s allegations based on her tweets last night, January 9, 2013.

Sarah mentioned “It has been three days since Ms Annette Gozon Abrogar uses GMA news to bombard me and make my image look bad.” GMA Network categorically denies this. GMA News has fairly aired both Sarah’s tweets and the Network’s statements thus she cannot accuse anyone of using the Network’s News Department to make her image look bad.

Sarah added, “Why can’t you give a statement about your involvement in ICONS management company dealing with GMA?” Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar reiterates that she never asked or referred Sarah to ICONS for a co-management contract.

Drew Arellano and Boobay goes "Choco Loco" in AHA!

It's Christmas time once again and it's a perfect season to enjoy the sweet taste of chocolates without an ounce of guilt.  Chocolates are a common gift item during Christmas and so kapuso host Drew Arellano and commedienne Boobay the Lakwatsera are preparing a boxful of suprises about the all-time favorite comfort food -- chocolate -- in this Sunday's episode of AHA!, an infotainment program which airs on GMA-7.

Drew and Boobay will find out the history of chocolate, how and where it was discovered and how it travelled around the world to conquer the taste buds of mankind.  Boobay will unravel the secret of cacao and the processes it goes through as it transforms from roasted seed to the chocolate that melts in our mouth.  And by the way, did you know that chocolates are also used in make-ups, shoes, spas etc.?

Hayate: The Combat Butler begins on Saturday in GMA7

Starting Saturday (December 8), get to know the newest anime characters that will surely bring bigger adventures every weekend morning with Hayate: The Combat Butler. It will replace Young Justice at 8:10 am.

Abandoned by his parents and given as a Christmas present due to a large debt, 16-year old Ayasaki Hayate is at the lowest point of his life. Desperately trying to alter his fate, he decides to kidnap someone to hold for ransom.

Due to wrong choice of words, the girl (Nagi) he tries to kidnap misunderstands his action as a confession of love. His plan is totally crushed when he gives his real name out. Realizing his wrongdoing, Hayate proceeds to rescue the girl from the yakuza who had instead kidnapped her.

As a token of thanks, the girl offers Hayate a job as a butler. Hayate, overwhelmed by her kindness, vows to protect her even at the cost of his life.

Don’t miss the adventures of Hayate and Nagi in Hayate: The Combat Butler every Saturday and Sunday beginning December 8 on GMA’S Weekend Kiddie Power block.

GMA Network seals strong Q3 financial performance

Reports P10.612 billion consolidated gross revenues for first 9 months

Broadcast giant GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) reported strong financial results for the third quarter owing to increased advertising sales across its major revenue platforms.

Consolidated gross revenues for the third quarter of 2012 reached P3.822 billion reflecting a double-digit growth of 13 percent from the P3.384 billion recorded in 2011, while net income rose 9 percent to P573 million from P525 million in the previous year.

POP TALK FOOD TR.I.P. (Restos near Sementeryos)

Pagkatapos dumalaw sa sementeryo tuwing Undas, marami sa ating mga Pinoy ang nakaugalian nang gawin ang 'pagpag,' o ang pagpunta muna sa ibang lugar bago umuwi para raw hindi sumunod ang mga espiritu sa bahay.  Kadalasan sa kainan ang diretso, isang okasyon na rin para sa pamilya na mag-bonding at magsalu-salo.

Kaya naman naghanap ang Pop Talk ng tatlong restawran na ilang hakbang lang ang layo sa tatlong pinakamalalaking sementeryo sa Kalakhang Maynila.  Ang tampok na restos ay ang Thai Resa sa Chinese Cemetery na authentic Thai dishes ang inihahain, Redragon Buffet Restaurant sa Manila North Cemetery na P168 lang ang eat-all-you-can buffet, at ang The Room Upstairs sa Manila South Cemetery.  Huhusgahan ng ating Pop Talk reviewers ang tatlong restos na ito base sa criteria na 'food,' 'place' at 'price.' Alin kaya sa mga ito ang pop o flop? 

THE KING AND I - Cast Profile

Resorts World Manila (RWM) is offering its third theatre production this 15th September with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King And I. The mega-musical shall be staged at the majestic halls of the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) within RWM’s Newport Mall. Here are the profiles of actors in the production:

KING

Leo Tavarro Valdez A Three-time Aliw Awardee for Best Male Performer who has received numerous awards from various award-giving bodies in the Philippines, Leo Tavarro-Valdez is one of the most regarded theatre performers in the country, having played the coveted role of "The Engineer" in the 1997 Miss Saigon in London; "Jean Valjean", the chief protagonist in the 1993 local adaptation of Les Miserables; and other principal roles in local musical extravaganzas such as Rama Hari, Tales of the Manuvu, Hindi Kita Malilimot, Dahil Sa Iyo Gomburza, Ewagan, and Sarungbangi. His other credits include television shows and concert tours all over the Philippines, Asia, Australia and America.

GMA Network maintains nationwide ratings advantage in August, improves ratings in all areas, including Visayas and Mindanao

Leading broadcast company GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) ended the month of August on a positive note as it led rival stations in nationwide TV ratings according to data from the industry’s more trusted ratings source Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Based on full August data (August 1 to 25 official data; August 26 to 31 overnight data), GMA registered an average of 34 percent in total day (6 AM to 12 MN) household audience shares in National Urban Philippines, 1.3 percentage points ahead of ABS-CBN’s 32.7, and 19.2 percentage points ahead of TV5’s 14.8.