Angel Locsin

Angel Locsín (born Angélica Locsín Colmenares on April 23, 1985), is a Filipina television and film actress, commercial model, film producer, fashion designer, and product endorser who was introduced in GMA Network's youth-oriented program, Click. Locsin rose to prominence after being cast as one of the lead stars in the fantasy-themed television series Mulawin in 2004. Soon after, she starred as the superheroine Darna in the TV adaptation of the popular Mars Ravelo comics hit. Locsin top-billed in several films and is known as the screen love interest of Richard Gutierrez and Dennis Trillo. In mid-2007, Angel left her mother studio, GMA Network and signed an exclusive contract in ABS-CBN despite her booming career in GMA. She told in an interview with Boy Abunda that she is no longer happy in GMA and she is looking forward to have a better career in ABS-CBN.

Life and Career:

Locsín was born on April 23, 1985 in Bulacan province, where she also grew up. She is the second child of three. Her parents separated when she was fourteen, and she has since lived with her father.

Locsin's career in show business began after she was discovered by a talent scout while she cut classes with a friend and was shopping at SM City North EDSA in Quezon City. She auditioned for several commercials. She was supposed to be part of the Batch 9 of ABS-CBN's Star Circle Batch 9, but she failed to sign a contract with ABS-CBN'S Talent Center because her father, Angelo Colmenares, did not agree. After a year, she became a contract star of GMA.

Locsín first appeared in Click, a teen-oriented program on the GMA Network, as the tomboyish Charley (short for Charlotte), where she was first paired with Brian Revilla, then eventually to Railey Valeroso. She became widely known when she first appeared on the cover of FHM (Philippine edition). The same magazine consistently lists her as one of the "100 Sexiest Women in the World", as well as sexiest Filipina, ranking No. 2 behind Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. She has also been known as a sex symbol of the Philippines.

She also appears in commercials endorsing, among others, Robitussin, Centrum, Smart, Axe, Timex Watch (with Piolo Pascual), Magnolia Health Tea, Avon Glazeware Lipstick, Eskinol, Avon, Lotus Ballpen, Converse Shoes, Happee Toothpaste, the new San Mig Coffee commercial called Dream (also with Piolo) and Head & Shoulders. She has other print ads endorsements that made her tie up with Piolo Pascual at the No.3 spot of the top product endorsers in the Philippines.

In 2003, her boyfriend, actor Miko Sotto, fell off from the 9th floor of his condominium in December 2003. Afterwards, her boyfriend's mother, movie actress and ABC newscaster Ali Sotto, donated his eyes to those in need. Angel eventually portrayed the dramatization of the life of one of these recipients in the TV drama show Magpakailanman.

After appearing in Click, Locsin gained further exposure as she was cast in the television shows Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw Pa Rin, All Together Now, and Love to Love.

After her role as the half-human, half-avian Alwina in the 2004 Telefantasya Mulawin, where she was paired with Aguiluz (Richard Gutierrez), she auditioned for the title role of the classic Filipina superhero in Darna television series. She won the part handily among numerous actresses who tried out and was chosen to don the iconic red suit and crest. She also voiced the character of Kyoko Iwase in the Philippine Tagalog version of Initial D aired in Animax.

After Darna, Locsin reunited with former love team Dennis Trillo as they top-billed GMA's fantasy-themed series, Majika. Angel joined the GMA's biggest action-adventure Philippine drama starring Robin Padilla. This was her last project with GMA-7 before she left and took fashion design course in London.

Locsín also starred in films. Among her big screen credits are Kuya, Mano Po 2, Singles, Sigaw and the 2005 box-office hit Let The Love Begin, where she worked with on-screen partner Richard Gutierrez. Her team-up with Gutierrez is considered by some as one of the best pairings in the country. She also reprised her role as Alwina in the movie adaptation of Mulawin.

Locsín also dated Oyo Boy Sotto (born Vittorio Mari Sotto), son of actor Vic Sotto and actress Dina Bonnevie and cousin of her late boyfriend Miko Sotto.

Locsín also admitted on a Filipino talk show "Ali" that she has been an avid fan of WWF/WWE (World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment) since childhood. Her favorite wrestlers are Triple H and the Filipino-Greek-American Batista, whom she met at the show 'Eat Bulaga' backstage.

Locsín is reunited with Richard Gutierrez for the movie The Promise which was co-produced by Regal Entertainment and GMA FILMS Production. The movie has a different portrayal for both, showcasing a more mature role. It has a love scene and a bed scene which the two haven't done in any other films. She and Richard are considered the most popular young stars of their generation and both are one of the most highest paid stars.

Today, ABS-CBN Kapamilya Network confirmed that Locsin and Piolo Pascual will be launched as their newest loveteam. Both of them already signed a movie contract and said during an interview with The Buzz that they are very much excited to do projects together.

Recently Angel co-hosted Mariel Rodriguez and Valerie Concepcion in the noon time show Wowowee primarily hosted by the controversial Willie "Papi" Revillame. She joined the Wowowee production and gave tribute to the military men who fought the rebels in Basilan. Her appearance in Wowowee last September 1, 2007 gave another hit to the rating of the show. She just also received good reviews of her performance in a recent Maalaala Mo Kaya episode entitled "Pilat" which paired her with hearthrob Sam Milby. It is said that Locsin and Milby also have good chemistry on screen.
Controversies:

Locsin had her fair share of controversy after appearing in a TV ad for Axe (manufactured by Unilever Philippines). Many feminist groups, as well as former Senator Nikki Coseteng, complained about the offensive gestures in the advertisement. In the television commercial, Angel is teasing a man by showing off money and her body, but the man approaches Angel and takes only her money. Because of these complaints, Unilever pulled out the commercial.

On July 20, 2007, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 81 Presiding Judge Ma. Theresa Yadao dismissed Locsin's petition for reformation of instrument and/or rescission/breach of contract and damages filed against Rebecca "Becky" Aguila after granting her motion to dismiss, based on settlement of their differences. Locsin sued her manager on December 6 where she asked the court to order the reformation of the terms of the Artist Management Contract which she had signed, to reflect the true intention of the parties.

Locsin's five-year contract with GMA expired in mid-2007. Her manager, Becky Aguila, and her father, Angel Colmenares, sent a letter, formally informing GMA that her talent would not renew her contract with the Kapuso network. In August 2007, she transferred to ABS-CBN Network, the rival TV station of GMA. She told in an interview with Boy Abunda that she is no longer happy with GMA and she is looking forward to having a better career in ABS-CBN. With her statement, many were disappointed. And even accusing her of being ingrate because of her ungrateful actions. Because GMA has made her a superstar in a short period of time.

GMA's Senior Vice-President for Entertainment, Wilma Galvante, expressed her disappointment with Angel's career move. In a phone patch interview with Showbiz Central, Galvante said that they were the last to know about Angel and her manager's intentions. Galvante said that they had asked Angel Locsin twice if her camp was negotiating with the rival network, and Locsin and her Manager repeatedly denied there was a negotiation going on. The GMA Executive further expressed disappointment that they were only informed of the impending transfer, through a letter from Becky Aguila, a few hours before Aguila and Locsin's father discussed the transfer on an interview with one of the shows of ABS-CBN.

Moreover, Locsin had an alleged video sex scandal. The video was being sold in a pirated DVD. After a while, they figured out that the woman in the video was a pornstar from Thailand "Natt Chanapa" who looked just like her.

Vicente "Tito" C. Sotto III

Vicente "Tito" C. Sotto III (born August 24, 1948 in Manila, Philippines) is a former senator in the Philippines Congress. He served two terms in the Senate, from 1992 to 2004.

The brother of Marvic (Vic), Marcelino, and Val Sotto and a grandson and grandnephew of former Senators (Vicente Yap Sotto and Filemon Sotto).



Political Life:

Vice Mayor of Quezon City (1988-1992):

"Tito" entered politics in 1988, when he was elected Vice-Mayor of Quezon City. While Vice Mayor, he made drug eradication a priority; he was named National Vice-Chairman of the Citizen's Drugwatch, and was twice awarded the International Award of Honor by the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association. He also established the Vice-Mayors League of the Philippines and became its first President.

Senator (1992-1998):

Sotto was elected to the Senate in 1992, as part of the Ninth Congress, winning a total of 11,792,121 votes. During his first term, Senator Sotto served as Assistant Majority Floor Leader and Chairman of the Senate Committees on Local Government, Tourism, Youth and Sports Development, Illegal Drugs, and Rural Development. He was also a member of the Commission on Appointments.

Senator (1998-2004):

Sotto was reelected in 1998, with the highest vote total of any returning Senator. In his second term he was made Chairman of the Senate Committees on Public Services and the Senate Committee on Science and Technology and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. During this period, he also served as Assistant Majority Leader (in the Eleventh Congress) and Minority Floor Leader (in the Twelfth). Sotto's term ended in 2004.

2007 Senatorial Candidate:

Tito Sotto run as a Senator again for the 2007 elections under the administration's Team Unity party. Despite his popularity to many Filipinos, Tito Sotto like most of TEAM Unity's Senatorial candidates suffered a defeat.

Acting career:

Prior to his entry into public service, Sotto was a composer, musician, actor, and television personality. Among his musical compositions is the "Magkaisa", considered the anthem of the 1986 EDSA Revolution. On television, Sotto co-hosted Eat Bulaga, which is the longest running program in Philippine history, and hosted Brigada Siete, a public affairs program. He is also an accomplished bowler, and was a member of the Philippine National Bowling Team.

Sotto is married to Helen Gamboa, a beauty titlist an actress, singer, and beauty pageant winner. They have four children, Romina, Diorella, Gian, and Ciara, and two grandsons, Romino and Victorio.

Filmography:

* Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay ka fairy ko... The legend goes on and on and on (2006) .... Nador
* I Have 3 Eggs (1990)
* Kabayo kids (1990) .... Pamboy/Orange Juice
* Crocodile Jones: The Son of Indiana Dundee (1990) .... Indiana Dundee
* Hotdog (1990) .... Juan
* Aso't pusa (1989)
* Si Malakas at si Maganda (1989)
* I Have Three Hands (1988)
* Shoot That Ball (1987)
* Ready, Aim, Fire (1987)
* Forward March (1987)
* Super wan, tu, tri (1986) (as TVJ)
* Working Boys (1986)
* Horsey-horsey, tigidig-tigidig (1986) .... Johnny
* Ma'am, May We Go Out? (1985)
* Mama Said, Papa Said, I Love You (1985)
* Ride on Baby (1985)
* Doctor, Doctor We Are Sick (1985)
* Naku ha! (1984) .... Aristotle Plato
* Give Me Five (1984) .... Kelly
* Goodah (1984)
* Pepe en Pilar (1984)
* Magtoning muna tayo (1981)
* Palpak Connections (1981)
* Iskul Bukol (1980)

TV Shows:

* Eat Bulaga (RPN 9, 1979-89, ABS-CBN, 1989-1995, GMA Network, 1995-present)
* Brigada Siete (GMA Network, 1994-2001)
* Eat Bulaga Holy Week Drama Specials (1979-present)
* Hapi House (IBC-13, 1986-88)
* Iskul Bukol (IBC 13, 1977-1987)
* Student Canteen (GMA Network, 1976-77)
* Discorama (GMA Network, 1975)
* Friends (MBS-4, 1974)

Joey De Leon

José María Ramos de León, better known simply as Joey de Leon (born October 14, 1946) is a Filipino Comedian/TV host who is one of the popular hosts of the long-running noontime variety show Eat Bulaga! He is a member of the famous comedy trio Tito, Vic and Joey that has made several hit comedy movies and TV shows. Also known as a songwriter, Joey has penned some Filipino hit songs deemed as classics including "Ipagpatawad Mo" (Forgive Me), "Awitin Mo, Isasayaw Ko" (Sing and I Will Dance), "Boyfriend kong Baduy" (My Geeky Boyfriend), "Iskul Bukol" (School is Tough), and many more.

Pre-showbiz Life:

Joey spent his early childhood in Sampaloc, Manila with his mother. His father, Jose Suwani de Leon, never lived with them. Instead, the elder de Leon sent financial support (through his pension at USAFFE) to Joey's mother so that his son would be able to attend school.

Joey's early childhood ranged from the traumatic to comical moments. His most traumatic experience occurred at age 4 when he almost drowned during a family beach outing. Because of the incident, he developed a phobia for bodies of water. Among his funny childhood experiences were playing pranks on his female classmates when he was in Grade 4.

During his teen years, Joey and his mother lived with his mother's relatives. His aunt and his godmother shouldered his high school expenses. But when he took up architecture at National University, his father's pension at USAFFE completely covered his college fees. After two years, Joey quit architecture (because he wasn't keen on Math) and took several odd jobs. Soon after, upon the prodding of his cousin and best friend Freddie Villareal, they went to a radio station to meet up with Karina Afable but instead of meeting her, they chanced upon an audition for radio announcers. Joey wasn't interested at first but his cousin secretly enlisted his name at the auditions. Soon after, Joey was hired after passing the auditions.

Early Showbiz Exposure:

He started out his showbiz career in the 1960s as a radio DJ (disc jockey) for some of the top FM stations mostly owned by pre-martial law ABS-CBN. Some of his radio colleagues and contemporaries included the late Inday Badiday, Ike Lozada, Johnny de Leon (no relation) and Helen Vela. In a span of five years, he sat down on 12 FM stations while doing other jobs as gag writer and songwriter. His first big break on TV was IBC-13's gag show OK Lang which starred him alongside the Sotto brothers (Tito, Vic and Val), Ricky Manalo, Jr. and the APO Hiking Society.

Tito, Vic & Joey:

In 1975, Joey became a co-host of GMA-7's early afternoon variety show Discorama hosted by Bobby Ledesma (of Student Canteen fame). At that time, the show hardly had any viewers and ratings were bad. While Bobby was on vacation, he told Joey to take care of the show. Joey invited his former co-stars at OK Lang, brothers Tito, Vic and Val Sotto, to join him at Discorama. Only Tito and Vic accepted Joey's invitation. The newly-formed trio started to do comedy newscast segments interspersed with hilarious interpretations of Top 40 hit songs using made-up lyrics written by Joey. Thus the trio Tito, Vic and Joey was born. Discorama was given a new lease in life and was saved from the axe of GMA-7 executives. The new trio was also included in Bobby's noontime show Student Canteen and also released 12 Tough Hits albums based on their Discorama Tough Hits segment.

Although Tito, Vic and Joey started their trio via Discorama and Student Canteen, it was the sitcom Iskul Bukol that gave them nationwide fame as comedians. Soon after, other TV and movie producers came knocking on the trio's door. In 1979, Tito, Vic and Joey started hosting for the noontime show Eat Bulaga! which was pitted against the more established Student Canteen hosted by their former colleague (and now competitor) Bobby Ledesma. Not long after, Eat Bulaga! toppled Student Canteen in the ratings.
Joey as solo artist:

Although Joey continued to do movies alongside his showbiz team mates Tito and Vic, he started doing solo performances for other TV shows. He topbilled Joey and Son in the '80s, a sitcom on RPN-9 where he played father to a very young Ian Veneracion (who later metamorphosed into a teen heartthrob and action star in the '90s). He was also one of the gag performers on TODAS where his other co-stars included Jimmy Santos and Val Sotto. Other TV shows that Joey did as a solo host/comedian included Apple Pie, Patis, Atbp., The Sharon Cuneta Show, Let's Go Crazy and many more. Soon after, he was launched by Viva Films as a solo comedian in She-Man: Mistress of the Universe, a parody of the foreign animated series He-Man. The movie was a big hit, and Joey went on to do more movies alone, mostly with his favorite sidekick Rene Requiestas. He also tried his hand at directing movies like Romeo loves Juliet and Small, Medium, Large.

Joey topbilled movies that are mostly spoofs of foreign movies or takes at American and Filipino pop culture. When Starzan became a box-office hit in 1989, he did two more sequels on that same year with tremendous box-office results. Because of the phenomenal box-office standings of the 3 Starzan movies that he made, he was named Box-Office King for that year. He also earned the title Sequel King because most of his movies (Barbi, Elvis and James, Long Ranger en Tonton) each spawned sequels.

When Rene Requiestas went solo with his movie career (and later died in 1993), Joey concentrated on TV. He did several TV shows for major networks, mostly with GMA-7 and ABC-5. In 1995, Joey made a movie comeback via the comedy "Bangers" for Viva Films, which teamed him up with (the late) comic legend Chiquito and rapper/comedian Andrew E. This was later followed up by a series of comedy films that had him topbilled alongside other comedians like Leo Martinez (Pipti-pipti) and Dennis Padilla (Ang Tipo kong Lalake and Takot ako sa Darling Ko). However, with the Philippine movie industry slowly losing its grip on the audience, Joey decided to concentrate on TV again, although he still appears in movies every now and then. Currently he still hosts Eat Bulaga which is now the longest-running TV program in the Philippines, and appears in other shows like Mel and Joey, Startalk, Nuts Entertainment and just recently started a new show for ABC-5, Teka Mona, which replaced Wow Mali, his long-running TV show on the same network. Another show is in the works for Joey this time on GMA's sister station QTV 11. He started hosting "Takeshi's Castle" with Ryan Yllana. He is also the resident judge of the annual reality-based star search StarStruck and writes the entertainment column De Leon's Den once a week in the Philippine broadsheet Manila Bulletin.

In December 2006, Joey returned to recording with a novelty single he wrote entitled "Itaktak Mo" (Shake it off). Unlike most of his previously recorded songs where the melodies were based on past and contemporary hits, "Itaktak Mo" had a unique melody that can pass off as either a pop dance hit or a ballroom song. Seen by critics as his answer to the other wildly popular hit, "Boom Tarat Tarat" (written by Lito Camo and sung by Joey's rival host Willie Revillame), "Itaktak Mo" was softly launched on "Eat Bulaga" shortly before the Christmas season. On January 2007, the song was launched in Joey's album, "Joey to the World 2" and gained airplay in most FM stations in a short span of time. "Itaktak Mo" has also become part of "Eat Bulaga"'s segment "Taktak Mo o Tatakbo" that replaced "Laban o Bawi", and is also one of the official dances of the 4th batch of the reality talent search "Starstruck".

Suspension:

Joey has been suspended by the MTRCB (the Philippine censorship board) twice from hosting Eat Bulaga!. His first suspension was in 2003 for one month, after uttering a joke related to birds during the question and answer portion of the kiddie pageant That's My Boy.

His second suspension was in 2004 after uttering a Filipino slang word for fellatio during the TKO portion. The second suspension was supposedly for two months but after reportedly suffering from emotional and health problems brought about by the suspension, he was allowed by MTRCB to go back on the air after a month.

Since then, Joey has cleaned up his act although he still retains his 'pilyo' (naughty) ways when he makes people laugh with his jokes.

Personal Life:

Off camera, Joey is a doting husband to Eileen Macapagal, with whom he has three children, Jocas, Jako and Jio. He also has two children from actress Daria Ramirez: TV host/comedian Keempee de Leon and Cheenee de Leon. Joey has 4 grandchildren also, one from Keempee and 3 from Cheenee.
Trivia about Joey:

* Joey, along with Vic Sotto, actually had a movie entitled "Sam and Miguel". Interestingly enough, one of the antagonists of that movie was Willie Revillame, now known as a rival of Joey. Joey and Willie also appeared together in the movie "Barbi for President" where Willie played sidekick to Joey.

* Joey is an avowed collector of casino chips and Planet Hollywood T-shirts. He also collects different kinds of t-shirts that allude to US pop culture.

* Joey has appeared in a total of 52 TV shows either as a cast member or regular host. He also wrote in some of the TV shows that he joined (TODAS, Mixed Nuts, Wow Mali). His new gag show on ABC-5, Teka Mona, is his 53rd television show. He has also started his 54th television show on QTV-11 (GMA's sister station) entitled "Takeshi's Castle".

* Joey has a rare photographic memory.

* Joey also collects photos and other memorabilias from his past shows. In fact he has a rare ABS-CBN wall tile in his collection which he got when the old ABS-CBN building in Pasay was demolished. He also has a rare photo of an Eat Bulaga episode where he sang along with Tito, Vic and the APO Hiking Society when the latter trio guested in their show.

* In one survey conducted by TAPE during Eat Bulaga's early years regarding the perception of the public about its hosts, it was revealed that Tito was the serious type, Vic was the heartthrob, and Joey was the streetsmart. Up to this day, the Filipino's perception about the noontime trio has never changed.

* Joey De Leon, together with Vic and Tito Sotto, became special guests at Kapamilya, ABS-CBN at 50, the 50th year anniversary special of ABS-CBN. The trio made a special number together with the Philippine Comedy King Dolphy. Joey De Leon even made a joke during the special number, saying that he is a Kapamilya (even mentioning that he started at ABS-CBN during 1969), Tito is a Kapatilya, Vic is a Kaparilya (teasing Vic as the new Panchito during the translation segment of the number), and Dolphy is a Kapadilla (referring to real-life partner Zsa Zsa Padilla). It was aired last October 26, 2003. In November 30, 2004, Dolphy reciprocated the trio's guesting at ABS-CBN's 50th anniversary by guesting during the 25th anniversary of the trio's noontime show "Eat Bulaga".

* Joey's life story was shown on GMA-7's drama anthology "Magpakailanman" where his son Keempee de Leon portrayed him. The episode, entitled "Minsan may Isang Joey" (Once there was a Joey) it chronicled Joey's childhood and early adult years before he joined show business. It was shown on December 2005, as an anniversary presentation of the show. It actually took Joey some time to decide whether his life story would be shown or not, but he gave his nod to the project after the Magpakailanman staff gave in to his requests and conditions. That particular episode garnered a high rating of 34%, as against "Maalaala Mo Kaya" which only garnered 18%. "Minsan may Isang Joey" was replayed on May 2006, where it was pitted against "Maalaala Mo Kaya"'s final Thursday episode that had Christopher de Leon as guest star. "Magpakailanman" garnered a 17% rating as compared to MMK's 12%. Incidentally, Keempee also portrayed his father in "Maalaala Mo Kaya" when the ABS-CBN drama anthology featured the life story of the late Rene Requiestasin 2003.

* Joey's daughter Jocas (by second wife Eileen) graduated cum laude at Fordham University in New York City.

* Though highly regarded by the Philippine entertainment industry as one of the most respected comedians, Joey is also acknowledged as a starmaker, having discovered the untapped comedic talents of some bit actors and actresses who became his co-stars in most of his movies and TV shows. These actors and actresses became popular not long after. Among his discoveries were Jimmy Santos, Rene Requiestas (now deceased), Graaacia Cortez (who later became Samantha Lopez after she left "Eat Bulaga"), Mike "Pekto" Nacua and most recently, Alyssa Alano.