On its fifth day, “When Love Begins,” which opened April 30, reportedly grossed over P50M.

“When Love Begins,” directed by Joey Javier Reyes, is the story of two people who go into a relationship without a commitment. Aga plays a lawyer-turned-environmentalist, while Anne is a marketing assistant at her father’s company, they met one summer in picturesque Boracay.

The two hit if off well and decide to enter into a relationship without a commitment. In the end, however, they realized that passion without love and commitment is not binding.

“When Love Begins” has a roster of other big stars, such as Christopher de Leon, Boots Anson-Roa and Ronaldo Valdez. The cast also include Rafael Rosell, Dimples Romana, Desiree del Valle, AJ Dee, Angel Jacob, Mandy Ochoa and Jon Avila.

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Mother Lily pays tribute to moms

Nobody knows how to pamper moms better than Regal Entertainment producer and hotelier Mother Lily Monteverde.
The hardworking businesswoman and icon of Philippine cinema was the pioneer in making Mother’s Day a big movie holiday by producing films dedicated to mothers.

It is with the same fervor that Mother Lily is spearheading a tribute for moms at her very own prestigious Imperial Suites in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. As early as the start of the summer, she began meeting and brainstorming with her sales and banquet staff headed by Sales & Marketing Director Goody L. Directo.

In late April, Mother supervised the changing of the look of the Imperial Palace poolside restaurant called The Peak at Imperial. She purposely bought new,colorful, springtime-inspired decor for the Mother’s Day month.

“I really love Mother’s Day, not only because I am amother but more because I enjoy making moms happy.

They are really the guiding light of our homes. They work very hard. This is the time when we can show them how much we care and appreciate what they do. Being amother is the most challenging but most fulfilling career,” says Mother Lily.

Imperial Palace Suites has come up with a special room package for mothers. Overnight stay for two at a Studio Suite or a 1-Bedroom Suite is discounted from May 7 to 14. The rates are inclusive of buffet breakfast for two and use of the Penthouse swimming pool, plus wonderful treats for mothers like a one-hour massage at Imperial’s Amara Spa, a bouquet of flowers and an invigorating Inner Beauty drink whichi s a health cocktail made from different luscious fruits.

On Mother’s Day itself, May 11, Imperial Palace Suites offers an appetizing but very affordable feast for mom and the whole family. The new lunch/dinner menu is composed of Cream of Asparagus Soup, Greek Salad, choice of flavorable Seafood Curry Madras or Nasi Goreng and Inner Beauty Health Drink. For dessert, there’s delectable Vanilla Ice Cream.As the saying goes, Mothers know best!

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‘American Gladiators’ on C/S starting today

The Ali name lives on as the daughter of the all-time heavyweight champ Muhamad Ali — Laila Ali, makes her mark on the boob tube as she hosts the top-rating competition show “American Gladiators.”

Laila is the second youngest child of Ali and has followed in her famous father’s footsteps as a professional boxer with an astonighing 24-0 undefeated Super middleweight record. She now embarks on a TV career as co-host of the new “American Gladiators with wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan.

Laila admits in interviews that growing up exposed to athletic competitions made her a fan of the original American Gladiators but she never thought about competing. “One thing about me is, I don’t want to get hurt, there’s just so much action going on, there’s just so much room to get hurt. That’s just not really my thing.”

Which makes hosting the show the perfect compromise for Ali as the all new American Gladiators with its re-energized format will be seen on both free and cable TV, not just on one but two channels: C/S on RPN and Jack TV in an unprecedented move to showcase the magnitude of this highly anticipated TV competition.

TV viewers are in for an action-packed, bone crunching, and adrenaline-pumping treat with the newer and better American Gladiators as a new generation of viewers will get to enjoy one of the most beloved TV competition shows of all-time.

“American Gladiators” will pit everyday amateur athletes against the show’s tough, compelling and eclectic group of gladiators in the ultimate David & Goliath battle.

24 male and female contenders will compete in three rounds of challenges where the final man and woman left standing will win a $100,000 top prize and will become Gladiators next season. All these contenders have a unique story to tell and a gripping reason why they need to win, as these unsung heroes combine brawn and heart in their effort to be worthy competitors, winning over the audience and turning them against the villainous Gladiators.

The show will still follow the classic format that pits Gladiators against Contenders with the same familiar events that have been given a fresh twist using special effects, water skills and the latest technology, like the Joust (where opponents have to knock each other off using sticks), the Assault (where the Contender has to dodge balls while firing weapons at the Gladiator) and the Powerball (where Contenders have to slam dunk balls into cylinders to score). New events like the Earthquake (where a Contender and a Gladiator will wrestle on
a platform moving above the ground) will provide even higher thrills and energy.

Catch the action of “American Gladiators” as it premieres on C/S on RPN, Thursday nights at 9 p.m. beginning today, May 8. Jack TV viewers will enjoy the action starting May 12 with a 7 p.m. premiere airing, with suceeding episodes airing every Monday nights at 8 p.m.

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Honey Blanca is stronger, tougher

Honey Blanca (Blanquita Garces Sioson in real life) is a Japan–based singer who has show biz aspirations. As movie producer of Honey Blanca n Movie Entertainment, she hopes to contribute her share in the movie industry.

“I believe that when you are focused on helping the helpless no matter how hard it is, good things follow. I will not not stop serving people. The more you give the more God is going to shower you with blessings,” she said.

Honey is producing the digital movie “Sanib 2” which stars herself, Victoria Hayness, Jaclyn Jose, Lovely Rivero, Jethro Ramirez, Ronnie Lazaro, Diane Marquez, Irish Contreras, Brando Legaspi, King Roberts and introducing Angela Nicole with the special participation of Paete, Laguna Mayor Elmoise Afurong of Exotic Restaurant. The movie is directed by Celso Ad Castillo.

Honey is also a recording artist of H.B. Records distributed by D’Concorde Recording Corp. Her first CD lite album is composed of songs “Saka Na Lang Kita Iibigin,” “Suwerte-Suwerte Lang,” Iaalay Ko sa ‘Yo,” “Mula Ngayon Hanggang Wakas” and “Sabi Ng Horoscope Ko.” The songs are composed by veteran and noted composer and musical director Pablo Vergara.

Honey is managed by Rudy de la Peña, a movie reporter.

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Tidbtis: Happy b-day greetings today, May 8, go to Justice Ines Luciano, Rep. Mike Romero, Boots Bautista, Butch S. Javier, Manuel Bondad, Virgie Buenaobra, Tina C. Tensuan, Dr. M. Avenido, Mike Evangelista, Nicolo Javier, Florentino Requinta, Michelle Dianne Lopez Dulce, Donna May Bundalian, my New Yorker son Lester M. Belen and his friend Patricio Cabrera...