The Mocha Girls are getting their share of controversy for winning “Best Dance Album of the Year” at the recent 1st PMPC Music Awards over Streetboys and Willie Revillame’s platinum album “Giling-Giling” by Lito Camo.

The girly sing-and-dance group is composed of Bez, Grace, Heart and Hershey with Mocha Uson, whose unprecedented almost nude pictorial cover for Maxim Phil. magazine earned for her far ample controversies imaginable.

Their winning has become hot fodder for movie reporters who are not convinced they can top the popularity of “Wowowee’s” host. Others think the PMPC has reasons for making them win the title. Mocha Girls has recorded a couple of dance albums for Viva Records, two cuts from which “Patcha” and “Deliciosa” became big hits.

As frontliner, Mocha is a talent of GMA Artist Center and performs regularly at SOP. She has appeared in the soap opera “Twin Hearts” and was Joross Gamboa’s lead in a sexy horror movie ala- “Jennifer Body” of Mega Fox.

The Mocha Girls are booked until next year for high-end events and corporate shows.

Version 4.0 performs at Makati Shangri-La Friday night

Version 4.0 joins the line-up of performing bands at Conways Bar at the Makati Shangri-La. On Friday night, the band takes center stage at one of the leading intimate concert venues in Metro Manila.

Other performing bands this November at Conways are Side A on Mondays, 3rd Avenue on Tuesdays, Hi-way 54 on Wednesdays, Spirit of '67 on Thursdays, and Rockin Revival on Saturdays.

Shows start at 8:30 p.m.

UFC and FIFA thrills on Balls

Elevating the action to the next level of thrill is an entire month of world class events on Balls, the complete channel for all sports buffs on Skycable Channel 34.

UFC 105 fans can’t wait any longer for the main event as Hall of Famer Randy “The Natural” Couture makes his comeback to the light heavyweight division against dynamic striker Brandon “The Truth” Vera on Nov. 15 at 7 a.m. Another great fight that shouldn’t be missed is UFC 106 between superstars Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin in a rematch of their explosive showdown back in 2006. Stay tuned on Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. to find out if this sequel will be another instant classic.
Plus, adding fire and spice to an already fast paced month is the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup on Nov. 21 at 11 p.m. and 23 at 12:30 a.m. Now on its 5th year, the 2009 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Log on to www.ballschannel.multiply.com for more details.

Cong. Irwin gives showbiz early Christmas present

Being a true son of show business, Cong. Irwin Tieng of Buhay Party-list recently gifted all members of the local entertainment industry with a very timely Christmas present – the passing of House Bill 4367 or the “Lowering of the Amusement Tax” bill.

Cong. Irwin, principal author of the bill in the House of Representatives, believes that the local industry – theatre, film and/ or other forms of entertainment – produces the best talents worldwide. Sadly, these talents could not be harnessed because of many factors, including heavy amusement taxes.

Luckily, after a few months, the House Bill was passed into a law as Republic Act 9640.

The new law will reduce the rate of amusement tax from 30 percent to 10 percent on gross receipts of the admission fees on theaters and cinemas, amending Section 140 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

“The industry deserves this help from the country’s legislators,” says Cong. Irwin. “It is one of the early Christmas gifts we could give to our brothers and sisters in the industry.”

According to Cong. Irwin, the law will encourage industry shakers and movers to invest more.

Celebrity doc spearheads art exhibit for typhoon victims

Beauty care specialist Dr. Joel Mendez, through his Big & Small Art Co., recently gathers some painting artists for an exhibit where a big part of the proceeds will be donated for the benefit of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. Called “The Red Paintings,” the ongoing month-long show is done in partnership with Philippine National Red Cross which will facilitate the distribution of the donations.

Around 70 artists shared their works and have their paintings displayed at SM Cubao’s Stage 103 Lower Ground Floor Times Square Wellness II. They were given the color red as inspiration for their art works which they produced specifically for the fund-raising exhibit. “This is a way of helping people through art and I feel blessed that artists have shown interest in supporting this cause,” says the head of Mendez Medical Group.

Artist who submitted their works are, among others, Aleah Angelez, Annali Garcia, Art Marin, Buds Convocar, Darte Palmes, Edwin Martinez, Roland Santos, Ronnie Garcia, Mike Austria, Richard Dela Rosa, and former Manila Bulletin staff Dexter Sy. Sy told the press, “This is a big privilege. More than the exposure that this gives us, it’s really great to help people through your art.”

The Big & Small Co. is located at 4th Flr. Bldg A of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. This has become a good venue for both established and rising artists to showcase their stuff. It’s one of Mendez’s endeavors outside beauty care which his multiple-branch clinic is known for. Some of his celebrity endorsers are TV star Pauleen Luna and beauty queen Melanie Marquez.

The “Red Paintings” exhibit ends on Nov. 26. Dr. Mendez pointed out that a follow-up exhbit of the same nature is in the works, with the blue color as theme.

Let’s Just Play – The Nickelodeon Way!

Nicksters, it’s time to turn off your TV screens for a while, get off the couch, get out, and go play as Nickelodeon brings you this year’s grandest day of play this Sunday, Nov. 15 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Let’s Just Play is a Nickelodeon pro-social initiative dedicated to empowering kids to engage in healthy, active lifestyles. Now on its 5th year, Let’s Just Play continues to promote fun, sportsmanship, fitness, and general well-being for all kids. 

Furthermore, in the spirit of fun and tradition, the Nickelodeon Channel goes “dark” from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 15. This is to encourage all kids to switch off their televisions, get out of the house, and play with friends.

To create a unique outdoor ambience, Nickelodeon turns the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds into one big playground. 

The first 1,000 kids to register at the event get free Let’s Just Play 2009 t-shirts. For more exciting information on Let’s Just Play, just log on to www.nicksplat.com.

Let’s Just Play is presented by Nestlé Koko Krunch and Milo, co-sponsored by Enervon C Plus Syrup, Toy Kingdom, Bibbo Cheesedog, Refresh Juicy Jelly, Tiger Energy Biscuits, Kumon, Del Monte Pineapple, Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste, and Ace Water Spa.