The movie, which is action-packed as it is wacky and funny, is also star-studded. Featured are Mariel Rodriguez, Pokwang, John Lapus, Epi Quizon, Cass Ponti, Uma Khouny, Mura, and Mr. Tony Ferrer, the original Agent X44 himself. Also to watch out for in "Agent X44" are the fabulous costumes, dazzling special effects, funny as well as exciting action scenes.

In "Agent X44," moviegoers will be transported to the swinging 60s when the James Bond craze had the world at its fingertips, so to speak. In the local scene, that era’s most popular secret agent was Tony Ferrer as Agent X44. He was dressed in all-white - shirt, pants and shoes, even his sombrero - and not a strand of hair got misplaced even if he was wiping them "mal hombres" from the face of the earth with high powered guns which he brandished with such flourish that you would think he’s just toying with a garden hose.

Agent X44 lorded it over it over local moviedom, topping the film festivals which started as a side event to the Araw ng Maynila celebration in June before it was expanded into the now Metro Manila Film Festival that actually covers several cities around the country.

The James Bond franchise, now well into its fifth decade and still drawing them into the box-office, got a new shot–in–the–arm with the recent "Casino Royale" which graphically described how James came into being – with blazing guns and bouncing boobs and daring dames, of course.

Now comes Star Cinema’s "X44," a side–splitting spoof starring Vhong Navarro in the title role, dressed all in white Tony Ferrer style.

The movie once again teams up Vhong with direk Joyce Bernal who directed him in the blockbuster "D’ Anothers," also a spoof of another hit movie (Hollywood’s "The Others," topbilled by Nicole Kidman). There has been a clamor for the hit Vhong–Bernal tandem and "X44" is the answer.

In the movie, Agent X44 is tasked to search for the stolen dagger of Lapu–Lapu. Where on earth will Agent X44 find it and how he hurdles the life–threatening stumbling blocks along the way constitute the highlights of the movie calculated to split more sides and cause more bellyaches than "D’Another" ever did.

"X44" is Vhong’s third solo starrer, coming after "Gagamboy" and "Mr. Suave.’

Also starring Juliana Palermo, "X44" opens on Jan. 17.

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2006 was a very good year for Lovi. The lovely 17 year old experienced a lot of "firsts" the past year. "It was an emotional rollercoaster ride," says the pretty teener. Firstly, Lovi’s debut single "I Love You" was released on radio. So impressive was her song that the track hit the number one spot in RX 93.1 for two consecutive weeks – a big feat for a newcomer like Lovi.

This led to the release of her debut album "The Best of My Heart" under Sony-BMG. Critics gave a thumbs up sign for Love’s first album, with the carrier single "I Never Knew Love" hitting the mainstream airwaves all over the country.

Lovi also did her first international recording with the foreign group SameSame. Together, they collaborated on the song "Without You" which hit the Top 10 MYX charts. Lovi was able to shoot the music video all the way to Indonesia where she met a lot of foreign music people as well.

During the second part of the year, Lovi got her big break on television as she crossed over from singing to acting in GMA 7’s first musical afternoon teen drama "Love To Love Season Finale: Jazz Got Lucky." Yes, Lovi got to sing, dance and act in front of the TV cameras for the first time, and she passed with flying colors. But her biggest break would come soon right after when GMA 7 cast Lovi as Krystal, the beautiful daughter in the top-rating primetime soap "Bakekang."

Lovi’s transformation from teen singer to drama actress wasn’t easy. "I received a lot of constructive criticism regarding my acting and I learned from them. Up to this day, I continue to learn and I’m very grateful to all my directors and co-actors who have been my teachers and who are always there to guide me," confesses Lovi.

Indeed, Lovi has learned tremendously from her co-workers. The public has now embraced her as "Krystal" and the show’s phenomenal popularity has helped Lovi reach a wider audience. Proof of this is the warm response that Lovi receives when she’s out in public. Her most recent album mall tour broke sales records for Sony-BMG, and the public has clamored for more public appearances from Lovi.

Before the end of the year, Lovi received two important awards. She was proclaimed the New OPM Artist of the Year by RX 93.1 and she also received the SOP Music Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year (Solo Category). She has also been signed as the endorser for Aficionado Germany Perfume.

So what’s next for Lovi? "I’m releasing a new single, ‘Kung Pwede Lang,’ this January, and I’m very exited about my first major concert, my birthday Valentine show, which will be held at Teatrino on Feb. 11, the day of my birthday," says Lovi.

Indeed, it’s crystal clear that Lovi is set for bigger things in 2007. "If 2006 was a blast, 2007 will be even better," promises Lovi. For those who would like to join Lovi’s forum, just log on to http://lovipoe,proboards101.com

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Bea Alonzo, Agot Isidro, Erik Santos, Danita, Victor Basa, Joem Bascon and Miko Palanca were among the stars who graced the opening of Antonio Hairdressing in Libis. They all lent their support to internationally awarded hairdresser Pin Antonio.

Bea and Agot, long-time clients of Pin led the ribbon-cutting ceremony and were ably supported by the other young stars present. Says Bea, "I have always relied on Pin to make me look and feel beautiful." Erik in the meantime says that Pin has "supported me even if I was just starting. And I don’t go to anyone else."

Antonio Hairdressing is a salon founded by the husband and wife team of Sonny Mangundayao and international-renowned Pin Antonio. Its first branch was opened in Quezon City this year. Antonio’s Hairdressing Libis marks its second brand and even boasts of a Biolage treatment area for the hair that is the first ever in Asia!

Antonio Hairdressing boasts of a group of superb hairstylists and colorists who do a lot of interesting shapes with hair as well as massage therapists and estheticians who do rejuvenating body works and state of the art skin techniques for people from all walks of life. In fact, a motley of customers have already walked in both the Libis and QC branches: From career women, students, housewives and the salon’s celebrity clients. All of them gave their nod of approval to this young and energetic team who will stop at nothing to improve their mission – To Give Fresh, Stylish and Superb Cutting.

Says Sonny Mangundayao, "Even if Antonio Hairdressing in Libis has been in operations for only a few weeks now, the volume of people who come in is overwhelming. In fact, a group of businesswomen in the Southside expressed their interest to open a third branch in BF Homes, Parañaque, upon hearing of the Libis success."

Antonio Hairdressing provides haircutting, hair coloring, hairstyling, permanent wave, make-up, facials, spa facilities including sauna room, and splendid massage techniques and therapy to time conscious professionals, housewives and youngsters in a modest salon environment who has intensively trained professionals whose priority is to continuously render fast and efficient and quality services style to meet customer satisfaction.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 7, go to Judge Aurora P. Navarrete-Recina, Dr. Jaime Laya, Mrs. Amparo Aspiras, Rowena Bautista Mendiola, realtor Louismil Gala, jeweler Benjamin Yap, Frances Alincastre of NCAA, Mrs. Carmencita Valentino, Manny Hernandez, Berni Espiritu, Carrie Javier, Graham Rae Buenaseda, Tom Canchela, Noriel del Rosario, and ABS–CBN Star Magic’s Tanya Scaife...Happy wedding anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Medardo del Rosario of Baldwin Park, CA; and John and Lisa Cortado...