Willie Revillame

ABS-CBN imposed an extended leave for Willie Revillame up to Sept. 20 in response to the case Movie and Television Ratings and Classification Board (MTRCB) filed against the “Wowowee” host.

Below is the network’s official stand on the issue:

“In the interest of self-regulation, ABS-CBN has availed of the conciliation process under Section 6, Rule 7, of the MTRCB Rules of Procedures, regarding the incidents involving Mr. Willie Revillame in the program Wowowee. After having considered the facts, issues and terms of self-regulation to be imposed in the pertinent cases, the MTRCB has approved the same. 

WHEREOF, the ABS-CBN shall undertake to perform the following:

1. Extend Mr. Revillame’s leave until 20 September 2009, and
2. Remove the present dance segment of Luningning and Saicy. 

FURTHER, ABS-CBN reiterates that it is fully aware of its legal and moral responsibilities as a broadcaster and shall undertake to continue to uphold the values and customs of the Filipino viewing public.”

Cristine replaces Heart in new movie

Cristine Reyes is technically a Kapuso artist once again as she teams up with Richard Gutierrez for the suspense flick “Patient X” co-produced by GMA Films and Regal Entertainment.

Cristine replaced first choice Heart Evangelista when the latter had to be confined to a hospital for removal of appendicitis. Heart’s loss seemed to be Cristine’s gain but everything’s well between Heart and the producers because she had no choice but to back out from the project.

‘District 9’ sends local media to cringe zone

Cathartic cringing has a new name in “District 9.”

“District 9” is the current sci-fi thriller showing all over the country. Viva International recently held a press screening of the film that has been getting good reviews on the web. The plot and highlights really made an impact on those who saw the press preview at the Podium.

Even the review site Rotten Tomatoes reported 89 percent of critics gave “District 9” a nod based on 183 reviews. One critic wrote that the film is “Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, ‘District 9’ has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic.”

Directed by Neill Blomkamp and produced by Peter Jackson, “District 9” stars Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope and Robert Hobbs. Copley plays the role of Wikus van de Merwe who is assigned to evict and move an alien species stranded on Earth from one government refugee camp to another in Johannesburg, South Africa. Things went out of control when Wikus is exposed to an alien substance that alters his DNA.

The film has shades of “Wall-E,” “28 Days Later,” “The Blair Witch Project” and “Transformers” with a strong sense of characterization and a love story that binds the story full circle.

Nikki Gil reflects on relationship with Billy Crawford

Nikkie Gil who just celebrated her 22nd birthday last August 23 said she’s happy to know that things between her and Billy Crawford are going pretty well. “Yung age difference namin has something to do with it and the maturity level. Kasi mature na nga si Billy and he’s been so much in life and ako naman, I’m still learning. So, parang may factor na kapag mainit ang ulo ko dahil bilang babae, hindi niya ako sinasabayan.”

She described of Billy to be “very malambing kasi siyempre, tingin ng mga tao sa kanya parang astig, pero malambing. Baby siya! Very thoughtful. Ano kasi siya, bilang mature na siya, ayaw na niya yung pinapatagal pa ang away. Kunwari, meron kami na nagkainitan kami ng ulo, after 10 minutes, tanungin mo siya, record namin, the longest na away namin, 10 minutes!”