ARIRANG TV STAFF DISCLAIMED MANILA, PHILIPPINES HOSTING POPS IN SEOUL 1000th EPISODE
ARIRANG.co.kr
By: Cassiopea @AsianFanatics



Ahn Jae-hyun, the english writer of Arirang Pops in Seoul disclaimed the spreading promotion of Pops in Seoul 1000th episode on Arirang news page which is said to be held in Manila, Philippines on July 5th. Fans of Min Kyung Hoon demanded a confirmation from them and so they did. Arirang Pops in Seoul is the most popular music program and has opened an online voting since 1998.

Pops in Seoul 1000th survey is an online casting votes survey for different categories such as "Best Male Solo Artists", "Best Female Solo Artists", "K-pop's Best Singing Group", "Best Music Video of the Year", and "Exotic Backdrops of K-pop Music Videos".

The survey lasted for 14 consecutive days (May 30 to June 13). The staff confirmed that there is no such thing as definite destination abroad for its program episodes.

VJ Isak feels sorry about the Philippine fans of Min Kyung Hoon who have been anticipating for it.

badbadz

POPS IN SEOUL CELEBRATES 1,000th EPISODE IN MANILA
SpiderLiliez LiveJournal
By: SpiderLiliez
Credits: CassPH + JungYunho @Multiply


It is a fact that there are thousands of Koreans living and studying in the Philippines, but there are hardly any news of Kpop artists and events being held there.

This time Filipino fans gets that Kpop treat as Arirang’s top program POPS IN SEOUL comes to Manila to celebrate their 1000th episode. It’s expected that the event will be swarmed by fans.

The program will tape their special episode hosted by VJ Isak and special guest artist Min Gyoong-Hun (BUZZ). It has been recently confirmed that the taping will take place at the Manila Film Center, on July 5, 2008 at 3pm. According to our source, the event is admission free, so Filipino Kpop fans can watch the taping.

The venue, Manila's Film Center is rumored to be a famous haunted building built in the late 1970's. The rumor makes fans even more curious and eager to participate.

Pops in Seoul, has been airing since 1998, and has continuously presented Kpop music to the world for the past nine years. It is Arirang TV's most popular music program. Hosted by VJ Isak (Kim Isak), the program features current music and news on what’s hot on K-pop culture.

The program also aims to support and promote Korean musicians' activities abroad and providing overseas viewers with the latest Korean pop music and information.


[ UPDATE! ]

Min Gyoong-Hun (BUZZ) will not be the show's guest artist on their 1000th episode.
It's been been reported that Click-B's Evan will be coming instead. So Click-B fans, you're in for a treat!

Here's an update on the said event. ( click here )

FEMALE BIG BANG + SANDARA PARK = ?
Hankooki
By: KRNLoop


YG Entertainment's “Female BIG BANG,” which is composed of Park Bom, Gong Minji and CL, might turn out to be a quartet!

According to a YG Entertainment official, it is currently being discussed whether Sandara Park, who started her showbiz career in 2004 after joining the star search “Star Circle Quest” in the Philippines, will be added to the trio.

In a message by Yang Hyun Suk that was posted in the agency’s official website last May 19, Yang mentioned that Sandara Park came back to Korea a year ago and is preparing to debut as an actress and that as a singer, compared to Park Bom, Gong Minji and CL, Sandara Park still has more work to do.

CHARICE STILL "HIGH" AFTER HER OPRAH EXPERIENCE
Asian Fanatics
By: Bong Godinez
Translations: amenoireis @LJ


This time, it was Oprah Winfrey's turn to be charmed.

With her Ellen DeGeneres appearance still lingering in the memories of her countrymen, young singing sensation Charice pulled off another stellar feat when she graced the highly-popular U.S. talk show Oprah, hosted by Oprah Winfrey.

Charice shared to The Buzz yesterday, May 4, that the influential American host and media mogul deliberately skipped watching the rehearsal session so as to maintain that element of surprise come the actual taping.

"Kahit po siya hindi niya po ako kilala, (she didn't even know who I was)" said Charice to hosts Boy Abunda and Ruffa Gutierrez.

"Kumbaga, talaga pong gusto niya po ma-surprise sa talent ko so nag-perform po ako nandoon po siya sa gilid (it was like she was just in the corner cause she wanted to be surprised by my talent)," she added, while obviously still reeling from the entire experience.

Throughout the performance, Oprah silently watched in one corner as Charice exhibited her vocal power along with other young talents.

"Nasa gilid po siya nanonood po, so kinantahan ko po siya (She [Oprah] was in the corner, so I sang to her)," recounted the 15-year-old belter from Cabuyao, Laguna. Oprah, as shared by Charice, was moved by the performance saying, "Medyo naluha po siya tapos sinabi po niya sa akin nung after po ng performance ko, sinabi niya sa akin na hindi daw po siya makapaniwalang ganoon kagaling ang mga Pinoy. (She was teary eyed and then after the performance she told me, she can't believe the Filipinos are that good)."


WINNING FANS ALL OVER THE GLOBE

Oprah's enthusiasm with Charice's extraordinary talent isn't entirely new. Since placing third behind eventual champion Sam Concepcion in the local singing tilt Little Big Star in 2005, Charice's singing career skyrocketed; bolstered mainly through video postings of her performances in YouTube.

Prior to Oprah's show, Charice had been invited by a handful of foreign programs after seeing her perform in South Korea's Star King. E! later on cited Charice in its "The Daily 10" segment under the banner "A Star Is Born."

The "Hollywood Royalty Segment," on the other hand, acknowledged the young singer with a headline that read "A Queen Is Born."

Unknown to Charice, American talk show host Ellen DeGeneres had been keeping an eye on her after watching her sing in YouTube. Ellen even showed clippings of Charice singing and went on to imitate her gestures before issuing an invitation to the Filipino talent to grace the show.

On December 19, 2007, Charice accepted Ellen's invitation and performed two songs on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The young singing sensation also had the chance to personally meet esteemed American composer David Foster during her short U.S. stay.

Last April 8, 2008, Charice once again conquered the international stage, this time as a guest performer in London's Paul O' Grady Show.

Charice dished out her two signature cover songs: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" taken from the movie Dreamgirls and Whitney Houston's massive 1992 smash hit "I Will Always Love You." Charice received two standing ovations from the audience.

Charice was also featured in various news programs abroad like CNN and France News.

But nothing still beats the euphoria of meeting, much more, sharing the spotlight with the unrivaled Oprah Winfrey.

"Sa studio po, nung nag-guest po ako... So siyempre before po ako mag-perform, nung rehearsal po, ipinakita po sa akin ‘yong studio. So sabi po nila, tingnan mo na, diyan ka kakanta bukas, (In the studio, when I did the guesting... So of course before performing, during the rehearsal, they showed me the studio. So they told me to look at it, that I'll be singing there tomorrow)," she recalled being told by the staff.

Just the thought of stepping inside the Harpo studio was enough to excite Charice. "So parang hindi po ako makapaniwala na ‘yon na ‘yong studio ng Oprah tapos sabi umikot ka diyan, tumalon ka... Tumalon po ako kasi talagang ‘yon po ‘yong pangarap ko—makapag-guest sa show na ‘yon (So I can't believe that that's already the studio of Oprah and then they told me to turn around and jump there... I jumped because it's really my dream to be a guest in that show)," she confessed to Boy and Ruffa.

On May 12, the entire world will finally witness the realization of that dream.

amenoireis

CHOI SI WON WILL VISIT THE PHILIPPINES AS NEW "BENCH MODEL"
Sujusahoe.com + Superjuniorphilonly @multiply


Choi Si Won will visit Philippines on a four-day promotion tour for the clothing line "Bench" in June.

Si Won gained about 1,000 Philippine netizens and will be given a star treatment in Manila, dining from a special menu at the most luxurious hotel.

Also, Si Won will travel to the Philippines to participate in a Habitat for Humanity project presided by the Filipino NGO Gawad Kalinga and with teen star KC Concepcion.

Si Won will then go back to China for the first round of "Bench" promotion tour along with Super Junior-M.

AFTER "ELLEN," CHARICE GUESTS ON "OPRAH"
ABS-CBN News
Video by: FalseVoice2


Filipino singing sensation Charice Pempengco will once again charm audiences in the US and the rest of the world with her upcoming performance in the highest-rating television talk show, "Oprah".

"I have a guesting on Oprah. I already finished singing for an episode," Charice told ABS-CBN News.com in a phone interview after returning from London where she appeared in a popular British talk show.

But other than confirming her appearance on "Oprah", the young diva declined to give other details. However, she disclosed that a teaser for the episode, which includes her, can be viewed on YouTube.

"I think it's already on Youtube," Charice said.

The episode will air in May.

Charice returned to the country Thursday afternoon after appearing in the Paul O’Grady Show in London, Tuesday, April 8. Just as she did in the Ellen DeGeneres show in December 2007, Charice also delighted audiences in Britain with her performance on the TV talk show, Paul O'Grady Show.

CHARICE PEMPENGCO ON LONDON'S PAUL O'GRADY SHOW
AMPED ASIA
By: 4jpz
Video by: FalseVoice2

Charice Pempengco wowed audiences on the other side of the hemisphere, this time London's Paul O'Grady Show. She performed on the said show yesterday, April 8, 2008, singing two songs Dream Girls' "I am Telling You" and Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You."

She stated that she would have love to see Paul McArtney and The Queen during her London tour but is unfortunate not to see them.

The Paul O'Grady Show is a British comedy chat show on London's Channel 4.

DETAILS
Urszula Dudziak - Papaya
MP3 Format
192 kbps / 44 kHz
Disco / Swing / Dance

DOWNLOAD LINK
[ MP3 ] ~ http://www.4shared.com/file/41858058/

SANDARA PARK: WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW
SpiderLiliez LiveJournal.com
By: SpiderLiliez


Many people ask and wonder if Sandara Park is Filipina (a female of 100% Philippine descent) or part Filipina, because people have been reading that she was from the Philippines.

The answer is NO she is not Filipina. She and her family moved to the Philippines from Korea in 1995, probably for her and her siblings (brother and sister) to study since it is known that studying in the Philippines is cheaper than studying in Korea or elsewhere, plus you get to learn and master English because Filipinos have English as their 2nd language.

She joined "Star Circle Quest" because she wants to be a star. I remember my sister's friend telling me, that her high school classmate (Neri Naig) also an aspiring actress that time was in SCQ and that a Korean girl is winning against the other Filipino contestants. Many  were questioning at first why people were voting for Sandara when she doesn't seem talented.

It was obvious though at that time that Filipinos were hooked on the "Korean-Mania" sweeping the nation at that time. Sandara was really lucky because of that as people enthusiastically voted for her. She was very popular during her stardom and Filipinos affectionately nicknamed her "Krung-Krung" aside from her other nickname, Sandy.

For Sandara her celebrity profession became her family's bread and butter. Sandara became the breadwinner of her family, it was something that almost everyone in the Philippines know about her. Her problem with her father was widely known as well.

For some reason during the height of her career, she left for Korea (which was a bad decision at that time, reportedly because she wanted to study in Korea). When she came back to the Philippines the "Sandara-Mania" had died down, and a new set of starlets had taken her place, which was sad. She stayed on for the entertainment business for a while and had a few projects, but not enough reason to stay anymore. It was a big blow for her fans, cos finally in August 1, 2007 she decided to come back to Korea for good with her family.

And in Korea, since some people in the entertainment industry took notice of her previous works in the Philippines she was taken in by YG Entertainment and started her training. And now it looks like YG is indeed ready to make her a star. Let's wait and see...

T.O.P. KISSES SANDARA PARK
Yonhap / Buhay sa Korea
By: Yonhap + Betchay + SpiderLiliez


The number one most searched topic on Daum (a popular Korean website) recently is Big Bang's T.O.P. and Sandara Park's kissing scene for singer Gummy's (거미) new music video (미안해요, Mianhaeyo or "Sorry"). Indeed this is the start of Sandara Park's popularity rose among netizens. The video revolves around the story of T.O.P's character getting through the sadness of Sandara's character leaving him.

Sandara started her showbiz career in the Philippines in 2004 through "Star Circle Quest" and was really popular there during her stardom, and finally came back to Korea in August 2007. Since then, she has been receiving acting trainings under YG Entertainment.

Earlier today, March 7, the keyword "Sandara Park" ranked 1st in Naver's "real-time most searched" list followed by "Gummy I'm Sorry", "Gummy", "TOP", and "TOP Kiss Scene" respectively. In Daum's "real-time news search" list, "TOP Kiss Scene" ranked 2nd while "Sandara Park" ranked 4th.

Because of the unexpected turn of events, YG Entertainment could not help but express its surprise and a hint on what is next to come for Sandara Park.

"We didnt know that Sandara Park will be receiving this kind of hot reaction. She'll soon officially debut as an actress in a drama. She left the Philippines for a career in Korea and thats sad. But after establishing a strong base here, were planning on doing promotions in the Philippines." says YG.

Sandara is referred to in Korea as the 필리핀 보아  (Philippine Boa). The MV is her official debut on the Korean entertainment scene.

MANILA OCEAN PARK TO OPEN ON FEB. 24, 2008
The Daily Tribune
02/10/2008

The much-awaited opening of the Manila Ocean Park (MOP) is slated on Feb.24, 2008 after its supposed opening late last year was delayed due to unfinished construction. The opening of the park was originally set to open last December in time for the Christmas season but was moved to February since additional attractions were made, according to Tina Santos, the park’s marketing officer.

With the park’s construction, Filipinos will have the opportunity to view and learn more about its own marine riches. The park has earned protests from animal rights advocates but both officials from Manila Ocean Park and the Worldwide Fund for Nature have signed last month a partnership which states that the marine park has “immense potential to create further awareness for the country’s marine issues.”

The officials of the marine park have promised not to show protected and endangered species unless these are captive-bred from Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species-certified farms and facilities. The park also has a science research program, an empirical research on the development of a technology for coral propagation for reef rehabilitation.

Manila Ocean Park is the country’s first world-class and largest aquarium facility. It will showcase marine biodiversity from within and around the waters of the Philippines. The park is owned by China Oceanis Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of China Oceanis Inc., a Singaporean-registered firm that has operated four oceanariums in China.

Source:
http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/20080210met5.html

Website:
http://www.manilaoceanpark.com

The Oceanarium
It is divided into 7 sections as shown below. It will feature the captivating Philippine marine life.



Agos (Flow)
Enter the journey and witness water cascading from an artificial waterfall that flows into 8 different water tanks displaying various flora and fauna. The water flow replicates the fresh water source that eventually leads to the open ocean, creating a model of the interconnectedness between land and sea. The rocky shoreline is showcased in a Touch Pool where one can physically encounter animals on display.

Bahura (Reef)
The Philippines is home to a vast number of coral life forms. Bahura is a series of 48 tanks that feature the very colorful Philippine underwater rainforest. Be fascinated with the multiple hues and diverse life forms found in our Philippine coral reefs.

Laot (Fishing Ground) Four big distinct aquariums will display an assortment of fish in all sizes and colors. These impressively large exhibits will definitely be a sight to behold.




Buhay na Karagatan (Living Ocean)
Experience a slice of ocean life! Enjoy a breathtaking 25-meter walk along an underwater tunnel and experience how marine animals interact with each other in their natural habitat. This main feature of the Oceanarium provides an unmatched and truly awesome encounter with the rich underwater world.

Ang Kalaliman (The Deep)
Ang Kalaliman’s deep sea resident is the barracuda - known for its toothy grin as the “Tiger of the Sea”. Be mesmerized by one of the ocean’s most interesting and sometimes feared inhabitants.

Overhang Tank
Watch a variety of rays fly over while you're under this unique Overhang Tank. Walk beneath these magnificent creatures and marvel at how freely they swim and interact with each other.

Pating (Shark)
The Philippines is home to several species of shark. Come fact-to-face with the wonderful, often misunderstood, predators of the sea – only here at MOP

Open Water Marine Habitat
Two Open Water Marine Habitats provide an exciting escape amidst the bustling metropolis. Now you can go snorkeling or diving without having to go out of town.

Mall
The Mall will feature new and unique shops that are not commonly found in other malls. It will likewise showcase a unique restaurant row located at the rear of the facility, alongside a promenade that offers an unobstructed view of the Manila Bay.

Concourse Plaza
The Concourse Plaza houses events 365 days a year. There is never a dull moment at MOP. Expect big events like concerts, performances and product launches everytime you visit MOP.

Manila Ocean Park
Quirino Grandstand Luneta,
Manila, Philippines

Tel: (632) 4000604, (632) 4000681, (632) 4000691
Fax: (632) 4000732

Admission Rate

• Student’s Rate - P250
  
• Children’s Rate - P350
  
• Adult’s Rate - P400

Opening Hours

• The Oceanarium - 10AM to 6PM Daily
  
• The Mall - 10AM to 9PM Weekdays / 10AM to 10PM Weekends and Holidays
  
• The Open Marine Habitat - 10AM to 9PM Daily

Construction Photos

Below are construction images of the Manila Ocean Park.