The last laugh

A round-up of news and gossip from the entertainment scene in The Philippines.

Film piracy continues as senior officials bicker

Senator Bong Revilla and Edu Manzano, actors with high profile government positions, were involved in an acerbic exchange of accusations last week that has the become the hot topic of conversation in showbiz circles.verbal tussle

Revilla has accused Manzano of underperforming in his job as Chairperson of the Optical Media Board (OMB), the agency primarily responsible for combating film piracy in the Philippines. Manzano naturally fought back by saying the senator is using the OMB's often-publicised raids as photo opportunities.

Meantime, as the two officials continue their verbal tussle, piracy goes on unabated. Guess who is having the last laugh?

Idol talk

Idol winners from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam are today competing in the grand finals of the singing competition organised by FremantleMedia, owners of the talent search that has made superstars of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, among others. The winner will be crowned the Asian Idol in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In an online poll being conducted on the contest's official website at theasianidol.tv, the Philippines' Mau Marcelo was way ahead of the second-most popular Idol, the singer from Vietnam.

Last year's American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, Australian Idolchampion Guy Sebastian and Filipino band Rivermaya have been invited to perform in the regional finals.

Crying foul

Valerie surprised many when she told some friends from the media that she cried over a kissing scene in a movie she did with boxing champion Manny Pacquiao. According to her manager, the scene wasn't necessary but the director insisted on shooting it. Is Valerie implying that Pacquiao insisted on kissing her in the movie?

People who have seen the rushes say the kissing scene was quite passionate and also tastefully done. Does that mean Valerie is a fantastic actress?