Closing Ceremonies - 2008 Beijing Olympics

The 29th Games of the Olympiad has come to an end. The Beijing 2008 Olympics ended with the putting out of flame and a lot of fireworks.

Gretchen Espina is the first Pinoy Idol - The Final Results Night - Pinoy Idol

Gretchen Espina of Biliran is the very first Pinoy Idol.

Gretchen Espina - "To You" - The Final Results Night - Pinoy idol

It will be up to Jayann and Gretchen as to who will be the first Pinoy Idol. Here is Gretchen Espina with her rendition of "To You", the Pinoy Idol Song composed by Ogie Alcasid.

Jayann Bautista - "To You" - The Final Results Night - Pinoy Idol

It will be up to Jayann and Gretchen as to who will be the first Pinoy Idol. Here is Jayann Bautista with her rendition of "To You", the Pinoy Idol Song composed by Ogie Alcasid.

Ram Chaves out - The Final Results Night - Pinoy Idol

The Final Results Night of Pinoy Idol was held at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia complex. From the Final Three of Ram, Gretchen and Jayann, one of them will emerge as the first Pinoy Idol. But Ram's journey to Pinoy Idol ended first.

Richard Gutierrez The Buzz Interview

Boy Abunda of The Buzz had an exclusive interview with Richard Gutierrez.

The Final Song of the Final Three - The Final Showdown - Pinoy Idol

This will be the performance that will make one of them the very first Pinoy Idol. The Final Three sings their Final Song.

Regine Velasquez - "I Can Go The Distance" - The Final Showdown - Pinoy Idol

Asia's Songbird and Pinoy Idol Mentos sings "I Can Go The Distance" with the Final Three of Pinoy Idol.

Gretchen - "Stand Up For Love" - Mentor's Choice - The Final Showdown - Pinoy Idol

Like Ram Chaves, Gretchen chose the Queen of Soul Jaya as her favorite mentor, and Jaya chose the song "Stand up for Love"

Jayann - "You'll Never Walk Alone" - Mentor's Choice - The Final Showdown - Pinoy Idol

Jayann Bautista chose Asia's Songbird Ms. Regine Velasquez, and Regine chose the song "You'll Never Walk Alone".

Ram - "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" - Mentor's Choice - The Final Showdown - Pinoy Idol

Ram chose Jaya as his favorite Mentor, and Jaya suggested the song "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing."

Basil Valdes - "Let The Pain Remain" - The Final Showdown - Pinoy Idol

The Premiere Balladeer Mr. Basil Valdes graces the Final Showdown of Pinoy Idol with "Let The Pain Remain".

Gretchen - "For Your Eyes Only" - Judge's Choice - The Final Showdown - Pinoy Idol

Gretchen received a call from judge Jolina Magdangal and her song was "For Your Eyes Only".

Ram - "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - Judge's Choice - The Final Showdown - Pinoy Idol

Ram Chaves visited his hometown in Cagayan de Oro and the Honorable Mayor Constantino Jaraula announced his song "Bridge Over Troubled Water" as chosen by Ogie Alcasid.

Jayann - "I'll Never Love This Way Again" - Judge's Choice - The Final Showdown - Pinoy Idol

Jayann Bautista sang "I'll Never Love This Way Again" as chosen by Judge Wyngard Tracy.

Opening Presentation - The Final Showdown - Pinoy Idol

The Final Three performs at the SMX Convention Center for The Final Showdown of Pinoy Idol.

Gretchen Espina - "I'm Here" - Pinoy Idol

Gretchen Espina sang "I'm Here" by Fantasia in this Final Gala Night of the Final Five of Pinoy Idol.

Ogie - "In the beginning of the song, I could not really understand what you are singing... sayang yung progress mo..."
Wyngard - "The song was really not for you... hindi mo talaga na-perform well."
Jolina - "I think you're very beautiful tonight."

Ram Chaves - "Bahay Yugyugan" - Pinoy Idol

Ram Chaves sang "Bahay Yugyugan" by Francis Magalona in the Final Gala Night of the Final Five of Pinoy Idol.

Wyngard - "Yang ganyang klaseng (song) performance, you do it well... ang concern ko lang, parang wala akong makitang iba na pwede mong ipakita other than that."
Ogie - "That was really a solid performance, that was really good... we want to hear something so, so, so soulful..."
Jolina - "Kasi ito kitang kita na kayang kaya mo Ram...medyo expected ito."

Jayann Bautista - "Finally" - Pinoy Idol

Jayann Bautista sang "Finally" by Fergie in this Final Gala Night of the Final Five of Pinoy Idol.

Ogie - "Parang Diesel ka... umiinit, nakukuha mo na yung tono..."
Jolina - "Nakikita ko at nararamdaman ko yung kagustuhan mo sa kanta, parang nadadala na rin ako..."
Wyngard - "I'm not so familiar with the song... pero nakikita kong nag-eenjoy ka... nagawa mo naman ng tama."

Kid Camaya - "Careless Whisper" - Pinoy Idol

Kid Camaya sang "Careless Whisper" by George Michael in this Final Gala Night of the Final Five of Pinoy Idol.

Wyngard - "Sa tingin ko ngayon so far kayo ni Daryl ang magkalaban."
Ogie - "You really did it tonight."
Jolina - "Napakaganda ng boses mo... yun na yun, ikaw na ito."

Daryl Celis - "The Promise" - Pinoy Idol

Daryl Celis sang "The Promise" as popularized by Martin Nievera in this Final Gala Night of the Final Five of Pinoy Idol.

Jolina - "Para sa akin, bagay na bagay... totality, you have it."
Ogie - "It wasn't perfect, it was nearly perfect... I was extremely proud of you."
Wyngard - "Pwedeng pwede kang maqualify sa top three."

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies - Part 7

This is the moment we've been waiting for. The passing of the torch and the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron. It was breath-taking.

Images and video courtesy of CS - RPN 9 Philippines.

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies - Part 6

Here's the part where the Olympic Flag is raised.

Images and video courtesy of CS - RPN 9 Philippines.

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies - Part 5

Last of the Opening Performances: A globe rises at the center of the stadium, with two singers atop. Performers at the background hold umbrellas with pictures of children from all over the world.

Images and video courtesy of CS - RPN 9 Philippines.

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies - Part 4

It's the kid's turn to draw on the giant paper. Another stunning show of grace and harmony.

Images and video courtesy of CS - RPN 9 Philippines.

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies - Part 3

More of the Beijing Olympics 2008 Opening Ceremonies: Enter the Dragon, a journey through lights and sounds, and the flight of birds and the BirdNest formation (The Beijing National Stadium).

Images and video courtesy of CS - RPN 9 Philippines.

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies - Part 2

For the second part, we will see some bricks with Chinese characters at the top, which moves up and down and shapes into something. Nice to watch. Next is the kuileixi, a Chinese puppet show, then some of the great explorations of China in a spectacular show of lights and hues.

Image and video courtesy of CS - RPN 9 Philippines.

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies - Part 1

The Opening Ceremonies of the 29th Olympiad at Beijing, China, is something worth watching over and over again. It's like watching traditional Chinese films - lots of flying, gracious movements, and vivid colors. Add to it the Chinese' favorite element - fire. Yes, lots of it. For this first part, watch the welcome tune of 2,008 drummers, fully in-sync. Next is the symbolic 29 Footsteps, fireworks that shape into a footprint in the sky. After that is the display of the Olympic Rings, then the singing of China's National Anthem. After the anthem, the audience is taken down to history and wonder at China's most priced invention - paper. A giant scroll is placed at the center of the stadium, with dancers drawing as they dance.

Image and video courtesy of CS - RPN 9 Philippines.

Paris Hilton turned down West Side

Socialite Paris Hilton turned down the chance to take to the stage in London's West End - because the play didn't fit in with her schedule.

The hotel heiress was recently approached to take on the role of Roxie Hart in hit musical Chicago.

But Hilton turned down the part because it meant she would have to endure a gruelling six-day week.

She says, "We did some rehearsals, but then I found out it was six days a week for a couple of months.

"I was flattered, but with my schedule, there was no way I could fit it in."

Piolo speaks on Angel-Claudine issue

Heartthrob Piolo Pascual speaks on the issue of his no-show at the Bench Blackout event and his participation in the Angel-Claudine feud. According to him, he really doesn't want to participate in the underwear show, unlike what co-model Richard Gomez said that Piolo backed-out from the event. He also told the press that he tried to play safe on the issue of having to choose who between Angel and Claudine he favors most, although he admitted on speaking to only one party, which he didn't named.

Ryan Agoncillo to host Pinoy Fear Factor

Famous for his hosting stint in "Philippine Idol" (aired at ABC5, now the franchise was bought by GMA 7 and the show renamed to "Pinoy Idol"), Ryan Agoncillo is back to hosting but now in the camp of ABS-CBN for its new Endemol franchise, "Pinoy Fear Factor". Pinoy Fear Factor will shoot in South America, particularly Argentina, so Ryan will be away from his bride-to-be Judy Ann Santos for more than a month. He is bound to fly this August.

Images and video courtesy and copyright of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation.