by magnolia_eic | Jan 20, 2010 | Entertainment, Features
AVATAR -- another top grossing film by Director James Cameron
Los Angeles — Science-fiction epic “Avatar” boomed way past the $500-million mark at the North American box office this weekend, pushing its way towards an all-time record.
Box office tracker Exhibitor Relations said James Cameron’s groundbreaking 3-D spectacular added to its haul over the four-day Martin Luther King Holiday weekend with another $54.4 million.
In North Amerca, the movie has earned 504.9 million dollars in only 32 days, and is now 3rd to 2008 Batman sequel “The Dark Knight” ($533.3 million) and “Titanic” ($600.8 million).
“The records are starting to look inevitable now – Cameron will end up sinking his own ship,” quipped Exhibitor Relations chief analyst Jeff Bock in reference to “Avatar’s” pursuit of “Titanic.”
The box office numbers have moved beyond the usual demographics. People who would never normally go to see a science fiction film or a film in 3-D are going to see ‘Avatar’ because they want to be part of the conversation.
“And it is also attracting repeat business — people going to see it two, three, four or five times. That is extremely unusual for a film released outside the summer season.”
This weekend’s stellar performance came as “Avatar” celebrated its best drama and best director accolades at Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, confirming the film’s status as an Oscars front-runner.
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by magnolia_eic | Jan 20, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde showed no signs of illness prior to his heart failure
Malacanang Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, one of PGMA’s most trusted cabinet members, dies of heart failure Tuesday at 11:51 am. Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said that Remonde had a “major heart incident” in his Bel-Air house while preparing for a conference at Malacanang. Remonde was rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious inside his bathroom. Doctors were unable revive Remonde and pronounced him dead at 11:51 AM at the Makati Medical Center.
Remonde showed no signs of illness when he attended the Sinulog Festival in Cebu the previous week. Press Undersecretary Romeo “Butch” Junia said that he and Remonde had come from a Palace meeting Monday night where Remonde appeared to be in good health.
Remonde previously served chief of the Presidential Management Staff prior to his appointment as Press Secretary in February 1, 2009…
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by magnolia_eic | Jan 18, 2010 | Features, Major Events
Every year a pageant is held to crown the best festival queen among the competing groups for the Sinulog grand parade. Unlike beauty pageants, the sinulog festival queen is not only a test of talent and beauty, but also skills in carrying the holy image of the Santo Nino. They should know how to properly hold it, just like an infant, but at the same time, still has the grace and poise in dancing to the Sinulog beat. Since they are the lead dancer, they also have to posses some leadership skills in maintaining order in their contingent during the parade.
This year’s winners are:
Festival Queen – Kim Villacampa (San Carlos City)
1st runner up – Rata Mae Joy Verano (Abellana National Highschool)
2nd runner up – Shiela Paulino (Placer, Masbate)
3rd runner up – Lota Correos (Lanao del Norte)
4th runner up – Lourdes Mae Santillan (Tribu Banilad Night Highschool)
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by magnolia_eic | Jan 18, 2010 | Election 2010, Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines — Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has given his support behind Partido ng Masang Pilipino’s vice presidential candidate Makati Mayor Jejomar “Jojo” Binay, but apparently will not back the party’s standard bearer,former President Joseph Estrada.
In an interview with Inquirer, the vice presidentiable confirmed that Escudero was joining his campaign, but noted however that it was “not a package deal”. This meant that Escudero made no commitment to support Estrada.
Sources have been telling that Escudero is to support presidentiable Noynoy Aquino, and Binay responds to this as precisely the reason why his party has yet to decide on Escudero’s actual campaign role. Supporting another presidentiable might eat up most of his time. Binay haas considered Escudero a great asset to his campaign team.
Escudero and Binay were part of Poe’s campaign team in 2004 as spokesperson and campaign manager, respectively.
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by magnolia_eic | Jan 17, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Malay, Aklan (16 January) — PGMA has announced that the Philippines will be sending a medical team to Haiti. The the Department of Health (DOH) has been directed to form the team that will be sent to help the on-going rescue and relief operations.
President Arroyo made the announcement during the launching and capsule laying ceremonies of the Caticlan Airport Development Project last January 15.
She also told the AFP to put its reserve peace keeping company on standby for possible request of the United Nations (UN) for additional troops.
“We’ve been a recipient of international assistance, now it is our turn to do that,” the President said referring to the aids offered by international donors in the aftermath of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng last year.
The President also conveyed in a letter the country’s condolences and assurance of support to Haiti President Rene Garcia Preval’s government and people.
Concerned agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) are closely monitoring the progress of the operation as some Filipino peacekeepers remain trapped in one of the collapsed buildings in Haiti’s city of Port-au-Prince.
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