SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – It was an eventful 2016 for the showbiz industry, with many failures, triumphs, and surprises along the way.
As we close the year and welcome 2017 in, let’s look back at the big moments and personalities that had everyone talking.
Here’s what made headlines in 2016.
James Reid and Nadine Lustre are among the country’s top loveteams today and many fans have always believed they were more than friends. The fans were proved right on February 20, when James told the crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum about how much he loved Nadine.
According to a publicist at Viva Entertainment, who manages the couple, the two officially became a couple on February 11. (READ: How James Reid and Nadine Lustre became an official couple)
The two are currently starring in the series Till I Met You.
2. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach’s homecoming
On December 20, 2015, the Philippines won its 3rd Miss Universe crown courtesy of Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. On January 23, Pia returned to the country for the first time since her win, and her week-long stay was filled with events like courtesy calls and a homecoming special. ( IN PHOTOS: Pia Wurtzbach’s Grand Homecoming Special)
Pia has since been in and out of the country due to various commitments. In one interview, Pia expressed that she wanted the 2016 pageant to be held in Manila. On November 3, Pia confirmed that the pageant will be held in Manila after months of negotiations. (READ: Confirmed: Miss Universe pageant to be held in PH – DOT)
3. The recognition of Philippine Cinema abroad
It was a big year for Philippine cinema as our films garnered recognition from many international award-giving bodies.
On February 21, Lav Diaz’s movie Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery) starring Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz won the Silver Bear: Alfred Bauer Prize for a feature film at the Berlin Film Festival. The film’s committee was chaired by Oscar winner Meryl Streep.
Lav’s Ang Babaeng Humayo (The Woman Who Left) also won the 2016 Venice Film Festival Golden Lion award in Italy.
Jaclyn Jose won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in May for her performance in Brillante Mendoza’s film Ma’Rosa – a first for any Filipino actress.
Actor Sid Lucero won the Best Actor award for the movie Toto at the Los Angeles Comedy Festival in May.
Paolo Ballesteros was also awarded Best Actor at the Tokyo International Film Festival in November for his role as a trans woman in the movie Die Beautiful. The movie won the festival’s Audience Award.
Teri Malvar won the Best Actress award for the movie Hamog (Haze) at the Moscow International Film Festival. She also received the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Golden Goblet Award at the 2016 Shanghai International Festival and was honored with the Rising Star Asia Award at the New York Asian Film Festival.
4. Kris Aquino takes time off from showbiz
On March 8, Kris Aquino announced she was taking time off from showbiz to rest and focus on her two kids, Joshua and Bimby. The last episode of Kris TV was aired on March 22.
Although she took time off, Kris still made headlines. During the elections, Kris was criticized for using the presidential chopper. Former Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma and her brother, former President Benigno Aquino III, defended her, saying that the president’s family are allowed to ride with him in official government vehicles. (READ: Kris Aquino addresses uproar over presidential chopper use)
It was also revealed this year that the Abu Sayyaf threatened to kidnap her and members of her family. She later said she was aware of their plans, which spurred the decision not to renew her contract with ABS-CBN.
After taking a rest from showbiz, reports surfaced that Kris was making a comeback in July. On September 12, Kris confirmed that she signed a contract with APT Entertainment, the company behind Eat Bulaga, leading to speculations she was working with GMA 7. ABS-CBN also released a statement wishing her luck in future endevors.
Kris has since made two official showbiz appearances – one at the Ariel’s 100 Fearless Females Summit and hosting the Go Negosyo Summit in Davao last November, where she was supposed to interview President Rodrigo Duterte.
5. Stars of the 2016 elections
The 2016 national elections saw a number of stars running for various positions and supporting their respective presidential candidates.
Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo rallied behind presidential candidate Mar Roxas and current Vice President Leni Robredo. A number of artists such as Jim Paredes, Leah Navarro, and Karylle also supported the Mar-Leni tandem.
Senator Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero also had their own star support, with Chiz’s wife, actress Heart Evangelista, and Grace’s mom, Susan Roces, leading the pack.
Davao mayor and current president Duterte also had many stars backing him during the elections. A number of them were later given positions in the goverment such as Liza Diño-Seguerra, Aiza Seguerra, Cesar Montano, and Arnell Ignacio.
Mocha Uson, who supported Duterte during the elections, found herself in the spotlight when her Facebook page became an instrument for rallying his supporters.
6. Winning international beauty pageants
This 2016, many Filipino beauty queens won titles in the international pageant scene.
On September 24, Jeslyn Santos won the title of Miss United Continents, which was held in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Camille Hirro, the country’s bet to Miss Global won 1st runner up in the competition held in Manila.
On October 26, Nicole Cordoves nabbed 1st runner up at the Miss Grand International pageant in the US.
On October 27, Kylie Verzosa became the 6th Filipina to win the Miss International crown in Tokyo, Japan.
Ganiel Akrisha Krishnan was 2nd runner up in the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant held in Palawan on November 23.
Nichole Manalo was declared 3rd runner up in the Miss Globe pageant, held in Albania on November 25.
The country closed the pageant season with Catriona Gray finishing in the Top 5 of the Miss World pageant in the US.
7. Baron Geisler vs Kiko Matos, other personalities
Perhaps no other showbiz personality was more controversial this year than actor Baron Geisler. In May, a video of Baron attacking a UP student went viral. Baron and the student later settled the matter.
Baron then found himself in another controversy, when a video of him and actor Kiko Matos was posted online fighting in a bar. The two settled their differences in a Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) fight.
Later in the year, it was revealed that Kiko and Baron’s disagreement was all for a documentary titled Beastmode. (READ: Baron Geisler vs Kiko Matos: What was staged and what was real)
Baron also traded barbs with DJ Mo Twister after claiming that he was supposed to be interviewed on Mo’s podcast. (READ: Baron Geisler, Mo Twister trade barbs on social media)
Later in the year, Ping Medina accused Baron of peeing on him without permission during a scene for a movie they were doing.
Ping and director Arlyn dela Cruz spoke about the incident on social media, while Baron defended his actions. He and Ping have since been taken off the movie.
After a meeting about the issue, the Professional Actor Managers, Inc (PAMI) asked their artists not to work with Baron or Arlyn.
8. The It Girls get married and engaged
In 2016, many of the “It Girls” – Georgina Wilson, Isabelle Daza, Solenn Heussaff, and Anne Curtis – got engaged or married.
In April, Georgina surprised everyone by marrying British businessman Arthur Burnand in the UK. In May, she gave details how she and Arthur became a couple, a very private one from her previous relationships.
In August, she announced in an interview with good friend Raymond Gutierrez that she was pregnant with her first child. On December 25, she confirmed that she and Arthur are now parents to a baby boy, whom they reportedly named Archie.
Solenn Heussaff tied the knot with her boyfriend Nico Bolzico last May 27. The two married in France, surrounded by family and friends.
On September 10, Isabelle Daza became Mrs Adrien Semblat in Italy. Isabelle and Adrien dated for 6 years before getting engaged last year. Former senator Bongbong Marcos walked Isabelle down the aisle, following the death of her father, Bong Daza, in July.
Anne Curtis confirmed in December that she’s engaged to boyfriend Erwan Heussaff after being together for 6 years. Erwan, a writer and entrepreneur, popped the question during a trip in the US. The video was posted on Erwan’s YouTube account on December 17.
9. Andi Eigenmann and Jake Ejercito
After years of speculation, it was finally revealed that Jake Ejercito is the father of Andi Eigenmann’s daughter, Ellie. The news was confirmed by Andi’s sister, Maxene, during an interview on Mo Twister’s podcast in September.
Jake opened up about the issue on social media, saying he was just trying to protect Ellie.
Before Jake, it was reported that Albie Casiño was Ellie’s father.
10. Changes to the Metro Manila Film Festival
After last year’s controversial disqualification of the movie Honor Thy Father from the Best Picture category, many changes were made to this year’s festival.
Among them are changes to the criteria for choosing the 8 films that will be featured in the festival and new Executive Committee members. (READ: MMFF 2016 revamped: 10 important changes to know.
All this led to the usual MMFF contenders not getting a spot in the Magic 8. Regal Films producer Mother Lily Monteverde expressed her dismay that Mano Po 7: Chinoy was not part of this year’s line up. The Vice Ganda and Coco Martin movie, The Super Parental Guardians, and Vic Sotto’s film, Enteng Kabisote, also failed to make it to this year’s list.
Instead, films of independent production companies made it to the festival, including the festival’s first documentary entry and an animated film that has been 12 years in the making.
Who do you think was the entertainment newsmaker of 2016? Let us know in the comments section. – Rappler.com
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