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Makati Shangri-La to close after months of ‘low business levels’

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Makati Shangri-La on Wednesday announced that it would close temporarily starting next month, aside from downsizing its workforce, due to continued low business levels caused by the pandemic.

In a statement, the Makati Shangri-La said after considering “all viable options,” it would reorganize its workforce and operations in the Philippines.

“As part of the reorganization exercise, we will sadly be parting ways with a number of colleagues and we will be temporarily closing Makati ShangriLa, Manila,” it said.

The hotel said at the start of the pandemic, they prioritized the preservation of as many jobs as possible through “multiple cost management initiatives”, such as salary reductions at the management level, implementing shorter work weeks, hiring freeze, and cuts in non-essential spending.

“At the same time, for the past 10 months, we have provided assistance for our rank and file to help them through these challenging times,” it added.

However, the prolonged timeline of restrictions on leisure businesses, such as hotels, has resulted in increasing financial pressure on the MakatiShangri-La’s business in the Philippines.

To help ease the burden on personnel who would be downsized, it said they would receive a “fair compensation package that is higher than local statutory guidelines” and extending health care coverage and grocery support until December 31 this year.

“We are also providing colleagues with career transition assistance to help them get back on their feet,” the Makati Shangri-La said.

It said the hotel will reopen at a later date when business conditions improve, noting that it would “vigilantly monitor” local and global developments in the meantime.

In a statement, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said she was saddened by the decision to close the hotel beginning February 1.

“The hotel has been a pillar in the tourism industry in the country and has contributed to positioning the country in the region and around the globe. Nevertheless, we are hopeful that Shangri-La Makati Hotel will soon reopen its doors to international and domestic clients,” Puyat said.

In the meantime, she said her department would continue to spearhead the acceleration of recovery of the country’s tourism industry and assist its tourism stakeholders “as it has done so in the previous months.” (MNS)

House ratifi es bill on AMLA amendments

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The House of Representatives on Wednesday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on a bill strengthening the country's anti-money laundering law.

The chamber approved the final reconciled version of the measure, which introduces amendments to Republic Act 9160, or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, ahead of the February 2021 deadline set by the Paris-based global dirty money watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The bill seeks to include tax crime as a predicate offense to money laundering and set a threshold to an excess of PHP25 million.

It shall also require the submission of reports on all real estate transactions involving an excess of PHP7.5 million to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

The final version of the bill retained the House provision granting the AMLC the power to investigate, issue subpoenas and conduct search and seizure.

It will now include Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and their service providers among the covered persons.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the proposed law would help the Philippines avoid being included in the gray list of FATF-International Cooperation Review Group.

“We are glad that the bill is now just one step away from becoming a law and we are poised to beat the deadline for us to come up with a much stronger legislation against money laundering so we can avoid being placed on the FATF gray list,” Velasco said.

Inclusion in FATF’s gray list will result in additional layers of scrutiny from regulators and financial institutions, delayed processing of transactions, and blocking the country’s road to an “A” credit rating.

“The Philippines cannot afford to be in that list as it would further hurt the economy already struggling from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

Velasco said the final version of the AMLA amendments will be sent immediately to President Rodrigo Duterte for his signature.

The Philippines was gray-listed by the FATF in 2000 for failing to address “dirty” money issues, paving the way for the enactment of RA 9160 in 2001. It was subsequently removed from the list in February 2005. (MNS)

Entertainment Why Vice Ganda will never leave ABS-CBN

Vice Ganda has professed his support for and loyalty to ABS-CBN, and explained why he would never leave the network.

Vice Ganda said the plot twist that he never wishes to hear is the news that the noontime show will no longer air.

“For me, no. Hindi ko talaga keri. Hindi talaga kekerihin. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko yun idi-deal with. Kasi nangyari na ito sa amin dati,” he said.

Looking back at the times when the show was at its lowest, Vice Ganda mused about how the ABS-CBN management still had their backs and did not cancel their show.

“Ako talaga, hinanda ko na yung sarili ko. Feeling ko talaga, tatanggalin kami nung panahon ng AlDub,” he said referring to the widely popular tandem of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza in their rival show.

“Nung panahon ng AlDub, feeling ko wala nang nanonood ng Showtime. Parang buong Pilipinas, nakatutok sa AlDub. Tapos parang ang laking kasalanan kapag fan ka ng Showtime."

“Ang laking kasalanan kapag nanonood ka ng Showtime. Parang nag-aaway-away yung mga tao sa social media. Parang hindi ka dapat nanonood ng Showtime, dapat lahat tayo nakatutok lang sa AlDub. Yung ganun. Tapos ang baba baba na ng ratings ng Showtime,” he added.

At that time, Vice Ganda said he already reached that point where he’s accepted that their show might be stricken off the air because of how it was performing compared to “Eat Bulaga” where AlDub originated.

What he feared though did not happen as the ABS-CBN management continued to believe in the “It’s Showtime” team.

“Ako, laban na laban pa rin ako. Pero dumating ako sa punto na habang lumalaban ako, tinanaggap ko na feeling ko, anytime soon, tatawagan ako ng management. Tapos sasabihin, ‘We are cancelling the show.’ Tanggap ko yun. Tapos, hindi nangyari. Hindi ginawa ng ABSCBN. Hindi ako nilaglag. Hindi nilaglag yung show,” he said.

For this reason, Vice Ganda vowed to stand by the network now that it needs support the most.

“Yun ang pinanghahawakan ko eh. Magkamatayan na. Hindi ko iiwanan itong ABS-CBN ngayon. Kasi nung nangyari ito sa buhay ko, hindi ako iniwanan VICE GANDA ng ABS eh. Lahat kaming hosts, lahat kaming show, isama na natin yung director namin, hindi ‘yan iniwanan ng ABS nung mukha na kaming kawawa at halos patay na kami,” he said.

“Kaya ngayon na nangyayari ito sa ABS, hindi rin kita iiwanan katulad ng hindi mo pang-iiwan sa akin noon." ABS-CBN’s previous license to operate expired last year and its application for a new franchise was rejected by a House panel in July 2020. (MNS)

What Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla are looking forward to in 2021

KATHRYN BERNARDO & DANIEL PADILLA MAniLA (Mabuhay) — Celebrity couple Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla could not believe that it has already been a year since they started working on their digital movie series “The House Arrest of Us.”

Speaking during its fi nale press conference on Wednesday, the couple said they did not notice how fast time fl ew even if they were just stuck at home most of the time last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Ang bilis ng panahon. Mag-one year na. Hindi natin napansin kasi lahat tayo nasa bahay and busy sa kanya-kanyang work from home situations. Na-realize namin ni DJ na tumatanda na kami. Magbi-birthday na naman ako. Parang kaka-celebrate ko lang nung nag-start 'yung lockdown tapos paparating na naman 'yung March,” she said.

“Parang kailan lang pinag-uusapan natin 'yung gagawin na show for pandemic tapos ngayon fi nale na. Napakabilis ng mga bagay so don’t take it for granted,” Padilla added.

Now that their series is about to end, the two shared what they are looking forward to this 2021.

“As a love team, sana matuloy na din 'yung project na niluluto para sa amin. Sana within the year magawa natin iyon dahil marami na ring nag-aabang and naghihintay. Kami rin siyempre, 'yung storya na binigay sa amin parang nakaka-excite na rin siyang gawin,” Padilla said.

According to Bernardo, the script for their upcoming series is just undergoing some revisions.

“Excited kami sa teleserye na gagawin kasi' yung concept nun galing kay Gege so gusto namin ni DJ talaga. Medyo na-delay 'yun kasi inaayos 'yung script. We are happy because we are working on a project na gusto talaga namin 'yung concept,” she said.

Thanks to their New Year trip to Boracay, Bernardo and Padilla feel recharged and are ready to dive deep into work again.

The couple’s teleserye comeback is one of the off erings ABS-CBN introduced in its “Together As One sa 2021” reveal December.

Based on the teaser, the still-untitled TV project will be a romantic series about experiencing timeless love. (MNS)

Andre Paras, Sef Cadayona to host new Kapuso show ‘Game of the Gens’

MAniLA (Mabuhay) —

Andre Paras and Sef Cadayona are the hosts of new Kapuso show "Game of the Gens."

The comedy game show will feature celebrity contestants belonging to diff erent generations. "Di ba may Boomers, may Millennials, Gen Z, Gen X. Very fortunate kami to host sa ganitong klase nang show na pagsasama-samahin namin sila," Sef said.

Andre said the show will be fun and informative as the questions will revolve around the pop culture of the diff erent generations. "Hindi lang siya magiging game show. 'Yung mga Kapuso natin na manonood, they will learn a lot," he said. "Like ako, born '95 ako pero mahilig ako sa 60s, 70s music. 'Yung iba na-

Catriona Gray hits 11 million followers on Instagram

CATRIONA GRAY MAniLA (Mabuhay) — Catriona Gray shared a stunning throwback photo as she reached a new social media milestone.

The former Miss Universe celebrated on Instagram for having 11 million followers, thanking all those who have supported her on the platform. "Feeling fierce having 11 million of you to share this journey with. Thank you for your never-ending support. I'm always grateful," she said.

This makes Gray one of the most followed celebrities in the Philippines on Instagram, joining the likes of Anne Curtis (16.1 million followers), Liza Soberano (14.7 million followers), Kathryn Bernardo (13.8 million followers), and fellow Miss Universe titleholder Pia Wurtzbach (11.6 million followers).

She has surpassed the follower count of Alex Gonzaga (10.4 million followers), Julia Barretto (9.8 million followers), Nadine Lustre (9.6 million followers), and Vice Ganda (9.5 million followers).

Gray made history in 2018 as the Philippines' fourth Miss Universe, following in the footsteps of Wurtzbach, Margie Moran, and Gloria Diaz. (MNS)

Despite showbiz success, Arci Muñoz still plans to become a pilot

Kapamilya actress Arci Muñoz will soon fulfill her dream to be a pilot.

Muñoz said that her dream to become a pilot is one of the reasons she underwent basic citizen military training last year.

Munoz, who is now a sergeant of the Philippine Air Force Reserve (PAFR) Command, revealed that she will soon enroll in a flying school. "Yun talaga ang gusto ko ever since. Balak ko rin maging piloto. Actually mag-i-start na ako ng flying school ko sa February or March," Muñoz said. "Kailangan ko lang talaga maghanap ng medyo mahaba-habang bakanteng schedule kasi matagal 'yon, matagal ang

ARCI MUñOz pag-aaral na 'yon," she added.

Aside from performing her responsibility as a Filipino, the actress said she took military training to inspire people, especially women. "Actually for me it's part of my responsibility as a citizen of our country, kaya ko ito ginawa. And I also want to inspire a lot of people, mostly the young generation and the girls, tayong mga kababahaihan na kaya rin natin ang ginagawa ng mga lalaki nating sundalo," Muñoz said. "So 'yon 'yung ipinakita ko habang nagte-training kami. Talagang hindi ako sumuko. May time na lumuluha na ang mata ko sa sobrang hirap pero kaya ko 'to. May time na tinatanong ko sarili ko ano ba itong napasok ko but at the end of the day, it's the fulfillment na I endured that feat at during the time of pandemic pa na nakapag-training kami sa bundok pero we did follow safety procedures. Pero ibang feeling, there's a renewed feeling of self-respect na I gained after graduating," she added.

Muñoz said she remains an active reservist. Before her 32nd birthday last January 12, she even joined a humanitarian mission in Tarlac. (MNS)

Nova Villa conferred with papal award

MAniLA (Mabuhay) — Veteran actress Nova Villa was given the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal, the highest award given by the Pope to lay people.

According to a report published by Veritas846, Villa, Novelita V. Gallegos in real life, received the award on January 14 at San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in Quezon City.

“Yung ambisyon kong mag-artista became a mission, lahat ng ginagawa ko sa showbiz ay may kaakibat na misyon,” Villa said.

Villa, who has been in the entertainment industry for five decades, admitted that she was surprised to have been given the recognition.

“Bukal sa puso ko 'yung anything na ginagawa ko for God. I’m happy to do it kahit mahirap,” she said.

Villa also appealed to Filipinos to continue being a good servant of the Lord.

“I think, I am just an instrument of God’s grace to people. By being nice to people, giving smile at them, you’re giving them hope,” Villa added.

Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Antonio Tobias nominated Villa for the papal award in June last year.

Aside from Villa, other Filipino celebrities who previously received the papal award were comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.

Villa is the long-time onscreen partner of the late King of Comedy Dolphy — they starred as husband-and-wife in ABS-CBN sitcom "Home Along Da Riles" for 11 years.

In 2018, Villa starred in comedy-drama film "Miss Granny" with Sarah Geronimo. (MNS)

Jose Manalo, Derrick Monasterio, Kakai Bautista to host new reality show 'Catch Me Out Philippines'

MAniLA (Mabuhay) — Move over, JoWaPao!

Jose Manalo is forming a new trio with Derrick Monasterio and Kakai Bautista in a new Kapuso show "Catch Me Out Philippines."

The three hosts said the concept of the program is a combination of game, reality, and talent show.

A guest celebrity will have to evaluate a pool of performers and correctly guess who among them is an ordinary person and not a professional act. "Ang maganda dito sa show na 'to sobrang may puso siya saka maka-masa siya kasi binibigyan nga natin ng chance 'yung mga mga normal na tao na nakikita natin sa labas na ipakita kung anong meron sila, talento nila," Derrick said.

According to Kakai, all kinds of entertaining performances will be on the show, such as singing, dancing, or even playing a clown.

Jose said the performers have been trained for several months already in preparation for the show. "Ito 'yung mga taong nangangarap na maging ganito sila pagdating ng oras at pinili sila," he said. "Catch Me Out Philippines" will start airing on GMA-7 on February 6. (MNS)

Sarah G opens up about new home with Matteo

MAniLA (Mabuhay) —

Nearly a year into her marriage, Sarah Geronimo considers herself a hands-on housewife, saying, in jest, that she could even apply as a household helper.

Geronimo spoke candidly about her married life in a recent, two-part vlog of celebrity doctor Vicki Belo, wherein the pop star took part in a baking tutorial.

“Puwedeng-puwede po ako mamasukan dito,” Geronimo quipped, when Belo asked her which chores she can do at home.

“Maglaba, magplantsa, magluto, tagalinis, pampaligo ng aso,” the pop star enumerated.

Geronimo, 32, has particularly enjoyed spending time in the kitchen, she said, given her newfound “addiction” of baking and testing recipes.

Matteo Guidicelli is a proud husband to the budding pastry chef, actively sharing on social media the results of Geronimo’s baking.

Geronimo and Guidicelli, who got married in February 2020, moved to their new home in October, the hitmaker revealed in the first part of the vlog.

“Mas mentally healthy for us na may outdoor talaga, may garden,” she said, noting they are renting the house for now.

Geronimo also opened up about the dynamics of her relationship with Guidicelli, including her seeking for “validation” and the actor being more “clingy.”

“I think ang mga babae, mayroon tayong subconsciously, we always look for validation. You’re making sure na mahal ka nung lalaki,” she said.

For Geronimo, words of affirmation helps address that need. “Mahal mo ba ako, mga ganoon, mga pa-cute, parang timang!” she said.

When asked whether her being older by two years than Guidicelli has ever factored in their relationship, Geronimo said, “Hindi naman po.”

“Iyong maturity namin, magkaiba. May mga bagay na mature siya, ako, immature. Tapos feeling ko, mas mature ako sa bagay na ‘to, ta’s siya, malapit na,” she explained, laughing.

Geronimo’s conversation with Belo marked the rare instance the singer openly spoke about her marriage.

Belo and her husband,