Sunday, 7 January 2018

LOOK: These celebrities, personalities have been joining Traslacion through the years

MANILA, Philippines - Several celebrities and personalities will most likely join again this year’s Traslacion or the procession of the image of Black Nazarene

celebrities, personalities have been joining Translacion 2018
The Feast of the Black Nazarene draws millions of devotees. Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Marc Gepaya

Through the years, these stars have braved the crowds just so they can show their devotion to the Black Nazarene. Most of them have been devotees because of the miracles and blessings that the Nazarene had given them. Here are a few of them expected to join this year:

1. Coco Martin

Coco Martin Traslacion 2018
Coco Martin thanks the Black Nazarene for all giving him blessings more than he asked for. Photo Courtesy: cocomartin.com

Coco Martin has been a devotee way before he earned his spot in showbiz. His grandmother was a devotee and would bring the young Coco with her during the Feast. The “Ang Probinsyano” star would then grow up consistently visiting the Quiapo Church. The actor-producer had always been thankful for all the blessings he received and believe that all were blessed from the Black Nazarene. He once shared, “Dati kapag nagdadasal ako doon, ‘bigyan niyo lang po ako ng trabaho, kahit ano, kahit hindi niyo na ako patulugin. Tapos binigay niya ang lahat.”

2. Angeline Quinto

Angeline Quinto Traslacion 2018
Angeline Quinto is grateful to the Black Nazarene for her mother’s “second life.” Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Angeline Quinto

Angeline Quinto also believes she received a miracle from the Black Nazarene. The singer had been praying everyday at Quiapo Church when her mother was very sick. She would consistently pray for her wellness and ask for some blessings. After many singing contests, she finally struck gold and made a name for herself. But, she believed that her mother’s recovery was her biggest blessing from the Black Nazarene.

The singer turned actress’ most memorable procession was in 2013 when she was able to ride along the image’s carrier. She said, “Araw-araw po akong pumupunta doon pagkagaling ko ng Heart Center sa ospital ng mama ko. Naniniwala po talaga ako na nagmilagro ang Poong Nazareno dahil binigyan niya ng pangalawang buhay ang mama ko.

3. Bayani Agbayani

Bayani Agbayani Traslacion 2018
Bayani Agbayani’s family is always praying to the Black Nazarene. Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

Bayani Agbayani’s devotion also stemmed from his mother’s strong faith to the Black Nazarene. After the death of Bayani’s father, his mother Mila had been praying to the Black Nazarene to help her raise all six children. The comedian tries his best to attend the procession every year to give thanks for all the blessings and their family receives. He said, “Bakit ba ako nakaipon? Kasi kapag may nagkaroon ng malubha sa pamilya mo, ubos agad ang ipon mo. So 'yun ang lagi naming dalangin sa Black Nazarene na sana walang mawawala taon-taon, bagkus may madadagdag pa.”

4. Noli de Castro

Noli de Castro Traslacion 2018
Kabayan had been joining the procession for three years already. Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Anthony Taberna

Noli de Castro also believes in the grace of the Black Nazarene. Amidst his busy schedule, the veteran broadcaster take the time to prepare himself to brave the procession. His co-reporter Anthony Taberna revealed that De Castro had been doing it for more than 30 years. Taberna shared, “Umulan man o umaraw, makikipagsiksikan si Kabayan. Mahigit 30 taon na siyang deboto.”

5. Christopher de Leon

Christopher de Leon Traslacion 2018
Boyet de Leon has many blessings to be thankful for this year. Photo Courtesy: asianjournal.com

Christopher de Leon is also a devout Catholic and a devotee of the Black Nazarene. Through the years, he has been sighted joining the intense procession. The veteran actor believes that his and his family’s success are attributed to divine providence. With his daughter Mariel’s many blessings this year, the award-winning actor sure has more things to be thankful for.

— Sally, The Summit Express

VIDEO: Type 1 Dance Company wows on Pilipinas Got Talent PGT 2018

MANILA, Philippines - The cheerful and colorful dance act of Cebu-based Type 1 Dance Company earned a standing ovation on the premiere week of Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Season 6 auditions on Sunday, January 7, 2018.

Type 1 Dance Company wows on Pilipinas Got Talent PGT 2018
Type 1 Dance Company impressed the judges and viewers. Screenshot from ABS-CBN/YouTube video.

The group received four yeses from the judges composed of Freddie “FMG” Garcia, Angel Locsin, Robin Padilla, and Vice Ganda.

"Alam ko na kung bakit nagkakagulo ang Cebu. Yung finale ninyo, iba ang Type 1," Locsin said.

"Kasing-tingkad ng suot ninyo ang bandera ng Cebu ngayon," Padilla has commented.

"This is what we're looking for, bongacious," FMG added.

"Type na type ko kayo. LODI. PETMALU. Ang galing ninyo. Champion," Vice has commented.

Watch Type 1 Dance Company PGT 2018 performance here (video courtesy of ABS-CBN):


RELATED STORIES

Pilipinas Got Talent is based on the Got Talent franchise, a British TV format conceived and owned by Simon Cowell's SYCO company.

The Season 6 is hosted by award-winning stars Billy Crawford and Toni Gonzaga.

— The Summit Express

VIDEO: Linemen dance atop 35-ft high electric poles on Pilipinas Got Talent PGT 2018

MANILA, Philippines - The breathtaking performance of a group of linemen in Cebu City, the Cebeco Blue Knights, impressed and shocked the judges and viewers of Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Season 6 on Sunday, January 7, 2018.

Linemen dance atop 35-ft high electric poles on Pilipinas Got Talent PGT 2018

The linemen climbed to the top of the 35-ft. high electric posts, stood atop, and started dancing "Katawan" by Hagibis and "Baby Shark."

According to them, the extreme pole dancing performance is also part of their training of becoming electric linemen.

"Napakagandang tingnan at sabay-sabay kayo sa taas. Kahit umaalog ang mga poste, kalmado parin kayo," judge Angel Locsin expressed.

"Wala pa ako nakita na nakita na ganito. Kamangha-mangha ang ginawa ninyo," judge FMG has commented.

"Para kayong may military training. Ang galing. Ang ganda tingnan. Sabay-sabay kayo umakyat at bumaba," Vice Ganda said.

"You deserved to be called knights. Iba, kalmado kayo. Magaling," Robin Padilla added.

Watch Cebeco Blue Knights PGT 2018 performance here (video courtesy of ABS-CBN):


RELATED STORIES

Pilipinas Got Talent is based on the Got Talent franchise, a British TV format conceived and owned by Simon Cowell's SYCO company.

Hosted by Toni Gonzaga and Billy Crawford, PGT Season 6 airs Saturdays after "Home Sweetie Home" and Sundays after "Wansapanataym" on ABS-CBN.

— The Summit Express

LiAngelo Ball to play in the Philippines?

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos might see one of the Ball brothers play live in action this year if plans don’t go accordingly for the most-hyped and young Ballers as local basketball agent Ms. Sheryl Reyes expressed her intent to bring Liangelo Ball in the country.

LiAngelo Ball to play in the Philippines?

Ms. Sheryl Reyes, one of the agents in the country who have the best pool of local and international players under her name, has just recently flown long-time Ginebra import, Justin Brownlee and NBA veteran Renaldo Balkman to Manila to play for Tanduay Alab Pilipinas in the ABL.

The lady agent is not done yet in surprising the Filipino basketball fans as she posted her conversation with Ball Brothers’ agent, Harrison Gaines on her Facebook account inquiring about the availability of LiAngelo Ball.

LiAngelo Ball to play Philippines
Photo Credit: Sheryl Sanchez Reyes Facebook Account

In the chat window, Harrison Gaines informed Ms. Sheryl Reyes that Liangelo Ball will not be available until mid this year as Gelo Ball is currently in contract with Vytautas Basketball Club in Lithuania together with his younger brother, LaMelo Ball.

Come June this year, the middle Ball will still not be available as he prepares for the 2018 NBA Rookie Draft and will also suit-up for the NBA Summer League a month after.

Reyes informed Gaines to give her a heads-up if Gelo Ball will not be going anywhere after the draft and summer league and if they want to try out the Philippine basketball market either for a PBA team or Alab Pilipinas in the ABL.

The Ball Brothers became instant online sensations because of their father Lavar Ball who aside from establishing the sneaker company Big Baller Brand criticised various NBA personalities on Social Media as well as exchanges of twitter jabs against US President Donald Trump with regards to Gelo Ball’s theft case in China.

The elder Ball, also made the headlines late last year as he pulled out LiAngelo Ball from UCLA and LaMelo Ball from Chino Hills High to hone their basketball skills more abroad. Lavar’s eldest son, Lonzo Ball is currently playing for the LA Lakers and an ambassador of Big Baller Brand.

Whether most hoop junkies hate the Ball family or not, LiAngelo Ball’s presence will definitely add huge media mileage to any team or any league that he will be playing on especially here in the Philippines where basketball is a major sports.

If Gelo Ball’s stint in PBA or ABL happens, Philippines will also be in the headlines of well-known sports websites and newspapers all around globe.

— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express

ABL: Alab Pilipinas burns Slingers, extends winning streak to 3

MANILA, Philippines - Slowly but surely, Tanduay Alab Pilipinas is climbing up the standings as they humiliated Singapore Slingers in their home turf, 89-80, on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.

Alab Pilipinas burns Slingers, extends winning streak to 3
The Dynamic Duo. Justin Brownlee and Renaldo Balkman stepped-up in the O.T. to continue Alab Pilipinas’ winning streak. Photo Credit: CNN Philippines

For the 2nd time in-a-row, Alab’s new import and NBA veteran Renaldo Balkman opened the scoreboard in favor of the Philippines. The Puerto Rican uncovered the book with 7 quick points while his partner, Justin brownlee, took care of the defense department at the same time.

Justin Brownlee joined the scoring party with a long trey and Lawrence Domingo made a well-challenged basket underneath to escalate Alab’s lead to 8. So far, all imports had scored within 7 minutes of the opening quarter.

Hanbin Ng on the other end of the floor, started to wax hot from the three point territory together with Singapore world import Xavier Alexander to cut the lead down to 5. Slingers’ heritage import and Fil-Aam AJ Mandani checked in and promptly fired from the outside to downsized Alab’s lead to just 2.

After the first 10 minutes of the game, Philippines led Singapore by 4, 21-17.

Singapore Slingers new import, Chris Charles,got into foul trouble too early at the start of the third as he committed his 3rd personal foul against Renaldo Balkman.

Alab hit its 1st double-digit lead midway of the 2nd period, 31-21 but Hanbin Ng spoiled Philippines’ celebration with another long long bomb followed by easy baskets from Chris Charles and Xavier Alexander.

Alab Pilipinas could’ve brought the lead back to double-figures again before the first half ended but the Filipino cagers and the imports struggled on the free throw line for multiple occasions and had defensive lapses that paved way for Singapore Slingers to level the game 36-all after 2 exciting quarters.

Philippines started the third quarter sloppily as the team committed 3 successive turnovers which Singapore converted into 6 instant points to grab the lead for the first time in the game. Chris Charles who was a sleeper in the first half abruptly exploded offensively and gave Singapore a 10-point lead.

Alab Pilipinas’ intensity and hussle late in the penultimate quarter changed the tides and switched the scoring momentum to the Philippine side as the nationals overcame the double-digit advantage of Singapore and took the lead back, 55-54 with 2:30 remaining in the clock.

Bobby ray Parks Jr. and Lawrence Domingo exerted huge efforts with the aid of Justin Brownlee as they wrapped up the third with a three-point 63-60 lead.

The final quarter was unfolded with both squads trading baskets and got the crowd going crazy by giving the fans a terrific ball game. Multiple goal tendings had been called by the game officials that proved game’s intensity.

At the 2-minute warning, Singapore tied the game at 75 and Coach Jimmy Alapag had no other options but to call a timeout and layout a better game plan that will favor Alab Pilipinas.

After the timeout, the play was obviously designed for Justin Brownlee to take the shot. Brownlee got a good look and drove to the basket but missed. Fortunately, Robi Celis drained a cold-blooded trey after the miss and Alab once again led Slingers by 3 with 50 ticks left.

Renaldo Balkman did a fantastic job in guarding the shaded lane and prohibited Singapore from closing in right after Alab took the lead. But, AJ Mandani hit a timely three pointer to tie the game once again at 78 and sent the game into overtime.

Justin Brownlee took charge in the overtime as he scored back-to-back baskets and a perfect dish to Renaldo Balkman for a 6-point lead. Bobby Ray Parks Jr. added 3 more to to make it a 3-possession Alab ball-game.

Singapore had its chances to close in but turnovers hit the Slingers so bad and ended the game in favor of Tanduay Alab Pilipinas 89-80. With the win, Alab has atoned its loss against the same team late last year and will set another faceoff against Slingers for the third time on January 10.

Philippines improved its record to 3-3 and won 3 straight games, 2 with Justin Brownlee and Renaldo Balkman on board.

— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express