TV5 princess Ritz Azul shuns romance for now

Kapatid network contract star Ritz Azul denies it was because of director GB Sampedro that caused her not to show up at the FHM 100 Sexiest Women fashion show. At the contract signing of her latest endorsement Skin Central, the sweet-looking Ritz took the occasion to explain her absence on the said event that drew a huge crowd of male and female fans.

Ritz denies she already has a relationship with Direk GB, who handled her in her first Cinemalaya entry “Separados.” “I am not yet ready to enter into a relationship. I still have a lot of dreams that I want to accomplish in my career and my personal life, so getting into a relationship is farthest from my mind at the moment.”

She said her failure to attend the FHM event was due to the rashes on her face that could not be hidden by makeup. So she opted to skip the show, but sent word to the organizers to explain her absence. She was thankful that the people from FHM understood her predicament. Likewise, she expressed her thanks to her fans and to FHM readers who voted for her as among the sexiest women in the Philippines.

Ritz is grateful for the opportunity given her by TV5 to accept the offer to do “Separados,” which gave her the chance to work with some of the best actors in the industry like Ricky Davao and Melissa Mendez (who played her parents) and Victor Neri who played her would-be husband in the film. “It feels good to be able to work with great actors because they bring out the best in you,” she said.

Ritz was chosen by the couple Kimm and Cristina Elarde, owners of Skin Central, to be its female celebrity endorser. This is one her new endorsement deals, and she is proud to be given the opportunity to hitch her name to a company. Skin Central will continue to make Ritz’s skin blemish-free and always looking good.

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Studio 56 Productions, headed by award-winning director Maryo J. delos Reyes, and Fisher Mall, the newest mall in Quezon City, is joining hands in the search for the new Masculados. The search was launched in a presscon held last August 21, graced by the current members of Maskulados who did several song numbers. Masculados is now on its 12th year and is introducing a new member named David Karrel, a Filipino-Australian. He was formally launched as a new Masculado at the presscon last week.

A member of the Masculados is set to retire since he has a new and stable job but he will always be considered a valued member of the group.

“The search is not just about showcasing males in beautiful forms, but also inspiring people to be healthy and in macho shape. Apart from being hunky, we also want to discover talented male individuals that will be its new member and a health and wellness ambassador,” said Direk Maryo.

The search for new Maskulados is open to males aged 18 to 24, at least 5’10” tall, has good masculine physique and charm, and well-developed muscles. He should also know how to sing and dance and be of good moral character. He has to perform one song of Masculados during the search.

The audition will run for three Saturdays (September 6, 13 and 20), with the grand finals happening on September 27. The grand prize winners will receive P25,000 and a contract with Studio 56 Productions. The five runners-up will get P5,000 each and gift packs, while the grand prize winner will join the Masculados in the anniversary concert to be held in Zirkoh (Morato) on October 12.

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Ten months after the devastation brought by super typhoon Yolanda, Tacloban City is on the rise again. The people of Tacloban and the city officials are working hand in hand as they rise from the rubbles of the menacing disaster that claimed many lives and wrought havoc to the place.

“Yolanda did not devastate the spirit and the hearts of the Taclobanons. With the grace of God, Tacloban and our people are on the rise again,” said Mayor Alfred Romualdez and his wife, Councilor Cristina Gonzales when they met with the members of the entertainment press. In fact, the people of Tacloban are eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis on January 2015. Pope Francis will hold a mass at the ramp of the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport and will also visit the poor folks of Tacloban.

For now, the main concern of the city officials and administrators is to provide permanent homes for the people who were displaced by the super typhoon. There are still more than 6,000 families still living near the danger zones, places near the sea and other areas that could be reached by sea waters if a disaster of similar nature occurs.

But Mayor Romualdez was also happy to inform the members of the movie press that some big business establishments have started opening in Tacloban like Robinson’s Mall and Save More. “This means more jobs for the people of Tacloban and this would help in keeping our economy afloat,” said the amiable mayor.

“But there is still so much to be done. According to Secretary Panfilo Lacson, the rehab czar appointed by President Aquino, they already have a blueprint of what they intend for Tacloban to speed up the rehab process. But whatever that blueprint is, we have yet to see. They have not told us about it. What we are hoping for is to get the cooperation of everybody, the city officials and the people from the national government so we could continue with the rehabilitation efforts because there is so much to be done,” said Mayor Romualdez.

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There was so much fun and camaraderie during the get-together cum birthday lunch that Quezon City Mayor Herbert hosted for the members of the entertainment press celebrators from January to September that was held at the Sampaguita Garden (formerly known as Vera Perez Garden) last August 23. The event was catered by the famed Hizon’s Restaurant (whose ensaimada is the favorite of comedy king Dolphy). There was sumptuous food for everybody.

Of course, there was the customary picture taking with the very bagets- looking Mayor Herbert (or Bistek if you wish), with matching blowing of the birthday cake with the QC Mayor happily joining in the singing and merrymaking.

The press wasted no time in shooting questions for Mayor Herbert whom the press hardly saw during the height of the issue involving him and Kris Aquino. He gamely answered all questions but he was very gentlemanly with his answers, not wishing to add more fire to the Kris issue that has died down.

For the QC Mayor, the conduct of the interview between him and Kris was very professional, even with the answers that Kris gave in her show. He said it was a give and take, which he likened to the verbal tussle between the great comedic team of Pugo and Patsy.

When asked when he was going to fall in love again, Mayor Herbert said that his children remain his priority so it will take time before he gets romantically involved again. What happened between him and Kris was an eye-opener for him and his children.

When asked about his political plans, he said he plans to finish his term as Mayor of Quezon City as he is in his last term come the elections in 2016 but he is willing to abide by whatever decision his partymates will arrive at regarding his political career.