Nora’s throat problem worsens

Nora Aunor’s throat problem is said to have taken a turn for the worse. It has come to the point where Ate Guy had to borrow money from TV5 to have her throat treated in the US, according to reports.

Her vocal cords were affected after she had a facial cosmetic surgery in Japan about two years ago. It left her unable to sing.

Because her voice often gives out, Nora’s role in the TV5 series Never Say Goodbye had to be shortened, revealed show director Mac Alejandre.

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International singer Lea Salonga joins Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo as coaches in the Philippine version of The Voice.

“It’s official: I am a coach on THE VOICE OF THE PHILIPPINES! I wonder who coach #4 will be?’’ Tweeted Lea.

She recently earned glowing reviews for her performance in Ragtime at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ Avery Fisher Hall in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Broadway musical.

Lea can’t believe the musical is over. “Ragtime was such a blessing, I think it’ll be a while before I finally find myself on earth. The cast, the orchestra, the choir... if there was such a dream as this, I’m only too glad to have been in some way a part of it. Thank you, Stafford Arima, for coming to me in the darkened Old Globe theater and asking me to be part of such an incredible night,” she gushed in her Facebook account.

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Arci Muñoz left early during the presscon for the forthcoming film The Fighting Chefs last week, denying showbiz writers the chance to quiz her about her reported relationship with show host Willie Revillame.

Arci has long been linked with Willie, but the two have denied there’s something going on between them.

Arci will play a sexy chef in The Master Chefs. Topbilling the movie are Optical Media Board Chairman Ronnie Ricketts and Chef Boy Logro.

Chef Boy, who starred in GMA-7’s Sunday offering Tweets for My Sweet, said he can’t believe he’s appearing in a movie.

If another movie offer comes around, who does Chef Boy want to be paired with?

“Marian Rivera, because I’ve worked with her in Tweets for My Sweet,” he said.

But not as a love team, he quickly added. “We’re like father and daughter.”

The Fighting Chefs will be released on March 6 under Viva Films.

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Charice has not been on the showbiz radar for quite a spell now. So what’s keeping her busy nowadays?

Her recent Tweet provided few clues: “I’m in love with my work. Love music. I love my family, i love every­one. & I’m gwapito. hahaha!!!”

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Another Filipino-American is inching up the ladder in American Idol.

Last week, 17-year-old Adriana Latonio, who resides in Alaska, swept through the Las Vegas round of the talent show, with the field pruned to 10 contestants.

Adriana had the judges and audience on their feet with her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s Ain’t No Way.

Her poise impressed Judge Nicki Minaj. “Within the two seconds of you walking out, this is what I wrote down – ‘Little tiny thing but commands the stage from the second she walks out.’ There is no fear, and being so close to you guys, we can see you trembling and shaking and everything. I did not see one ounce of fear in you,” Nicki said.

Keith Urban said he felt like Adriana was “channeling all the soul that song requires. It’s a big song.”

Randy Jackson was equally smitten. “That kind of confidence at 17 and to come that close to us, it’s ‘Yo! I’m getting this!’…This girl is a pro. I loved it. I loved loved it.”

And from Mariah Carey: “She’s amazing and she can basically do anything. I really loved how you came through with your version of the song.”