‘Cranking up’ with Lee Jong Suk

Curtain-raiser:

• All’s well that ends well: Here’s the joint statement of the DILG and ABS-CBN on FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano:

ABS-CBN and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) met the other day (Nov. 21) in Camp Crame and resolved the issues related to the program FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.  It was a fruitful dialogue wherein both parties were thankful for the chance to express their views directly to each other.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) stated the importance of the support and respect of the people to its organization, while recognizing ABS-CBN’s freedom to create and convey the story of the program.

For its part, ABS-CBN assured them that the program will continue to portray Cardo Dalisay (played by Coco Martin) as a police officer with integrity, who is dedicated to serve and protect the people.

The DILG, including its attached agency the PNP, will continue to support FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano as it continues to inspire Filipinos with the valuable lesson that in the end, good will always triumph over evil.

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Fans of Korean Hallyu star Lee Jong Suk have PULP Live to thank for bringing him here for a meet-and-greet. Dozens of fans couldn’t be accommodated to the Araneta Coliseum which was already packed to the rafters. 

Here’s a report by Lee Jong Suk fan Kimberly Lee:

Jong Suk being interviewed by Giselle Sanchez who hosted the event

Fans lined up early last Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for Jong Suk’s first fan meet in Manila, titled “Crank Up in Manila: 2018 Lee Jong Suk Fan Meet Tour,” presented by PULP Live. The show started at exactly 6 p.m. As soon as the lights went out, everybody started screaming non-stop. The show was opened by a video prepared by Jong Suk’s fans, showing their love and support for the actor. The show host Giselle Sanchez couldn’t contain herself and asked for a hug as soon as the actor emerged onstage.

Jong Suk said that he was thankful and surprised when fans were shouting his name when he arrived at the airport and he felt bad that he didn’t get to greet them back then, but he’s happy that he got to see everybody at the fan meet. Everyone took a trip down memory lane when scenes from his dramas like I Can Hear Your Voice, W, Pinocchio and While You Were Sleeping were shown on the big screen.

He didn’t reenact scenes like the usual fan meets of other stars. But fans got to have a sneak peek of his new historical drama, The Death Song, which will be released in Korea next week. He will portray the role of a stage drama writer. The Death Song will only have three episodes unlike the usual dramas that are longer.

Lucky fans got the chance to interact with Jong Suk up close by winning the Mental Telepathy game. They each gave their message to Jong Suk. One fan said that Jong Suk was her inspiration to pursue Law School (He portrayed the role of a prosecutor in While You Were Sleeping).

The highlight of the show was when Jong Suk serenaded his fans while playing the piano. He was quite nervous while singing. Fans were quite emotional when Jong Suk gave his last message before the end of the two-hour fan meet. They were worried that the meet would not be pushed through due to some incidents at the previous Asian Fan Meet. Philippines was the last stop for the Crank Up Tour that’s why it was quite memorable for the actor. He is said to enter the military service next year so it was the last chance of Filipino fans to see him for he will be out of the limelight for quite awhile. 

Why Niña is ‘missing’ in Wanted sa Radyo

Have you been wondering why Niña Orbon Taduran (photo) is missing from Wanted sa Radyo where for years she has been acting as co-anchor of Raffy Tulfo, the medium of the so-called Sumbungan ng Bayan?

Though reluctant at first, Niña answered the call to be third nominee of the Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) partylist to expand her reach in providing public service to those who are deprived of their basic rights and services, especially on matters concerning health.

Niña plans to push for a legislation that will safeguard the welfare and interest of women and children. She believes that stiffer penalties for violators, and empowering women and children with sufficient education and information can help eliminate the abuse done on women and children.

Niña is also an advocate of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), especially those who are repatriated for reasons beyond their control. She plans to push for the creation of a center that will offer hotel-like services for the distraught OFW and their family to help them recover from the trauma of their experiences abroad.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)