Miguel Syjuco, Mandy Moore, and Tim Yap?
Pepito Manaloto Lifetime Achievement Award: Unidentified Lotto Winner
MANILA, Philippines - Okay, for the nth time we’ll tell you: Miko Morelos did not win the elusive P741M grand lotto jackpot, and neither did we. After the Twitter fiasco that caused the reporter some unwanted overnight attention, the Philippines has since shifted focus and is back on the hunt for that lucky son-of-a-gun who knocked-up the lotto jackpot.
Quitter of The Week: Lady Gaga
Britney Spears, rejoice! Erstwhile good girl Britney might just regain her Twitterverse crown this week as Lady Gaga shuts down her Twitter account and leaves seven million followers in bereavement. Her Facebook fan page, which had well over 24 million “likes” was also shut down. The reason? The “Keep A Child Alive” charity, an organization she co-founded to help Indian and African children affected by HIV and AIDS. Hollywood friends Justin Timberlake and Kim Kardashian have also joined the cause, and would not go back to Twitter until $1 million has been raised. Now if only Pinoy celebs would do the same.
Blooper of The Week: Tim Yap
Early this week, Chief Supremo Tim Yap found himself in the headlines because of a Twitter blooper. Tim mistakenly tweeted that Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Miko Morelos was the lotto winner to his 154,000+ followers. He retracted his tweet right away but the damage had already been done, with the reporter reportedly “fear[ing] for his life.”
Remember boys and girls, “Google before you tweet” is the new “think before you speak.”
Loser of The Week: Kelly Rowland
After singing about the merits of paying your “bills, bills, bills” on time, it seems destiny is no longer shining on one of its children. Kelly Rowland has allegedly failed to pay more than $98,000 in taxes, according to America’s Internal Revenue Service. The shoes on her feet? The rocks she’s rocking? The clothes she’s wearing? Well, she better pawn those off and pay her taxes. Don’t be a bug a boo, Kelly. Anyway, worse comes to worst, you can always ask Beyonce to shine her financial halo on you.
Book of The Year Award: “Ilustrado” By Miguel Syjuco
Four months ago, we told you about the awesome illustrated review that salon.com released for Filipino Man Asian Literary Prize winner Miguel Syjuco’s groundbreaking novel Ilustrado. Right before the year ends, Miguel adds another notch to his belt as New York Times releases its 100 Most Notable Books of the Year. Reviewed as an “uproariously funny” novel that is “punctuated with serious philosophical musings,” the book seems to be leading the way to historical Philippine literature’s renaissance, long after the works of Rizal got global attention and acclaim.
Comeback of The Week: Mandy Moore
Once upon a time, Mandy Moore was the loser of the teen pop high school canteen. There was head cheerleader Britney making out with star quarterback Justin, drama diva Christina headlining the school play, Jessica, learning about the difference between chicken and tuna in her Zoology class, and Mandy eating alone in the bathroom, neither here nor there.
What a difference 10 years makes. Christina has been nicknamed “Floptina,” Jessica has chucked her singing career for retail, Britney has gone to hell and back, and Mandy? Mandy’s sitting pretty, happily-married to acclaimed singer-songwriter Ryan Adams and headlining Disney’s box-office hit Tangled, grossing about 50 million more than Floptina’s Burlesque. It seems, in the end, slow and steady wins the race and good girls finish first.
Collabo of The Week: Adidas X Fb X Twitter
Whatever happened to Friendster? Well, if 2004 ever came back and staged a siege on the 2010 social bandwagon, it’ll need to do more than add new apps.
Welcome the Adidas Twitter and Facebook shoes. The concepts are still on the “suggestion part” but Gerry McKay has already submitted the designs to Adidas, which incorporates the logos of these social networking giants into the heel, tongue, and inside of the shoes.