INDIE POP GROUP 1:43: LOVE THEM, HATE THEM BUT YOU CAN NEVER IGNORE THEM!

The release of the digital debut single "Merry Christmas Na" of independent pop group 1:43 (pronounced as "one forty-three") has been the talk of the wired world in the past two weeks. While thousands of teenage girls and pop music lovers started going gaga over the four Oriental-looking boys namely Anjo, Gold, Kim, and Yuki, some shared their strongest opinion against the group.

The song "Merry Christmas Na" was written by composer and respected advertising agency creative director Eric Cabahug and was arranged by Jonathan Ong, the music genius behind multi-awarded international and local albums including Gloc-9's critically acclaimed past two albums, Kamikaze's "Darna," and Orange & Lemon's "Pinoy Ako."

Meanwhile, the music video was produced by SineGang Entertainment, a group of talent young filmmakers from prestigious Big Foot Film School in Cebu City.

The polarized public opinion on 1:43, fueled by bloggers, fans, and even haters, has resulted to an overnight success and instant public awareness. The music video has received over 41,000 hits in YouTube in just two weeks and was shared in Facebook for about 11,000 times to date. The boy band's shows are always jam-packed with screaming fans.

The exponential growth of 1:43's fan base particularly among its youth market causes fear from their detractors who think that the group might be the future of OPM. Blog site www.mgaepal.com said it best: "May nakakatakot akong kutob na sisikat ang mga p**tang in**g ito!"

And yes, by all indications their fears are coming true.

To watch their controversial video, please click the link below:
MERRY CHRISTMAS NA by 1:43 (Official HD Music Video)

EJ FALCON, IS THAT YOU IN THE PHOTO SCANDAL?

EJ Falcon is that you?

A photo of a naked male teenager who many believe has a striking resemblance to the profile of ABS-CBN talent and Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition grand winner EJ Falcon is circulating in Facebook.

The teenager who appeared to be sleeping on a coach, seemed unaware that he will be photographed with his boxer shorts pulled down. Observers think that he may have been drunk or under the influence of illegal drugs at that time.

While it's easy to judge that the young man is indeed EJ Falcon, I rather give him the benefit of the doubt. The photo doesn't show anything that is identifiable only to him. I think I can name more than 10 people who would exactly look like the teenager in question if I would take their picture at that angle.

SCOOP: IS VENUS RAJ JOINING WILLING-WILLIE?

Venus: "I'm not aware..."

Comedian Willie Revillame is said to be eyeing on Miss Universe 2010 runner-up Venus Raj as his second female co-host in his primetime game show "Willing-Willie" (TV5) after surprisingly signing up former presidential girlfriend and Valenzuela councilor Shalani Soledad.

Is Willie Revillame eyeing on beauty queen Venus Raj as his co-host?  

According to sources, the mass appeal of the statuesque Bicolana beauty queen may help Willie attain his goal to overthrow TV Patrol (ABS-CBN) and 24-Oras (GMA-7) in the ratings game.

But Venus denied the speculations that a negotiation is on the works for her inclusion in the controversial game show. In a conversation with Mr Blind Item a few days ago, Venus said that Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) and her manager Jonas Gaffud, has not informed her of any deal being cooked up with Willie.

Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman was once a co-host
of "Wowowee"

"So far I have not been told by BPCI and my manager about the Willing-Willie gig," said the beauty queen. "I have no knowledge about it..."

Should Willie pursue his plans, Venus would be the second international beauty queen to serve as his co-host. In 2007,  Miss International titleholder Precious Lara Quigaman became a co-host of his now defunct noontime show "Wowowee."

SCOOP: BEKIMON'S JUNAKIS UNMASKED!

Junakis looks as good as he sounds

It it true that the mystery man behind the innocently sexy voice of Junakis of YouTube sensation Bekimon (Bern Josep Persia) is now ready to reveal his identity?

The popular Junakis character who has charmed and intrigued thousands of Filipino fans of the Bekimon video series that has received over 2.4 million YouTube hits so far remains elusive in front of the camera. Various speculations about his true identity came out-- some suggesting that he is either Bekimon's lover, his officemate, or his bestfriend.

Junakis was sorely missed by his fans after he and Bekimon has parted ways a few months back. Bekimon then went on a solo showbiz career and has landed a major role in the top-rating noon-time soap "Juanita Banana" and Junakis went back to his family. But the YouTube tandem has finally reconciled and the two are planning on coming up with more hilarious videos for their followers.

But who really is Junakis? Until he is ready, these are the only clues I can reveal:

a. Junakis is an indie actor.
b. Just like Bekimon before, Junakis works in a call center.
c. Yes, your speculation is true. Junakis looks as good as he sounds. You would easily recognize him in person if you are a Bekimon fan.
d. He is Bekimon's best friend. The two are inseparable.

YOUTUBE REVEAL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ05by5J55g

BLIND ITEM #45: SEPARATED ACTRESS MAINTAINS SEXUAL AFFAIR WITH COMMITTED ACTOR?

A love affair comparable to "Bridges of Madison County"

This is one of the most complicated sexual affairs in Philippine showbiz today.

Separated Actress (SA), who can be classified as MILF (Mothers I Love to Fuck), was caught by an informant of Mr Blind Item sneaking into a hotel room where Hunk Actor (HA) has earlier checked in. The sophisticated actress and the committed actor reportedly spent the night together-- ehem, probably just to chitchat-- and checked out a few hours away from each other to avoid any suspicion from the hotel staff.

SA is picking up her life, and beauty, once lost when she was a full-time wife and mother of a philandering husband. She spent so much time with HA, who is a noted womanizer, in a project recently and perhaps fell in love him.  

Their sexual liaison is bound to cause so much misery and real-life drama. Either SA will end up alone again or HA's charming girlfriend will end up broken-hearted.

BLIND ITEM #44: ACTRESS SHOWED UP DRUNK IN AWARDS NIGHT

The worsening and uncontrollable alcohol addiction of Popular Actress (PA) has been the subject of many blind items in the past. Many would swear to their relative's grave that she is always tipsy, or even drunk even at work. Her excuse is alcohol brings out the best in her and so it should not be really an issue.

But in one awards night, PA seemed to have forgotten to be discreet about her drinking problem. Along with some friends in the industry, she showed up under the influence of alcohol. Hundreds of people noticed her loose and exceptionally loud behavior and lack of motor control.

I just hope advertisers who entrust their brand image to PA were not in the event. Kundi lagot ka girl!

SUPER SCOOP: QTV 11 PLANS TO REFORMAT AS A NEWS CHANNEL?

For the third time, QTV 11 is changing its programming format from being a lifestyle network primarily targeting women to a news and public affairs channel, a highly reliable source told MR BLIND ITEM.

The alternative network, owned by GMA 7 on a 100% leased airtime from ZOE Broadcasting Network, started airing on November 11, 2005 as a women's lifestyle station. It was expected to compete with the then No. 3 station, Studio 23 owned by ABS-CBN.

However, recent turns of events pushed QTV 11's standing to No. 5 with TV5 challenging the standing of ABS-CBN and GMA 7 in the No 1 and No 2 spots.

According to sources, QTV 11 will bank on the highly respected news and public affairs team of GMA 7 to attract viewership. It will be a 24-hour news channel similar to ANC, but only on free TV.

Good luck to QTV 11 on it's new move!

IS SPENCER REYES OF STREETBOYS NOW A HOSTO IN A JAPANESE BAR?

Spencer was once more popular than his fellow Streetboys
member Vhong Navarro

Spencer Reyes, the first to become an actor in the 90s all-male dance group Streetboys, has been missing in action in Philippine showbiz in the past few years.

The former teen heartthrob who was once paired up with Judy Ann Santos in Esperanza (ABS-CBN) and the winner of the 1999 PMPC Star Awards for TV's Best Actor for his performance in a "Maalaala Mo Kaya" episode titled "Gulong," was last seen in TV5's dance show "Shall We Dance" in August, 2007.

According to source, Spencer who is now 32 years old, is making ends meet at a famed "hosto" or entertainer in a bar in Japan. Much of Spencer's personal life today is not known, especially his marital status.

In the late 90s to early 2000, Spencer overshadows his fellow Streetboys members Vhong Navarro (who is now one of the most bankable comedians in the Philippines), Danilo Barrios, and Jhong Hilario who remains highly visible because of the noontime show "Showtime." For whatever reason, Spencer left showbiz in 2001 and made a comeback in showbiz with the movie "Spirit Warriors." 

With Spencer's dancing and acting skills-- and I am sure he is now even seasoned by experience-- and charisma to the masses, a big comeback is inevitable.