PH TV Shows with Highest Rating for 2008

Lately I was browsing blogs and I came across information on what are the TV shows that garnered the highest TV ratings for 2008. I found the information from showbiznest.blogspot.com and here are the partial results for 2008 (December NUTAM ratings are not yet released by AGB Nielsen Philippines):

NUTAM Top 10 - Daytime
1. Unfinished Business: Marquez-Pacquiao II (GMA 7) - 48.6%
2. Lethal Combination: Pacquiao vs. Diaz (GMA 7) - 46.0%
3. Paalam Daboy 1952-2008 (GMA 7) - 26%
4. Marimar Memories (GMA 7) - 25.9%
5. El Cuerpo del Deseo (July Episode, ABS-CBN) - 23.7%
6. El Cuerpo del Deseo (June Episode, ABS-CBN) - 23.6%
7. The Challenge: Casamayor Vs. Marquez (ABS-CBN) -23.4%
8. De La Hoya vs. Forbes: Homecoming (ABS-CBN) - 23.2%
9. Wowowee (April Episode, ABS-CBN) - 23%
10. Paalam Daboy (ABS-CBN) - 22.9%

NUTAM Top 10 - Primetime
1. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus: Big Night (ABS-CBN) - 42.4%
2. Pinoy Dream Academy Season II Grand Dream Nights (ABS-CBN) - 40.4%
3. Marimar (March Episode, GMA) - 38.1%
4. Pinoy Dream Academy Little Grand Dream Night (ABS-CBN) - 37.5%
5. Kung Fu Kids (January Episode, ABS-CBN) - 37.1%
6. Marimar (February Episode, GMA) - 36.9%
7. Lobo (January Episode, ABS-CBN) - 36.3%
8. Dyesebel (April Episode, GMA) - 35.7%
9. The Singing Be (September Episode, ABS-CBN) - 35.2%
10. Kung Fu Kids (February Episode - 34.1%)

MEGA MANILA TOP 10 - Daytime
1. Lethal Combination: Pacquiao vs. Diaz (June 29, GMA) - 63.8%
2. Unfinished Business: Marquez-Pacquiao II (March 16, GMA) - 48.5%
3. Lethal Combination: Primer (June 29, GMA) - 46.4%
4. The Dream Match: Pacquiao-De La Hoya (December 7, GMA) - 45.6%
5. Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan? (July 31, GMA) - 27.2%
6. Eat Bulaga! (Sept. 6, GMA) - 25.5%Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan? (Sept. 19, GMA) - 25.5%
7. Eat Bulaga! (August 2, GMA) - 25.2%
8. Pinoy Records (August 2, GMA) - 24.9%Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan (Sept. 16, GMA) - 24.9%9. Magdusa Ka (August 15, GMA) - 24.7%
10. Una Kang Naging Akin (Sept. 19, GMA) - 24.6%

MEGA MANILA TOP 10 - Primetime
1. Marimar (March 14, GMA) - 52.6%
2. Marimar (March 7, GMA) - 47.9%
3. Marimar (Feb. 26, GMA) - 47.8%
4. Marimar (Feb. 13, GMA) - 46.7%
5. Marimar (Feb. 27, GMA) - 46.6%
6. Marimar (March 11, GMA) - 46.1%
7. Marimar (Feb. 28, GMA) - 46.0%Marimar (Feb. 15, GMA) - 46.0%
8. Marimar (March 12, GMA) - 45.9%Marimar (March 6, GMA) - 45.9%
9. Marimar (Feb. 7, GMA) - 45.4%
10. Marimar (Feb. 12, GMA) - 45.2%

Metro Manila Film Festival 2008 Results

For the 34th Annual Metro Manila Film Festival(MMF 2008), the 1st place for the best picture award went to Viva Film's Baler. The second place went to Star Cinema's Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat and the third place went to Octoarts films Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After.

Here are the other awardees of the festival:
Best Actor: Christopher De Leon "Magkaibigan"
Best Actress: Anne Curtis "Baler"
Best Director: Mark Meily "Baler"
Best Supporting Actor: Philip Salvador "Baler"
Best Supporting Actress: Manilyn Reynes "One Night Only"
Best Screenplay: Roy Iglesias "Baler"
Best Story: Jose Javier Reyes "One Night Only"
Best Cinematography: Lee Meily "Baler"
Best Sound: Albert Idioma and Whannie Dellosa "Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia "
Best Visual Effects: Robert Quilao "Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia "
Best Production Design: Aped Santos "Baler "
Best Editing: Danny Anonuevo "Baler"
Best Make-Up: Noli Villalobos "Desperadas 2 "
Best Musical Score: Jessie Lazatin "Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia"
Best Theme Song: Lipad by Jessie Lasaten and Artemio Abad Jr., performed by Lea Salonga "Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia"
Best Child Performer: Robert "Buboy" Villar "Shake, Rattle & Roll X "

Special Awards Metro Manila Film Fest:
Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award: Baler
Most Gender Sensitive Film: Baler

Here are the synopsis and cast for the top 3 entries for the film fest:

Baler- Cast: Anne Curtis - Feliza Reyes, Jericho Rosales - Celso Ressurecion , Phillip Salvador - Nanding, Baron Geisler - Capt. Las Morenas, Ryan Eigenmann - Lt. Zayas , Niki Bacolod - Luming. Plot: This is a love story during the Spanish colonial (1898). A gorup of Spanish soldiers defended Baler (now the municipality of Aurora). For 337 days, the Spanish soliders defended the site. The is action packed, it revolves on the forbidden love between a Spanish Soldier (Jericho Rosales) and a Filipina (whose dad is a leader of the Filipino revolt, Anne Curtis).

Ang Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat- Cast: Ai-Ai de las Alas - Ina, Eugene Domingo -Rowena,
Carlo Aquino -Dimitri/Tri, Alwyn Uytingco -Tirso/Pip, Shaina Magdayao - Severina/Seven, Serena Dalrymple - Cate. Plot: The movie is a sequel of the popular Ina series by Wenna Deremas ("Ang Cute ng Ina Mo", "Ang Tanging Ina"). In this movie, Ai Ai Delas Alas became the President of the Philippines (OMG! hahaha).

Iksul Bukol: 20 Years After - Cast: Tito Sotto - Tito Escalera , Vic Sotto - Vic Ungasis, Joey de Leon - Joey Escalera, Jimmy Santos - Big J, Mely Tagasa - Miss Tapia, Benjie Paras - Genie
Bianca King - Girlie, Carlene Aguilar - Alice John. Plot: this is the long awaited sequel of the original Iskul Bukol series (1977 Iskul Bukol the Movie and 1980's Iskul Bukol Freshmen). Vic Sotto, after 20 years became an archaelogist. He discovered a relic which is the Kali of Humabon and he searched for the two other valuable artifacts: Kampilan of Lapu-Lapu and the Peseta (one of the 30 silver coins of Judas Escariot). When he went back home he reunites with the Escalera brothers, who after 20 years became very successful real estate developers. The story revolves with the adventure of the trio (Tito, Vic and Joey) against a Yakuza that want to unite the three relics to gain power.

Here are links related to the MMF:

Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia - Synopsis and Cast
Desperadas 2- Synopsis and Cast
Shake, Rattle & Roll X - Synopsis and Cast
Iskul Bukol Trailer
Ang Tanging Ina Ninyo Lahat Trailer Baler Trailer

Ayala Greenbelt Makati

Last Christmas 2008, I had the opportunity to visit Ayala Greenbelt. It's amazing how Greenbelt has evolved throughout the years. When I was still young (it was about year 2000), this used to be a very small mall that has a large pond, a church and a huge parking lot (reserve for Greenbelt, Glorietta and Landmark). The shops back then were not that sophisticated compared to Glorietta. But now it has completely changed. Greenbelt now has evolved to be a top-class mall in Makati. On my opinion it is at par with Rockwell and other high class malls in Metro Manila. Greenbelt otherwise known in the yuppie generation as "GB", boasts the best bars, fine dining restaurants, high-end fashion shops, nature park, Ayala Museum and of course the ol' GB church. Greenbelt is divided into 5 places. Namely Greenbelt 1 - 5. Here are the shops/ attractions found on each annex:

• Greenbelt One- one of the original buildings of GB (annex that is facing AIM Asian Institute of Management), there are some old shops (based from changes since year 2000) that were still retained namely Jollibee, Via Mare, Wendy's, Rustan's Supermarket, National Bookstore, Ace Hardware, Automatic Centre, Filbar's . New shops are Starbucks, Terriyaki Boy, David's Salon, Apple Center, Blade (Auto Accessories Shop). The old movietheatre is still there however I believe one of the movie theatre is changed into an Onstage Theatre for plays and Cinemanila.
• Greenbelt Two- also another of the one of the original buildings of the old GB(annex facing the PAL office and Rada street. Original shops that are still present are Deli France, Bacolod Chicken, Oddysey, the salons, Mercury Drug, Chili's, Dessert Cafe, Sarabia Optical, Max's Restaurant. New shops(based from changes since year 2000) that opened up are Yellow Cab, Netopia, Binalot. New restaurants and bars emerged like Masa's, Italiani's, Flap Jack's, Nuvo Restaurant.
• Greenbelt Three- the new annex for GB.This replaced the area wherein the old Shakey's Greenbelt used to be (hay.. that good ol combo band days haha). Basically Greenbelt 3 is filled with top-designer shops and electronic shops, here are samples of these shops Anne Klein, Avid Sony Shop, Apple Center, Oddysey, Beauty Bar, Celio, Springfield, Calvin Klein, JAckSpeid, Nike Park.. High class restaurants has also emerged on this side of Greenbelt namely BubbaGump(Shrimp, shrimp, shrimp), Banana Leaf(Thai Cuisine), Recipes(Filipino cuisine), Fish n Co'y (as the name implies alot of fish), Ebun (Filipino cuisine), Big Buddha (Chinese cuisine), Good Earth (Chinese Cuisine), Haiku (Japanese Cuisine) and alot more. GB3 is also known for its nightlife, Family KTV such as Red Box, bars such as Absinth (modern bar ideal for teenagers and those yuppies who has it), Merks (old school Jazz bar ideal for the baby boomers out there).
• Greenbelt Four- Another new annex of Greenbelt. It contains the improved Ayala Museum. GB 4 showcases very high end designer shops namely Luis Vuitton, BVlgari, Marc Jacobs, Philip Chariol, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo and YSL. There is a bridgeway that connects Landmark and GB4. There are shops located on this bridgeway namely, Globe Telecom, Powerbooks, Nike (Women).
• Greenbelt Five- GB 5 is the newest annex. It host many interesting shops that our kababayan's are crazy about. Here are the following shops: AC+ 632, Adora, All Flip Flops, Bally, Banana Republic, Crocs, Charles and Keith, Columbia, Chicco, DKNY, Escada, Gaupo, Gingersnaps, Hugo Boss, Myth, Levi's Premium, Zara and alot more

GB Trivia
* The old Shakey's Greenbelt does not exist anymore :'( . So long combo bands.
* The old tiangge from Greenbelt 1 does not exist anymore, it is now replaced with GB 5.
* The old KFC from GB 1 does not exist and also was replaced by GB 5
* The huge pond that used to cover the church has already been reclaimed and turned into GB3, GB4, GB5. The park was also changed but it has improved.
* The old GB Jollibee along the side of Pasay Road does not exist anymore it is being replaced by GB3 and Renaissance Hotel.
* The Greenbelt church is still there.

For more information on GB please visit the Ayala website:

Here are some updated pics of Greenbelt for your appreciation (please click on image for full viewing):

SM Mall of Asia

SM Mall of Asia is the second biggest mall in the Philippines. It is located in the southernmost tip of Epifanio de los Santos Pasay City (near Diosdado Macapagal Highway). On my opinion, Mall of Asia is one of the best malls in the Philippines.

It showcases top shopsshops (fashion shops like Zara, Marks and Spencers, Bench.., tech shops for cellphones, computers, consoles, a whole lot of shops). MOA offers alot of attractions that are par with global standards, here are the following:

• IMax Theater
• SM Science Discovery Center- has its own planetarium and world class science and technology exhibit
• SMX Convention Center- one of the largest convention centers in the Philippines, it is ideal for corporate events, exhibits, conference. It could cater to more than 1000 plus visitors.
  Ice Skating Rink- way way bigger than those in SM Southmall and SM Megamall
  San Miguel by the Bay- a series of restaurants that have excellent view of the Manila Bay. Most of the restaurants found in Bayview (Manila) and dampas from Paranaque has transferred on this area. The area is very clean, the view is excellent. I suggest when you come back in the Philippines, you should try dining at this place with your friends and family. Top restaurants that I know of would be President's Teahouse, Trinity (ihaw-ihaw), Berks, Padi's Point, many more.
• One Ecom Center- this is the building beside MOA (opposite from the SMX Convention Center). It host alot of tech shops ranging from cellphones, computers and gadgets). This building also caters for Dell call centers.
  

Mall of Asia as I said is one of the best malls in the Philippines, if you come back in the country you'll be surprised how much the progress and development has been implemented throughout the years. What used to be the sea has now turned into a worlclass mall. Give 5 to 10 years, the area will be sprawling with apartments, condo, casino's, theme parks and other commercial centers.

Below are pictures that I have with MOA. Hopefully you'll better appreciate this ("as they say a picture paints a thousand words :) ")

Globe statue found at the end of Edsa and the entrance of MOA. It signifies the pinoy's global presence, Naks! :))

One Ecom Building, walking distance from Mall of Asia

San Miguel Bayview (Modern CCP)

Welcome to KamustaPH Blog "The online reminiscing site for the global Pinoy workforce"

Welcome to KamustaPH Blog. This blog is a tribute to all the OFW kababayans. This site contains the latest information, pictures, multimedia, trends and happenings in the Philippines. Ever wonder what the Philippines now looks like? Ever wonder if the traffic in Manila is as heavy as hell or what are the new buildings, malls and pasyalan? Is your paboritong gimikan still there or is gone already? This blog is dedicated to provide you information on “Kamusta na Ba ang Pinas Ngayon?”. No matter wherever your assigned, this blog is aimed to update and make you reminisce our country. I wish you all a good luck on your endeavors, hope you enjoy reminiscing in the blog. Godspeed!

Here are some pics that I got this Christmas 2008

Streets between Glorieta 4, Hotel Intercontinental and SM Ayala

Christmas Decor in Glorieta Ayala

Before there was Glorieta 1, 2, 3, 4.. Now behold Glorieta 5..

SM Mall of Asia located in Diosdado Macapagal Highway in Pasay City.

If you were gone for 5 years or more you will be amazed with the development of this site

Everything is not what it seems already. MOA proved to one of the best Malls in Manila.

Baywalk near Mall of Asia. I love what MOA did with its seaside. All dampa from Paranaque transfered on the seaside of the mall. Its like your in Singapore, Manila Bay is way cleaner here than in CCP. If you get the chance you should dine here with your family.



Note: If there are things you would like me to blog about (news, places, events or anything you wish to get updates about regarding the Philippines), please do not hesitate to email me or contact me at bcristuta@gmail.com, you can also post your requests on the comments links. I’ll be more than happy to blog them for you and when available I’ll post pictures for your better appreciation and enjoyment. Cheers!