Willie ‘embarrassed,’ wants out of ABS-CBN

Willie ‘embarrassed,’ wants out of ABS-CBN
By Gerry Plaza – May 23rd, 2010
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Showbiz Eye by Gerry Plaza
Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Barely a week after Willie Revillame publicly declared his disappointment at being verbally lambasted by Jobert Sucaldito (himself a ABS-CBN talent) in a radio show, he has asked to be released from his contract with the network that has been his home for many years.

With his decision, it seemed Willie has taken heed from his close industry ally, Cristy Fermin, who was also once a Kapamilya talent. Cristy had emphasized in interviews that if Willie wanted to switch sides in the network wars, he should first submit a letter to ABS-CBN seeking a release from his contract.

But that really is a necessary legal procedure, whether Cristy advises it or not. But the bottomline is that Willie wants out—due to frustration that the network has really not taken sides, especially not in his favor so far in this drama; exasperation over the continuing controversies that have hounded him since his MTB days; and what he reveals as his failing health.

In his letter to ABS-CBN, Willie was pretty much straightforward and clear:

“My devotion to the show is unparalleled that I have even been besieged by health problems due to the long hours I spend daily, thinking of how to bring “Wowowee” closer to the public. In fact, I have developed a heart blockage, which has already once posed a real threat to my life. I have sacrificed so much. Now, I have to accept the reality that I also have to take good care of my health,” Willie said in the letter.

He added: “Hence, it is very painful to hear every time my show is the target of unwanted and unnecessary tirades. I do not think that these people even have the slightest clue of what I go through to put together a show like “Wowowee”’. The show is not for me, but for those people who dream of a better life. Is it too much to ask that we be respected for what we do? Is it too much to ask that we be defended from such attacks?

“My outburst last week during the live presentation of the show is nothing more than a reflection of my frustration over these things, and was not at all meant to disrespect the network and its management. I implore you to understand that several incidents, which were beyond my control which have marred the reputation of the show to some extent, have already taken their toll on me,” Willie noted.

He further explained: “There was the “Wilyonaryo” incident wherein we were accused of deceiving contestants about their winnings; the Ultra stampede wherein I was blamed and severely criticized; the misunderstanding about my remarks when the coverage of the funeral of the late Pres. Corazon Aquino was unexpectedly shown in the giling-giling portion of “Wowowee”’s airing, for which I have apologized. In all these incidents, I took responsibility even if I was not at fault.”

Thus he declared that the main reason for leaving was to prevent further “embarrassment” to the network.

“I know that all these have caused so much strain on our relations and I would like to save the situation by asking that I be released as a talent of the station,” he said.

ABS-CBN said it will act on Willie’s request after a meeting with its controversial talent on Monday, May 24. According to Bong Osorio, ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Head, the network had long scheduled a meeting with Willie before the letter was first made public on Friday in Ricky Lo’s Philippine Star column.

“ABS-CBN believes that issues are best resolved when discussed with the parties concerned privately before they are made public,” Osorio said in a statement sent to Yahoo! Southeast Asia.

As of now, Willie remains uncertain about his future if ABS-CBN grants his release. There were talks TV5 was interested in his services. But the refurbished network denied making any offer to Willie.

However in the letter he mentioned: “(Should the network grant my release) I will have the much-needed space and time to contemplate on my direction in life and, at the same time, maintain the relationships I have built within the network, which are all worth preserving.”

Photo by AP

TV5 executive: No offer was made to Willie Revillame PEP

TV5 executive: No offer was made to Willie Revillame
PEP
PEP - Wednesday, May 19

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[TV5 executive: No offer was made to Willie Revillame] TV5 executive: No offer was made to Willie Revillame
Slideshow: Showbiz Photos

Controversial TV host Willie Revillame surprised everyone when he agreed to an exclusive taped interview on TV5's Paparazzi aired last Sunday, May 17.

Willie has been on indefinite leave from his noontime show in ABS-CBN, Wowowee, for almost two weeks now. The TV host's decision to take an indefinite leave was caused by Jobert Sucaldito's negative comments about the previous batch of contestants in one of Wowowee segments.

In the TV5 interview, Willie admitted that he has not yet decided on whether or not he will return to Wowowee. He said, "Pinag-aaralan ko lahat, pinag-iisipan ko lahat. Kumbaga, kinakausap ko rin sarili ko. Dapat kausapin mo rin. Ano ba ang gusto mong gawin? Ano pa ba ang gusto mong gawin sa buhay mo?" (CLICK HERE to read related article,)

It may be recalled that during the last sortie of presidential aspirant Manny Villar, Willie was quoted as saying: "Natatakot akong mawalan ng trabaho? Pag magaling ka, may bilib ka sa sarili mo, at mabuti kang tao, 'wag kang matakot. May kukuha sa 'yo. Ba't ako matatakot? Isa lang ba ang channel?" (CLICK HERE to read related article.)

After these statements and his interview with Paparazzi, many observers started speculating that Willie might move to TV5.

WILLIE IS NOT TRANSFERRING. In an exclusive phone interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) yesterday afternoon, May 18, TV5 head for Creative and Entertainment Perci Intalan said these talks have reached their office. However, he denied that Willie is transferring to their network.

"Of course, people have been speculating, naririnig din naman namin 'yon," he said. "Pero marami namang nag-i-speculate kung sino-sino ang lilipat sa amin, di ba? Right now, we're very flattered kasi people recognize now that we're a major player. Pero wala rin naman kaming contact kay Will 'til that point, noong interview na 'yon."

Intalan also expressed gratitude to Willie, on behalf of TV5, for giving them the exclusive interview.

"Parang we feel honored that he allowed us to interview him na exclusive, na pinagkatiwalaan niya kami to be the network that airs his first interview after the issue, di ba? But you know, to be fair rin sa kanya, he knows it's a sensitive issue. 'Yong interview lang na 'yon ang contact namin sa kanya."

GETTING THE INTERVIEW. Intalan also clarified that Willie's interview on Paparazzi was not meant to create speculation. It was conducted so they could connect it to the new segment they created for TV5's musical-variety show, P.O.5. (Party On 5).

Intalan explained, "When we were able to get an exclusive interview with Willie, malaking pasalamat namin. From way back, nagko-conceptualize na kami ng bagong segment called 'Musikat' [for P.O.5] kung saan babaliin namin yung arrangement ng mga sikat na songs to get a different version. Kasama dito sina Jay Durias [musical director of P.O.5], Bituin Escalante, Jan Nieto, Apple Chiu [a former contestant of Philippine Idol], among others.

"Naisip namin, okay si Willie kasi sikat nga yung mga songs n'ya. Tapos sabi namin, 'Why don't we try to interview him and do a feature on Willie to set the number up?' Tapos nangyari ang issue na 'yon. So, nagbakasakali kami...since hindi naman siya ganun ka-busy sa election..."

This led to seeking the help of Paparazzi host Cristy Fermin, a close friend of Willie.

Intalan recalled, "Humingi kami ng tulong kay Cristy Fermin and maybe she could do a feature on Paparazzi, di ba? 'Itong P.O.5, may bagong version ng mga kanta ko.' Parang ganun, parang endorsement lang. We were fortunate na close si Cristy at saka si Willie, so pumayag siyang magpa-interview. Doon na 'yon, na-interview namin siya."

Is TV5 planning to meet with Willie in the future?

Intalan said they haven't contacted Willie after the interview. "He went away rin naman kasi...parang pumunta siya ng Macau. And, of course, we can't really do anything unless ma-resolve 'yong situation ni Willie sa ABS-CBN," he added.

The executive added that TV5 is aware that Willie is still with ABS-CBN.

"As far as we understand, he still obviously has a contract with ABC-CBN. So, nirerespeto naman namin 'yon. So, beyond the interview, wala na rin kaming contact," Intalan said.

To clear the issue, Intalan reiterated that TV5 has not made any offer to Willie. He also hopes that the issue between the TV host and his home network would be resolved soon.

"Sa ngayon, wala naman kaming contact with each other. We don't even know kung gusto niyang mangyari 'yon [transfer]. Kami, ang alam namin, may kontrata siya [with ABS-CBN] and alam mo naman sa showbiz, may mga di pagkakaunawaan and after a week of two, mare-resolve rin naman. The point is, we were granted an interview and ang alam ko nag-uusap na sila [Willie and ABS-CBN executives]."

Nokia files new US patent lawsuit against Apple

Nokia files new US patent lawsuit against Apple
AFP
AFP - Saturday, May 8

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[The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia said Friday it has filed a new lawsuit...] The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia said Friday it has filed a new lawsuit against rival Apple accusing the US firm of infringing five Nokia patents with its latest iPhone and iPad devices.

HELSINKI (AFP) - – The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia said Friday it has filed a new lawsuit against rival Apple accusing the US firm of infringing five Nokia patents with its latest iPhone and iPad devices.

The suit is the latest development in a fierce battle between the two mobile world titans that has seen a sharp drop in Nokia sales and a rise in sales of Apple's iconic iPhone.

"The patents in question relate to technologies for enhanced speech and data transmission, using positioning data in applications and innovations in antenna configurations that improve performance and save space, allowing smaller and more compact devices," Nokia said in a statement.

The Finnish company said it filed the suit Friday in the Federal District Court in the Western District of the US state of Wisconsin.

"Nokia has been the leading developer of many key technologies in mobile devices" the group's general manager of patent licensing Paul Melin said in the statement.

"We have taken this step to protect the results of our pioneering development and to put an end to continued unlawful use of Nokia's innovation," he added.

In October last year, Nokia filed a lawsuit against Apple in a Federal district court for infringing 10 Nokia patents.

Apple hit back in December, countersuing Nokia on allegations it was infringing Apple patents.

In late December, Nokia asked the US International Trade Commission to open an inquiry into alleged infringement of its patents by Apple.

Rare Borneo rhino caught on camera in Malaysia AFP

Rare Borneo rhino caught on camera in Malaysia
AFP

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Rare Borneo rhino caught on camera in Malaysia AFP/HO/File – This photo received from the Borneo Species Programme of the WWF-Malaysia, shows a night shot of a Borneo …
Wed Apr 21, 1:51 am ET

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) – A rare Borneo rhino, thought to be pregnant, has been caught on camera in Malaysia, and wildlife experts said Wednesday a new calf would be a lifeline for the near-extinct species.

Just 30 rhinos remain in the wild in Borneo island, which is shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, and researchers are only able to monitor the population through images captured on remote camera traps.

Images of the rhino, "believed to be a pregnant female, estimated to be below 20 years" were captured by a camera trap in February, the Malaysian arm of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - said in a statement.

"There are so few Sumatran rhinos left in the world that each calf represents a lifeline for the species," international rhino expert Terry Roth said.

The Borneo sub-species is the rarest of all rhinos, distinguished from other Sumatran rhinos by its relatively small size, small teeth and distinctively shaped head.

The Sumatran rhinoceros is one of the world's most endangered species, with few left on Indonesia's Sumatra island, the north of Borneo island and peninsular Malaysia.

Laurentius Ambu, wildlife director for Malaysia's Sabah state, where the female rhino was spotted, said two rhino calves had also been seen in a similar area and urged the government to do more to enforce laws against poaching.

"Habitat protection and enforcement have been recognised as the main strategies in ensuring the survival of the rhino population in forest reserves," he said.

The WWF said the rhino's future on Borneo island would depend on preserving sufficient forest reserves for the animal.

Raymond Alfred, head of the WWF's Borneo Species programme said data from an ongoing rhino monitoring survey programme showed the animal's home range was affected by the expansion of palm oil plantations.

Malaysia is the world's second-largest exporter of palm oil after Indonesia, and the two countries account for 85 percent of global production.

Career Tools > Career Expert Articles >

Career Tools > Career Expert Articles > The Savvy Networker
The Savvy Networker
10 Phrases That Can Sink Your Resume
by Liz Ryan

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If you're job-hunting today, you know that employers are looking for sharp, self-motivated people. Paradoxically, just about the worst way to convey your talent and motivation is to say in your resume or cover letter, "I'm self-motivated." Anyone can say that! The phrase falls flat. You can't afford to let done-to-death boilerplate language sink your resume like a boat anchor.

Resume cliches like "self-motivated individual" and "results-oriented professional" are out of date in 2010. You can do a better job of letting hiring managers know how you solve problems on-the-fly or leap over tall buildings in a single bound.

=========================================
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:

* The interview is not about you
* The truth about resume lies
* Find a new job near you
* Get personalized Twitter job alerts from Yahoo! HotJobs

=========================================

Here are ten of the deadliest resume phrases in use ("massive overuse" would be more accurate) and replacements for each one. You'll rewrite the replacement phrases to reflect your own accomplishments--and that's the key! We can't expect a timeworn piece of resume boilerplate to stand in for our own pithy, personal examples.

Kill this: Results-oriented professional

Replace with your own version of this: I love to solve thorny supply-chain problems

Kill this: Excellent team player

Replace with your own version of this: At Acme Dynamite, I partnered with Engineering to cut our product cost in half

Kill this: Bottom-line orientation

Replace with your own version of this: My accounting-process overhaul saved the company $10M in its first year

Kill this: Superior communication skills

Replace with your own version of this: I led a two-day offsite that yielded our 2010 product lineup and a $40K cost savings

Kill this: Possess organizational skills

Replace with your own version of this: Reduced customer-complaint resolution time from three weeks to one by revamping the process

Kill this: Savvy business professional

Replace with your own version of this: I'm a PR manager who's gotten his employers covered by Yahoo! and Time magazine

Kill this: Strong work ethic

Replace with your own version of this: I taught myself HTML over a weekend in order to grab a marketing opportunity

Kill this: Meets or exceeds expectations

Replace with your own version of this: Invited to join our executive staff at a strategy summit during my first year at the company

Kill this: Strong presentation skills

Replace with your own version of this: Was recruited to join Acme Dynamite after my boss heard me speak at a conference

Kill this: Seeking a challenging opportunity

Replace with your own version of this: I'm looking for a midsize manufacturer primed to grow its business in the Pacific Rim

Get the boilerplate lead out of your resume today, and replace it with concrete, visual stories that bring your power to life. Watch employers respond! You can't afford to send out another lifeless, sounds-like-everyone-else resume. Employers want the real you on the page. Try it!

--
Liz Ryan is a 25-year HR veteran, a former Fortune 500 VP, and an internationally recognized expert on careers and the new-millennium workplace. Connect with her at www.asklizryan.com.

Second blue moon for 2010 due March 30 - Pagasa

Second blue moon for 2010 due March 30 - Pagasa
GMANews.TV
GMANews.TV - Tuesday, March 2

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Stargazers are in for a rare treat in March, as they will see the second blue moon for 2010, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services administration said.

In Pagasa’s astronomical diary for March, Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said the blue moon - the occurrence of two full moons in one month - is due on March 1 and 30.

“On the average, [a blue moon] takes place once every two and a half years. But the second blue moon for this year which will appear this March is an exceptional case. Since the full moon occurred on January 1 and 30, 2010 and preceded by 28 days of February, the event will be repeated on March 1 and 30, 2010. The next blue moon will be on August 2 and 31, 2012," Nilo said.

Pagasa noted that since the moon takes 29.5 days to circle the Earth once in its orbit, it is possible that two full moons can occur within the same calendar month.

Such was the case in January 2010, when the moon was full on the 1st and the 30th, making the full moon on the 30th a “blue moon."

On the other hand, Nilo said the vernal equinox will occur on March 21, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

At this time, it said the length of day and night in both hemispheres is equal on this day.

Color blue on occasion

Nilo added there have been times when the moon does seem to have a blue color. He said could be due to dust particles in the atmosphere, which scatter light. The effects of this dust on the light coming from the moon can cause it to appear bluish in color.

He cited the eruption of the Krakatoa Volcano in 1883 that gave us one such “blue moon."

“For about 24 months after this volcano erupted, the dust it spewed into the upper atmosphere which caused the moon to appear green and blue when viewed from around the world," he said.

Venus, Mars visible

Meanwhile, Nilo said Venus, the brightest naked eye planet, will be found low above the western horizon after sunset during the first week of the month. It will be shining at magnitude -3.9 and will be located among the background stars of the constellation Pisces, the Water Bearer.

The brightest planet will be slowly moving upward each passing night. On the last week of the month, Venus, together with Mercury, will be found at about 13 and 10 degrees above the western horizon, 30 minutes after sunset, respectively.

At around 7 p.m. of March 4, Mars will be found at about 56 degrees above the east northeastern horizon and will remain visible in the evening sky throughout the month.

Its magnitude decreases from the beginning to the end of the month, ranging from -0.6 to +0.1 with a phase of 96 to 92 percent and a diameter from 12.04 to 9.31 arcseconds.

During the first week of the month at around 9 p.m., Saturn will be shining at magnitude +0.6 and will be located at about 25 degrees from the eastern horizon.

It will be found among the background stars of the constellation Virgo, the Virgin. By using a modest size telescope, it will reveal a diameter of 19.39 arc of a second and Saturnian satellites can sometimes be seen as tiny yellowish beads of light.

“The inclination of its rings can be seen just 2 degrees from the observer’s line of sight, the smallest tilt this year," Nilo said.

At around 5:30 a.m. of March 30, Uranus, Jupiter, and Neptune will be at 3, 10 and 30 degrees above the east southeastern horizon and will be glowing at magnitude +8.0, -2.0 and +5.9, respectively.

Jupiter and Neptune will lie among the background stars of the constellation Capricornus, the Sea-Goat while Neptune will be found among the stars of the constellation Pisces, the Fish.

A modest size telescope will be needed to observe Neptune, the Blue-Green planet while Uranus will be difficult to observe due to its proximity to the Sun. - KBK, GMANews.TV

Own the Interview: 10 Questions to Ask

Own the Interview: 10 Questions to Ask
by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs

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For many job seekers an interview can seem too much like an inquisition. That's usually because they're doing all the answering and none of the asking.

"Somewhere in the interview you have a chance to impress the employer on your own terms and see if the job is a good fit for you," says Florida-based career coach and executive recruiter Jonathan Milligan. "And you absolutely should take this opportunity. By asking the right questions you can determine if the job is right for you and also show you're engaged and interested in the job."

Employment experts identify five key question areas where you can gain insight, put yourself in a good light, and take some control in the interview.

Identify their pain.

* "What is one of the biggest problems the company faces that someone with my background could help alleviate?"
* "If I started in this job tomorrow, what would be my two most pressing priorities?"

Find out where the company is going.

* "Where do you see this department/company in five years?"
* "What are the long and short term goals of the company/department/work group?"

Determine whether you'd fit in.

* "How would you describe your company's culture?
* "What tangible and intangible qualities attracted you to the organization?"

Show you're really interested.

* "What additional information can I provide about my qualifications?"
* "What are the next steps in the selection process?"

Ask follow-ups.

* "Can you clarify what you said about ...?"
* "Can you give me some examples of ...?"

"By requesting clarification or examples, you show interviewers you care and that you're thinking deeply about the issues they brought up," says learning and development consultant Bill Denyer. He suggests taking notes in the interview, using keywords to jog your memory of what was discussed but not burying your head in your notebook.

What you don't want to ask are questions with obvious answers, according to Susan RoAne, author of "Face to Face: How to Reclaim the Personal Touch in a Digital World."

"You really need to do your homework," RoAne tells Yahoo! HotJobs. "Before the interview go to the company website and use search engines to get up to speed, and browse social networking sites like Yahoo! Groups to see who knows what about the company."

"And never, never ask an interviewer, 'How long is the vacation'? or, 'What does your company do?'" RoAne added.

Some experts suggest waiting for the inevitable "Do you have any questions for us?" at the interview, while others recommend looking for conversation openings to ask appropriate questions.

"It depends on the situation," Milligan says. "If the interviewer seems to be reading from a sheet of questions, don't interrupt. If it's a more casual conversation, you may have chances to turn the questions back on the interviewer."

"It's important to remember the job interview is a two-way street," RoAne said.