Who among of you want to familiarize the blue-blooded royalties? Read this:
The British royal family has opened an account on photo-sharing website Flickr, Buckingham Palace announced Sunday, in their latest attempt to move with the times.
The free-to-access site will initially contain more than 600 photographs of Queen Elizabeth II on formal engagements, pictures from palace collections and portraits of the royals as young children. It will be continuously updated.
The captioned images include baby photos of the queen and her son, Prince Charles, behind-the-scenes pictures at a state banquet, and official portraits, including of King George VI’s coronation in 1937.
One of the oldest is a formal black and white photograph of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, taken at Buckingham Palace in May 1854 and currently being shown in an exhibition at the palace.
Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince Charles’ first wife who died in a Paris car crash in 1997, is included in photos with her two sons, Princes William and Harry, although she does not have a dedicated ‘channel’ like the other royals.
“The Flickr photo site is the latest way in which the royal household is engaging with technological innovation,” a palace spokeswoman said.
In 2001, Queen Elizabeth’s second son Prince Andrew bought her a mobile phone and taught her how to use it.
She bought an iPod in 2005 and the following year recorded a version of her traditional Christmas message on a podcast.
The British monarchy website attracts up to 300,000 visitors a week, the royal YouTube channel — launched in 2007 — has more than 30,000 subscribers, and the royal Twitter account is followed by 40,000 users, the palace said.
The spokeswoman did not say whether the queen herself used Flickr.
The royal account can be accessed at www.flickr.com/photos/britishmonarchy.
Archive for July, 2010
The Royalties on Flickr.com
by admin, on Sun, Jul 25 2010 | No Comments
Piolo asks for apology from KC
by admin, on Sun, Jul 25 2010 | No Comments
Hunk actor Piolo Pascual has apologized to KC Concepcion in connection with a controversy involving Pascual’s 13-year-old son, Iñigo.
In a statement sent to “The Buzz,” Pascual denied that his son was using Twitter to “malign” Concepcion in the Internet. Pascual pointed out that Iñigo does not own a Twitter account, and that the minor’s Facebook page has been hacked.
“He never texted anybody to malign Kristina (Concepcion). He also receives prank calls from different people even while in the States. He has told me that there are people harassing him and using his name to harass other people as well through Internet,” the statement read.
Concepcion is being romantically linked to the actor since they teamed up in the Filipino adaptation of Korean telenovela “Lovers in Paris.” The actor also admitted in public that he is courting Concepcion, who is the daughter of Megastar Sharon Cuneta and first husband Gabby Concepcion.
According to tabloid reports, Iñigo was purportedly opposed to the rumored budding romance between his father and the young actress. Iñigo, who is studying in the United States, would reportedly write negative stuff about Concepcion in his Twitter account.
Pascual called on those behind the prank to stop using his son’s name “to ruin relationships.”
“Please refrain from doing so for we may seek legal counsel. My son is still a minor and private individual. I’d like to apologize to Kristina and her family. Thank you for standing by me through this situation. I appreciate your support and maturity in handling this matter. Again my apologies,” Pascual said.
Sharon defends KC
Cuneta has also broken her silence on the issue.
The megastar defended her daughter from the controversy. She branded the reports “unfair” as she admitted that the issue has hurt her family.
“Disenteng bata si KC tsaka hindi sila opisyal ni Piolo pero matagal na silang nagkikita…. pero sana tantanan na nila ang anak ko,” she said.
She said she is proud of the fact that Concepcion was raised without harboring ill feelings toward anyone.
“Alam ko matagal ng hiwalay si Piolo at mother noong bata. Ayokong mag-comment sa kanila kasi hindi ko alam ang pagpapalaki sa kanya, sabihin ko na lang ‘yong palaki ko sa anak ko… I specifically told her (Concepcion) dahil pupunta siya for the first time sa papa niya, bagong kasal ang papa niya kay Jenny (Syquia), sabi ko, ‘Be respectful,’” she said.
“And I was so proud. I wasn’t expecting it. Jenny wrote her a letter after that day saying she was happy having met KC and to have seen that she was raised wonderfully, that she had no bitterness,” she added.
Hurting
The young actress was also emotional when she addressed the issue on “The Buzz” Sunday. Concepcion burst into tears as she admitted that the write-ups had hurt her.
She also noted that it is impossible for Pascual’s son to write negative stuff about her in the Internet since the actor “is a very good father.” She added that Iñigo was nice to her when they met.
“Ginagawa niya ang lahat to be the man that his son needs kasi lumaki si PJ (Pascual) na walang tatay so gusto ni Piolo maging mabuting ama sa anak niya,” she said.
She added: “Thank you Iñigo sa mga panahon na nagkita tayo and you were nice to me. ‘Yon ang pinaghahawakan ko, ‘yong kabaitan niya noong nagkita kami.”
She said it is possible that someone is trying to ruin the relationship between father and son. She said the same thing happened to her and her father once.
She echoed Pascual’s appeal to stop using the child for their personal agenda.
She, however, said that if Iñigo indeed disliked her, she totally understands him, saying she was in his position once.
“Hindi pa confirmed kung anak niya ang nagsulat, naiintindihan ko si Iñigo kung siya talaga ‘yon dahil ako po ‘yong batang ‘yon noong bata ako… siyempre mahirap naman ‘yong mahal na mahal mo ang mga magulang mo, mahirap makitang magkahiwalay sila and mahirap i-accept kung sino man ang napapalapit sa mga magulang mo,” she said.
Concepcion, meantime, thanked her mom for teaching her not to hold any grudge while she was growing up.
This is another issue that surrounds KC nowadays. Is there some more in the next few days, we’ll see.
Maja’s career at ABS-CBN: “I am contented”
by admin, on Sat, Jul 24 2010 | No Comments
She really has turned into a ripe and budding star of the ABS-CBN at present. Yes, we are talking to the young and lovely Maja Salvador.
After Maja Salvador played the lead in the afternoon show “Nagsimula Sa Puso,” many expected her to be given a primetime show.
So when her follow-up project “Precious Hearts Romances Presents Impostor” ended up in the Kapamilya network’s afternoon lineup again, they thought she would be disappointed. However, Salvador said she doesn’t feel that way at all.
It’s true that both shows were supposed to be part of ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida block. Salvador was quick to add, however, that she’s not in a rush to have a primetime show.
“Sa akin, kahit saang time slot ilagay ang show ko, okay lang. Ang importante mailabas. Hindi naman nakakabawas sa isang show kung sa hapon siya ilagay. Ang importante may ginagawa ka at napapanood ka pa rin ng mga tao,” she said.
Salvador admitted though that there was a time when she wondered why her shows were always being put in the network’s afternoon lineup, but eventually she realized that didn’t matter.
She also said she doesn’t get jealous of other female Kapamilya stars her age who are getting what some might perceive as better opportunities to shine, like some of her contemporaries.
“Opo, nagdaan na rin naman ‘yon sa isip ko, pero hindi ako nagreklamo. Content ako sa kung ano man ang binibigay sa akin. Dapat ganoon ang attitude. Tungkol naman sa issue ng inggitan, walang ganoon sa amin ng mga kasabayan ko, like sina Kim [Chiu] at Erich [Gonzales]. Kanya-kanya kami. Sa akin, swerte ako dahil may projects ako. Kung wala pa akong primetime show, siguro kasi hindi pa oras na magkaroon ako ng ganoon,” she said.
(more…)
Pacquiao’s choose military as priority in law-making
by admin, on Fri, Jul 23 2010 | No Comments
t seems that Pacquiao’s military fans feel rewarded about Cong. Pacquiao’s priorities in legislation.
The Philippine military can rest assured it is one of the priorities of the Filipino boxing icon and Saranggani Rep. Manny Paquiao, as the boxer-turned-lawmaker crafts his legislative bills in the House of Representatives.
Asked if he would support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ‚Äì particularly the Philippine Army ‚Äì Pacquiao on Friday said: “Yes. Makikipag-coordinate tayo sa Philippine Army kung ano man magagawa nating mabuti at matulungan sila.
(Yes. I will coordinate with the Philippine Army regarding the help that I can offer them.)
Pacquiao, who attended turnover ceremonies at the Army headquarters in Taguig City, is a military reservist of the Army’s 15th Ready Reserve Division with a rank of Senior Master Sergeant.
Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao says he will keep the military in mind when crafting bills in Congress, during turnover ceremonies at the Army headquarters in Taguig City on Friday. Mark D. Merue√±as He expressed “great appreciation” for the military’s role, not only of maintaining peace and order in the country, but also of helping carry out the government’s livelihood and development programs.
He said the southern Philippines congressional district he represents is getting benefits from his role in the military.
“Ang military tumutulong iyan lalo na sa probinsya ko. Kaya makikipag-coordinate talaga ako sa kanila kung ano ang maitutulong ko,” Pacquiao told GMANews.TV.
(The military has been a big help to my province. That is why I will make it a point to coordinate with them.)
Boxing rigors
Despite the rigors of his boxing career – including preparations for his reported November fight with Mexican Antonio Margarito – Pacquiao said he would still not lose focus in his efforts of helping his constituents.
He said he has already filed several local bills seeking to create a provincial hospital and university in his district.
“Kailangan makapag-aral iyang mga bata dahil sila ang pag-asa ng bayan (Children need to get education because they are the country’s hope),” he said.
The Filipino boxing icon had taken efforts in preparing himself for public governance. He had attended seminars on public governance, including one at the University of the Philippine in Diliman, Quezon City. [See: Big names attend House orientation but don't throw their weight around]
Last July 8, Pacquiao joined former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, and more than a hundred neophyte lawmakers who attended a House orientation on lawmaking two weeks ago at the Batasan Pambansa Complex.
Cong. Pacquiao is just proving that he’s not only a boxing champ but also a fair and legislator.
We are not acquainted: Grace Lee on James Yap
by admin, on Fri, Jul 23 2010 | 1 Comment
Well, it seems that Noynoy’s victory on winning the election, Kris Aquino pays all this with a never ending settlement of the issue between her and her ex-husband James Yap.
As Kris Aquino’s nullity of marriage case appears to go full steam, with her lawyers revealing its strong case against James Yap –notably a claim that the talk show host-actress’ grounds for separation would “shock” the public — there are developments in the story that would not help James’ cause to avoid such proceedings and save their marriage.
Such is the emergence of another claim, which was published on gossip columns in the form of blind items that James was spotted in a beauty salon with a popular Korean TV news anchor, host and radio DJ. In yet another twist to this story, Grace Lee comes into this sordid picture.
According to the reports, James and Grace were allegedly seen in the beauty parlor “together.”
Grace, who hosts the GMA-7 morning talent show “Diz Iz It” and anchors showbiz segments on QTV-11’s “News on Q” and the weekend “24 Oras” edition, denied this.
In a text message to Yahoo! Southeast Asia, Grace puts that particular “link” to James in proper perspective.
“We go to the same parlor. That’s it,” Grace said.
Grace further revealed that while they were in the same room, there was no chance by any figment of imagination that they came and left the establishment “together” at the time.
“We were never introduced. Although I saw him there twice, (there were) no hellos or anything.”
Grace would not relish the idea of being on the list of purported girlfriends of the basketball star while he was very much married to the TV talk show host and actress.
For her, it’s downright absurd.
Grace is very much happy with her real romance, a Seoul-based Korean book publisher whom she met through a friend. She said she met him right after graduating from the Ateneo when he visited Manila for a business trip.
Also the popular DJ, who hosts the widely followed “Good Times” radio program wherein she shares the top billing with fellow DJs Mo Twister and Mojo Jojo, said her relationship with her boyfriend began “way before” she first started her career in media.
And, she doesn’t mince words in describing her unnamed partner in a previous chat with this sleepless blogger.
“He was my boyfriend before I started and he sees the transition I’m going through,” Grace said. “He’s proud of what I’ve achieved and he’s also worried, which is why he’s trying to be my guide if I’m going off track emotionally, mentally.”
“He is such a strength for me. He’s such a rock in my life. He holds me down. He makes sure I’m level headed at times when I might not be. He always pulls me down to the ground whenever he feels that when something good that is happening in my life might carry me away too much. He makes sure I’m very down to earth,” Grace added.
Grace said she looks forward to marrying her boyfriend, although not in the immediate future. According to her, she would like her future family, with four children, to permanently settle in Manila.
I know that Ms. Kris supporters out there are praying for peace in Krissy’s life and James as well.
