The all-Filipino girl group, 4TH Impact, again impressed the judges and audience of The X Factor UK on the first live performance show. The group sailed through to next round of competition where the remaining 11 acts will perform.
The theme for this week’s performance show was “This Is Me.” Each contestant performed a song, which reflected the artist they want to be. There was some doubt for 4TH Impact as they initially did Walk The Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance,” but they found that the song was not working for them. They told Cheryl about it and their mentor told them to “trust their gut” and the girls decided on Ariana Grande’s “Problem.”
Appearing on stage in all-white ensembles as the eleventh act to perform that evening, it was clear that singing and performance came naturally for 4TH Impact.
The girls impressed both the audience and the judges with their lively rendition of the Ariana Grande hit matched with powerful vocals and impressive dance moves. It was deafening in the stadium as the crowd continued to cheer long after the performance had finished. Head judge Simon Cowell conceded that he probably didn’t need to say anything because the people had said it all. He told the sisters that their passion sets the group apart from all the other contestants.
“That was fantastic. You know what’s great about you girls? You are great singers. You have got attitude. You are passionate. You rehearsed,” he said.
Judge and Group category mentor Cheryl Fernandez-Versini beamed with pride. “I couldn’t be more proud. Please stop thanking us because we are thankful to have you. You are fantastic and this competition needs you,” she said.
Filipino-Australian singer Seann Miley Moore closed the first live performance show with his fantastic rendition of David Bowie’s “Life on Mars.” He, like 4TH Impact, moves on to next week’s live show. Without a doubt, Seann stands out from the rest of the contestants if only for his outfits. But with his singing talent and performance skills, he is a definite contender.
Judge Rita Ora kept repeating “Wow!” after Seann’s performance adding “I just wanted to be up there and be a part of it all with you. This is what I’m talking about – this is so amazing! You are an artist, you are a visionary. And you hit them notes like boom, boom, boom! So congratulations – thank you for your individuality.”
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini said that Seann could be the “most individual character” they’ve ever had and said, “You’re so thespian, but in a beautiful way – not theatre at all. How I would see you in concert. Your concert. That was outstanding. I was fixated the whole way through.”
*****
Dante Alighieri at Shang
Shang celebrates the 750th anniversary of Dante Alighieri with special film screenings at the Shang Cineplex. One of the world’s greatest poets, and considered father of the Italian language, Dante Alighieri has influenced cultures, arts and popular views around the globe.
This month marks the 750th anniversary of his birth, and Shangri-La Plaza partners with Societa’ Dante Alighieri Comitato di Manila and the Philippine-Italian Association to present special screenings of two major films on Dante’s life and works, namely L’Inferno and Dante.
Dramatic silent film L’Inferno screens 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Cinema 4, with the live musical scoring of Filipino rock icon Razorback. The Italian epic comes to life at the hands of director Giuseppe de Liguoro, as an imaginative film loosely adapted from Dante and inspired by the illustrations of Gustave Doré. Full of special effects, flashbacks, monsters, giants, dragons, demons, and other hellish apparitions, it makes a terrific impact just as it did when it first screened at Naples’ Teatro Mercandante in March 1911.
Dante screens on Nov.10 at 3 p.m., and again on Nov. 11 at 3 and 7 p.m. at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 4. Director Luca Lussoso took on the challenge of adapting Dante’s masterpiece – the Divine Comedy, to the modern-day, painting an elaborate afterlife filled with details, while innovating the ways of culture divulgation.
Both screenings are free admission and on a first-come, first-served basis.
For inquiries, call 370-2500 loc. 597 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage. Follow the Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazaofficial.
Mar and Korina’s secret to a Happy Marriage
Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez recently celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary as a happily married couple.
On the eve of their anniversary on Oct. 26, the couple welcomed their special day with a quiet and simple midnight snack that Mar brought home from work. “Happy anniversary, honey! Look what I have, said Mar,” Korina narrated. “And he brings home a pasalubong food that I absolutely love. I suddenly remembered my late Father whom I look forward to seeing every time he came home from work because he always brought pasalubong for me.”
Mar and Korina shared the food, joked around, and had a toast to a happy and healthy life. On the day of their anniversary, Korina baked her mouth-watering and legendary blueberry cheesecake as surprise for Mar who he sent her huge yellow roses.
In her official Instagram account, Korina posted a rare photo of her and Mar during their honeymoon in Japan back in 2009, back-to-back with a current photo of theirs. In her caption, she thanked The Lord for six years of marital bliss with Mar.
“This was during our honeymoon in 2009 in Japan. I wish I could say life was simpler for Mar and me then. But life has never been simple for us, between politics and television. But time has passed by fast, and still, I seem to remember every moment,” Korina says about their honeymoon photo.
“Six years later, it might look even more complicated for us. But Mar and I have discovered the secret: simplicity is within both of us. True love should be simple. And it is what matters. Thank you Lord for our 6 years,” says a very thankful Korina.
*****
Heart Evangelista shares her life
Heart Evangelista, one of the country’s most beautiful faces, narrates her life lessons and shares with her readers all the makeup and skin care practices she’s learned through the years.
From tips she learned from her own mother to personal rituals and industry insider tricks and make-up and skin care tips, hacks, and shortcuts she’s accumulated throughout her career.
Opening the book with a full face of make-up on, Heart shares beauty tips, makeup looks, and anecdotes from her life so far.
She removes one make-up element at a time to show how she has progressed in life. Towards the end of the book, she reveals a bare face. Devoid of make-up and simply bathed in her usual radiant glow, Heart reveals the woman she has happily transformed into in real life.
This is her latest book after the children’s book she wrote with bag designer Rocio Olbes. The book is titled This is Me, Love Marie.
Heart shared her new projects with her followers on Instagram last Tuesday.
Says Chiz Escudero, “I always give my full support to whatever endeavor my wife is involved with.” And that despite his hectic schedule now that he is trying to divide his time between politics and personal life.
*****
Dina, Boyet consider Benjamin family
According to Benjamin Alves, they treat each other family, even off camera. He was referring to her on-screen parents played by Dina Bonnevie and Christopher de Leon in the Kapuso primetime series Beautiful Strangers.
The actor says he feels blessed for being given the chance to work with these two seasoned actors. “I have learned so much from them and I have a cache of memories that I will cherish all my life,” he added. Among these is when they go and eat in Dina’s restaurant.
*****
Grace and Erap visit FPJ’s grave
Fernando Poe Jr, had passed on 10 years ago. But his fans have remained very loyal to him. In the recent Undas, vistors at the Manila North Cemetery where his remains lie peacefully in a tomb had a grand time having their photos take.
Also, the ABS-CBN teleserye FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano is rating very high. This is based on Da King’s film in 1997 of the same title.
One of those who visited FPJ’s tomb on Oct. 31 was Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada. He was alone when he went to the grave.
“Mas maganda ang nag-iisa; mas nakakapagdasal ng mabuti,” Erap said in an interview.