Film and television actress Nadine Lustre won the Favourite Pinoy Star award at this year’s Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, which was held last week in Hollywood, California.
After garnering the highest number of fan votes on social media and on Nickelodeon’s official website, Lustre beat fellow Filipino celebrities Janine Gutierrez, Janella Salvador and Liza Soberano to win her first Kids’ Choice trophy.
“It feels amazing,” Lustre told reporters on Monday. “Since I was young, I’ve been watching the Kids’ Choice Awards, seeing international celebrities being honoured. It feels really good because a piece of my childhood is with me.”
Lustre, 23, recently starred in a hit television series, Till I Met You, a daily romantic comedy programme that ended last January. She said that the award has inspired her to become a role model to her supporters, particularly younger viewers.
“Kids look up to us. They see us on social media, on TV. Of course we want to be responsible with everything that we do. I like inspiring all these kids,” she said.
Lustre, along with her on-screen and real-life partner James Reid, flew to the United States on Tuesday for a three-week concert tour across America.
Alden Richards announces first solo concert
Alden Richards, one of the most popular film and television actors and recording artists in the Philippines, is scheduled to perform in his first ever major concert. The show will be held on May 17 at the Kia Theatre, a popular concert venue in the country’s capital of Manila.
Richards, 25, will be performing hits from his two chart-topping albums, Wish I May (2015) and Say It Again (2016). The debut record achieved platinum status seven times, while the second was certified with an even higher status of diamond. Wish I May also peaked at number eight on Billboard's world charts, with Richards becoming only the third Filipino singer – and the first Filipino male artist – to make the international charts, after Jaya in 1990 and Charice in 2010.
Though Richards has performed shows across the world — including one in Dubai last year — he has never done a solo concert in the Philippines.
As fans await more details about the show, including ticket prices and release dates, his record label GMA Records has been posting teasers on social media. A recent post featured an image of Richards meeting with the producers of GMA Records with the caption: “What’s happening over here? #newproject #coming soon”. The post yielded chatter from fans that Richards might already be working on a third album.
NBA celebrates first Filipino Heritage Week
The National Basketball Association is currently holding it first NBA Filipino Heritage Week, intended to celebrate Philippine culture with Filipino fans of the NBA based around the world, particularly in America and in the Philippines.
Among the week’s highlights are Filipino Heritage Nights to be hosted by the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors teams today (March 16) until Sunday. One of the leading figures of the NBA Filipino Heritage Week is Erik Spoelstra, the Filipino-American head coach of the Miami Heat.
“Obviously, my heritage is really important to me and my family and I’m proud to be Filipino,” Spoelstra told reporters. “But when it’s recognised in the NBA it’s such a special thing.”
Spoelstra, 46, is the first Asian-American head coach to win an NBA championship. He is also the first Asian-American head coach in the history of the four major North American leagues: the NBA, Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL) and the National Hockey League (NHL).
In an interview with Philippine press, Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic said that he is looking forward to visit the Philippines in the future. “I know in the Philippines basketball is the number one sport. I think it’s great to see different cultures,” he said.
On March 19, Filipino pop singer Martin Nievera will be singing the Philippine national anthem during the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Iza Calzado wins in Osaka Asian Film Festival
Filipino actress Iza Calzado bagged the Yakushi Pearl Award for Best Performance by an Actor/Actress at the 2017 Osaka Asian Film Festival last week. Calzado won for the psychological thriller Bliss, the latest feature from acclaimed director Jerrold Tarog.
“Thank you so much to the Osaka Asian Film Festival for this award. Thank you to the jury members for selecting me. I’m very happy and proud to represent my country, the Philippines,” Calzado said during her acceptance speech.
Bliss, which is expected to be released in the Philippines this year, also features the actors Ian Veneracion, TJ Trinidad and Michael de Mesa.
artslife@thenational.ae
