Peso-Dollar Exchange Rate: April 4, 2008

Today	04/04/2008	Previous	04/03/2008
Open:	41.640	Open:	41.500
High:	41.640	High:	41.480
Low:	41.760	Low:	41.660
Close:	41.755	Close:	41.640
Volume:	504.945M	Volume:	682.774M

Source: GMANews.TV

Supreme Court affirms Cristy Fermin’s libel conviction; orders her to pay Eddie and Annabelle P1-million

In a 24-page decision prepared by Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura, entertainment columnist and TV-radio host Cristy Fermin (inset) was ordered to pay the amount of P1 million to celebrity couple Eddie Gutierrez and Anabelle Rama (main photo) to escape prison time.

The Supreme Court ordered entertainment columnist Cristy Fermin to pay the hefty sum of P1-million in damages and P6,000 in fines to couple Eddie Gutierrez and Anabelle Rama in connection with the libel conviction handed out initially by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court and the Court of Appeals.

Yilmaz Bektas arrives in Manila

Ruffa Gutierrez said she knows about the arrival of Yilmaz Bektas in the country last night, April 4. However, she says, “Haven’t seen him yet… over the phone lang. But this weekend, we may have to talk ’bout some practical things.”

Since Monday, March 31, there has been a buzz saying that Ruffa Gutierrez’s estranged husband, Yilmaz Bektas, will take a short visit here in the country.

When PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) searched for some information about this, a source related that the Turkish businessman would arrive on Wednesday, April 2. But Yilmaz did not arrive, instead he came last night, April 4.

Nadine Samonte still undecided whether to renew her GMA contract or not

Nadine Samonte admits she feels sad that some of her fellow StarStruck batchmates are not as visible like her in showbiz today. And for those who remain to have a career, Nadine says, “Natutuwa ako sa iba kasi at least… katulad ni Sheena [Halili] nabigyan siya ng chance; si Jade [Lopez] meron na, si Kat-Kat [Katrina Halili], si Cristine [Reyes], at least meron siyang project.”

Earlier, it was reported to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that GMA network has decided to drop Cristine Reyes, former StarStruck Batch 1 Avenger, from its roster of talents.

Now that Cristine is free, she can now accept whatever ABS-CBN has offered her. Rumor has it that she was offered a lead role in the TV adaptation of Alma Moreno’s movie titled Eva Fonda, 16.

ABS-CBN 2007 profit up 71% at P1.27B

MANILA, Philippines- Profit at ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network rose 71 percent to P1.27 billion in 2007, the company said in a statement.

The network, which is part of the Lopez group of companies, said its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization exceeded P 4 billion in 2007.

“This was achieved despite another year of a downturn in the TV advertising industry manifested in lower TV advertising minutes,” the firm said.

GMANews.TV

Gov’t data belies P2.4-B swine project addressed hog lack

MANILA, Philippines – Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) belied claims by Quedancor’s officials that the P2.46-billion Swine Program (QSP) was put up to address the shortage in hog production in 2003.

Figures culled by GMANews.TV from the DA’s Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) showed that there was in fact an increase in the gross supply of swine when the QSP was implemented in 2003.

The BAS data showed that when the QSP was implemented in 2003, domestic production of pork was at 1,384,575 metric tons (MT), which was higher by 3.9 percent to 2002’s 1,332,347 MT.

EDITORIAL – Skills shortage

Amid the country’s 31-year record high economic growth last year, there is a recurring concern: can the growth be sustained? The international donor community, while lauding the country’s economic performance, has expressed concern about corruption, yawning income disparities and increasing poverty amid reports of plenty. Foreign organizations have also warned that corruption is driving away investors.

Now the Asian Development Bank has raised another alert: Asia faces a shortage of skilled workers, which could set back economic growth. Among these workers, the ADB reported, are accountants, airline pilots, business managers, engineers, lawyers, physicians, scientists and software specialists.

Gabby offers to return P1.75M to GMA Films

MANILA, Philippines-After being reminded of his obligations to GMA Films, Gabby Concepcion’s camp assured that they will return the P1.75-million downpayment, with interest, for his contract with the Kapuso network.

“Kagabi ipinadala na ng asawa ni Gabby from San Francisco ang perang ibabalik sa GMA-7 (Last night, Gabby’s wife already sent from San Francisco the money from GMA-7). We are ready to return the money, with interest,” lawyer Jose Flaminiano, the husband of Gabby’s manager, Rose, told Chika Minute reporter Nestor Canlas on Thursday.

It was not mentioned how much the interest was.

SC: TV host and columnist Cristy Fermin guilty of libel

Supreme Court on Thursday found television host and columnist Cristy Fermin guilty of libel and ordered her to pay a total of P.5 million in damages and P6,000 in fines in lieu of a prison sentence of three months to one year.

In a 24-page decision of the highest court, Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura upheld the decisions of the Court of Appeals and the Quezon City Regional Trial Court that earlier found Fermin guilty of libel.

Fermin sued for libel by talent manager Annabelle Rama for an article that appeared in the publication Gossip Tabloid on June 14, 1995.

Sharon Cuneta on Gabby Concepcion: “There’s never been closure.”

Other than her TV show, more projects keep the Megastar busy these days. “My calendar is suddenly packed again, parang sometimes, you wanna complain and say, ‘Sana ma-distribute yung workload over the four years akong hindi nag-work noon,’ pero I’m not complaining. I’m really grateful,” Sharon Cuneta shared.

Megastar Sharon Cuneta was her usual bubbly self during her contract signing with ABS-CBN chairman and chief operating officer Gabby Lopez and Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos, held yesterday, April 2, at the 9501 restaurant, ELJ Building in ABS-CBN.