Latest news with #gmanews
GMA Network
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Song Joong Ki in Manila: 5 memorable moments from South Korean star's fan meet
Song Joong Ki's first fan meeting in Manila was a blast! The Hallyu icon spent time with Filipino fans for the first time at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, greeting everyone with his charming smiles. If you missed the event, here are five fun moments from the night. 1. Opening acts Good energy filled the SM Mall of Asia Arena right from the start. Sam Concepcion, Lara Maigue, and Kayla Rivera, accompanied by a live band and dance crew A-Team brought the good vibes with performances of songs like "Standing Next to You" by Jungkook of BTS, "Pretty Boy" by M2M, "I'm Always by Your Side" by John Park from "Vincenzo," "The Poem of Destiny" by Ailee from "Arthdal Chronicles," and "Gravity" by Jongho of Ateez from "Reborn Rich." Justin Pinon, dubbed the mental assassin, known to read minds through psychological observations, performed mental tricks with volunteers from the audience. Sam Concepcion, Lara Maigue, Kayla Rivera, accompanied by a live band and dance crew A-Team, open Song Joong Ki's Manila fan meet. @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking — Nika Roque (@rqNIKA) May 24, 2025 2. Flower Boy Song Joong Ki is called "flower boy" or "pretty boy" for a reason! The actor charmed Filipino fans with his waves, looks, and smiles sent to every section of the arena. The smallest act, like catching his breath, making finger hearts, or waiting to speak is enough to make fans shriek or scream out terms like "saranghae." 3. Fans love Song Joong Ki said he heard Filipino fans' cheers backstage, but was in shock to see the crowd as soon as he made his grand entrance when the stage opened with smoke and bright green lights. The screams were nonstop, and at one point, Song Joong Ki also told fans, "Don't cry." Pinoy fans also made sure to show Song Joong Ki a good time. Fans from the sections were chosen to play The Mafia Game or "Vincenzo"-themed charades. Ten lucky fans were chosen to join their idol onstage to play Read My Mind, or a variation of This or That. Janice De Belen was the lucky one who received a flower arrangement made by Song Joong Ki himself. Filo and international fans also surprised Song Joong Ki with a special video, and he was touched by it. Janice De Belen recieves flowers from Song Joong Ki ????????????@gmanews @gmanewsbreaking — Nika Roque (@rqNIKA) May 24, 2025 4. Behind-the-scenes tidbits Song Joong Ki shared some moments from his characters. The actor said he thinks "Vincenzo" appealed to Filipinos because he is a bad boy. "I was able to overcome the struggle of being a bad boy. I think I've done a great job naman sa character," he said with the help of a translator. He also shared some of his favorite scenes from the show. "Ang dami kong memorable scenes pero isa mga 'yun ay sa last episode, 'yung kiss scene," he said. "Tapos 'yung sa first episode, sa winery, pagkatapos masunog 'yung winery. S'yempre ang dami pang scenes," Song Joong Ki added. After hearing the opening acts sing songs from "Vincenzo" from backstage, Song Joong Ki said, "I took a video of it tapos nag-send ako sa mga co-artists ko, 'yung artists ng 'Vincenzo' and they said, 'thank you, thank you very much for singing.'" And despite already playing a number of roles across various genres, Song Joong Ki said he wants to play a vampire in a fantasy, "'yung vampire na may Asian color din." Song Joong Ki has also prepared for his next drama series titled "My Youth," where he learned how to make flower arrangements for the role. "'Yung character ko dito ay florist. The story is about a male and a female, talagang [they] fall in love with each other," he said. Song Joong Ki studied flower arrangements for his upcoming series, 'My Youth,' and he is showcasing his skills during his Manila fan meet. @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking — Nika Roque (@rqNIKA) May 24, 2025 5. Song Joong Ki gives love back Of course, Song Joong Ki had to give love back to his Filipino fans. He said that he has Filipino friends in South Korea and Italy, "kaya I really wanted to go to Manila para makita ko ang mga Filipino fans ko." The actor said he loves the Filipino language, and made sure to learn words like "mahal na mahal kita," "masarap," and "sumakses." "Sobrang saya 'yung pronunciation nung Tagalog," he said. Before the show ended, Song Joong Ki got closer to fans from the stage to take photos with them. More than that, he also made this promise. After watching the surprise video from fans, Song Joong Ki said he is very touched and said, "Sa tingin ko, babalik ako dito sa Manila." "Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong suporta, pagmamahal sa akin. And I will give this back to you guys, s'yempre [by being] a good actor, [and have] good works as well. So sa tingin ko, dapat babalik ako dito sa Manila," he added. —MGP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
25-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
LOOK: All systems go for ASEAN Summit 2025 in Malaysia
All systems are on the go at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center on Sunday, May 25, 2025, a day before the start of the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. With the Petronas Towers as the backdrop, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will welcome heads of states here, including Philippine President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. ANNA FELICIA BAJO/GMA Integrated News KUALA LUMPUR - Preparations are underway on Sunday here at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC) for the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Police are ensuring the safety and security of those who will attend and participate in the Summit, particularly the ASEAN heads of states. Just outside the KLCC, an area has been prepared for the welcome ceremony wherein Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to greet heads of states, including Philippine President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. Scenes here at the International Media Center for the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking — ????Anna Felicia (@annafelicia_) May 25, 2025 A red carpet was also placed to welcome the heads of states. This is where Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will welcome ASEAN heads of states, including Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Marcos is expected to arrive here in Kuala Lumpur later. @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking — ????Anna Felicia (@annafelicia_) May 25, 2025 Marcos is expected to arrive here in Kuala Lumpur later in the afternoon. According to Department of Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier Imperial, Marcos will underscore the Philippines' sovereignty and sovereign rights during the Summit. The country's caretaker while Marcos is in Malaysia will be Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. In conjunction with the ASEAN Summit, two major high-level meetings, the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, will also be held. The GCC-related Summits are expected to lay the groundwork for a dynamic trilateral partnership and open up new avenues for multilateral cooperation across strategic An international media center was designated for reporters monitoring the Summit and Related Summits. There's also an exhibit showcasing Malaysian goods and culture, which can be visited by attendees of the ASEAN Summit. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
BIR commissioner tenders courtesy resignation
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. on Friday announced he is stepping down from the helm of the state's main tax collection agency after Cabinet-level and secretary-ranked officials tendered their courtesy resignations amid President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s sweeping Cabinet revamp. READ: Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. also tenders his courtesy resignation, although the President's call was only for Cabinet members and secretary-ranked officials. @gmanews — Ted Cordero (@Ted_Cordero) May 23, 2025 'I fully support the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for accountability in public service,' Lumagui said, adding that he wholeheartedly believes in Marcos' challenge 'to realign government with people's expectation.' 'This call for accountability shows the commitment of the President to establish a government that serves the people.' 'As such, I am tendering my courtesy resignation as the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in order to give the Chief Executive a free hand in evaluating my performance in pursuit of further improving public service under his Administration,' the BIR chief said. Lumagui's announcement came on the heels of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin's announcement of the latest changes in the Marcos Cabinet. Notably, his boss Finance Secretary Ralph Recto along with other members of the economic team —Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan; Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go— were retained by the President. 'Akin pong pinasasalamatan ang ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa aking pagkakatalaga bilang pinuno ng BIR. Hangad ko at aking ipagdarasal sa Poong Maykapal ang tagumpay ng ating Pangulo na maitaas pa ang antas ng pamumuhay ng lahat ng mga Pilipino,' Lumagui. (I thank President Bongbong Marcos for appointing me as chief of the BIR. It is my desire and prayer to the Almighty that the President succeeds in elevating the lives of every Filipino.) –NB, GMA Integrated News
