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GMA Network
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Jessica Soho gets the 'Pinoy Big Brother' experience during her visit to Bahay ni Kuya: 'Curious talaga ako'
The 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho' team visiting 'Pinoy Big Brother's' Bahay ni Kuya was yet another unexpected but fun collab! Award-winning host Jessica Soho paid a visit to get to know the housemates more, and to try out iconic show experiences, such as conversing with Kuya at the Confession Room. 'In anything, there is always a first time. Pero isa ho ito siguro sa mga hindi ko maisip na mangyayari pala. Posible pala 'yung ABS-CBN at ang aming home network, ang GMA, magko-collab. Nagkasama ang GMA at ang ABS para rito sa collab ng PBB, 'Pinoy Big Brother.' Who would have thought, 'di ba?' Soho said. ["In anything, there's always a first time. But this is probably one thing I never imagined would happen– that it's actually possible for ABS-CBN and our home network, GMA, to collaborate. GMA and ABS came together for this 'Pinoy Big Brother' (PBB) collaboration. Who would've thought, right?] Before entering, Soho learned about the Bahay ni Kuya house rules, like not talking about the outside world. Her first task was to meet with Kuya in the Confession Room. Asked about her purpose inside the Big Brother House, Soho said, 'Kasi, Kuya, pasensya ka na, hindi ko ito natututukan. Alam ko lang na nag-collab na with ABS ang GMA. So, na-curious din ako. Lalo na closer to the finals, 'di 'ba? Diyan nagbu-build up 'yung excitement. So, tsaka na-curious talaga ako.' ['Sorry, Kuya, I haven't really been able to keep up with this. All I knew was that GMA had already collaborated with ABS. I got curious too. Especially as it got closer to the finals. That's when the excitement really builds up. So, yeah, I was genuinely curious.'] Meeting the Big Four Following Kuya's go signal, Soho was able to meet with the Big Four duos. The housemates had no idea that Soho would be visiting, so they were all in for a surprise. After introducing themselves, the housemates toured Soho around the garden and swimming pool. Soho even cooked sopas for the housemates and they got to learn more about 'KMJS.' After their meal, Soho spoke with each housemate. Brent introduced himself as the Gentle-Linong Heartthrob ng Tarlac, and said his moniker came from being a student achiever, from graduating high school as valedictorian and cum laude with an Advertising degree in De La Salle University. After graduating, he became a model, which led to him being a 'PBB' housemate. Asked about his experience inside Bahay ni Kuya, Brent said, 'Siguro po sa akin, ang pinakanaging importanteng lesson is 'yung pakikisama po talaga. Kasi po ako, nasanay po talaga ako most of the time mag-isa.' ["For me, I guess the most important lesson was really about camaraderie and learning how to get along. That's because I've mostly been used to doing things on my own."] Brent's duo partner is Kapuso social media personality Mika Salamanca. 'Ako po Mika Salamanca po," Mika said. "Controversial Ca-babe-len ng Pampanga po. Bunso po sa magkakapatid. Lahat po ng buong pamilya ko po nasa abroad. Ako lang po 'yung nasa Pilipinas para po i-pursue yung showbiz po.' ['I'm Mika Salamanca, the Controversial Ca-babe-len of Pampanga. I'm the youngest among my siblings, and my entire family is abroad. I'm the only one who stayed here in the Philippines to pursue a career in showbiz."] It was not Mika's first time on 'KMJS,' as she previously told her story on her rhinoplasty, and said that she is not ashamed of it. Next up is River Joseph, the Sporty Business Bro ng Muntinlupa City. He said, 'Kasi mahilig ako mag-basketball. At business kasi tumutulong rin ako sa family business namin. Nag-mo-model ako, commercials. Tapos na-in love ako sa acting.' ['I love playing basketball, and I'm involved in our family business. I also do modeling and commercials. Then, I just fell in love with acting."] Soho said that River is always smiling and is called the Pambansang Green Flag. She then met AZ Martinez, the Masunuring Daughter ng Cebu. 'Nag-i-study pa ako. I'm in college studying Marketing Management and balancing it with work,' AZ said, and added that she stopped studying for a term. ["I'm still studying. I'm in college, taking up Marketing Management and balancing that with work."] Soho noted that while inside the house, AZ broke up with her boyfriend. 'Before coming in here, hindi kami okay. We were both toxic. Two years na kami. And, most of the time sa relationship namin, on and off na. And, that was one of the realizations I had inside this house na parang it was bound to happen. Sa labas, I never had the guts to let go. Lagi ko na lang pinipilit,' she said. ["Before coming in here, my boyfriend and I weren't okay. We were both toxic. We'd been together for two years, and for most of our relationship, it was on and off. One of the realizations I had inside this house was that it was bound to happen. Outside, I never had the guts to let go– I just kept forcing it.'] AZ said fellow housemate Ralph De Leon is a 'good friend' and that she is 'happy with his presence.' Soho then met Will Ashley, who she watched in 'Balota.' According to Will, he has the longest showbiz career with 12 years. 'Ang moniker ko po is Mama's Dream Boy ng Cavite. Kaya po nasabing Mama's Dream Boy kasi simula six years old pa lang po ako, 'yung mommy ko na lang po 'yung naging kasama ko, kasi namatay po 'yung dad ko noong 2008,' Will said. ["My moniker is Mama's Dream Boy of Cavite. They call me Mama's Dream Boy because my mom has been my only companion since I was six years old, after my dad passed away in 2008.'] 'And since then po, nu'ng nag-start ako ng showbiz, talagang walang sawang support po 'yung ginawa ng mom ko. Parang baby pa rin po talaga 'yung turing sa akin,' he added. 'Grabe rin naman po talaga 'yung naging samahan namin ng mommy ko. And siya po talaga 'yung sumuporta sa akin simula nu'ng bata po ako.' ['When I started in showbiz, my mom gave me nothing but tireless support. She still treats me like a baby. My mom and I have such an incredible bond. She's really been my supporter ever since I was a child."] Soho met Ralph, the Dutiful Judo Son ng Cavite. 'Nag-judo po ako for almost half my life po. So bina-balance ko po 'yung sports ko with my academics for siguro mga since Grade 6 hanggang mag-graduate po ako ng college,' Ralph said. ['I did judo for almost half my life. I balanced the sport with my academics from around Grade 6 until I graduated college."] After school, he started modeling, acting in commercials, and then entered showbiz. Ralph said he maintains his athleticism inside Bahay ni Kuya. He was previously evicted but is grateful to be brought back to the house. 'Grabe po. Sobrang grateful ko po talaga na nakabalik po ako rito sa bahay na hindi pa po tapos 'yung kuwento ko rito. It just, syempre, gives me more, siguro, more strength to keep going kasi alam ko po naman na these 116 days were no joke.' ['I'm just so incredibly grateful to be back in this house, especially since my story here isn't finished yet. Of course, it just gives me more strength to keep going because I know these 116 days were no joke."] Finally, Soho met the duo of CharEs, or Charlie Fleming and Esnyr Ranollo. Charlie introduced herself as the Bubbly Bread-Teener ng Cagayan de Oro City. She also shared that her father is full Scottish, but has lost contact with him two years ago. 'Medyo nasanay na din po kasi ako na wala 'yung dad ko around. Kasi ever since I was a kid po, nagtatrabaho na po talaga siya abroad. And, nag-divorce na po talaga 'yung parents ko at a very early age,' Charlie said. ['I've actually gotten quite used to not having my dad around. Ever since I was a kid, he's been working abroad. My parents also got divorced when I was very young.'] Now that they don't talk, Charlie said she still wants to be in touch with him. She added that her father has 'a 75% chance' of knowing she is inside the PBB House. Esnyr then introduced himself as Viral Sensational Bestie ng Digos City in Davao del Sur. Esnyr started content creating in the pandemic and this was when his videos became a hit. 'Du'n na po nagsimula 'yung kuwento ko rito sa Manila po for four years na po. Ayun po. Independent po ako rito. At breadwinner po ako ng family po namin,' he said. ["That's when my story here in Manila started, four years ago. I've been independent here ever since, and I'm also the breadwinner for our family."] Esnyr said that right before entering Bahay ni Kuya, he settled his family's expenses. 'Para somehow habang kinakayod ko po 'yung pamilya namin dito at sariling pangarap, eh mabubuhay po naman po sila sa labas. Hopefully. At feeling ko naman nabuhay naman po sila kasi 'yung papa ko recently lang po dumating dito. At happy po ako na nalaman kong healthy sila lahat po.' ['While I'm working hard to support our family and pursue my own dreams, they're able to live comfortably back home–hopefully. And I feel like they've managed to thrive, because my father just recently arrived here. I'm happy knowing they're all healthy.' He added that the most valuable lesson he learned in 'PBB' is the value of family and friends. Lessons learned As 'Pinoy Big Brother' is often dubbed a social experiment, the housemates learned that they had to be true to themselves. The housemates also agreed that there are times for showing skills, for tasks, and for being together as a community. Soho left Bahay ni Kuya with learnings of her own. 'Ganu'n pala 'yung experience. Nakakapanibago. Mabuti na lang nakalabas na ako. Akala ko hindi ako makakalabas,' Jessica said. ["So that's what the experience was like. It was all so new. Good thing I'm out now– I thought I'd never get out.'] 'Ang dami kong violation sabi ni Kuya. Kasi nga ang hirap. Ang daming bawal. Pero it was a wonderful experience para maka-interact 'yung housemates, makilala sila. Ibang klase siya. Nakakatuwa 'yung housemates kasi may kanya-kanyang personality,' the journalist added. ['Big Brother said I had so many violations. Because it's really hard; there are so many rules. But it was a wonderful experience to interact with the housemates and get to know them. It's such a unique experience. The housemates are so delightful because each of them has their own personality."] This Saturday, Mika Salamanca and Brent Manalo emerged as the big winners of 'Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition held at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. After the announcement, Mika shared 'Sa totoo lang po, hindi ko alam ang sasabihin kasi hindi po sapat 'yung salitang masaya at mahal ko kayo at salamat po kasi hindi po 'yun ma-e-explain ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.' ["Honestly, I don't know what to say because the words 'happy,' 'I love you,' and 'thank you' aren't enough; they can't explain what I'm feeling right now."] "Para sa inyo pong lahat 'to. Para sa pamilya ko, para sa mga nagmamahal, at para sa aming dalawa ni Brent,' Mika added. ['This is for all of you. For my family, for those who love me, and for Brent and me.'] Brent added, "Gusto ko lang po sabihin na basta puso 'yung panlaban, anything is possible. God is good. Thank you po. Marami pong salamat." ['I just want to say that as long as your heart is your weapon, anything is possible. God is good. Thank you. Thank you very much.'] —JCB, GMA Integrated News
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The cheapest way to invest, help your kids or buy a first home
Inner Melbourne had an apartment building boom in the 2010s. Victoria reached a peak of 1.55 non-house dwellings completed per 1000 residents by the March quarter of 2017, while NSW completed 1.17 non-house dwellings per 1000 residents in the same period, ABS figures show. Richard Temlett, Charter Keck Cramer executive research director, said Melbourne's apartment market was cheaper than Sydney's because it was 'catching up'. The company's analysis of 2011 and 2021 census data found almost 82,000 occupied private one-bedroom apartments in Melbourne in 2021, up 48.7 per cent in a decade, compared with 123,000 in Sydney, up 54.9 per cent. 'Sydney has a more mature apartment market with more owner-occupiers, while Melbourne has more investors,' Temlett said. 'Sydney also has minimum apartment sizes, which means bigger and more expensive.' For Michael Fotheringham, managing director at the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, this is the crux of the problem. In 2002, NSW introduced apartment standards. 'Victoria was less restrictive on that,' he said, and set minimum standards only in 2017. Loading 'So we built a lot of tiny apartments that appeal to a very niche market and they have not appreciated, which is why they are available more cheaply,' he said. The issue, however, is complicated, especially in light of an affordability crisis. Before the minimum standards, some Melbourne units had issues with flammable cladding, tiny kitchens, borrowed light and poor ventilation. Last month, the Victorian government green-lit apartments in a Greensborough development that fall short of minimum space requirements to meet its ambitious housing targets. 'There are differing views on the trade-offs here: in a supply crisis, some say we should just be building something … rather than worrying about quality and livability standards,' Fotheringham said. Loading It's an issue canvassed in Abundance, a new book being well read among the federal cabinet, which argues progressives' regulation to ensure quality housing turned into a maze of red tape, leaving people worse off. Australians' enduring obsession with houses was also a problem, Fotheringham said, as it made apartments a less attractive long-term option, influencing their design. But not everyone dreams of a big house. When 31-year-old communications professional Mitchell Blincoe started looking to buy his first home, he knew it would be a one-bedroom apartment in Melbourne's inner suburbs. 'Within what I was willing to spend, one-bedroom apartments were the only option in the inner-city area,' Blincoe said. He found a one-bedroom flat in North Melbourne with courtyard and study nook. Blincoe paid $378,000, $6000 more than it sold for in August 2024. 'If I keep it forever, that's great, and if I decide to rent it out it has good rental potential, as it's close to the University of Melbourne and the city,' he said. 'I didn't buy for resale or for capital gain – my objectives were lifestyle and affordability.' Melcorp Real Estate's Mattia Pecorino, who sold Blincoe his flat, said one-bedroom apartments on the outskirts of Melbourne's CBD with 'decent space' and amenities usually cost upwards of $300,000. The 'significantly smaller' inner-city builds, mostly short-term rentals or serviced apartments, fetched about $180,000 to $260,000. 'I've sold a few of the smaller ones lately to interstate purchasers that have noticed the market has bottomed out there,' he said. 'People who purchased off the plan for high $400,000s or low $500,000s three to four years ago … are lucky if they can achieve $400,000 on resale today.'
The Age
a day ago
- Business
- The Age
The cheapest way to invest, help your kids or buy a first home
Inner Melbourne had an apartment building boom in the 2010s. Victoria reached a peak of 1.55 non-house dwellings completed per 1000 residents by the March quarter of 2017, while NSW completed 1.17 non-house dwellings per 1000 residents in the same period, ABS figures show. Richard Temlett, Charter Keck Cramer executive research director, said Melbourne's apartment market was cheaper than Sydney's because it was 'catching up'. The company's analysis of 2011 and 2021 census data found almost 82,000 occupied private one-bedroom apartments in Melbourne in 2021, up 48.7 per cent in a decade, compared with 123,000 in Sydney, up 54.9 per cent. 'Sydney has a more mature apartment market with more owner-occupiers, while Melbourne has more investors,' Temlett said. 'Sydney also has minimum apartment sizes, which means bigger and more expensive.' For Michael Fotheringham, managing director at the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, this is the crux of the problem. In 2002, NSW introduced apartment standards. 'Victoria was less restrictive on that,' he said, and set minimum standards only in 2017. Loading 'So we built a lot of tiny apartments that appeal to a very niche market and they have not appreciated, which is why they are available more cheaply,' he said. The issue, however, is complicated, especially in light of an affordability crisis. Before the minimum standards, some Melbourne units had issues with flammable cladding, tiny kitchens, borrowed light and poor ventilation. Last month, the Victorian government green-lit apartments in a Greensborough development that fall short of minimum space requirements to meet its ambitious housing targets. 'There are differing views on the trade-offs here: in a supply crisis, some say we should just be building something … rather than worrying about quality and livability standards,' Fotheringham said. Loading It's an issue canvassed in Abundance, a new book being well read among the federal cabinet, which argues progressives' regulation to ensure quality housing turned into a maze of red tape, leaving people worse off. Australians' enduring obsession with houses was also a problem, Fotheringham said, as it made apartments a less attractive long-term option, influencing their design. But not everyone dreams of a big house. When 31-year-old communications professional Mitchell Blincoe started looking to buy his first home, he knew it would be a one-bedroom apartment in Melbourne's inner suburbs. 'Within what I was willing to spend, one-bedroom apartments were the only option in the inner-city area,' Blincoe said. He found a one-bedroom flat in North Melbourne with courtyard and study nook. Blincoe paid $378,000, $6000 more than it sold for in August 2024. 'If I keep it forever, that's great, and if I decide to rent it out it has good rental potential, as it's close to the University of Melbourne and the city,' he said. 'I didn't buy for resale or for capital gain – my objectives were lifestyle and affordability.' Melcorp Real Estate's Mattia Pecorino, who sold Blincoe his flat, said one-bedroom apartments on the outskirts of Melbourne's CBD with 'decent space' and amenities usually cost upwards of $300,000. The 'significantly smaller' inner-city builds, mostly short-term rentals or serviced apartments, fetched about $180,000 to $260,000. 'I've sold a few of the smaller ones lately to interstate purchasers that have noticed the market has bottomed out there,' he said. 'People who purchased off the plan for high $400,000s or low $500,000s three to four years ago … are lucky if they can achieve $400,000 on resale today.'
West Australian
a day ago
- Business
- West Australian
Birth Rates in WA plummet: ABS stats show West Aussies are putting off having kids
West Australians are putting off having kids, with new figures showing the number of births last year was the lowest in nearly 20 years. The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for the December quarter show 30,545 babies were born in WA last year, down from 32,031 the previous year. By comparison, 35,429 babies were born in WA nine years ago . The fact that West Australians are baulking at having babies is in line with national trends. ABS statistics show there were 286,998 births registered in Australia in 2023, resulting in a total fertility rate of 1.50 babies per woman — a record low. WA's fertility rate has now reached a record low of 1.57 babies per woman. WA Senator Dean Smith said he believes cost-of-living pressures were affecting couples' decisions to have children. He pointed to huge increases to Perth's median house price — jumping from $251,000 to $781,000 since 2022, according to REIWA data; and rents for a median-priced house now at $685 a week — as two major cost-of-living hikes. 'An Econnex analysis of WA power bills for 2025-26 found a typical household using 5700kWh annually will pay just over $2200 a year,' Senator Smith said. 'Costs specific to raising children are similarly impacted, something reflected in a July 2024 survey by Canstar Blue, which gathered insights from 2356 Australian parents and found the average monthly cost of raising a child is $1073 — or $12,876 a year. 'These financial pressures have been a significant factor in many Western Australians delaying starting a family, increasing the size of their family, or choosing not to have children at all.' The ABS data also showed WA had the largest annual population growth rate of any Australian State or Territory last year — with a growth rate of 2.4 per cent. But that wasn't due to West Australians having babies. The growth rate was largely attributed to overseas and interstate migration, accounting for about 82 per cent of WA's population growth last year. The natural increase to the State's population, which factors in births and deaths, sat at only 2602 in 2024, compared with 5298 in 2014. 'It is worth noting that the natural increase of the population in WA during the December 2024 quarter was just 2602 — the lowest quarterly increase recorded by the ABS since the June 1981 quarter,' Senator Smith said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Are safety regulations hurting India's two-wheeler industry? Manufacturers push back on ABS mandate
Two-wheeler manufacturers are likely to approach the government to seek a deferral of the proposed safety regulation mandating anti-lock braking systems (ABS) across all two-wheeler models from January 1, 2026, citing implementation challenges and capacity constraints. On June 27, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had issued draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, proposing mandatory fitment of ABS in all two-wheelers manufactured on or after the specified date. To meet this mandate, the Industry will need to scale up ABS production by over six times from the current levels within a short time frame, which is not feasible, stakeholders said. None of the manufacturers currently have the installed capacity to meet this level of demand, a senior executive at a leading multinational component supplier told ET on the condition of anonymity. The regulation would also require homologation of models, which certifying agencies like Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) may not be equipped to handle at such scale within six months, the executive said. According to a recent ICRA report, only 23% of over 12.25 million motorcycles sold in the country in FY25-primarily premium bikes-were equipped with ABS. The remaining 77% under-125cc motorcycles, numbering about 9.43 million, were fitted with combi-brake systems (CBS), it said. Rakesh Sharma, executive director at Bajaj Auto, said Indian two-wheelers already offer safety technologies comparable to advanced markets and include features designed for local usage. "Once outcome standards are mandated, the choice of technologies to meet them should be left to OEMs and customers," he said. Another senior industry executive argued that for the entry-level segment, CBS may be more effective than ABS, as most riders tend to use the rear brake. "We will need to meet and present all viewpoints to the government, including effectiveness and accident data," the person said. A senior government official, however, told ET that the MoRTH believes a six-month lead time from final notification is sufficient. However, the actual window may extend to eight to ten months, given the time needed to finalise the notification, the person noted. The ministry maintains that 80% of two-wheeler accidents involve vehicles under 125cc, underlining the need for ABS in this segment. The official confirmed that the ministry has held consultations with industry stakeholders. The proposed amendments to motor vehicle rules also mandate that two protective headgears be supplied with the sale of every two-wheeler, effective three months from the date of final notification. Industry players have also questioned the cost-benefit of ABS in low-powered motorcycles. According to ICRA, implementing ABS is likely to increase vehicle prices by '4,500-5,000, translating to about 4-10% price hike for entry-level motorcycles. OEMs are expected to pass on the additional cost to consumers. This could further delay recovery in the price-sensitive entry-level segment, which is still below its FY19 peak due to successive regulatory cost increases over the past few years-including BS-VI norms, insurance changes, and fuel price hikes.
