Popular American rock band Journey zooms up to the top 5 spot on the Billboard 200 with their newest album “Revelation”

Filipinos around the world will surely be proud, since Journey’s current lead vocalist is pure-blooded Filipino Arnel Pineda. It’s Pineda’s voice that soars and rocks on that hit album.

“Revelation” is Pineda’s first CD since taking on the duty of frontman for the legendary rock band.

In www.billboard.com’s Chart Display for this week, it shows that the Journey’s album is on the Top 5 spot followed by Ashanti’s album “The Declaration.”

It was reported on May 8 that Filipinos in the Philippines still have to wait a while–as long as six months–before they get their hands on “Revelation”.

In a previous interview Pineda revealed that Wal-Mart stores in North America acquired exclusive rights to distribute the 3-disc package starting June 3.

All of the songs on “Revelation” were produced by Kevin Shirley, the man who previously worked with Journey on their platinum-certified “Trial by Fire” album.

Pineda said that the original plan was for him to do the vocals on just four new songs on the album, plus a few old Journey hits. In the course of production, however, the Filipino rocker ended up taking up the vocals for a very loaded “Revelation” album.

Pineda said songs in the album include: Never Walk Away; Like A Sunshower; Change For The Better; Wildest Dream; Faith In The Heartland; After All These Years; Where Did I Lose Your Love; What I Needed; What It Takes To Win; Turn Down The World Tonight; The Journey (Revelation). Only The Young; Don’t Stop Believin’; Wheel In The Sky; Faithfully; Any Way You Want It; Who’s Crying Now; Separate Ways (Worlds Apart); Lights; Open Arms; Be Good To Yourself; Stone In Love.

Pineda said he and the band recorded the album in California for almost two months. Pineda appealed to his fellow Filipinos to support the album as soon as it is available in the Philippines.

“I hope it goes platinum. This is history for the Philippines. I really thank my fans who have supported me even when I get criticized and discriminated against. I hope they support Filipino artists who are struggling in the Philippines and abroad, “ he said.

Pineda is now out in the country for his five-month US and European tour. He left the country last May 17.

ABS-CBN’s newest star KC Concepcion got teary-eyed after signing a three-movie contract with the Kapamilya Network’s movie outfit Star Cinema on Wednesday.

“Kasi sobrang excited po ako talaga and hindi ako makapaniwala na kailan lang MMK ‘yung ginawa ko dream come true po kasi. Ang tagal kong hinintay and ngayon pelikula na and hindi lang isa mayroon kaming tatlong pelikula. Hindi ko alam kung how many years pero committed po yung tatlong pelikula,” KC told entertainment reporters during the contract signing held at 9501 restaurant inside the ABS-CBN compound.

KC said she will be doing a light romance flick for her first ever movie, which will be helmed by director Joyce Bernal.

“Handa na po akong maging leading lady….sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa ABS-CBN dahil bibigyan nila ako ng opportuniy na makatrabaho ang ilang respetadong director like sina Joyce Bernal na magiging director ng first film. And si direk Chito Roño and direk Cathy Garcia-Molina,” she said.

She also gave a hint that she will be working with one of the famous sought after leading men in local showbiz. “Let’s just say we both fought for this project,” Concepcion said.

Asked if the leading man was her rumored flame, GMA-7’s star Richard Gutierrez, KC said: “Secret… pero wala pong imposible pero sobrang happy ako. Malalaman niyo for sure.”

Present during the signing were ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio, Star Cinema Managing Director Malou N. Santos and Concepcion’s managers Sandra Chavez and Shirley Kuan. “This is a dream come true for Star Cinema and ABS-CBN,” Concio said.

ABS-CBN talent and child star Sharlene San Pedro shared that she just finished shooting her first film with actress Judy Ann Santos, entitled “Kulam.”

“Okay po siya mabait po siyang ka-trabaho,” Sharlene said.

The child actress said that for the said film she will portray the role of a blind girl and the daughter of Judy Ann’s character.

“Ako po ay bulag dito, hindi ako mangkukulam,” she said.

Sharlene declined to give more details about her role and instead told members of entertainment press to watch the movie. “Panoorin niyo na lang po ang movie.”

Still, she couldn’t help but give away what happens later to her character. “Sa huli po ay makakakita ako, magkakaroon po ako ng mata – ng paningin,” she said.

Matinee idol Dennis Trillo will also star in the Regal Films production.

Filipina actress Marife Necesito has a breakout role in the scorching domestic drama “Mammoth”, a film that includes Hollywood stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Michelle Williams.

“Mammoth” is directed by critically-acclaimed Swedish director Lukas Moodysson. Moodyson is a winner of the Guldbagge Award (the Swedish counterpart to the US Oscar Awards) for Best Director.

Moodysson’s film is about a love triangle between a businessman (Bernal), his wife (Williams) and the nanny (Necesito).

Moddyson also directed and produced Memphis Films’ “Dogville” starring Nicole Kidman and Bjork”s “Dance in the Dark.”

Necesito is not a superstar in the Philippines, but she is a respected actress on stage, film and television productions. Necesito passed a rigorous audition to bag the plum role.

Necesito bested other respected local actresses in the “Mammoth” tryouts, including Alessandra de Rossi, Chinchin Gutierrez, Joyce Jimenez and even seasoned theater and screen thespian Pinky Amador.

Paolo Bediones will host the local version of the US reality show “Survivor”.

All that Paolo Bediones asked for this hosting gig is to have an Internet connection on the remote island and a satellite phone. He needs e-mail to keep in touch with his business partners in Manila. For 39 days, Paolo and the show’s staff will be living in conditions similar to those of the 16 castaways.

“Caregiver” is Sharon’s 30th anniversary offering to her fans and supporters, and also celebrates Star Cinema’s 15th anniversary.

Before going to London, Cuneta said she was very happy that she is making her new movie under Star Cinema with acclaimed director Chito Roño at the helm.

But while she was in London, she revealed that for the first time ever, she really had a hard time doing the film because of the very hectic schedule, stress, lack of sleep and unpredictable weather.

“Honestly and quite frankly, I have never experienced such a gruelling schedule and it’s so demanding on my physique. I just fought off trangkaso with very strong antibiotics in fact kahapon lang yung last,” Cuneta said

Cuneta worked in London with her co-stars John Estrada, Rica Peralejo, Jhong Hilario and Makisig Morales.

She started shooting the movie April 5th, two days after her contract signing with ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema.

“Caregiver” is a story that tackles the hardship of life of an ordinary OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker).

The film will be Cuneta’s comeback movie after four years.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actress Megan Fox was named the world’s sexiest woman on Wednesday by an annual online poll, while the world’s most Googled woman, Britney Spears, barely scraped in at No. 100 after a shocker of a year.

Fox, 21, who starred in last year’s hit movie “Transformers,” grabbed the title from actress Jessica Alba, 26, topping online men’s magazine FHM Online’s reader poll of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World for 2008.

Alba dropped to No. 3, coming behind American actress and former model Jessica Biel but ahead of Canadian actress Elisha Cuthbert who was ranked fourth after appearing in horror movie “Captivity” last year. U.S actress and singer Scarlett Johansson, 23, rounded out the top five.

“Megan Fox is the deserving winner of this year’s FHM title. She’s young, she’s hot, she’s a rising star and her sex appeal has definitely transformed this year’s list. She’s got a great future ahead of her,” said FHM Online U.S. Editor JR Futrell.

Fox debuted on the list at No. 68 in 2006 and was ranked No. 65 last year. But playing the lead female role in “Transformers,” a blockbuster $700 million hit at worldwide box offices, markedly raised her profile.

Also in the top 10 were Emmanuelle Chriqui, Hilary Duff, Tricia Helfer, Blake Lively and Kate Beckinsale.

Newcomers to the list included Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice from British pop band the Spice Girls, who moved to Los Angeles with her husband, English soccer player David Beckham, last year. She made her debut at No. 99.

Spears, 26, whose career has been buried under an avalanche of personal and mental health problems, managed to make the list at No. 100, a steep decline from 2004 when she was voted the world’s sexiest woman.

FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World poll is now in its 14th year with nearly 9 million votes cast this year by FHM readers worldwide to choose the sexiest women in film, television, music, sports, and fashion.

Fifteen-year-old international singing sensation Charice left the country Wednesday for a performance at the ‘The Future of Our Community’ SIPA’s 36th Anniversary Awards Benefit Dinner in Los Angeles, California.

“We’re going to Los Angeles to attend SIPA, magge-guest po ako doon,” Charice said.

According to Raquel, mother of Charice, her daughter’s guesting on Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) was made possible by ABS-CBN’s TFC (The Filipino Channel).

Search to Involve Pilipino Americans or SIPA was founded in 1972 with a mission to enhance the quality of life for Pilipino Americans and other communities in Historic Filipinotown as well as throughout Los Angeles County.

Aside from Charice, KELP (Kultural Enrichment Language Program) and Natasha Godinez will also be performing.

Charice will stay in US for about a week and will be meeting with “a well-known American artist” in New York, according to one report. The identity of the artist has been witheld.

LOS ANGELES - The 13-year-old son of Tom Cruise is following in his father’s footsteps.

Connor Cruise, the adopted son of Tom Cruise and ex-wife Nicole Kidman has a minor, non-speaking part in the upcoming Will Smith drama “Seven Pounds,” a spokesman for Columbia Pictures confirmed Tuesday.

Connor Cruise shot his part over two days more than a month ago, playing Smith as a young man and mostly shown in photographs.

The movie, which is still in production, co-stars Rosario Dawson and is directed by “The Pursuit of Happiness” filmmaker Gabriele Muccino. The drama follows the story of a man who affects the lives of seven strangers.

Calls and e-mails to publicists for Kidman and Tom Cruise were not immediately returned Tuesday.

Cruise and Kidman also have an adopted daughter, 15-year-old Isabella. Kidman is pregnant with her first child with hubby singer Keith Urban.

The host of the U.S. game show “Deal or No Deal” Howie Mandel arrived in Manila on Tuesday to tape a special episode of the show in the country.

Mandel will host an episode with Kris Aquino as his co-host, as part of the show’s ongoing world tour.

He was welcomed by ABS-CBN officials led by Business Unit Head Alou Almaden at the NAIA. Howie will be touring Manila to showcase the city’s top spots in the two-hour episode that will be shown in America on May 7th.

U.S. contestants will play the game of odds following the Phillipine format, but they will win U.S. prizes.