Via usmagazine.com
By: Zach Johnson

Even Angelina Jolie has her doubts.

During a live video web chat with Marie Claire Thursday, the 36-year-old revealed that she had a "complete meltdown" before production began on her directorial debut, In the Land of Blood and Honey.


"I had a complete emotional breakdown in the shower and Brad [Pitt] found me crying," Jolie revealed. "I felt this huge responsibility and I felt very small. 'Who am I to take this on?'"

The mother of six and UN Goodwill Ambassador admitted she's still somewhat uncomfortable with her sudden career change. "I didn't plan to become a director, and I still have trouble saying I'm a director," Jolie explained.

"I just wanted to tell this story and I ended up by default being the director," the Oscar winner said. "It was a pleasure, but I wonder if it would be a pleasure with another cast and crew, and a subject matter that wasn't so special."


Jolie's film, In the Land of Blood and Honey, is nominated for a Golden Globe. She and Pitt, 48, are scheduled to attend the ceremony together on Sunday.

They dreamed, they believed, and they survived.

After 15 weeks of grueling artista tests, 23-year-old Steven Silva and 16-year-old Sarah Lahbati were declared StarStruck V's Ultimate Male and Female Survivors, respectively.
The announcement was made during the Final Judgment of GMA-7's reality-based artista search held Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Placing second to Steven was Enzo Pinedawho was named First Prince while Rocco Nacino came in third to bag the Second Prince title.

Sarah's lone competitor, Diva Montelaba, automatically became the First Princess.

Steven and Sarah got the highest combined text and online votes from the viewers and scores from the StarStruckCouncil, composed of Lolit Solis, Iza Calzado, and Floy Quintos.

Sarah averaged 94.6 percent while Steven had 93.5 percent. Diva scored 91.4 percent, Enzo got 90.2 percent, while Rocco had an average of 88.3 percent.

Steven and Sarah each won P1.5 million cash prize and an exclusive contract with GMA Network, with a minimum guarantee of P3.5 million.

Enzo, Rocco, and Diva, on the other hand, will each receive P200,000 cash prize and exclusive contracts with the Kapuso Network.

Aside from winning in Pinoy Big Brother Double Up, Melisa "Melai" Cantiveros also managed to win the heart of her fellow housemate Jason Francisco. Melai recalled that she and Jason officially became a couple on February 8, 2010. Viewers were enamored by the couple and even dubbed them as the "Melason" love team.

During the press conference of the Big Five held last night, February 15, at the PBB house in Quezon City, Melai and Jason were seated together as the media interviewed them about their romance that blossomed under the watchful eyes of Big Brother and the viewing public.

Joining them that night were runners-up Paul Jake Castillo, Johan Santos, and Tibo Jumalon.

PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) asked the couple to reveal their Valentine's gifts to each other. Melai replied that her gift was the bracelet that Jason was wearing on his right arm.

"Hindi pa po kasi kami nakakalabas talaga so ang ibinigay sa akin ng friends ko, yun yung binigay ko sa kanya. Boyfriend ko na siya, so member na rin siya ng women empowerment [group]. Gawa po ito ng group ko sa Gen San," said Melai.

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Celebrities endorsing electoral candidates were given a choice by the Fair Election Act to either take a leave or resign permanently from their TV shows. The Commission on Election (Comelec) announced earlier that it will start implementing this rule by monitoring the media exposure of personalities and celebrities on  TV and radio.

The Fair Election Act or Republic Act 9006 states:

"Any mass media columnist, commentator, announcer, reporter, on-air correspondent or personality who is a candidate for any elective public office or is a campaign volunteer for or employed or retained in any capacity by any candidate or political party shall be deemed resigned, if so required by their employer, or shall take a leave of absence from his/her work as such during the campaign period."

TALENTS ARE NOT EMPLOYEES. ABS-CBN pointed out, however, that the Act is not supposed to restrict their stars when it comes to their activities on television. In a statement sent to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) via e-mail this afternoon, February 11, ABS-CBN stated that the law cited by the Comelec involves only the employees. Talents are not employees of the network, hence the ruling "does not apply to them."

Here's the Kapamilya network's statement in full:

"The call for ABS-CBN talents who endorse candidates to go on leave during the campaign period is not required by the Fair Election Act or its implementing rules and regulations. Section 36 of Comelec Resolution No.  8758 in relation to Section 1 (4) thereof and the Fair Election Act merely requires that media practitioners such as talents 'shall not use his/her time or space to favor any candidate.' In this regard, it is ABS-CBN's policy that its talents may not use any program to endorse or promote any candidate.  This policy is strictly enforced by the network.

"The provision of law cited by the PPCRV [Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting] and Comelec that requires media personalities to either resign or go on leave applies to employees only. Talents are not employees of the network and, therefore, the said provision does not apply to them."

http://www.pep.ph/news/24688/ABS-CBN-forbids-talents-from-using-its-resources-for-electoral-campaigns

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GMA Network has advised its talents who continue to endorse candidates in the May 10 elections to take a leave of absence for the entire stretch of the campaign period.

"GMA Network is advising its talents that they have to take a leave of absence if they continue to campaign for or endorse candidates or political parties during the campaign period, even if the taping of their participation in the promotion or plug of the candidate was done before the campaign period," the network statement read. 

"GMA Network’s talents, who appeared in political ads or advocacy plugs before February 9, are advised to notify the candidates concerned or those responsible for placing these political plugs not to air them during the campaign period," it added.

The network issued the statement in response to a reminder from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the provision stated under Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act prohibiting actors from making anymore appearances once they endorse or volunteer for a candidate during the campaign period.

Under Section 6.6 of the said law, media practitioners and personalities are required to either resign or take a leave of absence if they continue to show their support for candidates through print and broadcast media.