The leader of Kapa Community Ministry International, Inc. (KAPA), Joel Apolinario, was sentenced to life after leading one of the biggest financial frauds in Philippine history.

In a statement, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed that the Butuan City RTC Branch 33 found Apolinario guilty of eight counts of charges he related to his illegal activities.

It can be recalled that Apolinario offered a 30% ‘monthly blessing’ for the people who would ‘donate’ to their ministry.

However, the authorities found that KAPA had committed a Ponzi scheme.

KAPA gained national attention after former president Rodrigo Duterte ordered the authorities to investigate the group.

“Imagine, your P100,000 earns P30,000 a month? Even our Bangko Sentral can only give 3%, and that’s annually. I have been telling the Filipino people that if what is being promised to you is something like heaven [it’s a scam],” the former President said.

Apolinario tried to hide his location but was eventually found by the authorities, guarded by several men in Surigao del Sur.

SEC said that the sentence against Apolinario should set a lesson for anyone planning to attempt to do the same scheme in the future.

Sarah Lahbati couldn’t hide her happiness after spending her Christmas with her children  Zion and Kai.

In her Instagram post last December 25, Sarah shared her sweet moments with her children with actor Richard Gutierrez.

Sarah’s parents, Esther and Abel Lahbati, were also present during the Christmas celebration.

Netizens were happy to see that Sarah was having happy times with her children.

“Buti na lang sau nagpasko mga bata. Akala ko isasama sa Japan nung biyenan mong palengkera,” netizen Hermielj said.

“Naguguluhan ang mga bata. Lalo si Kai si zion mejo nakakaintindi na pero si kai di nya alam ang nangyayari.. Hay Pray nlang wala tayo magagawa.. Merry Christmas Sarah and to the whole Family,” netizen Juvy commented.

 

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It can be recalled that Sarah’s mother-in-law, Annabelle Rama, previously claimed that they would spend their Christmas in Japan with Zion and Kai.

She even hinted that Sarah was not included in the trip.

 “Lahat kami pupunta ng Japan. Christmas hanggang Jan. 3. Sama-sama buong pamilya ko, minus one lang. Hindi ko siya nakakausap. Wala akong time makipag-usap sa kanila,” said Annabelle.

“Nakikita mo naman, hindi mo na kailangang magsalita pa. Nakikita mo na ‘yan. Si Richard trabaho nang trabaho, ‘yung isa nagwawaldas ng pera. ‘Yun lang ang masasabi ko diyan,” she added.

There were also rumors that there was a brewing custody battle between Sarah and Richard amid the speculations that the two were separated already.

Rob Gomez shared several photos taken during the Christening of his daughter Amelia amid the controversy he was facing.

The said event, which was held last December 17, showed Rob and his partner, Dr. Shaila Rebortera, holding their baby.

“I love you 3000. TYG for this day,” said Rob in his caption.

The event happened several days before Rob’s social media page uploaded photos of the conversation between the actor and his co-stars, Herlene Budol and Bianca Manalo.

 

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A post shared by Robert Michael Jason Jorge Ejercito (@robgomez.23)

Some netizens questioned why Rob had only uploaded the photo amid the possible charges he might face.

It can be recalled that Shaira already met with her lawyers

“Meet Dr. Shaila Rebortera, the woman caught in the middle of this viral infidelity issue. Welcome to GAA Law! May the truth prevail,” Atty. Alex Avisado Jr. of Gana Atienza Avisado Law Offices wrote.

The meeting between Shaila and her lawyers fueled the speculations that she was preparing to file charges, not only against Rob but also against other people involved in the controversy, including Herlene and Bianca.

Meanwhile, Rob has yet to give any statement on the issue, aside from declaring that his photo was taken by someone else without his permission.

Sharon Cuneta gained the attention of the netizens after she posted a cryptic photo while greeting her fans this Christmas.

Her photo, taken many years ago, showed Sharon and her children, KC, Frankie, Miel, and Miguel.

However, netizens noticed Sharon’s current partner, Kiko Pangilinan, was included in the photo, but his head was cropped out.

“Merry Christmas from me and my four angels (my gremlins)!!! Love you all!” she said.

Netizens couldn’t stop asking why Kiko was not included in the photo or her Christmas greeting.

Fortunately, the worries of the netizens quickly disappeared after Sharon posted another Christmas greeting, now together with Kiko.

It can be recalled that Sharon and Kiko were included on the list of popular couples who were facing separation rumors.

“I’m loyal. I’ll never leave you for someone else. I’ll only leave you for myself. For my peace, my sanity, my respect, my dignity,” she stated in another post.

E.A.T host Joey de Leon shared his Christmas wish with his followers.

In his latest Instagram post, the veteran comedian greeted his followers a Merry Christmas, but he couldn’t stop himself from taking a swipe against their competitor Eat Bulaga.

It can be recalled that there was a legal battle between Joey’s former production company, Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc., which currently handled Eat Bulaga.

Joey filed several charges against TAPE Inc. for continuously using Eat Bulaga branding.

The veteran comedian gained his first legal victory against TAPE on December 5, after the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) removed the latter’s trademark rights.

After the decision, Joey’s wish was for TAPE to voluntarily stop using the Eat Bulaga title.

“Syempre Maligayang Pasko rin sa lahat. Ang wish ko ngayong Pasko—-sana magbago na …magbago na…MAGBAGO NA NG TITLE yung ibang show! Ngek! Joke lang!” he said.

 

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Several celebrity friends of Joey, including former Eat Bulaga host Gladys Guevarra, also wished that TAPE would surrender the show’s title, which was believed to be invented by the veteran comedian himself.

Kapuso actor Rob Gomez faced controversy after allegedly being linked to his ‘Magandang Dilag’ co-stars, Herlene Budol and Bianca Manalo.

Despite the gravity of the issue, many netizens didn’t know who Rob was, and there was a possible reason for that: he didn’t use the last name that his family was known for in showbiz.

Despite being part of the Ejercito-Estrada family, Rob chose to use Gomez as his last name because he wanted to make his name in showbiz.

Rob was the son of former actress Kate Gomez, sister of actor Gary Estrada, and grandson of George Estregan Sr.

George was dubbed as the king of mature films in the country.

According to him, he felt that he couldn’t carry the name Ejercito-Estrada in showbiz.

“I think I will not and I cannot live up to their names, lalo na him [George]. He’s a very, very great actor. Sobrang galing po. Ibang klase po. Kinikilabutan ako. Hindi ko po siya nakilala, e,” said Rob.

“It would be more striking if I use Estrada, pero meron na po tayong Joseph at Gary Estrada, at may Kiko Estrada pa na napakagaling na aktor. Kaso nga lang po, na-realize namin na my mom’s a great actress, too, and I would love to start my own journey,” he added.

Currently, Rob is famous on social media due to the current issue he is facing and his rocky relationship with his partner, Shaila Rebortera.

Senator Win Gatchalian was not convinced that his partner, Bianca Manalo, was cheating on him.

In his Instagram post, the lawmaker expressed his love and support for Bianca.

He even called the photos showing the conversation between Bianca and her co-actor Rob Gomez fake.

“[Bianca] and I share the same values and principles in life. No fake news will divide us apart,” he said.

However, some netizens asked Gatchalian to be more open-minded as the leak conversation was a big indicator that there was something wrong happening.

Some even said that the lawmaker was ‘blinded’ by his love.

It can be recalled that Rob didn’t intentionally upload the said photos, and someone only took his phone without his consent.

“Worse is that the person who took my phone posted pictures of mine in my own social media account pretending that I posted it with the intention of destroying my reputation. The videos as shown were among my friends and co-stars who was trying to cheer me up when I was going through a lot of hurdles in my life,” Rob said.

Bianca in her statement also explained that she only asked Rob to visit her personally as she would receive a gift from the actor.

 

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Pokwang couldn’t hide her happiness after she won the deportation case she filed against her ex-boyfriend, Lee O’Brian.

In her official statement, Pokwang said that the decision released by the Bureau of Immigration against Lee was an answered prayer for her and for Malia.

She also thanked the people who supported her during her legal battle.

“Nagpapasalamat ako una sa Panginoon dahil pinakinggan niya ang aking mga dasal na magkaroon ng hustisya ang nangyari sa akin at sa aking anak. Lubos din akong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng aking mga kaibigan at taga suporta na sinamahan ako sa bahagi na ito ng buhay ko,” said Pokwang.

“Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang lahat ng taong tumulong sa amin ni Malia. Ngayon, lalo kong susubukan na maging mahusay na ina at ama sa aking anak. Lalo pa akong magsisikap sa araw-araw para maitaguyod ko ang aking pamilya,” she added.

It can be recalled that Pokwang filed the said deportation case against Lee several weeks after she revealed that her ex-boyfriend was dating another woman.

On December 23, BI ordered Lee to leave the country immediately and he was also included in the blacklist of the agency.

It means that Lee cannot visit the country again permanently.

Xian Lim and Kim Chiu’s fans couldn’t hide their sadness after talent manager and showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz reported that the celebrity couple had already decided to part ways after 12 years.

In his online program, Ogie said that a trusted source confirmed that Xian and Kim already separated, not because of a third party but because of the lack of plans from the actor.

According to Ogie, Kim already noticed that Xian was not planning for the future of their relationship.

“A friend of mine and a friend of Xian and Kim Chiu told me na totoong hiwalay na [sina] Kim Chiu at Xian Lim. ‘Di lang maamin ni Kim Chiu kasi nga pinoproseso pa ni Kim Chiu, at si Xian Lim din,” said Ogie.

“Sabi sa akin ng friend ko wala naman daw third party. It’s just that parang walang plano si Xian sa kanilang 12 years na relationship. Parang hindi niya priority. Parang naghihintay lang si Kim Chiu ng proposal. 12 years na sila eh,” he added.

The two started dating in 2012 but only admitted their relationship to the public in 2018.

They’re only one year longer than the relationship of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, who also just recently broke up this year.

On December 23, Kim admitted that she already ended their 12-year relationship.

“We owe our supporters the truth, but we also respect each other’s time of healing. In a relationship, love is always a significant factor, but sometimes love is not enough,” said Chiu. “We shared more than a decade of love, each other’s support system, and many beautiful memories,” said Kim.

“It was our mutual decision to transition our relationship into what we hope to be a lifelong friendship. We thank all our followers for their love and support, but now we ask you to appreciate our honesty and give us the privacy we need as we begin new chapters of our lives. To all our supporters, maraming salamat for all the love and understanding,” she added.