TRIB TEASE

Wanted? ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ author wanted in Singapore

Kevin Kwan, the author of the bestselling book Crazy Rich Asians, is reportedly a wanted man in Singapore. The Singaporean paper The Straits Times reported on Wednesday, 22 August, that the author is wanted by the city-state’s government for failing to register in their National Service (NS) program. Under their law, all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents are required to undergo national service for two years.

Kwan, whose book was made into a film currently topping the box-office of North America and other markets, was born in Singapore and later relocated to the United States. Singapore’s Ministry of Defence said that the author failed to register in the NS program in 1990 despite repeated notices to his US address, and that he stayed abroad without a valid exit permit.

The ministry also said that the author’s 1994 application and appeal to renounce his Singapore citizenship without serving in the program were rejected. They reiterated that Kwan committed offenses under the state’s Enlistment Act, which is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years upon conviction.

Kwan has yet to release a statement as of press time.

THE cast of Meteor Garden remake Huge ratings win for ‘Meteor Garden’ remake

Viewers nationwide tuned in to the premiere of the much-anticipated remake of the classic Meteor Garden, which started airing on 20 August on the same timeslot when its original Taiwanese version aired and became a phenomenal hit in 2003.

The pilot episode enjoyed a national TV rating of 21.4 percent, winning against Wowowin, which registered 15.4 percent, according to data from Kantar Media. The show airs right before the nightly newscast TV Patrol in ABS-CBN.

Filipinos will once again follow the life of the feisty Shancai, a girl from a family who runs a delivery service of meals cooked by her mother to make ends meet. She stands up to the notorious group of rich, brilliant, young men who always get their way in the university she is attending. She will become a target of the F4 and is subjected to every horrible bullying tactic they can employ to make her quit school. Along the course of the show, the leader of the group, Daoming Si, falls for her.

The 2018 iteration is bannered by Chinese stars such as Shen Yue as Dong Shancai, the main character of the series. The boys, meanwhile, are played by Dylan Wang as Daoming Si, the main love interest of Shancai; Darren Cheng as Huaze Lei; Connor Leong as Fang Meizuo; and Ceasar Wu as Ximen Yan.

In 2003, the Philippines fell madly in love with the original series that starred the famed, and what became to others as the original F4 composed of Jerry Yan, Vaness Wu, Vic Zhou, Ken Chu and female lead Barbie Xu. Fans can catch them again on iWant TV as it brings back the remastered original Taiwan version starting 1 September.

Melai Cantiveros and Alex Gonzaga Alex, Melai in trending ploy

Two of showbiz’s funniest ladies recently lit social media with their fashion challenge. Alex Gonzaga and Melai Cantiveros were in a “face-off” over the same one-shoulder white jumpsuit they both wore.

Instead of asking who the designer was and where they bought their outfit, the prevailing question was “Bagong bili o bagong laba (new purchase or newly washed)?”

The following days the two went on to host an interactive fashion show hosted by detergent brand Tide held last month. After the face-off of guest stars like Luis Manzano, Fifth and Fourth Solomon, and Melai’s daughter, Mela, it was finally revealed that Melai wore the newly purchased outfit while Alex donned the freshly washed item.

DANIEL Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo with Shawarma Shack owners Walther Buenavista and Patty Collantes. Kathryn joins Shawarma Shack family

The Philippines’ bankable love team Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla are proving to be quite a draw. Not only do they star in yet another movie entitled The Hows of Us opening in theaters soon, but their schedule remains jampacked. As such, they are inseparable.

A few months after signing up teen king Daniel as its endorser, Shawarma Shack immediately signed up teen queen Kathryn.