Showbiz Roundup: Jackie Chan; KaladKaren to Jervi Wrightson; CJ Opiaza

(From left) Jackie Chan, KaladKaren, and CJ Opiaza. Images: FILE PHOTOS

The collapse of Jackie Chan while filming an action scene for his upcoming film “Panda Plan” led to fans being alarmed about his condition.

However, the legendary action star reiterated that he was okay and the fainting incident was “no big deal.”

Meanwhile, KaladKaren — who goes by the pronouns she and her — introduced herself as Jervi Wrightson during the newscast for Frontline Pilipinas, which she noted was an unforgettable moment for her as a married trans woman in the Philippines.

CJ Opiaza, on the other hand, is set to raise the country’s flag, as she’s crowned as the Philippines’ representative to the Miss Grand International 2024 pageant.

The final stretch of September leading up to the first week of October was a mix of events in the entertainment industry. Allow us to recall the biggest showbiz headlines from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3.

Jackie Chan collapses while filming

Jackie Chan faints while performing a fight scene for his upcoming film, “Panda Plan.” | Image: Screengrab from TikTok/@starettoday

Jackie Chan raised concern among fans after he fainted while performing a fight scene for his upcoming film, “Panda Plan.”

In a behind-the-scenes video, he was captured getting head-locked by a co-star before going limp and suddenly losing consciousness.

Chan’s scene partner released his grip as the crew ran over to assist the 70-year-old actor to get back up.

As the staff attended to him, Chan was wiped of any expression and appeared unaware of what happened.

After a pause, the martial arts legend asked one of the crew, “What are we doing?”

When told that he had briefly passed out, Chan, in total disbelief, said it probably happened as he was holding his breath while they were doing the stunt.

He then insisted he was fine and proceeded to film the scene after a short break.

In an interview after the incident, Chan underscored that he assured the production staff that he was okay so they wouldn’t require him to have a stunt double.

“It’s not a big deal. I need to assure everyone else [that I’m fine]; otherwise, they would want me to use a stunt double. If I just sit there while they use a stunt double and they just film my close-ups after he’s done, I would feel very guilty!” he explained.

This led to fans expressing worry for Chan as they stated that it’s probably the “right time” for him to stop doing his own stunts.

From Kaladkaren to Jervi Wrightson

Jervi Wrightson a.k.a. ‘Kaladkaren’ still exudes that post-wedding glow on the set of ‘Frontline Pilipinas.’/JERVI WRIGHTSON X PHOTO

Kaladkaren appeared for her nightly primetime newscast as a married woman for the first time on Sept. 30, debuting not just her new chin-length hairdo, but also her married name when she delivered her reports.

“Ako po si Jervi Wrightson,” the anchor declared when she went on air for TV5’s primetime newscast “Frontline Pilipinas.”

Her married name was also flashed onscreen, seemingly shedding off the monicker that shot her to fame for her spot-on impressions of award-winning broadcast journalist Karen Davila.

She carried the name Kaladkaren when she joined “Frontline Pilipinas” in June last year, using it as a screen name that stuck to her fans and the general viewers when she joined the entertainment industry.

“So happy I did the newscast today as Jervi Wrightson!!! New name, new look! This is just the beginning,” she posted on social media. “As a trans woman in the Philippines, I have never imagined that one day I’ll be able to use my married name on national TV, prime time newscast.”

It’s not immediately known if she will be dropping “Kaladkaren” for good, or if her use of her real name will only be for her newscast.

CJ Opiaza is Miss Grand Philippines 2024

Newly-crowned Miss Grand Philippines CJ Opiaza. Image: Armin P. Adina/INQUIRER.net

After several delays, the Miss Grand Philippines pageant has finally proclaimed its new queen this year, and she is CJ Opiaza of Castillejos, Zambales.

Opiaza bested 19 other aspirants to inherit the crown from last year’s winner Nikki De Moura at the culmination of the 2024 Miss Grand Philippines final show held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City on Sept. 29.

Another winner was proclaimed during the ceremonies, and she is Universal Woman Philippines ⁠Sophia Bianca Santos from Pampanga, who inherited the title from Maria Gigante, the international pageant’s reigning queen and the first Filipino woman to bring home the crown.

A new crown was added in this year’s contest, the Miss Teen International Philippines title that went to Anna Margaret Mercado from Quirino.

She was crowned by last year’s Miss Eco Teen Philippines Francine Reyes.

Opiaza is a national pageant veteran who was crowned Miss Bikini Philippines in 2016.

She also took part in the 2022 Bb. Pilipinas competition, and was proclaimed as first runner-up in the 2023 Miss Universe Philippines contest.

Early on in the competition, Opiaza has shown mastery of the pageant with her bold pasarela which is most valued by the Thailand-based Miss Grand International pageant.

She was the heavy favorite to win the Miss Grand franchise and dominated the special awards — Miss Mestiza, Miss Photogenic, Miss Multimedia, Miss Aqua Boracay and Best in Swimsuit.

Finishing as first runner-up was ⁠Jubilee Therese Acosta from Manila, while Alexandra Mae Rosales from Laguna rounded up the winners’ circle as second runner-up.

Robi Domingo hopes for child with Maiqui Pineda

Robi Domingo and Maiqui Pineda. Image: Instagram/@maiquipd_

An emotional Robi Domingo celebrated his 35th birthday by wishing for his wife Maiqui Pineda’s “sickness to be gone” and for them to be able to pursue their plan of having a child in 2025, as seen in a two-part video on Instagram page on Sept. 27.

“My plan in the next five years is to be a better houseband and husband. And hopefully next year, when the Lord permits it and when her [Pineda’s] condition permits it – depende sa clearance ng doctors – I hope to introduce you to a baby Robi or baby Maiqui, or why not twins?” he said.

Domingo then spoke about the initial plans they had, lamenting how 2023 – when Pineda was diagnosed with dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease – was a “blow [to his heart].”

“Nakakasa na ako na by this year — actually, by this month — sana meron na akong anak. But then, it happened,” he said. “Maybe it’s not time yet, but I’m hoping na mangyari ‘yon… But first things first. I want Maiqui’s sickness to be gone so that we could go back to our original plan. That’s my wish for my birthday.”

The video, however, earned backlash from netizens, with many calling out Domingo for being “insensitive and selfish” as his wife suffers from an autoimmune condition.

Despite this, Pineda clarified that she and Domingo are on the same page in wanting to have a child soon.

Asked how she felt about the post on her Instagram Story, Pineda said, “No issues at all. I’ve openly mentioned it here before but he has a bigger reach. It’s both our goals, our plans, and our wishes but we acknowledge the reality of things and have chosen to trust in God’s plans and timings instead.”

“But we are hopeful! Just have to wait a bit and do some work for now. I know it’s what I want so I’m just doing what I can to hopefully make that happen one day,” she added.

Leila Alcasid engaged to Curtismith

(From left) Curtismith and Leila Alcasid. Images: Instagram/@leilalcasid

Leila Alcasid, daughter of singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid, announced her engagement to longtime boyfriend, indie singer-rapper Curtismith.

The announcement was made in a joint post on Sept. 29, in what seemed to be their anniversary as a couple.

In her Instagram post, Leila appeared to have said “yes” to Custismith to taking their relationship to the next level, as she showed her pear-shaped diamond engagement ring.

“The most special anniversary gift,” Leila said in the caption.

Ogie expressed his love for the couple in the comments section, saying he’s “beyond happy” for the both of them.

Folk singer Coritha dies

Coritha. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Pambansang Almusal, Net 25

OPM singer Coritha—best known for her hit songs “Oras Na,” “Lolo Jose” and “Sierra Madre”—died after a long illness, her partner Chito Santos confirmed.

Santos confirmed Coritha’s death through Julius Babao through his YouTube vlog on Sept. 27.

Speaking about the late singer’s final days, Santos said, “Ilang araw namin siyang binabantayan hanggang sa manghina na siya nang manghina. Ayoko namang magtagal pa dahil lalo lang siyang mahihirapan.”

“Tumigil na lang siya [sa paghinga]. Lumalaban siya kanina… [Pero] nakita ko na hirap na hirap na siya kaya nag-decide na ako na gano’n… Hindi ko na kayang tiisin e,” he continued.

Santos stated that the singer’s remains will be cremated.

Santos’ sister, who is a doctor and also looked after Coritha, further noted that they plan to have a “one day, one night viewing” at the pair’s residence in Tagaytay.

Santos disclosed Coritha’s condition through Babao’s vlog in July, showing the singer unable to speak and bedridden due to stroke.

Was Leyna Bloom the first Filipina to walk the Paris runway?

Leyna Bloom (left) and Pia Wurtzbach | Image: Instagram/@leynabloom, @piawurtzbach

Filipino-American transwoman Leyna Bloom looked back on the time she made history as the first Filipina to walk the L’Oréal Paris runway, after Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach claimed she was the first Filipina to grace the same stage this year.

Bloom took to Instagram on Sept. 27, to reflect on her journey when she first walked the Paris runway, expressing her pride to have brought honor to the Philippines and the Blaan tribe, one of the indigenous peoples of Southern Mindanao.

“Reflecting on this journey, it feels surreal that nearly three years have passed since I made history as the first #Filipino and #BlaanTribe woman to walk the prestigious L’Oréal Paris runway, right in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower.

That moment, shared with [Kat Graham], is etched in my heart as a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come,” she captioned her post.

Bloom said it was a “significant” year for her as she also brought honor to the transgender community in a society that needs diversity, inclusion and empowerment.

“That year holds even deeper significance because I had the honor of standing alongside [Ines Rau] as we became the first trans women to ever walk that legendary stage. It wasn’t just about representation — it was about breaking boundaries… and showing the world that beauty transcends the limits,” she said.

Bloom then congratulated Wurtzbach for being the “second Filipina” to bring the same honor to the Philippines.

However, Bloom edited her caption after a netizen commented that Filipino-Canadian influencer Stephanie Valentine also walked the runway alongside Wurtzbach.

However, another netizen said Bloom was indeed the first as she walked the cosmetics brand’s runway show in 2021.

Mark Bumgarner stands by Pia Wurtzbach

(From left) Mark Bumgarner, Pia Wurtzbach, Leyna Bloom. Images: Instagram/@piawurtzbach, @leynabloom

Fashion designer Mark Bumgarner stood by one of his muses, Pia Wurtzbach, as the first Filipina ambassador of a global cosmetics brand to have graced its recent runway show at the Paris Fashion Week.

Bumgarner appeared to be referring to the claims of Leyna Bloom countering the introduction to Wurtzbach when she attended the French cosmetics brand’s “Le Défilé ‘Walk Your Worth” fashion show in Paris last Sept. 23.

He seemed to not take Bloom’s words for it, as he commented on his Instagram post that he is standing by the Miss Universe 2015 titleholder.

A day after congratulating Wurtzbach as the “second Filipina” to be part of the show, Bloom shared on Instagram that she had been bearing the brunt of remarks that she’s “not Filipino enough.”

“In the past 24 hours, I’ve heard the painful reminder that I’m ‘not Filipino enough.’ How many times have I heard this my whole life… It’s heartbreaking to witness how, as we strive for progress, we sometimes forget who we are and where we come from,” she said.

The model also noted that the past incident reminded her that Filipinos “struggle to embrace and celebrate” their true identity, while some people of “mixed heritage with white foreigners” are more recognized.

“The Philippines has been shaped by many nations, but in that process, it feels like our collective soul has been fractured. We have so much soul-searching to do as a nation,” she said. “Does my skin, my hair, and my African heritage mixed with Filipino really threaten a country that prides itself on healing people around the world?”

The recent “Walk Your Worth” event was not the first time Bloom represented the French cosmetics brand in a runway show.

She was also part of L’Oréal’s fashion show in Paris in October 2021.

Aside from Bloom and Wurtzbach, Stephanie Valentine also pranced the runway of the French brand’s recent fashion show. She’s also known as “Glamzilla” to her followers.

Anthony Jennings’ non-showbiz GF on being ‘betrayed’

Anthony Jennings (R) and his non-showbiz girlfriend Jam Villanueva. Image: Instagram/@jamelavillanuevaa

Anthony Jennings and his longtime non-showbiz girlfriend Jam Villanueva have been hounded by breakup rumors after netizens noticed the latter’s social media reposts that are seemingly about heartbreaks and betrayal.

Villanueva reposted several TikTok videos on her page, and among these is a clip from the American TV series “Shameless,” wherein the character of Emmy Rossum can be seen walking away.

“Finding out what they did behind my back,” the caption reads.

Another video Villanueva shared has the caption: “The audacity to act like nothing happened. As if they didn’t disrespect and hurt people, ruin someone’s mental health, and cause trauma.”

Villanueva also seemingly related to a video in which the uploader says, “I will never forget your conversation with the girl you told me not to worry about,” among other videos.

Netizens have been speculating that Villanueva’s cryptic remarks alluded to her relationship with Jennings, with some also linking his love team partner Maris Racal to the pair’s supposed split.

However, Villanueva, Jennings, and Racal — who recently celebrated the actress’ 27th birthday together — have yet to publicly address the matter as of this writing.