MOTHER LILY AND ALFIE LORENZO IN A SHOUTING MATCH

MANILA -- Tension gripped a media gathering on Thursday for the romantic-comedy film "Somebody to Love" when talent manager Alfie Lorenzo and Regal Films matriarch Lily Monteverde had a bitter exchange in the presence of entertainment press.

The confrontation was reportedly triggered when Lorenzo called the movie's director Jose Javier Reyes "malas" (unlucky). Lorenzo and Reyes had a rift in 2012 over the talent manager's ward, actress Judy Ann Santos, agreeing to do a film with the director allegedly without his consent.

The verbal spat between Lorenzo and Monteverde eased when security came to escort the talent manager out of the venue, which is owned by the film producer.

Before the start of the press conference, which doubled as a celebration for Monteverde's birthday, she expressed dismay with Lorenzo's behavior and urged members of the press not to be "scared" of him.

Thank you, Mother Lily Monteverde. Thank you.

— Joey Javier Reyes (@DirekJoey) August 14, 2014

On Twitter, Reyes thanked Monteverde following the confrontation. "Thank you, Mother Lily Monteverde. Thank you," he said.

Speaking with ABS-CBN News, Lorenzo said he will wait for the right time to talk to Monteverde, when they are both no longer emotional. He added that he hopes Monteverde will remember to be grateful for the things he has done.

MOUNT KANLAON BACOLOD TOURIST INFORMATION BASIC

Where is Mount Kanlaon? How to get to Mount Kanlaon?



Mount Kanlaon
At 2435m Mount Kanlaon, two hours south from Bacolod by jeepney, is the tallest peak in the central Philippines and offers a potentially dangerous challenge. One of the thirteen most active volcanoes in the country, there’s the real possibility of violent eruptions and climbers have died scaling it.

The rim of the crater is a forbidding knife-edge overhanging an apparently bottomless chasm. The dense surrounding forest contains all manner of wonderful fauna, including pythons and tube-nosed bats and locals believe the mountain is home to many spirits.

It also features in Philippine history being where President Manuel Quezon hid from invading Japanese forces during World War II. There are three main routes up the volcano itself. The Guintubdan trail is the easiest and most comon ascent, but even this should not be underestimated.

The usual start point is Guintubdan, where there is basic accommodation at The Pavilion (1) and Rafael Salas Nature Camp (1). From here, although it’s only 8km to the top, the trail is best broken with an overnight stop. The 14km-long

Mananawin trail works best over three days and offers the chance to really get to know the region, while the short, steep Wesey trail is very exposed and only for experienced tropical mountaineers.

Whichever way you choose to ascend, a permit (P300) and guide (P500/day) are mandatory, and a porter (P300–500) might come in handy. The easiest way to make all of these arrangments is through Billy Torres at Next Stop Negros Tours.

Contact Billy as far in advance as possible (ideally a month), and he can arrange everything from permits, guides and porters to tents and meals (climbs around P4500/person excluding transport). Coming from further afield you can also arrange to climb Kanlaon through Dumaguete Outdoors in Dumaguete.

CHOCOLATE HILLS BOHOL TOURIST INFORMATION AND BASICS

What is Chocolate Hills? Where is Chocolate Hills? How to get to Chocolate Hills?

The Chocolate Hills
The surreal Chocolate Hills are renowned throughout the Philippines and one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions. Some geologists believe that these unique 40-metre mounds – there are said to be 1268 of them if you care to count – were formed from deposits of coral and limestone sculpted by centuries of erosion.

Most locals, however, will tell you that the hills are the calcified tears of a brokenhearted giant while others prefer the idea that they were left by a giant carabao with distressed bowels. What you think of the hills will depend largely on the time you visit.

During the glare of the day the light casts harsh shadows and the hills lose their definition. But at dawn or dusk they look splendid, especially during the dry season (Dec–May) when the scrub vegetation that covers the hills is roasted brown, and they really do resemble endless rows of chocolate drops.

Most visitors arrive by tour bus at the Chocolate Hills Complex (P50), where there’s a hotel (T038/416-0199; 2) and a few small souvenir shops. From here there are 213 steps up to the viewing decks where you’ll have the chance to pose for photos riding a broom and wearing a Harry Potter hat.

To get here independently take one of the buses to Carmen (90min; P60) which leave hourly from the Dao terminal in Tagbilaran, often with every inch of bus space taken by locals returning from market with produce.

From Carmen it’s a pleasant 4km walk south up to the hills and then up the steps to the lookout area. You can also hop on a motorbike from Carmen for around P50.

For a different view of the Chocolate Hills, exploring the backroads by motorbike, bike or on foot is definitely worthwhile. Contact Barkada Tours (p.284) for hiking or biking trips.

Alternatively you could head to Sagbayan Peak, northwest of Carmen, where there’s another tourist complex which offers closer-up, quieter views. Take a bus from Tagbilaran to Sagbayan town, then rent a motorbike or walk to the peak complex.