Phil Younghusband officially admits break-up with Angel Locsin

MANILA, Philippines—After days of speculating on the cause of the break-up of local football superstar Phil Younghusband and actress Angel Locsin, the public is left puzzled as Younghusband issued an official statement Thursday but cited no reason.

In a letter that was issued to members of the media on Thursday, Younghusband said the relationship was a happy one. He apologized to his fans and supporters for taking the time to give his side.




Here’s the body of Younghusband’s letter:

“In connection with the news on the separation of Angel and I, I would like to thank you for all your support throughout our relationship. It was definitely a happy one. As much as we tried to make it work, we would just like to request all of you to support us in our choice and respect one another in keeping our personal lives to ourselves.

“It is a sensitive matter and I personally apologize that it took awhile for me to let everyone know about the situation. I am very grateful for your support we hope you continue doing so in each of our endeavors.

“Neither of us regret the time we spent together, we enjoyed each other’s company and really made the most out of what we had. There are no faults to this, it was not an issue of who did or did not do something. It was a mutual decision and although it was difficult, we just felt that this would be the best thing to do given our circumstances.

“Although we parted as a couple, we are thankful that we remain friends and we only wish the best for each other.

“Thank you very much for your support.”

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Angel Locsin wants to be the first to know

Angel Locsin wants to be the first to know when and if she gets engaged to be married.

The actress said that was what she told boyfriend Phil Younghusband after receiving congratulatory messages from friends.

“I felt really nervous. Aside from people congratulating me, many asked me when the wedding would be. I asked Phil if he granted any interview recently. He said he couldn’t remember,” Locsin said. “I honestly don’t want to find out about my own engagement that way. When that happens, I need to have my private moment.”

Locsin said she breathed a sigh of relief when Younghusband said he made no such announcement.

“I really don’t know if we’re ready for the next level. We both have our families as our priorities. We both have a lot of things to consider,” she pointed out. “I remember saying in interviews that I hope to get married by (the age of) 22, but I’m 28 now. I don’t know how I’d react if I’m asked that question.”

Locsin and Younghusband, a British-Filipino football star, have been dating for two years.

Younghusband, 26, is one of the frontliners of the national football team Azkals. When schedule permits, he appears on ABS-CBN’s sitcom “Toda Max,” where Locsin is a mainstay.

“He’s not interested in joining show business at all. He’s just doing it for me,” the actress clarified. “Football is his life just like acting is mine. I prefer that we have different interests. I support him in his dream to represent the country through his sport.”

“Toda Max” will be celebrating its second anniversary in November. Locsin admitted she felt depressed when lead actor Robin Padilla decided to leave the show.

“Adjusting was hard when he left, but we respect his decision. He had to resign to give priority to his movie commitments,” she said. “I asked the other cast members, ‘Can we do the show by ourselves? Must we step up?’ We’re very thankful when Ms Ai-Ai (de las Alas) agreed to join our group.”

Down-to-earth

Locsin did not think Ai-Ai would accept the offer. “I thought, since she was already a big star, she would want her own show and not just be a replacement for another actor,” Locsin explained. “I was surprised to learn how down-to-earth and honest Ms. Ai was as a person. The funny Ai-Ai you see on TV is the same person you get to bond with off-cam. Wala siyang ere.”

She added, “It’s amazing that, despite her stature, Ms. Ai doesn’t mind hanging out and sharing funny stories with the rest of the cast. I remember feeling tense to be working with her for the first time. I even told our director (Malu Sevilla) about my worries. Direk said Ms. Ai was one of the easiest people to work with and Direk was right.”

During a visit to the “Toda Max” set inside the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City, Locsin gamely answered current issues, like her alleged nude photos circulating on the Net.

Locsin said she chose not to pay attention to them. “The pictures have been posted on websites again and again. I can’t do anything about them so I just close my eyes. I’m sure that they’re not mine anyway. What’s important to me is that my family and the people close to me know the truth,” Locsin stressed. “I have nothing to say to people who benefit from spreading fake pictures of innocent celebrities—I don’t know them personally. All I know is that I’ve done nothing to deserve what they did.”

The actor refused to be judgmental of other people who got involved in sex scandals. “I have a friend who has a sex video, but this doesn’t change how I look at him. I still respect him. He is still one of my closest friends,” said Locsin, referring to Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda. The singer’s video with his girlfriend, actress Neri Naig, was the subject of many show biz stories last month.

Locsin also addressed rumors she would once again play the role of the Mars Ravelo superheroine “Darna,” now that the Kapamilya network had acquired the rights to it.

“I don’t mind doing it again. Portraying the role helped boost my career,” she said. “Let’s just wait for the network bosses’ decision. I also would not take it against them if they decide to give the role to someone younger. I don’t want to rob others of the chance to be Darna, especially since I’ve already experienced playing it.”

Locsin first wore the Darna costume when the series aired on GMA 7 in 2005. It holds the record of being the first primetime series to reach a rating of 47.1 percent (according to AGB and AC-Nielsen) during its pilot episode.

In 2009, the series aired on GMA 7 once again, with Marian Rivera in the title role.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Phil Younghusband scores two in win over India, forges semis decider vs Tajikistan

Phil Younghusband provided a clear example of why two is better than one.

The younger of the much ballyhooed English-Filipino sibling duo scored on either side of half-time, powering a resurgent Azkals team that saw off India and cleared a path to the semifinals with a 2-0 win, Sunday at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu.

The Philippines took control of the tie early in the game with a Jason Sabio header being flicked on by James Younghusband to his brother Phil, who found the back of the net in the 10th minute.

The trick was almost repeated soon after when Sabio threw in another long ball, and it fell kindly for Phil Younghusband but he blasted over this time. Usually playing on the wings for the Philippines, Chieffy Caligdong returned to the starting lineup in a more central role for the Azkals, as he fashioned the next chance.

Playing a great through ball for Phil Younghusband, the Loyola Meralco Sparks forward in the UFL raced onto the ball. Pitted against Karanjit Singh in the India goal, Younghusband shot low, the Indian goalkeeper pulled off a great save with his legs, knocking the ball wide. However, the referee didn’t see it and gave a goal kick instead of a corner.

India, meanwhile, looked a bit sluggish and couldn’t find their rhythm. Their best chance of the half came when Joaquim Abranches was found with a nice pass and he turned and shot at goal from the edge of the area. It was too close to Etheridge in goal though, and the Fulham keeper held the shot, mopping up all of India’s other chances afterwards.

In the second half, India started brighter and began passing the ball well, looking for quick attacks. Both sides though seemed to threaten most from the long throws, with Sabio and his Indian counterpart taking on a big role.

India’s best chance then fell just after the hour mark when a free-kick close to the Azkals’ area on the left wing was curled in. Joaquim Abranches glanced a header at goal but it just went wide.

Shortly afterwards the Azkals threatened with Misagh Bahadoran, who came on to protect the still-recovering Chieffy Caligdong, crossing for James Younghusband who controlled the ball but fired over from just inside the area. Minutes later, Paul Mulders went on a long surging run and ended up in India’s box from an acute angle, but he could only blast over as well.

The Azkals made the pressure count moments later when the Younghusband brothers combined again, playing a one-two which sent Phil Younghusband in on goal. Phil faced an acute angle but slotted into the top corner to double the Azkals’ lead in the 72nd minute, also becoming the joint-top tournament scorer at the same time with his brace.

Angel Guirado could have sent the Philippines further ahead when he was found on the edge of the area but his low shot was parried by the Indian goalkeeper before his next shot was deflected for a corner.

India almost pulled a goal back in the 87th minute when captain Sunil Chettri was fed a cut back from the right wing after the Indian winger beat his man. Chettri could only fire over with the goal gaping though and the move summed up India’s campaign in the Challenge Cup as they limped out of the competition. The Azkals saw the game out to record their first ever win the final stage of the Challenge Cup to set up an all or nothing clash with Tajikistan.

How do the Azkals qualify for the semis?

Now the Philippines and Tajikistan will compete for the second spot in the group to reach the semifinals. After beating India 2-0, Tajikistan lost to North Korea 2-0, the same scoreline as the Azkals. North Korea has won the group, whatever happens between them and India, while Tajikistan and the Philippines have exactly the same results against India and North Korea, crafting a do-or-die moment between the two countries on March 13.

A win for either nation would put them through while a draw would see both countries finish with four points. As they would end with the same goal difference too, the game would be decided by penalties and whoever advances will likely face the winner of Group A’s clash between Palestine and the Maldives.

It will be a tall order to draw or beat Tajikistan, a side that recently drew with North Korea 1-1 in a World Cup qualifier. The Central Asian side is eleven places above the Philippines (156) in the latest FIFA rankings at 145 in the world. However this performance against India will have given confidence to the team. Qualification for the semis is a realistic possibility, if the Azkals show the kind of spirit and heart they had in this game. – AMD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com