JODI STA. MARIA – Actress Jodi Sta. Maria delighted netizens with her playful “Expectation vs Reality” photos on Instagram, showcasing her heartwarming bond with her son, Thirdy. Celebrated Filipina actress Jodi Sta. Maria, widely recognized for her stellar performances in movies and tv series, recently captivated netizens with a playful social media post featuring her son, Thirdy. Co-parenting Thirdy with her former partner Pampi Lacson, Jodi also juggles a successful career as a brand endorser. On Instagram, the award-winning actress shared two contrasting snapshots with Thirdy, cleverly captioned “Expectation vs Reality.” In the first photo, the mother-son duo radiates joy, perfectly posing for the camera. In the second, Jodi strikes a goofy pose, infusing the post with humor and charm. “Expectation vs Reality (swipe left). I love you, babe! @iamthrds,” wrote the “Lavender Fields” star, highlighting her close and loving bond with her son. The post quickly earned a flood of positive comments, with fans expressing their admiration for Jodi’s relatable and candid parenting moments. Many praised her for sharing an authentic glimpse into her life with Thirdy. This post is just one of the many highlights in Jodi’s personal life. In a previous interview, fellow actress Heart Evangelista revealed a surprising connection, sharing that she and Jodi are cousins. Heart disclosed that she only learned about their family ties years into her entertainment career, saying, “Jodi Sta. Maria is my cousin from my mother’s side.” Jodi Sta. Maria continues to win hearts with her genuine personality and strong family values. Whether portraying compelling characters on-screen or sharing endearing off-screen moments, she remains a cherished figure in Philippine entertainment. Her latest “Expectation vs Reality” post underscores her playful nature and the warm relationship she shares with Thirdy, endearing her further to fans who admire her as both a talented actress and a devoted mother. READ ALSO: Jodi Sta. Maria Video Cooking “Tusok-Tusok” on the Street Goes ViralWith two-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty leading the field, these certainly aren't your typical Heisman Trophy contenders. Sure, veteran quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel from top-ranked Oregon and Cam Ward of No. 15 Miami are finalists for college football's most prestigious award as well, but the 90th annual ceremony coming up Saturday night at Lincoln Center in New York City offers a fresh flavor this year. To start with, none of the four are from the powerhouse Southeastern Conference, which has produced four of the past five Heisman winners — two each from Alabama and LSU. Jeanty, who played his home games for a Group of Five team on that peculiar blue turf in Idaho more than 2,100 miles from Manhattan, is the first running back even invited to the Heisman party since 2017. After leading the country with 2,497 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns, he joined quarterback Kellen Moore (2010) as the only Boise State players to be named a finalist. “The running back position has been overlooked for a while now," said Jeanty, who plans to enter the 2025 NFL draft. "There's been a lot of great running backs before me that should have been here in New York, so to kind of carry on the legacy of the running back position I think is great. ... I feel as if I'm representing the whole position.” With the votes already in, all four finalists spent Friday conducting interviews and sightseeing in the Big Apple. They were given custom, commemorative watches to mark their achievement. “I'm not a watch guy, but I like it,” said Hunter, flashing a smile. The players also took photos beneath the massive billboards in Times Square and later posed with the famous Heisman Trophy, handed out since 1935 to the nation's most outstanding performer. Hunter, the heavy favorite, made sure not to touch it yet. A dominant player on both offense and defense who rarely comes off the field, the wide receiver/cornerback is a throwback to generations gone by and the first full-time, true two-way star in decades. On offense, he had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns this season to help the 20th-ranked Buffaloes (9-3) earn their first bowl bid in four years. On defense, he made four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and forced a critical fumble that secured an overtime victory against Baylor. Hunter played 688 defensive snaps and 672 more on offense — the only Power Four conference player with 30-plus snaps on both sides of the ball, according to Colorado research. Call him college football’s answer to baseball unicorn Shohei Ohtani. “I think I laid the ground for more people to come in and go two ways,” Hunter said. “It starts with your mindset. If you believe you can do it, then you'll be able to do it. And also, I do a lot of treatment. I keep up with my body. I get a lot of recovery.” Hunter is Colorado's first Heisman finalist in 30 years. The junior from Suwanee, Georgia, followed flashy coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State, an HBCU that plays in the lower level FCS, to the Rocky Mountains and has already racked up a staggering combination of accolades this week, including The Associated Press player of the year. Hunter also won the Walter Camp Award as national player of the year, along with the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver. “It just goes to show that I did what I had to do,” Hunter said. Next, he'd like to polish off his impressive hardware collection by becoming the second Heisman Trophy recipient in Buffaloes history, after late running back Rashaan Salaam in 1994. “I worked so hard for this moment, so securing the Heisman definitely would set my legacy in college football,” Hunter said. “Being here now is like a dream come true.” Jeanty carried No. 8 Boise State (12-1) to a Mountain West Conference championship that landed the Broncos the third seed in this year's College Football Playoff. They have a first-round bye before facing the SMU-Penn State winner in the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal on New Year’s Eve. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound junior from Jacksonville, Florida, won the Maxwell Award as college football’s top player and the Doak Walker Award for best running back. Jeanty has five touchdown runs of at least 70 yards and has rushed for the fourth-most yards in a season in FBS history — topping the total of 115 teams this year. He needs 132 yards to break the FBS record set by Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State in 1988. In a pass-happy era, however, Jeanty is trying to become the first running back to win the Heisman Trophy since Derrick Henry for Alabama nine years ago. In fact, quarterbacks have snagged the prize all but four times this century. Gabriel, an Oklahoma transfer, led Oregon (13-0) to a Big Ten title in its first season in the league and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The steady senior from Hawaii passed for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns with six interceptions. His 73.2% completion rate ranks second in the nation, and he's attempting to join quarterback Marcus Mariota (2014) as Ducks players to win the Heisman Trophy. “I think all the memories start to roll back in your mind,” Gabriel said. Ward threw for 4,123 yards and led the nation with a school-record 36 touchdown passes for the high-scoring Hurricanes (10-2) after transferring from Washington State. The senior from West Columbia, Texas, won the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Year award and is looking to join QBs Vinny Testaverde (1986) and Gino Torretta (1992) as Miami players to go home with the Heisman. “I just think there's a recklessness that you have to play with at the quarterback position,” Ward said.
By Jennifer Allen Between cooking, cleaning and hosting, the familiar hustle of the holiday season can sometimes feel more hectic than heartwarming. But what if there were a way to embrace the season while leaving the chaos behind? Holiday cruises make all of this possible, offering the perfect getaway that can be tailored to any vibe – blending festive traditions with the excitement of travel. Imagine sipping hot chocolate in the background of the Northern Lights, exploring sun-drenched islands or maybe enjoying a festive dinner on the sea. Whether looking for family-friendly fun, romance for two or peaceful solo travel, holiday cruises deliver a unique celebration unlike any other. Do you want to skip the stress of the season but don’t want to miss out on the holiday cheer? Rest assured, among the most well-known cruise lines, most of them host elaborate holiday festivities that transform their ships into winter wonderlands complete with decorations, entertainment and activities fit for Santa Claus himself. Instead of buying gifts, stressing over what to cook or bake and cleaning over the holidays, Michelle Price of Honest and Truly prefers a holiday cruise for her family. “The ship takes care of everything, from making the beds in the morning to prepping our meals throughout the day. And they have various fun activities to keep us busy,” she says. From towering Christmas trees in the atrium to twinkling lights on every railing, cruises at this time of year are very creative with their festive splendor. Cruises will also complement their aesthetics to match entertainment, including tree-lighting ceremonies, live caroling and holiday movie nights under the stars. Depending on the cruise, you can expect a robust calendar of events with activities like ugly sweater parties, holiday trivia, Santa appearances and even onboard Christmas markets. The holiday wouldn’t feel complete without the food to match, and cruise lines deliver. You can enjoy lavish holiday dinners complete with everything, from the traditional turkey to international Christmas dishes. Some cruises even offer themed buffets with everything, from a turkey carving station to hot and creamy chowders , holiday cocktails, gingerbread-making workshops and seasonal dessert tastings to add fun to the feasts. Cruises cater to various travelers and take the guesswork out of planning a holiday. Unlike a traditional vacation where you are responsible for your own itinerary, cruises do the hard work for you by planning destinations, offering a wide variety of on-board activities and providing varied experiences that appeal to all. A 2024 survey by Expedia Cruises concluded that 82% of travelers who have cruised before say they would do it again. Traveling with the whole family can often feel like an exercise in logistics that leaves you more stressed than you were before your holiday. Holiday cruises simplify this, offering multigenerational activities, family-friendly dining options and flexible accommodations. The Disney Cruise Line, which includes the Very Merrytime Cruises for the holiday season, is popular for offering exciting kid-centric activities like themed crafts, holiday scavenger hunts and character meet-and-greets. These endless options paired with the kids’ or teens’ clubs keep younger travelers entertained while giving their parents peace of mind. When traveling with older family members, consider reaching out to the cruise ahead of time to find out what accessible options they offer. Cruise lines can sometimes accommodate requests that might be better suited for older folks like avoiding stairs or long walks to reach their room. Couples can rediscover their magic on holiday cruises that offer intimate moments and tailored experiences. The Romantic Cruises by Princess Cruises stand out because of their private balcony dining and couples’ activities like wine tastings or cooking classes to make hors d’oeuvres . However, many holiday cruises offer specialty experiences like date-night-worthy restaurants, sunset strolls on the deck and shared excursions that are sure to create lasting memories. For couples looking to rest and relax, holiday cruises can provide serene spaces, spa suites and infinity verandas that are perfect for unwinding together. Cruises provide the perfect atmosphere for singles to mingle and enjoy the holiday season with company. Social events like trivia nights, dance parties and holiday mixers encourage connection and camaraderie. Certain cruises, like the Norwegian Cruise Line and the Virgin Voyages’ Holiday Cruises, cater specifically to solo travelers. These cruises include adult-only entertainment, curated activities and a vibrant nightlife. Rest assured, these cruises provide plenty of holiday entertainment and seasonal activities that ensure you enjoy yourself while staying close to your holiday traditions. With over 323 cruise ships currently in operation serving 36 million passengers this year alone, according to photoAiD , how do you choose if you’re a first-time cruiser ? Start by confirming that the cruise is appropriate for the needs of your traveling group. Often, experiences that are tailored for a specific group, whether kids or couples, will be described in the cruise line’s name – take for instance, the Disney Cruise Line. You can also check out the on-board activities available to make sure that there are plenty of options for your company. Next, consider your budget. Holiday cruises make luxury accessible without breaking the bank, with options as low as $300 for shorter voyages. Cruises will often provide all-inclusive packages that bundle accommodations, dining, entertainment and travel into a single cost-effective experience. The Carnival Cruise line remains a favorite for budget-conscious travelers because of its fun festivities and great dining options. However, even high-end experiences, like the MSC Cruises’ Yacht Club, which includes amenities like private pools, lounges and butler services come at a fraction of the cost of traditional luxury resorts. Lastly, ask yourself what holiday vibe you’re going for. Are you dreaming of a sunny tropical Christmas or perhaps frosty landscapes? Either way, with thousands of options in December alone, as cataloged by CruiseBooking.com , there’s a cruise waiting for you. The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Caribbean Cruises stop at destinations like the Great Stirrup Cay, while Hurtigruten’s Arctic Expeditions sail through breathtaking fjords and snowy landscapes. Holiday cruises offer a unique way to celebrate the season that’s a guaranteed hit without breaking the bank. Consider leaving behind the stress of hosting and planning; step aboard a ship where every detail has been curated to bring enjoyment and relaxation. With the holidays calling, will you answer with a ticket to set sail? Jennifer Allen is a retired professional chef and long-time writer. Her writing appears in dozens of publications, and she has two cookbooks, “Keto Soup Cookbook” and “Keto Diabetic Cookbook and Meal Plan.” These days, she’s busy in the kitchen, developing recipes for various publications and traveling, and you can find all her best recipes at Cook What You Love .NFL ends investigation into sexual assault allegations against Browns QB Deshaun Watson
Michigan, Ohio State fight broken up with police pepper spray after Wolverines stun No. 2 Buckeyes 13-10
The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — AJ Clayton scored 16 points as Ohio beat Robert Morris 84-68 on Saturday. Clayton had seven rebounds for the Bobcats (3-5). Victor Searls scored 14 points and added seven rebounds. Jackson Paveletzke and Aidan Hadaway both scored 11 points. The Colonials (6-3) were led by Josh Omojafo, who recorded 15 points. Antallah Sandlin’El added 14 points for Robert Morris. Alvaro Folgueiras finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. The loss ended a six-game winning streak for the Colonials. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .NoneTRAVIS Kelce has splurged about $175,000 in gifts for his girlfriend Taylor Swift's birthday, spoiling the pop megastar with luxury, designer gold jewelry and bouquets, a source revealed to The U.S. Sun. Swift , who concluded her nearly two-year Eras Tour in Vancouver, Canada , on Sunday, celebrated her 35th birthday on Friday. As the Cruel Summer singer glams up for the evening festivities, The U.S. Sun can exclusively detail the array of gifts her NFL tight-end boyfriend gifted her for her 35th. Kelce sent his girlfriend 35 bouquets, one for each year, from the luxury floral brand The Million Roses. The bouquets included 15 black heart boxes of red roses, valued at $315 each; 10 orders of deluxe white boxes filled with black and red roses, which retail at $880 a box; and 10 boxes of neon rose gold roses adorned in a dark pink suede heart box dome, valued at $580 each. In total, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end splashed a whopping $19,325 on flowers. Most read in The US Sun But to accompany the sea of lush flowers, Kelce splashed $155,200 on jewelry from Tiffany & Co., Rolex, and Van Cleef & Arpels for his Grammy Award-winning girlfriend. Swift can now add a rose gold Day-Date 36 Rolex, valued at $60,350, to her collection of watches. From Tiffany & Co. , the three-time Super Bowl champ, 35, purchased a customized gold split cuff with a heart engraved on the inside for $22,000, as well as a $25,000 Elsa Peretti open-heart bracelet. To complete the look, Kelce spent $35,500 on a sweet long Alhambra necklace, $8,200 on a vintage Alhambra pendant, and $4,150 on a pair of Alhambra earrings. Most read in American Football "Thirty-five years old is a very important birthday, and he wanted to make things really special for this special occasion," a source close to Kelce and Swift's entourage told The U.S. Sun. "Many luxury items, and the bouquets, one for each year. "He has been working on this for a bit now, and he knows that the occasion was super important as now they are able to spend way more time together as the tour is over. "The last few months have been very intense for the both of them, and now they just want to enjoy each other, and Taylor's birthday is the first day of many more days and times for celebrations in the next couple of weeks." HOLIDAY SPECIAL The source disclosed to The U.S. Sun that despite the luxurious gifts for Swift's special day, Kelce has something more extravagant for Christmas . "Travis and Taylor love birthdays. They also love Christmas, and they are so looking forward to that," the source added. "Travis kept some more unique presents in his sleeve for Christmas time, he loves to surprise Taylor and get her some very nice gifts." Kelce's grant total for Swift's birthday came out to $174,525. But as Swift looks to ease back into the stateside after concluding her tour, Kelce and the Chiefs are looking to finish the season strong with four games remaining this year. The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs are set to face off against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Kansas City, who are first in the American Football Conference with a stellar 12-1 record, will take on the Houston Texans on December 21, Pittsburgh Steelers in a Christmas Day showdown and cap off the season against the Denver Broncos on January 5. Read More on The US Sun The Chiefs are striving to be the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Lombardi Trophies. However, teams like the Philadelphia Eagles , Detroit Lions , and Buffalo Bills , who handed the Chiefs their only loss of the season in a Sunday Night Football clash on November 18, aim to crush the defending champ's goal. Kansas City Chiefs tightend Travis Kelce splashed an eye-popping $174,525 in gifts for his girlfriend Taylor Swift's birthday. The list of gifts Kelce gave Swift: $60,350 : Rolex Day-Date 36. $25,000 : Tiffany & Co. open heart bracelet. $22,000 : Tiffany & Co. customer split cuff. $35,500 : Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra long necklace. $8,200 : Van Cleef & Arpels vintage Alhambra pendant. $4,150 : Van Cleef & Arpels vintage Alhambra earrings. $5,800 : The Million Roses: 10 boxes of neon rose gold roses. $8,800 : The Million Roses: 10 boxes of black and red roses. $4,725 : The Million Roses: 15 boxes of red roses.Harris has ‘no knowledge’ anyone tried to get RTE to take down viral clip
Published 5:23 pm Tuesday, November 26, 2024 By Data Skrive The Wednesday college basketball slate includes 11 games featuring a ranked team in action. Among those contests is the West Virginia Mountaineers squaring off against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. For picks against the spread, check out the rest of this article below. Place your bets on any men’s college basketball matchup at BetMGM. Sign up today using our link. Bet on the Indiana-Louisville spread—or any other NCAA men’s basketball matchup—with BetMGM ! Bet on the Baylor-New Orleans spread—or any other NCAA men’s basketball matchup—with BetMGM ! Bet on the Gonzaga-West Virginia spread—or any other NCAA men’s basketball matchup—with BetMGM ! Bet on the Tennessee-UT Martin spread—or any other NCAA men’s basketball matchup—with BetMGM ! Bet on the Creighton-Texas A&M spread—or any other NCAA men’s basketball matchup—with BetMGM ! Bet on the Cincinnati-Alabama State spread—or any other NCAA men’s basketball matchup—with BetMGM ! 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If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Plum High School student Eli Pollak has a financial strategy. “The earlier you start, like at our age, investing, the more money you will make,” said Pollak, who attended the Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania Stock Market Challenge presented by Citizens on Thursday, Dec. 12 at Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. It was an event held to empower students with real-world financial literacy skills. Stage AE was set up like a stock market with a board showing the stock prices similar to the New York Stock Exchange, the biggest stock market on earth, where matches are made between buyers and sellers trading shares of public companies. In this live trading simulation, students formed teams to compete in maximizing their investments, strategizing in response to the ups and downs of a simulated market. There was buying, selling, trading and some tense moments. A bell was rung just like is done to open the daily stock market on Wall Street. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were on the line. Fortunately, this wasn’t real money. The morning included an interactive competition, bringing the trading floor to life. This was the first time for such an event in Pittsburgh. “This is what Junior Achievement does across the country,” said Patrice Matamoros, president of the Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania. “We help with real-life skills. What we do here is an extension of what they are learning in the classroom.” That includes managing money through stocks, which was the lesson of the day. There were 108 teams and 385 students from Allegheny, Beaver, Cambria, Indiana, Somerset and Westmoreland counties and Brooke and Hancock counties in West Virginia. Each team began with $500,000. They came prepared with a portfolio of fake company stocks. They were presented with various scenarios. Their portfolio might include companies such as Donut House, a global donut and coffee chain, and Nichols Sporting Goods, an American manufacturer of sports equipment. Al DiFranco, president and CEO at Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland, would announce information such as the price of coffee beans on the rise. If the students owned Donut House stock, they might want to make a decision what to do with the stock. And they didn’t have a lot of time because, for this competition, one minute was equal to one day. “This JA Stock Market Challenge is about the stock market, but also about financial literacy and wellness and investing wisely,” DiFranco said. “When you work on Wall Street, you have to constantly be paying attention because the stock market can change in a minute.” Gretchen Weber, a marketing, business, accounting, law and finance teacher at Plum, said it was a great opportunity for students to learn about stocks and how to handle money. She brought five teams and 16 students. Sophomore Caydence Morgan said there was so much happening all at once. “This is so important to learn about investing in our future,” Morgan said. Classmate Sophia Tedesco said the morning was pretty stressful and everything was happening so quickly. Learning good money management is important, Tedesco said. Morgan and Plum junior Gianna Sciulli won an award for sharing their experience on social media. Winners of the stock market challenge were Peters Township High School students Laci and Lexi Vance, both first-year students, and their older brother Wyatt Vance, a junior. The prizes were $500 for the first-place team, $300 for the second, and $25 gift cards for each player on the third-place team. Peters Township finished with $662,000 total. Wyatt has been studying the stock market since he was 9 years old. He has read a lot of books about stocks and said, in real life, in the blink of an eye you can go from the top to the floor so you have to always be aware of what is going on in the world. Pollak agreed. “The stock market really gets your adrenaline pumping,” Pollak said. “You have to pay attention to what’s happening around you every second.”