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;AP;CD; ANPAc ..r.. Philippines-Steven Seagal Actor Steven Seagal steps into Philippine politics, says he favors JP/20/GUESS

Steven Seagal big fan of Arroyo

MANILA: Hollywood action star Steven Seagal made headlines here Tuesday by giving the thumbs up for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in next Monday's election.

The actor visited the presidential palace to discuss shooting a movie in the Philippines, but ended up rooting for Arroyo -- giving her campaign a bit of the star appeal that thus far has been the advantage of her political opponents.

Arroyo was away on the campaign trail, but Seagal described himself as "a big fan of the president".

"I've never met her, but my impression of her is that she's very straight, sincere, honest, really talented president, and I hope she gets reelected," newspapers quoted Seagal as saying on Monday.

The statement drew criticism from the opposition, ABS-CBN TV reported.

Celebrities are nothing new to Philippine politics.

Arroyo's rival, Fernando Poe Jr., is a local movie legend, and so is Arroyo's predecessor, former president Joseph Estrada, who was ousted in "people power" protests in January 2001.

Seagal said actors can make good political leaders, citing former U.S. president Ronald Reagan as his example.

"Reagan was a pretty good one, but I think it really depends on the situation," Seagal said.

A frequent visitor to the Philippines, Seagal said he was ready to do "anything" to promote the country as a tourist destination. --AP

GetAP 1.00 -- MAY 4, 2004 10:29:19

;AP; ANPAc ..r.. US-People-Jason Priestley Actor Jason Priestley announces engagement JP/20/GUESS

Jason Priestley announces engagement

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LOS ANGELES: Former Beverly Hills, 90210 star Jason Priestley has become engaged to longtime girlfriend Naomi Lowde, the actor- director's publicist said on Monday.

No other details of the engagement were immediately available, according to spokeswoman Annett Wolf. Lowde is a makeup artist.

The 34-year-old actor, who played Brandon Walsh on the long- running television teen drama, was seriously injured in an August 2002 car crash. The avid race car driver spun out of control at 290 kph and hit a wall nearly head-on during practice at the Kentucky Speedway.

More recently, Priestley appeared in the campy independent film Die Mommie Die! He also directed the 1999 documentary Barenaked in America, about his fellow Canadians, the band Barenaked Ladies.

GetAP 1.00 -- MAY 4, 2004 04:19:01