Issue 26: June 24, 2009

48 Star Magic Superstars To
Invade Cow Palace This Sunday

By Bradford Adkins

I AM hashing this out of recent memory. About four years ago, the Fil-Am community witnessed the biggest concert event ever staged in the Bay Area, it needed an outdoor venue like the Monster Park to hold it – it was called the ABS-CBN International’s Kapamilya Summer Caravan. It was participated in by an array of ABS-CBN’s ‘best of the best’ talents. Still bringing tingles in my spine is this Philippine Independence Day number (yes, it was held in the month of June also), rendered by ASAP’s Champions (Sarah Geronimo, Erik Santos, Rachelle Ann Go, Christian Bautista and Sheryn Regis, among others) where they sang ‘Bayan Ko’, dressed in our national costumes, waving the giant wind-blown Philippine Flag, parading down the lengthy stage while they sing in full emotion. Before that number, the TFC executives and staff distributed mini-Philippine flags to the audience as additional visual impact. The number was even enhanced emotionally, as the Champions talk briefly about our then unstable political situation in the Philippines, before they sing their own numbers. It was so touching and memorable really, that I can still feel the vibration and festive spirit as helicopters roam the airways above us, as they capture the event on camera.

Manila Mail Newspaper-reading ASAP Coverboy, JON AVILA will be one of the 48 Star Magic Talents that will rock the Daly City Cow Palace this coming Sunday.

Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA) Top 3 Scholar and the number 1 hit song ‘Ngiti’ singer, Ronnie Liang (shown here as he visited Las Vegas in March), will croon his loyal followers (hello Celine, Jhay & company) in Cow Palace this Sunday.

This weekend’s event promises to be even bigger and better than that. Star Magic is commemorating its 17th anniversary in the showbusiness world by giving back the support received from the Filipino communities in California, USA via staging of a two-day concert that will be held on June 27 (in Southern California) and June 28 (in Northern California). On June 27, Star Magic talents will be at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. This Sunday, June 28th, they will be at Cow Palace Arena in Daly City, California.

The ASAP Coverboys, L-R, Victor Basa, Rafael Rosell, Zanjoe Marudo, Jake Cuenca and Jon Avila (shown here with Manila Mail Newspaper’s Publisher, Ruben Bunag, rightmost) will be entertaining the Cow Palace crowd this weekend.

The hottest love team Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz (shown here with Line Producer Nanette Labrador, center, of Fremont, CA) will headline this Sunday’s Cow Palace mega-event dubbed the Star Magic US Concert Tour.

One of ABS-CBN’s hottest loveteams, Shaina Magdayao (who has family ties in San Jose, CA..hello Auntie Baybee!!!) and Rayver Cruz (they packed Stockton’s Bob Hope Theater a year or so ago, produced by Ms. Filipinas Achacoso, center, of Tracy, CA) will personally appear and perform at the Star Magic US Tour Live in San Francisco this Sunday at the Cow Palace.

Dubbed as “Star Magic: The World Concert Tour,” it promises to be a night full of singing, dancing and variety of fun as the most renowned artist, the funniest comedians and the best singers of the country all together in one stage, all in one night.

Formerly known as ABS-CBN Talent Center, Star Magic is the Kapamilya Network’s homebased training and management program, designed to assist aspiring talents in the Philippines. Star Magic is headed by television and film director Johnny Manahan. Star Magic had already produced numerous talents in the field of acting, singing, dancing and hosting since it started way back in 1992.

Bay Area Beauty Queen Comes Home. 2007 Miss Philippines Earth-West Coast, Krystle Ann G. Dizon arrived at the San Francisco International Airport last weekend for a semestral break. She is soon graduating with a nursing degree from a Manila Medical School. She celebrated her recent birthday with family and friends in Antioch, CA.

Here is the list of Star Magic-studded talents to grace the stage of the Cow Palace this Sunday:(Piolo Pascual, Claudine Barretto, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Diether Ocampo, Kristine Hermosa, Sam Milby, Maja Salvador, Pokwang, Yeng Constantino, Jed Madela, Rayver Cruz, Nikki Gil, Kim Chiu, Angelica Panganiban, AJ Perez , Arron Villaflor, Bangs Garcia, Carlos Agassi, Chokoleit, Chris Gutierrez, Dino Imperial, Bentong, Empress Schuck, Echong Dee, Erich Gonzales, Jon Avila, Kitkat, Jay-R Siaboc, Lauren Young, Matt Evans, Jake Cuenca, Megan Young, Melissa Ricks, Gerald Anderson, Mickey Perz, Zanjoe Marudo, Richard Poon, Roxanne Guinoo, Rafael Rosell, Regine Angeles, Robi Domingo, Ronnie Liang, Shaina Magdayao, Sam Concepcion, Sheryn Regis, Victor Basa, and Wendy Valdez.
This show is brought to you in San Francisco by Shoestring Entertainment in cooperation with Berce Enterprises.

Attending in full force this Sunday at the Star Magic US Concert Tour are the Acoustic Heartthrob Sam Milby’s number one US-based Fan Organization, the ever powerful GOT MILBY Fans, L-R, Gladys C. Baal, Jean Ralette Rufino, Mennie Mejia, Joanne Lazatin, Erickson Raymundo (Sam Milby’s Discoverer and Manager), LenLen Resos, Len Perez, Cecile A. Harrison, Vilbert Rosell Angeles (yes, he is Coverboy Rafael Rosell’s true-blood cuz as in cousin). Photo lifted with permission from Vilbert’s Facebook on Erik Raymundo’s Surprise Birthday Party Photo Collection.

The venue, Cow Palace is located at 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City, CA.
Tickets can still be purchased from Nanette Labrador (510) 828-4792 or Angie Estacio (510) 938-9748.

SEEN IN THE CITY

Welcome home to 2007 Miss Philippines Earth-West Coast’s Krystle Ann G. Dizon of Antioch, CA who arrived in the Bay Area from Manila, last weekend to celebrate her birthday with her family and friends here.

After making all of us very proud by winning the Miss Philippines Air title in Manila during her reign and then successfully representing the Philippines in the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant the following year in China (she placed 1st runner-up to Miss Thailand’s Miss Tourism Queen-Asia title), she decided to stay longer in Manila to finish her college education.

Now a graduating nursing student, Krystle recently nabbed a major advertising contract as a phone card billboard model for Globe Communications.

On your next trip to the Philippines, expect her sweet angelic face to grace the giant billboards adorning the major highways.

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

D.B. Entertainment Celebrates 10th Year Anniversary

D.B. Entertainment Productions is celebrating its 10th year anniversary with a gigantic bang at the Tiburon/Sausalito Embassy Suites in South San Francisco located at 250 Gateway Blvd, SSF, CA 94080 on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 6:00 pm via a buffet/dinner cum ballroom dancing.

The night will feature awarding of trophies and appreciation certificates for Best Dressed Pilipinos 2009 to Rolly Mungues, Ric Quintana, Hermie Afuang, Steve Naldoza, Gil Rivera, Arnel Rosanes, Richard Lao, Eddie Romero, Adrian Mateo, Manny Caoile and Manila Mail Newspaper’s Bradford Adkins.
Awardees for the Best Dressed Pilipinas 2009 are: Susan Pacifico, Tess Gregorio, Dorie Afuang, Adel Naldoza, Virgie Gaco, Heidi Runyan, Remy Flores, Henrietta Romero, Rosa De Jesus, Floren Flores and Helen Calonge.

Another significant honor to be presented that night will be the Ideal Couple of the Year 2009 award. The recipients are the Honorable President of Club Royale International Gil Navarro and his First lady and the Very Fashionable Woman, Jett Viray-Navarro, as well as Mr. & Mrs. Rufino and Perla Valencia Jr.
The affair’s other attraction is the Coronation of Mrs. Philippines Earth 2009.

Another highlight of the event is the selection of three (3) winners each for Elegante Pilipino (Best in Barong Tagalog) and Elegancia Pilipina (Best in Terno), a latest concept of Tourism Director Rene De Los Santos in conjunction with the Philippine Independence Day celebrations. The event’s music will be provided by Joey and Maite Camins and their band.
The event is being directed by Rami Banaag.

PERSONAL NOTES

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Enriquez Family of San Ramon, CA for tendering a birthday party last weekend for this columnist. The intimate gathering was attended by Mrs. Mitos Cunanan-Enriquez and her husband, Dino, together with their children, Paula, Christian and Sean. Also present in their San Ramon digs are Dino’s parents – Gary and Flora Enriquez. Mitos’s sister Gina Salazar, her husband Henry and their fresh-from-Italy College son, Paul Henry. Mitos’s brother, Alvin Cunanan and their mom whom I fondly call ‘mare’ also graced the event with their mere presence. Dino’s business partner and friend, Gavin Mathias also celebrated with them.

Do you have any personal or community events you want announced? Just email them to bradford_adkins@yahoo.com

Provident Debt Solutions, LLC spreads debt relief message

The Filipino Fiesta held recently at the San Francisco Civic Center was a great time to meet Filipino folks and do things very Filipino. Picnic on Filipino food at the city hall grounds, collect goodies from the sponsors booths, watch cultural shows and great Fil Am talents perform, and even meet popular stars like Richard and Lucy Gomez and Heart Evangelista. And if one got luckier, he could even bring home a nice prize.

Provident Debt Solutions , one of the event sponsors, gave Daly City resident Edwin Padilla a lucky break when he won a 32-inch Vizio LCD flat panel display TV set in a raffle drawn from among those who visited the Provident booth.

Charina Todd, Provident COO, was in the crowd to appreciate Filipino culture even more. Her company is about helping people get through the hard times and she’s reaching out as far and wide as she could. “There’s a lot of people with burdens of credit card who need a lot of help, we’re spreading the message that getting out of debt is not a matter of getting a lucky break – it is knowing what’s the right thing to do.”

Provident Debt Solutions, LLC has a relatively new and aggressive approach to debt relief for people who are truly struggling with unsecured, and credit card debt. The option is open to people who can not afford to make their minimum credit card payments but wish to avoid bankruptcy. Provident Debt Solutions represents them in negotiations with creditors to secure settlements for less the amount of debt owed at the time of enrollment. Debt settlement is deemed the better option because it takes relatively the shortest time to get out of debt, the average being 2- 4 years.

One benefit of the debt settlement process is as consumers graduate from these programs and achieve financial freedom, they can start building their credit again and become more enticing to lenders. Thus they become better off than people enrolled in credit counseling programs, those with big credit card debt, or people with bankruptcies on their record. For any questions, call Provident Debt Solutions toll free 800-315-1444 or visit their website www.providentdebtsolutions.com.

Birthday Girl

Barnie Ocampo, wife of Dr. Ramon Ocampo of San Jose, celebrated her birthday recently at Roberto’s Restaurant in Daly City. Dr. Ocampo is one of the co-owners of the well known eatery in town. Shown at photo are from left: Beauty Impresario, Ferdie Villar; Daly City Councilman, Dave Canepa, the celebrant, Barnie Ocampo, Dr. Ocampo, Dave Rodriguez and Dr. Butch Calip and Mrs. Liza Calip (seated infront).

KC Graduates

A Beautiful Graduate. A Manila Mail ‘Magandang Filipina’ Miss KC Cabilatazan, 22, center, of San Jose, CA graduated with a Degree in Fashion Merchandise Marketing from Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-SF (FIDM) last June 18, 2009. Her proud parents witnessed the graduation ceremonies held at the Herbst Theater in downtown San Francisco.

Ramon Bunag receives religious leader of the year award

Senator Leland Yee, together with the newly crowned Miss RP-USA 2009, Trina Dmaranan presented the Celebrity Star Award Trophy to WOW Cargo President, Ramon Viray Bunag as the year’s Religious leader of the Year Awardee held at Silver Creek Golf Club in San Jose.

Graduation of Cyrus Hajian

Cyrus Hajian, former winner of Little Mr. RP-USA graduated recently at St. Isabela School in San Rafael and was honored with a Graduation Party by Lolita and Malou Hajian held at the Mcnean Beach Park last Sunday, June 14th. Shown at photo from left: Andrew Karcher, Lolita Hajian, Jenna and Larry Smith, Cyrus and Malou Hajian.

Honored by a Philippine General

Eppie Grant, real estate realtor in Daly City and San Mateo Community leader, was honored by Philippine General, Sergie Belleza and his wife, Presy Eusebio Belleza at Shangrila Hotel International Buffet Room recently.