Community Pictures

Fel Amistad, San Mateo County Comissioner and daughter Christine Amistad congratulates Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom on his Sacramento inauguration.

Among the VIP's that attended the Novena of the Black Nazarene were CEO of Medical Link/Health Professionals Ray Satorre, Bussinessman and Community leader Ramon Bunag and leading San Francisco mayoral canidate; State Senator Leland Yee.

Knights of Nazarene devotees posed during the last Novena Mass of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno. In Photo: L-R: Vic Barba, Gil Navarro, President of Club Royale, Mitch Tulio, Mark Garvida, Rey Reyes, President LuzViMin Association and Bert Jimeno.

Issue 2: Jan 12, 2011

GMA Network is Mega Manila’s Top TV Station in 2010
(GMA Network remains the preferred network in viewer-rich Mega Manila)

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

Based on data from the more widely recognized TV ratings data supplier, AGB Nielsen, GMA Network garnered an average people audience share of 36.3% in Mega Manila in 2010. Its closest competitor, ABS CBN, posted an average of 32.7%, 3.6 points behind GMA Network in the highly-coveted Mega Manila area.

Aljur Abrenica will soon set GMA TV ablaze starting this month, as he reprises the wooden sculpture that comes alive during the night in "Machete".

Dingdong Avanzado & Jesssa Zaragoza with daughter Jayda performed for the highly-successful St George Church Fund-raising Event in Stockton, CA last Friday night, January 7th.

Mega Manila comprises 55% of the total urban television households in the country.
December ratings data (with December 26 to 31 based on overnight ratings data) showed that GMA Network improved its lead when it posted an average audience share of 35.8% versus ABS CBN’s 26.6%. Moreover, 19 of the top 30 highest rating programs in December, were from the Kapuso Network.

Topping the list of leading programs is “A Duet to Forever”, the Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez wedding with an audience share of 45.6%. This was followed by constant top-rater “ Kapuso Mo , Jessica Soho” with an audience share of 37.8%. The third place, garnering an audience share of 30.4%, went to the reality-based program, “Survivor Philippines , Celebrity Edition” hosted by Richard Gutierrez.

Milpitas Mayor Joe Esteves (with wife Susan and daughter Irene) thanks his thousands of supporters who showed their continuous love and support by electing him on his 4th mayoral term, at the new Seafood City complex along Landess Avenue to the delight of its tenants and customers, last Sunday afternoon, January 9th.

The Kapuso Network’s other programs that made it to the overall top 30 programs of December were noontime top-rating program Eat Bulaga; primetime news program 24 Oras; Kap’s Amazing Stories and primetime dramas like Bantatay; Jillian: Namamasko Po; Grazilda and Beauty Queen.

For 2011, the Network presents a stunning line-up of programs slated to premiere in the first quarter of the year.

Jeremy Hallili, 17-year old student, model/dancer of Elks Grove, CA attended the Feast of Nazareno celebrations at International Beauty Impressario Ferdie Villar's residence in South San Francisco last week, with his parents and uncle..

First on the list is the fantasy-drama, Dwarfina, starring the lovely and promising pair of Heart Evangelista and Dennis Trillo. Viewers will experience the mythical and magical world of duwendes as Dwarfina, a girl who is no taller than a finger, makes her debut this January on GMA Telebabad. Also in the cast are Janice de Belen, Jackielou Blanco, Pauleen Luna and Will Devaughn, among others.

Also premiering this January is the television remake of the age-old story about a wooden sculpture brought to life by the artistic works of a woman, Machete. Sought-after Kapuso hunk actor Aljur Abrenica receives his biggest break yet as he was chosen to reprise the coveted role of Machete. Bela Padilla and Ryza Cenon join him in this sizzling and highly anticipated project.
Regine Velasquez and Dingdong Dantes, another new and interesting tandem, topbill the original romantic-comedy series I Heart You Pare. The program is all set to make audiences laugh, cry and fall in love as it presents an amusing and heartwarming portrayal of the intriguing and colorful world of gays and lesbians.

International Beauty Impressario, Ferdinand Syquia Villar, left, together with State Commissioner Ray Satorre, 2nd left, and Susan Pacifico, rightmost, awards State Senator Leland Yee, 3rd left, a bouquet of flowers in appreciation for his attending the Annual Feast of Nazareno last Sunday, Jan 9th.

Top 50 Pacific Region New York Life (New Org) Agent Anthony Cabanero of San Jose receives 4Q 2010 outstanding performance award from Manager Grace Dirige Lim of Danville. Not diminishing his other colleagues, Cabanero is the only rookie who qualified for the award in their Santa Clara office.

The Kapuso Station, likewise, makes history as it brings to light the first ever epic-serye, Amaya. Primetime Queen Marian Rivera takes on the challenging role of a woman blessed with superpowers, which she will use to lead her people at a time dominated by men. The network is currently adding its finishing touches to its groundbreaking and well-researched storyline, scheduled to premiere in February.

Devotees of the Black Nazarene attended the last day of the Novena and mass held at the resident of Ferdie Villar. Among the community leaders and government officials that attended the prayers were Susan Pacifico, Claire Viray, Ferdie Villar, Cita Abad Dinglasan, Marc Garvida, Jett Viray Navarro, Nellie Cojuangco, and Gil Navarro.

Last but certainly not least, the return of Captain Barbell takes flight this first quarter of 2011 with actor Richard Gutierrez reprising his dual role as Teng/Captain Barbell. Joining him, together with a new league of extraordinary beings with superpowers, are equally gorgeous Kapuso actresses, Solenn Heusaff, Michelle Madrigal, Sam Pinto, Frencheska Farr and Bianca King among others. Child-wonder Jillian Ward and multi-awarded actor Christopher de Leon are also part of the powerhouse cast.

GMA Network’s top-rating and upcoming programs can be seen on GMA Pinoy TV, the network’s flagship international channel (Comcast Channel 369 on cable).

SEEN IN THE CITY The ‘King’ of Cebu

Using his mobile phones as impromptu models for his future buildings & plans, Richard L. King of Cebu illustrates to this Columnist his plans to further the tourist influx in the South.

This columnist had the extreme honor and pleasure to meet and spend hours of quality time with Richard King – Chairman and Owner of the renowned chain of Prince Court & Crown Regency hotels in the Philippines (from North to South), including the ones centrally located in Boracay Island and Club Ultima/Crown Regency Hotel based in Cebu City (noted for its Skywalk & EdgeCoaster extreme rides on top of its tall building). He discussed in confidence the horizon-changing landmark plans that will include more buildings in the South, a Zipline and more mechanical extreme rides in his Cebu Buildings (Germany-based and other international companies will be commissioned for consultancy and construction). A separate lengthy article will be published soon to detail these plans in future issues of this column, so watch out for it!

PERSONAL NOTES Briefs & Shorts

Facebook is NOT shutting down on March 15 or April 1 – it’s just a huge rumor for the huge company now valued at $50 Billion….JC Gonzales of TFC’s ‘Adobo Nation’ who previously left, will be back as one of its regular hosts, this Columnist got a confirmation very recently after auditions were held for his replacement…Charice will be back in 5 more episodes of FOX Channel’s hit TV musical, “GLEE” in upcoming episodes….Manny Pacquiao denies buying a private plane coming fresh out of their unforgettable-to-date family vacation in Tokyo, Japan & Sydney, Australia; he says he borrows the plane owned by BFF from the North, Chavit Singson…Imperial Palace Waterpark & Spa in Cebu City is receiving rave reviews from the holiday Balikbayan travelers as the ‘most beautiful and complete resort in the South - bar none’ as posted in several Facebook status updates..Belated birthday greetings to Rene Clemente who partied with a huge crowd of friends mostly last Saturday night at the Mount Grange Hall in San Jose….Belated happy birthday also to Ram Puno, a noted show producer based in San Jose.

One of the leading contenders to this year's Miss Philippines Earth-USA West Coast is 20-year old, 5'9" model Miss Lanisa Buenavista. She was seen attending and performing as one of the standout models during Milpitas Mayor Joe Esteves' appreciation party held in Milpitas Seafood City Event Hall last Sunday, January 9th, 2011.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Not happy with French Channel M6 to have tagged my friends and I as ‘bimbos’.” tweeted Miss Solenn Heussaff, the Filipina Boracay friend of Mark Salling (aka Puck of ‘GLEE’; he messaged her that apparently, he is willing to leave the show to marry a Filipina. She and her celebrity friends (Anne Curtis, Ruffa Gutierrez, et al) were filmed & interviewed by the French network staff & crew in Boracay. They gave their full cooperation during the shoot only to be portrayed as bimbos and brainless party girls when it aired recently. The French network is airing a follow up episode soon.

This article also appears online at www.FilipinoVillage.com and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 104 countries now (& still counting!) according to the latest Google Analytics report.
Do you have any personal or community events you want announced or published? Just email them to bradford_adkins@yahoo.com

"Filipino Re-elected Rep in the Vatican"

Bob Canton

"In its most recent Council meeting in Rome, Italy, the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services, unanimously re-elected Filipino-American Bob Canton from Stockton. California to another three-year term to represent ICCRS to the English-speaking North and Central America as well as the Caribbean countries. Canton is one of the 14 Council members worldwide. He represents approximately 16 million Roman Catholic Charismatics in the region who are active in the Renewal in the Spirit, a movement within the Catholic Church which emphasizes the baptism in the Holy Spirit as a way to enhance their faith.

The ICCRS was established in the Vatican in 1973 by the Pontifical Council of the Laity. It operates as an information and communication center serving the Catholic Charismatic Renewal worldwide as well as also being the link between the Renewal and the Vatican. It meets regularly with the Holy See to obtain indications and consultations while keeping them informed on the growth within the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. The ICCRS Council meets once a year for one week in the Vatican. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is actually present in 220 countries and has touched the lives of over 120 million Catholics.

Canton was first elected to the ICCRS Council in 2007, and he has served in the Finance and Newsletter Committees. In 2010, he facilitated the ICCRS-sponsored International Leadership Training Course which was held in the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio in September, the first time ever that it was held in North America. He was one of the few invitees to attend the Vatican-sponsored Colloquium on the Charisms of The Holy Spirit in 2008. He has also traveled to many countries to speak and to conduct Healing Rallies at International Catholic Charismatic Conferences on behalf of ICCRS, and in June he is scheduled to speak at an International Conference in Assisi, Italy. The biggest crowd that he has ministered so far numbered around 50,000 people in South Korea in 2009 during the ICCRS-sponsored International Convention. "To serve the Lord and His people in this capacity is indeed a great blessing and a privilege, and I pray that whatever we do in Jesus' name will give glory to God," Canton said after his re-election. He also currently served as National Coordinator of the Alliance of the Filipino Catholic Charismatic Prayer Communities in North America, an umbrella organization for all Filipino Catholic Charismatics. Canton was born and raised in Cebu City and he came into the United States in 1973 after graduating from College with an Accounting degree. He retired from his job as Senior Auditor-Appraiser with the San Joaquin County Assessor's Office in 2008 to concentrate more time on his ministty of preaching, teaching, and healing. He and his family have resided in Stockton since 1973. You may access his website, www.RobertCantonMinistries.Org."

McDONALD’S® SERVES UP WHOLE GRAINS, FRESH FRUIT WITH NEW Fruit & Maple Oatmeal

A Sweet Harmony of 100 Percent Natural Whole Grain Oats and Fruit Medley Available All Day

OAK BROOK, Ill. (Jan. 3, 2011) – McDonald’s kicks off the new year with the national introduction of its new Fruit & Maple Oatmeal available for customers at breakfast and throughout the entire day. Delivering two of the three recommended daily servings for whole grains and about a half cup of fruit, Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is McDonald’s first new breakfast offering since 2008.

Combining the perfect harmony of flavor, McDonald’s Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is prepared with 100 percent natural whole grain oats, light cream and brown sugar, and topped with diced, fresh red and green apples, tangy dried cranberries and two types of raisins. As part of McDonald’s ongoing commitment to customer choice, every bowl of Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is freshly prepared upon request: customers may order it with brown sugar or without brown sugar for those who prefer a less sweetened option. Beyond breakfast, Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is served any time of the day in all of McDonald’s participating 14,000 restaurant locations in the United States.

“With McDonald’s Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, we’re offering a portable, affordable and balanced breakfast solution to help customers start their day right,” said Senior Director of Nutrition Cindy Goody, Ph.D., MBA, R.D. “McDonald’s wants to help make it easier and more inviting for our guests to eat more whole grains and fruits, and Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is an effective way to help our customers integrate these important food groups into their daily diets.”

Fruit & Maple Oatmeal Delivers Fiber, Whole Grains and Fresh Fruit

Fruit & Maple Oatmeal has 290 calories per serving and is an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C. It provides 32 grams of 100 percent natural whole grain oats and about 25 percent of an individual’s daily recommendations for fruit – two food groups that consumers are encouraged to consume more often.1 Fruit & Maple Oatmeal without brown sugar has 260 calories per serving.

“Studies continue to confirm the health benefits of consuming whole grains,” said Kara Berrini, Program Manager, Whole Grains Council and Oldways. “Despite the recommendation that at least half of all grains eaten should be whole grains, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that more than 95 percent of individuals are not eating enough whole grains.2,3 We commend the visibility and accessibility that McDonald’s launch of new Fruit & Maple Oatmeal brings to whole grains. And, we’re excited that Fruit & Maple Oatmeal will be available all day so that customers can get their whole grains whenever they want.”

For more information about McDonald’s full line of menu choices visit www.McDonalds.com.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.

About Oldways and The Whole Grains Council Oldways is an internationally-respected non-profit, changing the way people eat through positive and practical programs grounded in science and tradition. The Whole Grains Council (WGC) is an Oldways program working to increase consumption of whole grains for better health. The WGC's many initiatives help consumers to find whole grain foods and understand their health benefits; help manufacturers and restaurants to create delicious whole grain foods; and help the media to write accurate, compelling stories about whole grains. You can learn more about both at oldwayspt.org and at wholegrainscouncil.org.

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, June 15, 2010.
2. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (U.S.) 2005 MyPyramid.gov. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA : http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS60027
3. Whole Grain Intake Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Examination Manuals (2001-2004) as cited in the Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010.