For the very first time, Cache Creek Casino Resort is making use of its gigantic parking lot this summer to accommodate the huge Filipino & Fil-Am concert-going crowd expected to watch Philippine Concert Kings Gary Valenciano & Martin Nievera as they team up anew in ‘As 1 Part 2’ this coming Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 8:00pm.
Normally, Cache Creek Casino holds its Filipino concert events at their indoor Club 88, but due to huge ticket demand (almost sold-out as of press time) and the 2 performers’ track record in filling up huge venues, the management decided to hold it this time, for the very first time at their Summer Outdoor Ampitheater. The show is made possible through their continued collaboration with Ben & Edna Ramos of Edna’s Ichiban Library.
‘As 1 Part 2’ had successful performances in Toronto, Canada last May 28, Chicago, IL on June 3, Anaheim, CA on June 4 & will be in Vancouver, Canada on June 10 before it hits Cache Creek Casino this Saturday.
Congratulations to Bay Area-based Larry Lontoc who is now a full-pledged Chef having completed formal training and studies at the far away Houston Community College. He is now studying further to be a Pastry Chef, according to his direct Facebook wall message to this Columnist. TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY
A Celebration of Philippine Heritage: "A Coming Together"
On Sunday, June 12, 2011, Filipinos in the Bay Area will be celebrating three auspicious events; the 113th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and the 50th Anniversary of the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee. Aptly themed “A Celebration of Philippine Heritage: A Coming Together,” Filipino community organizations from San Jose to Vallejo pulled their resources together to celebrate the three milestones in grand fashion.
Dennis Normandy, President of the San Francisco Civil Service Commission, and Chairman of the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee and co-emcee for the evening, said that “Aside from concelebrating three significant anniversaries- this event takes on even greater dimension in that it marks the very first time that our Filipino American community will hold a black-tie gala and formal dinner at the magnificent Rotunda of the beautiful Beaux Arts structure that is San Francisco's City Hall. The venue itself makes a statement as to the "arrival" of Filipinos and Filipino Americans within the corridors of power in this great country. “
Congen Paynor “urge the Filipino Americans today to steel their resolve and make a stand, individually and collectively, as they find their rightful place in their adopted homeland of America."
Dr. David Chee, left, & Dr. Young Kang of Pleasanton's ValleyCare Health System at the 27th Annual Golf Tournament last Friday in Livermore, CA. Special guest of honor is Mona Pasquil, the first woman of Philippine ancestry to hold the post of Lt. Governor of the State of California. She currently is Governor Jerry Brown's Cabinet Secretary in charge of identifying, vetting and nominating persons to serve within the Brown administration.
In attendance at the gala will be Bay Area movers and shakers, Filipino American and mainstream alike, joined by public officials, members of the international Consular Corps, and Philippine industrialists who have hosted many Mayor-led cutural and trade missions of the SF-Manila Sister City Committee.
Mrs. Bella Landingin (middle) of Meridian Home Health based in Hayward, CA attended Miguel Lim's baptismal celebration in Blackhawk at Danville, CA shown here with husband Rene (left) and daughter, Kim.SEEN IN THE CITY
Edna’s Ichiban Library turns 9
Incidentally, according to a report emailed to this column by former Piolo Pascual Manager & former ABS-CBN Writer/Director, now San Francisco-based, Noel Nuguit, “Edna’s Ichiban Library in Daly City turned 9 via an anniversary show, “In Retro” last May 28 and 30, 2011. Stage performer-host Thage Montecarlo elevated the celebration fever by mounting an eclectic mix of musical talent showdown, theatricality and a little dose of comic androgyny.
Singer-comedienne Fe Delos Reyes, in a stunning white ensemble opened the show with the theme song of Edna’s ichiban Library. Afterwards, stage-TV actress Jackie Castillejo was shown in a videotaped interview of Jesse Cabalza, one of the first few resident karaoke host-entertainers when the karaoke opened less than a decade ago. A self-confessed avid fan of Regine Velasquez, henceforth tagged as “Songbird” among the hosts, Jesse belted an inspirational song popularized by Sandy Patti titled “Light of a Million Mornings”. Jesse’s heartfelt take of the song was complemented by a very elegant emerald green gown reminiscent of Versace’s subdued line of sexy formal line of clothing.
Pleasanton ValleyCare Health System's Dr. Yen & son Blaine (3rd & 4th left) teamed up & played at the 27th Annual Golf Tournament held last Friday, June 3, 2011 at The Course At Wente Vineyards in Livermore, CA. The charitable event is for the benefit of the Pleasanton Emergency Group's ER Extension Project. Sponsored by Sunshine Home Health (represented by their Administrator Reggie Panganiban, RN & Business Development Manager, Abby Borgonia, 1st & 2nd left)
Edna's Ichiban Library &Karaoke Restaurant celebrated its 9th year of delivering world-class entertainment via a special musical show headlining the resident artists-entertainers (L-R), Thage Montecarlo, Vivorah, Jesse Cabalza, Rey Kilay Francisco, Divo Bayer, Miriam Pantig, and Angelica del carmen. Photo/text by Noel NuguitThe torch of excitement was kept burning by theatre artist-performer Vivorah, Rey Kilay Francisco, Angelica del Carmen, and the reliable singer Miriam Pantig with a rousing number “Cell Block tango” from the Broadway play “Chicago.” Vivorah showed her agility and precision in doing this intense dance routine that you’ll forget that you’re in a comedy bar and not in a Broadway venue.
The baptism of Miguel Lim (youngest of Mary & Tracy Lim of Blackhawk in Danville, CA) last Sunday was made memorable by Miami beating Dallas during NBA finals Game 3. Miami's coach is Erik Spoelstra, the first Filipino-American Head Coach in the NBA history.
Congratulations to Christian Back, left, who recently graduated from high school at the Bellarmine College Preparatory. He will next take Business Marketing at the San Francisco State University. Christian is the youngest of Maria & Walter Back of San Jose, CA.
Then, “Emperor of Soul” Divo Bayer, garbed in a shimerring outfit wowed the audience with his hypnotic rendition of “Queen of the Night” song. Divo, who is one if not the only male singer who can whistle his high notes a la Mariah Carey would always mesmerize his Bay Area audience. Bayer’s high octane number was sustained by another strong performance of singers Angelica and the very reliable Miriam Pantig in a Beyonce medley.
Ribtickler and seasoned host-entertainerRey Kilay brought the house down with a Whitney Houston act that proved to everybody that he is not just gifted with comic timing, but has the pipes that can shame some of the performers who have been waxing CD albums using computer-enhanced technology to cover their deficient musical talent.
A breather number followed as Miriam Pantig, Angelica and Divo Bayer did an acoustic mix of Bruno Mars medley which all the pop culture enthusiasts sang along with to their delight.
Poca, in a glittering pink dressed entered the stage to serve as host of the beauty contest skit that brought the house down with
Jesse Cabalza as Miss Philippines, Vibora as Miss India and Rey
Kilay as Miss Botswana. It seemed that people have not gotten tired of this kind of beauty pageant skits that was originated by the veteran comedy bar hosts Leonard Obal and Allan K.
Bobby Solis sang the “Cabaret” song, but it somehow fizzled the high-octane energy set by his precedents. He must have picked the overused act or Liza Minelli’s version is so powerful that Solis’ version suffered in comparison.
The show’s finale was a nostalgic song number that interspersed with video clips of previous entertainers that grazed Edna’s Ichiban Library. Kudos to the concept and direction of Thage Montecarlo for upping the ante of comedy bar entertainment and it is surely a hard act to follow next year. More power to all entertainer-hosts, staff and crew of Edna’s ichiban Library and of course, business owners Ben and Edna Ramos.”
Congratulations & more power, Edna’s Ichiban, Ben & Edna Ramos!
Briefs & shorts
San Francisco Consulate Holiday Notice
The Philippine Consulate General will be closed on Monday, 20 June 2011, a holiday in observance of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Philippine National Hero. Regular consular service hours will resume on Tuesday, 21 June 2011. For emergency cases requiring assistance from the Consulate during the holiday, please contact the Help Desk at telephone (415) 269-2090.
Congratulations to San Ramon's Richard Lao, CPA for finally getting his State of California license as a CPA having completed all the stringent experience requirements recently. He left the workforce for years to care for his ailing mother who is now in the pink of health. He just accepted a Controller position at Val Strough Auto Dealership at the Monterey Peninsula. He hopes to establish his own CPA practice in the near future. If you need a new/used Honda, Mazada, Ford, Lincoln or Subaru car, call him at (925) 389-1382.QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"No, we don’t need go nuclear. We have other alternative sources of energy – Solar, Hydro and others. We don’t need another nuclear power plant tragedy like the one recently in Japan," by Athena Mae Imperial, a UP Mass Communication student from Casiguran, Aurora who was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2011 last Sunday in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, in response to the final question – Does the Philippines need nuclear energy?
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Oakland Hills Filipina socialite Sylvia Ford, hosted a Japanese style welcome party for ABS-CBN Vice President for Entertainment Malou Santos, and Multi-award director Olive Lamasan held last Tuesday, June 1, 2011 at OSHO Japanese Restaurant in Milbrae. Shown in photo from L-R: Malou Santos, the honoree, Olivia Lamasan, movie actress Pacita Arena, Glenda Kennedy, JD, production coordinator of Star Cinema, Marcia Coulder, Vicky Garcia, and Miss Ford, the hostess of the party.
New Japanese restaurant OGON SUSHI. The perfect place to unwind, delicious food and fresh made sushi, reasonable prices and good service. Ogon is located in the city of Rodeo. They flipped this old house into a newly remodeled Sushi house. In photo the men and women behind the sushi bar L-R: The owners Efren Galang and Art Murphy, their waitresses and chef Luis. 
HDI JOINS BASCO AT PITTSBURG - The Human Development International U.S.A. was invited by the Basco to join the family in giving their Uncle a surprise 50th Birthday Celebration at Pittsburg, Ca., last May 28, 2011.
Senator Leland Y. Yee, a front runner for the Mayorship of the beautiful City by the Bay San Francisco, California is shown placing a specially made small red roses lei for the Internationally known Beauty Impresario Ferdie Syquia de Villar, during the Red, White and Blue Memorial Day party celebrating his 74th birthday anniversary at the Villar Residence in South San Francisco. Looking while Senator Yee is placing the lei are: California State Commissioner Ray Benitez Satorre, and Club El Mundo proprietress Clarita (Baby) Bryam.
A long awaited reunion of brother and sister of Tess Gregorio from Kawasaki, Japan came to visit here in California USA, from left to right standing: Shoji Amano, Merly Amano and Lito Crizaldo, seated: Tess Gregorio.
TOP PINOY NURSING GRAD IN THE US- Frederic Mark Valera Balanag of Concord, CA will be graduating summa cum laude from the BS Nursing program of the CSU East Bay. Ceremonies will be held June 10th at the University campus in Hayward. He took and passed the NCLEX last month. He is the eldest son of Edward Medina Balanag of Bacnotan, La Union and Lilibeth Prado Valera of Bangued, Abra. Prior to his university education, he was a consistent scholar and recipient of the Dean’s and President’s list at the Solano Community College in Fairfield where he earned his Associate degrees in General Sciences and Liberal Arts with the Highest Honors. Prior to his immigration to the US from the Philippines in 2006, he was a full academic scholar at the Trinity University of Asia and served as SK Chairm of Barangay Sikatuna Village in Quezon City. He completed his grade and high school at the Claret School of the same city.
