Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Community Pictures

State Sen. Leland Yee, a front-runner in the race for San Francisco mayor, suprised El Shaddai leader Brother Mike Velarde and his son Philippine Congress member Michael Velarde,Jr. of party list Ang Buhay at the recent El Shaddai San Francisco chapter anniversary celebration at Our Lady Star of the Sea. Photo by Francis Espiritu 

Family Affair. Baptism of Mauro Crispin Rafanan Angus on August 21, 2011 held at Holy Spirit Church, Fremont, CA. Shown from L to R: Neil Rafanan, Jaime Angus (the Dad), Mario and Maria Angus, David Angus, Noreen Rafanan Angus (the Mom), Lien Rafanan, Jaden Rafanan, May Rafanan, Vanessa Arrivas, Connie Rafanan (the Grandma), Brenda Arrivas, Mariano (Jun-Jun) Rafanan (the Grandpa), Cindy Arrivas and Natividad de Guzman (the Great Grandma)

Ongpin Restaurant recently celebrated their 16th anniversary with a company picnic at Sta. Cruz Boardwalk.

"Kadoks" celebrated the grand opening of their 2nd location at 1466 N. Milpitas Blvd. in Milpitas on September 17, 2011. The guest of honor for the ribbon-cutting ceremony was Milpitas Mayor Jose "Joe" Esteves.  Pictured are: Pam Tejada, Mayor Joe Estevez, Pastor Apusen and Ric "Kadoks" Tejada.

Left to Right: Zenaida Sarmiento, Jesus Mendoza, Ex-Mayor Emma Chan, Mayor Artemio Chan, President-elect Arturo G. Tolentino, Antonio Escomiendo, Fred Almeron.

Mrs San Fabian 2011, Cristina Navarro escorted by Buri-Buri Fil-Am Association President Moring Macalinao during their Coronation Night (United Pangasinan Association) held recently at the Hilton Hotel Burlingame, CA.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Aaron Joseph who will be turning 2 on September 24th, 2011.

Issue 38: September 21, 2011

 
Why didn’t Charice sing at
“One Kapamilya Go”?

SEEN IN THE CITY
“One Kapamilya Go” at Universal Studios-Hollywood is a huge success, beyond all expectation, in all barometer.  Doubting Universal Studios management was pleasantly surprised as both 2PM & 6PM shows were filled to capacity.  The Filipino food at almost all concession and restaurants sold like hotcakes.  Vendors and sponsors were pleased as results  brought about by the huge audience turn out proved to be very briskly business.

Charice at "One Kapamilya Go" backstage at Universal Studios-Hollywood last Sunday.
Pokwang at Universal Studios-Hollywood last Sunday.

The production staff & crew of  "One Kapamilya Go" celebrate their huge success at Universal Hilton-Hollywood.
(L-R) Jed Madela, Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Montes, Marcelito Pomoy & John Lloyd Cruz  headline TFC's "One Kapamilya Go" at Universal Studios-Hollywood last Sunday; photo taken during the afternoon press con at the Universal Hilton the day before.
The show proper was appropriately aided by 3 giant HD screens and TFC made use of that technology to optimize their show’s quality.  Audiences’ attention shifted flawlessly from the giant screens to the stage as both taped videos and live performers pop in and out of sight. Pokwang brought the venue down with her  undying ‘One Moment In Time’ comedic performance.  John Lloyd Cruz is funny; Coco Martin is kwela; Lani Misalucha,  Jed Madela, Angeline Quinto & Marcelito Pomoy all delivered glass-shattering numbers, while Mara Clara’s Kathryn Bernardo & Julia Montes were both loudly applauded. There was no shortage of backup dancers that overflow the huge stage everytime a production number turns upbeat. I totally like the strong emphasis made to thank the sponsors (which included Manila Mail Newspaper) through the smart use of the twins – Justin & Jeremy (made popular by Youtube’s “The Lazy Song” Bruno Mars video). It was creativity at its best.

Direk Laurenti Dyogi at "One Kapamilya Go" PBB auditions at Universal Studios-Hollywood last Sunday.
(L-R) Professional Photographer Hydee Ursolino Abraham & Chicago-based famous Chef Ron Bilaro watch  "One Kapamilya Go" at Universal Studios-Hollywood.
That’s the good news.
Now comes the juicy one. We had an accidental encounter with today’s hottest Filipina mainstream Pop Superstar, Charice, wearing a grayish color beanie, at the backstage of TFC’s One Kapamilya Go (the 6PM show, not the 2PM one) held at the Gibson Amphitheater of Universal Studios-Hollywood last Sunday night, September 18, 2011.


City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, through his representative,  officially declares 09/18/2011 as 'The Filipino Community Day at TFC's "One Kapamilya Go" at Universal Studios Hollywood' with TFC's main honcho Raffy Lopez and ABS-CBN North America Managing Director Chinky De Jesus in attendance, together with OKG Project Head Ricky Resurreccion, TFC Director for North America Jun Del Rosario, TFC Global Head For Corporate Affairs, Nerissa Fernandez and a number of Fil-Am politicians from Southern California, among others.
More than 12,000 people filled Gibson Amphitheater in the combined 2 shows last Sunday at TFC's "One Kapamilya Go" at Universal Studios-Hollywood (management were pleasantly surprised with the huge turn out) last Sunday. Audiences were treated with a high-quality packed entertainment aided by the venue's 3 giant HD screens
It was minutes before the show ends and sitting inconspicuously in the barely-lit backstage was Charice, with her American Manager, firstnamed Courtney beside her. Charice  was not mentioned as one of the guests performing that day so I was in total disbelief as I saw her.
After taking her picture & short ‘Hi’ video, I personally asked her how come she didn’t sing and she responded that she was just visiting friend(s).  I noticed that she wasn’t wearing any backstage pass nor the green color all-access wristband, meaning she got there, passing all strict security details, by her own merits.
Later in the night, during the cast party at the nearby Universal Hilton, 4th Floor Sierra Meeting Room, talks are loud that Charice was considered to headline the ‘One Kapamilya Go’ performers and was in fact invited through her handlers way back in August this year.  The invitation was left unanswered, apparently.  Trouble in showbiz paradise, eh?
This column is open anytime to Charice’s camp for any clarification on this matter.

These PBB hopefuls (about 106 from thousands) made it through the first cut of auditions and are coming back in for the 2PM succeeding elimination round at the Globe Theater inside Universal Studios-Hollywood.
TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY
Direk Lauren ‘probably’ had found ‘The Next Sam Milby’ at the latest PBB audition
Director Laurenti Dyogi declared last Sunday night, after the PBB auditions held at the Globe Theater inside Universal Studios-Hollywood, that this year’s auditionees are lesser in number but a higher quality batch.  As a matter of fact, he said that he probably had found the next Sam Milby (again?). Thousands of hopefuls lined up as early as 8AM.  They were given numbers and then ushered in at the security-laden Globe Theater where they were cut  the initial interview.  Only about 106 survived the first cut. The 2nd cut survivors were then divided into age groups (below & above 25) and gender (biological, not preference).  The 3rd cut was deep as were the 4th, the 5th and who knows up until when, as the process dragged on and on until the show proper concluded.  Reportedly, the search was transferred to the Universal Hilton as decision-makers had a hard time picking the rightful winner(s). At the hotel, I saw numbered candidates leaving the venue, but one caught my attention by sheer star quality – he was wearing a hat (or a benie), long curly hair, fair complexion, about 5’9”.

Can't wait to celebrate success onstage at 'One Kapamilya Go' sa Universal Studios-Hollywood are ABS-CBN Global Ltd's Head of Events Mickey Munoz, OKG Project Head Ricky Resurreccion, ABS-CBN North America Managing Director Chinky De Jesus, Events Specialist at ABS-CBN Global Ltd Igi Bumagat, ABS-CBN's Jun Guzman of Union City & ABS-CBN International's Carlos 'Mouse' Munoz
Mr. Johnny and Corazon Soriano celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary @ the Most Holy Trinity Church last September 3, 2010 in San Jose California.( L-R) Joycelyn Soriano,Annabelle Soriano Alquiza,Johnny Soriano,Cora Soriano,Claire Manango,Victor Soriano. Reception was held @ The Most Holy Trinity Center. In attendance were Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves with wife Susan Esteves, Florence Vitug Pena, Fashinista Rhuddee Vitug (Emcee of the Party) and Entertainers Elizabeth Ramsey and Sansu Ramsey Johnson.

Could he be ‘it’?  Stay tuned for the next PBB season for the formal announcement.

Briefs & Shorts
2011 Miss World-Canada at the BAY AREA FASHION WEEK this Saturday
Half-Filipina Riza Santos, the reigning Miss World-Canada arrived last Sunday at the San Francisco Airport (many thanks to our sponsors for welcoming/ picking her up) and was checked in at Marriott Downtown San Jose (thanks to the Perkins Family). She will walk the runway of Bay Area Fashion Week this Saturday 8PM at the San Jose State University’s Barret Ballroom, together with 6 other beauty queens and about 60 plus models, 50 plus Designers (with their 700 plus collections). It’s touted to be the biggest fashion show San Jose has ever seen, so watch it! Call (925) 389-1382 for your $45 or $60 VIP ticket reservation now.

Bay Area Fashion Week boasts 7 Beauty Queens, 60+ models, 50+ Designers, 700+ collections in San Jose's biggest fashion show ever - coming this Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the San Jose State University's Barrett Ballroom 8PM.  Call (925) 389-1382 to reserve your $45 tickets now.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It was already the 5th time that I saw that trailer and still, it doesn’t fail to make me cry.” – by Comedienne Pokwang at the ‘One Kapamilya Go’ full trailer screening of her latest movie, “A Mother’s Story,” about an OFW mother, her trials and challenges. Yep, it’s drama. 

Identical Twins Mrs. Encar de los Reyes & sister Elena Yabut celebrate at San Jose's Hellyer Park last month after learning Encar's pregnancy (after 8 years of patiently waiting).  Congratulations, Encar!
This article also appears online at www.FilipinoVillage.com and  http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 144 countries now (& still counting!) according to the latest Google Analytics report.

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