Issue 4: Jan 26, 2011

‘ASAP Rocks’ invade Iloilo
(Approximately 50,000 Ilonggos troop to the
open-air Iloilo Sports Complex under record heat)

SEEN IN THE CITY

(Iloilo, Philippines) For the very first time, the Ilonggos got the treat of their lives during last Dinagyang Festivities as ABS-CBN’s top-rating Sunday noontime party/ show, “ASAP ROCKS” flew its 113 artists and performed live at the security-tight Iloilo Sports Complex and left 50,000 event goers in awe.

No less than Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog attended the event, fresh from another competing event – the Ati Competition at the Freedom Grandstand (where Speaker Frank Drillon, Miguel Zubiri, Maria Elena Ballsy Aquino Cruz, among others, were in attendance too).

Piolo Pascual prepares to lift/dangle Zaijan 'Santino' Jaranilla (shades of Michael Jackson dangling his son in the balcony to entertain photographers, huh) to the delighted audiences as Sam Milby, Vina Morales, Christian Bautista, Xyriel Manabat & Bugoy Carino watch.

Rayver Cruz caused airport pandemonium when 'ASAP Rocks' invaded Iloilo for the first time last Sunday.

Cristine Reyes performs 'Telephone' (the GLEE version) during ASAP ROCKS in Iloilo, attracting a record crowd of approximately 50,000 mostly young audiences.

Hey, ASAP ROCKS held more audiences than the Ati Competition being held simultaneously according to some people to went to both. The Dinagyang-inspired stage was very colorful, unique and not boring. The song and dance entertainment numbers were carefully rehearsed and artistically delivered. The hosts and in-between commercial breaks jokes were funny. The performers costumes are very creative and colorful. The sound aesthetics is world-class and this is very important in this kind of show, especially considering it’s in an open-air setting.

Iloilo's Pancit Molo, Lapaz Batchoy and the Dinagyang Ati Festival are only some of the things why tourists from all over the world flock this part of Central Philippines during January. Tribu Pan ay of Fort San Pedro National High School was declared Champion in this year’s Ati Ati contest of the Dinagyang Festival 2011. They also won the Best in Choreography and the Best in Performance.

Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog awards the ceremonial key making Maria Elena Ballsy Aquino Cruz (sister of the more popular Kris Aquino & President Noynoy Aquino) an adopted daughter of the City during last Sunday's Dinagyang Festival 2011.

These are the artistas that attracted the record crowd last Sunday: Gerald Anderson, John Prats, Rayver Cruz, Enchong Dee, Cristine Reyes, Billy Joe Crawford, Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Bea Alonzo, Erich Gonzales, Andi Eigenmann, Iya Villania, Karylle, Nikki Gil, Jessy Mendiola, Empress Schuck, AJ Perez, Joseph Marco, Bugoy Carino, Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Montes, Kiray Celis, John Manalo, Albi Casino, Christian Bautista, Erik Santos, Jed Madela, Yeng Constantino, Richard Poon, Duncan Ramos, Aiza Seguerra, Sitti, Juris, Jason Abalos, Vina Morales, Shaina Magdayao, Mickey Perz, Zaijan ‘Santino’ Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat, Pokwang, Matt Evans, Bekimon, Bianca ‘Juanita Banana’ Manalo, Sam Concepcion, Robi Domingo, Rafael Rosel, Enrique Gil, Ahron Villaflor, among others.

The teen cast of "Mara Clara", Kathryn Bernardo, left, Julia Montes, right, & Kiray Celis (middle), enjoy bonding moments in Iloilo's ASAP ROCKS

Jessy Mendiola & Jason Abalos from two top-rating ABS-CBN teleseryes on TV today, "Sabel" & "Alyna", respectively, wait for their cue backstage during last Sunday's "ASAP ROCKS" in Iloilo.

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY
2011 Foreign Service Officers Examination

The Board of Foreign Service Examinations of the Department of Foreign Affairs will hold the 2011 FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS Examinations to recruit candidates for appointment to the position of Foreign Service Officer, Class IV.

Every devotee carried his/her votive light with their left hands lifted up reaching out while worshipping our Sto Nino de Cebu. They serenaded Sto Nino with Cebuano songs.

Remember the Fil-am tennis phenoms called the Perkins Twins of Menlo Park? They went to recently Hawaii to get ready for the tennis season and ran into Duane Lee Chapman (Dog Chapman’s son). Dog Chapman is that famous bounty hunter.

Prospective Foreign Service Officers must be knowledgeable on the economic, political and social conditions of the Philippines, and must possess not only facility in oral communications, but also the personality traits essential to the performance of the duties of Foreign Service Officers. They must also be willing and able to accept assignments to any post where their services may be required.

Gerald Anderson waves to his Ilonggo supporters before he opened ASAP ROCKS last Sunday. He led the 113 ABS-CBN artists that flew specifically to the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo for the very first time.

Enchong Dee gamely poses with Daly City's Dorie Paniza, a true-blue native of Iloilo, during ASAP ROCKs last Sunday.

Applicants are advised to check the eligibility requirements to ensure that they meet the said admission requirements. Applicants who are found ineligible, or who have submitted incomplete application forms and requirements, shall not be allowed to take the examination, and their admission fees shall be forfeited.

Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Erich Gonzales, Empress Schuck, John Prats & Mickey Perz brave the scorching heat of the sun during their last Sunday's ASAP ROCKS performance in Iloilo.

Information on the FSO Examinations, qualifications, requirements, schedule of exams and application form are available at the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph, click “Newsroom,” then “Announcements”).

Deadline for submission of application is on 11 February 2011.

PERSONAL NOTES
Briefs & shorts

Congratulations to ABS-CBN International’s Balitang America’s Henni Espinosa for winning a round-trip ticket to the Philippines, courtesy of Philippine Airlines, raffled off by PAPC.
Happy birthday to Club Royale International’s Mrs. Jett Viray-Navarro, who through the years never fail us for being so gracious and a lady, despite the stress and challenges.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Liar.” – Imelda Donaire calling her daughter—in-law, Rachel (over son, the WBA Super Flyweight Champion, Nonito, Jr. pronouncements in print against his father & his family). Hey, Manny Pacquiao reached his admirable global status without these cheap family feuds that are better discussed in private.

This article also appears online at www.FilipinoVillage.com and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 105 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