ISSUE 43: October 26, 2011

GMA Life TV presents 1st ever Pinoy English-dubbed series

(Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon star in “The Impostor”; Angelika dela Cruz
and Maxene Magalona in “When You Were Mine”)

Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon, Angelika dela Cruz and Maxene Magalona

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY
Four women, two different stories, one compelling theme about the pains and realities of life – GMA Life TV offers these and more with the launch of the first-ever English-dubbed Pinoy drama series recently.
 Providing Filipinos abroad the chance to once again enjoy two of the most sought-after Philippine television drama, the English-dubbed versions of “Impostora” (“The Impostor”) and “Una Kang Naging Akin” (“When You Were Mine”) also promise to make the programs available to non-Filipino speakers and younger Pinoy viewers who find comprehending the native language a bit of a challenge.

 Topbilled by some of the most versatile Kapuso actresses today – Iza Calzado and Sunshine Dizon in “The Impostor,” and Angelika dela Cruz and Maxene Magalona in “When You Were Mine” – these new offerings from GMA Life TV surely bring to the spotlight the acting prowess of the four actresses.
“This initiative is in line with our thrust to make GMA Life TV’s programming even more relevant to the needs of its growing viewership around the world”, shares Joseph T. Francia, Vice President and Head of Operations for GMA International.

The San Francisco Lions Club  held a Health Fair last Sunday Oct 16 at the Methodist Church in South Gate,  Daly City. Volunteers headed by President Pat Ancheta arranged for free flu vaccines.  Their next Health Fair will be at Matter Dolorosa Church in South San Francisco on Oct 30 (with free flu vaccines again!).

Belated Happy Birthday to the Perkins Twins (Oct 14) who will be seen next singing/dancing at the Charice-Pacquiao concert on Tuesday, November 15 @ 8:00PM at The Cow Palace.

15-year old Half-German Filipina Alexandra Drechsler, center, (Filipina mom Elizabeth was so proud watching)  was featured in a well-attended Bridal Fair last weekend at the Holiday Inn Express in Morgan Hill organized by Julie Barraza; make-up by Christine Paul Pacifico of San Jose (with Justin Smaby, right, & Leo Reyes).

Intramuros' New Executive Chef Cocoy Ventura with Former President Fidel Ramos (he ate there last month).

Bon Voyage, Henry Sy (who left for business trips to Europe & Asia), shown here at the recent "Teleserye Royals" with actress Maja Salvador, at the James Logan High in Union City.

Iza is Lara and Sara Carreon in “The Impostor” – a tale of conjoined twins whose physical separation becomes for them more of a curse than a blessing. Because of hatred and greed in their own bloodline, Lara and Sara are forced to live life without the other after having gone through an operation, which they thought would make their life easier.
 

Soon enough, they find their lives entangled with their cousin’s, Vanessa, as played by Sunshine – a greedy, cunning woman who is willing to do everything that needs to be done to gain for her self the attention and material wealth she longs for. Vanessa shares with Lara and Sara a world where secrets, craftiness, and vengeance seem to be the means to one thing – love.
 

Meanwhile, Maxene is Jessa in “When You Were Mine.” She is a painter in a remote island where she meets Darwin (Wendell Ramos) whom she falls in love and bears a child with. After being involved in an accident – his second – Darwin introduces himself as Nick, a businessman who’s soon to be married to his girlfriend, Vanessa (Angelika), without any memory of Jessa or their son.
 

And so the dilemma becomes deeply complicated for Darwin. He is now to choose between two different lives with two different women. Whether Darwin decides to pursue the simple, slow-paced family life with Jessa and their son or to go back to the high end way of living he has known with Vanessa is for GMA Life TV viewers to find out.  

SEEN IN THE CITY
Intramuros Restaurant, relaunched!
It was a magical dinner gathering, made even more  memorable as Cellist Charles Wang provided music as I munch on the mood-setting hors d'oeuvres. This Columnist was there when it happened about a couple of weeks ago when Intramuros Restaurant introduced Mr. Cocoy Ventura, CEC, as its new Executive Chef at a press conference attended by members of the Philippine American Press Club and special guests. Chef Ventura showcased exciting menu specials for the upcoming holiday season created especially for the Filipino-American community.

Prior to Cocoy Ventura's association with Intramuros, he joined the culinary team of Napa Valley's Rubicon Estate, a premiere winery owned by Francis Ford Coppola. Ventura's six collective years of culinary and hospitality experience in the California Wine Country gained him respect among his industry peers, as he was ultimately invited to join the renowned Thomas Keller Restaurant Group (Yountville's French Laundry, Bouchon Bistro and Ad Hoc Restaurant) in 2010. He then integrated and managed the now, "Central Reservations" sector of Bouchon and Ad Hoc restaurants. Last year, Ventura also served as a Guest Chef in the Philippine International Aid (PIA) benefit auction and helped raise significant funds for PIA’s educational program for disadvantaged youths, by preparing a 12-course degustation dinner for three private parties held at the residence of the Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr., in San Francisco.

Cocoy Ventura graduated with honors from Guam Community College with Associates of Science degree in Hotel Operations. He pursued an undergraduate degree in International Business at Cornell University and graduated with honors. He was also granted a private scholarship to pursue Specialized Training in patisserie in New York's French Culinary Institute. In 2007, he was awarded a Certified Executive Chef title, designated by the American Culinary Federation.

General Manager Jamil Rey said, "We are very proud to welcome Cocoy Ventura to Intramuros. His culinary expertise and management experience will ensure that Intramuros will have a bright future ahead.”
Guests included South San Francisco Vice Mayor Richard Garbarino, Philippine Consul Reginald Bernabe, Department of Tourism Director Rene de los Santos, and philanthropist Mona Lisa Yuchengo.

The evening was highlighted by guest speaker, Mr. Dado Banatao, a renowned entrepreneur, philanthropist, and venture capitalist. He and his wife Maria commended Intramuros Restaurant owners for their efforts in providing an entertainment, cultural, and heritage venue for the Fil-Am community. 

In his keynote speech, Mr. Banatao remarked, “I have always looked at Intramuros in a special way,” in reference to Intramuros’ unique mission of promoting the Filipino community and culture in a dining and entertainment environment. He also stated, “There is a lot of creativity here, going beyond what is usual” and “Maria and I are here to help and promote Intramuros.”

In addressing unfounded rumors that Intramuros might not continue, Mr. Banatao said, “That’s just not true and if you believed that, we are back.” He welcomed Cocoy Ventura by saying, “When I heard that Cocoy had joined Intramuros, I thought, let’s go ahead and show the community and the rest of the Bay Area what Filipinos can do with cuisine.”  In closing, he thanked everyone and said, “I’m glad that you guys came out (tonight) to support Intramuros…”

Intramuros owners reiterated their commitment to serving the Fil-Am community and partnering with various non-profit and community-based organizations. Director Rene de los Santos called on professional chefs in the SF Bay Area to participate in the Semi-Finals of the 2nd Annual KULINARYA competition to be held on October 22, 2011. Details are available at www.experiencephilippines.org.

Ms. Letty Quizon of ABS-CBN Foundation announced a whole day fundraising event at Intramuros on November 26, 2011 to benefit the victim of ‘Typhoon Pedring’ with a Christmas Tiangge (shopping), silent auction, and a concert featuring international artist, Becca Godinez, and singing sensation Mitch Franco.

The evening’s entertainment was capped with a Flair exhibition by Ryan Burgos, the award-winning mixologist of Intramuros, and a performance of the Argentine Tango by Genevieve Mondejar Dwyer and Don Cain.

Guests were treated to a food tasting of special holiday dishes from two distinct menus inspired by Thanksgiving and Christmas, which will be offered on November 18–24 and December 1–24, respectively. These special menus and schedule of upcoming events, including a concert at the Music Hall featuring famed “HotDog Band” on November 18–20, are available at www.theintramuros.com.

Intramuros Restaurant accepts reservations from 1 to 12 months in advance. Banquet and catering specialists are Ms. Guia Panelo and Ms. Pearl Serame-Bayot. Visit www.theintramuros.com now for more information.

Briefs & Shorts
This Columnist is proud to announce that the Bay Area Fashion Week (of which I was proudly part of, together with about 65 other volunteers) held last September 24, 2011 at the San Jose State University, will be honored in a gala event tendered by the Mayor of the City of San Francisco, Edwin M. Lee, Hon. Hydra Mendoza, President of the San Francisco Board of Education and The Filipino Channel (represented by Miss Keesa Ocampo) as one of the 7 milestones in Filipino-American History in 2011. Good job, Producer Roger Francisco, Associate Producer/Coordinator Theresa Zaragoza, models, designers, sponsors and volunteers! 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I may not have everything but I have enough.” – by ‘The Buzz’ Host Boy Abunda when asked on his recent birthday wish.
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