Issue 6: Feb 9, 2011

SEEN IN THE CITY

The Grammy-nominated (he is up for 7 major awards) hitmaker, Bruno Mars, is responsible for hits like ‘Nothin’ on You’, ‘Just The Way You Are’ , ‘Billionaire’ & the recent ‘Grenade’. The half-Puerto Rican Filipino will hit Manila for his first-ever concert there on April 8th this year. But first, he made a plea deal following his Las Vegas cocaine arrest last September 19 alongside lawyers Blair Berk and David Chesnoff in court last Friday (February 4).

Bruno Mars, the Half-Puerto Rican Filipino hitmaker who is set to do a concert in Manila on April 8th, entered a plea Friday, avoiding jailtime for the cocaine bust in Las Vegas. Photo by www.rnbmusicblog.com

The singer/composer was arrested at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel when a member of security caught him red-handed in the hotel bathroom.

Ella Bungalon and Janie Armenta, both from Barcelona, Spain pose for a souvenir shot with Columnist Primera, Ricky Lo, center, during Startalk's production breaks 2 weeks ago at the GMA-7 studios in Quezon City.

Aljur Abrenica of the new GMA-7 TV show, "Machete" shows up in costume (or lack of it) at a recent PARTY PILIPINAS episode - that Sunday show with a Sex Appeal, for a reason.

According to www.TMZ.com, “the 25-year-old singer agreed a ‘deferred adjudication’ deal with the Clark County District Attorney's Office, meaning the incident will not appear on his criminal record if he stays out of trouble for a 12-month period.

The agreement is also believed to be dependent on the "Grenade" singer completing 200 hours of community service, as well as him undergoing private treatment, after which the felony will be officially dismissed.

Naelene Camillo, 22, of Milpitas, CA had submitted her YouTube channel 4days late of the deadline for submission consideration. The following morning Scarlett Rumor, the owner of GET Productions and host of the event, had informed Naelene that she was picked amongst 150 YouTube video submissions despite her late entry. That same week she was featured on Bay Area hit radio station 102.5 KDON. Currently, she is working on her music career doing shows and writing songs and collaborating with many in the business. She landed a major opening gig for nationally known rapper Bobby Brackins on January 21st. You can subscribe to her YouTube channel here at www.youtube.com/NaeCamillo, visit her music page atwww.facebook.com/NaeCamillo, and follow her on twitter www.youtube.com/NaeCamillo.

Bruno—real name Peter Hernandez—recently expressed his appreciation at being able to strike a plea bargain with the Clark County District Attorney's Office.

His lawyer Blair Berk said: "Bruno is very appreciative he is being given this opportunity as a first offender not to suffer any conviction and instead to have his charge dismissed. He is taking all of this quite seriously."”

Congratulations to Antioch, CA Dentist, Ricky Masiddo and Pleasanton's Ms. Reggie Panganiban, RN who celebrated their recent anniversary as a couple at the romantic & scenic Ritz Carlton Hotel in Half-Moon Bay, CA.

Karen & Neil recently won the Mr. & Miss University of Holy Angel University in Angeles, Pampanga, shown here with a 'Capampangan' movie director, Elwood Perez (he was one of the judges), left. Sitting on a seven-hectare campus in the city’s prime real estate, Holy Angel University was founded in 1933 and is considered the first Catholic school in the country that was founded by the laity (instead of the diocese or a religious congregation) as well as the first Catholic high school that was co-educational (instead of exclusively for boys or exclusively for girls). It's over 16,000 student population this school year also makes it one of the biggest schools in Central Luzon, if not the biggest.

Everything that happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, EXCEPT when you’re caught doing drugs.
Bruno’s Philippine concert will be on April 8, 2011, 7:00PM - 10:00PM, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City (not in the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds as earlier reported).

Miss Henni Espinosa of TFC’s Balitang America receives BAYAN-USA’s Media Bayani award last Feb 4, underscoring her dedication to journalistic excellence and integrity in serving the Filipinos worldwide. Balitang America senior reporter Henni Espinosa was named the lone Filipino media awardee by BAYAN-USA for the latter’s 6th anniversary celebration held at the Bayanihan Community Center in San Francisco.

Mercator Model Agency's Paul Henry of Pleasanton, CA lands a major role in a telecom TV commercial in the Philippines.

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

Verizon iPhone is here February 10
The iPhone is so revolutionary it defines a whole generation of apps-savvy new phone users. Those techno geeks who love iPhone but don’t like AT&T service, fret no more as Verizon Wireless iPhones are finally here. A better iPhone alternative according to some techno surveys due to Verizon’s more superior network and reliability. Here’s how to get your Verizon Wireless iPhone (according to the Apple official website):

February 9
Order an iPhone 4 from the Apple Online Store and have it shipped free to your door.
Or reserve an iPhone 4 on February 9 for pickup at your favorite Apple Retail Store starting February 10 and get Personal Setup.

February 10
Order an iPhone 4 from the Apple Online Store and have it shipped free to your door.
Or stop by an Apple Retail Store starting at 7 a.m. to buy an iPhone 4 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Another breaking news update - according to published online reports, “Verizon is no longer accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 4 as the pre-orders sold out quickly. The demand for Verizon iPhone was very strong as it took less than a day for the pre-orders to sell out. Verizon's website took a beating from customers, many of whom didn't manage to pre-order their iPhone 4, but they'll have another chance next week.”

Annline Calcita, left, and Moki Ramos (a half-Japanese Filipina) were recently commissioned to endorse Jesi Mendez Salon branch in the lobby of Maxim's Hotel located at the Newport Center near Resortsworld Hotel.

One little warning though – these Verizon iPhones are not SIM Card-based so they cannot be used in the Philippines (without incurring humongous roaming charges) as we normally do on AT&T iPhones (where we simply switch to local SIM cards).

PERSONAL NOTES
Fil-Am Paul Henry secures 1st endorsement

Now, another bit of good news- Pleasanton’s Paul Henry who is now in the Philippines exploring career opportunities in the entertainment world successfully landed a major role in a telecommunications TV commercial. As a matter of fact, he already shot his scenes several days ago and is already awaiting its TV airing soon. He has only been working for a week in a non-exclusive capacity with Mercator Model Agency (thanks, Jonas Antonio Gaffud!) located in Makati City, when he got the job offer after several callbacks. Paul Henry, who remains super excited about the whole experience, is looking forward to his next projects as he has done several auditions and is just awaiting results. Good luck, Paul!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Don’t worry, he’s just an eff’ing faggot anyway.” - by Mark Mastro, a clubgoer, referring to “Transformers” (yes, that hugely successful General Patronage movie about robotic cars!) lead star, Shia LaBeouf when he refused to be give autograph and be photographed last Saturday in a Sherman Oaks, CA bar. The actor charged back on mark and a brawl ensued that called the attention of the police where LaBeouf was then handcuffed (no charges have been filed, though). The actor has previous run-ins with the law for being intoxicated.

Jin Custodio, leftmost, of San Francisco had a going-away party last Friday night at Bruno's Lounge SF, attended by close family (which includes cousin Abby Borgonia, 4th right) and friends. He flew Saturday night to Manila with cousin-in-law, Junny Borgonia, 3rd right, to start their own company, AEON (who will sell medical instruments to medical facilities), to be headquartered in The Fort.

This article also appears online at www.FilipinoVillage.com and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 113 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

Issue 5: Feb 2, 2011

Bay Area’s Bb. Pilipinas Bet
is Krystle Ann Grant
(A record 108 hopefuls showed up for the auditions and only 40 made the cut)

Bay Area's Krystle Ann Grant is this year's Fil-Am bet to the ongoing search for the 2011 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, & Bb. Pilipinas-International.

SEEN IN THE CITY

First, an email from Antioch’s Fred Dizon, the proud father of Krystle Ann Grant, aka Krystle Ann G. Dizon – a former Manila Mail ‘Magandang Filipina,’ 2007 Miss Philippines Earth USA (West Coast) and 2007 Miss Philippines-Air, confirmed her application in the biggest national pageant in the Philippines – the annual search for the Binibining Pilipinas (the BPCI organizing group selects the country’s official candidates to the annual Miss Universe and Miss International pageants). Subsequentlly, last Friday, Krystle herself officially confirmed, via text message sent to this Columnist, that she is indeed, one of the 108 applicants awaiting the final results of the selection process.

PARTY PILIPINAS levels up with the inclusion of fresh talents in their production numbers, the likes of Rocco Nacino and Sarah Lahbati (2nd & 3rd left, respectively), both from Starstruck, the reality-based TV show.

And then last Saturday, a total of 40 official candidates in the 2011 Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant were selected at the Gateway Suites, Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City, in a grueling nine-hour final selection process akin to a reality-based TV show (they started at noontime), with Krystle’s name being announced early on.

Kylie Padilla (daughter of Action Star Robin Padilla) impressed PARTY PILIPINAS audiences with her emotionally-charged aerial production number last Sunday.

Reportedly, this year’s batch is a goldmine of worthy candidates, with throngs of beauties travelling to the audition venue, inspired by the impressive finish by last year’s Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, Venus Raj in Las Vegas, NV.

Japanese-Brazilians Daniel Matsunaga & Hideo Muraoka from Mercator Model Agency also added zest and flavor to the new and improved PARTY PILIPINAS.

STARTALK Staff Reporter Gorgy Rula celebrates one of his many birthday events at The Panggo's Restaurant in Morato, QC last Saturday after the live show, with STARTALK hosts Lolit Solis, Ricky Lo, Butch Francisco and the rest of the show's staff. Happy birthday again, Gorgy!

The other official candidates are Jenette Noguchi, Marish Alyssa Marquinez, Luzelle Felipe, Angelica Ong, Ladylyn Riva, Queenierich Rehman, Paula Camille Figueras, Glennifer Perido, Diana Arevalo, Zephorah Mayon, Ma. Kristina Marasigan, Jenn Roe Gubat, Dianne Necio, Martha Chloe McCulley, Janine Tugonon, Jenilyn Olivar, Kathleen Subijano, Ma. Paula Bianca Paz, Sabrinne Al-Tawil, Wendy Lucas, Patricia Marie Tumulak, Gianna Therese Quintos, Arabella Hanesh, Teresa Pamela Ludovice, Isabella Manjon, Kenneth Dimaapi, Carla Lacson, Hazelyn Santos, Roxanne Cabanero, Jennielyn Natividad, Mary Jean Lastimosa, Samantha Purvor, Elizabeth Clenci, Camille Alexis Baltazar, Shamcey Supsup, Carolyn Ty, Grendel Alvarado, Sarah Nicole Clenci, and Suzette Hernandez.

Elmo Magalona (he raps, he sings, he dances and he acts, too!) is one of the refreshing additions to the leveled-up PARTY PILIPINAS - that Sunday Noontime Celebration from GMA-7 (Channel 369 on Comcast Cable).

Also last week, Pleasantons' Paul Henry Salazar, left, meets Mercator Model Agency Owner, Jonas Gaffud, center, (also known as the trainor of Miss Universe 4th Runner-Up Venus Raj and the agent responsible for the booming careers of male models Akihiro Sato, Daniel Matsunaga, EricVijandre). Paul Henry's is exploring entertainment career opportunities in the Philippines with this Columnist.

A formal press presentation of this year’s official candidates is scheduled in March.

The Bb. Pilipinas Coronation Night will be held this coming April at the Araneta Coliseum and will be telecast live at ABS-CBN this year (a change from GMA-7 the previous years). According to their official website, this year’s Miss Universe contest will be held at Sao Paolo, Brazil in September, 2011 and the 2011 Miss International beauty contest in Japan.

Aljur 'Machete' Abrenica is this February, 2011's Men's Health Magazine's Cover Boy (a dream come true for this Pampangueno) as he proudly announced during last Sunday's PARTY PILIPINAS celebration.

With her prior experiences in the Miss Philippines pageants, local, national and international levels, Krystle is one of the predicted frontrunners.

Condolences to the Manuel Family shown here at the Emerald Gardens Pasig Wake (L-R) Fe Manuel (wife of the deceased, Teodoro 'Teddy' Manuel, seated) and children Mike Manuel, Katherine Manuel, Annalisa Manuel, Teresita Cabe, Erica Manuel & bother-in-law Mike Borgonia.

Good luck, Krystle! Make us all proud, all over again.

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY
Intramuros Valentine

Are you a fan of DAVID BENOIT and his songs - Take A look Inside My Heart, Linus and Lucy, Kei’s Song, Land of the Loving, Promise Me a Carousel, and The Key To You?

Come celebrate Valentine’s Day via a dinner-concert produced by Millbrae Smile Center ,Valerie de Leon, DDS and Rey Ohana Inc, together with The Intramuros:

Celebrate Valentine's Day this year at The Intramuros Music Hall with David Benoit. Call (650) 455-3912 for tickets.

DAVID BENOIT in a valentine concert at Intramuros Music Hall on February 12 Saturday, 7PM and 9:15 PM. Advanced ticket sale of $55; Door Sale $60; $25 Dinner Buffet sold separately. Reservations needed. Buffet from 5:30 PM to 6:45PM for the 7PM show and 7:30 PM for the 9:15PM show.

Purchase Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/147297. Or call Val at 650-455-3912.

PERSONAL NOTES
Briefs & shorts

Happy birthday, Gorgy Rula of GMA-7’s STARTALK.
Condolences to the family of the deceased Teodoro ‘Teddy’ Manuel whose wake is being held at the Emerald Gardens in Pasig City, Philippines.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Dating you is like dating a Stairmaster.” – by Mark Zuckerberg’s girlfriend (who finds him ‘exhausting’ to date) in the critically and commercially successful movie, ‘The Social Network’. Mark blogged about the breakup and the girl. The breakup is one of the factors why Mark created Facebook.

The movie, based on the life of the founder of the $50 Billion worth, FaceBook, already won almost all of the Best Picture trophies this year and is a very strong contender to grab that Oscar, too.

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

Community Pictures

SILVER ANNIVERSARY. Ting and Belinda Huliganga celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary at Reno Assembly of God in Bell St. Reno Nevada last January 10, 2011. Godparents are Mr. & Mrs. Jun Belleza, Mr. & Mrs. Mel Ordinario, Mr. & Mrs. Remy Gales, Mr. & Mrs. Noel Sapay and Mr. & Mrs. Ful Mangoba.

Tina Brugge, proud mother of former Miss Philippines Guada Sanchez, celebrated her birthday with a dinner held at Intramuros Restaurant in San Bruno last Saturday, January 15, 2011. Shown in photo from L-R seated infront: Yen Brugge, the celebrant's husband, Helen Figueroa and socialite Sylvia Ford. Standing at the back from L-R: Andrew Douglas, the celebrant;s grandson, Andrea and Ann Borwick, Vivian Arcega and movie actress Miriam Jurado.

Senator Leland Yee, who will be running for mayor in San Francisco this coming November were among the high government officials who attended the inauguration and oath of office of the first Filipino who was elected Commissioner of San Mateo Robert Bernardo, last January 12 at the Comfort Inn Hotel in Half Moon Bay. Shown in photo are from L-R: Cora Garvida, beauty impresario Ferdie Villar, Senator Yee and Commissioner Bernardo.

New Year's eve celebration in Senior Citizen's Club in Reno Nevada. Photo from L-R: Cora and John Verhunce, Lettie and Ful Mangoba, Amparo Lettee and Fred Manabat.

(L-R) Ambrose Recreation and Parks Trustee; Mae Cendaña Torlakson, former SF Planning Commissioner Myrna Lim, San Mateo County Comissioner Fel Amistad and SF Board of Education President Hydra Mendoza gather at her inaguration in Sacramento.

SFPCG Holds Reception For SFPD

San Francisco, California – Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. hosted a send-off reception on 6 January 2011 for the officers of the San Francisco Police Department who will embark on a two-week mission to the Philippines as part of their Philippine Exchange Training Program (PET) with the Philippine National Police (PNP). The PET program, which was conceptualized by SFPD officers of Filipino ethnicity, is now on its 11th year. This year’s delegation, headed by Lt. Eric Quema, will join law enforcement officers from the PNP for a two-week training and education exchange program that includes symposiums, seminars, tactical skills training on crime scene investigation, officer safety and terrorism.

Consul General Paynor lauded the gains of the exchange program and thanked the SFPD officers for their efforts to foster camaraderie and professional ties with their counterparts from the PNP. As part of the program, PNP officers have also sent delegations to San Francisco to train with the SFPD.

Above group photo on top shows the officers of the SFPD-PET Program with Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr. while the photo on bottom shows the latter receiving an honorary membership certificate from President Glenn Syllvester of the Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers (FALEO) whose members also founded the SFPD-PET Program.

Asian Pacific Fund offers $27,000 in prizes to Bay Area students

San Francisco, January 13, 2011 – The Asian Pacific Fund, a Bay Area community foundation, has announced that it is accepting essay, poem and artwork entries by Bay Area, K-12th grade students for the 2011 Growing Up Asian in America contest. The theme is Lost & Found. The Asian Pacific Fund will award $27,000 in savings bonds awards. Growing Up Asian in America encourages young people to express their ideas on being Asian and American through art and essays. Submissions are encouraged from Asian youth including Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Pacific Islander and students of mixed heritage.

Students compete in three grade categories: kindergarten through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade and ninth through twelfth grade. The first place winners in each category will receive savings bond awards in the amount of $2,000, with second and third places receiving $1,500 and $1,000, respectively.

Entries must be postmarked by Thursday, March 10, 2011, or delivered in person by 5 p.m. of that day to Growing Up Asian in America, Asian Pacific Fund, 225 Bush Street, Suite 590, San Francisco, CA 94104. No entries are accepted by fax or e-mail. This year, essay entries will be accepted online. Guidelines are available at local public and private schools, public libraries and online at www.asianpacificfund.org Students can follow the contest on Facebook by searching “Growing Up Asian in America.”

This year, Target is the presenting sponsor of Growing Up Asian in America. Other major sponsors include Safeway, Wells Fargo, Walgreens, Asian Art Museum. Media sponsors include NBC Bay Area, The Mercury News, Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune, Korea Times, Nichi Bei Weekly, ABS-CBN International, India Currents, KEST AM 1450 & KSJX AM 1500, KTSF Channel 26, and V Times.

ABOUT THE ASIAN PACIFIC FUND -- The Asian Pacific Fund is a Bay Area community foundation established to improve the health and well-being of the Asian American community. The Fund supports a broad range of local organizations that provide vital services to Asian Americans in need and has distributed $5.0 million grants and awards. The Fund is the only organization in the Bay Area that specializes in working with Asian donors, raising funds for community agencies, helping donors with grants and scholarship programs and supporting public education projects.

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

Walmart Launches Major Initiative to Make Food Healthier and Healthier Food More Affordable

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 24, 2011 – At an event last week in Washington, D.C., Walmart, the nation’s largest grocer, unveiled a comprehensive effort to provide its customers with healthier and more affordable food choices. The company was joined by First Lady Michelle Obama as it outlined the five key elements of the program including:

1. Reformulating thousands of everyday packaged food items by 2015 by reducing sodium 25 percent and added sugars 10 percent, and by removing all remaining industrially produced trans fats. The company will work with suppliers to improve the nutritional quality of national food brands and its Great Value private brand in key product categories to complete the reformulations;

2. Making healthier choices more affordable, saving customers approximately $1 billion per year on fresh fruits and vegetables through a variety of sourcing, pricing, and transportation and logistics initiatives that will drive unnecessary costs out of the supply chain. Walmart will also dramatically reduce or eliminate the price premium on key “better-for-you” items, such as reduced sodium, sugar or fat products;

3. Developing strong criteria for a simple front-of-package seal that will help consumers instantly identify truly healthier food options such as whole grain cereal, whole wheat pasta or unsweetened canned fruit;

4. Providing solutions to address food deserts by building stores in underserved communities that are in need of fresh and affordable groceries; and

5. Increasing charitable support for nutrition programs that help educate consumers about healthier food solutions and choices.

“No family should have to choose between food that is healthier for them and food they can afford,” said Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. “With more than 140 million customer visits each week, Walmart is uniquely positioned to make a difference by making food healthier and more affordable to everyone. We are committed to working with suppliers, government and non-governmental organizations to provide solutions that help Americans eat healthier and live a better life.”

This program builds on the success of the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign to make healthy choices more convenient and affordable for families and is consistent with Walmart’s commitment to lead on social issues that matter to its customers.

Walmart will reformulate key product categories of its Great Value private brand and collaborate with suppliers to reformulate national brands within the same categories by 2015. The effort is designed to help reduce the consumption of sodium, sugar and trans fats, which are major contributors to the epidemic of obesity and chronic diseases in America today, including high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. The reformulation initiative includes three components:

* Reduce sodium by 25 percent in a broad category of grocery items, including grain products, luncheon meats, salad dressings and frozen entrees;
* Reduce added sugars by 10 percent in dairy items, sauces and fruit drinks; and
* Remove all remaining industrially produced trans fats (partially hydrogenated fats and oils) in all packaged food products.

As its suppliers make choices on reformulating their products beyond the Walmart supply chain, the company expects millions of Americans to benefit whether they shop at Walmart or not.
“Our customers tell us they want a variety of food choices and need help feeding their families healthier foods. At Walmart, we are committed to doing both,” said Andrea Thomas, senior vice president of sustainability at Walmart. “We support consumer choice so this is not about telling people what they should eat. This effort is aimed at eliminating sodium, sugar and trans fat in products where they are not really needed.”

Walmart’s everyday low price business model will help make healthier food more affordable. The company will take a number of steps to provide customers even more savings on fresh produce through a variety of sourcing, pricing, and transportation and logistics initiatives that will drive efficiencies throughout the supply chain and further reduce unnecessary costs.

“If we are successful in our efforts to lower prices, we believe we can save Americans who shop at Walmart approximately $1 billion per year on fresh fruit and vegetables,” Thomas said.
Walmart will also dramatically reduce or eliminate the price premium on “better-for-you” options such as reduced sodium, sugar or fat on products from the same manufacturer.

In addition, Walmart will develop a simple front-of-package seal in consultation with health organizations to help customers identify healthier food for their families. The seal will be supported by a nutritious food standard designed to increase vitamins, minerals, whole grains, fruits and vegetables in food products, while limiting saturated fats, sodium and added sugars.

Later this year, Walmart will add this seal to its private branded food products that meet the strong criteria and will also offer the seal to its suppliers for their national brands that qualify.

The company has also made it a business priority to find innovative ways to provide fresh and affordable groceries to people in urban and rural communities across America who are living in food deserts.

Last year, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation launched a $2 billion effort to help fight hunger through 2015 by donating fresh, nutritious foods to food banks across the nation. This year the company will increase charitable support for food and nutrition programs by funding education efforts that teach consumers about healthier food options.

For more information visit: www.walmartstores.com/healthierfoods.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or “Walmart,” serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,700 retail units under 59 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine's 2010 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.comand www.samsclub.com.