2009 04/15-04/21

MANILA MAIL COMMUNITY

Debutant Beauty Queen. Dionne Nicole Meehleib flew to Manila last Monday, April 6th to compete with more than 50 other delegates from the Philippines for the 2009 Miss Philippines Earth title. She recently turned 18 and her proud parents gifted her a formal party in South San Francisco.

John Llyod Cruz, Pokwang, Piolo Pascual, Bea Alonzo and Sam Milby

In concert at Silver Legacy in Reno, Nevada last April 18, 2009

PIOLO, SAM OR JOHN LLOYD - WILL THE REAL ‘HEARTTHROB’ PLEASE STAND UP?

The Wikipedia Online Dictionary defines the word Heartthrob as ‘the object of one’s desires or infatuation; a sweetheart’.

Among today’s Top Three Filipino Male Actors, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milbyand John Lloyd Cruz, who is worthy of the coveted ‘Heartthrob’ title?

Lighthouse Entertainment’s Heartthrob US Tour 2009 set to blaze Reno’s Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino stage on Saturday, April 18^th at 7:30 p.m. will seek to answer that question via individual songs and performances of the 3 (stop shrieking, Jeanette Abenoja! Vilbert Rosel, you too!).

Piolo surged in popularity right after the then matinee idol Rico Yan died prematurely around Easter, years ago in Palawan . He has it all – he can act, he can sing, he can dance. As talented as he is, the road to his success was not easy. Despite the hardest odds, he was able to weather the challenges and sustain his popularity to even greater heights.

Sam entered into the picture at the most perfect time - when ABS-CBN went global and his popularity not only reached the islands of the Philippines but around the world via Pinoy Big Brother, a reality-based TV show seen 24/7 in the tubes. He too can sing, can dance and can act.

John Lloyd may not have the to-die-for bodies of both Piolo and Sam, but his dramatic skills got honed early in his career via Tabing-Ilog, a youthful TV dramatic series reminiscent of Warner Brothers’ Dawson’s Creek. He can’t sing, he can’t dance, but wow, he can act. He can also do comedy. What is remarkable about John Lloyd is that his popularity grew even stronger during these recession years (his twin movies withSarah Geronimo single-handedly revived the already dying film industry in the Philippines, breaking historical box office records), even bagging awards and getting proclaimed officially recently as this year’s Box Office King.

So, who do you think is the real Heartthrob? You be the judge by watching their only show in California this year.

Again, don’t forget to watch this Saturday, April 18^th the the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino. It’s going to be a 3-way fight to supremacy among Piolo, Sam and John Lloyd in The Heartthrobs USA Tour 2009.

Almost sold-out tickets can still be purchased by calling either Archie Mendiorro at (510) 552-1546 or Nanette Labrador at (510) 828-4792. Reno-bound buses will be available to transport the eager beavers from the Union City Walmart.

Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino (www.silverlegacyreno.com) is located at407 N Virginia St , Reno , NV 89501 / Phone (775) 325-7401.

SEEN IN THE CITY

Another Sarah Shooks Bay Area Again

Sarah as in Sarah Balabagan shared her powerful and moving testimony during the Crossroads Christian Center evening service last April 5th. Brethren and guests were moved to tears and deeply touched as she talked about how all her painful trials and miseries in life led her to receive Jesus Christ as her Lord and personal Savior in 2003. She said that the good Lord spared her from the death penalty in the Middle East in 1994 as she was accused of murder because God has a divine purpose in her life which is to love, serve and glorify Him. God has turned her mourning into joy and has given her beauty for ashes. She said that God wants to do the same for those who will put their trust in Him. Sarah also sang two beautiful songs to the delight of the Crossroads brethren and guests.

Crossroads Christian Center is located in 444 East Market, Daly City(formerly Colma Elementary School). Pastors Andy and Abby Antenor have faithfully served God through this Assemblies of God church. The church has an annual Vacation Bible School (June 25-29) which is free for children ages 2-12.

Crossroads also operates the Kiddie World Day Care Center. For prayer requests and more information, please call (650)756-1583 and the website is crossroadsccenter.org.

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

1^st Ever Pinay Jazz Concert in Oakland

The 1st ever Pinay Jazz Concert, a Benefit for Filipinos for Affirmative Action, will be presented 6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 16th, 2009 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center located at 3889th Street (between Webster and Franklin) in Oakland Chinatown.

This history-making event will feature performances by Josie Canion and Prelude, Ann Marie Santos Andres, Raquel Berlind and Angel Georecha Ventura.

For tickets to this event, please call Geraldine or Judith at (510) 465-9876 or go to www.filipinos4action.org

PERSONAL NOTES

Belated Happy 18^th Birthday to Bay Area’s Miss Dionne Nicole Meehleib who was tendered with a grandiose celebration party at a restaurant in South San Francisco last April 4^th Saturday. Two days after that, Dionne left for Manila (with her sister Therese) last April 6^th, Monday, to represent the Filipino Communities in the US at the ongoing 9^th Miss Philippines Earth Pageant (grand finals is set at The Arena in San Juan, to be broadcast almost live via TFC). She also celebrated her birthday at her relatives’ house (she is the niece of both Gabby Concepcion and TFC’s Gel Santos-Relos). Proud parents, George and Alice Meehleib are very excited.

Congratulations again and Good Luck, Dionne!

This column appears online also athttp://www.ManilaMailCommunityNews.blogspot.com and atwww.FilipinoVillage.com

Do you have any personal or community events you want announced? Just email them to bradford_adkins@yahoo.com