2009 05/20-05/26

MANILA MAIL COMMUNITY

HAPPY AT THIRTY, Megastar Sharon Cuneta

will perform at the Peppermill Resort Hotel

in Reno, NV this sunday, may 24th at 8pm

with daughter KC Concepcion in a concert

billed as SHARON CUNETA MEGATHIRTY

CONCERT produced by Charlie Ugalde's

Echofaze Productions.

THE GRADUATE. San Rafael's Cyrus Hajian

graduating next month and is celebrating

with family and friends at the McNear's

Beach Area.

Richmond/Senator Milton Marks

Branch Library Celebrates Grand Re-Opening

SEEN IN THE CITY

Mayor Gavin Newsom, City Librarian Luis Herrera and Supervisor Eric Mar led the Ribbon-cutting re-opening celebration of the renovated Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch Library last Saturday afternoon, May 16^th at 361 9th Avenue (between Clement and Geary).

Speaking remarks were also given by City Librarian Luis Herrera, State Senator Mark Leno, Ed Reiskin, Director, Department of Public Works, San Francisco Public Library Commissioner Lee Munson and Donna Bero, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Entertainment performances were rendered by Jing Mo Athletic Association Lion Dancers; San Francisco Talent Education – The Suzuki Program; Dmitry Rashkin and Svetlana Chernitskaya; Boswick the Clown; Melody of China; Charity and the JAMBand; Ballet Russe; The Bubble Lady; Alek Yasko; Richmond Library Staff.

The Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch is the 10th branch to be completed under the Branch Library Improvement Program (BLIP), which is funded by a $105.9 million bond measure passed by voters in November 2000. The Richmond Branch is also the largest branch renovation project in the program. Project costs totaled about $13.7 million. Of that amount, $5.96 million came from the California Reading & Literacy Improvement & Public Library Construction & Renovation Bond Act of 2000 (Proposition 14). The Richmond Branch Library renovation was the only Carnegie Library funded from the Prop. 14 funds and was chosen because of its critical requirement for seismic strengthening and expansion to meet the needs of the diverse community it serves. A separate fundraising campaign by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library provided new furniture and equipment for the branch.

This renovation project includes almost 50 percent more square footage and provides for a complete renovation and restoration, including seismic upgrade, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access improvements, energy-efficient building systems and technology upgrades including doubling the number of public computers, while retaining the historical integrity of this 1914 Carnegie landmark building. The addition will be able to support a significantly expanded collection of materials with more audiovisual and Chinese and Russian-language items. Other key aspects of the renovation include two new study rooms; a designated teen room, additional public restrooms; a beautiful two-story atrium and lobby on the 10th Avenue side; and enhanced landscaping surrounding both sides of the branch including a new play structure on 10th Avenue.

As part of the celebration, the 9th Avenue between Clement Street and Geary Boulevard was closed off. Some of the musical entertainment preceded the opening ceremony at 1 p.m. Library services began at 2 p.m.

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

Sharon, Ai-Ai’s “Best Friends Forever (BFF)

to screen in San Francisco starting this Friday, May 22^nd

(and 7 other US Cities; RP’s Megastar, Comedy Queen team up for the first time)

On TFC’s 15^th anniversary and Star Cinema’s 16^th year, ABS-CBN International’s Starry Starry Store brings to the U.S. the one and only Megastar Sharon Cuneta and the one and only Comedy Queen Ai-Ai Delas Alas come together for the first time in Best Friends Forever (BFF).

The stellar combination, made even brighter by the skillful talents of top comedy director Wenn V. Deramas and excellent scriptwriter Mel Del Rosario, is set to be one of this year’s top-grossing and funniest movie team-ups.

The film revolves around the lives of two women who despite their differences have developed a strong bond that made them commit to become each other’s best friend for life. As the story progresses, the women will be seen falling for a common love interest. One of the country’s most versatile young actors, John Estrada, plays this role. As to how long their friendship would last, only the man who won both their hearts could say.

Off-screen, Sharon and Ai-Ai have very different personalities but they share the same knack for comedy that shines throughout the movie. And as they spend days and nights working on the project, the two became close friends.

Last year, they rocked box office statistics with their respective projects - Sharon in the critically acclaimed Chito Roño masterpiece Caregiver and Ai-Ai in the MMFF runaway winner Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat. Without doubt, BFF will be another winner and blockbuster this year.

This is Sharon’s first venture into comedy after a long, long time, and for Ai-Ai, this is also the first time that her comedy skills will be pitted against one of the best dramatic actresses.

A surprise guest appearance in the film by Gabby Concepcion had the fans shrieking in delight at the very successful movie premiere in Manila last May 12.

“We’re entering the happy season of summer pretty soon, so we wanted to give our viewers a quality comedy full of fun, laughter and star power,” said Kerwin Du, ABS-CBN International’s head of theatricals. “With the Megastar and RP’s Comedy Queen under the direction of comedy master Wenn V. Deramas, expect a laugh-a-minute movie with BFF.”

BFF also stars Chokoleit, Joy Viado, Empress Shuck, Enchong Dy, Miles Ocampo, DJ Durano, and the award-winning veteran actress Gina Pareño.

The screening schedule is as follows:

SAN FRANCISCO (May 22-28)

UA Stonestown Twin

501 Buckingham Way

San Francisco, CA 94132

LAS VEGAS (May 22-28)

Regal Village Square Stadium

9400 West Sahara Avenue

Las Vegas, LV 89058

SAN DIEGO (May 22-28)

UA Horton Plaza

475 Horton Plaza

San Diego, CA 92101

SEATTLE (May 22-28)

Parkway Plaza Stadium 12

5910 South 180^th Street

Tukwila, WA 98188

LOS ANGELES-CERRITOS (TBA)

Cerritos Stadium Cinema

12761 Towne Center Drive

Cerritos, CA 90701

HONOLULU (June 5-11)

Regal Dole Cannery Stadium

735 Iwilei Road #B

Honolulu, HI 96817

KAUAI (June 5-11)

Historic Waimea Theater

9691 Kaumualii Hwy

Waimea, Kauai, HI 96796

CHICAGO (June 12-18)

The Pickwick Theater 1

17 South Prospect Avenue

Park Ridge, IL 60068

For more information, please visit www.abs-cbnglobalmovies.com or call 1.800.227.9676.

Incidentally, Megastar Sharon Cuneta is celebrating her 30 glorious years in showbiz with a bang by holding SHARON CUNETA MEGATHIRTY CONCERT IN RENO with special guest, daughter KC CONCEPCION on SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 8PM at Peppermill Hotel’s Tuscany Events Center .

Tickets are available at www.peppermillreno.com or call (877) 525-SHOW. For more ticket inquiries, please call (510) 499-3670, (707) 534-0185 or (925) 812-4249.

Produced by Bay Area’s Charlie Peralta’s Echofaze Production, the show has a very special offer: Show your concert ticket or mention the Sharon Cuneta Concert at the Peppermill Reno Information Booth on Saturday, May 23, Sunday, May 24 or Monday, May 25 and get $10 in free play!

PERSONAL NOTES

Belated Happy Birthday greetings to Bay Area’s favorite biritera, Angel Georecha Ventura, who celebrated intimately with her parents, George & Vivian Ventura, sister Valerie Ventura, other family members, friends and boyfriend of course, in San Pablo last Friday, May 1st.

Advance Happy Birthday to San Jose’s Vilbert Rosell’s favorite heartthrob, Sam Milby who is celebrating on Sunday, May 23^rd. Sam will return to perform at the Bay Area’s Cow Palace on Sunday, June 28^th as part of the smorgasboard of 44 artists participating in their first ever Star Magic World Concert Tour.

Happy Graduation to San Rafael’s favorite graduate, Cyrus Hajian who is being given a grand celebration by his proud grandma, Lolita Hajian and even prouder mom, Malou Hipolito at the Mcnear’s Beach Area 1 on Sunday, June 6^th.

This column appears online also at www.ManilaMailCommunityNews.blogspot.com

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