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Northern California's largest Filipino American newspaper in circulation since 1990, the Manila Mail is the Bay Area's most read Fil-Am weekly publication distributed free in major cities of Northern California. Community is a B Section page that contains the weekly column of Bradford Adkins 'SCENES in the city'. The column features include: the issues and events, the individuals and organizations moving the community.
Rhap Salazar and The Young Voices of Negros win top prizes at 2009 WCOPA
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. 17 July 2009. Team Philippines has done it again at the grand finals of the 13th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) held at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown, Los Angeles. ABS CBN’s original “Little Big Star” Brightest Star Rhap Salazar won the coveted titles Junior Grand Champion Solo Vocalist of the World, and the Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World. The vocal quartet The Young Voices of Negros won the title Junior Grand Champion Group Vocalists of the World.
12-year-old Rhap sang a one-minute version of Celine Dion’s “All By Myself” at the final show.
“Hours before the finals, Rhap’s voice was getting tired due to extensive rehearsals for two straight days. He did everything to conserve his voice. Despite the odds, he gave a stellar performance worthy of the top prizes in the junior division. The American judges were simply blown away by his soaring vocals,” said WCOPA Philippine National Director Carlo Orosa.
The judges at the grand finals were composed of high profile agents, record andtelevision producers, choreographers, and Disney theme park directors in California and New York.
On the other hand, The Young Voices of Negros (Katrina, Kristina, Aissa and Kristopherson Madrigal) performed a highly polished rendition of “And I Am Telling You,” from the musical “Dreamgirls, in four-part harmony.
WCOPA’s newest junior champions Rhap and The Young Voices of Negros will be featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America” through the “My Life in Three Words” segment.
Team Philippines’ junior vocalist Mayumi Morales, and senior vocalists Martha Joyand CJ Concepcion also competed at the grand finals.
Kimverle Molina of Saudi Arabia won the title Senior Grand Champion Vocalist of the World while Jo Robinson of Australia won the titles Senior Grand Champion Intrumentalist of the World, and the Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World though.
Other members of Team Philippines Maila Mitra, Evette Pabalan, Oreo Vamenta,Divo Bayer, and Guy Lockwood made it to the semi-finals.
During the weeklong competition, Filipino celebrities showed their support for the team –Isay Alvarez, Louie Reyes, Butch Jimenez, Tricia Jimenez, and Rhap’s best friendCharice Pempengco were among them.
“Filipino talent is highly regarded as world class. This being my last year as WCOPA Philippine National Director, I feel so blessed and honored to have produced three Junior Grand Champion Performers of the World – Aria Clemente in 2007, Catherine Loriain 2008, and Rhap Salazar this year. My heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors, my co-workers Oliver Oliveros and Judith Bueno, STAGES, and most especially to the Office of the President, Her Exellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for supporting us every year,” said Orosa.
“Television producer and director Kitchie Benedicto will be taking my position as WCOPA Philippine National Director starting next year. I know that the triumph our country has earned will be cared for by director Benedicto,” added Carlo.
Since the Philippines joined the WCOPA in 2005, seven Filipino performing artists have won the global competition’s top prizes: Jed Madela (2005 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World and Grand Champion Performer of the World), The Cercado Sisters (2006 Grand Champion Group Vocalists of the World), Reymond Sajor (2007 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World), Aria Clemente (2007 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World and Grand Champion Performer of the World), Catherine Loria (2008 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World and Grand Champion Performer of the World), and Rhap Salazar and The Young Voices of Negros this year.
For a complete list of winners, visit www.wcopa.com.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through the President’s Social Fund, STAGES, photographer Jason Tablante, Moomba Bar and Café, Trumpets Musicademy, Le Froge, and ABS CBN support 2009 WCOPA Team Philippines.
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http://oliverpublicist.blogspot.com
Oliver Oliveros
Senior Public Relations Officer/Consultant
STAGES
Head Author for the Philippines
U.S. mobile no. 18185541415
Manila Office:
Unit 606 Greenbelt Mansion
Perea Street, Legazpi Village
Makati City, PHILIPPINES
Tel no. 632 8181111 loc. 225
Mobile no. 639287725254
Sarah Superstar. Sarah Geronimo's star is sure to shine brighter this year as she shoots a shampoo commercial inThailand with a totally foreign crew, a new ABS-CBN contract, a teleserye, a huge concert and another US tour.
Daly City Councilman David J Canepa,leftmost, welcomes back to town, Jonathan Aligada, center, fresh from his airport arrival from Manila last Saturday as he parties with Eugene Mamenta (rightmost), Erick Nerizon (left back) and Ricky Sillona.
Ms. Susan Pacifico of San Jose has been celebrating her recent birthday for almost a month now, the latest of which is by throwing a swordfish brunch at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club last Sunday.
Baby Juliana Mariano is a jolly babee as she turns a year older with celebrations scheduled at the Jollibee Restaurant in Daly City.
16th Annual PISTAHAN Set August 8 & 9
16th Annual PISTAHAN Set August 8 & 9
A Fantastic Two Day Festival Highlights Filipino Culture and Cuisine
The largest celebration of Filipino Americans in San Francisco is back and bigger than ever featuring the return of the popular Adobo Cook-off and balut eating contests, delectable Filipino cuisine and desserts, cultural exhibits, wold-class entertainment and the 2nd annual San Francisco Filipino American Jazz Festival. Experience the best of Filipino art, dance, music and food at the 16th Annual Pistahan Parade and Festival on Aug. 8-9 at the Yerba Buena Gardens.
The Pistahan Parade will take place Saturday Aug. 8 and features approximately 6 beautiful themed floats and approximately 70 contingents. The parade will begin at Beale St. , march down Market Street , left on 4th Street , left on Folsom Street and end on 3rd St .
The two-day event is expected to draw over 50,000+ people. Both days will feature an array of entertainment and exhibits. There will be seven fun, educational and interactive pavilions:
ART PAVILION:
Visual art exhibits showcase an eclectic genre and styles of Filipino artists from local areas and abroad through the cooperation of gallery owners, schools and art groups. Meet the artists and discover the rich artistic heritage of the Philippines .
DANCE PAVILION:
Festival attendees can catch the rhythm and participate in folk dance demonstrations and workshops. This interactive pavilion will teach traditional folk dances like the popular Tinikling for a memorable and immersive cultural experience.
CULINARY PAVILION:
Celebrating the many flavors of Philippine cuisine, local restaurants are invited to feature their specialty dishes and participate in the 5th annual Adobo Cookoff and "green adobo" cooking demonstration on Saturday. And on Sunday, don't miss the Balut Eating Contest and the Longanisa Eating Contest!
HERITAGE PAVILION:
A mini Filipino museum displaying Philippine antiques, artifacts and material art from institutions and local collectors, most pieces never displayed in public before. Connect with Filipino history and learn something new about our rich and vibrant past!
CREATIVITY PAVILION:
A creative space where children can get hands-on experience learning Filipino arts and crafts activities, hear Filipino folktales and folklores, and attend workshops on how to write in Baybayin, the ancient Filipino script.
PLAY PAVILION:
Our newest pavilion this year! On Saturday, kids can learn traditional street games children in the Philippines play - like sipa, patintero, sungkaan at iba pa! On Sunday, we will host Arnis and Escrima workshops, followed by a tournament in the afternoon to crown the best in Filipino martial arts.
HEALTH PAVILION:
Various community organizations will provide useful information, provide awareness, and address the health care issues of our community. An estimated 1 in 10 Asian and Pacific Islanders has chronic hepatitis B - therefore, FREE hepatitis B screenings will be available. Be sure. Be tested. Be hep B free!
The Pistahan Parade and Festival would like to invite YOU to participate:
(1) Come to the Pistahan dressed in your favorite Philippine outfit
(2) Be sure to visit the pavilions and discover something new!
(3) Get your group together and join the Parade
(4) Watch the Parade along Market Street
(5) Share this weekend with your friends, family and colleagues
For more information about the parade, being a sponsor, or volunteer, contact: pistahan2008@gmail.com.
What: 16th Annual Pistahan Parade and Festival
PISTAHAN FESTIVAL:
Saturday and Sunday, Aug 8-19, 2009
11 am - 5 pm
FREE ADMISSION!
PISTAHAN PARADE:
Saturday, Aug 8, 2009
10:00 am - Opening Ceremonies at Beale and Market Streets
11:00 am - Parade Begins
Where: Yerba Buena Gardens
San Francisco
Mission between 3rd and 4th Streets
Information: (415) 321-5894 / (415) 987-9170
SEEN IN THE CITY
ABS-CBN’s ‘Little Big Star’ Champion Wins Big in WCOPA
Congratulations to the Team Philippines for again, garnering the highest honors in the recently-concluded World of Performing Arts (WCOPA) at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles last Friday night. This very good news was emailed directly to us by Oliver Oliveros, the Senior Public Relations Office/Consultant of Stages, who represents the Philippine Delegation every year.
ABS CBN’s original “Little Big Star” Brightest Star Rhap Salazar won the coveted titles Junior Grand Champion Solo Vocalist of the World, and the Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World. The vocal quartet The Young Voices of Negros won the title Junior Grand Champion Group Vocalists of the World.
12-year-old Rhap sang a one-minute version of Celine Dion’s “All By Myself” at the final show.
The judges at the grand finals were composed of high profile agents, record and television producers, choreographers, and Disney theme park directors in California and New York .
On the other hand, The Young Voices of Negros (Katrina, Kristina, Aissa and Kristopherson Madrigal) performed a highly polished rendition of “And I Am Telling You,” from the musical “Dreamgirls, in four-part harmony.
WCOPA’s newest junior champions Rhap and The Young Voices of Negros will be featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America” through the “My Life in Three Words” segment.
“Filipino talent is highly regarded as world class. I feel so blessed and honored to have produced three Junior Grand Champion Performers of the World – Aria Clemente in 2007, Catherine Loria in 2008, and Rhap Salazar this year. My heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors, my co-workers Oliver Oliveros and Judith Bueno, STAGES, and most especially to the Office of the President, Her Exellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for supporting us every year,” said Carlo Orosa, the WCOPA Philippine National Director.
Since the Philippines joined the WCOPA in 2005, seven Filipino performing artists have won the global competition’s top prizes: Jed Madela (2005 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World and Grand Champion Performer of the World), The Cercado Sisters (2006 Grand Champion Group Vocalists of the World), Reymond Sajor (2007 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World), Aria Clemente (2007 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World and Grand Champion Performer of the World), Catherine Loria (2008 Grand Champion Vocalist of the World and Grand Champion Performer of the World), and Rhap Salazar and The Young Voices of Negros this year.
TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY
Sarah Soars Higher This Year
Advance Happy Birthday this week (July 25th) to today’s hottest young Super Singer, Sarah Geronimo, whose 13-city US Concert Tour early this year was so successful just like her first two mega-hit movies. Her new Road Manager, Jonathan Alidaga flew in from Manila last Saturday night and in between shots of red wine at Edna’s Ichiban Library, shared a lot of good news happening on her still-blossoming career. One - the shampoo commercial she recently shot in Thailand with an all foreigner crew that were flown in from Singapore and Europe . Apparently, the only Filipino crew members in the super secret shoot were Sarah herself with her mom Divine and of course, Jonathan. The director of the shampoo commercial was French and creative team members were from either Thailand , Singapore and other asian countries. Secondly, Sarah was recently chosen by an independent asian group of judges as Asia ’s Pop Princess or something to that effect (hey, Jonathan was drunk already, so forgive his being incomprehensible). Thirdly, Sarah just signed a contract renewal with ABS-CBN two weeks ago. Fourthly, as part of the new deal, Sarah will be starring in a new teleserye of her own. A teleserye so fitting of her stature in the industry, people are expecting it to be a bigger hit than the currently playing and monstrous ‘Tayong Dalawa’. Lastly, she is again mounting another huge concert to be staged at the Araneta Coliseum in November this year, to be partially inspired (unless plans change) by the hit music and performances of Beyonce and Lady Gaga (although, they do not have a final concept yet). Incidentally, Jonathan and Sarah are already super excited to be watching Lady Gaga perform in person in Manila next month (it’s being produced by Viva, Sarah’s contract studio). Don’t fret local fans, for sure she will bring that Araneta show over here in no time.
PERSONAL NOTES
Special greetings to Juliana Mariano who is celebrating her very first birthday via a Children’s Afternoon Party, amidst the games and avalanche of chicken joys, on Saturday, August 1st at the Jollibee in Daly City . Proud parents, Rodolfo and Josephine Mariano are hosting the event.
Do you have any personal or community events you want announced? Just email them to bradford_adkins@yahoo.com
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