2009 07/29-08/04

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.

KIDDIE WORLD. The very first Commencement rites for the Crossroads Christian Center in Daly City day care center, Kiddie World, where 20 adorable kids graduated delightfully, happened last Friday, June 5th. Approximately 150 people attended, mostly parents and family members. All youngsters amused the audience by sharing their future dreams. One of them recited 26 Scripture verses which touched the hearts of the people. Pastor Andy Antenor gave an inspirational message and expressed thanksgiving to the Lord for bringing the fulfillment of the church's dream to minister to children. He also thanked the teachers and staff for their commitment in educating the kids. Crossroads aspires to raise the number of students in Kiddie World and expand up to the elementary level in the near future. Ptr Antenor requested everyone to take part in prayer asking God to bless this noteworthy undertaking. For more information on Crossroads, please call the VBS director, Sis Onie Martinez, at (650)756-1583. Crossroads and Kiddie World are located in 444 East Market, formerly Colma Elementary School.

Dessa (she used to sing at Edna's Ichiban Library in Daly City) will be singing the Philippine National Anthem at the Hard Rock Cafe Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada for the PINOY POWER 2 World Championship Fight (DonaireVs. Concepcion) on August 15th, to be broadcast live on Pay-Per-View.

Sarah Domondon and boyfriend Ben, together entertained her birthday soiree guests in Planet Hollywood Hotel last weekend.

Sarah Domondon, rightmost, celebrated her 21st birthday with a huge bang in Vegas last weekend, with her parents surprising her (together with 15 of her closest family and friends) with a Hummer-limo tour of Vegas.

‘CHOKWANG’To Invade Stockton This Weekend

PDA Grand Champion, Yeng Constantino Guests

At the recent Star Magic World Tour held in both Los Angeles and San Francisco last month, of all the 40 plus super duper talented performers that were given limited stage time, two actually dominated the stage and stood out among the flock – Pokwang and Chokoleit.

It is for this reason (and their individual talent, of course) that CalayanMedia Entertainment (the same production that brought the highly-successful Sarah Geronimo’s The Next One concert in Reno just months ago) is bringing the 2 oozing-with-entertainment-value performers back to Northern California . CHOKWANG, a Fun-Filled Night of Music and Laughter starring POKWANG, CHOKOLEIT and YENG CONSTANTINO LIVE in STOCKTON, CA, SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2009, 8:00PM at Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main Street Stockton, CA 95202. Stockton .

Pokwang, who is seen entertaining daily in Wowowee, is recently in the news for actually meeting Manny Pacaquiao’s mom, Mommy Dionisia (who she impersonates with much gusto!). For the longest time, Pokwang thought that Manny Pacquiao might not like her for spoofing his mom Aling Dionisia. One surprise phone call from Manny changed all that. He invited her to perform in General Santos City where he resides when he is resting in Manila . She thought it was comedian Pooh (who impersonates Manny Pacquiao on TV) who called her until later in the call she realized it was the World Boxing Champion himself she was talking to. Also, last week or two, Mommy Dionisia visited her in Wowowee and they both ballroom-danced on air.

Sponsored in-part by Marylou's Florist, Alas Door-to-Door Cargo,Directo.com 1-877-TAWAGNA, Philippine Fiesta, Cherubim Productions and Manila Mail, this Saturday Show’s Ticket Prices are pegged at $68 / $58 / $48 / $38. For info please contact: 408.712.3743 / 209.941.0415. Information is also available at www.bobhopetheatre.com.

SEEN IN THE CITY

Virgin America wins ‘Best Domestic Airline’, again!

Congratulations to my favorite domestic airline, Virgin America, being honored with the award for best domestic airline from Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, for the second straight year. I have been using Virgin on my local travels and their party atmosphere inside and outside the plane entertains me to no end. Their company colors (shades of purple and fuschia) are refreshing to my eyes. Their cabin ambience (with eternal latest party music and all) makes me feel like I’m in the casinos in Vegas. Their professionally-groomed staff has different kind of sense of humor. Their modern planes (Wi-fi enabled and iPod/iPhone-compatible) are equipped with individual TV screens and entertainment gadgets, per seat. Their online reservation system actually works and online check-in is also very efficient.

In the award-giving organization’s annual survey, airlines are rated independently by Travel + Leisure readers in several categories, including: cabin comfort, food, in-flight service, customer service, and value.

To the 4.5 million passengers who have flown Virgin, just like me, the airline wants to thank them for choosing Virgin America.

According to their website (www.VirginAmerica.com), “We’ll let the awards go to our display case, not our heads. We promise to stay focused on the task at hand – making flying good again.”

On your next domestic trip, enjoy travelling by flying Virgin America!

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

Pinoy Jazz Event

It's Festival Time! Celebrate an exciting weekend of Pinoy Jazz as the San Francisco Filipino American Jazz Festival presents their 2nd annual event. Showcased at The Forum in Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on Saturday, August 8th are the award-winning vocalists Mon David and Anna Maria Flechero; Grammy-nominated bandleader, composer, and flutist John Calloway; and pianist Tateng Katindig, known as the "Oscar Peterson of the Philippines".

Win a pair of FREE tickets from BART. Enter the contest atwww.mybart.org/contests/index.php Keep jazz alive on the airwaves. Support KCSM-FM, KPOO-FM, and KPFA-FM. For further details, contact Carlos Zialcita, Director/SF Filipino American Jazz Festival atwww.sfpinoyjazzfest.com. Support of live music and the arts. Get your tickets now!

SMA Reunion

The SMA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, USA (St. Mary’s Academy of Agoo , La Union) is having its 2009 GRAND REUNION on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at the WYNDHAM HOTEL located at 1350 N. 1st Street , San Jose , CA , 95112 . Attire: Semi-formal. Donation at the door is $65. Say hello to your past and see how far you have come!

For Details and Room Reservation Assistance, please call the following your schoolmates below:

Tessie Manaois Padilla Linda Gali Anit Romy E. Ronquillo (408)972-1992 (408)274-2549 (408)205-4291

PERSONAL NOTES

We had the extreme privilege of getting invited and actually attending the very intimate, yet joyous 21st birthday celebrations of San Pablo’s Angel Ventura’s cousin Sarah Domondon, the Unica Hija (and only child) of Washington State”s Mr. Norberto (who trace his roots from Agoo, La Union) and Dr. Ladie Arana-Domondon. The event was held over the weekend at the plush 29th floor suite of the new Planet Hollywood Hotel along the Vegas strip. Sarah’s parents catered the most delicious Filipino foods to their mostly Agoonian guests, who flew from all over the country and gathered as one big happy family to personally greet her. Also making her milestone very memorable is the presence of her boyfriend Ben (who gave a brief but much applauded ‘she is worth the trip’ speech) and her friend Rafael (both Mexicans, both her schoolmates) who drove 1,110 miles from up north in Washington State and helped the family prepare for her big day. The very charming and leggy Sarah who stands 5’6” is the President of one of her school organizations, where she devotes a lot of time volunteering in various community events. Again, happy birthday, Sarah! And welcome to adulthood!

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