Embedded Files
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.
Star Cinema's 'Ang Tanging Pamilya' opens at UA Stonestown Twin in San Francisco, CA starting this Friday, Nov 27th.
Efren 'The Pushcart Educator' Penaflorida, a proud Filipino, is this year's CNN Hero of the Year (besting 9,000 others), shown here upon his arrival in Los Angeles to attend the Hollywood star-ridden awarding ceremonies at the Kodak Theater. Photo by Benny Uy
Lilwyn Lucas of San Jose, shown here with Pinoy Big Brother hunk, Tom Mott fromArizona, celebrated her recent birthday and freedom with family and friends.
Gerry's Grill opened a new restaurant at 511 Westlake Center Daly City, CA 94015 on October 22, 2009. Shown during the grand opening celebrations are L-R, Chris Chan (owner), International Beauty Impressario Ferdie Villar, June Chan (owner), Johnny Chan(owner) and this columnist.
In line with the recent natural disasters that have recently hit the Philippines in September of this year; the worst tropical depression in history; typhoons ‘Ondoy’ and ‘Pepeng’, Mr. Henry Du, District Manager of the Pacific Supermarket Group of Companies, donated US$2000.00 to the victims of the twin typhoons through the Philippine Center Relief Fund. Shown in the photo is Mr. Henry Du giving the check to the officers of the Philippine Department of Tourism, SF; and Director of the Philippine Center Management Board. The donation will be forwarded to the Philippine National Red Cross.
From L-R: Mr. Henry Du, District Manager of the Pacific Supermarket Groupd of Companies, Mr. Rene De Los Santos, Director of the Philippine Center Management Board in San Francisco and Director for the Philippine Department of Tourism, SF., and Ms. Debbie Gallano, Public Relations Officer, of the Philippine Department of Tourism, SF.
Green Card cast: Standing: Thage Monteclaro, Bing Garcia, Joji Isla, Dandin Ranillo, Juni Ranillo, Richard Kempis; Seating: Pam Serrano, Maia Usi, Fe Delos Reyes, Kitchie Ranillo
“Ang Tanging Pamilya”
to be Shown In SFO Starting This Friday
Wacky star-studded comedy also marks film debut of Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao
ABS-CBN International’s Starry Starry Store is bringing lots of cheers for the holidays by way of screening what is billed as the most hilarious Filipino film of the year, Ang Tanging Pamilya (A marry-go-round!), starting Thanksgiving week at the UA Stonestown Twin Theaters located at 501 Buckingham Way, San Francisco, CA 94132.
Fresh from a successful Manila premiere and an opening day gross of P12 million, this 16thanniversary offering from Star Cinema stars Ai Ai delas Alas, Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga. The film also marks the return to cinema of former action star and Philippine president Joseph “Erap” Estrada and the debut of loveable Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao, mother of seven-time world boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. It is directed by Wenn Deramas who helmed the box-office champions,Ang Tanging Ina (2003) and Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat (2008), both starring Delas Alas.
Ang Tanging Pamilya (A marry-go-round!) is a story of a young couple, Charlie (Gonzaga) and U.S.-based Prince (Milby), who decided to get married after two years of long-distance relationship. But there is one hitch: Charlie’s father Dindo (Estrada) had promised to give his wife Sunshine (Delas Alas) another church ceremony to mark their 25th wedding anniversary. Dindo vehemently refuses to have both weddings take place. Prince’s attempt to win over Dindo is further complicated by his nouveau riche mother Marlene (Mommy Dionisia) who insists on having her son’s wedding done her way.
As chaos ensues, will Sunshine and Charlie ever get to experience their dream fairytale weddings?
Adding to the buckets of hilarity is the solid supporting cast of Candy Pangilinan, DJ Durano, K Brosas, Miguel Faustmann, Janus del Prado, Carla Humphries and many more.
“Laughter is the best medicine, conventional wisdom tells us, and after the tragedies brought about by devastating typhoons in our homeland, we want to spread hope and good cheer through a comedy film for the whole family,” said Kerwin Du, ABS-CBN International’s head of theatricals for North America. “This is the perfect kick-off for the holidays and we invite all to see it come Thanksgiving week.”
Screenings for Ang Tanging Pamilya (A marry-go-round!) in four U.S. cities are from November 27-December 3, 2009 in the following theatres:
SAN FRANCISCO
UA Stonestown Twin
501 Buckingham Way
San Francisco, CA 94132
SAN DIEGO
UA Horton Plaza
475 Horton Plaza
San Diego, CA 92101
LAS VEGAS
Regal Village Square Stadium
9400 W. Sahara Ave..
Las Vegas, NV 89058
SEATTLE
Parkway Plaza Stadium 12
5910 South 180th Street
Tukwila, WA 98188
For more information, please call 1.800.227.9676.
SEEN IN THE CITY
Pinoy is CNN Hero
Cavite-owned Efren ‘The Pushcart Educator’ Penaflorida won the highly-coveted 2009 CNN Hero of the Year (now on its 3rd year) at a star-studded ceremony (presenters were Nicole Kidman, Pierce Brosnan, et al) that was taped last Saturday night at the Kodak Theater (home of the Oscar awards) in Hollywood, CA, winning an additional $100,000 (in addition to the $25,000 he already won for being a Top 10), another major international feat for a Filipino.
Bullied in school when he was young growing up in the slums, he chose education as his way out of poverty. With nothing going to himself, we will use all the 100% of the grant monies to further his educating the less fortunate in his province.
Just like the vast majority of the 2.75 million online voters, the minute I saw his video essay, posted at CNN.com, I was moved and then inspired others to campaign to make him win via FaceBook, emails and word of mouth. CNN Hero is dubbed as theOscar awards for ‘giving’.
Brazilian is the new Miss Earth
The lovely Miss Brazil Larissa Ramos won Miss Earth 2009 at last Sunday’s pageant held in the island of Boracay, Philippines besting about 80 other delegates. I am sure, based from the taped snapshots, that all the candidates had fun frolicking in the sands of one of the most beautiful beaches of the world, that they forgot to seriously work on their opening numbers that looked more like a Barangay program (to think it was shown all over the world). Top 8 Finalist Miss Thailand lost her 30-second opportunity to further articulate her visual interpretation to the ill-effects of pollution image shown her as her interpreter failed to explain to her the mechanics (it wasn’t shown on camera but it seemed that the hosts also failed to brief the finalists), obviously (she reportedly cried on stage in frustration). Among the uniqueness of the Miss Earth pageant, the finalists are shown images and are asked to articulate their own interpretation of what the images meant to them. In 30 seconds. In my opinion, the best answer, in terms of content, came from Miss Philippines Sandra Seifert’s water pollution speech (which appeared so rehearsed), but she only won 1st runner up maybe because of delicadeza (last year’s winner, Karla Henry is from the Philippines, that’s why) or maybe because she looked majorly stressed out. I was rooting for either Miss Spain or Miss Venezuela who both nabbed 2 of the Final 4 major titles.
Do you want to represent the Filipino community in the US the next year’s Miss Philippines Earth and earn the right to represent the country in the Miss Earth? You won’t believe the doors of opportunity that will be shown your way once you get there. You should be at least 5’6” in height, from 18-25 years old and at least 25% Filipino. Take the first step and start by emailing your contact information to this columnist atbradford_adkins@yahoo.com
TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY
‘Green Card,’ a Live Comedy Musical Premieres at Ichiban Nov 29th
The other Ranillos, Bay-area based, reeling off from the still-hot Manny Pacquiao-Krista Ranillo controversy, are moving on via a comedy musical show ‘Green Card,’ set to premiere on November 29, 2009 Sunday 5pm at the Edna’s Ichiban located at 2234 Westborough Drive in South San Francisco.
Mayroon na ba kayong Green Card? That’s the slogan of the song & dance comedy musical “Green Card”.
The show stars outstanding stage performers and TV actors such as Dandin Ranillo, Joji Isla, Ichiban’s Angelika Del Carmen & Thage Monteclaro, Paula Laceda, Bing Garcia, Maia Usi. Pam Serrano, Richard Kempis, with Suzette Ranillo and a special participation of Fe Delos Reyes.
As narrated by actress, Louella Albornoz, “Green Card” is the story of 5 OFWs Carding (Dandin Ranillo), Lisa (Angelika del Carmen), Digna (Thage Montecarlo), Inday (Suzette Ranillo), and Ysabel (Paula Laceda), whose dreams of a new and more prosperous life lands them in the hands of an unscrupulous illegal recruiter named Cristina G. Mikera (Fe de los Reyes). Carding has left his girlfriend Luzviminda (Maia Usi) in the Philippines to prepare for a brighter future for the both of them.
They all work as caregivers during the day and nightclub employees at night, to make ends meet.
Although used and abused, they are fortunate enough to meet some friends along the way who help make things easier for them. Like an Ilokano restaurant owner, (Joji Isla), a friendly landlord (Pam Serrano), a nursing home assistant administrator (Juni Ranillo), and an Elvis impersonator (Bing Garcia), who provide them with support and friendship, even when they are caught by immigration agents (Rickard Kempis).
Together, they face the challenges of living and working in the Bay Area, undocumented, with their ultimate goal of becoming legal immigrants… and eventually earn their “Green Cards”.
After eating all those delicious Thanksgiving food, laugh & sing with the gang and check out “GREEN CARD” The comedy-musicale Isang Pasasalamat! Written and Directed by Dandin Ranillo
“Green Card” is brought to you by: Law Offices of Chua, Tinsay, & Vega, APLC, NCP- College of Nursing, Hayward and So. SF., Cruz, Cayabyab, Farmers Insurance, Josephine Weber, DMD & Bell Plumbing. Tickets are $35.00 and are available at Edna’s Ichiban Library or call, 707 334-4078. Seats are limited, so buy your tickets now.
PERSONAL NOTES
Belated Happy Birthday to Lilwyn Lucas (November 14th) who celebrated with M Joy Lontok and other friends and family, without me (joke!), last week. May you have many more to come, Lil!
Hey Florinda Carlos – did you know that Sharon Cuneta is doing a repeat of her very successful MegaThirty Concert at the very beautiful Paris Hotel in Las Vegas? The concert is happening on Black Friday, November 27th with tickets starting at $58. Her guests include daughter KC Concepcion, Billy Crawford and Ms. Zsa Zsa Padilla.
The same show will proceed to Palm Springs at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa located at 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270.
For further information, call 1-800-535-7472 for go to www.nyshows.com.
Quote of the Week – " Each person has a hidden hero within. " – CNN Hero of the Year, Filipino Efren Penaflorida, clutching a miniature version of his ‘jeepney-colored pushcart with books’, on this acceptance speech announced and taped last Saturday, to be shown Thanksgiving Day on CNN at 9 ET/PT.
This column also appears online athttp://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/
Do you have any personal or community events you want announced or published? Just email them to bradford_adkins@yahoo.com
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse