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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.
Charice of 'GLEE' as she appears on page 114 (and also on page 117) of the latest issue of People Magazine (October 04, 2010).
The Queen of Philippine Movies, Ms. Amalia Fuentes, 2nd left, is invited to this year's Club Royale International Gala Event on Saturday, October 9 at the Marriott Marquis. Other in the photo taken last week at the Luk Foo Chinese Restaurant in Sta Mesa, Manila are, L-R, Director Elwood Perez, this columnist, Manila Bulletin Entertaiment Editor Nestor Cuatero and Doctor Tito Garcia.
The newly-finished Manny Pacquiao Boracay Mansion sits at the end of the Boracay Island; rooms available for rent at reportedly starting at 10,000 pesos a night.
Boracay today, offers more than just the sun, white beaches, rides, fun shows and entertainment - it also offers a lifestyle.
Pinoy Dream Academy Season 1 Top 8 Scholar, Eman Abatayo of Iloilo was spotted in Boracay last week, feasting on Philippine Brand Dried Mangoes (available here in the US at Costco, Seafood City and other major stores near you).
Boracay Shangri-la Resort is now open to cater to the high-end needs of the more discriminating tourists, located just a stone's throw away from the equally-famous Manny Pacquiao Boracay Mansion.
The ZORB is a giant ball ride in Boracay Island that takes you rolling down from the top of a mountain. Sealed inside with no source of oxygen except for the next 2 minutes, you wonder - how will I survive?
Nothing compares to the thrills and chills of 'Ziplining' in Boracay as the ride takes you down from the greenest mountain side of the island to the white sands of the seashore. This November, they will open a new Zipline ride starting from the highest peak - Mount Luho.
Even in remote areas like the Boracay Island - Xoom.com delivers via M. Lhuillier - open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! I love it!
Calayan Skin Care Aesthetics in Milpitas, CA is now open to serve US-based clients too busy to travel to the Philippines. Shown in the photo is Richard Lao with Ms. Mia Pelayo, right, Branch Manager and Licensed Aesthetician.
Boracay, today!
(Looking out from my plane window seat, the island appears to be the Creator’s masterpiece)
SEEN IN THE CITY
I first heard about Boracay island more than 30 years ago when an Ilonggo classmate boasted about it in class before our summer vacation. After seeing in my own two eyes the nature’s beauty that is Boracay just last week on a combined business/pleasure trip, I regretted having declined the personal invitation.
The island is picture-perfect viewed even from inside the plane. The short ferry ride from the Caticlan airport to the island’s Station 1 (it has a total of 3 – where boats/ferries disembark) you won’t feel as you will be left gazing at a most beautiful nature unfolding right before your eyes – the clearest bluest waters caressing the nature’s whitest sands, as various colorful schools of fish dance underwater. It’s just an observation but more than half of the populace are tourists, while the locals, as divulged by our personal island guide, are from the neighboring islands of Romblon, Davao , Cebu , et al.
The very first logical task to do upon arrival is to go on an island tour by rental ATV or buggy cars (they’re aplenty) all the way to the island’s highest peak – the Mount Luho (in November this year, a new Zipline ride will emerge here, I was informed). The first night, I spent it relaxing by listening to ‘The Boss’ (very popular band in Boracay) while drinking with business partners & guests at the beachfront Boracay Regency, with intermission numbers from a couple of the Island Fire Dancers.
The second and following days, we spent island-hopping via rented boat to nearby Crystal Cove, the newly-constructed Manny Pacquiao Boracay Mansion and Boracay Shangri-La, Butterfly garden, Bat Caves and trying out the extreme rides that island offers – The Zorb (a huge giant ball ride cascading down a hill) and Ziplining (para-sailing ride from the top of the mountain to the seashore).
What impressed me more is the sweet combination of both nature and commerce in Boracay. It is so far away, yet so near as boosted by today’s technological advancements. One moment, you are admiring the calmness of the sunset and the next, you’re enjoying the luxurious elegance of the showers of Shangri-la Resort.
I bet the Boracay that Hollywood actor, Michael Caine discovered more than 30 years ago is a lot different than what I saw today. But I like Boracay Island , the way it is today. This island has it all.
TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY
Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards 2010
This Friday, October 8th, the Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards 2010 will be the centerpiece of glittery celebrations at the ABS-CBN International headquarters in Redwood City, CA with cocktails starting at 5:30pm Francisco while the awarding ceremony proper follows immediately at 6:30pm.
Club Royale International’s Annual Gala at the Marriott Marquis Downtown San Francisco this Saturday, October 9th
This columnist will be crowned King of Club Royale International together with Philippine Airlines’ Herminia Lavarias as the Queen on Saturday, October 9th at the newly-remodeled Marriott Marquis in downtown San Francisco. Tickets to the strictly-formal event are still available by calling (415) 994-6949.
PERSONAL NOTES
XOOM.com is Super Reliable! Even in Boracay!
I recently went to Boracay for combined business/pleasure purposes and got stuck in the middle of the far flung island, without my wallet, my credit card and cash. Luckily, I have my iphone with me and phoned in a friend from the US to send me money via Xoom.com. I continued exploring the island that day until late afternoon and came into a branch of M. Lhuillier (yes, that famous jewelry pawnshop that has mushroomed the islands of Cebu and beyond, for years). I remembered that like the rest of the financial institutions like BDO, SM branches, Globe Gcash, the Lhuillier branches are authorized money remittance centers for Xoom.com. To cut this story short, I was able to receive the money, in local currency, sent by someone in the US , here in Boracay, even after all offices are closed! Turns out that even the Boracay branch of Lhuillier is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Talking about reliability of Xoom.com. And their transaction fee is only $4.99 – one of the lowest in the industry. Xoom.com, I love it!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"It was so ridiculous. You can check pictures of me before and after; I’m still the same. I’m never going to change my face. God gave it to me, and I’m proud of it." – by Charice of “GLEE” as quoted by People Magazine on controversies involving her botox injections in July to cure her jaw pains, not wrinkles.
This column also appears online at www.FilipinoVillage.com andhttp://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 92 countries now, according to the latest Google Analytics report.
Do you have any personal or community events you want announced or published? Just email them to bradford_adkins@yahoo.com
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