2011 04/27-05/03

MANILA MAIL COMMUNITY

Mrs. Cynthia Lising Megia (Thia's mom) poses at the huge welcome sign in Mountain House, CA.

Kevincy Fernando, 10, an Indian National, braved the cruel summer heat, waited in line with thousands others, to get a photo with Thia Megia, right, last Sunday at Mountain House, CA.

Team Thia Megia all. (L-R) Manila Mail's Richard Lao, Eduardo 'Ed' Lising (Thia's uncle), Lia Megia (Thia's elder sister) and Rollie Lising (Thia's Uncle) poses at the huge welcome sign in Mountain House, CA.

Von Cruz (3rd left, back row), noted photographer with ABS-CBN Kapamilya stars, KC,Pokwang, Gabby, Angelica Panganiban and Erich Gonzales.

Mostly kids & teenagers lined up to see and welcome American Idol Thia Megia last Sunday at Mountain House, CA.

'Harana' artist Florante Aguilar of San Francisco, cA will be one of several 'Power Ng Pinoy' headliners coming to GMA Pinoy TV in September. Watch it!

Manny Pacquiao, Best Paid Athlete of 2010 by ESPN, even besting NBA Superstar Kobe Bryant (pictured here at his Los Angeles mansion with LA's Tim Evans).

‘Thia Megia Day’ in Mountain House

(Or how the 16-year old American Idol Top 11 Finalist changed the Northern CA town)

SEEN IN THE CITY

Last Saturday, April 23, 2011 was ‘Thia Megia Day’ at Mountain House, CA and Manila Mail Newspaper was there front and center to welcome and celebrate with her. I saw it in my own two eyes - the whole town of Mountain House (residents went all out and they really went out) really knows how to say ‘Thank You’ to their own - American Idol Top 11 Finalist Thia Megia. From the huge welcome sign erected in obvious adulation of their most famous resident, Thia Megia, of course, that greets motorists and visitors upon entering their tree-laden streets, you can feel the love for Thia in the summer air. Smaller signs, bearing the picture of Thia, showing directions to the Central Park, venue of the event, sprinkled the manicured lawns of Mountain House.

Among the thousands who filled the park are County & State officials, cable stations, news reporters, arts & craft booths, food vendors, lumpia, pizza, BBQ , funnel cake, kettle corn, caricaturist, face-painting, balloons, jumpy house, a live band, local entertainment and residents from the Bay Area & Central Valley.

Reportedly, thousands also welcomed her at the earlier ‘meet and greet’ at the nearby West Valley Mall located at 3200 Naglee Road in Tracy, CA.

So, how did 16-year old Thia change Mountain House again? Before her stint at American Idol, Mountain House was listed as the Number One city in foreclosure count and residents were down & lonely. Yesterday, after attending the Welcome Home Festival for Thia Megia, I saw how happy and optimistic the residents are. Everyone was mingling with anyone, regardless of color of skin and ethnic background. Suddenly, everyone is alive! I was even informed by some of them that there are no longer houses available for sale, everything were sold-out. Not a simple feat considering even President Obama failed to do that to America.

Job well done, Thia! Is it your summer tour yet?

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

‘Power Ng Pinoy’ to be shown on GMA Pinoy TV

Power Ng Pinoy is a weekly 30-minute TV program that will feature inspirational and success stories of Filipino shakers and movers. Produced in a documentary format, Power ng Pinoy will introduce and salute successful individuals, groups and corporations that continue to make a difference in the lives of Filipinos in the U.S. and in the Philippines.

The show will present to every Kapuso household various insights and words of wisdom to guide them realize their American dream.

Power ng Pinoy will also feature other entertaining side stories that would strengthen and further solidify the bond of the Fil-am community in general. The show’s production staff & crew are the following:

Executive Producer: Arnold Pedrigal

Headwriter: Carol Marcelino Hirt

Host: Anthony Rivero

Director: Jack Dumaup

Associate Producers

- Jessica Cabuay

- Abby Borgonia

- Leo Reyes

Production Coordinator: Nina Rumbines

Director of Photography / Camera: Marco Abellera / Mark Taylor

Second Unit:

- Peggy Peralta

- Ken Guanga

- Renato Asuncion

Writer: Jun Nucum

Editors:

- Rhea Guia

- Marco Abellera

Production Assistants:

- Robert Siapno

- Kevin Fernandez

- Mike Manalac

Marketing and Account Executives

- Anthony Rivero

- Joyce Pamintuan

- Imelda Pedrigal

- Carlen Gregorio

Advisory Team

- Jopin Romero

- Gertrude Gregorio

- Johnny Veloso

- Earl Valencia

- Baby Dumaup (Production)

Watch out for it on GMA Pinoy TV (Channel 369 on Comcast Cable)!

PERSONAL NOTES

Briefs & shorts

Manny Pacquiao has been named ‘Best Paid Athlete’ by ESPN (who picks from among 30 different sports & then rank them) earning $32 Million last year, excluding endorsement & sponsorship monies (whew!). He even out-earned NBA Superstar Kobe Bryant. Last Good Friday, Rock Legend Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses paid him a visit while training in Los Angeles for his May 7^th Vegas Mosley fight (The Pacquiao/Mosley bout which is to be held at MGM was sold out more than three weeks before the actual fight. Comparatively, the Mayweather/Mosley fight last year had more than 1,000 seats vacant at fight night at the same venue). Pacquiao will release his ‘Sometimes When We Touch’ CD with composer Dan Hill, next week.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“"He's a brother to me, and I'm going to be his best man in his wedding." By Lucky 7 eliminated idol, Stefano Langone on American Idol frontrunner James Durbin (who cried like a baby when Langone was sent home packing last Thursday). The two idols grew closer after becoming roommates early on during the audition process. Durbin reportedly had an emotional meltdown after his elimination but he was able to calm Durbin down.

"I told him not to worry about me. I did everything I set out to do on this show and it's going to pay off and I'm going to do great. I told him, 'Just keep focusing on the show and what you gotta do to keep succeeding and I'll be back in a couple weeks.' I talked him down a little bit. He's a big crybaby." From TransWorld News

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