2011 05/25-05/31

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.

Jose Mari Chan's "Constant Change" and other songs were recorded in New York City by American Artists, produced by The Manhattan Transfer's Janis Siegel. Now available on iTunes & Starbucks!

Janis Siegel, the 9-time Grammy winning solo artist and founding member of The Manhatan Transfer has just produced famous Filipino composer/songwriter Jose Mari Chan's CD Album in New York

Cover of New York-recorded CD album, The Manhattan Connection, The Songs of Jose Mari Chan, featuring Chan's biggest hits in the Philippines -Constant Change, Thank You Love, Love Lost, I've Found My World In You, A Heart's Journey, Like Night and Day, So I'll Go, Spellbound, among others.

Seen at the recent Agooenians of America, Inc. Induction of Officers Ball in San Jose's Crowne Plaza Hotel (STANDING L-R) Bradford Adkins, Olivia T. Ronquillo, Romeo E. Ronquillo (President, Agooenians of America, Inc.), Jocelyn Tabora, Mayor Joe Esteves, Prudy Valdez. (SEATED L-R): Atty. Rudy Rivera, Consul Alfonso Ver, Dr. Gene Balbuena, Dr. Trining Balbuena.

Angel Sagmit celebrated her 3rd birthday with a grand celebration of Capampangan food, drinks, pinata, giant jumper playhouse with a slide, etc at their house in San Jose last Saturday, shown here with parents Rolan & Mina & brother, AJ .

Milpitas Mayor Joe Esteves (shown here during his last victory celebration) will be attending the 1st Year Anniversary celebration of Seasons MarketPlace at Landess this Saturday.

Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr. (being interviewed here by ABS-CBN's Balitang America's Henni Espinosa) will grace the Seasons MarketPlace at Landess anniversary this Saturday.

Now making waves in the acting department, Louise Abuel, 7, pits talent against Xyriel Manabat in ABS-CBN's latest teleserye, "100 Days to Heaven". During shooting, he imagines his grandma leaving him for the US to motivate him to cry. Owww...:(

The ABS CBN Foundation International’s flagship program, Bantay Bata (Child Watch), caravanned through California with stops at Redwood City, Vallejo, Los Angeles and two Southern California hospitals. Photo shows the employees of Pacific Health Corporation at Bellflower Medical who joined Tina Monzon-Palma, Bantay Bata Executive Director, Journalist and Philanthropist.

It's reported online that Manny Pacquiao will fight next, Mexican rival, Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12, 2011 probably in Vegas (shown here with San Jose's Agnes Aguirre during his post-fight Thanksgiving & Victory Mass at the Mandalay Bay Las Vegas).

THE MANHATTAN CONNECTION,

THE SONGS OF JOSE MARI CHAN

(Multi-awarded Grammy artist, Janis Siegel of The Manhattan Transfer produces Filipino Songwriter’s latest Album, recorded in New York by America’s Jazz & Pop Artists)

SEEN IN THE CITY

Jose Mari Chan is one of the best selling singers/songwriters in the Philippines, having achieved 3 Diamond Record Awards in record sales. To-date, that is a record unprecedented in our country. Personally, I grew up listening to his songs, whose music is as soft and mellow as his speaking voice. Looking back, the melody of “Constant Change” never left my mind from early in the morning commute to school up to the time in bed listening to my FM radio station. His music appeal even reached foreign ears like in Indonesia where his songs are played all day long in the malls.

Now, for the first time, a fitting tribute to the greatness of Jose Mari Chan by a group of American Jazz & Pop artists who recorded his songs in New York City, are compiled in a 12-track Album produced by no less than Janis Siegel (the 9-time Grammy winning solo artist and founding member of The Manhatan Transfer). The music was arranged by widely-recognized musician, Yaron Gershovsky.

The songs in the album include “Constant Change” and “Stay, My Love” performed by Nic Bearde; “Like Night & Day” performed by Roger Treece and Lauren Kinhan; “Thank You, Love” performed by Julie Hardy; “I Have Found My World In You” and “Easier Said Than Done” performed by Kellylee Evans; “A Heart’s Journey” performed by Leo Sidran; “Love Lost” performed by Lisa Fischer; “Walking In The Moonlight” performed by Theo Bleckmann with a cappella intro by Janis Siegel and Laurel Massé; “So I’ll Go” performed by Laurel Massé, Janis Siegel, and Lauren Kinhan; and “Spellbound” performed by Miles Griffith.

This album released May 1, 2011 is such a huge landmark in Philippine music industry. I just purchased it through iTunes on my iPhone; it’s that easy. It can also be purchased at Starbucks and online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/josemarichan1

Incidentally, people in the Philippines can catch up and listen to the great musician Jose Mari Chan at the SMX Convention Center Function Hall 5 at his latest show called “It's Complicated: A Valentine Concert in July” to be held on 07.23.2011. He will perform with Armed and Ready - The sensational five, The CompanY. Get your tickets now at SM Tickets (632) 470-22-22 or call (632) 753-1609 for limited VIP seats!

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

Seasons MarketPlace Anniversary

The Seasons MarketPlace at Landess Avenue in Milpitas, CA is celebrating its First Year Anniversaryon Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 1:00pm. A Santa Cruzan and Flores De Mayo Parade will take place with Special Guests Mayor and Mrs. Jose Esteves and Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr.

Food merchants will have booths on the West Parking Lot and will offer food tasting. The program, which will start at 1:00pm will include:

  • A historical primer on “What is Santa Cruzan & Flores de Mayo?”

  • Opening Prayer by Father Andy Ligot

  • Introduction of Hermano and Hermana

  • Start of Procession

  • Welcome Message by Milpitas Mayor Joe Estevez

  • Opening Remarks by Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr.

  • Flower Dance by Kawayan Folk Arts

  • Fashion Parade of the Sagalas

  • Coronation of Reina Elena & Blessed Mary

For more information, please contact Gabrielle Ramos, Merchant Relations and Marketing Support of Seasons MarketPlace at Landess, 1535 Landess Avenue, Milpitas, CA 95035, Tel: (408) 586-9800 Fax: (408) 586-9899

Personals

Introducing..Louise Abuel in “100 Days To Heaven”

ABS-CBN starts them young as they introduce in their latest teleserye hitting the TV screens these days, “100 Days To Heaven” featuring opposite Xyriel Manabat, their 7-year old newest find, Louise Abuel. At a tender age, Louise is a veteran of high-profile TV commercials in the Philippines, appearing in Meralco, Lucky Me Noodles, Globe Telecom, and Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog with John Lloyd Cruz, among others. He has roots in the City of Daly City. Already, people are noticing his knack for natural acting and when his Daly City grandma asked where he gets all the emotion, especially in the dramatic scenes, he says “ini-imagine ko lang po ung iniwan niyo po ako nung pumunta kayo sa US”. Loosely translated, he imagines his grandma leaving him behind when she flew to the US, whenever he is asked to cry in a scene.

Philippine Independence Day at The San Francisco City Hall

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, the Bay Area Filipino American Community and the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee all collaborate to commemorate the 113th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal and the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee at a GALA EVENING on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at The Rotunda of the San Francisco City Hall located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Civic Center, San Francisco. Cocktail Reception at The North Light Court follows at 7:00 p.m, then the $100 per plate Dinner and a Program. Due to the venue’s capacity, limited number of guests were sent personal invites and are encouraged to wear formal gowns & tuxedos. This Columnist is honored to be invited and will attend this celebration.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Honestly, I have no files for it. I called the U.S. and asked to look for more files. It's not here. It's like a deed of sale," by Southern Philippines businessman Lynard Allan Bigcas who has admitted that he has no deed of sale for the motorcycle of Hollywood Scriptwriter Skip Woods’ $80,000 motorcycle, a Martin Brothers Harley Davidson original, which was stolen in Houston, TX last year, as reported by ABS-CBN News Cagayan De Oro. Furthermore, the report stated that Bigcas failed to attend last Monday’s House of Representatives hearing in Manila, saying his lawyer got ill. Reportedly, a total of 11 luxury vehicles taken from the house of Bigcas were stolen in the United States, which include a Chevrolet Tahoe, Dodge Charger, Ranger RZR-UTV, Honda bike, Big Dog bike, Yamaha bike, Kawasaki Ninja and Chopper bike.

This article also appears online at www.FilipinoVillage.com and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 124 countries now (& still counting!) according to the latest Google Analytics report.

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