2011 06/15-06/21

MANILA MAIL COMMUNITY

Unveiled for the very first time, in time for the 113th Philippine Independence Day is ABS-CBN's 'Lupang Hinirang' video which starred almost all of their artists. (L-R) Enchong Dee, Erich Gonzales, Kim Chiu & Gerald Anderson shot their scenes at the top of the hill along Fort Baker in San Francisco last April 17, 2011. (Photo by Richard Lao)

Jericho Rosales and Karylle on the TFC float during the Parade in New York (Photo by Ronn Tann).

The 113th Philippine Independence Day Celebration of Philippine Heritage held at the San Francisco City Hall last Sunday night did not disappoint as about 500 guests showed up which includes Senator and San Francisco leading Mayoral Candidate Leland Yee. In his speech, he urged Filipinos and Fil-Ams to "come and pull resources together".

TFC's Keesa Ocampo and Dennis Normandy, San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee Chairman shared emceeing chores last Sunday night's 113th Philippine Independence Day celebration at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda. About 500 paying guests attended the historical event. (Photo by Richard Lao)

JR Calanoc & Agnes Reyes also attended the 113th Philippine Independence Day event at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda last Sunday night.

Daly City Councilman Raymond Buenaventura, Esq & Daly City Personnel Commissioner Perla Abarriantos added pizzaz to the113th Philippine Independence Day event at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda last Sunday.

Joanna Rees, the only woman in the San Francisco Mayoral race this November, lends her support to the Filipino community by attending the 113th Philippine Independence Day event at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda last Sunday.

Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown (1996-2004 term), poses with this Columnist during the 113th Philippine Independence Day celebration last Sunday at the City Hall Rotunda.

San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee (4th left) & Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr. (3rd right) pose with some of the diligent men/women of the SFPD at the City Hall Rotunda during the 113th Philippine Independence Day celebration last Sunday

Mayoral Candidate Joanna Rees, Lorna Lardizabal Dietz, Public Relations Consultant for the USA, Social Media & Digital Marketing for GMA Network & San Jose's Ben Menor, serenpiditily sat together in one dinner table during the 113thPhilippine Independence Day celebration last Sunday at the City Hall Rotunda.

Very well-represented at the recent Philippine Independence Day shindig at the SF City Hall are the officers & members of the Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center, (L-R ) Jane Kellner, Liza Rebortura, Olivia Parina, Director of Tourism Rene de los Santos & PBRC Treasurer Bradley Roxas.

Randy Takemoto, General Manager of Cache Creek Casino & wife Dina (4th & 3rd left) watched Gary V (2nd left) & Martin Nievera's (rightmost) 'AS1 Part 2' concert last Saturday night in its entirety; then took the time to congratulate the 2 Philippine Concert Kings and even posed for post-show souvenir photos with the producers, Ben (leftmost) & Edna Ramos (2nd right) of Edna's Ichiban Library.

Fashionista and businessman Rhuddee Vitug gets his souvenir shot with the Beauty Impresario Ferdie Villar when he attended the Beauty Impresario's grand birthday celebration recently.

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Corazon Esporlas (June 14th; Yes, she's one of those 'good' Geminis); with photo are her eldest son Roberto Esporlas and youngest Reggie Esporlas.

Happy birthday, Summer! Summer, a Gemini, is the daughter of Fremont-based Ms. Lilwyn Lucas, Senior Development Manager of New York Life Insurance Company Greater San Francisco Office.

TFC Summer Saya 2011 kicks off to a rousing, record breaking start

(Over 100,000 attend TFC-sponsored events in Vallejo, Las Vegas and New York)

Summer in the U.S. has yet to officially begin on June 21st, but for The Filipino Channel (TFC) and Filipino communities around the U.S., it has already kicked off to a rousing start last June 4 and 5. A combined total of over 100,000 people trooped to three cities - Vallejo, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Manhattan, New York – to participate in the 113th Filipino Independence Day community events under the TFC Summer Saya 2011 events banner.

2011 Vallejo Pista Sa Nayon

On June 4, the Vallejo Philippine Cultural Committee (PCC) celebrated its 25th anniversary with the 2011 Vallejo Pista Sa Nayon at the Vallejo Waterfront in Mare Island Way. They encountered a serious weather challenge: it was the first time that it rained hard during the holding of this event. But even given the heavy downpour, based on several estimates, around 5,000 still braved and defied the storm and took part in the parade, fair and cultural program.

Wowing the crowd on stage during the TFC Hour were RP’s legendary Jukebox Queen Imelda Papin with daughter Maffi and sister Gloria, hitmaker Sheryn Regis of ABS-CBN’s Star in a Million, the Adobo Nation cast of JC Gonzales, Michi Valeriano, Julius Santos and Tet Hernandez, and hosts Nadia Trinidad and Henni Espinosa of Balitang America.

PCC General Chairman 2011 Jeff Holder said: “We are grateful for the thousands who came in spite of the rain. We also experienced a ‘shower of joy’ through our collaboration with ABS CBN TFC. People came from everywhere to see the cast of Adobo Nation and to experience the music of Sheryn Regis and the Papin Family. The TFC finale was over 60 minutes of pure, non-stop, power entertainment that will not be soon forgotten. Your team was extraordinary!”

3rd Annual Las Vegas Fiesta Filipino

Also on June 4 was the 3rd Annual Las Vegas Fiesta Filipino celebration in Maryland Parkway. Blessed with an unusually mild temperature for this time of the year, some 18,000 attendees packed the event, making it one of the biggest Filipino freedom day celebrations in the U.S. Organized by the Nevada chapter of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA-NV), the event had a theme of “Community of One”.

Aside from Nevada government officials who greeted Filipinos like U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, newly elected Judge Heidi Almase, Filipino American Judges Cedric Kerns and Cheryl Moss, celebrities like international songbird Lani Misalucha, world boxing champion Nonito Donaire and dance champion group The Jabawockeez also graced the festival.

The TFC Hour on stage held a karaoke contest that drew enthusiastic local participation. Holding fort during showtime were comedy bar and karaoke veteran Vivorah with Anna Diaz of Adobo Nation’s Chika LA and Beverly Llorente of Balitang America Nevada.

Project Chair Noel Casimiro said: “Las Vegas’ 3rd Annual Fiesta Filipino was an overwhelming success due to the collaboration between TFC and NaFFAA Nevada. We sincerely thank also all our business and media sponsors, booth vendors and attendees who supported the event.”

113th Philippine Independence Day celebration

On June 5, wildly popular international TFC Kapamilya stars Jericho Rosales and Karylle, Michael Gurfinkel, Esq. of Citizen Pinoy, Monette Rivera of Adobo Nation’s NY Chika, Don Tagala of Balitang America with host Gelo of Barangay USA took part via the parade and TFC Hour in the 113th Philippine Independence Day celebration in Manhattan which drew a record-breaking 90,000 attendees, surpassing the 70,000 record it set last year. It was organized by the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI).

Almost mobbed wherever they went, Jericho and Karylle were overwhelmed by the presence and support of thousands of Filipinos at the event. “I almost cried because they knew the songs I sang, ‘Pusong Ligaw’ and ‘Bumuhos Man Ang Ulan’ (theme song from the hit TFC teleserye, Green Rose). This is an unforgettable experience for me,” said Jericho. “I was blown away by the reaction of the people,” said Karylle, who was teary eyed on the TFC float and when people sang the “You Got A Friend” chorus with her.

The parade was led by Grand Marshals Nick Libramonte and Dr. Edita Cruz Libramonte, with Guests of Honor in attendance: Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr; Philippine Consul General in New York Mario L. de Leon, Jr., the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan and Department of Tourism N.A. Director Emma Ruth Yulo.

Accompanying the award-winning Dinagyang Festival Tribu Pan-ay contingent of 30 dancers were Congressman Jerry P. Trenas of the lone district of Iloilo, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Escalante Mabilog, and Tourism Regional Director Edwin G. Trompeta. Joining them were the PIDCI “DIWA NG KALAYAAN”(Spirit of Independence) Winner Maria Victoria Sanagustin and her Court, the Past Presidents of the PIDCI, Past Grand Marshals and Past Overall Chairpersons, joined by Filipino community leaders , with contingents of marchers from Fil-Am associations from various cities and states, cultural groups, marching bands, floats, open cars, and others.

PIDCI President Joji Jalandoni said: "Thank you to TFC for sharing the talents of your stars! The Fil-am community here was so happy with their appearance and performances. From the bottom of my heart, I want to express my thanks in my native Ilonggo dialect: ‘Madamo Guid nga Salamat sa Inyo nga Tanan!" (Thank you very much to all of you)!”

Senior Director for TFC Cable & Satellite Jun Del Rosario said: “We at TFC are extremely gratified by the community partnerships that we have forged and are co-nurturing. The level of success of the three events that kicked off TFC Summer Saya 2011 is an indication that we’ve made and continue to make significant inroads in serving, uniting and entertaining Filipino communities throughout the U.S. We thank everyone and we look forward to an extremely exciting summer season. Watch out for more events under TFC Summer Saya!”

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

Vice Ganda is coming to Cache Creek

ABS-CBN’s Showtime’s resident host/comedian, Vice Ganda will perform with K Brosas at Entertainment Capital of Northern CA’s Cache Creek Casino Summer Stage Outdoor Ampitheatre on Saturday, 8:00PM, Sept 3^rd, 2011.

Affordable ticket prices are $59 / $39 / $29. To purchase tickets in advance, visit http://www.cachecreek.com/entertainment/.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"All the people that was rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. They have the same personal problems they had today. I’m going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things that I want to do with me and my family and be happy with that," by James LeBron after his team, Miami Heat lost the NBA championship crown this season to Dallas Mavericks during last Sunday’s Game 6. Once the darling of NBA, LeBron became most hated instantly by ditching his original teammates, the Clevelanders on national TV and then moved to Miami.

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