2012 01/04-01/10

MANILA MAIL COMMUNITY

Bon Voyage to Sacramento's Joyce Smaby (center; with husband David, right, and this Columnist) who is leaving next Thursday for a much-needed vacation to her beloved hometown Siniloan, Laguna in the Philippines.

(L-R) Arvin Jugarap, Owner of The Kennel Boxing Gym in San Leandro, CA with Tony Gabucan, Champion Boxer Glenn Donaire & Ryan Largo taken during The Kennel Gym's recent anniversary gathering.

San Jose's Licensed Physical Therapist Leo Reyes, Elk Grove's Justin Smaby & Menlo Park's Grand Prix Tennis Doubles Champions, The Perkins Twins (Christian & Jesse Perkins) will model and dance this weekend at the Bridal Expo 2012 happening at the Santa Clara Convention Center.

San Jose's Alexandra Chua Drechsler, a Half-German Filipina, 15, will model several wedding gowns at the annual Bridal Expo 2012 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA this Saturday and Sunday, January 7 & 8, 2012.

KENNEL BOXING GYM ANNIVERSARY. San Leandro's Filipino-owned "The Kennel Boxing Gym" located at 3051 Teagarden St, San Leandro, CA 94577 celebrated their move and anniversary last week at their new location. Photo shows (Front L-R) Brian Jugarap (Owner), Ben Delgado (Manny Pacquiao's first & original trainer from the Philippines), Nonito Donaire, Sr (Father of 3-Division World Boxing Champion Nonito Donaire, Jr), Glenn Donaire (older brother of Nonito Donaire, Jr) &(standing back L-R) Glen Mariano & Ryan Largo .

MILPITAS BOXING GYM GRAND OPENING. Tony "Roga" Gabucan, 2nd right, invites the public at the Grand Opening of the Filipino-owned Milpitas Boxing & Fitness Gym in Milpitas, CA this Sunday at 1:00PM. The facility is located at 1535 Landess Avenue # 106 in Milpitas, CA (yes, it's inside the very socially busy Seasons MarketPlace). Come with the whole family (and bring friends, too!). Free entrance; free food and drinks will be served from 1:00pm-5:00pm .

"SIMBANG GABI" A BRENTWOOD. Immaculate heart of Mary Fil-Am Community was founded year 2004 and it has tremendously grown. The annual yuletide traditional "Simbang Gabi" organized by the Fil-Am Community with the guidance of Father Carl and unending support Of Father Jerry is already in their 6th year. Big thanks to Mayor Bob Taylor on his Confidence with the Organizers. This year, Monsignor Reggie Pamposa traveled all the way from Capiz, Philippines, his time to celebrate the daily homily for the "Simbang Gabi". (L-R) Mayor Bob Taylor of Brentwood, Monsignor Reggie Pamposa, Fr. Carl Arcosa, Villa Serrano- Vice President of Immaculate heart of Mary Fil-Am Community & Fr. Jerry Brown.

The Benipayo family headed by the Patriarch Romy Benipayo, and the Matriarch, Charito , a veteran journalist/broadcast and print celebrated Christmas 2011 in their special attire created and designed by the oldest grandson, Robby Benipayo Lee with print" FAMILY FIRST".

YOU WILL GET NOWHERE

(More important than looking forward is looking back)

SEEN IN THE CITY

Happy New Year! Year in and year out, time and again, we are reminded that people don’t change. Especially talents and celebrities who are frequently in the public’s microscopic eyes. You will get nowhere if you don’t look back. As our older folks say “Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makararating sa paroroonan.”

A case in point is Vice Ganda who reportedly (first written by Philippine Star’s Ricky Lo and shown on TV’s The Buzz last Sunday) snubbed Ai-Ai De Las Alas at the Manila Peninsula Hotel lobby during a chance holiday encounter. A very reliable source divulged to this Column that during her early days when she approached Ogie Diaz to handle and manage her career, friends swore that they heard Vice Ganda say that she will NEVER leave Ogie Diaz. And what did she do now that she’s on top of the world? Reports have it that she signed a managerial contract with ABS-CBN, ditching her long-term manager Ogie Diaz (further reports have it that they only have oral contract – no written one). They all, in unison opine, that without Ogie’s vast industry connections – she would not have been in that place where she is right now.

I have a talent manager friend also that has the same sentiments as Ogie’s. He produced several high-profile personalities (models, beauty queens, actors, actresses, etc.) who he never charged anything for his professional services, introducing them around during their obscurity days, spending his own money for travel, accommodation, representation and entertainment. He went dining and wining his contacts of almost 3 decades. And what did the talents give him in return? They can’t even see him when he visits them. Apparently, they got “busy”. They have signed on to different agencies and moved on. And so is my friend who can only shrug his shoulders and wisdomly say “Karma is like FedEx – it works fast. They will get nowhere.”

And to aspiring talents, sports personalities, singers, actors and actresses, my advice to you - do not treat your managers unfairly. “Unfairly” includes making deals and contracting directly with other people without the knowledge of the manager. Do not dodge your old friends for newer and more influential ones. You can collect and collect friends naman, di ba?

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

This Sunday, January 8, 2012, the public is invited to the Grand Opening of the Milpitas Boxing and Fitness Gym at the Seasons MarketPlace (exact address: 1535 Landess Avenue # 106, Milpitas, CA). There will be free food and drinks served between 1:00pm to 5:00pm. An exhibition show from their San Jose PAL Boxing Team will follow after the eating and drinking. Very special guests include Mayor Joe Estevez, Boxing Legendary Trainer Ben Delgado and Glen Donaire (older brother of 3-time World Division Champion Nonito Donaire, JR). Bring the whole family & feel free to invite friends as well!

Briefs & Shorts

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) – only the biggest of its kind is happening in Las Vegas on January 10-13, 2012 (that’s next Tuesday-Friday)! The CES venue will be the Las Vegas Convention Center and World Trade Center (LVCC)/Las Vegas Hilton and The Venetian. Further note that the Las Vegas Hilton is changing its name to LVH (Las Vegas Hotel & Casino) effective January 3, 2012.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” by

Oprah Winfrey

This article also appears online at www.FilAmnation.com and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 154 countries now (& still counting!) 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

Follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/bradford_adkins)