2012 02/15-02/21

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.

Katrina Jayne "Trina" Rivera Dimaranan of Union City, CA (Bay-Area's Miss RP-USA 2010 and a Manila Mail 'Magandang Filipina") was officially declared as one of the 30 candidates vying for the Binibining Pilipinas 2012 crowns (Universe, International & Tourism). She will be candidate # 13.

Whitney Houston Dead in 2012: A Look Back At the Singer That The voice of a generation passes away at age 48.

The Official Top 30 Candidates to the 2012 Bb Pilipinas Beauty Pageant - finals will be held on Sunday, April 15th, 2012. Photos by Bruce Casanova of OPMB Worldwide

(L-R) Dr Francisco Sy, Ester Aure, Tina Rose Novero, Elizabeth Carey and Justin Placencia. — at West Bay Pilipino Multi Service Center 175 7th Street San Francisco last 2/10/2012 where they held "Healthy Neighborhood Healthy Lifestyle," the Participatory Research that engaged staff, youth and families in a critical dialogue about health and reasons for the high chronic disease burden in the Filipino community. Dr Francisco Sy, of the NIH will be featured on ABS CBN this week (Cable and Channel 26) on Thursday, 2/16.

Welcome to the Christian World, Adam Ng! Last Saturday, February 11, 2012, the christening of Tony and Ruth Ng's first born was held held at St Augustine Church in Daly city. Officiated by Father Rene Remoso, the reception followed at Crab Islands Seafood Restaurant along Southgate, attended by families and friends. In these photos are: Adam's proud parents Tony and Ruth Ng, proud grandparents Rey and Rachel Satorre, Aunties,Rowena and Anna Satorre, Fr. Rene Ramoso, Godparent, Remy Acedillo and Beauty Impresario Ferdie Villar.

Dinner with the February Birthday Celebrants (L-R) Mr Gil Viray, Joey Panlilio, Rene Conjuanco and the lady in red Ms.Joyce hosted by Club Royale President Mr and Mrs Gil Navarro Viray held at their residence in san Francisco.

Holy Mass officiated by Father Marvin Paul Felipe of St Anne Church San Francisco last Saturday, February 11, 2012 for the Death Anniversary of the Mother of Ms. Jet Navarro Viray.

Davien Bridges, 2nd left, celebrated his 5th birthday at their San Jose residence last Sunday, shown here with parents, Troy & Annieliz Bridges & sibling.

Congratulations to San Jose's Susan Pacifico (right) who was recently named the "Best Volunteer" (her 4th year in a row) given by the Santa Clara County Food Bank, shown here with LA-based Camille Agbayani (cousin of famous actress Tetchie Agbayani), of L'Aura Wellness.

KATRINA DIMARANAN MAKES IT TO BB PILIPINAS

(Top 30 Official Candidates announced last Saturday include the Bay Area-Based Beauty)

SEEN IN THE CITY

From among hundreds of aspirants, Union City-based Katrina Jayne “Trina” Rivera Dimaranan made it to the official 30 candidates of the most prestigious beauty pageant in the Philippines – the Binibining Pilipinas (where Venus Raj, Miss Universe 2010 4^th runner-up and Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe 2011 3^rd runner-up originated from).

It will be recalled that Trina is Bay Area’s Miss RP-USA 2010 winner (of International Beauty Impressario, Ferdie Syquia Villar) and a “Magandang Filipina” (by Joey Panlililo of Manila Mail Newspaper).

We were on the same Philippine Airlines plane when we saw her at NAIA Terminal 2 back in November, 2011 when this Columnist learned that she is joining this year’s Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

And in January, 2012, she touched base with us via FaceBook and informed us she is training under the expert guidance of Mercator Model Management’s Jonas Antonio Gaffud (trainors to past winners to Raj & Supsup) and his beauty pageant group – Aces and Queens (they trained 12 of the 30 girls who made it this year).

The 30 official candidates and their respective competition numbers, henceforth, are:

#1 Karen Gallman

#2 Roxane De Castro

#3 Nicole Marable

#4 Jaine Hidalgo

#5 Rose Ann Aguilar

#6 Maria Alicia Elena Ariosa

#7 Patricia Lae Ejercitado

#8 Nicole Schmitz

#9 Mary Jean Lastimosa

#10 Jillean Camille Orbina

#11 Marie Virginia Cecile Peter

#12 Mika Maxine Medina

#13 Katrina Jayne Dimaranan

#14 Gina Joy Howell

#15 Elaine Kay Moll

#16 Liezl Alcantara

#17 Anna Czarina Buenviaje

#18 Janine Tugonon

#19 Roxane Joy Jesalva

#20 Roxanne Tadique

#21 Giselle Angelica Munoz

#22 Meiji Cruz

#23 Goldy Baroa

#24 Fer Mary Baliquig

#25 Chloe Zanardi

#26 Angelee Delos Reyes

#27 Golda Soller

#28 Marie Irisha Arcenas

#29 Annalie Forbes

#30 Sherlyn Gonzales

The grand finals and coronation night will be held on Sunday, April 15, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Good luck, Trina! Bring home the Binibining Pilipinas – Universe crown!

TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY

VINA & VHONG AT CACHE CREEK

Vina Morales & Vhong Navarro will entertain casino audiences on Friday, March 09, 2012 starting at 9:00pm at Cache Creek Casino Resort - Club 88, Brooks, CA.

Vina Morales (born Sharon Garcia Magdayao on Oct. 17, 1975 in Bogo, Cebu City, Philippines) is currently visible in the number one musical variety show ASAP ROCKS of ABS-CBN as host and performer.

Some of her famous songs and renditions are Pangako Sayo, Malayo pa ang Umaga, Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga, Come What May and Hello Love.

Vhong Navarro, a very popular dancer/comedian/host is a regular of the hit variety show “Showtime” (now being shown as a noontime fare on ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime”).

Briefs & Shorts

MODERN DAY SLAVES SPECIAL SCREENING IN MILPITAS

A private screening of a 50 minute docu-film about human trafficking, slavery and abused of foreign workers produced by GTC Films --Modern Day Slaves, the critically-acclaimed documentary from humanitarian filmmaker, Ted Unarce & GTC Films, will be held on Thursday, Feb 23, 2012, by invitation only, at the Milpitas Library - 160 North Main Street • Milpitas, California • 95035 • from 6:00-8:00 pm. GTC Films supports various anti-human trafficking efforts by promoting awareness through film. The film will be followed by Q and A . Please RSVP by calling (925) 389-1382.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Nancycastilogne you can now openly date @haydenjr . You have my blessings. Hope you'll both be happy.” By Vicki Belo on Twitter. “On my way to Los Angeles for my first Valentine alone. Maybe I‘ll learn to love myself." She further tweeted at the NAIA airport. No Hayden Kho, Jr. was booked for that flight.

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