2012 03/14-03/20

MANILA MAIL COMMUNITY

At the rate she's going, you will always love, Jessica Sanchez, 16, who is leading, waaaaay ahead of the American Idol pack, according to the show's avid watchers.

Tony Cabrera (from ABC’s OnTheRedCarpet), also attended the FilAm TV launch held last Feb 17 in Hollywood, CA.

Legaci, reeling off from the very successful Justin Bieber World Tour, graced & performed at the FilAm TV launch held last Feb 17 in Hollywood, CA.

Current frontrunner to the Bb Pilipinas 2012 crown, Katrina Jayne "Trina" Dimaranan (2nd left) from Union City, CA shines when the 30 Finalists were presented to the press last Monday. She's one of Manila Mail's Magandang Filipina & International Beauty Impresario Ferdie Syquia Villar's Miss RP-USA 2010.

Henni Espinosa (of 'Balitang America'), Angelo "Gelo" Barga (of 'Barangay USA'), Michi Valeriano (of 'Adobo Nation'), Carlos "Mouse" Munoz, et al, jointly entertain a sizable crowd celebrating TFC's 1st year partnership anniversary with Seasons MarketPlace at Landess in Milpitas, CA last Saturday.

Leo Reyes, right, of San Jose, CA, a CA Licensed Physical Therapist , model & actor, shot his very first TV commercial, his first in the US, a paid gig, last Saturday. The major brand's mainstream TVC will be aired nationally next month, if plans don't miscarry.

San Jose's Kier Jamison Amparo, 4, with Dad Jimmy (off camera), attended TFC's 1st year partnership anniversary with Seasons MarketPlace at Landess in Milpitas, CA last Saturday.

Seen enjoying crispy chicken and their friends' company at Max's Milpitas last Saturday at the Seasons at Landess Milpitas are (L-R, sitting) Gigi Bautitas-Hulog, Nelda Fernandez, Sarrie Peralta Chen & San Jose's Glamorous Philanthropist Susan Pacifico (standing).

Shanghai-bound Arlene Gavieres-Ramos (3rd right), on board Azamara Quest, a 5-Star Luxury Liner doing Asia cruises, left Singapore Feb 29-March 14. The ship's main solo vocalist is none other than Miss Anna Fegi (4th right). Anna is the only Filipina singer on board. She used to work at Royal Caribbean before moving to Azamara Quest. Anna will go back to Manila on May 24 to prepare for her Radisson-Cebu wedding with Andrew Brown, an American, set in August.

Marielle Day Cortez was the happiest debutante last Saturday, March 10th, when her parents Maricar & Glen Cortez gifted her with a grand ballroom party at The Hilton Hotel's Sierra BallroOm in Santa Clara, CA AND a fully-customized BMW Z4! Who wouldn't?

FILAM TV NOW

“ON THE AIR” IN LA

(Launch Party attended by Cris Judd, Dante Basco, Legaci, Tony Cabrera, et al)

SEEN IN THE CITY

FILAM TV’s Launch party and Red Carpet event took place at The Highlands in Hollywood on February 17th. The event featured live performances by Legaci (just off the Justin Beiber World Tour), Poreotics (Season 5 winner of America’s Next Dance Crew), Dante Basco, Gaby Borromeo, WeTheFutur3, So You Think You Can Dance Choreographer Gigi Torres and Breed.

Among the Filipino American celebrities that graced the red carpet were Cris Judd, who hosted the event, along with Manny Streetz of KIIS FM’s morning show and Antonette Taus. Also in attendance were Tony Cabrera of ABC’s OnTheRedCarpet, Disney’s Roshon Fegan, Clifford Banagale (star of Auraeus Solito’s Busong, Official Selection to the 2011 Cannes Film Festival Directors’ Fortnight), Miss America 2001 Angela Perez Baraquio, Introvoys, Billy Blanks, and many more plus, FILAM TV’s own stars Bernardo Bernardo, Sheila Ferrari, Paco Arespacochaga, Vic Perez, Alan Del Rosario and Janet Nepales.

FILAM TV’s First Season was finally launched on the air Feb 27^th, a change from the original target date of Feb 19th to allow viewer time to get their TV set up and ready for viewing.

FILAM TV is not available on Cable or Satellite and provides only a limited number of select shows from Philippine Networks that can be viewed over the air in the greater Los Angeles area only (to expand in Northern CA soon) . It is not a substitute for Filipino subscription channels that offer several channels and a full lineup of programming nationally. It does, however, provide a viewing option for those who do not have cable or satellite.

The channel is especially focused on producing local shows by Filipino Americans for Filipino Americans.

Regarding the channel, Vice President Bill Ines stated “We wanted to provide this service to the Filipino American community, which has long been in need of its own local television channel. We believe we are providing this service to our community.”

Mr. Ines added, “It is our intent to give additional exposure to the general public about our culture, talent and its many special ethnic products and service offerings, including more exceptional Filipino programming which is available from cable or satellite providers. More importantly, we strongly believe that it’s high time to put the spotlight on the amazing Filipino American talent in the Los Angeles area and the United States who need a platform from which to communicate and connect with the community. FILAM TV hopes to do just that.”

From more info on show schedules, new shows and events, visit www.filamtv.com

TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY

TV5 To Bring Willie Revillame in LA/SF soon!

Five fortunate Overseas Filipinos from the Middle East were given the chance to reunite with their families, all thanks to the combined efforts and the genuine act of generosity of their fellow Filipinos.

The TV5 International team headed by Pilipinas Global Network Limited President, Claro Carmelo Ramirez and OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon warmly welcomed Catherine Alvarez, Maria Angela de Jesus, Ellen Namoca, Laga Salam, and Cherry Ann Tamparong as they arrived in Manila last February 4. The five were the lucky beneficiaries of “Give Me 5, Kapatid”, TV5 International’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) campaign that was introduced in Dubai and Abu Dhabi last year, with the help of its service provider and affiliate Orbit Showtime Network (OSN).

Despite the long flight back home, the five OFWs were in high spirits. The group was immediately treated to a special luncheon where they received generous donations from PLDT Smart Foundation and Alagang Kapatid Foundation. Later in the afternoon, the group was given a chance to relax while enjoying a live viewing of TV5’s popular game show Wil Time Bigtime.

TV5’s entry into the international scene has been well received by Filipinos overseas with the expansion of TV5 International’s two channels – Kapatid TV5 and Aksyon TV International, currently available in the Middle East, Guam and Europe, and soon in the US.

With the success of “Give Me 5, Kapatid”, expect TV5 International to launch more outreach and “giving back” campaigns that respond to the various needs of Filipinos in countries where TV5 is available.

Incidentally, I just saw a latest FaceBook posting confirming Willie Revillame’s arrival in May/June at LA and SF for the big launch of TV5 in America. Like the rest of you guys, I can’t hardly wait. Game on!

Briefs & Shorts

Jessica Pulls Away

Guys, we made our mark. Jessica Sanchez is making hers. With her highly-praised Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” follow up performance on American Idol’s 2^nd Finalists’ week, Fil-Mexican American Jessica Sanchez, 16, pulled waaaay ahead of the competition, now consistently ranked first, alone in the top and most likely to win, by AI watchers, fans and critics. She sounded so good, performed so well, that she made all the other finalists look like amateurs – wait, they ARE all amateurs, including her! One website even did a statistical analysis of YouTube views of all the AI performances by the finalists and Jessica placed first with the second placer not even getting close to her. Here’s IdolHead.com’s report (with comments) of Top 4:

1. Jessica Sanchez: “I Will Always Love You” (4.6 million views)

Jessica has over 4.6 million views of her Wednesday performance. Unprecedented. To put this in perspective, remember how long we waited and got excited when Haley’s first video went over 1,000,000? And even though she led the entire season she never got one video much over 2,000,000. Jessica’s first video “The Prayer” has over 1,800,000 views. And when you see the rest of the list, this accomplishment will be even more mightily impressive.

2. HeeJun Han: “All In Love Is fair” (167,332 views)

3. Shannon Magrane: “I Have Nothing” (144,667 views)

4. Phillip Phillips: “Superstition” (144,643 views)

Good job to all of us supporting her. I’d say continue what you’re doing, guys – watch her performances everywhere and vote!

BLD Crab Festival This Saturday

Now on its 7^th year, the Bukas Loob sa Diyos (BLD) Catholic Charistmas Community East Bay California, USA Annual CRAB Festival will be held this Saturday, March 17, 2012 at the St. Veronica Church Falcon Hall located at 434 Alida Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080 from 6:30PM - 9:00PM. Ticket Price is $40.00 Contacts: Romy Arellano (650) 867-3935 or Roree Arellano (650) 515-7234.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Listen, if I was President, I would throw them (Manny Pacquiao & Floyd Mayweather, Jr.) in jail if they didn’t fight. I’d have them arrested. You can’t do that but that’s what I would try to do. I’d be like, ‘These guys need to get locked up and find a new profession until they get their heads clear’,” – by Mike Tyson in a sports radio interview by WXYT in Detroit as written by Tom Weir of USA Today.

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