2012 06/20-06/26

MANILA MAIL COMMUNITY

Pacquiao-Bradley fight new friends: (L-R) Henry Sy, Korean-Ameridan singer/actress Arden Cho, American Idol Top 9, Heejun Han & Alexandra Drechsler.

Team Pacquiao's Doctor Dario Sunga, left, of Southern CA meets GMA-7 contract actress Rhian Ramos (she was also in NorCal last weekend for the Mabuhay Fiesta at Treasure Island) at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center a day before the Paquiao-Bradley MGM Grand Las Vegas fight.

(R-L) Team Pacquiao's Edward Lura, Ami Almerol (she unabashedly sobbed & were sleepless for days, together with the others, when Pacquiao got 'robbed' on his June 9th fight against Bradley) & this Columnist were caught in a dim mood during the traditional Pacquiao post-fight Catholic mass held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center last Sunday, June 20, 2012.

Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr, SF City Hall Director of Events Elsie McAteer, Philippine-American Press Club (PAPC) Auditor/Journalist, Josie Angeles & PAPC Board Member/Turstee for Worldwide Filipino Alliance (WFA), Mark Alegre & were seen having fun last Sunday night at the San Francisco City Hall for the Philippine Independence Day Gala.

Apple Aguino & Mike Borgonia of Dublin, CA tied the knot last Friday, June 1, 2012 at the San Francisco City Hall. Congratulations and Best Wishes, both!

One more happy couple from Kauia, Hawaii, Dennis Matsushima and Liza Manaytay got married at Charleston Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, NV 89102 on June 10, 2012. The reception was held at the Makino Seafood & Sushi Buffet in Las Vegas.

PACQUIAO, REAL WINNER!

(It’s just a matter of time before the true Vegas weekend winner gets proclaimed)

SEEN IN THE CITY

The online petition had been launched. – TV5, PLDT & PGN Chairman Manny V Pangilinan (MVP), TV5 President Claro ‘Ito’ Ramirez, COO Bobby Barreiro, Senator Manny Villar, Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr, Katrina Ponce-Enrile, Viva Big Boss, Vic Del Rosario, Joanne Quinto, Jake Joson, among others.

The MVP media ‘meet & greet’ held last Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Embassy Room of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in the financial district of San Francisco was another bigger story as revelations unfolded question after question. Aga Muhlach hinted at his CamSur candidacy as a Congressman as publicly supported by the throngs of Noranians, pledged by Journalist Epee Rafanan (a die-hard Noranian). Vic Del Rosario answered ‘anything is possible’ when asked by Krystal Toong if there is any truth to the rumor that Super Singer Sarah Geronimo is transferring to TV5, very soon. The Ultimate Hunk cried (again) when asked about his transfer to TV5 – boiling down to R-E-S-P-E-C-T as the main reason why. Despite his macho image, the hottest actor in the Philippines today is ‘very emotional’ when family matters are involved. And for that display of raw feelings, he gathered more respect and admiration from almost everybody in the conference room. Host Beauty Queen Ruffa Gutierrez delivers as she appears glamorous each time I see her and pronouncing that “all that MVP touches turns into gold and diamond.” Enough said as her own set of bling-blings glitter whenever she moves mouth to speak. The normally timid Nora Aunor asked for the mic to speak in length on how TV5 gave her another chance in life, despite everything that happened in her past before.

Not surprisingly, in today’s social media generation (most everyone tweeted the stories and posted on Facebook), the day after and following days, most online newspapers in the Philippines carried THE news. TV5 International’s VP Jeffrey Remigio’s phone won’t stop ringing/texting as other newsmen are asking for more details. Even MVP got a text message from Kris Aquino (he announced this during the presscon) verifying what was said about him asking people to not only support TV5 but also GMA 7.

Community leaders Atty Michael Guingona showed up together with Daly City Library Commissioner Dorie Paniza and Commissioner Bradley Roxas.

After Half-Filipina Jessica Sanchez lost the American Idol crown this year, despite global efforts of the Filipino community, the Pacquiao loss is another bitter pill to swallow. But, as Pacquiao himself says, ''Let us forget what happened, let us accept it wholeheartedly for God has a plan for us.''

I am hoping for a Miami Heat win in the NBA finals (Good luck, Coach Erik Spoelstra!).

TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY

Pacquiao to Knock Out Bradley June 9 in Vegas

According to Coach Freddie Roach, the now bible-totting Manny Pacquiao dropped the heavy partying and drinking and ‘everything that goes with it’ and is now very much focused on training. This Columnist is a witness first hand on how the Wild Card Gym schedule is teemed with the Champ’s practice schedules, complete with early morning jogging and conditioning around the Hollywood Hills are. All others – including business visits from high profile individuals have to wait. AT&T Executives who flew from Texas for an endorsement deal were driven away from the Wild Card Gym, reportedly. Even American Idol appearances, during the height of Jessica Sanchez brouhaha, have to be rescheduled several times before finally coming into fruition. All because Manny has to train first.

And for this, Coach is more confident than ever, that with this fight, someone has to be knocked out. And it’s just so happening that Timothy Bradley is fighting Manny Pacquiao.

Briefs & Shorts

Pista sa Nayon Independence Day Festival in Vallejo, CA featuring the combined powers of Gerald Anderson & Xian Lim with Sheryn Regis and Balitang America/Adobo Nation hosts, reportedly was also successful. Congratulations to the organizers.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Keep believing in Mario because he's due, he's due for a big game,' and he came through for us," Wade said last Tuesday, quoting Coach Erik Spoelstra after, the Miami Heat won Game 4. They are only a win away (3-1) from the series championship ring.

No team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals under the 2-3-2 format. The Thunder's only hope is to win Game 5 on Thursday and send the series back to Oklahoma City.

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