2012 11/30-12/06

Jackie Y. Regala flanked here by ABS-CBN's hottest stars in Los Angeles' Star Magic 20 US Concert Tour, passed away last Tuesday, November 27, 2012.

Filipino Kevin Balot wins Miss International Queen 2012 (a transgender beauty pageant) in Pattaya, Thailand last Friday, November 2, 2012 . Photo by Reuters

Miss Philippines Stephany Stefanowitz, 22, wins Miss Earth-Air (1st Runner Up; 2nd right) Saturday, November 24, 2012 at the 12th Miss Earth coronation night held at Versailles Palace in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Czech Republic’s Tereza Fajksová, 23 (2nd left), was crowned Miss Earth 2012, beating 79 other global beauties.

Andrew Wolff, right, of The Philippines, wins 1st Runner Up Mr World 2012 last Saturday in Kent, England. Mr. Columbia won the title.

Filipino ramp model June Macasaet bested 52 other candidates from around the world to win the title Mr. Manhunt International 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand last November 9th.

One of the standout models that made heads turn at the recent Patis Tesoro Fashion Show at the Hyatt Embarcadero is 2013 Miss Teen San Jose, Alexandra Drechsler.

Milpitas Mayor Joe Estevez was one of the local community leaders that welcomed the public when the 2nd Global Winter Wonderland formally opened last Friday, November 23, 2012 at CA Great America Theme Park. The yuletide attraction featuring giant Chinese lanterns and spectacular laser light shows can be seen nightly from 4:00pm - 10:00pm up to Tuesday, January 1, 2013.

Gauging from the full house audience at The Hyatt Embarcadero last Sunday, the Philippine Internationall Aid's 'Holiday Fashion Couture XI' featuring the latest creations of Designer Patis Tesoro (shown here with lead models Marivic Agoncillo, DDS and Jesse Bacorro during the finale) was considered a rousing success. Congratulations!

"Walang Hanggan" lead actor Richard Gomez (3rd right) was given the key to the City of Milpitas by Mayor Joe Estevez, center, during his visit on Thanksgiving Day. The actor also helped the Mayor in the traditional distribution of food to the needy. In photo with them are friends Joey Panlilio (2nd right), Matt Torres (actress Lucy Torres' brother), Jun Da Jose, Malou Hipolito (2nd left) and Lolit Hajian (rightmost).

American Cancer Society's 'Couture For Finding A Cure' Fashion Show was held at the Valley Fair Mall in San Jose, CA last Saturday night with jolly attendees and supporters (L-R) Filipino German Kickboxer Personal Trainer Jeff Berger, Mila Quibilan, Singer Debbie Allison, Agnes Aguirre Burruel, Debra Furuichi, Sheryl Fry and Dr. Ron Quibilan, DDS.

The Global Artists' Creative Collaboration For Empowerment (GACCE) formally opened PHILIPPINE NOSTALGIA, an exhibit of paintings and photographs by renowned artists (Bernadette Escalona Cooper, center, Efren Chavez, Dean Castillejos, Randy Ordonez, Roberto Carlos and Oscar Redrico), at the Social Hall of the Philippine Consulate through the cooperation of the Philippine Consulate General of San Francisco last Friday, November 16, 2012 which included guests Dr. Luis Calingo, President of Woodbury University, Burbank, CA, Prof. Rebecca Delgado Rottman, Vice President of Academy of Arts University San Francisco, Senator Leland Yee and Deputy Consul General Jaime Ascalon, among others.

Kenkoy's Grille has been renamed ADOBO RESTAURANT under the same 'Mother and Son' management team of Antoinette Torres, left, and Anton Torres (shown here with Ricky Ison, right, brother of Antoinette). They are still located at 24973 Santa Clara Street, Hayward, CA 94544. Try their $5.99 complete lunch specials (Adobo Burger, Burritos, Tacos, 'Silog' Combos, among others). Call (510) 782-8884 for operating hours and more information.

Angelica Mendiola (2nd right; daughter of Travel Agent Girlie Mendiola) and Noriel P. Adricula (center) celebrated their birthdays, jointly with family and friends in San Jose, CA last Friday night (Angelica) and Saturday early morning (Noriel). Belated Happy Birthday, both!

Belated Happy Birthday to Mrs. Agoo 2009 Jocelyn Tabora (center) who recently held a fun combined Birthday-Halloween Party at her San Jose residence, shown here with BFFs Aubrey Manaytay Tulin and Arveb Tulin Matutina.

Thanksgiving night at the Quibilan Family residence at Silver Creek Country Club: Dr. Ron Quibilan, his wife Mila and children

Ronjay, Khris & Khristine with pugs Elvis and Minni.

A NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER

SEEN IN THE CITY

(Kent, England) It was a good month for the country as the Philippine representative, Andrew Wolff, 27, won 1^st Runner Up Mr. World 2012 (Francisco Parra of Colombia won the coveted title) last Saturday, November 24, 2012 in Kent, England. Wolff also was awarded Mister World Multi-Media, besting 47other global candidates. Wolff is a very visible model and an active member of the Philippine Volcanoes Rugby Team.

Wolff, who was most deserving of his Mister World Multi-Media award as his live pageant Twitter and Facebook posts were indeed very engaging and interesting, posted his true feelings November 24, 2012 on the results, to wit:

"Salamat sa lahat ng support nyo. Pasensya na sa 2nd. Akala ko manalo na ang Pilipinas, pero hindi. Mabuhay Pilipinas! Mas matalino tayo! :)."

On being criticized as being Half-British Filipino representative, he posted Tuesday, November 27, 2012 on his Facebook: “All I can say is, if I were representing England, then England would be receiving this award. I would be accepted by the English without complaint or criticism. I chose to represent the Philippines, not because “hindi ako napapansin dun”, it’s because I am Filipino and I am proudly pinoy. FYI, England only came in the top 10, Philippines came 2nd.

Meanwhile, just a few hours ago, Miss Philippines, Stephany Dianne Stefanowitz also won 1^stRunner Up Miss Earth 2012 at the international level pageant held at the Versailles Palace, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines (Tereza Fajksova of Czech Republic was crowned Miss Earth 2012 despite admitting ‘not getting’ the final question “What would you consider as your defining moment as a woman?” but answering it anyway, confidently and correctly at that). Not an easy feat for Miss Philippines, besting 78 other candidates for the Miss Air title (equivalent of 1^st Runner Up).

Furthermore, another Filipino ramp model, June Macasaet of Batangas, bested 52 other delegates on Friday, November 9, 2012 at Scala Theatre, Siam Square in Bangkok, Thailand to win the Manhunt International 2012 title (Philippines has never won this one before). Macasaet also won the pageant’s Newest Urban Male Ambassador special award.

On November 2, 2012 Kevin Balot, 20, a Nursing Graduate from the Philippines was crowned Miss International Queen 2012 (also a first for the Philippines in the decade old pageant) in Pattaya, Thailand.

Congratulations, Andrew, Stephany, June and Kevin for all your triumphs.

It was indeed, a November to remember for the Philippines!

RAYMOND TOWNSEND IS NBA’S 1^ST FILIPINO AMERICAN PLAYER

(San Francisco, Calif.) Before the hoopla on NBA’s latest D-League draft (for the Santa Cruz Warriors) from the Philippines, Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Japeth Aguilar, 25 years old, 6’ 9” from Pampanga, there was Raymond Townsend who played for the Golden State Warriors who this Columnist had personally met at the Patis Tesoro Fashion Show event held last Sunday at the Hyatt Embarcadero Grand Ballroom. Born in San Jose, California. Born from an American father, his mother is Balayan, Batangas’ Virginia Marella, making him Half Filipino.

A graduate of UCLA, the 6'3", 175-lb point guard, went to San Jose’s Camden High School and Archbishop Mitty High. According to Wikipedia, “as a high school senior, he averaged close to 28 points a game for the Camden High Cougars. This was prior to the 3 point line being regulated years later. He was a member of the 1975 UCLA Basketball National Championship team, legendary coach John Wooden's 10th and final NCAA championship team. He was selected with the last pick in the first round (22nd overall) of the 1978 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. He concluded his NBA career in 1982 as a member of the Indiana Pacers. He was the first Filipino-American to play in the NBA. He also played in Italy for Banco Roma during the 1984-85 season. Townsend, now a youth sports development coordinator in San Jose, CA was honored as UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumnus of the Year on May 2, 2009.”

He has been actively supporting Filipino Community events and as a matter of fact will lend his seasoned basketball skills to support Japeth Aguilar in his quest to be the first Philippine-born Filipino in the NBA.

JACKIE Y. REGALA, RIP

Jackie Y. Regala, CEO & President of Katz Entertainment that recently produced Star Magic 20 US Concert Tour held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA last Saturday, November 3, 2012, succumbed to heart attack on Tuesday morning, November 27, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA. She has been battling cancer. An AB Communication Arts 1983 graduate of St. Paul College, Quezon City, Philippines, she attended high school at the Assumption Convent. She started in the field of entertainment as the Associate Entertainment Editor of the Manila Bulletin in the Philippines.

She was survived by husband Gerry A. Katigbak and unico hijo, Mikko.

A Gemini (born on June 16), her favorite quotation is “God is Good all the time.”

May your soul rest in peace, Jackie.

TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY

BAY AREA’S HENRY SY IS PAL MILLION MILER

Welcome home, Mr. Henry Sy of San Francisco who was awarded by the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines as its MILLION MILER in a fitting media-teeming ceremony in Manila, by PAL Managers Eileen Galindez and Jocelyn Perez last Wednesday, November 7, 2012.

Mr. Sy heads the Union City, CA firm that pioneered more than 30 years ago, the importation of dried Philippine Mangoes in the United States. Through his efforts, we now see dried mangoes from the comforts of shopping at Costco, Walmart, Seafood City and other large distribution stores all over the United States. He frequently travels to/from San Francisco and Manila on both business and pleasure purposes and had always preferred flying PAL for its direct flight conveniences.

This Columnist personally spoke to Mr. Sy and was informed that a local awarding ceremony will be held in San Francisco in his honor, the next few days.

“Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat” LIVE Dec 1^st in Reno

Fresh from their very successful appearance in TFC;s “One Kapamilya Go” last September 16, 2012 at Santa Clara’s CA Great America Theme Park’s Redwood Theater, the cast of the phenomenal “Walang Hanggan” (Coco Martin, Julia Montes, Paulo Avelino and Melissas Ricks) will perform in “Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat” LIVE at the Grand Theater of the Grand Sierra Casino Resort in Reno, NV on Saturday, December 1, 2012 @ 8:00P.M. Show tickets and pre-arranged Bus transportation (from Walmart in Union Ciity) are available by calling Nanette Labrador @ (510) 828-4792.

Victors’ Reunion in 2013

Vegas-based Cynthia Ocampo is calling all members of Holy Angel College High School Class 1968 (the "Victors") to come and join them in celebrating their 45th High School Reunion and be a part of Batch '68's history. Together, prove that after 45 years you guys remained united and never will forget to look back and pay tribute to your alma mater.

Reunion date: January 26, 2013

Venue: Holy Angel University Main Bldg. Quadrangle, Angeles City, Philippines

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

For B'68 members overseas, please contact any of the following to confirm attendance:

Cynthia Ocampo - cynergy1028@yahoo.com; home no:702-361-2846; cell no:702-353-3233; Yolanda Garcia - ybuan.yolanda@gmail.com; Renato Franco - rdpfranco@gmail.com; Albilio Lansangan, Jr. (Jun) - jun.lansangan@gmail.com

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Thank you MANILA! To all the Filipino LOVERS who came out tonight...Mahal Kita #untilnexttime #DanceAgainWorldTour2012,” tweeted Pop Superstar Jennifer Lopez who performed ”Dance Again World Tour” for two hours of energetic dancing last Monday, November 26, 2012 to an SRO crowd at 20,000-capacity Mall of Asia Arena. Lopez sang a total of 17 songs, changed outfit 10 times, took self-photos using the fans’ cameras, shook hands, raised the Philippine flag, draped it around her shoulders and told everyone, "Mahal Kita!" thereby endearing herself to the Filipino audiences.

This article also appears online at www.BradfordAdkins.com,www.ScenesInTheCity.com, www.PinoyEntertainment.us,

www.FilAmnation.com, and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/

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