2013 04/26-05/02
Bradford Adkins, 'SCENES In The City' is a widely read Filipino-American community column in San Francisco since 2008. Online, it is being globally read by more than 1.7 M viewers in 160 countries. The column features include: the issues and events, the individuals and organizations moving the community.
Northern California's fast-growing Filipino American newspaper in circulation since 2007, the Philippines Today is well-known to provide fair news and fearless views. The leading mid-week Fil-Am local newspaper is being distributed free in the major cities of Northern California.
PHILIPPINE NEWS/PHILIPPINES TODAY COMMUNITY
The Premier Filipino-American Newspaper in the U.S. since 1961. It was founded in 1961 in the San Francisco home of expatriate Alex Esclamado. It has become one of the oldest and biggest Asian American newspapers with a weekly circulation of 120,000.
16-year old Fil German American Alexandra Chua-Drechsler of San Jose, CA will compete against 103 girls this Sunday for the 2013 Miss Teenage California crown, sash and honor. She is Candidate # 1.
X-Factor Philippines Winner KZ Tandingan, center, with fellow Visayans, Allan Hicks from Cebu, left & JM Dulalas from Bohol, right.
SAN JOSE BEAUTY COMPETES IN
MISS TEENAGE CA
TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY
(LOS ANGELES) – It is written in the stars. No, it’s more hard work and lots of perseverance. Alexandra Chua-Drechsler, 16-year old Filipina German-American from San Jose, CA will compete this coming Sunday, April 28, 2013 in the mainstream 2013 Miss Teenage California Beauty Pageant.
Alex, as she is more endearingly referred to by her parents and close friends, first approached her Filipina mom, Elizabeth of being a model about a year ago. Her mom said no right away, fearing that her high school education will suffer. Alex then approached her German dad, Ralph and they talked as a family about its pros and cons. It was agreed that as long as Alex, an only child, will not diminish her education efforts and her grades won’t suffer, she will be permitted to pursue her modeling passion. And the rest, as they say is history.
She modeled at the ground-breaking first ever Bay Area Fashion Week in San Jose, undergone trainings under Roger Francisco and then with Charleston Pierce. She also walked the runways of noted Fashion Designers Joseph Domingo, Patis Tesoro, Crisanta Malig, Lou Razon, Chona Pikes, Debbie Nghiem, among others. She flew and had traveled all the way to Manila and back to get catwalk and ramp training skills under the supervision of a team of experts.
She loves shopping, watching movies, going to concerts, among others. She then turned this hobby into a part-time work as she blog movie reviews, concerts, exhibits, products and services, in volume, for events like film festival, online magazines and newspapers. She gets paid for every article published.
She was chosen as 2013 Miss Teenage San Jose where as part of her duty, she will compete in the national level Miss Teenage California pageant. She wakes up at 5:00AM everyday before going to school, to do cardio and other exercises, under the guidance of a licensed trainer, to firm up her muscles and be competition ready, physically. She hired a winning pageant coach that guided her through all these.
She applied and trained for her DMV written and practical driving test. She passed with a perfect score and finally obtained her own Driving License.
She recently was selected to apply and got approved for a tuition scholarship at the prestigious Academy of Arts Institute in downtown San Francisco.
This coming Sunday, she will be Miss Teenage California Candidate # 1, representing San Jose, CA as she competes with 103 other girls from around the country.
Beauty, brains, patience and perseverance – that is the essence of Alexandra Drechsler.
Good luck, Alex and bring that crown and sash home!
This article also appears online at www.BradfordAdkins.com,www.ScenesInTheCity.com, www.PinoyEntertainment.us and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 160 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
Add me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jb.adkins
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Congratulations to Json Arguelles of Xclusive Marketing & Anna Puno for the very successful The SIDE A Band (soloist Joey Generoso, left) and X-Factor Philippines Winner KZ Tandingan (right) Concert held at Seafood City in Concord, CA last Saturday, April 20, 2013.
Arman Rodriguez & Girlie Sales Mendiola are only 2 of the All-Filipino Reservations Managing Staff of Red Cottage Inn & Suites at 1704 El Camino Real Menlo Park, CA 94025, a garden boutique hotel conveniently located close to Stanford University, Menlo College, VA Hospital, Standford Shopping Center, the San Francisco International Airport, among others.
Belated Happy Birthday, Edgar Valencia, CEO and Owner of Salon de Manila USA who celebrated last April 19 @ the Padzky Filipino/Vietnamese Restaurant in Milpitas, CA attended by close friends from the 10:30am Chorale Group @ Saint John the Baptist Church (among them were Frances Abriam , Alex Cardenas, Florence Vitug Pena & Fashionista Rhuddee Gaudinez Vitug). Father Pen Abuan delivered the blessing prayers.
Jesse Perkins, the other half of Menlo Park's The Perkins Twins, shown here appearing on his latest TV commercial for KitKat, will be taking a brief vacation with his family, in the US this weekend. Welcome back, Perkins Family! Photo screengrab from YouTube
THE PERKINS TWINS TO TAKE A VACATION IN THE US
TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY
(MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA) – This Column got a word that the famous Perkins Twins (Jesse and Christian) Grand Prix Tennis Doubles Champions and high school graduates from Menlo-Atherton High, now semi-permanently based in Makati City, Philippines, will be taking a brief vacation here in the US this week.
The Perkins Twins first appeared in public entertainment at age 17, during the Bay Area Fashion Week held in San Jose, CA where they got their modeling trainings under Roger Francisco. They further honed their craft training and modeling under Charleston Pierce. Before they left for the Philippines last year, they also appeared in several television programs broadcast here in the US.
The younger twin, Christian Perkins recently nabbed a well-sought high visibility Sprite endorsement that had his face plastered across giant billboards in major cities in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Jesse Perkins appeared in KitKat’s latest television commercial. Pretty cool, huh!
While in the Philippines, the Perkins Twins also nabbed a partnership with the Shangri-La Hotels and established the nation’s very first tennis academy which they called the Perkins Twins Tennis Academy (PTTA). PTTA aims to take Philippine tennis to a higher level, according to their Facebook page.
Furthermore, PTTA is offering a subsidized Elite Training for Junior tennis players, an invitation only/tryout elite tennis program that will take place twice a week for 2 hours per session. The Elite program will focus on core athleticism, power tennis, and mind strength. If selected, you will become part of the premier tennis training program in the Philippines. Contact the Perkins Twins Tennis Academy at info@theptta.com if you are interested.
Welcome back home, Jesse and Christian Perkins!
This article also appears online at www.BradfordAdkins.com,www.ScenesInTheCity.com, www.PinoyEntertainment.us and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 160 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
Add me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jb.adkins
Follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/bradford_adkins)
JULIA BARRETTO AND JULIAN ESTRADA TEACH KIDS THE VALUE OF OBEDIENCE IN “WANSAPANATAYM”
Newest Kapamilya teen stars Julia Barretto and Julian Estrada are set to grace the small screens together for the first time this Saturday (April 27) as they topbill the special episode of ABS-CBN’s award-winning fantasy-drama anthology “Wansapanataym.”
“It feels good to be back in acting once again. I’ve missed it so much since it has been a long time already since I did my last project,” said Julia. “Aside from the lesson of the story in ‘Wansapanataym,’ I’ve also learned how to portray my role better.
According to Julian, he and his family are very excited for his first portrayal on TV. “My family has been very supportive to me. They always remind me to give my heart in everything I do,” he said.
Like Julia and Julian, TV viewers will surely learn a lot in the episode ‘Si Bokbok Ang Batang Mapanubok’ in “Wansapanataym” this Saturday. Julia will play the role of Bokbok’s (Clarence Delgado) sister Lily, while Julian will take of the role of the witch’s adopted son Ian.
Because of his disobedience, Bokbok will be captured by the witch Divina (Mylene Dizon) and will be used in her plans to steal from others. How will Lily and Ian help Bokbok to escape from the hands of Divina? Will they be able to teach Bokbok the importance of obeying elders?
Also in the ‘Si Bokbok Ang Batang Mapanubok’ episode is Arlene Muhlach. It was written by Ferdie Aguas and directed by Emmanuel Palo.
Don’t miss the storybook of Pinoy kids, “Wansapanataym” special this Saturday, after “Kapamilya: Deal or No Deal” in ABS-CBN. For more updates, just log in at www.abs-cbn.com or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter.
ENRIQUE GIL MAKES A GRAND TV COME BACK VIA HIS FIRST "MMK"
After the success of the hit royal teleserye “Princess and I,” Enrique Gil makes a grand return on television this Saturday (April 27) as he stars in his first ever “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode.
Enrique will surely touch the hearts of “MMK” viewers as he showcases his remarkable talent in acting in the two-part special heavy drama episode of ABS-CBN’s longest running drama anthology.
The Kapamilya Primetime Prince will give life to the role of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who was born with the name Juanito Furagganan. Juanito grew up exposed to poverty because of the abandonment of his father. When he joined the guerillas during the World War II, Juanito’s life changed as he was imprisoned and was brutally tortured by their enemies. How will Juanito’s experiences help in molding and strengthening his personality?
Joining Enrique in this “MMK” episode are Malou de Guzman, Bugoy Cariño, Bernard Palanca, Paco Evangelista, Ya Chang, Helga Krapf, BJ Forbes, Josef Elizalde, Marx Topacio, Efren Reyes Jr., Alicia Alonzo, Bodjie Pascua, Rochelle Barrameda, Ian Galliguez, Simon Ibarra, Joe Gruta, Jong Cuenco, Almira Muhlach, and Jessica Connelly. It was researched by Akeem del Rosario, written by Mark Duane Angos and Arah Jell Badayos, and directed by Nuel Crisostomo Naval.
Don’t miss the longest running drama anthology in Asia, “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK), every Saturday night, after “Wansapanataym” on ABS-CBN. For more updates, log on to www.mmk.abs-cbn.com, follow @MMKOfficial on Twitter, and “like” www.facebook.com/MMKOfficial.
STAR RECORDS RELEASES VICE GANDA’S SELF-TITLED ALBUM THIS APRIL
Phenomenal Box-Office Star Vice Ganda is going to treat his avid fans with an ‘unkabogable’ surprise with the upcoming launch of his self-titled album under his new record label Star Records.
While his album is yet to be released, Vice’s carrier single ‘Karakaraka’ featuring Pinoy rapper Smugglaz quickly reached the no.1 spot of the most-downloaded songs in the online musical portal MyMusicStore.com.ph on the first day of its release.
Like his debut album in Star Records, Vice Ganda fans should also watch out for the fun-filled music video of ‘Karakaraka’ which will include the cameo appearances of Vice’s closest friends in showbiz like Kiefer Ravena, Eric Tai, Andrew Wolff, Chris Ervingham, and brothers Jeron and Jeric Teng. It is directed by Raffy Francisco.
Aside from ‘Karakaraka,’ completing Vice’s self-titled album are the tracks ‘Manhid Ka;’ ‘Hindi Siya Kundi Ako;’ ‘Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita;’ and ‘Akin Ka Na Lang’ which is his collaboration with 5th Wave Theory member Migo Senires.
The album also carries the Brian Cua Trap Style/ Dubstep/ Dutch Remix of Vice’s carrier single; another version of the tracks ‘Karakaraka’ and ‘Akin Ka Na Lang;’ and the minus ones of all the tracks.
Watch out for the release of the “Vice Ganda” album on all record bars nationwide on April 30 for only P199. Its carrier single ‘Karakaraka’ can also be downloaded via www.mymusicstore.com.ph and iTunes.
For more information visit Star Records’ Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/starrecordsphil or follow @starrecordsph on Twitter.
Concerts/Theatre
Laida and Miggy's wedding vows, personally written by Sarah and John Lloyd...
"IT TAKES A MAN AND A WOMAN" MAKES HISTORY AS THE SECOND HIGHEST-GROSSING FILIPINO FILM OF ALL-TIME
After earning P345 million in less than three weeks in cinemas nationwide, the Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz-starrer "It Takes a Man and a Woman" is now officially the second highest-grossing Filipino film of all time and the biggest earning non-Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) local movie.
The third installment of the hit romantic-comedy film series directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina broke the record of the comedy flick "The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin" starring Vice Ganda, which earned P331 million during its theatrical run in 2011. “It Takes a Man and a Woman” is now second in terms of total box-office earnings after the 2012 MMFF entry "Sisterakas" starring the comedy trio of Vice Ganda, Kris Aquino and AiAi delas Alas, which raked P391 million during its run in cinemas nationwide. All three top-grossers-- "Sisterakas," "The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin," and "It Takes a Man and a Woman"--are co-productions of Star Cinema and Viva Films.
Meanwhile, “It Takes a Man and a Woman” screenwriter Carmi Raymundo recently revealed that the much talked about wedding vows of Laida and Miggy that made everyone in cinemas cry were written by Sarah and John Lloyd themselves.
"Direk Cathy and I told Sarah and Lloydie that we want them to write Miggy and Laida's wedding vows. Gusto ko din kasi marinig from them kung ano sa tingin nila yung learnings ng characters nila," explained Carmi, who was also the headwriter of the first two installments of the series namely “A Very Special Love” and “You Changed My Life.” "Both were nervous kung kaya ba nila magsulat but they were very excited. When they showed me what they wrote, I knew right away that they wrote from the hearts of their characters. They were so sincere, ang ganda!"
Carmi further shared that Sarah and John Lloyd's self-made vows were so beautifully written that she almost did not edit it. "Konti na lang ang inayos ko. Their vows made the ending of Laida and Miggy's love story a thousand times more special because they spoke their own words. As a writer, yun na ang gift ko sa kanila: to let them speak their own words. In the end, parang naging buhay na talaga sila Miggy at Laida," Carmi related.
Continue to fall in love with Laida and Miggy’s love story in "It Takes A Man And A Woman" still showing on theaters nationwide.
For more information and latest updates about "It Takes A Man And A Woman" simply visitwww.StarCinema.com.ph, http://facebook.com/StarCinema and http://twitter.com/StarCinema.
THE ACADEMY SHOWCASES RARE FILM GEMS WITH
"THE REAL INDIES: A CLOSE LOOK AT ORPHAN FILMS"
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in partnership with New York University and the Orphan Film Symposium, will present "The Real Indies: A Close Look at Orphan Films," a two-day screening series on Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, at the Academy's Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. The series, honoring orphan films – rarely- seen, previously neglected works deserving preservation and revival – will open on Friday at 8 p.m. with the West Coast premiere of the restoration of "Portrait of Jason," the groundbreaking 1967 documentary feature about a gay African American by Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Shirley Clarke.
Shot at New York's Hotel Chelsea, "Portrait of Jason" is a hybrid performance/verité documentary that profiles Jason Holliday, an engaging, self-described hustler. Academy Governor Rob Epstein and fellow documentarian Jeffrey Friedman will host the evening's screening and take part in a post-screening onstage panel with Robert Fiore, the film's assistant to the director, and Dennis Doros, co-founder of the independent releasing company Milestone Films, which recently restored the film in partnership with the Academy Film Archive. The evening's panel will be moderated by film critic Elvis Mitchell.
Saturday's program will be presented in five sessions, starting at 10:30 a.m. with films ranging from rare home movies and unique promotional films to silent rediscoveries and experimental shorts. Highlights include a screening of the unseen student film "Shit," by director Penelope Spheeris, a presentation by Rick Prelinger, with a sneak peek at his work-in-progress "No More Road Trips?", screenings of rarely-seen works by Saul Bass and Satyajit Ray, and premieres of restorations of Academy-Award® nominated "Exploratorium", Jim Hoberman's "Mission to Mongo", and Academy-Award winning cinematographer Ray Rennahan's "The Love Charm."
"The Real Indies" brings together filmmakers, archivists, scholars, curators and preservationists to screen and celebrate dozens of orphan films that have lacked theatrical distribution, been rediscovered and preserved.
Tickets for Fridays screening of "Portrait of Jason" are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID, and includes a reception before the event. Doors open at 7 p.m.
All-day passes for Saturday's sessions are $15 for the general public and $10 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. The passes include lunch (vegetarian options will be available) if purchased in advance. Tickets for individual sessions are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Tickets and passes may be purchased beginning April 18 online at oscars.org, in person at the Academy box office at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, or by mail.
The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood.
A detailed listing of all screenings in "The Real Indies" is available at www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/events/2013/05/real-indies.html. For more information on NYU's Orphan Film Symposium please visitwww.nyu.edu/orphanfilm. For more information on "Portrait of Jason," please visithttp://projectshirley.com/press/portraitofjason.pdf.
VISUAL EFFECTS RECIPE FOR "LIFE OF PI"
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The creative team from the Oscar®-winning film “Life of Pi” will reunite to examine the breakthrough 3D and visual effects work that went into crafting the film. The evening will feature film sequences and “making-of” clips along with an onstage conversation with Academy Award®-winning visual effects artists Bill Westenhofer, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott, Oscar-winning cinematographer Claudio Miranda, previsualization supervisor Brad Alexander, and Oscar-nominated film editor Tim Squyres. Hosted by Academy governor Bill Kroyer, “Deconstructing Pi” will take place on Monday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.