2013 05/03-05/09
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.
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.
Your No. 1 Source of Filipino Entertainment News in North America.
Fil-Am Insider is a bi-weekly entertainment publication for the Filipino community circulated in Northern and Southern California, Nevada and New York.
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.
Sarah Geronimo, shown here with John Lloyd Cruz in their record-breaking 'It Takes a Man and a Woman' will be in the Bay Area on May 24 promo tours (Milpitas & Hayward) and May 25 concert @ Nob Hill Masonic.
SARAH GERONIMO
TO VISIT GABUCAN FAMILY DENTAL CLINICS
TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY
(HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA) – It has been confirmed by this Columnist that Pop Superstar Sarah Geronimo, who recently took the Philippines and North America by storm when her latest movie “It Takes A Man and a Woman” with John Llloyd Cruz became a monster hit, will be visiting the Gabucan Family Dental Clinics in both Milpitas and Hayward (new) locations on Friday,. May 24, 2013.
These invite-only events are part of the limited promotional tours for her concert – “Sarah Geronimo 24/SG” scheduled to be held Saturday, May 25th at the Nob Hill Masonic Theater in downtown San Francisco, according to Tony Gabucan, Gabucan Family Dental’s Chief Operating Officer.
Sarah & John Lloyd’s last movie is so big it can’t be ignored - that even CNN iReporters wrote and blogged about those unusually long lines in the theaters where the movie is showing. CNN featured four photos showing the long lines of audiences patiently waiting for the next screening(s) and wrote, "What is the magic? People falling in line fr CA, to NYC to Texas, Virginia, Canada etc, people driving 3-8 hrs just to watch this movie to venues where it is showing. So what is this movie really?"
In Tanforan Shopping Center Century Theaters in San Bruno, CA, all tickets were reportedly sold out for several days even before the day’s first screening starts!
After it first opened big time on March 30, 2013 breaking all box office first day records, ‘It Takes a Man and a Woman” (Graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board) has now grossed close to 400 million pesos (it is now recorded as the biggest box office hit for a non-festival movie) and is on extended showing in 94 theaters in the Philippines and in the United States, as of April 30, 2013.
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)
Congratulations, Miss Philippines Earth Fil-USA West Coast Alma Cabasal of Los Angeles, CA (leftmost), for winning Silver Medal in 2013 Miss Philippines Earth Summer Wear Styling Challenge Special Event! Grand Finals and Coronation Night is set on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at the Mall of Asia (MOA).
Happy 17th birthday (May 4th) & congratulations to San Jose's Alexandra Drechsler for making it to Top 30 (out of 104 candidates) in the recently concluded 2013 Miss Teenage California State Finals (her first pageant) held at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton Hotel. Parents Ralph & Elizabeth Drechsler were the proudest.
Congratulations & Good Luck to Island Pacific Seafood Market who opened their newest store (their 12th nationwide and 3rd in Northern CA), in Pittsburg, CA where they had a Blessing & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony last Friday, April 26th, attended by (R-L) Owner Nino Lim, Movie & Show Producer Bheng Manalansan (w/daughter Geeca) and Krista Ranillo (wife of Nino Lim). Photo by Jojo Ranillo
After 47 long years, San Rafael's Lolita Hajian (3rd left) reunited in San Francisco Bay Area with her Sienna College classmates from High School Class of 1966 - Annie Abad, Myrna Guerrero Ferrani, Medi Feliciano Florentino, Jon litz Campo & Charito Dimayuga. Photo by Joey Panlilio
San Rafael's Malou Hipolito in a stunning black & white creation by Bay Area-owned Designer Crisanta Malig during last Saturday's FAYE, Inc.'s 20th Anniversary Fashion For Charity held at The Fort McKinley in South San Francisco.
Amy Svistoonoff, left, former Correspondent of Philippine and Other Asian Headlines (POAH) with Charito C. Benipayo, Retired Educator and highly respected Bay Area-based Journalist and Executive Producer/Anchor of The Islanders TV, Channel 28 - Chabot College and former Community Editor of POAH, are getting together for a family reunion on May 18, 2013 in Rio Vista, CA. Mrs Benipayo's husband is also celebrating his 82nd birthday and their 53rd wedding anniversary. Congratulations, long live & good luck!
It's Fiesta Time!
For most of us Filipino expats, the month of May brings with it a wallop of nostalgia for our home country. It is after all the happiest time of year, when many town fiestas take place, flowers bloom in full splendor and the romance of summer vacations adds more heat to the already sweltering weather.
Positively Filipino celebrates this merry month with our kababayans everywhere with stories that connect us and bring us home, even if only virtually.
Here in the U.S., we remember Corregidor and also join the celebrations in honor of mothers, Asian American Pacific Islanders, senior citizens, the Marian month and mental health month.
It's going to be a whirlwind 31 days, so keep tuned to Positively Filipino on the web, on Facebook and on Twitter. Be sure to spread the word and tell your networks about us too.
Together, we will show the world what it means to be Positively Filipino.
ISLAND PACIFIC
OPENS BRANCH
IN PITTSBURG, CA
SEEN IN THE CITY
(PITTSBURG, CA) – Island Pacific Supermarket formally opens its newest branch, their 3rd Northern California store, located at 2100 North Park Plaza Blvd., Pittsburg, CA 94565 (same plaza as Winco Foods) last Friday, April 26, 2013.
Personally gracing the ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremonies are Owner Nino Lim with wife Krista Ranillo-Lim, Movie and Show Producer Bheng Topacio Manalansan with daughter Geeca, Jojo Ranillo, ABS-CBN staff and crew, among others.
This Pittsburg branch, easily accessible by residents of Bay Point, Antioch, Brentwood and Concord and adjoining cities close to Highway 4 (Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Vallejo, Benicia), will also house the company’s Food Service brand, Philhouse and Pan de Isla, which is their bakery concept; remittance company through M Lhuillier Financial Services, and Cargo boxes through Alas Cargo .
“Change is always good and this is a very good change for us residents of Brentwood,” says one of Island Pacific Pittsburg’s first shoppers, Reggie Panganiban, RN and owner of American Hospice and Home Health Care Services based in downtown Brentwood, CA.
“It’s the company’s 12th store overall and Island Pacific is delighted to have found an opportunity to serve the City of PIttsburg where a sizable Filipino commuity resides,” says Owner Nino Lim.
Good luck and more power, Island Pacific!
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)
San Jose's Alexandra Drechsler, makes it to Top 30 (out of 104 candidates) on the recently concluded Miss Teenage California State Finals. She celebrates her 17th birthday on Saturday, May 4th. Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Alex! Photo by Richard Lao
Congratulations & Best Wishes to Pleasanton's Daniel Dy Liacco and Mitos Cunanan who tied the knot at the Embassy Suites in Milpitas, CA last Sunday, April 21, 2013! Photo by Richard Lao
Taking a break from all her daughter's pageant activities and seen hanging out along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills last Saturday, April 27, 2013 was San Jose's Elizabeth Drechsler, leftmost, together with (L-R) Richard Lao, Alabang Boys Francis Galang and Martin Galang & Rhuddee Vitug.
After 47 long years, San Rafael's Lolita Hajian (3rd right) reunited in San Francisco Bay Area with her Sienna College classmates from High School Class of 1966 - Annie Abad, Myrna Guerrero Ferrani, Medi Feliciano Florentino, Jon litz Campo & Charito Dimayuga. Photo by Joey Panlilio
Island Pacific Seafood Market opened their 3rd Northern CA branch in Pittsburg last Friday, April 26, 2013 with Owner Nino Lim, rightmost and wife Krista, leftmost, gracing the ribbon-cutting ceremony (shown here with Pittsburg residents Bheng Manalansan & daughter Geeca). Congratulations and More Good Luck, Island Pacific! Photo by Jojo Ranillo
Bench's top honcho Ben Chan was spotted having lunch at Max's Glendale, CA last Monday, April 29, 2013 (with this Columnist). Photo by Richard Lao
Happy 82nd Birthday, Romy Benipayo, who is also commemorating his 53rd wedding anniversary with noted and respected Bay Area Journalist, Charito C. Benipayo. They are celebrating en grande with family and friends on May 18, 2013 in Rio Vista, CA.
“Be Careful With My Heart” US-Canada tour kicks off this May…
JANELLA SALVADOR BAGS FAMAS YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
“Be Careful With My Heart” teen star Janella Salvador reaches a new milestone in her career as she recently received the German Moreno Youth Achievement Award from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS).
Like Janella’s career, "Be Careful With My Heart" continues to soar high as its cast Richard Yap, Jodi Sta. Maria, Mutya Orquia, Aiza Seguerra, Rosario “Tart” Carlos, and Vivieka Vivieka kick-off their US tour on May 10 (Friday) in Los Angeles, California, which will be followed by their special show in Kissimmee, Florida on May 12 (Sunday).
After conquering US, “Be Careful With My Heart” will continue to spread good vibes in Canada as they visit their Pinoy fans in Edmonton, Alberta on May 17 (Friday); and Toronto, Ontario on May 19 (Sunday).
Continue to follow the cute love story of Sir Chief (Richard) and Maya (Jodi) in “Be Careful With My Heart,” everyday, 11:45am, before “It’s Showtime” on ABS-CBN’s Prime-Tanghali.
For more updates, log on to www.abs-cbn.com, follow @becarefulheart on Twitter; and ‘like’ the show’s official Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/becarefulwithmyheartofficial.
ABS-CBN expands distribution in Middle East with OSN carriage
Largest Filipino media network’s popular channels – TFC, Bro, Cinema One Global & ANC – available on OSN starting May 1
REDWOOD CITY, CA, April 24, 2013 – ABS-CBN Corporation, a publicly listed Philippine firm and the country’s largest Filipino multimedia network, announced today that its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Middle East, has partnered with OSN, the leading pay-TV network in the Middle East and North Africa, to bring viewers in the region the world’s best Filipino news and entertainment content.
Beginning May 1, OSN subscribers on direct-to-home and cable platforms in the Middle East can enjoy four new Filipino channels from ABS-CBN featuring premium content across a variety of genres. Channels include TFC (The Filipino Channel) which has the widest reach among Filipino viewers in the world;Bro, a dedicated sports and entertainment channel; Cinema One Global, a channel featuring box-office hits, classic movies and teleserye marathons; andANC, a 24-hour news channel broadcasting breaking news and information, talk shows, and documentaries from the Philippines and around the world.
David Butorac, CEO of OSN said: “Our partnership with ABS-CBN, the largest provider of entertainment to Filipinos globally, is a clear demonstration of our network’s strength in reaching out to the widest cross-section of the region’s Filipino community. Both OSN and ABS-CBN focus on quality content and the addition of four new world-class channels complements our existing Filipino channel line-up, further strengthening OSN’s choice and variety proposition for the segment.”
“We are delighted to offer through OSN our four channels to cater to the diverse viewing preferences of Filipinos in the Middle East. With this partnership with OSN, ABS-CBN through TFC fortifies its already strong presence in the region built over in almost two decades through its own direct-to-home platform and its carriage partnerships with the major cable operators,” said ABS-CBN Middle East Managing Director Edgardo Garcia.
Garcia added: “We appreciate OSN’s recognition of ABS-CBN’s leadership in Filipino programming and its strong affinity with the various Filipino communities in the region. Such confidence only encourages us to strive even harder to meet and satisfy our viewers’ passion for high quality content for which ABS-CBN is known for."
It has been ABS-CBN’s mission to be in the service of the Filipino worldwide and this partnership with OSN is the latest effort to expand its reach.
In 1994, ABS-CBN Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary, ABS-CBN Global, launched The Filipino Channel (TFC) in the US, and subsequently established offices in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and Japan.
Today, ABS-CBN reaches Filipino communities in 191 countries across the globe, providing meaningful and up-to-date information and strong emotional companionship through news and entertainment programs over multiple channels - TFC, ANC, BRO, Cinema One Global and Lifestyle Network Global, and on multimedia platforms - satellite, cable, internet protocol television, web and mobile. Its expanded portfolio of products and services, including cargo and remittance, serves more than a third of the nine million Filipinos who work or reside abroad.
Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal grace Flores de Mayo Festival in Hawaii
Flores de Mayo or Flowers of May is an annual Filipino festival held in honor of the Virgin Mary. It is widely observed all over the world particularly in areas where large Filipino communities subsist.
In Hawaii, the tradition of offering flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary lives on as FilCom - a non-profit organization that provides cultural, social and educational services to Filipinos in the area - spearheads the Flores de Mayo Festival this year.
The organization has partnered with several other Filipino organizations and companies led once again by GMA International – the international business unit of Filipino broadcast giant GMA Network – for this weeklong festival.
The celebration begins with a Santacruzan, where in beautiful ladies will parade together with their escorts, on May 5 and culminates with a fiesta and parade on May 11 in Waikiki.
Kapuso stars Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal are set to grace the event at the Kapiolani Park, where almost 10,000 spectators are expected to attend.
They will also participate in a meet and greet on May 11 giving their Filipino supporters in the area the chance to see Aljur and Kris up close and personal.
“We are proud to partner again with FilCom in celebrating the Flores de Mayo festival with our Kapuso viewers in Hawaii,” said GMA Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia. “We aim to create a venue not just for celebrating one of the most anticipated Pinoy festivals, but also for building a stronger connection to one’s roots especially among second generation Filipinos.”
GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV, and radio stations DZBB and DWLS are widely available in Hawaii through the following carriers: Oceanic Time Warner Cable (808-643-2337, www.oceanic.com), Hawaiian Telecom (www.hawaiiantel.com, DirecTV 1-800-378-5191, www.directv.com) and Dish Network (1-877-456-2609, www.dishnetwork.com).
For more details on the festival and channel subscription info, visit the GMA International website (www.gmanetwork.com/international), Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GMAPinoyTV) or Twitter page (www.twitter.com/GMAPinoyTV). (30)
SUSAN ROCES-AMALIA FUENTES RIVALRY RETURNS IN “MULING BUKSAN ANG PUSO.” ‘60s movie queens Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes are set to bring back their rivalry as they star in ABS-CBN’s upcoming Primetime Bida drama series “Muling Buksan Ang Puso” alongside Julia Montes and Enrique Gil. TV viewers are now thrilled to witness the acting showdown between the veteran actresses in the newest primetime teleserye after their last movie together titled “Cover Girls” in 1968. Unlike their real-life friendship, Amalia said that she will play the role of the antagonist in Susan’s life in the drama series because of their rivalry for the character that will be played by Dante Rivero. “Muling Buksan Ang Puso” will be directed by Manny Palo and Nuel Crisostomo Naval. Don’t miss the come-back project of Susan and Amalia, “Muling Buksan Ang Puso” in ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida. For more updates, log on to www.abs-cbn.com or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter.
MVP ANNOUNCES NEW MEDIAQUEST PRESIDENT AND CEO
Manuel V. Pangilinan, Managing Director of First Pacific Company Limited (“FPC”) and Chairman of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) has announced the appointment of Ray C. Espinosa as Associate Director of FPC and his new assignment as the Group’s Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs and Head of the Communications Bureau, both in the Philippines. Mr Espinosa will also assist the First Pacific Group in respect of new investments in the Philippines and in the region.
Accordingly, Mr Espinosa will retire as President and CEO of MediaQuest Holdings Inc (“MediaQuest”) and its related subsidiaries and affiliates, including TV5. MediaQuest serves as the investment vehicle in certain media assets—investments deemed to be key to PLDT’s transformation process, and which need to be harnessed and optimized in order to build on our competitive advantages. His directorships within the Group (i.e., PLDT, Meralco and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, amongst others) will stay. Mr Espinosa will remain a director of MediaQuest.
“Mr Espinosa’s new assignment creates a vacancy at Mediaquest. To this end, I am pleased to announce that Noel C. Lorenzana, current Head of the Individual Business for The PLDT Group, has been named President and CEO of Mediaquest. Noel faces a tough job as he takes on the challenge of turning around TV5, while maintaining the growth momentum at Cignal TV towards leadership in the Pay-TV industry. Noel’s background in the telco space and in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) will be of immense advantage in his ability to bring the worlds of media and telecommunications closer. Our multimedia strategy is crucial to the future of TV5 and of the Group. We extend to, and I assure, Noel our full confidence and unstinting support,” Mr Pangilinan added.
ACADEMY ANNOUNCES RULE CHANGE IN TWO CATEGORIES
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – For the first time, the entire voting membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will automatically be eligible to vote in all 24 Oscar categories, Academy President Hawk Koch announced today at a meeting of the Academy’s members. The Academy’s Board of Governors approved a plan that will allow members to see the nominated documentary shorts and foreign language films either at a theatrical screening or on DVD.
Prior to the final round of voting, the Academy will provide members with DVDs of the nominated films in five categories: Foreign Language Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Animated Short Film, and Live Action Short Film. In previous years, members had been required to see the nominated films in a theater in order to vote.
“This change continues our efforts to expand our members’ participation in all aspects of the Academy’s activities including, of course, voting for the Oscars,” said Koch. “Building on this past season’s 90% record voter turnout, we want to give our members as many opportunities as possible to see these great films and vote in these categories next year.” The nomination processes for all categories remain unchanged.
Academy Awards rules are reviewed annually by individual branch and category committees. The Awards Rules Committee then reviews all proposed changes before presenting its recommendations to the Board of Governors for approval. The Oscars® for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.
STORYTELLING IN THE DIGITAL AGE
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Oscar®-winning screenwriter Mark Boal, writer-producer Damon Lindelof, Oscar-winning editor William Goldenberg, Oscar-nominated editor Dylan Tichenor, and editors Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey will join together for the onstage discussion, “Turning the Page: Storytelling in the Digital Age” on Wednesday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Hosted by screenwriter John August, the evening will feature clips from the panelists’ films, including “Argo,” “Zero Dark Thirty” and the upcoming “Star Trek Into Darkness.” The discussion will focus on digital technologies that are revolutionizing how stories are told through screenwriting, cinematography and editing.