2013 05/10-05/16
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.
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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.
The burnt 1999 Lincoln Town Car after the tragic fire at the San Mateo Bridge. Photo by Associated Press
PINAY BRIDE,
4 OTHERS KILLED
IN LIMO FIRE
by Bradford Adkins
SEEN IN THE CITY
(REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA) – A Bachelorette party has gone tragic when a Filipina Bride, Neriza Pobre Fojas, 31, of Oakland, CA (who reportedly works as a Registered Nurse at the Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, CA) died together with 4 close friends (names are yet to be released) when their 1999 Lincoln limousine burst into flames in the middle of the westbound freeway 92 along San Mateo Bridge around 10:05 P.M. last Saturday, May 4, 2013. Out of the 9 passengers (all nurses), 4 survived and their names are Nelia Arrellano, 36, of Oakland, Amalia Loyola, 48, of San Leandro, Mary G. Guardiano, 42, of Alameda, and Jasmine Desguia, 34, of San Jose. Two were sent to Stanford Medical Center and the other 2 to the Valley Medical Center for smoke inhalation and burn treatments. The limo driver, Orville Brown of San Jose, CA was unhurt.
"There wasn’t a traffic collision, but we are still in the process of investigating," California Highway Patrol Officer Art Montiel told the media conference held Monday morning, May 6, 2013 at the CHP Offices located at 355 Convention Way in Redwood City.
According to Associated Press, the driver of the limousine says he at first misunderstood what one of the passengers in the back was saying when she complained about smelling smoke. With the music up, he initially thought the woman was asking if she could smoke. Seconds later, he said the women knocked again, this time screaming, "Smoke! smoke!" and that’s when he pulled over.
Reports have it that all 9 women (all nurses) were headed to the nearby Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City (which nests about a mile away from the bridge) to meet Neriza’s waiting husband and continue the bridal celebration there.
According to Philippines Today research, Neriza was born on December 28, 1981 and had studied at Tanza National Comprehensive High School in Tanza, Cavite City, Philippines before moving to Oakland, CA. Previously, she lived in Pearl City, Hawaii where her sister, 35-year-old Rosalyn Bersamin still lives. Neriza had married recently in the US, but she is scheduled to be flying to the Philippines for her second wedding on June 19th in front of family and relatives.
Philippines Today also learned that in preparation for her June Philippine wedding, the celebrating bride has been receiving continuous skin treatments at Calayan Skin Clinic in Milpitas, CA and has an upcoming appointment to see her Aesthetician again this coming Saturday, May 11th. The Owner of the clinic, Emma Calayan posted on Facebook the following message “I was saddened to hear that my client Neriza was one of the five women that died on the tragic limo fire yesterday. I was caring for her skin to get her ready for her June wedding :,( Please pray for her...may she rest in peace.”
The victims’ bodies are in the Coroner’s possession and it will take approximately one or two weeks to complete the identification and investigation process, furthered Sgt. Diane McDermott of CHP Redwood City.
Investigation about this accident is still ongoing and witnesses are encouraged to contact Officer J. Watson at
(650) 369-6261 for any helpful information.
San Francisco-May 7, 2012
Philippine Consulate in San Francisco conveys its sympathies to the family and loved ones of the tragic San Mateo Bridge limousine fire fatalities
San Francisco – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, on behalf of the Philippine Government, conveys its deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the five victims of the tragic San Mateo Bridge limousine fire last May 4.
The San Mateo Coroner’s Office has released the names of the victims. They are Michelle Estrera, Anna Alcantara, Neriza Fojas, Michelle Estrera, Jennifer Balon, and Felomina Geronga.
Consulate officials have spoken with the spouses and relatives of some of the victims, and offered to extend any assistance they would need. They are likewise closely monitoring the condition of the survivors.
“We call on all kababayans to join us in praying for eternal rest of souls of those who perished in this unfortunate incident, for the welfare of their families and loved ones, and well as for the speedy and full recovery of those who survived,” Philippine Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. said. “We are ready to assist them in whatever way we can,” he added.
The Philippine Consulate has been closely coordinating with the San Mateo Coroner’s Office, the California High Patrol and the Fire Department since this incident has come to its attention. The Consulate is awaiting the outcome of their investigation on the cause of the fire, which could take weeks. END
Neriza Pobre Fojas, RN, 31, is the celebrating bride and one of the 5 women who died in a tragic bachelorette limo fire along San Mateo Bridge last Saturday night. Photo by Associated Press
Public Information Officer Art Montiel and Sgt. Diane McDermott of California Highway Patrol of Redwood City, CA. Photo by Richard C. Lao
The California Highway Patrol Redwood City office handling the limo fire investigation.
Nurse Jasmine Desguia, 34, of San Jose, CA is one of the 4 surviving passengers of the ill-fated limo fire last Saturday night.
Mary G. Guardiano, RN, 42, of Alameda, CA survives, along with 3 other passengers the tragic limo fire.
Mr. Philippines June Macasaet wins Mr. Manhunt International 2012 beating 52 other guys in Bangkok, Thailand.
SEARCH IS ON
MR. MANHUNT
INTERNATIONAL-GUAM
TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY
(SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA) –The search is now open for Mr. and Ms. America International 2013. According to an exclusive interview with Bay Area Talent and Entertainment Management. Producer Phillip Ancheta Domantay of San Jose, CA, the female winner of this year’s pageant will represent USA in the Miss Globe International Beauty Pageant to be held in November in Istanbul, Turkey while the male winner will compete, representing Guam, in the Manhunt International Male Pageant to be held in China (exact dates and venued are yet to be announced).
If you got the looks, physique and talent, please contact Phillip @
408.799.8359 or visit the pageant at the web atwww.bayareaentertainment.us and click on "Mr. and Ms. America International" on the left side menu then click on "Registration".
A formal Press Conference and Screening will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 starting at 9:00 AM at the Silicon Valley Capital Club located at 50 W San Fernando Street, 17th floor, San Jose, CA 95113. Please be informed that at the Silicon Valley Capital Club requires everybody to be on semi-formal attire.
Once chosen, there is a one-time $150 registration fee. Mr. and Ms. America will be providing your swimwear and formal wear during the pageant
Meanwhile, the Mr. & Ms. America International Pageant Grand Finals and Coronation Night will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 7:00pm at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, located 1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose, CA 95116 (www.mhplaza.com).
Interestingly, last year’s winner in the Mr. Manhunt International was June Macasaet of the Philippines who bested 52 of the other best looking guys in the world (the country’s first and only win so far from this Singapore-based contest) when the male pageant was held in Bangkok, Thailand.
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.
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REST AREA TO BE NAMED AFTER
CHP OFFICER DALE KRINGS
DATE: Friday, May 17, 2013
TIME: 11:00 AM
LOCATION: Rest Area on I-280 Northbound just past the Doran Bridge
Background of Incident:
In May of 1962, six year veteran of the California Highway Patrol, Officer Dale Krings and his partner, Officer Vincent Bianchini were completing their shift and were having breakfast at a local coffee shop, which was occupied by approximately 20 other customers.
The suspect, Edward Lang Hargrove, was also in the coffee shop, when he (Hargrove) left his table, went outside and returned carrying a rifle.
From approximately 15 feet away, Hargrove fired the first shot and wounded a waitress. Officer Krings immediately drew his service weapon as the suspect fired at him. Though mortally wounded, Officer Krings returned fire, killing the suspect and saving his partner and the other customers. Officer Krings was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The event on May 17, 2013, is to recognize the culmination of those efforts and the official naming of the rest area in the name of Officer Krings. CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow, other members of the CHP, friends and family of Officer Krings, and State Senator Jerry Hill will be in attendance at the ceremony.
Unkabogable box-office star and record-breaking concert artist Vice Ganda is all set to conquer the Big Dome once again on May 17 (Friday) as he treats his avid fans with a night to remember in his 3rd major solo concert titled “I-Vice Ganda Mo ‘Ko Sa Araneta.”
“I-VICE GANDA MO ‘KO SA ARANETA” ALL SET ON MAY 17
As an early gift for his fans, Vice recently went to Smart Araneta Coliseum to personally meet and hand over the tickets to those who are looking forward to watch his concert. “I had a fun time bonding with them but at the same time it made me feel more pressure to perform better because I don’t want to waste the money that they’re spending to support me,” Vice said.
For his third concert at the Big Dome, the box-office star said that he has prepared a different string of surprises and gimmicks including his non-stop mind-blowing production numbers and the never-before-seen version of Vice Ganda that will surely shock everyone.
Joining Vice on his upcoming concert are some of the biggest names in the industry such as Daniel Padilla, Enrique Gil, Paulo Avelino, Dawn Zulueta, and Ai Ai delas Alas.
“I-Vice Ganda Mo ‘Ko Sa Araneta” is directed by Bobet Vidanes and musical director Marvin Querido.
Tickets are now available at Ticketnet outlets and at Smart Araneta Coliseum Box Office. Simply call 911-5555 or log on towww.ticketnet.com.ph. For more updates, log on to www.abs-cbn.com or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter.
IS BB. PILIPINAS UNIVERSE ARIELLA ARIDA READY TO BRING HOME THE MISS UNIVERSE CROWN? Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2013 Ariella Arida is set take a different kind of ‘question and answer portion’ this Saturday (May 11) in “The Bottomline With Boy Abunda” as she shares her game plan for the upcoming Miss Universe 2013. What did Ariella do to change her parents’ minds about joining beauty contests? How did Bb. Pilipinas change her life so far? With only a few months before the prestigious competition, is Ariella now ready to do everything to bring the Miss Universe crown back in the Philippines? Also with Ariella in “Bottomline” this Saturday are Bb. Pilipinas International Bea Rose Santiago, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism Joanna Cindy Miranda, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Mutya Johanna Datul, and Bb. Pilipinas 1st runner up Pia Wurtzbach. Don’t miss the 2012 Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Celebrity Talk Program “The Bottomline With Boy Abunda” this Saturday, 11:30 pm, after “Banana Split.” For more updates, just log on at www.abs-cbn.com or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter.