2013 05/24-05/30

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.

SCENES IN THE CITY

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.

2013 Miss Philippines-Earth winners all - Angelee Claudett delos Reyes (Miss Philippines Earth), Bulacan's Bernadette Mae Aguirre (Miss Philippine Eco-Tourism), Zamboanga's Nancy Leonard (Miss Philippine-Water), Nagcarlan, Laguna's Kimverlyn Suiza (Miss Phi­lippine-Air) and USA-West Coast's Alma Cabasal (Miss Philippine-Fire). Photo from the pageant's official Facebook page

TFC's Adobo Nation (hosts JC Gonzales, Tet Hernandez, Michi Salta & Lee Robin Salazar) had its 5th Year Anniversary taping cum celebration last Sunday at Edna's Ichiban (Edna Ramos, Owner and Thage Montecarlo, Manager). Congratulations! Photo by Richard Lao

Alma Cabasal (in an Eric B. De Los Santos white silver creation), the Filipino Community of USA's West Coast candidate to the 2013 Miss Philippines Earth Beauty Pageant won 5 special awards (Miss Talent Gold, Miss Congeniality Gold, Miss Subic Yacht Club 2nd Runner Up, Best in Summer Styling 1st Runner up and Miss Global) and the title Miss Philippines FIRE during last Sunday's coronation night at the MOA Arena. Congratulations! Photo from Alma's Facebook

Belated Happy Birthday, Romy Benipayo, husband of noted Bay Area-based Journalist Charito Benipayo. They also celebrated their 53rd Wedding Anniversary last Saturday, May 18 at their gated community residence in Rio Vista, CA.

Insurance Agent Liberty Lizardo (2nd right) shown here with Milpitas Mayor Joe Esteves, 4th right, during the May 19th Consulate on Wheels (COW) event at Seafood City Milpitas, wants the public to know that she moved offices now to 4423 Fortran Ct, Suite # 109, San Jose, CA 95134. Her contact number remains

(408) 728-5219. Photo from her Facebook page.

ALMA CABASAL:

THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE

SEEN IN THE CITY

(MANILA, PHILIPPINES) – Alma Cabasal of Anaheim, CA won one of the five (5) titles at stake – MISS PHILLIPPINES FIRE, at the recently concluded 2013 Miss Philippines Earth Beauty Pageant, edging out more than 40 other delegates from around the Philippines and overseas, in a very organized coronation night, ably emceed by Bay Area’s Ginger Conejero (she was once a Miss Philippines Earth USA-West Coast titlist herself before competing and winning Miss Philippines-Air in 2006) held at the MOA Arena in Pasay City last Sunday night, May 19th.

Angelee Claudette de los Reyes of Olongapo City was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2103 while Miss Philippines-Air title went to Kimverlyn Suiza from Nagcarlan, Laguna. Nancy Leonard from Zamboanga City bagged the Miss Philippines-Water title while Bernadette Mae Aguirre from Sta Maria, Bulacan was awarded the Miss Eco-Tourism title.

Alma was figuratively on fire as she won a total of five (5) special awards since she arrived in the competition last April 5 this year – Miss Talent Gold (with her Taekwondo skills breaking hardwood on the spot with her bare hands/feet), Miss Congeniality Gold (this is her 5th ‘Miss Friendly’ title in her lifetime of joining pageants), Miss Global, Best in Summer Styling 1st Runner Up and Miss Subic Bay Yacht Club 2nd Runner Up.

“I still can’t believe I won one of the titles; I don’t have any sleep yet – in fact I don’t want to sleep for I might only wake up to realize all these is nothing but just a dream,” declared the ecstatic Alma when phone interviewed by this Columnist several minutes after she was crowned. When asked further, she said she can’t even remember her (many pageant experts thought as a very impressive answer to the) final Q&A that made her seal her win. Her picked judge, his Excellency Josef Rychtar, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary from the Embassy of the Czech Republic (in heavily accented English) asked Alma if she wins, what would she say to the winning politicians to protect the Philippine environment, she replied with full confidence and we quote verbatim below:

“I would advise the politicians who won the recent elections to become advocates of the environment as well, because we do need help. Us, ladies, are not just pretty faces and full of advocacy for the environment but we do need power as well. And since YOU have the power, please help us to save Mother Earth, especially here in the Philippines.”

It took figuratively a whole village and support emanating from three (3) countries to get her to this point and the organizers of MISS PHILIPPINES EARTH (USA) would like to properly acknowledge them below. Super mega thanks to the following people who believed in Alma, from the very beginning:

1) Bheng Manalansan of Pittsburg, CA, "Bola" movie producer, who sponsored her round-trip Philippine Airlines ticket to the Philippines so Alma can compete in this pageant;

2) Roy Ganda of Ricky Reyes Salon Makati City, the official Hair & Make Up Stylist of Miss Philippines EARTH (USA) candidates in Manila for the past nine (9) years;

3) Makati City-based Fashion Designer Eric B Delos Santos , for producing the stunning white silver evening gown Alma wore during the finals, despite very short notice;

4) Katrina Jayne Dimaranan 2012 Binibining Pilipinas - Tourism Winner, for introducing me to Fashion Designer Eric B. De Los Santos, without question and hesitation, when Alma requested for a gown substitute for the finals;

5) Rodin Gilbert B.flores for the environment lecture, Q&A, catwalk training, cultural gown and other immeasurable support;

6) Andy Z. Edralin, News Photographer and Photo Editor of LA-based Fil-Am INSIDER, who introduced me to Alma during the Nonito Donaire victory party in Long Beach, CA last year and for the very strong encouragement;

7) Adrian Lecaros, Community Leader of Los Angeles for initiating/organizing an Alma Cabasal Fundraising Dinner at Noypitz in Glendale, CA the night before her flight;

8) Eric Calayan & Calayan Skin Care Aesthetics for past, present & future Miss Philippines EARTH (USA) pageant sponsorship & support;

9) Western Union for the very reliable money wire transfer services from US to Manila;

10) and last but not the least, to Vancouver, Canada's Larry Elima, lead sashera of www.SashFactor.com for the campaign article for an Alma Cabasal win, published online, a day before the finals;

Incidentally, the search is now open for next year’s US Filipino Community representative to the 2014 Miss Philippines Earth. If you are interested or you know someone that has what it takes, please contact Bheng Manalansan via email: btopacio@yahoo.com or text/phone:

(925) 366-4065.

Congratulations, Alma Cabasal for a job well done!

This article also appears online at www.BradfordAdkins.com,www.ScenesInTheCity.com, www.PinoyEntertainment.us,www.PhilippineNews.com, www.FilAmInsider.com 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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(LEFT) Adobo Nation co-host Michi V. Salta with Castro Valley-based Dampa Restaurant chef and owner Sunthie Calalo and wife Maritess; (RIGHT) Co-hosts Lee Robin Salazar and Tet Hernandez with Dr. Raemund Galang of G Dental Group in Daly City play a spoof version of "The Hunger Games: Adobo Nation Version" with guest contestants. The anniversary special will air on TFC on May 26. (NMF/RGH for TFC)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Visit our SMR: http://tinyurl.com/lzmvmzs

TFC's Adobo Nation celebrates 5th anniversary

Emmy award-winning TFC show observes milestone with hosts, partners and Filipino community

REDWOOD CITY, CA (May 21, 2013) - A 2012 Emmy nod and a new 2013 Emmy nomination underscore the high standards that TFC’s weekly magazine show, Adobo Nation, has set for itself.

The US-produced show nabbed an Emmy in 2012 for best current/community/public affairs feature segment with its story on the San Francisco-based gang violence prevention organization United Playaz, a group for former ex-convicts who turned their lives around and are now committed to keeping kids out of trouble and off the streets. The award for the United Playaz feature is TFC's first Emmy, produced by theAdobo Nation team of Executive Producer Eric Pugeda, Writer-Producer Troy Espera, Director-Photographer Jeremiah Ysip, Photographer Joseph Perry and Editor Mitos Briones.

This year, Adobo Nation and its entire team, under the watchful eyes of ABS-CBN North America Managing Director Olivia De Jesus, Director John-D Lazatin and Pugeda, scored another Emmy nomination for the segment on the transforming impact on youth and neighborhood by Arise School in East Oakland.

Through the past five years of delivering a one-stop pop culture program with segments covering the full nine yards of topics that show brains, beauty and banter,Adobo Nation has, indeed, become the overseas Filipino TV show that captured the intricate, delightful, ever evolving flavors of the iconic Filipino adobo dish.

Co-host Michi Salta explains, “Just like every Filipino household has a different recipe for Adobo, every Pinoy has a different experience of living outside of the Philippines. We wanted to have a show that celebrated Filipinos abroad - in food, in business, in the arts - and also give our audience new and exciting stories and features that are relevant to them.”

What makes Adobo Nation more special is that the hosts truly enjoy doing the show and receiving fan feedback. “Adobo Nation for me is such a fun ride,” chimed in co-host Tet Hernandez. “I always look forward to taping because there’s always something new to learn about the community. The staff and crew are extremely talented and hardworking. And the viewers welcomed us as part of their Sunday family dinner!”

Original host JC Gonzalez shared that “Adobo Nation is pretty much a household name for anyone that subscribes to TFC. People may not necessarily know our names as individual hosts, but when they see us on the street, they say ‘Uy, si Adobo Nation’ (Hey, that’s Adobo Nation)!"

Gonzalez also added that “the best feedbacks I get are from the folks who guest on the show. They say things like, ‘after I came out on Adobo Nation, phone calls have been coming in constantly.’ We hear that on a consistent basis. That's how we know that the show works.”

True enough, Goldilocks Brand Manager Agnes K. Francisco said, “Whenever we have a new product that is featured on Adobo Nation, we receive calls and inquiries from customers looking for that particular product. The response from viewers is tremendous and immediate.”

O Skin Care owner Olivia Quido – who has a segment on the show called “Beauty by O” – narrated: “Before I started my segment on Adobo Nation, my clientele was limited to the area where I operate here in Cerritos. When I had my regular segment, I started receiving so many calls from area codes all over the U.S. – from San Diego, Las Vegas, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and even Alaska! They drive or fly in regularly in groups of 5 to 8 for a day in the spa then return to their homes. Adobo Nation truly opened the doors for us so we can serve as many clients as possible.”

“I like that we keep our community tightly knit through the stories that we tell,” said Salta. “One ka-nation's triumph becomes everyone's triumph. We are constantly showcasing the best of Filipinos abroad.”

Co-host Lee Robin Salazar agrees. “I think Adobo Nation will be stickin' around for a while. We'll be part of the Pinoy household and their Sunday night viewing till we run out of innovative, interesting and talented Filipinos. And let's face it: that will never happen.” (NMFernandez for TFC All Access)

Concerts/Theatre

THE ACADEMY ANNOUNCES

2013 OSCARS® OUTDOORS SUMMER LINEUP

Joss Whedon’s “Much Ado about Nothing”

Launches the Season

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The 2013 Oscars Outdoors summer movie season kicks off with Joss Whedon’s “Much Ado about Nothing,” presented by KCRW’s “Matt’s Movies,” on Wednesday, June 5. The movie stars Amy Acker, Alexis Denisoff, Clark Gregg, Nathan Fillion, Fran Kranz and Sean Maher, all of whom will join Whedon for a post-screening Q&A moderated by KCRW’s Matt Holzman.

Academy Nicholl Screenwriting Fellow Destin Cretton’s “Short Term 12” and festival favorite “Twenty Feet from Stardom” will have advance screenings in partnership with Rooftop Films Summer Series in New York City. Morgan Neville’s music documentary “Twenty Feet from Stardom” will also screen in Hollywood at Oscars Outdoors. The film opens June 14.

The Oscars Outdoors summer lineup, which runs through August 24, will also include such classics as “Big,” “Rushmore” and “Cinema Paradiso.” Screenings will take place at the Academy’s open-air theater in Hollywood.

“After a successful launch last summer, we continue to strive to be the gold standard of outdoor movie events,” said Randy Haberkamp, the Academy’s managing director of programming, education and preservation. “Special guests and surprises will make each evening memorable and fun for the audience.”

The 2013 Oscars Outdoors schedule is as follows:

Tickets will be available starting Wednesday, May 22, at www.oscars.org/outdoors. Tickets to each Oscars Outdoors screening are $5 for the public; free for children 10 years and younger; and $3 for Academy members and students with ID. Seating is unreserved. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Screenings begin at sunset. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and warm clothing. Picnic baskets, beer and wine are permitted. Popular food trucks will be on site during each screening.

The Academy Hollywood campus is located at 1341 Vine Street in Hollywood (between De Longpre Avenue and Fountain Avenue, and between Vine Street and Ivar Avenue). It is accessible via the Metro Red Line train and the Metro Local 210 bus. Free parking is located behind the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study. Enter from Homewood Avenue off Vine Street, one block north of Fountain Avenue. The lot opens 90 minutes prior to the event and closes 30 minutes afterwards.

For additional information, visit oscars.org/outdoors or call

(310) 247-3600. For tickets to NYC’s Rooftop Films Summer Series, visit http://rooftopfilms.com/.