2013 06/28-07/04

PHILIPPINE NEWS/PHILIPPINES TODAY/INSIDER COMMUNITY

Pokwang, in recent news today for her last Kuwait concert, will be seen this Saturday at Chabot College in Hayward, together with Chokoleit, K Brosas & Pooh.

Dra. Vicki Belo will be speaking about skin care and other derma health topics this weekend at the Adobo Festival to be held at Martinez Waterfront, Park Marina, Joe Di Maggio Dr,Martinez, CA 94553. Photo by Richard Lao

TV5 Kapatid Derek Ramsay, right, will be gracing the Adobo Festival on Sunday, July 7, 2013 at the Martinez Waterfront, Park Marina, Joe Di Maggio Dr, Martinez, CA 94553 (shown here with birthday celebrant, born on the Fourth of July - Joyce Smaby of Elk Grove, CA).

POKWANG, DEREK & VICKI BELO

THIS WEEKEND

TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY

(HAYWARD, CA) – It’s going to be a very hot weekend and it’s projected to be hotter as Pokwang, Chokoleit, K Brosas & Pooh, cast of 4 DA LAFFS 2013 US Tour perform on Saturday, July 6^that Chabot College. Meanwhile, TV5’s hottest hunk Derek Ramsay will raise the temperature of the female population as Dra Vicki Belo speaks about skin care and beauty tips at the Adobo Festival happening at Martinez Waterfront, Park Marina located along Joe Di Maggio Dr, Martinez, CA 94553 on July 6 & 7(Saturday & Sunday, respectively).

Pokwang, recently made headlines for her ‘challenges & hurdles’ during her Kuwait show as both the producer and artist sides air their gripes in the media.

Derek Ramsay is currently promoting his latest TV5 action TV show ‘Undercover’ after fulfilling his dreams of hosting the 2012 London Summer Olympics and “The Amazing Race Philippines”.

Dra Vicki Belo meanwhile starts her latest season of Belo 101 series of shows on The Filipino Channel every Saturday at 8:30PM (with replays on Thursdays @ 10:00PM). She will be speaking LIVE at the Adobo Festival on addressing your beauty concerns and issues.

For tickets to Pokwang’s 4 DA Laffs show in Hayward, call Nanette Labrador @ (510) 828-4792 or (510) 364-3132 and either Joey or Maite Camins (650) 290-4457 for Adobo Festival @ Martinez inquiries.

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Lifestyle Network celebrates launch party Hollywood-style

Star-studded event and show greet new Filipino destination channel in the U.S.

for programs on self, home, food and travel

REDWOOD CITY, CA, June 26, 2013 – The Legendary Park Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles – host to Hollywood’s elite in the 1920’s – became alive anew last weekend, turning into a dazzling modern tableau of high fashion, gourmet menu, fine wines, elegantly attired celebrities and VIP guests, and the flashing cameras of Hollywood media.

The reason? ABS-CBN International, the largest Filipino entertainment, news and broadcast company in the U.S., held its launch party for Lifestyle Network, carried by Time Warner Cable in Los Angeles, San Diego and Hawaii.

As trays of marinated filet mignon satay, bottom mushroom adobo, ancho pork tenderloin, smoked salmon pastrami rolls and the like were served by the dynamic teams of Chef Rudy Janeo Jr. of Zagat-rated Ventano Italian Grill in Las Vegas and restaurateur Lem Balagot of the very famous food landmark L.A. Rose Café Hollywood, a panoramic scan of the courtyard and red carpet revealed many familiar faces from the 500 invited guests. Social media was inundated with real time image uploads of on-goings and lots of kudos.

Among the celebrities spotted were Apl.de.ap of Black-Eyed Peas, vintage intelligence extraordinaire Doris Raymond, exciting designers Alan del Rosario, Carlyn Calloway, and Alexis Phifer, Fritz Friedman of Sony Pictures, Kaya Jones of the Pussycat Dolls, TV host and model Vanessa Minnillo, celebrity stylist Kyle Blackmon, Chef Cecilia de Castro, head of the Academy of Culinary Education in Los Angeles who has worked with Chef Wolfgang Puck and restaurateur Patrick Terrail, beloved Filipino local stars like actor-director Bernardo Bernardo, legendary pop-jazz singers Louie Reyes and Joannie Feliciano of ABS-CBN Foundation International, former Adobo Nation co-host and commercial model Jaja Bolivar, news anchors Maria Quiban and Bob de Castro of Fox11 and Cher Calvin of KTLA5 who hosted the fashion show that featured the designs of celebrated Filipino designers Jay Nicolas Sario of Project Runway and Alexis Monsanto, founder of West Hollywood-based fashion design studio, Alexis Monsanto Atelier. Providing stellar entertainment on the runway were Cheesa of The Voice Season 2 and youtube violinist sensation CryWolffs! Directing the show was ABS-CBN North America’s Head of Production & Global Head of Theatricals John-D Lazatin.

Leading the numerous Filipino community leaders who were present at the event were Philippine Consul General in Los Angeles Maria Hellen Barber De La Vega and husband Joveno "Bing" De La Vega.

With the unprecedented success of its flagship product, The Filipino Channel (TFC) and Filipino On Demand, its video on demand service on cable, ABS-CBN International expanded its content coverage to Filipinos in the U.S. by offering Lifestyle Network back in April.

In an on-site interview with TFC’s Balitang Showbiz host Yong Chavez, ABS-CBN North America Managing Director & Global Content Head Olivia De Jesus said: “The programs that you will find in Lifestyle Network are very much aligned to the passions of Filipinos living in America. We're out to fulfill your passions and make you realize your dreams. This is a major milestone in our 20 years of service to the Filipinos here in the U.S.”

“We are very pleased to have Time Warner Cable as our partner in bringing Lifestyle Network to the Filipino community in Southern California and Hawaii,” said ABS-CBN North America Regional Marketing Head & Senior Director Jun Del Rosario. “We hope to seeLifestyle Network as a true destination channel to as many viewers as possible who are interested in its four pillars of Self, Food, Home and Travel.”

Lifestyle Network’s launch party was sponsored by Peroni, VuQo, Standing Sun Wines, LA Colors, Lierac Paris, Phyto Paris, MUD: Make-Up Designory and Sweet 9.

Lifestyle Network is available on Channel 683 in Los Angeles, Channel 691 in San Diego and Channel 683 in Hawaii for no additional charge to Time Warner Cable digital customers with a subscription to The Filipino Channel on the Los Angeles, San Diego and Hawaii systems. For more information, please visit www.twc.com.

MR. & MISS CHINATOWN PHILIPPINES PRELIMINARY COMPETITION TAKES PLACE Candidates for the Mr. and Miss Chinatown Philippines 2013 competition bared their looks and confidence at the preliminary competition held at the ABS-CBN studio. The women of the competition donned their best gowns and oriental-themed swimsuits, while the men walked down the stage in clean-cut suits and traditional Chinese attire with a twist. These were all held in line with the upcoming grand coronation night of the first ever search for Mr. & Miss Chinatown Philippines 2013 to be held on June 30 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila, airing on ABS-CBN Channel 2. . For additional details and information, follow @MrandMissChinatown on Twitter and Instagram, or visit the official Facebook page of Mr. and Miss Chinatown Philippines 2013 at www.facebook.com/MrandMsChinatown.

KATHNIEL, TO ENCHANT TV VIEWERS VIA ABS-CBN'S PRIMETIME SERIES "GOT TO BELIEVE"

Philippine showbiz's reigning 'Teen Queen and King'--Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla--are set to make their grand return on primetime TV via ABS-CBN's highly-anticipated romantic comedy series entitled "Got To Believe," directed by box-office director Cathy Garcia-Molina.

After ruling the hearts of viewers as Princess Areeyah and Gino in the royal teleserye "Princess And I" and as Patchot and Ivan in their launching movie under Star Cinema"Must Be... Love," Kathryn and Daniel will continue to charm the whole country in "Got To Believe," wherein Daniel plays the the rich kid, spoiled 'prince,' Joaquin, while Kathryn plays Chichay, a simple girl with big dreams for her family.

Also part of the "Got To Believe" cast are Manilyn Reynes, Benjie Paras, Ian Veneracion and Carmina Villarroel.

Join Chichay and Joaquin as they embark into the "real world." Will Chichay's "never say die" motto be enough for her to reach all her dreams? What will turn Joaquin's world upside down and make him realize that despite his wealth, he needs "magic" to make his life complete?

Witness the magic of love in the romantic TV series "Got To Believe," to premiere this July in ABS-CBN Primetime Bida.

For exclusive updates, photos, and videos, log on to "Got To Believe"s official social media accounts at www.facebook.com/G2B,www.twitter.com/@G2BGottobelieve.

THE STARSTUDIO CELEBRITY STYLE AWARDS IS BACK!

The StarStudio Celebrity Style Awards is back to give yet another round of due recognition to the most fashionable folk in the Philippine entertainment industry.

Held hand-in-hand with StarStudio magazine’s 13^th anniversary, this year’s Celebrity Style Awards will be the second coming of the event, following its first commencement in 2010.

The first ever Celebrity Style Awards was received with much excitement, being the very first awards show mounted by StarStudio magazine. The awards night was held October, 2010 at the Dusit Thani hotel in Makati City, along with a series of mini fashion shows by the Celebrity Designer of 2010 nominees. Among the winners of the first Celebrity Style Awards were Piolo Pascual, Gretchen Barretto, Angel Aquino, Sarah Geronimo, Toni Gonzaga, Ely Buendia and Tim Yap.

This year’s Celebrity Style Awards is bringing you the same stylish glamour, with the list of nominees including the likes of Anne Curtis, Dingdong Dantes, Solenn Heusaff, Gerald Anderson, Heart Evangelista, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Elmo Magalona, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Daphne Osena-Paez, Luis Manzano, Regine Velasquez, Rico Blanco, Vice Ganda, and so much more.

Be part of it this year by voting for your favorite stylish stars at push.com.ph/vote or via SMS. For additional information and complete mechanics, visit StarStudio’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/StarStudio.Magazine.

Concerts/Theatre

GMA Network Wins Big in 2013 US International Film and Video Fest

The US International Film and Video Festival (USIFVF) recently conferred top awards on television giant GMA Network, citing a total of 11 programs from GMA-7 and GMA News TV Channel 11. Led by GMA News TV’s State of the Nation with Jessica Soho (SONA), GMA Network’s entries are the only festival winners from the Philippines this year.

GMA News TV’s flagship primetime newscast State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, bannered by GMA Network’s Vice President for News Programs Jessica Soho, received a Silver Screen Award for its special coverage of last year’s disastrous monsoon rains entitled “The Wrath of the Monsoon”. In 2012, SONA also received a documentary accolade from the USIFVF for its episode on the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong.

“This is a big honor not only for us in SONA, but for the entire GMA News and Public Affairs group. We would also like to share this award with our viewers locally and abroad for being our true inspiration in creating and continuously improving this newscast,” said Soho, who was recently named by Reader’s Digest Asia as the Most Trusted News Presenter for the third consecutive year and is widely regarded as the country’s most awarded broadcast journalist.

Soho’s multi-awarded and top-rating public affairs program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, in turn, was also one of the programs cited from GMA Network.

Receiving a Certificate for Creative Excellence were Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (“Photographs of Typhoon Pablo”) for the News Magazine Format; primetime newscast 24 Oras bannered by Mike Enriquez and Mel Tiangco (“Sendong Tragedy”) for Newscasts; late-night newscast Saksi anchored by Arnold Clavio and Vicky Morales (“Wrath of the Monsoon”) also for Newscasts; and a documentary by Howie Severino for the program I-Witness (“Santo at Sikreto”) for Documentary: Religion.

Also receiving Certificates for Creative Excellence were GMA-7 entertainment programs––local infotainment show iBilib bannered by basketball icon Chris Tiu with Moymoy Palaboy and Isabelle Daza for Children’s Entertainment; cooking show Kusina Master hosted by celebrity chef Boy Logro for Cooking; and drama series Pahiram ng Sandali topbilled by Dingdong Dantes, Christopher de Leon, Max Collins, and Lorna Tolentino for Telenovelas.

The festival similarly awarded certificates to GMA News TV programs––news commentary and analysis show Bawal Ang Pasaway Kay Mareng Winnie headlined by Prof. Solita Monsod (“One on One with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile”) for Interview/Talk, Filipino cultural show I Juander hosted by GMA reporters Cesar Apolinario and Susan Enriquez (“Why is the Lechon the Centerpiece of Every Filipino Celebration”) for Education: Professional Development & Continuing Education; and GMA News TV special San Pedro Calungsod for Documentary: Religion.

Founded in 1967, USIFVF recognizes outstanding corporate, education, entertainment, documentary and student productions.

These award-winning programs can be seen on the Network’s international channels, GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International.

GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International can be seen in the US and in countries in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia Pacific. For more details, visit the GMA International website www.gmanetwork.com/international, Facebook pages www.facebook.com/GMAPinoyTV,www.facebook.com/gmalifetv, and, www.facebook.com/gmanewsinternational, or Twitter pages@GMAPinoyTV and @GMA_LifeTV.

From left to right: Claro Ramirez (PGNL President), Derek Ramsay, Mrs. Eleanor De Leon, Consul General Mario de Leon, Sharon Cuneta, Aga Muhlach, and Fe Martinez (PIDCI President) at the New York City Independence Day Parade

Kapatid Stars Aga Muhlach and Sharon Cuneta serenaded the crowd during the New York City Independence Day Parade held last June 2.

TV5 brings Pinoys closer to the stars in Independence Day Parade

The Big Apple became the appropriate setting for one of the biggest gatherings of Filipinos held in the U.S. in recent years. On June 2, 2013, over a hundred-thousand Filipinos from the East Coast and surrounding states flocked to Madison Avenue to witness the grandest-ever Independence Day Parade mounted in New York City. It was a momentous event made even more remarkable by the first ever participation of the Philippines’ fastest growing network - TV5. Excitement was palpable when three of the Kapatid Network’s brightest stars - Derek Ramsay, Sharon Cuneta, and Aga Muhlach - took to the streets riding a huge, red and white TV5 float while greeting the ecstatic Filipino crowd. But that was all but a prelude to the jam-packed, star-studded affair.

After the parade, Derek Ramsay kicked off the program with a special song number,wherein he also distributed roses to audience members. As if his serenade didn’t make the crowd swoon enough, the Kapatid hunk also facilitated a game which required the participation of four lucky girls from the audience. Die-hard fans of Sharon Cuneta also had a field day when the Megastar appeared on stage to belt out her signature classics “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko”, “Maging Sino Ka Man”, and “Sana’y Wala nang Wakas”. The audience became even more delighted when she was joined by matinee idol Aga Muhlach in performing a duet of the classic ballad “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?”

TV5 also reached the pinnacle of innovation by setting up an augmented reality booth, the first by any Filipino network. This new technology placed U.S.-based Pinoys in a virtual, augmented environment where they were able to interact with a bevy of Kapatid stars ranging from screen legends Nora Aunor and Edu Manzano and fast-rising young stars like Eula Caballero and Ritz Azul. It allowed users of the booth to get up close and personal with their favorite TV5 stars without being actually with them.

It was truly a grand way to usher in TV5’s participation in the momentous parade and judging from the elation of Filipinos living in the area, it was indeed a warm welcome. “We are happy that TV5 is here, and for making this year’s celebration the biggest ever. They said they will bring Aga, Derek, and Sharon, and now it’s a reality” shares Consul General Mario L. De Leon Jr. It was also a surreal experience for the people behind the scenes as Pilipinas Global Network (PGN)/TV5 International President Claro Ramirez also shared, “We are delighted to see our Kapatids here in New York, and for bringing our biggest stars closer to them. We hope to be able to do this every year.”

Filipinos in the United States can enjoy their favorite TV5 programs on Kapatid TV5 and Aksyon TV International available via Dish Network.

One of the most important films you will see this year will be at OUTFEST 2013 in Los Angeles. Please mark your calendar and join us for the world premiere of FACING FEAR, a documentary film directed by Jason Cohen.

This amazing film will have its world premiere on July 13 and 14 at the Directors Guild of America Theatre #2.

LA premiere of TWO: THE STORY OF ROMAN AND NYRO

Follows the story of twin sons born to Grammy Award winning songwriter Desmond Child and his lifelong partner Curtis Shaw. The film captures insight from the twin sons, surrogate mom Angela Whivttaker, extended family and more. Blending family archive photos, and archive from Angela's daily video diary, the result is a heartwarming story of family unity, parenthood and love.

For the entire list of key dates and all rules, please visit www.oscars.org/rules.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar® Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.