2015 11/04-11/10

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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 174 countries. The column features include: the issues and events, the individuals and organizations moving the community.

"Barber to NBA Stars" is Angelito Mallari, Jr aka JayR Mallari, 28, of Vallejo, CA shown here with his most famous client to-date, 2015 NBA Champs Golden State Warrior's Most Valuable Player and 2015 ESPY Sports Best Male Athlete Awardee, Stephen Curry.

FROM VALLEJO TO HOLLYWOOD: Stephen Curry's Fil-Am Barber, JayR Mallari standing in front of Legends The Barbershop located in 431 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA Phone (323) 658-7000. Photo from JayR's Instagram with permission

Rest in peace, Director Mauricio Kim Tumibay, Jr (right) who passed away last weekend in Sacramento, CA. Kim Tumibay started as a Stunt Director in action movies, branching out to teleseryes and movies. Per IMDB, his movies include Rekrut (2010), Bayarang puso (1996) and Mangarap ka (1995). Condolences to Lalaine Tumibay, his wife (left) and the rest of his survived family. Photo by Richard Lao, CPA, MSMOT

Boy Voyage Ms. Benigna Aliman (rightmost) who celebrated her 85th birthday at the One Kapamilya Go in Oakland Oracle Arena last Sunday, October 25th, a gift from her daughters Jane Clarke (leftmost) and Nina Sodusta of Marin County. Lola Benigna traveled back home to the Philippines the very next day after the event.

CONGRATULATIONS to aspiring Filipino-Vietnamese actor, Mykael Gampon of Lathrop, CA (his parents are Filipina Myra Gampon Stromgren & Nick Stromgren; Grandma is Nancy Duldulao of San Jose) who just joined the cast of 'Mr. Invincible," a feature film by San Jose-based CineQuest Mavericks Studio. He is also the face of Ouchii Apparel in Great Mall Pop Up Shops. Photo by Richard Lao, CPA, MSMOT

Belated Happy Birthday, Dahren Villamiel of San Jose, CA who celebrated his 18th special day with family and friends two weeks ago. He is the son of PNB Remittance Co Branch Manager (both for Milpitas and San Jose locations), Aileen Villamiel.

Ms. Evelyn Datoc (center), Section 1 Class Adviser at Pasay City East High School in Malibay, Pasay City held a reunion 35 years after graduation at Fort McKinley Restaurant in South San Francisco last Sunday, November 1st. San Francisco's Lorena Marzan (2nd right) of Batch '80 organized the event, together with JC Garcia (leftmost), Batch '80; Gregg Guevarra (rightmost), Batch '81; Fely Armas, Batch 81; Sally Gualberto and Lee Lin. Photo by Richard Lao, CPA, MSMOT

FROM VALLEJO TO HOLLYWOOD:

‘BARBER TO NBA STARS’ IS PINOY

SEEN IN THE CITY

(VALLEJO, CA) – Imagine this: It was July 15, 2015 and Angelito Mallari, Jr aka JayR Mallari got a phone call on the other line – it’s from 2015 NBA Champions Golden State Warrior’s Most Valuable Player, Stephen Curry asking him to cut his hair because he is attending that same night, the 2015 ESPY awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, CA. Problem is, JayR was in Vallejo, CA while Curry’s in Los Angeles. The solution - Curry sent a private plane and flew Mallari (together with Curry’s sister) so he can cut Curry’s hair that same day! This actually transpired and Mallari can’t get enough of it. Curry won that night the ESPY Best Male Athlete award and he personally thanked JayR via private text message that read ‘Thanks bro! Made me look good at the podium today. Appreciate you.”

In an exclusive almost-midnight interview last Monday with this Columnist, the 28-year old Vallejo-owned JayR credits his parents Angelito Mallari, Sr. from Bagac, Bataan and Teresita Mercado of Calumpit, Bulacan for his God-given talent. He’s Christian and wants to be remembered by as ‘God’s barber who is following His will.’ He furthers, “He gave me skills and talents only to share with people. I am blessed only to bless others.”

He has fond memories growing up in Vallejo and while he left the area in May, 2011 he still considers it as a birth place of many talents. He considers most memorable (and the one he’s most proud of) haircut he did was the one for Curry during the 2015 NBA Finals in the most critical Game 5 last season. Before the game, Curry wanted a new look – one that will boost his confidence on and off the courts. JayR gave him the haircut and he liked the look. The Warriors ended up winning the NBA Championship that season, after 40 long years of drought. And JayR was most happy fan to savor that historic moment.

JayR (who loves eating Sinigang na Baka and Tinolang Manok) started giving $5 haircut to his friends, from the garage of his house in the Glen Cove area in Vallejo. During one of his frequent visits to Los Angeles he chanced upon Legends The Barbershop along Fairfax Avenue and boldly asked the owner, ‘What does it take to work here?” The Owner just merely looked at him. In short, he got a job as a barber right in the nucleus of Hollywood where young dreams as his, thrive. He thought then, ”This is a new beginning for me, testing my skills and talent - I didn’t know it was going to take me this far. I was just taking things one step at a time – but this is my passion.” And one thing led to another – and last thing he remembers, he was cutting Curry’s hair in Los Angeles, in his residence in the Bay Area, everywhere! JayR’s other celebrity client list now also includes NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers’ Center DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers Head Coach Glenn Anton “Doc” Rivers, among others.

A video of JayR cutting Curry’s hair and drinking mango juice, in the privacy of his wife Ayesha’s kitchen can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/eSkAWZxdPfs

His typical work day starts at 10:00AM up to 8:00PM. He is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for celebrity clients, including Sundays and all Holidays.

His creative talent didn’t limit itself to haircut styles, as evidenced by the manner he proposed to his then girlfriend, Honey. He got himself three (3) GoPro cameras and proposed inside a private helicopter tour! She said Yes! They’ve been long-distance lovers for over three (3) years. Per notes on the posted YouTube video (aptly titled “JayR and Honey: Two proposals, One Fairytale” with background Bruno Mars music, “Marry Me”) prepared by Jerrel Vison, “On this particular weekend in early August, Honey thought she was on an ordinary family vacation in LA. Little did she know, this was all part of Jayr's little sneaky plan. The time was set (a date close to their anniversary), the location was picked (the beach where their love story began), and the Guest list was in place (JayR strategically planned for both families to be in Southern CA). All that was left, was the much anticipated "Yes" from his soon-to-be-bride.

That Sunday morning, JayR told her that he was going to take her on a lunch for an early anniversary celebration. Instead, he surprised her with a romantic helicopter ride that followed a personalized route visiting the locations of all their first memories. The trip's final destination was Hermosa Beach, where JayR and Honey first began their love story. JayR began to describe how God continually spoke to him through signs in their relationship. As Honey soaked in all of the beach's beauty, JayR told Honey to look down at one of the biggest "signs" that was spoken to him.. As she looked down at the pier, she saw the gigantic letters, "Will you marry me?"

Ecstatic for the couple, both families eagerly awaited their arrival in front of the restaurant with the hard to ignore "Marry Me?" sign. It wasn't long until a massive crowd of strangers began to gather around the signs, also waiting for the couple. The crowd's enthusiasm compelled the family to give JayR a heads up on their unexpected audience. Taking advantage of the opportunity, JayR grabbed the ring and led Honey directly in the middle of a busy intersection. As the crowd cheered and the cars honked, JayR got on one knee and proposed for the second time.

With God as His guide and family by his side, JayR not only gave Honey a fairytale proposal but in return, he received a "Yes" TWICE!!”

His proposal video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/00un8We0TMY

He advises the youth of today to find their passion, follow their dreams and trust God with it.

So, how do we get to book his services the easiest way? You can call the shop located at 431 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA Phone (323) 658-7000 or go to their FB Page or

http://www.legendsthebarbershop.com/ He normally asks for a 2-day lead time to make appointments to see him, but since the Hypebeast video feature became popular online, he’s been busier and suggests a week or 2 request lead time. The Hypebeast video featuring JayR at work can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/4u4C0LzC_zM

When asked who his next dream client would be? He quickly answers, “MANNY PACQUIAO! I want to cut his hair!” And he chuckles.

Well, considering the 8-Division Boxing Champion is an open huge Warriors fan (he was even rumored in the past as having bought the NBA Champion Team), it’s only a matter of time before that dream becomes another reality.

This article also appears online at www.eManilaMail.com,www.BradfordAdkins.com, www.ScenesInTheCity.com, and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 174 countries now (& still counting!) according to the latest Google Analytics report.

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