2015 11/25-12/01

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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.

Eco-Designer John Ablaza (who presented his Rizaliana Collection) is flanked onstage by Dominique and Abby Paclibar (of Flawless Faces Skin Care in Hercules and Union City) and City Model's Alexandra Drechsler and Photojournalist Richard Lao, CPA, MSMOT during the Annual Philippine International Aid Fashion Show and Fundraising event held at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.

Did you know that the 2015 NBA Champions, The Warriors' Chief Financial Officer is Filipina by name of Jennifer Cabalquinto? Yes, and she just met with the credentialed members of the Fil-Am media last Saturday, November 14th during the Filipino Heritage Night held at the Oakland Oracle Arena (sponsored by Cache Creek Casino Resort). BTW, the Warriors won that night against the Brooklyn Nets. Photo by Richard C. Lao, CPA, MSMOT

The Fil-Am community of Northern CA, headed by Sansu Ramsey (2nd right), gathered last November 16th at St. James the Apostle Catholic Church in San Jose and paid tribute to Comedienne, Elizabeth Ramsey (December 3, 1931 - October 8, 2015). Elizabeth is survived by her children - Isaac Johnson, Jr, Anne Marie Johnson, Susan 'Sansu' Johnson, Maria Luisa Ramsey (aka as 'Jaya,' the singer) and 6 grandchildren. Rest in peace, Madam Elizabeth! Photo by Richard C. Lao, CPA, MSMOT

The Annual Staff Nurse Assembly participated in by key members and officials (L-R/Front: Breanna, Fausia; Back row: Dorothy, Amy, CArol, Cecilia Hartman, Cris, Lilly and Colleen) of the California Nurses Association, National Nurses Organizing Committee and National Nurses United held their event at The Hilton San Francisco last Friday, November 13th. Next year's assembly will be held in Chicago.

NEXUS VAPOUR PREMIUM VAPOR was formally launched last Sunday, November 15th @ 2550 San Ramon Valley Blvd San Ramon, CA 94583. The proud owners are: Grace Borgonia (2nd left) and Tyler Hatton (son of Jane, leftmost and Doug, rightmost).

DEMYSTIFYING THE TRAILBLAZING

JOHN C. ABLAZA

SEEN IN THE CITY

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) – He was tagged as the First Ever Eco-Designer from the Philippines. John C. Ablaza (International Beauty Queens Shamcey Supsup, Bea Rose Santiago, Supermodels - Ria Bolivar, Manuela Basilio, Patty Betita, Marina Benipayo, Multi-talented actress Angel Aquino, among others, wore his designs) presented his Rizaliana Collection last Sunday, November 22, 2015 during the Philippine International Aid’s (PIA) Annual Fundraising Event held at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero. Consistent with his design style, the soft spoken designer defines his style as mostly fluid lines with defined patterns with attention to details. In his own word, he “creates clothes as an extension of a woman’s body.”

He is highly inspired by the things he sees around – the plants, flowers, birds, butterflies. Mother Nature is in a dwindling situation. That scary thought of the "future generation" motivated him to contribute something to protect the environment. He uses organic and highly sustainable materials in his designs as “a way of contribution to protect mother nature.”

In addition, he is currently in collaboration with the Grand Matriarch of the prominent Ayala clan - Dona Bea Zobel de Ayala..(she takes care of the women tribe of Iraya Mangyan in Mindoro, Philippines) in providing them homes and means of livelihood volunteered to teach the women tribe to do embroidery and this becomes a sustainable livelihood for them. Some of those Mangyan women’s creations were on display at the PIA auction lobby.

Ablaza’s mission is to continue to excel in his chosen profession (not the glamour part of it) to be able to continually do his advocacy in helping the Mangyan tribe in their in their livelihood and support his other charity called "St, Martin de Porres,”' in Cebu (an institution that takes care of children with autism and Down Syndrome). He’s been helping them for 5 years now.

His grandmother is the one who taught him how to stich clothes by hand and she serves as his constant inspiration. He considers Princess Diana and Angelina Jolie as his Style Icons. He favors the cities of Paris, Rome and Venice as the ones that define him as a private person. The aspect(s) of designing he enjoys the most? Pattern making and embroidery! How does he de-stress? – he travels and does his gardening.

Ablaza got first noticed by international fashionistas when he started to showcase his museum pieces, the Mangyan gown creations in his shows in Europe, Canada and the United States.

He considers his career highlight was when he was given the task in June, 1998 by Philippine Centennial Commission to do the replica of Dr. Jose Rizal, his personal belongings - that became a part of "The Jose Rizal Traveling Museum. " It has traveled to all ports of call in the entire Philippines and international destinations including Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix, Toronto, Paris, Madrid and Belgium.

So, what’s next for John C. Ablaza? After authoring his fashion book "Ramp Diva Filipina,” (a compilation of life story, work archives of 64 iconic Filipina Models who made an indelible mark in the history of Fashion), he is now working on his second book called “Fashion Meets World,” a compilation of photographs of ten (10) Filipina Beauty Queens, ten (10) Top Male Models of Filipino descent, to be dressed up by ten (10) world-class Filipino designers, captured by ten (10) Top Photographers to be shot on location all over the world. Target release date is September, 2017.

Ablaza’s upcoming shows include (1) the “Bow Tie Couture Show,” a first of its kind bow tie fashion show to be held on November 28, 2015 at Celebrity Center in Hollywood, CA; (2) the “John Ablaza Museum Piece Show,” a showcase of Mangyan Gown Collections to be held at the Philippine Center along 5^th Avenue in New York; and (3) the John Ablaza Gala Tribute to Dona Bea Zobel de Ayala,” a showcase of Mangyan Gown Collections in September, 2016 in Manila, Philippines.

How does he see himself in 10 years? He will still be designing and slowly will go back to gardening, his first love.

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.

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

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Santa Row Resident, Miss Agnes Burwell (3rd left) celebrated her birthday with business associates and friends (Jerome Laurente, Carlos, Anthony Rainmaker, Asha Kelly, Norie St. Pierre, Phebe Abunda, Vera Verochka, among others) last Thursday, November 19th. She will fly to Europe on Saturday. Happy Birthday and safe travels, Agnes!

MEDIA RELEASE

PHOTO/CAPTION

Fil-Am Jennifer Cabalquinto, the Chief Financial Officer of the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors narrates to the media her recent Washington, DC history making trip experience and self-discovery.

THE NBA WARRIORS’ CFO IS PINAY

by Richard C. Lao, CPA, MSMOT

SEEN IN THE CITY

(OAKLAND, CA) – "Success is measured by the children you leave behind," that’s what my Dad used to say when we were young, says Fil-Am Jennifer Cabalquinto, the Chief Financial Officer of the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors during the Filipino Heritage Night in front of the selected credentialed Fil-Am media, presented by Cache Creek Casino Resort, last Saturday, November 14 against the Brooklyn Nets at Oracle Arena (the Warriors won in overtime). Currently, the Warriors tied with 1948-49 Capitols and 1993-94 Rockets’ best start in NBA history for its unbeaten 15-0 record wins.

Looking at Cabalquinto standing in the middle of it all – in the basketball arena, one can’t help but think the other noteworthy women in other male-dominated fields, like soon-to-be US President Hillary Clinton and HP Former CEO Carly Fiorina, who overcame gender boundaries to take positions of greater responsibility. In Cabalquinto’s case, looking at where she is now – she also successfully overcame race limitations here in the US.

Fresh from her Washington, DC participation as the official representative of the Golden State Warriors in the first ever Filipino Heritage Month Celebration event, she capped her trip as very memorable and rewarding. “On a personal level, there were so many highlights on my DC trip. I think the relationships that we were able to forge as a community. It's such a huge honor to be among the approximate thirty (30) or so people chosen to be a part of that historical event. I remember sitting in the auditorium; and there were a number of well-known panelists – like the White House Executive Chef, Fil-Am Cristeta Comerford. I was overwhelmed with pride and joy. I kept thinking about my parents. For me, the very first thing that I did after the event concluded, was to call my mom and dad. I came to this country when I was four years old. And everything I got today I got from my parents. It all came together for me. And that experience is a validation. It was really just being able to reconnect and tie my roots together,” she recalled almost in tears.

For the first time across the NBA, the Warriors celebrated Filipino Heritage Night by wearing special edition Filipino Heritage Night shooting shirts before Saturday’s game. Philippines Today Newspaper’s official media representatives, Bradford Adkins and this writer were met early on by Warriors’ Official Corporate Communications’ Massimo Degaudenzi at the gate and served as the official escort from start to finish. He gave us a personal tour of the Oracle Arena and ushered us in to the exclusive media-only private rooms. He escorted as every now and then during the breaks to the courtside to take a closer look at the players to take better quality photos.

Fans were able to purchase the Filipino Heritage Night shooting shirts at the Warriors Team Store location inside Oracle Arena or at warriorsteamstore.com. In addition, fans had the opportunity to purchase a limited edition Filipino Heritage Night knit hat.

A limited number of tickets remain for the eighth-annual Filipino Heritage Night. Fans who purchased a special event night ticket secured a seat in the Filipino Heritage Night section and received a commemorative Warriors “Kampeon” t-shirt, courtesy of Cache Creek Casino Resort. The Warriors also featured unique cultural entertainment throughout the night at Oracle Arena, including a halftime performance by the American Center of Philippine Arts.

As part of the celebration, the Warriors hosted a Filipino Heritage Night pregame tailgate, featuring popular Filipino food trucks as well as live entertainment with DJ Romeo Reyes. During the pregame tailgate, fans had a chance to take a photo with the 2015 Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy in Parking Lot A outside of Oracle Arena.

Tickets are now available for a second Filipino Heritage Night on Friday, March 25, 2016 against the Dallas Mavericks. Fans who purchase a special event ticket will receive a commemorative Filipino Heritage Night giveaway and enjoy unique cultural entertainment.

Fans interested in attending this season’s second Filipino Heritage Night on March 25 should visit warriors.com/Filipino Heritage for more information.

For more information on the Golden State Warriors 2015-16 season, presented by Kaiser Permanente, visit warriors.com.

Is there any chance at all of having the PBA Players playing here in an exhibition game or even the Warriors going to the Philippines for a game? “I hope so. I would love to send the Warriors in the Phils. We have such a strong rabid basketball fan base there. I was on a recent trip to Vegas and my cab driver asked me why don't we (the Warriors) go to the Philippines. Yeah it would be great. I believe that the 2nd oldest league is the PBA. It would be great if that could happen,” Cabalquinto closes the privilege media talk.

This article also appears online at www.eManilaMail.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.

Do you have any personal or community events you want announced or published? Just email them to richard_ariz_lao@yahoo.com

Add me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/RCLao

Follow me on Twitter @RCLao and Instagram @RCLao

Century Properties has arrived to Bay Area. All Brokers & Realtors are welcome to join them. They brought us the easy-to-own housing from the Philippines.

For more information, contact your Century Properties Sales Director, call (925) 550-6805 or

email Bradford_Adkins@yahoo.com or

email Richard_Ariz_Lao@yahoo.com.