2016 04/06-04/12

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

All roads will lead to the Hogwarts Castle this weekend - as it transforms not just the Universal Studios horizon but the LA skyline as well. The 'Wizarding World of Harry Potter' officially opens April 7.

Springbreakers Isabelle Villanueva, 11, Chris 'Kit' Hartman, 14, Elisha Villanueva, 16, Eric Hartman, 15 and Aidan Villanueva, 6, (all from San Jose, CA) were just 4 of the lucky youngsters who got a pre-opening taste of the Harry Potter ride last week at the Universal Studios. Right place at the right time!

Franchesca Lazaro, 12, (shown here with Voice Coach AnnMarie Tecson, Girlie Mendiola of Bantay Bata, co-performers Abbe Pingol and Megan Manalad) performed in 'A Chorus Line' a dance musical at Centerstage Performing Arts in Milpitas, CA last April 1 & 2, 2016, directed by Mei Wan Chai and choreographed by Gina Harris.

The Only Eight-Division Boxing Champion, Manny Pacquiao (who fights Timothy Bradley for the 3rd time at MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 9th) is in the headline news again after being attacked and almost hurt by an identified LGBT white man in Los Angeles last Sunday afternoon, right after his Japanese lunch treat to his family and friends. Photo by Richard C. Lao, CPA, MSMOT

HARRY POTTER - THE RIDE

@ UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

OPENS APRIL 7th

SEEN IN THE CITY:

(UNIVERSAL CITY) – All roads will lead to the Hogwarts Castle this Thursday. It’s a whole new world of young wizardry that will leave you in awe as you enter Universal Studio’s newest attraction. And there’s not only one but two rides in the new world of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.

First is the classic roller coaster ride called ‘Flight of the Hippogriff,” situated right beside the Hogwarts Castle towards the stretch of the long winding road emanating from the main road of the park.

And then there’s the main ride, appropriately called the ‘Forbidden Journey,’ for its surprises. There was almost a 90-minute wait in line but everything is forgiven once you get into the ride. Oh, while waiting in line inside the Castle, you will be greeted by a talking moving hologram version of Harry Potter and his 3 friends by the door, perched higher up in a balcony for all anxious audiences to see. ‘Forbidden Journey’ is a different rollercoaster-type ride that successfully recreates the look and feel of one of your favorite scenes in the Harry Potter movies – the chase scenes in the Quidditch match. You become a part of Harry Potter’s world as you swing and twirl up in the air and the familiar characters interact with you and Harry Potter in 4-dimensional fashion.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios is predicted to be a success in all levels. Although, potential issue(s) might be needed to be addressed this early.

"This Harry Potter and everything associated with it (books, wands, rides, etc) is so popular with the kids that we should anticipate record-breaking guests will show up at the park this summer,“ said Christopher Hartman, father of 2 young ones (Kit, 12 and Eric, 14) of San Jose, CA who happens to be at the right place at the right time (with his whole family and several friends) when the park officials decided to open for testing, the Harry Potter rides around 1:00PM last Thursday, March 31st. “It will be both good and bad – as there will be traffic congestion issues in and out of Universal Studios. Best to arrive early at the park and be done with it soonest."

Predicted to be an instant hit with the park goers of all ages, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios officially opens to the general public on Thursday, April 7, 2016.

Universal Studios entrance fees are pegged at around $94 for an Annual Passport (for unlimited 12-month visit but with blackout dates, except on the first use). Aside from Harry Potter, if you haven’t been to Universal Studios lately, they also have a new ride called ‘Fast & Furious, Supercharged – dubbed as the Grand Finale of the Studio Tour and a new and improved King Kong 3-D ride.

The Harry Potter rides are already existing in Orlando, FL, London and Japan.

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Concerts/Theatre

The Unbidden World Premiere:

Friday, April 22 at 8:30 pm

Aratani Theatre at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center

244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Director Quentin Lee & Cast in Attendance

Quentin Lee (White Frog, The People I've Slept With) directed from a script by Narhee Ahn (Purity). Tamlyn Tomita ("Teen Wolf", The Joy Luck Club), Julia Nickson (Rambo: First Blood Part II, Half-Life), Amy Hill (50 First Dates, "UnREAL") and Elizabeth Sung (Memoirs of a Geisha, Lethal Weapon 4) star as the group of friends desperate to save one of their own from her dark secret. Michelle Krusiec, Akemi Look, Kimberly-Rose Wolter and Karin Anna Cheung appear as the women's younger selves, joined by Hayden Szeto and Jason Yee as the men at the heart of the deadly mystery.

https://youtu.be/OJ_jmE0Qe4U

Chef and entrepreneur Tim Luym revels in the San Francisco food scene on Lifestyle Network’s Spice to Life

The creative game is 24/7 to compete in the thought-forward food industry in the 7x7

Redwood City, Calif. (April 7, 2016) – This week, Spice to Life takes audiences to the city by the bay, cosmopolitan and trend-setting San Francisco, where Chef Tim Luym has figured out the algorithm to playing big in the food and restaurant industry with competitive strategy and good food, with the help of some secret ingredients. Join him on the show’s upcoming episode on Sunday, April 10 at 7:30pm Pacific.

More exciting ‘Encantadia’ retelling in the works

The four Sang’gres will be portrayed by Kapuso stars (L-R) Sanya Lopez as Danaya, Gabbi Garcia as Alena,

Kylie Padilla as Amihan, and Glaiza de Castro as Pirena. (Photo by GMANetwork.com)

Four Kapuso actresses have emerged successful in the rigorous auditions for GMA Network’s retelling of the hit fantasy series Encantadia this 2016.

In a much-awaited grand announcement on 24 Oras last April 4, the highly-coveted roles of the four sisters, who are called Sang’gres or guardians of the elemental gems, went to GMA Artist Center stars Kylie Padilla, Gabbi Garcia, Sanya Lopez and Glaiza de Castro.