Radiant View » Entertainment

July 25, 2010: Journey’s Arnel Pineda & GMA Pinoy TV’s Rachelle Ann Go Rock in Atlantic City

lorna — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:56:47 +0000

I promised uber-busy and dynamic Filipina marketing consultant, Grace Hufano-Labaguis, in the New York/New Jersey area that I would spread the word about the July 25 concert featuring Journey’s Arnel Pineda, GMA Pinoy TV’s Rachelle Ann Go, and Ammo Band in Atlantic City. This musical journey on Sunday, July 25, 2010 at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall Adrian Phillips Ballroom at 2:00 pm is a chance to see “Arnel Pineda Loves To Rock” before Arnel goes on another world tour with JOURNEY.

I had never researched much about Arnel Pineda because I relied on the editorial skills of my Filipinas Magazine colleagues. In the meantime, I was fascinated by Rachelle Ann Go’s singing technique, wherein she modifies her aerial performance “brand” with subliminal influences from the likes of musical luminaries, Pink and Alicia Keys.

Here is what Grace sent me. Enjoy!

July 25, 2010 in New Jersey – Arnel Pineda & Rachelle Ann Go Will Rock Your World

Here is a video of Arnel Pineda during the Grand Coronation of the 2010 Binibining Pilipinas contest.

Rachelle Ann Go singing Empire State of Mind

Rachelle Ann Go in GMA Pinoy TV’s Party Pilipinas (April 18, 2010)

Breaking Stereotypes at the 6th Annual Ginoong Pilipinas-USA (aka Mister Philippines USA) Pageant

lorna — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:16:16 +0000

Me and my big mouth! The persevering and tenacious Elton Lugay, one of the co-founders of the Ginoong Pilipinas-USA pageant/competition, and I were having an intense discussion about the portrayal of young Filipino male pageant candidates as men who dare to assert their empowerment goals in a pop culture event. Elton was very excited about their first Los Angeles event (after four years in the San Francisco Bay Area and one year in New York City) for July 20, 2008 at the Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Midtown at the University of Southern California, located at 3540 South Figueroa St, Los Angeles CA 90007. He explained to me that California State Senator Leland Yee’s advocacy, the White Ribbon Campaign, a worldwide campaign of men working to end men’s violence against women, is one of the primary beneficiaries of the event’s proceeds.

“Make sure the emcees are respectful to these young men, Elton! It takes a lot of guts for them to be there on the stage,” I reminded him. “I understand that community service involvement is one of your criteria for these contestants. How will you make sure that the interview portion of the pageant will be handled sensitively?”

“Because you’re going to host the interview portion of the program,” Elton declared.

“Moi? I write profiles, Elton,” I protested.

“But you interview people, right? What’s the difference?” Elton asked, determined not to get a “No!” for an answer.

“OK, this is my personal support for you, Elton, as a Filipina who wants to end violence against women and girls,” I agreed, not sure why he thought I was an ideal pageant interviewer.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area on Sunday, July 20, 2008, please come and celebrate with us as Filipino men “break stereotypes” at the 6th Annual Ginoong Pilipinas-USA [Mister Philippines USA] competition.

6th Ginoong Pilipinas USA

SUNDAY, JULY 20 @ 6 PM

GRAND BALLROOM
Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Midtown at USC
3540 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles CA 90007
Telephone: (213) 748-4141 Fax: (213) 746-3255

Direct from Elton:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Baguio (917) 553-4750

- – -

Sharon Leal and Andrew Christian headline 6th Ginoong Pilipinas USA as America’s search for the Best Filipino Male goes to Los Angeles

The now New York-based Ginoong Pilipinas USA is holding its 6th cultural pageant cum fundraiser on Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 6 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Midtown at the University of Southern California, located at 3540 South Figueroa St, Los Angeles CA 90007

Known for its humanitarian efforts, Ginoong Pilipinas USA will share portions of the event’s proceeds this year to White Ribbon Campaign, a coalition of Men Working to End Violence Against Women. Calif. Senator Leland Yee will be on-hand to help promote the Campaign.

Los Angeles’ celebrity fashion designer Andrew Christian will co-host the program and Hollywood Fil-Am singer-actress Sharon Leal, (Boston Public, Dreamgirls, Why Did I Get Married) will be the special guest
performer along with Broadway Star Stephanie Reese and American Idol Finalist Jordan Segundo, 2008 American Idol Finalist David Hernandez, and many local performers rendering their time and talents in celebrating Filipino male youth empowerment.

Over 20 contestants from around the nation are competing for the title and this year’s winner will receive $1,000 cash, roundtrip tickets to the Philippines, a custom-made trophy and sash and the rare opportunity of representing the Filipino community in various civic and cultural events around the nation.

This year’s sponsors include San Francisco’s Hotel Luz; LA’s Patron of the Arts, Bong Prada Lim; Wilshire Travel Center; O Bar Restaurant, Gregory’s Tuxedos; Nostalgia, The Barong Tagalog Shoppe; Swimwear by Andrew Christian; Pnoy Apparel; Fashion Designer Lou Razon; and Western Union.

Media partners include Balitang America ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel; GMA Pinoy TV; LA’s Midweek and Weekend Balita; The Philippine News; Manila Mail; Manila Bulletin; Pinoy Today; NY’s Filipino Express; Filipino Insider; AsianWeek; Philippine Fiesta; Philippine Headlines; MyGringos.com; Bisaya Bulletin; Hollywood Flip; NY’s Carousel Pinoy; and PinoyGig.com.

Tickets to the event are at $20 and are available online via BrownPaperTickets.com or by calling Toll Free (800) 868-3006.

For more information, visit ginoousa.net, email ginoousa@gmail.com or call (917) 553-4750 in New York; (415) 424-3998, San Francisco; and (818) 909-2525, Los Angeles.

Fabulous Filipino & Filipina Celebrities in Hollywood – and Beyond!

lorna — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:24:58 +0000

This is really entertaining! A true Pinoy or Pinay proud moment.

There are many Filipino and Filipina celebrities out there in Hollywood. Many of them are of mixed-race parentage, thus, they don’t look Asian.

My nephew, Mark de Vera, asked me recently if Vanessa Anne Hudgens (of “High School Musical” fame) would be showing up at this year’s Filipinas Magazine Achievement Awards on October 2, 2008 at the South San Francisco Conference Center. “Wishful thinking, Mark. You’ll never know!” I replied. Then, I thought to myself, “I didn’t even realize Vanessa is a Filipina!” Duh!

Whether these Asian celebrities have decided to claim ownership to their Filipino-and-other-Asian-ancestry family roots or not, it’s nice to know that some of them, such as Cheryl Burke, Sharon Leal, Apl. de Ap. of Black-Eyed Peas, Tia Carrere, Mark Dacoscos, Lou Diamond Phillips, Dante Basco, Enrique Iglesias and his older brother, Julio Iglesias, Jr., and Rob Schneider are doing very well in their careers as performing arts professionals.

Some of our successful celebrities make it their business to showcase Pinoy humor in mainstream America. A Bay Area comic, Rex Navarrete, makes a hilarious representative of Filipino American humor in the United States and overseas. His mom, Gloria “Goya” Navarrete, who is a nuturing friend and amazing gourmet chef, is one of Rex’s favorite subjects for his original comedies.

Here are some of these Pinoy and Pinay Proud Moments for your entertainment.

SEXY HOT! Filipino & Other Asian Celebrities in Hollywood
Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

Famous Filipino-American Celebrities
Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

Vanessa Anne Hudgens’ “Say OK” Music Video
Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

Rex Navarrete from Balitang America
Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

Dreams Come True: Charice Pempengco on TV (with Oprah Winfrey and Ellen Degeneres)

lorna — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:07:53 +0000

Thank you to Vietman-based Roger Pe for sending me the Smartest Kids segment of the OPRAH show which featured Charice Pempengco. I had compared the vocal renditions of Charice Pempengco and Madonna Decena. My sister, Myrna, and I agreed that Madonna sang with more in-depth feeling at the “Britain’s Got Talent” auditions with sour-faced Simon Cowell (as one of the judges). Maybe it’s because Donna is 32 and Charice is still 15. This girlie-girl (looks like she might have received an Oprah hairstyle makeover, good for her!) relies on technique for her volumizing songs, I should say… Does Charice show promise? From the public relations point of view, as long as she doesn’t acquire so-called “Diva” attitudes, for instance, demanding an “all-pink” dressing room, she will do very well indeed. I look forward to the time when Charice is all grown-up and socially conscious, working those lungs to promote the devotion, hard work, and professionalism of Overseas Filipinos.

In the meantime, I’ve collected a couple of her TV appearances for you to enjoy.

From OPRAH WINFREY SHOW:

From the ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW in 2007: (where she first gained her US notoriety, when Ellen declared: “You are going to be blown away! You’re going to witness something. I was there that day at that show.”)

Britain’s Got Talent: Madonna Decena, an Overseas Filipina in Europe, Wows Everyone!

lorna — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:47:08 +0000

Check out this video that was sent to me by my family about the Filipina performing artist, Madonna Decena, who left the Philippines six months ago to become a club singer/lounge singer in the UK. She certainly looked and dressed the part during the Britain’s Got Talent competition. After you view the video, I believe you will agree with me that it carries a message. Even the judges — Simon, Piers, and Amanda — were visibly moved by Madonna’s audition. I think this video provides a reality check for all of us, Overseas Filipinos, workers and professionals — especially for the families we leave behind in the Philippines.

Check out what GMANews.TV has to say about Donna.

A tip for Madonna Decena: Lose the short-short skirt! Wear something that will “lengthen” your torso during your performances. You have a beautiful face and a magnificent voice. Your pathos and your love (for your children) show through — and we know you will definitely go places!!! God speed, Donna!

Patrizio Buanne, the Italian singer who evokes Romance

lorna — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:28:07 +0000

Here is a treat for Valentine’s Day: The music of Patrizio Buanne, as introduced to me by Jacquie Lingad-Ricci of San Francisco, California.

Jacquie Lingad-Ricci loves Italian pop music so much that during our brainstorming sessions, she takes the time to introduce us to some of her favorite musical artists via YouTube. After all, she’s an adopted Italiana. Her son even speaks English, Italian — and Tagalog! So, when I asked Jacquie if Patrizio Buanne, her favorite singer, is better than “Il Divo,” she replied, “Absolutely!”

After hearing Patrizio sing on YouTube.com, I decided to go on a “research dig.”

Here’s what I gathered:

From Querida9, YouTube.com

A collage of Patrizio’s photos set to the music of “Close To You.” He IS gorgeous!

Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

From Wikipedia

Snippets:

Patrizio Buanne (born September 20, 1978) is an Italian baritone.

The Multitalent Buanne speaks from his early age six languages. [Italian], [German], [English], [French], [Spanish], and [Polish], and can say a few words in many other tongues. In his early twenties Buanne appeared as a performer and co-host on several television shows and recorded several voice overs and title tracks for cartoons. One of such called “[Bu bu-cha cha]” as seen on the Italian national channel [RAI]. This gave him the title of being simply a “showman”. However, he wanted more – to pursue his one true passion, to sing and to be a recording artist. Investing his wages into producing his own records and touring with his band, were the beginnings.
When he was twenty-five he started to search for a producer who would put his big dream into realty, and record Buanne´s most favorite Italian songs that he was brought up ‘on one album. After eighteen months of hard work an album of 14 romantic Italian songs recorded at the [Abbey Road Studios] (made famous by The [Beatles]) in London, accompanied by the [Royal Philharmonic Orchestra] got signed by [Universal music UK] and his singing career took off with the launch of his first international album, called [The Italian], which was released in the United Kindgom on February 28, 2005, and in the United States on March 7, 2006. It reached number ten on the pop chart in the United Kingdom, where it attained platinum status; it was also certified as platinum in South Africa, Asia, and New Zealand, and as triple platinum in Australia.

Here is Patrizio, featured on a TV talk show, “Loose Women,” in the UK:

Courtesy of SuzyWong1966

Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

And let’s hear some of Patrizio Buanne’s romantic songs:

IL MONDO
(courtesy of poporogue)

Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

THEME FROM “THE GODFATHER”
(courtesy of ladyflowers2000)

Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

Jacquie, I’m looking forward to seeing Patrizio perform LIVE!

Ramiele Malubay: Filipina is Season 7’s American Idol contender

lorna — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:38:05 +0000

February 2008:

Simon Cowell was outvoted by Paula and Randy during Ramiele’s audition. Ramiele Malubay, this petite, talented Filipina American, is someone to watch out for. If you feel Ramiele deserves our votes, go ahead — and cheer for her this season!

Vote for her between 10:00 pm to 12:00 midnight on Tuesday nights (after the show ends) at 1-866-436-57__ (find out what the last two digits are).

Click here to go to YouTube.com. (courtesy of dEkN4te)

UPDATES:

Click here to go to YouTube.com.

Florida Fil-Am Ramiel Malubay sings the Dusty Springfield mid-’60s hit at the 2008 Top 24 American Idol.
Courtesy of lancerpntgrd

Click here to go directly to go to YouTube.com.
Courtesy of aitvcut (thank you for your comments — see below)

AMERICAN IDOL 7 – 2008
Top 10 Females 2nd Show (’70):
Singer: RAMIELE MALUBAY
Song: Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes – Don’t Leave Me this Way

Ramiele revealed she used to Polynesian dance when she was little and even gave viewers a brief demonstration on some simple moves… In addition, she also dances Filipino cultural dances… Following the judge’s comments, Ryan said, “Well Randy make a note. We won’t be hearing that this spring at the wedding, that song.” The comment — a reference to Simon potentially marrying girlfriend Terri Seymour — made Simon spit whatever he was drinking back into his cup… Ramiele revealed she changed her song choice “like four times” because she picked some really slow songs, and was worried about being called “Lullaby” instead of “Malubay.”

JUDGES SAID:
Randy said: “Listen, this was a little rough for me because I thought you were really good last week. This was just okay for me vocally. You can really sing, but the song choice for me is weird. I mean the 70s — my favorite time in music — there’s so many dope records that went out. To choose that and sing that and it’s just kind of okay for you, it wasn’t my favorite choice for you. It was just really okay. (boos) Just keeping it real!”
Paula said: “Ramiele, you’re also one to beat here. Your vocals are truly amazing. I feel kind of the same way, it just was a song that you powered through the same notes… I feel like you didn’t get to perform your magic. Having said that, you do have truly one of the most amazing vocals.”
Simon said: “Astonishingly I agree with Paula. The trouble with that song is, I’ve heard it so many times at ghastly weddings and stuff like that. I thought you were much, much better last week. I thought you showed more personality. I thought you stood out more. This was one of those performances which I’m not going to remember so well. (boos) You can boo all you want, I’m trying to be constructive. I think you’re terrific. I think you’re one of the Top 3 best singers in the competition (cheers), but I think it just wasn’t one of your bests.”

Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.
Courtesy of IdolNews

March 05, 2008
http://www.american-idol.tk
Ramiele Malubay performs “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins on American Idol Top 16

Renaldo Lapuz talks about his American Idol audition with Simon Cowell

lorna — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:03:16 +0000

When I first saw the YouTube video clip of 44-year old Renaldo Lapuz’s “Gladiator” themed appearance for his American Idol audition, I went through a gamut of emotions. Incredulity, amusement, embarrassment, and then — appreciation. You see, Simon Cowell (and the rest of the American Idol group) understood that by giving Renaldo an audition, he was thinking outside the box and about the millions of people who aspire to make their dreams come true. Who knows what’s going to happen to Renaldo. He seems to exude innocence (the word isn’t naivete) about his admiration for Simon Cowell. It’s refreshing to experience Renaldo’s sweet generosity, innate spirituality, and courage to sing at an audition. A strong voice, an anthem-like original song for the interview… what else can you ask for? I don’t think Renaldo knows that he is a natural comedian. Let’s give this Filipino the 15 minutes of fame he deserves. He’s the “common tao” (ordinary people) who has been given an extraordinary opportunity to share with people: “If I don’t try, I will never know what I’m capable of.”

Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

Here’s the actual audition. Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.