Atinitonews.com : Philippine News Feature

The June Join-Fun
by Anthony de Barras

Troubadour Reunion
The recent James Taylor-Carole King road show that billed Toronto as their only Canadian tour stop was a resounding success. The cavernous Air Canada Center was literally pack to its rafter of 18,000 fans who were blessed to be part of an iconic, historic, pop concert. I might had been seated in Siberia, blamed it on last minute decision, thus the premium seats been plucked, sold out so many moons ago. Nevertheless, I was utterly thrilled to be a part of that evening 70's musicale magna-supra-mega stars show. The stage venue was exactly copied, from the famed Troubadour Club in L.A., where the singers started their salad years as performers. Remarkably, the accompanying musicians were exactly the original cast of those fledgling start up session. Carole King sang her hits despite a hoarse voice due to the touring toil. She sang most of her hits from that now collector album - Tapestry. James Taylor with his receding hair line, as ever dynamic and cool, with his singing and a great instrumentalist.

After the show, as we gaily scamper out, my row-mates, amiable Anglo-Canadians queried me, what can I say on the Seventies? Perpetually enamored as a sweet sixteen, I demurely answered without skipping a beat and with out batting my unmasqueraded thick-long lashes, I replied. "Oh! the decadent decade in the seventies, I was still in kindergarten school." My companion, the wonderful couple Jess and Carmen Garvez, just gave me a dagger-look, complete with flaring nostrils, as if to say “Ya right! and you were the principal of that school." Touche !

Charice does Toronto
Enraptured by the Charice charisma, I decided to brave the throng of fan-fanatics that has assembled much earlier for a vantage spot at the Eaton Center. Charice, the singing sensation, anointed no less by the great David Forster, as the season protégée, was in our midst to promote her album. The petite and charming singer blessed with a high octave vocal range now a certified international singing sensation lived up to the undying expectation of her hordes of admirers. She sang the latest hits from her album like: Pyramid, I love You , In this Song, Reset and Thank You.

All were rousingly received with screaming delights from that crowd that numbered more than 5,000 strong. The cash register at Indigo Bookstore was merrily, crazily ringing with the snaking line, flunking their plastic cards and cash to buy their Charice CD. Obviously, Ellen and the Divine Ophra were coherently correct from the very start chase the Charice Star!

Inah Canlapan – Miss Manila 2010
In our vibrant Fil-Canadian community, we had witness her bloom to become a poised, talented and beautiful singing sensation. Thus, it was no-brainer when the enchanting Inah Canlapan got the Judges nod and the audience fauve, to garner the Miss Manila title. It was not an easy feat. The ten other candidates, namely, Breanna Fernandez, Katherine Mahmoud, Katrina Naguit, Crisanta Sanchez, Toni Rose Jose, Nessa Gonzales, Elizabeth Lopez, Sheryll Venzon, Precious Calma and Alyssa de Vera were all captivatingly beautiful and equally talented. Surely the panel of judges had a taxing time, to be the harbinger of proclaiming the fairest of the Fair.

The ever elegant Aida D'Orazio who invited me to the affair held at the dependable Korean Cultural Center, pointed out the fun crowd. Each candidate apparently has their coterie of supporters that clearly gave a riotous festive affair. This year’s pageant theme was clearly South Pacific. I was floored by the lung power of the exotic looking DK Tijam who sang the Roger and Hammertein composed Bali High in French no less. She is one exciting talent to watch. I sincerely enjoyed, the parade of Philippine ternos, as the candidates smartly sashayed in their delicate couture confection. As ever, the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe dazzled us with their choreographic prowess.

Last year Miss Manila, the scintillating Celine Zoleta did her standard farewell walk. All were transfixed complete with mouth agape as she smoothly glide the stage, a vision of cool elegance. Celine was so stunning! A fun mille ensued after the proclamation. We clambered, invaded the stage to congratulate the newly crowned Queen and to pose for a photo-ops. I congratulated the popular and much loved Tess Cusipag, the over-all power-mover of the beauty pageant for another well orchestrated production. As the venerable Ruben Cusipag succinctly stated, “Miss Manila exuded the vibrancy of our cultural roots.”

The Fabulous Manalo Sisters
Luchie, Evelyn and Sophie are Tres Hermanas that epitomized what great sisterhood, is all about. They are closely knitted, inseparable, as they totally enjoy the good life, accented with the perennial world travels. As devout Roman Catholics, they had visited the major Pilgrimage sites that good Catholics with deep pockets must do in one's lifetime. They've been to the Holy Land {3 times },Lourdes in France, Fatima in Portugal, Spain Santiago de Compositely, eternal Rome, watched the Passion Play in Oberamergau, Germany, that is staged only every ten years and more.

The Manalo sisters owned a 160 acres farm located in Orangeville, Ontario, a good one and half hour smooth ride from towering Toronto de Blue. The Farm offers basic facilities in an oasis of serenity, a great place to commune with nature. The Manalo sisters has open the Farm to the public with the prime reason to promote the great Catholic Faith. It has been a favorite destination for different groups like the Opus Desi, several Youth and Religious groups as a great place to do their spiritual retreat. The place on a sylvan setting complete with a wide, deep golden pond is truly a great nature reserve. The gracious Manalo sisters, are adamant in their belief, that opening the Farm to the Public is not purely profit motivated. The rate-scale is negotiable. After all, its their way of sharing, the graces they received from heaven. Needless to say, Sophie Manalo was the god-daughter of the late Ninoy, whose son Noynoy Aquino, the new Philippine President.

Ontario Carolinians Fund Raiser
I had fun at the Fund-raising shebang annually hosted by the Carolinians. These are the shakers and movers, graduates of one of the oldest institution of Learning, The San Carlos University, based in Cebu City. The famed University known for its ultra high-standard of Educational excellence, has been under the radar of the Society of Divine Word (SVD). The Carolinians of Ontario is not merely a carousing band of fun endeavors. They have established a Scholarship Fund, that has been assiduously enjoyed by a large number of deserving students. Through their initiatives, many had graduated and are now productive under the tropical sun. Thanks to the Carolinian Fund. The bash was held at the hall of the Our Lady of Assumption Church.

The well-priced ticket donation, entitled us, to enjoy an array of gastronomic delight, accented by the fat roasted suckling pig (Lechion). As we carved, they merrily said, “eating Lechon all the time is good for the eternal Youth and never grow old, since you will die soon due to its high-cholesterol attack rate. I immensely enjoyed the food galore, the fun camaraderie, the traipsing on the light fantastic-dancing, on the Carolinian affair to remember. Cheers and Roses. to the peripatetic and tireless Zeny Uy, who weeks earlier, orchestrated the Clergy Appreciation Gala, which was a tremendous success, then followed by the smash Carolinian fun-fund-event. Also full Orchids bloom with champagne and caviar to the Paculaba sisters, namely Rose, Cora, Daylin and Luz, definitely pillars of this outstanding organization.

Fun June Parties
Oliver and Avon Tejano, recently threw a baptismal party for their beautiful daughter, blessed with Gods love and christened as Brisies Paula Tejano. It was a well attended party, that was throng with the couple’s myriad friends and relations. Everyone had a jolly good time with the food-plenty, drinks-flowing and fun socializing.

Eric and Beth Rojas, a much admired couple, hosted a great dinner party for the natal celebration of their oldest son, in their well-appointed residence in Scarborough. I was quite nostalgic, since their comfy house was the first to open their door , on that cold wintry night, as I, a newly arrived Permanent Resident Cardholder, first imbibed, the much vaunted Philippine hospitality. In short my first party in town. Oh My Gaud, their three musketeers of good looking sons namely Janssen, Jacob and Joshua, are now strappingly growing up fast to face the techno world and become heart-breakers!

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