Celebrity L.A. Scene archive page 4

If it's not the typhoon, nor the (pre-cooked) mini-coup attempt that was staged in Manila, I'm not sure of the reason why Los Angeles scene is still plumped with stars these days, ditto with concert scenes. The list continues!

From what I remember (and forgive me for missing the others), this half part of the year saw major concerts, such as the The CompanY with Aiza Seguerra, the Diva2Diva concert with Zsa Zsa Padilla and Kuh Ledesma, Lani Misalucha and Basil Valdez, Carol Banawa and Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera and Regine Velasquez, the team of Joey Albert, Fe de los Reyes and Bernardo Bernardo, Imelda Papin, and APO's successful concert at the Orpheum theatre.

Jaya's performance last Saturday (July 26) was also excellent (I hope some producers would bring Jaya and her mom, Elizabeth Ramsey together for another show here in L.A., it should be one riot of a show!). I was amazed by this talented kid who opened the show for Jaya, Monica Parales, who was latest seen in a Missy Elliot video. She has so much stage presence and vocal chords. I hope the best for her! The other two guests are not worth mentioning!

Vina Morales, who was handpicked to showcase her talent (and is being invited to come back and perform again next year) at the recent International New York Music Festival, held at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas, comes center-stage at the Orpheum Theatre on Aug. 2 (as part of her 8 cities "Revealed" tour), with special guests Carlos Agassi and Aga Muhlach (who is tagging along his mom Anita, manager Manay Ethel Ramos, and his family, Charlene Gonzales with the twins!). Randy Santiago joins Vina in other key cities.

Much awaited are the concerts of Ms. Ai-Ai de las Alas (dubbed as the new Box-Office "Comedy" Queen, from her "Tanging Ina" movie debut) on September 6 at the Los Angeles Theatre, and the return of Martin Nievera-Pops Fernandez tandem at the UCLA Pauley Pavillion on October 4. Ai-Ai's "Tanging-Ai-Ai Sa Amerika" concert will have Troy Montero, Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz as guests.

Fanny Serrano officially opens "The Bridal Stop" a one-stop wedding multi-services

My good friend, make-up and fashion guru TF (as he is fondly called by everyone close to him) has officially added a "one-stop" wedding salon & boutique for future brides, with the launching of Fanny Serrano Couture recently at his Fanny Serrano beauty center at #69 Scout Rallos St., Tomas Morato in Quezon City.

His latest line includes the latest and stylized bridal and formal wear creations, as well as skin care and footwear products, which also carries other accessories, books and other complete lists and guides to assist future brides with their entire wedding needs.

TF, who is also dubbed as "the Stylist to the Stars", and who is reputed for his amazing make-up transformations, admits that his first love, actually, was fashion designing. Unknown to some Fil-Ams living in United States, TF is a thespian in creating unique gowns.

In four decades in show business, aside from having a beauty salon in Greenhills (and eventually relocating into the Quezon City district), TF has also been known for dressing-up most of the big stars in show business regularly, and during special events. Among these luminaries are Celia Rodriguez, Amalia Fuentes, Sharon Cuneta, Lorna Tolentino, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pops Fernandez, Charlene Gonzales, and many more among the rosters of talents in the Philippine movie and television industry.

L.A.-based Mary Pagsibigan-Pimenta (newly appointed by Mayor James Hahn as Los Angeles' Commissioner for Human Relations officer), who is a personal friend of TF, has always believed in TF's artistry and creativeness. In many years of her association with TF, the friendship paved the latter to be invited to feature his collections at the yearly prestigious and biggest award-fashion show event in "Reflections" a few years ago. The outcome the event was almost a sold-out from buyers.

As a result, both have built up a partnership to help assist Filipinos living in United States who are plagued by the headaches of planning a wedding. You can visit Fanny Serrano's newly opened "The Bridal Stop", and explore the magic of his touch, by calling Manila at nos. 925-5251, 925-5253, 925-7803 or telefax at 925-7808. Also e-mail him at fanny_serrano@hotmail.com or at fannyserrano@kasal.com. For international contact, call Mary Ann L. Pagsibigan at (818) 893-4227 or (818) 642-4560.

Ramon "Bong" Revilla honored by Motion Picture Association!

Philippines' VRB (Videogram Regulatory Board) Chairman Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. was in town last week (July 25) to receive an Award of Merit from MPA (Motion Picture Association), the international counterpart of MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America), which serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries, domestically through the MPAA and internationally through the MPA.

Bong Revilla's record to date, of $90 million (about 4.7 billion pesos) worth of pirated CDs confiscated in the span of just almost a year, is a major achievement to fight movie video piracy, a stake not only in the Philippines but a quest from other international organizations.

"Bong" Revilla, Jr., who was with his wife-actress Lani Mercado and daughter Ina during the Global Anti-Piracy Conference held at the MPA headquarters in Encino, was also accompanied by his father Senator Ramon Revilla, and Bong's two other sisters, Andrea and Rowena.

In another event after this, Bong received another citing, an Award of Merit plaque and an Outstanding Filipino 2003 medal from the United Philippine National Press Club of America (UPNPCA) for being a role model in the Filipino-American communities in the United States, held at the New Otani Hotel in downtown, Los Angeles.

Revilla, Jr., who, despite numerous death threats since he was appointed by President Macapagal-Arroyo as Chairman of the VRB, vowed to eradicate, if not continuously lessen, video piracy in the Philippines. "We have controlled over 70 percent of illegal reproducers and other retail distributors of illegal CDs and tapes, and I will continue my mandate."

I asked in jolt if he's running in the next election, he first said "Yes!" but later retracted with a smile, "but I'm still weighing things!" Another question which was thrown to him by this writer was, "who do you think is your best successor as VRB Chairman if in case you step down", he replied, "I think it's Rudy Fernandez!"

Bong Revilla, Jr., who has a regular television comedy show "Idol Ko Si Kap" on GMA 7, opted to shelve another movie sequel to "Agimat" in favor of another untitled movie project (via their newly restored movie outfit Imus Productions) while wife Lani Mercado is regularly seen in a soap with Richard Gomez and Boyet de Leon, also on GMA 7.

OLIVER CARNAY regularly writes for BALITA MEDIA, INC. ("Balita USA", "Weekend Balita" and "Go4Women Magazine", available online at http://www.balita.com/ and www.Go4Women.com), ASIAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE'S JOURNAL (circulated in northern and southern part of California), Philippine and other Asian Headline newspaper – circulated in Sacramento, San Francisco and its vicinities) also published in northern and southern parts of California. In San Diego, he writes for FAME Magazine and PHILIPPINES TODAY. In New York, he writes for PLANET PHILIPPINES, with an online version at http://www.carouselpinoy.com/. He is a also contributor for BUZZINE Magazine (www.buzzine.com), AUDREY Magazine (www.audreymagazine.com), an occasional correspondent for www.siklab.com, PARA TODOS Magazine, and other L.A. based publications. He is the Los Angeles correspondent of Global Pinoy Entertainment Corporation (GPEC) which publishes S Magazine (circulated in Manila, all over the United States and other parts of the world) and PINOY GAZETTE (published in Hong Kong, Japan, and its vicinities). He is an active member of the National Press Photography Association (N.P.P.A.), Press Photography Association of Greater Los Angeles (P.P.A.G.L.A.-see www.ppagla.org for member listings), and is under the directory list of the Motion Picture Association of America (M.P.A.A.) covering movie Premieres and other Hollywood events. More recent news and Photo Galleries of Hollywood and local Fil-Am events recently covered can be seen at his new web site http://www.hollywoodflip.com/. Besides being busy maintaining his web site and writing for domestic and international publications, Oliver Carnay manages Talents, is also a Publicist and an event organizer. Email him at carnay25@yahoo.com or at webmaster@HOLLYWOODFLIP.com

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