Jackie, Oh! by Jackie Regala-Katigbak

We commend several artists for their generous support through their songs and performances in various causes. They have given their time and talents as an early Thanksgiving offering to the sick and less fortunate ones. It is their way of “giving back to the community” who has followed and supported them as well in their careers.

Topping the list is the Society of Seven along with Lani Misalucha who wowed audiences recently in the beautiful city of Cerritos.

The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts was the elegant host site of the Society of Seven and Lani Misalucha when they performed recently before an SRO audience. The theater was filled with a motley type of audience coming from various genre and nationalities all bounded by the ultimate mission of helping raise funds and awareness for A3M (Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches).

Rosy Cheeks Entertainment big honchos, Mendrei Leelin and Edwin Raquel, with their wives, Cecile and Lani respectively were generous enough to allow the Society of Seven and Lani take a worthy break from their regimen at The Flamingo in Las Vegas. The concert promoters in Cerritos who is A3M -- has confirmed that the Society of Seven-Lani Misalucha show is the concert event which raised the most money in their nine-year history.

Jaded as I am since I have seen this act for more than a dozen times, I must admit that I still found myself amused and entertained -- cheering for SOS and Lani from one number to the next.

Huge credit goes to Tony Ruivivar, from where the creative juices come from and continue to flow since SOS was formed along with the original member-cum-comedian, Bert Sagum. The two pillars of SOS were nothing short of great artistry and professionalism. Can you imagine performing for almost four decades and still manage to maintain your voice, stamina and moves on stage (oh yes, they can still gyrate those hips and jumped to the beat)? Both can’t be outdone by their much younger counterparts in the group.

The show started with a video montage showcasing the guesting stint of SOS at the Ed Sullivan show. It segued way to various performances of SOS in Hawaii to Las Vegas until the time the sultry diva, Lani Misalucha hopped in. Although the idea of having a female vocalist was not what they always had in mind, Ruivivar and the rest of SOS saw in Lani what it takes to entertain an international audience.

Do keep in mind that SOS, although predominantly Filipino and Asian in its membership is widely popular among the mainstream audiences. They became known first in Hawaii where they were based for a long time. It was there where they earned a steady following of folks coming from all over the globe.

Eventually, the SOS earned the moniker America’s premier band. In fact, just recently, the Society of Seven has just been inducted to the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. As Mendrei Leelin puts it: “This is truly a proud moment for all Asians, especially Filipinos as the Society of Seven becomes the first group of Asian decent to be inducted to the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. The star is a perpetual tribute to the many accomplishments of Society of Seven.”

The induction of SOS in LV Walk of Stars puts them at par with the greatest in the entertainment world. The ceremony takes place on Nov. 28 at The Flamingo Hotel. The Governor of Hawaii and Mayor of Honolulu are among the many dignitaries and celebrities expected to attend.

Other celebrity recipients of the Las Vegas Walk of Stars are Sigfried and Roy, Celine Dion, Wayne Newton, the late Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra.

Aside from Tony and Bert, senior members such as Hoku Low, Wayne Wakai and Roy Guerzo add the “seasoned touch” to this dynamic 7. Like Tony said, Roy is just about the only Filipino impersonator of Sammy Davis,Jr and he does it so magnificently. Of course, Wayne in his Kenny G splendor is another force to reckon with as he is the musical genius in SOS while Hoku’s Wayne Newton is a quite an entertainment feast in itself.

The group’s newcomer, Marc Escueta , also on vocals and taking the place of the late Gary Bautista is a most refreshing welcome. He put in the added energy and vibrant numbers in the repertoire. An excellent dancer and an amazing Barry Gibb impersonator, Mark can swing his notes from a Stevie Wonder tune to Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.” Also, a newcomer in the group is Vince Mendoza – who hits the drums quite impeccably.

Lani of course is a musical gem – rough, raw talent polished by the changing time and career highlights. She takes your breath away – from a Celine Dion number to Barbra Streisand to the newer ones such as Shakira to Beyonce. You name it and Lani can nail it! But one should listen to this diva’s own voice. Her vocal prowess is enough reason to send your spine tingling with sensation especially when she does her own version of “I Will Always Love You, “ or an excerpt from the “Phantom of the Opera” or to a simple Filipino love classic piece, “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin.”

The 90-minute show of SOS and Lani ends with Broadway show stoppers from “Man of La Mancha,” “Chicago” and “West Side Story.” The show ends on a high note with “God Bless the USA” and “God Bless of America”

By the way, recently it was with extreme pleasure that the Society of Seven and Lani met the legendary recording artist and Grammy awardee, Gladys Knight (with brother Bubba in tow) backstage The Flamingo. The Flamingo Showroom was home for some years for Gladys. The surprise guest had nothing but praises for the whole group. Gladys was quoted in saying: “You were amazing. You guys blew me away. This is one of the best shows in Vegas.”

As a whole, the Society of Seven and Lani Misalucha is a topnotch act by itself – at par with any show production in the Strip. The show’s global appeal is enough reason for anyone to trek down The Flamingo where they have regular runs from Wednesday to Sunday at 3 p.m. until Jan. 1, 2007. And from what I heard from the grapevine, the management of The Flamingo has already asked the group to extend for another year. And that’s quite a feat to defeat!

SOUTH BORDER Benefit Show for St. Jude Hospital Nov. 4

Another group who is into the path of “giving back to the community” is South Border. In yet again another display of their ceaseless gratitude to fans and for all their blessings, multi-awarded Filipino band South Border will hold a special benefit show on November 4, 2006 at the La Trova House in West Los Angeles. Dubbed "Give Thanks to the Healthy Children in our Lives...Give To Those Who Are Not", the special event aims to gather diverse communities and together help in the fight against catastrophic childhood diseases. St. Jude Research Hospital is the main beneficiary.

"The show is also South Border's way of thanking their fans, friends and supporters, both old and new. The show will not only provide a platform where fun and music can be fused together but for South Border to share some of their blessings especially for the welfare of children," says Lucy Slattery, the band’s manager.

Presented by South Border and the South Border Street Team Los Angeles, the benefit show is also being sponsored by HHIPP Magazine, Katz Entertainment, Unicare Family Medical Group and Seafood City. While show tickets are sold at $25 each, a tax deductible $10 donation will go to the St. Jude Research Hospital. The rest will help cover expenses for the event.

The band, known for unforgettable hits "Rainbow" (recognized as the most downloaded song in Asia), "Kahit Kailan", "Sweet" (the very first Filipino song laced with flavorful RnB to be featured in 93.5 KDAY radio station), "Wherever You Are", recently had a sold out concert at The Grove in Anaheim after launching its international music career this Spring.

South Border, called by notable music insiders as the "next Asian invasion", is composed of Jay Oliver Durias (musical director, keyboards), Duncan Ramos (vocals), Vince Alaras (vocals), Paul Benitez (drums), Ric Junasa (saxophone), Butch Victoriano (lead guitar) and Tata Balane (bass).

The band is being supported by their friends from The Los Angeles Musicians United, an organization comprised of independent musicians including Patrick "Patman" Anderson, Dr. Jekill, Mulatto and Jeanine Strong, an up-and-coming music and fashion icon who does urban melodic soul and more. Also featured is Hawaii’s pride called A2C (composed of Cheesa and Troy). For tickets for the Nov. 4 fundraiser, you may call Slattery Entertainment at (562) 366.9385 / (310) 295.0054 or KATZ Entertainment at (562) 529-8680.

And for those who have been asking us if South Border will be performing on the East Coast, yes they will and you better be ready for it. The band has prepared a show which is sure to send you dancing and partying all night. Dubbed “Christmas in NYC with South Border,” it will be staged on Dec. 16, 2006, Saturday, 6 p.m. at Roone Arledge Auditorium at Columbia University. Producing the concert is Apruve Entertainment led by the enigmatic and hardworking Cathy Uy – herself an event specialist. I was told, Cathy once staged the very upscale and successful show of fashion icon, Patis Tesoro in New York. She also owns and manages Kubo, a big fave among local diners that side of town. Joining South Border are guests Jerome Hughes, Will Miller, Rachel Anne Wolfe, Ciello and S.I.G.H. We will have more features about them in the succeeding weeks. As Cathy puts it, “Expect nothing but fabulous, upbeat numbers – something different from the usual Christmas programs in the East Coast.” The producers are leaving no stones unturned in making this one a truly, memorable Holiday event. For more info on this event, do call Apruve Entertainment at 201-779-8164 and 732-687-2413.

Seafood City Supports GILAS

Talk about “giving back to the community,’ Seafood City Supermarket, one of the biggest chain of Filipino stores in Southern California took a different twist when they shunned away from the usual cutting of the ceremonial ribbon on the opening of its 13th store in Eagle Rock Plaza in LA.

Instead, they invited Ms. Vicky Garchitorena, president of the Ayala Foundation Inc. and turned over a hefty donation of $26,000.00 (half of which came from cash donation generated from donation boxes set up in all Seafood City stores). The cash donation will in turn be used for a project back known as GILAS. It aims to raise funds and provide computer facilities for public schools in the Philippines.

Ms Garchitorena along with GILAS prime mover in California, Guila Maramba are more than thankful to Seafood City owners. They even brought a video clip featuring Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II expressing his gratitude to the management and staff of Seafood City Supermarket.

Present during the donation rites were key people of Seafood City namely Juvy Seltzr, VP for Purchasing; Lito Hontiveros, VP and Gen. Manager; William Go, President; Carlos Go, CEO and Steve Go, Chairman. VIP attendees also included Efren Mamaril representing Councilman Jose Huizar; Annie Cuevas, Tourism Director/LA; Consul Helen Barbers; Cora Oriel, publisher of Asian Journal Publications and Luchie Allen of Balita Media.

(Ed’s note: Jackie Regala-Katigbak has been writing and doing promotions in the entertainment business since the 1980s. The past two decades saw her columns and articles published in the Philippines via the Manila Bulletin, Panorama, Manila Standard and Philippine Times Journal. Currently her articles are published by www.CarouselPinoy.com, the Asian Journal publications and in various newspapers in Southern California. For correspondence, you may send her an email at JackieRegala@verizon.net. Thank you.)

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