An Open Letter to Chris Friel
April 17, 2007
Dear Chris,
Your name was first heard in my columns when
you won the Ginoong
 Pilipinas USA 2006 in November 2005. And within
series of publicities I made, you were able to be visible in different newspapers
within the Fil-Am communities.
I met you through Monet Lu, two years ago,
when Monet was very insistent for me to meet you. Monet needed to publicize
his new "protégé," and so, being a friend to him, I used my
knowledge and connection to help you out to start with.
I had Monet enter you in the Ginoong Pilipinas
USA 2006. Although, there were some doubts of the authenticity of your being
a part-Filipino, we all took your word for it when you claimed you are at
least one-eighth Filipino. As proof, you said that in fact you are cousins
with Filipino artists Lance Raymundo and Rannie Raymundo.
Monet trained and groomed you in winning your
title. Because of your connection with my friend Monet, I gave you all the
publicity you needed. You were even telling everyone that I was your Publicist.
I walked you for a couple of red carpet events and even tagged you along
with Monet Lu to other Hollywood events I have been with.
I enrolled you in a very reputable acting
class studio in Van Nuys about eight months ago because you said you wanted
to be an actor. It is a reputable acting studio which doesn't usually accept
amateurs. You have to be assessed first before you can attend the acting
class, and there are a lot of actors waiting in line to be in his class.
But he took you in, together with one of my other talents, Patrick Patton
(who eventually had to drop out of the class because he moved to Moorpark,
CA and wanted to pursue his musical career instead).
As far as I know, I have been your "silent
adviser" on many occasions. When you got mad and (according to you) you were
misled about the prizes you were supposed to take for winning the Ginoong
Pilipinas USA, you did not want to take your last walk in San Francisco because
you said they have to pay you for doing it and that you'd rather work that
day because you needed the money - you came to me for advice. I did tell
you the consequences you would have to face after --- if you would not do
it. I told you that as long as they will provide your airfare and accommodations
you should do it anyway - "and should exit gracefully," regardless of any
ill feelings towards the producer of the show. When I tried to refresh your
memory about three weeks ago (after so many months of not communicating with
me), you totally couldn't recall what you actually said, which was - "I'm
only doing this because you and two other people close to me, said so."
A few weeks ago, I called you to ask you if
you want to be a part of a popular prime time talk show. At the same time,
I mentioned to you my sentiments about how you had not communicated with
me since I have enrolled you in that prestigious acting class. You replied
that because of the overwhelming bad interactions within a group of people
associated with me, you decided to shy away from our group and that you needed
to concentrate with your acting class. During this time, our conversation
was clear enough. We have agreed to be "cool" from now on. You told me "You
scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." I accepted your "sorry," and you
promised that from now on, you'll keep in touch and if ever I have work for
you, you'll make sure I'll get 20 percent commission.
Back to the prime time show I was talking
about, they were originally looking for popular Filipino celebrities from
the Philippines who were currently in town. I submitted your name because
I was promoting a recent pageant where you were also one of the candidates
(and actually won the title). In short, you went there to do the audition,
but unluckily, they said "you were not Filipino enough" to be in the show.
They still got interested in you and I was told by the associate producer
that they wanted instead, to book you for another audition, which is also
a part of the show. You reported that incident to me and you said you'd give
me a heads up on what will be the outcome. I never heard from you after that.
Last Sunday, during the Expo in Pasadena,
I found out that you were able to actually shoot a scene for that said show
and have actually been paid. Upon hearing that, I confronted you about it.
I asked why you never told me about the outcome of your audition. To my dismay,
you answered me with resistance, "Oh, but I did not get the first one. This
audition was different and it has nothing to do with you," insinuating that
I have nothing to do with the other audition (you returned after a few days
to do the other audition). My answer was, "but you would never have gotten
that other audition if I did not send you there and we are talking about
the same people who you reported to." You replied, "Why are you making
it such a big deal, so, what do you want from me now - pay you?"
I told you, "Chris, you should know me better.
Have I asked anything from you since Day 1 when I started helping you out?
All I wanted to know was since I've booked you there I think I deserve to
know what happened at the gig I recommended you for. Had I not sent you there,
you would not have gotten the other project. You should have at least have
the decency to tell me whatever happened to your other audition. Then you
said, "It slipped my mind." It slipped your mind? And you were even
showing some pictures from that gig to other people and not even mentioned
my name once on how you got the job?
I added that after I had enrolled you with
that acting coach, I never heard from you anymore. You've been telling around
that you are taking classes but you never mentioned my name, who actually
brought you to that studio. And I was really shocked when you told me the
reason why - it's because your acting coach told you that from the acting
fees that you have been paying his class, I have been getting a hundred
commission from you! And I know perfectly well this is not true!
If there was resentment on your part, how
come you never called me to clarify this thing? It's been more than eight
months and how stupid that you never asked me if it was true or not. And
you are just telling me that now? After eight months?
You asked my advice last April 7 after you
won that recent pageant, "Oliver, now I've won another title, what's next?"
I replied, "You already have 8 months acting training. I think you should
concentrate now on getting auditions and be able to nail them."
At this pageant where you won another title,
I thought of giving you more publicity that I've made sure you'll get a lot
of press interviews right after you won. I gathered all media covering the
event and this last weekend, two leading Filipino publications in Los Angeles
put you in their headlines. I did not receive any gratitude from you.
Ah, here I am guiding you all along with your
career, giving you pointers about what's out there, and I've never heard
any remarks from you of how I've helped you in the past. Yet, I get this
treatment last Sunday. You were not defending yourself, you were lying to
me.
I have helped many people in the past and
I have not asked anything in return. A lot of my readers have emailed me
for questions I don't even care but I have been unselfishly giving all my
knowledge and free consultations at no cost. People have asked for their
picture whichs I took and posted on my web site, and I have unselfishly sent
those to them at no cost.
In this business, I have accepted that many
people are very ungrateful. But I told myself I will not be like them. I
hope, Chris, that you'll learn to give credit where credit is due and you'll
appreciate what people have done for you. Sometimes, just a little "thank
you" is even enough. I was not asking for any money for the things I've done
for you. I was just asking for a little respect. Just a little respect!
At this last pageant, during the rehearsal,
you were asked which country you would represent, and you replied, "I have
to get back with you on that!" You mean, after winning the title Ginoong
Pilipinas USA, you are not sure yet of which country you will represent?
You have lied to me and to some people I know.
Up to this point, you haven't appreciated the Filipinos around who took care
of you. Are you really the Filipino you are claiming you are?
Oliver Carnay
***************************
Martin Nievera, magla-launch ng
sariling pabango sa Beverly Hills
Feb. 20, 2007
 Sinamantala
kong makapanayam ang Concert King nitong nakaraang Linggo habang nasa yate
kami. Ginanap ito sa Newport Beach habang umaandar ang barko. Naimbitahan
itong kumanta sa wedding ng dating MTRCB Chairman na si Ma. Regina Tan at
Danny Labid.
IM ang pangalan ng pabangong ila-launch ni
Martin sa Fred Segal, isang kilalang store sa Melrose Ave. sa Beverly Hills.
Target date nilang ipakilala ang pabango sa unang Linggo ng Marso.
Talagang mahilig si Martin sa pabango. Kung
minsan ay nag-e-eksperimento ito at pinagha-halo niya ang mga paborito niyang
pabango. Ang IM ay parang pinaghalong Gendarme at Clean, medyo citrusy ang
dating.
Sa taong ito, magiging busy si Martin sa series
of performances nito sa Steve Wyrick Theatre sa Aladdin Hotel. Every day
siya dito except Fridays. Dahil dito, pinili ni Martin na mag-base sa Las
Vegas. Nakabili na ito ng bahay sa Vegas.
***************************
TFC, Lamang pa rin sa GMA Pinoy
TV!
Feb. 20, 2007
Hindi ako magtatakang pinili ni Lani Misalucha
na mag-promote sa TFC, instead of her old Kapuso network, habang bakasyon
ito ng isang buwan sa Pilipinas. When it comes to popularity, availability,
at viewer access, mas accessible ang TFC kaysa sa GMA Pinoy TV.
Dalawang cable channel ang carrier ng dalawang
istasyon - ang DirecTV at Time Warner. Sa DirecTV, puwede kang umorder ng
TFC at GMA Pinoy. Pero sa Time Warner, limitado ang lugar na may GMA Pinoy
TV.
Nabili ng Time Warner ang Comcast cable (na
dating carrier ng GMA Pinoy TV) at Adelphia cable channel. Hindi lahat ng
lugar sa California ay available ang GMA Pinoy TV. Kung mayroon kang GMA
Pinoy TV under Comcast before, may access ka sa GMA Pinoy TV. Hindi carrier
ng dating Adelphia ang GMA Pinoy TV, kaya hindi lahat ng lugar sa California
ay available ang GMA Pinoy TV.
Naiinis ako dahil sa bago kong nilipatan ay
hindi available ang GMA Pinoy TV.
***************************
30 Candidates ang maglalaban sa Mr.
Asia USA 2007 sa Abril 7
Feb. 20, 2007
Tatlumpung kandidato lamang ang pipiliin para
maglaban-laban sa
titulong Mr. Asia USA 2007. Sa kasalukuyan,
mahigit 80 ang nag-palista para sa male pageant na gaganapin sa Beverly Hilton
Hotel, sa Beverly Hills, alas-sais ng gabi, sa darating na Abril 7, 2007.
Ang patimpalak ay kasama sa programa ng taunang
fund-raising project ng Kasetsart University Alumni Association of USA na
"The Emerald Night 2007," isang non-profit organization na may layunin na
tulungan ang mga HIV AIDS victims sa Thailand, sa pakikipagtulungan sa AIDS
Healthcare Foundation. Nakikipagtulungan sa mga Pilipino at iba pang lahi
ang prodyuser nito para maging matagumpay ang ikatlong taon ng paligsahang
ito. Kasama sa programa ang segment ng fashion show, at mga piling panauhin
na kakanta ng mga broadway at opera songs.
Tatanggapin ng mananalo ng titulong Mr. Asia
USA 2007 ang cash na $1,500, isang taong scholarship ($7,500 worth) sa Michael
John Studio. Ang first runner-up ay bibigyan ng $700, Second Runner-up ay
$600, Super Model - $500, Super Star -$500, Mr. Photogenic $500, at Mr.
Popularity Vote - $500. Maaring manalo ang kandidato ng mahigit sa isang
titulo.
Ang mga kuwalipikasyon: lalaki mula 18 hanggang
35 edad, single, Asian o Pacific Islander. Sa Pebrero 26, 2007, pipiliin
ang 30 mula sa mahigit na 80 na aplikanteng nag-palista. Nagsumite ang bawa't
kandidato ng isang headshot, at isang full shot na naka-shorts o swimwear.
Marami ring Pilipino ang interesado na sumali rito. Kabilang na ang dating
Ginoong Pilipinas 2006 na si Chris Friel. Isang Pilipino na nagngangalang
James Curry ang matunog din ang pangalan.
Sa Marso 4, magkakaroon ng press conference
at ilalantad ang mga napiling 30 final candidates. Para sa iba pang detalye,
mag-log on sa www.kualumniusa.org
Sold-out na ang VIP tickets ($120) pero available
pa ang mga sumusunod: Premier - $100, Patron - $85, Supporter - $65. Tumawag
sa 310-592-9780 kung interesadong magpa-reserve ng tiket.
***************************
Mare Dayco, "Spitfire" rock/pop
alternative Filipina singer
Feb. 20, 2007
 Hindi naging hadlang kay
Mare Dayco, para marating nito ang kanyang kinalalagyan ngayon bilang isang
mang-aawit. Labas-masok siya sa ospital simula pa nang ito'y bata pa dahil
sa sakit na psoriasis. Ang kaso ni Mare ay mahirap dahil dumating sa panahon
na nagkaroon ng nana ang buo nitong katawan. Sa UCLA siya nag-graduate ng
creative writing at kasalukuyan itong nag-pi-pitch ng sitcom sa Universal
at NBC.
Katatapos lang nitong mag-shoot ng video na
"Dignity," isang cut mula sa latest album nito na "On The Flipside." Lately,
madalas ito sa red carpet events doing interviews for music broadcast media.
Napukaw ng pansin ng National Psoriasis Foundation
(www.psoriasis.org) ang kaso ni Mare
at naiimbitahan itong magsalita sa mga programa ng Psoriasis Foundation.
Pagkakataon na rin na i-promote nito ang bagong album at mag-perform sa mga
victim ng sakit na psoriasis.
For more pics, go to
www.HollywoodFLIP.com
About OLIVER
CARNAY
With more than a decade of experience in
the entertainment industry OLIVER CARNAY is an accomplished international
Fil-Am writer, Publicist, Talent Manager, Project Consultant, Booking Agent,
Event Organzer, Photographer, Concert Line-Producer, movie associate producer,
and Concert Booking Agent.
Oliver has written for major publications,
domestic and international, including Asian Journal Publications
(www.asianjournal.com),
BALITA MEDIA, INC. ("Balita USA", "Weekend Balita" and "Go4Women
Magazine," available online at
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: FAME Magazine and
PHILIPPINES TODAY. In New York / New Jersey he writes an entertainment
column for CAROUSEL PINOY ENTERTAINMENT
(www.carouselpinoy.com).
He is a contributor for BUZZINE Magazine
(www.buzzine.com),
AUDREY Magazine
(www.audreymagazine.com),
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 Europe) and PINOY
GAZETTE (published in Hong Kong and Japan.
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, junkets, and other major
Hollywood events.
Oliver is the Publisher of
www.HollywoodFLIP.com,
an online entertainment newswire magazine. Always a pioneer in bringing first
rate news about Fil-Am talents in Hollywood as well as introducing them to
the Filipinos and Fil-Am communities in the U.S. and in the Philippines.
Oliver Carnay is the proprietor of
International Artists Production Company established in 1995 where
he had produced, directed concerts and stage plays.
Oliver Carnay is in full blast as a Talent
Manager and Publicist. He is the proprietor of International Artists PR
& Talent Management
(www.iatalent.com), a
full-service publicity and talent marketing company, which represents a roster
of multi-ethnic actors, musicians, directors, writers, and other celebrated
artists in Hollywood. Oliver Carnay takes pride in being a member of the
Talent Managers Association
(www.talentmanagers.org).
Email at
Oliver@iatalent.com
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