Celebrity L.A. Scene by Oliver Carnay

June 24 was a special day to all Ruffa's fans. And maybe, like me, everyone is wondering how she celebrated her birthday. So I decided to e-mail her and asked her to share a few notes about that particular grand day to all of us. The other pictures she sent me can be browsed at my other web site: www.picturetrail.com/olivercarnayphotos. Here was her reply to me and the e-mail I sent prior:

Hi Oliver!!
How are you? My gosh do you mean a mom with 2 kids is supposed to be fat and ugly???????? Hello!!! Take Victoria Beckham and even Demi Moore. There are means and ways of looking like a hip and cool mom ya know!

Anyway I had a very low key birthday. I just invited a dozen of my girlfriends and some of their kids for a BBQ/Pool party at home. We kicked all the boys out (including my hubby) so the ladies can wear their bikinis without being cautious of men staring at their things! That's the way it is here in Istanbul. When I go to a friend's house, Yilmaz is kampante than there are no men around or else he would never let me go. Anyway my sister-in-law prepared the cake and the food, we bought some inflatables for the kids to keep them busy and played a hip hop.pop CD till midnight! It was so emotional and yet so much fun!

The 24 karat gold necklace with matching earrings and bracelet that I'm wearing in some of the photos is a gift from my In Laws. They took pride that I wore it straight away for all the guests to see. The photo wherein I'm hugging a Turkish looking girl named "NAZO" (her nickname) is my stepdaughter. Yes siree!!! Yilmaz's 7 year old daughter with Selen was my very special guest. Selen and I have finally put our differences aside for the sake of the children. 2 weeks ago Lorin and Ilknaz met each other for the first time. Everyone was surprised at Ilknaz's reaction... she wasn't jealous at all! She played with Lorin's hair and called her neighbors to introduce her "beautiful, sweet sister". The children had all the grown ups in tears!
Since then Ilknaz has been a regular visitor in the house her mother claimed 2 years ago was hers.
Peace and acceptance at last!
More kwento next time...
Love,
Ruffa x

Oliver Carnay <carnay25@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi Ruffie,

Hay naku, ang ganda-ganda mo pa rin, ha, at slim pa rin! Saka ang cute ng pictures ninyo nina Lorin and Venecia (my favorite which I'm going to publish!).

Kuwento ka naman how you celebrated your birthday para may kuwento ako sa kolum ko. Also, read the latest news ... tapatan ng GMA at TFC sa SFO sa www.carouselpinoy.com under my byline.

Happy Birthday again!

Best,

Oliver

--- Ruffa x wrote:

> My Birthday Photos...June 24,
>
> Here are some photos from the Barbecue I hosted at
> home with about a dozen girlfriends. Hope you have
> fun viewing the photos!
> Miss you all and hope to see you soon!
> Love,
> Ruffa x
>

THANK YOU, RUFFA, FOR SHARING THE ABOVE WITHALL YOUR FANS!

Tapatan ng S.O.P. at A.S.A.P. sa Los Angeles, Hindi Na Matutuloy! Eat Bulaga sa Pala Casino sa San Diego hindi rin tuloy!

Hindi matutuloy ang inihahandang launching ng GMA Pinoy TV sa The Forum sa darating na Hulyo 16 sa Los Angeles, pero matutuloy pa rin ang sa Hulyo 23 na gaganapin sa Bill Graham Civic Center Auditorium sa San Francisco. Ibinalita ng pamunuan ng GMA 7 International na magiging LIBRE sa lahat ang presentasyon na ito.

Nagbigay ng statement nitong nakaraang Lunes (Hunyo 27) ang pamunuan ng GMA 7 Network mula sa Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng long-distance media conference na in-assemble ng Starmedia Entertainment, ang katulong ng GMA 7 sa paglulunsad ng GMA Pinoy TV sa Amerika. Ginanap ito sa Olive Garden Restaurant sa Glendale, California kung saan naghanda ang Starmedia ng isang salu-salo para sa mga dumalong PRESS.

Ayon kay Joseph Francia, ang Officer-in-Charge ng GMA International at ni Gng. Wilma Galvante na Senior Vice-President ng GMA 7, hindi matutuloy ang launching dahil sa nagkaproblema ito sa carrier company na kausap nila sa Los Angeles at "lilinisin" muna nila ang problema nito sa nasabing pay-tv carrier bago itutuloy ang launching nito sa Los Angeles. Walang saysay nga naman kung maglulunsad ito ng walang kadahilahanan. Sa San Francisco, ang COMCAST network ang carrier distributor ng GMA 7.

Sinabi naman ni Darling de Jesus, ang mamamahala ng programa ng "Fiesta GMA" sa San Francisco na dahil sa magko-concentrate na lamang sila sa presentasyon sa SFO at malamang na hindi na makasama sina Billy Joe Crawford, LaLaine, at Jocelyn Enriquez, na nauna nilang in-anunsyo na kasama sa presentasyon sa Los Angeles. Tatlumpung malalaking artista, kasama ang cast ng pan-Linggong programang S.O.P. kasama sina Angel Locsin, Jennylyn Mercado at Mark Herras, atbp. ang nakahandang dumalo para sa launching sa San Francisco. Darating sina Mel Tianco, Joey de Leon, Richard Gomez, German Moreno, Regine Velasquez, Janno Gibbs, Jaya, Ogie Alcasid, Ruffa Mae Quinto, Jay-R, atbp. cast ng noontime show na S.O.P.

Sa Hulyo 19 ay magkakaroon ng malaking media conference sa San Francisco at nakatakdang dumalo ang iba't-ibang entertainment columnists sa Los Angeles, San Francisco, at mga kalapit nitong siyudad. Dadaluhan ito ng malalaking artista at ang pamunuan ng GMA 7 International upang pag-usapan at ipakilala ng personal ang pamunuan at mga artista ng nasabing network.

Nito lamang Hulyo a-uno nagkumpirma ang kampo ng TFC International na matutuloy pa rin ang presentasyon ng "Caravan '05" at "The Buzz" sa Los Angeles kahit na wala na silang katapat. Gaganapin ang presentasyon nito sa open air auditorium na Rose Bowl sa Pasadena sa Hulyo 16. Ayon sa press release, makakasama sa Los Angeles sina Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, Jasmine Trias, Toni Gonzaga, Joross Gamboa at Roxanne Guinoo, Kuh Ledesma, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Vina Morales, The Hunks (Piolo Pascual, Bernard Palanca, Carlos Agassi, Diether Ocampo, at Jericho Rosales), Sheryn Regis, Mark Bautista, Christian Bautista, Rachel Anne Go, Judy Ann Santos, Ryan Agoncillo, at Vhong Navarro, sa pangunguna ni Ms. Charo Santos. Sa San Francisco, gaganapin naman ito sa Monster Park (dating Candlestick Park) na open-air din. Headliners naman dito ang cast ng The Buzz na sina Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino, at Cristy Fermin, at ang mga host ng Wanna Buzz segment na sina AJ Dee, Chokoleit, at Anne Curtis kasama nina Sarah Geronimo, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, at Erik Santos. Kinumpirma rin sa akin na idinagdag sa linya ng mga performers sa SFO ang mga mainstream singers na sina Stephen Bishop, Angela Bofill, at David Pomeranz. Naunang nag-announce ang TFC na LIBRE ang pagtatanghal nito sa dalawang presentasyon (Los Angeles at San Francisco).

Hindi na matutuloy ang cast ng Eat Bulaga (pangungunahan nina Tito Soto, Vic Soto, at Joey de Leon) sa Pala Casino sa San Diego para sa Biyernes (Hulyo 1). Nagpasabi ang pamunuan ng Eat Bulaga na "postponed" ito sanhi ng di maiiwasang pangyayari. Hinihintay pa ang pormal na statement nito. Ayon sa ilang insiders ng GMA 7 network, walang kinalaman ang di pagkakatuloy ng Eat Bulaga sa desisyon ng GMA 7 network sa hindi matutuloy na launching ng GMA Pinoy TV sa Los Angeles. Idinagdag pa na ang Eat Bulaga ay umaarkila lamang ng "block time" sa nasabing istasyon sa Maynila.

Marami akong natanggap na "hate mails" tungkol sa nakaraang artikulo na aking ginawa kung saan tinawag kong "bogus" nga lang ba ang anunsyo ng TFC dahil sa wala pa silang press release kung saan talaga gagawin ang CARAVAN '05 at The Buzz sa L.A. at SFO.

Nito lamang nakaraang Huwebes nagkaroon ng balita mula sa kampo ng TFC kung saan ang magiging venue ng Caravan A.S.A.P. '05 at The Buzz sa Los Angeles at San Francisco. In fairness to TFC, nauna naman itong nag-deklara na LIBRE ang entrance tickets sa kanilang palabas, na hindi katulad ng GMA 7 na may bayad ang tiket sa una nitong press release.

Walang direktang press release para sa L.A. media na nanggagaling sa pamunuan ng TFC International o ABS-CBN sa Maynila tungkol sa mga plano ng TFC kundi nga lamang may ilang involve sa presentasyon sa TFC ang aking napagkukunan ng balita. Hindi katulad ng GMA 7 na direktang nakikipag-balitaan sa mga kolumnista sa Amerika. Mas gusto namin ang effort ng GMA 7 na gumagawa ng paraan at nakikipagtulungan sa L.A. media para maihatid ang kanilang balita at kanilang mga plano sa sambayanan.

Kung totoo man na "ban" ako sa TFC at sa ABS-CBN sa Pilipinas dahil sa aking isinulat (ayon sa isang executive na ipinagkakalat na hindi na raw ako makatutuntong sa alinmang palabas ng ABS-CBN) ay hindi ko naman ipinipilit ang aking sarili kahit na marami rin akong kaibigan alinman sa dalawang istasyon.

Kung mayroon silang dapat ituwid o ipa-press release ay madali lamang naman na magpadala ng press release, di ba? Wala akong kinikilingan sa dalawang istasyon. Wala akong dahilan para kampihan ang Channel 7 sa Pilipinas dahil hindi lahat ng palabas nila ay napapanood dito sa Amerika. Nagkataon lamang na mas bilib ako sa palakad ng pamunuan ng GMA 7, sa pagpili ng kanilang mga desisyon at sa kanilang kakayahan at bukas na isipan. Sana ang TFC management ay ganito rin! Bukas ang carouselpinoy.com sinuman ang may ibig na ipahatid. Any comments, email at carnay25@yahoo.com.

Leah Navarro vs. Jukebox Queens Concert Producer

The first Jukebox Queens U.S. Concert Tour ended last Friday, June 24, at Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood, California, sans Leah Navarro, who chose not to perform on this last leg and instead issued a statement but was answered later by Benny Bautista, the main producer of the said concert tour. Here is Leah Navarro's manager, Betta Dans' e-mail sent to all media correspondents in and out of Los Angeles:

Date: 22 June 2005
Source: The Thirdline Inc., Manila, Philippines
Subject: Leah Navarro Pulls Out of Jukebox Queens Show In Los Angeles
Due to the inability of the "Jukebox Queens In Concert" producers to extend her working visa, as well as not fulfilling other verbally negotiated contractual agreements, Thirdline Inc. has decided that their client, Leah Navarro, shall not be performing in the second Los Angeles edition of the show slated for 24 June 2005 at the Hollywood Park Casino.
Ms. Navarro regrets having to withdraw from the show, but does not wish to jeopardize her excellent US visa record. Apart from that, she values her professionalism and commitment to her craft.
For more information, please contact either Jeff David at ("phone number"), or Betta Belle K. Dans at ("phone number").
Thank you for your kind attention to the above.
(Signed)
Betta Belle K. Dans
Manager, Leah Navarro
The Thirdline Inc.
--
Leah Lopez Navarro
Proprietor, Golf & More
Corporate Partner, Silang Communications
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The statement released by Betta Dans triggered a surprise from its main concert producer Mr. Benny Bautista claiming that it was Ms. Leah Navarro who had breached upon the contract and is contemplating filing a legal case against Ms. Navarro and her manager. Here was the response by Mr. Bautista, spread to the L.A. media on Thursday, two days before the June 24 Jukebox Queens Concert, wherein comedienne Fe de los Reyes was added as front guest in absence of Ms. Leah Navarro:

A response to Leah Navarro's management statement
Contrary to an email being circulated by the management of Leah Navarro to various media publications, we, the producers of Jukebox Queens U.S Concert Tour would like to state in the spirit of media fair play that we have provided the utmost courtesy and professionalism in the care and production of the artists and the show Jukebox Queens.
Imelda Papin, Eva Eugenio and Claire dela Fuente remain steadfast by us, the producers, and have commended us for our professional and personal manner they have been treated. Further stating, that at no time, we, the producers, violated the terms and conditions of our contract with them during the concert tour.
Infinity Entertainment
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Mr. Bautista called a press conference to selected media immediately after Dans' press release issued to Jeff David, Leah Navarro's handler (also another L.A. concert producer) was spread out to the L.A. media through Reyza Roxas, a personal friend. Imelda Papin, Eva Eugenio, Claire de la Fuente, who came from the rehearsal, also attended, together with June-24 main producer/sponsor Oscar Parel & his associates.

Mr. Bautista still reiterates that Ms. Navarro caused her shortcomings, claiming that her misfortune about her visa being in scrutiny (altered) by the INS, upon her entry back to the U.S. from Toronto, Canada, was her own responsibility.

According to him, Ms. Navarro was consigned to do a guaranteed-four-shows for the whole tour (assuming more shows to come), and will be given each four of them (Eva Eugenio, Claire dela Fuente, Imelda Papin, and Leah Navarro) an extra $1,500 if there were only three shows produced. Mr. Bautista said that Imelda Papin, who recruited the other three artists and served as Leah Navarro's main contact, already paid her the $1,500 before the fourth leg was finalized. In addition, Mr. Bautista said that he was complaining ever since about Leah's being unprofessional, not helping with the promotion of their tour (in Manila and in some cases here, she only attended the L.A. press conference). "She was not communicating well with Ms. Imelda Papin. We don't even know where to contact her here. After Chicago (third concert), she decided to stay there and she was not communicating with us for the fourth show.

Before Leah Navarro left for Manila on June 24 (also the night of the said concert) I was able to talk to her twice, and corrected reports that she owed the deposit of $1,500. "I don't owe them that amount and I did not receive any deposit from that last fourth show. The third show was considered a "done deal", and that fourth show was supposed to be a new contract," she claimed. She also said that what happened was the producers were not able to meet with her manager's (Betta Dans) demands, which include an extension of her visa, the final agreed amount of payment, and the per diem. Regarding the promotions, she said, "I was not aware of the schedules and itineraries during the promotions in Manila, I was just surprised that the Mel, Eva, and Claire were on television. But I must admit that there was a time Jun Lalin scheduled me to go to ABS-CBN but I was not able to attend to because I got really so busy plus the traffic, and I am truly sorry for that. I will always be grateful to Imelda Papin for including me on this tour, but I have a manager to decide what's best for me. I have nothing against the producers or anybody but I have to protect my Immigration standing records, which have not been fulfilled by the producers upon the offer. The statement was only issued for my protection," Leah concluded.

According to Mr. Benny Bautista, The Jukebox Queens Concert Tour will have its second tour adding with Ms. Pilita Corrales as one of the headliners.

FOOTLOOSE features young hot television stars in their theatre debuts

From a bunch of emails I've received, my "tukayo" Oliver Oliveros, PR Officer of STAGES (sister company of TRUMPETS) announces its first major theatre production of the Broadway-hit FOOTLOOSE at the Meralco Theatre in Manila. The local staging of the musical FOOTLOOSE will feature some of the hottest television stars debuting in theatre: Jay-R, Iya Villiania, Nikki Valdez, and Maoi David. Recording stars Gian Magdangal and Jonard Yanzon of the male vocal group 17:28 and Reuben Uy of Akafellas with their road manager Kyla Rivera also partake. Others in the cast include Veejay Aragon, MTV VJ Hunt finalist Marvin Luna, Caissa Borromeo, and Trumpets Playshoppers Pom Docena, JC Gotinga, Johann dela Fuente, and Kenjie Villacorte.

FOOTLOOSE has an energy-filled dance choreography and features some of 80's most popular songs including "Almost Paradise," "Holding Out for a Hero," "Let's Hear It For the Boy," and the theme-song "Footloose." It will run at the Meralco Theatre on September 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25. To our "balikbayans", if you're in Manila, check this out. Tickets are available at 631-7252 and 635-4478, or at Ticketworld at 891-9999 (www.ticketworld.com.ph or email at stages_pr@imanila.com.ph

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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