Celebrity L.A. Scene by Oliver Carnay

Kung sa Pilipinas ay sinasabing mas malakas ang rating ng 'Eat Bulaga,' mukhang mas sikat ang 'Wowowee' ni Willie Revillame sa Amerika dahil tuwing kainan ng tanghali, ang halos lahat ng Filipino fastfood dito sa Los Angeles ay nakatutok sa 'Wowowee.'

Sa San Francisco, nitong nakaraang Hunyo 10 & 11, ang 'Wowowee' ang pinakatampok na palabas sa dalawang araw na pagtatanghal ng taunang Fiesta Filipiniana (this time, ginanap ito sa open air na Civic Center Plaza). Sa unang araw nito'y special performers sina Kris Lawrence (Grand Champion ng nakaraang Star in A Million) at Sheryn Regis (ang nakatunggali ng Grand Champion na si Erik Santos). Pero sa ikalawang araw ay mas dinagsa ito ng mga tao dahil sa 'Wowowee." Sa backstage, marami ring tao ang nag-aabang sa paglabas ni Willie para malapitan ito.

Ang kasikatan ng pangtanghaling palatuntunan at ng host nitong si Willie Revillame ay pinagtagumpayan nito dahil sa rami at kapal ng taong dumating sa araw na iyon. Marami ang may dala na mga 'placards' para ipakita ang suporta nila kay Willie at sa paborito nilang programa.

Magsisimula na ang paglabas ni Willie sa entablado't papunta pa lamang kami sa aming VIP seats (courtesy of Millie and Atty. Gurfinkel) ay medyo nahirapan kami ng aking kasama nang papunta na kami sa aming upuan. Walang gustong magparaan sa amin (medyo na-alarma nga ako dahil sa kapal ng taong aking nakita't baka magkaroon na naman ng "stampede!"). Mabuti na lamang at kapit-kamay naming niragasa ang makapal na tao para makarating sa 'walkway' kung saan maraming SFO Police ang nakatalaga at tumulong para maging maayos ang sekyuridad. May barikada rin na nakapalibot sa mga VIP seats sa unahan ng stage para hindi maipit ang mga nasa unahan.

Umakyat sa stage si Dr. Vicki Belo (na mayroon ding sariling booth sa Fiesta Filipiniana) at bumati sa mga taong nagsipanood. Naroon din ang pinuno ng TFC na si G. Raffy Lopez, Edgar Mortiz (kasama ang asawa nitong si Millette Santos), ang asawa ni Willie na si Liz Almoro-Revillame at ang biyenan ni Willie (umakyat na magkasabay sa stage ang dalawa). Nasa likod ni Dr. Vicki Belo ang L.A.-based beauty consultant na si Monet Lu, na kumuha rin ng booth para sa produkto nitong Enlighten at Clarify Me (kung saan modelo ang reigning Ginoong Pilipinas USA na si Chris Friel).

Kasama ni Willie sa stage ang 'Wowowee girls' na sina Chynna at Janelle, na kwelang-kwela rin sa mga manonood. Nanalo ng isang condo-tel ang winner ng Wowowee (na hindi ko nakuha ang pangalan).

GMA vs. TFC ba uli?

Parang sa tingin ko'y mas sikat pa rin ang TFC Channel kaysa sa GMA Pinoy TV dahilan sa established na ang una kaysa sa huli. Sa mga datihang subscribers ng TFC, nag-stick na lamang sila rito dahil sa panibagong subscription at bayarin na naman kung mag-papalagay pa sila ng GMA Pinoy TV Channel. Naalala ko tuloy ang sinabi ng big boss ng GMA Pinoy nang mag-launch ito sa San Francisco, na "tatlong taon" lamang ang hinihingi nila para masabing mapapantayan nila ang naabot ng TFC.

Sa Setyembre 2, sa Los Angeles naman magtatanghal ang 'Wowowee.' Makakasama nito ang cast ng Sunday noontime program na ASAP. Balita ko rin - darating ang ilang mga artista ng GMA 7 Channel sa buwan ng Setyembre dahil mag-la-launch naman ito ng GMA Pinoy TV sa Los Angeles (naudlot ito before, remember?). Hindi kaya magtapat na naman ang dalawang istasyon sa buwan ng Setyembre?

Pahabol: Sa huling trip kong ito sa San Francisco, gusto kong magpasalamat sa mga sumusunod: Bradford Adkins, Tita Lerma de la Cruz, Millie & Atty. Gurfinkel, Nel Castellvi at Gerald Engcong, my good friend Bong Prada Lim, at Monet Lu.

Michael Copon to Host World Championships of Performing Arts Competition
Finals to be held at the Hollywood Palladium on August 12; He will be honored and receive two recognitions from GAWAD PARANGAL on July 15.
Hunyo 19, 2006

LOS ANGELES—Filipino-American actor, singer, model Michael Copon who was inducted to Hall of Fame Award in last year's World Championships of Performing Arts (where Philippine contender Jed Madela won the coveted Grand Champion) will have the honor of hosting the upcoming 10th annual WCOPA 2006 international competition. The competition will start from August 6 and will bookend on August 12 for the Grand Final Competition, which will be held at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.

Mr. Griff O’Neil, President and CEO of WCOPA has only good words to tell about Michael’s being inducted to Hall of Fame, “We were looking for a young, up-and-rising actor or actress who could serve as a “role model” and inspiration for our contestants who are aspiring performers from around the world. With Michael coming from a small town, persevering with auditions, dedicated to training and learning more about his craft, caring for and about others, plus becoming an astute businessperson all provided the criteria needed to honor him and present him to our audience. Indeed, Michael turned out to be especially charming, professional and motivational to these youths. The induction was the first activity of the World Championship of Performing Arts. After the ceremony, he was very patient and kind by giving words of encouragement, individually to all contestants who came up to him – signing autographs … and graciously allowing endless number of photos to be taken,” Mr. O’Neil proudly told to this writer.

What are we expecting for the upcoming WCOPA? “Over 40 countries are scheduled to be represented, but we never know until the last minute because of the visa situation of some of the contestants coming from different countries. Contestant registration and Orientation will take place at the Burbank Hilton, as well as the preliminaries (August 7, 8, & 9) also happening at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn. Semi-Finals will be on August 10. “Go-Sees” and Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, August 11 at the Burbank Hilton. The opening Ceremony will be on Sunday evening, August 6, and the finals are Saturday evening on August 12 (both are held at the Hollywood Palladium).”

“Past Grand Champions/World winners are always invited to have as guest performers,” Mr. O’Neil continued. Among the list, he wrote: “This year, we are privileged to have with us Jessica Johnson (Junior Grand Champion Vocalist 2003-2005); Katy Benko (1999 Grand Champion vocalist from Virginia); Amanda Hawkins (2002 Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World -from Colorado); Samantha and Anna Strachan (2003 Grand Champion Performers of the World – from Jamaica); Donald Douglas (2005 Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World – dancer from New York); and Jed Madela (2005 Grand Champion Performer of the World (vocalist from the Philippines). I’m also excited to announce that famous popular television personality and multi-Emmy winner, Bob Eubanks, will host the Opening Ceremony and Michael Copon will host the spectacular Finals.”

The former Blue Power Ranger television star who also played Felix on WB's hit series "One Tree Hill" and winner of the recent reality-TV VH1's "But Can They Sing," has been busier than ever these days. At the humongous ACCESS E3 2006 video-gaming industry's kick-off party held at the House of Blues recently during the 3-day Electronics Entertainment Expo, I caught up with him and got newsworthy items regarding what's the latest in his successfully, growing Hollywood career.

Born on November 13, 1982, and raised in Chesapeake, Virginia, Michael Sowell Copon is a product of a German mother, Monica Zelasky, and a Filipino father, Berlin Copon (now remarried to a Filipina). He started his showbiz career in 2001 when he joined as Lucas Kendall, the Blue Time Force Ranger in the highly rated children's television series, Power Rangers, after finishing high school.

In high school, he was an athletic (defense) football player at Deep Creek High. Michael says he keeps fit by playing basketball and feeds his mind by reading a lot of books. As a print model for L.A. Models, one of the top modeling agencies in the world, Michael has worked for Pacsun, Skechers, and Old Navy, to name a few. Recently, he was seen in Target, Macy's, JC Penney ads, and is now on a Diesel promo campaign.

On television, aside from the above, he has also appeared on Scrubs, That's So Raven, L.A. Models, Even Stevens, Room Raiders, Reno 911, among others. Last month, he was hopping from one radio station to another promoting his first feature film, MTV Films original movie "All You've Got" (with singer Ciara and Napoleon Dynamite's Efren Ramirez) which premiered on MTV and is currently available on DVD.

He will be next seen as Vin, the Hawaiian surfer, on the 7th episode (he has taped 15 episodes so far) of the new television series "Beyond The Break" which premiered last June 2 on the N Channel (check out www.the-n.com).

Aside from acting and modeling career, the 6-foot Dean Cain-lookalike charmer plans to pursue his singing career. He has signed a record deal with mega-producer Lou Perlman (the man who catapulted the singing careers of the Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync, Britney Spears, O'Town, LFO, and more) and has finished recording two of the songs to be included in the album.

While he is still cooking up his debut album, Michael, together with other Filipino friends will be launching his new hip-hop clothing line labeled TIPS.

On July 15, 2006, Michael will be flying to Sacramento to receive two awards from the yearly GAWAD PARANGAL, a Filipino event honoring Filipino and Fil-Am achievers. Michael will be receiving the "Male Celebrity Entertainer of the Year" and "Youth Role Model Award."

Michael is a devoted supporter of several youth organization campaigns. Among these, which are important to him, is the Shaken Baby Syndrome (www.shakenbaby.com) where one of his family members, his adopted brother, is a victim. Last June 3, 2006, he did a walk for the Ronald McDonald's L.A. Walkathon - Walk for Kids (www.WalkforKids.com). On the 28th until the end of August, Michael will be hosting "Talent Rock," a talent competition based in Florida with producer Lou Perlman.

Before the end of the year, Michael is scheduled to take weeks of vacation with his family to the Philippines, and visit some youth charity organizations he would like to help in the future. Michael hopes to build a foundation helping the poor families in the Philippines.

Cast of 'Pacquiao: The Untold Story' partly shot in L.A. and Las Vegas
Hunyo 20, 2006

The main cast of "Pacquiao: The Untold Story," (now titled "Pacquiao: The Movie"), partly shot in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, had a dinner meeting with selected members of the Los Angeles Fil-Am media (arranged by L.A.-based columnist Ms. Lou Sabas, also the coordinator for its U.S. theatrical release).

The entourage was headed by executive producer Mrs. Rose Flaminiano (FLT Films) and cast members Jericho Rosales (playing Manny Pacquiao), Bea Alonzo (as Jinky, Manny's wife), Bayani Agbayani, Joel Lamangan (Director), Romy Vitug (videographer), Manny Morfe (production designer), Tita Angge (Agbayani's manager).

"The movie is almost finished, but we still have to shoot a big fight scene right after we get back to Manila," Mrs. Flaminiano related during this interview. "The movie stayed closely to the truth, and we did not alter anything, including names and other characters of the story. It is 100 percent accurate based on Manny Pacquiao's testimonies. I am very proud of this movie and what Director Joel Lamangan has done. The fight scenes of Jericho are real. I must say that this is one of Direk Joel's best movies," she reiterated.

Mrs. Flaminiano has done about six movies, starting in 1999 with a Robin Padilla and Vina Morales tandem ('Di Puwedeng Hindi Puwede') and has been active every year since, until 'You and Me Against The World,' a Robin Padilla-Kris Aquino movie she produced in 2003, her last. Why did it take you more than three years to do another film? I asked, "I'm a big fan of Manny (Pacquiao) even before his fight with Morales, and I've been asking him to have a contract with us to do a biopic. Actually, I've been busy with my realty business (I built three subdivisions) for that three years of absence in showbiz, but I think it was meant also, because I was maybe waiting for this project for Manny Pacquiao. I think now is the right time to do this film," she said. Flaminiano also mentioned that Pacquiao will be doing a new comedy film with either Ogie Alcasid or Vic Sotto under her film outfit after this film.


(More exclusive photos from this writer, at www.picturetrail.com/olivercarnayphotos)

Throwing an intriguing question for the producer, I asked, "The movie is coming out in Manila before Manny's fight with Oscar Larios, so it's safe to say it won't affect, in fact, will help the movie's box-office returns. But do you think, in case he loses (hopefully not, crossing our fingers), it will affect the box-office proceeds here in the U.S. once it hit U.S. theatres, considering you mentioned, you are producing 200 prints for its U.S. nationwide release? And she answered, "You know, win or lose, Manny Pacquiao will be in the history as the best fighter Philippines has ever produced. But I'm telling you - he will not lose! I am very confident he will win the fight!" she assured.

Manny Pacquiao, who left a week ago after a rigid training at the Wildcard Gym in Santa Monica, California, is still preparing for his fight with Oscar Larios scheduled on July 2, 2006, in Manila, Philippines. He mentioned during the meeting with the Press, "I am not in the movie, but my full support is with them," said the 'Pacman' timidly. Later, he mingled with other guests including another boxing champ Brian Villoria, comedian Bernardo Bernardo (a close friend of director Joel Lamangan), and the others. (More exclusive photos by Oliver Carnay at www.picturetrail.com/olivercarnayphotos)

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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