Celebrity L.A. Scene by Oliver Carnay

The "Night of the Champions" presentation last September 24 at the Civic Center Plaza, right in the heart of San Francisco, California (with the huge Cathedral illuminated as the night backdrop) was different from the rest of the champions' U.S. tour, mainly because Erik Santos joined Sarah Geronimo, Mark Bautista, Rachelle Ann Go, and Christian Bautista on this one single chilly night.

As early as 3 PM (the show started at 6 PM) more than 3,000 mostly TFC subscribers flocked to the open-air plaza venue. With no chairs to sit down, Fil-Ams waited and watched the two-and-a-half-hour concert.

Headliners Erik, Sarah, and Rachelle Ann Go opened the concert by singing "We Are the Champions," followed by a solo of Rachelle singing a Mariah Carey signature and the Tagalog "Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay." Christian Bautista had "The Way You Look at Me" and "Hands to Heaven" before doing the duet song "You and Me/We Wanted It All" with Rachelle. Rachelle, of course, belted out "Don't Cry Out Loud." Mark Bautista was next with a Gary V hit, "How Did You Know." The female champs tried to outdo the males with "Bulaklak," "Pamela," "Otso-Otso" and other "kwela" acts like "Jumbo Hotdog."

Erik Santos paid tribute to his idol and sang a Martin Nievera medley before his signature "This Is the Moment." Mark Bautista and Sarah did a duet, "Broken Vow." Sarah borrowed her idol, Regine Velasquez's "spirit" and did Regine's medley of pop songs before singing Alicia Keys' current hit single and finally, her Celine Dion signature song. The finale number consisted of danceable tunes. Pretty much, based on previous reviews, the repertoire was all the same except this particular "Concert at the Park" in San Francisco (see more pics at www.picturetrail.com/olivercarnayphotos).

Where Are They Now?

After watching the Night of the Champions, with the invitation of my good friend Rina Alcantara, we proceeded to Edna's Ichiban Library in South San Francisco, wherein we happened to have a chat with current headliners Dessa and Bobby Solis.

Many have been wondering about the career of Dessa, "the powerful voice" from the roster of talents of The Backroom, Inc. (managed by Boy Abunda). Well, the Divette is currently based in Los Angeles and is four months pregnant by a young L.A. talent manager, Jay Inoue. Dessa figures her blessings, moving to the mainland as a wise move. She is focused on raising her child in the U.S. and being with her new-found love, Jay, who has big plans for her as an international star next year, after the birth of her second baby (she has another child from an Italian boyfriend). Dessa has just recorded a new collection of well-loved songs (including "Saan Ka Man Naroroon," "Alone Again Naturally," "Point of No Return," "Respect," "Never Fall In Love Again" and many others, with "Come In Out of the Rain" as an additional bonus track) currently available by contacting SEATM Productions (e-mail seatm_productions@yahoo.com).

At Ichiban's Library, such talent Bobby Solis mesmerized us with a fresh cabaret-style showmanship, a must to see during weekends at SFO's Library (which is patterned after the famous The Library in Manila). The divas playing every night (Bona, Bubbles, Kyhmme, Jesse, and Nomer Yuzon-a part-time steward and Ichiban performer) are all very entertaining with their funny antics while hosting the nightly karaoke. Miriam Pantig alternates with Dessa on some days. Check out Edna's Ichiban Library web site at www.ednasichiban.net .

Last Labor Day weekend, during the first annual Asia Pacific Trade and Expo in Las Vegas (held at the Stardust Hotel), look who I happened to chat with - it's Leni Santos! Leni Santos is more memorable as the original villain actress from such soaps Flor de Luna and Anna Liza, and was paired to Rey "PJ" Abellana. Now based in Las Vegas and married to one of the Salvador clan, with two kids - Nikka and PJ, although Leni misses acting and other showbiz gigs, she is not remorseful about migrating in the U.S., "I work as a loan officer in one of the most prestigious mortgage companies here in Vegas and I enjoy helping out my husband and being a mother to my two kids," said the cheerful and dimple-faced actress. "Actually, I was supposed to do another soap opera when I left Manila in 2002 (her last was 'Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka') but when I came here, my husband persuaded me to try to immigrate here. I like it here, but if anybody is interested with my service I'm open to act again. Of course, I also miss showbiz a lot!" she noted.

(More pics at www.picturetrail.com/olivercarnayphotos. E-mail at carnay25@yahoo.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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