Celebrity L.A. Scene by Oliver Carnay

September 14 (Thursday) - From L.A. via EVA Air, I arrived Manila at exactly 11:30 a.m. I immediately got out of the airport in 15 minutes as I was escorted straight out without passing by the customs. Why? I do not know how and why, but I guess -- call it "connections." All I knew was that somebody would pick me up at the airport. I thought -- I must have unknowingly been signed up to something to get this treatment. (Anyway, "onli in da Philippines," 'ka nga!)

Henry and Stan (who are they? secret!) picked me up and proceeded to my house in Cainta, Rizal where my mom was waiting for me. I just had to pick up some things (and some money) before we took off again. We headed up to our new Aqua-Imaging, Inc. office in Wack-Wack (530 Tower Summit 1, Ste. 504-B; Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong, Tel. No. 717-7468). If you haven't heard yet, I've entered into a partnership with a graphic design service center in Manila (making ad banners, business cards, plastic signs, tarpaulins, table menus, silk screens, embroidering, and anything that has to do with graphic designs, etc.). I met with our lively staff: Boyet, Jude, Ryan, Ces, Jason, Henry, and the rest.

Thereafter, I would often drop by every morning to do my computer work. I must say I am now missing the attention I got from them - especially the breakfast they would often serve me the minute I arrived in the morning.

We went to the condo at Libis Eastwood where I would be staying. By 7 PM, I was heading to DISH, beside ABS-CBN, for Direk Wenn Deramas' birthday bash. I was supposed to meet my friend Ariane (producer of the recent successful "Comedy Riot 2"). I didn't know that everyone was hiding her from the birthday celebrant. So when I asked Wenn if Ariane has already arrived, he was so sad to tell me that the culprit won't be able to make it for some important reasons. I kind of got a hint there was something going on when Candy (Pangilinan) and Eugene (Domingo) winked at me!

The program was fun and entertaining, especially the video clips of Wenn's past achievements. Claudine Barretto, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Anton Diva, DJ Durano, Candy Pangilinan greeted and rendered something during the program. Finally, the highlight of the show revealed as Ariane was called in and it was really a moment as Direk Wenn emotionally and teary-eyed, embraced his best friend Ariane, who related how she could not ever pass up this very important occasion.

Among many friends and stars under Wenn's ward who attended and stayed 'til past twelve were Piolo Pascual, Roderick Paulate, Angelica Panganiban, Luis Manzano, Amy Austria, Karla Estrada, comeback star Matthew Mendoza (who will star in Maricel Soriano's new movie "Inang Yaya"), Baron Geisler, Rica Peralejo, JR Valentin, Joel Torre, Direk Joyce Bernal, Juan Rodrigo. Other stars who dropped by were Joseph Bitangcol, Matt Evans, Luis Alandy, Shaina Magdayao, Michelle Madrigal, Ketsup Eusebio, Alwyn Uytinco, Paolo Paraiso, Ricky Rivero (looking very slim nowadays), and many others.

September 15 (Friday) - I had lunch with my mom and some of my family members. In the evening, I met with Tito Alfie and Michael Conan at Tito Alfie's condo, atop Figaro Restaurant and a few yards from the famous "Esquinita," where we dined.

Esquinita is a place to hang out on weekends. But according to Tito Alfie, this celebrity-filled alley is also packed on weekdays -unless it's raining hard (patay pag umuulan!). ABS-CBN stalwarts of personalities such as Kris Aquino, John Lapuz, Deo Endrinal, Biboy "Madiraka" Arboleda, and others are the owners of these latest favorite "rendezvouz" in Quezon City.

As always, Tito Alfie would never run out of stories to tell. People dropped by to say "hellos" and "good-byes" at our table. A few picture-takings and I was ready to go to my next stop - The Government on Makati Ave. where I have an appointment with its owner Henry Lim. John Lapuz reminded me that I should always have a company "dahil ang Manila ngayon is nothing like than what it used to be before. So, mag-ingat ng doble sa paglalakad ng mag-isa! (I appreciated the concern!)

September 16 (Saturday) - I've enjoyed the lunch TF (Fanny Serrano) prepared! Sarap ng pakbet, tocino, homemade pancit, may daing pa, at palitaw! Ms. Cherie Gil, Joyce Bernal, Racquel Villavicencio were waiting for their gowns designed and created exclusively for the 24th Luna Awards (formerly Film Academy of the Philippines Awards) slated that evening. TF texted Harlene Bautista (who was running the show under her and husband Romnick Sarmenta's Elephant Eight Productions) about accommodating me for the Luna Awards. Harlene did not hesitate a bit upon knowing I was in Manila. She texted me and 'pasundo" na lang ako sa lobby ng venue, ng PAGCOR Grand Theatre, Casino Filipino, when I arrive.

Dropped by muna ako sa 'Startalk' sa GMA 7. Nanay Lolit Solis gave me an extra ticket for the Luna Awards (talagang di siya tumigil sa paghahanap sa nawawala niyang ticket para lang ibigay sa akin! Touched naman ako!). As usual, nandoon sina Butch Francisco at Lorna Tolentino na alaga rin ni 'Nay Lolit.

Surprised si G. Tongi na nag-anchor ng red carpet sa Luna Awards nang makita ako. "Kelan ka dumating?" bati niya. Tito Eddie Gutierrez looks dashingly gorgeous with his gold and black terno. "Dumating si Ruffa kanina, sinundo nga namin!" he mentioned. Good friend Gina Alajar was busy. Racquel Villavicencio made bati to me, "Buti nakahabol ka!" Romnick and Harlene wore their smiles all the time (parang di pagod sa pag-iintindi, they even looked so reserved and calm despite how big the event was).

It was too late to catch up with my appointment with Tito Alfie. I remembered I had to be at his late radio program on DZMM at 10 PM (or 9?). Anyway, medyo tired na rin ako, so apologize na lang ako.

September 17 (Sunday) - As early as 7:30, nasa office na ako ng Aqua-Imaging to do my typings and others. Before lunch, sinundo na ako ni Jun Lalin para sumabay papuntang GMA 7 para dumalaw naman sa SOP. Knowing a-appear si Ruffa sa S.O.P. ay excited na rin akong makita siya dahil tagal na ring di siya dumadalaw sa L.A., noh? … "Oh my God, Oliver, you're here!" tili ni Ruffa nang sumungaw ako sa dressing room nila nina Regine, Jaya, at Peachy (Rufa Mae Quinto). Hindi siya makapaniwala na nasa Pilipinas ako! "O ano'ng chismis?" tanong niya kaagad (na para bang sasabihin ko kahit maraming nakakarinig sa amin!). (CONTINUED >>)

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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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