Scandal fever afflicts Republicans

Kaleidoscope

By Perry Diaz

During the McCarthy witch-hunting era, the “duck test” was used to identify a person’s ideological leaning.  It works this way:  “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.”  Thousands of people’s lives were ruined during this period that came to be known as the Second Red Scare.  Yes, “red” as in communist.

“McCarthyism,” which was coined after Republican U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence.  It also means making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism.  It lasted from 1950 to 1956.  (Source: Wikipedia)

Today, McCarthyism has taken a broader meaning.  In general, it is now used “to describe reckless, unsubstantiated accusations, as well as demagogic attacks on the character or patriotism of political adversaries.”  Sounds familiar, eh?

Indeed, the Republicans in Congress are using this modern form of McCarthyism to target their political opponents, particularly President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.  And just like McCarthy, they conducted congressional hearings and investigations.  These latter-day followers of the McCarthy creed are trying to make President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton look like ducks, walk like ducks, and quack like ducks.  But this time around, they’re not witch-hunting for communists but how to implicate Obama and Clinton to a number of scandals.    

In my article, “Benghazi Syndrome” (May 18, 2013), I wrote: “Within days of the Benghazi attack, McCain led a smear campaign against U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice. They attacked Rice’s Benghazi ‘talking points,’ accusing her of withholding information to cover up the real story. They demanded an investigation and vowed to block Rice’s confirmation in the Senate should President Barack Obama appoint her as Secretary of State. Well, Rice did not give them that chance; she withdrew from being considered for an appointment. 

“The virulent strain of the Benghazi Syndrome spread to the House of Representatives. Rep. Darrell Issa, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and four other House committee chairmen conducted their own investigations. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey gave countless hours of testimony. The State Department sent more than 25,000 pages of documents to Congress. And yet Issa and the other witch hunters would not let up on their beliefs that the Obama administration is covering up something and they want to hear the true story of l’affaire Benghazi.” Sounds familiar, eh?

Scandal fever

Last May 13, former Vice President Dick Cheney appeared on the Sean Hannity Show to discuss the Benghazi attack and the scandals plaguing the Obama Administration.  On the Benghazi incident, Cheney commented: “One of the worst incidents I can recall in my career… If they told the truth about Benghazi that it was a terrorist attack by a terrorist affiliated group it would have destroyed a false image of competence that was the basis for his campaign for reelection.”  Huh?

What was Cheney talking about?  Didn’t Obama call the Benghazi attack an “act of terror” at a press briefing the day after the attack?  Isn’t a “terrorist attack” an “act of terror”?  It’s all semantics.  So, what’s Cheney’s problem?   Perhaps he’s afflicted with “scandal fever,” a contagious strain that mimics the symptoms of dementia.  And contagious it was!  Within a few days, Rep. Darrell Issa used the same “terrorist attack” vs. “act of terror” argument during a media interview on Capitol Hill.  

Ratings up!

Recently, Obama’s rating bumped up from 51% in an April poll to 53% in a poll conducted last May 17-18. With all these scandals, you would think that Obama’s rating would plummet down.  Doesn’t that prove to show that most Americans are not falling for the McCarthyist games the Republicans are playing?

In spite of the scandals that are hounding the Obama administration, the Republicans have yet to find the “duck test” that they could use against Obama and Clinton. 

But they’re not giving up. The witch-hunt has reached fever pitch!  Speaker John Boehner started talking about impeaching Obama.  When he was asked what are the grounds for impeachment, he couldn’t give any specific impeachable offense.  However, he replied that they’d find something to nail him down during the impeachment process.   Sounds familiar, eh?

The question is: Can Obama weather the storm until the spring of 2014 when the mid-term election season kicks off?  In my opinion, I believe he’d not only survive it; he’d thrive on it for as long as they fail to implicate him to the scandals.  And so far, they don’t have an iota of evidence that would prove their complicity to these scandals.

Déjà vu

This whole charade reminds me of the impeachment of then-President Bill Clinton in December 1998 for four charges, to wit: two charges of perjury, obstruction of justice, abuse of power.  The charges arose from the Monica Lewinsky scandal and the Paula Jones lawsuit.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives impeached Clinton on one charge of perjury and obstruction of justice.  However, the Senate acquitted him in February 1999.  Although the Republicans controlled the Senate with a 55-vote majority, the Republicans were 17 votes short of the required two-third majority for a conviction.

If impeachment charges were brought before the House of Representatives against Obama, the Republican-controlled House would be able to impeach Obama since only a simple majority is needed for impeachment.

The Senate vote would probably mirror the 1999 vote in reverse.  Today, there are 53 Democrats, two Independents, and 45 Republicans.   To convict Obama, the Senate needs all 45 Republican and 22 Democrats/Independents, which is improbable simply because that is political reality.

And the political reality is that unless Obama has really screwed up to a point where Democrats would abandon him and feed him to the vultures, the impeachment process that Speaker Boehner had in mind was nothing more than an exercise in futility. 

Then what? 

In 2000, the Republicans retained control of the House of Representatives.  However, they had a net loss of two seats from the previous elections.  With George W. Bush winning the presidency by five electoral votes; however, he lost the popular vote to Democrat Al Gore by 0.5% of the vote.

Quo vadis, Republicans?

In the 2014 elections, the Democrats need 17 seats to retake the House while the Republicans need six seats to retake the Senate.  However, unless either party gets a super majority of 60 seats, the Senate would face another unproductive term.

But as far as impeaching and removing Obama from office is concerned, the Republicans should call it quits and concentrate on the 2016 presidential election.  And the candidate to beat is Democrat Hillary Clinton.  Could any of the Tea Partiers – Rand Paul, Marco Rubio or Paul Ryan – beat her?  Now, you can see why the Republicans are trying so hard to get their ducks in a row to bring down Clinton.  

At the end of the day, the scandal fever that is afflicting Republicans could relegate the Grand Old Party of Abraham Lincoln to political impotence.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

Atrocity against Filipinos in Sabah

PerryScope: By Perry Diaz 

From the get-go of the Sabah incident, President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III appeared to be too accommodating to Malaysia.  Recently, a news account reported that P-Noy was bent on extraditing Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his Tausug followers to Malaysia despite the absence of an extradition treaty between the two countries.  The news report attributed the story to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima who bared plans byMalacañang to surrender Kiram to Malaysian authorities.   But what is strange is that the Malaysian government has yet to make a request for the extradition of Kiram!  

The truth of the matter is: Malaysia’s Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail is just toying with the idea when he told the media that he would seek a request for the extradition of Kiram “should a case be made against him.”  

Meanwhile, his Philippine counterpart, Justice Secretary de Lima, said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is in the process of building “airtight cases” against Kiram and his followers.  She did not elaborate; however, many people have been wondering what Philippine laws did Kiram violate that would warrant filing criminal charges against him? 

Inciting to war?

For starters, de Lima mentioned “inciting to war” as an applicable charge against Kiram.  But would it not go without saying that a person could only be guilty of “inciting to war” if the Philippines had indeed gone to war against Malaysia, or, conversely, if Malaysia had invaded the Philippines as the result of Kiram inciting war between the two countries? 

While the “invasion” of Sabah by the Royal Army of the Sultanate of Sulu had led to bloodshed, it did not lead to war between the Philippines and Malaysia.  Had P-Noy sent the marines to Sabah to protect Kiram’s 235 followers from the 3,000 Malaysian commandos that Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak sent to wipe out Kiram’s ragtag group, then it can be argued that Kiram incited P-Noy to war.  

It would seem then that the “inciting to war” angle that P-Noy is weighing to use against Kiram doesn’t make any sense and is nothing more than a legal boondoggle.   

But P-Noy could have done something to influence Razak to go easy on Kiram’s followers.  After all, Kiram’s followers never made any attempt to provoke the police and commandos that surrounded them. 

The 17-day standoff presented an opportunity for P-Noy to use diplomacy to put an end to the standoff peacefully.  Instead, P-Noy sent six naval ships to the waters near Sabah to block further intrusion by members of Kiram’s “Royal Army.” 

Could it be that P-Noy’s diplomatic inaction and naval blockade might have sent mixed signals to Razak, which may have emboldened him to use military force, which includes jet fighters and bombers, to annihilate Kiram’s followers.   And considering that only 30 of Kiram’s 235 followers were armed, the Malaysian commando and air attack was overkill.    

Fear mongering

Several days later, Sultan Kiram ordered a unilateral cease-fire to his followers after United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called to end the violence in Sabah.  Razak rejected the cease-fire and ordered the police and military to kill the “terrorists” if they don’t surrender unconditionally. Razak had instructed Malaysian journalists to refer to Kiram’s followers as “terrorists” in their news reports, which is an apparent attempt to sow fear among the local inhabitants.   He said that the military would continue to track them down “for as long as it takes to eliminate them.”

And this is when it turned ugly – very ugly!

Reports from fleeing Filipinos told of police brutality.  Filipino men were dragged out of their homes and were beaten.   The police were looking for Orang Suluk (people who originated from Sulu).  The police would tell them to run as fast as they could and then shoot them down.  They were killed like animals!

Genocide

Is Razak systematically ridding Sabah of the Orang Suluk and other Filipinos?  Are these killings genocidal?  It seems like it.   If so, then Razak is guilty of crime against humanity and should be charged before the International Criminal Court as a “war criminal.”

Razak should be reminded of the UN Secretary General’s statement that was released to the media earlier.  “The Secretary-General expresses concern about the impact this situation may have on the civilian population, including migrants in the region,” said the statement.  Mr. Ban’s statement subtly warned Razak that he should be cognizant and respectful of “international human rights norms and standards.”  He should also be reminded that the international community does not condone acts that could be construed as “ethnic cleansing.”  If he targets the Orang Suluk for extermination, then he is guilty of genocide in every meaning of the word.

Mass deportation 

Last March 11, the Free Malaysia Today reported: “The majority, if not all, of the 800,000 Filipinos based in Sabah may be sent back to the Philippines on the premise that they had acquired their Malaysian citizenship illegally over the past 20 years under a controversial systematic granting of citizenship to foreigners dubbed Project IC (identity cards).

“Project IC, which is blamed on former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad, was said to be among the factors that led followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to “invade” Sabah in February. Most of the Filipinos who benefited from the project in the past are Tausugs from the nearby islands of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.” The report said that out of Sabah’s population of three million, there are about 1.7 million foreigners, mostly Filipinos and Indonesians. 

The following day, the Manila Bulletin published a disquieting account of abuses perpetrated against Filipinos in Sabah.  An official of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) told the media that the “maltreatment of Filipinos in Malaysia following the outbreak of violence in Sabah is just the “tip of the iceberg.”  “Finally, the sufferings of Filipinos in Sabah drew notice from Malacañang. We got similar, if not harsher, complaints directly from victims and made appropriate reports to higher authorities to no avail years ago,” said the official who requested anonymity.

These reports of massacre and maltreatment of Filipinos in Malaysia should be the number one concern of P-Noy.  P-Noy should protest these atrocious acts in the United Nations in the strongest terms.  There is no excuse for inaction. 

At the end of the day, President Aquino, as the “father” of all Filipinos, is responsible for the safety and welfare of every Filipino citizen.  It is high time for him to come to the aid of those in harm’s way.  To do nothing would be a dereliction of his sworn duty to protect the people. 

Mr. President, you’re now on center stage… and the world community is watching.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)  

A tale of two reefs

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz

In a matter of days, the Philippine government took strong actions against the two most powerful countries in the world – the United States and the People’s Republic of China.  Now, that’s what I call “wow, wow!” Yep, a double wow, indeed.  But as it turned out, the country was hit with a double whammy! 

The first whammy was China’s seizure of the Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) that is within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).   Last August, after China tricked the Philippines into withdrawing her vessels from the lagoon, China roped off the only entrance into the lagoon; thus, preventing other fishermen from getting in.  Only Chinese fishing boats are allowed to enter the lagoon.  In effect, China has taken de facto possession of a piece of Philippine territory… without firing a shot.  

Bajo de Masinloc, as Scarborough Shoal was named as far back as 1734 during the Spanish era, is 124 miles west of Masinloc, Zambales in the South China Sea.  The shoal is a triangle-shaped chain of reefs with a circumference of 34 miles and an area of 58 square miles.  Many of the reefs are just below water at high tide.  The lagoon contains a large variety of fish and other sea life including endangered species such as sea turtles, sharks, and giant clams. 

Arbitration

Helplessly unable to defend her territory, let alone recover those she already lost, the Philippines had no other recourse but to turn to the United Nations to resolve the territorial dispute.

Last January 22, the Philippines’ Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario formally notified China that the Philippines is bringing the case before the Arbitral Tribunal of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  The issue is China’s claim to about 90% of the entire South China Sea delineated by an imaginary – and arbitrary – “nine-dash line” drawn by China.    

In reaction, the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, Ma Keqing, reasserted China’s “indisputable sovereignty” over the South China Sea.  However, she said that China supports a negotiated settlement through “peaceful means.”  Well, with several Chinese warships permanently deployed inside the lagoon, “peaceful means” might just be another convenient tool from China’s bag of tricks.   

Doublespeak

Last January 28, China’s supreme ruler, Xi Jinping, told the 25 members of the ruling Communist Party’s Central Committee Political Bureau (Politburo): “China will stick to the path of peaceful development. No foreign country should expect us to make a deal on our core interests and hope we will swallow the bitter pill that will damage our sovereignty, security and development interests.”  And as before, “core national interest” is not negotiable, peacefully or otherwise. 

As China had demonstrated in the past three decades, her salami-slicing tactics of grabbing other countries’ territories – Paracel Islands, Mischief Reef, Macclesfield Bank, Scarborough Shoal -- have been successful. And now her biggest – and most ambitious – goal is to annex the South China Sea and the East China Sea all the way to the Okinawa Trough as a prolongation of China’s continental shelf.  That would be the fulfillment of China’s dream.

Evidently, China’s “talk and take” approach is paying dividends… until Japan decided to use force -- if necessary -- to counter China’s aggressive attempt to grab the Senkaku islands near Okinawa in the East China Sea. 

Recently, during Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the U.S., Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a “veiled warning” to China not to challenge Japan’s control of the Senkaku islands.  She said that the islands were under Japan’s control and therefore protected under the U.S.-Japan Treaty.  Her remarks instantly ignited a war hysteria in China.  Xi Jinping ordered the People’s Liberation Army to get ready for war, quickly!

Tubbataha Reef

Meanwhile, about 600 south in the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha Reef is getting a lot of attention since an American warship, the minesweeper USS Guardian, ran aground in its vicinity.  The reef consists of two coral atolls five miles apart and each reef has a single small islet protruding from the water.

More than 1,000 species inhabit the reef of which many are considered endangered including manta rays, tortoises, clownfish, lionfish, and sharks.  There are 350 coral species and 500 fish species.  It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Asia and inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.  It is called the “Crown Jewel of the Coral Triangle.” 

On January 17, 2013, the USS Guardian ran aground on the reef.  An initial visual inspection showed that at least 10 meters of the reef were damaged.  Aerial photographs made by the Philippine military showed the “ship’s bow sitting atop corals in shallow turquoise waters, with the stern floating in the deep blue waters.”  The warship was bound for Puerto Princesa after routine refueling and supply replenishment in Subic Bay.  

Initial reaction from Malacañang defended the Guardian’s presence in the protected area. “I confirmed with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin that there was such a port call request made for Puerto Princesa by USS Guardian,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.  “There was a request made and the request was granted.”

Apology

The following week, U.S. ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. apologized for the incident.  When the apology was relayed to President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III -- who was attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland at that time – he told reporters who were covering his trip that an apology was not enough.  He wanted a thorough investigation to ascertain how the USS Guardian ran aground on the reef.

But the United States Navy already made its commitment to do everything it can to repair the damage caused by the minesweeper.  Didn’t he know that?  Yet P-Noy continued to question, “How it could happen when the minesweeper, a U.S. made vessel, was supposed to be possessing of high technology military navigation devices?” He said that the U.S. would have to comply with Philippine laws regarding the incident.  “They violated it, there are penalties. Then they will have to address all of these violations of our pertinent laws,” he said.

But P-Noy didn’t realize that the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) had already fined the U.S. Navy for “unauthorized entry.”  However, it did not disclose the amount of the penalty.  Under Philippine law, the maximum penalty for unauthorized entry is of up to a year in prison plus a fine of up to P300,000 ($7,300).  The TPAMB decided not to include the jail option in the penalty.

VFA

When a reporter asked P-Noy about the call of some groups to review the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the U.S. and the Philippines in the aftermath of the Tubbataha incident, he toned down and said that the VFA only governs the conduct of visiting American troops when they're in military exercises in the Philippines.  He explained that the VFA has no connection to the Tubbataha incident; it’s a question about violating the country’s ecological laws. 

Meanwhile, Fernando Hicap, the chairman of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas, called for the filing of a “millennium class suit” against the US Navy for damaging the reef, saying that the US should pay the country a considerable amount following the destruction of the reef.  P-Noy was also criticized by Anakbayan national chairman Vencer Crisostomo and Kabataan Partylist national president Terry Ridon for his statements, which they claimed was tantamount to a “whitewash” on the incident. 

But what is interesting to note is that these leftist groups are quick to attack the U.S. for any “infraction” but are quiet about China’s aggression against the Philippines.  What would they do if one day they wake up to see an armada of Chinese warships in the Sulu Sea on their way to Puerto Princesa?    

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

“JAZZMOPOLITAN®” ALL STARS SPARKLE AT THE FORD AUGUST 25

An Evening of Jazz Collaboration with Filipino American Performers

(Los Angeles, CA. July, 2012) Planned spontaneity, the essence of jazz performance, takes centerstage at the Ford Amphitheatre as PAE Live! spotlights performers from the “Jazzmopolitan®” series on Saturday, August 25 in a spectacular concert under the stars. The show will bring young, up-and-coming jazz artists from the Filipino community together with performers who have made their mark in the Filipino jazz world in the final Jazzmopolitan® concert ending the series which began in 2010.

On this year’s Jazzmopolitan® bill, PAE Live! is excited to introduce a couple of hot, new vocalists who are making waves in the music industry, particularly on the Internet. One such talent is Krystle Tugadi whose music is a tasty blend of r&b, folk, pop and jazz mixed with a soulful voice. Her ability to reach people with her honest performances and music has always been her niche but it’s her quirky disposition that has gained her a strong following of listeners from all walks of life.

Alma Silos, a veteran singer who is celebrating a return to live performance, grew up listening to jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole. Since coming to the U.S. in 1986, Alma became a member of groups Ssshe, Altered Rhythm and even started a record label with her husband. She has recently finished her album entitled “Alma Silos: After Ten”.

Mitch Franco was born and raised in Northern California. His mother, Gemma Franco, was once a professional recording artist in the Philippines. Mitch became fond of a Michael Buble album when he was 10 years old and began researching jazz music immediately. He then tried singing the classic Sinatra tune “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”. The song was perfect for him and Mitch has been singing jazz ever since.

VJ Rosales is a singer/songwriter with a fresh sound bringing versatility to pop and r&b by fusing his knowledge and style of jazz with them. An alumni from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music (at Cal State Long Beach) with a B.M. in Jazz Studies, he is an upcoming artist who is easily adaptable to the changing pop genre. He currently sings with his band, "Chasing Vertigo", a three-piece band that melds pop and r&b with jazz and funk.

Also making her Ford debut is the Philippines’ very own Queen of Jazz, Louie Reyes. She began her professional career with an all female singing trio called Babsie, Chit and Louie, established herself as an accomplished performer with the popular New Minstrels, recorded and released several albums, and received standing ovations for her stage and theatre performances in the Philippines and abroad. She has performed with several mainstream jazz artists such as Joe Sample, Bob James, David Benoit, Noel Pointer and Dianne Reeves.

Abe Lagrimas, Jr., who played drums during the “Jazzmopolitan: Gentlemen of Jazz” concert, is a versatile multi-instrumentalist – equally proficient on the drums, vibraphone and ukulele. Abe began his musical journey when he first sat behind a drum set at the age of four. After high school, Abe continued his studies and attended Berklee College of Music as a North American World Tour Scholarship recipient. He has performed with artists such as Eric Marienthal, Eric Reed, Bill Mays, Jon Irabagon, Lalo Schifrin, Gabe Baltazar, James Morrison, Jake Shimabukuro, James Ingram and in Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, Canada and Germany.

Jaclyn Rose, a graduate from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Vocal Performance and a concentration in Jazz Studies, returns from last year’s “Jazzmopolitan: Ladies of Jazz” concert. Trained in a wide variety of musical styles, jazz/neo-soul/r&b is where her heart lies, a la Erykah Badu and India Arie to name a couple. “Jazz offers infinite possibilities…” explains Jaclyn, “there are no limitations…you gain such a deep musical understanding with jazz. The complex harmonies are beautiful and colorful, and really that’s what I love most about jazz. It’s colorful.”

A highlight of the concert will be special performances from Eduardo “Tateng” Katindig, Jr. Born in the Philippines and schooled at the University of the Philippines majoring in composition and keyboard concentration, Tateng is the son of Philippine legendary jazz musician Eddie Katindig. Jazz brought Tateng to the U.S. in 2000 and since then he has played with many great artists such as the legendary drummer Earl Palmer, Lou Rawls, Ritchie Cole, Alphonse Mouzon, Bill Henderson, the late Teddy Edward, Sam Most, Eloise Laws and Carl Saunders to name a few. Earlier this month, he made his Hollywood Bowl debut as musical director for an all-Filipino concert curated by Black Eyed Peas’ member Apl.de.ap.

Saxophonist Ner de Leon, who stunned the audience at the “Jazzmopolitan: Gentlemen of Jazz” concert, will be back in another spectacular performance. The Berklee College of Music educated musician hails from a long bloodline of musicians and has been playing music since he was eight years old. Over the years, Ner has developed a timber that distinguishes his unique and superb style and sound that truly sets him apart from the rest.

PAE Live! has invited two very special artists who originated the “Jazzmopolitan” series to perform at this final concert. With a career that spans all of the entertainment genres (television, film, theater, music and performance), singer/songwriter Becca Godinez – who made her debut at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this month - has a special place in her heart for jazz music, the second vocal specialty she studied in college (after classical music). Expect Becca’s command of bossa nova and Brazilian jazz to shine during the concert. Mon David, the 2006 winner of the London International Jazz Competition, is also coming to close out the series. The major jazz singer from the Philippines who can sing any type of music with credibility, creativity, heartfelt emotion and wit has been creating waves in the U.S. since he moved here. He cites influences from Frank Sinatra, Kurt Elling, Eddie Jefferson and Mark Murphy on his music.

The featured artist for the show is smooth jazz saxman Michael Paulo, who has been part of all the “Jazzmopolitan” concerts since the series originated. One of the most versatile saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz for over twenty years, the Hawaiian born Paulo has added his distinct “saxpertise” to a virtual Who's Who of artists including Al Jarreau, James Ingram, trumpeter Rick Braun and guitarist Peter White, Oleta Adams, Patti Austin, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit and Johnny Mathis to name a few. Paulo grew up in a musical family (his father a pianist, his mother a singer, his siblings all playing instruments) but chose a more adventurous road by joining Hawaiian pop/rock band Kalapana, which had some success on the mainland but was most popular in Japan. He continues to produce the annual Temecula Wine & Music Festival and continues to play his own brand of music around the world.

“This will be an unforgettable evening of jazz music,” promises director/producer Rex Sampaga. “The caliber of artists, both young and seasoned, is extraordinary and they bring a level of musicianship and performance that showcase not only their talent but also the music. Even though it will be our last Jazzmopolitan concert in this form, I am eagerly awaiting this show!”

A portion of the show’s proceeds will be donated to the ABS-CBN Foundation International, Inc. a registered non-profit organization under the multi-media global ABS-CBN network, and in particular, to their flagship program “Bantay Bata” (or “Child Watch”). Bantay Bata is a child welfare program in the Philippines that not only rescues and rehabilitates sick and abused children, but also provides shelter, therapy and quality home care for rescued children until they can be reunited with their families or referred to proper child-caring agencies. The program gives emphasis on the family through the following services: training and advocacy on child abuse prevention, rehabilitation of families in crisis, educational scholarships, livelihood, community outreach and medical and dental missions. For more information on the Foundation and it’s work, visit www.abscbnfoundation.org.

Tickets for “Jazzmopolitan® All Stars” start at $25 and are $12 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under. Tickets are available at www.FordTheatres.org or 323-461-3673 (for non-visual media 323-GO 1-FORD). For groups of 8 or more, please call 323-769-2147. For more information, visit http://fordtheatres.org/en/events/details/id/373. The concert is sponsored by the Asian Journal, BakitWhy.com, Gano Excel, FilamNation.com, Goldilocks, Island Pacific, Jeepney Asian Grill, the PinoyInsider.com and Seafood City in conjunction with Ford season sponsors KPFK 90.7 FM and LA18.

The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before show time for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages are available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.

The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. On-site stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening shows. For evening shows only,FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle cycles every 15 – 20 minutes and stops in the “kiss and ride” area.

“Jazzmopolitan®” produced by PAE Live!, is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2012 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.

"Wil Time Bigtime" on May 26 at Shrine Auditorium (Los Angeles )

NORA AUNOR, RUFFA GUTIERREZ, AGA MUHLACH and DEREK RAMSAY join the North America launch of KapatidTV5 and AksyonTV International featuring Willie Revillame's "Wil Time Bigtime" on May 26 at Shrine Auditorium (Los Angeles ) and June 2 at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (San Francisco). For tickets call 1-855-KAPATID (855-527-2843), log on to Ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. San Francisco show tickets with "no service charges" available Fridays only at the Fox Theater Oakland (12nn-7pm) at 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland. 510-302-2277.

Stars of the film ‘The Road’ lead them to Belo Clinic in Glendale

By Jay Fermin (FMG)

After a very successful red carpet premiere at Arclight theater in Hollywood, the stars of Director Yan Laranas film ‘ The Road ‘ dropped by recently at Belo Clinic in Glendale, California.

Alden Richards, who is on his first U.S. visit, came by to see Dr. Vicky Belo the day after the movie premiere. He is being watched as the next big star of GMA Network.

A true La Sallian, Alden dreams of finishing up his Business Administration degree even with the pressures of show business. He has worked with veteran stars Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes.

He revealed that before his career took off, he played the main part in the high school play ‘Joseph and The Multi Coloured Dreamcoat.’

Today, he spent time with Dr. Belo before heading for a fun day at Disneyland. ‘The Road’ is his breakthrough movie which received great reviews at the April Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival.

Following his visit, the very down-to-earth, fun, and very gorgeous Rhian Ramos also came by at Belo Clinic in Glendale before doing some ‘Mall Shopping.’

Rhian is considered one of the most Beautiful stars in the Philippines with more than a dozen magazine covers to her credit. The conversation started with her role in the film, and went on to her being a ‘techie’ and not a big fan of name brand fashion, and confesses that she loves collecting toy cars !

However, what she really revealed is that the film ‘The Road’, is a great collaboration of talent to show that the Philippines can make an inroad into Hollywood and the world , breaking away from the stereotype Filipino films that we are all familiar with. 'The Road' is definitely world class movie, almost shot like a British film with a fast paced script and breathtaking cinematography.

Asked what she wants in life, her response is that she can continue projects that will appeal not only to the Philippine viewers, but to the world. And in so doing, her heart’s desire from her bucket list is to start and leave behind a Foundation to help single small entrepreneurs in the Philippines break out of the ‘gaya-gaya ‘ attitude, and be trained in tackling unique products that will appeal to the wider and bigger world market!

Dr.Vicky Belo was very happy that Alden and Rhian dropped by for a quick chat and promised to see them in Belo Clinics when they return to the Philippines so she can do treatment to ward off the jetlag.

‘The Road ‘ also stars Carmina Villaroel, Marvin Agustin, TJ Trinidad, Barbie Forteza, Lexi Fernandez, Derrick Monasterio, Louis delos Reyes, and Ynna Assistio. Watch it starting May 11, 2012 in a theater near you..

Kapatid TV5 and AksyonTV International Set to Expand its Reach in North America

WILLIE TO GIVE AWAY HOUSE AND LOT AT

TV5’s LAUNCH EVENTS IN LA AND SAN FRANCISCO

California, April 5, 2012 - TV5 International kicks off its North American launch by bringing TV5’s popular television program “Wil Time Bigtime” to Filipinos living in the United States. Host Willie Revillame will visit Los Angeles on May 26 at the Shrine Auditorium and San Francisco on June 2 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium for a limited series of live concerts.

Fans and attendees can expect the heartwarming fun and entertainment that Willie has been known for. They can sing along to his hits such as “Ikaw Na Nga” or dance to “Boom Tarat Tarat” and “Sayaw Darling.” Willie’s shows bring total entertainment and are expected to deliver fun musical numbers and exciting games for the whole family, with big time prizes at stake including a chance for one lucky winner to win a house and lot for loved ones back in the Philippines.

This event is only the first of many to come as TV5 International’s two channels, Kapatid TV5 and AksyonTV International, expand its reach in North America.

Don’t miss this chance to catch Willie Revillame and other TV5 stars, live! Tickets will be available at Ticketmaster and select ticket outlets. For ticket inquiries and reservations, call 1-855-KAPATID (1-855-527-2843) or email KapatidTV5@gmail.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Creative Concepts at 1-888-886-7889, or email CreativeConceptsIntl@gmail.com.

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Induction Ceremony of 2012 FACC-LA Officer’s Installation & New Members Recognition.

Sherman Oaks, CA --- March 15, 2012 The Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles announced the official results of the FACC-LA election for 2012‏. The executive officers are: Vic Mercado (President), Lydia Soriano (President Elect/ 1st Vice), Mary Ann Omega (2nd Vice President), Shirley Lumanog (Corresponding Secretary), Vangie Tabberrah (Recording Secretary) and Roy Tabberrah (Treasurer). The Chamber 2012 Board of Directors are: Bob Crowther, Paul Kao, Susan Maranan, Lulu Mercado, Gladys Balallo, Gemma Bergstrom, Nick Delicana, and Mary Trinidad.

To celebrate the 2012 FACC-LA new officers and board of directors installation the organization will host their Induction Ceremony on Friday, March 30, 2012 at MayFlower Seafood Restaurant (in the Function Room) located at 679 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The event will feature live entertainment and is open to everyone. Deputy Consul General at Philippine Consulate General Daniel Espiritu have confirmed his attendance to grace on this upcoming event.

GENERAL TICKETS: $25.00 (includes 8 courses of dinner, dance and entertainment) at http://faccla2012inductionceremony.eventbrite.com/ For more details and to reserve your seats please contact: Lulu Mercado (818) 470-5556, Shirley Lumanog (818) 802-6888, and Lydia Soriano (562) 310-8144.

PRESS/MEDIA R.S.V.P. MANDATORY: Lydia Soriano at Lfsoriano8@msmservicesinc.com or Steven Escobar at diversitynews@hotmail.com

Event sponsors include Mayflower Restaurant (Host), World Wide Vital Marketing & Public Relations (Marketing and Public Relations), Diversity News Printing Services (Graphic Design), Diversity News Magazine (Media).

About The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce LA: The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles (FACC -LA), est. 2001 is a 501c(6) nonprofit organization (Tax I.D.#54-2171511).

The FACC-LA was founded in 2001 and continues to promote and further the interests of the Los Angeles business community. As part of the ongoing effort to grow the business community, FACC-LA thrives and ensures maximum return of business owner’s investment of time, energy and dollars. We further develop ways and means to advance the interests of businesses. We provide resources in the growth of existing local businesses and industries as well as providing assistance to new business owners and individuals offering services that will benefit and enhance the quality of life in our society. The chamber also supports and encourages local cultural and civic activities to improve and/ or expand the quality of life in the community. For more information visit www.FACC-SFV.org


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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Lydia Soriano, FACC-LA President Elect

Tel. (562) 310-8144 Email: Lfsoriano8@msmservicesinc.com



Alex Leon, Director of Marketing & PR

Steven Escobar, Media Liaison

World Wide Vital Marketing & Public Relations Inc.

http://worldwidevitalpr.wordpress.com/

TEL: (213) 321-9408

worldwidevitalpr@gmail.com

Pinatubo Eruption Images to be unveiled by Philippine Photojournalists arriving in the U.S.

(Photo by Nicholas Vargas)

Press Release:

A group of Filipino photojournalists who were there to capture the eruption of the century—that of Mt. Pinatubo—is flying to the United States for a coast-to-coast tour of a photo exhibit dubbed “20 Years After the Eruption.”

Arriving from the Philippines are the following veteran photojournalists:Meet veteran photojournalists arriving from the Philippines who covered the Pinatubo eruption in 1991:

1. Alberto Garcia, Manila Bulletin Photo Editor

2. Jose Ventoza Galvez, Jr., PPP current President, GMA-7 Online Photo Editor

3. Heraldo Garcia Cabrido, Photography Consultant, Philippine Daily Inquirer

4. Jose Enrique Santos Soriano, Freelance Photojournalist

5. Valeriano Handumon, Photojournalist, European Photo Agency Manila

6. Teodoro C, Aljibe, Chief Photographer, Agence France Presse MANILA (AFP)

7. Angelo Andres Martin De Silva, Freelance Photojournalist

8. Rosario Sofia Santos Villa, ABS-CBN

9. Arlyn dela Cruz Collantes, NET 25

10.Leopoldo Flores Pusing, Journalist, Coordinator Mt. Pinatubo Media Survivor

11. Ernie Sarmiento, chief photographer, Phil. Daily Inquirer.

Organized by Sining Kambayoka, the Filipino American Press Club and the city of Carson, the exhibit will be staged during Filipino Heritage Month at Southbay Pavilion Shopping Center in Carson City, California on Oct. 1-31.

The exhibit features more than 50 photographs shot during and after the eruption, including Albert Garcia’s iconic photo that won first prize in the Nature Category in the World Press Photographers contest.

Photo of a massive dark cloud about to engulf a fleeing vehicle is also one of the “Great Images of the 20th Century” as chosen by Time and one of the “100 Best Pictures of the 20th Century” of National Geographic.

To get a better idea of how spectacular Alberto Garcia’s photo is, the 20th century encompasses two World Wars, the rise and fall of several great nations, new discoveries, inventions and scientific explorations.

Aside from Garcia, now photo editor at Manila Bulletin, coming to the US are former Inquirer photography consultant Heraldo “Boy” Cabrido, the man behind the exhibit; Charie Villa of ABS-CBN, GMA-7’s online photo editor Joe Galvez, Arlyn dela Cruz of Net25 and chief photographers of other newspapers and news bureaus based in the Philippines, 11 in all.

Currently, the exhibit is on a nationwide tour of the Philippines. In the US, the exhibit will also go to San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago and New York.

Sponsors are the Department of Tourism, Philippine Airlines, Pagcor, TIEZA, Smart Communications, YKL and SM Malls with media partners ABS-CBN, GMA-7, The Filipino Channel, Net25, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Business Mirror.

( Above is a photo of the media planning meeting held at Carson Ca. on Sept 24, 2011 in preparation for the Oct 1 Exhibit. US-based journalists (from left, standing) are Jay Fermin, Nick Sagmit, Jun (Dong) Camacho, Albert Vargas, Rhony Laigo, Nimfa Rueda, Joe Cobilla, Ed Galvez, Nick Arriola, Jess Fonseca, Romeo Balboa. Seated are Vics Magsaysay, Robert Gamo and Art dela Rosa. Not in photo is Benny Uy, who had to leave early for an assignment and Ver Penaranda. The Tambayayong (Bayanihan) Festival will be held at the Southbay Pavilion (Carson Mall) Oct. 1-31. )

Pinatubo Eruption photo by Alberto Garcia / Corbis

LEA SALONGA, JOE BATAAN AND REX NAVARRETE HIGHLIGHT POPULAR WEEKEND FEST, SEPT. 10-11

FPAC - SOCAL’S LARGEST FILIPINO EVENT RETURNS FOR ITS 20TH YEAR: LEA SALONGA, JOE BATAAN AND REX NAVARRETE HIGHLIGHT POPULAR WEEKEND FEST, SEPT. 10-11 AT PT. FERMIN PARK, SAN PEDRO.

(LOS ANGELES) – The region’s biggest Filipino party and most fun-filled, annual tradition, the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), celebrates its 20th Anniversary with its grandest event yet, September 10-11, 2011 at beautiful seaside Point Fermin Park in San Pedro.

Iconic singer and stage actress Lea Salonga, who first gained artistic and international acclaim for her historic Tony Award-winning role in Miss Saigon and first-ever Filipino winner of a Tony Award, will be awarded one of two special FPAC20 Awards for Artistic Excellence during the weekend.

Also to be honored with the special FPAC20 Award of Artistic Excellence, The multi-faceted Faustino Caigoy, a painter, noted illustrator of children’s books, author of his own collection of poetry, and teacher in traditional Filipino arts of baybayin and martial arts Kali, Eskrima and Arnis. Additionally, DJ E-Man, of top rated Los Angeles radio station Power 106 will receive the 2011 FPAC Media Artist Award.

FPAC20 will also see encore performances by two of its most-requested artists to ever grace FPAC stages in Latin Soul Legend, Joe Bataan, direct from Harlem, New York and premiere Filipino American Comedian, Rex Navarrete who returns stateside after a successful mini tour of Singapore and The Philippines.

The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), a successful venture into staging world class Pinoy classical musicianship, will make its festival debut.

“I feel like it’s a part of my home,” said Joe Bataan about the Festival where he last performed in 2008. “It’s always gratifying to go back there because it’s an opportunity for an artist like myself to meet my own people.”

The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 and Sunday, Sept. 11. Admission is $7 pre-sale or $9 at the door. Children 5 and under are free.

Now celebrating two decades of tradition, FPAC annually features a variety of pavilions and stages for Filipino artists to showcase their work. Two stages present traditional to contemporary artistry in music, dance, spoken word, and comedy. The Pilipino Artists Network (PAN) Pavilion highlights visual artistry and craftsmanship in live painting, book readings, Baybayin (Filipino script) workshops, and artwork for sale. At the Seniors’ Village, one enjoys Harana (serenading) and story-telling. The Youth Pavilion engages youth in kite-making, dance workshops, and Pustura (Dress-up in traditional Filipino costumes), and arts and crafts. FPAC is truly a family event with something for every age to enjoy.

In a nod toward Southern California foodie culture, FPAC will again feature the highly popular Filipino food trucks as part of its culinary stage/food booth area where delicious and authentic Filipino cuisine can be sampled.

New to the festival, and testament to the rise of Filipino Americans on the culinary landscape, a stage within a stage called “Sweet Naman” will feature popular, high-end artisanal desserts from Delicieuse (gourmet ice cream), Tasty Clouds (gourmet cotton candy) and CrèmeCaramel (leche flan and bread pudding).

All three are Filipino-owned businesses and all will be making their respective Filipino community debuts – another FPAC hallmark through the years.

The festival continues to celebrate with festival-goers’ favorites such as the youth Ati-Atihan parade, the Annual Vegetable Growing Competition, the Balut-Eating Contest, the Hip Hop Dance Showcase, and the Annual Tinikling Battle.

The City of Los Angeles first initiated FPAC in 1992. After seven years, its stewardship
transferred to a non-profit organization now known as FilAm ARTS – the Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts & Culture.

"(The festival) still remains true to its original intent since its inception: It was designed to be a common
ground.The aim of FPAC is to be as inclusive in every which way possible," explains Executive Director Jilly Canizares. "This is seen in the conscious programming to include the rich diversity of Philippine artistic expressions – from old to new, traditional to contemporary, visual arts to performing. Coming to the Festival gives a true slice of the Filipino American community."

FPAC receives government support through the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the City of LA Department of Cultural Affairs, the LA Department of Recreation and Parks. It is also funded in part by the California Community Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, the Getty Foundation, and individual donors. This year’s media sponsors include LA 18 KSCI-TV, Asian Journal Publications, Bakitwhy.com, Oishi Media, as well community sponsor the Southern California Pilipino American Student Alliance.

Free parking with complimentary shuttle service to Pt. Fermin Park is available at the spacious parking lot on 22nd street and Sampson Way.

For more information on ticket sales, parking information, sponsorship opportunities, exhibitor booth and table, and volunteer opportunities, log onto www.filamarts.org, or call (213) 380- FPAC.

Artist Lynda A. N. Reyes at the Brand 40 Exhibit

A most recent watercolor painting by Lynda A. N. Reyes titled “Exit Way” will be featured in the Brand 40 Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper from September 17 – October 28, 2011 at the Brand Library Art Galleries in Glendale, California. The artists' reception and awards ceremony will take place on September 17, 2011 from 6-9 pm.

Reyes' watercolor entry was selected from over 600 entries submitted by 253 artists from all over the United States. Themed “Entrances and Exits”, the exhibition features 93 works on paper in a variety of media, including photography, drawings, watercolors, mixed media works, etchings, linocuts, lithographs and monotypes, etc. Peter Frank, art critic for the Huffington Post and Adjunct Senior Curator at the Riverside Art Museum is the juror for the Brand 40. He was art critic for Angeleno magazine and the L. A. Weekly and was Editor for THEmagazine Los Angeles and Visions Art Quarterly. While in New York, Frank served as art critic for The Village Voice and The SoHo Weekly News. He has organized numerous themed and survey shows, most notably the1981 Exxon National Exhibition titled "19 Artists – Emergent Americans" at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. He has written and published books such as New, Used & Improved, an overview of the New York art scene with co-author Michael McKenzie.

This is Lynda's second participation in the “Works on Paper” national exhibit. In 2009, her watercolor painting titled “Structure Rising” was featured in the Brand 38. She has also participated in other juried exhibits such as the 2010 Annual National Watercolor Society All Member Show, the Pasadena Society of Artists shows at the VIVA Gallery, ASC in Pasadena and in several other group exhibits at the Eagle Rock Center for the Arts, the Arts and Books Gallery in LA, the Glendale College Art Gallery, the Brand Gallery and the Pete and Susan Barrett Gallery in Santa Monica. In 2010, her landscape in oil titled “Dusk at Port Hueneme” was chosen as finalist in the 27th Annual Art Competition of the Artist's Magazine.


The public will again witness Lynda's mastery of watercolor when she joins women artists in a juried exhibit at the SOMArts Gallery in San Francisco under the auspices of the Women's Caucus for Art titled “Reversing the Gaze”. Two of her watercolor paintings will be part of the show that runs from November 4th to the 30th, 2011. Lynda is a full-time professional artist and accepts portrait commissions in oil and watercolor. She is a member of the National Watercolor Society www.nationalwatercolorsociety.org.

Lynda is also an art historian and an author. She is best known in the international academia for her pioneering book entitled "The Textiles of Southern Philippines” and her published studies in Philippine ethnic art. Her book is currently in the collection of 141 libraries of major universities and museums all over the world. She was one of 48 recipients worldwide of an International Fellowship Award from the American Association of University Women. She completed her Masters in Art history with a graduate fellowship grant at Northern Illinois University. Lynda has taught at the University of the Philippines Manila, Glendale College and at several community colleges in LA area, including Santa Monica College and Pasadena City College.

The Brand Library Art Galleries, the art and music division of the Glendale Public Library, showcase works by established and emerging artists from all over the US. The Art Galleries and Art Center have huge and stunning exhibition spaces set in a magnificent park-like environment. “Works on Paper” exhibits started over ten years ago and the presence of jurors became a key component of each show. Most jurors are well-known artists, such as Gerald Brommer, Martin Mondrus, Jim Morphesis, Lita Albuquerque, Kim Abeles and Ruth Weisberg. Curator Gloria Williams Sander of the Norton Simon Museum of Art was juror for Brand 39 and for the current Brand 40, the juror is a noted art critic, writer and editor Peter Frank.

Admission to the galleries is free and open to the public. The gallery is located at 1601 West Mountain Street in Glendale, California 91201-1200. The hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday from 12 to 8 pm, Wednesday from 12 to 6 pm and Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. For more information, please call 818-548-2051 or visit http://www.brandlibrary.org/brand_galleries.asp. Visit www.lyndaanreyes.com for more information about Lynda A. N. Reyes.

Media Contact:

Albert Natian
Albert.Natian@gmail.com
(818) 548-2687

Free Bread to Help in these Economic Times

On any given Saturday, the 46-year-old Joseph ‘Jimmy’ Lewis picks up bread and other donated items from a local Vons early in the morning and fills the cabin of his white Denali and takes it to the streets. He starts his ‘bread run’ throughout Altadena, Pasadena, and Los Angeles.

When his grandfather Isaac Walker took it upon himself to feed the local homeless 13 years ago he didn’t anticipate that his grandson, a known gangbanger, would one day succeed him.

But in 2008, that once-troubled grandson, Joseph ‘Jimmy’ Lewis, discovered that taking the baton from his aging grandfather and helping the needy has become not just a passion but a way to help out in this hard economic times.

From the local Vons, he drives to local churches, community centers, gas stations, and to the McDonald’s parking lot at Historic Filipino Town, where he distributes the items to anyone who asks.

On this particular Saturday, a group of Filipino-American World War II veterans and their family members converge at the back cabin of his white Denali to get free bread, cookies, and a cake.

Lewis says it is his way of being part of the solution to the pressing economy. Jimmy has now stepped up and relieve his grandfather in distributing the food, the latter who is now in his 90’s.

Jimmy has a special feeling for the Filipino-American World War II veterans. His grandfather Isaac, served with the Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Air Wing, and was stationed in the Philippine Islands during the war. He met his wife Pilar, Jimmy’s grandmother, in the Philippines. Grandma Pilar comes from the big city of Iloilo in Western Visayas.

On this particular Saturday, he urges the gathering crowd at the parking lot of the McDonald’s on the corner of Temple and Alvarado Streets to ‘take as much as you need’.

A lady joins the crowd as Jimmy hands her a full loaf of bread. She asks if the bread is really free. As it turned out, the lady is new to Los Angeles, moving in from Florida. She cannot believe it at first. It was a good welcome for her to ‘the city of Angels.’

PAE Live! Presents “generatioNext!”

THE FORD STAGE LIGHTS UP WITH HOT, YOUNG TALENT

AS “GENERATIONEXT!” SPOTLIGHTS MUSIC & DANCE FROM

TODAY’S RISING STARS

(Los Angeles, CA.) The dynamic worlds of hip hop dance and contemporary urban music come together at the historic Ford Amphitheatre on Sunday, August 7 as PAE Live! presents “generatioNext!”, a concert featuring the next wave of sensational YouTube musicians, singers, comedians and dancers together for the first time. A portion of the net proceeds will benefit ongoing Japan rebuilding efforts. “generatioNext!” will be hosted by America’s Best Dance Crew Season 3 champions “Quest Crew”. Accomplished dancers, each with their own specialty and style, Quest Crew brings to the stage a great mix of humor, musicality, eye-popping tricks and innovative choreography.

Leading the music charge are two very distinct performers, although the roots of their influences lie in soul and R&B. Dawen, a sing-songwriter based in Los Angeles with a lyrical style, a smooth baritone voice and a sensual falsetto (a la Maxwell), has what MTV Iggy called “an eclectically soulful style reminiscent of artists as quirky as Nellie McKay and as sensual as Seal”. His exploration of the American life through song fuses soul and R&B with funk and jazz.



San Diego based singer/songwriter/performer J-Ricz brings a new wave of vision and creativity to the R&B/Pop genre. The ex-Next Phaze member who is making a name for himself not only in the U.S. but in Japan as well says, “It’s the passion for music and the drive to inspire others that really matters in the end.” J-Ricz’s performance will be a tribute to “old school” R&B including a song influenced by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

American Idol Finalist Andrew Garcia will make a special appearance. The singer from Moreno Valley placed ninth in the Fox reality competition series on Season 9 but is noted for his unique take on Paula Abdul’s number 1 smash, “Straight Up. Official sponsor Akufuncture brings its family of artists to “generatioNext!”. Established in 2009, Akufuncture continues to pioneer Chinese inspired fashion, riding the fine dichotomy of high fashion and street-wear and fueling the inspiration in global fashion for generations. In addition to Dawen, Akufuncture is sponsoring several up-and-coming talents, including afterschoolspecial, the San Diego-based band who describe themselves as “a musical hurricane on a collision course with awesome”. Since their conception in 2007, what started out as performances in local bars has grown to playing alongside national acts and touring nationwide. Influenced by artists like Linkin Park, Atmosphere and the Beastie Boys, afterschoolspecial has created a unique blend of rock, rap, folk and soul that continues to break down musical barriers. Akufuncture will also present The Fung Brothers, David and Andrew, who infuse hip hop music with their unique brand of comedy and singer/songwriter and YouTube hit Kevin Lien.

Two other performing artists round out the evening’s lineup. San Francisco bay native trio Innerlude – James, Eric and Cyrus – will serve up a toxic blend of R&B/Pop tunes that showcase remarkable vocal prowess and Mahi Crabbe, a Polynesian singer/songwriter based in Las Vegas, will take the stage with his brand of acoustic guitar pop music. Mahi is a finalist is the first ever Pacific Island Talent Contest. His music is a fusion of island rhythms, reggae and Polynesian pop. Additional artists will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Artist lineup is subject to change.

With “generatioNext!”, PAE Live! will be donating a portion of the net proceeds directly to the Japan Red Cross in support of the continuing rebuilding efforts the country has been doing since the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March. “generatioNext!” is sponsored by Akufuncture, BakitWhy.com, KPFK 90.7 and KSCI Channel 18.

“generatioNext!” takes place at the Ford Amphitheatre, located at 2580 Cahuenga Boulevard East, Hollywood, CA. 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before show time for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.

The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. On-site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening shows and $1 per vehicle for morning family shows. For evening shows only, FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford, for evening amphitheatre performances only, is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15 – 20 minutes, stops in the “kiss and ride” area.

Tickets, priced at $45 and $30 and are available at www.FordTheatres.org or at 323-461-3673 (for non-visual media 323 GO 1-FORD). Through the Ford’s early buyer incentive, patrons who buy tickets on or before July 31 pay only $40 and $25. Special $75 VIP tickets allow for premium seating, a souvenir, specially designed T-shirt and a private meet and greet with the artists prior to showtime. This event is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2011 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, please visit www.FordTheatres.org.