Watching The Filipino Channel (TFC) and being a subscriber, I have watched countless shows and news from this network on my free time. Then I got a call from a friend in New York, Baby Lantin, who has a production company mentioning that there would be a concert show with 4 of the most popular celebrities of ABS-CBN talents in Washington DC. I said to my family that we should give this a try since it would be the first time for us to watch a dinner concert featuring Filipino talents here in the US. Got some tickets and off we went on two occasions, first the Meet and Greet then the concert itself. It was a far drive from our place in Maryland to the selected venue in Springfield, Virginia for the Meet and Greet but since my wife who is very fond of watching the 3 pop idols and their respective drama teleserye’s of Maging Sino Ka Man Book 2 with Sam Milby and John Lloyd Cruz and the touching drama Lobo featuring Piolo Pascual, my wife cries every time she watches the shows. It means that these are good shows to see my wife crying in front of the television. As of this writing Maging Sino Ka Man Book 2 has ended its teleserye while Lobo is still on and according to Piolo himself will end by July so there will be some barrels of tears left for my wife. Anyway, the concert’s venue was in Washington DC at the Lisner Auditorium on the 21 st Street and we went and watched amazingly shocked at the same time how many Pinoys were present and the auditorium venue was jammed pack. The show was great and the 4 talents were very excellent in their performance. I was extremely satisfied with their show and would give a review of each of the individuals performance. As I have said, I very rarely watch concerts or live performances but this was a wonderful experience and I’ll give it a rating of 10 stars out of 5.

Pokwang as she is popularly known in the Philippine entertainment world but her real name is Marietta Subong. An ex Japan OFW, Pokwang made it to the big time on television and movies in a span of 3 years because of her talents. A native of the Visayan Region specifically a Waray, Pokwang’s natural acting, her capability of bringing joy through comedy and best of all her skills for live entertainment has brought and garnered her applause from Filipinos abroad. I’ve heard her sing on their recent concert tour and she is OK, not bad at all. What made us to become her fan and like her is her charisma and being a true live entertainer with a chunk of excellence for being a masterful emcee. Her jokes consists of personal experiences while being an OFW in Japan and Dubai and as a newbie in tourism while on concert tours. We did have a good time listening to jokes and singing capabilities not mentioning the good sway of her body moves in dancing of course. We really love her and to the extent bought her a gift of a Prada shoulder bag and a Victorias Secret set of perfumes. Mabuhay ka Pokwang and may you prosper more in your career and goals in life.

Sam Milby, Samuel Lloyd Lacia Milby in real life born in Ohio, USA on May 23, 1984 of an American and Visayan parents. A Season 1 Pinoy Big Brother housemate, Sam started as a commercial model for Close Up toothpaste. Producers upon seeing his talents and good looks, it was not very long for the success of his career to bloom. His acting captured many hearts in his performance at the TV series Maging Sino Ka Man Book 2 while his live stage performance in the tour, that many pinays shouting and cheering for him with “kilig to the bones”. He sings very well absolutely, and can handle a live performance. Sam has a lot of future for his career and we do hope to see more of him. Keep it up Sam.

John Lloyd Cruz, born on June 24, 1983 to Luisito and Aida Espidol Cruz. Started his career at age 14 for Star Magic in Koolits, but soon made it big for himself. As a new member of the Heartthrobs and a first timer on live performance, we were amazed by his capabilities and his talent, that he looks like he’s been doing it for all his life. Very natural and professional. Eli, as he is popularly known for his character at Maging Sino Ka Man Book 2, he made viewers of the the TV series shed a tear for his performance every night. This kid has the talent and even Christopher De Leon admitted that John Lloyd is one of the finest actors the Philippine entertainment world could have. At the concert, he managed to hold himself exceptionally and even went to the extent of bringing foreign audiences to the stage, which we loved and got an applause from all of us in the theater. Indeed, John Lloyd deserves to be the finest in the TV and movie industry of the Philippines. We also think that he needs more concert tours as this career is tailor made for him and besides, everybody loves him because of his charisma and he really is a good guy with loads of talent.

Piolo Pascual, born January 12, 1977 and as Piolo Jose Nonato Pascual in real life. His career started way back in 1987 at Thats Entertainment by German Moreno as PJ Pascual and from there his career grew with awards from Gawad Urian nomination in 2000 and 8 awards in 2003. In 2007 his achievement grew by being awarded awarded his own star in the Philippines Walk of Fame. At present, he has a TV drama series “Lobo” that makes millions of people cry nightly with leading lady Angel Locsin, that includes my wife who sheds a tear nightly. Cast as JJ or Noah and Ulay or Laika, their performance is so superb that this TV drama series could gather numerous awards. At the concert what can we say more about Piolo. His achievements speak for itself of this good looking Filipino of mixed German/American decent. His superb acting, excellent live performance, platinum singing, he just bagged it all.

See some of the live concert pictures of these 4 great Heartthrobs, who really robbed the hearts of the Filipino, Fil-Ams as well as Americans in Washington DC.

 

 

Top Standing (Left to Right): Event Staff, Event Staff, Event Staff, Yuki, Jude Deguzman

Lower Seated(Left to Right): Piolo Pascual, Pokwang, Sam Milby, John Lloyd Cruz

 

John Lloyd with Sam Milby

 

Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby and Pokwang.

 

Tags: Concert, John Lloyd Cruz, Piolo Pascual, Pokwang, Sam Milby, US Tour, Washington DC

Lets get away with some good news scoop in the world of Philippine Sports. I just saw in the news at the Kapamilya Channel (TFC) that the “Pacman” Manny Pacquiao had won the World Boxing Council Super-Featherweight Title, beating his opponent Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico by a split unanimous decision last Saturday March 15 at Las Vegas, Nevada. I did not saw the whole 12 rounds but just bit and pieces, but the Mexican almost got away with win. Medyo nakita natin na may mga rounds na dehado si Pacman but overall he took control most of the rounds especially in the early stages of the fight when he knocked down the opponent for a few counts. At the later stages of the bout Manny threw a punch that cut the Mexican fighters eye and the next round we saw the Mexican cutting Manny’s eyebrow. Overall it was the aggresiveness and genius fighting of Manny that took him to be the champion. That being, said panibagong karangalan na naman sa Pilipinas and more salapi na naman for Manny and staff. Mabuhay ka Manny Pacquiao and more power to you.

By the way, in commemoration of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s win, the Filipino people wanted to honor you and give you their best wishes by printing this memorable and unforgettable five (5) Peso with your face on it.

Manny Pacquiao’s Fistful of Peso

Biro lang po.

Our well wishes to you Manny and may you harvest more international gold and glory for our country. Mabuhay Ka.

Tags: Manny Pacquiao, Pacman, Philippine Boxing

Happy New Year to everyone.

After a long leave of absence doing my full time work managing our livelihood, I got some piece of time to update Paraiso. During the Christmas season a mix work and family gathering held me to even visit my own sites. Thank goodness that on New Years Day, I have a little bit of time to view everything. But before doing that I had to watch TFC or The Filipino Channel and saw a great noontime show to watch none other than Wowowee. I really like the show and my family have been telling me about its updates and I personally saw the comeback of the the Pera o Bayong portion which is so exciting and gives the contestants a good hope of having their dreams fulfilled. With much more prizes at stake such as one million pesos, a house and lot, a brand new car and money at stake. Of course don’t forget the other portions of the program that gives away livelihood to its daily participants giving hope to our kababayans or country men.

To ABS-CBN and its wonderful staff, to Willie Revillame and Wowowee and to TFC may you succeed more in bringing joy to the millions of Filipinos in the Philippines and around the world by your continuous airing of wonderful programs and charities. Keep up the good work and May God Bless You All. Our company here in Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia which is RJ Cleaning and Restoration supports your good cause for the benefit of the Filipino people.

Tags: ABS-CBN, Pera o Bayong

The ABS - CBN company in the Philippines has done a great job in entertaining the pinoys overseas. With their satellite and cable, The Filipino Channel, that have reach millions of us in the United States and other countries brought great joy by watching Wowowee the game show that won the hearts of the Filipinos is back to give away more joy to the public. Combining an element of a quiz show, game show, charades, fun and laughter, host Willie Revillame will challenge contestants to try their luck once again for winning the jackpot prizes. Not only that, there are also beautiful great dancers and co hosts that make up the wonderful set up of the show. Besides helping and entertaining the people Wowowee has made an impact to young and old alike here in the US. It is always nice to see that a show helps our fellow citizens. The term here in the US is maki join na sa Boom Tarat Tarat and be happy. Wowowee has definitely won the hearts of the Filipinos and Mabuhay ka Willie Revillame.

Tags: Willie Revillame, Wowowee

One favorite past time in the Philippines is the Komiks aka “Comics” in the western world. An animated source of reading material that are available on every news stands. This is so popular that most of the young and adults alike in urban or rural life reads it frequently and one could find a komiks in every household. Action, drama, fantasy you name it komiks has them. The most popular komiks novel and the one of the earliest is a fantasy entitled Captain Barbel, the local Superman Hero, which was written by the late great novelist Mars Ravelo in 1963. Captain Barbel was so popular that it was made into a movie countless times by popular actors to this date. Ravelo was also the creator of the high flying local fantasy heroine, Darna, that also made it as a blockbuster in the movies during the 1950’s and starring Rosa del Rosario. Another great komiks novelist is Carlo Caparas, who wrote thousands of novels of which about 200 got into the movies. Pedro Penduko by Francisco Coching, also a local popular hero about a boy who endlessly battles mythological creatures in his quest to find his father.

This local past time has attracted a lot of young and old readers alike with some learning the first steps of reading thru this medium. It is always good to have a komiks handy or some of it available in a household but be sure they are family friendly and educational avoiding the junk ones or the adult and porn related which is so JUNK. Komiks are part of our local traditions and a great medium of learning. So tangkilikin ang sariling atin.

Tags: comics, komiks