Sen. Manny Villar Livens Up Party Thrown by Marlene "Princess" Robertson at Her Bradbury Estates Home

Senator Manny Villar and his family, who are vacationing in their Glendale home, attended a soiree thrown by Marlene "Princess" Robertson at her Bradbury Estates home on Saturday, January 3. The former Senate President even indulged the guests by singing "Dahil Sa 'yo, a Tagalog ditty. Afterward, the senator informally briefed the guests about the political and economic developments in the Philippines.

The party was livened up by the songs of the Brown Brothers, a Fil-Am all-male choir, which performed some evangelical hymns and Filipino patriotic songs and American standards. The food, probably catered, consisted of fried tilapia and catfish, shrimp, mussels and scallops in coconut milk, sauteed Brussels sprouts and green beans, steamed white shrimps, and ravioli. There were lots of wines as well.

Among the guests were Atty. Roman Mosqueda, Lou Baron of Celestial Beauties International, Manny Legaspi of FilAmNations.com, realtor Loudette Pavon, fashion and events impresario Boy Lizaso, Mylah de Leon of Philippine Times, Irwin Jazmines of PPP, and freelance photographer Art Ramos. Videoman Ike Crelencia and his photographer son documented the soiree.

Philippine Press Club International (PPCI) Christmas Party

Members of Fil-Am community media attended the Christmas Party of Philippine Press Club International (PPCI) on Saturday, December 20, held in Dominguez Hills, Carson. The centerpiece of the celebration was a crispy lechon, plus pancit bihon, baked chicken wings, caldereta, and much more. PPCI is headed by Edith Andres, President, and Ray Andres, Chairman of the Board. The couple are with Balita. Newshens Ella Wagner and Suzan Rosal, attended, with Mathew, Suzan's nine-year-old boy, in tow. Aileen Dario drove. The steamed rice brought by FilAmNation founder Manny Legaspi arrived an hour late, but the pancit bihon compensated for the carbo requirements. The clubhouse in Manny Legaspi's gated subdivision, site of the party, was decorated by Danny Angcop. He also mixed the excellent punch. Atty Roman Mosqueda drove all the way from his Calabasas home. Lita Patayon, a former officer of the Philippine Consulate General Office, and and another ConGen officer, represented ConGen Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon who couldn't attend due to a scheduling conflict. Some members of Frontliners attended, including Benny Uy, Robert Gamo, Jerry Ubalde, Philip Ner, Albert Vargas and Joe Cobilla. Pinoy Wired's Jay Fermin and artist/photographer/healer Vics Magsaysay arrived late in time for the gift exchange. Bobby Saddul and Irwin Jazmines of the PPP were there too. PPCI's James Saspa, an armchair stand-up comic, regaled the guests with his idea of how to unite Fil-Am organizations, and Edith Andres read a rambling reminiscence about growing up Filipino.

Pampanga Day Celebration at San Gabriel Hilton Hotel

Pampangos in Southern California gathered together last Sunday, December 14, at San Gabriel Hilton to celebrate the birthday of the province of Pampanga and to honor Kapampangan outstanding achievers. The celebration was organized by the Pampanga Day Celebratiion Commission USA, led by Mike Cucueco, Executive and Finance Officer; Josephine Borja-Phillips, Administrative Commissioner; Rodel Lumanog, Way & Means Commissioner; Larry Pelayo, Press Commissioner, Chuck Phillips, Logistics Commissioner; Ruben Panopio, Technical Director & Commissioner; and Ruby Beth Paguinto, Publicity Commissioner.

The Commission also accorded Outstanding Achievers honors to the following kapampangans: Fr. Rodel Balagtas, Dr. Ruben Guinto, Chef Cecilia de Castro, Rita Gopez Najoan, Dr. Carlos Uyan, Jess Espanola and Jimmy Trapp. Businessman and civic leader Mike Cucueco also received a Star Award.

The dinner consisted of a five-course Chinese banquet that featured appetizers, beef with broccoli, fried chicken, fried rice, abalone and shiitake mushrooms, and more. Following are the highlights of the celebration in pictures. At the alcove, vendors with Kapampangan heritage sold pastries, desserts, and jewelry. The evening was capped with the coronation of the various beauty queens by Nimia Cucueco, assisted by Shirley Lumanog and Jimmy Trapp.

Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon, who was the guest of honor, congratulated the PDC commisioners for honoring the province of Pampanga and for starting a tradition. She also inducted the PDC commissiioners into office.

The ballroom dancers among the guests hit the dancefloor as soon as the awards and beauty queen coronation was over. Everyone had an enjoyable evening, and the organizers already their sights on next year's Pampanga Day Celebration.