Filipinos in North America are expected to troop once more to New Jersey next month.
And why? It’s time for Fiesta in America once again.
Sparks of real-life attraction could fly from one of Philippine TV and film’s hottest young stars at Fiesta In America on Aug. 11 and 12. On those two days, Janella Salvador and Elmo Magalona will bring their much-ballyhooed love tandem at New Jersey’s Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus. The duo will share the concert limelight with all-time Filipino favorites, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, laugh-out-loud comic and singer Ogie Alcasid and superb New York-area artists.
Janella, 20, is the daughter of Miss Saigon’s Jenine Desiderio and singer Juan Miguel Salvador. Acting and singing genes are in her blood, so to speak.
Her first lead role was as an orphan teenager in Sofie in ABS-CBN’s Oh My G! in 2015. That same year, Janella proved her musical chops when Star Music released her eponymous debut album. It reached no.1 and was immediately certified platinum, winning her the PMPC Star Awards for Music, Best New Female Recording Artist. Janella was cast with Elmo Magalona in the 2016 music drama, Born For You, triggering rumors about a budding off-screen romance.
The other half of the dreamy duo also has the movies and music in his bloodstream. Elmo Magalona, 24, son of the late singer-actor-producer Francis Magalona and wife Pia, first broke into the limelight much earlier than Janella Salvador. In fact, Elmo appeared when he was just six months old on the cover of his father’s rap album, Freeman.
Elmo’s passion for rap served him well when the two singers teamed up on the official soundtrack for Born for You. The album charted at no.1 on iTunes Philippines. In October 2016, the young heartthrob released his album, Elmo, which reached gold record status and solidified his credentials among fans of Pinoy rap music.
Janella and Elmo are expected to heat up Fiesta In America’s cultural show, but the romantic team will not dampen the excitement for the two other main concert acts.
Super comic and recording sensation Ogie Alcasid will impart his inimitable brand of parody and perform some of the biggest hits among his 12 gold records, three platinum records, and three double platinum records.
Pop-rock icon Gary Lewis and the Playboys, on the other hand, will revive golden memories with their string of seven Top 10 hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, including “This Diamond Ring” (#1), “Count Me In,” and “Save Your Heart for Me” (both #2), “She’s Just My Style” (#3), “Everybody Loves a Clown” (#4), “Green Grass” (#8), and Sure “Gonna Miss Her” (#9).
Fiesta In America’s milestone 20th Anniversary edition will be ushered in by a marquee Trade Pavilion. This year, no less than 14 exporters of handicraft, holiday décor, personal accessories, packaged food and other Philippine goods will exhibit their unique products under the Region IV-A (CALABARZON) banner.
The Trade Pavilion will also feature tourism exhibits, immigrant-tailored financial and other services, free health screenings and self-improvement workshops, and Total Wellness presentations. The latter will include AARP workshops on how to prevent fraud online, and free sampling of healthful recipes and a workshop on “cultural eating” by Goya Foods as part of the event’s Total Wellness theme.
A native food court stocked with regional delicacies, as well as artistic and fun activities for all age groups, will round up the festivities on both days.
In the morning of Aug. 12, a Sunday Mass and a colorful Santacruzan pageant will launch the second day’s celebration.
Fiesta In America’s community-tribute gala, the People’s Ball, will be held on Friday, Aug. 10, at the Meadowlands Hilton in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The People’s Ball will be highlighted by the presentation of awards for outstanding Fil-Am achievers in diverse fields.
To attend, exhibit, sponsor or advertise, please call 212-682-6610.
For more information, send an email to [email protected] or log on to www.fiestainamerica.com.
‘Kaibigan’ now shooting
Kaibigan is the story of a troubled Filipino high school student who surrounds himself with friends of bad character, creating problems for a popular Filipino student until they both discover the true meaning of friendship.
Action, faith-based .. real life and riveting … the movie stars the Perkins twins, Jesse and Christian, Cesar Montano, Tirso Cruz, Alvin Anson, Emmanuelle Vera, Victor Basa, Judah Paolo and featuring Hollywood actor Stephen Baldwin. Shooting started yesterday and continues for 21 days including rehearsals.
The movie will be shot in English and Taglish.
Initially, Kaibigan will be released in the Philippines, but it will also be released internationally.
Acts of kindness
It is an initiative that supports various causes and charities through art.
Tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Solaire Resort & Casino, Manila, AOK will host “A Celebration of Smiles: Creating Smiles and Second Chances at Life through Art.”
This art exhibit is for the benefit of Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity.
The exhibit will feature the work of Jon Ray Fernandez, Roberto Sanchez, Camy Francisco-Cabral, and Albrecht Behmel.
Also to be featured is artwork made by individuals born with clefts under the care of Smile Train partner, Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines.
Libon Town Fiesta
Today is the feast of St.James the Greater, patron saint of the municipality of Libon in Albay province. The town is celebrating its annual town fiesta as they remember and venerate Santiago el mayor! Happy fiesta to all Libongeños!