Miguel hosts own show in US TV

Now based in Orange County, California, with his wife and children, Miguel Vera (yes, Ai-Ai de las Alas’ “ex”) is hosting his own weekly show titled The Miguel Vera Show which premieres on Aug. 10 on KXLA-44 TV, airing every Sunday, 4:30 to 5 p.m.

“Nora (Aunor) would have been Miguel’s co-host,” said the producer, Rogel Aragon, “but then...”

When asked what happened to and what he felt about Nora, Rogel, according to Eugene Asis (who relayed this piece of good news to Funfare from L.A. where he’s vacationing,), “only smiled...a smile that said a lot of things.”

A young entrepreneur, Rogel owns the Aragon Entertainment Productions based in Glendale, California, and the Patrick’s Café which caters to Hollywood moguls/movers/shakers and actors.

“Miguel was a total stranger when he was presented to Rogel,” said Eugene. “But when Miguel opened his mouth to sing, Rogel was floored. ‘I saw in him a big star in the making,’ said Rogel who immediately booked Miguel for a series of shows at Patrick’s Café.”

Miguel holds an extraordinary-ability visa processed by immigration lawyer Jemela Agraviador-Nettles (who also counts among her star-clients Dingdong Avanzado and Jessa Zaragoza, April Boy Regino, Mon David, Jolina Magdangal and Lorna Tolentino whose application for a similar visa was approved only last week).

“When I arrived in the US,” Eugene quoted Miguel as saying, “I was resigned to the fact that I was leaving home for good and starting a new life. At first, to make ends meet, I sold cookware. I was earning enough but, as they say, once a performer, always a performer.”

Last June 10, Miguel performed at the Disney Concert Hall in L.A. with the Glendale Symphony Orchestra and on Oct. 18, at the Alex Theater in Glendale with a 20-piece orchestra. All shows are produced by Aragon Entertainment.

“Miguel is in good hands,” assured Rogel whose clientele (at Patrick’s Café) also includes people working around the area where KABC Channel 7, Disney and Dreamworks are located. “They eat in my restaurant every day.”

The Miguel Vera Show will cover not only L.A. but also as far as south to San Clemente, east to Banning, west to Catalina Island and north to Lancaster.

Thank you, thank you!

I’d like to thank the Celebrity Chronicle (CC) for giving me, ehem, a Lifetime Achievement Award (in Journalism), together with Nonoy Zuñiga (in Music), during its Celebration 2008, the 10th Annual Entertainment and Achievement Awards night on Saturday, July 12, at the MGM Banquet Hall in Glendale, California. So sorry but I can’t be there for the event.

Established in 1997, Celebrity Chronicle continues to publish special issues that feature special celebrities, achievers, community leaders and faces of tomorrow.

Named Woman of the Year is immigration lawyer Jemela A. Nettles for her work with professionals and celebrities, as well as her charity work with cancer survivors, schoolchildren and the Catholic church of her hometown, Liloy in Zamboanga del Norte.

According to the CC citation, I am, ehem, “the only Philippine entertainment journalist accredited by Hollywood companies (Paramount Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Disney Pictures, Sony Pictures, etc.), who has interviewed stars, upstarts and legends alike.”

Zuñiga, a doctor by training, is better known as one of the Philippines’ premier balladeers, and is much respected for his public affairs work as host of the long-running TV show Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko. His career began in the ‘70s with the Family Birth Control, exploded in the ‘80s with several hit albums and signature songs (Never Ever Say Goodbye, Doon Lang, Kumusta Ka, etc.) that are now considered classics, and is still going strong, thanks to a loyal fan base around the world.

The other awardees:

• Ivy Wisco, Marketing Professional of the Year, is the marketing manager for Asia region of Moneygram International US and Canada Outbound.

• Lydia Solis, Outstanding Professional in Journalism, is the longtime columnist (for Ang Peryodiko and currently Taliba) headed the Philippine Press Club International and is Senior Citizens Commissioner of West Covina.

• Robbie Carmona, Outstanding Professional in Events Management, is a fashion icon, the dynamic force behind the biggest and glitziest fashion shows and corporate launches.

These three lead a distinguished field of awardees that include Vincent Olivar (Real Estate), Ros Paez (Dentistry), Matt Relox (Visual Arts), Varon Panganiban (Photo/Video Arts), Sarah Jane Gandia (Outstanding Composer), and Jo Eiselsten (Community Service).

Singer Mon David, winner of the 2006 International Jazz Vocal Competition, is this year’s Marilou A. Popera Memorial Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts. A recent US immigrant, he has nonetheless started to make his mark in the LA jazz circuit with a performance at the Catalina Bar & Grill. He is slated to perform at Spazios, a prominent jazz club in Sherman Oaks, fronting a quartet that includes keyboardist Tateng Katindig.

This year’s Ms. Celebrity Chronicle is Ivory Cunanan, Mr. Celebrity Chronicle is Christopher Cortez and Bb. Pasinaya 2008 is Erina Lightholder. The emcee for the awards night is Gabe Pagtama.

Taiwanese superstars coming for visit

Asian heartthrob Wu Chun of the original Hana Kimi will visit Manila together with Calvin Chen on Saturday, July 12, for a promotional tour of their hit afternoon series Romantic Princess currently airing on ABS-CBN.

According to Leng Raymundo, ABS-CBN head of acquisitions, the Taiwanese stars’ visit is part of the network’s 55th year celebration.

Wu first appeared on Philippine television as Bryan in the phenomenal hit, the original romantic-comedy Hana Kimi shown early this year. He is also a member of the Asian singing sensation Fahrenheit together with Calvin who also appears in Romantic Princess.

They follow other Asian superstars who were brought to the Philippines by ABS-CBN, like Lee Dong Wook from My Girl, Eugene from Save the Last Dance for Me and Wonderful Life, and Jerry Yan together with other F4 members and Meteor Garden leading lady Barbie Zhu.

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