Committed to serve

My good friend Dr. Steve Mark Gan was inducted as the new president of the Philippine Academy of Implant Dentistry (P.A.I.D.) at the Shangri-La Makati. Present were some of the best dentists and implantologists in the country and Mark’s family and friends who were there to applaud Mark and the members and officers of P.A.I.D. in their commitment to produce the best Filipino smile through excellent dental health management.

I shared a table with the beautiful Angel Aquino who is Mark’s friend and patient who I think went to see him when stars were yet to discover the brilliant and gentle Mark Gan. Other celebrities who go to Mark’s Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC) are Albert Martinez, Diether Ocampo, Gerald Anderson, Katrina Halili, Kim Chiu, Kristine Hermosa, Lorna Tolentino, Mariel Rodriguez, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Vina Morales, and John Lloyd Cruz, among others.

Angel and I talked about Joey Samson who designed her little black dress that evening. It was a simple, yet stunning bustier dress with details that would make Monique Lhuillier and Vera Wang proud.

Mark’s inaugural speech was crispy, sometimes emotional, at times light. Mark articulated his vision for a strong, dynamic organization. He declared his commitment to serve the organization with all his heart and mind. He thanked everyone who has been a part of his life journey most specially his hardworking staff who helped him organize the whole affair and of course his family.

I was truly proud of Mark. According to his beautiful wife, Marilyn, Mark’s speech went through re-writes and Mark made sure that he did it right like the true professional that he is. It was most touching when Mark dedicated his work and life to his two children. “Dad will be here for you. You are my life.”

Guest speaker of the night was great Filipino entrepreneur Dr. Cecilio Pedro, CEO and president of Lamoiyan Corporation. He talked about the world-class Filipino and the world-class Filipino dentist who works hard, who works smart and who works with a team. One who is committed to quality, efficiency and to the organization. And most important of all according to Dr. Pedro, the world-class Pinoy prays and is grateful to God for all his blessings. Dr. Steve Mark Gan and all the dentists present that night are world-class Filipinos.

Nyoy in Hairspray

Nyoy Volante returns to his theater roots when he plays Seaweed J. Stubbs in Atlantis Productions’ highly anticipated staging of the Tony award winning musical Hairspray which opens on Nov.14 at Star Theatre, CCP Complex.

Nyoy recently released his fifth album, entitled Heartstrings with the carrier single Because. And although he has focused on his recording career for the last five years, Nyoy is thrilled to be returning to the legitimate stage and in a show he truly loves.

Nyoy says, “When the film version of Hairspray came out, I was really impressed with the music and how unique the characters were. Naturally, when I found out Atlantis was doing a Manila Production, I wanted to be a part of it.” Nyoy’s last stage musical was five years ago in Atlantis’ Dreamgirls, where he alternated with Jett Pangan as James Thunder Early.

Although his true passion is writing songs that come straight from his heart, he has great respect for theater artists and prides himself in having started out as a theater actor. He says, “I hope everyone agrees with me when I say that the theater arts’ level of discipline is considered one of the highest among all the performing arts. And the training (from voice, to movement, to acting) is really, really hard. It’s always a challenge and a test of stamina to do a show. And the fulfillment at the end of the day is tremendous.”

With big girls, big hair and even bigger laughs, comes Hairspray, the splashy musical that went on to win eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. It’s 1962 and pleasantly plump Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad has only one dream — to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star, but she must use her newfound power to vanquish the reigning teen queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network, all without denting her ‘do!

Hairspray is directed by Bobby Garcia, choreography by Cecille Martinez, production design by Gino Gonzales and lighting design by Shoko Matsumoto.

For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078, 840-1187 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.