A few issues ago, Funfare published a story by contributor David Casuco about multi-awarded animator Jess Espanola being “the first Pinoy” to win an Emmy. Espanola won the award for his work as assistant director of The Simpsons’ Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind at the 60th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which was named Outstanding Animated Program (for programming less than an hour). Casuco did mention that he has heard an unverified report that another Filipino won the same honor.
Hong Kong-based journalist Margie Logarta texted Funfare that another Filipino, Rochit Tañedo, wife of artist Bogie Tence Ruiz, also won an Emmy in 1986 for the documentary The Philippines: Life and Death in Revolution aired on NBC’s Today Show in the News and Documentary category, Special Classification for Outstanding Program/Individual Achievement. Margie said that Tañedo was then an NBC reporter-correspondent.
Reader Philip Nazareno also sent the following additional information about yet another Filipino who is also an Emmy awardee:
Dear Mr. Lo,
Like you and the entire Filipino nation, I am proud of animator Jess Espanola for winning an Emmy recently. I would like to extend my congratulations to Mr. Espanola and his family. His win is proof of the immense talent of the Filipino as a people.
I would just like to correct you when you wrote that Mr. Espanola was the very first Filipino to win an Emmy.
Three years ago, my sister Rita Nazareno, then a producer for Fox TV, received an Emmy for her work in the television show Good Day L.A. In fact, a press release dated July 7, 2005, from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced her win. The Philippine government congratulated Rita in an announcement made by then Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye on Sept. 28, 2005.
There’s more.
On a recent trip to California (where I interviewed High School Musical 3: Senior Year stars Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron, and Quantum of Solace star Daniel Craig), I met Mina Guerra-Aala (during a side trip to Sacramento) that her daughter Beth Aala also won a 2008 Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Programming for Classical Baby (I’m Grown Up Now), produced by HBO. Mina, whose husband is Maynardo Aala, said that it is Beth’s third major award in four years, including a Peabody Award in 2006 for The Music in Me (Home Box Office) and in 2005 for I Have Tourette’s But Tourette’s Doesn’t Have Me which won an Emmy.
Beth is an independent producer/director/editor who freelances with HBO in New York. She graduated from Elk Grove High School in Sacramento and received a bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego in both Communication and Visual Arts.
According to Mina, the children’s program Beth produced for HBO beat popular TV programs Hannah Montana, High School Musical 2 and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
Bobby Kimball sings Toto’s greatest hits in Nov. 21 show
The awesome and electrifying sound of Rosanna, Africa, I’ll Be Over You and other classic hits that made Toto one of the most popular and best-selling rock bands of the ‘80s will resonate across the music scene when the group’s lead singer, Bobby Kimball, returns for a series of performances that will be highlighted by a major concert on Nov. 21 at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City.
To be presented by Steve O’Neal Productions and BDS All Hits Productions, the musical event is the centerpiece of the Philippine leg of the 14-date, 13-city 2008 Grand Asian Tour of the celebrated vocalist.
Other shows in the concert series dubbed as Toto’s Greatest Hits featuring Bobby Kimball will be held on Nov. 12, Grand Ballroom, Heritage Hotel, Pasay City; Nov. 14, CAP Auditorium, Davao City; Nov. 15, St. Mary’s Gym, Tagum City, Davao; Nov. 16, Lagao Gym, General Santos City; Nov. 18, La Salle Auditorium, Bacolod City; Nov. 19, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City; and Nov. 20, Main Ballroom, Hyatt Hotel and Casino-Manila.
To be featured as special guest is Joe Lamont of Victims of Love fame.
The musical event promises a wonderful and enjoyable evening of endearing and timeless music from the ‘80s as Kimball performs a special selection of Toto favorites that have captivated millions worldwide for the past 30 years.
Other Toto hits in Kimball’s repertoire include I Want To Hold You Back, Georgy Porgy, 99, Hold The Line, Takin It To The Street, Stairway to Heaven, and many more.
The tour will reunite Kimball with local music enthusiasts seven months after his successful two-night concert with other members of Toto at the Araneta Coliseum and Cebu Waterfront Hotel last April.
It will mark his fourth visit here in 16 years since Toto’s sell-out debut appearance in November 1992 at the Folk Arts Theater (now Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas.)
Kimball sang as a vocalist in various areas in New Orleans throughout the ‘70s before moving in 1977 to Los Angeles in 1977 where he formed Toto with some of the era’s most popular and accomplished session musicians.
His self-penned audition song, You Are The One, was included in the band’s 1978 debut album, which immediately broke into the charts with the hit single, Hold The Line, as well as Georgy Porgy and I’ll Supply The Love.
Kimball left Toto in 1984 and resumed work as a session singer, performing background vocals for various artists, but rejoined the group in 1989-90 to record songs for its greatest hits album, Past To Present 1977-1990.
After leaving the band again, Kimball released a live album, Classic Toto Hits, in late 1990, in which he sang various Toto hits over the years, followed in 1994 by his debut solo album, Rise Up, featuring the single, Woodstock.
He rejoined Toto in 1998 as lead vocalist and actively participated in numerous studio recording sessions and concert tours until the disbandment of the band was publicly announced in June 2008.
(Note: Tickets to Toto’s Greatest Hits featuring Bobby Kimball are priced at P3,675, P2,675, P2,100 and P1,575, while tickets to the Hyatt Hotel & Casino dinner-show cost P3,675. Tickets to both events are available at Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department Stores. For inquiries and reservations, call Ticketnet at 911-5555.)
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@ya-hoo.com)