Jason Mraz coming for show Oct. 30

BREAKING NEWS: Pop-rock acoustic artist Jason Mraz is coming for a concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 30.

This was confirmed to Funfare by Dayly Entertainment, the same company behind the recent concerts of All Time Low (Sept. 22) and Westlife (Sept. 29).

The Big Dome concert is part of Mraz’s special international tour in which he teams up with his longtime friend, percussionist Noel “Toca” Rivera, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their independently-released classic, Live At Java Joe’s.

Besides Asia, the tour brings Mraz and Rivera to North America, Europe, Africa, Australia (at Sydney’s Opera House) and New York (at Carnegie Hall).

A multi-talented singer/songwriter, Mraz became a worldwide superstar who made pop history with his sensational single I’m Yours. He’s also known for his philanthropic activities, particularly for the Jason Mraz Foundation which he recently established to help sustain a number of charities of which he has been a dedicated and impassioned advocate.

Founded only last year, Dayly Entertainment aims to provide quality music concerts and events for Filipino audiences. The team has extensive first-hand experience from being part of the audience at concerts in the Philippines and abroad, to working backstage at several concert productions in Manila.

(Note: For inquiries about the Jason Mraz concert, call Ticketnet at 911-5555.)

Briefly Noted

• The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has named Piolo Pascual (photo) as the country’s face and voice in promoting the rich and diverse cultures the Philippines has to offer. Piolo will work with the NCCA in various ways through his participation in major programs of the commission. He was selected from among the various personalities in the entertainment industry because of his mass appeal, his positive image and his outstanding achievements as a young Filipino who can reach all Filipinos around the globe. In line with the celebration of the National Indigenous People’s Month this October, Piolo did an infomercial titled Dayaw: Indigenous People’s Festival 2011. Leaders and representatives of more than 100 indigenous people from across the country will attend the festival from Oct. 6 to 10 at Tagum City, Davao.

A gathering of Misses U (from left): Justine Pasek of Panama, Brooke Lee of USA, Margaret Gardiner of South Africa, Corinna Tsopei of Greece, Armi Kuusela of Finland, Sylvia Hitchcock of USA, Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago, Mona Grudt of Norway, Michelle McLean of Namibia and Chesli Smith of USA.

• While the rest of the world was watching the 2011 Miss Universe pageant in their respective countries, 10 former Misses Universe and some Miss USA and Miss Teen USA winners did the same at The W Hotel in Hollywood upon the invitation of the Miss Universe Organization. The affair was called True Beauty Rocks The Universe in Hollywood. Among those present were Armi Helena Kuusela of Finland (the very first Miss U, 1952), Corinna Tsopei of Greece (1964), Sylvia Hitchcock of USA (1967), Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago (1977), Margaret Gardiner of South Africa (1978), Mona Grudt of Norway (1990), Michelle McLean of Namibia (1992), Chelsi Smith of USA (1995), Brooke Lee of USA (1997) and Justine Pasek of Panama (2002). The beauties called themselves “The Sisterhood.” The MUO gave Armi a commemorative gift, presented by Tricia Langa, director for Domestic Licensing. — Reported by Funfare’s ‘other beauty expert’ Celso de Guzman Caparas

2011 Bb. Unibersidad Brenna Gamboa: Super Teen Model first runner-up; will compete in Miss World University contest in South Korea in December

• Brenna Gamboa, the reigning Bb. Unibersidad, finished first runner-up and won Best in Evening Gown in the Teen Super Model of the World contest held in Nadi, Fiji Island, last Sept. 30. The winner is 16-year-old Mikaela Swamy of South Pacific who also won the Best in Swimwear Award. Second runner-up was Casey Newport of Australia. Brenna will compete next in the Miss World University contest in South Korea in December.

Reader’s reaction

Hello, Ricky,

I’m an avid reader of your Funfare column. I just want to update the list of 10 non-Oscar winners with the most number of nominations. Here’s the updated/added list:

• Peter O’Toole (8) — Actor for Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Becket (1964), The Lion in Winter (1968), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), The Ruling Class (1972), The Stunt Man (1980), My Favorite Year (1982) and Venus (2006)

• Clarence Brown (6) — Director for Anna Christie (1930), Romance (1930), A Free Soul (1931), The Human Comedy (1943), National Velvet (1945) and The Yearling (1946)

• Albert Finney (5) — Actor for Tom Jones (1963), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), The Dresser (1983), Under the Volcano (1984) and Supporting Actor for Erin Brockovich (2000)

• Irene Dunne (5) — Actress for Cimarron (1931), Theodora Goes Wild (1936), The Awful Truth (1937), Love Affair (1939) and I Remember Mama (1948)

• King Vidor (5) — Director for The Crowd (1928), Hallelujah (1929), The Champ (1931), The Citadel (1938) and War and Peace (1956)

• Montgomery Clift (4) — Actor for The Search (1948), A Place in the Sun (1951), From Here to Eternity (1953) and Supporting Actor for Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)

• Greta Garbo (4) — Actress for Anna Christie (1930), Romance (1930), Camille (1937) and Ninotchka (1939)

• Barbara Stanwyck (4) — Actress for Stella Dallas (1937), Ball of Fire (1941), Double Indemnity (1944) and Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)

• Rosalind Russell (4) — Actress for My Sister Eileen (1942), Sister Kenny (1946), Mourning Becomes Electra (1947) and Auntie Mame (1958)

• Agnes Moorehead (4) — Supporting Actress for The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), Mrs. Parkington (1944), Johnny Belinda (1948) and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte (1964)

• Claude Rains (4) — Supporting Actor for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Casablanca (1943), Mr. Skeffington (1944) and Notorious (1946)

• Sidney Lumet (4) — Director for 12 Angry Men (1957), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Network (1976) and The Verdict (1982)

• Annette Bening (4) — Supporting Actress for The Grifters (1990) and Actress for America Beauty (1999), Being Julia (2004) and The Kids are All Right (2010)

• Ed Harris (4) — Actor for Pollock (2000) and Supporting Actor for Apollo 13 (1995), The Truman Show (1998) and The Hours (2002)

• Julianne Moore (4) — Actress for The End of the Affair (1999), Far From Heaven (2002) and Supporting Actress in Boogie Nights (1997) and The Hours (2002)

Your movie buff and Oscar buff reader, — Ronald A. Lara 

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)