How NY eased Aga’s post-election blues

I agree with Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre when he observed that New York must have eased whatever pain and heartache Aga Muhlach may have endured following his narrow defeat in the last congressional election in Camarines Sur.

Reported Edmund, “As those who have seen Aga during his week-long stay in the Big Apple in June can attest, he looked jolly and at peace, and not a moment did he talk about his political loss. It’s either he was really healing, or he simply blocked his mind from it.”

In fact, added Edmund, Aga didn’t only paint the town red, he also explored some interesting destinations within and outside the famous Manhattan borough for his weekly TV5 infotainment-adventure show Pinoy Explorer.

Aga and his crew reportedly shot for a three-part series which will be aired this month. And they got help from fellow Kapatid stars Sharon Cuneta and Derek Ramsay.

As Funfare reported a few issues ago, all three flew to NYC to grace the annual Philippine Independence Day parade last June along Madison Avenue in Manhattan. They rode in TV5’s float (Kapuso and Kapamilya stars also had their respective floats) and helped promote the tourism campaign “It’s More Fun In The Philippines,” while thrilling tens of thousands of fans.

“Aga had a great time at the parade and people were very warm to him,” said Antero Martinez, one of the parade organizers. “They adored him, but gave him space...he seemed very happy to be there.”

A day after the parade, Aga and his Pinoy Explorer crew  — with Sharon and Derek as guests for the special episodes  — didn’t waste time and started filming. Derek’s manager, Joji Dingcong, was also with them.

Among the well-known tourist spots they covered included the Central Park and the Times Square, the center of Broadway shows where Lea Salonga met Aga as his surprise guest.

The group also picked a number of destinations less frequented by Filipino tourists but are popular attractions nonetheless. Among them was the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory found under the famous Brooklyn Bridge and which many describe as the “finest and purest” ice cream you’ll ever find in “Nu Yawk.” While licking the creamy butter pecan and chocolate chunk in cones, the stars got a majestic view of the Lower Manhattan skyline.

“It was Sharon who enjoyed it the most because she’s familiar with the Brooklyn Bridge Ice Cream,” recalled Albert Ignacio, who joined the crew as tour coordinator, along with his son Aldrew. “She even asked me to bring her to SoHo (South of Houston) and Greenwich Village in Lower Manhattan.” 

Albert, who is also marketing manager of The Filipino Reporter (of which Edmund is the news/entertainment editor), said that Sharon, after shopping at a Chanel store, later checked out SoHo’s eclectic cafés, art galleries, artists’ lofts and stores selling funky stuffs. “Enjoy na enjoy siya, she’s like a child pag natutuwa,” Albert noted. “At last daw nakita na niya ang SoHo at Village. Lagi siyang masaya, hindi nauubusan ng kuwento.”

The group also dined at a high-end Japanese restaurant called Ninja New York, which will also be part of the show.

Albert told Edmund that the three were very gracious to fans, who would stop them every now and then for some kodak moments. “They’re all very humble and nice to people,” Albert said.

Aga, Derek and the Pinoy Explorer crew later drove all the way to the famous Lake George, known as the queen of American lakes in upstate New York (about four-hour drive from Manhattan) at the base of the Adirondack Mountains.

“There, Aga and Derek did a lot of parasailing, speed-boating and skydiving,” said Edmund, “giving the Pinoy Explorer crew the astounding footage they needed.”

“It’s obvious the two are athletic,” said Albert. “Sanay na sanay sila, parang mga stuntmen, walang takot. It’s gonna be an exciting show for the Pinoy Explorer followers.”

According to Albert, girls were checking out the two Pinoy hunks. But Aga and Derek were too focused on their sometimes death-defying sports that they couldn’t be bothered.

 â€œOf course, they looked and admired the girls, pero hanggang tingin lang sila,” Albert said. “Busy kasi lahat at naghahabol ng time. At saka, Aga kasi is a family man. Kung may Charlene Gonzales ka na, eh, maghahanap ka pa ba ng iba?”

During their stay at Lake George, they gorged on rib-eye steak, sirloin and Philly cheese steak. “Most of the time, Aga picked up the tab,” shared Albert. “Hindi cheap ‘yung mga price, ha.” 

 Edmund: “Aga apparently fell in love with Lake George that he made his intention known to return late July, this time with wife Charlene and their two kids, to enjoy the summer in New York.”

And New York will be waiting for them — with open arms.

What’s up?

Everybody is invited to visit the Travel Specialist Ventures booth 94 at the SMX Convention Center Halls 3 and 4 on July 12 to 14. Avail of the unbelievably low prices on air tickets for both local and international packages, worldwide hotel accommodation, cruises and a lot more. Or you may call 0917-8341822 or landlines 928-7487/928-3858 for inquiries.

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