Going out with a bang

Happiness is not a warm gun, but a happy gathering of gun enthusiasts, shooters and firearms manufacturers. The recent launch of the 2005 Defense and Sporting Arms Show at the Club Filipino, organized by the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines, Inc. (AFAD), definitely went with a big bang (yes, pun intended).

AFAD president Neri Dionisio welcomed his colleagues from the association and special guests from the Philippine National Police. He also inducted new members into the association’s fold. He expressed excitement for the 2005 Defense and Sporting Arms Show to be held from July 14 to 18 at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall.

Over 100 booths will showcase the latest and most popular firearms and ammunition in the country. Some of these stalls will conduct gun safety and defense tactics seminars. The gun show will feature for the first time a shooting simulation to encourage more people to engage in the sport of practical shooting. This much awaited annual event only gets more exciting!

See you there!

(To join the 2005 Defense and Sporting Arms Show, please call Elvie Maghinang at 671-8381 to 82.)

Memories of The King of Romance

Music legends come and visit our country only once in a blue moon. When I heard that Engelbert Humperdinck, the world’s favorite crooner, was visiting our shores to perform live, I nearly dropped my coffee mug in excitement. Without doubt, Engelbert is one of the most popular music icons of the century; he has legions of fans spanning three decades now.

I have a CD of his greatest hits in my car, and I listen to it every day. When Engelbert sings classic love songs like Love Me With All Your Heart and Winter World of Love, he really creates a connection with his listeners, thanks to his smooth and awe-inspiring vocal delivery. From what I’ve heard, he is even better when performing live. He is the consummate entertainer, taking immense pleasure out of every moment on stage and establishing a strong rapport with his audience. This is attributed to his sense of humor, magnetism and charisma. I can’t wait to hear him sing his classic hits live.

I asked several of my friends to share their memories of The King of Romance:

Ramon Jacinto

"When I was younger, in the ’60s, I didn’t think much of Engelbert. I preferred Tom Jones who had an edge above him. But now I really appreciate Engelbert’s classic delivery and phrasing, as well as his smooth voice. I think that his songs will be loved by more and more people as time passes by."

Dr. Minguita Padilla

"I was still in grade school when I first got wind of Engelbert Humperdinck. My memories of him were those summer afternoons when we would play his long playing albums and I would end up taking siesta with Last Waltz or Lonely Table Just For One filling the air in the background. Before long we had Victor Wood hogging the local limelight as the "Engelbert Humperdinck of the Philippines." I know that Tom Jones has aged pretty well and was actually able to reinvent himself, complete with a top hit lately. I am curious to know how Engelbert has fared after all these years."

Bob Zozobrado

"During my childhood years in Cebu, we would wake up every morning with Engelbert Humperdinck blaring on our stereo because he and Tom Jones were the favorite singers of our eldest sister. Since she would wake up ahead of us to get ready for work, she’d play her favorite 33 1/3 LPs, and Engelbert dominated the stock. It’s not surprising then that we memorized the lyrics of his top hits like Quando Quando Quando, Please Release Me, Am I That Easy To Forget and The Way It Used To Be. Looking back at those years, I’m glad I grew up with those songs. They helped in providing me with a romantic/poetic perspective of my views of life, even those that come with seemingly difficult challenges. It would be a thrill to listen to Engelbert again after all these years. We all need some romance in our lives as often as we can have it, right?"

Lydia Durano

"I was in Las Vegas in 2000 and I had the chance to see Engelbert Humperdinck perform at MGM. And, oh, wow! He was able to thrill the crowd of shrieking fans with his love songs such as Still, Feelings, Man Without Love and Spanish Eyes."

Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo

"I was once in love with a girl, and she loved me, too. But she had to go abroad one day and I didn’t know why. When she came back, I found that she had decided to become a nun! She told me that she loved me, but she loved service to God more. It was at this time that Engelbert’s hit song Please Release Me was on the air waves. I realized that the message of the song was her message to me. Am I That Easy To Forget? Hardly would I think so. These two songs of Engelbert Humperdinck do bring back vivid memories, indeed, pleasant and sweet."

MIB means business

Business leaders converged for the launching of the Muntinlupa Investment Board (MIB) at the Grand Ballroom of Palms Country Club recently. The dashing Mayor Jaime Fresnedi serves as the anchor of the City Government’s Vision 2020, where Muntinlupa is seen to become the leading business and investment center in Southeast Asia by 2020.

The induction of the MIB Board, composed of members of the private sector who have a wide influence in international and local investments, was the highlight of the event. The board is led by seasoned hotelier Cyndy Tan-Jarabata as chairperson.

Congratulations!