Family Togetherness at the Supermarket

Because of the very fast-paced lifestyle people lead here in America - working two or three or more jobs during the week, doing household chores and other errands on the weekend – people find it difficult to make time for themselves. And for kababayans who are used to a Pinoy value called “family togetherness,” it’s doubly harder to make time to get together with other members of the family.

Luckily, Island Pacific supermarket understands.
“Weekends are precious. Always very short but very important. We know that’s the time most of our patrons come to the market to buy their groceries and supply for the week. But we also know that it’s the only time kids are home from school and most parents are off from work so we think of ways to enable them to spend time together,” said Tracy Lim, Island Pacific Supermarket Advertising Manager
 

In their efforts to bring families closer together by giving them more time to spend with each other, island Pacific Supermarket in Panorama City, through the Kababayan Community Center located inside their establishment, is pioneering the concept of “market and more” for their consumers. What usually happens is that dads or sons drop off their moms to the market while they go and do other errands. After about an hour or two, they pick up the mom and help her load the groceries into the car. Or, the mom or sister would go to the salon while the dad or brother goes around the market to fulfill the family grocery list. But because of “market and more” concept, families are now able to enjoy the supermarket experience.

In the past, Island Pacific in Panorama City has staged a movie screening and free concert.
 

“I am a big fan of Juday. Kahit sa Pilipinas pa lang, hindi ko pinapalampas ‘yung mga palabas niya. So buti na lang nabalitaan ko na may palabas pala ng ‘Ploning’ sa Island last month. So nung namalengke ako, sinama ko ‘yung mga anak ko para makapanood kami ng sine. Sinamahan nila ako mamili. Tapos nanood kami ng sine. Libre pa. Isang punathan lang. Menos pa sa gas,” said Anabelle Gaddi of Northridge.
 

“Nakakatuwa nung nagkaroon ng concert dito si Marco Sison at si Patricia Javier. Nagpunta kaming mag-asawa dahil gusto ng misis ko mapanood si Marco. Ako naman, siyempre si Patricia,” said Efren Legazpi of Panorama City.
On January 17th and 18th, Island Pacific Panorama City – The one store that saves you more -  gives people yet another reason to go to the supermarket as a family. Spend time with family members as you navigate the Food Booths inside the Kababayan Community Hall where vendors are giving free tastings and samplings of their products.
 

In addition to this, there will be free entertainment from a family of singers – world class Pinoy Jazz artist Mon David will be sharing the stage with his son and daughter – Carlo and Nicole David, in a very rare yet memorable moment not just for the audience, but also for the David family. 
 

Mon David

Nicole and Carlo are Pinoy siblings to watch out for. Though both fresh in their twenties, the two don’t appear to be newcomers in the scene as they exhibit maturity and creativity in their music. Being middle children of acclaimed International Jazz singer Mon David, Nicole and Carlo have been immensely exposed to music since they were kids.
 

Carlo and Nicole David

Nicole started guesting in her dad’s shows at the age of 12, and has then been exploring various fields of the performing arts. She was a part of the Ateneo Glee Club, did several musicals, singing and hosting gigs, and was a student leader in high school. In 2007, she graduated cum laude from Ateneo de Manila, Philippines, with a degree in Communication Arts.
 

Carlo, on the other hand, knew from the start that music was going to be his life. He played the piano until his teens, and then moved on to drums and guitar. Eventually, his love for singing unfolded, which makes him a multi-faceted artist. He attended the University of the Philippines’ College of Music, majoring in Composition.
Nicole and Carlo have recently discovered their passion in collaborating and writing their own music and material. They have found music instrumental in expressing their heart’s desires and in connecting to their present and future audience. They formed a band in the Philippines and started gigging around the Metro in 2008. They are now busy cultivating their craft and preparing for recording of their debut album. This unstoppable young breed of talent is raring to make their presence felt, both in the Philippines and to rest of the world.
 

Catch them at Island Pacific Supermarket with their father, Mon David, on Sunday, January 18th 2008.

World Class Pinoy Talent at Island Pacific Supermarket

First London International Jazz Competition for Vocalist 2006 Grand Prize Winner MON DAVID performs at Kababayan Hall in Island Pacific Panorama

From his Cabalen roots, he has traveled all over the world, reaching North America and winning awards and accolades in Europe; yet Mon David remains humble and always willing to reach out to the kababayan community here in Southern California, his home for the past few years now.

Grand Prize Winner- 2006 London Int’l Jazz Vocal Competition , 2006-07 Awit Awardee,
 2004 Most Outstanding Kapampangan in Culture, Music & Arts

Siyempre maganda rin na paminsan-minsan ma-involve sa community events,” said Mon who has always been present in most Kapampangan Association events. “Gusto ko din makapag-perform sa Island Pacific kasi madalas naman ako talaga diyan. Para naman mabisita ‘yung mga kababayan natin diyan.”

This world class Pinoy pride is scheduled to display his brand of music at Island Pacific Supermarket in Panorama City - The one store that saves you more - on January 18th, 2009. This will be one of the highlights of the Food Festival happening at the store on January 17th and 18th.

"We have a lot of great Filipino products, products that are sometimes even better than their foreign counterparts. And we at Island Pacific thought it was about time we gathered all these vendors under one roof and introduce their proudly - Filipino grocery items to the public,” said Vermont Dy, Distribution Manager for Island Pacific supermarkets.

For two days, kababayans who will flock to the Kababayan Community Center at Island Pacific Supermarket in Panorama City will be treated to booths of vendors giving free product samples and tastings. But true to island Pacific’s commitment to serving the community, they are not stopping at the FREE Food Festival.

“What’s a fair without entertainment? We’re planning and organizing these kinds of events so we can take care of our patrons. We want to keep our kababayans always happy ‘cause they deserve to be treated well,” said Tracy Lim, Advertising Manager of Island Pacific. “Busy naman tayong lahat na mga Pinoy sa trabaho dito sa Amerika. Kaunti lang ang libangan. So we want to make sure that when they go to our store on the weekends, they will not only be able to fulfill their market chores; they will also have time for a little entertainment.”

But on January 17th and 18th the entertainment that Island Pacific management has prepared is not just “a little” because it involves a very accomplished jazz artist who’s also releasing an album this year under Freeham records, a mainstream American label.

Mon is recognized as one of the country’s most respected singers, as well as a remarkable musician, songwriter and record producer, Mon’s versatility knows no bounds. He was the drummer and vocal coach of the country’s most enduring pop icons Apo Hiking Society for seven years until he decided to pursue a solo career.

A product of the University of the Philippines College of Music and trained under Prof. Aurelio Estanislao and Elmo Makil, Mon has six albums to his name (Salamat sa mga Alaala, Soulitude, Abe Mu Ku, Life & Times, My One & Only Love, Keka Ku Kaku Ka Kaku Ka Keka Ku) and awards that include Best Local Jazz Recording, Best R & B Vocal Performance, Best Latin Recording &Best Traditional Vocal Performance, Best Vocal Arrangement. He has also shared the stage with jazz luminaries such as David Benoit, Eric Marienthal, Tina May, Lee Gibson, Bobby Enriquez, Boney James, Peter White, Pete Churchill Trio & Diane Schuur.

In the mid-90’s Mon formed the Philippines’ Jazz Fiesta with friend sax great Tots Tolentino and performed in various prestigious jazz events – 1st & 2nd ASEAN Jazz Festivals; Jakjazz Festival; North Sea Jazz Festival; 1st & 2nd Candid International Jazz Festivals and Manila Jazz Festivals. He was co-founder and member of the globe-trotting quartet “Ang Fourgettables” for five years.

Although best known for his wide vocal range, rich tone, mellifluous style and eclectic musicality, Mon is also known for his Kapampangan roots which he sings so proudly in almost all his gigs. And he attributes this reawakening to his participation in “Pamalsinta Quetang Milabas,” the first all-Kapampangan CD initiated and produced by Sapni ng Crissot Foundation where he sang “Hymno Ning Kapampangan,” “Malagung Palsintan,” and “Aro Katimyas Na Ning Dalaga.” This further inspired him to produce and record “Abe Mu Ku”, an all-Cabalen compilation with his originals “Abe Mu Ku,” “Masayang Kenaitan Keka,” and “Kabalen Tune Kang Malugud.” And because of his efforts and contributions to revive and re-introduce Kapampangan songs in the music mainstream, Mon was awarded “Most Outstanding Kapampangan in the Field of Arts, Music & Culture 2004.”

A firm believer in the music’s power to transcend borders and cultural differences, Mon bagged 2006 Awit Awards’ Best Jazz Recording for his own composition “Let Go” and Best Vocal Arrangement for the folk song “Atin Ku Pung Singsing,” both from his CD “Life & Times.”

With his latest outing “MY ONE & ONLY LOVE” (a compilation of jazz evergreens and Mon’s originals) released worldwide by Candid record, UK, First London International Jazz Competition for Vocalist 2006 Grand Prize Winner MON DAVID is all set to share with the whole world his unique artistry and his philosophy that indeed music that comes from the heart can heal, build, inspire & unite. After the competition, he was made to perform at JAGZ Jazz Club in Ascot, London and 606 Jazz Bar located in Chelsea, London.

In 2006, Mon headlined the 2nd FilAm Jazz Festival held at the Catalina Jazz Bar & Grill in Hollywood. In 2007, he was showcased at the Phil International Jazz & Arts Festival held at the Sofitel which was also participated in by international artists like Dianne Schuur , Flora Purim, Airto Moreira & other jazz icons. In the same year, Mon, aside from being nominated in the Best Male Recording Artist category, bagged 2007 AWIT Awards’ Best Inspirational Song for “I Had a Dream” and Best Performance by a Duet for “Alone Together” featuring Ms. Bituin Escalante, both from his latest CD “My One and Only Love”.

Recently, Mon has been getting rave reviews for his successful performance at one of his dream venues, Jazz Bakery in Culver City.

Catch him in a FREE concert at Island Pacific Supermarket in Panorama City on Sunday, January 18th 2008.