Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Jazzmopolitan! Filipino Gentlemen of Jazz

FILIPINO AND AMERICAN MUSICAL STYLES FUSE TO MAKE“JAZZMOPOLITAN” AN UNFORGETTABLE SHOW

Got sax?! American jazz meets Filipino “flavor” in an evening of culturally fused music when PAE Live! in association with RAS Music Group, TDRZ Productioins, Inc. and ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC) present “Jazzmopolitan: Filipino Gentlemen of Jazz” on Saturday, September 11 at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood . It will be an evening of finger-snapping, toe-tapping, betcha-never-heard-that-before music that showcases some of the best Filipino and Filipino-American jazz instrumentalists and vocalists. 


Headlining the concert is smooth jazz saxman Michael Paulo who makes a return to the Ford after a very long absence. One of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz for nearly 20 years, the Hawaiian born Paulo has added his distinct “saxpertise” to a virtual who's who of artists including Al Jarreau (Paulo's longest term touring association for over 10 years), James Ingram, trumpeter Rick Braun and guitarist Peter White, Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Carl Anderson, Bobby Caldwell, Johnny Mathis and more. Paulo grew up in a musical family (his father a pianist, his mother a singer, his siblings all playing instruments) and though he came upon the sax relatively late at age 15, he quickly became first horn player in his high school band and was playing professional gigs around the islands within a few years. He chose a more adventurous road by joining Hawaiian pop/rock band Kalapana, which had some success on the mainland but was most popular in Japan . As he says, "Music is always going to evolve, and it's up to the artist to respond gracefully to the changes. We don't know what the music will sound like years from now, but no matter what, it will be based on what the people in the audience feel."



Mon David, the only vocalist of the evening’s line up, makes his Ford debut at “Jazzmopolitan”. The seasoned performer and frequent guest performer at many of L.A.’s jazz hot spots is the champion of the 2006 London International Vocal Competition and has released a half dozen CDs which highlight his prowess as a true jazz singer. “I’ve always wanted to be a part of the ‘global tapestry in music’ and to explore the wonderful, rich and fertile musical playgrounds of the world” says David. “I am very proud to be Filipino and take joy when audiences from different cultures embrace this universal art form being created, performed and interpreted by an artist of Filipino descent.”


Saxophonist Ner de Leon, the Berkelee School of Music alumnus and emerging contemporary jazz musician, begins the evening with a tribute to some famous jazz musicians like Chuck Mangione and George Benson. Audience members will be surprised to learn that his versatility and musical prowess spans the genres of rock ‘n roll, R&B, pop and smooth jazz. “I take pride in that Filipinos are very musical and adapting jazz into its sound just adds another dimension to our musical complexities,” says de Leon.


“Music is not my primary profession, but it is my primary love”, says jazz guitarist Rafael “Raffy” Lopez. Indeed, when he is not busy being COO of ABS-CBN, the largest Philippine-based global media network, he “jams” with a San Francisco-based local jazz band. “When I was 6 years old, “explains Lopez, “my brother was taking guitar lessons. One day, he could not make it to his lesson and I took his place. It was love at first sight and I have been playing guitar ever since!”. Expect to hear Lopez perform bossa nova from Jobim, Lins and Gilberto infused with Filipino rhythms and beats.

A similar sentiment is expressed by musical director Edward “Tateng” Katindig, known affectionately as the Oscar Peterson of the Philippines . “Music is a universal language and jazz is music. My playing comes from soul!” beams Katindig who completes his trio with drummer Abe Lagrimas, Jr. and bassist Dominic Thiroux as the evening’s house band. “I don’t see myself doing anything else except music!” said the piano player.



A portion of the show’s proceeds will be donated to the Filipino American Library, a registered non-profit organization whose mission is to actively promote the history, culture and professional achievements of Filipino Americans through educational and cultural programming. “’PAE Live!’ believes in giving back to the community” says producer Rex Sampaga “which is why we are supporting the Library. They have always been an institution in the preservation of Filipino-American history and we want to support their goals, particularly in this unsteady economic period.”

Jazzmopolitan is proudly sponsored by ABS-CBN’s TFC (The Filipino Channel), Island Pacific Supermarkets, FUSICOLOGY and by media sponsors KSCI-TV Channel 18, radio station KJAZZ 88.1, The Asian Journal and Tribune U.S.A.

Tickets for “Jazzmopolitan” are $40.00 and $30.00 and are $12.00 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under and can be purchased from the Ford box office at www.FordTheatres.org or 323-461-3673(for non-visual media 323-GO 1-FORD). Through the Ford’s early buyer incentive, adults who buy tickets on or before September 4 pay only $35.00 or $25.00. Special limited VIP tickets, which include a pre-concert reception at 6:30pm and premium seating, are available at $50.00, the net proceeds of which go to Bantay Banta, a project of the ABS-CBN Foundation International, Inc.

The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East , Hollywood , CA 90068 , just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before show time for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options but patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink. The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. On-site stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening shows. FREE, non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle cycles every 15 – 20 minutes.

“Jazzmopolitan: The Filipino Gentlemen of Jazz”, produced by PAE Live!, is a part of the Ford 2010 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.


PAE Live! in association with
RAS Music Group & TDRZ Productions, Inc.
ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel (TFC) and Island Pacific Supermarket

present

JAZZMOPOLITAN: The Filipino Gentlemen of Jazz
Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 8:00pm

John Anson Ford Amphitheater
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA. 90068

Featuring Mon David, Ner de Leon, Raffy Lopez, & Michael Paulo
with Tateng Katindig, Abe Lagrimas, Jr., and Dominic Thiroux.

Tickets: $40.00/$30.00 Adults, $12.00 Students and Children
$50.00 VIP Tickets include pre-show reception at 6:30 and premium seating.
Early Buyer Incentive Before September 4: Adults - $35.00 / $25.00
No Discounts on VIP Tickets
Please visit www.fordtheatres.orgor call 323-461-3673 for more information.


Monday, August 30, 2010

Island Pacific at the 1st North America ANCOP Walk for the Poor

Hundreds of people walked to support the cause of the Child Sponsorship Program

On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of August, dressed in their bright blue ANCOPWALK Shirts, Couples for Christ (CFC) members both in the USA and Canada together with their supporters like Island Pacific Supermarket and other groups from different sectors of society volunteered in various parks all across USA and Canada to walk for a very important cause, and that is for the Child Sponsorship Program.


The participants while hearing mass at the Bridgepoint Park, Santa Clarita




Santa Clarita Couples for Christ cluster
 In the city of Valencia in Southern California where one of the events was held, Eric Villanueva, the National Director for CFCUSA said “My heart is overflowing with gratefulness for this very 1st North America ANCOP Walk for it marks an important milestone in the life and mission of CFC through its work for the poor program in ANCOP. This walk will have a lifetime effect on the lives of many young people by providing them with a future full of hope through education.”

The walk undertaken by hundreds of people all across the USA and Canada was extremely important to the future of under privileged kids who cannot afford to have proper education. He also mentioned that they were not alone on this effort and that 13 other states are conducting the same walk that same day and in some states like California, Maryland, and Florida, it was held on multiple sites. 

Santa Clarita Couples for Christ Elders
Over 500 people converged at the Murphy Park in Milpitas to join the walk. The staging point in Milpitas was coordinated by Ding De Guzman while more than a couple of hundreds of people, trooped to Blue Rock Springs Park, Columbus Parkway in Vallejo and participated in the walk. The Vallejo staging point was coordinated by Rod Yumul.


Murphy Park, Milpitas


Vallejo staging point-- Blue Rock Springs Park, Columbus Parkway


Bert Araneta, who is one of the Chapter Leaders of Couples for Christ in the San Fernando Valley area, commented “It was most enjoyable! My top three things were being in the outdoors, doing something of value for someone else and seeing the results of a hard day’s labor.” 

Filipino/Polish Olympian J.R. Celski with Malou Samson, CSP Regional Coordinator for Southern California, and Malou's daughter
 Malou Samson, the CSP Regional Coordinator for Southern California spearheaded the volunteers and members of Couple for Christ So Cal together with Toffee Jeturian, Cris Kagahastian and Ricky Coronel, CFC-ANCOP leaders, as they marched through the green fields of Cross Roads Park (NORTH) in Chino Hills, simultaneous to the group in Valencia. Malou shared "it was so much fun walking side by side with J.R. Celski, the Filipino/Polish Olympic winner, knowing that for every step we make, a big change will happen in the lives of many poor children in the Philippines. We may be a world champion or we may be a nobody, it doesn't matter because we can be a sure winner when we support the cause of the Child Sponsorship Program. Inspiring words from Fr. James Moore, we are not giving a gift in a brown bag but we give the gift of love".


Eric Villanueva, Couples for Christ National Director
In Eric Villanueva’s opening remark he mentioned that in 2011, this will not be a North America event anymore, since other areas where inspired, together with ANCOP Manila, they will be planning for a Global event, an ANCOP Worlwide Walk for their Child Sponsorship Program.




Island Pacific Supermarket will endeavor to support the various communities it serves and continue to offer slashed down prices for our fellow Kababayans to enjoy.Go and visit an Island Pacific Supermarket near you! With locations at Canoga Park, Cerritos, North Vermont Los Angeles, South Vermont Los Angeles, Panorama City, West Covina in Southern California; Union city and Vallejo in Northern California. Check us out at www.islandpacificmarket.com

Friday, August 20, 2010

Island Pacific Supermarket Supports the 1st North America ANCOP Walk for the Poor

The ANCOP Walk is faith in action!

Island Pacific Supermarket proudly supports the 1st North America ANCOP Walk for the Poor to be staged simultaneously in various parts of the US on Saturday, August 28 from 7am- 12nn. The 3-mile walk is being held to raise funds for ANCOP’s Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) --a project that sends poor Filipino children to elementary, high school or college level for free.


The ANCOP Walk brings together hundreds of participants across the U.S. and North America, walking together to help the poor in the Philippines and third world countries. The ANCOP Walk will happen simultaneously in Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Massachusetts, Georgia and California. The four staging points in California are as follows: CHINO HILLS : Crossroads Park located at 14877 Eucalyptus Avenue, Chino Hills (Corner of Chino Hills Parkway); SANTA CLARITA : Bridgeport Park located at 23520 Bridgeport Ln., Santa Clarita CA 91355 ( corner of Mcbean Parkway and Newhall Ranch Rd.); MILPITAS: Murphy Park located at 1570 Olympic, Milpitas, CA, 95035; VALLEJO : Blue Rock Spring Park at 650 Columbus Parkway, Vallejo, CA 94591.

Formerly called ANCOP CAN Walk & GK Walk, the ANCOP Walk is an annual fundraising event that helps the poor in the Philippines and other third world countries by providing shelter, housing and child education programs for the poor living in slums and abject poverty.

The ANCOP approach is comprehensive, integrated and sustainable encompassing the many aspects that are essential to combat poverty. ANCOP programs are rooted in Christian values but without discrimination towards the race or religion of those in need. Since 2001 their shelter and child education programs have been helping the needy. Together with their donors and benefactors, ANCOP has been transforming many lives, and as of 2009 over 2,500 homes have been built and over 1,100 children have received education sponsorships from Canadian donors.

ANCOP Foundation USA Inc. is a Christian based organization founded by the Couples for Christ. It is a registered U.S. non-profit charity that provides Child Education Sponsorships and Shelter/Housing Programs for the poor. Their current projects focus on child education sponsorship programs and values formation.

The people’s participation and generosity in the ANCOP Walk will help provide quality education to children in poor communities. ANCOP serves the poor from all walks of life regardless of faith and denomination.

For more details about the ANCOP Walk and ANCOP USA please visit http://www.ancopwalk.us/ & www.ancopusa.org.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Get the Freshest Selections at the New Meat Section of Island Pacific Panorama

Where Meat is Guaranteed Fresh… Always! Or Your Money Back!




Island Pacific has made shopping for fresh meats a superior experience by offering a money back guarantee on all its meat products at its Panorama City branch. The New Fresh Meat Section in Panorama is now equipped with brand new state-of-the-art freezers that maintain optimal freezing temperature to keep meat always fresh. So, you get the freshest selection of USDA Choice and Select grades of fresh meat -- Pinoy cuts of premium beef, tender pork, and choice chicken that have been carefully selected for your needs. All meats are guaranteed fresh, juicy and of the highest quality. Why do we offer a satisfaction guarantee? Simple. We offer this guarantee because we are confident in the freshness of our products and the precision of our customer service.

Our friendly butchers have years of experience and are ready to serve you with all your needs. Whether you would like your chicken cut into pieces, or your pork sliced for your favorite home recipes, they can do it! We also have marinated items that are ready to cook on the grill!

 If you're on the rush, we have meats that are individually packaged--- Pinoy cuts for your favorite adobo, menudo or sinigang--- affording you to prepare your meals quickly thus giving you more time to spend with your family.



Our meat is always guaranteed fresh or your money back! If a customer is unhappy with the freshness or quality of our meat products, they can return the item and we will gladly give them their money back. Freshness is not just something the company states; it's a daily mission.



At Island Pacific, our utmost and primary responsibility is to our customers. We make sure that you, our valued customers, are getting the best quality products and low prices, giving you the best value for your money. Talagang Presyong Sulit...sa Island Pacific!

 Island Pacific Supermarket provides the most complete line of seafood, meat, produce, and other Asian food products that satisfy the different needs of the Filipino community. It was opened to serve the increasing Filipino community as well as customers from different cultural backgrounds residing in and around California. Island Pacific offers a wide range of the freshest foods, grocery items and home essentials at very affordable prices. Come and visit an Island Pacific Supermarket near you! With branches at Cerritos, Canoga Park, Panorama City, North Vermont Los Angeles, South Vermont Los Angeles, West Covina, Union City and Vallejo. Visit our website at http://islandpacificmarket.com/





Monday, August 9, 2010

Historic Filipinotown 5K Run/Walk

Island Pacific proudly supported the Annual 5K Run/Walk of Historic Filipinotown

The 5K Run/Walk kicked off the 8th celebration of the founding of Historic Filipinotown last Saturday, August 7. Over 400 people trooped to Historic Filipinotown to join the Hi-Fi Run/Walk that took place around 7:30 am at 1925 West Temple Street. 


 
The run went through the heart of Historic Filipinotown headed west on Temple Street to Hoover, up past the 101 and back again. The participants had a glimpse of Historic Filipinotown's  ethnic cafes such as Gigi's (Cuban Bakery), famous Brooklyn Bagels, Original Tommy’s Burger, Tribal Cafe or specialty Filipino restaurants namely Salakot, Kapistahan, Nanay Gloria’s, Bahay Kubo among others. 

Community Partners included LAPD Rampart Division, Search to Involve Pilipino American (SIPA), Filipino American Service Group Inc. (FASGI),TWNDC, MOTHER Movement, Burlington School, Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown. Primary Sponsors are the Office of LA Council President Eric Garcetti, Silverlake Medical Center and Island Pacific Supermarket. 

 Immediately after the run, a free film screening of “Little Manila” and sneak preview of “Delano Manongs: Forgotten Heroes of the United Farm Workers” by Emmy award winner Marissa Aroy were held at the SIPA Gateway Community Center at 3200 W. Temple Street.