The bus trip to Baguio was very pleasant. For only P550, Victory Liner’s first class bus has a toilet, a stewardess, and free snacks. The ride was very comfortable and non-stop, allowing us to reach Baguio in only five hours. What made our bus trip even more memorable was meeting the well-known pianist, composer and band leader Romy Posadas and his family. Romy now lives in California. We whiled away the time singing with him and his children as the bus sped to our destination.

In the past, I would stay in Manila during Holy Week. Manila would look deserted, especially on Good Friday. Malls and night clubs are closed. Traffic is very light. Manila during Holy Week is actually a good place to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s passion and death. In contrast, Baguio turns into a place for merry making. Malaki na ang pinagbago ng Baguio. It is no longer the same place I knew as a kid. Traffic is terrible. Trying to get into the main downtown strip is a nightmare any time of the day. Burnham Park is packed, and so is SM Baguio, a huge mall by any standard.

On Wednesday, we had a picnic at Camp John Hay. I enjoyed the “ihaw-ihaw” with Jon and Gerard Laurel. At about lunch time, a group that parked itself near our picnic area came with a big lechon. Because I wanted to taste the lechon, I befriended the group. It turned out the group of family and friends were celebrating the 18th birthday of Andrea Puckett. We were invited to join them for lunch which I did not hesitate to accept. I thought it was a simple but elegant way of celebrating her 18th birthday instead of a formal debut.

We left Baguio on Saturday to avoid the rush back to the city on Easter Sunday. I spent Easter Sunday at the Sta. Juana residence in Baliwag, Bulacan. I wanted to watch the traditional “Salubong” which happens at the break of dawn on Easter Sunday. But I missed it; I was too tired to wake up at 4:00 a.m. Easter and the Resurrection is the most important event in the Christian calendar. In the United States, Easter is also a very festive occasion. Women go to Sunday Mass in hats, pearls and gloves, and men and even little boys wear fancy suits. After the Mass, the family celebrates with an Easter brunch.

GMA 7 bossing in Seattle

Before I left for Manila for Holy Week, Joseph Francia was my guest in Seattle. Francia is the OIC and head of GMA’s International Operations. My publisher, John Hilotin, hosted a dinner for Francia. It was a very short visit for Francia but I resumed our camaraderie in Manila when I attended a party at the Albergus in Quezon City on April 14 for his and wife Minnie’s son, Benjamin Luis or Blu. I did not see any celebrity from GMA Network at the party because it was a family event.

Dematisse Grand Opening

In my article, “Manila by Night,” I mentioned Dematisse as the place I frequently go whenever I am in Manila. It is owned by Jong and Yoko Garcia. The couple also owns the well-known night club in Mabini, The Arcadia. On April 12, I was invited to the Grand Opening of Dematisse II on Leon Guinto. The place was packed with friends and regular clients of Dematisse I. I was with my new-found friends from Germany, Lilli Schonberger and Jens Fuhrhop, Jon, Gerard, Nestor Eusores, Julito Ame, and Anatoli of Russia. It was 3:00 am when we left the place. Very tired but happy.

One other reason I enjoy staying at the Century Park Hotel is the various activities the hotel offers like the nightly performance of a band at the Atrium, as well as the singers at the Top of the Century (TOC).

Angel Yatco, F & B Director of the hotel, told me they were planning a “pakulo” on April 21 at the Top of the Century. Malou Manabat, who has been performing in Singapore for the past four years, is in Manila. Malou will be in concert at the Harry’s Bar of TOC with special participation of “Fourth Set” group, piano accompaniment by Bobby Cabral. Suzy Unas opens for Malou.

Part of the proceeds from the show will go to Pahinungod Street Kids Program, a project chaired by Professor Arnold N. Esguerra of the University of the Philippines, Manila.

Gary Valenciano concert
in Bakersfield

To launch the Gary V World Tour 2007, Gary Valenciano will be in concert at Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield on June 3 at 5:00 p.m. With him are his son, Gabriel Valenciano and Jason Zamora of the Manoeuvers. The show also features Timmy Pavino of Seattle, Jonathan Bangloy (winner of Gary V. sound-alike contest in California), Harold Spiva, composer/musical arranger, and Charissa Vicente, composer/singer/model.

Tickets are now on sale at ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets and at the Rabobank Theater Box office. The concert is another production of Pavison Worldwide Enterprises, in partnership with JVI International. For inquiries, email info@pavison.com or jvi.international@yahoo.com or call PAVISON (425) 823-5554 or JVI (661) 204-6935.