SariSariShots

Erik Santos in Chicago

"Prince of Pop" Erik Santos says goodbye to the crowds at the Gateway Theater at the end of his Chicago concert on Friday, a part of  his U.S. Tour with  Sheryn Regis, Denise Laurel, Pooh and John Prats. (ABF)

Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby in Chicago

Filipino stars Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual in prayer minutes before curtain time with John Lloyd Cruz, Eva Caparas and Pokwang. The first major Pinoy concert this season jam packed the historic Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge, Illinois.

View the photo essay at FLICKR

©2008 All Rights Reserved Armand B. Frasco
Media: Contact the photographer for permission and hi-res file

Update: 4.9.08

Video from Anthony F. Andaleon of Upstage:

Egg hunting in the snow

Children scramble to find traditional Easter Sunday treasures buried in the grounds of Lagrimas Sorronda's residence in DesPlaines, Illinois. Accumulated snow from a less traditional late-season storm on Good Friday added to the challenge.

The Black Nazarene

The Black Nazarene at a residence in Skokie, Illinois. The icon is making the rounds of its devotees as part of the community's Lenten celebrations.

Winter in another realm

Sansho-En,  the Garden of Three Islands at the Chicago Botanic Garden, takes me to another realm. It's situated smack along an interstate highway yet once you cross the bridge you're drawn into a 17th century samurai's retreat.

It's at once calming and mysterious. The afternoon I took these pictures I could almost hear my favorite poet Basho shuffling through the fresh fallen snow.

Wild weather in the Midwest lately makes it difficult to predict long-range patterns. Last week's winter storm warning fizzles out, only to have a foot of accumulated snow dumped on us days later. Prematurely thawing rivers and springs flood towns along the way, only to turn to solid packed ice overnight, immobilizing everything on its
path.

I had to take these shots hurriedly during a work break. In a way it was symptomatic of today's climactic uncertainties. I feel I must squirrel away images for a time when we may no longer enjoy scenes like this that make time stand still.

[Featured on Inquirer.net/Global Nation]

View the photoset at FLICKR

Beyond Gender

Caught in a winter storm, four Pinoy boys in Round Lake, IL. spent Superbowl Sunday merrily cross-dressing  in a game of "Maria went to town."

ROFL

Friends Mercy and Lag practically “Rolling On The Floor Laughing” after showering their guests with cash on New Year's eve. I think this iconic image sums up last night’s event and the joie de vivre that so characterizes their lives.

Snapshots: “Amulaan Kaligaan”

Kambayoka ARTS, Inc., a non-profit organization based in California staged “Amulaan Kaligaan – A Celebration of Thanksgiving and Good Harvest” featuring the music and dances of Southern Philippines last Saturday at St. Sholastica’s in Skokie, Il. Neither sleet nor snow nor an ice storm could stop a dedicated audience from coming and those who did were treated to a stunning performance. The photos only tell half of the story.

K-ARTS is an offshoot of the multi-awarded Sining Kambayoka Theater Ensemble based in Mindanao State University. The presentation was part of Hataw Pinoy Chicago’s 4th anniversary celebrations. (Text/Photos: ABF)

Thanksgiving, kinilaw, atbp.

THANKSGIVING KINILAW - Angie Hamoy, a Pinay nurse in Des Plaines, Illinois, grimaces at hot chili peppers for kinilaw on Thanksgiving. Like any immigrant celebration, ethnic delicacies are served side by side with turkey, stuffing and other fare made traditional by the original immigrant feast in America over two centuries ago. ©2007 ABF

[Featured on Inquirer.net/Global Nation]

Rules of Engagement

Evelyn Knabel, the fiance’s grandmother admire Lindsay’s ring as Steve looks on at the engagement party held Saturday, November 17th at the Stonegate in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Lindsay and Steve were childhood sweethearts and by all indications, they haven’t lost the giggly fun of being together six years after their first meeting. One finishes the other’s sentence with nary a breath of hesitation.

“Unmistakable sign of compatibility,” gushed a friend. “Total devotion,” observed another.

Six years of steady companionship culminated in the couple’s formal engagement reception over the weekend, attended by close friends and family. The multicultural guest list represented Lindsay’s Filipino lineage and Steve’s French origins.

“Culture was never a factor in our relationship,” Steve related. “For me, diversity was a normal thing.” Lindsay nodded in approval, a twinkling ring on her finger.

For all that talk of diversity both families share something in common - dedication to health care. The Sygacos are successful home health care entrepreneurs while Dr. Dadouche is a Vice President at Baxter.

Dinner was served under a cozy white canopy decorated with hundreds of glowing candles and roses warmed even further by romantic ballads and hot dance numbers from a live band. The successful affair only marked the beginning of a year’s preparation for what many expect will be a huge wedding celebration next summer. (ABF)