SariSariShots

Citizen RianLake

RianLake Icao was christened Sunday, June 25th at St. Cornelius Church in Chicago as friends and family look on.

Dad Lake is a budding video producer and assembled this touching tribute to his firstborn.

View on YouTube.

"Citizen RianLake" is part the Kabanata Documentary Project.
© 2006 ABF. Video © LI

Sampaguita Triptych

I came home to see sampaguita flowers scattered forlornly on the floor and decided to do this quick composition. A summer blossom is a terrible thing to waste. With guilt gone, I moved on to a serving of Starbucks' Java Chip ice cream. I've been  working too hard.

Queen Albert's II

Cinderella's Slippers. This pair of fancy footwear behind the counter saves precious minutes of wardrobe change once the joint opens for the evening.

 Saint among the Spirits. The green-clad Santo Ñino, believed to bring good fortune, presides over countless Filipino businesses, including Queen Albert's. 

Cha-Cha on the Bar. Patrons watch a "Dong Puno Live" discussion on constitutional change via satellite TV.

Food at the Speed of Jay. A waiter is a blur as he picks up another order from Chef Jay. The place offers a surprisingly good selection of favorite pulutan and full course meals.

"Queen Albert's : Karaoke, Calamares and Camaraderie"
A Photo Documentary in Progress
© 2006 A.B.F.

The moon's reflection illuminates the past

A trace of "adobo" on my shirt from a friend's barbecue with a whiff of "sampaguita" blossoms that have magically bloomed in the humid night - thousands of miles away from home. I opened my Moleskine in the moonlight, my lolos and lolas stare back, ghost-like. I smiled at them, strangely unafraid.

[Taken with my Diana ]

A Conversation with Wyngard Tracy

We recently sat with Wyngard Tracy who has retired after years as talent manager to some of the biggest names in Philippine show business. In his characteristic no holds barred style, Tracy offered his take on a variety of issues from his rise as an aspiring model to becoming one of the country's premier ego wranglers.  He also imparted valuable lessons learned and reminiscences from a long and distinguished career.

Wyngard Tracy
The Chicago Conversations Series
Release date to be announced.

© 2006 ABF

[Thanks to Gina Go of Felica.net and Mario and Matt of Geistgrafix Multimedia]

So funny

A couple of friends woke me up just before midnight and brought these goodies thinking it was my birthday. Of course they were a month early. But it was a really sweet gesture and worth the "puyat". Happy advance birthday to me anyway. Thanks Jaime and Michael!

An interview with Kuh

I just did a one-on-one interview with Kuh Ledesma this afternoon as part of a documentary on her 25th anniversary U.S. tour. In this revealing  exchange one of the Philippines' veteran entertainers talk about a wide range of issues including motherhood, her beliefs, creative process and the state of the country's politics and the arts.

Kuh Ledesma
The Chicago Conversations Series
Release date to be announced.

© 2006 ABF

[Thanks to Malo Cruz of Headline Concepts, Inc., Gina Go of Felica.net and Mario and Matt of Geistgrafix Multimedia]

P.S. Yes, I did get close ups of those eyes.

Kuh Ledesma 25th Anniversary Concert in Chicago

10 June 2006,
Pickwick Theater,
Park Ridge, Illinois

Thanks to Dan Gawat, President & C.E.O., Diva2 Productions, Corp.

View the complete photoset @  FLICKR
© ABF 2006 All Rights Reserved 
Email us for hi-res images & media use.

Published 6.14.06:
INQ7.net/ Global Nation

Previous posts:
"Til I Met Kuh"
"Ledesma & Padilla"

Related link:
Fan Site: kuhledesma.net

I.B.U., Inspired by Carina

Pose-ter Child. The upcoming R & B group I.B.U. with Carina and her mom at last Sunday's event. The band and other volunteers performed several numbers during the fundraiser. Despite the unseasonable chill, the good cause had everyone feeling warm and fuzzy.

I.B.U., Inspired by Carina. The event's beneficiary shower the performers with ersatz "flowers" ( fresh, hand-cut grass).

Members of the Filipino community came together for a fundraising picnic Sunday at Bunker Hill Park in Chicago's north side to benefit four-year old Carina Bella Mascarinas-Ciangi who has Wilms' tumor.   

Learn more and help Carina Bella. 

Related links:
I.B.U. Official Band Site [Thanks to Glenn Bermejo]
Wilms' Tumor Info
...
Update:

Carina passed away on July 20, 2006. Related post here.

Kapayapaan in Araw ng Kalayaan? Philippine Independence Day in Chicago

Mayor Richard M. Daley address members of the Filipino community dusing  the Philippine Independence Day reception held on June 8 at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Consul General Blesila Cabrera receives the proclamation on the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Chicago.

The Filipino community in Chicago is a fragmented lot - a veritable microcosm of the situation back home. Years of infighting, character assassinations and even a truly unfortunate duel have left many Pinoys wondering if the group will ever be united. A measly 50-or so contingent at the May 1st immigration reform rally was a telling reminder.   

But there is hope. For the first time this year, opposing factions have agreed to hold some Independence Day celebrations together. Second-generation kids have shown keen interest in community-building, one even showed up with Mayor Daley's official entourage. I fervently hope they don't go in the way of the old school, nasty quarrels and all.

Will there finally be kapayapaan in this Araw ng Kalayaan?

We shall see. And I will photographically record the progress.

[Featured on Global Nation/ IN7.net]

All images © 2006 ABF. Email us for hi-res images & media use.