NEEYONG Nabus, 13, son of Bicolano journalist and radio/TV host Ambet Rivera Nabus (awardee of 2nd Southeast Asian Premier Business and Achiever Award), is showing great potential in the world of performing arts. His rap single, “Agos ng Tugtog,” talks about ignoring the negativity in life and letting music to take away one’s worries. He is the young artist of ABS-CBN record label StarPop.
Neeyong with his dad Ambet Nabus (left photo), and with Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto (right photo). Photos courtesy of Rogelio C. Medina
He is a Grade 7 student at FEU Roosevelt in Cainta, Rizal. He loves to play guitar, writes rap songs, and plays basketball and billiards. He also likes cooking and playing with his pet dogs. He enjoys Christmas gathering with family and friends and sees Christmas as the best time to be with loved ones. He delights in opening gifts and giving them away to others. He dreams of becoming a soldier, a chef and a basketball star. His favorite artists include Michael Pangilinan, rapper and singer-songwriter Flow G and Esmer.
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Social Secretary Biana Cristina C. Zobel (left photo); and Vivian Recio, 3rd from right (right photo).
The 3rd National Parol-Making Competition at Kalayaan Grounds, Malacañang Palace was a huge success. A star-studded panel of judges brought their expertise and artistry to the event, composed of comedian and TV host Vice Ganda, philanthropist Lizzie Zobel de Ayala, renowned bag designer Neil Felipp San Pedro, celebrated fashion designer Michael Leyva, and chairman and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines Jose Javier Reyes.
The competition showcased the creativity and craftsmanship of participants nationwide. After much deliberation, the top three winners were selected and joined recently the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the grounds in front of Malacañang’s Kalayaan Hall where I worked as presidential message writer for almost nine months years ago.
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Aficionado’s Joel S. Cruz (4th from left) with his 6 children, Lheng Divinagracia Gonzales (extreme right). In background is WSE Awards chair John Glenn Gonzales, Lheng’s hubby.
Congrats to fellow recipients of the World Summit Excellence Awards’ The Grand Ambassador’s Ball, organized by Lheng Divinagracia Gonzales, at the Metro Club of Makati on December 14, 2024. Some of the winners included Shiela Delgado, Yeoj Marquez, Nunungan Mayor Marcos Mamay, singers Imelda Papin, Beverly Salviejo, Richard Reynoso and Ice Seguerra, actor Jeric Raval, actress-singer Ara Mina, NET25 Radyo Aguila hosts Belle Surara and Wej Cudiamat, DJ Nicole Hyala of 90.7 Love Radio, Dr. Alexis Divinagracia, Ma. Candelaria Unidad Co, James Arthur Jimenez of the COMELEC, Kap. PA Velasco, Paranaque Cong. Edwin Olivarez, Cong, Virgilio Lacson, Benjo Bernabe, Cong. Carlo Aldeon of Ang Tinig ng Senior Citizen Partylist, impersonator-singer Ruben Noble Dominguez Jr., Atty. Warren Mendoza, Samira Ali Gutoc, Emily Lego with her husband Fraternal Order of Eagles Governor Jessie Lebron, Dr. Maria Elena Namuag, SJO2 Jude Pagdato Gumawa, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Ramil Palisoc, PBGen. Wilson C. Asueta, Alma Mirano, Vivian Ancheta Gabriel, PhD, PAGCOR, PCSO, Mary Liza Dino-Seguerra, and Aficionado’s Joel S. Cruz who brought his kids to the awards night.
Lheng also appeared in the films “Imelda Papin: The Untold Story” and “Unlock” (with Rafael Rossell, Julio Daz, Beverly Salviejo, Pinky Amador, Sheila Delgado and Tanya Garcia). She is the chair of the Paranaque Chapter of “Basta Tayo Sama-sama,” president of Southern Metro District Lady Eagles Club, and secretary of the Ambassador Club of the Philippines.
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Jess Espanola and Prof. Oggie Medina with University of Makati students.
My students at the University of Makati had been fortunate to have as guest Emmy award-winning Filipino American animator Jess Espanola, who I featured at the Philippine Star.
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Glass sculptor Ramon Orlina (extreme right) with his relatives at Ilaw ng Nayon St., Balic-Balic in Sampaloc, Manila.
My Australian relatives visited us at the house of my cousin, foremost Filipino glass sculptor Ramon Gahol Orlina with his Malaysian wife Lay-Ann Lee Orlina, a London-schooled lawyer.
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SAPBA awardees Rogelio Medina and Asia’s Queen of Fire Lae Manego.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2nd Southeast Asian Premier Business and Achiever Awards last December 8, 2024 at Winford Resort and Casino Manila. I brought my aunts, retired teacher Pilar de Mesa of Legarda Elementary School and PAREB (Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards) member Anita Garcia, who took care of me since childhood.
Clockwise, from bottom left: Prof. Rogelio Medina (right) with Marc Logan; Oggie with Dr. Patrick Saburit, Pilar de Mesa and Anita Garcia; Rogelio with Anita Garcia, Pilar de Mesa and singer Richard Merck; the author with Dr. Edgar Cabangon and wife Sharon Tan.
During the well-organized event, I saw Asia’s Queen of Fire Lae Manego (I joined her in an outreach activity at CHILDHaus Manila), Richard Merk, my very good friend Dr. Patrick Saburit who remains humble despite his success (more of him in the future issue of this column), amiable Ambet Nabus, Jamin Constantino Lim, Marc Logan, my dear friend Andrew de Real, Miles Ocampo, Belle Surara, Wej Cudiamat, DJ Mama Colleen, D. Edgard Cabangon with his wife Sharon Tan, Usec. Robert Torres Rivera with his lovely wife Nerlisa Elyza Francisco Rivera, Braggy Litonjua Braganza, Guia Cruz Buenaventura of Media house Express, PTV staff who represented Audrey Gorriceta and Rise and Shine Pilipinas (we were on Table 13), Charlomagne Arceta, Hagibis, Gretchen Fullido, and Carmela Betonio. I was surprised actor Philip Salvador (his sister actress Deborah Sun is my good friend) was there to represent Sen. Bong Go.
Thanks a lot to La Visual Corp. (especially to Ms. Lalaine) and Nirro Marcelo, awards committee chairman.
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Oggie Medina attends Andrew E’s first major concert in Quezon City’s New Frontier Theater.
Before I proceeded to Baguio Mansion in the City of Pines for a coverage, I really enjoyed watching Andrew E’s first major concert with his special guests Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Heaven Peralejo, Anygma, Sabalkuta and Sheree. Luckily, I was in the VIP seat so I could see the concert visibly and enjoy the music. I sat beside Prince Angelo Juane, a high school schoolmate of Andrew Fordy Espiritu (Andrew E’s son) in Southville International School and Colleges in Las Pinas City. Maricel Edios Perez, Andrew E’s producer in his 2025 concert tour in Toronto (for May) and Montreal (for June) was seated in the same row with me.
Many thanks to Mylene Yap Espiritu and Jhobina Garcia.
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Elisa Escobar (left) and Yayot Garcia at Azalea Hotels and Residences Baguio.
Many thanks to Elisa Escobar, group general manager of Azalea Hotels and Residences, for accommodating us in the City of Pines. It was a nice multi-use, service-apartment complete with living, dining, and kitchen facilities in all its suites. It is located at Leonard Wood Loop, Baguio City.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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