Commemorating the annual Filipino tradition away from home, like the fiesta, could be somewhat sentimentally nostalgic or reflective of a volume of fond memories but with the advent of the same high-spirited merriment that is annually celebrated here in the east coast through the courtesy of Special Edition Press and Fiesta in America, Filipino-Americans and their friends could enjoyably experience the very essence of the customary fiesta atmosphere, and even much more, across the miles and seas.
Fiesta in America, always as colorful, exciting, and consistently worth-attending, has given birth to a number of promising local talents and vigorously boosted the flourishing careers of those who were once stalled on their way up… while simultaneously instrumental in the promotion of Philippine artists and celebrities here in the east coast.
Big name stars that have pompously graced and added glitz and glam to the Philippine Fiesta in America events since its inception in 1998 included: Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor, Sharon Cuneta, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Rosanna Roces, Piolo Pascual, Vina Morales, Edgar Allan, Maxene Magalona, Angeline Quinto, Ariel Rivera, Zsa-Zsa Padilla, Melai Cantiveros, Jason Francisco, Bea Alonzo, Gerald Anderson, Pops Fernandez, Romeo Vasquez, Amalia Fuentes, literally every single popular singer-performer, comedians, and a huge number of other celebrities.
The appearance of popular stars on the Fiesta stage, as has been tested, is undeniably one of the strongest contributing factors in the success of the annual summer event. The more popular the celebrity guests, the bigger crowd the event draws.
Then, if the barometer for every fiesta celebration’s success is the empowering presence of celebrity stars, easily then, the forthcoming 18th year anniversary celebration of Fiesta in America could be predicted (this early) as one successful event with the attendance of two of ABS-CBN’s most-prized teleserye royalties: Royal Princess of Drama Julia Montes and Teleserye Prince Paulo Avelino.
Both, being the current toasts of boob-tube tear-jerking television drama series, Paulo and Julia have to excruciatingly meet the rigorous demands of round-the-clock taping schedules sans complaints since they will be out of the country for several days…and their running TV series are aired daily. Although being away from the cameras would be a well-deserved break for them but the monetary compensation has to take its toll. Considerate with soft hearts for their fans overseas, Paulo and Julia unmindfully abandoned whatever material remunerations lost during their absence and will merely focus on performing at the Fiesta in America for the sake of their followers and supporters in the tri-state area.
Meet Julia Montes
Julia was born Mara Schnittka on March 19, 1995 in Pandacan, Manila to a deaf Filipina mother, Gemma Hautea, and a German father Martin Schnittka who deserted them when she was still a baby and was singly raised by her mom with the help of her grandmother, Flory Hautea. She started as a print ad model after she finished her secondary course from Blessed Hope Christian School before being absolutely bitten by the acting bug and cinematically re-christened Julia Montes…although she has had early television exposures delineating unnoticeable roles under her real name.
Julia, a Star Magic contract star since 2004, instantly gained popularity and fame in her first major break as Clara Del Valle in the 2012 long-running television drama series, “Mara Clara,” a re-make of Judy Ann Santos-Gladys Reyes famed television drama about two competing sisters, … the other half being Kathryn Bernardo. Her convincing portrayal as the main antagonist rightfully earned for her the most coveted public consciousness and media awareness. Her established effectual ‘contravida’ image catapulted her to such status where her supreme acting talent almost completely enveloped her true identity.
People behind the cameras were sentient of Julia’s capacity and commendable working attitude that another remarkable character was assigned to her as Katherina Alcantara in “Walang Hanggan” (2012) where she was conferred the ‘Princess of Philippine Television Award,’ “Muling Buksan Ang Puso” (2013) where she played Sarah Beltran and duly honored as ‘Philippine Television’s Teleserye Sweetheart,’ then followed by “Ikaw Lamang” where she played Mona Hidalgo and recognized as Best Actress during the 13th Gawad Tanglaw in 2014.
Currently, Julia is doing “Doble Kara,” her most challenging roles (having double exposure being identical twins) as Kara Dela Rosa and Sara Suarez where she won her second Best Actress Award at the 14th Gawad Tanglaw.
With the way things are turning great for Julia’s career, the movies never concur that television solely benefit from her unrivaled talent and unparalleled success and soon enough film scripts came piling upon her lap. In 2011, “Way Back Home” became her maiden film project and in the following year she did two: “The Reunion” and “The Strangers.” In 2013, she starred in the romantic-drama “A Moment In Time” while last year, in 2015, she made “Halik Sa Hangin,” a horror-romance genre of a film.
It’s infrequent that thriving talent would be simultaneously besieged with projects while enjoying popularity and fan adoration…and Julia effortlessly shattered the standing precept. Her busy schedule failed to dampen her keen focus on achieving a higher education…that in June 2015, she received her diploma in gastronomic science from the prestigious Center for Culinary Arts, Manila.
Meet Julia Montes in person and watch her showcase her further talents at the Fiesta in America on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14, respectively, at the Meadowlands Expo Center along #355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey (07094) together with Paulo Avelino.
Getting to know the real Paulo Avelino
In the entertainment arena potential leading men are dime-a-dozen but true-blooded ones are as rare as a cut stone in a sandy shore. Looks and physicality are undoubtedly arresting assets but all these could be overshadowed by sheer talent. Matinee idols are merely passing fancy while real talented actors survive for ages.
Michael Lingbanan Avelino was initially exposed under the limelight via GMA Network’s 2006 reality talent show, Starstruck, but was unfortunately eliminated before even being considered to the Top 7. But that didn’t have a negative effect on his quest for stardom. After signing an exclusive contract with the station that gave him supporting roles in “Magic Kamison,” “Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan,” “ Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan,” Luna Mystika,” and in GMA-produced movie “Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita,” and Regal Film’s “Desperadas 2.”
Not pleased with his slow-paced career, in 2011 Paolo didn’t hesitate to transfer to ABS-CBN, a rival station, which strengthened his dwindling hope by casting him as Nathan Montenegro in the 2012 hit series “Walang Hanggan” where he gained his current popularity.
Substantial television projects like “Kahit Konting Pagtingin” and “Honesto” came in 2013, “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon” in 2014, and “Bridges of Love” in 2015 but his full utilization of every bit of capacitated endowment streaming in his veins was duly rewarded with a Best Actor Award from the Gawad Urian for the film “Sayaw Ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa.”
His unrelenting popularity has reached as far as Peru and other South American countries courtesy of his remarkable performance as Carlos Antonio/Manuel “JR” Nakpil in “Bridges of Love” which was aired in the Latin continent.
After the prime time series “Kahit Konting Pagtingin,” Paolo appeared in two independent films for Cinemalaya: “Debosyon” under the direction of Alvin Yapan and “Sana Dati” with Jerrold Tarog at the helm.
One of his memorable films was when he played leading man to Jennylyn Mercado and Lovi Poe in a highly charged erotic-drama cum romantic comedy “The Bride and the Lover” under Director Joel Lamangan.
Aside from successfully doing remarkable movies and numerous television assignments, Paolo has also effectively penetrated the recording field having had released his self-titled album with six tracks under Universal Records on October 1, 2012.
A bona fide Taurean, being born on May 13, 1988 in Baguio City in Benguet, Philippines, Paulo Avelino could be fierce but with a soft-heart, silent but observant, and selective with friends but compassionately sincere. The son of Roberto Puigcerver Avelino, an influential Spanish-Filipino from Calbayog City, Western Samar and Jennilyn Lingbanan, Paolo is the second among 4 siblings. Tracing his illustrious political roots, Paolo’s grandfather was the former governor of Samar Baltazar Avelino while being a great grandson of former Senate President Jose Avelino.
An undergraduate of Entrepreneurial Management from St. Louis University in Baguio City, it was from the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City where he continued and finished the course. Paulo, unlike other actors his age and category who merely bask on their short-lived fame, is a sure-hitter…having had insured his future with a ready back-up: a dependable education as fallback in the event good offers barely come or during force retirement. But good actors like him is certainly far from being vacated from the cameras. The industry consistently needs seasoned and tested actors who never tire of doing what they do best—breathing life into make-believe characters.
Meet Paulo Avelino in person and watch him showcase his further talents at the Fiesta in America on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14, respectively, at the Meadowlands Expo Center along #355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey (07094) together with Julia Montes.
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