Internationally renowned pianist and recording artist David Osborne is scheduled to perform at the historic Manila Hotel on June 21. Performing with him are acclaimed violinist John Lesaca, famed saxophonist Eddie Katindig, Pinky Marquez, Kris Gonzales, Fame Flores, Atty. Joey Lina and the Angelos.

David Osborne is popularly known as the “Pianist to the Presidents,” having performed at the White House for US Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He has also played at the inaugural reception for President Barack Obama and is a regular performer for former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn in Plains, Georgia.

Osborne is currently featured at the Petrossian Bar and The Baccarat Bar of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Formerly, he was a fixture at Caesars Palace for 12 years. His music includes romantic, classical, jazz, pop, inspirational, patriotic and Broadway tunes. To date, he has already made 22 CDs under the NorthStar Music label with sales nearing five million.

This is the first time that Osborne will be performing in the Philippines. His concert entitled “The Keys to your Heart” is produced by Beth Sison-Tagle of Newsmakers. Stage direction is by Al Quinn while musical direction is by John Lesaca. Project director is Arch. Nestor S. Mangio.

* * *
Stars come south to CamSur for the Kaogma Festival

Camarines Sur was recently filled with stars who went there for the Kaogma Festival. Dubbed as “The World’s Hottest Festival,” the nine-day festivity was packed with exhilarating activities.

The Kaogma (meaning “happiness” in Bikolano) Festival is the biggest and most colorful festival in the Bicol Region. Using the chilli pepper or “sili” as its handle, the occasion commemorates the founding of Camarines Sur and the hot, spicy, and flavorful cuisine of the province. These were translated into a series of colorful and exciting events that draw sports enthusiasts, party denizens, and music aficionados every year to Camarines Sur.

The dynamic Governor LRay Villafuerte has placed CamSur in the local and global map with his vast accomplishments for the province including the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC), the country’s premiere water sports park that has made waves in the local and international wakeboarding and wake skating scene and tourism for Caramoan Islands, the No. 3 top beach vacation destination in the country where the hit reality TV show, “Survivor France” was filmed. This year’s Kaogma Festival is hotter than ever!

Kicking off the festivity was the colorful Kaogma Opening Parade which led to the Kaogma main stage where Governor LRay Villafuerte welcomed everyone to this year’s Kaogma Festival. A vibrant fireworks display lit up the night sky as singing sensation Sarah Geronimo entered the stage to everyone’s delight. Joining her were Mark Herras, Mark Bautista and Simon Wood who also lent their dance moves and vocals to usher in the Kaogma Festival.

The highly anticipated sports events started on the second day with the Tour of CamSur which took cyclists around the scenic terrains of Camarines Sur. At the grounds of the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC), extreme sports-lovers including motorcross drivers and practical and airsoft shooters got their gear on and took the field for a series of competitions. Spotted taking on the wakeboarding experience were “Pinoy Fear Factor” participantes Elmer Felix, LJ Moreno, Jommy Teotico, Savanah Lamsen, Manuel Chua, Jr., Ram Sagad, RJ Calipus, Jr., Marion dela Cruz, and Jose Sarasola.

The next few days were also jam-packed as the local favorite boxing matches – Buruntulan – took center stage. Other highlights included the live performance of Stone Free and Chubibo, the Dalan sa Kalangitan Grand Finals attended by “Pinoy Dream Academy’s” top-notch singers Liezel Garcia and Bugoy Drilon, and the “Hot Kids Star Quest 2009” which pooled the most adorable kids in town. The “Hot Kids Star Quest” featured Jairus Aquino of “Goin’ Bulilit” and the cast of “Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia” which was largely created by Bicolano animators and garnered four major awards during the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

The last three days of the Kaogma Festival were even more exciting as pulse-pounding sports events again spiced up the celebration. The 4th Philippine Wakeboarding Competition, Kaogma Festival National Skate Jam, and 4x4 Isarog Challenge gathered riders from all over the country. All-nighter festivities also drew crowds like the Ms. Kaogma pageant that featured Bicol’s most beautiful women. Hosted by Bobby Yan, the contestants displayed their beauty and intellect in a series of question and answer and pre-pageant competitions. The finalists were then serenaded by no less than hot matinee idol Dingdong Dantes.

Heralded as Ms. Camsur Tourism 2009 was the stunning morena, Ms. Farah Lopez, Ms. Camsur was awarded to Ms. Dominique C. Lagrimas, and Ms. Kaogma 2009 is none other than Ms. Suzain P. Aguilar. The Kaogma Music Fest on the other hand brought the best bands in the country alongside local musicians from all over Bicol. Amidst the rain showers, fans jammed to the music of local bands Chillitees, DJ Dubious, The Dawn, MYMP, and Sponge Cola together with exciting numbers from the alluring Viva Hot Babes. Sexy Katya Santos and comediennes Philip Lazaro and Tuesday Vargas gave away exciting prizes of up to a million pesos at the “Hot Hot Millions” game. Also spotted in CWC in this jam-packed week of activities were stunning Phoemela Barranda and Bubbles Paraiso.

In a true spectacle of celebration that is the Kaogma, CamSur has once again spread its festive spirit to the whole country. Living up to its meaning of happiness, it has successfully brought smiles to a thousand people and hopefully to a thousand more to come.

* * *
‘Boys Over Flowers’ heats up today

It’s the moment of truth.

Who will Jun Pyo choose – his mom or his beloved girl? Find out today (June 18) in the intensifying story of the Asianovela phenomenon “Boys Over Flowers” on ABS-CBN.

Jun Pyo accidentally saw Jan Di on the street selling rice cakes with her family. The young Shinwa heir couldn’t believe his eyes and was about to get off the car to go to her when his mom stopped him.

Now, Jun Pyo has to make a choice on who’s side to take – the first girl he has ever loved or the girl who has been manipulating him all his life?

Don’t miss yet another exciting episode of “Boys Over Flowers” today after newest kwelanovela “Love or Bread” on ABS-CBN. Follow the latest updates on the show and its cast via twitter at http://twitter.com/abscbn_bof.

* * *
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for June 18, go to award-winning actress Cherie Gil, Roger dela Cruz, former actress Rosanne Ortiz, Angela Perez, Linda V. de Castro, Lita Garcia of Cardams Shoes, Eddie Austria of Toronto, Canada, Dr. Fe Anonuevo-Bartolome, Phoebe Javier, and my UK-based cousin Marina Velasco- Stevens who just passed the nursing board exam… Happy wedding anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Magin Belarmino…