Another controversy has again put to the test Optical Media Board (OMB) Chair Edu Manzano’s integrity.

But like in the past when he suffered many tests of character as a public servant, Edu remains unscathed by this recent issue against him.

Here’s the case: The Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) is blaming OMB for the loss of video copiers worth R60-million which were seized in a recent raid on a Quezon City home. OMB, as mandated by the Optical Media Act, is authorized to have custody over these machines. And the PASG, under its chief Antonio Villar, said the machines have been turned over to the OMB.

But two witnesses belied this claim. Security guard Pete Montes Belarmino and village head Nestor Berroya of San Antonio, Quezon City submitted affidavits of what they saw on June 16 when the items were taken from the raided house.

Berroya said that contrary to what the PASG claimed, nobody among the men who got the items introduced themselves as members of the OMB team. Belarmino, on the other hand, said that he saw more than 10 men loading a “big item” and smaller ones in a vehicle. He also saw uniformed policemen in the group.

A report submitted to the courts support this statement. It said the seized items were “secured and guarded by PASG-PNP components.”

By the way, Edu is host of the daily game show on ABS-CBN “Pilipinas Game Ka Na Ba?” which continues to be a toprating and popular program.

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K Brosas celebrates her b-day via Zirkoh concert

Comedienne-singer-actress K Brosas feels very blessed these days having regular shows on ABS-CBN (the latest of which is the forthcoming Piolo Pascual-KC Concepcion starrer “Lovers in Paris” where she plays KC’s best friend). In the recent horror flick “T2,” K’s acting was noticed and she was elated of course.

K also did very well in a now defunct ABS-CBN show “My Girl.” Indeed, total entertainment is synonymous to K. She has had a successful career as a singer, host, comedienne and theater performer.

K attributes all her blessings to God. “I am very grateful for all my blessings. Looking back, ang dami ko talagang dapat ipagpasalamat sa Diyos. Hindi Niya ako pinababayaan dahil lagi akong may project. I would always pray noong nagsisimula pa lang ako bilang sing-along master na sana dumating ang araw na makilala ako bilang isang mahusay na entertainer. I’m thankful that my experience in videoke bars helps a lot in my hosting and comic skills during my shows.”

She also feels so grateful for her spread in the July issue of FHM for which she said, “I’m really very happy about it. Someday, sana sa cover na. This is my dream,” she smiled wistfully. “July is indeed a very special month for me.”

Making July truly special for K is the fact that it is her birth month (her birthday was yesterday, July 15). In fact, she marks her special day with a concert titillatingly billed as “Ohhh K!” slated on July 18 at Zirkoh in Greenhills. The concert is her way of sharing joy and giving back the countless blessings she has been receiving all these years. “I want to make my birthday more memorable that’s why I’m staging this concert. Gusto kong makitang masaya ang mga tao sa paligid ko dahil masarap ang pakiramdam kapag marami kang napapaligayang tao.”

Joining her as special guests are Katrina Halili who she said is a good friend (kaya napakiusapan ko) and Lloyd Zaragoza. Her 11-year-old daughter Crystal will also be a special guest performer. She’ll be singing the song “The Climb,” which she chose because it somehow relates to her mom’s struggles in life.

In the show, expect a night of fun and laughter as K unleashes her comic talent and performs riotous production numbers onstage.

Presentors of the concert are La Carmela de Boracay and Café La Carmela. Major sponsor is Live Artists Production. Tickets are available at Zirkoh Greenhills, or through Joel Valdivia and Liza Faraon of Backroom, Inc.

K Brosas is a Backroom artist.

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Kapamilya Fiestavaganza in Pintados

Streets in Tacloban City were filled with dancers of all ages, clad in the most colorful Pintados costumes, dancing to the tune of the town’s traditional music and even the most modern tunes. The city’s natives and guests were all in fiesta mode, cheering the participants in the parades that were happening everywhere.

The Kapamilyas treated the Leyteños who came from all over the province gathered at the grounds of Robinsons Place Tacloban. Audience volunteers were so happy to play the various games that won for them Kapamilya shirts and other premium items. There was a Bring Me contest, relays and trivia contests led by Papi Cholo and Mama Mavette of MOR 94.3 For Life, Sikat!. With their songs in the vernacular, the Bob Marley of Leyteños, Banal of the Greenpeace band made the crowd sing along with him to their hearts content. They sang their well loved hits Chovols 25, Miss Binibing Reggae & Ganso Boy.

The most awaited performers, Sandwich, headed by Raimund Marasigan sent the crowd of 10,000 dancing on their feet and singing their popular hits like “Betamax,” “Selos,” “Insomnia,” “Procrastination,” among others. Crowd favorite hits were “Magasin” and “Pulis Pangkalawakan” where the whole band held a Power Rangers pose for a few minutes which made the Leyteños laugh and applaud so loudly. To everyone’s delight, the already heated up stage was shared with Rico Blanco and his band who sang their hits “Ba-bye Na,” “214,” “Yugto,” “Elesi,” “Himala,” “Awit Ng Kabataan,” “Liwanag Sa Dilim,” “Hinahanap Hanap Kita” and their current hit, “Your Universe.” Rico is proud to announce that his roots hail from Leyte who said that it is always a joy to perform for his kababayans.

ABS-CBN Tacloban’s Station Manager Clifford Nolido was so happy with the turnout of this “Fiestavaganza.” “ABS-CBN is the leader in the Visayas Region. Visayans love our shows here and we thank them for all the support. We will continue to make them happy with our shows in both TV and radio,” he said. This “Fiestavaganza” event is made possible by the ABS-CBN Regional Group. Watch out for their other upcoming events nationwide.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, July 16, go to the still sultry chanteuse Ms. Carmen Soriano, beauty queen-actress Melanie Marquez, Rowena Bautista-Mendiola, Gualberto Lumauig, Henry Zabarte, Carmelita Millado, Diane Tristan Valiente, Erlinda Ballesteros, Katrina May Villavicencio, Carmen Rodriguez Arguelles, Andro Laurel Lopez, Caridad Rustia, Carmencita Valero, Roel Villacorta, Tanya Louise T. Plastina, Sherylle dela Cruz, Rowena Bravo, Cali Tiansay, Arron Villaflor of Star Magic, and Jansen Macalindong of New Jersey, USA…