There are many reasons why showbiz personalities, celebrities and prominent people go to Amana Waterpark in Pandi, Bulacan where many exciting events have happened, among them a previous Miss Earth competition, and TV shoots. One reason is because the place, aside from being accessible (about 30 minutes away if you come from EDSA-Quezon Ave.) is one of the most impressive waterparks in the country (what with its 13 waves!) where families could enjoy weekends and even weekdays.

With statues of superheroes and other cartoon characters and famous personalities situated all over the more than six hectares area and especially near the swimming pools, children could also have a field day posing for souvenir photos.

We had the chance to visit Amana Waterpark recently and we indeed enjoyed every minute of our stay. One can either come for a full-day (entrance is only P200) stay or overnight in one of the cottages or VIP rooms, which are all reasonably priced. Aside from the swimming pools which are of course the main attraction of the place, there is also a fishing area.

Pandi Mayor-elect Enrico Roque said the six-hectare area is already 80 percent utilized but with the remaining 20 percent he intends to build a hotel, more swimming pools and hopefully, a casino. He established Amana Waterpark more than two years ago, and the multi-million venture became an instant hit. It currently employs more than 400 Pandi residents.

We came to know the mayor-elect who is an engineer by profession but a businessman by occupation (his Bodega ng Bayan now has 40 branches all over the metropolis) when he started sponsoring concerts and shows produced by colleague Jobert Sucaldito.

In his very first foray into politics, Mayor-elect Roque was a David fighting a Goliath. His opponent belongs to a political dynasty who’ve been governing Pandi for 33 years and who wished to take back control of the town after losing to the incumbent mayor who unfortunately died before the elections. Enrico took the widow as his running mate, and they both won. His brother Ricky also won as No. 1 councilor.

Why did he win? The people saw his sincerity to serve, because even before embarking on politics, “nakakatulong na ako sa bayan ko, marami na akong nabigyan ng trabaho dito sa Pandi.”

By the way, Mayor-elect Roque’s wife, the former Jane Mendiola, is a pediatrician, also from Pandi.

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Meet Eurasia, a fast-rising group

A girl-group called Eurasia, which has just finished their Asian tour which brought them to Malaysia and Singapore among other Asian countries to showcase their superb talent, is making everyone notice them, especially in their Sunday stint on “Party Pilipinas” and thrice a week (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) show at the Resorts World Manila.

Managed by Veronique del Rosario-Corpus and Viva Artists Agency, the fast-rising Eurasia is the country’s answer to Korea’s Wonder Girls. Their Viva Records self-titled album is now out in the market.

The 12-track album from where the revival is culled from actually contains a high dosage of good originals led by the carrier single “Ikaw Ay Perfect.” Other cuts in the album are “Kaya Mo Yan,” “Honey My Honey,” “Don’t Be Shy,” “Boy,” “Hinding-Hindi (Ka Magsisisi).”

Eurasia is composed of Fil-Japanese Kristine Nieto, Fil-German Lana Roi, pure Pinay Gail Nicolas, Fil-Italian Sara Polverino and Fil-British Kelly Ann Gamboa.

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Spotlight continues workshops this June

Spotlight Artists Centre has announced its new set of workshops for the second half of 2010.

The Musical Theatre workshop runs from June 21 to July 26, (MWF), 10 a.m.-1 p.m./1 p.m.-4 p.m. (16 sessions). The basics of modern-day musical theatre are taught by world-renowned stage performers Robert Seña, Isay Alvarez and Tricia Amper-Jimenez. It features a comprehensive and relevant Integrated Acting syllabus that includes Voice, Acting and Dancing.

The Contemporary Dance workshop is set from June 17-Aug. 5, (T-Th), 10 a.m.-12 n.n./1 p.m.-3 p.m. (six sessions). Featured are a fusion of hiphop, R&B, jazz and street dancing.

Musical Theatre (regular class) opens July 31 and ends Dec. 11, (Saturdays), 9 a.m.-1 p.m./1 p.m.-5 p.m. (20 sessions).

Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez are two of the talented artists behind Spotlight. Spotlight Artists Centre is located at 122 Doña Consolacion Bldg., Jupiter Street, Bel-Air Village, Makati City. For inquiries, visit www.spotlightartistcentre.com.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for June 6, go to Monette Flores, Griselda “Gay” Gloria, Greg Lerma, and director Dante “Ga” Nico Garcia… Happy wedding anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Larry de los Santos… Congratulations to Rod Agas for winning as No. 1 Board Member of the provincial government of Occidental Mindoro… The P99 CD and DVD midyear sale Universal Records goes on till today, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the 10th floor of UR Towers, 1487 Quezon Ave., QC. Available are a wide variety of musical genre -pop, rock, pop, instrumental, classical, dance, electronica, new age, jazz and standards…