GOV. VILMA SANTOS with son Luis Manzano

We had the chance to interview Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto last Wednesday during the formal inauguration of Philippine Veterans Bank’s Lipa City Branch. VP for Communications Mike Villa-Real brought us to Lipa City for this special occasion in which Gov. Vi, who was mayor of the city for three terms, was the special guest.

Gov. Vi led the ribbon-cutting ceremony together with PVB President and CEO Ricardo A. Balbido Jr. who delivered the welcome remarks. Officials from the Provincial Government of Batangas and Lipa City witnessed the inaugural ceremony along with other PVB officers and staff, their guests and the “owners” and stakeholders of the bank, the veterans of World War II.

PVB Lipa Branch is one of the 10 branches that the bank opened early this year under its “10 in 2010” branch expansion program. The bank now has a total branch network of 60 nationwide and has enjoyed considerable growth and success in recent years. Pres. Balbido said PVB is very “solvent and very liquid and is now No. 18 among the top 38 private banks in the country.”

Colleague Mario Bautista told Vi that Atty. Joji Alonso, who produced the multi-awarded indie film “Kubrador,” has a project that she believes is tailor-made for Vi. The actress expressed great interest in it, especially when told it would take her only 10 days to shoot it.

If she was very receptive to Atty. Alonso’s offer, it’s also because the movie will be directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, who directed “Kubrador.” “I knew him from way back, when he assisted Eddie Garcia when he directed me in ‘Imortal,’” Vi said.

Vi was also very proud of her son Luis who has really made a mark in the local showbiz industry, both in hosting and acting (Luis’s latest movie project is “Petrang Kabayao,” starring Vice Ganda).

Vi, by the way, still has a two-picture commitment with Star Cinema, one with Megastar Sharon Cuneta, and another with Chito Roño, which she cannot talk about yet, she said.

It pleased Vi so much to know that among Mother Lily’s favorite films (which she mentioned during a recent press conference for Regal Films’ 50th anniversary celebration) were mostly Vi’s. They include “Relasyon,” “Sister Stella L.,” and “Broken Marriage.” Vi beamed as she said she made a lot of movies for Regal Films. “Actually, most of my acting awards came from movies I did for Regal,” she said.

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Clarification re Cascades

In reaction to our column about the Cascades on July 21, 2010, Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions said “Gabe Lapano joined the group as lead singer in September of 1966 and left in 1970. He was there five years. Tony Grasso became a Cascade in 1962 and remained until 1978, a period of 16 long years. John Gummoe was with the group only from 1962-1966 and permanently left when Gabe joined. Charles Crews was never a Cascade until 2005.

“Gabe recorded two albums with the Cascades – one with Uni Records and the other with their label, Blossom Records. John recorded two albums – one released and one by RCA which never released.

Outside of a 1995 recording session that was never completed, John never worked with the group until 2005 when they came to do concerts in the Philippines. The group that the world knew as the performing Cascades (Gabe Lapano, Tony Grasso, Ed Snyder, Dave Wilson) did not include John Gummoe. John had no official performing affiliation with the group until 2005.

“Among the four reunited Cascades, Gabe Lapano and Tony Grasso hold the longest number of years (29 years combined!) as members of the group. As very talented and versatile solo singers and instrumentalists, they continue to actively perform as ‘The Cascades’ Gabe & Tony’ in various US clubs and venues long before the Cascades reunited and even after the group’s 2007 Farewell Concert when all four parted ways. This was the basis for our having chosen them to appear with The Lettermen.”

Renen de Guia added: “As for the ‘Grammy Award’ thing, it was intended for the Boyz II Men story which was inadvertently used for the Cascades as both groups are being handled by the same promotions outfit and are being advertised simultaneously. We apologize for the error.’’

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World-renowned choir in Manila

A world-renowned choir called Synergy is currently in Manila to present “A Voice to the World,” a 90- minute song and dance variety show. Director D Kim Clayton shares: “The title, ‘A Voice to the World,’ suggests to us that music truly is the universal language.

Synergy is composed of talented 17-26 years old performers who’ve been carefully selected through a difficult audition process. Some of the places where they’ve performed include Walt Disney World, The White House, etc.

Last Sunday, Synergy made its debut in the Philippines with a performance at the FEU Diliman followed by a performance at 6 p.m. for the Hospicio de San Jose Bicentennial Celebration.

On Monday, July 26, they perform for the Philippine High School for the Arts in Makiling and on July 28 there will be a 10:30 a.m. show at the FEU Silang Grade School Bldg. and a 6 p.m. show at FEU Manila’s FEU Auditorium. On July 29, the group flies to Cebu to perform at the University of San Carlos. On July 30, they perform in Sacred Heart School Ateneo de Cebu at 10 a.m. and in Sisters of Mary School, Talisay at 6 p.m.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, July 26, go to Mayor Tommy Osmeña, Dondon Nakar, Ms. Annie Ausmolo, Mrs. Anita Udarbe-Lorenzana, Ms. Annabelle Adriano, Director Heidi Sison, Pacito Hipolito, Pamela Nava, Cynthia Lim, Joseph Roble, Janelle Quintana and actress Jennina Garcia… Happy wedding anniversary to Bombit and Deena dela Cruz…