The concert which ushered in the album launch of Bro. Eli Soriano was a tremendous success – with the album immediately certified as Platinum by the Philippine Association of Records Industries (PARI) last Monday evening at the Araneta Coliseum.

The album, “Songs From My Heart,” features “Blue Moon,” “My Foolish Heart,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Matud Nila,” “Atin Cupung Singsing,” “Ti Ayat Ti Maysa Nga Ubing,” “Smile,” and “Where Is Your Heart.”

A special feature of the album launch was a duet between Bro. Eli Soriano – he in Los Angeles, and Pilita Corrales on stage – and they sang “Matud Nilad!” The SRO audience gave them a thundering applause!

“I miss you all in the Philippines!” Bro. Eli said after his duet with Pilita with two more songs was over. Bro. Eli has been abroad for about four years preaching the teachings of Jesus Christ for the Church of God International. The proceeds of the concert will go for the free public services of Ang Dating Daan which he heads together with Kuya Daniel Razon.

Broadcaster and recording artist Kuya Daniel Razon, dubbed as Mr. Public Service, said that “one primary focus of our public services is the operation of our La Verdad College in Caloocan City and the other one in Pampanga.”

He said that the La Verda College in Caloocan City has a student population now of 300 while that in Apalit, Pampanga has 500.

The students, taking up Masscom and nursing courses are provided with financial allowances, free books and notebooks, free uniforms and shoes, free board and lodging, free tuition fees, other appurtenances which they need in their studies.
“The students,” Kuya Daniel said, “are not necessarily members of Ang Dating Daan. The only qualification needed is the determination to study and a commitment to their respective courses.”

The album launching was preceded by performances by Anthony Castello, Juris and Marco Sison. Kuya Daniel later joined them and had production numbers with Anthony and Marco.

Kuya Daniel has also produced a drama series entitled “Sincerely” which will begin airing second week of January 2011.

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Kapuso wins Quill Awards

GMA Network and GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) bagged two awards from the Philippine Quill Awards held on Nov. 15 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Center.

The Network won a merit award for its “Kapuso: The GMA Story” coffee table book, while the Kapuso Foundation won a merit award for its 2009 Annual Report.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Network is GMA Corporate Affairs consultant Carmencita Arce, editor/writer Krip Yuson, Executive Art Director Celso Divino and Art Director Antonio Abangan. GMAKF EVP and COO Carmela Tiangco received the award for the GMAKF with Executive Director Jeronimo Perez and Programs Development Manager Marivic Calixto.

The Philippine Quill Awards is conferred by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC-Philippines).

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Tourism group recognizes dancing attendants

A national tourism organization has recognized the effort of Cebu Pacific to give spice to routine flights by innovating on the way cabin crew demonstrates safety procedures. “The flight attendants were able to get passengers’ attention and interest because of their entertaining moves as they demonstrate safety instructions,” said Dr. Robert Lim Joseph, chairman emeritus of the League of Tourism Students of the Philippines (LTSP) and the Travel Cooperative of the Philippines.

Joseph was referring to the now controversial dance routine of flight attendants of Cebu Pacific which was uploaded on YouTube recently. As of last Friday, the video clip already had over nine million hits or viewers.

Joseph took exception to charges by some sectors that the flight attendants’ dance routine was demeaning to the cabin crew and sexist. “On the contrary, the message was that it shows the country as fun-loving, caring and creative. The dance routine was a refreshing novelty to a rather monotonous demonstration of safety procedures,” he said.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Dec. 1, go to Mrs. Candy Cuazon, Natalie Palanca, Jun-Jun Sarino, Tony Abella, Ruby Salcedo, Pauleen Barreiro, Romeo Mananquil, Lynel Gerona, Pilar Hilario of DoT Region V, Peachy Guioguio, Tina Nepomuceno-de Ciccio, Eloisa Marquez-Bricia and MB’s Jovan Doria… Happy wedding anniversary to Red and Grace Samar…