Raymung Bagatsing

MANILA, Philippines -- Awarded actor Raymond Bagatsing has come back after a few years’ absence from local entertainment during which he tried to penetrate showbiz in America.

During the recent press conference for GMA’s historical teleserye “Amaya” where he plays Datu Bugna, the father of Amaya (Marian Rivera), Raymond related to us his experiences in the US.

It wasn’t easy to get acting jobs in the US, he admitted, but he did get a few roles in some TV/movie projects playing a Latino. Raymond diligently went to auditions. Before he came home, he auditioned for six films.

“Auditions are tedious. You may not be taken in at once, but sooner or later, kapag matiyaga ka, if you persevere, may mangyayari din. And those auditions I went through were all learning experiences. They enhanced my self-confidence.”

While waiting for call-backs, Raymond did odd jobs “to survive and pay the bills.” “I sold tickets for destination tours in LA, I worked as a cashier and salesman at GMC which was good because mahilig naman ako sa body-building…”

Raymond said he’ll be going back and forth to the US to do more auditions. “Every six months siguro, I will go back there.” The actor now holds a green card.

He expressed gratitude to GMA for giving him a chance to appear in “Amaya,” an expensive production of the network. “We shoot in provincial settings, and our costumes are amazing,” he said. He noted how the director, Mac Alejandre, is very meticulous.

By the way, Raymond is also in the movie “Prey,” where he plays a terrorist. The movie is directed by Brillante “Dante” Mendoza, another director he admires for being “passionate and hardworking.”

Golf tournament with Manny Pacquiao

Rep. Manny Pacquiao recently brought together his friends, colleagues, and supporters, as well as Fontana members and foreign guests to an exciting day of golf. Yes, our champion boxer also plays golf while continuing his advocacy to fight poverty!

The tournament was a fund-raising event organized by Velocity Sports Gaming & Leisure Inc., with Fontana Hot Spring Leisure Parks for the benefit of the Pacquiao Partnership for the Poor Foundation, a foundation organized by Rep. Pacquiao to help his constituents in Sarangani. This event hoped to raise funds for the construction of a hospital in Sarangani and also to provide the needs of school children.

During the event, “Edukasyon, Panglaban sa Kahirapan, Para sa inyo ang Laban na ito” project was launched wherein 10 graduating elementary students from Brgy. Macapagal, Mabalacat, Pampanga were chosen to receive the first scholarship grant of the foundation. Velocity Sports has also started organizing the 2nd tournament to be held in November.

The winners of the tournament are: Ladies’ Division: Joanne Cortez; Men’s Division I: Mike Morda, Irving Tan, Willy Tee Ten; and Amado Bagatsing.

Aesthetic center offers anniversary discounts

Ellen’s Aesthetic Center, which has been in the beauty business for 32 years, is currently offering up to 50 percent discount in all minor and major services, in celebration of its 32nd anniversary month.

Some of Ellen’s endorsers are Cristy Fermin, former Miss World Evangeline Pascual, former Miss International Melanie Marquez, actors Patrick Garcia, Allen Dizon and Carlo Aquino, and TV host Cheska Garcia. Its new endorsers are Alwyn Uytingco, Jennica Garcia, Sheena Halili, Glaiza de Castro, Jackie Rice and Nina.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, June 18, go to Cherie Gil, Rosanna Ortiz, Angela Perez, UK-based Marina Velasco-Stevens, Linda V. de Castro, Phoebe Javier of RPN 9, Lita Garcia, Eddie Austria of Toronto, Canada, Dr. Fe Anonuevo-Bartolome, Roger de la Cruz, and Monique Luga… Happy wedding anniversary to Rusty and Naomi Sandiko and Mr. and Mrs. Magin Belarmino…