BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – We thought we knew him well already, but it was in the City of Smiles that we learned more about multi-awarded broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio, more fondly called “Igan.”

Igan and Heart Evangelista bannered the recent Masskara Festival, one of the country’s most colorful annual festivals.

We were in the audience when Igan kicked-off the “Masskara Festival: Serbisyong Totoo Docufest” at 10 a.m. on Oct. 15 at the SM Cinema 4. Attended by mostly students from the various colleges and universities in Bacolod, the docufest afforded kapusos in Bacolod the chance to watch some of the most outstanding documentaries from GMA Public News and Public Affairs.

Shown as the opening documentary was Igan’s “Batang Nagsusunog,” which won in the New York Film Festival. It tackles the story of child laborers. Igan told the audience everything about him: His humble beginnings in Pritil, Tondo, his being predisposed to reading and writing at a very early age, his being a product of public school (since “mahirap lang kami”), his being studious (“hindi ako kumakain at naglalaro hangga’t di ko natapos ang takdang-aralin ko”), his great interest in watching TV (“nakikipanood ako sa kapitbahay since we did not have a TV set”), his early marriage (to a girl who also performed for Teatro Tomasino, “na di ko na pinakawalan”), his initial interest to become a priest, and eventually working his way to becoming a broadcast journalist.

At 6 p.m. that day, it was “Party Pilipinas” mainstay Heart Evangelista’s turn to charm the kapusos in the city. Heart was with some of the cast of “Amaya” – Glaiza de Castro, Sid Lucero, Dion Ignacio, and Roxanne Barcelo – in the “Masskara Festival: Kapuso Night” held at the SM City Bacolod Event Center where the kapuso stars performed. Also with them were Joyce Ching and Kristoffer Martin of “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin,” who were wildly cheered by fans.

Joyce and Kristoffer also participated in the “Electric Masskara Parade.”

On the last night, the cast of “Time of My Life” – Kris Bernal, Mark Herras, Rocco Nacino, Cherie Gil, Jean Garcia, Raymond Bagatsing and Emilio Garcia – transformed the plaza into a huge dance floor as they performed exciting dance moves.

One of the initiators of the Masskara Festival is our friend Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia.

Siakol, Revillame, Piolo PMPC winners

Siakol Tropa, Willie Revillame and Piolo Pascual emerged winners in the 3rd Star Awards for Music held Sunday (Oct. 16) at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater of the Ateneo de Manila. The event, which also honored 15 icons of the Philippine music industry, was produced by Stanley and Pelita Uy of Beginnings at Twenty Plus, Inc.

Siakol Tropa won three awards: Album of the Year, Rock Album of the Year, Rock Artist of the Year, while Willie Revillame won as Novelty Artist of the Year (“Willing Willie”), Novelty Album of the Year for “Willing Willie;” and Novelty Song of the Year, “Tantaran.”

Gerald Santos got two: Male Pop Artist of the Year (a tie with Piolo Pascual) and Male Star of the Night. Piolo also won two other awards, Pop Album of the Year and Album Cover Design of the Year for “Decades 2.”

Nora Aunor received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Thursday, Oct. 20, go to my favorite hairdresser in New York, Ms. Gloria Cabrera, my good friends Gina Pareño and Chona Trinidad, Consul General of Kazakstan Edward Fereira, Aida Sevilla Mendoza, Dr. Raul Gaunzon, Irene Cortes, Nadine Teves, Che Serrano, Christopher “Bong” Pizarro, Michael Raleigh, Rudy Genaskey, Lynn Romero, Letecia Clarino, Gunther Grupp, Mag Hatol Cruz, Dory Simio and Reynald Zabala from California, Raul and Mary Castillo, Ghie Espiritu, Annie Chong, Romero, Raoul Chee Kee, Anna Teresa S. Velasco, Rina Concepcion, Thermina Ann Akram, Eric Matthew Martinez, Tim Aaron Zach B. Patanao, Joseph Gregory Arriola, and Maureen Guese and Thara Jodorna of Star Magic…