Col. Nolasco and his board of trustees with DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and P/Sr Supt. Ronald Vicente during the turnover of the proceeds of the show for families of the fallen soldiers and cops.

MANILA, Philippines — Air Materiel Wing Savings & Loan Association, Inc. – or simply AMWSLAI – raised funds for families and dependents of our servicemen who died in the line of duty via “AMWSLAI AFP-PNP Singing Stars Battle of the Champions” held recently at the Music Museum.

We were prepared to see a simple, no-frills production in keeping with the somewhat stern, no-nonsense image of our men and women in uniform, not to mention that the man calling the shots himself came from the military. Instead what we saw – and heard – thrilled us no end as AMWSLAI Chair and President Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco Jr., PAF (ret.), in tandem with Arthur Manuntag, mounted a show that should teach concert producers a thing or two on how to sustain audience interest for two and a half hours.

With me in the panel of judges were former Pres. Joseph Estrada, Madame Imelda Romualdez Marcos, US Consul General Mike Schimmel who came in with his better half; Mrs. Mary Rose Dellosa, lovely wife of AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jesse Dellosa, arts patron and philanthropist Jenny Napoles, TV host and wellness guru Cory Quirino-Tapalla, Prof. Raul Sunico of the UST Conservatory of Music and CCP chair person; Joseph Calata, Aficionado Germany Perfume head Joel Cruz, Emmie Velarde of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Ricky Lo of the Philippine Star, and Eugene Asis of People’s Journal.

Col. Nolasco thanked Lt. Gen. Jesse Dellosa and PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome “for their full cooperation and great support.”

Col. Nolasco turned over to Dir. Gen. Bartolome, who was represented by P/Sr Supt Ronald Vicente, a check for families of the soldiers killed in action.

Likewise, Col. Nolasco thanked the following sponsors and donors: Beneficial-PNB Life Insurance Co. Inc., Paramount Life Insurance, Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and Advancekonek, 5th of March Graphic Services, Afficionado Perfumes, Armendi Loan Assistance Services, Composite Wing Savings and Loan Association, Inc., Joy and Tim Enterprises, LT Enterprises, Malayan Insurance, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Red Fox Security Agency, Inc., Triple-A Insurance Agency, Malayan Bank, Emeco International Trading & Construction, Netsecure Technology Service Company, Great Pacific Life Insurance Co., Philippine Navy Savings and Loan Association, Inc., and Philippine Veterans Bank-Camp Aguinaldo Branch.

We could hardly wait for what Col. Nolasco and AMWSLAI will do next to further explore the musical talents of the 11 Battle of the Champions participants, particularly retired Navy Ensign Mel Sorillano (first place), Army T/Sgt. Wilhelmo S. Celestial (second), and Army Pfc Malou V. Eslaga.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 20, go to former Rep. Dolly Bohol, Mrs. Ditas Remulla, Betty Luz Go Chua, Teresita “Tita” Aviva, Chari La’O Bagatsing, Emy Rodriguez, Lito Gruet, Amelia Lopez, Lalaine Legasto, Enrico Castelo, Marina Calma Visaya, Perla Dungo, Tiffany Santos Red, Diego Nicolas Capili, Mary Grace Agoncillo, Prof. Lulu L. Geslani and US-based newsman Antonio Antonio…