OMB CHAIRMAN Ronnie Ricketts with wife Mariz

Optical Media Board (OMB) Chair Ronnie Ricketts’ battlecry is “Bawal Kumopya” and he explained: “Since we were students, we’ve been taught not to copy what is not ours – quiz and homework answers, ideas, projects and the like. That is essentially what piracy is – copying what is not yours. In school, we call that cheating. In life, we call it stealing.”

Just recently, OMB partnered with ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC) for an awareness campaign on anti-piracy. Aligning with Ricketts’ battlecry of “Bawal Kumopya,” TFC tapped the cast of its top-rating primetime teleserye, “Walang Hanggan,” who willingly gave their time and effort to the production of the “Bawal Kumopya” public service announcement. Coco Martin, Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta, Julia Montes, Paulo Avelino and Joem Bascon all joined hands in a united front against piracy.

The “Bawal Kumopya” PSA was launched at the One Kapamilya Go sa California’s Great America held last Sept. 16 before 10,000 people. The video launch had Adobo Nation’s co-host Lee Robin Salazar and WBC Latino Flyweight and Super Flyweight Champion Glenn Donaire introducing the campaign.

Since Ricketts took office in 2009, he has achieved several key milestones. This includes the seizing in 2011 of all copies of pirated videos in Quiapo and Sta. Cruz, the piracy hub of the Philippines. In partnership with Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, they proved that fighting film and video piracy is a winnable war.

For this, Ricketts received the FPJ Memorial Award from FAMAS in recognition of his efforts. He has also been assigned a star in the Walk of Fame in Eastwood City.

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‘Rock Legends’ Tonight At Edsa Shang

“Rock Legends,” topbilled by Bobby Kimball, original lead singer of the famed ’80s group Toto, and Kenny Cetera, vocalist of Chicago Experience, is set to be staged tonight at the Isla Ballroom of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. Front act is the Zoo Band.

At an intimate meeting with some entertainment writers held at E’s Bar of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Bobby and Kenny reminisced their days with their respective bands and related their happenings and passions post-Toto and Chicago Experience. Kenny’s brother Peter was the first to join Chicago Experience, and later Kenny was asked to join the group. Together with his brother, he provided the high harmony lead vocals of Chicago’s best-selling album “Chicago 17.” The album produced three Top 10 hits: “You‘re The Inspiration,” “Along Came A Woman” and “Prima Donna.”

Among Toto’s hit songs, on the other hand, were “Rosanna,” “Africa,” “Georgy Porgy,” “I Won’t Hold You Back,” “Pamela,” and “Stairway To Heaven,” among others.

“Rock Legends” is presented by Steve O’Neal Productions and Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.

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David Guetta At SM Arena

Music Management Int’l (MMI) is presenting tomorrow, Oct. 10, superstar DJ David Guetta in concert at SM Arena. In time for the concert, EMI Music released recently Guetta’s CD “Nothing But The Beat 2.0.” The album is available in the Philippines through EMI Music’s official licensee, PolyEast Records.

“NBTB 2.0” features all the hits from Guetta’s critically acclaimed 2011 album “Nothing But the Beat.”

With his 20 years of DJ-ing, and countless global hits and awards under his belt, Guetta has become the gold standard in fusing dance and electro-pop music.

For free tickets to his concert, visit the nearest Astroplus outlets or browse www.facebook.polyeastrecords.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 9, go to Mercy Ong of MTO and Skides Water, Joanie Feliciano, Charito Gonzalez, Piluchi Esteban, Cristy Mendoza, Gay Abundo, Shonna C. Teves, Rosario Guidaya, Allyson Lacson Young, Lydia Reyes, Rusty Santiko, Philip de Vera of London, Mrs. Corazon Adolfo Calderon of Davao City, Yollie Aguila, Maliksi Morales of Star Magic, and Sarah Lahbati of GMA Artist Center…