Last February, Alice became the first Filipino-American to be accepted into the Union of British Columbia Performers (UBCP) and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) based solely on her foreign credentials. "I applied under the unions Professional Reputation guidelines, submitted my portfolio and after a few months I received an invitation for membership. I am very excited, as these organizations are the equivalent of the Screen Actors Guild in the US.

Armed with a new talent manager in Vancouver, Alice will soon try her luck there. " I have no illusions of grandeur " Alice quipped, "I know it is a tougher market. But I love acting and if I can continue it on the side, then, lucky me."

Alice is grateful for each new learning opportunity that comes her way. In fact she landed an internship last March for The Vicky Gaberaeau Show, a Canadian talk-show counterpart to the popular Oprah Winfrey. "I went to CTV9 Studios downtown, applied and weeks later got a call from the Production Manager to report for taping. I was able to work with and meet local Canadian celebrities like crooner Michael Buble, David Usher, Jan Arden, Elvis Costello and jazz diva Diana Krall.

I never knew that a lot of the popular US mainstream actors and artists are Canadian pala!" More importantly she continued, "In the short time I worked on that show , I gained valuable experience and realized how much I truly enjoy and appreciate the creative side of television production."

Clearly, her stay in Canada has also not dimmed Alice’s penchant for Pinoy humor. Confessing that she is "studying part-time" and busy being a "wife full-time" to businessman Ronnie Miranda, she apologizes for not having any "baby plans yet."

Then, in the next breath, she goes on to say: "But I really want an Italian Greyhound puppy!"

Alice is back in town, although she originally came home to promote "Kumain Ka Na Ba" for the Makati Cinemanila International Film Festival this August. The Japanese film did not make it as an entry finalist, but it’s not Alice’s loss, since she has more than enough work to keep her busy. She will be doing mall tours for Bigen Speedy, the brand of hairdye of which she is the official endorser, preproduction for an independent flick slated for filming in December, and is also currently endorsing Cosmetiderm, and Sarangani.

Aside from working on her schedule for TV guestings, Alice is also coordinating between activities for her family’s month long reunion. "Some of my relatives have never been to the Philippines. I will try to make it a memorable visit for them, despite our dismal political scene. " "After all", she points out , " no matter where I go, whatever I do, I will always call the Philippines home."

(For guesting inquiries contact Renacelle at +639178961382.)

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This year, Mandarin Oriental Manila and Music Museum stage the longest-running locally-produced touring act to date – "Diva 2 Diva."

The concert which features two of the Philippine’s topnotch singers, Kuh Ledesma and Zsa Zsa Padilla, was first staged at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in November of 2001. It is the first time the two divas ever shared the same stage together.

Kuh and Zsa Zsa are by far the most important female acts to date – critics have hailed their careers as brilliant, their contributions to Pinoy Pop music have been judged worthy, and their nitches in the musical firmament is established through more than two decades of continuous performance.

More than just concert performers, Kuh and Zsa Zsa have evolved through the years. Zsa Zsa has matured into a fine actress and TV host. Kuh has branched out into putting up one–of–a–kind theaters and restaurants, interior design, entertainment production and social advocacy.

The "Diva 2 Diva" of 2001 at the PICC was a milestone in the Philippine concert scene because of its stunning visuals, breathtaking repertoire, and of course, the world–class performance of Kuh and Zsa Zsa.

The success of the Kuh–Zsa Zsa combination as so astounding that it has been restaged in major cities in the United States, Canada and Australia. The divas have just returned from their 7th leg of the tour in Cache Creek, USA last June. And they are set to conquer Europe by early next year.

As part of Kuh Ledesma’s 25th year celebration in the music industry, "Diva 2 Diva" is set to go on stage once more at the Captain’s Bar of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Scheduled every Friday and Saturday of August, this time, the show reinvents itself with the title "Diva 2 Diva: Up Close," sponsored by SMART Gold.

Because it is being staged in a smaller, more intimate venue, there are fears that the Captain’s Bar show may not be as impressive as the one staged at the PICC in late 2001. However, both Kuh and Zsa Zsa assure their audience that what they will see will be the same as the PICC show in terms of quality and more.

For inquiries and reservations, please call 721–0635 or 551–7255.

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