Gary Lewis and the Playboys, which achieved worldwide popularity with such hits as "This Diamond Ring," "Sealed With A Kiss" and "(You Don’t Have To) Paint Me A Picture," mounted the stage at the Aliw Theater last night, for its second appearance in its 2008 Philippine tour that kicked off last Sept. 5 at the Heritage Grand Hotel Ballroom. Featured as special guests were Ciara Sotto and The New Minstrels.

Titled "When Summer Is Gone," other shows in the five-date, four-city tour to be mounted by Steve O’Neal Productions in cooperation with The Manila Bulletin will be held tonight Sept. 7, New Ynares Center, Pasig Capitol compound; Sept. 12, Cebu Convention Center, Cebu City; and Sept. 13, CAP Auditorium, Davao City.

Gary Lewis and the Playboys return to the local concert scene three years after their successful 2005 concert tour that drew record crowds to the Araneta Coliseum and The Manila Hotel and earned rave reviews from music and entertainment writers.

The band is reputed to be one of the few foreign acts that enjoy a solid and loyal fan base not only among the Baby Boomers but also the younger generation of music enthusiasts who have discovered and learned to love and enjoy the brand and style of its music.

Fronted by Gary Lewis, son of popular comedian and actor Jerry Lewis, the band has consistently dominated the charts, wowing the teenybopper crowd with its electrifying performance of songs like "This Diamond Ring," "Count Me In," "Save Your Heart For Me," "Everybody Loves A Clown," She’s Just My Style," "Sealed With A Kiss," "(You Don’t Have To) Paint Me A Picture," "Gone For The Summer," and many others.

In the Philippines, its popularity has remained undiminished and its following has not dwindled but even flourished as it gained a new generation of fans who have discovered and were captivated by the group’s vibrant sound and style.

With a famous comedian and actor as father, Gary Lewis was no stranger to the world of entertainment. He has appeared in movies, singing and performing before he was 13 and received a set of drums on his 14th birthday in the summer of 1960.

The meteoric rise of his career began in 1964 when the group he formed with four friends in the Los Angeles area was hired on the spot to perform at Disneyland after auditioning without informing the theme park employees about his celebrity father.

It instantly became a hit among audiences and was soon playing to a full house every night until it caught the attention of West Coast record producer Snuff Garrett.

Believing that using Gary’s famous name might sell records, Garrett took the group to a recording studio with the song "This Diamond Ring," which was recorded almost wholly with the instrumental and vocal performances of experienced session musicians.

Its guest appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in January 1965 catapulted the band to instant stardom and propelled "This Diamond Ring" to No. 1, with the pressing plants of the record company running 24 hours a day but could not keep up with the initial demands for the record.

In the same year, Gary Lewis was named Cash Box magazine’s "Male Vocalist of The Year," winning over other nominees Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

In the Philippines at that time, Gary Lewis and the Playboys were acclaimed as America’s answer to The Beatles and established a record when, in a span of two weeks, it sold out the 18,000-capacity Araneta Coliseum for 24 performances!

Along with his appearances on top-rating US TV shows, such as "American Bandstand," "The Joey Bishop Show" and "The Tonight Show," Gary accumulated an unprecedented string of five performances within two years on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

The phenomenal success of the group was stalled in late 1966 when Gary received his draft notice from the US Army, where he was inducted on the first day of 1967 for a two-year service that ended with his discharge in 1968.

In the new millennium, the group continues touring, marketing Gary Lewis and the Playboys as a nostalgia act. Aside from Gary (guitar), other members of the present line-up are Rich Spina (keyboards), Billy Sullivan (guitar), Paul Sidoti (bass) and Michael Hudak (drums),).

Tickets are available at Ticketworld outlets located at National Book Stores, Ayala Malls, Robinsons Malls, Tower Records and Music One.

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Council of Past Lions Governors holds 38th anniversary, induction

The Council of Past Lions Governors of the Philippines (CPLG), an organization composed of all past district Lions governors all over the country, held recently its 38th anniversary and 39th induction of officers and new members with former Pres. Joseph Estrada as guest of honor and speaker. He commended the Lions for their humanitarian projects. The twin-bill event was held at the Fiesta Pavilion of historic Manila Hotel where the association has always held its significant occasions.

Leading the festivities was Past District Gov. Leonida "Baby" Bayani Ortiz who is also CPLG president, the first lady national president. She was also the first lady district governor of District 301-A1. The event was also in celebration of Gov. Ortiz’s birth anniversary. As Lions governor, among her most laudable projects was the relocation of 90 poor families from Araneta Ave., QC, to San Mateo, Rizal, Bulacan and Tandang Sora. PDG Ortiz is a graduate of UP, Honolulu Business College and Phil. Women’s University.

In her message, PDG Ortiz welcomed the new members and lauded the officers and said "through the years we have maintained our brotherhood in the name of service to our less privileged countrymen. In order to sustain this momentum, we should unite so that our constituents will be benefitted by our humanitarian projects."

She added: "With the dynamism of our present board, CPLG will once again be a valuable partner in making the country a better place for us to live."

She also thanked her partner in service, PCC/PDG Justo M. Ortiz, "who really helped me a lot in this memorable event." PDA Ortiz was former Presidential Adviser on Civic Affairs.

Another special guest, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, delivered an inspirational message and inducted the president, immediate past president Rodolfo L. See, and the three vice presidents: Azucena Riguera, Nelso Go and Jeanny So-Hao.

The other officers inducted were Rolando Arce, secretary; Imelda Flores, asst. secretary; Antonio Ocampo, treasurer; Stephen Sia, asst. treasurer; Teresita M. Ocampo, PRO; Ben V. Buenafe, business manager; Felipe Lim, auditor; Roberto Laurel, administrator; Justo M. Justo, asst. administrator; and Pedro Linsangan, legal counsel.

Inducted as directors were Nestor Chua, Florence Balbido, Valeriano Po, Valentin Villanueva, Freddie Balonzo, Ramon Carino, Vic Cheng Yong, Enrique Lim and Michael So.

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Tdibits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 7, go to Jacqueline Ejercito-Lopez, Regine Tolentino-Vera Perez, Sol Lavadia, Paquita Maglaya, Regina Meer Castillo, Albert Morris, Mary Elizabeth S. Timbol, Jane J. Garcia, Linda Amon, Reggie Espinosa, Samuel Velasco, Lilia Uy Hao, Nenita Evans, Butch Roldan, Julia Lopez, Tito ‘Josemar’ A. Lagana, Jr., Master Jiego muzni of PATODAS INC. and Rolando Josef of MMDA…Happy wedding anniversary to Titong C. Villacorta and Ma. Georgia Ejercito; and Tito and Maryann Salcedo…