Serna: ‘Awit sa Bahandi’

THE Seminary College Choir is set to present a benefit concert dubbed “Awit Bahandi” on March 16 at SM City Cebu. Msgr. Rudy Villanueva is the show’s music director; Fr. Benny Tao, the assistant music director; and Helen Grace Abao, choreographer.

A short play (excerpt of the St. Pedro Calungsod play) will also be presented, so it would not just be a night of music but one of real fun as a whole. So be sure to be in the audience when that night comes.

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Last Sunday’s edition of Asap—showing birthday girl Anne Curtis drenched in what appeared to be raindrops while performing a song—was a show-stopper. It was beautifully executed and Anne also gave justice to the song.

But what struck me most was Anne’s open gratitude to the Lord Almighty (at the tail end of a long list) that went something like, ”Thank you so much, Lord. While You did not give me a good voice, you gave me confidence.”

You are the one, Anne (to quote a popular line these days)!

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Another number in that show that also registered well in my memory was the performance of four male kids, called Kanto Boys Junior, two of who were Zaijian Jaranilla and Bugoy Cariño. The other one was the kid who played the role of the young Juan de la Cruz (played in adulthood by Coco Martin) and the chubby and charming lad from Goin’ Bulilit.

The boys did have a fun doing the number and they did it so well. Soon they’ll be making their female contemporaries’ hearts go fluttering with admiration. Hopefully only a few female hearts will be broken by then.

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Until now, I still find it hard to get off my mind the vehicular accident that left a former local beauty titlist with only one leg. It makes me realize how easy one’s life changes or, worse, ends in just a matter of seconds.

I’m wondering what her reaction was when she learned and realized what had happened to her. My heart goes out to her.

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Multi-awarded actress Lorna Tolentino talked about the stem cell therapy she underwent somewhere in Germany to alleviate the effects of her scoliosis. She was in Cebu during the Pista Senyor celebration. Recently, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago mentioned about her colleagues undergoing the same for various reasons.

A couple of weeks back, Rubby Sy, the owner and chief executive officer of Flawless (known for its facials, whitening, anti-aging and other face, body and medical services) and two other officers of the skin clinic came to Cebu to introduce to the market its stem cell line which was launched in December last year.

The team also brought its pre-summer treat called Summer Love Affair, which consists of free session of shape and sculpt with every Mesolipo treatment from Feb. 10 to March 31, free facial for a skincare kit purchase and discount for Sweatox treatment.

By the way, Flawless’s new endorser is Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

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Former Mutya ng Pilipinas Morena Carla Cabrera-Quimpo, the national pageant director of Mrs. Philippines–Globe, was candid and honest enough to admit that even after several years since her reign she still feels and at the same time misses the perks of being a beauty queen.

She was in town recently to announce the screenings in key cities and provinces in the country for the pageant, which was launched in the country last year. This pageant’s advocacy is women empowerment and gives married women and, for the first time, single mothers, the opportunity to become an instrument of empowerment and source of inspiration to others.

Last year’s representative to the international pageant was Joycelyn Agsaway, who won the Face of the Year award in the Mrs. Globe World finals 2012. Joycelyn is a cousin of former Miss World runner-up Evangeline Pascual.

Interested parties may download application forms at mrsphilippinesglobe.com. Special screenings will be held in Pampanga, Cebu and Davao on April 2 and in the Greater Manila Area and South Luzon on April 6. Deadline of submission of entries is on March 20. Who knows? This might be your time to shine, as the cliché goes.