Friday, August 10, 2007 Serna: Raki reaps gold at '11th Hollywood' By Roger Serna sounds & images
LET me congratulate Cebuana diva Raki Vega for giving new honor to the country by making it as one of the top five senior vocal soloists in the world at the 11th World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood recently.
She bagged two gold plaques as 2007 senior vocal champ in the Broadway and in the contemporary categories; as well as three gold medals, two silver medals and one industry medal in the process.
Along with Raki, two other Philippine representatives, Aria Clemente and Reymond Sajor, were declared overall grand champions of the world (junior division) and grand champion senior vocalist of the world, respectively.
Once again, the Filipino talent served notice of their world-class caliber and one of them is a Cebuana. Take a bow, folks! We’re truly proud of you!
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The CPDRC inmates’ international fame via the Internet is common knowledge now acquired through their impressive video dance routines, specifically to the tune of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, which were uploaded by Capitol consultant Byron Garcia in YouTube.
Last Aug. 1, together with the province’s leaders led by Gov. Gwen Garcia, court judges, media (international, national and local) and other guests, I witnessed the live performance.
What was noticeable was that the inmates were given their shining moment as star dancers: the women in the Dayangdayang and ballroom dance routines (the latter with Calvin Tan and Simon Lao), the men in YMCA, Radio Gaga and Thriller, and the gay in I Will Follow Him and Hail Holy Queen sequences from Sister Act. So impressed was I that I never hesitated to applaud after every performance, thinking that by doing so I was giving my humble contribution to their rehabilitation. It was my own way of saying: “Good job, folks! Keep it up!” Kudos to the jail managers, choreographer Vince Rosales and, of course, the provincial leadership.
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Let me extend my heartfelt welcome to Flor Pincock (and her children Simon and Tammara) and Joy Johnson (and son Geordan Garza) who had recently enplaned from Great Britain and the US of A., respectively. Flor’s husband, Steve, will be arriving on the 18th. I hope you’ll be enjoying every minute of your stay in the country before resuming your daily routines back in the countries, which you have chosen as your abode for years now.
