Friday, October 12, 2007 Serna: Groove with Side A tonight By Roger Serna Sounds and Images
AFTER a few years, the nation’s leading show band Side A comes back to Cebu for another exciting show characterized by beautiful music, applause of approval and admiration from countless followers, and spirited dancing and lots of fun, and more fun.
Tonight, Side A will be at the Cebu International Convention Center to do the thing that Cebuano music lovers love most; that is, playing good music. Be there before 8 p.m., and get into the groove. Yeah, baby, yeah!
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The recent edition of the “Suroy Suroy Sugbo” at the Camotes Island group might turn out to be the most memorable of all the outings of the tourism project conceptualized some four years ago by Gov. Gwen Garcia.
Not only did the tourists witness first hand the enchanting beauty of the still virginal state of the islands that nestle four municipalities—and some ancient practices, like rituals done to appease kindred spirits before mortals are allowed to trek into their territories—but also because of the fact that the tour went on as scheduled. This was despite Mother Nature’s seemingly uncooperative behavior: unleashing strong habagat winds (southwest monsoon), intermittent rain showers, and big waves.
Of course, there were discomforts, like experiencing seasickness and delayed coming back to the mainland, but the tourists were so tolerant to regard them as “part of the game.”
They were very appreciative of the warmth the people showed, and the hot porridge served by the hosts from Tudela and Poro led by Mayor Edgar “Gary” Rama. This was after traversing for three hours the distance from Pilar to Poro (can be traveled in more or less 30 minutes normally) due to big waves. Rama was assisted by Abel Garciano, Joy Tawil and their municipal co-workers. Take a bow, Camotes, folks!
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In that Camotes sojourn, I befriended the husband and wife team of American national Bruce Cunningham and Dixie (a Cebuana) who have just gotten their hands full in managing My Little Island Hotel and its restaurant, respectively.
The hotel is in Poro. Bruce so fell in love with Camotes (including the “unchanged place and the friendly people”), and the country for that matter, that he decided to live there for as long as he can. He loves to call himself an “Am-Fil” in contrast to the Fil-Ams who have shone in many types of endeavors.
Bruce is optimistic that the effort he puts in sales and marketing, and with the hotel’s complete amenities including future entertainment packages to be put in place soon, the hotel will attract more clients in no time at all. Good luck!
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Speaking of Gov. Garcia, she turns another leaf in her colorful book of life today. For the second time in two years, Pres. Gloria Arroyo is her special guest. A special program will be held at lunch time today at the Capitol social hall. Happy birthday, Gov!
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Two interesting and beautiful movies are showing (and are drawing the crowds) in Cebu’s movie houses and in other parts of the country, too. Promo diva Josie Pereyra gladly says that the combined comic talents of Rufa Mae Quinto, Eugene Domingo, Pokwang and Candy Pangilinan provide the strength of Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat.
John Lapus, DJ Durano and Pinoy Big Brother housemate Kian Kazemi provide able support in this Viva Films latest offering.
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For English film buffs, there’s Stardust, which is distributed locally by Solar Entertainment. It boasts of a stellar cast composed of Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert de Niro and ably supported by Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervals and Peter O’Toole.
Bored (but not suicidal, huh, as a line in the song, Beautiful Girl, goes)? Relax. See a movie.
