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Scion of Hong Kong tycoon and Brazilian fiancée exchange ‘I do’s’ at Cebu Cathedral

By Jaime Picornell
Philippine Daily Inquirer

 139 9

A series of celebrations marked the wedding of Martin Yeung to Claudia de Souza, the beautiful Brazilian girl who has made his heart’s strings sing for a number of years. Martin is the only son of Hong Kong tycoon Carlos Yeung and his lovely Cebuana wife, Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung.

Claudia is the daughter of Maria Vilany Bezerra and the late Joao de Deus de Souza of Brazil. The romance first sparked in Hong Kong where Martin met Claudia. It blossomed with their frequent visits to Cebu where Martin has loads of relations and where lately his parents have set up real estate ventures.

Family and friends of Martin and Claudia converged in Cebu from various points of the globe. They filled up every hotel and resort, and attended the various festivities to mark so happy an occasion.

First was a white night held at the Cowrie Cove of the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa. Everyone came in white togs. Most dazzling of all was Mariquita Yeung in diaphanous gossamer and a ribbon of diamonds flickering icy fire from her neck.

She and Carlos were incessantly asked where Martin and Claudia were. In the sea, they replied, and sure enough, a motor boat soon materialized bearing Martin and Claudia. They got off at the lit-up jetty as everyone applauded.

Livening up the evening was Jake Joules with his electric violin. Pol Roger champagne from Carlos Yeung’s cellar flowed all night, as did excellent red and white wine. A carving station served juicy diced roast beef.

Next evening the theme was Brazilian, this time at the Villa Mariquita, home to the Yeung family in Nivel Hills. Statuesque girls in costumes reminiscent of Carnival in Rio lined the stairs leading down to the poolside.

Sambas and Carioca music pervaded and many did swing and sway to the bouncy tunes. Most amused from her vantage point was Martin’s grandmother Doña Gepilano.

Cheers greeted Martin and Claudia as they descended down the stairs and took the path to the large garden area. Dinner tables were set up in the terrace, covered by a tent and lit by myriad crystal chandeliers.

A Brazilian menu had been prepared by Café Laguna and there was Julita Urbina collecting praise for some of the outstanding dishes: bacalao croquettes, callos and lamb chops grilled to a juicy crisp.

Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop Palma

The wedding took place on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Cebu Cathedral with the ceremonies set for 1:30 p.m. Most of everyone was there by 1 p.m., with Carlos and Mariquita greeting their numerous friends and relatives.

Asked to officiate the nuptial Mass were His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Msgr. Roberto Alesna, who delivered the homily.

Principal sponsors were led by Vice President Jejomar Binay and Elenita Binay; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, former President Joseph Estrada and Edna Diago Lhuillier; Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Amparito Llamas Lhuillier;

Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier and Angela Reyes; Rep. Ben Hur Salimbangon and Laarni Enriquez; Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Marguerite Lhuillier; Consul Michel Lhuillier and Cissy Lee; Ramon Ang and Elizabeth Gan Go;

Andrew Tan and Felicia Salimbangon; Jack Ng and Janice Salimbangon; William Gatchalian and Raimunda Bezerra Souto; Dr. Jose Barba and Maria de Fatima Bezerra Souto; Cesar Salimbangon and Kathleen Magee;

Dr. Pratap Sondhi and Renu Sondhi; Amratlal Mohanlal Shah and Chhayaben Amratlal Shah; Leung King Bong and Sylvia Fu; Dr. Francis and Carol Chiu.

The congregation cheered the sponsors as they progressed to the altar. They did the same with the rest of the bridal entourage: maids of honor Jewelle Yeung and Savigne Barbosa; best men Toto Chan and Karam Sondhi; and the 15 bridesmaids:

Aline Tenorio, Bianca Reichle, Pollyanna Franco, Larrisa Thome, Marcela Brazao, Lauren Salimbangon, Gizela Salimbangon, Lorena Bruno, Rosemary Vanderbrouke, Suellen Ribeiro, Susan Wong, Grazielle Mariano,  Marie Jerika Larize Ejercito, Sarah Joan Quitevis and Jessica Harkiewicz.

There were 15 groomsmen as well: Harold Salimbangon, Francis Edward Salimbangon, Phil Shin, Benedict Ku, John Paul Salimbangon, Jimmy Yang, Jeremy Ostereich, Taka Yarita, Jason Fung, Justin Yang, Elton Salimbangon, Jimmy Wong, Marcus Savage, Teddy Lo and Francis Chad Salimbangon.

The little attendants were flower girls Tannyra Salimbangon, Audrey Salimbangon and Dominique Lhuillier; while the pages were Nathan Salimbangon, Cesar Christopher Salimbangon and little Harrison Ryder McKowen in his pram. Nearby were his parents, Martin’s sister Carla and Chris McKowen, among the secondary sponsors, as were Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco and his wife Christina.

Claudia went up the aisle accompanied by her mother Maria Vilany Bezerra and her brother Wisman Bezerra de Souza. Beautiful Haydn music was played on the cathedral’s organ, giving a great feeling of solemnity.

The reception was set for 6:30 p.m. at the grand ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, turned by magical art into a setting right out from “Lord of the Rings,” with huge trees, shrubs and all the elements of grandeur mustered by Teresin Mendezona.

Martin and Claudia’s entrance into this regal ambience was marked by a shower of petals and enthusiastic applause. Guests sat on long tables draped with burgundy silk and centered by heaps of fruits.

Martin Nievera performed to the delight of all, his special brand of entertainment. And the evening went on till the wee hours of the next morn.

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Charice-Cheesa Collaboration A Cry Against Bullies

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ

'I'm not perfect, but I'm still beautiful,' Charice and Cheesa sing with conviction in their duet (Photo from Charice's Twitter)

MANILA, Philippines - When life gives you haters, create a statement song that would make them cringe.

International singing sensation Charice and "The Voice" Fil-Am semi-finalist Cheesa Laureta did just that with their powerful collaboration, "I'm Not Perfect," an inspirational R&B ballad that encourages victims of bullying to believe in themselves despite being let down by others. It likewise serves as a call for bullies to change for the better.

Cheesa herself wrote the song with her brother Troy, Charice's musical director.

The almost five-minute digital single, released last Sept. 6, is close to Charice and Cheesa's heart, as both of them admit to have been bullied.

"Not only was I bullied when I was little, it came out again throughout the show ('The Voice') through social media," Cheesa told "Balitang America" recently.

Charice, meanwhile, first experienced bullying at the age of seven. The influx of haters didn't stop even as she broke through the international scene.

"Minsan grabe talaga ang ginagawa ng mga tao sa akin, sa amin. Nasasaktan ako kasi, kumbaga, parang gusto ko lang din sabihin sa kanila na, 'Kung sasabihin ko sa'yo, kung ibabalik ko lahat sa ‘yo yung mga sinasabi mo sa'kin, gusto kong ma-feel mo ‘yung nafi-feel ko.' But, at the same time, I don’t wanna do that. Kasi gusto kong ma-realize nila sa sarili nila," she related at length.

The young singers will perform "I'm Not Perfect" in a benefit show in Hawaii next month, the proceeds of which will go to ABS-CBN Foundation's Bantay Bata, added the "Balitang America" report.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Avail of the opportunity to own a condominium unit in Cebu City for only P12,000.00/month with its own parking lot. Hurry while the supply of units last. Just call the Tel. Nos. (053)555-8464/09164422611/ 09173373687

'Apparition' bags Hawaii International Film Festival

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Monday, October 22, 2012

MANILA -- A Filipino film production, "Apparition," bagged the Hawaii International Film Festival's (HIFF) prestigious NETPAC Award 2012 given on October 16 awarding ceremony held at the Governor's Mansion, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

Starring Jodi Sta. Maria and Mylene Dizon, the film about a nun balancing her religious and political beliefs bested 226 other films from over 41 countries, the department said.

The NETPAC Award or Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema is given only at select international film festivals around the world to only one exceptional film from the Asia Pacific.

NETPAC is presented annually at the Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Rotterdam, Pusan, Singapore, Taiwan, Yamagata, Amiens, and Hawaii International Film Festivals.

DFA said two Filipino productions were also in the running for HIFF's two other top awards – Bwakaw for Best Narrative Feature and Harana for Best Documentary Feature.

Both films gave way to foreign productions – Key of Life (Japan) and Where Heaven Meets Hell (Indonesia/US), respectively.

The production teams of Harana and Bwakaw, who attended the ceremonies, said that being nominated was honor and commendation enough considering the number of films in contention.

Directors Benito Bautista of Harana and Jun Lana of Bwakaw expressed pride for having been given the chance to showcase Filipino film talent in a huge international festival such as the HIFF.

Receiving the award for "Apparition" was Deputy Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes, who in his acceptance speech stressed the importance of cinema as a tool to understand other ethnicities' perceptions, thoughts, moral values, social norms, and culture, thereby further promoting peaceful co-existence among peoples. (SDR/Sunnex)

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Avail of the opportunity to own a condominium unit in Cebu City for only P12,000.00/month with its own parking lot. Hurry while the supply of units last. Just call the Tel. Nos. (053)555-8464/09164422611/ 09173373687

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KZ Tandingan Scores 1st ‘X Factor PHL’ Title

By MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE

October 8, 2012, 5:43am

MANILA, Philippines – Jazz singer KZ Tandingan was named first ever winner of the  “X Factor Philippines” Sunday during the show’s finale episode held at the PAGCOR theater.

Garnering 54.77% of the total amount of text votes, KZ bested Gabriel Maturan and group Daddy’s Home who earned 32.33% and 12.90%, respectively.

Soon as her name was called, KZ burst into tears and thanked the Lord for his blessings.

“Lord, Lord grabe salamat po. Salamat po sa lahat ng sumuporta. Hindi ko po inakalang maabot ko ito. Simple lang naman po ‘yung goal ko eh. Ang mapaayos ang church namin at mapatunayang hindi lamang ang mga biritero at biritera ang pwedeng [manalo],” blurted the singer who represents Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Her mentor, international singer Charice, was as grateful for the unwavering support that the show's followers bestowed on her ward.

Sobrang nafeel ko na nanalo rin ako. KZ I’m so proud of you and you know that. Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng sumuporta kay KZ.

“KZ you deserve this.”

After giving her speech, KZ reprised her version of The Carpenters hit “Superstar,” which she sang during performance night on Oct. 6.

As winner, KZ took home four million pesos and a recording contract with Star Music.

Truly a star-studded finale, the show kicked off with a pumping dance number by “X Factor” host KC Concepcion. Each of the four mentor-judges also performed his hit song namely  “Pyramid” (Charice), "Hataw Na" (Gary Valenciano), "This Is The Moment" (Martin Nievera) and “If I Never Sing Another Song” (Pilita Corrales).

The three grand finalists also performed duets with renowned singing champions. Gab sang Whitney Houston’s “On My Own” with Erik Santos, while KZ joined Jed Madela for Jordin Sparks’ “This is My Now.” Daddy’s Home performed with Jovit Baldvino for Brian McKnight’s “Win,” and all three joined Angeline Quinto for Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.”

One of the highlights of the night was the performance of the Top 3 with their respective mentors. KZ and Charice took on the Fred Astaire-original, “The Way You Look Tonight,” while Daddy’s Home and Gary harmonized to a stripped down version of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” Gab and Martin, on the other hand, did a duet of the Disney theme song “Go the Distance” from the movie “Hercules.”

All the other contenders rendered production numbers with the top 12 finalists reuniting on stage for the Christmas song, "Star ng Pasko," the Christmas ID theme song of the Kapamilya network.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.
Avail of the opportunity to own a condominium unit in Cebu City for only P12,000.00/month with its own parking lot. Hurry while the supply of units last. Just call the Tel. Nos. (053)555-8464/09164422611/ 09173373687