The Events To See & Be Seen...

UPCOMING L.A. EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED!

The election fever is getting heated over here in Manila. Medyo nakaka-tense. At the same time, there’s an air of excitement and anticipation. I just pray that the electorate picks the right leaders.

Napakainit na usapin dito ang pagsali ng mga artista sa politika. For me, it’s a question of commitment to public service. Kahit saang industriya ka galing, if you have a strong work ethic, a good heart and a proactive spirit, you are very much qualified to do many things, including become a public servant.

It has been such a pleasure spending some time here in the Philippines. But I am also very excited to fly back to LA partly because of upcoming events that I wouldn’t dare miss:

Kasama na dito ang nalalapit na birthday bash ng LA’s diva and one of my good friends, Lou Sabas. Happy happy birthday Lou!

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I’m also excited about the first ever LA-Philippines Wedding Expo happening on April 14-15 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Entitled “From This Day Forward…”, this event is being spearheaded by the young and vibrant couple Carol and Jonathan Dela Paz. There will be a press conference this coming Tuesday, March 27, 2007 in Studio City. To media representatives who want to attend, please email me at monet@monetsalon.com for more info about the venue and time. This expo is a unique opportunity that engaged couples and other interested parties shouldn’t pass up! We have surprises in store, including celebrity appearances. Stay tuned!

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Coming up this June is the grand debutante ball of the lovely Samantha Gonzales of Oxnard. Samantha is the daughter of Venie and Sam Gonzales. Excited ako to work on this debutante ball because I just love turning budding young girls into beautiful swans. Samantha, the debutante, is a remarkable young lady. Currently, she is a 12^th grade student at St. Bonaventure High School and plans to attend the University of Irvine to study psychology, following the footsteps of her equally remarkable Mom Venie.

This young Fil-Am is very attuned to her Filipino roots because of the influence of her parents. We asked her how she feels about celebrating her 18^th birthday party in this traditional fashion, and she said: “The Filipino tradition of a Debutante Ball is great because it gives a girl a chance to show how much she has grown over the years. I think it's a tradition that most girls want to experience and I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to have one.”

My events consulting company Events Specialists International is working hard to give Samantha the most memorable Debutante Ball, with all the trappings befitting a special young lady.

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The comeback of the US-Philippines Expo was so successful last year that its anticipated run this 2007 promises to be another major Fil-Am cultural event in Southern California. Organizers R-Page Inc. have set the expo date for the weekend of Aug. 4-5 at the Fairplex in Pomona. For more info about this expo, send me an email at monet@monetsalon.com and I will direct your inquiries to R-Page. It’s bound to be another star-studded event like last year.

May we always support our very own Fil-Am community events…

Have a great weekend everyone and see you soon!

(Published March 24, 2007 Los Angeles Asian Journal)

The author is a professional beauty consultant and owner of the popular salon chain Monet & Reflections Salons. Monet is also the executive producer of the longest running Fil-Am awards gala, Reflections Awards (now on its 19^th year). He is a known “queenmaker” or discoverer of young beauties who have gone on to achieve their dream of becoming beauty pageant titlists. For more on Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or send an email to monet@monetsalon.com.