VANCOUVER – As chairman of the Reyfort Media Group, it is my pleasure to welcome all the guests, participants and exhibi­tors in the groundbreaking of the “Paskong Pinoy sa PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) 2010 Van­couver Christmas Gifts and Food Fair on December 11-12 at The Forum at the grounds of the Pa­cific National Exhibition (PNE) on Hastings Street.

The two-day Christmas con­clave right in the heart of the bus­tling and premier British Colum­bia metropolis has been touted as the mother of all our year-long events and festivals we hopefully plan to match and sustain with much fervor in the coming years in tandem with the Palengkeng-Pi­noy Trade and Exchange Network Inc. headed by Phil Dela Merced and the Philippine-Canadian Cultural Heritage represented by “Kuya Alvin” Relleve and the magnificent tandem of Edgardo and Carmelita Tapia.

Barring unforeseen circum­stances, we anticipate a good crowd what with the support giv­en us by the ABS-CBN TFC (The Filipino Channel) and the DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, two of the lead­ing TV and radio networks in the Philippines and anywhere in the world where there are Filipino communities.

We are happy to recognize the role of the Canadian Medical Mission Society (CMMS) headed by Dr. Dan Vargas and the Mul­ticultural Helping House Society (MHHS) headed by Tatay Tom Avendano and his vice president Amado Mercado. These two re­spected community-based insti­tutions will be the main beneficia­ries of the festival.

In all our projects and special events, we are always proud to make special mention of the un­wavering support given by Mayor Gregor Robertson and the City of Vancouver as well as the well-loved MLA Mable Elmore, among other dignitaries. We are also be­ing supported by the Summer Night Market in Richmond and The Korean Daily. The success of any event hinges on the participation of the public which will be entertained by Filipino showbiz heartthrobs Gabby Concepcion, Geneva Cruz, Randy Santiago (ABS-CBN TFC Game Show host) and spe­cial guest singer-composer Vic Hildebrant. See you there, folks!

-o0o‑
The recent cash bonanza showered on 16th Asian Games Filipino medalists by the Philip­pines government and telecom­munication philanthropist Manny V. Pangilinan was head-turning and impressive.

As reported, a total of P9.5 million was handed out last De­cember 3 by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to the medal­ists of the recent Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

No less than President Benigno Aquino gave out the cash rewards at the Philippine Badminton Hall. Bowler Biboy Rivera, boxer Ray Saludar and pool player Dennis Orcollo brought home P1 million each for winning the gold medal.

Those who bankrolled P500,000 each were silver win­ners were Annie Albania (boxing), Warren Kiamco (billiards) and Miguel Tabuena (golf).
Pocketing P100,000 apiece for winning the bronze were bowler Frederick Ong, boxer Vic Saludar, wushu artist Mark Eddiva, danc­esport pair Carlea Lagaras and Ronnie Vergara, and taekwondo jins Japoy Lizardo, Tshomlee Go, Paul Romero and Elaine Alora.

The chess squad, composed of Grandmasters Wesley So, Joey Antonio, Eugene Torre, John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo got P200,000 each for securing the silver in the team event. Coaches and trainers of win­ning athletes were rewarded a total of P3.1 million.

-o0o‑
It was a stunning fortune for the Saludar brothers in amateur boxing. Only in their early stages in international boxing, they have brought inspiration to millions of young aspiring pugilists in the provinces who hanker to follow their footsteps—of bringing pride and glory for the nation and bright future for their families.

In my heyday as amateur boxer and Asian medalist represent­ing the Philippines in the 70’s, the highest paycheck I received was only a tiny fraction of what the bronze medalist had brought home. But that was more than 30 years ago and the Saludar broth­ers are indeed very lucky for be­ing members of the RP Team un­der the tutelage of the billionaire donor in the person of MVP.

< Prev		Next >