The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
It has been more than a month after the launch of “SekSinema (Gender Images in Philippine Sex Cinema Enfolding Pandemia)” authored by this writer at the Philippine Expressions Bookshop in 479 W. 6th Street, San Pedro, California 90731 and it has still resonated not only abroad but in the local shores as well.
Even if it was raining the proverbial cats and dogs in the United States, specifically in California—and still experiencing the brunt of an unusual rain of snow and stormy days and nights—at the time, the guests were prompt and enthusiastic about the event.
There was no second thought for Princess Punzalan to say yes to the invitation even if she was busy and working as a nurse in a homecare system at the same time acting in Hollywood. “Anytime po,” she respectfully exclaimed.
1998 Mutya ng Pilipinas Rochelle Romero Ong was at our beck and call as she was excited about the gig. She even volunteered to bring her family—husband Yvan and son Sean Carpio. Rochelle didn’t play hard to get to emcee the show where she even brought her own sound system for the musical number of her mom, Eagle Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) broadcaster Faye Romero.
Beauty and actress Marilou Bendigo was too willing to share her glamorous presence in the launch with her husband Bob Christensen.
Although it was slippery and perilous to negotiate the freeways, sexy actress Rita Magdalena didn’t fail as she travelled a number of hours from San Diego, California.
Journalist Luchie Aclan Arguelles who was incidentally in the US at the time came to the event with her friends Bong Tolentino and Corinne Ang so with Lopez, Quezon International organizer and President Emmanuel Yngente with daughter Maia in tow.
Actor and action star Edgar Mande and wife Mona Fabie had joined the event which lasted for three long hours.
When sent a message to former ABS-CBN Vice President for News and Current Affairs Regina “Ging” Reyes for a possible coverage of the launch days after she retired from her post, she didn’t leave any stone unturned and assigned TJ Manotoc, the head of ABS-CBN’s The Filipino and North American News Bureau Chief to cover the event.
TJ traveled from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles as he also had a family reunion to attend to after the launch. According to him, the reporter assigned to cover it wasn’t available at the last minute so he had to pinch hit.
My niece Maria Arriero Quiming, nephew-in-law Ped Quiming and sister Lily V. Arriero were there tirelessly to assist in the prep-up of the proceedings while couple Linda Nietes and Robert Little, the owners of Philippine Expressions Bookshop were steadfastly on our side with their Fil-Am staff. “Congratulations! Super success! What a gracious and wonderful host, Ms. Linda Little…and hubby Robert,” praised Luchie in her FB notes.
Supporters back home were also ecstatic about the success of the event.