Pinoy, Fil-Am artists to be honored in Hollywood

Filipino and Fil-Am artists will invade Hollywood tonight, March 7, as the first Visionary Awards raises its curtain at the Kodak Theater, touted as the home of Hollywood's biggest events including the Oscar Awards, in California. The chief aim of the event is to honor Filipino and Filipino-Americans who have made outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry through the years; consequently enriching our local culture. "We want to give a new vision and appreciation of Filipinos to the world, particularly in the entertainment industry," explained NUVision Chairman and CEO Ramil Q. Gonzales to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) via e-mail. "We want to make a difference in this industry and by awarding those who have achieved excellence in their respective fields—television, film, music, etc.—we hope to bring pride and recognition to honor those who have put Filipinos on the map." STAR-STUDDED EVENT. Humbled and flattered by the recognition, NUVision reported that majority of the awardees have already accepted the invitation and obliged to grace the special occasion. Some of the personalities who gave their nods were: Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (Outstanding Variety Show Hosts); Senator Bong Revilla (Visionary Award for Honor and Courage); Francis Magalona (Pioneer Award for Music); former senator and basketball legend Robert "Sonny" Jaworski (Lifetime Achievement Award for Sports and Public Service); boxing icon Manny Pacquiao (Athlete of the Year); ex-senator and action legend Ramon Revilla, Sr. (Vanguard Award for Entertainment/Action Performances). Others who were invited include Megastar Sharon Cuneta (Legend Award for Acting); Comedy King Dolphy (Vanguard Award for Entertainment/Comedy); Richard Gutierrez (Outstanding Performance—Actor); Bea Alonzo (Outstanding Performance—Actress); Christopher de Leon (Legend Award for Acting); surfer Sonny Garcia (2007 Legend Award for Sports); Congressman Luis Villafuerte (Government Service); Ms. Charo Santos-Concio (Television Host of the Year); Mike Enriqez (Journalism); and Batangas governor and Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos (Legend Award for Entertainment). Two of the Philippines well established networks will also be recognized. The ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation will receive the Global Media Pioneer Award while the GMA Network will be given recognition with the Award of Excellence in Television Programming. Sharing the honor with the Philippine-based awardees are Fil-Am artists like Apl. de. Ap of the Black Eyed Peas (Vanguard Award for Music); Lou Diamond Phillips (Visionary Vanguard Award for Entertainment); and Tia Carrere (Visionary Vanguard Award for Entertainment). Also invited were Cheryl Burke, Rob Schneider, Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, Cris Judd, and producer Dean Devlin. Lani Misalucha and Martin Nievera—who are both recipients of the Entertainer of the Year Award—were invited to perform along with newbie Anna Marie Perez de Tagle of Hannah Montana fame and Jessa Zaragoza. Some of the evening’s presenters include Superstar Nora Aunor, Miss America 2001 Angela Perez Baraquio, actor Michael Copon (One Tree Hill), Reggie Lee (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End), singer Jennifer Paz (Miss Saigon, Evita, Songs for a New World), youtube.com star Christine Gambito, Icy Ice (Movin’ 93.9 radio DJ), jazz and world music singer Charmaine Clamor, actress/model/TV host Giselle Tongi, Liz Masakayan (UCLA Hall of Fame Inductee and 1988 Olympian–USA Volleyball Team), Esperanza Catubig (Without A Trace and The Vagina Monologues), veteran actresses Lilia Dizon and Pinky de Leon, and two local news anchors, Jean Martirez and Bob de Castro, from Fox 11 News. Hosting the first Annual Filipino-American Visionary Awards is Dingdong Avanzado together with Jannelle So, producer-host of KSCI Channel 18's Kababayan L.A. The production team is comprised of Hollywood director-producer Douglas Velasco, five-time Emmy award winning writer Craig Heller, art director-set designer Scott Heineman who is an Art Directors Guild Award winner. Rounding up the team is primetime Emmy Award Lighting Designer Jeff Ravitz. - Philippine Entertainment Portal