Elvis Presley impersonators continue with fundraisers By: Crispina Martinez-Belen Updated January 6, 2017, 12:18 PM

It’s nice to know that friends who are die-hard Elvis Presley fans (and impersonators) are active with fundraising activities for Elks Club Lodge 762, a US-based fraternal organization whose Philippine chapter supports charitable organizations such as the Philippine Cerebral Palsy, Philippine-American Guardian Association, Circle of Friends, Pangarap Foundation, and the American Association of the Philippines.
The Elks Club raises funds through benefit concerts like the recent “Elvis Night@ the Elks” spearheaded by the Elvis Presley Friendship Club of the Philippines Int’l (EPFCPI) through its founding chairman Chito Bertol.
“Elvis Night” is a quarterly event with the following as performers: Douglas Masuda, past president of Elks Club and known as the Elvis of Japan; Chito, the Original Elvis of the Philippines; Eddie Lombardo, Elvis of Italy and Jun Espinosa, current Elvis of the Philippines.
Last Jan. 2, the EPFCPI with its 400 members celebrated the 82nd birthday of Elvis Presley at Quattro Music Bar. The club is the only Elvis Presley fans club in Asia that has a two-hour Elvis program every Sunday on DZSR 918 hosted by Chito.
• • •
Get-together
A few weeks back, close family friends Evie Mosby and Maria Nueno, who were visiting from Arizona and Canada, respectively, invited us to the C Lounge at Conrad Hotel for a meeting that soon turned to a mini-concert of sorts, with their cousin, Mina Andrea, wowing everyone with her singing skills.
Evie and Maria are the daughters of the late TV host-actress-singer-politician Cielito del Mundo who endeared herself to people not only with her showbiz work but also her various public service projects.
Among others, Cielito (who was also known to many as Mahal) was among the original hosts of “Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko.” She succumbed to stroke and brain tumor on Jan. 9, 2016.
Also in attendance at the get-together were Maritess Guevarra, also a singer, and Donald Martinez. Marlene dela Peña, a famous jazz singer in Japan, was also there as with Arthur Manuntag who came with his wife. Sarah Lim Viray, Megan Herrera and some of Maria’s former classmates completed the cast.
• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 7, go to former Rep. Dante Liban, Manila Councilor Lou Veloso, Apa Ongpin, Rosemary Lopez, Zenas Lozada, Ina Bautista, Tootsie Eduque Marco, Brussells-based Louise Belle B. Hubert, Rhea Vanessa A. Lorenzo, Rose C. Teodoro, Ditas Rodriguez, Ricky Medina, Marichelle B. Recio, Ana Marie Costes Lomboy, Eden Miro, Graziela Belen of Canada, and Jecelyn V. Macahindog of MB Entertainment…Jan. 8: Dr. Jaime Laya, Judge Aurora Navarette-Recina, Mrs. Amparo Aspiras, jeweler Benjie Yap, Rowena Bautista-Mendiola, realtor Louismil Gala, Francis Alincastre, Carrie Javier of DSWD, Bernie Espiritu, Manny Hernandez, Mrs. Carmencita Valentino, Erwin Balines, Dra. Shyla Samson, Jim Sarthou, Ariel Dim Borlongan,Tom Canchela, Joselito Testa, Norsel del Rosario, Graham Rae Buenaseda, MB’s Ramir Medino and Robert de Luna and Tanya Scaife of Star Magic… Happy wedding anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Medardo del Rosario of California, and John and Lira Cortado…Jan. 9: Ms. Redie Acuña-Magno of GMA-7, Fiscal Ma. Victoria Alba Estoeta, Cely Castro, Ody Tensuan, Nenette Claudio, Gina Valdes Rivera, Mrs. Marilu Mendoza, Erick Esguerra, Marcial Dacanay Taguic, Evangeline Cortez, Mark Vincent Lastima, Lydia Motol, Cely A. Pili, Amor Taojo-Oyong, Colette Centino Glazzer, singer Icy (Justine Moral), Jose Pedro E. Cuartero, Ana Mendoza’s mom Marilu Mendoza, Star Magic’s Melissa Ricks and my grandson in New York, Ethan Elijah Silan Belen…

Philippines' 81st province created

MALITA, Davao Occidental -- The country's newest province, Davao Occidental, was officially inaugurated in a ceremony held at the Municipal Hall of this capital town Thursday, June 30.

With the birth of the country's 81st province, Davao Region is now composed of five provinces -- Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley, and Davao Occidental.

Davao Occidental is formerly Davao del Sur's second congressional district.

Along with the inauguration was the oath taking ceremony of the first elected provincial officials including those from the five municipalities comprising the new province, namely Malita, Sta. Maria, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos and Sarangani.

"Today is part of history. The creation of this province came from the motive to boost economic condition and social progress of its municipalities," Representative Lorna P. Bautista- Bandigan said in her speech adding that her priority programs will be focused on providing quality education and uplifting the lives of the indigenous people (IP), among others.

A total of 51 provincial officials sworn their oath of service yesterday comprised of a representative, Governor, Vice Governor, Board members, Mayors, Vice Mayors and councilors.

First-ever Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista, in his inaugural speech emphasized that he will parallel his top priority program to President Rodrigo Duterte, which is to eliminate illegal drugs in the province.

"My first order of the day: all employees of all the municipalities, teachers and police in the province shall undertake drug test, if you won't, well just remember that drugs have no room to my province. I will make sure that for the first 100 days of operation (of his administration) we will clear the province from drugs," he said.

"Now is the time to surrender voluntarily if not I will make sure that you will be sanctioned," Bautista added.

He said his priority programs will be poverty reduction, education, livelihood program and investments.

Proposed programs and projects

Bautista said his list of priority programs include reforestation involving 100,000 hectares (has) within the first three years of his term.

He also said he intends to improve services to education in all the province' barangays especially far-flung areas.

He also promised that in two years’ time, the circumferential road for the municipality of Sarangani and better water services will be provided.

He also revealed that the San Miguel Corp. (SMC) will be pouring some P250 billion of investment in the province to put up an Industrial Complex which is eyed to start construction by the second quarter of 2017.

“This will provide employment to more than 1,000 individuals here,” he said.

“To govern a newly-created province will demand extra effort, this is not an easy task, but if I will do it with my partners (mayors, councilors, etc.) I know it will happen,” he added.

Creation of Davao Occidental

Through the enactment of the Republic Act 10360 on July 23, 2013 the province was created. It was passed by the House of Representatives and Senate on November 28, 2012 and December 5, 2012, respectively and later on inked by the former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on January 14, 2013.

It was then followed by a plebiscite on October 28, 2013 along with the Barangay elections.

R.A. 10360 was sponsored by former Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

According to the 2015 census of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the population of Davao Occidental reached 316, 342 people. The province has a total of 105 barangays with a total of 158, 519 registered voters as of November 16, 2015 as per Election Registration Board (ERB) hearing.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/83324