Retailer’s life good enough to be made into a movie

Danny Velasco

We’re glad to know our good friend Danny Velasco (who used to own Plaza Fair and Fair Center in Carriedo and Cubao) is slowly getting over the trials in his life, such as his confinement in the basement of a hospital and incarceration reportedly resulting from a family squabble

Danny, who describes himself as “a retailer with big dreams,” has opened small department store Merry Season at the Xentro Mall in San Andres corner Leveriza in Malate. Called “your buy 1 take 1 department store,” it offers a summer sale in time for Mothers’ Day all the way to opening of classes.

Merry Season, the biggest store at Xentro Mall, offers a variety of merchandise like clothes, bags and shoes (most of them imported from Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong), utensils, household wares and others. Danny said he is out to open soon a Merry Season branch in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon (at the P&T Town Center owned by Dr. Thelma Figueroa) and other parts of the country.

While busy rebuilding his retailing business, Danny has not forgotten his dream to produce a movie, or a musical play, and write his autobiography especially with recent developments in his life. Maybe he could make a movie about his own life, interesting as it is?

By the way, education being one of his advocacies, Danny is holding a summer workshop from April 14 to May 26 at Merry Season Dept. Store. Among the subjects are Painting, English, Creative Writing, Cooking/Baking and Sports.

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GMA Foundation partners with AirAsia Phils. anew

GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) renewed recently its partnership with local airline AirAsia Philippines, ensuring the timely delivery of services to communities in need across the country.

AIRASIA PHILIPPINES CEO Capt. Dexter Comendador (center), GMAKF EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog (inner left) and GMAKF Founder and Ambassador Mel Tiangco (inner right)

The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was led by GMAKF Founder and Ambassador Mel Tiangco and GMAKF EVP & COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog together with AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer Capt. Dexter Comendador.

Under the partnership, AirAsia will provide free domestic flights to GMAKF personnel who will man the foundation’s relief operations and rehabilitation efforts in the regions.

“We are thankful for having a reliable airline partner to help us continue in implementing GMAKF’s projects,” said Escudero-Catibog.

Tiangco, on the other hand, extended her gratitude to the company for being one with GMAKF in their passion for public service. “We cannot continue servicing Filipinos without organizations like AirAsia,” she acknowledged.

Comendador, for his part, said that this union brought so much pride to AirAsia. “I am grateful that we are again signifying our commitment. Let’s continue to work together and help our country move forward.”

Comendador shared that AirAsia is recognized by the Philippine Air Force as an airline affiliate of PAF Reserved Command in which its pilots and staff may be tapped for humanitarian missions including flights for emergency and disaster management.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 14, go to former Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, Cito Beltran, Mitzi Piad, Chito Bertol, Perci Intalan, Jason Ricketts, Naida Angpin, Vicky Divina, Pepper Teehankee, Jerome Hughs, Kristina Snell and Charlie Cojuangco…April 15: Gloria Angara, Therese Coronel Santos, Wig Tysman, Jose Mari Hilario, Marcel Meily, Atty. Gloria Paculdo, Czarina Syquia, Susan Henson, Dianne Gamboa, Jemmarie Ronquillo, Aaliyah Maowi Yadori, Ryan Ramos and Diana Zubiri…April 16: Mency Zuniga, Nene Talampas, Cia-Cia Rejano, Jobert Sucaldito, Melinda Lacanilao, Sandy Es Mariano, Miguel Pastor, Ovette Ricalde, Joyce de Boda, Johnny Lugay, Paul Salas and JC Tiuseco…