Julio is Big Dome 'orig'

As he promised, Julio Iglesias is arriving on Tuesday, March 16, to perform gratis et amore at the charity concert Heart of Gold (for the Ondoy victims) on March 20 at the Araneta Coliseum, which is part of the Big Dome’s 50th-anniversary celebration. (See related story on Page F2.)

“The Philippines is in my heart,” Julio admitted during an exclusive interview with Conversations with Ricky Lo last January. “I have several friends there, Jorge (Araneta) and his wife Stella, and many others,” including Sharon Cuneta who is performing two songs with Julio, All Of You and When You Tell Me That You Love Me. His former wife, Isabel Preysler, is half-Filipino.

“I have performed at the Araneta Coliseum several times,” said Julio, a Big Dome “orig,” “and I love to perform there again and again.”

When he learned that the Philippines was hit by two typhoons, Pepeng aside from Ondoy, Julio volunteered to waive his talent fee to help the victims. To match his generosity, the Big Dome will likewise waive its rental fee and donate all proceeds from the show to the beneficiaries. For the first time since the Big Dome was built in 1960, all proceeds of a landmark concert by a renowned international artist will go to charity. That’s why it is dubbed Heart of Gold.

Main beneficiaries are 200 families from Tanay, Rizal, who all lost their homes. Araneta Center, Inc., the project’s main proponent, along with Gawad Kalinga headed by Tony Meloto and the provincial government of Rizal led by Gov. Junjun Ynares, will put up complete villages for the families. Not only will they build homes but also community centers, implement values formation, and provide livelihood projects to make the community sustainable. Other beneficiaries are ABS-CBN Foundation and the United Nations World Food Program. Providing support for the project are event partners ABS-CBN, Crossover, and the Light Rail Transit Authority.

Julio and his family will stay at the stately Imperial Suite of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, the only convention hotel in a resort setting in Metro Manila.

Also included in Julio’s concert tour are Uruguay, Argentina, Panama, Australia, Hawaii, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea.

(Note: For ticket information and reservations, call 911-5555 or log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph.)

Why Oliver feels like a winner

Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino, who owns and manages a year-old shop on Melrose Avenue (off Beverly Hills), lost to Sam Kori George of Chicago in the Oscars Designer Challenge but he felt like a winner.

“I won the minute they announced that I was one of the nine finalists,” said Oliver whose creations were worn by a dozen guests to the 82nd Academy Awards held last Sunday, March 7 (Monday, March 8, Manila Time), such as Judy Cairo (Crazy Heart producer). “I also attended the Fox Studios after-Oscars party in Hollywood and mingled with Hollywood biggies,” including Best Actor Jeff Bridges (for Crazy Heart) and Best Director nominee James Cameron (Avatar).

In the US, Oliver was featured on national TV programs Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight. Los Angeles TV stations KTLA 5 and ABC7 featured him in Southern California, the second largest TV market in America.

Oliver was the “winner” in the Samsung 3D Oscars viewing party at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel. Lawrence Zarian, the style expert on E! and the Style network, hosted a make over of General Hospital actress Lisa Locicero for the Samsung commercial.

Oliver’s creation was selected from among many others by well-known designers when Lawrence “revealed” Lisa’s new look to the invitation-only crowd.

During the Independent Spirit Awards, Oliver dressed L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa whose date was KTLA reporter Lu Parker who competed as Miss USA in the 1994 Miss Universe Pageant held in Manila. For the Elton John Foundation Oscar party, Oliver dressed Leanna Lewis, organizer/founder of Downtown Los Angeles Fashion Week; and for the Montblanc Charity Party hosted by the powerful Harvey & Bob Weinstein (executive producers of the US show Project Runway), Oliver designed a peek-a-boo silk chiffon gown for his friend, model and close Weinstein friend Houda Shretah.

“That’s why I feel like a winner,” said Oliver.

Briefly noted

♦ ♦ From reader Juan Magdaraog: Thank you for writing about Extraordinary Measures (starring Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser, now showing nationwide). As a person who suffers from Pompe Disease, I welcome any publicity about it. I had a chance to meet the real John Crowley (played by Fraser) in 2001 when he was searching for a treatment for the disease. I admire Crowley for what he did in order to help save his children.

Kudos to TV5 for a very successful and impressive Talentadong Pinoy Battle of Champions last Saturday, garnering a whopping 47.8 percent audience share. Hosted by Ryan Agoncillo and copied by other channels, Talentado remains unchallenged in the ratings game.

♦ The 22nd Aliw Awards held recently at Mega Tent in Pasig City will be shown as a TV special on NBN Channel 4 from 10 o’clock tonight to 12 midnight. Supported by PCSO, PAGCOR, NCCA, NBN and Pagoda, the show features the UP Concert Chorus, John Lesaca, Philippine All-Stars, Nonoy Libanan, Christine Love, The Angelos, Claire dela Fuente, Olivia, REtroSPECT, Cercado Sisters, Himig Ariel and May Ann Espina, plus classical singers Rachelle Gerodias, Ramon Acoymo, Lara Maigue, Aileen Cura, Lionel Guico, Jonathan Badon, Randy Gillonco and Dondi Ong. Elevated to Aliw’s Hall of Fame were Ogie Alcasid, John Lesaca, Ramon Acoymo and Rachelle Gerodias. Special awardees were Raul Sunico, Edna Mae Obien-Landicho, The UP Alumni Association, Willie Revillame, Philippine All-Stars and Cercado Sisters, Lifetime Achievement Awardess were Naty Crame Rogers, Boots Anson-Roa, Gilopez Kabayao and Chinggoy Alonzo. 

♦ Also tonight: Club Socialista’s well-known deejays will welcome the club’s second anniversary with non-stop music and the performance of GMA’s Go Girls and Kidz@Work. Invited deejays are DJ/percussionist Chito “Latino” Mendoza, D’Manifico Jhun Himeno and Ivan Constantino. House deejays are Dave, Eugene, Eric and Allen. Special participation by deejay Ceejay and deejay McCoy. Ramp models and Ledge dancers will also perform. TV stars have also been invited. Owner-manager of Club Socialista (on Remedios St., Malate, Manila) is businessman Jong Garcia. 

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