Gary V celebrates 25 Years of Shouting For Joy

For those of you who do not have the privilege of knowing who Gary Valenciano is, let me introduce you. Considered the King of Pop in the Philippines, Gary V has shown his versatility in the last 25 years in Philippine entertainment as a singer, songwriter, composer, producer and actor. Along with his success in the Philipppines, he made a name for himself in the Christian Music community with appearances on the 700 Club and various Christian entertainment outlets. Many critics said that he made the wrong decision half way through his career in embracing his Christian faith onstage. They were definitely wrong.

With a warm heart and a caring personality, Gary V. is also a humanitarian who believes in the children of the world and shows it through his work with UNICEF.



With all those experiences in his life, Gary Valenciano is sharing his 25 years in entertainment with his concert Gary Valenciano 25th Anniversary featuring special guest Martin Nievera and the Jabbawockeez.

This past evening, Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, fans and new found fans enjoyed a great selection of songs from Gary's repertoire and songs that influenced throughout his career.


Before the event commenced, we had to wait about an hour for the first act to perform as they were running late getting to the venue. Hmm, there was the Kanye West concert next door at the Staples Center and in the L.A. Convention Center was the Erotica L.A. Porn convention. I wonder if they had a pit stop to each of those respective venues. Seriously though, I was told that one of the Jabbaz sustained a knee injury before the show and APL. De.AP was stuck in traffic.

Starting off the night was the dance crew the Jabbawockeez. These talented group of dancers were the winner's of the reality dance show, "Randy Jackson's America's Best Dance Crew." This was a great decision for Kewlit Co and All Access Concert to start off the Jabbaz as the opening act for Gary V. As they showed their prowess of why they won as America's Best Dance Crew, it set the tone for the rest of the evening. Their performance gave me reason to forgive them for starting late.


Jabbawockeez knows how to move and make you move.


Jabbaz doing their thing.

Once the Jabbaz left the stage, surprise guest Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas made his way to the stage carrying a Filipino Flag and waving it around.


Taboo waving to the crowd.

After a quick singing and rapping, Taboo introduced his band mate APL.De.Ap to the stage. Apl showed the us what it meant to do everything from dance, rap and sing. With is infamous Bebot song, AP got the crowd off their seats shouting "Sigue!"


APL.De.AP with the Jabbawockeez.

With the talented trio of the Jabbawockeez, Taboo and APL.de.AP, the crowd was hungry to the main event. Gary V. finally made his premiere appearance on the stage playing the Filipino kulingtan gong drums. Wow what a way to make an entrance, banging on the metal pots that make the melodic native sound then Gary broke into his famous song and dance routines. Seeming like Gary was ready to pass the torch of his gifted entertainment talents, his son Gabriel joined in the fun with his dance moves, vocal prowess and rap skills. He definitely can dance like his father. Even the pelvic moves look more prevalent than dad. But dad definitely shows that he's got it.


Gary V. with sons Paolo and Gabriel.


Gary V with son Gabby (Gabriel) on stage.

Not to be forgotten, his eldest son, Paolo, also joined in the fun. With Paolo, his style of music is more rock than his dad's dance, pop, christian and soul leanings. However, being supportive his son, Gary met him half way with a great medley of songs from a very popular foursome from the 50's. I won't say the group's name so as not to spoil it for other concert goers who are waiting for Gary to perform in their area. This was his first time singing with dad on stage at a concert.


Paolo Valenciano gives a thumbs up to his upcoming performance with Papa Gary. ©Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press.

The medley was definitely endearing as the crowd gave Paolo a standing ovation which made Papa Gary smile.

One major high point of the concert was Gary's rendition of Freddie Aguilar's "Anak" a song meant for both parent and child. It was an interesting feat of Gary to sing the song in Italian, English and Tagalog. I think there was a hint of a bit of Spanish also.

After almost at close the the 11/2 half mark of the concert, Gary finally introduced his special guest, Martin Nievera. Gary expounded his excitement of hearing a Martin Nievera song 26 years ago that inspired him and influenced his career. Once on stage, Martin and Gary were like "Rowan and Martin," "George and Gracie" or just plan comedic guys who were able to intertwine each other's songs into this point of the concert.



They even made jokes about being on the Nokia Theater acting like they were on American Idol as both David Archuleta and David Cook. Martin begs that he'd been on "American Idol" if they had it when he was younger.


Gary V. and Martin Neviera having dinner at Patrick's Steakhouse. ©Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press.

What can we say about Earth, Wind and Fire. Well, that was one of Gary V's ultimate favorite band. Gary did Earth Wind and Fire justice with a slew of popular songs from the group and even singing "Reasons." Even one of the African American security guards had to turn around to see if the band was actually on stage. To his surprise it was Gary V. belting out the tunes.

After hitting the two hour mark of his show, Gary finally slowed it down with a love song to close the night.

All and all, I have to say thanks to the show producers for keeping the stage element simple with vertical trusses and light effects. No big productions of Gary coming down from the ceiling or entering a motorcyle. His talents was enough to make this concert one of the best that the Nokia Theater has seen since it opened in January 2008.


***All photo are copyright by ©Pacific Rim Photo Press

Jack Black goes Panda on us

It's been a long while since a movie premiere has closed down Hollywood Blvd. This past Sunday morning (Jun 1, 2008) Paramount Pictures/Dreamworks went Kung fu crazy by closing one full block of the Blvd. Groggy eyed event photographers and video crews showed up to the Grauman's around 8a.m. for an 8:30 am checkin. We were greeted with the street of Hollywood transformed into a magical far away cartoonish Chinese Village. But corporate marketing still had its teeth in that village as there was a mobile McDonald's restaurant serving its tasty heart clogging food. Oh wait I take that back, there were bags of apples and fruit served by McDonald's.

There were breakfast stations set throughout the street. One area also included a dance section in which an instructor showed kids how to do the Kung Fu Panda.


Boo Boo Stewart kicks through the red carpet. He also participated in the Kung Fu Panda dance.

After waiting for an 11/2 hours for the premiere to start, we were treated to the sexy Lucy Liu.



Along with Lucy, we had Dustin Hoffman and his wife stroll down the carpet with a lifesize Panda posing along side the couple.



The ever imposing Michael Clark Duncan showed up in red and black. Crazy colors to wear on a warm Sunday morning. He definitely was sweating.



We also finally got Jack Black on the carpet being the crazy guy that he is. From play fighting with the panda and doing Kung Fu moves.



Kung Fu Panda opens June 6. It's a great movie to watch with the kids and if you're children into the martial arts, they'll definitely love this movie. Expect them to do the "heeyah" and Kung fu moves while exiting the theater.

For more photos visit www.pacificrimphotopress.com

Adam Sandler takes on a hair salon

The waiting game has started again on the carpet as the first major movie premiere invaded Hollywood since "What Happens In Vegas." Last night Adam Sandler and crew headed down the carpet for the World Premiere of "You Don't Mess With the Zohan."

The waiting was as bad as there were limos lined up 5 deep to drop off A, B, C and D list actors well maybe not D List Actors. The majority of the cast showed up sans Alec Mapa, Chris Rock and the much anticipated Mariah Carey. African-American mainstay event photographer Bill Jones was a bit upset as he said his main reason for coming to the premiere was to shoot Miss Mariah Carey Cannon. Oh well, we still had Adam and Rob on the carpet.

Only problem with Mr. Sandler is he's either chewing gum, not looking at photographers or just walking fast through the carpet. Last night was no exception as he walked briskly through the red carpet. He did take a moment to stop and sit in one of the hairstyling chairs that were on the carpet for props.

(Note: As of today's blog, all photos posted to my blog will have the Pacific Rim Photo Press watermark)


Adam Sandler and wife stroll down the street of Hollywood Blvd to greet the fans.


Anna Faris poses for the cameras next to Zohan.


Actress Cassandra Hepburn shows off her lavender dress on the carpet.


David Hasselhoff and daughter ready to laugh their heads off at the premiere.


Emmanuelle Chriqui looking as lovely as ever.


Jenna Dewan showed up without her man Channing Tatum. Are they still together?


Lainie Kazan is definitely a crazy and cool lady to photograph on the carpet. I missed the shot of her rubbing Zohan's privates!!!


Kevin James gives photographers strict orders to take good photos of him and his wife Steffiana.


The lovely "27 Dresses" star Malin Akerman knows how to give us that sexy look in a hairstyling chair.


The Filipino blood representing on the carpet with Michael Copon and Rob Schneider. Both who have Filipino extraction in their blood.


Rob Schneider turns the cameras on the event photographers.

In You Don't Mess With the Zohan, a comedy from screenwriters Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel (Triumph the Insult Comic Dog), and Judd Apatow (Knocked Up), Sandler stars as Zohan, an Israeli commando who fakes his own death in order to pursue his dream: becoming a hairstylist in New York. Dennis Dugan directs.

Indiana Jones cracks a skull for his new film - CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Imagine if you will as Indiana Jones must wade through another adventure. This time, we find out that Indiana has a son and deal with individuals stabbing his back. As I sat watching the new flick at the Paramount Theater on the Paramount lot, I couldn't notice that the overall audience was respectful and happy to finally get a glimpse of the movie. However, the reaction throughout the audience was a bit more lukewarm.



One interesting running gag were gophers or were they prairie dogs through the movie. The humor was a bit dry but I loved Cate Blanchett in her "Swing Out Sister" hair style playing the villainous Russian Irina Spalko. I loved her accent and the fluidity she went from English to Russian.



Karen Allen reprises her role as Marion Ravenwood, the love of Indiana life and how Indy and Marion show that their love may have lasted through the years even if Indy was absent from her life all these years.



Shia LaBeouf was able to pull off his screen role as Mutt Williams aka. Riding his motorcycle and playing a greaser, LaBeouf's character moves from fixing motorcycles to traveling South America with Indy to help find a beloved friend, Professor Oxley (John Hurt).



The story line of this new installment of the Indy series revolves around the possibility of crystal skulls that have some type of psychological powers. George Lucas was able to exploit the myth surrounding the Mayans and Incas in which aliens may have helped the indigenous tribe with creating a civilization that was way beyond its time in terms of technology. This is where the crystal skulls come into play. Believing that their are powers, Irina Spalko forceable enlists Indiana to seek out the skull and the imaginary city that the skull comes from.



All in all, the action sequences are what you will expect in an Indiana series but the comedic lines falls slight flat of expectation. Along with the expectation of covering a red carpet event is futile as the only red carpet premiere that was had of this film was in Cannes.

A quick question answered by Matthew Fox

Q: Did you love Speed Racer when you were a kid?

A: I didn’t know Speed Racer at all. Again, getting back to that thing about how directors are very important, when the Wachowskis asked to meet with me, I guess they’re fans of Lost and they had an idea that I might be Racer X, and I went into the meeting never knowing anything about Speed Racer. I wanted to work with the Wachowskis. That meeting went great and I went home with a script, and I got the source material and watched a lot of Speed Racer, and the script blew me away and then I went after that role. I went back to L.A. and I really went after that role, I wanted it, and it took like six weeks. Working with the Wachowskis and the cast on this particular film, and what this film is going to be like, how much it’s a game-changer in my opinion, was an extraordinary experience, it was amazing.




Q: How do you keep your children grounded when their daddy is a big star?

A: Well they don’t have any contact with the business part of it. They really don’t get to see any of the things I’m in. Speed Racer that’s one of the things that I was just so excited about as well was that I knew that my kids – it’s a PG film and a family movie, and they came to Berlin and they came on set and saw me in the full Racer X thing, and I didn’t want to scare them so I was like, ‘Hey,’ and they were like, ‘ Daddy?’ ‘Yeah, yeah, it’s me,’ and I walked on set and my little boy turned to my wife and he goes, ‘I want to be Race X next Halloween.’




Check out www.pacificrimphotopress.com for more photos from the Los Angeles Premiere of "Speed Racer"

Cameron Diaz celebrates her father's life by attending the premiere of "What Happens In Vegas"

On Thursday, May 1, 2008, Cameron Diaz made a surprise appearance at her premiere of "What Happens in Vegas." Many photographers and journalists weren't sure what to expect especially since Diaz did not attend the press junket for the movie the week before. Speculations abound as to will she or will she not. I guess you can say, "The show must go on."



According to ET Online's report posted on April 16, 2008, "CAMERON DIAZ's father, EMILIO, has passed away. A rep for New Line Cinema, the studio making Cameron's new film, 'My Sister's Keeper,' tells ET that while the grieving actress was absent from the set today due to her father's death, the production did not shut down. Scenes that didn't involve Cameron carried on with shooting, and no shut down is planned at this time, the New Line rep tells us." Her father died unexpectedly from pneumonia at the age of 58. He was a second generation Cuban-American who worked an oil company and had a bit part in his daughter's movie There's Something About Mary.


Cameron cracks a smile as the show must go on.

Services for Diaz's father was held in Seal Beach, CA. Ensuring that the service was about the celebration of Emilio Diaz, Cameron requested guests to come in colorful clothing and in lieu of flowers, make donations to two ocean environmental protection charities.

Along for support for Diaz was former boyfriends, Justin Timberlake and Jon Mayer.

Aside from the death of her father, Diaz finally did make it to the premiere of "What Happens in Vegas."



It was like a cheer off between Cameron and Ashton as premiere goers who won seats to sit in bleachers from local radio station KIIS-FM, each attendee had a choice to sit on either the Cameron cheering section or the Ashton section. When the pair showed up, the radio announcer had a cheer off. Cameron egging on her section to scream as loud as they can to hit the red marks of a cheer-o-meter then Ashton cheering his section on also. Apparently, there were more hissing girls in Ashton's side that made his meter hit red a few times.


Ashton is ready to get a cheer on.

Not to be out done, Cameron's cheerleading days at Long Beach Poly paid off with her section hitting red quite a bit longer. Unfortunately, the radio announcer gave it to Ashton. His section won the chance to go in and watch the movie premiere. However, Cameron said that everyone should go see the movie. So off they went to the premiere of "What Happens In Vegas."



Eva Longoria gets the crowd excited with her cheerful smiles.


Co-star Rob Corddry hits the carpet with a tie festooned with bombs.


Co-star Lake Bell shimmies it up with a sparkling dress.

Iron Man shows his metallic image on the red carpet

Hello All. I have to apologize for the not posting in since the "Speed Racer" Premiere. With work and launching a new Asian Pacific Celebrity photo site. If you get a chance, check it out at asianphotopress.com (temporary site). The actual site name is pacificrimphotopress.com (should be up by tomorrow).

Aside from that, I'm glad to see that "Iron Man" had debuted at $100mil at the box office. I had actually watched it last Wednesday and knew it would do great at the box office. Alongside the debut, the premiere in Hollywood happened last Wednesday night at the Grauman's Chinese Theater. It definitely was a hard one to cover especially knowing how Mr. Robert Downey, Jr is known to breeze through the carpet. Of course, that held true. As you can see in the photo below, I was able to catch a facial shot of Robert while being interviewed by Entertainment Tonight.


Robert Downey Jr caught on video by Entertainment Tonight.

Vince Vaughn did his usual smile and dash on the carpet. He stopped at least at one step and repeat the bolted to the Theater.

Terrence Howard was looking all dapper in his blue suit. He was asking us if his broach was appropriate and if we liked it on his suit. What do you think?



Gwyneth looked ravishing with her hair back to her usual blonde from her red head look in the film.



Jeff Bridges found his hair back on his head after having to have a dome head for "Iron Man."


Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins looked like he jumped out of bed and just put shoes on.


And how could we not forget the Marvel Comic Man, Stan Lee. He definitely is a character on the red carpet. Can you guess what his cameo role is in the film? It was nice to chat with Stan Lee's wife for a quick minute. They are so much in love after 60years of marriage.



And signing off until next time, "Over The Shoulder!"