★ M.A.R.A.★

More Asians Rockin' America

New York Fashion Week September 2011: Click photos to see larger versions.
Also, I realize this week is the big Spring 2012 reveal; autumn is upon us, however, so I'll be posting Fall 2011 collections as well
ENJOY! NYFW


Donate: March 2011 Tohoku or Great East Japan Earthquake
(9.0 magnitude, one of the 5 most powerful earthquakes in the world, triggered a tsunami of waves reaching up to 40 meters/133ft;
Japanese Police agency confirmed 16,000 deaths, 6,000 injured, and more than 4,100 missing)

Pakistan monsoons July 2010, China earthquake April 15, 2010, Haiti earthquake Jan 12, 2010




The buzz on
Famous Asians,
Famous Filipinos
,
and exactly who is Asian
in the American spotlight
(some big surprises!)

News, Events
Music, Concerts
TV/Film Premieres,
Red Carpet,
short Bios

Special thanks to those who participated and gave input on the layout, design, and naming. Your ideas and feedback were a great help. Thank you.

Enjoy!

Feel free to email or
ask me a question





News Proposed Legislation:
Lunar New Year
as school holiday!


NY Fashion Week:
Naomi Campbell
organizes star studded
benefit catwalk for Haiti
How is Naomi Asian?




Most Viewed Patrick Gallagher

Vanessa Hudgens


Victoria's Secret Revealed


Tiger's Slow Jam Remix Hilarity

Tiger's short bio

John Cho, People's Sexiest 2009



Artistic Noise
program empowering juvenile youth through art & entrepreneurship
From: I can't do this,
I'm not an artist
To: Wow! I can't believe
I did this! That was amazing!





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Wednesday, August 10, 2011
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Ruby Neilam Salvador Adams
(aka Neile McQueen-Toffel) is a Filipino-American actress, singer, dancer born in the Philippines, July 10, 1936, and is of German,  Spanish,  English, Chinese, and Filipino descent.  Adams spent 18 months during  WWII imprisoned in a Japanese POW camp in the Philippines.  [Family photo above via]  Adams gained national  attention by age 20 when she starred in Bob Fosse’s  Broadway production  of “The Pajama Game”.  A string of legends such as  Rodgers and  Hammerstein, hand selected her to star in their Broadway  productions.   Film and television features soon followed. Adams’ MGM publicity photo c. 1960 [via]Adams married actor Steve McQueen just four months after they met in 1956.  Adams wrote about her 15-year  marriage and 24-year friendship with McQueen in her book, My Husband, My Friend.  [via]In 1963, McQueen told LIFE magazine, “With strangers, I can’t breathe…But I dig my old lady…” MCQeen and Adams in a Sulphur bath, Big Sur, 1963. Photo by John Dominis. McQueen and Adams stylin 60s mod [via]McQueen and Adams in Taipei 1965 [via], photo by Doris NiehMcQueen and Adams at home [via]McQueen and Adams poolside in their Palm Springs bungalow, 1963.  Photo by John Dominis. [via] Sources & more: Life, book excerpts, book press release, Wiki, IMDbOther Keywords:  famous filipinos, famous asians, famous asian dancers, famous asian singers, famous asian actors, chinese-filipino, mestizo actors, steve mcqueen’s wife, steve mcqueen’s love, formidable asian women, asian female performers, asians in broadway, 1960’s mod photos, famous filipino-americans, mixed asian, hapa

Ruby Neilam Salvador Adams

(aka Neile McQueen-Toffel) is a Filipino-American actress, singer, dancer born in the Philippines, July 10, 1936, and is of German, Spanish, English, Chinese, and Filipino descent.  Adams spent 18 months during WWII imprisoned in a Japanese POW camp in the Philippines.  [Family photo above via] 

Adams gained national attention by age 20 when she starred in Bob Fosse’s Broadway production of “The Pajama Game”.  A string of legends such as Rodgers and Hammerstein, hand selected her to star in their Broadway productions.  Film and television features soon followed.

Adams’ MGM publicity photo c. 1960 [via]


Adams married actor Steve McQueen just four months after they met in 1956.  Adams wrote about her 15-year marriage and 24-year friendship with McQueen in her book, My Husband, My Friend

[via]

In 1963, McQueen told LIFE magazine, “With strangers, I can’t breathe…But I dig my old lady…”

MCQeen and Adams in a Sulphur bath, Big Sur, 1963. Photo by John Dominis.


McQueen and Adams stylin 60s mod [via]

McQueen and Adams in Taipei 1965 [via], photo by Doris Nieh

McQueen and Adams at home [via]


McQueen and Adams poolside in their Palm Springs bungalow, 1963. 
Photo by John Dominis. [via]
 


Sources & more: Life, book excerpts, book press release, Wiki, IMDb
Other Keywords:  famous filipinos, famous asians, famous asian dancers, famous asian singers, famous asian actors, chinese-filipino, mestizo actors, steve mcqueen’s wife, steve mcqueen’s love, formidable asian women, asian female performers, asians in broadway, 1960’s mod photos, famous filipino-americans, mixed asian, hapa


Wednesday, June 22, 2011
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Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist, Jose Antonio Vargas, outs himself as an illegal immigrant

June 22, 2011



Jose Antonio Vargas, who moved to the US from the Philippines when he was 12 years old, divulged his undocumented citizenship status in The New York Times Magazine today to rally support for the DREAM Act, which would allow children of undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for at least five years, graduated from high school, and are of good moral character the opportunity to earn citizenship through at least two years of college or military service.

Vargas, who has written for The Washington Post and was a technology editor with The Huff Post, and contributed to the Pulitzer Prize-winning articles on the Virginia Tech shootings, was inspired to step forward after learning of high school graduates who marched in Washington to support the Dream Act. 

“We are not who you think we are.  We don’t just mow your lawns, and babysit your kids, and serve you tacos…we do a really good job doing that…but we do other things and we are a part of this society…and I think everyone deserves dignity.” 

The risks.  The interview.  The article in the New York Times Magazine.


Other Keywords: famous filipino-american writers, filipino american journalist, immigrant activism, the dream act


Tuesday, June 29, 2010
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Hey Folks! I know I kinda been MIA - my apologies - been SO busy! I have you all in mind in the meanwhile - will be posting catch ups in a week or so - thanks for staying with!

If you haven’t already heard, 18 year-old Filipino sensation, Charice Pempengco, will be guest starring in Fox’s hit show Glee in its second season.  Entertainment Weekly reported that Pempengco will play an exchange student with a singing talent that is a serious rival to that of Rachel Berry’s (played by Lea Michele).  Here she is singing Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One” for Billboard’s Mashup Mondays.

Pempengco debuted in front of a live audience on the Ellen Degeneres show in Dec 2007, followed by an appearance on Oprah in Sept 2008.  Pempengco launched her first international album in May this year and became the first Asian in history to land in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 album chart. 

WOW! ROCK ON GIRL!

See her “Pyramid” video below feat. Iyaz.  She’s adorable and so incredibly talented!

Other Keywords: famous filipinos, famous filipino, famous asians, famous asian, famous asian singers, singing sensation, talented kids, charice on oprah, charice on ellen, pyramid video, charice sings shania twain, you’re still the one, mashup mondays, billboard, glee, charice on glee

Wednesday, May 12, 2010
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Dancing with Asians: Carrie Ann, Cheryl, Nicole, and Brooke

Dancing With the Stars rocks the 10th season with 4 Asian females

Carrie Ann Inaba - judge - of Japanese, Chinese, and Irish descent; grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii
Cheryl Burke - dancer - Filipino, Irish, Russian
Nicole Scherzinger - contestant - lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls - Filipino, Hawaiian/Russian
Brooke Burke - DWTS 10th season co-host (suspected Asian on maternal side i.e. not confirmed) and DWTS 7th season champion


Gorgeous Nicole Scherzinger, with partner Derek Hough, brought lightning to their Grease themed pasa doble number last night (5-11-10), which earned them a perfect score.   


Cheryl Burke with dance partner, ??, on April 9, 2010. 


Carrie Ann with her DWTS co-judges


Brooke Burke with DWTS 10th season co-host Tom Bergeron


More pics of …
Nicole Scherzinger
Brooke Burke

Other Keywords: dancing with the stars, asian females on dwts, famous asian females on dwts, famous filipinos. famous asians
Sources
: IMDB, Cheryl Burke’s website, ivillage, abc.com

Thursday, February 18, 2010
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The NYC Soho International Film Festival starts today! Runs Feb 18-21

Founded by Jorge Ballos, Noli Parumog and Luis Pedron on July 1, 2009, the Soho International Film Festival (SIFF) encourages new and seasoned filmmakers to create innovative and thought provoking pieces.


SIFF host screenings and events in the renowned SOHO district of New York City to bring together filmmakers, critics, and cineastes from across the world.  Filmmaking seminars will be conducted by film experts and nightly after parties will be held. The festival is open to Features/Shorts/Music Videos of all Genres (Professional, Amateur, Work-in-Progress and Student Films)


One of the features that hooked me:
Autism: Made in the USA


Autism. What is it and why is it on the rise? In this feature length documentary presentation, award winning executive producer Gary Null is on a quest to reveal the true causes and promising solutions for the recent dramatic increase in autism in our children. Is autism related to environmental factors?

Could it be caused by mercury, aluminum, viruses, or other toxins contained in the 40-odd vaccines that every American child must receive? What are other environmental or genetic factors which could be contributing to the epidemic increase in childhood autism?

In this pioneering educational film, Dr. Null will be interviewing some of the world’s leading experts on childhood autism. A full spectrum of medical and scientific views will be presented, both orthodox and non­traditional, to get at the real reasons behind this childhood scourge. Novel effective therapies will be explored, showing that both the problem and solution of autism could be linked to weakened childhood immune systems, the inability of some children to rid their bodies of heavy metals and injected viruses, and unusual reactions to environmental toxins, foods, and proteins.

The film will consider that there are successful biomedical treatments for autism including utilizing special dietary supplements and gluten-free/casein-free (GFCF) diets, as well as chelation and hyperbaric oxygen therapies. Some of these natural solutions are being challenged by the pharmaceutical industry as unproven. But, could it be that the drug companies stand too much to lose from a more critical scrutiny of our national policy of compulsory vaccinations for infants and children? These and other important issues woven into the fabric of the autism debate will be examined in detail in this film.

A couple of others that caught my attention…


Links & list of Features @ the NYC Soho International Film Festival


Agenda/Film Schedule & Tix


SIFF Co-founder Luis Pedron is Filipino! Say hello via Twitter or Facebook


SIFF Filipino Night is on Saturday, Feb 20th!

There will be a chance to meet the Filipino actors and filmmakers during Q&A’s, a Red Carpet event, free goody bags, and a Special After Party (by G Productions) to highlight the event. Tickets are $15 per movie or $50 for a Day Pass which includes the 4 Filipino films featured in the Festival and the After Party Cover Charge.  Tix here



Other Keywords: famous asians, asian, filipinos, filipino, international film festivals, nyc events, nyc film events, nyc happenings this weekend feb 2010, soho, soho film fest, soho intl film fest, siff, tix to siff, tickets to siff, soho international film festival, up and coming, emerging artists, film makers, documentaries, feature films, features, autism, midwifery, burma, indonesia, philippines, filipino movies

Tuesday, February 2, 2010
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Black Eyed Peas win 3 at the Grammys

Sunday, January 31, 2010
52nd Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in LA, California

Black Eyed Peas wins and nominations: List of winners and nominees

Record Of The Year - nomination
I Gotta Feeling
The Black Eyed Peas
David Guetta & Frederick Riesterer, producers; will.i.am, Dylan “3-D” Dresdow & Padraic “Padlock” Kerin, engineers/mixers
[Interscope]

Album Of The Year
- nomination
The E.N.D.
The Black Eyed Peas
apl.de.ap, Jean Baptiste, Printz Board, DJ Replay, Funkagenda, David Guetta, Keith Harris, Mark Knight, Poet Name Life, Frederick Riesterer & will.i.am, producers; Dylan “3D” Dresdow, Padraic “Padlock” Kerin & will.i.am, engineers/mixers; Chris Bellman, mastering engineer
[Interscope Records]

*Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals - WIN
I Gotta Feeling
The Black Eyed Peas
Track from: The E.N.D.
[Interscope Records]

*Best Pop Vocal Album - WIN
The E.N.D.
The Black Eyed Peas
[Interscope Records]

Best Dance Recording
- nomination
Boom Boom Pow
The Black Eyed Peas
will.i.am & Jean Baptiste, producers; Dylan Dresdow, mixer
Track from: The E.N.D.
[Interscope Records]

*Best Short Form Music Video - WIN
Boom Boom Pow
The Black Eyed Peas
Mat Cullen & Mark Kudsi, video directors; Anna Joseph & Patrick Nugent, video producers
[Interscope Records]

Red Carpet BEP

apl.de.ap, Fergie, will.i.am, Taboo [Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images]


Black Eyed Peas arrive at the Staples Center [Photo Merritt/Getty Images North America]

How is Black Eyed Peas Asian?


Other Asian Celebs at the Grammy Red Carpet
Director Quentin Tarantino and actress Tia Carrere [Photo: Merritt]




MTV G4 Host Olivia Munn [Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images North America]



Musician Kitaro and Jane Zhang [Photo: Merritt]


TV personality Carrie Ann Inaba [Photo: Busacca]



Composer A.R. Rahman [Photo: Busacca]


Other Keywords
: famous filipino, famous filipinos, famous asians, famous sian, famous filipino artists, musicians, 52nd annual grammy awards, grammys, black eyed peas, the end, awards shows, asians in music, filipinos in music, red carpet, grammy red carpet

Wednesday, January 6, 2010
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Winners! Iron Chef America Super Battle: Filipina White House Executive Chef Comerford & Chef Flay

Filipina White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford and renowned chef, restaurateur, and TV personality Bobby Flay defeated Mario Batali and Emeril Legasse by only 5 points in the Michelle Obama special-guest-hosted Iron Chef America Super Battle held at the White House Sunday, Jan 3rd, 2010.  The winners receive $25,000 to contribute to the charity of their choice.  (See why the White House approached the Food Network about this opportunity.  Hint: Sustainability, healthy eating)

Renowned English food writer, journalist and broadcaster Nigella Lawson was a judge along with actress Jane Seymour, and Olympic Gold medalist, Natalie Coughlin (who is part Asian-click on her name to see her intriguing gene mix!)

Videos of each team presenting their dishes to the judges and the winner announcement are below.  The dishes are mouth watering and beautifully crafted.  Definitely worth the viewing.  The cauliflower gratin is most likely the one dish I could recreate.  Flay’s recipe! Woot!

I was a bit confused about the results because the judges seemed to highlight more of the Batali/Legasse team’s dishes in the final judges’ comments.  In viewing both teams’ presentation videos, however, the judges had more accolades for the Comerford/Flay dishes than they had for those of the Batali/Legasse team.  Video editing aside, I’ll give the point system the benefit of the doubt.  It was only a five point spread after all.  ALL the dishes looked beautiful.  I would be a judge in that battle anytime.  YUM!

(Tumblr “followers” must go to permalink to see videos.  Top right corner of the dash post.  Tumblr, will embeds ever be made available on the back end? Sigh…)


L to R: Flay, Comerford, Brown, First lady Obama, Batali, Legasse [via]


Comerford and Flay pick “secret ingredients” from the White House Garden [via]

Iron Chef America Super Battle Intro

Comerford & Flay Presentation (Sorry bout the quality folks. Will update with better quality vids when made available)

Batali & Legasse

Iron Chef America Winners




Other Keywords: Famous filipinos, famous filipinas, famous filipino, famous filipina, chef, white house executive chef, iron chef america winners, iron chef america videos, clips, video, clip, food, sustainability, health, healthy eating, nutrition, vegetables, scallops, radish, sweet potato, ravioli, bbq, barbeque, oysters, ginger ice cream, marshmallows, pie, broccoli based chowder, pineapple, new orleans
Sources: WSJ, Washington Post, The Food Network

Wednesday, December 9, 2009
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Fast Company Names Pharell Williams in Top 100 Most Creative People In Biz

(#36)
Pharrell Williams’ recent achievement: Limelight, an updated version of Fame that he created with film director McG, was picked up by ABC (loosely based on Williams’ performing-arts experience in high school)


Other Fast Company mag highlights:

  • Co-owner of production company, Neptunes (Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Madonna are some clients)
  • Fronts the funk-rock band N.E.R.D.
  • Produces a Billionaire Boys Club  clothing line
  • Sells a line of shoes under the Ice Cream Footwear brand
  • Designed sunglasses and jewelry for Louis Vuitton


[Todd Selby | Corbis Outline]

How is he Asian?



Keywords:  African American, Black, Asian, Asians, Filipino, Famous Filipinos, Music, Hip Hop, Funk, Rock, Producer, Businessman, Rap, NERD, N.E.R.D., Blasians, blasian
Source: Fast Company

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