Charice article - book feature
Int’l journalist Ruben V. Nepales to launch book about Filipinos in entertainment
SATURDAY, 28 APRIL 2012 00:00 PROSY ABARQUEZ DELACRUZ
Asian Journal
Ruben Nepales during his booksigning at Powerbooks Makati. (AJPress photo by Andy Tecson)
LOS ANGELES — My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood, the first book of US-based journalist and Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Ruben V. Nepales, is a collection of inspiring interviews with talents of Filipino heritage who are making a name in the American entertainment industry, especially in Hollywood. Having successfully launched the book in Manila this month, Nepales will be hosted by friends and colleagues at a special book launch on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 3pm at the CBS Studios Center in Studio City, California.
In his encounters with international celebrities, Nepales constantly seeks out what he calls the “Filipino Connection”—aka “FC”—for any terms of reference on anything Filipino. The book, published by Anvil, features interviews with talents of Filipino heritage who are based in the US and Canada. Among those featured are Vanessa Hudgens, Charice Pempengco, Darren Criss, Oscar nominees Hailee Steinfeld and Matthew Libatique, Tony DeZuñiga, Alec Mapa, Bernardo Bernardo, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and Pixar’s Ronnie del Carmen and Ricky Nierva and Ramona Diaz.
Based in Los Angeles, Ruben V. Nepales recently went home to receive The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni (TOTAL) Award in media, the highest alumni honors given by his alma mater, University of Santo Tomas (UST). He was a finalist in the 2011 National Entertainment Journalism Awards, a US-wide competition presented by the Los Angeles Press Club. In 2010, Nepales was honored with the inaugural AB Gantimpala Award for media by UST’s Faculty of Arts and Letters.
Ruben is the first Filipino member in the 60-plus year history of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) that votes on and presents the annual Golden Globe Awards. He is on the board of directors of the HFPA, a non-profit association of international journalists that has been cited for its philanthropic efforts. HFPA recently donated $25,000 to UNICEF Philippines to help in the long-term recovery programs for children and families affected by Storm Sendong that devastated southern Philippines.
Nepales also serves on the board of directors of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), a non-profit organization that serves Filipino-Americans and other communities through youth development, health, economic and social services. He is a columnist and correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Philippines’ leading English newspaper and one of the most prestigious broadsheets in Asia. He writes the popular column, Only IN Hollywood. He is also a contributing editor of Balikbayan Magazine, a magazine published by Asian Journal Publications, Inc. and distributed in the US and the Philippines. A proud native of Calasiao, Pangasinan, Ruben is married to Janet Susan R. Nepales, who is also a journalist and a member of the HFPA. They have two children, Bianca Nicole and Rafaella Angelica.
Guests are invited to meet Nepales beginning at 3pm on Saturday, May 19 at the CBS Studios Center, Carla’s Café, 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, CA. 91604 where they can also catch a special performance from singer Luisa Mendez-Marshall. There is no admission charge and parking is free. Those interested in reserving copies of the book can email Ted Benito at PAELIVE@TDRZ.NET prior to May 18. The cost of the book is $18.95. The launch of “My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood” is proudly sponsored by Inquirer.net (the digital edition of the Philippine Daily Inquirer), Asian Journal Publications, PAE Live!, Ms. Rocio Nuyda and Ms. Prosy de la Cruz. Specialty drink provided by VuQo.
Int’l journalist Ruben V. Nepales to launch book about Filipinos in entertainment
SATURDAY, 28 APRIL 2012 00:00 PROSY ABARQUEZ DELACRUZ
Asian Journal
Ruben Nepales during his booksigning at Powerbooks Makati. (AJPress photo by Andy Tecson)
LOS ANGELES — My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood, the first book of US-based journalist and Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Ruben V. Nepales, is a collection of inspiring interviews with talents of Filipino heritage who are making a name in the American entertainment industry, especially in Hollywood. Having successfully launched the book in Manila this month, Nepales will be hosted by friends and colleagues at a special book launch on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 3pm at the CBS Studios Center in Studio City, California.
In his encounters with international celebrities, Nepales constantly seeks out what he calls the “Filipino Connection”—aka “FC”—for any terms of reference on anything Filipino. The book, published by Anvil, features interviews with talents of Filipino heritage who are based in the US and Canada. Among those featured are Vanessa Hudgens, Charice Pempengco, Darren Criss, Oscar nominees Hailee Steinfeld and Matthew Libatique, Tony DeZuñiga, Alec Mapa, Bernardo Bernardo, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and Pixar’s Ronnie del Carmen and Ricky Nierva and Ramona Diaz.
Based in Los Angeles, Ruben V. Nepales recently went home to receive The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni (TOTAL) Award in media, the highest alumni honors given by his alma mater, University of Santo Tomas (UST). He was a finalist in the 2011 National Entertainment Journalism Awards, a US-wide competition presented by the Los Angeles Press Club. In 2010, Nepales was honored with the inaugural AB Gantimpala Award for media by UST’s Faculty of Arts and Letters.
Ruben is the first Filipino member in the 60-plus year history of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) that votes on and presents the annual Golden Globe Awards. He is on the board of directors of the HFPA, a non-profit association of international journalists that has been cited for its philanthropic efforts. HFPA recently donated $25,000 to UNICEF Philippines to help in the long-term recovery programs for children and families affected by Storm Sendong that devastated southern Philippines.
Nepales also serves on the board of directors of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), a non-profit organization that serves Filipino-Americans and other communities through youth development, health, economic and social services. He is a columnist and correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Philippines’ leading English newspaper and one of the most prestigious broadsheets in Asia. He writes the popular column, Only IN Hollywood. He is also a contributing editor of Balikbayan Magazine, a magazine published by Asian Journal Publications, Inc. and distributed in the US and the Philippines. A proud native of Calasiao, Pangasinan, Ruben is married to Janet Susan R. Nepales, who is also a journalist and a member of the HFPA. They have two children, Bianca Nicole and Rafaella Angelica.
Guests are invited to meet Nepales beginning at 3pm on Saturday, May 19 at the CBS Studios Center, Carla’s Café, 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, CA. 91604 where they can also catch a special performance from singer Luisa Mendez-Marshall. There is no admission charge and parking is free. Those interested in reserving copies of the book can email Ted Benito at PAELIVE@TDRZ.NET prior to May 18. The cost of the book is $18.95. The launch of “My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood” is proudly sponsored by Inquirer.net (the digital edition of the Philippine Daily Inquirer), Asian Journal Publications, PAE Live!, Ms. Rocio Nuyda and Ms. Prosy de la Cruz. Specialty drink provided by VuQo.
