B4 JANUARY 16-19, 2016 • 1LA1/15/16 AsianJournal_Jan2016_FINAL_Layout 10:33 AMASIAN Page 1JOURNAL WEEKEND
http://www.asianjourn
Grace Mercado Ouano Celebrate and Her Birthday In Hollywood G
race Mercado Ouano (Grace O) had two reasons to celebrate with her family and friends on New Year’s Eve—she can ring in 2016 while simultaneously celebrating her birthday, which also falls on December 31! Over 200 guests celebrated with Grace O at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in a 1950s glamorous Hollywood-themed black-tie evening. In true Hollywood fashion, guests were treated to a red carpet entrance where they posed for souvenir photos and selfies, bantered with red carpet host James Wallington, and sent out birthday greetings and New Year’s wishes to the celebrant.
Opening Ceremony The celebratory evening began with a Catholic Mass. The main celebrant was Monsignor Larry Spiteri, who was visiting from the Vatican, and the ceremony was concelebrated by Father Robert Victoria of the St. Anthony Catholic Church in the El Segundo Parish, Father George Peters of the Corpus Christi Parish in the Pacific Palisades, and Fathers Jose Gopio and Donald O’Connor of the Divine Word Seminary in Riverside county. During the Mass the Harana Men’s Chorus performed, accompanied by a string quartet from the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra and pianist Paul Concepcion. As guests arrived in the main ballroom, they were serenaded by the St Genevieve School Jazz Band, led by music director Carlos Dominguez, playing the 1950s song, Sing Sing
Sing. St. Genevieve School’s president-principal Dan Horn was also in attendance along with the famous singer Helen Reddy, who has long been a supporter of the Jazz Band. The evening was emceed by the Emmy Award-winning KTLA 5 News Anchor and host of the ABS-CBN show, Balitang America, Cher Calvin. During the course of the evening, guests enjoyed a variety of singing and dancing performances. Grace O was celebrated with the Happy Birthday song by none other than Marilyn Monroe! Next she was serenaded by artistic director Gelo Francisco and the Philippines Chamber Singers, the very first Filipino choir ever to perform for the prestigious American Choral Directors Association. The choir has also performed twice with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel. The Chamber Singers performed songs from the Golden Age of Hollywood including Grace O’s favorite song, Climb Every Mountain. The guests enjoyed a delicious buffet of dishes prepared by the Four Seasons’ chef, who used recipes from both Grace O’s first cookbook, The Age Gracefully Cookbook, published by Skyhorse Publishing in September 2015 and from her second cookbook, The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which is scheduled for publication by Skyhorse this April 2016. As a dessert course, guests were offered a Viennese table of over 14 delicious desserts. As the clock neared midnight, guests were also offered for good luck in the New Year over 20 different round candies. During the evening Grace O was presented
with a “Member’s Resolution” by the Honorable Rob Bonta, 18th Assembly District of Los Angeles, in recognition of her many professional and philanthropic activities on behalf of the people of California, and her exemplary record of community service. Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim offered a wonderful birthday toast and California State Senator Bob Huff of the 29th Senate District presented her with a “Special Commendation” Award in honor of her many years of philanthropic work.
Countdown to Midnight The evening reached a crescendo when the pop music group The Platters appeared on stage. Some of their great hits include Only You and The Great Pretender, among the 40 charting singles that appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1955 and 1967. The Platters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. To round out the evening, the international star and Prince of Pop and Opera, Jonathan Badon, serenaded Grace O with a happy birthday song as well as an array of songs made famous during the 1950s. All of the performers and the entire evening of presentations was expertly coordinated by Vic Perez of V Entertainment. As guests waited for the clock to countdown to midnight, some took to the dance floor and others played casino games. Just before midnight various raffle and other prizes were handed out by Grace O and everyone cheered as the clock struck midnight!
Beth Dingle, Trini Foliente, Minda Weinrich, Minnie Miller, Aida Villarama
Father Martin Madro, Father Alden Sison, Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti and Monsignor Larry Spiteri with Grace O
Grace O and Senator Bob Huff
Consul General Leo Herrera Lim offered a toast
Katrina Villamor, Charina Berroya Adeva, Marilou Berroya, Manuel Berroya and Paul Berroya
Tony Agoncillo, Cher Calvin and Romina Agoncillo Grace O's evening gown was created by Hollywood designer Oliver Tolentino from Beverly Hills
Roger Seavers, President/CEO Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and Rizalina Seavers
Mr. Emil Fish, President/CEO of Regency Park Senior Living and Grace O