The Phenomenal WASSUP of 2016: A Recap

By: Jovie Calma

 

“People making lists, buying special gifts. Taking time to be kind to one and all. It’s the time of year when good friends are near, and you wish you could give more than just presents from a store.”

Growing up, this famous song from the Jackson 5, “Give Love On Christmas Day,” usually kicked off the holiday season in my home. As soon as December 1st hits the calendar, my family gathered to set up the Christmas tree and shared what we wanted for Christmas as presents or how we call it our “wish list.” Now, that I have my own family, we still enjoy decorating the Christmas tree together and share our wish list but with an addition of #25 Days of Kindness with it.

Does it have to be on Christmas season that we should only do this? Christmas is a time of giving. Giving a gift to others is a good thing, but it points to a deeper meaning. We will not find this deeper meaning under the Christmas tree, but it is not a bad place to start. The deepest meaning, however, is found in the loving heart. At its best, Christmas is a mirror in which we see reflection of the very best life can be and the best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped in each other. It’s God’s way of reaching His world and His creatures with the good news that life could be different from what we have made it. It is God’s way of giving us, His creatures, and the gift that keeps on giving — Jesus Christ. This month, allow me to share with you once again the bountiful blessings that God has showered for Wassup?! Jovie Calma Live in Chicago for VIA Times Newsmagazine and Chicago Philippine Reports TV this year.

In January 2016, we shared the Philippines’ crowning moment in 2015 at the International Beauty Pageants. 2015 was an amazing year for the Philippines as it holds an impressive record winning as the country’s representatives have snagged prominent spots on the international stage. These beauty queens have definitely given the country a big boost in the global beauty pageant circuit, as their placements made the Philippines as the only country with finalists in every major international beauty pageants. After 42 years, the most coveted crown was won by Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach as 2015 Miss Universe.

February was a two-fold celebration as National Heart Month and Valentine’s Day. On this month, we we’re thrilled to share wonderful stories of our guests that we have interviewed for Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE aired at CPRTV. The core of my conversation was about their passion and love of their work. We met Beba Georgieva, one of the co-founders and developed the concept of Moi Soli with Daina Kaleja, through their personal experience in the fashion industry and their educational backgrounds. They showcased these ready-to-wear lingerie and nightwear, which are designed and hand-made entirely in Europe and it guarantees uniqueness of the product. Moi Soli understands the sophisticated consumer and it is bringing luxury quality products to their evening experience.

It was one cold and dreary night in March when I had the opportunity to meet Connor Smith, a fitness model, personal trainer, NPC physique competitor and a star of MTV’s reality show, “Are You The One? Season 3.” Connor was one of our guests at Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE being aired at Chicago Philippine Reports TV in line with the celebration of February as Love Month. His presence in the studio brought some warmth and sizzled the night. Connor is tagged as the “gentle giant” from Tinley Park in MTV’s “Are You The One” who believed he could find his soulmate. “Are You The One’ is an American reality television series on MTV.

In April we shared our great review about the riveting and intimate single-act production of “After All the Terrible Things I do” at The Wit Theatre presented by About Face Theatre.

May was dedicated to my youngest son for his Spring Awakening: A blessed spiritual journey as Rovic embarked to a new beginning through the Sacrament of Holy Communion, which is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship to the Catholic Faith and my family is blessed to be part of this journey!

June was filled with hash tags #JCFLY #JCBIRTHDAYINTHESKIES: A BLESSED AND HAPPY NEWYEAR! Life is like an airplane ride. We take off. We ride. We land. There will be turbulence and there are delays. At certain connecting flights, there are surprises. Some of these will translate into great moments of joy; some will result in profound sorrow. Likewise, I compared my life in an airplane ride. June is my birth month and I was in NYC to celebrate my pre-birthday with one of my best friends in the University whom I haven’t seen for such a long time. I was more jittery than usual. With every bump, dip and change of incline, I felt twinges of genuine fear. This was how I felt too, when I copiloted a Cessna 172 on June 5th, my actual birthday.

In July, summer in Chicago, was crammed again with the best festivals, concerts, beach days, baseball, and more outdoor things to do during this most- awaited season. On July 24, Jed Madela, Philippines’ pop icon and the first Filipino to win the World Championship of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) staged a successful concert, “All Requests,” held at the Copernicus Center. Jed owned the stage in Chicago and will be back in February 2017 for another performance.

Two of this generation’s highly recognized and established singers from the Philippines, came as one to the USA and Canada in a series of concerts that delivered the goods in September. Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto, their shining stars intertwined by virtue of their stellar record as familiar voices to local movie and teleserye (soap opera) theme songs, joined hands once again and shared their music with Filipinos who have made their songs a part of their everyday lives in their “King and Queen of Hearts” US and Canada Tour 2016.

In October, on one of the most remarkable nights in Chicago, two of the mainstream’s most talented performers and Chicago local talents gathered under one roof, to celebrate Filipino American History Month. It was Friday, October 7th when Chicagoans trooped to Copernicus Center to witness one of the greatest collaborations of all time. American Idol Season 11’s finalist, Jessica Sanchez shared the stage with YouTube Sensation, Mikey “PinoyBoy” Bustos and SamaSama Project, Chicago’s own Filipino Folk fusion band. Each of these performers have an impressive resume and great credits on their own. In this month, Joey Albert and David Pomeranz also took Chicago to revisit memory lane and to fall in love even more at the “Timeless Love Songs concert”.

October 29th, we showcased the Annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame, which never fails to bring the great celebration of the most deserving honorees. This year, VIA Times Newsmagazine and Chicago Philippine Reports presented its annual spectacular salute to accomplished and deserving Filipinos/Asian Americans and Friends at a redcarpet awards gala dinner dance held at Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel on October 29, 2016. While the red carpet offers the glitz and glamour, it’s the recognition of the 19 outstanding and accomplished individuals that were highlighted in the occasion, in line with the celebration of Filipino American Heritage Month.

December is the last chapter of the year; let’s make it memorable. St. Walter’s Filipino Ministry at St. Walter’s Church in Roselle headed by Fr. Mario Quejadas, kicked off the Filipino tradition of Simbang Gabi. A joyful celebration was held with a 5am mass and capped with a light breakfast. On a side note, special birthday wishes to Tito Aris Topacio (Dec.1), Tita Haidee Angeles (Dec. 4), James DC (Dec. 13), Michelle Ola (Dec. 20), and to my Dad Ricky Calma (Dec. 28). I love you, Dad! Congratulations to my mentor in theatre, the world- renowned Dr. Anton Juan, on winning the Aliw Lifetime Achievement Award. I’m extremely proud of you, Sir Anton. To all VIA Times Readers and CPRTV viewers, thank you for your continued support. Until the next issue of Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE! Have a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous 2017! God Bless Us All!

St. Walter’s Filipino Ministry hosted a joyous Filipino celebration reliving the tradition of “Simbang Gabi” in a 5am mass and capped with light breakfast, under the direction and blessings of Fr. Mario Quejadas.

Congrats to Lily Liu and team for the success of F.A.M.E.’s (Foundation of Artists Mentored In Entertainment) Bubbles and Brunch Fundraiser held at Chicago Yacht Club.(L-R: VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma, Lily Liu of Lily’s Talent and Rovic Santos)

Moon Crane Theatre Company celebrating the world renowned director and playwright, Dr. Anton Juan on winning the ALIW Lifetime Achievement Award.

VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma had a blast with her sons, Alric and Rovic celebrating his oldest son’s birthday at Benihana