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Gail Banawis, Amb. Mario de Leon, Lea Salonga, Pope Francis: OSM!’s News Makers of 2015

They’re the 12 most read and the most searched people in the OSM! online magazine and of course, they did something so awesome in 2015.

By Marivir R. Montebon

Singer and model Gail Banawis is the top newsmaker for OSM! www.justcliqit.com for 2015. Garnering the ‘most searched item’ in the online magazine last year, Gail sang the Philippine National Anthem for the Manny Pacquiao – Floyd Mayweather bout in Las Vegas together with The Word Chorale. Gail, 19, is based in New York City and balances her time for modeling and singing as well as her speech pathology classes at Brooklyn College.

In June 2015, she performed in a concert with popular group Air Supply at the Town Hall NYC in Manhattan. Off stage, Gail remains level-headed and sweet despite her success and being the only child to physical therapist parents Janette and Gilray Banawis.

Congressman Manny Pacquiao, who is world boxing champion, made it well as a top favorite read among OSM! readers early in 2015. Despite a lack luster performance as congressional representative, Pacquiao continues to draw millions of fans to the boxing arena and boob tube as a ferocious boxer.

pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao in a press briefing at the Philippine Residence in January 2015. Ms. Eleanor de Leon, at the back, and Consul General Mario de Leon tendered a welcome party for him in New York.

 

Young music genius 12-year-old Jayon Abellana Felizarta is last year’s youngest newsmaker. He lives in North Carolina with his parents Gayle and Jason (both nurses) and older sister, MJ. Jayon competed and won second place in the Erich Bergel and Dorothy Kitchen International Violin competition in Heltau, Romania in March 2015.

JayonFelizarta

New York City commissioner for Human Rights has broken through internet news with her effort to educate the public on human rights and the services the city provides. Carmelyn Malalis, a lawyer by profession, has just began to make human rights a household word.

malalis

albert

Albert Chan Paran, best actor for the short film Julie, is making news too. The 42-year-old from Cebu bested 50 other entries to the 5-year-old International Film Festival Manhattan.

Singer comedienne Elizabeth Ramsey is a top searched item too. After her passing on October 8, 2015, the Philippine queen of rock and roll and humor will be missed. There may be no one at par with that powerful voice and crazy down-to-earth wooden humor.

elizabeth-ramsey1

Lea Salonga naturally became a news maker when she returned to Broadway with actor George Takei on the musical Allegiance. Twenty-six years later after Ms. Saigon, Lea has enthralled us once more on stage as Kei Kimura.

Amb. Mario de Leon and Ms. Eleanor lead the Philippine community in welcoming Lea to NYC, 26 years after Miss Saigon.

Lea back on Broadway, 26 years after Miss Saigon.

Serena Williams sent everyone praying and holding their breathes to be the 2015 grand slam tennis queen. Although she did not, and despite how mainstream media treated her with stereotypical sexism and racial slur, Serena still is a winner in the hearts of people who knew what discipline and dedication meant.

Serena-Williams

John Arcilla, a stage actor before he went to the movies.

John Arcilla, a stage actor before he went to the movies.

John Arcilla made much news for the bioepic movie Heneral Luna when he came to the East coast last year. Heneral Luna is the official Philippine entry to the 2016 Oscar’s.  One of the Philippines’ finest actors, John soars high with his singing prowess too.

Charo Santos Concio graced the Filipino community in New York with her presence in time for the gala of the 43rd International Emmy awards which she chaired. Being a woman on top media leadership of ABS-CBN going international makes for one great news maker indeed.

Charo Santos Concio

Charo Santos Concio

The papal visit in the East Coast made Pope Francis a well-loved newsmaker. He is most endearing when he spent time with young children. First, in a Catholic school in Harlem who showed them their science projects and second, in Madison Square Garden, where he blessed children treated for cancer, including RJ Sy who continues to battle against stage 4 neuroblastoma.

popeF

De Leon: The rule of law has to be faithfully followed.

De Leon: On peace, the rule of law has to be faithfully followed.

Ambassador Mario Lopez de Leon, Philippine Consul General to New York is a newsmaker for 2015 for his  faith and support to the growth of the Philippine communities in the East Coast. He recently was named Man of the Year by the Friends Indeed and Philippine Hearts and Hopes Foundation. Amb. De Leon was also cited as Ambassador for Peace by the US-based Universal Peace Federation in the spring of 2015. He has continually encouraged Filipinos in the US to excel in their professions and service in the US.

 

appleonelogo

Life a great life at Apple One Banawa Heights in Cebu. In the US, contact Jaena Valles at 516.643.4252

Live a great, comfortable life at Apple One Banawa Heights in Cebu, Philippines. In the US, contact Jaena Valles at 516.643.4252

Jan 6, 2016Admin
OSM! Reaches 2.2 M Pages Read in 2015In NYC: When the Heart has No Home

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Admin
6 years ago All posts, Special FeatureABS-CBN, Albert Chan Paran, Allegiance, Ambassa, Ambassador for Peace, Broadway, Carmelyn Malalis, Charo Santos, Elizabeth Ramsey, Erich Bergel and Dorothy Kitchen International Violin, Floyd Mayweather, Gail Banawis, George Takei, Gilray Banawis, Heltau, Heneral Luna, International Film Festival Manhatt, Jannette Bongon Banawis, Jayon Christopher Abellana Felizarta, John Arcilla, Julie, Kei Kimura, Las Vegas, Lea Salonga, Man of Year 2015, Manny Pacquiao, New York City Commissioner for Human Rights, Pope Francis, Romania, Serena Williams511
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