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THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 6 Number 2 | NOVEMBER 2015
ENTERTAINMENT
Sister Act Enthrals Audiences
TWELVE year old Danikka Vassallo and her ten year old sister Daniela from the Central
Coast, have been enthralling the community with their beautiful voices. The sisters
recently won the hearts of the audiences in their roles in the Disney musical "Mulan"
which was staged in September by the Wyong Musical Theatre Incorporated.
By VIOLI CALVERT
DANIKKA
In 'Mulan', Danikka played the role of the
soldier and also filled in for one of the lead roles,
the ‘Ancestor’, whiles Daniela played mainly the role of ‘Ancestor’ named Destiny. Prior to this musical, Danikka had a minor role in
"Hairspray" and played one of the lead roles of
‘Duffy; in 'Annie'.
Danikka also won a 9-day cruise for the
family with her video entry of singing the Australian National Anthem in the competition conducted by the Australia Day Council of NSW
for Australia Day this year.
Both Danikka and Daniela started performing in public through their involvement as students of Ugnay-Kabayan Filipino Class.
Danikka was 7 when she sung ‘The Climb’
in a Charity Coronation ni ght and the 15th anniversary of the Ugnay-Kabayan. In that same
event, Daniela also performed, singing ‘Tomorrow’. From then on, they have performed
in many community events and concerts in the
Central Coast and in Sydney.
When asked who and what inspire them in
their music, both girls showed maturity beyond
their young age.
Danikka said: "Michael Jackson has always inspired me, just when he was a little boy
he made a band with his siblings. They were just
normal people, living their normal lives, then
they became famous, this proves that anyone
can make it. Watching Michael perform motivates me, I imagine myself on the stage just
moving freely, with no worries whatsoever. He
inspires me to keep going, no matter what happens. "
Daniela said: "I am a really big fan of Whitney Houston, because every time I hear her
voice, it reminds me of why I started singing.
That maybe one day, I might be able to touch the
heart of millions of people just like she did."
Mrs. Australasia Official 2015
Pageant to benefit school in Leyte
MRS. Australasia Official 2015
concluded recently with Katherine
Geering winnng the crown at the
pageant finals night held at the
Swiss Hotel in Sydney recently.
The pageant’s charity programme will benefit the Bunga Elementary School in Leyte. The
school is being rehabilitated since it was damaged by the Typhoon Haiyan.
Pageant founder Maryrose Salubre and
CEO of Salubre Models said they hope to help
restore the school’s classrooms and provide supplies for kindergarten students.
Named Mrs. Australasia Charity Queen is
Hyleen Scholte with Nada Ninkovic as first runner-up. Other prize recipients were Sue Turner, 2nd Runner Up and the Best in Casual Wear
(Cocktail); Doris Maria Ponferada, 3rd Runner
Up; Jeanne Tiglao. Mrs Congeniality; Kay-lee
Shah, Mrs Friendship; Arriane Davie, Mrs Australasia Official photogenic
The pageant’s panel of judges was composed of Mike Ilagan of Star Central Magazine,
Karim Gharbi of Maxim Australia & VIP Sydney, Charles Billich of Charles Billich Gallery,
Suzie Steen of Suzie Steen Management, Rissa
McInnes of Blacktown Lion Club International, Archana Thapa of Fashion Mandu and Miss
Universe Philippines 1998 Jewel Lobaton.
Mrs Australasia Official 2015 founder Maryrose Salubre with Katherine Geering, Mrs. Australasia Official 2015 winner.
Danikka said: "The part I enjoy most about
performing is connecting with the audience, and
telling them a story through song. I love to see
the people in the audience get into the music,
like when I sing an emotional song some close
their eyes and sway. Those are the people that
listen to the lyrics, the lyrics aren't there just to
make the song sound good.
Daniela, said: "The part I enjoy most about
singing, is knowing every time I perform on
stage, I grow and improve more as an artist. As
for what I want to achieve, I want people to know
and remember ‘Daniela’ and what I am about."
While Danikka counts as highlight of her
singing career her winning the cruise for her
family and being publicised in newspapers in
NSW, Daniela cherishes performing at the ‘Little Voices’ concert alongside Darren Espanto
and Lyca Gairanod.
Both the young upcoming stars were happy to share their advice to other aspiring singers. Danikka said: "For everyone out there who
loves singing, pursue your dreams, no one can
tell you you can’t. Even though people may say
you can’t, it doesn’t mean you have to listen. If
you are afraid, motivate yourself, be positive,
you can do this. When you perform, don’t just
sing, tell the story behind it, have fun."
Daniela said: "As for those aspiring singers my age, all I can say is use your emotions,
and talent, and put it into that one song you are
singing."
Both girls attend the Mackillop Catholic
College. Their Filipino heritage is from their
mother Joy Mendoza who hails from Bulacan.
Their father David is originally from Malta.
The girls are quick to share: " Neither our
mum nor dad sing."
The sisters will be in the show by the Seven Paradise band on December 19, 2015 at
Club Pabico 55 in Mount Druitt, in Sydney's
west.
DANIELA
Up close and personal
with Derek
CELEBRITY Derek Ramsey, one of heartthrob
actors from Manila, was welcomed by screaming fans
when he visited Sydney as a guest in the 27th Fiesta
Kultura held at the Fairfield showground last month.
By Marilie Bomediano
37-year old Derek may have raised eyebrows among the more conservative when he
went up on stage at the pageant finals wearing
only a singlet (a white sando) but his followers
were still forgiving.
“Okay lang basta si Derek, puwedeng magsando!” one fan said.
Derek is not only into acting and doing
shows, he is also an athlete.
“It’s finally a good feeling for me to get here
in Australia this time to meet the Filipino Community I have been here many times, I love Sydney and I love Australia,” Derek said.
“For those who know me, the first thing that
comes to their mind about 'Derek' is Sports. I actually prefer being an athlete than an actor but I
do love both,” he said..
Derek is not only busy with his career in
show business but is among the most in demand
commercial models. He is also busy as an entrepreneur.
He recently just finished a movie with Star
Cinema after four years. He starred with Coleen
Garcia and Meg Imperial in the movie EX with
Benefits which hit cinemas last September.
“Im also shooting an upcoming new movie
with Regal films with the kapamilya actress Kiray Celis plus another two more different new
projects just before Christmas.”
“I like to scuba dive, skydive, I like to do all
those adventures. I’m not into Triathlon! I could
run, swim and do all that, but I don’t have the
mental strength to do a Triathlon. I look up to
those triathlon athletes because they are mentally tough and I don’t know how they stay mentally strong when they do stuff like that.
“For me, it’s like I have to be chasing something , and when I’m running I kind of get
bored, that’s why I admire these triathlon athletic people, when they’re able to shut that down,
focus and continuing stride to stride to g et to the
finish line., Derek explains his athletic aspirations.
Derek taking a selfie with some of his fans at the fiesta