?Voice of McDo?
MCDONALD?S employee Mary Margaret Yu bagged the second prize in the finals night of the ?Voice of McDonald?s 2008? held in Orlando, Florida on April 20.
The 22-year-old Davao resident and choir member took home $10,000.
The grand prize was won by Natércia Pintor of Portugal.
It was a close fight for both girls, who competed with 3,600 McDonald?s crew members and managers from 118 countries during the first elimination round.
A powerful rendition of Whitney Houston?s ?I Have Nothing? turned out to be Yu?s passport to the big showdown, where she received a standing ovation.
?Avenue Q? final run
Atlantis Productions announces the final run of ?Avenue Q,? the hit Broadway musical about real life in New York City, as told by a cast of people and puppets.
The musical stars Aiza Seguerra, Frenchie Dy, Felix Rivera, Rycharde Everley, Teenee Chan and Joel Trinidad.
It will be staged on June 13 to 22 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. Call 891-9999.
Online game expansion
Lineage II, a popular online game, has been expanded with the recent introduction of ?The Kamael: The First Throne? by Asian Media Development Group at the Megatrade Hall 2 of SM Megamall.
It is the newest episode of Lineage II, a medieval fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game created by NCsoft.
The new single-winged race Kamael is the latest addition to its five existing races: Human, Elf, Dark Elf, Orc and Dwarf.
Other key features in store for all Lineage II players are the 24/7 Fortress Battles, the majestic transformation of characters, and improved game balance.
Music menu
Travel Cafe Philippines, a destination-theme lifestyle cafe at Level 2, Greenbelt 5 in Ayala Center, Makati, offers a music menu courtesy of Sony BMG Philippines.
The exclusive musical selection includes modern renditions of traditional Filipino hits from Ryan Cayabyab, Louie Ocampo, Lea Salonga, Apo Hiking Society and Richard Tann.
Call 525-6110.
Teleradyo on the Net
DZMM TeleRadyo is now available on TFCnow (www.abs-cbnnow.com), a video and audio-streaming subscription service on the Internet that provides Filipinos worldwide access to shows from ABS-CBN.
This was announced by ABS-CBN Broadcasting VP for Manila Radio Division Peter Musngi, who will head the promotion of TeleRadyo in California by participating in the World Caravan organized by the Philippine Tourism Authority.
New contracts
Award-winning news personalities Arnold Clavio and Vicky Morales recently renewed their contracts with GMA Network. Clavio and Morales anchor the late night newscast ?Saksi.? GMA SVP for News and Public Affairs Marissa L. Flores, GMA Network chairman/CEO Felipe L. Gozon, and GMA EVP/COO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr. were present during the contract signing.
Birthday treat
TV host Ricky Reyes celebrated his birthday at the Center for Health Improvement and Life Development (Child) Haus in Quezon City, a haven for pediatric cancer patients that he helped set up in 2003.
On the same day, he launched an art therapy program that uses painting as a method to diffuse stress and anxiety among pediatric patients.
Program for filmmakers
The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company-Smart Foundation recently awarded a P1-million grant to this year?s Cinemabuhay winner, ?Cul de Sac,? which will be shown as part of PLDT?s 80th year celebration.
Cinemabuhay is a PLDT-Smart Foundation program that helps young filmmakers produce quality movies.
