RECENTLY, MY LOS ANGELES hosts, Joji and Madeleine Collas, were eager for me to connect with Filipino residents involved in the popularization of Filipino cultural art forms in LA, like Gelo Francisco, who had formed a very impressive choral group in the City of Angels.

How small the world is, indeed. Just the night before, Joan Page of ?Edong Mapangarap? radio fame had e-mailed me about a cultural affair where she met Gelo, who she said was once my student. How come I couldn?t recall him? Since Joan had provided his e-mail address, I clarified the question.

Singing group

Gelo said he belonged to 3 of a Kind, a singing group in Manila that included Annie Nepomuceno and Ed Granadosin.

3 of a Kind participated in ?Refuge and Strength,? a musical documentation of the Cosmopolitan Church. That was where Gelo and I met.

Madeleine and Joji suggested they host a dinner for Joan, Gelo and me. I asked them to invite TV-commercial director, Maning Rivera.

As soon as we settled down, the conversation moved briskly. I was purposely dropping names that would trigger and enhance our stories. So, while we talked about ?Edong Mapangarap? and Pugo and Tugo, scriptwriters like Celia Flor and Veer Flores were also mentioned. Celia?s Manila Times ?Sparklers? and her husband, Koko Trinidad, were remembered, as well.

Joan recounted her Manila visit and how the beloved Queen of Philippine Vaudeville, Katy dela Cruz, changed the direction of her life.

Katy frankly told Joan that, if she wanted to stand out in the variety show, ?Philippine-Americana,? she had better learn Filipino songs.

The incomparable diva then taught Joan ?Dahil Sa ?Yo? and ?Magtanim Ay ?Di Biro.? When Joan sang the first song a few days later, she received a standing ovation from the elated Filipino audience! She became a popular star.

She loves the Philippines and calls it her second home. We were mesmerized with the nostalgic tidbits we shared with her that night!