Merry Christmas and Happy Safe New Year 2013 from Diversity News Magazine & Steven Escobar

The holiday season offers us a special opportunity to extend our personal thanks to our friends, sponsors, customers, fans, colleagues and our very best wishes for the future. So it is now that we gather together and we want to wish to you a very “Merry Christmas and a Happy Safe New Year 2013”.

We consider you a good friend and extend our wishes for good health, money and good cheer. It is people like you who make being in business such a pleasure all year long. Our business is a source of pride to us. With customers like you, we find going to work each day a rewarding experience that gives us a special opportunity to extend our personal thanks to our friends, family, sponsors, customers, fans, partners, colleagues and our very best wishes for the future.


What is the meaning of Christmas:

Christmas (Old English: Crīstesmæsse, meaning “Christ‘s Mass“) is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ^[6][7] and a widely observed holiday, celebrated generally on December 25^[3][4][5] by millions of people around the world.^[8][2] A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes the Advent season and initiates the twelve days ofChristmastide.^[9] Christmas is a civil holiday in many of the world’s nations,^[10][11][12] is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians,^[1][13][14] and is an integral part of theChristmas and holiday season.

The precise year of Jesus’ birth, which some historians place between 7 and 2 BC, is unknown.^[15][16] His birth is mentioned in two of the four canonical gospels. By the early-to-mid 4th century, the Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on December 25,^[17] a date later adopted in the East.^[18][19] The date of Christmas may have initially been chosen to correspond with the day exactly nine months after early Christians believed Jesus to have been conceived,^[20] as well as the date of celebration of the southern solstice (i.e., the Roman winter solstice), with a sun connection being possible because Christians consider Jesus to be the “Sun of righteousness” prophesied in Malachi 4:2.^{[20][21][22][23][24]}

The original date of the celebration in Eastern Christianity was January 6, in connection withEpiphany, and that is still the date of the celebration for the Armenian Apostolic Church and inArmenia, where it is a public holiday. As of 2012, there is a difference of 13 days between the modern Gregorian calendar and the older Julian calendar. Those who continue to use the Julian calendar or its equivalents thus celebrate December 25 and January 6 on what for the majority of the world is January 7 and January 19. For this reason, Ethiopia, Russia, Ukraine,Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, and the Republic of Moldova celebrate Christmas on what in the Gregorian calendar is January 7; the Church of Greece and all Greek OrthodoxChurches celebrate Christmas on December 25.

The popular celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix ofpre-Christian, Christian and secular themes and origins.^[25] Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, Christmas music and caroling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas and Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore.^[26] Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.


What is the meaning New Year:
New Year is the time at which a new calendar year begins and the calendar’s year count is incremented. In many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner.^[1] The New Year of the Gregorian calendar, today in worldwide use, falls on 1 January, as was the case with the Roman calendar. There are numerous calendars that remain in regional use that calculate the New Year differently.

The order of months in the Roman calendar was January to December since King Numa Pompilius in about 700 BC, according to Plutarch and Macrobius. According to Catholic tradition, 1 January is the day of thecircumcision of Jesus (on the eighth day from his birth), when the name of Jesus was given to him (Luke 2:21).

It was only relatively recently that 1 January again became the first day of the year in Western culture. Until 1751 in England and Wales (and all British dominions) the new year started on 25 March – Lady Day, one of the four quarter days (the change to 1 January took place in 1600 in Scotland).^[2] Since then, 1 January has been the first day of the year. During the Middle Ages several other days were variously taken as the beginning of the calendar year (1 March, 25 March, Easter, 1 September, 25 December).^{[citation needed][where?]} In many countries, such as the Czech Republic, Italy and the UK, 1 January is a national holiday.

For information about the changeover from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar and the effect on the dating of historical events etc., see Old Style and New Style dates.

With the expansion of Western culture to many other places in the world during recent centuries, the Gregorian calendar has been adopted by many other countries as the official calendar, and the 1 January date of New Year has become global, even in countries with their own New Year celebrations on other days (such as China and India). In the culture of Latin America there are a variety of traditions and superstitions surrounding these dates^{[clarification needed]} as omens for the coming year. The most common modern dates of celebration are listed below, ordered and grouped by their appearance relative to the conventional Western calendar.

We know 2012 was full of challenges but from All of Us, We want to wish you and your love one’s once again Merry Christmas and Happy Prosperous Safe New Year 2013.

Source: Wikipedia

100 Outstanding Filipino-Americans in the USA 2012 benefits Gawad Kalinga not ABS-CBN Foundation International Bantay Bata 163 with 2 Million Pesos

Mr. Tony Olaes, Exectuive Director of Gawad Kalinga USA,  and one of the Business Entrepreneur Awardee will donate his own money to Bantay Bata 163 and match the ONE MILLION PESOS on behalf of the 100 Outstanding Filipino-Americans in the USA 2012 project and the 99 other awardees. A total goal of 2 MILLION PESOS were granted that night. (2 million Philippine pesos = $50. 000.00 U.S. dollars)

It was advertise as a benefit event for ABS-CBN Foundation International Bantay Bata 163, due to the controversy the got out of control of Pay for Play and media company ABS-CBN drop out as benefiting organization two days before the event.

On Saturday, July 28, 2012 Philippine Children’s Charities, Inc., and the Press Photographers Philippines-USA, Inc., held their first ever in history public recognition of the 100 Outstanding Filipino-Americans in the USA 2012 for their chosen careers or their civic contributions to our Diverse society. The event known as a Black Tie Event and Awards Night. The event was held at Universal Hilton Hotel located 555 Universal Hollywood Drive in the city of Universal City, CA 91608 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The cost of the dinner and award tickets for the event were $60.00.

“PPP-USA officers and members would like to extend our congratulations to Ms. Darna Omayam, all 100 Fil-Am awardees and all those who have been involved to make this event happen. Being a part of a trustworthy and reliable charity project was the most exciting, overwhelming experience a person could ever be proud of in his lifetime.” said Anthony Castillo (PPP-USA).

Tony Olaes, Director of Gawad Kalinga from CA, USA was the recipient of One Million Pesos. Gawad Kalinga (GK), which means to “give care” in Filipino, is officially known as the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, a Philippine-based poverty alleviation and nation-building movement. In the Philippines, Gawad Kalinga is building empowered communities by people with faith and patriotism; driven by a culture of caring and sharing, dedicated to eradicate poverty and restore human dignity. Its mission is to end poverty for 5 million families by 2024.[1]. For more info visit http://gk1world.com/

For those who wondering what happen to, here is a copy of an email we received from a private source: “ABS CBN Foundation International has decided to withdraw from its scheduled participation in the 100 Outstanding Filipino Americans dinner sponsored by Philippine Children’s Charities and its founder, Ms. Darna Umayan.  After careful deliberation, the board of directors of the Foundation has concluded today that recent statements made by Ms. Umayan will make it untenable for ABS CBN Foundation International to be part of this initiative.  The Foundation regrettably has also  decided to decline the planned donation to Bantay Bata.” said Mr. Raffy Lopez, ABS CBN Foundation International Bantay Bata 163.

The black tie event and award night featured grand entrance parade of colors of PP-USA, Inc officers and members. The USA and Lupang Hinirang, the national anthem of the Philippines was sung. Welcome remarks were made by event project director Darna B. Umayam and Sid Guerrero, president of PPP-USA, Inc. The guests enjoyed an 8 course dinner while been entertain by Anthony Paul, Nicole Villalon, Sheila Ferrari and Nuevo School of Contemporary Dance group. Daniel R. Espiritu, Deputy Consul General and Robbie Fabian, President of ABS-CBN Foundation were a no show. The event concluded with presentation of all the 100 Oustanding Filipino Americans in the USA Awardees.

The  100 Oustanding Filipino Americans in the USA 2012 was master of ceremonies were Sheila Ferrari, Antoinette Taus and Liza Dino.

As of date of this article, we have requested the names of the awardees and per Ms. Darna B. Umayam due to a mutual agreement with the awardees their names will not be released. Here is the response our editorial office received in e-mail dated August 2, 2012 from Ms. . Darna B. Umayam stating: “The awardees themselves and all of us decided we will not publish the names of the awardees to protect all of them. There were photos taken and publish in public.  Other publications understood where we are coming from. I hope you will understand too.  I told all newspapers we will release after the event. Things happen.”

Source: Wikipedia, Diversity News TV on Blip TV and YouTube
Photos credit to: Gisele Rebeiro from PartyBy5.com for Diversity News Magazine.


Editor’s Note: Diversity News Magazine from Diversity News Publications was honored to witness an overall success event organized by Ms. Darna B. Umayam, which she took so much controversy and heat from various people and mainly from “Uncensored media outlet PinoyWatchDog.com” who claims this event was Ms. Umayam friends event and that some of them have to “Pay for Play”. Our comment was that is up to Fil-Am decision and their own money on how they want to use it, which means in any way they want it, even if they have to buy an award!

Review of D’Angelo The Resurrection at House of Blues 4th of July 2012 Fireworks Concert

Special Story by Daood aka Soul Detective, Contributor for Diversity News Magazine.
Whether crooning in his baritone or escaping into his falsetto like a thief in the night, stealing women hearts with classics, “Feel Like Making Love,” or new material, “Another Life,” D’Angelo is R&B’s Elijah.

“When I die I hope to be, the kind of man that you thought I be…” lyrics of a gospel-style arrangement by D’Angelo brought a volley of cheers. The genesis of Wednesday’s 4^th of July spectacular sunset strip performance at, “The House of Blues.”

While his appearance not exactly the infamous video untitled (How Does it feel) it didn’t keep one damsel who didn’t appear to be in distress from throwing a balled up bill on to the stage. A brief moment causing my mind to race back to an article about his voodoo tour. In which D’Angelo angrily picked up the money and threw it backatcha. But not tonight, even though pausing to turn around to see where the money landed, D’Angelo exhilarated an artist born again. Whether a slice of the “Devil’s Pie,” from the voodoo album or you’re my “Lady,” from Brown Sugar debut cd, the experience was Pentecostal.

While D’Angelo is an accomplished pianist, his new musical acquaintance appears to be a black trimmed in white customized Diablo guitar. From D’Angelo there was no guitar solos reminiscent of Mr. Hendrix tonight; but the cover of Parliament-Funkadelic “I been watching You,” had D’Angelo along with formerly “The Time,” guitarist Jesse Johnson, interplaying a groove Jimi would have applauded.

After performing several songs including the new rock-oriented cut “Aint That Easy,” D’Angelo and 9 members of his band left the stage leaving only two keyboard players. A brief interlude between keyboard players started out as a classical style composition evolving into a Sci-Fi outerspace message? It was over and now a couple of roadies moved D’Angelo’s keyboard from the side of the stage to front and center; performing a medley of songs D’Angelo’s has the audience captivated; from “Brown Sugar, “Higher,” to “One Mo Gin,”  a crowd expressing tears as well as joy.

With the band now back on stage the audience joined in as they did all night with “Send It On.” D’Angelo gave a riveting performance of track six from his debut cd Brown Sugar; continuing to bounce between the old and the new cuts such as “Charade,”and “SugarDaddy which by for is as intoxicating as your favorite bottle of wine.

D’Angelo closed the show with a uptempo rendition of “Brown Sugar. It was “Sly And The Family of Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Prince and others that the Richmond, Virginia born artist pays homage through his music; championing the music of the past with his new songs being the future, presently R&B has another savior…D’Angelo.

About D’Angelo: Michael Eugene Archer^[1][2][3] (born February 11, 1974), better known by hisstage name D’Angelo, is an American R&B and neo soul singer-songwriter,multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is known for his production and songwriting talents as much as for his vocal abilities, and often draws comparisons to his influences, Marvin Gaye, and Prince. D’Angelo was one of the most influential artists during the rise of the neo-soul movement. For more information about D’Angelo visit his IMDB at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0195248/?ref=atw

Photos credit to: © Timothy Norris/D’Angelo Funk Connection Facebook Fan Page & Daood Obaid Aka Soul Detective.
Source: Wikipedia

Magic Johnson, Stan Kasten and Mark Walter new LA Dodgers owners

On Wednesday, March 28, 2012 it was announced that the new Dodgers owners — primarily Magic Johnson, Stan Kasten and Mark Walter — are ready to roll.

“Stan will be president and CEO and my role will be what it’s been during the 30 years since I got to LA,” said Johnson, the biggest name in the group that will pay $2 billion to purchase the Dodgers and Dodger Stadium.

“I’ll be working with the city, making sure the fans enjoy themselves at the park,” Johnson said. “If the players need anything, my door is open to anything — not just baseball. They’ll get enough baseball from the manager, Don Mattingly, and I’m sure they can reach out to Stan too, and Mark, from the standpoint of selling the Dodgers brand and working with the sponsors. I’ll have an office there and I’ll be there every day.”

Johnson said he was enlisted by Kasten, their relationship dating to Johnson’s playing days with the Lakers when Kasten ran the Atlanta Hawks, along with the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Thrashers. Kasten also ran the Washington Nationals, and now he’ll be in charge of running the Dodgers. Walter will be the controlling partner.

“It’s beyond a dream come true for a guy who does what I do,” Kasten said. “The word that’s associated with Dodgers is ‘pride.’ There’s not any other franchise that has that history. Any opportunity to be associated with that franchise — I’ve been friends with Tom Lasorda and Vin Scully — and the thought of being co-workers with them is beyond belief.”

Kasten, who met with general manager Ned Colletti after touring the Dodgers’ Camelback Ranch Spring Training facility two weeks ago, said he has no immediate changes planned.

“We’ll be coming in May 1, and I know a lot about an organization from the outside, but you can’t know everything and everybody until you get inside,” Kasten said. “I look forward to getting to know the people and helping them be more productive, and if we need more people or different people, we’ll do that.”

Walter, CEO of investment manager Guggenheim Partners, which is providing the primary funding for the purchase, was asked if there is any money left to acquire and pay players after the record-breaking purchase price for a North American sports franchise.

“There is,” Walter said. “I know Stan is an expert on this topic, as far as what should be done building a roster. My job is to help Stan and Magic accomplish all of our goals, and that’s not only on the field, but in the community and philanthropy.

“But winning is essential. When I met Magic the first time, we covered a lot of topics, but it was clear that if winning wasn’t the goal, there was no point in owning the franchise. We want to win. If that means we have to work harder on the business side to make that happen, we will.”

Other named partners in the Guggenheim Baseball Partnership LLC purchasing group are Peter Guber, Bobby Patton and Todd Boehly.

Guber is chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, which expanded its initial focus of movie production to include ownership of Minor League baseball teams and a stake in the Golden State Warriors NBA team.

Patton is an oil and gas investor and Boehly is president of Guggenheim Partners.

About Earvin ”Magic” Johnson Jr:
Earvin ”Magic“ Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is a retired American professionalbasketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers. He won a championship and an NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his rookie season, and won four more championships with the Lakers during the 1980s. Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. After protests from his fellow players, he retired again for four years, but returned in 1996, at age 36, to play 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time.

Johnson’s career achievements include three NBA MVP Awards, nine NBA Finalsappearances, twelve All-Star games, and ten All-NBA First and Second Team nominations. He led the league in regular-season assists four times, and is the NBA’s all-time leader in average assists per game, at 11.2.^[3] Johnson was a member of the “Dream Team“, the U.S. basketball team that won the Olympic gold medal in 1992.

Johnson was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, and enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.^[4] He was rated the greatest NBA point guard of all time by ESPN in 2007.^[5] His friendship and rivalry with Boston Celtics starLarry Bird, whom he faced in the 1979 NCAA finals and three NBA championship series, were well documented. Since his retirement, Johnson has been an advocate for HIV/AIDSprevention and safe sex,^[4] as well as an entrepreneur,^[6] philanthropist,^[7] broadcaster andmotivational speaker.^[8] Johnson was a part-owner of the Lakers for several years, and was part of a group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012.

Sources: Wikipedia, Ken Gurnick / MLB.com, http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com
Photos credit to: Francois Palais for Diversity News Magazine and  http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com

BREAKING NEWS: Apple CEO Steve Jobs Resignation Letter

On Wednesday, August 24, 2011 on a press release Steve Jobs, CEO from Apple resigned his position. Read his resignation letter here:

Letter from Steve Jobs

CUPERTINO, Calif.–August 24, 2011–To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve

About Steve Jobs: 
Steven Paul ”Steve“ Jobs (born February 24, 1955) is an American business magnate and inventor. He is the co-founder and former chief executive officer of Apple Inc.^[11][12] Jobs also previously served as chief executive of Pixar Animation Studios; he became a member of the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company in 2006, following the acquisition of Pixar by Disney. He was credited in the 1995 movie Toy Story as an executive producer.^[13]

In the late 1970s, Jobs, with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Mike Markkula,^[14] and others, designed, developed, and marketed one of the first commercially successful lines of personal computers, the Apple II series. In the early 1980s, Jobs was among the first to see the commercial potential of the mouse-driven graphical user interface which led to the creation of theMacintosh.^[15][16] After losing a power struggle with the board of directors in 1984,^[17][18] Jobs resigned from Apple and founded NeXT, a computer platform development company specializing in the higher education and business markets. Apple’s subsequent 1996 buyout of NeXT brought Jobs back to the company he co-founded, and he has served as its CEO since 1997. In 1986, he acquired the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm Ltd which was spun off as Pixar Animation Studios.^[19] He remained CEO and majority shareholder at 50.1% until its acquisition by The Walt Disney company in 2006.^[3] Consequently Jobs became Disney’s largest individual shareholder at 7% and a member of Disney’s Board of Directors.^{[20][21][22][23]}

Jobs’ history in business has contributed much to the symbolic image of the idiosyncratic, individualistic Silicon Valley entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of design and understanding the crucial role aesthetics play in public appeal. His work driving forward the development of products that are both functional and elegant has earned him a devoted following.^[24]


Sources: Business Wire, Wikipedia
Photo credit to: Apple.com

Mary J. Blige Song ‘The Living Proof’ Featured on The Help, in theaters August 12, 2011

On Thursday, May 26, 2011 DreamWorks Pictures and Geffen Records announced today that multiple Grammy® Award–winning recording artist Mary J. Blige wrote and recorded an original song for the soundtrack of DreamWorks Pictures and Participant Media’s THE HELP, a film based on the New York Times best-selling novel of the same name, opening in theaters August 12, 2011. “The Help” soundtrack – music from the Motion picture, will feature the original song from Mary J Blige “The Living Proof.”  The soundtrack, from Interscope Records, will be available Tuesday, July 26 at select Starbucks locations.

The song, “The Living Proof,” was written and recorded by Blige especially for THE HELP after she saw a screening of the film, which takes place in 1960s-era Mississippi and chronicles the journey of three very different women who come together and embark on a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. “The beautiful thing about these women is that they were very smart,” says Blige. “They chose to walk in love and forgiveness.”  The film really celebrates the courage to inspire change, “To speak to so many women with this song means a lot to me” says Blige. “I wanted to be involved with this film, because I think we need to encourage each other more, we are here to tell a story.” Blige has received 9 Grammy® Awards and four American Music Awards as well as recorded eight multi-platinum albums. Mary J. Blige has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and her next album “My Life Too….The Journey Continues” will be released Sept 20, 2011.

Starring: Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Mike Vogel, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures (Walt Disney Studios)
Release Date: August 12, 2011

Mary Jane Blige ( /ˈblaɪdʒ/; born January 11, 1971) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. A recipient of ten Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, Blige has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. Blige has received the World Music Legends Award for combining hip hop and soul in the early 1990s. She was ranked number 100 in the list of 100 greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. In November 2010, Billboard Magazine ranked Blige as the most successful female R&B artist of the past 25 years, she ranked second, placing her ahead of Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston.

Blige started her musical career in 1992, releasing her multi-platinum US selling debut album,What’s the 411? on MCA Records and Uptown. What’s the 411? gave Blige her first Billboard 200 top ten album, which has continued since the release of her debut album until her latest album, Stronger with Each Tear (2009), which became Blige’s seventh consecutive album to debut at number one or number two on the Billboard 200. As of 2010, Blige has sold over 50 million albums and 15 million singles.^[1][2]

About The Help Movie: Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon,  “The Help” stars Emma Stone (“Easy A”) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (“Doubt”) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s,  who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed—even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times. Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, “The Help” is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change.  From DreamWorks Pictures and Participant Media, “The Help” is directed by Tate Taylor and produced by Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett, with screenplay by Tate Taylor. “The Help” releases in theaters August 12, 2011. For more information visit http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454029/


Sources: Wikipedia, Walt Disney Studios, EPK.TV
Photo credit to: The Help Facebook

Video courtesy of Walt Disney/TheHelpMovie