Charlie Chaplin and Broncho Billy in Niles Boulevard, Fremont
February 7th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Originally posted on: Union City Patch.com
No need to look far and wide, a glamorous piece of history is right here in our own backyard. Become a tourist for a day by visiting the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in downtown Niles Boulevard.
The world renowned museum is famous for preserving and playing hundreds of silent movies from the 1900s — some of which were shot right here in Niles.
In fact, cinema icon, Charlie Chaplin stayed in Niles to shoot his legendary films including the most memorable one, “The Tramp”.
The world’s first western movie star, “Broncho Billy” was also no stranger to the neighborhood.
Niles “Essanay” stems from the production company, Essanay Studios, which held its film production in Niles in the 1910s. During the height of its success, a movie theater was built to hold the screenings of the produced films. Today, that same theater was rebuilt and restored to play the movies made 100 years ago.
Every Saturday night, for a suggested donation of $5, visitors get to relieve the silent movie experience accompanied with live piano music.
The museum/theater is run mostly by volunteers. It receives funding from private and public donations as well as from grants.
Reporter Richgail Enriquez was at one of the screenings and has more on the video report above.
Insightful Reporting on the Philippine’s Population Problem
January 24th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
by Sam Eaton of Center for Investigative Reporting or CIR
This story also appeared on PBS NEWSHOUR and American Public Media’s Marketplace.
The Philippines’ swelling population is causing fishing villages to embrace birth control for the first time, and not just as a means to plan their families. They also see it as a path to long-term food security, ensuring that future generations enjoy the same abundance of fish.
For more information, visit www.centerforinvestigativereporting.org
Newark’s “Warm Up” Before MLK Jr. Day
January 10th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
ORIGINAL ARTICLE POSTED ON: Newark.Patch.com
Newark spearheaded the MLK Jr. Day a week early to gear up the community in remembering the legendary Civil Rights Leader.
On January 8th, the City of Newark and the Tri-Cities Afro-American Cultural and Historical Society led a tribute to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Junior. The annual tribute is at its 35th year.
Mayor Alan Nagy of Newark and Mayor Mark Green of Union City were among the city leaders in attendance as well as prominent church leaders, school officials, and non-profit organizations.
An array of performers also shared their talents on stage.
Reporter Richgail Enriquez has the highlights of the event in the full video report above.
Small Town Heroes Make a Big Difference
December 23rd, 2011 § Leave a Comment
For its 18th year in a row, Viola Blythe Community Services Center and its director, Debbie Caravalho, gave kids of low income families reasons to look forward to the holidays: presents, food, and a spectaclar live show.
The kids didn’t mind the wait at all, even though it took them hours outside the doors of Schilling Elementary School on Saturday.
Videographer Richgail Enriquez was on scene to report on the unfolding of the special holiday event just for these kids. See the video above to see highlights from the event.
Scenes from “Thanksgiving for Caregiving”
November 27th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Filipino American activist groups, SF CHRP, BABAE, LFS and ALAY celebrated Thankgiving by throwing a free dinner party for Filipino caregivers and other migrant workers on November 23rd at the Filipino Community Center in San Francisco. Supervisor John Avalos of District 11, San Francisco was also in attendance.
After dinner, the organizations talked about their upcoming events and services. They ended the night with a toast and the way Fiipinos know best how to celebrate, karaoke.
A segway from journalism: Wedding Videography
November 3rd, 2011 § Leave a Comment
I’ve been incognito for awhile; I’ve busily taken a new challenge: wedding videography.
The endeavor was not an easy task. As you may know, wedding videography embodies a whole different way of filming compared to videojournalism. New sorts of challenges and obstacles tested my knowledge, skills, and above all, patience.
The most frustrating stickler of them all was technical glitches during post production. Final Cut Pro won’t work, laptop too slow, and external drive completely crashed on me (Thank God I retrieved the footage!). I think I just broke even from my pay. I didn’t charge much considering this was my first wedding videography gig. But I do hope that the couple knew that I didn’t lessen the value of my work by charging that low, or lessen the value of wedding videography period!
Eldrick & Francis Wedding Highlights from richgail enriquez on Vimeo.
Luckily, I had a helping hand from my boyfriend, Chris, who although has no professional videography background, stepped to the challenge of shooting the groom and groomsmen’s prepping stage.
My good friend and amazing photographer, Anthony Dimaano, was the photographer of the event. He was busy doing his own thing but it was good to know I had a lifeline during the shoot in case I needed technical help.
Other than that, editing was pretty much all me-and most of my nights and weekends.
Fortunately, the couple loved their video montage-whew!
All tooled up!
October 17th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
After a series of technical difficulties, I’ve updated my MacBook Pro to OSX Lion, updated Final Cut Pro to version 7, and I got myself a widescreen monitor, and a brand new 1TB external drive. Let’s do this!
All graduating classes of Newark High reunited after 30 years
September 26th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO WATCH THE VIDEO STORY
Music, food, and a whole lot of reminiscing went down at Swiss Park on Mowry Avenue on September 24.
About 200 alumni attended Newark High’s all-class reunion called “A Day to Remember.”
Some of them brought their high school yearbook dating back from 1962, to reconnect and reminisce about the good old times.
Alumni from Newark Memorial High were also invited.
Several rock bands performed on stage including the Newark High Rockers with Manny Lobato, Mike Zimmerman, Karl Tellefsen. The much anticipated Sullivan Brothers also performed and became the highlight of the event.
The party was organized by Newark High’s Class of ’81.
Patch.com Reporter, Richgail Enriquez was at the reunion and has this video link.
Free Fitness Program Sportin the 80s
September 26th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
“It all started with five friends wanting to work out and train together for a Vegas trip,” recalled Milpitas High grad Aaron Ronquillo.
Today, Ronquillo is the one of the co-founders of CANIBE, a nonprofit promoting fitness and wellness in the Bay Area.
Through word of mouth and Facebook, he said, the group grew to about 500 members in three months and later officially established itself as a nonprofit.
Organizers said the program attracts people from all walks of life. The youngest member is 14, and the oldest is 50.
The training is divided into three levels so participants can choose something suitable for their performance and pace.
Ronquillo says the organizers are mostly Milpitas High School graduates, so they were able to gain access to the school’s football field during the summer.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, personal trainers volunteer to train members to get in shape.
Occasionally, CANIBE throws in a dress-up theme, be it ’80s aerobics, crazy socks or sports jerseys.
On Tuesday, the theme of the night was ’80s aerobics. Participants showed up in bright neon outfits, colorful headbands and Afro wigs.
“It’s nice to have these themes unite the whole group and keep it creative, fun, and healthy,” says Chris Petallano, a member of CANIBE.
In two weeks, the summer workouts will end for the season. But the fitness program is just one of CANIBE’s projects. The group plans a walk-a-thon to raise funds and awareness against childhood obesity.
Visit canibe.org to find out more about the fitness program or other CANIBE activities.
Relay for Life Teams Walk, Run Around the Clock to Fight Cancer
July 11th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Original Post: NewarkPatch.com
More than 100 people walked or ran the track at Newark Junior High School July 9 and 10 — for a cause.
The 24-hour, nonstop relay culminated months of planning for Relay for Life, a national fundraiser sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Similar relays took place in communities across the country.
“I don’t know anyone in my immediate family who has been afflicted with cancer,” said Mili Parik, 16, a coordinator for the local event. “but it doesn’t have to be that way for me to help fight cancer.”
Teams of volunteers, some of the them centered around a family member or friend affected by the disease, have been raising money for cancer research for several months. The weekend relay was the climax of their efforts.
The teams set up tents so they could camp out overnight, then took turns on the track for 24 hours straight. Performers were on hand to entertain them as they jogged and slogged their way through the marathon effort.
Local cancer survivors also walked the track, sporting gold medals that symbolized their triumph over the disease.
Production Note:
If you haven’t noticed yet, though I am sure you have, the video was shot with two cameras. Unfortunately, the battery for my prosumer camera died and I had to be resourceful to cover the story.
Although I was hesitant, I resorted to my Android phone videocam. Good thing the story was not for TV but for the web, or else the story would not pass! Anyway, I wasn’t too crazy about the image quality but at least I got something important up there including the interviews of a cancer survivor and a youth who helped organized the event.
Lesson learned: Make sure you have a back up battery and both are fully charged before going out to the field.
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