Filipina nurse inherits $33M from American heiress

By Frances Mangosing
INQUIRER.net

Huguette Clark (right) with her sister Andrée (left) and her father in this 1917 photo.

MANILA, Philippines—A Filipina nurse inherited $33 million (not $2 million as earlier reported) from mysterious American heiress Huguette Clark, a news report said.

Hadassah Peri also earlier received $2 million from Clark to  buy properties, which include a $700,000 house in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and a $500,000 home in a golf course in the Jersey Shore, the New York Daily Times said in a report.

“I was her private duty nurse, but also her close friend,” Peri, 60, an immigrant of the Philippines and a married mother of three, was quoted by the New York Daily Times as saying through a spokesman.

“I knew her as a kind and generous person with whom I shared many wonderful moments and whom I love very much,” added Peri, who saw Clark every day for 20 years. “I am profoundly sad at her passing, awed at the generosity she has shown me and my family.”

The report also said that Clark, who was worth $400 million, also left $500,000 each to her lawyer, Wallace (Wally) Bock, 79, and her accountant, Irving Kamsler, 64.

Clark  died on May 24, aged 104, leaving behind empty mansions and a dispute over her fortune.

Clark, inherited his father’s fortune, a US senator and a copper mining tycoon. She grew up in a New York mansion with 121 rooms.

Reports said she lived in isolation and refused to be photographed. She was said to live in recluse after her childless, short-lived marriage at age 22.

Her last photograph known dates to the day her divorce came through, August 11, 1930.

Clark  spent the last 22 years of her life in New York hospital rooms, with no known illness.

With a report from Agence France-Presse

Fil-Am joins Miss Teen California, USA 2012

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Taylor, as she is fondly called by friends and family, was born in Glendale, California from both Filipino parents. Her father is a native of Davao, while her mother -- born from a Cebuano mother and American father -- was born in California.

FOURTEEN-year-old Filipino-American Leah Taylor Ligan will be part of next year's Miss Teen California, USA.

Taylor describes her father as "very traditional and strict" but "such a hardworking man."

"I can see the difference with my friends' fathers who are not Filipino. They're more laidback and not very strict," she says.

However, Taylor admits that despite her father's tough rules, he remains fun and adventurous.

Like her dad, Taylor is an outgoing person. She enjoys playing basketball and volleyball. And like most Filipinos, she also has the love for music; she can play the piano and violin.

Despite being raised in a Western environment, Taylor never forgets her Filipino traits.

"I am very friendly. I am concerned of other people's well-being and I am very family-oriented. Like most Filipinos, I love to laugh and be with friends and family," she quips.

Miss Teen California, USA 2012 candidate Taylor Ligan. (Contributed photo)

Taylor is representing the title of Children's Hospital Los Angeles to the pageant.

"When I was two days old, I was admitted at the Children's Hospital. I had a bowel obstruction of the small intestines that needed five surgeries. I stayed there for four mouths. My recovery is considered a miracle. My representation of Children's Hospital is my tribute to the doctors and nurses who saved my life. And for that, I will be eternally grateful," she shares.

Taylor, whose heart goes for the homeless, says, "I enjoy helping make their (homeless) lives a little bit better, even if it's just spending a few hours a day serving them a warm meal. I feel good that because of me, one less person isn't going hungry."

Taylor's mom, who saw her daughter's outgoing personality and attitude toward the unprivileged, drove Taylor to join the pageant. She sees the experience as exciting and an avenue for her to develop self-esteem, confidence, and make long-lasting friendships.

Although Taylor was honest in saying that being a Filipino is not necessarily an edge among other candidates, she is hopeful that her Filipino pride will get her through the pageant. And if she wins, she plans to continue her advocacies and share her experience with other girls who also dream of joining such competition.

The winner of Miss Teen California, USA 2012 will be representing the state of California to the Miss Teen USA 2012. The pageant is part of the Miss Universe Organization, which is owned by Donald Trump.

When asked of her message to the Filipinos, she says, "Dream big! There's a whole world out there for the taking. Anything is possible if you trust God. Don't be ashamed to be who you are."

She also says of her being Filipino, "I know no other culture other than what I am, so if given a choice to be anything other than a Filipino, I will choose to be who I am, which is a proud Filipino. I love my heritage!"

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You may follow Taylor's activities by liking her Facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/TaylorLigan). (Jhay-ar Book/Sunnex)

Fil-Am takes Fil-Am’s place in ‘Spiderman’

By Ruben V. Nepales
Philippine Daily Inquirer


LOS ANGELES—Fil-Am Natalie Mendoza, who decided to bow out of the headline-making “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark” musical in Broadway, will be replaced by another Fil-Am, T.V. Carpio. U2’s Bono and The Edge wrote the score of the musical which has been plagued by injuries suffered by cast members.

Natalie, who was going to play the principal role of Arachne, a villainess, sustained a concussion when a piece of backstage equipment hit her on the head. Natalie is one of several actors who were injured in the big budgeted musical stage version of the Marvel comics hero’s exploits. Born in Hong Kong, she is the daughter of Filipino musician Noel Mendoza and Australian TV personality Robin Jackson.

T.V. also has a Hong Kong connection. She is the daughter of Teresa Carpio, a Filipina singer based in Hong Kong, and Peter Mui, a businessman also in Hong Kong. The show’s director, Julie Taymor, met T.V. when she cast her in the film

“Across the Universe.” Originally hired to play a member of the Greek chorus in “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark,” T.V. now has the key role when the $65-million production officially opens on Feb. 7 at the Foxwoods Theatre. Her credits include “Rent” and the movies “She Hate Me” and “Limitless.”

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Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer