Singers Jed Madela and Aria Clemente, the Philippines’ Grand Champion Performers of the World in the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) are performing at the 2008 opening ceremony at the Universal CityWalk in Hollywood and at the finals night at the grand ballroom of the Westin Bonaventura in downtown Los Angeles.

Also known as the Hollywood Olympics, WCOPA opens on July 25. The international talent search gathers together delegates from more than 40 countries to compete in a talent search organized by Hollywood and Broadway producers.

Madela, who won the Grand Champion Vocalist of the Year title in 2005, will sing “Go the Distance” from the Disney animated film Hercules during WCOPA’s opening ceremony. He will also be sitting as a judge during the preliminary and semifinal rounds of the weeklong competition.

Madela will also be singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” on finals night. In addition, he will welcome the new 2008 WCOPA Grand Champion Performers of the World with the song “We Are the Champions.” His version is re-arranged by Filipino composer Arnel de Pano especially for WCOPA.

The Filipino American Library’s reading program enables Pinoy Americans to appreciate their roots.

Los Angeles–The Filipino American Library and the Los Angeles Public Library are featuring Pinoy children’s book titles Felisa and the Magic Tikling Bird, illustrated by Martin Charlot from a story by Jodi Parry Belknap, and Jenny’s Magic Wand by Helen and Bill Hermann in a special event for the LAPL’s Summer Reading Club on July 26, Saturday, at 2 p.m at the Echo Park Library.

Recommended for children between 3 and 8 years old, this free event will also include an introductory workshop on tinikling, the Philippine national dance. Snacks and drinks will be served.

Give your children a head start in life. Kumon is organizing a parenting and education seminar entitled “Equipping Your Child for Academic Excellence” at the SM City Davao, Cinema 3, on July 12, 2008, at 10 a.m. Registration is free….

Want to test your limits? The North Face 100 is the longest trail-running marathon to be held in the Philippines, covering a 100-kilometer all-terrain route that includes asphalt, dirt road, and trail, as well as river crossings, steep climbs, …

Join Silverlens director Isa Lorenzo as she gives a guided tour of two current shows at the National Museum: “Counter-Photography,” presented by the Japan Foundation and the Japanese Embassy, and “Swarm in the Aperture,” put together by National Museum curator Patrick Flores.

Have a unique, memorable UP moment captured in stills or video? We want it!

A bloggers’ initiative, UP@100: Capturing 100 UP Moments is a music-video project compiling 100 photos or videos from UP alumni and students and coincides with the centennial of the University of the Philippines. It aims to capture 100 unique UP moments from 100 different points of view in the past 100 years of the state university’s existence.

If you’re a UP alumnus or student and want to join, here are the mechanics: