Shannyn Sossamon

From the movie A Knight’s Tale, Shannyn Sossamon is definitely far from being your typical American actress.
Born as Shannon Marie Kahololani Sossamon on the3rd of October in 1978, Shannyn is also a musician, model and dancer. After being acclaimed and praised for her acting in A Knight’s Tale, Shannyn already became a favorite face in Hollywood movies. She also starred in several films like Wristcutters: A Love Story, 40 Days and 40 Nights as well as the horror movie One Missed Call. Aside from movie appearances, Shannyn also starred in Moonlight, a vampire drama series in CBS. Continue reading

Telesforo Trinidad

Medal of Honor Citation
For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession at the time of the boiler explosion on board the U.S.S. San Diego, 21 January 1915. Trinidad was driven out of fireroom No. 2 by the explosion, but at once returned and picked up R.E. Daly, fireman, second class, whom he saw to be injured, and proceeded to bring him out. While coming into No. 4 fireroom, Trinidad was just in time to catch the explosion in No. 3 fireroom, but without consideration for his own safety, passed Daly on and then assisted in rescuing another injured man from No. 3 fireroom. Trinidad was himself burned about the face by the blast from the explosion in No. 3 fireroom.

Vanessa Minnillo

Once a Miss Teen USA, Vanessa Joy Minnillo is one of the pretty faces in the American television. Aside from being a TV host, she is also an actress and model. Vanessa also became an Entertainment Tonight’s correspondent based in New York as well as a host in MTV’s Total Request Live. Vanessa, alongside Mario Lopez, was also Miss Universe 2007’s host, with the said pageant held in National Auditorium in the City of Mexico, Mexico. Continue reading

Leroy A. Mendonca

Medal of Honor Citation
Sgt. LeRoy A. Mendonca, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. After his platoon, in an exhaustive fight, had captured Hill 586, the newly won positions were assaulted during the night by a numerically superior enemy force. When the 1st Platoon positions were outflanked and under great pressure and the platoon was ordered to withdraw to a secondary line of defense, Sgt. Mendonca voluntarily remained in an exposed position and covered the platoon’s withdrawal. Although under murderous enemy fire, he fired his weapon and hurled grenades at the onrushing enemy until his supply of ammunition was exhausted. He fought on, clubbing with his rifle and using his bayonet until he was mortally wounded. After the action it was estimated that Sgt. Mendonca had accounted for 37 enemy casualties. His daring actions stalled the crushing assault, protecting the platoon’s withdrawal to secondary positions, and enabling the entire unit to repel the enemy attack and retain possession of the vital hilltop position. Sgt. Mendonca’s extraordinary gallantry and exemplary valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

Rudolph B. Davila

Medal of Honor citation
Staff Sergeant Rudolph B. Davila distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action, on 28 May 1944, near Artena, Italy. During the offensive which broke through the German mountain strongholds surrounding the Anzio beachhead, Staff Sergeant Davila risked death to provide heavy weapons support for a beleaguered rifle company. Caught on an exposed hillside by heavy, grazing fire from a well-entrenched German force, his machine gunners were reluctant to risk putting their guns into action. Crawling fifty yards to the nearest machine gun, Staff Sergeant Davila set it up alone and opened fire on the enemy. In order to observe the effect of his fire, Sergeant Davila fired from the kneeling position, ignoring the enemy fire that struck the tripod and passed between his legs. Ordering a gunner to take over, he crawled forward to a vantage point and directed the firefight with hand and arm signals until both hostile machine guns were silenced. Continue reading

Jose Calugas

Medal Of Honor Citation

The action for which the award was made took place near Culis, Bataan Province, Philippine Islands, on 16 January 1942. A battery gun position was bombed and shelled by the enemy until 1 gun was put out of commission and all the cannoneers were killed or wounded. Sgt. Calugas, a mess sergeant of another battery, voluntarily and without orders ran 1,000 yards across the shell-swept area to the gun position. There he organized a volunteer squad which placed the gun back in commission and fired effectively against the enemy, although the position remained under constant and heavy Japanese artillery fire

Dado and Maria Banatao

Dado is the founder and managing partner of Tallwood Venture Capital. With his past entrepreneurship experiences, he provides Tallwood with a unique perspective in technology investments. This company is dedicated in investing in unique semiconductor technology solutions for communication and computing. Aside from Tallwood, he also co-founded three technology startups such as Mostron, S3 (SBLU) and Chips & Technologies (INTC). He also held general management and engineering positions at Commodore International, Intersil, National Semiconductor and Seeq Technologies. He also pioneered the PC chip set and graphics acceleration architecture that served to be the foundation technologies in all the personal computers today. As an engineer he is also credited with developing and enhancing various key semiconductor technologies that led him to be a Silicon Valley visionary. Continue reading

José B. Nísperos

Medal of Honor Citation:
Having been badly wounded (his left arm was broken and lacerated and he had received several spear wounds in the body so that he could not stand) continued to fire his rifle with one hand until the enemy was repulsed, thereby aiding materially in preventing the annihilation of his party and the mutilation of their bodies.

Rank and organization:Private, 34th Company, Philippine Scouts.
Place and date:Lapurap, Basilan, Philippine Islands, September 24, 1911.
Entered service at:San Fernandos Union, Philippine Islands
Born: San Fernandos Union, Philippine Islands

Nia Peeples

It was in the year 2008 when the popular performer, Nia Peeples was featured in People Magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People in the World special edition. Well, it is no wonder because at the age of 49, she is happier, stronger and healthier than ever. This only shows that she is a perfect role model to women around the world of all ages. Because of her desire to share her happiness and fitness secrets to other women, she is very proud to announce her involvement with the growth of a new beauty and fitness brand called Elements Of Life that is especially designed for women over 40. The aim of this product is to break the common misconception that hot means young. Continue reading

Jo Koy

As Chelsea Lately’s regular guest, Jo Koy has definitely went a long way since his rather modest start as a performer in a simple coffee house in Las Vegas. With his stage energy that can infect anyone watching, the insightful jokes and a humor inspired by families, Jo Koy’s craft has certainly crossed all the boundaries and it is no big surprise that Daily Variety named him as to be among the “10 Comics to Watch.” Continue reading