ince last year, Dingdong Avanzado, his wife Jessa Zaragoza and their three years old daughter Jayda, have become immigrants to the United States . They obtained their green cards on the strength of their being aliens of extraordinary abilities in the arts, being singers and concert performers and more. Dingdong, after all is also a songwriter and recording artist aside from being a former politician (he was a Quezon City councilor, and Jessa, dubbed the "Phenomenal Diva," is also a noted concert performer and recording artist).

Atty. Jemela Nettles was the one who handled Dingdong and Jessa's petition to become US immigrants. It is recalled that the lady lawyer (she's a Filipina married to an American) also was April Boy Regino's lawyer who helped him and his family obtain their US residency.

But no matter what, for Dingdong and Jessa, home will always be the Philippines !

"When we learned that we could apply for an immigrant visa because we were artists, we took advantage of it. Showbiz is not forever and not everyone gets the chance to become US immigrants. We have to think ahead, especially for our daughter Jayda. She's the main reason we decided to avail ourselves of this kind of visa — to give our daughter more choices and opportunities in life," Dingdong said.

Jayda would eventually decide for herself if she wants to build a career and family either in the Philippines or in the US . "We want to give her that choice," he stressed.

Right now, Jayda is showing all manifestations of a smart and intelligent child. "She asks a lot of questions, and sometimes we run out of answers," Jessa laughed. "And she likes to be read to every time," Dingdong added. And of course, Jayda's new accent is now very evident.

The Avanzado's opted to relocate to the US despite the fact that they knew they were leaving a comfort zone and be where there would be inconveniences of sort, like the absence of yayas for Jayda and household helps for Jessa. "We made very big adjustments," the couple said. Jessa has to learn how to cook and iron clothes.

"Here, I did not cook because yon lang apoy sa kalan, takot na takot na ako, baka masunog ang skin ko, etc. But there in our new home, kailangan matuto akong magluto, mamalantsa at maglinis ng bathroom, things I never did before. Tapos kung may show or taping ako nun dito, there's always someone to prepare my things. Doon sa America , ako ang gagawa lahat nun…but okay lang, we're happy there, we're closer as a family there. Super ang bonding naming dun."

Among the dishes Jessa has learned to cook are tinola (Jayda's favorite), sinigang, adobo, chicken apritada and other chicken recipes. Dingdong kidded her by saying, it usually takes Jessa several hours to prepare lunch or dinner. "I start preparing several hours before dinner kasi baka masunog yong chicken o anumang niluluto ko, di I have enough time to begin cooking again," Jessa laughed over lunch last week at Dulcinea Morato where they met with a few selected writers.

The Avanzados came over for a visit and they are scheduled to go back to Vallejo, California, which is home to them now, tomorrow in time for Jessa to prepare for her show with The Platters on Nov. 4 at the Tahoe Ballroom at the Peppermill Hotel Casino in Reno, Nevada (it was in Reno where Dingdong proposed marriage to Jessa, he recalled). Presenting the show are the Teresit Company and Phil-American Entertainment, the same producers who produced Jessa's first US concert in 2001. The show was so successful and the producers were so happy of the outcome that they decided to have Jessa as guest performer in Buck Ram Platters (Their Music Goes On) concert.

Asked what made them decide to seek residence in Vallejo , Dingdong said they've always wanted to settle down in a quiet neighborhood, away from the hustle-bustle of city life. " Vallejo is sort of a laid-back community, where life is not so busy or fast–paced but it is where I knew I could get strong support, especially I have family there, my uncles and cousins. And the Filipino community there is really very supportive to us ever since."

They have a four–bedroom house in Vallejo, and Dingdong who is currently employed as the marketing manager of the Red Acres Financial which specializes in loans and mortgage, bought the latest model of Mercedes Benz as a gift to his beloved wife.

Jessa, on the other hand, is busy with solo shows and live guestings in California . She recently appeared in Martin and Pops' concert tour in the US and before arriving in Manila 10 days ago, she did a solo show in Hlio , Hawaii .

By the way, Dingdong and Jessa will receive an award when they get back in the States. This is the 2006 Gawad America Most Outstanding Model Couple in the Entertainment Industry award. The awards ceremonies will be held at the Celebrity Center in Los Angeles .

Because of their green cards, the couple can now work without the hassle of applying for a work permit every time they have a concert in the US . Their US residency also allows them to be in the Philippines for a maximum of four months every year. So expect to see them come for a visit (and do concerts here) every year.

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RJ Jimenez learned a lot at the ‘academy'

Knowing how talented he is (he's a songwriter, composer, guitar player and singer as well and a college graduate to boot), we're one of those who felt sad that RJ Jimenez was evicted from the "Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA)."

But RJ didn't mind being evicted; after all he learned a lot about performing while inside the Pinoy Dream Academy . He said he will always remember what their Dean (Jim Paredes) always told them that it would only be after PDA that they'll be able to use the things they learned about performing.

"I learned about the rules of performing inside the ‘academy,' and if only for this, I'm glad I was one of PDA's scholars," RJ said, "because I really want to grow as an artist."

Nerdy as he'd always been, RJ didn't develop friendship with the rest of the "scholars," except with Yeng who's now rumored to be his girlfriend. RJ insisted though that they're just special friends, and that is why he promised her that he will always support her by coming every Saturday to watch the live performances of the PDA scholars.

If he'd been so studious during his college days, it's because it was his father's wish that he focused on his studies (RJ's an Electronics & Communications Engineering graduate from UST and was reviewng for the board exam but he chose to prioritize is participation in PDA). "My mindset then was that singing was just a hobby. But now I've realized it's what I really wanted to do as a career," RJ said.

In 2003, RJ received top plum in a radio station's contest for his arrangement of "All My life." His own composition, "Miss Kita Pag Tuesday," which he sang when he auditioned for PDA, is already a hit single, part of the Pinoy Dream Academy album (Volume 1). He was inspired to write the song, he divulged, by a classmate at UST who was his crush then. She and RJ were seatmates except on Tuesdays. They became close but RJ said nothing happened between them because then they were in their own respective relationships. His relationship with his first and last girlfriend lasted for four years, according to RJ. He was a choirmaster, while the girl was a soloist.

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