World Journal article about Ramona

[Koolan]

From a Chinese online news publication, World Journal. Translated into English.

 

She saw Celine Dion's show 100 times.

A special party with a big cake was held before her show earlier today to celebrate the super fan, Ramona's 100th show.

 

Who are the star's super fans? Why do they love and support their idols so much? What are the fan's expectations to their idols? How much would the fans spend on their idol?

 

We'll use this super fan, Ramona as an example. Our reporter interviewed her in Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, a smiling woman who have seen Celine Dion's show quite often.

 

Ramona is sixty-one years old from the Philippines, working as a laboratory manager in a big medicine company. She says her love for Celine Dion is immense and her performances enriched her life.

 

Last summer, Ramona bought a one room condominium at Lake Las Vegas as a place to stay. She often flies from the Los Angeles Bay area to Las Vegas to have a vacation and to catch Celine Dion's show.

 

Ramona, being a manager of a big medicine company is well paid and because she's been there for many years, she has the privilege of taking a vacation often. Outside of Ramona's work life is seeing Celine Dion's show. When you call her, you hear a Celine Dion song. The ringtone is set to a dialogue to the tune of "Ramona baby..." She loves to listen to that frequently, there are also dozens of photos with her and Celine inside.

 

Ramona explains why she never gets tired of seeing the show and spending the huge amount of her money that goes along with it. She says that she lives alone, her task of raising her children is accomplished. So, she lives for her own interest now, who knows if there will be a tomorrow?

 

Ramona buys tickets herself each time. Celine's husband and manager, Rene had promised to give her a free ticket for every two shows she attends. She never takes advantage of it though, the show brings her a great amount of joy. The workers in the show are like family members and friends. Ramona buys a special dress and a pair of shoes to attend the show. To this day, she has more than 100 in her wardrobe for the show alone. Not once have she wore the same one outfit to the show. Ramona would give away some away to her girlfriends when they visit her. Everyone is happy.

 

Ramona would prepare a small gift for Celine before every show. She says maybe it isn't worth that much but Celine thanks her every time on stage. She says "it's very uncommon for someone, who doesn't need anything like Celine herself, could still be so friendly to her fans."

 

Ramona heard Celine Dion singing "The Power of Love" on the radio for the first time in Maryland in 1992. She was moved by Celine's voice, since then, she devoted a lot of time and attention to this new singer. It was after hearing more and more stories about Celine that she became a fan. And not to mention her love for Celine's performances. Ramona thinks Celine never gossips about others and that she's a very sincere person. She knows many fans from all over the world. Whenever she goes to see the show, she gives and receives greetings from them. During the performances, Celine would walk towards Ramona or give her a wink.

 

Celine's Vegas show will come to an end on December 15th of this year. Ramona and twelve of her fellow Celine fan friends are planning to watch the last four shows. She says the wardrobes for those four days are already set. The twelve friends would stay at her apartment at Lake Las Vegas. They hope Celine would feel the greetings and love from her fans during the very last few shows.

 

Being a neighbor of Celine, Ramona spotted Celine's husband only at the casino. Celine never goes to gamble, she would bring her six-year old son to buy some ice-cream occasionally. Whenever they meet, Celine would wink at Ramona.

 

Celine plans a world tour after her Vegas run. Ramona had already booked two Celine concerts in Paris for next year on the 24th and 25th of May. Ramona is fond of Paris, she would follow her to France.

 

Ramona says she never expects anything from Celine in return. She is willing to do everything she did. She spends money and time to watch Celine's performances, it leaves a very satisfying feeling. She has a lot of fun and is very thankful to have artists such as Celine.

World Journal

 

Congrats Mama Mona, you're now more famous than ever.

 

Thanks to Bellamy for translating it into English, I made some corrections.

[Céline's Blues]

I love Ramona! She's so sweet!

[tativale]

OOhhhh Our Ramona is so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations my very dear friend!!!

[chinit0]

Wow I didn't know she also from Philippines! She must be very very rich...

 

Ramona, take me to LV!

Edited July 15, 2007 at 12:35 AM by chinit0

[dolores]

she's so amazing

[celinerific]

Awwwe! YAY!!!! :cheer:

Next time you go to Vegas to see Celine... I'm going to ask you to pack me into your suitcase.

Or you know... some kind of baggage.

Edited July 15, 2007 at 03:52 AM by celinerific

[changepas39]

I've seen that...I'd love to just go see Celine in vegas 1 time....

[KimboCosmo]

Wow, this is very impressive! If I had the means to do that, I would, but I'm just happy to be able to even go once in November! Congrats Ramona!

[Bellamy]

I've seen that...I'd love to just go see Celine in vegas 1 time....

Are you Chinese?

[Celinenvegas]

Wow, that's awesome that she's gotten some recognition for going so often. I know how she feels, I haven't seen the show anywhere near 100 times but have seen it 9 times and I love it. I fly from the East Coast US, so it's more expensive but the show is worth every darn penny - it's so amazing. I can't wait to go again in December and hopefully meet Ramona and congratulate my fellow Celine fan for supporting our Queen! Edited July 15, 2007 at 05:19 AM by Celinenvegas

[nano]

whooa..that was a great article. Ramona is a wonderful person.

[Filine]

whooa..that was a great article. Ramona is a wonderful person.

 

WOW! Wonderful article I saw the show 19 times so far

[CSCfan]

What an honour....lovely article!!

Really glad to have met her, know her and consider her as my friend..

[Cheerfuljane]

Goodness Gracious - Even in China??

Yay Wamona

[Krys]

wow! 100 times, 100 sets of diff outfits. all i can say is just WOW!

[denise]

That's so awesome! Way to go Ramona!

[Bellamy]

Goodness Gracious - Even in China??

Yay Wamona

Actually it's the biggest Chinese newspaper in the US. It's for Chinese live in the US. We don't have this newspaper in China.

[Cheerfuljane]

OK - I get now Thanks for clearing that up!

[Terre]

Wow!! That's so cool!

[Alice]

I'm simply jealous of her.

[JP]

Wow that's wonderfuld! She must really live a dream

[Davey84]

I'm simply jealous of her.

you're not the only one!

[theotherR]

My sincerest thanks to all of you for all the kind words and support that you have given me!

 

It's true that I am living a dream, but it's dream for all of us diehard Celine fans. I have said it before and I am saying it again, I represent all of us, fans. Through me, Celine is able to see the depth of our love and devotion to her. I am sure that she realizes that what one fan projects is a universal feeling for all her fans. Granted that I am at a stage of my life where I can be more self indulgent than most, I can assure you that years from now, you, too, will have this opportunity. Time is on both our sides. Mine is now, yours will be soon, where I will be on the other side wishing I could trade places with you. We all have hurdles to overcome first. Believe me, it has not always been this easy. And financially, no one is better off than the other. We all have our responsibilities and again, I had a good 30 years headstart than most of you, maybe even all of you!

 

Of course, the proximity of Las Vegas to where I live and work makes a big, big difference. Had she chosen Florida or Montreal as her venue, I doubt if I would even have made it to 50 shows! One of the thrills of going to the show this often is the chance I get of meeting new fans from all over the world. My life has truly been enhanced by the circle of friends that I've made over the years, which I hope to keep on growing and be sustained long after December. Being around you all is what keeps me young and full of energy! I have to keep up with you!!!!

 

Take every good news you hear about me or any other fan as our collective success in our ongoing effort to get Celine to recognize and love all of her fans as much as we all love her. Remember the deal she made with the lady in purple who asked for a hug from her? She said "Ok, you can have a hug but it's for everybody!"

 

Thank you all, my friends!

Ramona

[KimboCosmo]

I'm simply jealous of her.

you're not the only one!

And ya'll aren't the only ones lol

[Celinefreak05]

I LOVE YOU RAMONA....CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[anghil5]

Aw, Ramona

 

What a sweet article - you deserve it! I loved it...and you!

 

I misssssssss you!!!!!!!!!!

[Filine]

Well said Ramona You are so righttt. There will be a chance, a time and an opportunity for all of us on the moment you least expect it. If you had told me last september I was going to meet her a few months later I would not have believed it... it simply happened. Keep dreaming, keep believing and never change who you are because dreams really do come true.

 

Cindy

[denise]

Very well said indeed!

 

Ramona, you are truly an amazing, inspirational person. Thank you for living the dream for all of us.

[Dansons]

WoW,that's cool!

I am happy for Ramona and Celine!

[nano]

Well said Ramona!!!!