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D. A Pinoy fiesta like no other
C. An open letter from Dan E. Nino
B. Guest article: "A close look and a chat with FVR"

     By Dan E. Nino

A. MAI donates ETV package to Bedania Elem. School, Mangatarem

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D. A Pinoy fiesta like no other

       Combining doing a worthy project (Foto#01) ‘bayanihan’ style with traditional Filipino and American pastimes like litson-making, playing games (mahjong, bingo and volleyball), ‘tsismis’-swapping, eating ‘halo-halo’ and camping with bon fire, members of FAAECI (Fil-Am Association of East Central Illinois) held an un-traditional fiesta in a farm at Paxton, Illinois last August 3.

Foto #01: Roger M driving the Gator harvest vehicle with Stan Apperson, owner of the rented farm, standing at right.

(To be continued)

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C. An open letter from Dan E. Nino

July 26, 2013

Dear AMOR Kabaleyan(s),

Warm greetings!

       I’m pleased to inform you that Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA will hold its 35th anniversary foundation on Aug. 31, 2013 (Saturday, from 5:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.) coinciding with a beauty pageant that will eventually crown the Miss Pangasinan-USA.

       Our Miss AMOR Sheila Christine M. Tejada, a multi-talented beauty queen has prior engagements as stage and movie actress,  T.V. commercial model, speech-language pathologist and behavioral interventionist among others. She will not be able to represent our association as a beauty contestant but will nevertheless march around the hall as a  role model tribute for her various accomplishments including her title as former Miss Cerritos.

      Our former Miss AMOR and former Miss Pangasinan Shenny Felix was also invited by Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA to also march for her role as former Miss Asia Quest first runner-up. We are honored by this tribute to our very own beauty queens.

       To represent our town association instead is Alyssa Viloria Soto, my niece. She was tapped by Mr. & Mrs. Leoncio D. Dumlao (nee Noime Viloria). Mr. Dumlao was our past president. Alyssa, 20 is attending California State University-San Marcos where she is taking up B.S. Biology. She plans to pursue her education at UCLA’s Medical School and hope to be a trauma surgeon someday.  At a young age, I also applaud her with her multi-talents, athletic and academic achievements and community engagements. .

       The impact of this search for Miss Pangasinan-USA is the funds that will be generated from advertising revenues in our souvenir program and dinner ticket sales. The proceeds are earmarked for our Scholarship program.  To date, we have already sponsored 12 scholars from various towns of Pangasinan from poor families who had so far availed of this program. Out of 12, four have already graduated and eight are still pursuing their college courses. We intend to continue this flagship project.

     One of the scholarship recipients is a townmate. She is Noime V. Balleser who will turn 17 this September. A resident of Maravilla Extension, Mangatarem, Noime is now taking up Information Engineering at University of Pangasinan, a five-year  course. PB-USA provided $1,800 supplemental scholarship grant while AMOR of Southern California is providing her $600 as personal allowance for books, transportation exepenses, etc. 

     In view of this, I am inviting you to support and cheer our beauty candidate on Aug. 31. As a requirement, we need 30 guests for this event. We also need 10 full-page advertisements at $100 per page. So far, we already have seven ads to meet the requirement. We need 10 more dinner-tickets to sell amounting to $55 per ticket.. Your support by way of attending and advertising your products and services will help boost the morale of our beauty candidate and sustain our PB-USA’s laudable Scholarship Program.        Please respond on or before Aug. 10 for confirmation.  Your support and generosity are highly appreciated.

God bless,

DAN E. NINO

Past President, Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, 2010-2011

Chair, Scholarship Committee, PB-USA. 2013

Founding President, AMOR of  Southern California, 1983-88 & 1989-90

Tel. No. 562-921-5116

12540 E. Oak Creek lane, Cerritos, CA 90703
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B. Guest article: "A close look and a chat with FVR"

     By Dan E. Nino

       Twenty seven years after the 1986 People Power Revolution, former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos’ drawing power and energy has not diminished one bit. And it was evident in his two-day visit to Los Angeles.

       I should know. In those two days in June, I was able to cover the former President on three separate occasions.

       On the first day, we had dinner at the official residence of Consul General Hellen Barber – Dela Vega in Hancock Park.

       On the second day, we had a hearty lunch at the Anaheim White House Restaurant in Orange County, hosted by Asian Journal and Balikbayan Magazine publisher Roger L. Oriel. That evening, I was the emcee at the Pilipinas Roadshow and Forum hosted by the Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, led by its President Eddie C. Ferrer. The roadshow has included a book signing, and a video documentary screening, and an interactive dialogue with Ramos.

       The book Silver Linings present the untold stories of the People Power Revolt in ‘86 as seen from the perspective of the military and police personnel who played key roles in the historic event.

Charismatic candor

       A host of Filipinos gathered on June 6 at the Marriot Courtyard Hotel in Cypress to meet the illustrious 12^th President of the Philippines. Filipinos from far and wide took photos and briefly conversed with Ramos at the book signing event for Silver Lining. The book was written by Melandrew T. Velasco and co-authored by Ret. Police Director Reynaldo Velasco and former Secretary Alunan.

       At the ripe old age of 85 years, Ramos is still as sharp as ever with his mental acumen, candid humor, and physical prowess. The former military man even challenged us, his kababayans and two young waiters of the Anaheim White House, to a sit-up and push up challenge after our sumptuous lunch of Italian cuisine.

       Ramos, revealing his photographic  creativity, even initiated the artistic direction when our group took our photos at the spiral staircase of ConGen Dela Vega’s home.

       “I was also a photographer at one time,” Ramos joked.

       At the intimate dinner in ConGen Dela Vega’s residence, pleasantries and business cards were exchanged, as well as FVR’s gesture of goodwill, a box of cigars with a Malacañang Palace inscription on the lid. The gift was given to PB-USA’s President Ferrer, to be auctioned off for future fund-raising events.

       As Ramos and I exchanged business cards, I saw his wallet-sized collection of philosophical jokes to live by, jokes which he often whips out when opportunity strikes.

       On the flipside of his business card were the list of the numerous Philippine and international memberships of Ramos to various organizations, political parties, and foundations. He held numerous titles like chairman, adviser, director, member, honorary president, and other such honors. You would think that FVR is busier now than when he was still sitting in Malacañang.

       Equipped with his arsenal of punchlines, the mood at his reception in ConGen Dela Vega’s home instantly lightened when he announced in a joke in Filipino. “Kayong mga taga-Pangasinan, hindi na Triple AAA ang rating ngayon ng Pangasinan. Triple BBB na. It’s Bagoong, Bucayo at Bangus. Mayroong pang-apat. It’s Braganza,” Ramos quipped, referring to former Pangasinan gubernatorial candidate Hernani Bragaza,

Stately matters

       An astute statesman, Ramos is always ready with his opinions on matters of the state.

       He discussed a wide range of topics and equally dished out his insights on all of these issues. During his two-day visit to LA, Ramos talked about a diverse array of topics including poverty, Philippine politics, and the Scarborough Shoal and Spratlys Islands brouhaha.

       On poverty, Ramos pushed for countries to prioritize funding on food and social services, instead of arms development. On the mid-term elections, Ramos noted that the results sent an alarmingly mixed message from the electorate when perennial political dynasties were involved in numerous debacles and rejections.

       “Nanie served well as mayor of Alaminos City, as a congressman, as secretary of Agrarian Reform and briefly as press secretary. However, incumbent Governor Amadeo Espino, Jr. is well-entrenched and is well-known in the entire province as a former PNP Chief and former congressman, ”FVR said of Braganza. FVR said that Braganza is coping well with the electoral loss and quoted Nanie’s wife, who said, “I guess, it’s now time for him to earn a living for the  family.”

       On poverty alleviation, the Philippine’s reported economic growth of 7.8 percent has not yet been felt in by the ordinary Filipinos in the grassroots, Ramos explained.

       Ramos even weighed in on the Scarborough Shoal and Spratlys Islands issue, saying that the Philippines should seriously pursue arbitration with the United Nations Convention On The Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and promote freedom of navigation and maritime safety at sea.

Weighing in on the Future

       Ever the enigmatic figure in Philippine politics, Ramos also made a bold prediction on an  impending clash for the presidency. Between current Vice President Jejomar Binay and current Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Ramos believes that the former Makati mayor has the upper hand and would eventually win Malacañang come 2016.

       Ramos cited Binay’s myriad of political alliances as well as his active participation in socio-civic engagements as his key tools in gaining many supporters en route to 2016. Binay’s other roles in public and private offices also make him a formidable candidate, Ramos said.

       Ramos recalled that Roxas had already consulted with him in the past regarding his chances on securing the presidency. Then a Trade and Industry Secretary, Roxas intimated to Ramos that he would rather run again as a congressman in Capiz. After all, his father Sen. Gerardo Roxas had lost in his bid for the vice presidency when he ran alongside Diosdado Macapagal, who was seeking reelection anew.

       According to Ramos, he advised Roxas to go ahead and run for senator. Roxas eventually won as topnotcher with more (than) 19 million votes.

       In 2009, Mar Roxas was poised to make a bid for the presidency. However, People Power hero and former president Cory C. Aquino had unexpectedly passed away

       The upsurge of sympathy among Filipinos for the passing of Cory made Roxas reconsider his candidacy. He eventually gave way and gave up the Liberal Party nomination in favor of Cory’s only son, Noynoy Aquino. Aquino won an overwhelming victory, while Roxas lost to Binay in a decisive fashion.

       If the 2010 showdown between Binay and Roxas is any indication, it is likely that Ramos will again be proven correct come May 2016.

(For comments, please contact Dan E. Nino, Tel. No. 562-

921-5116 or E-mail: denino1951@gmail.com ) ###

FOTOS

FVR with Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA Council of Presidents and their spouses at a cozy dinner hosted by Congen Hellen Barber-Dela Vega at her Hancock Park residence. From left: Rhene M. Ferrer, Vener Diaz, FVR, Myrna E. Nino, Dan E. Nino, Ads Diaz, Eddie C. Ferrer, Bing Dela Vega, Consul General Hellen Barber-De La Vega and Tony Banaag.

Everybody flashed the signature FVR thumbs up sign after a hearty meal at the Anaheim White House Restaurant with the former president. From left : Asian Journal writer Dan E. Nino, book author Mel Velasco, Urdaneta Assn. President Lino Caringal, Jr., Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce-Southeast Corridor President Felix B. Lopez, the former president and Asian Journal publisher Roger L. Oriel.

FVR with cap number 84 leads in doing 41 push-ups after a sumptuous lunch at the Anaheim White House. From left: Lino Caringal, Jr., FVR, Asian Journal writers Dan E. Nino and Ernie Delfin.

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A. MAI donates ETV package to Bedania Elem. School, Mangatarem

On Nov. 29, 2011, Roger M (Foto #1) represented Ms Lydia A. Sumner (Foto #2), Pres., MAI (Mangatarem Association of Illinois) in the Turn-over Ceremony of one unit of E-media Educational TV (ETV) package (Foto #3) to Mr. Fernando Olegario, Head Teacher of Bedania Elementary School, Mangatarem. Facilitating the donation was Ms Jenie C. Chan, External Relations and Communications Manager, E-Media, ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. The turn-over ceremony was witnessed by Angelito C. Catubig, Bedania Barangay Captain (Foto #4).

Paid for by MAI, the $1,500 educational package consists of 460 episodes of Educational programs, 31 volumes in DVD format, 29-inch Television set, DVD player, Teacher training video and Episode guide CD.

E-Media Program is the education arm of ABS-CBN Foundation that produces TV and radio shows to help uplift the quality of education of grade school Filipinos. “Aside from the production and distribution of quality educational shows, E-Media also train teachers and co-manage numbers of public elementary to create Models of Excellence.”

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Ms Rosario O. Cabrera (Principal, Mangatarem National High School), Dante Paulo (PTA President) and Magdalena Alamillo-Santamaria (former MNHS teacher and member of MNHS Batch 1947.

You can read Roger M’s speech below. 

FOTOS:

Foto #1: Roger M delivering his speech on behalf of Ms Lydia Sumner

 Foto #2: Ms Lydia A. Sumner, MAI President.

Foto #3: The Educational TV (ETV) package

Foto #4: L to R: Angelito C. Catubig (Bedania Brgy Captain), Fernando Olegario (Head Teacher of Bedania Elementary School), Roger M (as proxy to Ms Lydia Sumner) and Jenie C. Chan (External Relations and Communications Manager, E-Media, ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.)

Copy of Roger M's speech:

GREETINGS!

Last Nov. 17, a day before I was due to leave California for the Philippines, I received a surprise call from Ms Lydia Arellano-Sumner. She’s the current President of Mangatarem Association of Illinois (MAI), in the U.S. She said she has known from Fil Olegario, my Class ’59 batchmate from Mangatarem National High School (MNHS), that I was going to the Philippines soon. Could I, she asked, represent her in today’s turn-over ceremony?

I’ve known Lydia only through email and Facebook but based on the donations she regularly sends and are distributed by Fil Olegario during our yearly Class ’59 Eye Medical Mission (EMM) here in Mangatarem, I gather that Lydia is another person whose heart bleeds for the poor people of Mangatarem.

Right away, I answered her: “How could I refuse you! Send me a speech by email which I’m going to read during the turn-over ceremony.”

She said: “You can take care of that. Mas magaling ka sa akin! (You’re better than me!)”. That’s how humble Lydia is!

I told her: “Okay, just give me a few lines on what made you start this ETV project and what goals do you intend to achieve.”

Following is the email message she sent me:

“If I were there to represent MAI, I will let them know that I can see the image of my father in them, their thirst for knowledge and the determination to learn in spite of difficulties. I was blessed to head the MAI and because of this, I have to give back to the hometown that nurtured my father to be who he was. I believe in the capabilities and determination of the Mangatarem students and to give them additional learning aids with the ETV program, they all can become what they want to be in life.”

Something makes me admire Lydia. She was not even born nor grew up in Mangatarem; only her father was. In spite of this, she has her mind focused to the “capabilities and determination of the Mangatarem students . . . so that they all can become what they want to be in life.”

Let me now add my own message by asking the students who are going to be the beneficiaries of this ETV project.

“Excited ba kayo na matuto kung ano ang ituturo sa inyo nitong ETV na ito? (Are you excited to learn what this ETV equipment has to teach you? (Weak reply.)”

“Mahina! (Your answer is weak!)” (Noting that the kids had a commotion earlier when they saw the arrival of the ABS-CBN van at the scene, I told them: “Mas excited yata kayong makunan ng video camera at ipalabas sa tv! (It seems you’re more excited being videographed and to be shown on tv!”) “Uulitin ko! (I repeat!) Excited ba kayo na matuto kung ano ang ituturo sa inyo nitong ETV na ito? (Are you excited to learn what this ETV equipment has to teach you? (Louder reply.)”

Now, that’s better!

If you dream to be successful in life someday, then you should be excited to become computer literate now because there are so many things to learn about computer.

In today’s times, the name of the game is computer literacy. In America, the trend is towards a “paperless” society by doing things “on line”. You can now pay your house bills “on line”, as well as, book a travel ticket, enroll in a school, shop for things you need and these will all be delivered to your doorstep, or even look for a boyfriend or girlfriend. How would you be able to do all these if you don’t know a thing about computer?

In closing, allow me to give you a piece of advice. In our group, the Class ’59 graduates of MNHS, we believe that “Life is a journey of many stages. In terms of education, elementary is preparation for high school, high school for college, college for life and life for the afterlife.” You are now in a stage of preparing for high school; I in a stage of preparing for my afterlife. As you go through each stage of your preparation, I strongly urge you to give it your best shot. And when it’s time for you to harvest the fruits of your toils and find that you have more than enough, be like Ms Lydia Arellano-Sumner or members of Class ’59. Share some to the poor people of the town of your roots.

Thank you.