|
For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
|
|
This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
|
|
|
|
To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
God bless PAFCOM-CDC and its mission and vision. (L-R): Linda Rupel, Beth Trinidad, Lita Pena, Fely Lintao, Cely Miralles, Fely Abesamis, Helen Castillo, Bong Pineda, Francis Sison and Fr. Kiko Magnaye.
|
|
|
“It is better to light just one little candle…” (L-R): Cely Miralles, Helen Castillo, Seny Lipat, Lito Gajilan, Fr. Kiko Magnaye, Belen Castillo, Lita Pena, Francis Sison, Bong Pineda and Fely Lintao. Partly seen are Linda Rupel, Mon Rabarra, Stanley Crincoli, and Eden Vibar.
|
|
|
|
|
Jersey City, NEW JERSEY, February 4, 2005 --- The Philippine American Friendship Committee, Inc.-Community Development Center’s (PAFCOM-CDC) new office was blessed and an Open House was held Jan. 7 for its members, officers, and friends from the community. PAFCOM-CDC is now officially housed in the building located at 176 Mallory Av., Jersey City, NJ.
PAFCOM, Inc. is well-remembered as the group responsible for giving Jersey City residents the popular annual Grand Parade and festival held during the last week of June. Over the years, this parade has become a venue for the Filipino community in the tri-State area to showcase its best in terms of culture, customs and traditions, creative outputs, as well as products of the Filipinos. The “Filipino Idol” portion of the program alone has spawned sterling talents meticulously chosen from among a random of talented contestants. The grand parade has become an event being looked forward to not only by the Jersey City local residents but tourists and guests as well.
The Community Development Center, an arm of PAFCOM (or CDC), on the other hand, is responsible for various civic programs, such as Wellness/Health and Youth and Family Services. Under this program, the CDC offers free-admission services, such as its weekly aerobics classes, senior dances, monthly onsite health fairs, complementary therapy (such as tai-chi, reflexology, Reiki, and aromatherapy), nutrition and health education. So far, PAFCOM-CDC it has successfully sponsored three walkathon events and the September 2002 dance-a-thon.
Under its Youth and Family Services are the Safe Homes, Intergenerational, and Strengthening Filipino-American Families Program. Available as well are information and referral, case management, and volunteer development services.
In 2004, PAFCOM, Inc. produced the stage play titled Looking For William, which was warmly received during its showing at the St. Paul the Apostle Auditorium, Jersey City, in March, and at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Consulate Office in Manhattan, New York, in August. Proceeds from the income generated by the play during its staging in New York were used to donate classrooms to a school in a war-ravaged area in Mindanao.
Among of PAFCOM’s most significant accomplishments last year was having been designated as the fiscal agent for the Jersey City Communities that Care Coalition (JCCTCC) – an alliance forged among various Jersey City agencies and organizations, which are all staunch advocates of a drug-free community.
PAFCOM-CDC is currently headed by Overall Chairperson Helen Castillo. Other officers who provide support and assistance include: Angelita L. Peña, chairperson, CDC; Anunciacion S. Lipat, cice-chair, CDC, and chair, Health Committee; Carmen B. Flores, secretary; Araceli P. Miralles, treasurer; and Josephine Rago-Adia, executive director, CDC. The members of the Board of Directors are Melitona R. Corpuz, Lourdes P. Corrales, Lito Gajilan, Jr,, Nelsie T. Parrado, William Pineda and Michael Sluka. In addition, Prof. Fred Andes, Asma Bajwa, Dante Corpuz, Kem Louie, Anthony Ng, Nam Nguyen, Greg B. Racelis, and Antony Stephen comprise the Advisory Council.
Fr. Kiko Magnaye of the Our Lady of Victories parish officiated the blessing of the new venue, which was attended not only by PAFCOM-CDC’s officers and members but also friends and supporters from the Jersey City community. Volunteers were on hand, demonstrating their support by providing sumptuous dishes. Not ones to be outdone, the members of the Board rose to the occasion and gave everyone an opportunity to sample their culinary expertise.
With a bit bigger office, PAFCOM-CDC staff hopes to deliver better services to the Filipino-Americans and other Asian communities in Jersey City and convert the once empty space into a “beehive” of client-oriented activities.
For more information, PAFCOM-CDC can be contacted at tel. nos. (201) 332-4711, (201) 332-4501, and (201) 332 5909.
Visit: www.pafcom.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Month-long reg’l literary competition launched
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK, February 4, 2005 --- The “Textulang Pinoy” is a month-long competition on regional literary forms — Sawikain and Tigsik (of the NCR and Bikol), Paktakon and Tigmo (Cebuano and Hiligaynon respectively). It makes use of the mobile telephone where entries will be received as a text message.
The general criteria includes 1.) originality; 2.) fluidity of the stanzas/lines; 3.) high level of rhyme scheme; and 4.) content
Sawikain is an old form of poetry. It is composed of two (2) to three (3) lines per stanza and has 8 syllables. Within the 16 syllables (8 each line), the poet needs to express one complete thought. Sawikain requires a discipline in expression and economy in words. For example: “Pag gubat ay iningatan makikinabang ang bayan.”
Mechanics
Each entry must be written in Filipino revolving around the theme respect and/or love for nature. Send entries through *text including name and address of the poet. Weekly winners will be announced. The cut off time for each week is at 3 pm of every Friday in February 2005.
Two (2) grand winners will receive P5,000 each, while eight (8) P2,000 consolation prizes will be given away.
Tigsik is an old form of Bicol poetry which displays the natural talent of Bicolanos for riddles. It is composed of four (4) lines with eight (8) syllables each with a mono-rhyme scheme. For example: “Tinigsik ko sakong dila, Nakukulong, nawawara. Sa tabil kun nasasala, An sadit minadakula.”
Mechanics- Each entry must be written in Bicol and should be about the good or bad habits.
- There is no limit to the entry one can send. Each entry must be accompanied by the author’s name and address.
- This is a weekly contest to be implemented within February 2005. The cut off time for each week is at 5 pm of every Friday in February 2005.
- Winners for each week will be announced every Monday. Only one winner will be declared “Tigsikero ng Linggo” (cash prize of P2,000) with second (1,500) and third (1,000) prizes. Four runners up (cash prize of P500) will be declared.
- Winning entries will be published in a book and will be included in “Tigsik” t-shirts. A few of these copies and t-shirts will be given away to the winners.
- All connected with NCCA and Globe communications and/or with the organizer of the contest are not qualified to join the contest.
Tigmo is a riddle in the Cebuano language. Its common form is of two lines with same number of syllables per line and rhyming. It must have imagery.
For example: Kapti akong ikog kay mosawon ko. (Hold my tail because I am about to swim).
Paktakon (in Hiligaynon) means riddle or puzzle. In the past, it was recited during parties or wakes for the dead. It is a verse form usually composed of two rhyming lines, although there are 3-line and 4-line stanzas, and sometimes the lines do not rhyme. For example: (1) Baston ni San Josep Indi Maisip (St. Joseph’s cane cannot be counted. Answer: Rain)
Mechanics- The entry should be a Tigmo or Paktakon that is written in Cebuano/Hiligaynon language). Entries could be about any subject.
- Entries should be sent through *text along with the name and address of the author.
- Entries should be sent before 3 pm of each Friday of February 2005.
- A grand prize winner will be declared for the month.
For more information on the contest, call Vim Nadera/Ruby Alcantara at (02) 9221830; or Rudy Alano at 09197768062. Or e-mail: NCCA_NCLA@yahoogroups.com
Text entries to the following numbers: 0927-92452-42 to -43 (Manila); 0927-9245240 (Cebu); 0927-9245239 (Iloilo); and 0927-9245238 (Davao).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
