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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.
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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.
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Jersey City, NEW JERSEY, April 14, 2005 --- Five Filipino-American beauties were selected by the Philippine American Friendship Committee, Inc. (PAFCOM) to reign this year. The five will join the annual June 26 parade and the 15th Anniversary Friendship Night and Grand Ball on April 24 at the Wyndham Airport Hotel in Elizabeth, NJ.
The chosen beauties are Rebecca Zafra Cooney, Mrs. PAFCOM; Asia Raagas, Miss PAFCOM; Kristianne Molina, Mutya Ng Pilipinas; Jean Krizel Rosales, Binibining Pilipinas; and Courtney Shannon Connally, Miss Liberty.
Rebecca Zafra Cooney or Becky, Mrs. PAFCOM. She was born in Manila, and now married to an Irish-American, John Cooney, who is a computer supervisor. Residing in County Village, they have three children -- Liza, 35, a nurse; Mirabella, 32, a sociologist; and Mark, 30, a teacher --- and three grandchildren. Becky graduated with banking and finance degree from the Philippine College of Commerce in Manila, in 1975. Upon her arrival in the US, she worked in the operations department of the Republic National Bank and the Signature Bank. She belongs to the Zafra academic clan, of which UP professor and history book author Nicolas Zafra is a member. Her early collection of beauty titles include being an ROTC muse of PCC. Becky has been an active PAFCOM member fort three years now and is auditor of the Filipino Association of Garden State. She has a twin brother, Emmanuel, a dental technician living in California. A fulfilled life, a lasting beauty — that’s Becky.
Asia Raagas, Miss PAFCOM. At 17, she won the 2005 Miss PAFCOM title. She is a willowy beauty that exudes a Malayan mystique at 5’5. Born in the Philippines, Asia denotes her ethnic origin. Take note, her mother’s name is: Island. And her father, Nicandro, who is from San Juan, is in the import-export trade. Asia plans to study to become a nurse, after graduating this year from Union High School. Her inclination in the medical field prodded her to volunteer for the ambulance emergency service. Her training includes doing CPR mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, assisting on the spot victims of roadway car accidents, which experience she described “great.” Asia is also active in her parents’ church grou, Bukas Loob Sa Diyos. She assists in a nursing home and helps out in soup kitchens for the needy. Leading a balanced life, she is fond of singing, playing drums, and into sports, karate and paint-balling. Asia’s mother, an accountant in an advertising company, was a former Miss Adamson University in Manila.
Jean Krizel Rosales or Je-anne, Binibining Pilipinas. Petite and cute, Jean was born in Batangas, in the Philippines, on June 27, 1980. Her mother, Christy Ferrer, was chosen Miss Pearl USA 2005, while her sister, Jellem Ferrer, was Miss Little Valentine and Little Miss Bicolandia, in 2003. Jean lives with her family in South Ozone Park, NY. She is into music and cultural folk dancing, singing and popular dancing. She plays bowling, volleyball and billiards. Jean is active in social work, and aspires to be a flight attendant.
Kristianne Molina, Mutya Ng Pilipinas. A vivacious 14-year-old teenager, Kristianne’s parental roots are in Caloocan City and Gattaran, Cagayan. She is presently enrolled at the New Jersey City University, and loves playing basketball and the guitar, singing, dancing, drawing, and grafitti art. But unlike most other fun-loving young women, Kristianne finds time to be active in the youth group of Banal Na Pag-aaral, helping out of school boys and girls of different faiths. She is the daughter of Bernadette Molina, a realtor.
Courtney Shannon Connelly, Miss Liberty. At 15, 5’6 inches tall, Courtney has the built of a ramp model. With her black tresses and hazel eyes, long legs, and a fair complexion, she is undoubtedly stunning. She is the daughter of Jim Connelly, former deputy mayor of North Bergen, and Jennifer Nicdao, social worker from Tondo, Manila, in the Philippines. Coutney recalled how excited she was when she visited the Philippies when she was 12 years old. She is now Grade 9 at St. Aloysious Academy. A member of the track and field team, she specializes in the 2-mile and 3-mile competitions. Courtney is also the president of the freshmen class. She is into singing and dancing. Her favorite singer is Whitney Houston.
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Auditions for cultural performers set May 5
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NEW YORK, April 14, 2005 --- Without giving any reason, the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) moved its general community meeting from April 21 to May 3, at 7:00 pm, at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center, located at 556 Fifth Avenue, between 45th and 46th Streets, in Manhattan.
In a press release sent to the Filipino Express, everyone is invited to attend the meeting, including those who signed up to participate in the Independence Day Parade on June 5, the vendors and exhibitors who reserved space in the Street Fair, the member organizations of the PIDCI, other organizations wishing to participate in any of the celebratory activities of this year’s 107th anniversary commemoration of the declaration of the Philippine independence, and other members of the Filipino-American community.
PIDCI said all payments by Street Fair vendors and exhibitors are to be completed in the form of money order, certified or bank’s manager’s check, along with signed application forms. Confirmation of exhibition and selling spaces or booths will be made during this meeting.
During the meeting, PIDCI added, the celebration committee chairpersons, co-chairpersons and vice chairpersons will report to the community on the progress of their preparations for the different events of the commemoration.
Cultural fest’ auditions
PIDCI will also be holding auditions for those desiring to perform at the Cultural Festival, one of the highlights of the celebration.
The auditions will be held at the Philippine Center on May 5, between 2 pm and 5 pm. Interested parties may contact Dr. Boy Pangan at (631) 242-1837 or (914) 262-0645. Or e-mail him at: DocPangan@yahoo.com.
PIDCI said those performers who were not able to perform at last year’s cultural festival will be given the preference. However, those who were included in last year’s performers are also welcome to the auditions as there may be open time slots.
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NEW YORK, April 14, 2005 --- Reaffirming its commitment to the long-term stability and development of Haiti , the Philippines is joining other members of the United Nations Security Council in a three-day assessment mission to the troubled Caribbean country.
Ambassador Lauro L. Baja Jr., Philippine permanent representative to the United Nations, will represent Manila in the Security Council mission that will look into the security, humanitarian and development needs of the country, which continues to be enmeshed in violence and poverty.
“The mission is a reiteration of the commitment not just of the Security Council but also of the Philippines to contribute to the efforts to bring peace and stability in Haiti and to improve the lives of the Haitian people,” Baja said.
The Philippines participation is significant as it bolstered the country’s support to rehabilitate the war ravaged country. The Philippines, along with Brazil, Argentina and China, are the members of the Security Council with substantial troop contributions to MINUSTAH transitional government. The Philippines has deployed a 135-member Force Headquarters Support Unit that provides security and administrative support to the MINUSTAH headquarters as well as two military staff officers and 10 civilian police officers.
The mission, which will be in Haiti from 13 to 16 April, will be led by Ambassador Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg of Brazil . It will be held in conjunction with the mission of the Economic and Social Council's (ECOSOC) Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti.
During the three-day program, Baja and other members of the Security Council will meet with Haiti's interim leaders led by President Alexander Boniface and Prime Minister Gerald Latortue as well as political personalities, NGOs and officials of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) led by the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Ambassador Juan Gabriel Marquez of Chile.
In these meetings, the Security Council is expected to call for improved coordination between the Transitional Government, in its leading role, and MINUSTAH to ensure security in the country. The Security Council is also expected to convey its determination to see that all funds pledged during recent international donors conferences are promptly disbursed to support development projects in the country.
The Security Council is seen to look at actions the Transitional Government MINUSTAH should take to implement a national disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program that addresses all illegal armed groups in a comprehensive manner, including its legal basis.
During the visit, Baja will meet with the commanders of the Philippine military and civilian police contingents led by Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero and Supt. Lester Camba, respectively. He will also attend a medal pinning ceremony at the Philippine Contingent headquarters at Camp Alpha in the capital city.
Baja will also meet with members of Haiti's small Filipino community in the country as well as the Philippine Honorary Consul in Port-au-Prince, Frizgerald Brant.
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