There are other zap stressing activities to consider. Some are cheap activities and the others need your deep pockets. Going to the arts and crafts store to find a hobby or a project to do is a worthwhile activity by itself. Whenever I do this, I would spend a couple of hours in the store looking and exploring the possibilities. Doing a simple project that requires a longer time to finish it would give me an enormous time to relax and be quiet, then a sense of accomplishment. Traveling, joining a cruise or planning for a vacation to wonderful places will definitely give us proven stress cures. Buying a piece of jewelry that we have been eyeing for quite sometime now will also boost our spirits up.  However, unless we have the resources, these are more expensive activities and if we cannot really afford them, might be by itself the cause of a major stress.

What works best depends on the individual. Once you discover a de-stressing strategy that you like, practice it regularly. With time and experience, these methods work at its best to dial down your anxiety levels whenever you feel yourself tensing up. If you train your mind to relax, your body learns to respond immediately. There was a time at the height of my competitive years, when I felt so uneasy during my free hours. I did not know how to relax. I had to look for something to do and had felt so unproductive, feeling  guilty doing nothing. I was happy bringing work from the office adding to my household chores. I remember that it was the time when I needed constant massage on the area of my neck, back and shoulders. Now I know the true meaning of “Health is Wealth,” and the importance of recognizing high stress levels in everyday life. Now I know how to create a time for R & R – rest & relaxation or rest & recreation or rock & roll ¼¼ whatever you want to call it.

@9PTLA = An Evening with Anthony Castello

Anthony Castello, the award-winning, International singer/song writer, known in the large Filipino-American community in the U.S. as The Philippine King of Love Songs will perform on March 2, 2007 to benefit the campaign for Vellie Dietrich-Hall, who’s running to be elected as a Fairfax County Supervisor in Mason District. The event features a full dinner with a 45 minute mini concert entertainment. Castello has volunteered his professional talent to Vellie to help raise funds for her candidacy. The home of host couple, Oscar and Evelyn Bunoan in Fairfax, will be the venue for the event. Evelyn, the owner/chef of the Philippine Oriental store in Arlington and also food section Manila Mail columnist, will prepare the gourmet foods herself and open their lovely home to the friends and supporters of the candidate. Expected to attend are Filipino-Americans, Americans and other ethnic groups like the Indians, Koreans, Hispanics, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc.

Series of fundraising events are now lined up monthly until the elections in November 2007. Volunteer hosts are Filipinos, Americans and other ethnic groups from her voting district and other areas. The Filipino Americans in the community caught the fire and are rallying behind this viable lady candidate, notwithstanding party affiliations.” Vellie’s Team” composed of diverse nationalities is now busy campaigning in full force.

@9PTLA = NAFFAA Gathering at the Melegritos

I attended the meeting called by Maurese Owens, the recently elected Vice Chair of NAFFAA Region II held in Hawaii, November last year. She invited 10 organizations in the Metro Washington, D.C. area to participate in the projects and activities of NAFFAA Region II. It was held at the home of Jon and Elvie Melegrito in Kensington, Maryland on February 23, 2007.

Included in the agenda were: 1).To get FilAms registered to vote; 2). To get FilAms to support FilAms who are running for office; 3). To get FilAms to write to their Congressmen when appropriate. Gloria Caoile, Junelle, Bing Branigin and Jon Melegrito have made strong presentations and appeal for the attendees to get involved on issues affecting the Filipino Americans in the U.S.

Most attendees when asked were registered voters and have voted in the last National Elections. Gloria Caiolle, however, made a strong appeal to support the WW II Filipino Veterans Equity Act on behalf of the remaining aged and dying 17, 000 Filipino veterans who fought under the American flag in World War II. This strong conviction is  based on the fact that on February 18, 1946 the U.S. Congress passed the infamous Recission Act of 1946, virtually denying the veterans their rightful status and benefits. Now, we are asked to join the 3 million plus Filipino Americans and immigrants across the United States in asking Congress to correct this denial. A suggested letter to U.S. Representatives and Senators were distributed in the meeting. The website to contact our representatives: www.house.gov/writerep.

Jon Melegrito on Filipino Americans who are running for office, spoke before the crowd endorsing the candidacy of Vellie Dietrich-Hall, a viable Filipino American running as a Mason District Supervisor candidate in Fairfax County. It was recalled that the group also called for unity to elect Kris Valderama, daughter of former delegate David Valderama of Maryland who ran for the same position as her father. She won the race. This NAFFAA group will definitely support and backup  Dietrich-Hall. She was given the opportunity to speak before the attendees to present her platform: to hear the concerns of the Mason District constituents’ and find solutions to these problems, help solve the crimes committed in the district, utilize the senior citizens to mentor the youth and support the abused women’s group among others. A non-partisan group led by Caoile, will organize a fundraising event for this dynamic lady candidate in April. It was announced in the meeting of the upcoming fundraising event, “An Evening with Anthony Castello” hosted by Oscar and Evelyn Bunoan at their home in Fairfax on March 2, 1007.

Others present in the meeting were Atty. Warie Azarcon, Bill Branigin, Elvi and Rey Bangit, Mitzi Picard, Froilan Tiglao, Aida Hulen, Al Trapal, Ador Carreon, Ed and Maricor Tiong, and Pat Pagsibigan.