Wanting to see DC, 'Imusicapella' gives free concert - Around DC

How Imusicapella came to Washington D.C. is another story. The group was going to New York before proceeding to Las Vegas. While Washington was not part of their itinerary, the members wanted to make a detour to see the historic sights of the nation’s capital. Not knowing anyone in DC, they saw the advertisement of Atty. Miriam Riedmiller in a newspaper (probably the Manila Mail) and wrote to her. Miriam passed on the information to Maurese Owens and Pablito Alarcon who immediately acted to bring them here. Arrangements were made to house the 8 boys of Imusicapella at the residence of Evelyn and Oscar Bonoan (Evelyn is the Manila Mail’s Food columnist) in Fairfax, Virginia. Two girls were housed at the residence of Mercy and Pol Sebastian while the other 4 girls stayed at the house of Ben and Sol Manalaysay.

The rest pitched in to help out on food, transportation, etc. and the Filipino American community was able to have a free concert from a group that had already won acclaim in Europe and elsewhere. All because Imusicapella wanted to see the capital of the greatest nation on earth.

After everything was set, Tessie Alarcon of Feed the Hungry said: “God really provides to those in need. The help came so spontaneously—thus, we will have the privilege to hear them for free (what struck us is for these talented participants not even asking for monetary consideration but just to house and feed them). All they want is to see Washington—the White House, Smithsonian, Lincoln Memorial, etc—I guess, every Filipino’s dream.

*** Amb. Del Rosario leads Tofa awards

Former Philippine ambassador Ambassador Albert del Rosario leads Filamimage’s “Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad (TOFA)” in a gala banquet and ball at 7 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel. There will also be a 20th Anniversary Luncheon August 30 at the same venue commemorating the 20th anniversary of the magazine. Selection of the awardees was made by Filamimage, Pinoy Global Online and RAM foundation, all operated by Mr. Nonoy and Aida Mendoza and their daughters, Rochelle and Rhonda, the principals of the TOFA project. Mendoza’s press release said Ambassadors Willy Gaa and Lauro Baja as well as James. V. Kimsey, emeritus chairman of the American Online, Inc. (AOL) will also receive the “Friend of Filipinos” award. TOFA awardees are Del Rosario, Guillermo Austria of Jersey City, Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles of Pampanga, Romeo San Antonio of Virginia, Josef Quiroz of Chicago, Philip Carreon of New York City, Dr. Marcos R. Fojas of Greece, Dr. Laurel G. Yap of Maryland, Ms. Carmelita Tapia of Canada, Dr. Wilhemina G. Camina of Maryland, Dr. Herminia P. Festin-Navato of Massachusetts, Dr. Napoleon S. Maminta of Missouri, Dr. Lauro San Jose of Baguio City, Dr. Patricio Reyes of Arizona; Atty. Alfonso P. Fallarme of Minneapolis, Dr. Ceferina Ruiz of California, Atty. Arlene Machetta of Texas; Dr. Aida Ramiscal-Martin of Hawaii, Ms. Marlene Birao of Canada, Dr. Jocelyn Bruce of Florida. Limited numbers of admission tickets to the Luncheon and the gala are still available. Call at (202) 370-6446, Cell phone: (202) 531-1798.

*** Bustos gets CFC council seat

A recent restructuring of the leadership of Couples for Christ (CFC) in the United States resulted in the appointment of an interim USA National Council effective August 16. Maryland-based Rod Bustos has been appointed as one of the four CFC Council Members. Rod has been with the Couples for Christ community since 1990 while he was still single. His wife, Canyl, invited Rod to join the renewal community in the Philippines. Both of them are Philippine lawyers. Canyl is a New York attorney looking at doing federal immigration law practice, while Rod prays to have time to also take the N.Y. bar and VA CPA exams soon. Meanwhile, Rod juggles his roles as a husband, a father of two boys, and a settlements officer. Rod continues to serve as Area Director for Maryland CFC and Area Leader for Virginia CFC. Canyl continues to serve as the Regional Director of Ancop-Gawad Kalinga for Maryland, DC, Virginia, and West Virginia. She also sits in the USA National Council of CFC Handmaids of the Lord, the CFC ministry for women and Regional Coordinator for the USA Northeast Region. Serving with Rod locally are Chapter Heads in Maryland and Virginia, namely: Angel Viray (South MD), Romy Vargas (North MD), Ernie Pineda (West MD), Norby Perrin (East MD), Raymund Sucgang (Family Ministires, VA and SFC National Council Member), Armand Erpe (Area Leader, VA), Mike de la Noche (North VA), and Rico Villaroman (Family Minsitries, VA). For information on how to join Couples for Christ, please email Rod at rodcanyl@gmail.com or call 301-646-0152.

*** Cagayan Archbishop in DC Sept. 25

The Most Rev. Diosdado A. Talamayan, D.D., Archbishop of Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Philippines, will once again visit the DC area September 25, 26, 27 and September 30. The Archbishop’s Pastoral Mission is the continuation of the construction of a retirement home for the retired homeless priests in his archdiocese. He will preside at masses to be celebrated in honor of The Miraculous Lady of Piat at the following locations: September 26, 2007 (Wednesday), 7:00 pm, St. Anthony of Padua Church, 3305 Glen Carlyn Rd., Falls Church, Va. 22041 September 30, 2007 (Sunday), 11:00 am, St. Charles Borromeo Church, 3300 Wash. Blvd., Arlington, Va. 22201.

*** Migrante holds picnic Sept. 2

Migrant Heritage Commission will hold a “kainan, sayawan, basketball, tennis at iba pa picnic September 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at he Marcey Park (Potomac Overlook Regional Park) in Arlington, Virginia. MHC said everyone is welcome to bring family and friends as well as share their favorite dish and drink. It said RSVP is required by calling 202-558-5320 / 202-631-8856/ 202-247-0117/ 703-273-1196 or email *migrantheritage@aol.com.

*** Roa memorial in Vienna, Va

The 9th day novena and mass for former broadcaster Pete Roa who died in the Philippines early this month was held at the chapel of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Vienna, Virginia Aug. 17. A short reception followed at the parish hall immediately after the novena and mass. Scores of friends of the Roas in Virginia attended the memorial.

*** Filam among 6 <R>APAICS fellows

The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Chair David L. Kim has announced the following as the six APAICS Fellows for 2007-08. They are Wendy Ho, MPA-Public Affairs, Indiana University, School of Public and Environmental Affairs; Gene Kim, BA-Double Major (Rhetoric/Sociology)University of California, Berkeley; Seng Hok Peng, BA-Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles; Paulo G. Pontemayor, BA-American Ethnic Studies, Law, Societies and Justice University of Washington, Seattle; Jonathan To, BA-Political ScienceWashington University, St. Louis; Lynn Yasui, BA and JD University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law.

*** DC holds job fair Sept. 21

Mayor Adrian Fenty is hosting the 4th annual DiverseCITY Job Fair on Friday, September 21, 2007. The target audiences include qualified bilingual and limited English proficient (LEP) individuals for public and private sector opportunities. This year’s job fair builds on the successes and model of the Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA). OAPIA is working with the Office on Latino Affairs and Office on African Affairs in an effort to diversify workforces and provide opportunities to underserved, limited English proficient populations in the District. The job fair will be held at the National Building Museum located at 401 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.