QUOTE
FilAms Gear Up for a Grand Celebration in 2009: The 111th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence
Saturday, 07 March 2009 00:00 Lydia Solis
The Jose Rizal Community Hall of the Philippine Consulate General overflows with patriotic Filipinos and Filipino Americans every time Grand Chairperson Darna Umayam calls for a gathering, the most recent, on February 10th.
Starting with an “acquaintance” meeting on September 29, 2008, to draw-up plans for a grand celebration in 2009 of the 111th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, it was succeeded by two General Assembly meetings held late last year and early this year. Each time, Umayam seemed overwhelmed by the show of genuine support by the FilAm community. (Never mind if all the meetings have been properly caloric.)
The Independence Grand Ball will be held Saturday, June 13, 2009, 6 pm, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Downtown Los Angeles.
“Come hungry as the menu includes a nine-course Chinese Lauriat dinner plus one drink with two live bands setting the tone for the evening’s entertainment,” said Umayam. Tickets have been on sale since, on a “First Pay Basis” at $59.00 per person.
“Senator Chiz Escudero,” announced Umayam, “has accepted our invitation to attend our grand ball.” According to the grand chair, personal friend and Secretary of Energy Angelo Reyes is definitely attending. “And we have sent invitations to Vice President Noli de Castro, Senator Manny Villar, and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, and but no response from them yet,” she added.
“To date,” reported Financial Officer Leah Dinsay, BSN, RN, during the latest meeting, “1,200 tickets have already been sold.” Umayam added that “2,400 tickets have been distributed. Our goal is to sell 1,950 tickets, so we will have money left over after expenses for our charitable missions in the Philippines.”
“Her name fits her achievement,” someone quipped.
“But I’m not that superwoman,” Darna claims.
Judging from the attendance though of more than a hundred people each meeting, with distinguished VIPS no less, headed by Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon, Deputy Consul General Dan Espiritu, Tourism Director Annie Cuevas, and Deputy Tourism Director Manny Ilagan, among others, it must be Darna’s good karma and/or her numerous “Dings” that make it happen. (Remember Vilma Santos’ film “Darna,” the fictional superheroine character created by Mars Ravelo? In the movie, Darna has a brother named Ding, her sidekick, played by Nino Mulach.)
“The burning fervor of Filipinism,” says Umayam, “displayed by an enthusiastic group of civic leaders, professionals in varied fields, and media sectors, as well as committed representatives of Filipino American organizations has really touched me tremendously. They have all accepted the challenge of shouldering the responsibilities in the preparation of a dinner gala and ball for the 111th anniversary when our Philippine Independence was declared.”
Significantly, Umayam has created 111 executive committees to ensure that our Freedom Day celebration would be nothing but grand. She opted to appoint committee members instead of having an election, which was wholeheartedly supported not only by Naomi Palma-Armada, founder and executive director of the Philippine Heritage Institute International, who spoke on the advantages of selection rather than election during the first meeting, but also by other community leaders.
Umayam, an American Field Service Scholar to the United States, and a cum laude graduate of Mass Communications from the University of Santo Tomas, calls on every Filipino “to join and rekindle that Filipino spirit once again.” She repeats the call for all Filipinos “to manifest a deep sense of national commitment and patriotic connection to our country, the Philippines.
“Let’s look back at our nation’s glorious past,” she continued, “with appreciation in the proclamation of our independence on June 12, 1898, by General Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite – the high point of the Philippine Revolution of 1896. This revolution was the first peoples’ war of independence fought by Asians against colonial Spain that marked the fruit of our forefather’s 300 years of blood, sweat and tears.” HYPERLINK "http://www.mygringos.com/servicedetail.php?sid=127&uniqueid="
The FilAm community has responded to her call, judging by the brisk sale of tickets and support for the “Memorabilia Book” with paid advertisements and pledges solicited, as reported by the Ways and Means Committee Chair Mel Campano.
Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon made an announcement, during her welcome remarks in September last year, that the Philippine Consulate will give its full support towards the event.
“This is the only meeting I attended,” said Deputy Consul General Dan Espiritu, during his closing remarks in September, “where there are no objections from the attendees. It’s all positive.”
Vice Chairperson Jojit Paredes, who also serves as Vice Chair, Internal Affairs, emcees during the Philippine Independence Day meetings.
Other volunteer “”Dings” for the grand ball are: Secretary General Rene Villaroman; Recording Secretary Shirley Lumanog; Financial Officer Leah Dinsay; Assistant Treasurers Emelita Liquigan and Yolanda Valerio; Parliamentarians Abraham Lim, ESQ, and Antero Pagunsan, Esq; Ticket Distribution Chair Trinity Foliente; and Ways & Means Chair Melinda Campano.
Seating Arrangement Chairmen Rico Campano, an architect and Eli D. Umayam, Darna’s engineer husband (who already made the down payment at the Bonaventure “to secure the venue”), will be working with members of their committee; namely: Robert Knock, Edgar Zalameda, Omar Ombra, William Brandt, Manny Liquigan, Manny Ferrer, and Enrico Valerio. (According to Umayam, the committee has a fool-proof system to avoid table switching.)
Event Coordinators: Sylvia Molina and Rodel Lumanog; Musical Director Willie Manacsa; Entertainment Chairman Cora Pastrana and Vice Chairman Edith Ombra; Food Chairmen Ellen Ferrer and Evelyn Brandt; Organization Sponsors Chairman Edith Knock; Community Relations Liaison Cathy Manlapaz; Reception Chairman Zenaida Sulit-Zoleta and Vice Chairman Naomi P. Armada; and Color Guards Coordinator Manny Salomon, who is also the liaison for Carson City.
Other Regional Coordinators include: Dr. Atonis and Mrs. Rillea Pax, Orange County/Riverside; Angel Rice, Palmdale/Lancaster; Tessie Lightholder, San Bernardino/Pomona/Chino Hills/Fontana; Sonny Landero and Vivian Aguilar, Las Vegas; and Jegg Dayola, Philippines.
PPP-USA, Inc. (Dan Baltazar, president) will make sure memories of the 111th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence Day will be preserved for posterity. Videography is up for bids with a deadline of March 30th.
Darna and her little helpers, (the “Dings” in her life till D-Day), led by Leah Dinsay, always end their productive meetings with surprises galore for everyone, and “a big thank you from the heart” to all attendees.
Saturday, 07 March 2009 00:00 Lydia Solis
The Jose Rizal Community Hall of the Philippine Consulate General overflows with patriotic Filipinos and Filipino Americans every time Grand Chairperson Darna Umayam calls for a gathering, the most recent, on February 10th.
Starting with an “acquaintance” meeting on September 29, 2008, to draw-up plans for a grand celebration in 2009 of the 111th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, it was succeeded by two General Assembly meetings held late last year and early this year. Each time, Umayam seemed overwhelmed by the show of genuine support by the FilAm community. (Never mind if all the meetings have been properly caloric.)
The Independence Grand Ball will be held Saturday, June 13, 2009, 6 pm, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Downtown Los Angeles.
“Come hungry as the menu includes a nine-course Chinese Lauriat dinner plus one drink with two live bands setting the tone for the evening’s entertainment,” said Umayam. Tickets have been on sale since, on a “First Pay Basis” at $59.00 per person.
“Senator Chiz Escudero,” announced Umayam, “has accepted our invitation to attend our grand ball.” According to the grand chair, personal friend and Secretary of Energy Angelo Reyes is definitely attending. “And we have sent invitations to Vice President Noli de Castro, Senator Manny Villar, and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, and but no response from them yet,” she added.
“To date,” reported Financial Officer Leah Dinsay, BSN, RN, during the latest meeting, “1,200 tickets have already been sold.” Umayam added that “2,400 tickets have been distributed. Our goal is to sell 1,950 tickets, so we will have money left over after expenses for our charitable missions in the Philippines.”
“Her name fits her achievement,” someone quipped.
“But I’m not that superwoman,” Darna claims.
Judging from the attendance though of more than a hundred people each meeting, with distinguished VIPS no less, headed by Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon, Deputy Consul General Dan Espiritu, Tourism Director Annie Cuevas, and Deputy Tourism Director Manny Ilagan, among others, it must be Darna’s good karma and/or her numerous “Dings” that make it happen. (Remember Vilma Santos’ film “Darna,” the fictional superheroine character created by Mars Ravelo? In the movie, Darna has a brother named Ding, her sidekick, played by Nino Mulach.)
“The burning fervor of Filipinism,” says Umayam, “displayed by an enthusiastic group of civic leaders, professionals in varied fields, and media sectors, as well as committed representatives of Filipino American organizations has really touched me tremendously. They have all accepted the challenge of shouldering the responsibilities in the preparation of a dinner gala and ball for the 111th anniversary when our Philippine Independence was declared.”
Significantly, Umayam has created 111 executive committees to ensure that our Freedom Day celebration would be nothing but grand. She opted to appoint committee members instead of having an election, which was wholeheartedly supported not only by Naomi Palma-Armada, founder and executive director of the Philippine Heritage Institute International, who spoke on the advantages of selection rather than election during the first meeting, but also by other community leaders.
Umayam, an American Field Service Scholar to the United States, and a cum laude graduate of Mass Communications from the University of Santo Tomas, calls on every Filipino “to join and rekindle that Filipino spirit once again.” She repeats the call for all Filipinos “to manifest a deep sense of national commitment and patriotic connection to our country, the Philippines.
“Let’s look back at our nation’s glorious past,” she continued, “with appreciation in the proclamation of our independence on June 12, 1898, by General Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite – the high point of the Philippine Revolution of 1896. This revolution was the first peoples’ war of independence fought by Asians against colonial Spain that marked the fruit of our forefather’s 300 years of blood, sweat and tears.” HYPERLINK "http://www.mygringos.com/servicedetail.php?sid=127&uniqueid="
The FilAm community has responded to her call, judging by the brisk sale of tickets and support for the “Memorabilia Book” with paid advertisements and pledges solicited, as reported by the Ways and Means Committee Chair Mel Campano.
Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon made an announcement, during her welcome remarks in September last year, that the Philippine Consulate will give its full support towards the event.
“This is the only meeting I attended,” said Deputy Consul General Dan Espiritu, during his closing remarks in September, “where there are no objections from the attendees. It’s all positive.”
Vice Chairperson Jojit Paredes, who also serves as Vice Chair, Internal Affairs, emcees during the Philippine Independence Day meetings.
Other volunteer “”Dings” for the grand ball are: Secretary General Rene Villaroman; Recording Secretary Shirley Lumanog; Financial Officer Leah Dinsay; Assistant Treasurers Emelita Liquigan and Yolanda Valerio; Parliamentarians Abraham Lim, ESQ, and Antero Pagunsan, Esq; Ticket Distribution Chair Trinity Foliente; and Ways & Means Chair Melinda Campano.
Seating Arrangement Chairmen Rico Campano, an architect and Eli D. Umayam, Darna’s engineer husband (who already made the down payment at the Bonaventure “to secure the venue”), will be working with members of their committee; namely: Robert Knock, Edgar Zalameda, Omar Ombra, William Brandt, Manny Liquigan, Manny Ferrer, and Enrico Valerio. (According to Umayam, the committee has a fool-proof system to avoid table switching.)
Event Coordinators: Sylvia Molina and Rodel Lumanog; Musical Director Willie Manacsa; Entertainment Chairman Cora Pastrana and Vice Chairman Edith Ombra; Food Chairmen Ellen Ferrer and Evelyn Brandt; Organization Sponsors Chairman Edith Knock; Community Relations Liaison Cathy Manlapaz; Reception Chairman Zenaida Sulit-Zoleta and Vice Chairman Naomi P. Armada; and Color Guards Coordinator Manny Salomon, who is also the liaison for Carson City.
Other Regional Coordinators include: Dr. Atonis and Mrs. Rillea Pax, Orange County/Riverside; Angel Rice, Palmdale/Lancaster; Tessie Lightholder, San Bernardino/Pomona/Chino Hills/Fontana; Sonny Landero and Vivian Aguilar, Las Vegas; and Jegg Dayola, Philippines.
PPP-USA, Inc. (Dan Baltazar, president) will make sure memories of the 111th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence Day will be preserved for posterity. Videography is up for bids with a deadline of March 30th.
Darna and her little helpers, (the “Dings” in her life till D-Day), led by Leah Dinsay, always end their productive meetings with surprises galore for everyone, and “a big thank you from the heart” to all attendees.
Omg! The 111th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence is near! This is a momentous once in a lifetime configuration of numbers! WTF should we do to prepare for it? Lol.
There should be a grand celebration. Everyone should participate! Damn it!
