I had never researched much about Arnel Pineda because I relied on the editorial skills of my Filipinas Magazine colleagues. In the meantime, I was fascinated by Rachelle Ann Go’s singing technique, wherein she modifies her aerial performance “brand” with subliminal influences from the likes of musical luminaries, Pink and Alicia Keys.

Here is what Grace sent me. Enjoy!

Here is a video of Arnel Pineda during the Grand Coronation of the 2010 Binibining Pilipinas contest.

Rachelle Ann Go singing Empire State of Mind

Rachelle Ann Go in GMA Pinoy TV’s Party Pilipinas (April 18, 2010)

Hello, friends! It’s been sometime since you’ve heard from me. For this worldwide email directed to all Overseas Filipinos/Filipinas s and the Asian Pacific American community for this special weekend, these are my highlights for you to consider. Take action! Please forward freely and widely in your distribution list. My apologies for any cross-postings.

– Lorna Dietz, community publicist for the Filipino (FilipinasMag.com), Indonesian (KabariNews.com), & Punjabi (SanJoseMela.com) American communities

THIS WEEKEND’S HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Overseas Filipino Voters for the Philippine Elections (Babae Ka Party List, #110 on the ballot) and Filipino voters in the Philippines (Babae Ka Party List, #116 on the ballot)

Jacqueline Lingad or Jacquie Lingad Ricci, An Overseas Filipina and a dear friend to many of us, is one of the four nominees of this women’s political party (a centrist organization). One of their advocacies is to make sure Anti-Age Discrimination is practiced in the Filipino workplace (it’s about time!). Check out the video, ALL ABOUT BABAE KA IN FIVE MINUTES, that I created/produced (Youtube) at http://bit.ly/b75VYd

Before I decided to support Babae Ka Party List, I placed my research in a FilipinaImages.com posting. What an eye-opener! See http://bit.ly/d2RAgh

2. The V Monologues and MMRP with an all-Asian Pacific American cast in San Francisco on April 10, 2010 (produced by the Filipina Women’s Network since 2004)

Here’s a moving video (Youtube) where Fides Enriquez and Gerri Nuval talk about why they joined the 2010 cast. http://bit.ly/aA5kbe

WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 2010
WHERE: Herbst Theatre, San Francisco

Admission: $88 (VIP), $38 (general admission), $28 (students/ seniors), 10% discount for groups of 20 or more.
Can’t make it to the show? Sponsor a resident or a staff member of a domestic violence agency. Only $38. Click here to sponsor: http://www.filipinawomensnetwork.org/events?eventId=134499&EventViewMode=EventDetails

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://filipinawomensnetwork.org/

THE V-DIARIES 2010 ONLINE with Mona Pasquil, Acting Lieutenant Governor, State of California, on the cover page: http://bit.ly/cBpycW (and for all you Cebuano/Bisaya-speaking folks in my Universe, Mona is one “garbo sa sugbo’ gyud)

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

1. BABAE KA

From Jacqueline Lingad Ricci’s facebook page:

Jacquie Lingad, Babae Ka Partylist Director & No. 2 Nominee, is the daughter of former Pampanga Governor Jose Bulaon Lingad of Lubao Pampanga who was the first opposition leader to be assassinated during the Marcos dictatorship. Daughter of Catalina Canlas Mangila from San Vicente, Santa Rita Pampanga. Formerly with the PCGG (Philippine Commission on Good Government) and DOT (Department of Tourism). Coordinator for Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Response Team. Fighting for the the rights of Women & Children in our homeland and overseas. An activist during the martial law era and member of the Movement for Free Philippines and Ninoy Aquino Movement. Activities include Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council and against domestic violence to women & children.

2. FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK

Marily Mondejar, FWN president, sent an email to us. Here are snippets from this email:

http://www.filipinawomensnetwork.org/v-2010asian

Meet the brave women and men of the V-Day FWN Asian American Cast & Crew 2010, San Francisco:

1. Bill Tamayo, Esq., Regional Attorney, EEOC for San Francisco and Pacific Northwest
2. Brenda Hartshorn, Photographer
3. Brian Soo, Kaiser Permanente
4. Charles Wang, Cellist
5. Claudine Cheng, Attorney & Principal, Claudine Cheng Consultants
6. Connie Zheng, Client Staff Assistant, Burson-Marsteller
7. Dave Rodriguez, Realtor, Pacific Realty and Investment Corporation
8. David Chiu, Supervisor, SF District 3 and President, SF Board of Supervisors
9. Don Santos, Retail Fragrance Specialist, Make-up Artist
10. Dr. Emily Murase, Executive Director, San Francisco Dept. of the Status of Women and Candidate for the San Francisco School Board
11. Erin Fightmaster, Teacher, Kid Street Learning Center
12. Errol Zshornack, Attorney at Law
13. Felicia Perez, Professional Genealogist, Lecturer, and Dream Worker
14. Fides Enriquez, Executive Director, Pacific Ethnographic and New Art Media
15. Fiona Ma, Speaker pro Tempore, Assemblywoman, District 12
16. Franklin M. Ricarte, Social Media Strategist
17. Genevieve Dwyer, President, Genevieves Corporation
18. Geraldine Nuval-Weibull, Owner, My Boudoir Lingerie
19. Gian Lizardo, Youth Advocate, Project: Come Passion & Soulciety
20. Gladys Dodds, Managing Associate, Partners in Business Systems
21. Helen Marte Bautista, (former) Commissioner, San Francisco Public Library
22. Dr. Jennifer Ong, Optometrist; Commissioner, Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women
23. Josephine Romero, Philippine Trade Commissioner, UI.S. Western Region
24. Julie D. Soo, Esq., Senior Staff Counsel, California Dept. of Insurance
25. Juliette Olivia Musni, Student, Rooftop Alternative
26. Katrina Socco, Senior Director of Programs, Youth Leadership Institute, San Mateo County
27. Keesa Ocampo, Government and Community Relations, ABS CBN International
28. Koua Jacklyn Franz, Executive Director, Hmong Women’s Heritage Association
29. Madeleine O’Dell Conui, LOLA Activist, Retired RN
30. Marife Sevilla RN, President, Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California
31. Marites Ares, Legislative Analyst, California School Boards Association
32. Maya Ong Escudero, Teacher
33. Mitzi Manzano, Freelance Make-up Artist and Fashion Stylist
34. Mona Pasquil, Acting Lieutenant Governor, State of California
35. Noelani Sallings, President, DAWN -Democratic Activists for Women Now
36. Norma P. Edar, CFO, A Topnotch Security Services Inc. and Costless Maintenance Services
37. Rae Almajose, Retired
38. Raymond Virata, Art Director, Filipinas Magazine
39. Sabrina Sandalo, Marketing, Frog Design
40. Sol M. Manaay, President & CEO, Care on Call, Inc.
41. Sonia Delen, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
42. Dr. Valerie de Leon, Dentist, Millbrae Smile Center

THE 3 C’S OF CREDIT – Credit, Capacity, and Collateral: What it takes to get a real estate loan

HOW TO CLEAR YOUR PERSONAL CREDIT

I found a google video, dated May 9, 2007, when Hazel Valera spoke in Las Vegas at the Millionaire Real Estate Club Of Las Vegas. Caveat: Some of the credit laws, procedures, and processes may have changed.

~ ~

If you are interested in holding a customized workshop for your business or organization, please contact Hazel Valera at (408) 63HAZEL or (408) 634-2935 or email: hvalera@ccemailbox.com. You are welcome to contact me (Lorna Dietz), too, at RadiantView@gmail.com or (415) 508-5326.

Financial Fitness Rocks!

NOVEMBER 12-14, 2010 – SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce
Announces Bi-National Annual Convention

“Entrepreneurs without Borders” Converge in Phoenix
to Address Global Recession

San Francisco, CA, February 22, 2010 – The Filipino American business community is coming together in a highly-visible, unprecedented move to align its empowerment activities with an eye toward evolving as a borderless, globally-focused network of entrepreneurs and professionals. The “Federation 2010: Entrepreneurs without Borders” Convention, slated for November 12 to 14, 2010 in the newly-built, lush and luxurious venue, Talking Stick Resort and Casino Arizona in Scottsdale, Arizona, promises to engage local, national, and international participants alike with a strategic, innovative convention program that “connects the dots” in building a business global mall and promoting technological advancements, opening the doors to green wealth and green building opportunities, and bridging business and community through humanitarian and trade missions, among its many offerings.

In addition to the attendance of luminaries and dignitaries, keynote speakers include Arizona Governor Jan Brewer; Dr. Yolanda O. Stern, international entrepreneur and philanthropist; Jaime Lim, President of the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC) and Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon, acclaimed for his outstanding work in building business coalitions that win government contracts; and Marie Cunning, a successful Arizona-based Filipina American developer who advocates green building practices. After the highly-awaited Philippine Presidential Elections on May 10, 2010, the new President of the Philippines will be invited to address the expected 800 attendees coming from 40-plus FPACC chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

“The road to a world of Entrepreneurs without Borders provides the Federation’s chapters, members, and affiliates with the ability to connect the dots in real time. We will renew and enhance our commitment to improving the business climate for Filipino entrepreneurs during these uncertain economic times, provide a rich directory of resources and networks, and truly help each other grow and succeed. In this year’s bi-national annual convention, we will increase our delegates’ opportunities to meet potential partners from other parts of the world besides the Philippines,” Marie Cunning announced. Cunning is the convention’s chair and President of the Filipino American Business Chamber of Commerce of Arizona (FABCCA).

The Federation is offering its first 200 registered delegates “first come, first served” benefits such as an invitation to a special event within the convention: the opportunity to meet with venture capitalists, investment groups, and companies seeking joint venture agreements. Delegates, guests, and local visitors will also be treated to a diversity of exhibitors’ products and services inside a high-traffic Exhibition Hall as part of the convention’s Business Global Mall.

As the Talking Stick Resort gets ready for the Grand Opening festivities in June, 2010, sparking global attention with its 100,000-plus square feet of indoor and outdoor convention space amidst a backdrop of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Tribe’s Indian cultural heritage, the Federation looks forward to being one of the first groups to enjoy the 5-star facilities. Delegates will be greeted with a Welcome Reception at the resort, sponsored by FABCCA, the Host Committee.

“Becoming an Entrepreneur without Borders means that you are ready to be an impetus to actions that change the world,” says Jaime Lim in his invitation to prospective delegates.

Early convention registration information can be found at FPACC.com.

About the Organization: The U.S. Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce, Inc., is a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation, incorporated under the not for profit laws of the State of Oregon with corporate offices at 447 Sutter Street, Suite 701, San Francisco, CA 94108. It has 42 chapter members from all over the United States mainland to include Hawaii. Incorporated in 1997, it bridges US Philippines trade and commerce, promotes goodwill and mutually beneficial projects between the two countries. It holds an annual convention in the US and one trade mission a year to the Philippines. It currently has several major Memoranda of Agreement with major Public and Private sector departments of the Philippines, including a major one with the US-SBA.

Press Contacts: Ben Menor at FPACC2010@gmail.com or Marie Cunning at MCunning@cox.net.

You are heartily invited to attend the Veloso Reunion on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at the Hacienda Verde Clubhouse in Tacloban City from 7 A.M. up. Lunch, merienda and dinner will be served.

Kindly inform all Velosos you have contact with. Also, please tell all those who have not received this email to contact me at butchveloso@yahoo.com or to text me at +63 928 520 5150.

See you there!

Best regards,

Butch Veloso
President
Veloso Foundation, Inc.

LORNA’S NOTES:

The following photos and text are taken from http://haciendaverde.com.ph/.

HOW TO GET THERE

FEATURES AND AMENITIES

* Just 2.6 kilometers (1.6 miles) south of Tacloban City
* Minutes away from Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport and San Juanico Bridge
* Gated Community
* 24-Hour Security
* Swimming pool with wading area and children’s area
* Clubhouse with function room
* Provision for gym and coffee shop
* Outdoor courts for basketball, badminton, volleyball or tennis
* Outdoor patio seating

Yesterday, I received an email from an old friend.

Hi Lorna!!

How have you been?? Hope all is well with you and your family. Im writing you from Manila. You must have heard about the soon-to-open new California Academy of Science at the Golden Gate Park featuring the Philippine Coral Reef as its permanent exhibit. Malou Babilonia heads the Filam Focus Group which supports it and Im in the Steering Committee with Tita M, Voltaire Guingab, Susan Po- Rufino, Nenuca Ortigas and others. Would you please help us spread the word about this great Philippine pride by forwarding these articles to your million and one Filam contacts and the movers and shakers from the East Coast to the West? Let me know of your great help so I can update Malou and the Focus group about your valued assistance which will surely make a lot of difference. Will forward you succeeding press releases as well. Can I count on you, my dear Lorna?
Thanks and best regards!! Celia

Celia C. Cuasay

So, Celia, here it is… Let’s start with a press release that you sent me. I can’t wait to see the wonderful photos!

SAN FRANCISCO — The world’s deepest living coral reef exhibit opens at the new California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park on September 27, 2008. The Philippine Coral Reef Exhibit, in a 212,000-gallon aquarium tank, will be home to a variety of soft and hard corals, black-tipped reef sharks, rays, and more than 4,000 reef fishes that are native to the Philippines. Visitors will be able to view the reef and its inhabitants from the surface as well as from five different underwater windows.

The Academy chose to feature a Philippine coral reef because the reef systems in the Philippines are among the most diverse in the world. Despite their global importance, most people on the planet have never seen a living reef. With the opening of the new Academy building, over a million visitors a year will be able to experience the splendor of a living Philippine coral reef and learn what they can do to help save coral reefs around the world.

With a 40-year history of research in the Philippines, resulting in the discovery of dozens of new animal species and publication of a comprehensive guidebook to Indo-Pacific invertebrates, the Academy is partnering with local education and conservation groups, such as Pusod, a non-governmental organization based in the Philippines and Berkeley, whose mission is to preserve and enhance the ecosystems of the Philippines and show their significance to the world.

Both organizations are committed to scientific, educational, and outreach efforts regarding the coral reefs of the Philippines. These efforts will be targeted toward the Filipino community in the Bay Area and abroad, fostering their appreciation for and personal connection to one of the world’s critical biodiversity hotspots.

According to Dr. Terry Gosliner, Senior Curator at the Academy, “Our goal to reach a broad and diverse audience is the reason we have this wonderful evolution of interaction with Pusod and the Filipino community.”

The Academy and Pusod have organized a group of San Francisco Bay Area Filipino Americans to generate interest and excitement about the exhibit, and to get the Filipino community involved. The group, Reaching out through Environmental Education to Filipinos (REEF), has a marketing team that has been aggressively promoting the exhibit to different sectors of the Filipino community. Recently, it participated in the Pistahan parade in San Francisco with a marine-themed float.

Dr. Meg Burke, the Academy’s Director of Education, comments that it is wonderful how the Filipino community has been so cooperative and excited about the Philippine Coral Reef Exhibit. She says she is overwhelmed by how much support the Academy has received from the Filipino community in making the exhibit a spectacular possibility.

“Because the Philippines has more marine biodiversity than anywhere else in the world,” says Malou Babilonia, Pusod Founder and Trustee, “the Filipino community needs to take action in any way to protect, preserve and enhance our marine environments. It is so important that Filipinos everywhere immerse themselves in the Philippine Coral Reef Exhibit at the Academy.”

For information: www.pusod.org/reef
Send inquiries to: reef.project@yahoo.com

“Make sure the emcees are respectful to these young men, Elton! It takes a lot of guts for them to be there on the stage,” I reminded him. “I understand that community service involvement is one of your criteria for these contestants. How will you make sure that the interview portion of the pageant will be handled sensitively?”

“Because you’re going to host the interview portion of the program,” Elton declared.

“Moi? I write profiles, Elton,” I protested.

“But you interview people, right? What’s the difference?” Elton asked, determined not to get a “No!” for an answer.

“OK, this is my personal support for you, Elton, as a Filipina who wants to end violence against women and girls,” I agreed, not sure why he thought I was an ideal pageant interviewer.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area on Sunday, July 20, 2008, please come and celebrate with us as Filipino men “break stereotypes” at the 6th Annual Ginoong Pilipinas-USA [Mister Philippines USA] competition.

6th Ginoong Pilipinas USA

SUNDAY, JULY 20 @ 6 PM

GRAND BALLROOM
Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Midtown at USC
3540 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles CA 90007
Telephone: (213) 748-4141 Fax: (213) 746-3255

Direct from Elton:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Baguio (917) 553-4750

- – -

Sharon Leal and Andrew Christian headline 6th Ginoong Pilipinas USA as America’s search for the Best Filipino Male goes to Los Angeles

The now New York-based Ginoong Pilipinas USA is holding its 6th cultural pageant cum fundraiser on Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 6 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Midtown at the University of Southern California, located at 3540 South Figueroa St, Los Angeles CA 90007

Known for its humanitarian efforts, Ginoong Pilipinas USA will share portions of the event’s proceeds this year to White Ribbon Campaign, a coalition of Men Working to End Violence Against Women. Calif. Senator Leland Yee will be on-hand to help promote the Campaign.

Los Angeles’ celebrity fashion designer Andrew Christian will co-host the program and Hollywood Fil-Am singer-actress Sharon Leal, (Boston Public, Dreamgirls, Why Did I Get Married) will be the special guest
performer along with Broadway Star Stephanie Reese and American Idol Finalist Jordan Segundo, 2008 American Idol Finalist David Hernandez, and many local performers rendering their time and talents in celebrating Filipino male youth empowerment.

Over 20 contestants from around the nation are competing for the title and this year’s winner will receive $1,000 cash, roundtrip tickets to the Philippines, a custom-made trophy and sash and the rare opportunity of representing the Filipino community in various civic and cultural events around the nation.

This year’s sponsors include San Francisco’s Hotel Luz; LA’s Patron of the Arts, Bong Prada Lim; Wilshire Travel Center; O Bar Restaurant, Gregory’s Tuxedos; Nostalgia, The Barong Tagalog Shoppe; Swimwear by Andrew Christian; Pnoy Apparel; Fashion Designer Lou Razon; and Western Union.

Media partners include Balitang America ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel; GMA Pinoy TV; LA’s Midweek and Weekend Balita; The Philippine News; Manila Mail; Manila Bulletin; Pinoy Today; NY’s Filipino Express; Filipino Insider; AsianWeek; Philippine Fiesta; Philippine Headlines; MyGringos.com; Bisaya Bulletin; Hollywood Flip; NY’s Carousel Pinoy; and PinoyGig.com.

Tickets to the event are at $20 and are available online via BrownPaperTickets.com or by calling Toll Free (800) 868-3006.

For more information, visit ginoousa.net, email ginoousa@gmail.com or call (917) 553-4750 in New York; (415) 424-3998, San Francisco; and (818) 909-2525, Los Angeles.

As one of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans’ (SIPA) board members and SIPA’s Past Board President, Benito made sure all of his friends knew about SIPA’s 36th Anniversary Awards Benefit Dinner on April 26, 2008. He is relentless, this Cebuano! And since we know that this is a worthwhile cause, we just need to spread the word! Well, Benito Miranda, you got your wish! Just make sure you show up at our October 2, 2008 Filipinas Magazine Achievement Awards event at the South San Francisco Conference Center, ok?

Click here for the full-sized copy of SIPA’s 36th anniversary event flier

WHAT: Ang Bukas Ng Ating Pamayanan / The Future of Our Community
SIPA 36th Anniversary Awards Benefit Dinner
WHERE: Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown
5:00 pm – VIP Reception
6:00 pm – General Reception and Silent Auction
7:00 pm – Dinner
8:00 pm – Awards & Entertainment

The Honorees:

- The Honorable Warren Furutani, California State Assemblymember, 55th District
Lingkod Bayan (Public Service)
- Jannelle So, Broadcast Journalist, Kababayan LA/LA 18/KSCI-TV
Gawad Manlilikha (Creative Arts)
- Filipino American Educators Association of Los Angeles (FAEALA)
Bayanihan (Community Support)
- Eliseo Art Silva, Mural/Visual Artist
Gawad Manlilikha (Creative Arts)
- Jemuel Apelar, Philippine Overseas Olympic Development Committee
Tularang Kabataan (Youth Service)
- Raffy L. Lopez, Chief Operating Officer, ABS-CBN Global Ltd. (The Filipino Channel)
Kalampusan (Corporate Achievement)

Emcee: Maria Quiban (My13/FOX-11)
Scheduled Presenters: Cher Calvin (KTLA-5), Camile Velasco (Recording Artist), and the talented Basco Brothers
Entertainment: Features the vocal stylings of Charice Pempengco and Natasha Godinez as well as performances by the SIPA and KELP (Kultural Enrichment Language Program) youth
Special Features: The launching of two new SIPA videos: “A Day in the Life” and “Building a Dream”

From the website: For over 35 years, SIPA, headquartered in Historic Filipinotown, has served this impoverished neighborhood as well as the greater Los Angeles Filipino American community with mission-fueled passion and relatively little fanfare. SIPA continues to provide health and human services as well as community economic development programs to the now diverse, multi-ethnic youth and families residing in the area as well as Filipino Americans all over Los Angeles County.

For more information, contact:

Peter J. Corpus
Director of Development & Communications
Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA)
Temple Gateway Community Center
3200 West Temple Street, Historic Filipinotown
Los Angeles, CA 90026-4522
Tel(213)382-1819 x104
Fax(213)382-7445
Email: pcorpus@esipa.org
www.esipa.org
FAMILY * COMMUNITY