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.

Our conversation also touched upon some “whistle blowers” regarding Formula Milk made by Wyeth that is supposed to be recalled in the Philippines. I got the impression from my chat with Nona that birth statistics regarding the contaminated milk have not yet been disclosed, especially the inference about the increased percentage of new-born infants who contracted meningitis. This definitely needs more investigative work — so whoever reads this and is interested can certainly contact Nona.

Since I don’t know what all the perspectives are, my googling research is what I’m writing about (and I’m biased because I’m pro-breastfeeding). What I found about the current war between formula milk and mother’s milk in the Philippines (and probably other third world countries) made me reflect on my own role as an advertising and business development professional. I asked myself, “Do I solicit advertising from companies who do not share my values about compassion and sustainability?” and “Do I even care about media’s civic role in advancing the Filipinos’ mindsets and attitudes?”

My online research, upon Nona’s prodding, took me to the UNICEF Philippines’-produced documentary, FORMULA FOR DISASTER . The marketing copy caught my attention: “This eye-opening documentary reveals how the marketing of powdered milk has caused fewer mothers to breastfeed in the Philippines – including those who can ill afford artificial milk and suffer its harmful consequences. The milk companies’ formula for profits is a formula for disaster.”

Here is the “Formula for Disaster” documentary, courtesy of UNICEF-PHILIPPINES through YouTube.com.

Formula for Disaster (Part 1 of 5)

Formula for Disaster (Part 2 of 5)

Formula for Disaster (Part 3 of 5)

Formula for Disaster (Part 4 of 5)

Formula for Disaster (Part 5 of 5)

During my searches at YouTube, I found this endearing video, A TRIBUTE TO BREASTS. I thought that the 2nd Synchronized Breastfeeding Event deserves a third-party tribute for its noble efforts.

Nona Andaya-Castillo is very busy bringing people and organizations together to organize the Second Synchronized Breastfeeding Worldwide Event, scheduled on October 11, 2008, as well as its launching during the World Breastfeeding Week on August 1 to 7, 2008. She is looking for public service, corporate, non-profit agency, and community-based partners who can sponsor the US central global event to be held in New York City.

COULD THIS BE YOU OR YOUR GROUP?

TO CONTACT NONA D. ANDAYA-CASTILLO:

Nona D. Andaya-Castillo, IBCLC
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
The Breastfeeding Clinic: Your Partner from Pregnancy to Parenting
Telephone: 632-444-4716 632-271-0954
Children_For_Breastfeeding@yahoo.com
+63-919-839-5555 and nurturers2005@yahoo.com.ph

Founder:
Nurturers of the Earth
A support group for vegetarians and vegetarians-in-progress

Children for Breastfeeding
Mobilizing children to promote earth-friendly parenting

I met Raju in 1998 through Padma Mangharam Siap, another wonderful motivational speaker and drama coach. They sometimes have joint speaking engagements. I enjoy my multi-cultural and inter-ethnic interactions with both of them since they keep me laughing and engaged — and they definitely keep me on my toes. When Raju isn’t busy with his speaking engagements, he’s a devoted single dad. Ah yes, he likes biking. When he visits San Francisco, I have a request from Raju to find him a bike.

For samples of his speeches and interviews, check out Raju Mandhyan’s YouTube videos.

I hope some of you can make it to this special event. Please let Raju know that I sent you to the book launching!

Here’s the text of the e-mail invitation I received.

The Heart of Humor is written and designed for all those who believe that all the melodious sounds of laughter are in praise and appreciation of this wonderful gift of life.

Wrapped between simple explanations of the nuances and the benefits of laughter are seven simple language techniques which will highlight for you what makes us all laugh and how.

Time: 5:00PM, Date: April 01, 2008
Venue: Fully Booked, Serendra, Fort Bonifacio
Thank you. I look forward to seeing you there.

Raju Mandhyan
www.mandhyan.com

“Laughter is like magic – it comes and goes. Give it away as it comes; and the whole world will be laughingly with you – as this book has humanly outlined.” Rosalina O. Fuentes, Ph D., The Laughing Dean, SAIDI School of OD

“Humor is a reminder that no matter how high the throne one sits on,
one sits on one’s bottom … never loose perceptive.”
Donna Hickey – MBA, International Professional Speaker, Chicago, IIlinois.

Components of humor ripped apart so that even comedians can re-assemble their stuff funnier and faster.”
Leo Martinez, Actor and Comedian, Philippines

“It’s funny but humor really works and I should know!
Learn, laugh and lead with the Heart of Humor!”
Scott Friedman, Motivational Humorist.

“Raju has been able to take painful scenarios and play with them to create humor.
And, he walks the talk!”
Allie Mooney, APS, Most Humorous and Entertaining Speaker
Year 2006, National Speakers Association of New Zealand

“Clear, sensitive and a delight! Through vivid stories and accessible strategies,
Mandhyan wittily persuades how anyone can and should churn out humor for a more vibrant existence.”Sunita S. Mukhi, Stony Brook University, New York

“Up against the WALL? Read this book, it will open doors where none existed.”
Mohan M Phadke, Consultant, Pune, India

“Practical tools and suggestions to dispense humor on demand.”
Ajay Gupta, Astrum Solutions, India

“Full of fun and foibles that make you ponder, explore and grow!”
Janice Hung, Model, Actress and Tai Chi Athlete

“I’ve seen Raju make his audiences roll on the floor laughing. In this books he shows
and tells how.”
Bjorn Martinoff, Fortune 100 Coach

RAJU MANDHYAN
INNER SUN CONSULTANTS
A World of Clear, Creative and Conscientious Thinkers!

If I wasn’t inundated with Spring projects back-to-back, I would be partying in Manila, Cebu, and Boracay. Francesca Regala, at the Cultural Section of the Philippine Consulate General’s Office in San Francisco, is busy helping organize this trip that’s been packaged by Mango Tours. Oh, to be wild and free, forever young Filipina professional that I am. Well, the best that I can do is send the word out that there’s something here for everyone (and vicariously enjoy their experiences)… For those of you who want to know what the partying could be like, go to my YouTube video collection here. You have to scroll down for the Wild on E! adventures in Boracay and other places in the Philippines. For Filipino Americans who want to know more about their roots (while partying!), this is a wonderful travel group to be with!

Go to www.PartyInManila.com for the tour packages. Information can also be found at FlyToBoracay.com.

Here’s some contact information for you:

Jappy Francisco
Marketing Director
Mango Tours, Inc.
www.PartyInManila.com
Juan@MangoTours.com
(866) 262-6452 extension 1404

Francesca Regala
Cultural, Community Relations and Public Information (CCPI) Section
Philippine Consulate General, San Francisco
447 Sutter Street, 6th Floor,
San Francisco, CA 94108 USA
Tel. No.: (415) 433-6666 ext. 314
Fax No.: (415) 421-2641
Email: ccpisfevents@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.philippineconsulate-sf.org

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

If you want to put together a tour package of your own to the Philippines — and within Asia — please let me know. It could be your own Spring Break special, an incentive travel trip, a reunion, a meeting, or a conference. I’ll hook you up with the professionals. Who knows, you will also get me as the tour coordinator. Well, if you do get me (no humbug or arrogance here!), you’re in for some wholesome (yes, family-type wholesome!), holistic, pretty wild, and tame adventures in travel.

.

Click here to go directly to YouTube.com.

For the fifth year since these US-based Filipina women started this social justice project, Filipina Women’s Network continues to honor the Vagina and Puki in ending violence against women and girls worldwide. M. Evelina Galang, the Filipina Comfort Women of World War II’s advocate, a.k.a. Friends of Lolas, is expected to be in San Francisco during one of the events.

I am one of the original cast members of the first FWN production of The Vagina Monologues in 2004. I wrote about my experiences in this ground-breaking social justice project in my column at Manila Bulletin-USA: “Finding the Vagina Warrior” in the Filipina Woman.

I feel so blessed to have bonded with many of these women and girls for the past soon-to-be-five years. We’ve learned how to use our Bitch Powers, the way my sister, Noemi Dado, describes it. My roles have been different in every production. This year, the PR team “picked my brains” for suggestions and referrals. I am so impressed by these volunteers!

So, here’s my pitch!

The Filipina Women’s Network in San Francisco and New York is waiting for you to buy your tickets before the shows sell out! We’re celebrating and honoring 10 years of V-Day! Go to www.FFWN.org for more information.

The Vagina Monologues – SAN FRANCISCO: March 31, 7:00 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave. Tickets at www.cityboxoffice.com or 415-392-4400. After-show party at Poleng Lounge.

NEW YORK: April 18, 7pm @ the Philippine Center NY

Usaping Puki (the Tagalog version of “The Vagina Monologues”) – SAN FRANCISCO: April 5, 2:00 p.m., Morgan Auditorium Academy of Art University, 491 Post St. Tickets available at http://morgan08.eventbrite.com. After-show party at Carmen’s Adobo Joint at Pier 40, San Francisco.

NEW YORK: April 19, 2:30pm @ the Philippine Center NY

Until The Violence Stops (Film Screening & Vagina Warrior Awards) – SAN FRANCISCO: March 28, 7:00 p.m., AP Giannini Auditorium, Bank of America Bldg, California and Montgomery Sts. Tickets available online at http://morgan08.eventbrite.com. Begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by Ramar Foods.

A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer (NEW show! Filipino women and men cast! aka MMRT) - SAN FRANCISCO: April 4, 7:00 p.m., Herbst Theatre (www.cityboxoffice.com) and April 5, 7:00 p.m., Morgan Auditorium, Academy of Art University, 491 Post St. Tickets available online at http://morgan08.eventbrite.com. After-show party at Zebulon right after the April 4 performance.

NEW YORK: April 19, 7pm @ the Philippine Center NY

Restaurants sponsoring the after-show parties are owned by Filipino entrepreneurs who continue to support of FWN’s Save A Filipina campaign and a violence-free community.

For more information, contact www.ffwn.org or call 415-278-9410

About Filipina Women’s Network

FWN is the non-profit association for women of Philippine ancestry in the United States.

FWN strives to enhance public perceptions of Filipina women’s capacities to lead, change biases against Filipina women’s leadership abilities and promote the entry of Filipina women into positions of leadership in corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors.

What is Save A Filipina?

In collaboration with V-Day, Filipinas Against Violence: Save A Filipina is FWN’s anti-domestic violence campaign to raise awareness through theatre, popular culture and education about the high incidence of violence in Filipino homes and intimate partner relationships. Our mission is to help Filipina women in abusive relationships take action and seek help. Engaging the Filipino community through the V-Day shows and hearing the women’s stories in Tagalog “hits home” and helps the Filipina community understand the broader connections of Filipino values such as respect for women, dignity, family, equality and justice to social and economic issues and to class and religion. More information, email Marily Mondejar at marilym@ffwn.org or go www.ffwn.org.

About V-Day

V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of Playwright/Founder Eve Ensler’s award winning play The Vagina Monologues. 2008 marks V-Day’s 10 year anniversary and with it V-Day has introduced two new events, V-Day’s A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer: Writings on Violence Against Women and Girls, and the V-Day documentary Until The Violence Stops. In 2007, more than 3000 V-Day events took place in the U.S. and around the world. To date, the V-Day movement has raised over $50 million and educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it, crafted international educational, media and PSA campaigns, launched the Karama program in the Middle East, reopened shelters, and funded over 5000 community-based anti-violence programs and safe houses in Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq. The ‘V’ in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina. For more information, email Susan Swan at press@vday.org or go to http://www.vday.org.

What is a V-Day Campaign?

A V-Day Campaign is a catalyst for mobilizing women and men to heighten awareness about violence against women and girls. By creating this global community, V-Day strives to empower women to find their collective voices and demand an end to the violence that affects one in three women in the US and around the world.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Alyson Megur
alysonM@ffwn.org

Sunny Dykwel
sdykwel@apr.com
(San Mateo / San Jose contact)

Lemme guess! Yes, the adventurous friend who allowed himself to become a bare-backed blank canvas for some well-known artists, who just happen to be graduates of the Fine Arts program at the University of the Visayas – Cebu College, is someone you know, especially if you’re from the Filipino American media scene. He’s the “cover boy” of the March 2008 issue of BITE Magazine. And what a hunk of a bite my imagination came up with! With some investigative work, you can easily guess who this friend is. But I’m not telling y’all.

When “Mr. Cover Boy” (in the photo above) asked me to check out BITE Magazine, which is distributed for free in selected outlets in Cebu, I was immediately captivated by the boundaries that the publication’s visionaries and artists chose to cross, trample, and what-have-you — so they could deliver very provocative messages, in-your-face.

The March 2008 cover cleverly depicts historic edifices amidst the urban traffic and strategically-situated clean and green surroundings. History and cosmopolitan chic embraced. Here’s a comment that I found about the cover: “it isnt photoshopped like what youre thinkin. this portrait was hand painted by 3 live painters. it is a collage of heritage structures and cultural practices.”

I checked out more of the “artistically-rendered” magazine covers of BITE. Many of them almost seemed to scream, “Bite me!”

This is the February 2008 cover of BITE Magazine, the photo that I swiped from its Multiply site (sorry about this, BITE! I have to show my readers another sample of your creative work).

The cover seemed a little risque, even for art’s sake. Yet, what message did I get from it? That the visionaries of this design and layout blatantly showcase Cebu’s dominance in the cultural-fusion lifestyle, especially since many tourists and relocation transferees have lovingly stamped their cultural marks on Cebu’s native cuisine, businesses, artistic choices, and destinations — post 1985.

MORE BITE.

BITE is a 36 to 44 page full-color FREE monthly magazine containing the month’s events, gig guides, art scene info, promotional activities, etc., with special content features, a calendar, venue directory, and a photo chronicler of past events. The stylish graphic layout reflects the vibrant lives of its readers who want to be part of the goings-on in and around Cebu.

Today, BITE reaches markets as diverse as anime-crazed tweens, yuppies, working men and women, fashionista’s, entrepreneurs, rock stars and many others who are eager and interested in the good life — the arts, culture, food, travel, shopping, music, gadgets and more.BITE has a strong readership of 45,000 every month. Distributed in places frequented by your target market — cafés, bars, leading hotels, universities, restaurants, call centers and airports. (quoted from their website)

BITE Magazine gets FIVE SMILEYS from me (one smiley meaning “definitely needs more work to impress me” and five smileys meaning “awesomely brilliant”). Go on, the BITE is right!

Calling all Filipina bloggers worldwide! Join FilipinaImages.com’s collaborative project with wikiPilipinas.org, the “Filipina Stories” Writing Contest, to celebrate Women’s History Month.

TITLE: IF YOU CAN E-MAIL, YOU CAN WIKI

SUB-TITLE: About wikiPilipinas.org, a human-edited encyclopedia about Filipinos worldwide

PRESS CONTACT:
Lorna Dietz
Co-Founder, FilipinaImages.com
lornadietz@gmail.com
Skype phone: 415 508-5326 or lornadietz
For ID purposes only: Member, “Shape the Filipina Image Campaign” Committee of Filipina Women’s Network (FFWN.org)

TEXT FOR PRESS RELEASE (FOR MEDIA OUTLETS OUTSIDE THE PHILIPPINES):

Gus Vibal of Vibal Publishing House, a respected name in the Philippines’ educational book business industry, is tenacious and unstoppable in his efforts to get the word out about “the joys of the wiki” for Filipinos and about Filipinos. Vibal’s substantial investment in wikiPilipinas.org, the hip ‘n free Philippine Encyclopedia, is accomplishing major milestones by attracting partnering organizations to collaborate with writing projects. Wiki writers can now take advantage of the opportunities to promote literacy and history in the following languages: English, Filipino, Cebuano, Waray, Ilokano, Bicol, and Kapampangan. Those who are familiar with Wikipedia’s platform will find wikiPilipinas’s format familiar territory.

A month-long program of activities has been organized to celebrate March as Women’s History Month in the Philippines. According to WikiPilipinas.org, a special portal called the “Encyclopedia of Philippine Women” will be launched during March 2008, compiling and detailing the achievements and triumphs of Filipinas everywhere. Vibal announced that “Filipiniana.net will also host a Philippine Women Microsite containing selected scholarly texts, research documents and abstracts, as well as selected literary works from Filipina writers.”

Philippine-based bloggers are also providing an online community presence for the March activities through FilipinaImages.com, an advocacy portal and news site that promotes an empowering “Reshaping the Filipina Image Online” campaign. Co-founders Noemi Lardizabal Dado, Dine Racoma, and Lorna Lardizabal Dietz collaborated with wikiPilipinas.org in launching a writing contest, “Filipina Stories,” for bloggers. Details about the writing contest are found at the main page of wikiPilipinas.org or FilipinaImages.com. The deadline for entries is March 15, 2008.

For bloggers and non-bloggers alike, a wiki project can be the next best thing to publishing and showcasing the stories of Filipinos worldwide without burdening financial resources. Media organizations, researchers, industry leaders and experts, community activists, and people from all walks of life are given an equal opportunity to interactively collaborate in writing and editing an ongoing documentation and history about the Filipinos’ evolution and progress worldwide — as it happens.

For more information about how to get involved in a wiki project for your organization, contact any of the following: Noemi Dado (AboutMyRecovery.com) at NoemiDado@gmail.com, Dine Racoma (DineRacoma.com.ph) at bracoma@gmail.com, or Lorna Dietz (RadiantView.com) at lornadietz@gmail.com.

wikiPilipinas.org’s schedule for Women’s History Month is subject to changes without any notice. Please check the website for updates and revisions.

March 3 (Monday) 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Venue: Manila Hotel
Event: Helena Benitez Global Forum on Women, Power and Sustainable Development
(Sponsored by Ugnayan ng Kababaihan sa Pilipinas & AWNGAD)
Attendees: Local women leaders from different local government units nationwide

Tentative Program
9:30–9:40 am: Introduction; Viewing of wikiPilipinas.org and Filipiniana.org videos
9:40-10:10 am: Women, Leadership and the Internet – Tin Mandigma (Read or Die Philippines)
10:10-10:25 am: Using Technology in Uplifting the Image of the Filipina – FilipinaImages.com
10:25 – 11:00 am: Ceremonial Unveiling of Two Women Portals; An overview of WikiPilipinas.org & Filipiniana.net
11:00-11:30 am: Question & Answer session; hands-on session

March 8 (Saturday) 8:30am – 12:00nn
Venue: UP Theater
Event: National Women’s Day Celebration (headed by NCRFW)
20 minutes presentation: An overview of wikiPilipinas.org & Filipiniana.net; A Call for more entries to the Filipina Writing Contest
Attendees: 2000 students, NGOs

March 11 (Tuesday)
Event: UP Centennial Lecture of Dr. Carol Sobritchea
An overview of wikiPilipinas.org & Filipiniana.net; A Call for more entries to the Filipina Writing Contest

March 13 (Thursday)
Venue: Batangas Provincial Capitol, Batangas City
Event: A short message from Vibal Foundation announcing its Women Portal Projects and the partnership with NCRFW to local women leaders and government officials

March 24 – March 26 (Monday to Wednesday)
Venue: Miriam College
Event: Women’s Studies International Conference
An overview of wikiPilipinas.org & Filipiniana.net; Filipiniana.net will sponsor one lecture for its (Filipiniana.net Lecture Series) featuring Dr. Carol Sobritchea, the director of the UP Center for Women’s Studies; Announcement of Filipina Writing Stories winners

Notes for media outlets: Please e-mail Noemi Dado at noemidado@gmail.com if you need a jpeg image of the wikiPilipinas.org Filipina Stories’ logo and some photos. Thank you.