FAAI Gives a Helping Hand and Makes a Difference! Fil-Am Association of Iowa Calendar of Events Annual Christmas Party and Election of New Officers December 13,2014 Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, Ankeny ,IA FAAI 31st Valentine’s Party February 14, 2015 Hilton Garden Inn 8600 Northpark Drive Johnston, IA INSIDE PAGE A letter to the FAAI from the Archdiocese of Iloilo, Philippines reads: “With gratitude to the FAAI, I am sending you pictures of the boats and their beneficiaries from FAAI Hog Roast Picnic 2014 2 Odiongan, San Dionisio, Province of Iloilo. The beneficiaries were chosen among the poorest and the most deserving. The boat with 16 feet length cost Php. 12, 000 each. This is how we President’s Corner 3 used your donation of $ 1,000.” 2014 Halloween Party 4 Sweet Memories 5 Halloween Party Cont. 6 Philippine Christmas Lantern 7 BullyingCORDILLERA Prevention DAY Summit 4 8 FAAI Receives Grant for Haiyan 8 Of Bathroom Tissues and Issues 9 New HS Graduates Featured 10 FAAI Executive Body 10 Editorial/Contributors/ Letter 10 Mr. Fortunato Quiza of Guaian, Samar is one of the proud recipients of a fishing boat that carries from a bishop from the Phils. the FAAI name. 2Page 2 Filipino-American Association of Iowa The FAAI Annual Hog Roast Picnic : “Piestang Pampamilyang Pinoy” by Aireen Snyder The Filipino-American Association of Iowa held its most anticipated “Annual Hog Roast Picnic” on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at the Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines and everyone had a great time not only because it was a perfect time showcasing a vari- ety of the traditional Filipino cuisine but because of the camaraderie among the Filipino-Americans in Iowa (and all over the country) that arose. These pictures would tell us all how each and everyone had so much fun at this year’s “lechon” picnic. We’re looking for- ward to seeing you again at next year’s event. (photo credits to Gina Matchinsky) 2 3Lahi Newsletter Fall 2014 Page 3 President’s Corner Al Snyder and always going the extra mile to make our Dear Friends, events so special! Every event has been chaired by an officer under the direction of our Business It has been an honor Manager, Dr. Rosa Reyes and supported by all. to serve as president of Please join me in thanking Joy, Rosa, Jim and the Filipino-American Dory for doing such an amazing job. Our schol- Association of Iowa for arship fund is strong, now having a revolving CD the last two years. I program to make sure we will always have funds thank all those who have available year to year. Again, thank you to your asked me to run for an- generosity and the hard work of our Scholarship other term. It has been a Committee chaired by our Business Manager, difficult decision for me Dr. Rosa Reyes. Your support of our fundraising made easier by two of events like the Zumbathon has allowed us to con- our current officers step- tinue our tradition of helping our students now ping forward to run as president to continue building and and into the future. making our association stronger. My family needs my full attention as our girls are growing, requiring more It has truly been a blessing for me to be your “daddy time” and space in our home. I am looking for- president during this time of healing in our asso- ward to putting an addition onto our home this Spring ciation. In the aftermath of all the natural disas- which will require a lot of my time to complete. I thank ters in the Philippines that caused so much pain my wife Aireen for all her love and support. What an and suffering to many of our brothers and sisters, amazing time we have had over the last two years! I have you showed your compassion. Our whole com- been blessed to have a great group of officers and volun- munity pulled together to help those most in need teers who don’t just talk, but really get it done, all for the by organizing fundraisers and collecting goods love of our association and members. I really can’t say for those in the impact areas. We provided direct thank you enough! financial aid and goods to 13 of our community members’ families in the Philippines. We also I am very happy and proud our association is in a provided financial aid to many disaster relief or- much stronger financial position now, allowing us to set ganizations working directly in the Philippines. events one year in advance paying all deposits and still Those who came together as a community were having operating capital. This was a large goal of our members and non-members of our association, team and would not have happened without our officers who set aside any differences to help those in digging into their own pockets to float the funds for sup- need, not caring who was at the well to drink, plies for our first Asian festival allowing us to use what only that all were served. funds we had to secure the future events. All funds were paid back due to the hard work of our team and many Our community is growing and our associa- volunteers. Special thanks to my VP and Financial Secre- tion is stronger with each of you in it. I am ask- tary Joy Stachura and Treasure Jim Foster for setting up ing you to volunteer and support our new officers and managing our accounts. as you have supported me assuring a bright fu- ture for the Filipino-American Association of Please remember, without your support, paying your Iowa. membership dues and volunteering to help make our events amazing, none of this would be possible. Please Salamat Po, show your support by renewing or starting your member- ship at the Christmas party or by contacting Jim, Joy or Al Snyder Rosa for payment if you have not already done so. While [email protected] speaking of amazing events, I would like to thank our 515.240.7856 Secretary Dory Taylor and her family for their hard work 3 Page4 24 Filipino Filipino-American-American Association Association of of Iowa Iowa Calendar of Events FAAI Celebrates Halloween 2014 by Gina V. Matchinsky The night was The program started with the singing of both the Philippine perfect when anthem by Jayson Cabelin, and the American anthem by FAAI cele- Randy Collins followed by a prayer then the welcome speech brated its Hal- from FAAI President, Al Snyder. Food was served soon af- loween Party terwards. for the year FAAI is a family, so we honored and also celebrated our 2014 unlike members whose birthday is in the month of October. They last year’s came forward as the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” then our event when very own long-time member, Vickie Friemel who turned 88 the weather years old in October, became emotional as she blew the can- was bluster- dle on the birthday cake. It must have been a big surprise for ingly cold. her! Halloweens No treat or tricking, kiddos! What came next was the high- were usually light of this year's Halloween celebration --- the Halloween celebrated Costume Competition. There were 2 costume competitions The Children Category winners every 31st according to age level. They were the Kiddie Level and the day of Octo- Adult Level. ber but FAAI Each of the contestants paraded around to display their cos- had it done on the 25th, a Saturday as most of its events were usually tumes and say a little something to the audience as five judg- held. es take note. They were Jose Guadiz, Bob Vida, Richard In the earlier times, Halloweens were not being celebrated much in the O’Brien, Joe Martens, and Lemuel Tanyag. Philippines but now, it is becoming more and more popular especially Master of Ceremonies Ronette Reyes allowed the contestants for school children. Now, it is being observed as a triduum of all Hal- to individually introduce themselves and say something about lows. their costume as the judges gave them points and identify First, the All Hallows' Eve or the Halloween every 31st of October There winners for the Children Category were: Frannie Adri- celebrated with children trick or treating or having costume parties. anse , Jeric Escalana, Khian Dione Escalana, and Ethan Ga- Second, the All Hallows or the All Saints Day every November 1st to briel Cabelin (the scariest). honor martyrs and saints. And third, the All Soul's Day on November For the adult category, Lawrence Anthony (Incredible Hulk) 2 celebrated in commemoration of all faithful departed. It is a 3-day won First Place and Most Original Costume. Other winners celebration with the thought of the departed ones in mind. include: Emily keddie, Maria Collins, Jonathan Morrow , and So is Halloween a valid Christian celebration? The FAAI Halloween Randy Collins. Party will not have been allowed to be held on the Our Lady's Immacu- The winners were given a mini trophy for each and the danc- late Heart at Ankeny if it is not. ing in costume that followed afterwards was totally unforget- It was traditionally believed by early Christians that on this day the table. An altogether fun and unusual gathering that not only film that divides the world as we know it from the afterlife becomes commemorates the ones in the afterlife or another dimension, flimsy. People wear costumes so they will not be recognized by souls. it also The Trick or Treating was a sort of proving how thoroughly disguised celebrat- they were to not even be recognized by actual people.