“Together We Make A The Official Newsletter of the Difference” Filipino-American Association of Greater Columbia, SC www.FilAmSC.org (A Non-Profit Organization to Promote Inter-Cultural Education and Understanding ) Volume 19, Number 1 P.O . Box 24112, Columbia, SC 29224 Summer 2009 Marj Pe ña Heads Columbia Mayor Bob Coble To Induct New Officers FAAGC Executive Columbia Fil-Am Annual Gala To Board for 2009-2011 Benefit Philippine Red Cross, Charities arj Peña, a past two-term FAAGC M Secretary, was voted as Columbia he Filipino-American Association of Gala Program and Tickets Fil-Am President for the 2009-2011 term T Greater Columbia (FAAGC) will The formal affair (coat and tie or ba- during the election conducted at the an- hold its 19th Annual Gala and 13th In- nual Fil-Am annual spring picnic held at rong required) includes a sit-down dinner duction Ball on Saturday, August 29, and an entertainment program that in- the Sesquicentennial State Park on Easter 2009 at the Marriott Hotel of Columbia Sunday, April 12, 2009. cludes Philippine folk and contemporary from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. The venue is dances performed by the Columbia Fil- A blend of experience and new blood, in downtown Columbia at 1200 Hampton the 2009-2011 Executive Board includes Am Cultural Dance Troupe. A highly two past Presidents (who have been also St., Columbia, SC 29201). regarded DJ will provide music for the sustaining charter members since 1991 The formal dinner-dance gala is the listening and dancing pleasure of the at- when the Association was formed), three Association’s main annual fundraiser to tendees. officers from the 2007-09 Executive support its various activities such as the Columbia City Mayor Bob Coble has Board (one re-elected to the same posi- Philippine cultural dance troupe, scholar- tion, two elected to new offices), two informed FAAGC that he will attend the ship fund, charitable endeavors, and other gala; this will be the first time since the other previous officers and five first-time educational and multi-cultural activities in (continued on Page 7) Association was organized that the Co- the South Carolina Midlands. lumbia Mayor would be in attendance. Filipinos in the U.S. Navy Fundraiser for the Philippine Mayor Coble has been requested to induct by I.C. Go Red Cross, Charities the newly-elected Columbia Fil-Am offi- This year, a portion of the proceeds cers and Executive Board. ast April 2008, as part of a group of Tickets are $45 per person (that's educators from the Carolinas, I was will benefit the Philippine National Red L Cross and other Philippine charities that FIVE dollars LESS than last year's given the opportunity to go on a tour of price) if purchased before August 22 . the San Diego Naval Base. I’ve always FAAGC supports. Helping the needy in known that Filipinos had a presence in the the Philippines is one of the most noble Tickets bought after August 22 or at the U.S. military, but little did I know that and rewarding goals of the Association. door will be $50.00 per person. Student there was a special relationship between Last year’s gala raised funds to benefit tickets are $35 each. Due to hotel require- Filipinos and the U.S. Navy. Philippine calamity victims. Previously, ments for seating and catering arrange- At one of the San Diego Naval Base the FAAGC gala also benefited four Phil- ments, we would like all guests to buy, or mess halls, I ventured towards a table of ippine orphanages and child welfare insti- at least reserve, their tickets by contact- (continued on Page 3) (continued on Page 9) tutions. ▲ The NEXT Gen eration of Columbia Fil-Am Cultural Dance Troupe performers: Giles Rojo, Rina Lo wder, L eigh ▲ FAAGC performers and volunteers pose in front of the Philippine display Apan, Justine Flora, Josh Viray Photo: Mario Viray during the 2009 Columbia Intern ational F estival last April. Photo: Mario Viray PAGE 2 FIL-AM BULLETIN SUMMER 2009 The President’s Corner . by Marj Pena How To Reach Us FAAGC is the Catalyst F A A G C P.O. Box 24112 I would like to thank the desserts and delicacies that we have brought Columbia, SC 29224 members of the Colum- with us from the Philippines. Through all of bia Fil-Am (FAAGC) for this, the FAAGC is the CATALYST that www.FilAmSC.org electing me as the next allows these Filipino traditions to be passed e-mail: President of this organi- on from one generation to another and the [email protected] zation. I am humbled by AMBASSADOR that spread awareness of [email protected] JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ your trust and will do my very best, with the Filipino culture within the South Carolina your help, to make this organization stronger community. 2009-2011 EXECUTIVE BOARD and to expand its outreach in the Midlands to This year, we induct a new set of Officers. President MARJ PEÑA all members and non-members alike. We promise to carry on the traditions and to (803) 360-2469 Almost 10 years ago, when our family establish new ones to bring the Filipino com- First Vice-President moved to South Carolina, the Fil-Am organi- munity together . WE CAN NOT DO IT BY CECILLE JACOBSEN zation immediately made Columbia a place OURSELVES! We need you to participate, (803) 494-5613 we can call home. We found life-long friends to contribute your time and most impor- Second Vice-President within the Filipino community and our in- tantly your talents and ideas to make our LISA EDWARDS volvement with the Association has kept our organization better and stronger as we ap- (803) 360-2636 ties with the Filipino culture alive and well. proach our twentieth year in existence. Secretary SHIRLEY MCGUINNESS Although the Philippines is thousands of Yes, there will be disappointments, but (803) 794-3138 miles across the ocean, the Fil-Am family the successes, accomplishments, friendships, Assistant Secretary through its activities and our involvement has and happy memories that we will build to- BAMBI TIJING kept the country that we left behind always in gether will far outnumber that. Many of our (803) 749-2177 our hearts and in our minds. children and grandchildren who are born in Treasurer Over the years, the Filipino community of the United States will never experience the NIEVES MCNULTY Columbia has continued to expand. Yester- Filipino culture the same way as those of us (803) 781-9509 Assistant Treasurer day’s kids are today’s young adults and new who grew up in the Philippines, but together, WYDA VIRAY parents. New families have arrived to estab- we can share our experiences and keep the (803) 699-5265 lish their homes and history among us. The Filipino spirit alive from our generation to Executive Board M embers: next generation is at hand, ready to learn the theirs. So I invite y’all to be involved! As DANIEL ADCOCK first steps of tinikling , binasuan , singkil and our motto says: (803) 926-5163 all our native dances or to savor the adobo , Together we make a GRACE BALANQUIT dinuguan , pancit , menudo , etc., and the many difference . (803) 419-1345 GRACE COLLINS (843) 808-5740 From The Outgoing President . by Alan Geoghegan JOJO FLORA Thanks for the Opportunity to Serve (803) 788-2183 CECILLE GEOGHEGAN Dear Fil-Am friends , lection on a various topics about the Philip- (803) 787-5255 It has been a wonderful pines h ere for man y years, while documenting two years with our Associa- the Association's activities in video and digital FIL-AM BULLETIN tion and I am filled with photography. man y memories of our ac- I am seeing new faces come to our events The Official Newsletter of the tivities and meeting new and I hope that they can be involved in our ac- Filipino-American people. tivities. Do you h ave a talent that may serve our Association of Greater Columbia, SC I am excited b y our in- Fil-Am in a meaningful way? You can contact P.O. Box 24112 coming Executive Board, h eaded b y our new an y of the incoming officers, attend one of our Columbia, SC 29224 President Marj Peña. Marj has previously social g atherings or membership meetings held The Fil-Am Bulletin is one served on the Executive Bo ard and I'm sure she throughout the year. The chann els are open for vehicle of the Association to achieve will do a f antastic job as President. I am loo k- you to be a p art of our Association. There are its objectives and maintain regular ing forward to the next two years. numerous ways to bring us closer to our home communications with its members and A big thanks to our outgoing Executive country, the Philippin es. As potential new mem- interested parties. Contributions of Board who donated mu ch time and countless bers move into the area, I hope that they can be articles (as well as financial ideas to make our Association what it is today. an integral p art of displaying Philippin e culture. donations) are most welcome; I thank them as well as man y of our volunteers W e are seeing a revitalization of our d ance contact the Editor for more details. for their contributions. troupe, which is wonderful. NOEL ALON At our recent memb ership meeting, it was Our annu al fundraising gala is coming up Editor obvious that as our association moves forward, soon this year, I hope you can bu y a ticket and/ Tel.