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For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
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Carson, CALIFORNIA --- The celebration of the 108th Philippine Independence Day in this city is all set, and ready for the upcoming festivities on June 10, Saturday, at the Veteranís Park, 22400 Moneta Avenue, Carson, CA 90745-3663.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and this yearís Planning Committee Chair of the Philippine Independence Day Foundation, Oscar Ramos, said that, ìthis year”s celebration will be grander than the previous years.
“What makes this year’s celebration unique is that the festivity and programs will be longer, from 8 am to 8 pm,” Ramos said. “The Philippine and American flags will be raised side by side in front of the Veterans Park, making the event more patriotic.”
According to Ramos, the planning committee will make this event a memorable one by having more program participants than the previous years.
Beside from the parade of beauties, and sports events, there will be surprise guests and an awarding of plaques to dignitaries and members of the community deserving of recognition for promoting the cause of Filipino Americans.
“I have always believed that the City of Carson is the place to be in -- during historic celebrations such as the observance of the Philippine Independence Day,” Ramos said. “We have a lot of Filipino-owned business establishments here, and a huge Filipino population, making Carson deserving of its label as City Unlimited.”
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THE Charismatic Outreach Ministries Foundation, Inc. (COMFI) is staging an Easter Season Presentation titled “Father on Earth... Father in Heaven” on Saturday, April 22, 7:00 pm, at CREATE Charter School Auditorium, 193 Old Bergen Road, Jersey City.
“Father on Earth... Father in Heaven” is a two-plays-in-one event which will showcase the God-given acting talents of a cast comprised mainly of COMFI members with special participation of friends from the Jersey City community.
The first part will be the Tagalog play titled “Ang Pagbabalik Ni Nonong” (Father on Earth...), which is about a young seminarian whose love for his aging father is put to a test by the tragedy that befell on the latter.
The second part of the presentation is “The Cup of Suffering” (Father in Heaven), which conveys the message of God’s love and hope for all mankind that only come from Jesus Christ.
Through the plays, COMFI hopes to be able to spread the word of God and encourage everyone to live a life worthy as an offering to the Almighty Who is truly our Father here on earth and in heaven.
Ang Pagbabalik ni Nonong and The Cup of Suffering feature in an interesting reversal of roles for Paul Castillo and Mark Lladas, main protagonists of Looking for William (an intergenerational play shown in Jersey City, Manhattan, New York, and Fair Lawn, Bergen County in 2004 and 2005).
Paul, the bad boy “Glenn” in Looking for William, portrays in The Cup of Suffering the ultimate role anyone can ever essay, that of Jesus Christ.
Mark, who was “Lawrence” (a sensible, matured young man) in Looking for..., executes the part of an ungrateful son in Ang Pagbabalik ni Nonong.
Other Looking for William actors giving life to interesting roles in “The Cup of Suffering” are Kristina Micu (the unforgettable “Inang Bayan”) as Mary Magdalene, Rachele Ann Lipa (“Mrs. Celia Diaz-Laurel”) as Martha, Cherry Ann Castillo (“Cory Aquino”) as Mary, George Tality (“Edgardo Macalinao”) as James I, and Jane Renelle Bisa (mother of “William”) as mother of a possessed boy (Anthony Ian Castillo).
In addition to the COMFI performing artists are acting talents Ramil Clores (Pontius Pilate), Don Villareiz (Male Angel), John Michael Sandil, Alvic Doctolero, and Faus Lim, as disciple and soldiers, respectively. Both plays were written and directed by Tino Aq. Capili (also writer-director of Looking for William).
COMFI invites everyone to watch “Father on Earth... Father in Heaven.” Admission is free but donations are very much welcome.
For more information, please call (201) 965-8867 (Bro. Rene Sta. Ana), (201) 936-3550 (Sister Tenette Abanilla), (201) 993-7687 (Sister Malu Generoso), and (201) 993-9281 (Bro. Manny Castillo).
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THE grand finals and coronation of this year’s Maharlikang Piilipino USA will be held on April 21 at Puccini’s Restaurant, on Broadway and West Side Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey.
This was announced by Danny Pagsambugan, founder and executive producer of Maharlikang Pilipino USA. He added that the coronation ball will have three beneficiaries.
The winner will compete in the Grand National Finals in the Philippines to be held on June 12 at the Metro Bar in Quezon City.
Pagsambugan identified the beneficiaries as the Third World Movement against Battered Women, the Children affected with HIV that were abandoned by their parents, and School Rehabilitation Program of Cabanatuan City School District.
The finalists are Jerald Mutia, California; Victor Ecarma, Virginia; Charles DeBeaux, Florida; Brady Justice, Massachusetts; and Orvee Pruna, Nevada.
Mutia will travel to the Philippines on March 27, 2006, courtesy of The Filipino Channel ( TFC)> Mutia will be doing a documentary filmon third generation Filipino Americans.
Meanwhile, Justice will launch his first movie on May 6, 2006 in Stanford, Connecticut.
Winners of Maharlikang Pilipino USA will receive, among others, free round-trip ticket to the Philippines.
Free accommodation for the duration of the winners’ stay in the Philippines is courtesy of Dr. Eugene Marcos.
While in the Philippines, the winners will: pay a courtesy call to Mayor Abalos; appear on the TV Show The Buzz hosted by Boy Abunda; donate money to the project’s beneficiaries; be featured in Madaluyong City’s Club Mwah.
Pagsambugan identified the beneficiaries as the Third World Movement against Battered Women, the Children affected with HIV that were abandoned by their parents, and School Rehabilitation Program of Cabanatuan City School District.
This year’s corporate sponsors include perennial supporter Mabuhay Tax Service, Gartech Electrical Contractor, D & E Electrical Contractors, TLH General Contracting and 8 Waves Water Park Resort Hotel in San Rafael, Bulacan.
A mini-fashion show is also lined up during the coronation. Miss Anjia Jalac is the featured fashion designer for the mini-fashion show. She was the Mutya ng Pilipinas Miss Talent 2005 and Miss Petite International in Toronto Canada.
The new Maharlikang Pilipino USA basketball team will also be presented durimh the coronation night.
Maharlikang Pilipino USA will soon launch its own magazine, to be published quarterly.
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