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For the past 21 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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Performing Arts Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) will hold its 13th Coronation Ball on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at the Grand Ballroom of Sheraton Hotel - Newark Int'l. Airport, New Jersey. Proceeds from the affair will go into funding P.A.P.I.'s projects: cultural (free teaching of Philippine folkdances) and educational (scholarship grants to junior P.A.P.I. members) – the two main objectives of this non-profit cultural organization.
Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong will be the keynote speaker, Rev. Fr. Donato B. Cabardo, Jr. will lead the Invocation, while 2 tykes, Katrina Savellano Remo and Nehemiah Rabara Gonzales, will sing the U.S. National Anthem, and PAPI Scholar Suzanne Nepomuceno, the RP National Anthem.
Last year's muses, led by Mrs. P.A.P.I. 2006 – Edith Ronquillo-Consul, Miss P.A.P.I. 2006 – Vina Joy Verzosa, Miss Debutante P.A.P.I. -- Reena Ashley Esquioja Aquino, Miss Young P.A.P.I. 2006 – Maricris Tejada, and Miss Little P.A.P.I. -- Angelina Rose Javier will be on hand to make their Fairwell Walk.
This year's muses to be crowned are: Michaela (Kayla) Gaylan as “Miss Little P.A.P.I. 2007"; Anne Marie Sobredilla as “Miss Teen P.A.P.I. 2007"; Rudilyn P. Lacson as “Miss Debutante P.A.P.I. 2007"; Stacy R. Rosales as “Miss Performing Arts 2007”; and Luz (Luchie) Vivas Changco as “Mrs. Performing Arts 2007”.
"Mrs. Performing Arts 2007" is lithesome Luz (Luchie) Vivas Changco, who holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing & Economics (cum laude) from Letran College, an MBA in Finance from the Ateneo de Manila, and another MBA in International Finance from the New York University. She is Senior Vice President in Finance at the Financial Security Assurance Inc. in New York City. Luchie will be escorted by another intellectual -- Zaldy Isidoro, who will be conferred the title of "Mr. P.A.P.I. 2007". Zaldy graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Legal Management summa cum laude from the Ateneo University in Manila. To crown Mrs. P.A.P.I. will be Mr. & Mrs. Carlos B. Sinnung. Mr. Sinnung is President of the Passaic Board of Education.
"Miss Performing Arts 2007" is charming Stacy R. Rosales, likewise an honor graduate in Molecular Biology (minors in Chemistry & Psychology) from Montclair State University. Stacy works with Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as Pharmaceutical Sales Rep. & Account Manager. Her parents are Roberto (a mechanical engineer) and Rosemarie (BSN, MPA). Her escort is handsome Robert D. Jongco, who will receive the title of "Prince Charming 2007". Robert is a Georgetown University graduate with 2 degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Biophysics & Physiology and is now a medical student at the Penn State College of Medicine. He is the son of Drs. Bienvenido and Anita Jongco. Stacy will be crowned by Consul General Cecile B. Rebong and Dr. Crispin Ayroso, Jr.
"Miss Debutante P.A.P.I. 2007" is smart Rudilyn P. Lacson, who graduated salutatorian from the Academy of Mt. St. Ursula in New York, and will enter the NYU as full scholar of the Dr. MLK Scholars Program. She is the daughter of Rodolfo and Josephine who are both registered nurses. Her escort is Michael Sweeney who will be given the title of "Mr. Deb. P.A.P.I. 2007". Michael is a student of Rutgers University. Rudilyn will be crowned by Mr. Stephen Berowitz.
"Miss Teen P.A.P.I. 2007" is prettyAnne Marie Sobredilla, the daughter of Alfonso (a civil engineer & businessman) and MaryAnn (a registered nurse.) Anne Marie is an 8th-Grade student at the Holy Family School in Lakewood, and who aspires to be a businesswoman and/or a chef someday. Her escort is James Renson Avila, 13, and a student of Our Lady of Mercy in Jersey City. To crown Anne Marie will be Engr. Arnulfo S. Rosario and Ms. Araceli T. Mendoza, the Coronation Ball Chairlady.
"Miss Little P.A.P.I. 2007" is cute and talented Michaela (Kayla) Gaylan, an exceptional ballroom dancer. With 11-year old brother John as her dance partner, she has won local, regional, and national competitions top awards in Ballroom Dancing. Her escort is brother John, who will be conferred the title of "Master John - P.A.P.I. 2007". These talented kids are the children of proud parents -- Filomeno (a marine engineer) and Melinde (a registered nurse).
Two well-known community leaders -- Erlinda C. Arellano (CPA) and Beth Sinnung (BSN) will emcee the occasion. The affair will be managed by VP Norma C. Rabara as Over-all Chair, to be assisted by PRO Araceli T. Mendoza as Ball Chairlady, Director Merilyn H. Narciso as Pageant Chairlady, and P.A.P.I. Choreographer, Doris de Leon.
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IN a city buzzing with development, even age-old landmarks are not immune to change. One particular Jersey City landmark that recently joined the bandwagon is the 40-year old diner along highway 440 –The Colonette Restaurant.
Established in the 1960’s, the legendary Jersey City family restaurant came under new management last April. The new owner, George Filippatos, had already made significant improvements since acquiring the restaurant, and continues to do so in conjunction with the spirit of Jersey City’s rebirth.
Among the many changes, that Mr. Filippatos wants to implement is one that would directly affect his many Filipino-American customers: A weekly Filipino theme night.
It may seem odd for an all-American establishment such as a diner to have a Filipino theme night, but given Mr. Filippatos’ background, it is easy enough to know why.
Mr. Filippatos loves the Philippines. He spent considerable time in the country when he was still a young officer in the Greek Navy and fell in love with the culture, the food and the people. Moreover, he had fond memories on Manila and the world-renowned Filipino hospitality. Perhaps that also explains why the restaurant has newly hired Filipino American employees.
“Filipino workers are smart, hard working and honest”, says Mr. Filippatos.
The planned Filipino theme nights at the restaurant would highlight Filipino cuisine served diner-style and will feature live Filipino music as well. According to Mr. Filippatos, he will have real Filipino cooks serving up authentic Filipino fare on Filipino theme nights. It is going to be as real as it can get.
This concept of having theme nights at a diner is a fresh concept. In fact, having a Filipino night at an American diner is unprecedented. It only shows the new management’s commitment to serve their loyal customers the best way they can. And they know pretty well that Filipino Americans are a strong force in Jersey City.
For everyone
As exciting as it is for Fil Ams to have their own night at the esteemed restaurant, the proposed plan is actually for every one. The management also bared plans to have Italian, Spanish, and other international theme nights to go along with the Filipino night. “The desire of the new management is to provide great food and service to the people of Jersey City”, adds Mr. Filippatos. Yet as diverse as his theme nights are going to be, it is safe to conclude that Filipinos have a special place in his heart.
Good as it is
While this theme night concept will surely bring more people in, the new Colonette Restaurant is actually fantastic as it is.
When the new management took over in April, they made sure to change 50% of the menu.
The breakfast menu alone is enough reason for anyone to be there. Mouth-watering French toasts, stacks of pancake with melted butter and maple syrup, bacon, eggs and sausages right off the hot pan.
The lunch and dinner selections are as great as ever. From hot, cold and open sandwiches, to juicy burgers, steaks and chops, to pasta, pizza and seafood specialties, the choices are so complete it almost guarantees every customer’s satisfaction.
The dessert menu is equally impressive.
Unlike other restaurants that order their desserts from suppliers, Mr. Filippatos makes it a point to have his own baker and have him make everything in the kitchen. No wonder their breads; cakes and pastries have that homemade-freshly baked glow to them.
The restaurant’s improved menu is so vast and succulent, customers often overlook that the place has a full working bar serving a wide list of fine wines and spirits. The existence of the bar is something the owner is so proud of, for not all diners has it, and actually having one bolsters the place’s stock as an ideal venue to celebrate anything: wedding receptions, cocktails, business meetings, parties, or just a simple hang out with friends.
With all these things coupled with excellent service, it all becomes a wonderful dinning experience.
However, in spite of how good the place already is, the management is not resting on its laurels. They continue to push the envelop towards a revolutionary way to reinvent the traditional American diner and come up with the diner of the future.
It is a vision that Mr. Filippatos shares with the surging visionaries of the Jersey City local government, and a vision that the Filipino community is more than happy to be a part of.
The New Colonette Restaurant
405 State Hwy No. 440
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201) 432-8222
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