Ati-Atihan of the Bay Area 2012

Ati-Atihan of the Bay Area 2012

Westlake Park - Pacelli Event Center
Daly City , CA

Ati-Atihan Association, Inc. of San Francisco is a Filipino-American non- profit organization. Our mission is to educate & preserve the traditions & culture of our Aklanon ancestry by creating a legacy for each generation to pass on to the next and by being servant leaders for our communities, both local & abroad.

Phil "Swaggerboy" Tayag and the Jabbawockeez dance crew's "I'ma Get It" World Premiere Music Video

Phil "Swaggerboy" Tayag and the Jabbawockeez dance crew's "I'ma Get It" World Premiere Music Video

Filipino-American MICHAEL COPON after Power Rangers. The Heineken Light Wedding :30 Commercial

Kids From Fame Media: Nia Peeples Mingle Media TV Interview

Kids From Fame Media: Nia Peeples Mingle Media TV Interview: Nia Peeples Mingle TV Interview at GBK and Tic Tac's 2011 Emmys Gift Lounge at the W Hotel in Hollywood.

Check out Filipino-American Kimee Balmilero after Discovery Kids' HI-5

About Kimee Balmilero

Originally from Hawaii, Filipino-American actor Kimee Balmilero is best known as one of the 5 hosts on Discovery Kids' TV Series Hi-5.

Check out "When I Grow Up" a new show for kids Kimee created where kids get hands on with super cool, totally hip and always fun jobs! wigutv.com

www.kimeeb.com

Benefits for Filipino veterans pressed

By ELLSON A. QUISMORIO

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. has made a “strong representation” before US officials for assistance on behalf of Filipino veterans who were denied their benefits pursuant to the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila, citing reports from the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., said Cuisia met with officials of the United States Army, Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and US Congress to argue on behalf of Filipino veterans recently.

In his meeting with Army Deputy Undersecretary Thomas Hawley, Cuisia made strong representation for assistance to ensure that no veteran is unjustly denied the benefit due him.

Army officials vowed to look into particular compelling cases that the Embassy may wish to bring to their attention, as well as work closely with the DVA to ensure that no one is denied due benefits because of administrative error.

The 2009 FVEC law grants a one-time lump sum to Filipino veterans in the amount of $15,000 for US citizens and $9,000 to non-US citizens. Out of the 42,553 who have applied for the benefit, 18,499 were approved and 24,125 were denied. Of those, 3,630 filed notices of disagreement—the appeals process provided by DVA.

Read full story here at Manila Bulletin........

Filipino-American Lou Diamond-Phillips will be a contestant on Rachael Vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off on the Food Network

 The TV landscape is so saturated with reality shows these days that it oftentimes takes celebrity contestants to convince viewers to tune in. We've watched famous and formerly-famous people dance, open restaurants and go on quests for love. Now Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri are adding another category of competition to the reality mix. Their new show, "Rachael Vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off" will feature celebrities showing off their cooking skills.

Ray and Fieri previewed the new show on "The View," (weekdays, syndicated) and described it as a mix between "Dancing With the Stars" and "The Celebrity Apprentice." The hosts will serve as coaches, as their teams compete against each other in cooking challenges. The roster of celebrity contestants will include Coolio, Cheech Marin, Lou Diamond-Phillips, Joey Fatone and Summer Sanders. "It's the only reality show the Kardashians are not on," Barbara Walters joked.

Read more on the Huffington Post.......

Councilmember Ray Buenaventura elected Vice-Mayor of Daly City, CA

 
Daly City, California - Filipino-Americans filled the Daly City Hall chamber on Monday night and cheered 2 kababayans for their achievements.

Councilmember Ray Buenaventura was elected vice-mayor of Daly City.

Buenaventura, a lawyer by profession, was president of the Filipino American Democratic Club of San Mateo County.

"I am so thrilled. I am so grateful that I am even in this position and I know it's because of the Filipino community that they've been strong advocate," Buenaventura said.

Meanwhile, Daly City Planning Commissioner Ray Satorre was also awarded the Mayor's Citizen of the Year for 2011.

"I feel great. This symbolizes dignity and honor and joy to the Filipino community at the same time our family because not everybody can get an award," Satorre said.

Daly City has one of the highest concentrations of Filipinos in the United States.

Read more here at ABS-CBN........

UFC Undisputed 3 video game will feature Filipino-American Mark Munoz

Dennis 'D Source' Guillermo, Filipino Sports Examiner

"The Filipino Wrecking Machine" Mark Munoz had a banner year in 2011 with sensational victories over some of the best middleweights in the UFC in the likes of CD Dollaway, and former title contenders Demian Maia and Chris Leben.

For his outstanding showing, Munoz will be co-featured on UFC on Fox 2 as he tangles with fellow wrestler Chael Sonnen for the right to face Anderson Silva for his middleweight belt on January 28 at the United Center in Chicago.

But before all of that, fans can check out Munoz in the new UFC Undisputed 3 game for PS 3 and XBOX 360 which releases on January 3.

Read the full story here at Examiner.....

Filipina-American WWII Veterana Lourdes Castro is honored as being a pioneer and more

Lourdes M. Evangelista-Castro
July 23, 1926 – December 3, 2011


Lourdes Castro, a rare and great hero, lived an extraordinary life. She was a pioneering “veterana” of World War II, and a quiet warrior as well as a civil rights activist. She was a successful entrepreneur, devoted wife, and matriarch of the Castro clan.

Servant leader and military service

During WWII, Lourdes Castro was a member of the recognized guerrilla forces, a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and served in the Medical Corps. She volunteered as medical staff to help wounded American soldiers and also worked as a courier for the US soldiers.
Two valiant acts attributed to this young 18 year old soldier were: (1) her role in the liberation of the POWs in the Los Baños, Laguna concentration camp and (2) going “beyond the call of duty” by risking “limb and life” as she went into the battlefield, pulling wounded soldiers to safety and treating the wounded as a first responder.

This is how Lourdes Castro got inducted as a member of the US Army during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines, World War II. She was one of only two female Filipino WWII US veterans.
Mrs. Castro was a member of the American Legion Northside Post 858 based in San Jose, CA. She was one of the charter members who started the veterans’ organization, where most of the members are WWII Filipino veterans who had fought with the United States Armed Forces of the Far East.
Her volunteer work included being an advocate who pushed US Congress to pass laws that would recognize the services of Filipino soldiers and guerrilla fighters during WWII.  Mrs. Castro also advocated for Congress to pass laws that would provide equitable services and compensation for their military services.  These laws were to be part of the “Equity for Filipino Veterans of WWII.”
Lourdes’ dream came true, together with thousands of Filipino WWII veterans in the US and the Philippines, when the United States Congress passed the bill that gave these “Forgotten Heroes” their due recognition: “Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Act” (FVEC) into law (PL 111-5 Title X Sec. 1002) in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, February 2009.

Honoring Lourdes Castro

Lourdes Castro is a true unsung hero who risked not only her life but her family’s lives as well when, as a guerrilla fighter, she aided in fulfilling crucial needs of the US military forces and later, as a member of the Medical Corps, was eventually given official US military status during WWII in the Philippines.

Not only was Mrs. Castro a hero in the largest conflict  in American history, she also served the United States as an advocate for veterans’ civil rights, especially Filipino WWII’s “Forgotten Heroes” or “veteranos.”  She was unique, selfless, caring and courageous as a “Modern Day Hero” at the age of 85.

Read the full story here at Inquirer.....

Filipino-American children celebrate Jose Rizal’s 150th birthday!

To celebrate Dr. Jose Rizal’s 150th birthday, Paaralang Pinoy of Northern Virginia organized a free workshop for young Filipino-American children at St. Bernadette’s Catholic School in Springfield, Virginia on Sunday, November 20, 2011. During the workshop, Ms. Realista Realica Rodriguez, Paaralang Pinoy’s Culture Coordinator, read Rizal’s story of the greedy monkey and the clever turtle (The Monkey and the Turtle). Ms. Diane Sebastian-Auclair, Paaralang Pinoy’s Language Coordinator, led the children in an acting workshop simulating the characters of Matsing (monkey) and Pagong (turtle). The children likewise learned the Cariñosa, a folkdance believed to be popular during Rizal’s time.

Read the full story here at My Rizal 150.......

Filipino-American Beastie Boys' DJ Mix Master Mike's iTunes App Wheelz of Steel

Designed by and for legendary DJ Mix Master Mike, Wheelz of Steel brings authentic vinyl scratching and mixing to the iPhone and iPod touch. Whether on stage or on-the-go, you're always ready to spin with Wheelz of Steel.

Key features:
-two large turntables with accurate physics and scratching sounds
-four exclusive Mix Master Mike tracks
-six exclusive Mix Master Mike sound effects
-import tracks from your iPod library on iOS 4 (and via Wi-fi on iOS 3)
-pitch/speed faders for beat matching with live waveform display
-five assignable cue points per track
-four buttons to drop signature MMM scratches into your mix
-assignable loop points per track
-beat-based "glitch" looping
-crates (playlists) to organize your tracks
-customizable with nine color schemes
-elegant and functional design

Buy it here at the Apple App Store.......

Justin Bieber's rumored girlfriend Filipino-American Jasmine Villegas celebrates her 18th birthday

 
MANILA, Philippines - Filipino-American teen singer Jasmine Villegas, also known as Jasmine V., celebrated her 18th birthday last December 7.

Villegas said she will now be making decisions for herself now that she is a year older.

"Well, I'm gonna be making decisions for myself now that I'm a young adult, but besides that, everything is going to be the same,” she said.

Villegas’ mother, Bernadette, extended her birthday wish for her 18-year-old daughter, saying that she hopes Villegas will be able to finish her studies.

“You have to stay educated because something might happen, God forbid, but you always have a background that you can continue to be in school and do other things aside from being a singer,” the singer’s mother said.

Villegas’ first claim to fame was her role as American pop star Justin Bieber’s leading lady in the music video “Baby.”

She is also known for singing the American national anthem in 3 fights of Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, most recent of which was in his fight with Briton Ricky Hatton in 2009. – Report from Yvee Tadeo-Guevara, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

Makati City, Philippines is slowly getting to know NFL Denver Bronco's Tim Teebow

There isn't any Tebowing going on in Makati City, the sprawling municipality in the Philippines that was the unlikely birthplace for the most talked-about athlete in the United States. Not yet, anyway.
Tim Tebow's season, from the series of extraordinary fourth-quarter comebacks to his cult-figure status as a true believer, has been remarkable in every way.

Yet, back where the journey began 24 years ago, the spread of the Tebow phenomenon is still to happen. Basketball and boxing are the sports of choice in Makati, and news of the Denver Broncos' 7-1 ride on the shoulders of a talismanic Tebow hasn't generated any buzz.

"Tee-bone?" said Makati government official Mila Gonzalez in a telephone conversation with ThePostGame.com. "How do you spell that?"

Tebow's parents, Bob and Pamela, were working as Baptist missionaries in the Philippines when their son was born in the Makati Medical Center on Aug. 14, 1987. Pamela Tebow was advised to have an abortion after suffering from a pathogenic amoeba but decided to go through with the birth despite the risks of her son being stillborn.

Tebow spent the first three years of his life in the Philippines and has returned on charitable and religious missions every year since he was 15 years old.


"I will always have a special place in my heart for the country where I was born," he said recently.
Given the amount of focus trained upon Tebow since his latest Sunday miracle, spearheading the apparently buried Broncos to a 13-10 overtime triumph over the Chicago Bears, you might have thought Makati, one of the 17 cities that make up the Filipino capital of Manila, would have latched onto the cultural bandwagon.

But Gonzalez, one of six government officials contacted for this story, noted that not one person at Makati City Hall so much as recognized Tebow's name.

Read the full story here at Yahoo Sports........

Filipino-American scientist Dr. Ben de Lumen debuting anti-cancer soy portein Lunasin soon.

Lunasin Video for SoyLabs from frederick talactac on Vimeo.



A Filipino scientist and academician in the United States has begun this year the process of commercializing "lunasin," an anti-cancer soy protein that he and a team of scientists discovered in 1999.

According to a report of the Asian Journal, Dr. Ben de Lumen, who headed the team that discovered the soy protein, was a professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology at University of California (UC)-Berkeley for more than 30 years.

He retired this year to focus on FilGen, a biotech company that he founded to commercialize lunasin.

De Lumen, a native of Taytay, Rizal, was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science last year for his “contributions to natural-products biochemistry,” especially lunasin.

The name “lunasin” was coined from the Tagalog word “lunas” or cure.

Read the full story here at GMA News........

Black Eyed Peas Star Filipino-American apl.de.ap celebrates his birthday by giving back to charity & Madonna. Performs Bebot.

Tuesday night was a night of celebration for Black Eyed Peas star apl.de.ap, and not just because it was his birthday party!

The singer from the hit group held a bash at the Conga Room in LA, which combined his birthday and the launch of the education campaign ”We Can Be Anything.” The campaign is a joint effort between his apl.de.ap Foundation and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, which will raise funds to build 10,000 classrooms in the Philippines, where the pop star is from.

Read full story here at Celebuzz!.......

Filipino-American nurse Michael Tagadaya receives "New York Times 2011 Tribute to Nurses Award"

NEW YORK CITY - Filipino-American nurse received the "New York Times 2011 Tribute to Nurses Award" for innovation and leadership at the New York Times headquarters in Manhattan.

Michael Tagadaya, a nurse manager at the New York University (NYU) Hospital, was nominated in three different categories.

 

With his unique contributions to the nursing field, the awards organizers said they created a new award category for the Filipino nurse – the Innovation and Leadership Award.

 

“For me, to come from the Philippines and out of the almost a million of Filipino nurses here sa buong America, it’s a huge honor, napakalaking karangalan,” Tagadaya said.

 

As a nurse manager at the Ambulatory Surgery unit of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, Tagadaya created paddle pagers to ease the family members’ concerns about their loved ones’ surgeries.

 

He also created new staff positions to bridge the gap between operating room and recovery room.

 

Read full story here at ABS-CBN.......

Enrique Iglesias's Filipina mother Isabel Preysler added to him being stronger, tougher and age better.

He attributes his youthfulness to his mother, the Filipina socialite Isabel Preysler. “My mom is 59 and she looks unbelievable,” he says, “and my mom always used to say, ‘When you mix races, the kids are stronger, tougher, and age better.’ My brother is two years older than me—he’s 37—and he looks 27.” Iglesias would like to have kids, but he says he doesn’t know if he has the patience for them, especially when he sees kids crying at a restaurant. He recently texted Usher and was surprised to find him awake at 6 a.m., being a dad. “I think 35 is kind of young to have kids nowadays,” Iglesias says. Read the full story here at The Daily Beast.......

Filipino-American NFL football player Eugene Amano has 1st career reception

Titans center Eugene Amano made the first reception of his career against the Buccaneers, as he snatched a batted Matt Hasselbeck pass out of mid-air and rumbled for seven yards to the Tampa Bay 45.

“It was great,” Hasselbeck said. “When a ball gets tipped, it’s anybody’s ball. Usually you get unlucky and a defender catches it. When it got tipped, my stomach kind of sank, and when Eugene caught it, I was cheering him on. I was his biggest fan.”

Tackle Mike Otto might have been even more excited about the grab.

“It was unbelievable,” Otto said. “I look up and I see Eugene catch it in stride and go downfield … That’s unbelievable. Eugene even looked semi-athletic and that’s impressive.”

Full story here at Titans Insider......

Assassinated Filipino-Americans Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes honored in the Philippines for their fight against Marcos

 SAN FRANCISCO—Two Filipino Americans murdered in Seattle in 1981 by operatives of the Marcos dictatorship are among the first three Filipino Americans to be included in the Philippines’ roll of heroes of democracy.

Silme Domingo, Viernes Viernes, and Arturo Taca were added to the roster of heroes and martyrs of the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani (Wall of Remembrance) on Nov. 30, honoring those who died fighting the regime of Ferdinand Marcos. Domingo and Viernes were leading activists of the radical Katipunan ng mga Demokratikong Pilipino (Union of Democratic Filipinos); Taca was a leader of the moderate Movement for a Free Philippines.

Outraged by the rise of a dictatorial regime in the Philippines, the three joined thousands of U.S.-based Filipinos in the long fight against Marcos. Like Domingo and Viernes, many of these young Filipinos were children of immigrants who grew up in the United States, but who found themselves drawn to what was going on in their parents’ homeland.

It was a risky struggle. Marcos was known to have allies in the United States who spied on and bullied the regime’s opponents. In the case of Domingo and Viernes, the harassment turned to violence.

On June 1, 1981, three assassins walked into the Cannery Workers Local 37 in Seattle, and shot Domingo and Viernes. The murderers, led a by a known associate of the dictator, were arrested and convicted to life without parole. Taca died of natural causes.

Read more here at New America Media......

The world's strongest family is Filipino-American - Maricelle Garcia Mendelson

-By Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

Chatsworth, Calif.–With several international and American bench press records and championships, the powerlifting community considers them the world’s strongest family.

Its matriarch is Filipina Maricelle Garcia Mendelson.

The 38-year-old Mendelson started her sports career as a fighter. She started lifting weights and by benching over 400 pounds she has won three world championships.

“I did it for stress release and I wanted it to help me focus and through it, I decided, I didn’t realize how strong I was I always knew I was strong. I always knew I was strong as a kid but as I did it I realized I’m really close to taking all the records,” recalled the mother of three.

Read the full story here at Balitang America........

The Filipina Women’s Network select Selenna Franco-Cefre as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S.

 The Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) has selected Selenna Franco-Cefre, a Bay Area practicing Certified Public Accountant, as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the United States. Selenna was honored under the “Builders and Emerging Leaders” category for her exceptional work as a young and emerging CPA and for her inspiring leadership and achievements as President of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Northern California (Berkeley) Chapter and Past President of PICPA-USA, an organization of Fil-Am CPAs in the Bay Area.

The 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the United States Award is a celebration of leadership, inspiration and achievement. It honors Filipina women who are changing the face of power in American communities, organizations and the workplace.

“These influential Filipina American women are dynamic entrepreneurs, rising stars under 40, emerging builders and executives who have moved through the ranks in large organizations, nonprofits and government agencies. They are powerful examples of women doing extraordinary work who will motivate our youth and future leaders,” said Gloria T. Caoile, political director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) and co-chair of the FWN 100 Nationwide Search and Selection Committee. “They were selected from nominations submitted from 19 states.”

Read the full story here at Asian Journal......

CNN Hero of the Year - Filipino-American midwife Robin Lim

MANILA, Philippines - Robin Lim, a Filipino-American midwife who helps poor women have healthy pregnancies and births in Indonesia, has been named 2011 CNN Hero of the Year.

In Sunday's star-studded ceremony at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Lim received the CNN Hero of the Year 2011 award from Anderson Cooper.

"Today on our Earth, 981 mothers in the prime of their life will die -- and tomorrow again and yesterday. And I'm asking you to help change that. We don't even know how many babies are lost, but all of us can help change that," a tearful Lim said, as she accepted the honor.

Read full story here at ABS-CBN......

Filipino-American Actor and Comedian Alec Mapa Laurie Beechman Theatre in NY, February 9-11, 2012

Alec Mapa will perform his latest stand-up comedy show, Baby Daddy, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, February 9-11, 2012. All performances are at 7:30pm.

The piece chronicles Mapa's latest adventures as he marches into the unchartered territory of gay fatherhood as he and his husband, producer Jamison Hebert, recently adopted a five-year-old boy.

Mapa starred on Broadway in M. Butterfly and additional New York theater credits include Dogeaters and A Language of Their Own. His solo show, I Remember Mapa won the LA Weekly Award for Best Solo Performance and has toured nationally.

Read more here at Theater Mania....

The National Federation of Filipino-American Associations NaFFAA urges Fil-Ams to be more involved in the political process

To highlight their importance in the United States, Filipino-Americans are urged to be more involved in the political process in their local communities, an immigration lawyer had said.


Legal expert Rolando Rex Velasquez urged members of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) to help fellow Filipinos be involved in political issues, particularly the voting process.

“It’s time to get organized. It’s time to let the politicians know that we too have a vote,” he said during the leadership and motivation summit of the NaFFAA Region XI last November 19.

Read the full story here at Asian Journal.....

Interview with Filipino-American Jo Koy at SanDiego.com

Jo Koy started his career as an entertainer at an early age when his mother would make him perform for large groups of friends and family during Filipino events in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington. Once he graduated from high school, Koy moved to Las Vegas where he attended UNLV (to appease his mother) while simultaneously plotting to become professional stand-up comedian. After honing his chops on the Vegas strip for a few years, Koy realized he need to move to Los Angeles in order to take his comedy to the next level.  Koy has since appeared on The Tonight Show and has become one of the favorite panelists on E’s late night talk show, Chelsea Lately. Currently in the midst of his Lights Out tour, SanDiego.com had a chance to catch up with Koy from his home in Los Angeles and talked about his early years in comedy, advice on how to get representation as a young comic and why Filipino’s love Dr. Pepper so much.

From what I could gather your mom played a pivotal role in starting you out as a performer at a young age.

Jo Koy: She was in charge of this thing called the American Filipino Association. It was just a group of Filipinos that got together and hung out a lot and they would always through these events. She always seemed to be the one to take care of the talent, and that talent just happened to be my sister and myself.

Do you remember the first time you did stand-up?

JK: The first one was at a place called the Ventura Comedy Club and I don’t even know if that thing exists anymore. I didn’t tell anyone about it and I went up and I bombed so bad, I went right back to Vegas and it took me about a year and a half to get back onstage again. It was bad man, I didn’t tell anybody about that.

Filipino-American DJ Mix Master Mike has some new headphones out by Skull Candy

 

Denver Bronco's quarterback Tim Tebow was born in Makati City, Philippines and opening hospital in Davao City 2013

You would be hard pressed not to hear the name Tim Tebow in the world of sports today. The Denver Broncos quarterback and his unconventional style of play, along with his resiliency his and ability to win are among the hottest topics in America today. In addition to the notable fad of “Tebowing”, a well known characteristic of Tebow is his immense faith that he visibly carries with him both on and off the field.

A little known fact that most casual fans don't know about him is that he was actually born in Makati City in the Philippines. Combining his faith and following in his Missionary parents' footsteps, the Tim Tebow Foundation plans to break ground to open a children's hospital in Davao City, Philippines.

According to Tim, “The Philippines have always had a special place in my heart. I'm excited to be a part of this hospital that will being healing to thousands of children who would not otherwise have access to care”.

Read the full story here at BakitWhy......


Tim Tebow Announces the Tebow CURE Hospital from CURE Video on Vimeo.

FIL-AM EVENT: Samahang Pilipino @ California State University Sacramento present SAVING F.A.C.E.

Filipino-American Lynda Provido Johnson wins seat in the ABC Unified School District Board of Education

CERRITOS – Fil-Am Lynda Provido Johnson placed her purse quietly on the empty seat where a bronze placard read “member.” She walked across the room while people congratulated her and every so often, the 47-year-old Johnson would look back at the seat knowing that her purse and her place as a member of the ABC Unified School District Board of Education was safe.


“That’s when it hit me,” said Johnson. “When I placed my purse up there that’s when I knew I officially won.”

For the past several months, Johnson was in a heated race for the vacant seat in the ABC Board, left by Fil-Am Mark Pulido before he was elected a City Councilman. There were only two years remaining on the seat but for her, a long-time Cerritos resident and product of the ABC school system, it was a chance of a lifetime to serve the students she knew well.

A political newbie and urged to run by long-time friend Pulido, Johnson campaigned for the seat. She was one of four all vying for a place on the prestigious school board – one of the bests in the country.

Read the full story here at Asian Journal.....

Mark Munoz Talks Chael Sonnen And Filipino Fans

 Mark Munoz Talks Chael Sonnen And Filipino Fans

Filipino-American Dante Basco & Francis dela Torre Interview: Subject: I Love You

San Leandro's Filipino-American Glenn “Filipino Bomber” Donaire TKO's Sanchez for Interim Belt

San Leandro’s Glenn “Filipino Bomber” Donaire triumphantly returned to the ring Friday night with an eighth-round technical knockout of former strawweight world champion Alex “Nene” Sanchez of Puerto Rico in Kissimmee, Fla., for the WBC Latino interim flyweight title.

On the heels of a three-year hiatus from boxing, Donaire (18-4-1, 10 KOs) had some initial trouble with the shorter Sanchez (31-8-1, 21 KOs), but true to his nickname, the Filipino-American called on his power in the second round to floor his foe twice.

The first knockdown came via a right hand that dazed Sanchez and caused his gloves to touch the canvas.  However, the referee hesitated before giving Sanchez an eight-count, which prompted Donaire to land two more short right hands to ensure the knockdown ruling.

Read more: Glenn Donaire TKOs Sanchez for interim belt
Tune to SportsNet Central at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area for more on this story

Filipino-American Anna Maria Perez de Tagle performs a medley with the cast of Godspell on ABC's The View

Filipino-American Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and the cast of the 2011 Broadway revival of Godspell perform a medley including Prepare Ye (Wallace Smith), Day by Day (Anna Maria Perez de Tagle) and Light of the World on ABC's THE VIEW

Filipino-American boxer Brian Viloria keeps his WBO belt in the 8th versus Giovani Segura

MANILA, Philippines – Brian Viloria delivered his punches in torrents to defuse Giovani Segura’s power shots and the Filipino-American went on to retain his World Boxing Organization flyweight crown with an eighth-round stoppage at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City Sunday.

Wary of the Mexican’s lethal body shots, Viloria brought the fight to the middle of the ring where he exploited his superior technical skills and faster hands to expose chinks on Segura’s defensive armor.

Segura’s right temple started to swell from a series of hooks and straights as early as the second round even as Viloria, also known as the Hawaiian Punch, sustained a cut in the left eyebrow from a right straight by the fighter nicknamed Aztec Warrior.

It was all Viloria from there as he repeatedly jarred the former world light flyweight titlist with combinations, particularly early in the fourth round when he sneaked in a right straight and a left hook to the delight of the crowd of about 5,000.

By the seventh round, the swelling had grown in size and reduced Segura’s right eye into a slit, although the Mexican bravely stayed on his feet and fought Viloria mainly with upper cuts.

Read the full story here at Inquirer Sports.....

FilipinoTown in LA is designated 'A Preserve America Community' by First Lady Michelle Obama

Los Angeles’s Historic Filipinotown was honored on October 31, 2011 when First Lady Michelle Obama, Honorary Chair of the Preserve America Initiative, designated it as one of the nation’s newest Preserve America Communities.



“Preserve America Communities demonstrate that they are committed to preserving America’s heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment,” Mrs. Obama said. “This community designation program, combined with the Preserve America Grant Program, Preserve America Presidential Awards, and other federal support, provides strong incentives for continued preservation of our cultural and natural heritage resources. I commend you for your commitment to preserving an important part of our nation’s historic past for visitors, neighbors, and, most importantly, for children.” said the First Lady.

The National Preserve America Community application process for Historic Filipinotown (HiFi) was facilitated by Pilipino American Network and Advocacy (PANA), co-chaired by Dr. Ben Marte and Dr. Leo Pandac. As a Preserve America Community, HiFi will be featured in the National Register Travel Itineraries and in “Teaching with Historic Places” curricular materials created by the National Park Service. “PANA is grateful to First Lady Michelle Obama for bestowing HiFi with this honor.” said Marte, “We are also very proud to have facilitated the involvement of the many partners that made this designation possible, including Search To Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), My HiFi, the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), the HiFi Neighborhood Council, Inc., Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Council President Eric Garcetti, , the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and numerous other organizations and individuals.”

Historic Filipinotown was designated by the City of Los Angeles in 2002, culminating almost 30 years of advocacy by community leaders and activists seeking recognition of the area’s significance to the Filipino American Community. Downtown redevelopment after WWII displaced Los Angeles’ original Filipino enclave, causing many families to move west and settle along the Temple Street and Beverly Boulevard corridors. Today, the neighborhood is very diverse, with Filipinos living alongside numerous other ethnic and immigrant groups. However, it continues to serve as a historic and cultural center for the community, as evidenced by the numerous Filipino churches, community-based organizations, small businesses and other institutions still in existence. Additionally, the neighborhood is home to the Filipino WWII Veterans’ Memorial and Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana (A Glorious History, A Glorious Legacy), the largest Filipino American-themed mural in the country.

Read more here at Asian Journal......

Filipino-American Lou Diamond Phillips is casted in 'Filly Brown'

Filipino-American Lou Diamond Phillips appears in a Hip Hop-driven drama about a Mexican girl who rises to fame and consciousness as she copes with the incarceration of her mother through music. This movie will be appearing in Sundance 2012.

Filipino-American Thia Megia from American Idol has a new single out

After being voted off of American Idol, Thia Megia hasn't stopped. Check out her new single 'ONE DAY' from the motion picture Quest For Zhu......as in the popular toys Zhu Zhu Pets. This Pinay has a beautiful voice and she makes us all so proud. Support her in all that she does.

Filipino American Human Services, Inc. FAHSI celebrate 18 years of serving the community

The Filipino American Human Services, Inc. FAHSI has been serving the New York community for 18 years now.  Their programs and events have reached hundreds of people and families in the Filipino-American community.

Check them out here at FAHSI......

Filipino-American Cassie is coming back and in a badder fashion - King of Hearts (Trailer)

Filipina-American Cassie hasn't been in the music scene for some time now, but that's changing soon. She recently was on BET 106 & Park with her rumored to be boyfriend Diddy debuting the trailer for her new single, "King Of Hearts." The video depicts a badder version of Cassie that even shows her breast in a risque fashion. It's a must see.

Filipino American Teen Singer Jasmine Villagas - Official Angel Music Video

Here's Filipina-American Jasmine Villagas's official Angel Music video. She's humble and is proud of her Filipino heritage. She even has a cameo with Manny Pacquiao who has given her a lot of inspiration. This is a must see and something to be proud of as a Filipino-American. Support her in all that she does.

The Asian Journal gets to the heart of Filipino-American fashion designer Josie Natori

When fashion and design icon Josie Natori launched her Spring/Summer 2012 collection at the Asia Society in New York last September, she proudly showcased her Filipino roots.


For this new collection, Natori highlighted her signature East-West look by seamlessly combining style and sophistication with form and function with a sprinkling of elegance and glamor. For the fashion mogul, it is all about the Asian aesthetics and sensibilities and the Western contemporary lifestyle, and this has made Natori a distinct global brand which has survived these tough economic times.

The Natori accessories the models wore during the presentation were all custom-made in the Philippines, using local fabrics and materials.

“These are the kinds of things that I love doing. I’m very proud that they’re all made in the Philippines, alam mo hand-woven ito by an amazing artisan sa Bulacan. She actually just does placemats and we challenged her to make it into a bag,” Natori told the Asian Journal while showing us her purse for the evening.

That is how Natori thinks—the much-used ‘out-of-the-box’ perspective. How else could one envision that an abaca placemat can be made into a chic and fashionable evening purse? Or a small dish made out of capiz shells can be transformed into a belt buckle?

Read the full article here at Asian Journal......

Fil-Am Event - Singgalot (The Ties That Bind): Filipinos in America, from Colonial Subjects to Citizens @ Sonoma County Museum

November 19, 2011 – January 22, 2012

Today there are more than 2.5 million Filipino Americans in the U.S. Yet many, including Filipinos themselves, aren't familiar with the details of their history in America: their experiences, rich traditions, and culture. Singgalot is their story.

After tracing the first trans-oceanic trade missions between Manila and Acapulco in the 1500s, Singgalot explores the tenuous political relationship between the United States and the Philippines, when Spain ceded the Pacific-island following the Spanish-American War. Rarely seen historical images detail Filipino migration between 1906 and 1935 as Hawai'i sugar plantations, West Coast farms, and Alaskan canneries recruited Asians to join the labor force. When the U.S. government sounded the call to arms in the 1940s, Filipino immigrants answered, serving as infantrymen and earning respect from a grateful nation. Nearly 20 years later, the 1965 Immigration Act hastened a third major wave of Filipinos who would champion major changes in gender equality and class in the Filipino American community and make significant contributions to the fight for civil rights.

More event details here at Sonoma County Museum.....

Here's a video on the exhibit appearing in Los Angeles