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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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New York City, NEW YORK --- Several Filipino-American young professional organizations in New York City namely, Philippine New York Jaycees, FAHSI, CORE, Diverse City Theater Co., and Kalusugan Coalition will be hosting the December 16, 2005 “Simbang Gabi” (Dawn Masses) that is hosted annually by the Philippine Consulate General in New York.
The Simbang Gabi will be held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center located at 556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036 to be held at 6:30 PM. The mass will be officiated by Father Joseph Marabe of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
In keeping the faith and tradition alive, the five organizations would like to request the attendees to bring toys to be donated as gifts for Christmas to needy kids in the Philippines.
The “Simbang Gabi” celebration is popularly known in the Philippines as “Misa de Aguinaldo” (Mass of Gifts) which highlights the month-long feast of the Nativity.
Everyday from December 16 to 24, Christians faithfully go to their parish churches to hear the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The masses, traditionally observed at dawn, are celebrated for nine days and said to be adapted from other nine day Filipino Harvest Rituals.
In New York City, it has been a tradition of the Philippine Consulate to co-host the “Simbang Gabi” with different Filipino-American groups from the tri-state New York-New Jersey-Connecticut area.
The Philippine New York JAYCEES is a leadership training organization through community service comprised of young professionals whose mission is to develop leaders who will create positive change in the local and global community and in their own lives through training and networking opportunities”.
Filipino American Human Services Inc., (“FAHSI”) is a community-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving the most vulnerable segments of the Filipino community of New York—particularly youth, women, recent immigrants, and the elderly.
Collaborative Opportunities for Raising Empowerment, Inc. (“CORE”) is a not-for-profit organization composed of a volunteer group of young Filipino professionals in the New York tri-state area.
Diverse City Theater Company (“DCT”) is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) theater organization based in the world’s most diverse city—New York—run by artist playwrights, directors and actors.
Kalusugan Coalition is a multi-disciplinary collaboration dedicated to creating a unified voice to improve the health of the Filipino-American community in the New York/New Jersey area through network and resource development, educational activities, research, community action and advocacy.
This “Simbang Gabi” event is open to all. Post-mass refreshments will be served.
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NEW YORK --- The premier Filipino-American ceremonial title in the United States, the Philippine Independence Day Parade Grand Marshal (for 2006), is open for nominations.
At a regular meeting of the newly-installed Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) Board of Directors on Nov. 22, Lolita Compas, director and chair of the 2006 Grand Marshal Committee, launched the search by distributing copies of the official nomination form.
A letter of invitation to nominate and a copy of the nomination form should have been received by now by the more than 240 member organizations of PIDCI
The deadline for submission of nominations is midnight of Saturday, Dec. 17.
Nomination forms are available from any member of the PIDCI Board of Directors or anyone on the Grand Marshal Committee: Chairperson Compas at telephone numbers (212) 777-6423 or (212) 995-6134; Lolita Gillberg at (914) 576-5124, Sofie Abad at 718-849-4581, Gani Puertollano at (908) 964-5473, Nelsie Parrado at (973) 291-6428 or Ness Quijano at (732) 297-3245 or (212) 857-1340.
Completed forms are to be sent to: Lolita B. Compas, Chairperson, Grand Marshal Committee, 320 East 23rd Street, Apt. 15-G New York, New York 10010.
Nominations received after December 17 will not be considered.
The Independence Day Parade Grand Marshal is one of the highest honors, if not the highest honor, bestowed by the Philippine Independence Day Council annually.
Criteria for the Grand Marshal’s selection are the following:- The Grand Marshal must be of Filipino ethnic background.
- The Grand Marshal is a role model in the community.
- He/She has active involvement in the Filipino-American or the mainstream community.
- Has the ability to raise substantial funds to support the activities of the PIDCI.
- Philanthropic history: Has contributed to or supported financially Filipino American projects.
- Has the commitment to give time and willingness to attend meetings and activities of PIDCI.
For information, please call (212) 777-5423 or (212) 995-6134. Nominations must be received by December 17 or they will not be considered.
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ON THE Road With San Lorenzo, a book written by Father Erno Diaz, will be launched in Manila at the University of Santo Tomas on December 12.
Father Diaz has been invited to attend the event and to talk about his book by the U.S.T. Publishing House, that published the book as part of the 400th anniversary celebration of the university.
On the Road With San Lorenzo describes the early years of the movement in New York to promote devotion to then Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz. Father Diaz was the founding director of the Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz Association in America and served in that capacity from 1982 to 1990. The late Cardinal Jaime Sin wrote the message for the book; Dr. Helena Z Benitez wrote the foreword.
On The Road With San Lorenzo is one of the 400 books published by 400 alumni of U.S.T. Father Diaz finished his Theology and Philosophy in the Central Seminary of U.S.T.
Another book launching has been scheduled at the World Trade Center near the CCP complex in Manila on December 10. Lynn Sunico of Skyline restaurant in World Trade Center and Sonia Atabug of the Philippine Women’s University are coordinating the affair. Father Diaz is a former chaplain of the P.W.U.
Prominent Manilans like Dr. Helena Z Benitez and Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua and Jose Mari Chan, a former New York resident and promoter of San Lorenzo Ruiz during the early years of the movement, are expected to attend.
On November 20, a book launching took place at the newly opened Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Lower Manhattan. 200 guests led by Consul General Cecile Rebong and Deputy Consul Melita Thomeczek attended the event.
The occasion coincided with the housewarming of the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz and the Philippine Pastoral Center, that Cardinal Edward Egan had officially designated for the Filipinos. Former TV personality Leila Benitez-McCollum emceed the book launching ceremony.
Those interested to have a copy of the book can call 212-966-1019. A donation for a copy is: $15. Orders by mail can be sent to: Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz, 378 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013.
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THE Catholic Action of Mary, Parish of Resurrection, invites everyone to come and celebrate “Simbang Gabi” with their church community.
Each year, the Parish celebrates one of the Philippines’ most venerated Catholic tradition this 9-day Novena Mass. The spiritual festivity is attended by Filipinos from all points of the city and neighboring towns and states. The hour long Mass includes carols from different local choirs and re-enactment of the Nativity, the birth and finding of baby Jesus.
This yearly practice is followed by a potluck fellowship at the Marian Hall located at the basement of the church. A 50/50 raffle is also conducted, along with other door prizes.
The “Simbang Gabi” will be held at the St. Mary’s Church located at the corner of 2nd and Erie Streets in downtown Jersey City, NJ from Thursday, Dec. 15th and ends on Friday, Dec. 23, 2005.
It starts at 7:15 each evening, with the exception of Sunday, Dec. 18, wherein mass will commence at 7:00 in the evening.
For more information, please contact Deacon Marcelo & Ruby David: 201-435-5266 (St. Bridget’s), Tony & Elsa Fernandez: 201-963-3217 (St. Michael’s), Cora Bisogno: 201-434-3332 (St. Peter’s), Deacon Cesar Sarmiento: 201-653-3318; Chuchi Calingasan: 201-792-5371 (St. Mary’s).
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