Maniolas

(Los Angeles, CA ) The Filipino Cultural School (FCS) will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary Banquet on Sunday, April 12, 2015 starting promptly at 5:00 pm to be held at the Sierra Room in the Cerritos Performing Arts Center in Cerritos, CA. The celebration will honor the 50 years of existence of Filipino Cultural School via speeches, dance performances, video presentations and entertainment. It will especially acknowledge those who took part in the FCS program in the past as well as those who are actively involved in the program today. With the growing influence of American culture in our everyday lives, it is easy to forget where we came from and our origins. This growing impact, without a doubt, affects the youth and can easily create a disparity between the American and Filipino cultures. Filipino Cultural School has encompassed and taught the youth the many different aspects of Filipino culture, such as dance, music, history, geography, lifestyle, and language. The school has been running a summer educational program that teaches the youth (specifically ages 5-18) about their Filipino culture. Furthermore, Filipino Cultural School strives to show the different sides of Filipino culture in hopes of preserving the culture for future generations. Founded in 1965 by the Sampaguita Women’s Circle, the Sampaguita Women opened FCS in the past several years other facilities to accommodate increasing enrollment in the South Bay Area, notably within Cerritos and Anaheim. Dolly Anthony, the first Directress of FCS spent most of her vacation time during the Read More …

A little over a year after the devastating visit of Supertyphoon Yolanda, Tacloban City slowly rises up from the ashes of destruction like the proverbial phoenix. The typhoon’s hort visit left behind a toll of destruction never experienced before in such magnitude and one that tested the preparedness of the local and national leadership’s ability to face such formidable challenge. The grief-stricken families of the more than 6,000 casualties will continue to grapple with the harsh reality for some time to come. Mayor Alfred Romualdez of Tacloban City, in a fundraising event at the Radisson Hotel in Whittier last March 14,  narrated his harrowing experience at the height of Typhoon Yolanda. Under his leadership, the rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts for his province continue and he had been to many countries to drum up support for the gargantuan tasks. With his wife Cristina who is also a councilor of the province, California became a brief stop for the journey and brought with them 10 of the typhoon victims who have been organized into a singing bunch they call Love for Taclo-Band to help them drum up their mission. The two town executives  had been here twice before to meet the town-mates and seek their support. Signed glove for charity: Albert Chang proudly displays a boxing glove with the signature of Manny Pacquiao he successfully bid on as part of the fundraiser in Whittier for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Councilor Cristina Romualdez flew from Manila Read More …

SEN. BAM IN COMPOSTELA VALLEY – Senator Bam Aquino addresses the youth participants of the 8th Bulawan Festival Friday (March 6, 2015) at the provincial capitol in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley. After his inspirational talk, Sen. Bam poses with the province’s “solidarity ring” together with Compostela Valley Gov. Arturo Uy, board member Tyrone Uy and 1st District Rep. Maricar Zamora. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Despite agreeing with majority of the observations in the Senate committee report on the Mamasapano clash, including President Benigno Aquino III being ultimately responsible over the incident, Senator Bam Aquino felt some parts of the report went beyond the scope of the hearing. In a press statement Thursday, Sen. Aquino said he signed the committee report , which was released Tuesday, with reservations and with an intention to propose amendments. Bam is a first cousin of the President. “As much as we agree with majority of [the] observations found in the committee report on the Mamasapano incident including the President’s responsibility which he himself stated in a public address last month, we feel that there were conclusions made on matters that were beyond the scope of the hearing,” Sen. Aquino said. Among the conclusions in the report which he wants clarification on were those regarding the peace process, the actions of the government peace panel and the Bangsamoro Basic Law in general. “We have sent a letter to the committee seeking clarification on these matters. And if need be, we will propose amendments to the committee Read More …

Fluid silhouettes, fabrics that shimmer in the moonlight, punk and glamor in one breath are keypoints at the Manila Fashion Festival.    

Phoemela Baranda has her hands full co-managing Desiderata Bar and racing cars during her free time.