Maniolas

A “class picture” with winners, keynote speakers, performers and TOFA-NY board led by Elton Lugay (far right), Sally Nunez, Grace Labaguis, Cristina DC Pastor and Oliver Oliveros. Judge Lorna Schofield told loving stories about her strict Filipino mother. NEW YORK—In a fitting culmination to Filipino American Heritage Month, this year’s The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York (TOFA-NY) gala was a night of re-creating, re-enacting and reconnecting with Filipino roots. Judge Lorna Schofield of the Southern District of New York, a keynote speaker, recalled memories of her mother, Priscilla Tiongco, who as a young Filipina married a US Air Force pilot after the war and came to the US. Through the blur of fraying photographs and college transcripts, the first Filipino-American federal judge remembered affectionately her mother’s distinct qualities. “She was very strict and had a ferocious temper” and constantly reminded Schofield to get straight As and to practice the piano. “She used to punish me, but when I read her transcripts, she didn’t get all As,” Schofield recalled with fondness. “King of Latin Soul” Joe Bataan sang his composition “Afro Filipino,” which he dedicated to his Filipino father. He said the succession of accolades he has received this year alone has reconnected him, although belatedly, with his “great Filipino legacy.” The evening program at Carnegie Hall opened with youngsters from the Philippine community of Southern New Jersey dancing the “tinikling,” mish-mashing the traditional with hiphop and Gangnam Style moves. Rousingly applauded It was a rousingly applauded number. It was Read More …

SAN FRANCISCO—Dividend earnings in 2012 of the Pag-IBIG Home Development Mutual Fund reached 4.17 percent, crediting a total amount of P9.28 billion tax-free to the accounts of Pag-IBIG members, the fund announced. Meanwhile, members under the Modified Pag-IBIG 2, a voluntary savings program for members who wish to save more than the minimum savings, earned a dividend of 4.67 percent. Mandatory fund coverage was expanded in January 2010 to include overseas Filipino workers (OFW) through Republic Act 9679, or Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009 (HDMF Law of 2009). Currently, 24 percent, or 3.144 million, of the 12.864 million Pag-IBIG members are OFWs. The Pag-IBIG Membership Program for Filipinos Abroad aims to provide Filipinos who are working and living abroad the opportunity to save and avail themselves of Pag-IBIG’s housing loan program. Pag-IBIG’s loan programs have also been developed to be more accessible and affordable to members. The loans available to members are as follows: •Multi-Purpose Loan Program (MPL)—may be used to provide immediate assistance to finance needs such as minor home improvement or repair, health and wellness, livelihood and educational expenses. •Calamity Loan Program—may be used to provide relief to members affected by recent calamities. Its interest rate per annum has been reduced to 5.95 percent. •Housing Loan—maximum loan amount is P6 million with an interest rate of 7.98 percent per annum. •Affordable Housing Loan—offered to members who are minimum wage earners.  Interest rate for this loan ranges from 4.5 percent to 6.5 percent per annum. OFWs, Filipino Read More …