Maniolas

Mayor Antonio “Tony” Cartagena, City of Walnut Councilmember (photo courtesy of http://www.ci.walnut.ca.us/) LAKEWOOD, CA — The La Union Association of Southern California is celebrating its 51st year and Golden Anniversary with a dinner-dance on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at the Lakewood Country Club in this city. City of Walnut Councilmember and four-time Mayor Antonio “Tony” Cartagena, is the guest speaker. Founded on May 31, 1964 in Los Angeles, the La Union Association of Southern California, formerly La Union Association of Los Angeles, is an organization of immigrants from the province of La Union, Philippines, who now live in Southern California. It is one of the oldest Filipino-American organizations in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Founder and first president was the late Sisenando “Sammy” T. Delmendo, World War II U. S. Army veteran and Los Angeles civic leader. The co-founders were: Johnny Fangon, Felix Soriano, Glicerio “Glen” Rilloraza, Faustino Marquez, Florence Flores, Jovita Soriano, Elisa Mangrobang, Bonifacio Florendo, and others. The association was formed to help defray the burial expenses of a new immigrant-provincemate,whose family stayed behind in La Union. It was born amid an upwelling of hope that the better nature of man would prevail. The association has grown and is still growing. It has come a long way, ever since the founders “passed the hat” around. It has had the services of ten presidents, some of whom have occupied the office at different intervals. It has held five beauty contests, the candidates of which trace their roots to the Province of La Union. The Read More …

SCE employee’s late-night heroics earn praise as he helps first responders after Visalia car accident By Paul Netter, Southern California Edison SCE lineman Matt Duma discusses how he got downed live wires deactivated after a car hit a utility pole in Visalia. Photo: Courtesy of Lewis Griswold/The Fresno Bee Matt Duma wasn’t dressed to impress, but he left quite the impression anyway. Pajamas, slippers and all. The Southern California Edison transmission line foreman’s quick thinking played a pivotal role in a car-hit-utility-pole accident late Monday in Visalia. Duma’s actions may have saved a man’s life, and the first responders couldn’t have been more appreciative. “The action of the off-duty Edison employee were instrumental to the outcome of the incident,” Visalia Fire Department battalion chief Danny Wristen told the Fresno Bee. Duma, however, believes he was just doing his job. “I don’t think I did anything heroic. I did my job,” said Duma, an 11-year veteran of SCE. “It’s no different than a firefighter going to rescue someone in a burning house or a cop doing his job. I respond to a wire down and I know how to take care of it.” Another member of the fire department who was there, engineer Shane Yoder, begs to differ. “He made an appearance at some point real quick after we were there,” said Yoder. “Definitely appreciate his help and it sped the process up quite a bit rather than having to wait for the [SCE truck] to get on the scene. It was great that someone was there to assist us.” Read More …

Rob Moya gets first big acting break in Nuclear Family.

Anne Curtis (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) –Anne Curtis is known to join marathons. More than just to stay fit, however, she has aligned her passion with advocacy to help underprivileged children. The actress has organized the Heroes for Children Run 2015 in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines. The activity is meant to raise awareness on the importance of health and nutrition in the crucial first thousand days of an infant. “For someone (like me) who actually does enjoy running and is into health and fitness, it would just be a great way to raise resources, giving children the best start in life,” said Anne in a recent conference. Anne took the initiative to spearhead the fundraising project, noting, “Hindi naman pwede na you’re just gonna sit there and wait for things to be done for you. You have to come up with your own ideas and share with the team (UNICEF) and see if it’s approved or if it’s within what they would like.” The drive behind the project was inspired by her visit to Tacloban, Leyte early this year where she was able to meet mothers and children deprived of proper health care and nutrition. “I saw firsthand how important it is for mothers to have prenatal checkups, vaccinations, how important breastfeeding is, etc.” She added, “The experience I had there was something I’ll carry. It’s just how happy I am – just being able to bring smiles to these children, to their families. It’s Read More …