Fil-Am Who's Who February 2018

fil-am who’S WHo February 2018

Donald & Lea Frain

A Fil-Am couple in the financial sector

InInThis ThisIssue.

Issue.....

At At Your Your Service Service •• Vice Consul Consul General Khrystina Tess Dizon-De Corpuz Popov Vega Organizations We Love Community Shakers •• Philippine Dennis SyCommunity Center Services For The Aging Rewind Rewind • Event Photos by Rolan Gutierrez • Event Photos by Rolan Gutierrez Organizations We Love Cover StoryFoundation • Saleaflor • Don and Lea Frain Cover Story& Moments Milestones Cesar HolgadoConcert •• Dr. Home for B. Christmas Milestones & Moments Community • JCI Icons Shakers of Impace&/ Movers Jhett Tolentino • Elsa Lambert Mole

5

5

64

4

1015 10 13 14 14

A tribal dance performance at the Pearl Farm Resorts, Davao photo by Rolan Gutierrez

A Word from The Editor

Oliver Oliveros

Happy Fifth Anniversary, Fil-Am Who’s Who! “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”

-Marcus Tullius Cicero It seemed like yesterday that Miss World 2013 Megan Young graced the first anniversary cover of this magazine! And would you believe it, Fil-Am Who’s Who is now celebrating its fifth year!

Fil-Am Who’s Who continually brings you the most inspiring success stories of our kababayans in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, which, without doubt, motivates us in every issue.

Financial wizards and the husband-and-wife philathropist team of Don and Lea Frain on the cover amps up this important milestone, too, which makes this anniversary issue extra special. The Frains embody the qualities of highly successful people within and beyond the practice of their profession: they know what they want and they follow their dreams, but most importantly, they give back to the community.

“We both consider ourselves blessed in life and have a sense of obligation to give back as long as we can,” Don Frain, President and COO of Quontic Bank in Astoria, N.Y. told Maricar Hampton, our contributing writer. “We look forward to using our experience and knowledge for the betterment of people in the years to come.”

(Read more about the Frains in our exclusive interview!)

Our goal a few years back was to make this Fil-Am communitycentric lifestyle magazine not only reach our community members in the four boroughs of N.Y. , but also our other kababayans from coast to coast and to those back at home in the Philippines. Year by year, with the generous support coming from our advertisers and industry partners as well as with the help of various online communities, we’ve been realizing our own dream.

So here goes my hearty congratulations to my co-publishers Myrna Gutierrez, also our managing editor, and Rolan Gutierrez, also our official photographer and layout design editor!

Congratulations, too, to our hardworking contributing writers and columnists such as Maricar Hampton and Wendell Gaa for sharing their precious time and writing talent.

To our avid readers, maraming salamat po.

May Fil-Am Who’s Who reach greater heights in the years to come!

We invite our readers to contribute articles, letters, comments, or pictures. Please email submissions to filamwhoswho@gmail.com.

Please also like us on facebook.com/FilAmWhosWho.

We use information sources that we believe to be reliable, but do not warrant the accuracy of those sources.

Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Fil-Am Who’s Who articles and other information on the website are up-to-date and accurate as possible, as of the publication date.

fil-am who’s who

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Oliver Oliveros • Managing Editor Myrna Gutierrez • Layout Artist & Photo Editor Rolan Gutierrez • Contributing Writer Maricar CP Hampton • Contributing Writer Rachel Davis • Contributing Writer Wendell Gaa • Contributing Photographer Miguel Gutierrez Marketing Executive Cecile Duyongco • Philippines Marketing and Sales Manager Jekelyn Nisola Publisher Fil-Am Who’s Who, Inc. Copyright © 2018 Fil-Am Who’s Who, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Fil-Am Who’s Who invites you to contribute articles, letters, comments, or pictures to the editor. For inquiries, please email adsfilamwhoswho@gmail.com or call (917)

502-9887 • (917) 502-9891.

fEBRUARY 2018

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 3

At Your Service

Wendell Gaa Bridging Our Second Generation Fil-Am Youth Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

T

o many people throughout the Northeast U.S. Fil-Am community, Vice Consul Corpuz has been a mainstay throughout the nearly past over five years as one of the most highly visible officers of the Philippine Consulate General in New York. As director of the Passport/Visa Section, as well as the Consulate’s director for public and community affairs, “VC Khrys,” as we all know her, has tremendously assisted in hosting several events that promote Philippine culture to the Tri-State region. She has also been a focal officer in overseeing activities geared towards developing stronger ties between the Consulate and second generation Fil-Ams, and thereby helping to strengthen the social, cultural, and educational links between the Fil-Am youth and their cultural homeland.

A graduate of Quezon City Science High School, VC Corpuz went on to attend the University of the Philippines-Diliman where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism, and afterward studied at De La Salle University-Manila where she obtained her Master of Business Administration degree. She soon found her career calling in the diplomatic corps and passed the distinguished Foreign Service Officers’ Examination. After serving in the Home Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs, her very first diplomatic assignment came in the form of none other than the Big Apple, where she officially assumed her diplomatic posting in December 2012. On her very first day at office, she was welcomed by the Consulate staff led by then Deputy Consul General, and now N.Y. Consul General, Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega.

VC Corpuz was immediately tasked to assist then Consul General Mario De Leon Jr. with the arduous challenges of the Consular Section, ensuring the efficient daily functions of the passport, visa, and legal services of the Consulate. The pressures of assisting the various cases of clientele both within the office and at periodic

4 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

fEBRUARY 2018

weekend consular outreach throughout the region were surely there, but thanks to her persistence, patience, and diligence, along with the reliable help of the Consulate staff, she has effectively been carrying out the necessary services to the community.

VC Corpuz’s responsibilities would soon expand to taking charge of the Consulate’s public diplomacy programs, particularly in promoting the cultural and Second Generation Fil-Am Youth initiatives to the entire community. Having been trained in promoting Philippine tourism and having a knack for working with young people (being a young officer herself), this job came quite naturally for her! She has used her coordination and networking abilities to such finesse when the Consulate hosted events such as the Young Professionals Reception for Fil-Am History Month every October, and the Leadership and Mentoring Seminar Series in New York, Yale University, Boston College, and Rowan University to empower the Second Generation Fil-Ams. Among the annual events, together with the youth leaders, she founded the Philippine Graduation in New York in 2013 hosted by the Consulate at the Philippine Center every June where Fil-Am graduates of bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees are honored by the community, as well as the colorful and entertaining “Battle of the Barrios” where competing Fil-Am collegiate youth get to display their musical and theatrical talent.

The community has further witnessed the warm stage presence of VC Corpuz at numerous milestone functions, not the least was the memorable 2016 N.Y. Gala commemorating the 118th Philippine Independence Day Anniversary and the 70th Anniversary of Philippine-US diplomatic relations held at Midtown Manhattan’s famed Cipriani. Hosted by outgoing Consul General Mario De Leon Jr., the grand event was also attended by 350 members of the community, with the guest of honor, outgoing Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose L. Cuisia Jr. Together with New Jersey Fil-Am Councilman Jonathan Wong, VC Corpuz served as Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the entire program, and ably pulling off the affair ranks as one of the proudest moments yet in her young diplomatic career.

On a personal note, VC Corpuz had also served as MC during my father’s (the late Ambassador Willy Gaa) memorial evening tribute, which the Consulate hosted in early 2016 when the entire community paid their respects and shared their fondest memories of my father when he served as Philippine N.Y. Consul General during the late 1990s. I shall always be grateful to VC Khrys for having taken up this role during a somber period for my family.

Having been happily married to her Ukrainian husband for more than a year now, VC Corpuz’s diplomatic tour of duty is expected to come to a bittersweet end by December 2018 when her six-year assignment will expire. Whatever destiny has in store for her upon the completion of her N.Y. posting, the positive impact she has left upon the whole community will undoubtedly remain.

Organizations We Love

Philippine Community Center Services For The Aging

By Consuelo Almonte

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

Preparing For and Enjoying the Golden Years

A

ging is not about loneliness and giving up.

It’s a continuing life of fun, diversity, and spin.

One must seek it. Philippine Community Center Services For The Aging is here for you.

The Philippine Community Center Services For The Aging (PCCSA), a non-profit organization, has established its headquarters to provide the healthcare support to our senior citizens, especially the Filipino elderly who are largely neglected– to break the barriers of isolation, fear and loneliness, untreated health problems, and low self-esteem.

PCCSA is currently run by volunteers who donate their time and invaluable resources.

For more information, contact us at (347) 488-9386 or (917) 5535124. You may also visit http://thenursingoffice.com/philippinecommunity-center-services-for-aging/

PCCSA, composed of highly educated and well-trained advocates, also envisions seniors and other elderly immigrants having access to culturally sensitive and competent healthcare services and/or therapies, government benefits, fair housing practices, technological literacy, and financial independence.

We encourage everyone to build strength for themselves, their families and communities through art, dance, theater, literature, and many other expressive forms of culture.

To interact socially with their peers and collaborate with younger people, which helps keep our Filipino traditions alive, are also fostered.

Further, we support the active seniors who open their own homes to serve as living spaces for fixed-income seniors or as alternative interactive spaces where the elderly and young immigrants participate in documenting their family and social histories of living in Queens, New York or in the other boroughs.

As an essential communication tool, “Mano Po,” a newsletter that tells our members’ life story successes and their various expertise and professional experiences, is about to be launched. It will also serve as an important source material for community news and classifieds and numerous practical tips.

Headed by Consuelo Almonte, founder and president, and Nieva Burdick, board chair, PCCSA is under the umbrella of The Nursing Office, a group of nurses who aims to take care of their fellow nurses and their respective communities.

Consuelo Almonte and Nieva Burdick fEBRUARY 2018

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 5

Rewind Rewind

Icons of Impact

JCI Philippine-New York The Yale Club New York, New York

Rolan Gutierrez

Awardee Potri Ranka Manis

Awardee Jorge Ortoll

Awardee Lumen Castaneda

Awardee Governor Victor E. de Leom holding his plaque

Lovely

Excelsa de Jesus performs in LOVELY with Robert Ramiro at the piano and Adam Hutcheson with the saxophone.

Yes, she’s called Lovely at home by her mom. Venue: Don’t Tell Mama Piano Bar, New York City

Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado Philippine Center New York City

6 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

Jeepney joyride L-R: Dennis Sy, Myrna Gutierrez, Alex Esteban Gigi Agoncillo, Guia San Jose and Mylz Tolentino fEBRUARY 2018

Consul General Tess Dizon-De Vega hosts a dinner for Fil-Am Press Club of New York (FAPCNY) & other media outlets New York City

Lea Salonga celebrates the release of her new album “Bahaghari” Philippine Center, New York City

L-R: Loida Nicolas Lewis, Lea Salonga, Consul General Tess Dizon-De Vega, Eleanor De Leon

Olive Osias-Magpile and Lea Salonga fEBRUARY 2018

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 7

Manila Davao

Rewind Rewind Rolan Gutierrez

Luneta - Intramuros, Manila

Fil-Am Who’s Who participated in the Fil-American Media Familiarization Tour sponsored by DOT/ PAL/ TPBPHL (Tourism Promotions Board Philippines) and PCGNY. Other participants include the Fil-Am Press Club of New York and other independent media outlets.

San Augustin Church, Manila

San Agustin Church was one of four Philippine churches constructed during the Spanish colonization period to be designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, under the collective title Baroque Churches of the Philippines - Wikilpedia

Casa Manila

Casa Manila is a museum in Intramuros depicting colonial lifestyle during Spanish colonization of the Philippines. - Wikilpedia

8 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

fEBRUARY 2018

Fil-Am media delegates along with Familiarization Tour sponsors represented by Michelle Alcantara (leftmost) and TA Barnizo Gadia (rightmost) of TPB PHL, and Gina Arguelles of PAL (fourth from right)

Pearl Farm Resort, Davao

This is the snorkeling orientation shop in the giant clam reserve.

The reserve has more than 2,000 giant clams.

Philippine Eagle Reserve, Davao

The eagle handler (shown here) is the only one who can get near theeagle eaglebred bredinincaptivity. captivity. When Whenan aneagle eagleegg hatches fromthe theeaglet egg, the hatches, it recognizes it’sitparent the being ot its sees - in this the recognizes theasfirst has set itsfirst eyes on as parent – in case this case hand;er. the handler. fEBRUARY 2018

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 9

10 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

fEBRUARY 2018

Power Couple Don & Lea Frain Shares The Same Commitment

By Maricar CP Hampton

Photos by Rolan Gutierrez

T

here are many reasons why people choose to help their community, offering their time, energy, or resources.

And, often, we wonder what motivates or drives them to do what they do. New York-based couple Don and Lea Frain is strong believers of the Fil-Am community and have no qualms in supporting a worthwhile project. “We both consider ourselves blessed in life and have a sense of obligation to give back as long as we can,” Don said. “We look forward to using our experience and knowledge for the betterment of people in the years to come.”

Both successful in their respective careers, Don is the President and COO of Quontic Bank, Astoria, N.Y. while Lea owns the accounting firm Business Solutions Now LLC and works as an accountant at Skyline Engineering. They share their expertise by providing financial guidance to different organizations.

They were both in the market for a serious relationship when they first met. Sparks flew and they got married in 2011. Don recalled, “We met on Match.com. We noticed that we both enjoyed ballroom dancing and things grew from there.”

Don first got involved in the Fil-Am community in 2007. “Lea ran for ‘Mrs. Philippines USA’ in 2004. She felt blessed to be able to

Don Frain is the President and COO of Quontic Bank, Astoria help and support other organizations for charitable causes,” Don shared, “When we met in 2007, I joined her in many charitable events.” Since then, they’ve been active members of the community.

They found that cultivating friendships with people within the community helps them deal with stress. “Our jobs are stressful.

But we find that being with friends helps remove the stress,” Lea said, “Dancing, of course, helps reduce the stress but more importantly the camaraderie of the people we often see.”

Lea is also a model for Filipiniana fashion. “I’m so proud that in my own little way I’m part of the Philippine cultural awareness,” she said. Lea has graced modeling events such as Renee Salud and Leonard Co’ s fashion shows.

Lea Frain is an accountant at Skyline Engineering

Even before meeting Lea, Don was no stranger to the values and culture of the Filipino people. “When I lived and worked in Asia 30 years ago, I’d often go the Philippines. I found the people friendly and gracious.” Today, his opinion has not changed. “I enjoy going to the Philippines to visit Lea’s family and attend the numerous f E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 11

Continued from page 11 events in the N.Y. area. Their dedication to helping those in need back home is inspirational,” he told Fil-Am Who’s Who. It was by accident that Don is now in the banking industry. “When I was looking for a job at the age of 19, a recruiter sent me to a finance company. I got the job and from there went into banking. I always liked working with numbers so it was a good fit,” he shared. As a bank executive, he’s responsible for overseeing quality banking services, hassle-free mortgage process, and good customer relations.

What sets Quontic Bank apart is its services that are geared towards immigrant communities. “We’re a real estate finance savings bank that lends primarily to immigrant communities. We also have far more flexibility with respect to the interest rates we will pay on any deposit account,” he said.

Don applauds the Filipinos desire to advance in digital mobile banking.

The United States has made many improvements in this area (mobile banking) but Filipinos appear more eager to learn more modern approaches.

Lea was a marketing manager of an export company in the Philippines before coming to the U.S. Lea came to the U.S. upon the invitation of a friend and that same friend convinced her to stay for good. She went to Plaza Business College to update herself with accounting technology. She then landed a job as a bookkeeper in a wellness center. Lea always finds herself working in several jobs in addition to her full-time job. In 2009, she decided to fully concentrate on her consulting business and continue to work for several different companies through 2016. She slowed down in 2017 to deal with her property investments in the Philippines. Currently, Lea continues to engage business clients through her company Business Solutions Now LLC, in addition to her job at Skyline Engineering LLC. Lea believes that her father passed the torch to her when it comes to humanitarian endeavors. She grew up watching her father who always lends a helping hand to the less fortunate. Her support in several fundraising events in the Tri-State proves she’s fully committed to promoting humanitarian welfare. She thinks her role is not only giving financial support but also setting an example to those who can afford to share what they have. Also, she considers that by helping people in need, it gives them hope and also inspires other people to help.

Lea Frain, crowned Mrs. GSFAA (Garden State FilipinoAmerican Association), is escorted by her husband Don Frain

As active members of the community, the couple supports organizations such as Filipino Social Club of New York Inc., Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal, Metropolitan Chapter, Elmhurst-North Corona Lions Club, Friends Indeed, and Elmhurst Queen of Hearts.

A foundation to support the Cancer Warriors Foundation located in Batangas, Philippines is in the works.

“When I first saw these children stricken with cancer, my heart broke.

I vowed to dedicate myself to helping them financially,” Lea said. In fact, the Frains were recently on a medical/humanitarian mission to the Philippines as part of their commitment to helping the community.

In 2017, they were Grand Marshals of the 27th Philippine-American Friendship Parade and Festival held in Jersey City, spearheaded by the Philippine-American Friendship Committee Inc. (PAFCOM), an organization that provides social services and does charitable work in the Jersey City area. Initially, Lea had her doubts that Don would participate as a Grand Marshal, but he surprised everyone by accepting the invitation. The support was overwhelming,” Lea said.

In 10 years, Don hopes to see the different organizations united and thriving.

When asked about their secret to maintaining a successful marriage despite their busy lives, Lea answered “It’s hard in today’s world but first and foremost to trust each other. Realize that you’ll often have different points of view but be willing to listen and compromise.”

Don added, “It’s difficult to balance. But helping others, good friends, and the occasional time alone helps.” To unwind, the couple goes ballroom dancing, overnight stays at the Jersey Shore, frequent visits to the Philippines, and long drives.

12 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO f E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8

Sir Don Frain, the Chapter Commander of the Metropolitan Chapter of the Knights of Rizal, poses with his wife Lady Lea Frain of the Ladies For Rizal

Milestones & Moments

Myrna Gutierrez

Home For Christmas Terrace On The Park, Flushing NY Erik Santos • Angeline Quinto • Morissette Amon Producers: Marissa Santos MD • Rom Aromin Jr MD Nel Castellvi • Myrna Gutierrez Photos by: Rolan Gutierrez

Angeline Quinto

Erik Santos

Morissette Amon

Post concert party bus fEBRUARY 2018

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 13

14 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

fEBRUARY 2018

WILLING TO HELP IN ANY WAY

Community Movers & Shakers

Elsa Mole-Lambert

By Maricar CP Hampton

Photos by Rolan Gutierrez

“You Don’t Have to be Someone Special to Help.” – Elsa Mole-Lambert

A

short conversation with Elsa Mole-Lambert will leave anyone excited and inspired to take part in her community and get involved in local projects. For her, being involved is an opportunity to help others.

“I’m willing to help in any way I could. You don’t have to be someone (special) to help,” she told Fil-Am Who’s Who. Elsa, an active member of the Filipino community in the Tri-State Area, has been investing both her time and resources to different organizations since 1997.

“If you attend an event at an organization, find out what it does and see if the people are doing a good job. If there are some needs within the organization, that’s when I come in and help.”

Elsa is known to give simply out of the goodness of her heart and without any expectations. She supports the Pilipino American Association of Connecticut (PAAC), Philippine American Friendship Committee (PAFCOM), and National Federation of Filipino American Association (NaFFAA).

She holds NaFFAA in high regard though, “It’s a very good organization,“ she said. “It was the very first organization I joined.

I was involved in the youth leadership training.”

Elsa, who lives a comfortable life in Connecticut, also shares her blessings to the less fortunate.

“For the past two years, I’ve been doing humanitarian works. I’ve been giving school supplies, reading glasses, toothpaste, and slippers. My husband and I do that on our own,” she said.

The response was overwhelming that she decided to put up her own foundation, The Calvar Foundation, which she eventually plans to register as a nonprofit organization.

The foundation’s first projects were an adoration chapel built in her hometown of Hinundayan Southern Leyte and a feeding program benefitting more than 200 people. She also plans to start a scholarship fund for deserving but financially challenged students.

She’s now set to go back to the Philippines to assist with the medical missions and feeding programs for children.

“Any small act will bring joy and fulfillment to someone’s life,” she said.

Her efforts are starting to pay off. She was recently recognized by Pan American Concerned Citizens’ Action League, Inc. (PACCAL) for Excellence in Community Service during the International Women’s History Month celebration.

Last year, Elsa won the 2017 Mrs. Philippines USA, a fundraising event sponsored by the Filipino Social Club of New York, where she received a roundtrip ticket to the Philippines, a portion of the event’s ticket sales, and the 25 percent of the event’s profit to be awarded to a charity of her own choice.

“It’s like a pageant but in terms of fundraising, the organizers raise money so they can do their charity and civic projects in the Philippines.”

Further, her genuine desire to help others extends to her profession as a caregiver, which has been good to her.

“One of the reasons I’m helping others is because some people also helped me when I first set foot in the United States. I was so blessed. I had employers who were so generous, so now I’m giving back.”

There’s no doubt Elsa is a busy woman but she loves spending time with her family: Fritzroy Lambert, her second husband, her children from her first marriage, Aileen and Melvin Mole, and her three grandchildren. f E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 15

R E S TA U R A N T

.

BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

.

.

PRIVATE & KARAOKE ROOMS

718.670.7400

.

COMPLIMENTARY 3-HOUR VALET PARKING

Restaurant on Lower Level | LL LEVEL

B A N Q U E T / C AT E R I N G Social & Networking Gatherings Corporate and Business Events Sweet 16th and Quinceañera Parties Birthday and Children’s Parties Holiday Celebrations Traditional or Multicultural Weddings

T. 7 1 8 . 4 6 0 . 6 6 6 6 | s a l e s @ s h e r a t o n l a g u a r d i a . c o m S h e ra t o n L a G u a rd i a E a s t H o t e l | 1 3 5 -2 0 3 9 t h Av e n u e , F l u s h i n g , N Y 1 1 3 5 4 | w w w. s h e ra t o n l a g u a rd i a e a s t .c o m

Community Calendar

Feb 24, 2018

Reginald F. Lewis Documentary on NJTV

(57-02 Hoffman Drive, Elmhurst, N.Y.) at 3 p.m. This dance event will raise funds for various charities in the Philippines.

To support, call 347-982-7046

A documentary on the late Reginald F. Lewis, a business pioneer, philanthropist, and titan, will air on NJTV at 7 p.m.

Lewis, one of the wealthiest men in America, was the first person admitted to the Harvard Law School without formally applying.

May 6, 2018

Mar 11, 2018

May 9-12, 2018 Explore Islands Philippines Expo

at Grand Central Terminal

Fe de los Reyes in LolaLand

Due to popular demand, the FilAm Comedy Queen Fe de los Reyes stars in “LolaLand,” an evening of music and laughter, together with Cecile Azarcon, Odette Quesada, and Jam Morales. The producers are Valles Vendiola LLP and Saleaflor Entertainment. The show starts at 7 p.m. at LeFrak Concert Hall, Queens College (153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing, N.Y.) For tickets, call Vanessa 917-902-7372, Jaena 516-643-4252.

Apr 7, 2018

Kapuso Stars in New Jersey

Sarah Geronimo in Concert

Mountaintop Productions presents Sarah Geronimo in concert at the Colden Auditorium, Queens College (Reeves Ave, Flushing, N.Y.) Show starts at 7 p.m. For tickets ($60-$150), call Melissa 917-613-4139.

“Explore Islands Philippines” is a one of a kind 4-day expo spotlighting the best of the Philippines at the largest train station in the world: the iconic Grand Central Terminal (89 E 42nd St.) This expo brings together the movers and shakers in tourism and investment to create synergy and launch Philippine projects through an international platform that only NYC can provide. For updates, visit ExploreIslandsPhilippines.com.

GMA Pinoy TV presents “Sikat Ka, Kapuso!” at the Newark Symphony Hall (1020 Broad St, Newark, N.J.) This live event, whose pre-show starts at 6 p.m., features popular Kapuso stars Dennis Trillo, Jennylyn Mercado, Lovi Poe, Alden Richards, Betong, and Dingdong Dantes. For tickets ($50-$125), call the Newark Symphony Hall Box Office 973-643-8014.

Jul 25-29, 2018 Philippine Nurses Association of

America National Convention

Apr 14, 2018 Leyte Dance Theater Salida: Simbolo at Kultura

Ongoing

The Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America Inc. (AFTA), together with The Rock Churches Worldwide and Leyte Biliran Samar Federation, presents “Leyte Dance Theater Salida: Simbolo at Kultura” at The Rock Church Queens

Lea Salonga is Back on Broadway!

Tony winner Lea Salonga plays Ezrulie, the Goddess of Love, in the reimagined production of the hit Broadway musical “Once On This Island” at the Circle in the Square (1633 Broadway and 50th St., New York, N.Y.) To get tickets, visit OnceOnThisIsland.com.

Meet & Click. I met my beautiful model Esnaira while shopping one humid evening in Davao City. She’s one of the prettiest faces I have seen in my trip there and she was friendly enough to pose for me with a charming smile.

Since then, my concept of our southern Muslim sisters has changed.

Lesson learned – travel is really educational and enlightening.

Shot in available light using a Canon 5D iii 24105mm.

Keep on shooting!

fEBRUARY 2018

The 39th Annual Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) National Convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City on the Hudson. For more information, visit PNA of N.J. website at PNANJ.org.

SHOOTER’S TIP

18 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

ABOUT US Who we are

We’re a Member FDIC bank, headquartered in New York City & located in a growing number of states. We offer home mortgages nationwide!

What we believe We’re all about customer service. We’re here to help the community. We strive to make banking easy & the home mortgage process hassle-free.

What we do We’re a bank! So we offer everything from checking & savings accounts to small business loans & home mortgages, as well as online & mobile banking!

ACCREDITED BUSINESS ®

Quontic Bank™ • NMLS ID: 403503 • 31-05 Broadway, Astoria, NY, 11106 • 1-800-908-6600 • QuonticBank.com

Equal Housing Lender. Disclosure: Information is accurate as of January 8, 2018 & is subject to change without notice.

Quontic Bank name & logo are registered trademarks. ®2018 Quontic Bank, All rights reserved.