Fil-Am Who's Who, July 2014

fil-am who’S WHo JULY 2014

Drs. Emilio & Fely Quines Beloved Grand Marshals PAGASA Social Foundation Making the difference

In This Issue. . .

Ollie’s Grapevine

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Oliver Oliveros

4 5

Milestones & Moments Devotion Set In Stone June Rewind

A Word from The Editor

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8 12

Hit the Road and Go With American country singer Johnny Cash's “Hit the Road and Go” playing on my phone, I recently escaped the bustling sounds of New York City—on board a Greyhound bus—to explore the sprawling roadways, hills, and valleys of Southwest Virginia.

That is usually how I spend summer vacations: hit the road—with my 70-liter trekking backpack; my mind set on a shoestring budget—and go to places I have never been to. Proud to say that made my first time visit to the busy streets of Jakarta, Indonesia in 2008; pristine, pure white sand beaches in Krabi, South Thailand in 2010; and for that matter, the starstudded Broadway theatres in New York City, United States of America in 2009, in cliché, unforgettable.

Cover Story: Drs. Quineses The World Is My Oyster

Organizations We Love: PAGASA Community Calendar

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My first trip to Southwest, Virginia was no different in any other way. In fact, spending nearly 19 hours in transit on a Wi-Fi friendly, Dallas-bound Greyhound bus was somehow a thrilling experience. I got to meet a bunch of interesting people: first, the lady bus driver who intimidatingly announced into a microphone her ground rules—for instance, keep your headphone volume low (she actually stopped the bus in the middle of the New Jersey Turnpike because one passenger did not adhere to the rule); and do not chat with your seatmate during the night, among others—before leaving the Port Authority in New York; second, the traveling chemistry professor from Tennessee who frequently visits the Philippines, particularly Cebu and Davao, to spend his holidays with family and friends; and the list goes on.

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I got off the bus in the more urbanized area of Kingsport, Tennessee, where my hosts, Dr. and Mrs. Francis and Nilda Jaynal, fetched me and gave me a little tour of Big Stone Gap, Wise County and Norton City, Southwest Virginia—the couple's second home away from New York for more than 20 years.

The Powell Valley Overlook near the city of Norton in Southwest Virginia

Photo by Oliver Oliveros

Two of the most scenic spots that were a feast for the eyes were the Powell Valley Overlook, near Norton City, where a number of residential houses, vast farmlands, and a slew of churches of different religions are located in the valley below the overlook; and the Lonesome Pine Country Club, an 18-hole golf course surrounded by the wide-ranging views of the Appalachian Mountains.

Interestingly, Norton City is a city populated by nearly 5,000 people only.

But it has everything a city has to offer: chained-brand hotels, popular U.S. banks, a row of restaurants, and convenience stores. However, the nearby Wise County seems more progressive with its cineplexes and chainedbrand wholesale stores.

For the faithful, the devotion to the First Filipino Saint San Lorenzo Ruiz is alive and well at Saint Anthony's Catholic Church (1009 Virginia Ave.) in Norton City. The church is set to celebrate the feast day of the saint on Sunday, September 14, at 2 p.m. I must say that is all the more reason to pay a visit to both Wise County and Norton City, Southwest Virginia, which are also accessible by plane; nearest airport is the Tri-Cities Regional Airport in Blountville, Tennessee.

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fil-am who’s who 2 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

JUly 2014

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Oliver Oliveros • Managing Editor Myrna Gutierrez • Layout Artist & Photo Editor Rolan Gutierrez • Marketing/Sales Director & Columnist Ollie David • Marketing/ Sales Executive & Columnist Prospero A. Lim, MD • Contributing Writer Maricar CP Hampton • Publisher Fil-Am Who’s Who, Inc. Copyright © 2014 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. Please email submissions to filamwhoswho@gmail.com. For advertising inquiries, please email adsfilamwhoswho@gmail.com or call (732) 499-7995, (917) 502-9887, or (917) 502-9891.

Ollie’s Grapevine

Ollie David

O

nce again, we begin to encounter the hottest months of the year. Please remember to be safe while under the sun or near the water when taking vacations or long weekends at the beach or pool or when camping or enjoying many outdoors activities. Apply sunscreen every time you are out and make sure you drink plenty of water and sports drink to keep yourself hydrated.

Funny Business Signs On a plumber’s truck: We repair what your husband fixed.

Kids and Summer Safety Tips Bike Rides, Beach Trips, and Ball Games: Summertime is a great time to let the kids be kids. Unfortunately, the warmer weather, increased outdoor activities, and longer days often cause more likely visits to the emergency room.

Head Related Illnesses: High heat and humidity related illnesses are common summer emergencies. When the temperature rises, so does the risk of cramps, heat stroke, and exhaustion. Keep your kids wellhydrated with water and fruits. Also, lather on sunscreen and avoid direct exposure to the sun between10am and 2pm.

On the trucks of a local plumbing company: Don't sleep with a drip. Call your Plumber.

Pizza shop slogan: 7 days without pizza makes one weak.

Another pizza shop slogan: Buy our pizza. We knead the dough.

On an electrician’s truck: Let us remove your shorts.

Head Injuries: Nearly 400,000 children are treated for bikerelated head injuries in emergency rooms across the country every year. One of the best ways to stay safe is to wear a helmet when playing sports, biking, skating, and riding scooters. Slippery pool sides and unsafe playground surfaces are common sites for serious spills.

At an optometrist’s office: If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.

Drowning: It is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five. Drowning often happens in pools and beaches, but it can also happen in just inches of water. Parents should practice touch supervision: stay close enough to reach out and touch the child at any time; and make sure your child is wearing a flotation device.

A Good Laugh

Accidents Happen to Adults, too From firework burns to barbecue blunders, adults could also find themselves in the emergency room. A common safety hazard is using flammable liquids to light charcoal grills.

Remember, you should never bring charcoal grills indoors; charcoal produces deadly carbon monoxide.

Also, when cooking with an outdoor gas grill, check the air tubes that lead into the burner for any blockage.

On a taxidermist’s window: We really know our stuff.

Mr. Hamilton is on his deathbed and knows the end is near.

His nurse; his wife, Bernice; his daughter, Caroline; and two sons, Tom and Matt; are with him. He says to them: “Tom, I want you to take the Shaughnessy houses. Caroline, take the condos in Pearl Harbour and Beaver Creek. Matt, I want you to take over the offices in the City Centre. Bernice, my dear wife, please take all the residential buildings in Point Pleasant.”

The nurse is just blown away by all these, and as Mr. Hamilton slips away, the nurse says “Mrs. Hamilton, your husband must have been such a hardworking man to have accumulated all these properties!” Bernice replies, “Properties? The jerk was only delivering newspapers at these properties!”

JUly 2014

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 3

Milestones & Moments

By

Prospero A. Lim, MD

Photos by

Rolan Gutierrez

7 7 7 Cora’s

Mrs. Corazon “Cora” Reyes recently celebrated her

70th birthday with a ‘70s-themed party at Ramada Plaza Hotel, Newark Airport. She was surrounded by her family and close friends from various states. Some relatives from the Philippines also came to celebrate with her.

The celebration opened with a dance presentation by her lady friends in ‘70s costumes, complete with wigs in different shades, which added to the fun of trying to guess who were behind those colors.

Non-stop dancing followed the sumptuous buffet the hotel is known for.

Allan Pacia, a Filipino band vocalist, performed a few old time favorite songs; Craig and Samantha Abaya-Campos, a dancing sibling duo, performed two perfectly executed dance numbers; and of course, the ever popular Jennifer Cuneta sang an a cappella number.

We later learned it was a “7-7-7” affair: Cora’s 70th birthday and husband Kit’s 77th. Their four children were present: Carlo and his wife, Kate, Catherine, Michael, and Robin. Their daughter Pier was unable to make it; she was preparing for her board examination in California.

Nonetheless, everyone had a great time!

From all of us at Fil-Am Who’s Who ––

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORA!

!

Par ty

! y t Par

From New York to Southwest Virginia

Propagating San Lorenzo Ruiz Devotion

T

wo years ago, Filipino-American parishioners at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Chuch in Norton, Southwest Virginia knew little about the life and times of the first Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz.

Thanks to the infectious devotion of seasoned community leader Nilda Jaynal to the saint and to parish priest Father Tim Drake, both Filipino and non-Filipino churchgoers are now more familiar with the saint’s road to martyrdom and unflagging faith, most especially when a four-foot-tall wooden statue of the martyred saint, carved in Pampanga, Philippines, was enthroned at the main altar last June 29.

Mrs. Jaynal and her husband, Dr. Francis Jaynal, also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on the same day the statue was enshrined, which made it a doubly momentous day. Longtime friends Drs. Cesar and Vivina Malantic, and Emmanuel Melliza and Dr. Bulaklak Melliza even travelled more than 600 miles from New York to Southwest Virginia to witness the occasion, which made it even more heartfelt for the Jaynals and San Lorenzo Ruiz’s newfound devotees.

Introduced to the saint by her only son, Jason Francis, Mrs. Jaynal has been a staunch advocate of the Philippines’s protomartyr since her involvement with the Philippine Pastoral Center, launched in 1998, and was formerly located in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Together with Father Erno Diaz, former director of the Archdiocese of New York’s Filipino Apostolate, she was also instrumental in putting up the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz,

the first Filipino Catholic chapel designated for Filipinos in the United States, found in Lower Manhattan, launched in 2005.

In the September 2013 issue of Fil-Am Who’s Who, the magazine asked Mrs. Jaynal why she chose to be devoted to San Lorenzo Ruiz, she said, “If you want something, you will go to somebody you know. Kapwa Pilipino kase sya.”

For 26 years, every September, Mrs. Jaynal has been involved in the preparations for the feast day of the saint in Manhattan.

It will be her second time to celebrate the same occasion in Norton, Southwest Virginia this year (September 6: novenas, reflections, and fellowship; and September 14: Feast Day Mass, kamayan salu-salo) The San Lorenzo Ruiz Feast Day committee at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church include Drs. Kenneth and Jane Slater, Dr. and Mrs. Nicanor and Fatima Concepcion, Dr. and Mrs. Ram and Sunny Singh, Mr. and Dr. Cornelius and Ahgnes Sabugo, Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Rolla Toscano, Mr. and Mrs. Armelito and Lucy America, Mr. and Mrs. Mike and Zeny Gervacio, Mr. and Mrs. Othelo and Gwyn Gervacio, Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Nel Young, Dr. Virgie Baluyot, Karlo and Beth Palabrica, Ronnie and Rhona Yu, Drs. Pablo and Amor Borongan, Walter, Gemma, and Cora Aguirre, Nancy Yu, Ester and Jimmy Mullins, and Dr. Roy Miranda and Elsa Miranda.

To donate funds that will help promote the devotion to San Lorenzo Ruiz in Southwest Virginia, email nildajaynal@aolcom.

Photos by: Terry Photography Gallery

Father Tim Drake presents to Dr. and Mrs. Jaynal their blessing of marriage from Pope Francis.

Dr. and Mrs. Jaynal’s family: (Front) Stevie, Lyla, and Francine; (Back) Dr. Francis Jaynal, Nilda Jaynal, and Stephen Notchick

The couple's friends from Southwest Virginia, New Jersey, and New York JUly 2014

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 5

June Rewind

Rolan Gutierrez PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE Madison Ave, New York June 1, 2014

Ambassador Libran Cabactulan and Mrs. Fely Cabactulan (center) host the Independence Day Celebration for the Philippine Mission

Consul General Mario De Leon Jr. (3rd from left) hosts the Independence Day Celebration for the Philippine Consulate

Philippine Consulate Independence Day Celebration

Philippine Consulate Independence Day Celebration

L-R: Ambassador Libran & Mrs. Fe Cabactulan Mrs. Eleanor & Consul General Mario De Leon Jr.

Miss Philippines Quest USA 2014 candidates (L-R): Alexa Kirby, Norella Nacis, Isabella Estella, Misook Mendonca, Jenica Balmes Melissa Ocampo, Erin Manasala, ShinaLingat, Dominique Ivory, Danielle Savitsky

The Doctors Are In Out Photos by

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July 2014

Rolan Gutierrez

Beloved Grand Marshals

By Oliver Oliveros

As opposed to their official job title Grand Marshals at the 2014 Philippine Independence Day parade on Madison Avenue, there is not one ounce of grandiosity that is associated with accomplished physicians and committed medical mission volunteers Drs. Emilio and Fely Quines. In fact, they would rather take a back seat—blend in with the crowd—at various pompous black tie events held by the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI). Their mere presence is never pretentious, and brings smiles to the faces of everyone.

In essence, the couple are beloved by many because they have remained humble amid their professional accomplishments.

Born in Baguio City, but raised in the small town of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur in the Philippines, Emilio finished his Doctorate of Medicine at the University of East Ramon Magsaysay (UERM) in 1966. He migrated to the United States in 1967, where he completed his U.S. trainings in rotating internship, medical residency, and fellowship at various medical institutions. He has worked for the Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Community Health Center. He has also served as attending physician and associate clinical professor at NYCOM. He is now retired.

Fely, on the other hand, was born in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, also in the Philippines. She finished her Doctorate of Medicine also at the University of East Ramon Magsaysay (UERM) in 1968. She migrated to the U.S. in 1968, where she completed her U.S. training in medicine at NJ College of Medicine, and additional residency and fellowship for adult and geriatric psychiatry at Downstate SUNY Brooklyn and Kings County Hospital. She is currently an attending physician at the Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry SUNY Downstate-Kings Hospital NY VA. Both former presidents of the philanthropic Philippine Medical Association of America (PMAA), Emilio and Fely have been married for more than 40 years.

For the couple, it is their desire to treat not only the physical body but also the entire person that inspired them to get into the medical field. Fascinatingly, that exact same principle holds true when they embark on recurring medical mission trips to far flung provinces in the Philippines, especially during the aftermath of a deadly typhoon. In these medical mission trips, they are tending the sick, at the same time uplifting their indigent patients’ spirits.

“The Filipino people have faced many natural disasters and calamities, but we always bounce back because we have this ‘spirit’ that wants to help one another in times of need. That ‘spirit’ is what we call bayanihan. Together, we can do anything,” said Emilio in one of his speeches at PIDCI. He added, “Starting from the eruption of Mount Pinatubo [which spans the provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga in the Philippines] in the early ‘90s, we always look for ways to share our bounties here and abroad to our needy kababayans.

Yearly, we also try to bring with us highly-trained specialists during our medical missions and let them see and feel how to practice medicine in the real world.

“We’re happy to share whatever we can, no matter how little or how much, as long as we can.”

Blessed with three children Emilio III, Alan, and Lisa, and three grandchildren, the couple now enjoy quiet times together catching the sunrise by the bay or the ocean at their bayfront home in Islip, New York.

For the beloved couple, happiness comes from simple joys and pleasures in life — and , yes, that is nowhere near being grand.

Top left: The Grand Marshals lead at the ribbon cutting for the June 1st Independence Day Parade.

Bottom left: The Quines Clan –– Allen, Dr. Fely, Lorraine, Brandon, Lisa, Ryan, Tim, James, Emilio Jr., Christine, Dr. Emilio Quines.

Right: Grand Marshals with Senator Chuck Schumer, Judge Lorna Schofield, and Consul General Mario De Leon. The Doctors with Cardinal Tagle. The Grand Marshals with (L-R): Atty.

Reuben Seguritan, Mr. and Mrs. Pelayo, Atty. Aris and Dr Alice Francisco, Ambassador Marion and Mrs. Eleanor De Leon. The Quines couple with Miss World Megan Young.

July 2014

FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 9

EMILIO P. QUINES, JR., M.D.

FELICISIMA M. DAVID-QUINES, M.D

EXPERIENCE & POSITIONS/TITLES HELD

EXPERIENCE & POSITIONS/TITLES HELD

Diplomate American Academy of Family, Associate Clinical Professor at NY College of Osteopathic Medicine, Medical Director, MLK, Jr.

Diplomate, ABFP

GI Fellowship, UMDNJ Veterans Administration

HIV Specialist – SCDHS

President, PMAA – NY, NJ, Maryland, DE, 2000-2001

President, UERMMMC-Northeast Chapter 1998-2000

Founder – UERM Medical Foundation, Inc.

COMMUNITY AWARDS/HONORS/CERTIFICATES/ MEMBERSHIPS

Medical Mission Awards on medical missions to the different underserved areas in the Philippines from different organizations (PMAA, APPNY, UERM/Ilocano Medical Surgical group)

2010

Recognition Award MLK Jr., Community Health Center

Honored as one of the top health leaders in science of medicine, helping patients, and improving public health.

Given the Community Involvement and Volunteer Community Service Award - Suffolk County Executive, NY State Assembly, Town of Babylon 2008

2007 AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards candidate Awardee

Physician of the Year Award PMAA 2006, APMAA Leadership and Service Award 2001

Millennial Philanthropy Award, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Foundation 2000

Service Award UERMMMC 1991

Boy Scouts of America 1984

American College of Physician Executives, NY Academy of Sciences

Attending MD, Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry SUNY Downstate-Kings County Hospital, NY VA

Director of Medicine, Chief Medical Officer, NYS OMH

COMMUNITY AWARDS/HONORS/CERTIFICATES

Outstanding Centennial Medical Awardee NEHS 2009

Ruby Alumni Outstanding Jubilarian NEHS 2006

UERMMMC NEC President 2006

Heritage Foundation Outstanding Fii-Am Humanitarian Services Awardee 2006

UERMMMC Foundation Award 1991

Physician of the Year Award

President, PMMA 2005-2006

President, UERMMMC 2006-2007

JOINT-SPOUSE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Support ongoing medical student scholarship program of the UERM Memorial Medical Center.

Aid in the construction of two medical/dental school clinics and the Learning Center for the disabled in the Philippines

Provide emergency vehicle transport to geographically handicapped recipients (Banaue-lfugaos Aetas)

Provide capital to EQFQ Credit Corporation to extend assistance to indigents who are starting small businesses

Continue to support different foundations –– Salvation Army, Paralyzed Veterans, Wounded Warrior Project, Doctors Without Borders, St Joseph’s Indian School, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Foundation

The Quines couple at their 2014 PIDCI Grand Marshal Ball with past grand marshals and presidents, and current president and board of directors.

10 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

July 2014

L-R: Ely Parico, Michael Esguerra, Ed & Corky Ledesma, Dr. Prospero Lim Drs. Eva & Fred Roque, Nelia Ferrette

White Party Whiter Than Ever

Josie and Albert Diala

Raul Estrellado , Margie Wisotsky Consul General Mario De Leon Jr. holds check donation from PIDCI for the Build-A-Shelter project.

L-R: Linda Estrellado, Violet McGough, Ner Martinez, Dr. Emilio Quines, Annie Ortiz, Marites Calvar Ollie David, Elsa Lambert

Dr. Emilio Quines, Ner Martinez, Joji Jalandoni, Gheng Pinggol Annie Ortiz, Nonoy Rafael, Dr. Fely Quines, Myrna Gutierrez Guia San Jose, Jojie Rafael

The World is My Oyster

Dr. Prospero A. Lim

T

he University of SantoTomas Medical Alumni Association of America (USTMAAA), an organization composed of physicians in America, who graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, celebrated its 22nd grand reunion and medical convention at the Grande Lakes Ritz Carlton/J.W. Marriott Resort, Orlando, Florida last July 2 to July 6.

Class of 1964, golden jubilarians, were the stars of the reunion; followed by Class of 1969, sapphire jubilarians; Class of 1974, coral jubilarians; Class of 1979, ruby jubilarians; Class of 1984, pearl jubilarians; and Class of 1989, silver jubilarians. Each class presented a short number to celebrate their achievements.

USTMAAA’s new set of officers for 2014 – 2015 includes the following from the New York/New Jersey area: Dr. Cecile Vallejo, Dr. Mary Lou Buendia, yours truly, Dr. Aurora Gonzales, Dr. Zeny Young and Dr. Concepcion Jaleco.

They were inducted by Vice Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. Other special guests who attended the event were Fr. Regent Raymund Jose, O.P., Dean of Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dr. Jesus Valencia, USTMAA Philippines President Dr. Marcelino Banzon, and Gawad Kalinga Founder Tony Meloto.

USTMAAA is under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Primo Andres and USTMAAA Foundation Executive Director Dr. Stella Evangelista.

LICENSED AND ACCREDITED BY THE PHILIPPINE SHIPPERS BUREAU YORK PA & Neighboring Twn James Laygo - 717.654.3254

NEW YORK OFFICE: 39-12 A 63rd Street, Woodside NY BERGENFIELD NJ OFFICE: 76 S. Washington Ave. Bergenfield NJ JERSEY CITY NJ OFFICE : 449 Hoboken Ave. Jersey City NJ 07306

TOMS RIVER NJ RJ SARILING ATIN 4561 Lakewood Rd. Toms River NJ 08755 NILO– 732.642.0513

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONNECTICUT, UPSTE NY SURE PINOY STORE 145 Water St. Quincy MA JUN - 617.328.8880 339.793.0668

DELAWARE BALAN STORE 867 S. Dupont Hway New Castle DE 19720 FORT WASHINGTON MD BALAN– 302.757.1431 737 Cady drive, Fort Washington MD 20744 MARYLAND NOTTINGHAM NOLI– 301.248.8807 MANILA SEAFOOD & MARKET (MD,DC,VA,GA, FL) 8836 Belair Rd. Nottingham MD 21236 LONG ISLAND DON - 410.529.0663 FIESTA FOOD MARKET 14 W. Merrick Rd. (Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Valley Stream NY 11580 Hartford County & all over MD) Buboy - 516.872.4677 Pete 443.527.2274 HERSHEY,Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg PA Mimi-717.813.0538

Northern VA, DC, Montgomery Prince George County of MD ROCKY - 571.419.8489

Organizations We Love

AT “HOME” WITH FIL-AM SENIORS

By Maricar CP Hampton Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

S

eeing first-hand the difficulties of isolation and loneliness, faced by her then aging mother-in-law, has fuelled Sheila Logrono to make a difference in the lives of the FilipinoAmerican senior population in the New York Tri-State area.

She recalls her mother-in-law as a very active person, “She was very sociable; she loved dancing and singing; but there was not a single Filipino senior day care in place.”

She continued, “Filipinos rank second largest among the Asian groups, but why is there nothing [a single senior center] we can call our own.

“The Koreans have their own, the Chinese, the Hispanics, the Bengalis, the Indians,why not Filipinos.”

The experience also got Sheila thinking of her own life –– how she can ensure a lifestyle of contentment and happiness in her old age.

That ardent thought soon gave birth to PAGASA Social Foundation Inc., (Pagasasfi), a non-profit organization that aims to reach out to the growing number of isolated elderly Filipino-Americans who are seeking help to fill their needs and for recognition in their local communities. It was

founded by Sheila’s husband, Hector, in 2011. “He had his high school buddies help him out in the beginning. Hector –– “speedy Gonzales” as he was –– obtained 501(c)3 status for Pagasasfi within the same year,” Sheila said.

Initially, the dream was to put up a home for aging Filipinos, but that proved to be a bit challenging; so we decided to put up a place to meet the social needs of seniors instead. “We envisioned a home for aging Filipinos, where all stages of aging are met in one place –– inviting dialysis and rehab centers to do business next door. That was the vision; but for starters, all we could afford and put up with little requirements was a social model, which is a senior center, where all you need is a place, a founder, and volunteers,” Sheila shared.

Sheila said they are left with only a few options: “Go back to the Philippines and retire without Medicare health benefits; stay home and be a burden to our children; or end up in a nursing home.

“Without preparation and planning for our old age, my children will have a bigger problem: as they are the ‘sandwich generation’, my children and their children will be taking care of me; they’ll end up having no life.” she explained.

She then offers another option: join PAGASA, where the ultimate goal is to build a home for seniors; grow old together; and have programs sensitive to our cherished culture.

While PAGASA is now a thriving organization offering different activities such as health fairs, cultural activities, workshops, field trips, and bingo and mahjong games to seniors free of charge, the foundation has had its fair share of challenges. “As in most cases, there’s no money; we had to dole out from our own

pockets. Contributions from friends and dedicated volunteers were hard to come by until 2013 when Consuelo “Connie” Almonte joined PAGASA –– to which my husband expressed to me: ‘Hay salamat naman at dumating si Connie na katulad ko.’

Connie now heads the organization as its executive vice president, a leadership position she inherited when Hector died last September.

Since she took over, Connie officially launched Pagasasfi at the Philippine Center on October 11, 2013.

“With the senior center in place, we will be happy left alone watching reruns of ‘John & Marsha’; singing along with Sylvia La Torre or Nat King Cole, or the Beatles; and in my case, eating sinigang and adobo from time to time.”

Through her work at PAGASA, Sheila hopes to reach out to the youth and different government and civic organizations to bring awareness about the needs of active Filipino seniors in the community.

A native of Sorsogon, Sheila and husband, Hector, first came to the United States from Nigeria after being granted political asylum in New York.

A proud mother to two girls Sarah and Adriana –– who married their high school sweethearts –– and a loving grandmother to Ava Calixta, Maya Mikayla, Chloe Alyson, and Brandon Thomas, Sheila said more than anything “I love being with my grandchildren.”

In her spare time, Sheila enjoys gardening. In fact, she has a website: sglogrono.imgur.com that showcases the preservation of beautiful flowers and leaves.

J U l y 2 0 1 4 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO 13

All Ateneo Convention 2014 August 21-24 in New York City Thursday, August 21, 6pm

Registration and Cocktails at the Philippine Center, 556 5th Avenue between 45th & 46th Streets, NYC 10036

Friday, August 22 , 9am – 5pm

Plenary Session at John Jay College, 524 West 59th St., NYC 10019

Saturday, August 23

Day Tour, Gala Event at 5pm at John Jay College

Sunday, August 24 at 1pm

Concelebrated Mass at St. Malachy’s Church, 239 West 49th Street, NYC 10019

WHO: Open to all Ateneo Alumni & Friends REGISTER NOW: http://aaana-atenista.org/page-1844761 PRICE: For all 3 events: $200 by July 15 / $250 after July 15

$150 Gala only

EMAIL: ateneo2014convention@gmail.com

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD

Happy Shooting Star Star

Rolan Gutierrez

SHOOTER’S TIP WATER VIEWS. I had my beautiful model Sarah McGough sit by the edge of the pier. I used a fill-in flash to brighten up Sarah, while the wind blowing her hair added glamour. I took this shot late in afternoon to get the right angle of the sun’s reflection for an awesome bokeh.

Happy shooting!

14 FIL-AM WHO’S WHO

JUly 2014

Community Calendar

guest

rooms

173 guest rooms including 8 suites

Aug 1 KWENTUHAN AT KARAOKE

The Fil-Am Press Club of New York, together with Anakbayan and National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, hosts KWENTUHAN AT KARAOKE, an open forum about recent developments within various Filipino-American communities in the New York Tri-State area, at Saint Francis Migrant Center (135 W 31 St, New York) from 6pm - 8pm. For updates, visit facebook.com/filampressclubny.

sheraton

f it meetings Sheraton has teamed with Core Performance to create menus of well-balanced and flavorful meals to help you perform at your peak.

Aug 2 BAYANIHAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Swimming Party Bayanihan Association of America Inc. invites everyone to its swimming party at Ocean Beach Park (98 Neptune Ave, New London, Connecticut from 10am - 5pm. For more information, leave message at facebook.com/olive.melaya.

Aug 15 2014 PEOPLE’S BALL Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos is guest of honor at the 2014 PEOPLE’S BALL, presented by Fiesta In America, at Double Tree by Hilton Hotel (128 Frontage Rd. Newark, N.J.) starting at 6pm For tickets, call 212-682-6610 or email sepmgzn@yahoo.com.

sheraton

social hour

Aug 16 FIESTA IN AMERICA Trade Exhibition Day One FIESTA IN AMERICA, the annual festival of Filipino, Asian, and Latino cultures, at Meadowlands Expo Center (355 Plaza Dr. Secaucus, NJ), presents numerous trade exhibitions, business to business networking, international and local entertainers -- including Filipino entertainers Martin Nievera and Jericho Rosales -- and cultural and food festival starting at 12 noon.

Partnered with Wine Spectator and San Pellegrino / Aqua Panna to provide a top notch experience.

Aug 17 FIESTA IN AMERICA Trade Exhibition Day Two

sustainable

FIESTA IN AMERICA, the annual festival of Filipino, Asian, and Latino cultures, at Meadowlands Expo Center (355 Plaza Dr, Secaucus, NJ), presents numerous trade exhibitions, business to business networking, international and local entertainers-including Filipino entertainers Martin Nievera and Jericho Rosales -- and cultural and food festival starting at 10am.

Aug 21-24

food & beverage We aim to promote sourcing locally and sustainably and minimize over-harvested or endangered animals or plants while also promoting local communities and ecosystems

2014 ALL-ATENEO CONVENTION

Ateneo de Manila University alumni and friends are encouraged to participate in the 2014 ALL-ATENEO CONVENTION that will kick off on August 21 at the Philippine Center (556 Fifth Ave, New York) at 6pm. For convention schedule and tickets, email ateneo2014convention@gmail.com.

Sept 28 FEAST DAY OF SAN LORENZO RUIZ His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan is principal homilist and celebrant for the Feast Day Mass in honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint and protomarytyr, at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral (Fifth Ave, New York) at 2pm. Reception will follow at the New York Palace Hotel (455 Madison Ave, New York). For more information and tickets, email vicky.baxa@gmail.com.

Oct 25 2014 THE OUTSTANDING FILIPINO

AMERICANS IN NEW YORK AWARDS TOFA-NY Awards at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall (881 Seventh Ave., NY. AARP and The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York (TOFA-NY) Awards’ Board of Directors Elton Lugay, Sally Nunez, Cristina DC Pastor, and Oliver Oliveros invite the public to attend this year’s awarding ceremony at 8pm. For tickets ($70-120), visit carnegiehall.org.

outdoor terrace

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony or Cocktail Reception. And over 14,000 square feet indoor space

Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel 135-20 39th Avenue, Flushing, New York 11354 T: 718.670.7404 | sales@sheratonlaguardia.com w w w. s h e r a t o n l a g u a r d i a e a s t . c o m

Three spectacular days for pleasure and profit!

2014

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Aug 16-17 Sat.-12Noon

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Sun.-10am

MEADOWLANDS EXPO CENTER SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY

Trade Exhibitors Business to Business Networking International & Local Entertainers Cultural & Food Festival Featuring Martin Nievera and Jericho Rosales in concert on Aug.16-Aug.17

2014

Aug 15 Friday. - 6pm

DOUBLETREE HOTEL, NEWARK AIRPORT, NEW JERSEY

Be part of this special glittering gala dinner-dance Reserve your seats now! Call (212) 682-6610; Email: sepmgzn @yahoo.com for tickets.

Also featuring comedienne Fe de los Reyes

Gen. Admission Tickets: Aug. 16 & 17 $25 at the door: $22 before the event; $30 after 5pm VIP seating: $65 Children 6 years & younger: Free.

To Sponsor, Exhibit or Attend and Tickets, Call (212) 682-6610 email: sepmgzn@yahoo.com www.philippinefiesta.com Sponsored by:

The Filipino Catholic Healthy & Glowing Skin Salon & Spa