PAN AMERICAN CONCERNED CITIZENS ACTION LEAGUE
2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA – OCTOBER 2021
Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL) is a 501(c3) non-profit organization and holds the distinction of being the only Asian provider Agency recognized by the Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office on Aging.
Because of its proximity to New York City, Jersey City became an immediate refuge of Filipino new immigrants during its influx in the 1970s. In fact, in the early 90s, Jersey City had the largest concentration of Filipinos in the State of New Jersey.
Filipino professionals in various fields of education, medical, engineering, business, and other professionals started calling Jersey City home thereby contributing to its economic renaissance.
Filipinos started organizing the community but while there were numerous Filipino organizations in Hudson County most of them were focused on helping the Philippines.
Linda Mayo, the first Asian elected official in Hudson County and former Jersey City Deputy Mayor recognized the need for a culturally competent non-profit organization. Linda Mayo pioneered the founding of PACCAL with the help of a group of World War II veterans headed by the late Sir Col Mariano S. Aureus. Linda held the role as PACCAL’s President for twelve years and since then became the Executive Director implementing programs and services. Linda is also the founder and former President of the Ladies for Rizal, Inc., New Jersey Chapter, USA an official affiliate of the “Kababaihang Rizalista, Inc.,” an international organization with headquarters based in the Philippines.
The first issue tackled by PACCAL is housing for Filipino seniors. They helped seniors in the process of applying in different Jersey City Senior Housing buildings. The first successful applicants PACCAL helped in Harborview Senior housing were WWII veterans and through them other Filipinos followed suit. PACCAL was the first support group of PAVO, Inc. in its fight for equity. The next project was The Voters’ Registration and Citizenship Drives to empower the Filipino community. PACCAL, with Linda’s efforts, also partnered with Sir Dennis Hayes, the Director of the Jersey City Public Library from 1994 - 1996 to build a collection of 500 Philippine books in the Jersey City Public Libraries. The collection ranged from current form of government and economy to history, culture, arts, and heritage.
The PACCAL Neighborhood Center has been a haven for Filipinos in Jersey City needing information and referrals to City & County government services as well as other provider service agencies. Some of the services are information and referrals on senior entitlements; referrals to affordable medical check-ups and health services; social and recreational activities for seniors; youth classes on Philippine history, values & culture, and folk arts programs; substance abuse education & prevention; domestic violence prevention; educational forums and workshops or youth and family. PACCAL has also helped many Filipino women who are victims of domestic violence.
PACCAL is a member of the Hudson County HIV/AIDS Planning Council with voting members since 2001 and has an HIV/AIDS outreach and support group. PACCAL is the current recipient of grants from the Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Aging. PACCAL is a community partner of Asian American Federation for the US CENSUS 2010 and 2020; NYU-Project AsPIRE and Kalusugan Coalition in the study of hypertension in the Filipino Community in Jersey City in early 2010s, andin the NYU’s grant study forOralHealth Care and Frailty in 2021
PAN AMERICAN CONCERNED CITIZENS ACTION LEAGUE
2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA – OCTOBER 2021
Promote the development of New Jersey residents and communities, primarily Asian-Americans, by providing a comprehensive access to health and human services initiatives.
To provide New Jersey’s Filipino and Asian heritage through culturally competent and community needs-based programs and initiatives
• Referrals and information on senior entitlements
• Social and recreational activities for seniors
• Youth classes on Philippine History
• Cultural and folk arts programs
• Substance abuse prevention program
• HIV/AIDS Outreach and support group
• Domestic Violence prevention
• Voters’ Registration and Citizenship Drives
• Referrals to affordable medical check-ups, and health services
• Philippine books and videos available for lending
• Health fairs
• Basic computer tutorials
Economically disadvantaged and deprived, at-risk youth, victim of abuses, troubled families, the elderly, the handicapped, difficult-to-reach communities, and newly arrived immigrants
PACCAL’s Healthy Heart Healthy Family is partly funded by Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Aging.
PACCAL’s Healthy Heart Healthy Family is partly funded by Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Aging.
Activities include:
Healthy topics to remain fit and healthy with light exercise
Socials and recreational activities for seniors to diminish their isolation and loneliness.
Hudson County HIV/AIDS Planning Council, Ladies for Rizal, Inc. New Jersey Chapter Junior Chamber International – New Jersey State Team United Maharlika Foundation Inc. MILA Foundation Inc.
PACCAL launched it’s first membership initiative called the 100 Faces of PACCAL to allow a more solidified partnership with the families in the community. We are delighted to receive such a positive response from a diverse age group and from different walks of life
We look forward in learning more from each other and discuss how we, as a group, can discuss better ways to support the local community.
Annual Membership $20. Email us at paccaljc@gmail.com with your full name.
PAN AMERICAN CONCERNED CITIZENS ACTION LEAGUE
2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA – OCTOBER 2021
January to December 2021
Monthly Board Meeting
Healthy Heart Healthy Family Monthly Program
Monthly Outreach Calls to Older Adults
Weekly Committee Meet for WHM Gala
Monthly Members’ Meeting
Covid Advisories (continued)
Women’s History Month Awards Gala via Zoom
Zumba & Dance via Zoom
PACCAL Time, Coffee Time (Feb 13)
Medicare Basics
Memorial Day Recognition for 96 yo veteran
Capt Pablo Barros (Jun 12)
Farmer’s Market Outreach
Picnic in the Park with SCI and LFR
OralHealth Survey with Dr. Ea
Global Outreach Book Drive
October PACCAL Awards
Christmas Luncheon with Harborview Seniors
Christmas Party at PACCAL
Fundraiser for Typhoon Odette Victims
Community Christmas at Cabalen - **X
**X – canceled due to omicron
SUPPORTED
Bergenfield’s Candlelight Vigil (Mar 27)
Stop Asian Hate Rally (Apr 10)
Meeting ConGen Elmer Cato (Apr 26)
JCI New Jersey Innovation Awards (Apr 30)
Issue’s & Inspiration Mother’s Day w Ms Lumen
Castaneda, Past Pres PACCAL (May 7)
PIDCI’s Virtual Commemoration (Jun 6)
Family Federation for World Peace and Unification’s 1st
Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal’s 160th Bday
Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal (Jun 19)
FABLLI’s Bisekleta Mo, Kinabukasan Mo (Jul 23)
Phenom and FABLLI’s Golf Tourney (July 24)
Guesting at KapTV (Jul 31)
Attended JSQ Association (Aug 9)
Ati-Atihan’s Hawaiian Event (Aug 21)
JCI Senate of NJ + JCI NJ Camp Jaycee Picnic (Sep 11)
KOR’s Summer Event (Sep 11)
JCI Jersey City “Rice of Love” for Cagayan (Sep 14)
PAFCOM’s Western Party (Oct 2)
Mass for Ms. Luningning Ambrosio (Oct 10)
KOR’s 5th Jose Rizal Circle of Excellence Awards (Dec 5)
PCGNY Virtial Town Hall (Dec 30)
RECOGNIZED
Filipino Heroes Award (May 30)
FIESTA Awarding (Aug 22)
JC Office of the City Council (Oct 31)
PAN AMERICAN CONCERNED CITIZENS ACTION LEAGUE
2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA – OCTOBER 2021
January to December 2020
Atlantic Day Trip (January)
Weekly Committee Meet for WHM Gala
Healthy Heart Healthy Family Monthly Program
Monthly Outreach Calls to Older Adults
Monthly Members’ Meeting
Atlantic Day Trip (March) **X
Covid Advisories (StartedMid March)
Women’s History Month Awards Gala **X
Fundraiser for Frontliners and Seniors
Census Initiative with AAPI
PACCAL created masks for the Community
Food delivery to Davita and Christ Hospital
Mask Initiative Give-Away
Signing MOA with JCI New Jersey (Aug 18)
Thanksgiving Package to Seniors
October PACCAL Awards **X
Free Covid Testing Initiative with Hudson
Medical Plaza
Christmas Giving
**x – Canceled due to Pandemic
SUPPORTED
CAM’s Acquaintance Dinner (Mar 8)
Dedicationand Blessing of the Blessed Mother
Statue at Our Lady of Victories (Aug 15)
JC Census FB Live 2020 Forum (Sep 9)
Zoom with Con Gen Petronila Garcia (Oct 28)
RECOGNIZED
FIESTA IN AMERICA’S Great Filipino
American Outdoor Event (Aug 16)
I.
II.
Official Photos by Paula Morandarte
are available via Facebook PACCAL ANNIVERSARY AWARDS
PACCAL continues to look for members of the community who can join us on various committees. Would you like to be part of the committee for the next GALA EVENT?
at paccal380@gmail.com Or contact any board member or committee
PAN AMERICAN CONCERNED CITIZENS ACTION LEAGUE
2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA – OCTOBER 2021
There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Francis and Evelyn Sison have shared a more than quarter of century of love, laughter and happiness together. They have made it in obligation to attend and show their support for their two handsome and wonderful children and have helped them become confident young people Despite their busy schedule, Francis and Evelyn value their time with their kids, whether it be attending Sunday mass, ballroom dancing, taking vacations or by simply going to the mall as a family.
A typical Taurus, Evelyn is an achiever She graduated with Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Paul’s College of Manila and earned a Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Santo Tomas, also in Manila. Evelyn’s achievements never ceased to soar and have continually given her parents great pride. She currently holds certifications as Certified Registered Nurs– Neonatal Intensive Care (RNC-NIC), Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). Presently she is affiliated with two hospitals: the Bellevue Hospital Center (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) as Head Nurse in New York since 1982, and the St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey
Beauty and brains, Evelyn was a Mrs. Performing Arts Philippines, Reyna Emperatriz of the Catholic Action of Mary ; Reyna Emperatriz Philippine Fiesta 2005, Mrs. Philippine Day Organizing Council (PDOC) 2004, Inc. and Mrs. PAFCOM
2006. Mrs. Philippines-USA GlamBassador of Hope in 2010 and 2011 PAFCOM’s Grand Lady
Francis is currently the USA Deputy Regional Commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal. He is a School Director of one of the medical training school in the state of New Jersey. He was elected as Board of Directors of New Jersey Parents Foundation last month. He’s serving his second term as president of the Garden State Filipino American Association , one of the most prestigious and oldest umbrella organizations in the tri-state area.; Board of Directors of the New Jersey Parents Foundation; Executive Director of Philippine Community Center of New Jersey; 2007 Overall Chair of the Philippine–American Friendship Committee, Inc; and a member of the board of directors of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. from 20052009. He received “Heart of Gold Award” for his generous contributions and exemplary support to the Philippine Hearts and Hopes Society’s projects.
Francis is an entrepreneur, as the owner and executive of the FDS Enterprise, a multi-level merchandising company. In addition, his other professional accomplishments reflect a driving passion for education. An instructor and medical sales representative of Parke-Davis in the Philippines, he then was Director of Education at Worldwide Educational Services in Jersey City; a supervisor at Metropolitan Career Institute; and an ESL Instructor at SCS Business and Technical Institute. He holds two teaching licenses from New York State, as a Private Business School Instructor and as an ESL Instructor, and also holds a Computer Software Specialist Instructor License in New York and New Jersey. He’s currently working as School Director for the National Career Institute, one of the best healthcare training providers in the State of New Jersey. Francis and Evelyn received numerous awards and to name a few they were honored “Most Outstanding New Jersey Parents of the Year 2005”, by the New Jersey Parents Foundation and the American Family Coalition of New Jersey. They were also crowned “Mr. & Mrs. Philippines USA 2006-2008” sponsored by the Garden State Filipino American Association. These two striking individuals who were commercial and fashion models earlier in their careers, and more recently showcased the beautiful and intricate gowns of renown Fashion Designer Leonard Co for four consecutive years. The Estilo Filipino and HABI Fashion Shows by top designers of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP) for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga and Bulacan Medical Mission. They were Harmano/a Mayor in 2008 by Catholic Action of Mary and San Lorenzo Ruiz last September 2010; and Philippine Fiesta in 2011.They’ve been Ambassadors to People to People International based in Kansan, MO since 1999.
And speaking of bliss and happiness, Francis and Evelyn are truly blessed to have two wonderful sons: Michael Vincent a biology graduate at Rutgers University, working as a vice president of operations of a very prestigious company in Manhattan and Carl Francis, graduated Bachelor of Science in Communications and First Lieutenant in Military Intelligence in the US Army station at Fort Dix.
Reuben Ronas, otherwise known as Ben ben, was born in Navotas Philippines. Ben migrated to the US and resided in Staten Island, NY during his childhood. Now he and his wife and children live in Mays Landing, NJ. He went back to the Philippines for college in 2003 for a Basketball scholarship, however, due to conflict of his major, he returned back to the US in 2004. Ben initially worked as a Recreation Assistant for many years after returning from The Philippines and until he became a Nurse in 2009 and worked at New Vanderbilt Rehab Care Center. Ben has always had a dedication and passion for recreational activities to stimulate the minds of patients and thought of activities for procedural memory thinking. This motivated and drove him to become a staff nurse then promoted as Charge nurse and then eventually piloting the Dementia unit and becoming the Dementia Program Coordinator all within one year.
Ben then started to work as a Nurse at the Veteran Affairs in 2012 and while his family was growing, Ben ben started his small and unofficial business. While being enthusiastic with basketball as a hobby and his sports, he created his business RGX Sportswear where he customized various sports apparels for many teams and prestigious organizations. He made many partners during the onset of the business and he helped many Filipino people (which the latter was the bigger part of his motivation in creating this business). The company started with 5-10 employees and now is up to about 200-300. He plans to open his RGX storefront in 2022.
In 2013, when the Yolanda Typhoon hit the Philippines, Ben ben could not sit still without helping the Filipino people. This brought the idea of creating his non-profit non governmental organization Be a Blessing, Share a Blessing, where proceeds he makes from fundraising projects goes to various charities. His rationale was that the production of the apparels gave people jobs while profits helped the charities looking for help. In one of his collaborations, specifically with SIMBA, a basketball group, he collected 25 large balikbayan boxes and $3-4K of funds received were donated to NGO (non-governmental organizations) in the Philippines.Personally, Ben works with some nuns (sisters) who reaches out to him for various community needs. One of these requests that he had worked on was the procurement of 6 bangka (boats) around Tacloban. This project helped create livelihood for the people. This way, he is not just providing a band-aid to their need, but a livelihood they can use for long-term living. Since 2010, Benben has been sponsoring students to help them finish college. About 11 students have benefitted through his help with this project. Ben Ben has done many outreach and givebacks to various areas in the Philippines. Ben Ben helps all those who genuinely need help and reach out to him.
In 2014, Ben collaborated with POWERHANDZ, sport and training accessories company, and assisted with their clothing line and selling products in the USA. In 2020, POWERHANDZ, has officially named him aa head person for POWERHANDZ PHILIPPINES. Simultaneously, within the same year, Ben and his family acquired the Bahay Kubo Restaurant in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. As New Jersey locked down due to the pandemic, Bahay Kubo continued to remain open with Ben’s quick thinking and strategy of switching short order menus to offering 4-dish meal menus known as “Fo-Sho or Famsilog” to families who were getting tired of their own home cooked meals.
Early this year, Ben and his partners opened another business called the Cornhole Craze in Somers Point NJ, It is a 8000 square feet store which was converted to be used as a sports venue for the cornhole game, a usual fun backyard parlor game which has now become a national and global phenomenon. In fact, the cornhole game is now part of a pro-league called ACL (American Cornhole League), of which the facility is a registered ACL facility.
Annually, Ben and his partners organize the Filipino Heritage Basketball Tournament during the month of October. This year, there will be 42 teams competing in New Brunswick, NJ where 100% of proceeds goes to several projects back to the Philippines and locally. Ben is making an honorary pledge 5K and allocating 1k for each project. He is thankful for all local organizations and the Filipino community that is offering their services for free to make this pledge possible. Some organizations mentioned are The Puso Foundation, New Jersey Triskelion, The Purino Family, The Mercado Family, PNA of SJ & Cape May, Philippines Consulate Basketball team, BSA NY, and many more.
On a personal note. Ben ben is married to Gillian Ronas and is father to Rosalie Giselle and Rachelle Grace. Ben also shares his blessings with his four other siblings, Ruffy, Rizza, Ronny, and AnneMarie. Ben states all of his values and life principles come from his amazing parents Roberto & Leonila and does not want to forget his stepfather Warren. Ben shared his thoughts of how his life has become. He says “Everything that I do in business is driven by passion, purpose and principle. The more successful I become, the more that I am able to help.”
2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA – OCTOBER 2021
His mom was only fifteen when Ronie was born. He grew up into poverty, raised in a remote barrio on the outskirts province of Antique. While other kids are enjoying their childhood, he has to help his parents make financial ends meet for his family. Working in their small farm was his only way to forget the misery of hunger and enjoy what God has promised. While many Filipino children’s education has taken a backseat due to poverty, Ronie has to face challenges just to sit in his class after his morning farm and home chores. He may not have been privileged financially but his dedication to pursue his education became an inspiration to other students in the community. He finished his elementary and high school education with outstanding academic performance. He was also granted the Barangay Scholarship until he finished his Bachelors in Elementary Education at the Polytechnic State College of Antique now University of Antique.
Ronie went to the city in search of opportunity and worked as an elementary teacher in the Division of Makati in 1994. Surrounded with educator models, it was no surprise that he had a natural knack for teaching. He became one of the consistent outstanding teachers of Pembo Elementary School (PES), an award winning trainor in mathematics and journalism. Due to his outstanding performance as a teacher and a leader he was appointed as a School and District Math Coordinator. He was also promoted and became the youngest Master Teacher in the Division of Makati for a short period of time. To further his studies in the graduate level, he became a recipient of the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP) scholarship grant and finished his Masters of Arts in Education major in Elementary Mathematics. According to him, life would have been difficult without his positive outlook and self determination. He managed not only to get by, but also triumph above life challenges and adversities. In 2002, he joined the international teachers in pursuit of his American dream. He was hired as a middle school math teacher in Sacramento California and ended up in the big apple. He joined the staff of one of the biggest high school in Queens New York in 2003 – the John Bowne High School and he was recognized as one of the Bowne’s Best in 2006. As a teacher, Ronie serves as a scorer of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE). Due to his contributions in the academe and community, the United Federation of Fil-Am Educators honored him as one of its Outstanding Teachers for High School in April 2014. He was also one of the recipients of PACCAL’s Excellence in Education Award in October 2012.
Ronie’s innate interest in people, places and events tremendously ignited his passion to serve the community. He is the current President of the United Federation of Fil-Am Educators (UNIFFIED Inc.), a brand new organization of teachers with eleven chapters. He was also AFTA’s membership secretary, Executive Vice President and the Chapter President until his resignation on December 2013. Last year, he initiated the “Roof Over Their Head” a project for the victims of Yolanda in the province of Antique. Amidst his mounting school work as an adjunct professor and a college now instructor of Queensborough Community College, Ronie is toying the idea of implementing a “FEED A CHILD, BUILD A COMMUNITY” a feeding program for the students of Initan Elementary School.
“Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action and that action is service” -Mother Teresa. Not even in his wildest dream that he would have imagined that community service could be a rewarding experience.
What makes a woman “Mother of the Year”? Descriptions and definitions of the word, “Mother” is widely used worldwide. Rosemarie Parreno is truly a mother of her family, students, volunteer teachers, and community residents. She has embraced this role all her life because faith and love center her human service to people regardless of their race, religion, and customs. People in the Bronx call her “A Woman for Others” due to her commitment to help and support people of needs.
For her three professional daughters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren, she is a model mother with regards to education, hard work, and faith in God. Her students put her in a pedestal of hope, inspiration, and commitment to succeed in life as immigrants by following her footsteps. The community residents in the Bronx love her spirit of volunteerism to serve them with her talents as an ESL teacher and director of the two literacy programs she founded to meet their English needs. She is truly a leader who rules people with her heart.
Rosemarie has been described by ESL teachers as their mentor and leader in assisting them in training and obtaining ESL jobs. Importantly, she is a dedicated mother to her children and a compassionate mother to teachers, students, and the community. Her outstanding qualities in this role are shown in her deep love and service to all. In her thirty-five years in the U.S.A. her life was spent in love and service to her family and her profession as an ESL teacher to students in the world. For teachers and students, she is a role model of all mothers.
Rosemarie Parreno has shown above and beyond her role as a “Mother of the World”. Her legacy exists not only in her family but in the hearts of many whom she has touched and influenced to make a great difference in their lives.
Judith “Jude” S. Sanchez was born in Malabon City, Philippines. He studied at Far Eastern University and graduated with a B.S. in Medical Technology and continued his education, earning his M.S. in Teaching Education also at FEU. He worked as a medical technologist in King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for 8 years, where he met his wife, Registered Nurse Menchu L. Sanchez. Upon emigrating to the United States, Jude worked at St. Michael’s University Hospital as a medical technologist, then was offered a position with Diagnostica Stago Inc., a French company that manufactures the number one coagulation analyzer in the world. He is currently working at Diagnostica Stago Inc. as Hotline Manager and Hotline Technical Specialist. Jude is also a recipient of A Model Employee of the Year.
Jude and Menchu married in 1991 and are blessed with 2 children: Jude McCanne, 29, and Michelle Jude, 28. His son JM earned his B.S. in Biology from Seton Hall University and completed his degree in Computer Web Designing at Columbia University, and is currently working as a swim instructor and web designer. Michelle earned her B.S. in Biology from Duquesne University, M.S. in Kinesiology and is completing her doctorate in Health Sciences and Organizational Leadership all at A. T. Still University. In addition to completing her studies, Michelle works as a swim coach, instructor, and director of swimming in their hometown of Secaucus.
Jude exemplifies all traits of fatherhood. He is the paragon of responsibility. He takes on the role of protector, teacher, motivator, enforcer, counselor within his family. As a Filipino-American father, he emphasizes the importance of keeping Filipino culture alive in America. Because of this, both his children to this day will still “mano po” their elders at church, when they visit family friends, and call their elders “Tita, Tito, Kuya, or Ate.” As a father, Jude makes his family feel safe and secure. He is proactive in involved in his family’s lives and strives to make sure his kids are educated to keep themselves safe and make good choices. Throughout the lives of his children, he has been hands on in teaching them life skills such as any car, home, and DIY projects. To this day, Jude and his kids will take weekends to work on cars and spend time together maintaining the house and learning together. Both JM and Michelle have been swimming for more than 20 years. JM is a member of the Philippine National Swim Team and Jude has been active in supporting, cheering, and motivating his through their schooling and athletic pursuits. As a father, Jude is quite strict and a disciplinarian when it comes to enforcing rules and guidance. As his children grow and the relationship shifts to having adult children, Jude is the kind of father that encourages sharing and talking about anything. He may have his own strong opinions, but at the end of the day he supports his children’s decisions and demonstrates the strength of a father’s love through all of life’s trials and tribulations. Ultimately, Jude is the paragon of fatherhood: a constant source of gentle, enduring strength and stability, many moments of joy, fun, dad jokes, and laughs, and an example of the kind of fatherly love and virtue that will continue to impact future generations of his family.
Lucy is the youngest of six children and hails from the Town of Santa in Ilocos Sur, Philippines. Her initial aspiration was to be a nurse and be of service to the sick and the vulnerable citizens of society. Her older brother + Late Benito (who was a priest, then) inspired her to the teaching fields as he saw her potentials for learning. She dutifully listened and later learned to fall in love with teaching career.
Her teaching career started in the early years of 1962 (after earning a College Diploma of Education in Rosary College – Now, St Paul College, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur) as a classroom teacher in Rosary College in Vigan, and Santa Central School in Ilocos Sur, respectively. She moved to Metro Manila in 1981 with the intention to pursue her Masteral and Doctoral Degrees while working as as a classroom teacher at St Bridget College in Aurora Blvd., Quezon City, Philippines.
She was a recipient of a scholarship grant under the National Science Development Board Scholarship Program given to 10 deserving teachers from all over the Philippines.
Her teaching career did not stop her from pursuing further studies of Masteral Degree in Guidance and Counseling in St Louis University in Baguio City (1975), Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Sciences (1978), Master of Education Major in Educational Administration (1986) and Doctor of Education Ed,. D Major in Educational Administration (1988), These degrees were officially certified by the University of the Philippine, in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
She was offered an opportunity to work in and to travel to the Unites Stated in 1988. Her initial work was at Fulton Day Care Center in Bronx, New York where she stayed for nine years until 1997 She transferred to the Public School PS 35 in Manhattan and also taught at the Board of Education by 163rd St., for 10 years as a certified NYC Public School Teacher until her retirement in Febuary of 2008.
Although officially retired as a Public School Teacher, she continued to work as a part time teacher from 2009 till 2014 at the United Bronx Parents Inc., and in Friendly Day Care Center in the Bronx, NY. Her enthusiasm to teach remains embedded in her heart that oftentimes she is still requested by Acacia Network to teach pre-school children in her spare time.
While attending to her busy professional career, she remained as an active President of the Norwood Filipino Community of St. Anne and St. Brendan Church in the Bronx, NY for the last ten years or so. The Filipino Community had always been involved in unifying Filipino migrant workers, food pantry services for the needy, initiating monthly and annual religious activities and facilitated weekly religious gatherings. Every year, she had organized pilgrimages to various shrines and basilicas in the area and she involved herself in the management and plans for the annual feasts of San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod.
In preparation for big events and fiesta celebration, she would teach Filipino folk dances to children and adults to brighten every community program or festivity.
Her voluntary involvements in the Filipino community included her ministries as a Lector and Lay Minister of the Eucharist in the local Catholic Church. Her leadership is greatly respected and recognized due to her efficiency and endless enthusiasm. Lucy was also a member of different civic and social organizations. She was a member of AFTA, of UNIFFIED (United Federation of Filipino American Educators), and of UFT (United Federation of Teachers of New York.
During this time of the pandemic, she had personally sent relief goods and financial aids to the Philippines through her relatives who extended these help to various communities and people in need, especially in the payatas area.
Lucy has turned into a magnificent 80 years old this year and still continues to be active despite her age. She resides in the Bronx, as the saying goes, “If you survive New York, you can survive anywhere.” She constantly shares her piece of advice to every child-prodigy, “Just follow your dreams and reach for your stars.”
2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA – OCTOBER 2021
Even amidst their busy life as a practicing physician and registered nurse in the States of New York and New Jersey, Francisco Reyes and Corazon Reyes found precious time to create the Bulacan Medical Mission, a conglomerate of medical, surgical and humanitarian missions dedicated to help the underprivileged and disadvantaged in the Philippines.
Proactive as officers and members of various civic and professional organizations engaged in medical and humanitarian efforts, they have, in the interest of education, also endowed 2 Filipino students with full college scholarships. Both are now successful graduates with Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing.
Dr and Mrs. Francisco Reyes have four children, all raised and bred in New York City and everyone being notable achievers in their own right:
CARLO VIRGILIO, an alumnus of La Guardia School of Music & Arts and truly dynamic on drums, Carlo performs with numerous local bands and artists in his spare time. Having gained enormous experience as building engineer for Double Tree Hotel, he now engages in house remodeling on the side. Possessed with a brilliant knack for photography, he also works for Orion & Live Pictures Studio which is based in Chicago. To boot, he can beat Bobby Flay with his version of "sisig".
MICHAEL DANE: Is an early gift born on Christmas Eve. Growing up, he received multiple awards for singing - his first love. Now, he sticks to singing only in the shower but boy! does he love to burn the dance floor with grace and finesse. He is presently employed at the United Nations as budget assistant for the Budget Division. A sports fanatic, he has a major weakness for anything Pizza and has 2 children:: Vince Miguel & Vivienne Giselle.
PIER CLAUDINE(daughter), studied at the Joffrey School of Ballet and Marymount School of New York. Recently graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, she is now a Doctor of Eastern Medicine and has a private practice in San Diego, California. She has a four-year old son, Damien Arryn.
ROBIN FRANCIS : The youngest of Kits & Cora's children is a graduate of the Professional Children's School and began his modeling and acting career at the tender age of 8 . He continued performing and touring until his graduation from Hunter College with a degree in Computer Technology. Consequently, his prowess as a programmer landed him the post of Director of Information Technology ad Geotext, and, with his myriad of technological skills, he is now the Chief Technology Officer providing leadership on governance, risk and compliance at eSupport Health, a company that supports the Multiple Sclerosis community. As a salute to healthy living, he has taken part in various walkathon/marathon events. A commitment to living the moment is his personal goal.
Dr. Joseph Jim E Yap, known to the community as Jim hails from Rosario, Cavite. A product of La Salle Univerity from grade school to high school, Jim pursued a degree in the medical field. He graduated with a BS in General Science as his pre-med at the University of Sto. Tomas. He got his medical degree from the Perpetual Help College of Medicine in Binan, Laguna in 1983.
Dr. Yap started his Anesthesia residency at the East Avenue Medical Center, formerly called Ospital ng Bagong Lipunan, in Quezon City, Philippines in 1984.
In 1988, married to Dr. Maria Grata Mulingtapang Yap, the couple moved to USA.
He started working as an EKG technician at King’s County Hospital in Brooklyn, NY while waiting to pass his United States Medical Licensure Examination. For a year, he became a Fellow in Neurosurgery at the State of New York Down State Medical Center.
But, because his heart is already set in Anesthesia, he entered the Anesthesia Residency Program at SUNY Down State in 1995. Upon completion of his residency training in 1999, Dr. Yap started working as a consultant at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hoboken, NJ. Dr. Yap trained at the University of Toronto to specialize in regional and Obstetrics anesthesia.
At present, he is a part of the Hudson Anesthesia Group of the Care Point Health System covering Hoboken University Medical Center, Christ Hospital and Bayonne Medical Center. Dr. Yap, although cannot be physically active in civic activities most of the time because of his busy practice, he is very much involved in supporting several organizations like the St. Anne’s Filipino American Association in Jersey City.
The Yaps were blessed with three sons, Joseph Michael, Joseph Matthew and Joseph Mark, all in the medical field also.
Born on June 11, to Purificacion Fajardo and Pastor Gonzales, Rosalinda Gonzales, is the youngest of 7children. Better known as Sally, she grew up and studied grade school and high school in Pangasinan, where her parents are originally from. She then moved to Manila and studied pre-nursing at Far Eastern University and gained her Bachelor of Science major in Nursing from Arellano University in Manila.
A year after graduation, she moved to the US in 1980, to join her parents and siblings who have migrated and settled here while she was finishing her studies in the Philippines. Her first job was in a nursing home as a graduate nurse and not long after, met her future husband, Frank Gonzalez in 1982. They got married in 1984 and produced 2 wonderful and handsome sons, Jonathan, and James.
In 1988, Sally started working as a nurse in Bayonne Medical Center and still works there as a staff nurse in the Psychiatry department. She has provided counseling and guidance for 33 years and had enormous success in helping patients recover and lead successful lives.
Sally also has been a very active volunteer at her parish, St. Anne Church. She has been a member of the FilipinoAmerican Association of the parish since 1990, donating much of her time in community work and helping to raise funds for the programs of the church.
Sally, is known for her hard work and cheerful demeanor, and prefers to be a down to earth person. She will, however, gladly extend a helping hand any time of the day. All you need is to ask.
PAN AMERICAN CONCERNED CITIZENS ACTION LEAGUE
2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA – OCTOBER 2021
Dr. Susan Sandal-Lagmay is a Dental Hygienist in New Jersey. She worked as a Dental Assistant and focuses on Orthodontics, Oral Surgery
She graduated as Doctor of Dental Medicine from Manila Philippines Post Graduated in Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontics, and Endodontic from the University of the Philppines, College of Dentistry. Manila Institute of Science and Technology at UP Manila.
Susan is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Orthodontic Society. Within the community, Susan is an active member of SAFFA or the St. Anne’s Fil-Am Association. She was the board secretary for 20 years and at present as the Vice President of the organization. She attends and supports various functions and fundraiser events in the Jersey area.
Susan is married to Edgar Lamay and has 2 children Nicolle Lagmay and Julia Lagmay.
Susan will be opening a Dental Office at 3524 JFK Boulevard by the end of this year.
Belinda Rosales is a Registered Nurse during the day and a journalist during the weekends and/or evenings. Always interested in writing, she got her start when she met The FilAm founder and editor Cristina DC Pastor in 2015. Since then, she has covered events and written articles on different topics of interests like Filipino-American community events, concerts, the Philippine Independence Day parades and Miss Universe 2019.
Ms Rosales was selected to participate in the 2018 Health Reporting Fellowship offered by Center for Community and Ethnic Media at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. This was a seven week program designed to give journalists a strong foundation on health reporting.
She uses the pen name Lindy Rosales and her bylines can be found at thefilam.net. She lives in the Bronx with her husband and mother and has two grandchildren.
Women have thoughtfully built careers around their innate strength, their personal passions, and the type of work that bring them meaning and purpose. It’s just a matter of confidently taking steps to get there. You cannot connect the dots looking forward but can connect them looking backward and have the trust that the dots will somehow connect in the future. That is why it is critical to be flexible when thinking about your dream. Focus on the inside and outside of an opportunity that you had never considered. That is how she can relay her journey when she migrated to the US in 1985. She had no idea what the direction of her career would be. Determination, hard work, and perseverance were her ingredients to landing her success in Finance and Accounting field. She worked at Merrill Lynch- Bank of America for 25 years and has held various positions in Operations, Finance, Portfolio Trading, Regulatory, and Compliance. She is currently employed at MetLife Investment Management as a Senior Compliance Officer.
She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biology at Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines. Just recently she obtained her Master’s in Business Administration specializing in Finance and Accounting at the Robert H. Smith School of the Business, University of Maryland. Joyce has been engaged in a continuous quest for knowledge and professional development. She furthered her education by obtaining various certifications like Registered Financial Consultant, Enrolled Agent – US Department Of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Certified Financial Planner, Life and Health Agent with NJ and NY License, Real Estate Agent with NJ License. Joyce is an active member of the Women’s Investments Network, Diversity and Inclusion Network, and had served as a panelist on the Global Women’s Financial Forum. She is also a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals, Financial Planning Association, and the National Realtors Association.Aside from her full-time job she is a tax and financial advisor who helps her clients with tax planning and preparation, individual retirement, investments, and insurance. She combines personal attention with a focus on strategic tax-efficient financial planning to achieve financial prosperity. She is affiliated with World Financial Group, Transamerica as a Marketing Director.
She is also a Realtor Agent for Century 21 and Tax Preparer.
She was an active member of FILIPINAS, Member- Ilocano American Association, Inc. Member -NAFAA, and 2014 Committee Chair of the Finance and Budget - PAFCOM. She was 2011-2013 Secretary for PIDCI and Board of Director, 2013 Overall chair for PIDCI, Miss Diwa Search, 2014 Chairperson for the PAFCOM Coronation and Ball. She is currently the Overall chair of the Finance and Budget Committee with PAFCOM. She was Mrs. Kalayaan Philippines 2012 and 2014 Mrs. Garden State.
For as much as we take out of this world, giving back is our duty. She makes her point loud and clear as a volunteer for GC Rivera Foundation an organization with a “Selfless Service to Humanity”. The foundation provides medical and alternative medicine healthcare to underprivileged individuals and help the poorest of the poor back home in the Philippines. She says it is the most rewarding thing that she had been part of and a real service to humanity and just very fulfilling to give back to the people who are in need.
Joyce Castillo is a true Ilocana, born and raised in Ilocos Norte Philippines. She is married to Arnold Castillo and they are blessed with two sons Mark who is married to Robin and Michael who is married to Camille. They have two beautiful grandchildren Milo and Marina. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and doing outdoor activities.
Joyce believes that Life is a Gift – Live It, Enjoy It, Celebrate It. Always live to the fullest and focus on the positive.
Sgt. Joseph Luistro, known to many as Joe, shared his experience during the onset of his career. Looking back into years ago, he mentioned how the law-enforcement industry was not a popular career for most people from Asian descent. However, this did not hinder him from taking the career he is truly proud to be a part of.
He started being in the law enforcement in the year 1993 at the Rutgers University Police Department till 1999. He then served at the Edison Police Department from 1999-2020. He was assigned as Patrol officer, Traffic Ocer, Field Training Officer, Community Liaison Officer, Recruiting Officer, Federtal Task Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and a Seargeant and Patrol Supervision from 2016 to 2020.
Through passion and perserverance, Joe earned the distinction of being the first Asian-American police officer in Edison, a town with population that was 35 percent Asian American. Joe served as the First Vice President of the National Asian Peace Officers Assocation in 2004 to 2008. Afterwhich he founded and continue to preside the New Jersey Asian American Law Enforcement Officers Assocation till present. When he left the police service in 2020, Edison had become the sixth largest municipality in New Jersey with a population of 107,000, half of which is Asian-American.
Joe was unfortunately was forced to retire after he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease a neuromuscular disease that has no cure and an average life expectancy of two to five years. What people find admirable about Joe, who is now confined to a wheelchair, is that he has not allowed his debilitating condition to prevent him from helping the community. Amidst the challenges, he remains actively involved as president of the New Jersey Asian-American Law Enforcement Officers Association; board member of the St. Matthew Filipino-American Association; commissioner of a local Filipino-American men’s basketball league; and prayer warrior in his local rosary group. He is a Sigma Phi Epsilon member; a Knights of Columbus (St. Matthew Council Member); he is an active parishioner and volunteer of St. Matthew the Apostle. And continues to be a Real Estate Agent (with 31 years of experience) with Coldwell Banker Realty-Metuchen office.
On a personal note Joe is a son of immigrants Dante Luistro, a Chemical Engineer and Realtor and Julieta Luistro, a Registered Nurse. His parents together with his siblings Jennifer and Jaydee migrated to the United States in the late 1960s from the Philippines and secured an apartment across Christ Hospital in Jersey City in 1969. He studied at the St. Joseph Grammar School and Hudson Catholic High School, both in Jersey City. He then went to Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Later ontaking a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice, Minor in Economics. And finally a Certificate in Criminology. At present, he resides in Edison with his family. His wife Millie is a Pediatric Same Day Surgery Registered Nurse at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. His oldest daughter Hannah is studying criminal justice/cybercrime and is enrolled at Kean University. And his 11 year older daughter Jessica is enrolled in an Edison public school and is a student/teacher’s assistant at the Yvonne School of Dance which is a dance studio in Edison.
Joe’s commitment to serve the community goes further than being a board and member of the various community organizations. This year, he is running for a seat in the Edison Township Council in elections in November 2021.
JOYCE ALANO CASTILLO
HONOREE IN FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING
HONOREE IN FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING
Teen your loving sister from NYC USA who loves, respects, and your avid fan always.
I am proud to be your sister because you are truly the blessed woman who has a golden heart to all our siblings and relatives.
I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH! Rose
Dad, or Jude (to most), exemplifies all traits of fatherhood. He is the paragon of responsibility. He takes on the role of protector, teacher, motivator, enforcer, counselor within his family. As a Filipino-American father, he emphasizes the importance of keeping Filipino culture alive in America. Because of this, both his children to this day will still “mano po” to their elders at church, when they visit family friends, and call their elders “Tita, Tito, Kuya, or Ate.”
As a father, he makes us, his family, feel safe and secure. He is proactive and involved in his family’s lives and strives to make sure his kids are educated to keep themselves safe and make good choices. Throughout the lives of his children, he has been hands on in teaching them life skills such as any car, home, and DIY projects.
To this day, he takes his weekends with us to work on cars and spend time together maintaining the house and learning together. As we grow and shift to adulthood, dad is the kind of father that encourages sharing and talking about anything. He may have his own strong opinions, but at the end of the day he supports our decisions and demonstrates the strength of a father’s love through all of life’s trials and tribulations.
Ultimately, dad is the paragon of fatherhood: a constant source of gentle, enduring strength and stability, many moments of joy, fun, dad jokes, and laughs, and an example of the kind of fatherly love and virtue that will continue to impact future generations of his family.
Greetings from your loving son and daughter, JUDE AND MICHELLE
PAN AMERICAN CONCERNED CITIZENS ACTION LEAGUE
2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA – OCTOBER 2021
TO MY LITTLE BROTHER JUDITH SANCHEZ
OUTSTANDING FATHER OF THE YEAR
2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA
PACCAL’s “Father of the Year 2021” Wow!! What an honor. I congratulate you my baby brother. You’re a man with a big heart and I love you for that!! May you continue to be a Godfearing man and may God Bless you more. CONGRATULATIONS too to your wife Menchu,, son Jude and daughter Michelle.
GREETINGS FROM: ASUNCION S. VILLARUEL DALLAS, TX
GREETINGS FROM: ASUNCION S. VILLARUEL DALLAS, TX
TO MY LITTLE BROTHER JUDITH SANCHEZ OUTSTANDING FATHER OF THE YEAR
2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA
GREETINGS FROM: VICTORINA ‘VICKY S. SANCHEZ DALLAS, TX
From
Aidan,
PAN AMERICAN CONCERNED CITIZENS ACTION LEAGUE 2021 PACCAL AWARDS & ANNIVERSARY GALA – OCTOBER 2021