2010 12/22-12/28

Northern California's largest Filipino American newspaper in circulation since 1990, the Manila Mail is the Bay Area's most read Fil-Am weekly publication distributed free in major cities of Northern California. Community is a B Section page that contains the weekly column of Bradford Adkins 'SCENES in the city'. The column features include: the issues and events, the individuals and organizations moving the community.

The De La Salle Alumni Association of Northern CA presented the highly-successful "A Green and White Christmas with Joey Albert" last Saturday, December 11, 2010 at the Marriott San Mateo. Attendees include (L-R) Eliseo Sy, unnamed guest, Henry Sy, Yolanda Aquino, Joey Albert & this Columnist.

Torchbearer awardees with PAPC Board.

Zachary Rayo, J.D., LL., M. opens law practice in the East Bay.

Happy Golden Wedding Anniversary to Mr. Vicente Quiroga Rayo and Mrs. Rosalina Javier Ugale, of Boholand Ilocos Norte, respectively. They are celebrating 50 years of marriage on January 8, 2011 at the Kapitan Moy Sentrong Pangkultura in Marikina City.

The employees, family & friends of State Compensation Insurance Fund held their annual Christmas Party in San Jose, led by Noel Nuguit (4th left). From their loved ones to yours, Merry Christmas, everyone!

The shakers & movers of De La Salle Alumni Association of Northern CA led by (L-R) Eliseo Sy, Yolanda Aquino & Henry Sy presented 'A Green and White Christmas with Joey Albert' for the benefit of One La Salle Scholarship Fund, Bagay Pag-asa and Books for the Barrios last Saturday, Dec 11th at San Mateo Marriott Hotel.

Plaridel Award launched

(PAPC names prestigious Journalism award after Filipino Hero)

SEEN IN THE CITY

On it’s 22nd year, the Philippine American Press Club, USA launched the search for the first recipient of the Plaridel Award. This annual award will be given to the Filipino American journalist who has proven through the years his/her dedication to the ideals of our Filipino hero, nationalist, publisher and writer, Marcelo H. Del Pilar. Plaridel, del Pilar’s nom de plume, dedicated his life to the highest journalistic standards. His near-Quixotic drive for the well-being of his constituents never waned. And whether he was in his hometown in Pampanga or exiled in Hong Kongor faraway Spain, he was unrelenting in his pursuit of the truth, fairness in reporting, and in the upliftment of his countrymen. The Plaridel Award will be presented sometime in October 2011.

In the meantime, at their Christmas party and induction of new board members, the first Torch Bearer Awards were given to Greg Macabenta (Columnist/Filipinas Magazine/Ang Panahon); Gigi Macabenta (Columnist, FilipinasMagazine/Ang Panahon), Pep Red Vasquez (Filipino Guardian/Philippines Today), Charito Benipayo (Host, The Islander, Ch. 28, Comcast-Hayward), Romy Benipayo (Producer, The Islander, Ch. 28, Comcast-Hayward) and Lorna Dietz (Radiant View/Filipinas Magazine).The Torch Bearer Award is given to outgoing board members: For bearing the torch of the Filipino Idealaflame through the winds of change and the passage of time in his work as journalist and community leader; For selflessly dedicating unmeasured time and boundless energy towards projects and activities that enable the Filipino-American press to thrive; and in particular, for their years of service as Board Members of PAPC, USA.

At the awarding, Esther Chavez, who is on her second term as president of PAPC said, “Two weeks ago, I was at the swearing in of Chief Justice Tani Cantil Sakauye. In her acceptance speech, she was profuse in thanking her parents, mentors, colleagues and those who came before her, because she said that "she stands on their shoulders." I would like to borrow that thought from the good chief justice for, like her, we, too, stand on the shoulders of our predecessors. They paved the way for us and held on thru triumph and adversity. Without them, we would not be here today.”

The flame shaped acrylic trophy reads, “ Keeper of the flame of the Filipino ideal in journalism and community leadership.” Melissa Apuya from Senator Leland Yee’s office read the Certificate of Recognition given to the recipients of the Torch Bearer Awards and incoming officers of the board.

The incoming board members were sworn in by Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr. The 2011-2012 Members of the Board are: Esther Chavez (Inquirer.net), President; Francis Espiritu (Philippine News), VP-Internal; Caroline Ocampo (Filipino American Network Radio), VP- External; Joseph Peralta (Asian Journal), Secretary; Aida Barrios (Community Advocate), Treasurer; Jossie Alegre (Worldwide Filipino Alliance), Auditor: Bradford Atkins (Manila Mail), Mark Alegre (Worldwide Filipino Alliance), Becky Aniversario (One Philippines), Margarita Argente (Philippine News), Rudy Asercion (American LegionNat’l Press Club), Carmen Colet (Filipino Gazette), Nerissa Fernandez (ABS-CBN), Dave Rodriguez (Philippines Today), Antonio Villegas (Filipino American Arts Expo Magazine) and Raymond Virata (GMA/Filipinas Magazine Online).

The Christmas party held at HanaZen Yakitori and Sushi Bar at Pier 39 was well attended by publishers, columnists and friends. Raffle winners were made to sing carols before they got their prizes. Jojo Peralta of Asian Journal was the crowd favorite with his rendition ofHoly Night. Raffle winners Greg Macabenta, Ramon Bunag, Roget Yumul, and Mark Alegre. Ended the party with a spirited rendition of “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit.”

For more information and photos please go to www.papcusa.org.

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY

The First Christmas, a Musical in Vallejo

Following the success of the community’s musical presentation of “Moses and the Burning Within” last summer, St. Vincent Ferrer Parish is once more presenting a musical, this time on the story of birth of Jesus from the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Threading the story together using biblical passages, contemporary Christmas carols, dances and the creative imagination of its director Dandin Ranillo, this presentation will surely delight audiences, both young and old. Dandin is supported by the parish’s Adult Choir under the direction of Ricky Muyot, the Youth Ministry coordinated by Elizabeth Smail and a cameo appearance by Mr. Matt Ranillo III. The parish is being consistent with its new tradition of presenting Christmas concerts and plays within the Season ofChristmas. Play dates for “The First Christmas” are December 29th and 30th at 7:30pm at St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Vallejo, located at the corner of Florida and Sacramento streets. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 fo children 6 to 12 years old and FREE for children 5 and under.

PERSONAL NOTES

Filipino Lawyer Opens Practice in the East Bay

Mr. Zachary R. Rayo is pleased to announce the opening of his own law practice in Concord. Mr. Rayo is a member of the State Bar of California, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Florida Bar Association. Mr. Rayo’s practice emphasizes trust and probate litigation and dispute resolution, estate planning, and real property law. He received his LL.M. in Estate Planning degree from the University of Miami School of Law, his J.D. degree from the University of HawaiiWilliam S. Richardson School of Law, and his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of the Philippines. Mr. Rayo is a member of the Contra Costa Bar Association,Trusts and Estates Section of theState Bar of California, and theNational Asian Pacific American Bar Association. He volunteers for community housing non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity-East Bay.

In addition, his dear parents, Mr. Vicente Quiroga Rayo and Mrs. Rosalina Javier Ugale, who hail from Bohol and Ilocos Norte, are celebrating 50 years of marriage on January 8, 2011 at the Kapitan Moy Sentrong Pangkultura in Marikina City. Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Rayo on their golden wedding anniversary!

From our Manila Mail Family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Manila Mail would like to thank the State Commissioner Ray Satorre, International Beauty Impressario Ferdinand Syquia Villar, Daly CityCouncil Woman Candidate Dorie Paniza, among others, for gracing their Christmas Party last Saturday, December 18, 2010 at their corporate headquarters in Daly City, CA. It has been a very fruitful year despite the double-dip recession and tougher challenges. Merry Christmas, Madlang People!!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Napakarami ko pang dapat matutunan. Kung mabibigyan ako ulit ng pagkakataon, mula pag develop pa lang ng script, tututukan ko talaga." by Producer by default, tweeted Zsa Zsa Padilla of “Father Jejemon” her other half’s latest movie offering. Dolphy’s movie which will be shown in Metro Manila theaters starting Christmas Day, shows controversial scenes where “Dolphy, as Catholic priest Jejemon, accidentally drops a Communion host onto the cleavage of a female worshiper and then drops another sacred host that gets stuck in the dentures of a fumbling senior citizen” according to a blogger’s posted notes online. (Translation: “I have a lot to learn on producing a movie. Given the chance, I will get involved from script development, really.”)

As a result of the clamor, Zsa Zsa ordered the trailers’ pull-out and the offending scenes deleted from the movie’s trailers.

This article also appears online at www.FilipinoVillage.com and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 103 countries now (& still counting!) according to the latest Google Analytics report.

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