Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Community Pictures

Daly City Library Commissioner Dorie Cachuela-Paniza and her husband Lamberto Paniza are leaving this week for Hong Kong to attend the launching of the "Group of Filipino Speakers & Writers HK" and the 8th Anniversary celebration of the Passi City (Iloilo) Association Hong Kong.

Passi City (Iloilo)Association Hong Kong (PCIAHK) will be holding its 8th anniversary celebration as well as the oath taking of the newly elected set of officers for the year 2011-2013. It will also be the launching of the "Group of Filipino Speakers & Writers HK"which is composed of the participants from the Quest for the Best Speaker "2011 during the Family Day celebration of PCIAHK which was held recently. Invited guests are:  Passi city, IloIlo Government Officials with Mayor Jesry Palmares and Commissioner Dorie Cachuela-Paniza of Daly City CA. Board of Trustees.
 
A birthday celebration was thrown for Merlie Subido by her relatives held recently at her residence.

The Hallelujah Chorale during a recent concert held at Mater Dolorosa Parish. At the center is music director, Angie Pasamba

Ms. Japan 2011 Araceli Carbonell and her escort; FASA President Roger Arellano together, at  the Royal Dance event in Acton, California on November 7th, 2011


JSCAMINS PRODUCTION & BEAUTIES - USA  Headed by Cesar Ballesteros , Zenaida Wong , and Manuel Lazarte announced as the official California delegate to the 2012 Mutya Ng  Pilipinas Beauty Pageant to be held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. Megan Cannova of  Los Angeles CA was chosen to represent California. Megan is an LVN nursing student  at Casa Loma College. She stands 5’7” in height, her vital statistics are 36/26/ 35. She was introduced to the media last Saturday at Hilton Garden, Burlingame. Philippine News owner Francis Espiritu, Jojo Peralta of Asian Journal,  Maite Camins of Philippine Today and yours truly Joey Panlilio of Manila Mail.
 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Leocadia "Laddy" U. Paras will celebrate her 80th birthday on December 10th, 2011 at her residence in 4687 Demaret Dr. Santa Clara, CA.

The California Wellness Foundation announces 2011 California Peace Prize honorees

$25,000 Cash Awards Honor Unsung Heroes of Violence Prevention San Francisco – Ray Balberan is an expert at bringing together San Francisco city leaders, law enforcement officials, caseworkers and community members to create programs that save lives. Dedicating her life to helping the underserved, Priscilla Carrasquilla oversaw a tattoo removal program that gives youth a second chance in San Jose. A small farm educator and agricultural researcher, Manuel Jimenez uses his passion for growing plants to prevent violence by putting youth to work creating community gardens in Woodlake.

On November 17, The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) will honor these three community leaders with its 19th annual California Peace Prize at a ceremony in San Francisco. In recognition of their efforts to prevent violence and promote peace, the honorees will each receive a cash award of $25,000. [Visit CalWellness.org for more information, including a newsroom section devoted to the 2011 California Peace Prize and the three honorees. High-resolution photos are also available.]

“These honorees are leading the way with innovative programs that help young people while preventing violence in their communities,” said Gary L. Yates, president and CEO of TCWF. “They represent the thousands of unsung heroes dedicated to improving the health and well-being of California’s youth.”

Ray Balberan
Now retired, Ray Balberan serves as a community elder — building on more than three decades of achievement in violence prevention and public health through advocacy and mentorship. Currently, Balberan consults for Arriba Juntos’s Northwest Community Response Network, a San Francisco collaborative that coordinates street outreach, health, re-entry and other services for youth and families. He also consults with La Clínica de la Raza, a community-based clinic with locations throughout Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties.

“Community-based services are critical to stopping violence and must be developed and driven by the community,” Balberan said.

Priscilla Carrasquilla
Priscilla Carrasquilla deeply values forgiveness and providing support to young people who are ready for change. For 15 years, she ran the Clean Slate Tattoo Removal Program at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) in partnership with the city of San Jose. The program removes gang tattoos, which can often inhibit young people from trying to get ahead or search for jobs.

“My nursing career is dedicated to bringing Jesus’ love to the needy,” Carrasquilla said. “Our tattoo removal program brings that love as a second chance.”

Manuel Jimenez
Manuel Jimenez is an agricultural expert and lifelong Woodlake resident who provides direction to youth by teaching them about responsibility, leadership, confidence and respect through gardening. His efforts have helped reduce violence in Tulare County. Jimenez is a farm advisor for the Small Farms Program within the county’s University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE). In 1993, Jimenez, together with his wife, Olga, founded Woodlake Pride, a volunteer organization that prevents violence by putting youth to work in innovative beautification projects throughout the community.

“We get kids involved in doing something positive,” Jimenez said. “Our goal is to plant gardens, grow kids and grow a community.”

The California Wellness Foundation is a private independent foundation created in 1992, with a mission to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention. The Foundation prioritizes eight issues for funding: diversity in the health professions, environmental health, healthy aging, mental health, teenage pregnancy prevention, violence prevention, women’s health, and work and health. It also responds to timely issues and special projects outside the funding priorities.

Since its founding, TCWF has awarded 6,213 grants totaling more than $780 million. It is one of the state’s largest private foundations. Please visit TCWF’s website at www.CalWellness.org for more information, including a newsroom section devoted to the California Peace Prize and the three honorees. High-resolution photos are also available.

Global Online Money Transfer Company, Xoom, Launches Mobile Site to Reach Users on the Go

Xoom’s New Mobile Site Allows Users to Send Money Anytime, Anywhere

November 14, 2011, San Francisco, CA— Xoom.com, the fastest growing online money transfer company, today announced the launch of its fully optimized mobile site that enables users to send money worldwide, right from their mobile device. 

“Our customers have always been able to send money at any time, now they can send money from anywhere,” said John Kunze, Xoom’s President and CEO. “Any customer with an iPhone, Android or other mobile device can easily send money to the Philippines which can be picked up in cash, deposited quickly to a bank account or delivered to the recipient’s home.

The secure mobile site, which was developed in partnership with Usablenet, can be accessed at m.xoom.com from any web-enabled mobile device.  It offers the same features of Xoom’s regular website, including the ability to send money, check the status of a transaction and see current exchange rates.

“Xoom is committed to providing our customers with breathtakingly fast, easy and fair experiences,” said Joe Raymond, Xoom’s VP of Product Management. “Our new mobile optimized website is a natural extension of that promise.”

About Xoom.com
Xoom.com was founded in 2001 and is now one of the biggest and most trusted online money transfer companies in the US.  Xoom offers safe and secure sending options from the convenience of your laptop, tablet PC or smart phone.  Customers can access Xoom.com 24/7 and send money using their bank account, debit or credit card.  For more information, go to www.xoom.com.

McDonald’s® Annual “Give A Hand®” Fundraiser Includes New Donation Options to Support Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®)

“Give A Hand” Program Extends Online for Second Year with Multi-Winner Online Sweepstakes
Oak Brook, Ill. (November 10, 2011) – Beginning today, McDonald’s® USA invites customers nationwide to celebrate McHappy Day® by visiting participating U.S. McDonald’s restaurants and purchasing a paper Hand through its annual “Give A Hand®” fundraiser to help support Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®). New this year, McDonald’s customers can purchase a paper Hand in-restaurant for $1, $3, or $5, with all proceeds benefitting RMHC. McDonald’s has supported RMHC – the company’s “Charity of Choice” – for 37 years.

“Give A Hand” Online Sweepstakes
In addition to the annual in-restaurant fundraiser, the “Give A Hand” online sweepstakes is back with more ways to win. For the second year, McDonald’s invites customers to show their support for RMHC via McDonald’s USA Twitter handle (@McDonalds) with a chance to win daily prizes. To participate, customers are encouraged to write a message of support for RMHC on their hand, take a picture, and submit it online at http://bit.ly/mcdgah. Each day, between November 10 - 20, 2011, three winners will be selected at random from the submitted hand photos to receive a prize pack, $250 cash prize, and a $500 donation in their name to their local RMHC Chapter. As a token of appreciation for customers joining McDonald’s to support families in need, everyone who submits a photo of their hand will receive an electronic coupon for a free McCafé beverage with the purchase of a Happy Meal®. More information on the sweepstakes and official rules can be found at http://bit.ly/mcdgah.
 
Providing More Ways to Support RMHC
In addition to McDonald’s annual “Give A Hand” fundraiser, customers can support Ronald McDonald House Charities year-round through the company’s Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal® donation program. When customers purchase a Happy Meal or Mighty Kids Meal, a portion of the proceeds is donated to RMHC. McDonald’s also continues to support in-restaurant RMHC Donation Boxes. Through these vehicles, McDonald’s, along with its customers and franchisees have raised nearly $39 million nationwide for RMHC in the past year alone.These contributions and countless, additional local McDonald’s fundraising efforts, enable RMHC to continue its mission to improve the health and well-being of children through its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®. 
 
About McDonald’s
McDonald's USA, LLC is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Since 1974, McDonald’s has supported RMHC and its mission to improve the health and well-being of children around the world. Customers can now log online for free at any of the more than 12,000 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) or Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.
 
About Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), an independent non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 54 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children's programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-supported programs provide a bridge to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org, follow RMHC on Twitter (@RMHC), or like RMHC on Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHC Global).

Sweet Jubilation at Mater Dolorosa

South San Francisco, CA, November, 11, 2011: As a fitting finale to cap this year's 50th anniversary celebration of the Mater Dolorosa parish, and to usher in the Christmas season, Hallelujah Chorale and Cherubim, the church's adult and children's choirs, will present their sixth annual holiday concert entitled “In Dulci Jubilo” (Sweet Sounds of Rejoicing) on December 9 and 10, Friday and Saturday, at 7:30 PM at the Mater Dolorosa Church on 307 Willow Avenue, South San Francisco. 
The Hallelujah Chorale is dedicated to the enhancement of liturgy by leading the Mater Dolorosa parish community in praising and worshipping in song. Under the patient tutelage of the exceptionally talented and dedicated music director Angie Pasamba, this group of volunteer musicians and music lovers has evolved into a music ministry known for its rich repertoire of liturgical music for Sunday masses, for delivering unique choral and orchestral arrangements by the director herself, and for their long-awaited annual holiday concerts. This year's concert program includes a collection of musical excerpts and some soulful solos from the Broadway favorites "Don Quixote" and "Les Miserables," as well as traditional carols exalting the birth of Jesus, our true reason for jubilation. Accompaniments will be provided by a professional classical string ensemble.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the church's stained glass restoration project. For tickets and sponsorships, call (650)-583-4131, (650)-878-1715, or email mdssf50@yahoo.com. Everyone is invited to come, listen and rejoice with us in sweet jubilation upon the founding of our parish and the birth of our Lord!

Metlife offers insight to help consumers achieve a comfortable and secure retirement

NEW YORK, November 14, 2011 – Retirement is a goal that most people look forward to in life. While many consumers recognize the importance of planning today to live a comfortable lifestyle tomorrow, it can be overwhelming to determine just how much money they will need in retirement. To help consumers get started on their retirement planning, MetLife shares three simple steps to simplify the process.

“MetLife understands that retirement planning is individualized and requires consumers to look at personal factors such as their necessities, income sources and desired lifestyle,” said Laurel
 
Daring, assistant vice president of Diverse Markets at MetLife. “With over 140 years of history and a team of experienced financial representatives, MetLife is well prepared to assist individuals in creating a personalized retirement plan to fit every situation and help consumers achieve their personal goals.”
 
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, less than 50 percent of Americans have determined how much they will need in retirement. While there is no magic number for the amount of income needed in retirement, MetLife offers a starting point for consumers to consider:
 
• Understand your essential expenses: This is what you will spend for the necessities – housing, food, clothing, transportation and healthcare – and you should plan to cover these with income you can rely on for as long as you live. Essential expenses tend to average about 60% of your salary (pretax) just before you retire. However, they can vary considerably based on your lifestyle choices and healthcare needs, so it’s always a good idea to make assessments based on your personal situation.
 
• Add it up to see where you are: Start first with the annual amount you expect to receive from your Social Security and pension plan. Then, multiply any other retirement savings you have by 4% (a commonly expected withdrawal rate) and add that result to your SocialSecurity and pensions income. If this amount is over 60% of what your pre-retirement household income is, it’s likely that you’re on track to cover any essential expenses in retirement. If your number is less than 60%, consider taking additional action to boost your retirement income and/or better manage your expenses.
 
• Take steps to create reliable income: The good news is that your Social Security and other employment-based retirement plans are great resources of reliable income, but if you’re like most people, you will need more stable, life long income to cover essential expenses. There are simple, small steps you can take to start to convert your assets into more reliable income. Start protecting your future income by considering an annuity, reverse mortgage or other financial services products to help cover any remaining expense gaps.
 
“Your retirement income should be able to cover essential expenses. If the basics are taken care of, then you’ll worry less and do more of the things you enjoy,” added Daring. “Weigh your options and get help from your employer or a financial professional.”
For more information on retirement planning or to find a local MetLife representative who can provide insight and one-on-one consultation about retirement planning and other financial services, call 1-800-638-5433 or visit www.metlife.com.
 
About MetLife
MetLife is a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers in over 50 countries. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Parol Making Kit Available

San Francisco – Thinking of saving money this Christmas on your decoration budget? Would you want to share Filipino Christmas tradition with your friends and relatives in the United States ? Would want to see something Filipino iconic item in your décor at home or in your office?

Why not make your own parol lantern? Parol is a five-point star that is made of Philippine bamboo, papel de japon (tissue o rice paper) and cellophane. The parol lantern is a symbol of hope, blessings and peace.

Don’t worry about supplies; they are now available in the U.S. and can be ordered at the Bayanihan Community Center (on 1010 Mission Street in South of Market in San Francisco ), online at  http://bayanihancc.org/parol2011/build_parol.html, or at 415-348-8042.  You can also get tutorial and how-to-tips in building your own parol.

In San Francisco , the Filipino community celebrates the annual Parol lantern Festival and Parade annually.  This is the 9th edition which was started in 2003 and has become a must-see event during the holiday season in San Francisco. 

The parol making activity brings people and community together. As an art and craft imported from the Philippine Christmas tradition, the Parol Festival is an effective vehicle in promoting Filipino culture and creativity.  

The festival begins with a series of parol lantern-making workshops held at the Bayanihan Community Center ( 1010 Mission St. on 6th Street), every Friday night from 5:30 pm to 8:00 p.m. and in other community centers. The parol making workshop is open to the public.

The largest public event, which features the culminating activities of the Parol Festival, is held on Saturday, December 10, 2011, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Yerba Buena Lane , Jessie Square and St. Patrick’s Church. There will be a parol stroll, a pageant of brightly lit lanterns made by participating contingents who are vying for the Tala Awards. The theme for this year’s Tala Awards is Pag-Asa: Bright visions for the future. Pag-asa means hope in Tagalog. 

Each year, the South of Market neighborhood and Filipino community showcase the parol lanterns - the quintessential Filipino symbol of hope, blessings, luck, peace, and light during the holiday season - and brighten the Jessie Square , Yerba Buena Lane and Mission Street between 3rd and 4th Street .  

The San Francisco Annual Parol Lantern Festival and Parade is organized and presented by the Filipino American Development Foundation, Bayanihan Community Center , Kularts and supported by the Grants for the Arts, MJM Management, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, Alliance for California Traditional Arts, St. Patrick’s Parish, Western Union and ABS-CBN International. For more information, please contact Parol Festival at 415-348-8042, email parolsf@gmail.com or visit www.bayanihancc.org.