Community Pictures

SILVER ANNIVERSARY. Ting and Belinda Huliganga celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary at Reno Assembly of God in Bell St. Reno Nevada last January 10, 2011. Godparents are Mr. & Mrs. Jun Belleza, Mr. & Mrs. Mel Ordinario, Mr. & Mrs. Remy Gales, Mr. & Mrs. Noel Sapay and Mr. & Mrs. Ful Mangoba.

Tina Brugge, proud mother of former Miss Philippines Guada Sanchez, celebrated her birthday with a dinner held at Intramuros Restaurant in San Bruno last Saturday, January 15, 2011. Shown in photo from L-R seated infront: Yen Brugge, the celebrant's husband, Helen Figueroa and socialite Sylvia Ford. Standing at the back from L-R: Andrew Douglas, the celebrant;s grandson, Andrea and Ann Borwick, Vivian Arcega and movie actress Miriam Jurado.

Senator Leland Yee, who will be running for mayor in San Francisco this coming November were among the high government officials who attended the inauguration and oath of office of the first Filipino who was elected Commissioner of San Mateo Robert Bernardo, last January 12 at the Comfort Inn Hotel in Half Moon Bay. Shown in photo are from L-R: Cora Garvida, beauty impresario Ferdie Villar, Senator Yee and Commissioner Bernardo.

New Year's eve celebration in Senior Citizen's Club in Reno Nevada. Photo from L-R: Cora and John Verhunce, Lettie and Ful Mangoba, Amparo Lettee and Fred Manabat.

(L-R) Ambrose Recreation and Parks Trustee; Mae Cendaña Torlakson, former SF Planning Commissioner Myrna Lim, San Mateo County Comissioner Fel Amistad and SF Board of Education President Hydra Mendoza gather at her inaguration in Sacramento.

SFPCG Holds Reception For SFPD

San Francisco, California – Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. hosted a send-off reception on 6 January 2011 for the officers of the San Francisco Police Department who will embark on a two-week mission to the Philippines as part of their Philippine Exchange Training Program (PET) with the Philippine National Police (PNP). The PET program, which was conceptualized by SFPD officers of Filipino ethnicity, is now on its 11th year. This year’s delegation, headed by Lt. Eric Quema, will join law enforcement officers from the PNP for a two-week training and education exchange program that includes symposiums, seminars, tactical skills training on crime scene investigation, officer safety and terrorism.

Consul General Paynor lauded the gains of the exchange program and thanked the SFPD officers for their efforts to foster camaraderie and professional ties with their counterparts from the PNP. As part of the program, PNP officers have also sent delegations to San Francisco to train with the SFPD.

Above group photo on top shows the officers of the SFPD-PET Program with Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr. while the photo on bottom shows the latter receiving an honorary membership certificate from President Glenn Syllvester of the Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers (FALEO) whose members also founded the SFPD-PET Program.

Asian Pacific Fund offers $27,000 in prizes to Bay Area students

San Francisco, January 13, 2011 – The Asian Pacific Fund, a Bay Area community foundation, has announced that it is accepting essay, poem and artwork entries by Bay Area, K-12th grade students for the 2011 Growing Up Asian in America contest. The theme is Lost & Found. The Asian Pacific Fund will award $27,000 in savings bonds awards. Growing Up Asian in America encourages young people to express their ideas on being Asian and American through art and essays. Submissions are encouraged from Asian youth including Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Pacific Islander and students of mixed heritage.

Students compete in three grade categories: kindergarten through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade and ninth through twelfth grade. The first place winners in each category will receive savings bond awards in the amount of $2,000, with second and third places receiving $1,500 and $1,000, respectively.

Entries must be postmarked by Thursday, March 10, 2011, or delivered in person by 5 p.m. of that day to Growing Up Asian in America, Asian Pacific Fund, 225 Bush Street, Suite 590, San Francisco, CA 94104. No entries are accepted by fax or e-mail. This year, essay entries will be accepted online. Guidelines are available at local public and private schools, public libraries and online at www.asianpacificfund.org Students can follow the contest on Facebook by searching “Growing Up Asian in America.”

This year, Target is the presenting sponsor of Growing Up Asian in America. Other major sponsors include Safeway, Wells Fargo, Walgreens, Asian Art Museum. Media sponsors include NBC Bay Area, The Mercury News, Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune, Korea Times, Nichi Bei Weekly, ABS-CBN International, India Currents, KEST AM 1450 & KSJX AM 1500, KTSF Channel 26, and V Times.

ABOUT THE ASIAN PACIFIC FUND -- The Asian Pacific Fund is a Bay Area community foundation established to improve the health and well-being of the Asian American community. The Fund supports a broad range of local organizations that provide vital services to Asian Americans in need and has distributed $5.0 million grants and awards. The Fund is the only organization in the Bay Area that specializes in working with Asian donors, raising funds for community agencies, helping donors with grants and scholarship programs and supporting public education projects.

Issue 4: Jan 26, 2011

‘ASAP Rocks’ invade Iloilo
(Approximately 50,000 Ilonggos troop to the
open-air Iloilo Sports Complex under record heat)

SEEN IN THE CITY

(Iloilo, Philippines) For the very first time, the Ilonggos got the treat of their lives during last Dinagyang Festivities as ABS-CBN’s top-rating Sunday noontime party/ show, “ASAP ROCKS” flew its 113 artists and performed live at the security-tight Iloilo Sports Complex and left 50,000 event goers in awe.

No less than Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog attended the event, fresh from another competing event – the Ati Competition at the Freedom Grandstand (where Speaker Frank Drillon, Miguel Zubiri, Maria Elena Ballsy Aquino Cruz, among others, were in attendance too).

Piolo Pascual prepares to lift/dangle Zaijan 'Santino' Jaranilla (shades of Michael Jackson dangling his son in the balcony to entertain photographers, huh) to the delighted audiences as Sam Milby, Vina Morales, Christian Bautista, Xyriel Manabat & Bugoy Carino watch.

Rayver Cruz caused airport pandemonium when 'ASAP Rocks' invaded Iloilo for the first time last Sunday.

Cristine Reyes performs 'Telephone' (the GLEE version) during ASAP ROCKS in Iloilo, attracting a record crowd of approximately 50,000 mostly young audiences.

Hey, ASAP ROCKS held more audiences than the Ati Competition being held simultaneously according to some people to went to both. The Dinagyang-inspired stage was very colorful, unique and not boring. The song and dance entertainment numbers were carefully rehearsed and artistically delivered. The hosts and in-between commercial breaks jokes were funny. The performers costumes are very creative and colorful. The sound aesthetics is world-class and this is very important in this kind of show, especially considering it’s in an open-air setting.

Iloilo's Pancit Molo, Lapaz Batchoy and the Dinagyang Ati Festival are only some of the things why tourists from all over the world flock this part of Central Philippines during January. Tribu Pan ay of Fort San Pedro National High School was declared Champion in this year’s Ati Ati contest of the Dinagyang Festival 2011. They also won the Best in Choreography and the Best in Performance.

Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog awards the ceremonial key making Maria Elena Ballsy Aquino Cruz (sister of the more popular Kris Aquino & President Noynoy Aquino) an adopted daughter of the City during last Sunday's Dinagyang Festival 2011.

These are the artistas that attracted the record crowd last Sunday: Gerald Anderson, John Prats, Rayver Cruz, Enchong Dee, Cristine Reyes, Billy Joe Crawford, Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Bea Alonzo, Erich Gonzales, Andi Eigenmann, Iya Villania, Karylle, Nikki Gil, Jessy Mendiola, Empress Schuck, AJ Perez, Joseph Marco, Bugoy Carino, Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Montes, Kiray Celis, John Manalo, Albi Casino, Christian Bautista, Erik Santos, Jed Madela, Yeng Constantino, Richard Poon, Duncan Ramos, Aiza Seguerra, Sitti, Juris, Jason Abalos, Vina Morales, Shaina Magdayao, Mickey Perz, Zaijan ‘Santino’ Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat, Pokwang, Matt Evans, Bekimon, Bianca ‘Juanita Banana’ Manalo, Sam Concepcion, Robi Domingo, Rafael Rosel, Enrique Gil, Ahron Villaflor, among others.

The teen cast of "Mara Clara", Kathryn Bernardo, left, Julia Montes, right, & Kiray Celis (middle), enjoy bonding moments in Iloilo's ASAP ROCKS

Jessy Mendiola & Jason Abalos from two top-rating ABS-CBN teleseryes on TV today, "Sabel" & "Alyna", respectively, wait for their cue backstage during last Sunday's "ASAP ROCKS" in Iloilo.

TO-BE-SEEN IN THE CITY
2011 Foreign Service Officers Examination

The Board of Foreign Service Examinations of the Department of Foreign Affairs will hold the 2011 FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS Examinations to recruit candidates for appointment to the position of Foreign Service Officer, Class IV.

Every devotee carried his/her votive light with their left hands lifted up reaching out while worshipping our Sto Nino de Cebu. They serenaded Sto Nino with Cebuano songs.

Remember the Fil-am tennis phenoms called the Perkins Twins of Menlo Park? They went to recently Hawaii to get ready for the tennis season and ran into Duane Lee Chapman (Dog Chapman’s son). Dog Chapman is that famous bounty hunter.

Prospective Foreign Service Officers must be knowledgeable on the economic, political and social conditions of the Philippines, and must possess not only facility in oral communications, but also the personality traits essential to the performance of the duties of Foreign Service Officers. They must also be willing and able to accept assignments to any post where their services may be required.

Gerald Anderson waves to his Ilonggo supporters before he opened ASAP ROCKS last Sunday. He led the 113 ABS-CBN artists that flew specifically to the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo for the very first time.

Enchong Dee gamely poses with Daly City's Dorie Paniza, a true-blue native of Iloilo, during ASAP ROCKs last Sunday.

Applicants are advised to check the eligibility requirements to ensure that they meet the said admission requirements. Applicants who are found ineligible, or who have submitted incomplete application forms and requirements, shall not be allowed to take the examination, and their admission fees shall be forfeited.

Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Erich Gonzales, Empress Schuck, John Prats & Mickey Perz brave the scorching heat of the sun during their last Sunday's ASAP ROCKS performance in Iloilo.

Information on the FSO Examinations, qualifications, requirements, schedule of exams and application form are available at the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph, click “Newsroom,” then “Announcements”).

Deadline for submission of application is on 11 February 2011.

PERSONAL NOTES
Briefs & shorts

Congratulations to ABS-CBN International’s Balitang America’s Henni Espinosa for winning a round-trip ticket to the Philippines, courtesy of Philippine Airlines, raffled off by PAPC.
Happy birthday to Club Royale International’s Mrs. Jett Viray-Navarro, who through the years never fail us for being so gracious and a lady, despite the stress and challenges.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Liar.” – Imelda Donaire calling her daughter—in-law, Rachel (over son, the WBA Super Flyweight Champion, Nonito, Jr. pronouncements in print against his father & his family). Hey, Manny Pacquiao reached his admirable global status without these cheap family feuds that are better discussed in private.

This article also appears online at www.FilipinoVillage.com and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 105 countries now (& still counting!) according to the latest Google Analytics report.

Do you have any personal or community events you want announced or published? Just email them to bradford_adkins@yahoo.com

Walmart Launches Major Initiative to Make Food Healthier and Healthier Food More Affordable

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 24, 2011 – At an event last week in Washington, D.C., Walmart, the nation’s largest grocer, unveiled a comprehensive effort to provide its customers with healthier and more affordable food choices. The company was joined by First Lady Michelle Obama as it outlined the five key elements of the program including:

1. Reformulating thousands of everyday packaged food items by 2015 by reducing sodium 25 percent and added sugars 10 percent, and by removing all remaining industrially produced trans fats. The company will work with suppliers to improve the nutritional quality of national food brands and its Great Value private brand in key product categories to complete the reformulations;

2. Making healthier choices more affordable, saving customers approximately $1 billion per year on fresh fruits and vegetables through a variety of sourcing, pricing, and transportation and logistics initiatives that will drive unnecessary costs out of the supply chain. Walmart will also dramatically reduce or eliminate the price premium on key “better-for-you” items, such as reduced sodium, sugar or fat products;

3. Developing strong criteria for a simple front-of-package seal that will help consumers instantly identify truly healthier food options such as whole grain cereal, whole wheat pasta or unsweetened canned fruit;

4. Providing solutions to address food deserts by building stores in underserved communities that are in need of fresh and affordable groceries; and

5. Increasing charitable support for nutrition programs that help educate consumers about healthier food solutions and choices.

“No family should have to choose between food that is healthier for them and food they can afford,” said Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. “With more than 140 million customer visits each week, Walmart is uniquely positioned to make a difference by making food healthier and more affordable to everyone. We are committed to working with suppliers, government and non-governmental organizations to provide solutions that help Americans eat healthier and live a better life.”

This program builds on the success of the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign to make healthy choices more convenient and affordable for families and is consistent with Walmart’s commitment to lead on social issues that matter to its customers.

Walmart will reformulate key product categories of its Great Value private brand and collaborate with suppliers to reformulate national brands within the same categories by 2015. The effort is designed to help reduce the consumption of sodium, sugar and trans fats, which are major contributors to the epidemic of obesity and chronic diseases in America today, including high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. The reformulation initiative includes three components:

* Reduce sodium by 25 percent in a broad category of grocery items, including grain products, luncheon meats, salad dressings and frozen entrees;
* Reduce added sugars by 10 percent in dairy items, sauces and fruit drinks; and
* Remove all remaining industrially produced trans fats (partially hydrogenated fats and oils) in all packaged food products.

As its suppliers make choices on reformulating their products beyond the Walmart supply chain, the company expects millions of Americans to benefit whether they shop at Walmart or not.
“Our customers tell us they want a variety of food choices and need help feeding their families healthier foods. At Walmart, we are committed to doing both,” said Andrea Thomas, senior vice president of sustainability at Walmart. “We support consumer choice so this is not about telling people what they should eat. This effort is aimed at eliminating sodium, sugar and trans fat in products where they are not really needed.”

Walmart’s everyday low price business model will help make healthier food more affordable. The company will take a number of steps to provide customers even more savings on fresh produce through a variety of sourcing, pricing, and transportation and logistics initiatives that will drive efficiencies throughout the supply chain and further reduce unnecessary costs.

“If we are successful in our efforts to lower prices, we believe we can save Americans who shop at Walmart approximately $1 billion per year on fresh fruit and vegetables,” Thomas said.
Walmart will also dramatically reduce or eliminate the price premium on “better-for-you” options such as reduced sodium, sugar or fat on products from the same manufacturer.

In addition, Walmart will develop a simple front-of-package seal in consultation with health organizations to help customers identify healthier food for their families. The seal will be supported by a nutritious food standard designed to increase vitamins, minerals, whole grains, fruits and vegetables in food products, while limiting saturated fats, sodium and added sugars.

Later this year, Walmart will add this seal to its private branded food products that meet the strong criteria and will also offer the seal to its suppliers for their national brands that qualify.

The company has also made it a business priority to find innovative ways to provide fresh and affordable groceries to people in urban and rural communities across America who are living in food deserts.

Last year, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation launched a $2 billion effort to help fight hunger through 2015 by donating fresh, nutritious foods to food banks across the nation. This year the company will increase charitable support for food and nutrition programs by funding education efforts that teach consumers about healthier food options.

For more information visit: www.walmartstores.com/healthierfoods.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or “Walmart,” serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,700 retail units under 59 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine's 2010 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.comand www.samsclub.com.