COPAO had a very successful Orientation Session and Brainstorming Workshop for all officers and Council Members of the Executive Council on Saturday, January 22, 2005, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the COPAO Center.
Topics discussed included the Objectives of COPAO; Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Council; Highlights of Amendments to the Bylaws; and discussion of potential forthcoming projects of COPAO. Workshop facilitator was Fred Gallardo, COPAO Council Member.
17 Pangasinan Presidents in San Diego attended the 2003 Veterans Ball-Terno Contest, and acknowledged the PASDC 2003 Veteran of the Year, Mr. Romy Crena.
From left to right kneeling: Pres. Jimmie Sober, Executive Lions Club; Pres. Juanito Amor, PASDC Youth Group; Pres. Julio de Guzman, PASDC, 2001-2005; Pres. Jimmy Boton, Alaminos City; Pres. Ed Benitez, San Carlos;
Standing: Pres. Vicki Calicsan, Urdaneta; Pres. Nita Barrrozo, Manaoaog; Pres. Larry Palpal-Latoc, Pozorrubio; Pres. Gerry Bulatao, Malasiqui; Pres. Mel Salinas, Agno Valley College Alumni Association and PASDC Veteran of the Year 2004; Pres. Julio Peralta, Mapandan; Miss Arlie Ricasa, Inducting Officer; Pres. Ben Gapuz, Sual; Pres. Romy Crena, Dagupan City; Pres. Cesar Adan, Filipino American Retirees of SOCAL; Pres. Jun Valderrama, Mabini; Pres. Virgie Lazo, Lingayen.
Not pictured but in attendance: Pres. Salva Peralta, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Association and Mrs. PASDC 2001-2004; Pres. Aurora Cudal, COPAO; Pres. Ditas Yamane, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce; Pres. Faith Bautista, Mabuhay Alliance.
PANGASINAN ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY - VETERANS BALL 2005
Some of the 100-plus members of the Fil-Am community of San Diego who came to the COPAO Center on April 9, 2005, to take advantage of the Philippine Consulate General's Outreach Program. The consular staff was kept busy processing passport, dual citizenship, authentica-tion of documents and other applications, saving people the long trip to Los Angeles.
Philippine Consulate General staff headed by Deputy Consul General Hellen Barber pose for a photo with COPAO volunteers headed by Rita Buencamino Andrews, COPAO President. and Aurora S. Cudal, Chair, Board of Advisers.
COPAO President Rita Buencamino Andrews presides over a Special Meeting of the Executive Council on Saturday, January 22, 2004, at the COPAO Center in National City. Taking notes is Lily Ann Villaraza, acting Secretary. The meeting was followed by an Orientation Workshop for the new Officers and Council Members.
The COPAO Executive Council Meets Every First Tuesday of the Month.
A flurry of varied hues and sounds filled the air of National City on June 9, as Filipino-Americans and other
members of the community celebrated the 109th Independence of the Philippines, with Philippine Faire 2007.
Through the Festival of Festivals parade which was held in the morning, the annual event showcased the
different cultures of the varied ethnic groups constituting the Islands. With its theme, "Moving Forward through
Collaboration,” the Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County (COPAO), sponsor of
the festival together with the City of National City, reaffirmed its commitment to forging a higher level of unity
among Filipino-Americans in San Diego.
In June 2006, right after that year’s Philippine Faire and at the urging of then National City Councilmember Ron
Morrison, the COPAO Executive Council decided to hold a one-day faire instead of the usual two days. There
were a number of reasons for the change, foremost among which was the feedback received from the public,
practicality and the cost that went into holding the event over a full weekend. That's why a few in the audience
were surprised that it was a one-day event. In fact, several promised, "We'll be coming back tomorrow, with a
few more friends," thinking that it was a two-day event like the previous ones.
This year, no less than National City Mayor Ron Morrison and Philippine Consul General Mary Jo B. Aragon served as Grand Marshals of the parade, which cascaded through Plaza Boulevard down to Kimball Park. Since festivals are at the heart of Philippine culture, various community organizations and students representing the different high-schools of the San Diego County depicted festivals celebrated in the different regions of the Philippines, like the Ati-atihan by Mt. Carmel High School, Panagbenga by Otay Ranch High School, Sinulog of Bell Jr. High School, Pabitin of the South Bay Filipino-American Community Association, Harana sa Makati of Eastlake High, Kadayawan of Sweetwater High, and the Maskarra Festival of Paradise Hills Elementary School. Olympian High showed off their Parols, Montgomery High portrayed the Pintados, and Morse High School depicted the Pahiyas festival. Participants vied with one another to be as colorful and authentic as possible as they painted their faces and wore colorful costumes representative of the many facets of Philippine culture and history.
The Kawit Association marched with a large Filipino flag to commemorate the birth of the Philippine Republic in 1898. The Baguio City Association contingent wore colorful native costumes and danced to the rhythm of gongs reverberating as if from the Cordillera Mountain region. Pretty ladies under colorful arches of flowers represented the City of San Diego Filipino-American Employees’ Association as they portrayed the popular summer festival, Flores de Mayo and Santa Cruzan, just as the Granger Middle School students did later in the parade. The ladies of the Bicol Club marched and danced in their matching colorful Filipina dresses depicting the Gayon Bicol Festival. Other groups were as equally impressive and colorful.
Mrs. Philippine Faire 2007 Crispina Cervantes, Miss Philippine Faire 2007 Christina Marie Malto and Little Miss Philippine Faire 2007 Layla Ali led their royal court as they waved from decorated convertibles. With them were Mrs. Luzon Ameha Jensen, Mrs. Visayas Nedy Lao, Mrs. Mindanao Vicky Dubreil, Mrs. Friendship Angie Enerva, Miss Friendship Vina Rodriguez, Little Miss Friendship Marifel Lopez and Little Miss Unity Jennifer Corpuz.
Other beauties who also joined the parade were Mrs. Philippine Faire 2006 Myrna T.F. Reyes; the Philippine American Community of San Diego County’s Miss Philippines 2006 Fresas Flores; Miss Manila 2006 Marie Fernandez ; Miss Visayas Beverly Pitogo; and others, including Jessica Acasio Merlan, Miss Dagupan City 2007.
The drill team from Morse High School wowed the crowd with their fancy marching in front of the parade viewing stand. Nurses from Sharp Cabrillo Hospital in their yellow t-shirts earned the crowd’s resounding applause as they danced to the beat of the popular Filipino song “Boom Taratarat.” Other groups also performed 2-minute dances and other portrayals for the VIP’s seated at the viewing stand.
In addition to Mayor Morrison, local government officials in attendance included San Diego City Mayor Jerry Sanders, Supervisor Greg Cox, Chula Vista City Mayor Cheryl Cox, Assemblymember Mary Salas, Councilmember & President Pro-Tem Tony Young, Councilmembers Louie Natividad, Rosalie Zarate, Frank Parra and Fidelis Ungab. Also present were Mitz Lee, Vice President of the San Diego Unified School District, Arlie Ricasa, President of the Sweetwater Union High School District, Manny Doria, representing Congressman Bob Filner, and others.
After the parade, a brief opening ceremony at the stage in Kimball Park was climaxed with the release of red, white and blue balloons, symbolic of the rising aspirations of the Filipino-American community. The day long program that followed consisted of cultural songs and dances to entertain the large crowd that gathered at the park. Kimball Park was dotted with booths -- almost double the number of booth in 2006 -- displaying and providing health and other services, cultural artifacts and various entrepreneurial offerings of and for Filipino-American in San Diego. The PASACAT Dance Company and the Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, the Music and Friends Choir and Moda Filipina 2007, a fashion show by designer Boodgie Arce, combined with songs and dances from youth groups to entertain the audience. After the opening ceremonies, the Philippine Faire titleholders and their courts were formally introduced to the public, as were the 2007 COPAO scholarship awardees: Jemmianne Bautista of Eastlake High (Academic Excellence), Elma Joy Trinindad of Otay Ranch High (Leadership), Michael Sevilla of Junipero Serra High (Athletics) and Edrilyn Besalda of Sweetwater High (Community Service).
The crowd of thousands moving around the 80-plus booths was very pleased with the faire. A young mother with a three or four year old girl in tow, exclaimed, "We really enjoyed today and we'll see you again next year!" They were among the last ones to leave the event long after the "official" close of the program.
Another woman commented that "It was a good idea letting us know about this event by leaving messages in our mailboxes and doors" (She was referring to the messages and flyers COPAO distributed to houses in the vicinity of the parade route.)
Under the guidance of COPAO president Rita Andrews, Philippine Faire 2007 was coordinated by executive director Merly Ferrer. Chairs of major committees were Al Villamora, parade; Regina Agarma and Myrna Reyes, popularity contest; Juanito Amor, Jr., program; Cyd Gallardo, scholarship and awards; Benny Valerio, logistics; Vina Phelps and Missy Martinez, hospitality; Albert Halili, booths; Ditas Yamane, marketing; Rudy Liporada, publicity; George Alfonso, raffles and tickets; and Cynthia French, advertisements. They were supported by officers and members of the Executive Council and others.
PHILIPPINE FAIRE 2007
PHILIPPINE FAIRE BEAUTIES FOR 2008 CROWNED
The Atlas Ballroom of the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego was filled with ladies in stunning gowns and gentlemen in smart looking Barongs on May 10, 2008. It was the Filipiniana Night and Coronation Ball, culminating the search for Mrs. Philippine Faire 2008, Miss Philippine Faire 2008, and Little Miss Philippine Faire 2008.
The reigning queens for 2007 did their farewell promenade: Crispina Cervantes, Mrs. Philippine Faire 2007; Christina Marie Malto, Miss Philippine Faire 2007, and Layla Ali, Little Miss Philippine Faire 2007.
The newly crowned queens are Katelyn Marie Gallardo, Little Miss Philippine Faire 2008; Alice Podschun, Mrs. Philippine Faire 2008; and Kristine Faye Bermudez, MIss Philippine Faire 2008. Their royal court is composed of Juliana Bridget Gaehner, Little Miss Friendship 2008; Angeleah Tala Padilla, Little Miss Unity 2008; and Maria Elena Martinez, Mrs. Philippine Faire Friendship 2008.
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The Mira Mesa Community Park in San Diego was the site of the Philippine Festival and Faire 2008 on June 7, 2008. This included the Festival of Festivals Parade, that has become a tradition, featuring the inclusion of thousands of Filipino-American students from the various schools in the County.
Celebrating the 110th anniversary of Philippine Independence, the annual event, which used to be held at the Kimball Park in National City, was moved to Mira Mesa to facilitate a joint celebration/collaboration among the Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County, the Aguinaldo Foundation and Mabuhay Alliance.
Grand Marshals for the Festival of Festvals parade were Philippine Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon, Councilmember Brian Maienschein of District V, San Diego, and Board Member Mitz Lee of the San Diego Unified School District. The whole day faire that followed the parade was attended by thousands of people who enjoyed the Philippine cultural dances and songs, modern dances, and more entertainment, as well as the many food booths and displays provided by numerous vendors and service organizations.
Pictures of the Philippine Festival and Faire may be viewed at the websites of the following photographers who covered the event:
A team from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles will conduct a Consular Outreach Program in National City, California on Saturday, September 4, 2010 from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm at the Holiday Inn, located at 700 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950.
The following Consular services will be rendered by the Philippine Consulate General STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY AND WITH COMPLETED DOCUMENTS ONLY following the applicable scheduling steps below. No walk-in applicants will be entertained.
1. Applications for Machine Readable Passport (Cost: $50) and returned to the applicant by mail at an additional cost of $6. Appointment Scheduling Steps:
a. Visit the Philippine Consulate website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) and print the Passport Application form;
b. Complete the Passport Application form; and,
c. No later than 2 September 2010 or until we receive 300 applications, whichever comes first, send an advance copy of the completed passport application form and data page (bearing the name and photo) of the old passport to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990.
d. Other than the thumbprint and photo which will be done on site, all pertinent data on the application form must be completed. Otherwise, incomplete forms will not be processed.
2. Applications for Dual Citizenship (Cost: $50). Appointment Scheduling Steps:
a. Visit the Philippine Consulate website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) and print the Dual Citizenship Application form;
b. Complete the Dual Citizenship Application form; and,
c. No later than 2 September 2010, send an advance copy of the completed Dual Citizenship application form and supporting documents to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990.
d. Other than the thumbprint and photo which will be done on site, all pertinent data on the application form must be completed. Otherwise, incomplete forms will not be processed.
Note: Oath-Taking will be scheduled on the same day for qualified applicants.
3. Applications for Report of Marriage & Birth (Cost: $25) will be accepted but this will be processed in Los Angeles and returned to the applicant by mail at an additional cost of $6. Appointment Scheduling Steps for Report of Marriage (ROM) & Birth (ROB) -
a. Visit the Philippine Consulate website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) and print the ROM or ROB form;
b. Complete the ROM or ROB form; and,
c. No later than 2 September 2010, send an advance copy (one set only) of the completed form and supporting documents to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990. Incomplete forms will not be processed.
4. Notarization of Documents (Cost: $25) will be accepted but this will be processed in Los Angeles and returned to the applicant by mail at an additional cost of $6.
a. No later than 2 September 2010, send an advance copy of the document to be notarized to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990.
Information FOR ALL APPLICANTS
The Consulate regularly updates the appointment schedule posted on the website as they receive the completed applications.
The final list of all applicants with pre-processed applications will be posted at the Consulate’s website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) by 2 September 2010. Personal appearance is required for all applicants for data verification, finger-printing and signature capture. Applications by mail are no longer accepted.
All applicants are advised to transact their business directly with Consulate officials and not through travel agencies.
Private photographers, who are knowledgeable of the photo requirements for the machine readable passport, will be present at the venue during the Consular Outreach for those who will need photos for passport renewal. To obtain details regarding the MRP passport photo requirements, applicants may visit the Consulate’s website (www.philippineconsulatela.org).
The Consulate will only accept payments in cash, postal money order or cashier’s check. Personal checks will not be accepted. Application forms, requirements and other details can be downloaded from the Consulate’s website at www.philippineconsulatela.org.
For information on consular matters, interested parties may wish to call Vice Consul Ruel U. Gunabe at Tel: 1-213-637-3020, or call Fred Gallardo of COPAO at Tel. No. 619-850-0825.
The consular outreach program is being undertaken in cooperation with the Council of the Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County, Inc. (COPAO) with the sponsorship of Western Union.
PHILIPPINE CONSULAR OUTREACH ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2010
COUNCIL OF PHILIPPINE AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS
OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY, INC.
P.O. Box 1504, National City, California 91951-1504 Telephone: 619-477-4090
COPAO is a California Public Benefit Corporation and IRS 501 (c) (3) organization.
