Filipinos In JC (Jersey City, New Jersey) | JC, NJ

Play: A Trilogy by Tino Aquino-Capili

jose — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:28:31 +0000

Click to view full poster

The Rejoice for God The Greatest Artist Acting Group (RFGA) invites all Filipinos in Jersey City and their family members to watch this rare triple theater experience dubbed as “A Trilogy”, on Friday, July 27, 2012 at Philippine Consulate in New York. The curtain opens at 6PM.

“A Trilogy” (Triple theatre experience)
Description: play, theater
When: Friday, July 27, 2012 (6PM)
Where: Kalayaan Hall – Philippine Consulate
Address: 556 5th Ave., Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY 10036
Contact: see inside this post

“A Trilogy” is composed of three inter-related plays rolled into one which are all written and directed by seasoned playwright Florentino Aquino-Capili. Below is the list of plays and their short descriptions:

The Rival – “How far can a son go for the love of his Mom?”
The Little Rose – “How big a sacrifice can a Mother make for the love of her child?”
Labs U, Ninong! – “How much of their children’s uniqueness can a loving parent accept?”

If you plan to watch the A Trilogy, please contact the following people:

Joey Mayo – 917 656 9443
Apple Lipa – 201 920 8788
Rovi Balanzat – 551 208 3410
Kristine Vivar – 201 253 6363

Donations are welcome, $20 for adults and $15 for youths, students, and seniors. See you all there!

3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) of Pres. Aquino III

jose — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:20:13 +0000

So, who woke up at 4AM today to watch the 2012 State of the Nation (SONA) of Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III? The speech lasted for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, delivered in Filipino (Tagalog) language; interrupted by a dozen and a half of Noynoy’s trademark coughs, and audience applause after every two sentences or so. The SONA transcript (inside this post) is 17 pages long, with 140 paragraphs containing more than 9,000 words. That’s a lot of information. But do you think they are meaningful and accurate?

In a sentence or two, Pres. Aquino’s 3rd SONA can be summarized as “Kay sarap maging Pilipino ngayon.” Towards the end, he reminded that this SONA isn’t his, but everyone’s. “Posible na ang dating imposible” he said. And that’s because according to him, everyone has contributed to every inch of the progress this country has made.

Some of the highlights of the 2012 State of the Nation Address (SONA), Ang Ikatlong Ulat sa Bayan:

Tourism is relative to infrastructure
In agriculture, the country has lessened imports, and increased the exports
Crime has dropped by 50%
Php28 billion allotted for AFP modernization
Illegal Mining and illegal logging will not be tolerated
More resources for the protection of the Philippine territories
Peace and order: more than 200 rebels have returned
Disaster strategies: installed 600 rain gauges and 400 water level monitoring system
Justice system is for all; cited the charges against the former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the impeachment of CJ Corona.

The first two pages of the SONA 2012 TRANSCRIPT in Filipino:

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Bise Presidente Jejomar Binay; mga dating Pangulong Fidel Valdez Ramos at Joseph Ejercito Estrada; ang ating mga kagalang-galang na mahistrado ng Korte Suprema; mga kagalang-galang na kagawad ng kalipunang diplomatiko; mga kagalang-galang na miyembro ng Kamara de Representante at ng Senado; mga pinuno ng pamahalaang lokal; mga miyembro ng ating Gabinete; mga unipormadong kasapi ng militar at kapulisan; mga kapwa kong nagseserbisyo sa taumbayan; at siyempre sa akin pong mga boss, magandang hapon po.

Ito po ang aking ikatlong SONA, at parang kailan lang nang nagsimula tayong mangarap. Parang kailan lang nang sabay-sabay tayong nagpasyang tahakin ang tuwid na daan. Parang kailan lang nang sinimulan nating iwaksi ang wang-wang, hindi lamang sa kalsada kundi sa sistemang panlipunan.

Dalawang taon na ang nakalipas mula nang sinabi ninyo, “Sawa na kami sa korupsyon; sawa na kami sa kahirapan.” Oras na upang ibalik ang isang pamahalaang tunay na kakampi ng taumbayan.

Gaya ng marami sa inyo, namulat ako sa panggigipit ng makapangyarihan. Labindalawang-taong gulang po ako nang idineklara ang Batas Militar. Bumaliktad ang aming mundo: Pitong taon at pitong buwang ipiniit ang aking ama; tatlong taong napilitang mangibang-bansa ang aking pamilya; naging saksi ako sa pagdurusa ng marami dahil sa diktadurya. Dito napanday ang aking prinsipyo: Kung may inaagrabyado’t ninanakawan ng karapatan, siya ang kakampihan ko. Kung may abusadong mapang-api, siya ang lalabanan ko. Kung may makita akong mali sa sistema, tungkulin kong itama ito. [Applause]

Matagal nang tapos ang Batas Militar. Tinanong tayo noon: “Kung hindi tayo, sino pa?” at “Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?” Ang nagkakaisang tugon natin: tayo at ngayon na. Ang demokrasyang ninakaw gamit ang paniniil at karahasan, nabawi natin sa mapayapang paraan; matagumpay nating pinag-alab ang liwanag mula sa pinakamadilim na kabanata ng ating kasaysayan.

Ngunit huwag po nating kalimutan ang pinag-ugatan ng Batas Militar: Kinasangkapan ng diktador ang Saligang Batas upang manatili sa kapangyarihan. At hanggang ngayon, tuloy pa rin ang banggaan sa pagitan ng gusto ng sistemang parehas, laban sa mga nagnanais magpatuloy ng panlalamang.

Mula sa unang araw ng ating panunungkulan, walang ibang sumalubong sa atin kundi ang mga bangungot ng nawalang dekada.

Nariyan po ang kaso ng North Rail. Pagkamahal-mahal na nga nito, matapos ulitin ang negosasyon, nagmahal pa lalo. Sa kabila nito, binawasan ang benepisyo. Ang labingsiyam na trainsets naging tatlo, at sa mga estasyon, mula lima, naging dalawa. Ang masaklap po, pinapabayaran na sa atin ang utang nito, now na.

Nariyan ang walang pakundangang bonus sa ilang GOCC, sa kabila ng pagkalugi ng kanilang mga ahensya. Nariyan ang isang bilyong pisong pinasingaw ng PAGCOR para sa kape. Nariyan ang sistemang pamamahala sa PNP na isinantabi ang pangangailangan sa armas ng 45 porsiyento ng kapulisan, para lang kumita mula sa lumang helicopter na binili sa presyong brand new.

Wala na ngang iniwang panggastos, patung-patong at sabay-sabay pa ang mga utang na kailangang bayaran na. Mahaba ang iniwang listahan na tungkulin nating punuan: Ang 66,800 na backlog sa classrooms, na nagkakahalaga ng tinatayang 53.44 billion pesos; ang 2,573,212 na backlog sa mga upuan, na nagkakahalaga naman ng 2.31 billion pesos. Nang dumating tayo, may halos tatlumpu’t anim na milyong Pilipinong hindi pa miyembro ng PhilHealth. Ang kailangan para makasali sila: maaaring umabot sa 42 billion pesos. Idagdag pa po natin sa lahat ng iyan ang 103 billion pesos na kailangan para sa modernisasyon ng Hukbong Sandatahan. Sa harap ng lahat ng ito, ang iniwan sa ating pondo na malaya nating magagamit: 6.5 percent ng kabuuang budget para sa natitirang anim na buwan ng 2010. Para po tayong boksingerong isinabak sa laban nang nakagapos na nga ang mga kamay at paa, nakapiring pa ang mga mata, at kakampi pa ng kalaban ang referee at ang mga judge.

Kaya nga sa unang tatlong buwan ng aming panunungkulan, inaabangan namin ang pagdating ng Linggo para maidulog sa Panginoon ang mga bangungot na humaharap sa amin. Inasahan naming mangangailangan ng ‘di bababa sa dalawang taon bago magkaroon ng makabuluhang pagbabago. Bibigyan kaya tayo ng sapat na pag-unawa ng taumbayan?

Subalit kung may isang bagay mang nakatatak na sa ating lahi, at makailang ulit na nating pinatunayan sa buong mundo: Walang hindi makakaya ang nagkakaisang Pilipino. Nangarap po tayo ng pagbabago; nakamit natin ang pagbabago; at ngayon, karaniwan na ito. [Applause]

Ang kalsadang pinondohan ninyo ay tuwid, patag, at walang bukol; ang tanging tongpats ay aspalto o semento. Karaniwan na po ito.

Ang sitwasyon kung paparating ang bagyo: nakaabang na ang relief, at hindi ang tao ang nag-aabang ng relief. Nag-aabang na ring umalalay ang rescue services sa taumbayan, at hindi tayo-tayo lang din ang sumasaklolo sa isa’t isa. Karaniwan na po ito.

Ang wang-wang sa lansangan, galing na lang sa pulis, ambulansya, o bumbero—hindi sa opisyal ng gobyerno. Karaniwan na rin po ito. Ang gobyernong dating nang-aabuso, ngayon, tunay na kakampi na ng Pilipino. [Applause]

Nagpatupad po tayo ng reporma: tinanggal ang gastusing hindi kailangan, hinabol ang mga tiwali, at ipinakita sa mundong open for business under new management na ang Pilipinas.

For full transcripts, see links below.

Source:

SONA 2012 from Malacanang Website (Filipino | English)

Now Open: Jollibee Jersey City (Restaurant and Fast Food)

jose — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:00:54 +0000

[Latest UPDATE: June 6, 2012] It ‘s official: the long wait is over. The biggest and most popular fast food chain in the Philippines, Jollibee — will finally open its door to all excited Filipinos in Jersey City on June 10, 2012, according to its Facebook page. The Jersey City branch is the second here in the East Coast, after the first one opened in New York more than 3 years ago. Jollibee Jersey City’s business hours start at 7AM and end at 10PM, days to be determined yet.

Jollibee Jersey City
Description: Fast food, restaurant, breakfast, lunch, dinner, sandwich, chicken, Filipino Food
Where: Danforth Plaza, Jersey City (393 Danforth Avenue, Jersey City 07305)
Contact: TBD; Facebook

Read the rest for the prior updates of this post ….

[1st UPDATE: July 5, 2011] The opening date of Jollibee Jersey City will be on the first week of September this year, according to their facebook page. Thanks to those who emailed me.

[Original Post: May 31, 2011] The most popular fast-food chain in the Philippines is finally coming to Jersey City. Jollibee Fast-food/Restaurant will be opening its door to Filipinos in Jersey City soon! ~~It is set to open July 1st if the rumors are correct~~.

This is like a dream-come-true to me. I know Pinoys here in JC have been wanting a Jollibee that is not as far as the one in New York, and we finally got one! Jollibee Jersey City is the second one in the East Coast.

Jollibee has been hiring crew starting last April, and they will have one more on June 4, 2011, Saturday, according to its Facebook Page.

What’s your favorite Jollibee food? I’ve been craving for a 2-piece Burger Steak with extra steak sauce. Yummy!

No Fee Apartments for rent in West Bergen, Jersey City

jose — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:00:09 +0000

Front of the building

If you, or someone you know, urgently need a place here in Jersey City, then read on. A couple of apartment units are available for rent in West Bergen area of Jersey City. Details and more photos are inside this post …

No Fee Apartments for rent in West Bergen, Jersey City

One 2 bedroom apartment on ground level available immediately. One 3 bedroom apartment on 2nd floor available November 1st. Both apartments are in the same apartment building that has only 4 units. The apartments are sunny and bright, brand new hardwood floors, recently renovated, freshly painted. The 2 bedroom apartment has electric heat and stove. The 3 bedroom apartment has gas heat and stove. Building is close to transportation as well as to shops on Route 440 and schools.

Rent: 2 bedroom $1050, 3 bedroom $1300. Tenant pays own utilities. Off-street parking available for $100 additional.

Please contact Christian Stewart of Liberty Realty at (201)699-3049 for viewing.

Front of the building

Kitchen

Living Room

Bathroom

Bedroom

Bedrom

* Note: This is a paid post.

Earthquake rocks Jersey City, New Jersey!

jose — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:48:26 +0000

A “strong” earthquake hit Jersey City this afternoon, at around 2PM today (Aug. 23, 2011). Reports say the tremor measured 5.8 – 5.9, which was also felt in New York, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Who knew it would happen in the East Coast, where earthquake is not common?

A very good friend of mine – Elmer, a local DJ – said via facebook that the earthquake shook his apartment building: “For a moment I thought it was just me being light headed…I was really surprised it was actually an earthquake. Doesn’t happen around here often. I live in Los Angeles for 5 years…I experience it there all the time. You be extra careful there for possible aftershocks…”

This could be a first time experience for me if I were in Jersey City when it occurred. I immediately made a long distance call to my mother and she said she didn’t feel anything, but mentioned that my father who works in South Jersey, and his officemates, were instructed to evacuate their building.

NJ.com reports that the epicenter of the quake was in central Virginia. Snippet of the news below:

“…The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting that a magnitude 5.9 earthquake was centered in central Virginia, and the Associated Press is reporting the quake was felt in Washington, New York City and North Carolina…”

Did you feel the earthquake in Jersey City? Where were you when it happened?

Pinoys Got Talent 2011 Semi-finalists Vie for Title

jose — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:24:56 +0000

“Pinoys Got Talent” at the 2011 Philippine Fiesta show attract a wide variety of contestants. They ranged in age from 6 years old to 70 years old. There were singers, a hip-hop artist, a breakdancer, a magician, and a drum soloist.

The presence of an Afghan/Iraqi war veteran from Connecticut lent historical significance to the talent show. He has nobly served his country, and now he is composing songs to ease his pain and express his feelings.

There were three siblings from California, 17, 18, and 19 years old, who sang a trio.

There are 15 semi-finalists for the “Pinoys Got Talent” show at the Philippine Fiesta in America on August 20. They are: Melody Bustos, Montana Byrne, Michael Pascua, Bondoc Sisters, Jennifer Balacuit, Jeramy Orienza, Criselda Bernardo, Marrol Cajoles, Allen Yambao, Reigna Acedera, Abe Cruz, Bryan de Leon, Gilbert Mendoza, Apollo Riego and Cesar Viray.

According to Hector Magno, director of Pinoys Got Talent, the criteria for judging the contestants was high: entertainment value, 40%, creativity and ability, 30%, and stage presence, 30%. For more information on Philippine Fiesta at the Meadowlands Expo Center, Secaucus, NJ this coming Aug 20-21, please call (212) 682-6610 or visit www.philippinefiesta.com.

13th Philippine Fiesta in America

jose — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:30:13 +0000

The two-day event will begin on August 20, 2011, featuring celebrities from the Philippines such as Zsa-Zsa Padilla, Ariel Rivera, Melai Cantiveros, and Jason Francisco. This year’s fiesta will also hold a talent show called Pinoys Got Talent.

13th Philippine Fiesta in America
Description: Cultural Events, Entertainment, Beauty Pageant, Food, Trades
Where: Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey
Address / Contact: 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094 | (201).330.7773
When: August 20 and 21, 2011

What is Philippine Fiesta?

PHILIPPINE FIESTA is a blend of trade and cultural exposition that also assist Filipino businesses in penetrating the mainstream consumer market, while showcasing the best of Philippine culture.

Now on its 13th year, the PHILIPPINE FIESTA continues to be an avenue that opens the doors for the mainstream businesses to reach the Filipino American consumers-a fast-growing and strong market with an estimated buying power of over $52 billion annually.

This event is not free, but you may print a coupon from their website and get a $3 discount when you buy ticket at the door.

Pres. Benigno Aquino III: 1st Year Anniversary Speech

jose — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:35:33 +0000

One year after Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III‘s inauguration, he enumerated his achievements in his 4-page anniversary speech at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, and at the same time, bashed the previous administration of former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Read the transcript inside this post.

Also available is the Filipino/Tagalog (Original) version at the end ….

Speech
of
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
On his first year in office

[Translation of the speech delivered at the PhilSports Arena, Pasig City on June 30, 2011]

Already, a year has passed. Do all of us still remember everything that we went through? Before, when sirens blared on our roads, we were forced to move aside. The average Filipino’s greatest dream was to get a VISA so that he could work in another country. People would sleep soundly, only to wake up to flood skimming their beds, because PAGASA failed to raise a storm warning. And how many had already given up hope that justice for the 57 victims of the Maguindanao Massacre will be served?

Do you still remember those times when, upon hearing bad news, you could not even shake your head in disgust because you were certain the worse was yet to come? Before, the Filipinos were one as they sighed frustratedly: Bear it, this will soon come to pass. Weren’t we all surprised when the economy surged before last year’s elections—only to realize that this was because the world shared our nation’s anticipation of the end of the Arroyo administration, and the impending Easter redemption to our people’s Calvary? Does it not feel as though it were just yesterday when you handed me the last embers of your hope, when you called on me to fight for the straight and righteous path?

I had not printed even a single poster or pamphlet when the people called on me, because as you know, I had absolutely no plans to run for the presidency. I never dreamt to engage the colossal problems Mrs. Arroyo would be leaving behind—problems that I, nonetheless fought against as a member of Congress and the Senate. I had already witnessed, through my late mother’s experiences, the grave responsibilities that come with being the President, most especially if you were to inherit a system much profaned. I asked myself: Will I be able to fix all of this.?

I contemplated very carefully before I responded to your call. But when a jar heavy with coins was handed to me so as to help in the campaign; when the masses, who could ill afford umbrellas that could shield them from the midday sun, crowded the streets to welcome me; when you told me that I was not alone—I could not stomach saying no. I could not say, “I am sorry, but I am a coward, and I’d rather live to a ripe old age.” I said: I am with you, Filipino. Together, we will straighten the crooked, we will weed out the corrupt, we will right what is wrong.

And we are here today, a year since we put an end to a government deaf and blind to the plight of its citizens. They gave us a house whose ceilings sagged, whose walls had chipped and cracked. The furniture had been dismantled for scrapwood, and replaced with fixings bought on credit. The worse part about it was that, I knew we would inherit even that debt, along with all the mess they left for us to clean up.

We soon discovered that the system was more extreme, more horrible than anything we could have expected. For example: from 1972 to 2000, the NFA amassed 12.9 billion pesos in debt. When Mrs. Arroyo came into power, she managed, in just a single year of her term, to raise this debt to 18 billion pesos. Let me repeat: from 12 billion, NFA debt went up to 18 billion in a year. Yet, she was far from content: when she stepped down, the NFA’s debt had risen to 177 billion pesos—a thousand percent increase, evidencing the previous administration’s record-breaking abilities to amass debt.

This same administration has been calling on us to recognize their so-called achievements, and has invited us to stand on their shoulders. This same administration claims that there has been no change; that the straight and righteous path will only plunge us headlong over a cliff. Will we allow ourselves to be deceived by these efforts to sow seeds of doubt so that, in our confusion, the old system will find an opportunity to wrest back its power?

I will no longer waste time bickering with them. I only wish to express my relief and overwhelming gratitude that Mrs. Arroyo herself has stated that I am her exact opposite. Finally, we have agreed on something.

If they want a response, it will come from the 21,800 families of our soldiers and police force—they who will have decent homes before the year ends.

It will come from our poor countrymen who have registered in our Conditional Cash Transfer program. Four days from now, I myself will witness the two millionth beneficiary of the CCT being signed on.

It will come from the nearly 240,000 farmers who now benefit from over 2,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads that we constructed in just one year.

Ask them. Is the change not clear enough? Just last year, we imported tons of rice that came in frightening shiploads, needing frightening amounts of money to pay for warehouses. We only needed to import 1.3 million metric tons a year to meet our needs, but they imported two million metric tons. Now, we import nearly half of what we needed to import last year: 660,000 metric tons.

No sleight of hand was needed to increase our rice yield: We just found the most affordable and effective measures where we could allocate our irrigation budget; we promoted the use of the best seedlings available; and we encouraged upland rice farming. These are some of the reasons for the 15 percent increase in our rice production—the highest yield in the history of dry season cropping.

I hope you will excuse me, because I do not usually boast: We used to have an annual rice deficit of 1.3 million tons. In this first year alone, we will be importing 800,000 tons—to leave room for a buffer—but all we need now is some 600,000 tons. I will be all praises for Secretary Alcala if he delivers on his promise of rice self-sufficiency by 2013.

Just last year, how many of us dared to dream that the rice we cook on our stoves would have been planted, sown, and sold on Philippine spoil. And we are optimistic that, as I mentioned, Secretary Proci Alcala’s promise will be fulfilled: before 2013 ends, we will no longer need to import rice from other countries.

Think about it: Because of the conscientious spending of the people’s coffers, and by mending the leakages in our system, we have saved up enough money this year to fund projects that go above and beyond those already programmed in our General Appropriations Act. Despite not raising taxes, an additional 12 billion pesos have been programmed to finance our various needs: from the Pantawid Pasada for drivers of public utility vehicles who are often the first to feel the rising fuel prices, to the salaries of 10,000 nurses sent to serve in our poor provinces; from modern ships that can patrol our shores, to other such programs and projects that will benefit the majority of our people.

Imagine what would have happened had we continued to allow the plunder of our country’s coffers. Perhaps, then, our drivers would have no choice but to walk. Perhaps the sick in far-flung areas would be left to chew leaves to ease their aches. And perhaps, then, our Navy might not even be capable of frightening the fish in the seas they patrol.

Housing, rice, security, wages, roads, gas subsidies, lifebuoys for our countrymen drowning in poverty: These are the reforms we now sow. We need not have unearthed Yamashita’s treasure to accomplish all of this; we merely pursued the corrupt in government, rectified government spending, and straightened the long-crooked system.

Just look at what they did to the Philippine National Construction Corporation: In spite of an inability to submit decent remittances, its officials still had the gall to give themselves bonuses. It took a five-page memo to detail the corruption that our new PNCC officials have uncovered and fixed: from creating unnecessary positions paid half a million in salary every month; to subscribing to cell phone plans unnecessary to their duties; from materials sold at a loss to fatten their own pockets, to fictitious fixed allowances amounting to at least a hundred thousand pesos every month—all of these we stopped. As a result, we have lowered their former monthly expense of P22 million to just P11 million.

Again, take for example the wickedness we have discovered in the PCSO. They found money to go over their budget for commercials airing the face of this or that politician on television, but can not find the money to pay for the three billion pesos they owe our government hospitals. Because these debts have not been paid—because of corruption—the very hospitals funded by the government refuse to accept guarantees from their fellow government agencies. Would this not make your blood rise to your nape? Uncovering deliberate mismanagement and corruption, instead of joining its fray: This is the change we have been proclaiming.

I know that many of us are in a hurry to sow the fruits of the reforms we have just planted. I cannot blame our countrymen who have gone through a decade of ceaseless corruption and unscrupulousness, that they no longer believe that it is possible to have a government that chooses to tread the straight and righteous path. There are those who are slow to realize that we need to work together and face challenges together to achieve everything that we aspire for.

I understand where they are coming from: I, too, dream that all of us will wake up one day and find that we have been granted the solutions to all our problems overnight. But I also know that you are aware that, in the long run, a hastened, mediocre solution will be useless and pointless. We need to carefully establish our reforms, we need the guarantee that our programs are effective and will continue to be so, and we need long-term solutions that will ensure that we will no longer pass on problems to the coming generations.

Is it not that simple? We know how much we suffered in the past, and we know what we want for our future. Don’t we now wholeheartedly strive to bridge the gap between what we hope for and what we can achieve, and has not the nation risen up in the struggle to realize our collective dreams? Is it not so that now, whichever side of an argument we may be, we are driven by compassion for our country? Now, our slightest actions are open to scrutiny.

Isn’t it that, these days, whichever side of an argument we may be, we are still bound by concern for our country? Sometimes, I wonder: If I am asked to comment on an issue but I think it prudent to keep my mouth shut, I am criticized. But then, when I express my opinions, I am labeled as a nosy busybody. What do they expect me to do? Cut my body in half and hover around like the manananggal?

I have told you before: If we end corruption, we end poverty. Good governance redounds to palpable benefits for the people, especially for the less fortunate: Every medicine tablet our government funds for the poor, every inch of road, every opportunity to acquire a decent job—all of these were borne from integrity and a government that responds to and cooperates with its people.

Our destination is clear and we will reach it: The services that are meant to benefit you, now benefit you, instead of some politician who fancies himself king, but in reality is nothing more that stale, sparse bread.

We have come so far in just one year. Just imagine the breadth of our success in the five years to come. The Filipino people and the entire world stand witness: We are reaping the rewards of our journey on the straight and righteous path. Why turn back now?

The corrupt are still hard at work to break the faith of the very people who called on me and have brought about our triumph in the past election. We expected this, and I am confident the Filipino people are still behind me in our collective fight against those who have wronged us. I have said this before: You are my strength—strength that is the wellspring of the successes we reap today, and the imminent and continuous realization of our hopes.

This will never change. You are still my Boss.

We have done fairly well this first year, but in the coming years, I expect all members of government, with the help of the citizenry, to work together even more and hasten the realization of the change for which we aspire.

Good afternoon to you all. Thank you very much.

Downloadables:

Speech in English (DOC | PDF)
Speech in Filipino (DOC | PDF)

Pinoys Got Talent 2011

jose — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:30:49 +0000

Calling all talented Filipinos in Jersey City and beyond! You are invited to join in a new talent show here in New Jersey: Pinoys Got Talent — patterned after Pilipinas Got Talent.

The audition is open to all with any kind of talent: Can you sing like Lady Gaga, or Bruno Mars? Can you make people laugh like Chris Rock? Can you pull some magic tricks like the illusionist David Copperfield? Are you a member of a rock band like U2? a boy band like New Kids on the Block? Do you belong to a dance crew such as the JabbaWockeeZ? Or any salient or striking talent you may possess that will surely entertain an audience?

If you fall into any of the above categories you’re in luck. Experience the thrills and spills of a new talent show coming to Secaucus, New Jersey on August 20-21 at the Meadowlands Expo Center. The show is brought to you by the 2011 Philippine Fiesta in America, the largest and longest-running indoor event celebrating its 13th year of serving the Philippine-American community in the East Coast. Billed as “Pinoys Got Talent”, it is produced by Hector Magno of Magno PI Productions. Join the bandwagon.

Talents selected from auditions will compete against each other at the Semi Finals where 8 finalists will be chosen to perform in front of celebrity judges among whom are Melai and Jason, Philippines popular TV personalities. Cash prizes await winners.

Contest Rules:

Open to everyone of Philippine descent, regardless of age, capable of demonstrating a talent such as performing on stage to entertain a live audience. Examples of performers we seek are singers, bands/musicians, comedians, ventriloquists, dancers, magicians, acrobats, jugglers, etc. To apply, please e-mail application (see below) to magnopi@yahoo.com or mail to: Hector Magno, 251 Foothill Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Deadline for submitting application is 7/31/11.

Auditions are set for Aug. 13 and 14 (time and place to be announced at a later date). Out-of-state applicants may send in a video of their act. Semi-Finals and Finals will be held on Saturday (Aug. 20th) and Sunday (Aug. 21st), respectively.

Contestants will have from 2 to 3 minutes to showcase their talent. Judges will select 8 finalists to represent a balanced program. Judging criteria will include but not limited to originality, presentation, artistry, and crowd’s response.

Finalists will vie for cash prizes of $200 for 3rd place, $300 for 2nd place, and $500 for the winner. Losing finalists will each receive a consolation prize of $50.

For info, please call the producer of “Pinoys Got Talent”, Magno PI Productions at 908 229-0155.

Guidelines:

Singers: Sing a cappella or with a backing track.
Bands/Musicians: No instruments are provided by organizers. Bring your own with minimal set-up.
Dancers/Comedians/Ventriloquists/Magicians/Acrobats/Jugglers, etc: Bring a CD if needed.
Performers with Animal acts: No dangerous animals allowed. Animals to use must be caged.
Contestants younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by parents or adult.
No formal dressing room available: Please come dressed to impress.
Performance stage is indoor but with limited space. Avoid overcrowding during performance.
Follow strict Health and Safety guidelines. Please adhere to this policy.
No fire, sharp objects, weapons, or explosives allowed as part of the act. Materials to be used must pass inspection by the staff of the Philippine Fiesta. Contestants must sign a contract releasing organizers from any liabilities caused by the nature of the act.

Downloadable:

Contest Rules and Guidelines with Application Form ( DOC | PDF )

Photos: 21st Phil-Am Friendship Day Festival

jose — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:00:53 +0000

The 21st Philippine-American Friendship Day Festival was a huge success, as thousands of Filipinos from the east coast gathered at Lincoln Park on West Side, Jersey City to celebrate and socialize.

The revelers enjoyed various performances from local artists. Tiffany Viray, 14, of Bayonne entertained the crowd with her song numbers. Last year’s winners and finalists of Filipino Idol 2010 such as April Vera, Seven Odon, and Alyssa Shoemaker were also in attendance.

The location and the weather were also perfect. The “green” scenery and the shades of the trees provided more comfort to the people who enjoyed lots of food as well!

PAFCOM also held the annual Filipino Idol contest. Gail Banawis of New York emerged as the winner, beating three other finalists with her own version of the musical “Aida”.

Follow the link for Filipino Idol 2011

Event Pictures:

Below are some of the images of the event, which include performances from local artists, and from popular celebrities from the Philippines: Iza Calzado, Aljur Abrenica, Jennelyn Mercado, and Mark Bautista. (Sorry fans of Mark Bautista, as there are no performance photos of him …. I had to leave before he got on stage).

[Show as slideshow]

I missed the parade, so visit nj.com to check out the pictures.