February 2007

EVENTS Coming Up
April 8	Easter Potluck Picnic- egg hunt, games, food, fun
May 12	Santacruzan FilAm Heritage Celebration- at Church of the Nativity
June 4-8	Medical Mission- at San Carlos,Negros Occidental

Medical Outreach Clinic
This local charitable project started on February 10 and will be open every other Saturday.  Location is in 3177 Poplar Avenue, Memphis (across from East High School).  Hours: 9am - 2pm CST.  I am appealing to all local Fil-Am doctors to donate medicine samples that we may use. Physicians, PAs, or NPs interested in volunteering may call Lisa Balderama at 383-1178 or e-mail her at balderama2526@bellsouth.net .  Nurses, pharmacists, and lay volunteers may contact Mariles Santos at 309-6537. This is OUR clinic…Take ownership of this project!  This is our way of giving back to our community.

Christmas Events - It’s a wrap!
Christmas Caroling- This annual fund-raising series again raised much needed funds for the medical mission.  I thank all the carolers for donating precious time and resources in a bayanihan spirit to ensure the continued success of this effort not only to fund the medical missions, but also to continue this truly Filipino tradition at Christmas time.  I am also grateful to the generous donors without whom caroling will be meaningless.

Christmas Induction Ball & Silent Auction- Amid a record attendance of more than 200, the incoming officers for 2007-2008 were inducted by Sharon Lusk.  Entertaining numbers came from Jay Ruaro, Nica Cabigao, and the glowing Bartlett Ladies.  DJs Orlando and Mike provided electrifying music throughout the evening.  Mimi’s Italian Café (Cesar Mercado) provided good eats and drinks. 

There was a souvenir program this year, made possible by the hard work of Olivia Cabigao, Andy Eugenio, Nato Moraga, and ad sponsors.  And the highlight of the evening- for the first time in FILAMemphis history-- The architectural design of the Fil-AMemphis Cultural Center was unveiled and presented by Jon Dimayuga, a Fil-Am intern architect with Askew, Nixon & Ferguson Architects. I can still hear the oohs and the aahs.……yikes!  Anyway, there was another highlight - The Silent Auction - again a blast for the second year in a row.  Oh what a night to cherish!  Thanks to our hosts Mariles Santos and Harry Guinocor, and all the donors to the silent auction and the raffle. 

The recipients of the Presidential Service Awards this year are: Fortunato Moraga, Norma Caton, Lorrie Hardin, and Andy Eugenio - Congratulations!!  I also thank most especially all who helped with setting up and decorating the place, as well as cleaning up after the party.

Children’s Christmas Party- So many children enjoyed games, food , and fun with Santa.  They listened to Dr. Olivia Cabigao while she talked to them about how they can help build the Filipino Cultural Center. There was a talent show featuring a violinist, dancers, and the Michael Jackson of Memphis.  Harry Guinocor, Stephen Monisit, and Mario Velicaria launched the KGB program and distributed bright yellow alkansia (pig-E bank) to the kids for them to fill up with money that they can contribute to building our center. Santa of course came in at 3 p.m. to distribute presents to the children and scared some.  It was as usual a wild afternoon with the children.

Membership Party

The membership party held at the Nativity last Nov. 4 was a resounding success.  There were plenty of attendees, both new and established Filipinos in the Memphis community.  Most of the new members of our community are in the nursing profession, trying to ease the nursing shortage in Memphis.  We will have more membership parties this year!  Watch for the announcements.

Happy New Year to all of you!!!!!!