balita sa huntsville - paaa, inc · balita sa huntsville page 9 of 9 february 2017 paaa, inc. p.o....
TRANSCRIPT
Balita Sa Huntsville Page 1 of 9 February 2017
BALITA SA HUNTSVILLE Official Newsletter of the Philippine-American Association of Alabama, Inc.
P.O. Box 7344 Huntsville, Alabama 35807
February 2017
Volume 29 ISSUE4
2016 – 2017 Officers
Executive Board
Karl Thompson
President
Gloria P. Vergara
Vice President
Janice Dervis Executive Secretary
Jebe Antoine Corresponding Secretary
Cora Carwile Treasurer
Maryann Thompson PRO
Neil Boyd William Graham
Sgts.-at-Arms
Board of Directors
Ben Acosta - Chair
Gordon Benton Ma. Sol Guilbault Charles Johnson
Dony Gapasin Karl Suenega
Board of Governors
Arsenio Mendiola Aniceto I. Bagley
Ben Acosta Cris Engutan
Celedonio Gapasin Gloria Vergara
Emeterio Bolivar Braulio Pedroso, Jr. Maria Abantao-Ryan Edgar Duhaylungsod
Valentine’s Day has
come and gone, but the memories
still linger. What talent and
entertainment we had this year at
the Valentine and PAAA Idol 2
contest. I am at a lost for words to
adequately describe the support and
energy that so many unselfishly
gave in planning, organizing, and
executing this party. Malen Gilbert
and Maryann Thompson went all out to ensure this was an awesome and
memorable event. We appreciate your support, and thank each and everyone
that helped organize and
conduct this event, and those
that came and shared in this
festive occasion.
As always there are so many
wonderful people to thank for
putting a function as
complicated as this together.
From the generous donations of
prizes, desserts, time, energy,
equipment, to setting up and
cleaning up, clearly displayed the excellent organizational skills of the Valentine
planning committee. The Board of Directors and the Executive Board express
our deep appreciation and gratitude to each of you for your significant
contributions in making this a
memorable event. Here are
some of the pictures to enjoy,
and to view more, visit our
web site www.paaainc.org or
Face Book “PhilAm
Huntsville.”
Our entertaining Emcee,
Ailene Marshall (left) opened
the program and our lovely
and gifted Renae
Graves(right) sang both the
American and Philippine
National Anthems.
Balita Sa Huntsville Page 2 of 9 February 2017
Jun Pederoso gave the invocation and we were entertained with music from our special DJ Spencer
Marshall as we feasted to our hearts content on a buffet from Ding How II. Desserts were provided
by the PAAA Officers and many of our generous members. Then the PAAA Idol 2 competition
began. I am sure glad I did not have to judge as the contestants were simply amazing. In my ears, I
think they all should have won! But first our judges - thank you for your time and expertise.
McKinley Harris is a sought after dancer and choreographer,
extraordinaire. Known for his drive and creative street edge, "Kinley”
enjoys traveling across the country professionally choreographing and
performing for various events and occasions. His latest performance was
on the stage in a featured role of Lin Manuel Miranda's "In The Heights,"
presented by Lyrique Music Productions. He loves participating in all
forms of the arts to include singing, modeling, and acting. Mr. Harris is
thankful that God blessed him with a special gift and he has a deep
passion to share his gift in hopes to spark a flame of greatness in all he
encounters. His motto is "Release the artist in you!"
Dr. Leah Lang has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the
University of the Philippines-Manila, and a Doctor of Medicine from San
Beda College of Medicine. Her Arts background are impressive as she was a
member of the Kathalan Theatre Group 1991-1995, and has performed in the
“The House of Bernarda Alba" and “New Yorker in Tondo," where she
played the lead character Francesca/Kikay. Also in Thespian's Circle 1995-
1996 as Morher Meriam Ruth in "Agnes of God." She has attended various
theatre arts workshops including one by Philippine Educational Theatre
Association (PETA). Currently she lives in Madison with her husband Josh
and children Leila, 13, Lauren, 4 and Lucas, 1.
Dr. Dony Gapasin studied Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural
Education at Penn State University (McKeesport). He retired from
Alabama A&M University and has spent his retirement years
enjoying life and people. He is actively involved in many
organizations and is an
accomplished musician, singer
and has conducted the PAAA
carolers for many years. Dony
also just celebrated his 80th
birthday! Happy birthday Dony! (I can only hope that I look as good
and as active as him when I get there!”
Balita Sa Huntsville Page 3 of 9 February 2017
Anabelle Gales
Harp Presentation
The gorgeous Double "O" 7 Girl’s dancers! No wonder Bond
always had a smile on his face!
Then our contestants:
Jebe Antoine (left) singing
“How Do I Live”
Eva Rose Bilby (middle) singing
“Alone”
Marites Kern (right) singing
“I Will Always Love You”
Jerome Lacbayan (left) singing
“I’m Yours”
Marissa Swanner (middle) signing
“House Of The Rising Sun”
Zach Swanner (right) singing
“Ordinary People”
As the judges scored their cards and the
audience votes were tallied and added to the judges cards, we were treated to some
special performances.
Balita Sa Huntsville Page 4 of 9 February 2017
Some pictures of the party!
To view more pictures, visit www.paaainc.org
Balita Sa Huntsville Page 5 of 9 February 2017
Balita Sa Huntsville Page 6 of 9 February 2017
Then we finished the night
with dancing.
Then the PAAA Idol 2 winners were announced. Congratulations!
Third place to
Marissa Swanner- “House Of The Rising Sun”
Second place to
Marites Kern- “I Will Always Love You
First place to
Zach Swanner-“Ordinary People”
Balita Sa Huntsville Page 7 of 9 February 2017
The scholarship committee has revised
and updated the selection criteria for the
PAAA, Inc, 2017 awards. To review
the changes and download the forms,
visit our web page – www.paaainc.org.
The committee will be accepting applications beginning
15 May 2017, with a deadline of 30 June 2017.
Should you have any questions, please contact Lillian
Pedroso, Chairperson for the Scholarship Committee at
[email protected] or use the contact form on our
web site.
Easter Egg Hunt - 16 April 2017
Brahan Spring Park
Independence Day – 10 June 2017
Trinity United Methodist Church
General Membership and Election
5 August 2017
30th Anniversary Ball and Induction of Officers
9 September 2017
Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Mr. and Ms. Valentine Photo by Benny Conception
Balita Sa Huntsville Page 8 of 9 February 2017
PAAA booth at the Boy Scouts of America Annual Cultural day.
Renae Graves sang
Good Morning Baltimore
Our Culture Committee lead by Gloria Vergara has been busy. We were invited to participate in the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Alabama Council, Annual Cultural day Activities. The event was held on the Alabama A&M University Campus on Saturday, February 11, 2017. It was an excellent opportunity to meet the scouts and to provide a better understanding of the differences and similarities of the many cultural heritages in the United States. It also afforded the scouts the necessary opportunity to complete a Boy Scout rank advancement and to meet a merit badge requirement.
We were also invited
to participate at the
Country Day school at
their International
Festival. Our lovely
ladies danced to
perfection and Renae
Graves sang as we
shared the Filipino
culture and talent with the
school community and its
families! The dancers
performed a Sayaw Sa
Cuyo dance that originated
at the St. Agustin festival
that is celebrated on the
small island of Cuyo,
Pulawan, Philippines.
Good job ladies!
Balita Sa Huntsville Page 9 of 9 February 2017
PAAA, Inc.
P.O. Box 7344
Huntsville, AL 35807
Balita Sa Huntsville is an official
publication of the Philippine-
American Association of Alabama,
Inc. (PAAA, Inc.) Please send any
comments, contributions or
announcements to Karl Thompson,
Editor at above e-mail address or
use our contact form on our
website.
Salamat Po!
We sincerely hope you
have enjoyed this
edition of the
Balita Sa Huntsville.
Please visit our
website
www.paaainc.org
or our Face book
"PhilAm Huntsville"
to view more pictures,
see our videos, stay in
touch or just to find
out what is coming
next! Thank you!
Our membership committee lead by
Marilyn Johnson continues to be busy
and we are so proud of her. We
welcome our new members and our
renewing members. Thank you for
supporting our Association and for
becoming one of the family. We also
request that all members ensure we
have your correct e-mail address.
We welcome our new members;
Eva Bilby
Dan Bilby
Marissa Swanner
Zack Swanner
Maritess Kern
Jerome Lacbayan
Irene Cross
Joseph Cross
We welcome our renewing members;
Morena Swanner
Please join us in prayer as we lift up those that have lost
special loved ones. It is difficult to cope with the passing of a
loved one, and we share in your loss. The PAAA, Inc, Officers
and its members share in your grief and extend our deepest
sorrow and sympathy. Your loved ones will be missed, the fond
memories of them will be in your heart and ours forever.
Please accept our sincerest condolences.
Trudy Bagley – wife of Mr. Aniceto Bagley
Carlos Aboabo – father of Lineth Moore
Emedios Milanez Tanierla – mother of Imelda Walt
Please join us in prayer as we lift up and pray for a speedy
recovery and get well soon for
Frank Cepeda
Marinita Haq
Edgar Duhaylungsod
If I have missed someone, I am deeply sorry. Please let the
editor know and we include in the next
edition.