| Annual Picnic at Bataan Park produces great turnout
Even though it was overcast and breezy, there was a great turnout for our Annual Picnic at Bataan Park last Sunday, June 14th. There was of course an abundance of food and especially lechon. It was great to see familiar faces and friends got the chance to catch up.
We were happy to welcome Fr. Joel who joined us and blessed the community in a prayer before the general meeting and thanked all for their support for his recent ordination. After the Board and Officers introduced themselves, newcomers were called to introduce themselves as well. Annoucements were made about signing up and renewing memberships since this meeting also serves as our annual membership drive. Dely Alcantara spoke about how Bataan Park has significance to our Filipino American Community and that the Nao de China: Manila Galleon Trade exhibit at the National Hispanic Cultural Center has been extended to August 30. The exhibit has been the most popular and most visited in the NHCC recent history, according to the director. Some present at the picnic were members of other Asian communities; the Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese communities. It just goes to show how closeknit the Asian Community is here in New Mexico. Filipinos from outside of Albuquerque area were also present and we thank them for being there to share our fun. Many many thanks to all those who took their time and effort to make this get-together a great success and for all the delicious food they brought. As usual, there were more than plenty and our traditon calls for "sige na, take some home." Thanks also for keeping the park clean and after all it's "our" Bataan Park.
FILIPINO NAMED PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR for HIGHLAND'S UNIVERSITY, LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO
Arlie Tagayuna, (PhD), teaches classes in Criminology at Highland's University in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
On Wednesday April 8th, before a crowd of 200, he was recognized for excellence in teaching. The youngest nominee this year, he was surprised to be named Professor of the Year! Besides his work at NMHU Arlie plays the cello for his church. In his spare time he explores the "wilds" and beauty of northern New Mexico. Congratulations, Arlie. Nicely done. Scholarship Committee names ths semester's recipints
Congratulations to Evangeline Siriban-Cox of Farmington, NM and Emmanuel "Amyel" Oliveros of Santa Fe, NM. Both students will be receiving each $400.00 to assist them in their studies. Award winning Santa Fe author to hold book signing event for her latest, "Now Silence"
 Longtime Santa Fe resident and author Tori Warner Shepard will hold a book signing at Bookworks, Sunday January 25th at 2:00PM 4022 Rio Grande NW Albuqureque, NM. Her book, Now Silence, received great reviews including one here from Jordan Richardson.
~~~ Brief Summary
Now Silence is as much a story of the men's heroism as it is of their Hispanic Community which, after Pearl Harbor was a distant and a safe refuge from the war. Northern New Mexico was sought out by the US Government as an internment camp for 2000 Japanese Isseii barely a mile from the office of the top-secret Manhattan Project that was developing the atomic bomb to be dropped 20 miles from the main character, Melo's prison camp. Add to the mix FBI and Counter-intelligence agents, Gringo fanatics opposed to Roosevelt, a multi-cultural community with an historic hotel and bar and you will have a sense of Santa Fe during W.W.ll.
This gripping exposition of the Japanese atrocities is even-handed and the characters and personalities on the home front will haunt your memory. ~~~ Dear Veterans,
After growing up in Japan and the Philippines in the 1940s, W.W.II became an integral part of my life. My passion resulted in 25 years of research for this historical WW ll novel, Now Silence. Now Silence captures the mood of this remote Hispanic Community, Santa Fe, New Mexico as it waits out W.W.II for the return of her men held in Japanese prison camps. It gracefully carries the reader back and forth between Nagasaki and Santa Fe, weaving in the lives of the gritty women who wait for their men. "I couldn't put it down - -so much fascinating and important history supporting bigger than life characters….their story is painfully close to today's returning veterans" Jane Fletcher Geniesse, "American Priestess" and "Passionate Nomad"
It touches on strong issues of love, religion, patriotism, loyalty, war, shame, family and war. 'Her characters…are bold, energetic and electrifying. It is intense, sexy, poignant, dark, humorous and altogether engaging from the opening page to the final moments.' Jordon Richardson, Blogcritics Magazine. Please come by to meet me at Bookworks, Sunday Jan 25th at 2:00 PM 4022 Rio Grande NW, Albuquque NM
or To purchase Now Silence go to amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com or your local store. I will delight in hearing from you, Many Thanks, Tori Warner Shepard | | Newly ordained Filipino Priest Fr. Joel Bugas thanks the Filipino Community of New Mexico
Fr. Joel Bugas was ordained at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, NM, last May 30, 2009, by Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan. The solemn ceremony was attended by many Filipino Americans from Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Espanola. Also, Fr. Joel's family from Virginia and Maryland traveled to New Mexico to attend and be with him in this very special occasion. Some of the highlights of the mass was the (second) reading by Lector Mrs. Jessica Pascual in Tagalog and the Communion hymn, " Ang Katawan ni Kristo", sung by the Cathedral Choir. Present to celebrate the mass with Fr. Joel were other newly ordained priests and his best friends from seminary days in Maryland. There was a Fiesta Filipiniana reception at Santa Maria de la Paz Social Hall later that evening to honor Fr. Joel by the Filipino Community. Among the entertainment portion was Kundiman songs performed by Doming Escano and Mon Vicente; and Philippine folkdances by the FAFNM folkdancers: Cora Romillo, Evelio Sabay, Blesila Hartom, Kila Hartom and Ethan Sabay; who perfromed Subli, Binasuan (Cora), and Tinikling. Even more pleasing was the community spirit of the evening, and the kind words said about Fr. Joel by his many friends and family towards the end of the reception. A slide show about Fr. Joel's journey to priesthood was also a highlight of the evening. Many many thanks from the bottom of our hearts to all who volunteered and donated to make this whole event very memorable and successful for Fr. Joel. Special thanks to the Pascuals of Santa Fe; Nita, Jose, Jessica, Leonard, Leland, and everyone in the Pascual family for their generosity and kindness. Our heartfelt thanks to Heddy Long, Cris and Emilie Underwood, Myrna Samson, Largin Tan, Cora Romillo, Evelio Sabay, Bonnie Rogers, Perli Clark, Wilma Harder, Carlo Cala, and to the Filipino American community in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Northern New Mexico for their dedication, selflessness, and love that made this special occasion memorable. Fr. Joel Bugas will be going to the Annunciation parish as announced by the Archbishop during the ordination. He will celebrate his first mass there at 5:00pm Saturday, June 13. You are all encouraged to attend this mass celebration with him. Nao de China: The Manila Galleon Trade 1565-1815 Exhibit will be at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque until May of 2009
Do not miss this unique opportunity to recognize Filipinos' role in the history of the Americas. Yes, we are an important link to what this part of the world is today, both historically and culturally. You will be enlightened by what you will learn from this exhibit.  The National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) is proud to announce the opening of a new historical exhibit entitled "Nao de China: The Manila Trade, 1565 – 1815" on Saturday, November 8 in the Center's History & Literary Arts building. The NHCC is located at 1701 4th St. SW on the corner of 4th St. and Bridge Blvd. The opening will take place at 2 pm, is free to the public and authentic Filipino and Mexican refreshments and Filipino entertainment will be provided. In attendance to inaugurate the exhibit will be the Consul General of Mexico in Albuquerque, the Honorable Gustavo de Unanue Aguirre and the Consul General of the Philippines in Los Angeles, the Honorable Mary Jo Bernardo de Aragón.
From 1565 to approximately 1815 there existed a lucrative trade between Spanish merchants and traders in the Philippine Islands using Acapulco and Veracruz ports in Mexico as transshipment points and using Guam as a rest stop on the long voyage across the sea. Since the Philippines had been a center of trade between China and other Asian countries like Siam and India for hundreds of years, even including major trade with Islamic peoples, the Spanish encountered many items that contained different cultural accoutrements. Thus, the ships that sailed from Spain to Veracruz then from Acapulco to the Philippine archipelago brought back to Mexico items of trade, as well as people, which over time became a part of the Mexican folklore tradition.
This exhibit examines some of these Mexican traditions and traces them to the trade that took place with the Philippines, especially through the port of Manila. Such Mexican icons as la China poblana, majólica pottery, papel de china, etc. are examined and their roots traced to the Manila trade which employed large galleon ships called "Naos" to transport merchandise and people. Thus, the title: "Nao de China: The Manila Trade, 1565 – 1815." This exhibit will remain on view through May 30, 2009 and will be accompanied by a series of lectures and public presentations that will be announced at a later date.
UPDATE: Tyler Hartom wins State Wrestling Championship Title Feb 21st
Fil-Am wrestler and St. Pius High School senior Tyler Hartom wins State Championship Wrestling Title in the 140 lb. weight division at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, NM last Feb 21st. The school takes the very first ever State Wrestling Title in its history, and this was achieved by a Filipino American. Another team mate, Lex, also took a State Title for the 130 lb. division.
The whole family, the Hartoms, the Sabays, and the Hontanosas' were there to cheer him on. This title has been Tyler's dream and goal. Last year he came to a close second and that's why this victory was an emotional triumph for him. Tyler is the son of Kirk and Blesila Hartom, and Blesila hails from Leyte, Philippines
Tyler is wearing a black singlet and his hair is bleached blonde, a tradtion among wrestlers during the State Wrestling Tournament. Archbishop Sheehan celebrates mass for Filipino candidate for ordination  Joel Bugas from Peñasco, NM was honored with a mass by Archbishop Michael Sheehan assisted by Mike DePalma, Director of Vocations for the Archdicese, at the chapel of the Catholic Center on St. Joesph Dr. in the Albuquerque westside last Tuesday, December 2nd. This would be Joel's ceremony for his candidacy for ordination and to his commitment for his vocation towards priesthood. He will be ordained to become a deacon first, then, God willing, he will be ordained into prieshood in mid-2009.
Representatives of the Catholic community from Peñasco were on hand to support him. The Filipino American community of Albuquerque present included Cris and Emilie Underwood, Heddy Long of the Famly Life ministry of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Evelio Sabay, Wayne and Bing Skyeipal, and Cecilia Villarano. After the mass, lunch was served at the Sandia room of the Catholic center. Fil-Am Youth Honored at the NM State Legislature Floor
 Fil-Am youngsters Tyler Hartom and Joselle Bautista (pictured left) were among the Asian American Youth honored at the NM State Legislature floor last Thursday Feb 26th as part of the Asian American Heritage Day at the NM State Legilature. Joselle and Tyler represented the Filipino American Community for outstanding Asian American Youth. Also honored were young people from other Asian countries that included the Vietnamese, Lao, Chinese, Indian, and Thai communities. Tyler took State tile for 140 lb division in Wrestling on Febraury 21st . Watch video here. District 17 Senator Tim Keller submitted a motion, SJM 45, to declare February 26 as Asian American Day at the Legislature, which passed unanimously. He also submitted other motions to have a State Fair Asian American Center and to recognize The Highland area to new name, Albuquerque International District. Pictured right: FAFNM Treasurer Carmenia Alfonso greets Senator Keller at the lobby of the State Capitol. | | Nao de China: The Manila Galleon Trade 1565-1815 Exhibit will be at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque until May 30 of 2009
Breakthrough exhibit about the Manila Galleon Trade 1565-1815 reveals never before known information that will astound both Filipinos and Mexicans alike will be on display at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque until May of 2009. A must see for ALL Filipinos.. full story here...
UPDATE: Lecture Series (free and open to the public) Saturday, January 10th 2pm, Wells Fargo Auditorium Nao de China: The Manila Galleon Trade 1565-1815 "Cultural Exchanges between the Philippines and Mexico in the Manila Trade" Carlos Vásquez and Verónica Iglesias (Curator's Lectures) A review of the research and the themes that are presented in the exhibit located in the HLA building until May 30, 2009. The first in a series of lectures: January 17 - 2pm Nao de China - The Bureaucracy of Conquest Robert Himmerich y Veronica Wells Fargo Auditorium  February 21 - 2pm Nao de China - The Galleon Trade and the California CoastJoseph Sanchez Salón Ortega April 4 - 2pm Nao de China - The Manila Mantón (shawl) Nicholas Chavez Salón Ortega April 11 - Nao de China Lecture - The Impact of the Manila Galleon Trade Dr. Dely Alcantara, Ph D, 2:00 pm. This will be an approximately one hour lecture. You are very welcome to attend. As you may be aware, this is the last of the Lecture series in this groundbreaking exhibit. We would like to thank all members of the Filipino American National Historical Society-Rio Grande Chapter and the Filipino American Foundation of New Mexico and all of our friends who supported us with this project. Most of all, we are very grateful for the National Hispanic Cultural Center's Department of Cultural Affairs for the research and effort that went into this exhibit, and for for giving the Filipinos in New Mexico visibility. For more information call 505-246-2261 ext 148 or visit the website at nhccnm.org Note: This information is from the Department of Cultural Affairs, National Hispanic Cultural Center Filipino WWII Vets finally get Equity!
In a Press Release, incuded in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is a provision that provides a one-time payment of $15,000 to Filipino veterans who are American citizens and $9,000 to veterans who are Philippine citizens. This compensation is intended to assist them in their later years and provide the dignity and honor that they earned as heroic veterans of the United States. Here's the link. | |