Filipino Club of Arizona celebrates 50th Anniversary
Phoenix, Az– It was a ‘star-studded’ event as the Filipino Club of Arizona (FCA) celebrated its 50th Anniversary on December 10th at the Phoenix Airport Hilton.
“Star-studded’ in the sense that almost all of the past presidents of the association since 1966 were present-except those who already passed away.
Organized in 1966, the Filipino Club of Arizona (FCA) has become a pillar of community organizations in Arizona.
As capsulized by Dr. Luis Tan, the FCA “should continue to bring forth the best in the Filipino culture, sponsor some formal gatherings during the Christmas season and other events including the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day and helping Filipinos who are in need.”
The FCA owns the Philippine Community which is located at Bethany Home Road in Phoenix. The Center has become not only as a meeting place of the organization but some other organizations as well.
The FCA has in the past, hosted popular dance and singing groups from the Philippines, like: the world-famous Bayanihan Dance Troupem the UP Choir Group and the Himig ng Lahi.
During the event, all the past presidents were ‘honored and recognized’ for their outstanding contribution and services to the association.”
The 2017 FCA officers were likewise inducted into office. The officers are: Angelina Radau (President); Aurelio Macaraeg (Vice President); Carolina Macaraeg (Secretary); Elsita Antiquera ( Treasurer) and Dr. Luis Tan (Auditor).
The Board of Directors are: Helen Perkins, Rose Dinglasan, Dr. Vic Ensiso, Atty. Dan Ballecer, Rose Dinglasan, MacBeth Torno, Dr. Felipe Lim. Fedelina Ong, Amy Ballecer, Epi de la Fuente. Emma Rosales, Debbie Villamor, John Federis, Loberna Dinglasan, Ricardo Tonror and Frank Rosales.
For her part, immediate past President Jean Zubieta said, my heartfelt gratitude to the FCA officers and members who helped tirelessly in the success of our programs and projects during the year of my incumbency.”
THE IGOROTS AND THEIR 2016 CHRISTMAS PARTY
By: Kurtney Lapinas
BIBAK AZ celebrated its annual Christmas party on December 10, 2016, with the theme, “Kultura ay napu-an inpatawid kabunyan, sya’s entako padegdegan isnan selebrasyon di enna inmali-an”(Strengthening Our cultural heritage as we celebrate Christmas). It was attended by 236 individuals of varying ages, consisting of guests from all over the Western region of the United states that included: Arizona, Benguet 13 (California), BIMAAK Las Vegas, Alaska, and New Mexico. It was a fun-filled evening as evidenced by the positive remarks from the attendees. Delicious entrees of Filipino Food was in abundance and was shared and served.
The program depicted our IGOROT culture as well as the Christmas spirit. Everyone contributed in their selected role. Our elders beat gongs as each one danced the “Takik” and “Pattong”. Takik is a thanksgiving dance of Mountain Province while Pattong is a war dance performed to awaken the courage of warriors.The BIBAK ladies showered the guest’s ethnic dances which included: Bendian, Dinuyya, Aninit, and Sakpaya. Bendian is a Benguet dance performed to heal illnesses, while Dinuyya is a festival dance from Lagawe Ifugao. Aninit is a fairy dance from Bontoc, Mountain Province and Sakpaya is a thanksgiving dance for a good harvest by the Kalinga’s.
Aside from Cultural presentations, the BIBAK YOUTH Band rendered us Christmas Carols and Christian songs. Our BIBAK kids also performed the nativity scene through a shadow play. BIBAK AZ band played musical instruments and sang songs while all spent the whole night dancing. Everybody enjoyed the breathtaking performance by our BIBAK Macho men as they danced their heart out to the rhythm of Hagibis Pinoy folk rock.
BIBAK AZ was established because of our desire to preserve our culture, values, and traditions. It is but one out of many Igorot communities in the United States. We hail from 6 provinces of the Cordillera region in the Philippines which are composed of more than 20 tribes. We proudly identify ourselves as one, the IGOROTS. No matter where we are and no matter where we go, we the IGOROTS take pride in our cultural identity.
We’re continually reaching out to our fellow IGOROTS who may not know about our organization. Please join us in our upcoming events and activities. We can be reached at bibakaz_igorots@gmail.com
BIBAK AZ 2016 Officers:
President: Kurtney Lapinas
Vice- President: Rovell Capones
Secretary: Marivic Thompson
Treasurer: Jimmy Aquino
PRO: Clefford Siguaben
Auditor: Arnold Bocasan
Youth Representative: Naomi Pumay-o & Ian Capones
FAAAZ HOLDS CHRISTMAS PARTY
By Alma De Garriz
The Filipino-American Association of AZ held another successful Christmas
Party last 3 December at Club 5/6, Luke Air Force Base AZ.
Over 140 guests were in attendance and more than 30 performers!
The theme was “Dance Evolution” with dances from the 50s down to the current dance craze, “JuJu on the Da Beat”.
Thanks to longtime FAAAZ performers and of course to the
new recruits – Glen & Ghiezl Baldivia and Butch & Bing Omega and to the
Lambada Dancers: Jhenn Aquino, Tess Paredes, Bing Omega and Maria Parker.
The kids’ “Jingle Bell Rock” was phenomenal with a special number by the
lovely FAYA “littles” – Tristen, Timmy, Jayden and the Gamboa sisters
(Ashley and Shamcey).
The evening was completed with a soulful and heartwarming songs by Micah Paredes and the OPM songstress Mabel Gamboa and Rocker Liza Ibayan! Monn Bautista – inspired us all with his own rendition of the Star Spangled Banner while Alma de Garriz did an impromptu
interpretation of the Lupang Hinirang.
A surprise visit from Santa made the event a memorable one when Santa came in with Mrs. Claus and Ms Elf.
The guests were able to sing a few Christmas carols with their families while
Santa was giving out gifts to the children. Thanks Santa!
From the music & lights by DJ RJ, the center pieces, door prizes, raffle
prizes, photo wall, souvenir program, and due to public insistent demand,
another performance by the current Lip Sync Battle champion, Ghiezl Baldivia
aka “Miley Sinus”, all the guests enjoyed the party. “It’s the best party
ever!” – Nanay Erly. “The food was great, the party is so much fun, my
entire family enjoyed it as well! – Maria Parker of FABAAZ
(Filipino-American Bowling Association of AZ) “The place is awesome!” –
Butch Omega of FABAAAZ. “One of the best performances of Wunder Gals” –
Boyet Ruanto of California.
Now on their 14th year, the association has been actively taking part in
various community events for the past year. Their most recent one was
creating personalized Christmas cards to deployed Airmen from Luke Air Force
Base. Their youth association, the Filipino-American youth Association of
AZ (fondly called FAYA) also had a successful participation at this
weekend’s Asian Festival.
FAAAZ is now getting geared up for another community service visiting care homes throughout the valley by bringing in the Christmas spirit through Christmas carols and dances.
On behalf of the FAAAZ officers, we would like to extend our heartfelt
gratitude to all our advertisers, performers, volunteers and supporters.
Thanks to Chito Vilar for the special invocation and also a special mention
to the FAAAZ teardown crew for helping DJ RJ – you know who you are!
To the Wunder Gals – Ailene, Eruth and Hilda, thanks for the opportunity to perform
with you and at the same time, have fun as we learn so many things
throughout our journey.
