Rainy day was fun at first picnic of CASJ
(Community Alliance for Social Justice)
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Wilket Creek Park , Toronto

  EVEN THE RAIN WAS FUN at the CASJ's first family picnic in Toronto . Trust CASJ's kind of enthusiasm, resolve, friendship and camaraderie, the picnic was a success, despite the fickle weather. Close to 80 members of CASJ's network graced the event. The day started at 4 a.m. when no less than the CASJ Chair trekked to the park to find the perfect spot, with tables and grills, for the planned potluck lunch.

By midday, families -- including 3 generations -- came, many of them from some of CASJ's 28 member-organizations and increasing network of individuals. Youth, babies, grandparents, entire families, nannies, workers, professionals, mingled among each other. Tarps were quickly set up when the rain fell, yet no one left, preferring to stay and enjoy the pleasant exchanges under the blue tents. Spirits were high; food was sumptuous: grilled fish, paella ala Negrense; freshly made salad; ginataan ala Tarlac, organic spelt pasta; pansit; mango salad ala Floridablanca; Panay delicacies, etc.

From left, RJ Esguerra, Cat Eugenio, Mithi Esguerra, Nanay Ason, Cynthia Palmaria, Nanay Nena, Divine Montesclaros and Ching Esguerra (front).

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LUCENA CITY Association of Ontario held its annual picnic last July 28
at Thomson park. In the picture are the officers and friends of the association. With the slogan “ The Mission is the reason,” they are
planning for next year's 10th anniversary; 10 years of helping the poor
and the needy in the Philippines .

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TOMMY Gesell with dad Tom, mom Leslie and friends on his 7th birthday party on July 21st at their resident in Toronto . Lulu-belle, the clown entertained the kids with magic tricks, face painting and animaloons.

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SERENA Garcia De Vera blows the
candle on her 7th birthday cake,
as brothers Santiago, Domenic,
and cousins Isaiah, Ethan, Jacob, Andrew, Kayla, and Jacob eagerly
watch. Serena is the daughter of
Derek & Lala De Vera.

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Competitors at the Advance Category of “Dancing to be A Star”.

Kip Lo and Christopher Au were among the dancers in the Advance
Category of ‘Dancing to be A Star' competition.

The “Dancing to be a Star” competition held at Macedonian Banquet Hall, Saturday, July 28th were performed by skilled and proficient dancing prowess in the GTA. Chaired by dancing icon, Leonie Manzanares and sponsored by Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC), headed by Jun Enverga, President, Imie Belanger & Pete Mauricio, Co- Chairs and Evelyn Lao Executive Assistant, the elegant marvelous affair was a blissful sight and attended by all overjoyed guests that evening. The competitor's stylish and well designed colored gowns and latin outfits and very elegant decorated place was commendable, as well as the competitors overwhelming natural grace is simply just a real sensation to everyone. Competitors in Advance Category: Mike & Dr. Maselle Virey, Vicky & Rene Cipriano, Kip Lo & Christopher Au, and Agnes Canlas & George Tungol, and Intermediate Category: Mel Bertocillo & Ron Andrada, Emilia & Fernando Gonzalvo, Mei Alvia & Jun Danao and Dr. Christie Gamo & Robert Henson.

The entrances and exits choreographed by Leonie Manzanares looked like the one on television and much to audience amusement. As each competitors look sexy and alluring on their every dance exhibitions, each of them received a real frantic and appreciative applause. The affair throughout the evening was so memorable and stunning as all the guests excitement and enjoyment were absolutely superb and what an infinite success it has become. The three judges who helped claimed the winners are Abby Mina, Richard Thibeault & Giorgio Argentini who are all professional standard and latin dance instructors. Tabulators are Al Tupe, Joe Ragual & Merce Venturanza and all from AFCA (Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants). The gripping emceeing of Dr. Solon Guzman, a popular and well known Dentist in Mississauga and Kathryn Bayang, former Miss Philippines PIDC were so much appreciated and wowed by all guests as they were asked to do it again next time. Ballroom aficionados with DJ (Alegria Sounds), were all incredibly satisfied as they could dance without being frequently pushed or step into that huge dancing floor, while showing off as well, their acquired skills in dancing. With the massive crowd and the fans cheering for their votes, it was so flattering to watch the hall was so full to capacity.

PIDC Board are now more expecting for a large turn out of guests expectators once more for the second time around for the “Dancing to be a Star” dinner-dance grand finale where the final announcement of winners and giving out of trophies and prizes will be held again September 22nd, at Macedonian Banquet Hall, 76 Overlea Blvd. & Don Mills, Toronto. For tickets please call 905 567-4829 or 647 686-5179.

(PRESS RELEASE)

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Canadian dart player John Part of Oshawa, Ont. (2-time World Professional
Dart Champion) is flanked by some avid dart players (from left to right) Bong Faldas, Edwin Pabitu, Gus Subramanian and Ray Manzanares during the
4-person team/open doubles tournaments held in Toronto recently.
The John Part Exhibition Match in Parkhill, Ont. is on the 17th of August.

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Malolos Group of Ontario which held its firts Annual Golf
Tournament at Annandale Golf and Curling Club in Ajax,
Ontario to raise funds for Malolos City, Bulacan.

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MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - Daeniel Despabiladeras, a ten-year old basketball player, is selected as “most valuable player,” Tykes Division,” during the recent PIDC's Mabuhay Cup basketball tournament, He played for the “York Grizzlies” baskeball team.

(jojo taduran)

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ATENEO Alumni Association won overall championship
in the Summerfest 2007 games.

Fourteen participant alumni associations took part in the 2007 Summerfest of the Philippine Colleges and Universities Alumni Associations on July 15 at Mississauga Valley Park .

PHOTOS: Oswald and Mila Magno

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines Alumni Association had the biggest attendance.

Girl Dancers at Mississauga Valley Park

The Ateneo group has won the overall championship at the annual Summerfest games, a gathering of alumni associations from 14 Philippine colleges and universities in Toronto .

The picnic was held on July 15, 2007 at the Mississauga Valley Community Centre Park. This activity began in 2002 with its founding alumni association members, namely UST, UP, FEU, CEU and Ateneo having the objective of fostering camaraderie among university alumni via an annual “picnic and games” summer gathering, usually held in mid-July.

The Philippine College and University Alumni Associations has since grown to fourteen (alumni association) members. The 2007 Summerfest led by the outgoing Coordinator, Edwin Arroz of Central Philippines University (CPU), was well attended with around 1,000 alumni and family members from various universities joining in the festivities.

Members of alumni associations and their guests started arriving at 10:00 a.m. followed by a picnic lunch. After lunch, various alumni and their families provided entertainment with songs and dances. Then the Summerfest games, namely, the plank race, sack race, tug of war and volleyball. The activity concluded after 6:00 p.m. with the announcement of winners and awarding of the PCUAA Summerfest trophy.

The overall champion for this year's games is the Ateneo Alumni Association team. The strong Mapua team landed in second place while the former champion CPU settled for third place. Finishing at fourth place was the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) which came with a strong contingent of more than 100 alumni and guests. Also announced at the closing ceremony was the election of the new Coordinator for 2008-2009, Reynaldo “Boy” Reyes of the Ateneo Alumni Association Canada.

(PRESS RELEASE)

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Tommy Gesell and Joey Aviado joined Canadian
Music League for the first time and they both got
2 First Place marks each in Piano Solo Level 1A on
July 14, 2007 at Holiday Inn Select.

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Jonilyn Jasmin Receno and Justin Norris exchanged
vows on July 1, 2007 at Deer Creek in Ajax, Ontario.

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By J. Taduran

The Culture Philippines of Ontario (CPO)  is the Philippine Ambassador through arts, music, and dance not only to the people of Canada but also to other countries of  the world where the CPO's artists are performing. The CPO which is headed by its president, Resty M. del Rosario, has just participated and performed in Quebec during the Drummondville Festival on July 5 to July 15 which was attended by tourists from other parts of the world.

The festival was partcipated in by high ranking officials and celebreties of Quebec. The Culture Philippines of Ontario (CPO) was invited to perform on the 26th edition of Mondial Des Cultures of  Drummondville as representative of the Philippines from Canada.

The event is an international celebration of culture and peace which was participated in by 45 countries. In fact the festival is unique opportunity to discover and to learn their cultures. To mention some few participating countries which include Belgium, South Korea, Costa Rica, Cuba, France, Russia, Hungary,Italy, Martinique, Serbia, Peru, and many more.

This is the second time that Culture Philippines of Ontario (CPO)  was invited to the Drummondville Festival in Quebec.

The strength of the CPO lies in the hands and unity of the officers, members, and volunteers of the cultural group.

Aside from President del Rosario, the other officers of the Cultural Philippines of Ontario are Randy Fermo, vice president; Armela Perez Fermo, secretary;  Nena L. Perez Gumapac, assistant secretary; Dan Gutierrez, treasurer; Alea Coronel, auditor; Len Gutierrez, PRO;  Vangie Pineda, (PRO); Precy Dungo Atienza, Carassauga chair; Erna Gloria, Carassauga co-chair; Ernie Villafria, youth dance; Rosendo Pineda, costume coordinator; Luz del Rosario, fund-raising chair;  Perlita Book, social director;  Dulce Reyes, adult/youth chair; Adie de la Cruz, custodian; Tito La Bercasio, adviser; Hector Bacani, custodian; Edith Maderazo, adult dance coordinator; and Linda Carin, assistant treasurer. Ma. Eleanor Mescallado-Kalash, artistic director and choreographer. She used to be a trainer/researcher of the Bayanihan Philippine National  Dance Company.

The office of the Culture Philippines of Ontario (CPO)  is located at Kalayaan Cultural Center, Unit 3, 5225 Orbitor Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 498, Tel. 905 - 542-8747, Email> del_rosario@sympatico.ca