BUSY, BUSY

It has been an extremely busy time within the Filipino community.  One could be busy all the time with the amount of activities that have been occuring lately.  The highlight for me was the Munting Tinigs presentation at the closing breakfast for the MacArthur Memorial Week celebration.  After a lot of adult presentations their performance was so refreshing.  I just love watching all of them perform.  I am hoping that this choir continues to progress and that the children stay involved in this great opportunity to grow as performers and representatives of our Filipino community.  I can't say enough about all of the adults that make this happen.  Thank you Jojo, Dr. Singson, Manika, Noni and Amy for giving of your time to highlight these children.

I also loved seeing the Filipino dance groups perform at the Calatrava.  I kept thinking that wished the staging was better so that the guests in the back of the hall could have seen it better.  

Then there was a beautiful rendition of America the Beautiful by Sheila Jackson.  I keep forgetting that she is a multi talented lady and am reminded of that each time she takes the mike.  What a beautiful voice - I cried during her presentation.

Let's see, MacArthur week, picnics, the UPAA exhibits - keep it coming.  I keep learning more and more about our traditions and history the more I take the time to attend these events.  My latest learning experience, via Gerry Ramos, was finding out why the barong was made with the see through material - because the Spanish wanted to make sure the men weren't carrying weapons.   He also shared that the Filipino's then took the opportunity to embellish them with beautiful embroidery.  I always look at them and thing, aren't they scratchy???

UPAA is celebrating 40 years - what a wonderful exhibit they displayed at Zablocki.  Interesting, attractive, I loved it all.  Congrats UPAA.

Our future....singing at the UPAA Opening Event

Now that summer has finally arrived - well, so to speak - we will see more picnics, more golf outings and there is also the 2nd Zablock Health Fair on August 23rd.  At the recent FAAWIS picnic I caught some kids having a good time reading and painting.

Enjoy your summer and take in some more of the activities that are being held throughout the Filipino community.