COPAO had a very successful Orientation Session and Brainstorming Workshop for all officers and Council Members of the Executive Council on Saturday, January 22, 2005, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the COPAO Center.
Topics discussed included the Objectives of COPAO; Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Council; Highlights of Amendments to the Bylaws; and discussion of potential forthcoming projects of COPAO. Workshop facilitator was Fred Gallardo, COPAO Council Member.
17 Pangasinan Presidents in San Diego attended the 2003 Veterans Ball-Terno Contest, and acknowledged the PASDC 2003 Veteran of the Year, Mr. Romy Crena.
From left to right kneeling: Pres. Jimmie Sober, Executive Lions Club; Pres. Juanito Amor, PASDC Youth Group; Pres. Julio de Guzman, PASDC, 2001-2005; Pres. Jimmy Boton, Alaminos City; Pres. Ed Benitez, San Carlos;
Standing: Pres. Vicki Calicsan, Urdaneta; Pres. Nita Barrrozo, Manaoaog; Pres. Larry Palpal-Latoc, Pozorrubio; Pres. Gerry Bulatao, Malasiqui; Pres. Mel Salinas, Agno Valley College Alumni Association and PASDC Veteran of the Year 2004; Pres. Julio Peralta, Mapandan; Miss Arlie Ricasa, Inducting Officer; Pres. Ben Gapuz, Sual; Pres. Romy Crena, Dagupan City; Pres. Cesar Adan, Filipino American Retirees of SOCAL; Pres. Jun Valderrama, Mabini; Pres. Virgie Lazo, Lingayen.
Not pictured but in attendance: Pres. Salva Peralta, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Association and Mrs. PASDC 2001-2004; Pres. Aurora Cudal, COPAO; Pres. Ditas Yamane, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce; Pres. Faith Bautista, Mabuhay Alliance.
PANGASINAN ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY - VETERANS BALL 2005
Some of the 100-plus members of the Fil-Am community of San Diego who came to the COPAO Center on April 9, 2005, to take advantage of the Philippine Consulate General's Outreach Program. The consular staff was kept busy processing passport, dual citizenship, authentica-tion of documents and other applications, saving people the long trip to Los Angeles.
Philippine Consulate General staff headed by Deputy Consul General Hellen Barber pose for a photo with COPAO volunteers headed by Rita Buencamino Andrews, COPAO President. and Aurora S. Cudal, Chair, Board of Advisers.
COPAO President Rita Buencamino Andrews presides over a Special Meeting of the Executive Council on Saturday, January 22, 2004, at the COPAO Center in National City. Taking notes is Lily Ann Villaraza, acting Secretary. The meeting was followed by an Orientation Workshop for the new Officers and Council Members.
The COPAO Executive Council Meets Every First Tuesday of the Month.
A flurry of varied hues and sounds filled the air of National City on June 9, as Filipino-Americans and other
members of the community celebrated the 109th Independence of the Philippines, with Philippine Faire 2007.
Through the Festival of Festivals parade which was held in the morning, the annual event showcased the
different cultures of the varied ethnic groups constituting the Islands. With its theme, "Moving Forward through
Collaboration,” the Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County (COPAO), sponsor of
the festival together with the City of National City, reaffirmed its commitment to forging a higher level of unity
among Filipino-Americans in San Diego.
In June 2006, right after that year’s Philippine Faire and at the urging of then National City Councilmember Ron
Morrison, the COPAO Executive Council decided to hold a one-day faire instead of the usual two days. There
were a number of reasons for the change, foremost among which was the feedback received from the public,
practicality and the cost that went into holding the event over a full weekend. That's why a few in the audience
were surprised that it was a one-day event. In fact, several promised, "We'll be coming back tomorrow, with a
few more friends," thinking that it was a two-day event like the previous ones.
This year, no less than National City Mayor Ron Morrison and Philippine Consul General Mary Jo B. Aragon served as Grand Marshals of the parade, which cascaded through Plaza Boulevard down to Kimball Park. Since festivals are at the heart of Philippine culture, various community organizations and students representing the different high-schools of the San Diego County depicted festivals celebrated in the different regions of the Philippines, like the Ati-atihan by Mt. Carmel High School, Panagbenga by Otay Ranch High School, Sinulog of Bell Jr. High School, Pabitin of the South Bay Filipino-American Community Association, Harana sa Makati of Eastlake High, Kadayawan of Sweetwater High, and the Maskarra Festival of Paradise Hills Elementary School. Olympian High showed off their Parols, Montgomery High portrayed the Pintados, and Morse High School depicted the Pahiyas festival. Participants vied with one another to be as colorful and authentic as possible as they painted their faces and wore colorful costumes representative of the many facets of Philippine culture and history.
The Kawit Association marched with a large Filipino flag to commemorate the birth of the Philippine Republic in 1898. The Baguio City Association contingent wore colorful native costumes and danced to the rhythm of gongs reverberating as if from the Cordillera Mountain region. Pretty ladies under colorful arches of flowers represented the City of San Diego Filipino-American Employees’ Association as they portrayed the popular summer festival, Flores de Mayo and Santa Cruzan, just as the Granger Middle School students did later in the parade. The ladies of the Bicol Club marched and danced in their matching colorful Filipina dresses depicting the Gayon Bicol Festival. Other groups were as equally impressive and colorful.
Mrs. Philippine Faire 2007 Crispina Cervantes, Miss Philippine Faire 2007 Christina Marie Malto and Little Miss Philippine Faire 2007 Layla Ali led their royal court as they waved from decorated convertibles. With them were Mrs. Luzon Ameha Jensen, Mrs. Visayas Nedy Lao, Mrs. Mindanao Vicky Dubreil, Mrs. Friendship Angie Enerva, Miss Friendship Vina Rodriguez, Little Miss Friendship Marifel Lopez and Little Miss Unity Jennifer Corpuz.
Other beauties who also joined the parade were Mrs. Philippine Faire 2006 Myrna T.F. Reyes; the Philippine American Community of San Diego County’s Miss Philippines 2006 Fresas Flores; Miss Manila 2006 Marie Fernandez ; Miss Visayas Beverly Pitogo; and others, including Jessica Acasio Merlan, Miss Dagupan City 2007.
The drill team from Morse High School wowed the crowd with their fancy marching in front of the parade viewing stand. Nurses from Sharp Cabrillo Hospital in their yellow t-shirts earned the crowd’s resounding applause as they danced to the beat of the popular Filipino song “Boom Taratarat.” Other groups also performed 2-minute dances and other portrayals for the VIP’s seated at the viewing stand.
In addition to Mayor Morrison, local government officials in attendance included San Diego City Mayor Jerry Sanders, Supervisor Greg Cox, Chula Vista City Mayor Cheryl Cox, Assemblymember Mary Salas, Councilmember & President Pro-Tem Tony Young, Councilmembers Louie Natividad, Rosalie Zarate, Frank Parra and Fidelis Ungab. Also present were Mitz Lee, Vice President of the San Diego Unified School District, Arlie Ricasa, President of the Sweetwater Union High School District, Manny Doria, representing Congressman Bob Filner, and others.
After the parade, a brief opening ceremony at the stage in Kimball Park was climaxed with the release of red, white and blue balloons, symbolic of the rising aspirations of the Filipino-American community. The day long program that followed consisted of cultural songs and dances to entertain the large crowd that gathered at the park. Kimball Park was dotted with booths -- almost double the number of booth in 2006 -- displaying and providing health and other services, cultural artifacts and various entrepreneurial offerings of and for Filipino-American in San Diego. The PASACAT Dance Company and the Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, the Music and Friends Choir and Moda Filipina 2007, a fashion show by designer Boodgie Arce, combined with songs and dances from youth groups to entertain the audience. After the opening ceremonies, the Philippine Faire titleholders and their courts were formally introduced to the public, as were the 2007 COPAO scholarship awardees: Jemmianne Bautista of Eastlake High (Academic Excellence), Elma Joy Trinindad of Otay Ranch High (Leadership), Michael Sevilla of Junipero Serra High (Athletics) and Edrilyn Besalda of Sweetwater High (Community Service).
The crowd of thousands moving around the 80-plus booths was very pleased with the faire. A young mother with a three or four year old girl in tow, exclaimed, "We really enjoyed today and we'll see you again next year!" They were among the last ones to leave the event long after the "official" close of the program.
Another woman commented that "It was a good idea letting us know about this event by leaving messages in our mailboxes and doors" (She was referring to the messages and flyers COPAO distributed to houses in the vicinity of the parade route.)
Under the guidance of COPAO president Rita Andrews, Philippine Faire 2007 was coordinated by executive director Merly Ferrer. Chairs of major committees were Al Villamora, parade; Regina Agarma and Myrna Reyes, popularity contest; Juanito Amor, Jr., program; Cyd Gallardo, scholarship and awards; Benny Valerio, logistics; Vina Phelps and Missy Martinez, hospitality; Albert Halili, booths; Ditas Yamane, marketing; Rudy Liporada, publicity; George Alfonso, raffles and tickets; and Cynthia French, advertisements. They were supported by officers and members of the Executive Council and others.
PHILIPPINE FAIRE 2007
PHILIPPINE FAIRE BEAUTIES FOR 2008 CROWNED
The Atlas Ballroom of the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego was filled with ladies in stunning gowns and gentlemen in smart looking Barongs on May 10, 2008. It was the Filipiniana Night and Coronation Ball, culminating the search for Mrs. Philippine Faire 2008, Miss Philippine Faire 2008, and Little Miss Philippine Faire 2008.
The reigning queens for 2007 did their farewell promenade: Crispina Cervantes, Mrs. Philippine Faire 2007; Christina Marie Malto, Miss Philippine Faire 2007, and Layla Ali, Little Miss Philippine Faire 2007.
The newly crowned queens are Katelyn Marie Gallardo, Little Miss Philippine Faire 2008; Alice Podschun, Mrs. Philippine Faire 2008; and Kristine Faye Bermudez, MIss Philippine Faire 2008. Their royal court is composed of Juliana Bridget Gaehner, Little Miss Friendship 2008; Angeleah Tala Padilla, Little Miss Unity 2008; and Maria Elena Martinez, Mrs. Philippine Faire Friendship 2008.
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The Mira Mesa Community Park in San Diego was the site of the Philippine Festival and Faire 2008 on June 7, 2008. This included the Festival of Festivals Parade, that has become a tradition, featuring the inclusion of thousands of Filipino-American students from the various schools in the County.
Celebrating the 110th anniversary of Philippine Independence, the annual event, which used to be held at the Kimball Park in National City, was moved to Mira Mesa to facilitate a joint celebration/collaboration among the Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County, the Aguinaldo Foundation and Mabuhay Alliance.
Grand Marshals for the Festival of Festvals parade were Philippine Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon, Councilmember Brian Maienschein of District V, San Diego, and Board Member Mitz Lee of the San Diego Unified School District. The whole day faire that followed the parade was attended by thousands of people who enjoyed the Philippine cultural dances and songs, modern dances, and more entertainment, as well as the many food booths and displays provided by numerous vendors and service organizations.
Pictures of the Philippine Festival and Faire may be viewed at the websites of the following photographers who covered the event:
A team from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles will conduct a Consular Outreach Program in San Diego, California on Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5, 2012, at the Council of the Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County, Inc. (COPAO) Center, 832 “E” Avenue, National City, CA 91950. Service Hours will be from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The consular outreach program is being undertaken in cooperation with COPAO and the sponsorship of Western Union.
The following consular services will be rendered:
1. Applications for Electronic Passport (ePassport) (Cost: $60), to be returned to the applicant by mail at an additional cost of $6.
2. Applications for the Extension of Validity of Passport (Cost: $20)
3. Applications for the retention and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship pursuant to Republic Act 9225 or Dual Citizenship Law (Cost: $50). Oath-taking will be scheduled on the same day for qualified applicants.
4. Applications for Report of Marriage & Birth (Cost: $25) will be accepted but this will be processed in Los Angeles and returned to the applicant by mail at an additional cost of $6.
STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (by following the applicable scheduling steps below) AND WITH COMPLETED DOCUMENTS ONLY. NO WALK-IN APPLICANTS WILL BE ENTERTAINED.
1. Appointment Scheduling Steps for ePassport Applicants
Visit the Philippine Consulate website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) to download and accomplish the ePassport application form; and no later than February 1, 2012, send an advance copy of the completed ePassport application form and data page (bearing the name and photo) of the expired or expiring passport to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990. Thumbprints (if needed) and signature must be affixed and all pertinent data on the application form must be completed. INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED.
Note: 1. Personal appearance is required in all cases (including applicants who are 65 years old and above and minors who are below 18 years old).
2. Do not bring passport pictures. Passport pictures are to be taken by the Consulate.
3. The applicant must wear decent attire (no sleeveless and/or collarless attire) and without eyeglasses/colored contact lenses.
4. No facial piercings allowed.
2. Appointment Scheduling Steps for Extension of Validity of Passports
Visit the Philippine Consulate website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) and print the Extension of Validity of Passport form; Complete the form; and, no later than February 1, 2012, send an advance copy of the application form and passport data page to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990.Incomplete forms will not be processed.
3. Appointment Scheduling Steps for Dual Citizenship Applicants
Visit the Philippine Consulate website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) and print the Dual Citizenship Application form.
Complete the Dual Citizenship Application form; and no later than February 1, 2012, send an advance copy of the completed Dual Citizenship application form and supporting documents to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990. Other than the thumbprint and photo which will be done on site, all pertinent data on the application form must be completed. Otherwise, incomplete forms will not be processed.
Note:
1. Oath-Taking will be scheduled on the same day for qualified applicants.
2. Applicants should take their oath as Dual Citizens in DECENT ATTIRE. The Consulate shall refuse oath-taking to applicants wearing inappropriate outfits such as sleeveless shirts, skimpy clothes, shorts, sandos or slippers.
4. Appointment Scheduling Steps for Report of Marriage (ROM) & Birth (ROB)
a. Visit the Philippine Consulate website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) and print the ROM or ROB form; Complete the ROM or ROB form; and no later than February 1, 2012, send an advance copy (one set only) of the completed form and supporting documents to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990.Incomplete forms will not be processed.
Information FOR ALL APPLICANTS
The Consulate regularly updates the appointment schedule posted on the website upon receipt of completed applications. The final list of all applicants with confirmed appointment schedule will be posted at the Consulate’s website
(www.philippineconsulatela.org) by February 2, 2012.
All applicants are required to PERSONALLY APPEAR during their appointment time for data verification, finger printing and photo/signature capture and must bring all original documents. All applicants are advised to transact their business directly with Consulate officials and not through travel agencies.
Fees
Fees must be paid in person at the scheduled appointment. The Consulate will only accept payments in cash, postal money order or cashier’s check. Personal checks will not be accepted. Payments should be paid directly to the collecting officer/cashier of the Consulate during the outreach program and inside the venue only. Please be informed that the Consulate has not authorized other people or entities to collect fees for all consular services rendered.
- ePassport: $60 processing fee + $6 for passports to be returned to the applicant by mail
- Passport Extension: $20 processing fee
- Dual Citizenship: $50 processing fee
- Civil Registry: $25 processing fee + $6 for documents to be returned to the applicant by mail
Contact Information
For information on consular matters, interested parties may contact Consul Ruel U. Gunabe at Tel: 213-639-0980 or 213-637-3020. For information on the venue and similar details, contact Merly Ferrer at 619-606-6475.
COUNCIL OF PHILIPPINE AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS
OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY, INC.
P.O. Box 1504, National City, California 91951-1504 Telephone: 619-477-4090
COPAO is a California Public Benefit Corporation and IRS 501 (c) (3) organization.
PHILIPPINE CONSULAR OUTREACH IN SAN DIEGO: FEBRUARY 4 & 5, 2012.
at the COPAO Center, 832 E Avenue, National City, CA 91950
