balita sa huntsville - paaa, inc · balita sa huntsville page 9 of 9 february 2017 paaa, inc. p.o....

Balita Sa Huntsville of 9 February 2017

BALITA SA HUNTSVILLE Official Newsletter of the Philippine-American Association of Alabama, Inc.

P.O. Box 7344 Huntsville, Alabama 35807

February 2017

Volume 29 ISSUE4

2016 – 2017 Officers

Executive Board

Karl Thompson

President

Gloria P. Vergara

Vice President

Janice Dervis Executive Secretary

Jebe Antoine Corresponding Secretary

Cora Carwile Treasurer

Maryann Thompson PRO

Neil Boyd William Graham

Sgts.-at-Arms

Board of Directors

Ben Acosta - Chair

Gordon Benton Ma. Sol Guilbault Charles Johnson

Dony Gapasin Karl Suenega

Board of Governors

Arsenio Mendiola Aniceto I. Bagley

Ben Acosta Cris Engutan

Celedonio Gapasin Gloria Vergara

Emeterio Bolivar Braulio Pedroso, Jr. Maria Abantao-Ryan Edgar Duhaylungsod

Valentine’s Day has

come and gone, but the memories

still linger. What talent and

entertainment we had this year at

the Valentine and PAAA Idol 2

contest. I am at a lost for words to

adequately describe the support and

energy that so many unselfishly

gave in planning, organizing, and

executing this party. Malen Gilbert

and Maryann Thompson went all out to ensure this was an awesome and

memorable event. We appreciate your support, and thank each and everyone

that helped organize and

conduct this event, and those

that came and shared in this

festive occasion.

As always there are so many

wonderful people to thank for

putting a function as

complicated as this together.

From the generous donations of

prizes, desserts, time, energy,

equipment, to setting up and

cleaning up, clearly displayed the excellent organizational skills of the Valentine

planning committee. The Board of Directors and the Executive Board express

our deep appreciation and gratitude to each of you for your significant

contributions in making this a

memorable event. Here are

some of the pictures to enjoy,

and to view more, visit our

web site www.paaainc.org or

Face Book “PhilAm

Huntsville.”

Our entertaining Emcee,

Ailene Marshall (left) opened

the program and our lovely

and gifted Renae

Graves(right) sang both the

American and Philippine

National Anthems.

http://www.paaainc.org/


Jun Pederoso gave the invocation and we were entertained with music from our special DJ Spencer

Marshall as we feasted to our hearts content on a buffet from Ding How II. Desserts were provided

by the PAAA Officers and many of our generous members. Then the PAAA Idol 2 competition

began. I am sure glad I did not have to judge as the contestants were simply amazing. In my ears, I

think they all should have won! But first our judges - thank you for your time and expertise.

McKinley Harris is a sought after dancer and choreographer,

extraordinaire. Known for his drive and creative street edge, "Kinley”

enjoys traveling across the country professionally choreographing and

performing for various events and occasions. His latest performance was

on the stage in a featured role of Lin Manuel Miranda's "In The Heights,"

presented by Lyrique Music Productions. He loves participating in all

forms of the arts to include singing, modeling, and acting. Mr. Harris is

thankful that God blessed him with a special gift and he has a deep

passion to share his gift in hopes to spark a flame of greatness in all he

encounters. His motto is "Release the artist in you!"

Dr. Leah Lang has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the

University of the Philippines-Manila, and a Doctor of Medicine from San

Beda College of Medicine. Her Arts background are impressive as she was a

member of the Kathalan Theatre Group 1991-1995, and has performed in the

“The House of Bernarda Alba" and “New Yorker in Tondo," where she

played the lead character Francesca/Kikay. Also in Thespian's Circle 1995-

1996 as Morher Meriam Ruth in "Agnes of God." She has attended various

theatre arts workshops including one by Philippine Educational Theatre

Association (PETA). Currently she lives in Madison with her husband Josh

and children Leila, 13, Lauren, 4 and Lucas, 1.

Dr. Dony Gapasin studied Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural

Education at Penn State University (McKeesport). He retired from

Alabama A&M University and has spent his retirement years

enjoying life and people. He is actively involved in many

organizations and is an

accomplished musician, singer

and has conducted the PAAA

carolers for many years. Dony

also just celebrated his 80th

birthday! Happy birthday Dony! (I can only hope that I look as good

and as active as him when I get there!”


Anabelle Gales

Harp Presentation

The gorgeous Double "O" 7 Girl’s dancers! No wonder Bond

always had a smile on his face!

Then our contestants:

Jebe Antoine (left) singing

“How Do I Live”

Eva Rose Bilby (middle) singing

“Alone”

Marites Kern (right) singing

“I Will Always Love You”

Jerome Lacbayan (left) singing

“I’m Yours”

Marissa Swanner (middle) signing

“House Of The Rising Sun”

Zach Swanner (right) singing

“Ordinary People”

As the judges scored their cards and the

audience votes were tallied and added to the judges cards, we were treated to some

special performances.


Some pictures of the party!

To view more pictures, visit www.paaainc.org



Then we finished the night

with dancing.

Then the PAAA Idol 2 winners were announced. Congratulations!

Third place to

Marissa Swanner- “House Of The Rising Sun”

Second place to

Marites Kern- “I Will Always Love You

First place to

Zach Swanner-“Ordinary People”


The scholarship committee has revised

and updated the selection criteria for the

PAAA, Inc, 2017 awards. To review

the changes and download the forms,

visit our web page – www.paaainc.org.

The committee will be accepting applications beginning

15 May 2017, with a deadline of 30 June 2017.

Should you have any questions, please contact Lillian

Pedroso, Chairperson for the Scholarship Committee at

[email protected] or use the contact form on our

web site.

Easter Egg Hunt - 16 April 2017

Brahan Spring Park

Independence Day – 10 June 2017

Trinity United Methodist Church

General Membership and Election

5 August 2017

30th Anniversary Ball and Induction of Officers

9 September 2017

Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Mr. and Ms. Valentine Photo by Benny Conception


PAAA booth at the Boy Scouts of America Annual Cultural day.

Renae Graves sang

Good Morning Baltimore

Our Culture Committee lead by Gloria Vergara has been busy. We were invited to participate in the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Alabama Council, Annual Cultural day Activities. The event was held on the Alabama A&M University Campus on Saturday, February 11, 2017. It was an excellent opportunity to meet the scouts and to provide a better understanding of the differences and similarities of the many cultural heritages in the United States. It also afforded the scouts the necessary opportunity to complete a Boy Scout rank advancement and to meet a merit badge requirement.

We were also invited

to participate at the

Country Day school at

their International

Festival. Our lovely

ladies danced to

perfection and Renae

Graves sang as we

shared the Filipino

culture and talent with the

school community and its

families! The dancers

performed a Sayaw Sa

Cuyo dance that originated

at the St. Agustin festival

that is celebrated on the

small island of Cuyo,

Pulawan, Philippines.

Good job ladies!


PAAA, Inc.

P.O. Box 7344

Huntsville, AL 35807

E-mail

[email protected]

Balita Sa Huntsville is an official

publication of the Philippine-

American Association of Alabama,

Inc. (PAAA, Inc.) Please send any

comments, contributions or

announcements to Karl Thompson,

Editor at above e-mail address or

use our contact form on our

website.

Salamat Po!

We sincerely hope you

have enjoyed this

edition of the

Balita Sa Huntsville.

Please visit our

website

www.paaainc.org

or our Face book

"PhilAm Huntsville"

to view more pictures,

see our videos, stay in

touch or just to find

out what is coming

next! Thank you!

Our membership committee lead by

Marilyn Johnson continues to be busy

and we are so proud of her. We

welcome our new members and our

renewing members. Thank you for

supporting our Association and for

becoming one of the family. We also

request that all members ensure we

have your correct e-mail address.

We welcome our new members;

Eva Bilby

Dan Bilby

Marissa Swanner

Zack Swanner

Maritess Kern

Jerome Lacbayan

Irene Cross

Joseph Cross

We welcome our renewing members;

Morena Swanner

Please join us in prayer as we lift up those that have lost

special loved ones. It is difficult to cope with the passing of a

loved one, and we share in your loss. The PAAA, Inc, Officers

and its members share in your grief and extend our deepest

sorrow and sympathy. Your loved ones will be missed, the fond

memories of them will be in your heart and ours forever.

Please accept our sincerest condolences.

Trudy Bagley – wife of Mr. Aniceto Bagley

Carlos Aboabo – father of Lineth Moore

Emedios Milanez Tanierla – mother of Imelda Walt

Please join us in prayer as we lift up and pray for a speedy

recovery and get well soon for

Frank Cepeda

Marinita Haq

Edgar Duhaylungsod

If I have missed someone, I am deeply sorry. Please let the

editor know and we include in the next

edition.

mailto:[email protected]


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