tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870457935195531792024-03-18T20:39:24.780-07:00The Filipino AmericanAll things Filipino-American in San Diegothefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-11373975580584360632017-03-22T22:01:00.001-07:002017-03-22T22:37:52.180-07:00The FilAm Mentorship Program<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello Filipino-Americans of San Diego!<br />
<br />
I am interested in putting together a Filipino-American Mentorship Program (FMP) in our Community as a way for us to give back as well as foster a bond between Filam Professionals, Entrepreneurs and Artists and the next generation of FilAms as well as our newest immigrants.<br />
<br />
My goal is to bring us closer as a community and to show our newest immigrants and as well as next generation FilAms that whatever we put our hearts and mind into we can achieve it. The help of mentors of course will give our mentees that advantage in life and in their pursuit of whatever they dream of becoming.<br />
<br />
Here's my rough idea and would really love to hear your feedback, input and ideas:<br />
<br />
MENTORS- FilAm Professionals, Entrepreneurs and Artists who would love to share their knowledge, skills or life wisdom to other FilAms<br />
<br />
MENTEES- Any FilAm who would like to learn from a fellow FilAm who has been successful in their own endeavor<br />
<br />
TIME PERIOD- set between mentor and mentee for 3months or 6months commitment<br />
<br />
FREQUENCY OF MEETING- set between mentor and mentee, 1hr meeting biweekly or monthly<br />
<br />
MEETING PLACE-set by Mentor<br />
<br />
The Filipino-American and the Mentors in this program is doing this program with absolutely no compensation and done as purely voluntary capacity. The Filipino-American and the Mentors volunteering for this program cannot be held liable for anything that happens during the FMP as long as The Filipino-American and Mentors have acted professionally and responsibly to the best of their ability during the entire program. The Filipino-American shall not be held liable for the conduct of the Mentors who volunteered for FMP.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-72688592064198573592015-01-13T23:18:00.002-08:002015-01-17T08:41:38.009-08:00THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN CONNECTION: Director/Producer Ryan Moore (Manny The Movie Meet and Greet FilAms of San Diego<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdDvwHMPu6iBsvCda3Ed-ZzmnHx9iPJYXPuluo2nJ3D0I5mpINadexy_EuYs5h_yGg0IxNz-jGeTFAhwiXVjOtabErqhoXNGm1VdBDGn3Gm9ICtF7XG6lfuU1M3prXnOrE1AvFz7Q6hwQ/s1600/10896896_790328691040013_8804428636225458622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdDvwHMPu6iBsvCda3Ed-ZzmnHx9iPJYXPuluo2nJ3D0I5mpINadexy_EuYs5h_yGg0IxNz-jGeTFAhwiXVjOtabErqhoXNGm1VdBDGn3Gm9ICtF7XG6lfuU1M3prXnOrE1AvFz7Q6hwQ/s1600/10896896_790328691040013_8804428636225458622_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Director Ryan Moore speaking to a very inspired audience </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
January 6, 2015, Wells Fargo Bank, Otay Ranch Chula Vista Ca, Director/Producer Ryan Moore spoke to an intimate crowd of Filipino-Americans about his directorial debut movie, Manny by Universal Studios.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ryan and I had been playing phone tag for over a month before we finally got a hold of each other! But as we both believe that if you are passionate enough at what you do you just won't stop until you achieve what you had in mind. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is really humbling and I am honored to have Ryan come out and speak at our first The Filipino-American Connection Mixer. He had inspired and reminded many of us that we can really go for our dreams, take some risks and work very hard to make it happen. One of the things that he mentioned that night was that when he was discussing casting for his movie with hollywood executives... he was being asked who should he cast for the main role of Manny Pacquiao for this movie, should it be an A-Lister Hollywood Actor? and Ryan thought to himself...a Filipino of course. We have a quiet a bit of talent among us. We also have a good amount of Filipino-American Professionals, Entrepreneurs in our community and I believe in the power in connecting with each other, growing and learning and above all supporting each other. This is the sole purpose of having The Filipino-American Connection.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We will be meeting mostly at this location, 1st Tuesday of the month between 6-7:30pm. We currently have a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/911569938868001/" target="_blank">facebook group</a>, and a <a href="http://www.meetup.com/The-Filipno-American-Connection/" target="_blank">meet up page</a> for any of you who believes might be interested to join and connect with us, it is absolutely free.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH8VPX67SpbWwayQGmMVk2DZtPU-A6XCxQ-aoVri4K6_COk9YIgzYz_NBHa6IxPuNs71_4vOy6vb19G0kXRieoKxWvRX8JC9KBZDDxdsiBqincy72c4ebVNwWgLQXS8tN0NQZicxJO_El/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH8VPX67SpbWwayQGmMVk2DZtPU-A6XCxQ-aoVri4K6_COk9YIgzYz_NBHa6IxPuNs71_4vOy6vb19G0kXRieoKxWvRX8JC9KBZDDxdsiBqincy72c4ebVNwWgLQXS8tN0NQZicxJO_El/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan relaxing and having fun with the BAYANI TV crew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We had a really great mix of attendance for our first mixer. We had friends from the San Diego Police Department, sent over from friends at the Filipino-American Law Enforcement Officers of San Diego (FALEO), we had Kirin from Operation Samahan, Nor Lannon, friends from the Chula Vista School District, our entrepreneurs and professionals and always the support of Bayani TV.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Manny the movie will premiere on January 23, 2015. Please visit http://mannypacquiaomovie.com/theaters for schedule of showings near you!</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I will be publishing shortly my interview with Ryan under our The Filipino-American Story where we will be talking more in depth about the movie and Ryan's undertakings.--MaG</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Official Website: www.thefilipinoamerican.com , twitter & instagram: @thefilam, facebook: The Filipino-American</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-7pbXktS8TJ0e_vFX_V_cmoQ2tdysgrLNM-mj1VINKaGeKlU3ip7mjRBIaPgVgGrwgZc1COSkGrHdrKn3hn05n9ivkarv03ww5FDojP9dpJyTBw3hrefEuyOHW0-tHpz1JiFivwsjv7_/s1600/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-7pbXktS8TJ0e_vFX_V_cmoQ2tdysgrLNM-mj1VINKaGeKlU3ip7mjRBIaPgVgGrwgZc1COSkGrHdrKn3hn05n9ivkarv03ww5FDojP9dpJyTBw3hrefEuyOHW0-tHpz1JiFivwsjv7_/s1600/unnamed.png" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marily Salamat, Coldwell Bank with Ryan Moore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sJf_aiF7s9qlfmTT2-VbbmAwQvV5MF9-S47ekVuZVrAWV54Y8vw-X1yyoS0U3OAI5-z5xOcreUSRZvLJuZMa5IcyLNyKkINVBfZt1V3hgfHr2HqLLCD1Z6KKHajZR1TSed5NtFVkVy8W/s1600/10923209_426676087487558_2388937192062249323_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sJf_aiF7s9qlfmTT2-VbbmAwQvV5MF9-S47ekVuZVrAWV54Y8vw-X1yyoS0U3OAI5-z5xOcreUSRZvLJuZMa5IcyLNyKkINVBfZt1V3hgfHr2HqLLCD1Z6KKHajZR1TSed5NtFVkVy8W/s1600/10923209_426676087487558_2388937192062249323_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R Ma.Christina U Doppler, Melanie Garcia, The Filipino-American<br />
Kirin Macapugay-Operation Samahan<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-77197662083436568512014-08-14T11:51:00.005-07:002014-08-14T12:09:38.058-07:00The Filipino American Story: MARISSA DE LUNA, A Trusted Notary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCUiNyZe8mASpLqIYY2b5wCaPaa64bK_bZ3HgCaJrDsl65jKnk0spUoLDLodrt_nxhJbHVpFTtQksJxJMu8f9RyVtf05gbShNHikN4EwyHOl0eqEsj6KGEIWtJc-0hwRZ6QhMPmfSv_Ml/s1600/M4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCUiNyZe8mASpLqIYY2b5wCaPaa64bK_bZ3HgCaJrDsl65jKnk0spUoLDLodrt_nxhJbHVpFTtQksJxJMu8f9RyVtf05gbShNHikN4EwyHOl0eqEsj6KGEIWtJc-0hwRZ6QhMPmfSv_Ml/s1600/M4.jpeg" height="320" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Marissa De Luna, official notary public, The Filipino American Expo 2014</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="normalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -17.95pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"> <b>Tell us what is A
Trusted Notary and what kind of services do you provide. </b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I am a commissioned
California Mobile Notary Public registered in San Diego County. My background
is screened and I am fingerprinted through the Department of Justice. I can
notarize documents statewide anywhere in California. As a mobile notary, I travel to the client's
location for their convenience. My service is available literally 24/7.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">While I cannot actually
notarize documents outside of California, I have notary connections throughout
the 50 United States and DC allowing me to refer people to notaries nationwide.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3k8ynP6FJgk2Z2a3qzpLWeQhsJ3pyo896OX-dcUdrr2u9XemBh_bJ9BoMG0YlM_T5qlnIWbg-CjOAVTMQUG9dzpYTCzOJkrGdWyCEfd_T4pQbatIqP9um59B8BmF3IjF9W5gcWD5f1zK/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3k8ynP6FJgk2Z2a3qzpLWeQhsJ3pyo896OX-dcUdrr2u9XemBh_bJ9BoMG0YlM_T5qlnIWbg-CjOAVTMQUG9dzpYTCzOJkrGdWyCEfd_T4pQbatIqP9um59B8BmF3IjF9W5gcWD5f1zK/s1600/11.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 Notary of the Year Special Honoree </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;">Why did you choose this
field and tell us how did you get started.</b></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I am intrigued with the
law but I do not want to be a lawyer.
Because living isn't always easy, I am always thinking of ways to give
back or pay it forward. </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;">While living in New
York City, I enrolled in a paralegal course where I met 2 Filipinas who were
Notaries Public in my class. They told me that it was easy to become one - just
find a class and then take and pass the test. As the paralegal classes went on,
it just dawned on me how much time I will have to spend at work should I become
a paralegal. The time to research cases alone could take me all night and not
allow me to be with my disabled son.
That was a non-starter, so I did not pursue the paralegal course. I read up on being a Notary Public and realized
it was a job that could fit my life-schedule.
I got side-tracked, though when I stumbled upon a job in track and field
while volunteering for the New York City Marathon</span><span style="background-color: white;">. I met the person who ran the
local office for the national governing body of track and field (now called USA
Track & Field or USATF) and I went to work for him.<span style="color: yellow;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">After a couple of
years, he moved to CA and a month later he contacted me and asked if I was
interested in working for his partner.
My son and I moved to CA in 1998 for this new job in sports marketing
and event management in the sport of road racing. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgkjmQbNlGA4fB3DDvkdjl0GbgaZ6hdOyM7geHPwfZk0ztYXuWg5bKIPrq6Fzy6pUXcijytCr8OMdsh-NSwpQDENCYYPfkP3BZahz-8D31qZG7pcSsMAiZqeriyWEipkeyEtGVzV2-6wg/s1600/M5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgkjmQbNlGA4fB3DDvkdjl0GbgaZ6hdOyM7geHPwfZk0ztYXuWg5bKIPrq6Fzy6pUXcijytCr8OMdsh-NSwpQDENCYYPfkP3BZahz-8D31qZG7pcSsMAiZqeriyWEipkeyEtGVzV2-6wg/s1600/M5.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> Marissa is passionate about running marathons.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">After a few years with
lots of working hours, I realized I was neglecting my disabled son -- the
reason I didn't become a paralegal, so I asked my boss to help find me another
job where I could have more time at home.
One happened to be available, being the Office Manager for the San Diego
Chapter of the American Jewish Committee.
After the long days and weekends of putting on running events, I found I
had so much free time available with this new job that I was able to go back to
school with my sister and get my MBA. At
the same time, the thought of being a Notary Public resurfaced and in June of
2002, I started the process. I received my commission in August 2002, and I
became a self-employed, full-time Notary Public in 2006. In 2013, I was one of
five out of over thousands of nominees to be named the National Notary of the
Year Special Honoree.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>Who are your clients
right now?</b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I am found online so I
get calls from virtually anybody who needs notary services in my area --
including from the local women's prison!! Being a document loan signer also,
title and escrow companies are the usual companies that call me, though. In the
past, borrowers usually traveled to the lender's office to get their paperwork
signed and notarized. Today, mobile notaries like me, who took the extra
education and passed the exam to be signing agents, travel to the borrower's
home or other location at all times of the day and night that better fit their
schedules to get their real estate papers signed and notarized.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I get calls regarding
power of attorney forms from relatives who have family members that are
incarcerated; parents who allow their minor children to travel outside of the
US, giving the children or non-parent who is traveling with the child, a
notarized consent document to avoid the possibility of the child being
considered kidnapped or a runaway. I also go to nursing homes and assisted
living facilities to service seniors or families who are caring for a senior or
a challenged family member or relative.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>I understand that what
sets you apart from your competitors is that you travel to meet with clients,
tell us how it benefits your business and your clients?</b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Mobile notaries are
convenient for clients who are elderly, handicapped, have trouble traveling or
have unique schedules or time constraints. Simply put, we just try to make it
more convenient for people to have their documents notarized by going to them,
instead of the other way around ... And I personally take that to an extreme. I
believe what further sets me apart is that my primary goal is customer satisfaction.
My service doesn’t end after I get paid. It ends when I’m told everything is
ok. I am open literally 24/7. If you called me at 2am I will answer your
call. During times when many businesses
are closed, I am there for my clients. Weekends and holidays do not make a
difference. If I'm available I will be there to fulfill the notary work.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>Describe/outline your
typical day.</b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I work out of my home
where I have a lot of filing and follow-up paperwork to do on personal family
business transactions, but I drop everything when a notary call comes in.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I am also a Servsafe
Food Safety Instructor/Proctor. I give instruction and/or proctor those who
work in the food industry. In California, before being able to work in the food
industry, you have to take and pass the food handler exam. To own or work as a
manager in a food industry you have to take and pass a food safety course. Just
like my notary business, I am on call. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRYV7iOF9tLMqtzVQGteXXVtNM53Lr-3rHhvaA4b9KIAnP8hSJROVPhIbPBmzC98lFS85DTisXDWJTpcFpvgcXOIFv6cowmyYe7onjkHEf2iYStAzhJJVzjBh7_37j1yKQBozK-9ZBbjk/s1600/M6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRYV7iOF9tLMqtzVQGteXXVtNM53Lr-3rHhvaA4b9KIAnP8hSJROVPhIbPBmzC98lFS85DTisXDWJTpcFpvgcXOIFv6cowmyYe7onjkHEf2iYStAzhJJVzjBh7_37j1yKQBozK-9ZBbjk/s1600/M6.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>Marissa with The Filipino Business and Professional Network (FBPN) team</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I added a gopher
business. This provides at a fair price an urgent need, a want or just a desire
with satisfaction guaranteed. </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I got rid of the
cleaning lady so I could clean the house as part of my workout instead of
paying for a gym membership. I am also
busy looking for speakers for The Filipino Business and Professional Network
(FBPN). Finally, I have recently become
a member of Vapor Trails and Poway Black Mountain Toastmasters in an effort to
overcome my fear of public speaking or even one-on-one conversations. It is a great self-improvement vehicle
especially dealing with difficult people. Our meetings are held once a week and
Toastmasters has already helped me with both formal presentations and impromptu
speaking. It has also assisted me in responding to smart a$$es we meet every
day, by teaching me how to do it in a professional manner!</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>Where do you see
yourself and your business next year and in 5 years from now?</b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Due to the recent
creation of the “The League of Notaries Public” I hope to be a resource for
Notaries Public who are self-employed. Just like TheFilipinoAmerican.com is a resource
for the Filipino community. “The League of Notaries Public” was created to bind
together all notaries public and as one to help deter fraud and to protect the
public for whom we serve. It's mission is to provide mentorship to newly
appointed Notaries Public and be a true public service by educating the public
on what a Notary Public's role is all about. </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I am working to have
"The League of Notaries Public" be recognized by each of the
Secretary of State's Notary Public Offices as an added resource to aid the SOS
offices in disseminating pertinent information to notaries especially the newly
appointed ones.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>What’s the major
difference between running your own business and working for someone else?</b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Running my own business
since 2002 gives me the freedom to adjust my services to the needs of my
clients without asking someone else’s approval.
I create my own hours convenient for my clients, my family and
myself. It gives me time to take care of
family. and most of all, the time to take care of my clients’ needs without
worrying if I’m working overtime. </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Having your own
business is no joke. Some people say that they're better off having their own
business. Some prefer working for someone else because when they walk out of
the office at the end of the day they are no longer dealing with anything work
related. A lot more time is needed when you work for yourself. You have to be
ready for sleepless nights when you have to worry where and when your next
client is coming from. Your income will vary. You are working all the time. It
may not be literally working 24/7 but if your brain is thinking about how to
grow your business then you are still working on your business. </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Some ideas come to
business owners while they are on vacation. I was checked-in at a hotel in
Virginia Beach browsing the in-room services guide on what to order for in-room
dining and happened to see that they offer notary service. I inquired about it
and when I came back to California I visited the concierge at the local hotels
leaving my business card. I even hit the bars and restaurants near the hotels
because where else would a bar patron be asking for advise aside from the hotel
concierge but the local bartender! </span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">As much as it seemed
like a great idea the concierges and bartenders works for tips, so I need to go
back to them and let them know they will get a commission on all referrals. I
should also pursue it further by going straight to the top and ask that in
their next printing of their in-house guide book they include notary service.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>What is your favorite
success quote? Why?</b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">“If you want something
you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done”
-Thomas Jefferson</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">This emphasizes the
idea of trying new things and taking advantage of the unknown. This quote also
reflects my recent adventure of completing 57 half-marathons in under a year
running in all 50 US states, Washington DC and on all 7 continents. This
on-a-whim adventure exposed me to the mental and physical power running has in
aiding the soul.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>Who has been your
greatest inspiration in life? Why?</b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">My original boss. He was not your typical boss. While he had his flaws, I loved how hands-on
he was -- and still is towards his work. No job was beneath him. Is your boss
ok doing trash duty? It's a dirty, yucky job but someone's got to do it. Does
it always have to be the peons?</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TS9HoE20Gnbf4HaW2eHwBJIvApgRKKBbMEts59H-0yPLN5n_Uwbx65TTUF3eBZg5KPpSrODI3CllpVjQAL142Fnf6Yptp99JpIo1Bum4oPgz5_p0N7BJ1r-6Utx-H7xLwpgDJAdW_zwb/s1600/M2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TS9HoE20Gnbf4HaW2eHwBJIvApgRKKBbMEts59H-0yPLN5n_Uwbx65TTUF3eBZg5KPpSrODI3CllpVjQAL142Fnf6Yptp99JpIo1Bum4oPgz5_p0N7BJ1r-6Utx-H7xLwpgDJAdW_zwb/s1600/M2.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>California State Games 2014 Athlete of the Year: Bowling </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>What are your hobbies? What do you do in your
non-work times?</b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I enj</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">oy</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> bowling. I am a
USBC Bronze Coach.</span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I bowl in leagues year-round and have competed in various
tournaments both here in the US and the Philippines. I also appreciate running,
I am a USATF Level 1 Coach, and I am currently training to run my first full
marathon this November 2nd in the New York City Marathon. I am hoping to raise
funds for the National Notary Association (NNA) because they donate to the
Philippines. The NNA helps our veterans by allowing them to attend the NNA
conference for free. Veterans receive notary education, which they can use as a
source of income.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>Were you born in the Philippines?</b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Yes I was born and
raised in the Philippines. I came to the US in the late 80’s</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>What part of the Philippines are you from?</b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">My father is Ilocano
and my mother is from Malabon. When they married they moved to the south, to
Cotabato City, Mindanao. My parents,
both in the medical field, established themselves there. I was born and grew up
there but spent my summers in Manila with my aunt, my father's eldest
sister. Due to the internal trouble
between the Muslims and Catholics, my family and I had to move to Manila and
from a house to an apartment. Years went by, and family dynamics changed. I
then met friends of friends who invited me to come to the US to find medical
attention for my son who has Cerebral Palsy. It is said that things happen for
a reason.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>When is your last visit to our country?</b></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-INrf78UNNzBc_5CcpqrdJUiGueL45qxsoDQuspFdntQa_FOiyWEG6d4w_J7bffnCnIk9VAFmMer2eu08wwecpNBQe-AqT6t82yc2rIEqsf5-ATYTFm1bqRgE0-d_Iqqxu3pz3F0kHnb/s1600/M3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-INrf78UNNzBc_5CcpqrdJUiGueL45qxsoDQuspFdntQa_FOiyWEG6d4w_J7bffnCnIk9VAFmMer2eu08wwecpNBQe-AqT6t82yc2rIEqsf5-ATYTFm1bqRgE0-d_Iqqxu3pz3F0kHnb/s1600/M3.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Medical and Dental mission in Tagaytay, Philippines, with sister, Dra. Star de luna<br />Walde, Rotary Club of Bagong Bayan President, Sir Virgilio "Vir" Sia and Sir Eddie Chao.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In 2010, I began going
back to the Philippines each year. When I lived there, I was not able to do any
sight-seeing; therefore that is what I do now when I go home every year. You
have to swim with the whale sharks (locally called </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Butanding<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">) in either Sorsogon or Oslob,
outside of Cebu!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I go with my sister,
who is a dentist doing missionary work through Rotary International and the
Lions. Club. It is heartbreaking what we
see. We cannot help everybody all at once, but one person at a time will do the
trick and make a difference.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;">What is the one thing that you love the most about
being Filipino?</b></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Food. As much as our
starchy foods make us gain weight, they really are good! Living here in the US
and seeing how Filipino restaurant owners have modified our authentic dishes
has been quite interesting. Some have come out great like taco sisig but others
should stay original like broccoli with nilaga!</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>As a Filipino community member, what are some things
we could do more to help each other?</b></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Education. I want any
Filipino who didn't have a chance to be properly and fully educated and is
interested in being so, to do it. There is no excuse to be illiterate or
uneducated. Resources abound. It is up to each person to take advantage of it.
As they say, you can lead the horse to the water but you cannot make the horse
drink it. There's a rumor in North County about a Filipino school in its early
stage being established.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -17.95pt;"><b>Tell us your plans for your participation at the
Filam expo.</b></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I would like the Notaries Public to be recognized for what
they do. We may just take a 4-6 hour course to be a Notary Public but it takes
good judgment and experience to properly notarize documents. We, as Notaries Public, need to be able to
judge that what we have in our hands are not fabricated identification
cards. I went to Bangkok, Thailand to
run my 7th continent and saw all the fake ID’s and diplomas sold on the
streets. I tried to compare them with my
California driver’s license and one can’t tell if it is fake if you don’t know
what a real one looks like. We also need to be able to tell that the signer is
not being coerced to sign the document(s), that signing the document was done
of their own free will.</span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I plan to round up all the Filipino Notaries Public so we
get to know each other. After all, the people that you know, like and trust are
the people you want to associate and do business with. It is part of the
foundation for a sound, stable business. </span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I would like to see more participation of Filipino business
owners. In making my presence, I hope to help other Filipinos who are business
owners and self employed like I am, come out and network to strengthen and give
back to the Filipino community. All it takes is a conscious effort from within
our own selves, making a step forward, to make a difference in someone else's
life. </span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I plan to do this by introducing the Filipino Business and
Professional Network (FBPN) group that meets every 2nd Tuesday in Chula Vista
and every 4th Tuesday in North County and help increase the visibility of
TheFilipinoAmerican.com as a way to promote their businesses and as a resource
for all Filipinos and others who want to learn about Filipinos. I also hope
that these helps increase tourism in the Philippines.--JC</span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">MARISSA DE LUNA OFFICIAL WEBSITE click below:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.atrustednotary.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUjW5_kPvEHdOBu1vWRPf_hdrZWw5LzfS3MA5DgSLCFc9spYn_bAAFAXqykTVIsJYXkeYmOKKbPyCoq1DzHs0AX2V2SAsEwcZlhA6kMGgaaQ8JqhGacaYQFVyUok7AXn9lzq90PmyisUX/s1600/244fcd1fa26205038aad2c93181298f0.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
</div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-49311482783821810082014-05-19T21:33:00.000-07:002014-05-29T07:07:06.612-07:00The Filipino-American Story: Catherine Velasco to Launch 3rd Business Club Fresh and Fit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: 'Didact Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">
Someone has finally heard my prayers! I am just one of those people who seriously want to eat healthy and clean but DO NOT have the time to prepare that kind of meal. There are also some people out there who do have the time or can make the time IF ONLY someone would show them how! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: 'Didact Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: 'Didact Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">
Look no more, <strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">CLUB FRESH & FIT</strong> is just that!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: 'Didact Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: 'Didact Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">
Catherine Velasco, Partner & Director of Cuisine for CLUB FRESH & FIT is our The Filipino-American Story...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: 'Didact Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>Tell
us what is Club Fresh and Fit?</b> Club Fresh and Fit is a group with the
goal of preparing and</span> <span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;">eating
fresh and wholesome foods while pursuing an active lifestyle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;">Our club
members are encouraged and given support to make healthy food choices and enjoy
the benefits of Club Fresh and Fit's collaboration with a variety of fitness and
wellness professionals.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagMkF7yw13ibyxKmjq8H8HnYIfjLAINgg82g0DM_w_3CU7RUriimN3LMsrj8CY4smWeLwKFBGreSEGf-gQTuNamEQlVk5boQN7FIJv45uqzoKSx9SrryFiRxIJcExmB5Gx2kbjUKOJBAS/s1600/photo+2+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagMkF7yw13ibyxKmjq8H8HnYIfjLAINgg82g0DM_w_3CU7RUriimN3LMsrj8CY4smWeLwKFBGreSEGf-gQTuNamEQlVk5boQN7FIJv45uqzoKSx9SrryFiRxIJcExmB5Gx2kbjUKOJBAS/s1600/photo+2+(3).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine Velasco, right with Club Fresh and Fit Partner Sarah Lopez</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>How
did you and Sarah came up with the idea? </b> I started prepping salads for my
cousin who has diabetes. Since I was prepping for her, I made salads for
myself as well. After telling Sarah, my business partner, how I would
prep meals on Sundays for the coming week so that I could have healthy homemade
food, she asked if she could join me. Sarah thought the idea of having
healthy breakfasts and salads all week with a one time clean up would appeal to
others. So she posted a picture of one of her salads on Facebook asking
if anyone was interested in joining in on our prep day. To our surprise
about 20 women responded to the post and the very next Sunday we had about 15
women in Sarah's kitchen slicing and dicing vegetables!<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEaSqqnFwePALiyO9ImAjPihR6_i3SFm1PGrGyMiljgBkiaZ4Z1BoeRBDM9VOtvc9LGjMIA05NlF-CX9UMC6eT1aykLYv7Ul-svO-g6NnMpRPkLSX5lif-av7rtGlJwasohbdG2kk2jIG/s1600/photo+5+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEaSqqnFwePALiyO9ImAjPihR6_i3SFm1PGrGyMiljgBkiaZ4Z1BoeRBDM9VOtvc9LGjMIA05NlF-CX9UMC6eT1aykLYv7Ul-svO-g6NnMpRPkLSX5lif-av7rtGlJwasohbdG2kk2jIG/s1600/photo+5+(3).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Club Fresh and Fit Partners, Cathy and Sarah with one of their creations,<br />
Chipotle Mandarin Tilapia Salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>Who
are your clients right now? </b> Our clients are friends, family and their
friends and family who are looking to improve their food choices with the goal
of being healthier and more active.<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>Tell
us about the menus, what are the meals like? </b>The menus for Club members
include 5 high protein breakfasts and 5 salads that are low in calories, fat
and are fresh with no preservatives. Some of the breakfast items include
Greek yogurt parfaits, egg and vegetable muffins, chopped vegetables to add to
omelets and fruit purées to add to protein drinks. The lunch includes 5
different salads. Salads are rotated to provide variety and have included
a chicken Waldorf with a honey balsamic dressing, Thai Crunch with cilantro
lime dressing, mandarin chipotle with grilled tilapia, Fresh & Fit Cesar
with mango, tomato, black bean, cilantro and yogurt Cesar dressing, strawberry
asparagus salad with a raspberry Gorgonzola dressing, pear salad and many more!
All dressings are made from scratch and are typically 1/2 the amount of
calories in regular dressing from 50-70 calorie for 2 ounces. All the
dressing are pre-poured and all the ingredients in the salads are measured so
that each salad is from 350-425 calories.<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBlbKdrlhNiQgC_lhq8-SM79mzEor6ItEtzjnlQuVPoBP6DgZNK5YGw5NfZWQqFKwFWkO8pyyBmJ6rHXqghqwbL4GCeuRDl-eXC2D5BVjlofrzIb-mYFoRSEGLQzj8wxcK27R0DOFseXr/s1600/photo+1+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBlbKdrlhNiQgC_lhq8-SM79mzEor6ItEtzjnlQuVPoBP6DgZNK5YGw5NfZWQqFKwFWkO8pyyBmJ6rHXqghqwbL4GCeuRDl-eXC2D5BVjlofrzIb-mYFoRSEGLQzj8wxcK27R0DOFseXr/s1600/photo+1+(6).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Club Fresh and Fit Ingredients, always fresh and natural</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>Where
do yourselves next year with this business? </b> Next year we see ourselves in
a store front with space for club members to prep their meals, elite members to
pick up meals and an area for fitness classes, whether it will be spin, yoga,
kettle bell or TRX, we want our club members to have the complete package under
one roof. The goal would be for our members to be able to work out and
then go home with a healthy meal.<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8JO4Rb_vzETQlOX7YCWEcGQAvKYd_JM_XDjoj2pVgFQtv4zrerIOmQxxSPeU5Yt6s6HhUWKtd1clkpnSGbSEXS6WOBO-Mmlqf42ixdwe9IoMhAPPiF-OFlNvcoYIOTLxtMnQ6GQ-8Z0i/s1600/photo+1+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8JO4Rb_vzETQlOX7YCWEcGQAvKYd_JM_XDjoj2pVgFQtv4zrerIOmQxxSPeU5Yt6s6HhUWKtd1clkpnSGbSEXS6WOBO-Mmlqf42ixdwe9IoMhAPPiF-OFlNvcoYIOTLxtMnQ6GQ-8Z0i/s1600/photo+1+(7).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Club Fresh & Fit Soy Chorizo Egg Muffins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>Cathy,
you also have 2 other businesses I understand…what are they</b>? I have
Residential Facilities for adults with Developmental Disabilities and a
staffing agency.<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>Tell
us about these 2 other businesses? </b> The Adult Residential facilities serve
adults that have exited from state institutions and require a personalized and
individual program to support their needs. I have three homes with four
beds each. Currently I serve a total of 11 adults. The staffing
agency provides caregivers to homes such as mine and we will be expanding in
the next year to serve others that are in their own homes.<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99hosmqvEXQDwlLg_YJrORrqQk6CoM36E02rADXoUR2dWCjpUgUk6NODS_Yq0yU3TFOo0b7wx9_Y_4mZUa4ZgoyYa02b8o1CGhFPE0YeY2XFLZMHeyXQxgXMCstbZiBf0q746LL7DFw_K/s1600/photo+5+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99hosmqvEXQDwlLg_YJrORrqQk6CoM36E02rADXoUR2dWCjpUgUk6NODS_Yq0yU3TFOo0b7wx9_Y_4mZUa4ZgoyYa02b8o1CGhFPE0YeY2XFLZMHeyXQxgXMCstbZiBf0q746LL7DFw_K/s1600/photo+5+(4).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Club Fresh and Fit Chipotle Mandarin Tilapia Salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>Having
3 businesses on your belt how do you decide or choose each type of business?
</b>I chose to open my first Adult Residential Facility 18 years ago after
being in charge of my parents four homes for a number of years. I love
serving the population that I do because I know that I make a difference in my
residents lives by advocating and providing support for their daily needs.
The staffing agency is an extension of my passion for serving others with
a focus on supporting the caregivers who care for others day in and day out.
I have always had a passion for creating healthy and beautiful food with
others and Club Fresh and Fit fulfills that dream.<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>How
do you balance your day and stay fit and beautiful?</b> Balancing my day is
only possible when I stay focused on what is important and that is God and
family. I turn to God's word to keep focused and encouraged on the long
days that can sometimes be very demanding. This year I started practicing
Bikram Yoga and along with eating healthy, I've managed to stay fit.<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtp8evqUgVQRJIbp-JXpzqru06ykPbPDmQW7tkEzPAtzKPxwYumZ8IpVFOTGD_EfwmTA3B3TCo2tYDhbViHPUWDGVN-6beNFF_GucYnJKTkSxfxj4ZbDk-LN_5STPDq-eX3FAIvV51sVl/s1600/photo+3+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtp8evqUgVQRJIbp-JXpzqru06ykPbPDmQW7tkEzPAtzKPxwYumZ8IpVFOTGD_EfwmTA3B3TCo2tYDhbViHPUWDGVN-6beNFF_GucYnJKTkSxfxj4ZbDk-LN_5STPDq-eX3FAIvV51sVl/s1600/photo+3+(3).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathy and Sarah hosting a Club Fresh and Fit Food Prep Class</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>Last
December, you and Daniel (partner) sponsored The Filipinos a benefit for haiyan
I thank you for that! </b>We were honored to be part of the benefit and we
thank you for the help you gave to the Philippines during such a difficult time.<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>Which
part of the Philippines are you from? </b>I was born in Dagupan City but
lived in the mountainous region of Baguio </span><span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;">for three years before moving to Hawaii.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>Do
you still go back to the Philippines?</b> I went back for the first time in
2006 and have gone back one more time after that in 2008. I have a lot of
family in the Philippines and would like to go back again soon.<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwwEU5hN8iJlBaHWBUcT2HLSbdJ-76T0VLSQZe9TXeSHXr-CtYPThftEAxdJTOqFP0u5k09R5HYQxEXDa-2kBq5O6_sZ4Hsh-e38Bk9PozLhjINpycoaT6CC5XyK7Smp1Qyqd_slB5TTx/s1600/photo+3+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwwEU5hN8iJlBaHWBUcT2HLSbdJ-76T0VLSQZe9TXeSHXr-CtYPThftEAxdJTOqFP0u5k09R5HYQxEXDa-2kBq5O6_sZ4Hsh-e38Bk9PozLhjINpycoaT6CC5XyK7Smp1Qyqd_slB5TTx/s1600/photo+3+(4).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Club Fresh and Fit Kale & Roasted Vegetable Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>Do
you still speak the language?</b> I came to the United States when I was
three years old speaking only Ilocano. I was so eager to learn English
that I stopped speaking the language but I can still understand it fluently.<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><b>What
do you love the most about our culture as Filipinos?</b> What I love the most
about the Culture of Filipinos is how family and food is the center of all that
we do!<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><br />_______________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;">CLUB FRESH AND FIT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;">San Diego and Chula Vista</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;">t 619-869-3188</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-61879412609950989292014-03-07T07:53:00.003-08:002014-03-07T08:00:07.441-08:00PRESS RELEASE: Introducing the country's FIRST True Urban Resort Community by Century Properties<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZubE9djufYGMJY4ID5YqxhEUzUN6BK3-feBVPtMcvSBFn2wf0OmXH-vlc3hE_n3cz336LttQSubpu-XzI_NV3modrcs9TC10mQSGDQsMsiPy61s39sO5L2ckavS4A5EZ2DFqzzYSIRAI/s1600/1658487_686388601412276_1694663887_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZubE9djufYGMJY4ID5YqxhEUzUN6BK3-feBVPtMcvSBFn2wf0OmXH-vlc3hE_n3cz336LttQSubpu-XzI_NV3modrcs9TC10mQSGDQsMsiPy61s39sO5L2ckavS4A5EZ2DFqzzYSIRAI/s1600/1658487_686388601412276_1694663887_o.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</strong></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">PRESS RELEASE:</strong>
Manila, Philippines
Introducing the country's FIRST True Urban Resort Community by Century Properties: <strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.azure.com.ph/" style="color: #362f2d; font-size: inherit !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">AZURE</a></strong> - a tropical paradise right in your backyard, beachfront living in the heart of the city!Don't dream it, OWN IT! Experience what life will be like at <strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.azure.com.ph/" style="color: #362f2d; font-size: inherit !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The AZURE</a></strong>! INVEST NOW!!!
Take a sneak peek of the progress we have made in completing of the magnificent Azure Urban Resort Residences and its spectacular amenities and attractions! The exciting Paris Beach Club and the sprawling man-made beach with its cool waters, play slides, powdery white sand and breathtaking landscaping!
Check out our YOUTUBE LINKS:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHoUdXswzng" style="color: #362f2d; font-size: inherit !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">AZURE URBAN RESORT RESIDENCES
</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGInCiRFClk" style="color: #362f2d; font-size: inherit !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">TRUMP TOWER AT CENTURY CITY
</a>
For Inquiries:
Adrian Sta Catalina
t +1 916-895-4266
e adriansc.centuryproperties@gmail.com</pre>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: 'Didact Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #362f2d; font-family: 'Didact Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">
CURRENTLY RECRUITING PROFESSIONALS!</div>
</div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-39366861606154883092014-03-07T06:11:00.003-08:002014-03-07T07:05:50.853-08:00February 2014: THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN STORY Jen Amos, SocialTurtles turns One!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBYlPdS5ihBl2hKQrkBj1jDE5HZM9ezu466ay_QkAo_k5G4kX_BnYODUF_Atv3XoXeZrVrQbGcDMJ7-AvIClAj-G3PIWVhBT5dOoch_JT5tHoDgiSGKylQw4qd7yIlemiwdcuD71iN57x/s1600/1794729_10101082416775147_1901589771_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBYlPdS5ihBl2hKQrkBj1jDE5HZM9ezu466ay_QkAo_k5G4kX_BnYODUF_Atv3XoXeZrVrQbGcDMJ7-AvIClAj-G3PIWVhBT5dOoch_JT5tHoDgiSGKylQw4qd7yIlemiwdcuD71iN57x/s1600/1794729_10101082416775147_1901589771_n.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jen Amos, SocialTurtles Marketing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i>Congratulations on the one year anniversary of SocialTurtles!</i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thank you! I'm been told many times that nine out of ten businesses fail within their first year. So we're very proud to have made the cut!</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br clear="none" /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>What is SocialTurtles about?</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>In a nutshell, we are your social media relationship managers. We help set up your social media accounts, and more importantly we manage them for you. We create content, manage audience engagement, and measure our social media campaign effectiveness. We do all of this for the small business owner. Our slogan is, "We're social - so you don't have to be."</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br clear="none" /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Your followers are your most important assets. SocialTurtles believes that if you provide value to your target audience, they will be attracted to you and look forward to your content. This will lead to loyal fans and eventually paying customers.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i><br clear="none" /></i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How did you pick the name?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was originally going to call the company "Green Turtle Marketing." But when I realized that most of my opportunities in life had come from the relationships I've built, it only made sense to go with "SocialTurtles." </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See, "social" in SocialTurtles comes from the idea that we tend to trust and take recommendations from those we socialize with. The common saying goes, "People will do with or refer business to people they KNOW, LIKE and TRUST." You can build trust through building rapport and providing value to people's lives.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><b><br /></b></em></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Fy-1pj_rdMesfjjvoIX1ufW6f4T62hWi3X45mj-AJjEwYogXXEVFUr40XJPF2do9d1q_zKYIwxqiOH3iUexbTSkKCl4xHBDzeP3TEwMkVyoYBQYpC5RG1cC5nZTCQE1ya93hvplPg48r/s1600/1465286_10100992339256217_584486254_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Fy-1pj_rdMesfjjvoIX1ufW6f4T62hWi3X45mj-AJjEwYogXXEVFUr40XJPF2do9d1q_zKYIwxqiOH3iUexbTSkKCl4xHBDzeP3TEwMkVyoYBQYpC5RG1cC5nZTCQE1ya93hvplPg48r/s1600/1465286_10100992339256217_584486254_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></b></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jen Amos-Co-Host The Filipinos Dec 14, 2013 SeaWorld San Diego<br />Dress by Andre Soriano</span></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWU9iafJQRFUTXNFB_YeQIZu1ZBdg3N4vxb_ZaOqSkY6gJ3za3KUJbIvP6C-9htQOAua-mS_aU4Iu9D4AC4A_tt3vFWpk1GsdwbQ7e4MrTqv8pfeyNOIWnFfMqI2g8NhMJRDeOery3NU9/s1600/1463743_10100947059177857_497433362_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWU9iafJQRFUTXNFB_YeQIZu1ZBdg3N4vxb_ZaOqSkY6gJ3za3KUJbIvP6C-9htQOAua-mS_aU4Iu9D4AC4A_tt3vFWpk1GsdwbQ7e4MrTqv8pfeyNOIWnFfMqI2g8NhMJRDeOery3NU9/s1600/1463743_10100947059177857_497433362_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></b></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jen Amos is Co-Founder Filipino Business & Professional Network</span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo with Fashion Designer Andre Soriano at Wells Fargo Bank</span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Volunteering for The Filipinos a benefit show for haiyan survivors</span></b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkT6jVbmEhwQG1WErPYU_wCPzFrvptD6NUradujcK8YX68R85kBmlQKfL2l6e2UkanVnfH4uO2vBfYL2InnQ43B_d3FJWJKUMTUENwSbtPmE3wtn6wuKQeh1r55w4u2zwdOwlagBMVJiq/s1600/524734_543877462354287_1665953586_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkT6jVbmEhwQG1WErPYU_wCPzFrvptD6NUradujcK8YX68R85kBmlQKfL2l6e2UkanVnfH4uO2vBfYL2InnQ43B_d3FJWJKUMTUENwSbtPmE3wtn6wuKQeh1r55w4u2zwdOwlagBMVJiq/s1600/524734_543877462354287_1665953586_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></b></a></i><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><b><br /></b></em></span></div>
<div>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></b></i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "turtles" in SocialTurtles was inspired by my two pet turtles. Turtles live very consistent and long lives. They are also very resilient creatures. So when you put "SocialTurtles" together, it translates to, "Long-term relationships leads to a long-term business." The success and longevity of a business ultimately lies within it's loyal customers.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><br clear="none" /></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What made you choose this kind of business?</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You know, it came naturally to </b>me. I grew up with it. My aunt introduced me to online chat when I was in fifth grade, and I never looked back. I grew up being very tech savvy. I taught myself how to type. Also, I was an introvert growing up so I was always on the computer or playing video games. You can say the majority of my life has been looking at screens.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I really got into the social media spectrum when I started blogging in 2002. I loved the idea that you can connect with people online better than in person sometimes.<b style="font-style: italic;"> </b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><b><br clear="none" /></b></em></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fast forward to late 2012, I found through my professional networking experience that understanding social media was a talent. In fact, it was a desired skill by business owners. One night as I was blogging, I wrote about how cool it'd be if there was some type of social media management services out there. Then my light bulb lit up. I stayed up that whole night putting together a business plan. When I needed to relax, I looked at my turtles and knew what I wanted to name my company after.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><b><br clear="none" /></b></em></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a product of social media. So it was only natural to sell it as a service.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i><br clear="none" /></i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i>What was it like starting a business in the first few months?</i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I</b> have to say, I had a lot of excitement and a lot of doubt. One of my biggest mentors kindly discouraged me. I knew that I had competition. I was worried about what people would think of me for starting a new business. I was already running another business at this time.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I pushed forward anyway. Thanks to my new associations, I bought their confidence in me to make it happen. I always wanted to have my own start up company and I knew that this was my opportunity. My dreams were bigger than my fears.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i><br clear="none" /></i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i>You are big in networking how do you balance time and making connections at the same time be productive?</i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One word: calendar. I schedule EVERYTHING: networking events, one-on-one meetings, follow up calls, projects, you name it. I'm also a big list person. I have a very elaborate to do list. I even have thoughtful lists like movies or books that people recommend to me. I was told at a very young age, "what is not written down will be forgotten in history." Goals that are not written down are merely wishes.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><b></b><b></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><b>
</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i>When you are in a networking event how do you decide if someone is a good connection?</i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've come to learn that success is a numbers game, and fortune is in the follow up. Anyone that I have a good connection with is generally a good contact for me. But it's after the event when you really discover who people are toward you. For example, if I consistently follow up with someone (I've been told that I'm a 'Follow Up' Queen) and never hear from them, they aren't a good contact for me. It doesn't matter to me what their reason is; any excuse will do. I just move on to new contacts. A good number of people that are most responsive to me usually end up doing business with me or they win my business. Those are great contacts.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i><br clear="none" /></i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i>Do you have a process after these events?</i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes. Usually after an event I will: (1) Record a new contact in my database and take note on how we met; (2) Send a 'nice meeting you' email or call them depending on how we connected; (3) Schedule a one-on-one meeting to learn more about them and how we can help each other with our businesses. I also save our meeting notes in my database; (4) Do business together or keep in touch depending on our conversations.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OrSLSXTQhv8ACP0_AA8XhNrC4ONAN4uTvDl5Gx1WygTUmq2oHtTJSunyB0M7bsmzV33BFMwjcaDwQxvDr2yQKAuTVl1nyIWSKfMeL9vhLeYbX1NIBE57wpFKt2sQAZwfOej7mt9p07BC/s1600/1656217_10101082420342997_813153909_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OrSLSXTQhv8ACP0_AA8XhNrC4ONAN4uTvDl5Gx1WygTUmq2oHtTJSunyB0M7bsmzV33BFMwjcaDwQxvDr2yQKAuTVl1nyIWSKfMeL9vhLeYbX1NIBE57wpFKt2sQAZwfOej7mt9p07BC/s1600/1656217_10101082420342997_813153909_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jen Amos, seats at the board of Eastlake Business Association<br /> and is a Contributing Writer to Our Hometown Magazine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i><br clear="none" /></i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i>Tell us about 2013 what were the highlights of the year?</i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><b>From the top of my head...</b></em></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><b><br clear="none" /></b></em></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joining the Eastlake Business Association - the main things I got from this group was networking experience, new business friends/partnerships, and business. EBA introduced me to Melanie Garcia of TheFilipinoAmerican.com! Together we co-founded FBPN.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Co-founding FBPN - we had our first meeting on the second <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1329500992" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> of January 2013. Today, we have two chapters, one in Chula Vista & in Mira Mesa. Very proud!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Getting my business license for SocialTurtles - making this decision was definitely a life changer.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hosting The Filipinos Charity Event during my birthday weekend. That was really fun. I had the honor to wear three dresses from celebrity fashion designer, Andre Soriano.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i>You are cofounder at fbpn, tell us about it?</i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Filipino Business & Professional Network (FBPN) are for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to: (1) Associate, network and do business with like-minded people; (2) Share a product or service and are interested in increasing their client base; and (3) Help strengthen the Filipino Community through entrepreneurship and professionalism.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The meeting begins with open networking. This allows time for people to make new friends or catch up with old ones. Then, we get everyone seated and begin the program. We start off with an introduction about FBPN and 30-second commercials. 30-second commercials are opportunities for attendees to introduce themselves, their company and their ideal referrals. Once everyone has gone, we have an educational speaker share a topic benefitial to the attendees. The meeting closes off with announcements, testimonials and more networking.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a personal level, FBPN has been my way of actively associating myself with fellow Filipino entrepreneurs. I didn't grow up with any Filipino entrepreneur role models. But I knew that I had to be the change I wanted to see. What I love most about Filipino entrepreneurs and professionals are their philosophies. Most of them are very proactive, solution-oriented, opinionated, independent, open-minded, understanding, collaborative, positive, insightful, entertaining and overall inspiring individuals to be around. I can go on and on with about the individuals I've met through FBPN. Simply said, they are the type of people that motivate me to be the best entrepreneur I can be.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today FBPN has two chapters: Chula Vista & Mira Mesa. I highly recommend that you check out our Meetup page (<a href="http://www.meetup.com/filipinobpn" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.meetup.com/filipinobpn</a>) and schedule a time to check out one of our events! I'm very proud to say that I've done business with a good amount of the committed attendees.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i>Tell us where you see yourself <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1329500993" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5yrs from now</span></span>?</i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned a while back that if I want to live a certain lifestyle, I have to start living it now. When I think about the future, I think about what I have to do now to make that future possible. With that said, I see myself doing the same things I'm already doing, just on a grander scale.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I see FBPN growing internationally. I see my first business rewarding me with residual income. I see myself running a team of independent contractors for SocialTurtles. And lastly, I see myself more heavily involved with the community. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1329500994" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Five years from now</span></span>, I will be more than ready to be a work-from-home mom.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my room, I have an affirmation note on my wall that reads, "I am a successful business woman, community leader, and work-from-home mom." </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't have kids yet, but when I do become a mother, it'll mean three things: I've attained financial freedom, I have complete control of how I choose to live my life, and I am living out my dreams.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i><br clear="none" /></i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><i>Any tips to our entrepreneurs on social media?</i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best social media tool is the one you use CONSISTENTLY. If you're simply paying someone to set up your account, you're wasting your time. If you're new to social media, understand that learning how to use it is VERY time consuming. It might even take you away from your business. Otherwise, be consistent or hire SocialTurtles. We'll be your social media managers</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LINKS: </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.socialturtles.com/" target="_blank">SocialTurtles Official Website</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thefilipinoamerican.com/the-filipinos.html" target="_blank">The Filipinos, a benefit for haiyan survivors</a></span></div>
</div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-40618760662010574272014-01-30T23:21:00.002-08:002014-02-03T10:56:24.045-08:00The Filipino-American Turns Over Proceeds of The Filipinos for Haiyan Survivors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgDjx5n-o3snMMA8tKWnS9pk_3G6lRvjMHZ7fDNYIMjHmF0pEY-DWJhZapy_eI-7r_eh6UDF7Y5hVLqndILe1G36zQxLqSZ01HJRcFxjIJwcVjL9O09wvPDQvFNyi5AQjGqW2yayD7rDp/s1600/thefilipinos002.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgDjx5n-o3snMMA8tKWnS9pk_3G6lRvjMHZ7fDNYIMjHmF0pEY-DWJhZapy_eI-7r_eh6UDF7Y5hVLqndILe1G36zQxLqSZ01HJRcFxjIJwcVjL9O09wvPDQvFNyi5AQjGqW2yayD7rDp/s1600/thefilipinos002.jpeg" height="346" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Filipino-American Founder and Organizer of The Filipinos benefit for haiyan Melanie Garcia with Fashion Designer Andre Soriano, Jennifer Amos, Social Turtles and Clint Gorou, Volunteer turn over proceeds to Operation Samahan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wednesday January 29, 2014 was a very meaningful day for me and I am sure for all of those that volunteered to <a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/the-filipinos.html" target="_blank"><b>The Filipinos</b></a> benefit show for haiyan as it was the day that we had turned over the proceeds of the show to <a href="http://www.operationsamahan.org/main/" target="_blank">Operation Samahan</a> who will be sending the funds to <a href="http://www.visayans.org/" target="_blank">Volunteer for Visayans</a> to aid survivors of haiyan. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoUfverYQ38lCFj5Fhzmha5pf46RvxVLa6CMybukm6k0uBiUAB1jVuiBLrBotH_OQ9a2aMI1O69oHjn3btfSbh-132hHq_vLDESX7CnapNrPBqf29ADrTg6Vqt54uWJtrz4GrNS96ZI3K/s1600/THE+FILIPINOS+POSTER+FINAL+FOR+PRINT+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoUfverYQ38lCFj5Fhzmha5pf46RvxVLa6CMybukm6k0uBiUAB1jVuiBLrBotH_OQ9a2aMI1O69oHjn3btfSbh-132hHq_vLDESX7CnapNrPBqf29ADrTg6Vqt54uWJtrz4GrNS96ZI3K/s1600/THE+FILIPINOS+POSTER+FINAL+FOR+PRINT+(3).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5fGgVdUeL8YWp_WPALv43u8EPKEZSd-DB483btR3xImnPAcMvChrVvXxSK5KfsRKEPqQl4tgWwVyAucZSAFVqAOYvxtTfi1BVf7swxV5ToPpS3xu1lkU6ySSb6BzyrFj2e-wFiGB7EDa/s1600/Flyer-filipinos+(3).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5fGgVdUeL8YWp_WPALv43u8EPKEZSd-DB483btR3xImnPAcMvChrVvXxSK5KfsRKEPqQl4tgWwVyAucZSAFVqAOYvxtTfi1BVf7swxV5ToPpS3xu1lkU6ySSb6BzyrFj2e-wFiGB7EDa/s1600/Flyer-filipinos+(3).png" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Filipinos raised from ticket sales and auction Seven Thousand Eighty Three Dollars ($7,083.56) on December 14, 2013 at SeaWorld San Diego.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On that tragic Friday Morning of November 8, my phone had been ringing for people offering to donate time or money to help Philippines. While I had always been hesitant to raise funds or have anything to do with money (for fear of so much scrutiny) I knew I have a responsibility and I had to do something... It was later that night when I received an email from Andre Soriano introducing himself as also Filipino-American and contestant to Rihanna's Styled to Rock show in Bravo TV and as a fashion designer offering to do a fashion show to benefit haiyan that I decided okay, we can do something.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The following morning, Joanne Tanyongkol of SeaWorld San Diego and Aquatica had also called to express and offer their support.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Filipinos a benefit show for haiyan survivors on December 14, 2013 sponsored and hosted by SeaWorld San Diego at the Nautilus Pavilion was a collaboration of the Filipino-Americans in San Diego and everyone else that just cared and volunteered whether it was their expertise, time or money.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The event opened with <a href="http://cmnproductionssd.com/home.html" target="_blank">CMN Productions</a> performances by Emily Talampas, Joseph Kabiling, Micaela Marquez and the very young and talented Melanie Joie Jimenez who had garnered a standing ovation from Chula Vista Mayor herself Cheryl Cox.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yXTXavIQzf0ZD0tIC8r_dDneqHZuOyUGdS-IQLEeBXjOxx7fqZiWuVNJ5oeW-pXY9K5G_5-SepUBwchukTkgpPENyP5bADiqCzN_NBROeuMPmrDkR8OyPvA26AHFkl6LnSc2icRQMzt6/s1600/1500773_579978312082549_1602247323_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yXTXavIQzf0ZD0tIC8r_dDneqHZuOyUGdS-IQLEeBXjOxx7fqZiWuVNJ5oeW-pXY9K5G_5-SepUBwchukTkgpPENyP5bADiqCzN_NBROeuMPmrDkR8OyPvA26AHFkl6LnSc2icRQMzt6/s1600/1500773_579978312082549_1602247323_o.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melanie Garcia, The Filipinos Organizer with Daughter Megan, presenting a Parol (Philippine Lantern)<br />
-a symbol of hope to the survivors of haiyan to SeaWorld Park President John T Reilly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Fashion Designer and Styled to Rock Contestant Andre Soriano did a fashion showcasing pieces from Punk de Luxe, Old Hollywood Glamour and Bridal Collection.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqn42XigRo2oqPnjE_Rhow5EwlT00bvAzDTdJ5Eq-VD_Hge5AeOPtXxN2E1-qLABJ3A9TskAO6GJstenGb-tUiWI2BeeecNEmDv8kY_RVbem0Lc18cA2UFOlRsEN6hO39bZLoUrfyXSW2/s1600/1488657_10151745631596326_916061625_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqn42XigRo2oqPnjE_Rhow5EwlT00bvAzDTdJ5Eq-VD_Hge5AeOPtXxN2E1-qLABJ3A9TskAO6GJstenGb-tUiWI2BeeecNEmDv8kY_RVbem0Lc18cA2UFOlRsEN6hO39bZLoUrfyXSW2/s1600/1488657_10151745631596326_916061625_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fashion Designer Andre Soriano was supported by his friends America's Next Top Model<br />
Contenders Kiara Belen (L) and Monique Victoria(R)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
PASACAT (Philippine Performing Arts Company) with the direction of Ana Maria Labao Cabato was the feature presentation with traditional dances depecting the culture of the most affected area of Philippines by haiyan, Visayan Region. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyIdkv-uOYUr3sAowtlhGwwGGSEAdKQoMXQe38-r4N_otFC-3s1FzmSSUXTONzcDPqYpT6UteaGToxm1hUXUMBph1YI80vLWVRWNqWYRxVatpakcL6athwV5QF-HuEEaNqBx6pBLRPPWG/s1600/1534732_581554305258283_1035637911_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyIdkv-uOYUr3sAowtlhGwwGGSEAdKQoMXQe38-r4N_otFC-3s1FzmSSUXTONzcDPqYpT6UteaGToxm1hUXUMBph1YI80vLWVRWNqWYRxVatpakcL6athwV5QF-HuEEaNqBx6pBLRPPWG/s1600/1534732_581554305258283_1035637911_o.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andre Soriano and his Filipiniana Ensemble</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hXhnjjxXyxkqnnYPHiJ5FJ9Zk5K-_RZDaAhMH_HlPLjlHn5dLhZccXBO3i1UAuIZ9uKrVgfGSV7F3CmZN3ALqxpO3qFlOuPTtxeISqaWu_zq0uzXa2pzJoMYRg5Gu0TeTY65QIRodMIa/s1600/1506243_578586302221750_1837566372_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hXhnjjxXyxkqnnYPHiJ5FJ9Zk5K-_RZDaAhMH_HlPLjlHn5dLhZccXBO3i1UAuIZ9uKrVgfGSV7F3CmZN3ALqxpO3qFlOuPTtxeISqaWu_zq0uzXa2pzJoMYRg5Gu0TeTY65QIRodMIa/s1600/1506243_578586302221750_1837566372_o.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andre Soriano with fellow Fashion Designer and Styled to Rock Contestant Dexter Simmons<br />
who also came out to support and donate the expertise and talent at the back stage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
SeaWorld's master chef had served really delicious appetizers that night that were mostly inspired by Filipino popular dishes such as pancit and lechon kawali with a twist.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
With only five weeks of production the event raised funds and was made possible by many many <a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/volunteers.html" target="_blank">volunteers</a> from Filipino Business and Professional Network, CMN Production, My Elite Models, Roxy Garvan Make up, Style Squad, all the Photographers that came, Andre Soriano Fashion Team, PASACAT and Wells Fargo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI25j7WnX141PcZ_TbZdlwngIn4SbGZVepk3uMYyQW2XqDOLF-GGgTvuhY36J27g02O3_50sGmW_hzj8e7u3Fb5Mhe17_JXPS0TfE7xKajs41DBImv73RubCU4nZe8-WctQK2w0sJLs_Tb/s1600/1496303_581554488591598_1803758097_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI25j7WnX141PcZ_TbZdlwngIn4SbGZVepk3uMYyQW2XqDOLF-GGgTvuhY36J27g02O3_50sGmW_hzj8e7u3Fb5Mhe17_JXPS0TfE7xKajs41DBImv73RubCU4nZe8-WctQK2w0sJLs_Tb/s1600/1496303_581554488591598_1803758097_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PASACAT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6VNdd1I3SHucxD3vprrD07OVnjNqAgE7sMtmb-xFldp6K_qg_v8Mj5SWUBkCxGh8W_JIvHJ5se2I1KTKHa9M1rUC8lMLiFWNxDM6s-3kkxNoIKX2O8d9KybTjphD-_2M6TVmHb-iS2rI/s1600/FDSC03286+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6VNdd1I3SHucxD3vprrD07OVnjNqAgE7sMtmb-xFldp6K_qg_v8Mj5SWUBkCxGh8W_JIvHJ5se2I1KTKHa9M1rUC8lMLiFWNxDM6s-3kkxNoIKX2O8d9KybTjphD-_2M6TVmHb-iS2rI/s1600/FDSC03286+(2).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PASACAT-Maranao Dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB_9QsfSFN8tm8IDEIjWpwyKCqgAt14b9vxfbEYiPzB3h8_a20qZ29orym6hM40fCWV_uhwfNQ235NSjTbZLAlusysSAjP3zYCNXfJ1KBK3OEzwCJjWXffuXs1kO9rBdj4kJbgTP5Kigy/s1600/FDSC03313+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB_9QsfSFN8tm8IDEIjWpwyKCqgAt14b9vxfbEYiPzB3h8_a20qZ29orym6hM40fCWV_uhwfNQ235NSjTbZLAlusysSAjP3zYCNXfJ1KBK3OEzwCJjWXffuXs1kO9rBdj4kJbgTP5Kigy/s1600/FDSC03313+(2).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PASACAT: Tinikling Dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We are also very grateful for our <a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/the-filipinos.html" target="_blank">sponsors</a>, SeaWorld (main sponsor and host of event), Wells Fargo, CPP Printing, Universal Printing, Filipino Press, Fashion Week San Diego, Love at Home Health Care Inc. to name a few.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDl843oLLkNvyZsS8xeGItsaZwspOpZ6lDjmLXScugujmVc7D5YTQP3oooa1GwoUO5nAhXMRKzVMpbhcquKYz4voVKmdsxxSkIil-RNWaT7s8_JxetmHry34oJhCfsF6F2_A8BkpbY3Nbj/s1600/FDSC03338+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDl843oLLkNvyZsS8xeGItsaZwspOpZ6lDjmLXScugujmVc7D5YTQP3oooa1GwoUO5nAhXMRKzVMpbhcquKYz4voVKmdsxxSkIil-RNWaT7s8_JxetmHry34oJhCfsF6F2_A8BkpbY3Nbj/s1600/FDSC03338+(2).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R Micaela Marquez, Andre Soriano, Melanie Joie Jimenez, Jennifer Amos & Clint Gorou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WhWJU5J0wNoz0i5_rWpbpMLM8udTSBFt9eGxTZRJ_wsj7WaKnipjMgWc0buKg0OxOpr_tHZn9oieOK_lXH2Z-IKWI6d7gDK9NSNq986gLW-RWpdAOxHKw9yxiTnfwFjoKhP-DyLXiTd7/s1600/922548_581554528591594_1765261057_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WhWJU5J0wNoz0i5_rWpbpMLM8udTSBFt9eGxTZRJ_wsj7WaKnipjMgWc0buKg0OxOpr_tHZn9oieOK_lXH2Z-IKWI6d7gDK9NSNq986gLW-RWpdAOxHKw9yxiTnfwFjoKhP-DyLXiTd7/s1600/922548_581554528591594_1765261057_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious Food from SeaWorld that night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2ghqbTw_TXnUz3Nj0b3Cv-wxz-9CYckxWx_x7rHdVHQGnpznCOJ_FRg9xGgBvPaW__PmsPGkUex0wdHLjLH7jH-ZQGE6dsJn7Sz1EqibcpCsb9qLJrS2uwO1NHCod9gx9XffTk9PGk4i/s1600/1380094_10201870217334613_1111453905_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2ghqbTw_TXnUz3Nj0b3Cv-wxz-9CYckxWx_x7rHdVHQGnpznCOJ_FRg9xGgBvPaW__PmsPGkUex0wdHLjLH7jH-ZQGE6dsJn7Sz1EqibcpCsb9qLJrS2uwO1NHCod9gx9XffTk9PGk4i/s1600/1380094_10201870217334613_1111453905_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andre Soriano Fashion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While it was a very tragic event for the Philippines, it had brought many of the Filipino-Americans of San Diego closer to one another. Through this event I have met many new friends.<br />
<br />
I am very thankful to Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox for attending the event, to SeaWorld for sponsoring and hosting the event, it made a huge difference, and to Wells Fargo for fully supporting me in this cause.--<i>Melanie Garcia, Founder-The Filipino-American, Organizer and Fundraising Director-The Filipinos</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
LINKS:<br />
<a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/the-filipinos.htm" target="_blank">The Filipinos</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/performers.html" target="_blank">The Filipinos-Performers</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/volunteers.html" target="_blank">The Filipinos-Volunteers</a></div>
</div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-8586509963974514602014-01-16T23:02:00.003-08:002014-01-19T11:52:56.746-08:00January 2014 THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN STORY: Fashion Designer and Styled to Rock Contestant Andre Soriano<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrZNCWxtlGRPy1WGFHtMGerIas51TvJ2oagKWC_CP993G44mmiqW2_qI1UiwVM_PdzDR4FDX6Y0BrABKuQM88LHoBx-uFDwuc_PaDhtk42mGO25O5TseyD-BJwfbXzuhcStEuB7O8U8zJ/s1600/ANDRESORIANO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrZNCWxtlGRPy1WGFHtMGerIas51TvJ2oagKWC_CP993G44mmiqW2_qI1UiwVM_PdzDR4FDX6Y0BrABKuQM88LHoBx-uFDwuc_PaDhtk42mGO25O5TseyD-BJwfbXzuhcStEuB7O8U8zJ/s1600/ANDRESORIANO.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
"It takes a village to help a village"... that is what Andre had said when he decided to do a fashion show at THE FILIPINOS,a benefit show for haiyan survivors, sponsored by SeaWorld in December 14, 2013.<br />
<br />
It was very unfortunate that this calamity happened in our home country the Philippines but it has given us an opportunity to pool our resources together to help haiyan surivors and it was because of this event that I have gotten to know a beautiful and extremely talented person like Andre.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Once you knew what you wanted to be, how did you prepare and make
it happen?</span></b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">At an early age, my family has always surrounded me by art, music,
theater, architecture and fashion. Migrated from the Philippines at the age of
15, I was fascinated how there is so much culture in United States of America,
I love clothes so I decided to pursue that American Dream to be a Fashion
Designer at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco.
It's one thing to be a Designer, so I went to Renaissance Entrepreneur Center
for Business to learn the ropes on how to run a business. I was so excited then
finally opened up my first store in San Francisco.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">How has Styled to Rock influenced your career going forward? </span></b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">"Styled To Rock" is a Fashion Reality competition with
Executive Producer Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty that airs every Friday 8/7
central on Bravo. In every episode, an A-List Celebrity comes to the studio and
each contestant designs clothes for them. There are very big names
attached to the show such as Kylie Minogue, Miley Cyrus, Carly Ray Jepsen,
Kelly Osborne to name a few. I have done a lot of fashion shows in San Diego,
and Rihanna and her team did their research and found me. I was stoked! I could
hardly speak and (was) at the verge of tears just to get this phone interview.
As far with my career moving forward, I take things one day at a time. Life is full
of surprises and "Styled To Rock" is such an amazing opportunity and ultra-blessed
and grateful for being part of it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">What look or theme inspired your 2014 collection?</span></b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Hollywood always gravitate my mind when it comes to Fashion. I
have always been inspired by Old Hollywood Glamour, like Greta Garbo, Audrey
Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marlene Dietrich for their
timeless look. Just being on the show with "Styled To Rock" and have
met Rihanna and other celebrities, I decided that my collection "Punk De
Luxe" Pre-Fall 2014, Rihanna as my muse, will be inspired by young Hollywood
glamour and young music artists. I had an incredible opportunity to showcase my
work at Los Angeles Style Fashion Week, It was a BLAST!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Do you gravitate toward certain materials for your work?</span></b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">It really depends on the Collection. Every time I am in a Fabric
Store and Michael Levine is one of my favorites in Los Angeles, I feel like I'm
in a candy store. There are so many delicious fabrics and I want to take the
whole store home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">If you could only name one person who inspired you the most in
this industry, which would it be?</span></b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I admire each talented and amazing designer on this planet. I
cannot pick one because each individual fashion designer has their different
design aesthetics. It’s Inspirational.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I saw your work with Acura, what are some other goals for this
brand moving forward</span></b><span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I normally specialize in Custom-Made Bridal and Evening Gowns,
however, I just launched my Women's and Men's Ready to wear collection P/F2014
during Los Angeles Style Fashion Week. It is my new interpretation of this day
of age on what's HOT now.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlGr9OnbOoUVuVgEjfQ7Gq-QfiAI8fSB7mJ4YKD3J2ojVFls49AC_sBoIGDpio71DL1mR2OHnvB1ubseb1eRmkp6kwX0AS5S_Fh9YQE2I2YT_n49wmy8EfPZlvC3u2o4DSwVXUkegwPz7/s1600/1399779_10151695645531326_612744038_o+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlGr9OnbOoUVuVgEjfQ7Gq-QfiAI8fSB7mJ4YKD3J2ojVFls49AC_sBoIGDpio71DL1mR2OHnvB1ubseb1eRmkp6kwX0AS5S_Fh9YQE2I2YT_n49wmy8EfPZlvC3u2o4DSwVXUkegwPz7/s1600/1399779_10151695645531326_612744038_o+(1).jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"My FIRST time meeting Kylie Minogue ,<br /> HUMBLE, BEAUTIFUL, INSIDE OUT, She ROCKS!!! "--Andre</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy-Light, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">When and from where did
you move here and why? WHERE DID YOU MOVE HERE FROM?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
We moved to San Diego in 2006 because my partner is a general contractor and
moved his business to La Jolla. I have my storefront at the Excelsior District
in San Francisco and living at the Presidio. Just for change, my partner
had an offer to move in San Diego because there is a lot of building that
needed to be retrofitted, which is one of his expertise, so we decided to look
for a place. We found this cute little humble abode in La Mesa and we fell in
love with it. Meanwhile, back in 2008, I didn't know anyone in San Diego and my
partner told me, "Why don't you venture around San Diego and go shopping
at Fashion Valley", and so I did. I did not know anyone in San Diego and
while I was shopping, I saw Neiman Marcus, which is one of my favorite places
to shop in San Francisco, and I applied, since I closed my store and moved
here. It took me 3 hours of interview from the Store Manager, Human Resources
Manager and the couture manager, Ms. Jeannie Campanella, whom I love and a good
friend, and they hired me. I have met the most affluent people in San
Diego while working at Neiman Marcus and then promoted as Couture Specialist in
the Couture Department, and I loved it! Now, as a San Diegan, we have friends
all over the country that visit us, and of course, they love the city and the
people of San Diego.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Do you remember the first thing you ever made? What was it? MORE
DETAILS. HOW LONG DID THIS TAKE, HOW DID YOU THINK OF IT? WHAT WAS THE REACTION
FROM PEOPLE AROUND YOU? WHO DID YOU MAKE IT FOR?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
I was actually in Milpitas High School when I have my first experience as a
Fashion Designer. I was 18 and learn how to sew in my sewing class. There was
an opportunity in our class to have a Fashion Show at Milpitas Community Center
and I was with most of my friends that was also aspiring designers and participated
in this community show. It was so exciting especially when you were a teenager
to participate in a community event. I made a green stretch velvet dress
with lace sleeves and lace peek-a-boo on the upper hip that was showcased on
the runway and to my surprise, one of the guest in the audience love the dress
and my first ever sale in this field was bought for the price tag of
$50.00. I was so happy and at the same time that she loved it.
Little does she know that this would be the first Andre Soriano vintage design?
I hope she reads this article :-).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">How did you get picked
to be on the show? WHAT KINDS OF FASHION SHOWS? WHAT WAS THE FIRST PHONE CALL
LIKE WHEN YOU WERE TOLD YOU WERE PICKED? GIVE US DETAILS ABOUT HOW YOU WERE
FEELING.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
I have done Fashion Show's in San Diego and Rihanna and her team did research
and found me. I was stoked! It actually happened in the morning of November
2012 when my manager Manoj Sharma ask me, "hey, there is a new reality
series by Rihanna, did you want to submit your work?" I told him,
"Well, why don't we talk about it when you get home". Then, It
was around 6:30pm and then while Manoj was in the restroom, he never answer
restricted phone calls but he did this time, "hello, may I speak to Andre
Soriano?" Manoj "yes, my I know who's calling?" It's Rihanna's
casting staff on the phone, Styled To Rock". Manoj quickly went
downstairs, even forgot to flush, and with excitement gave me the phone.
I could hardly speak and at the verge of tears just to get this phone
interview. And so there it is, the anticipation took almost a year just to be
where we are at today. Life is incredible and full of surprises! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Did you get to meet Rihanna? If so what was that like? PLEASE GIVE
US MORE DETAILS.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
Meeting Rihanna was incredible! I get to kiss her hand and she is such a
delicate powerful lady. I was almost in awe and didn't know what to say.
It's one of those moments in life that you were like...speechless. It was
amazing to have met her and other celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Kylie Minogue,
Pharrell Williams, Supermodel Erin Wasson, to name a few. It was incredible!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Where do you work from,
home or a studio? Please describe your work space. </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I have a studio in La
Mesa where I worked at. I have apprentices and independent contractors working
for me. I am ultra-blessed for having such and incredible team in all angles.
After doing Los Angeles Style Fashion Week, we have a lot of potential
and prospective investors that are approaching us, which we are reviewing right
now.<b> </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">What do you hope you get
from being on the show? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I have always been
fascinated with Hollywood. I always position my work towards Celebrities. My
last collection 2012 was Old Hollywood Glamour like Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey
Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Grace Kelley, Jean
Harlow to name a few. Now, being in the Rihanna's Styled To Rock Show, she is
actually my muse for my Punk De Luxe 2014 Pre-Fall Collection. Young Hollywood,
Edgy, Avant-Garde, Demure and Sophisticated. It's really fun and exciting doing
this collection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">What do you think of the
style in San Diego? Too casual, beachy, perfect? Please explain. </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In Sunny San Diego,
There is actually diversity as far in clothing. Yes there's casual,
beachy, but when San Diegans dressed up, it's to the nine. I love the night
life and different pockets of neighborhoods. San Diego is definitely stylish
when it comes to fashion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">What are some easy ways
people can spruce up a boring on plain outfit? </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It is always essential
to have and accessory, a nice hand bag and it really depends where you are
going. For daytime, a nice two inch heels with an A-line dress to go out for a
coffee with your friends. for the afternoon, you can throw in a nice little
bolero jacket along with it and as evening goes going to a play or theater, you
can also incorporate a pair of gloves with a dramatic hat. It just really
depends on the occasion that you are going to. And then, that's when the fun
really begins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eR6YaBR55rqooKQhTtK-9_VvwAzNxMzBzqi4Cw5GADqIWK3VtCW2j554vSDRxuvqRPHIcTw9GzYZ4WltZp2lxhyD9PF8wuBQzn6ug6hkjE3Ao161FgatnX9Wtos6TOcxQeGNafEggLmG/s1600/1488657_10151745631596326_916061625_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eR6YaBR55rqooKQhTtK-9_VvwAzNxMzBzqi4Cw5GADqIWK3VtCW2j554vSDRxuvqRPHIcTw9GzYZ4WltZp2lxhyD9PF8wuBQzn6ug6hkjE3Ao161FgatnX9Wtos6TOcxQeGNafEggLmG/s1600/1488657_10151745631596326_916061625_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">America's Next Top Models Kiara Belen & Monique Victoria supported Andre Soriano<br />
at The Filipinos benefit show night by walking the runway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><u><b>More of Andre:</b></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Website: </b><a href="http://www.andresoriano.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #2862c5; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.andresoriano.com</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Twitter: </b><a href="http://twitter.com/AndreSoriano" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #2862c5; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://twitter.com/AndreSoriano</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Instagram: </b><a href="http://www.instagram.com/AndreSorianoFashion" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #2862c5; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.instagram.com/AndreSorianoFashion</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Fan page: </b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/fashionisfreedom" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #196ad4; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.facebook.com/fashionisfreedom</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-68120808911477368502013-12-13T08:47:00.001-08:002013-12-13T08:48:02.994-08:00THE FILIPINOS, a benefit show for Haiyan survivors, sponsorted by SeaWorld® <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">December 14, 2013 </span><span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">SeaWorld</span><span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; text-align: left;">®</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Filipino-American, an online business resource guide for Southern California
Filipino Americans, is organizing a benefit show to raise funds for the
survivors of the mega typhoon, Haiyan, that hit the Philippines last November
8, 2013. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sponsored
and hosted by SeaWorld</span><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">®</span><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
San Diego, <i>The Filipinos</i> benefit show
will be held on December 14, 2013 with a night full of fashion, singing and
traditional Philippine dances!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Doors
will open at 6:30 in the evening where guests will be ushered to SeaWorld’s
Penguin Center. At 7:15 the show will open by CMN Production’s beautiful and
talented artists, 2013 Tawag ng Tanghalan Champion Melanie Joie Jimenez, 2012
Tawag ng Tanghalan Champion Emily Talampas and San Diego’s Mega Star Micaela
Marquez. Hors d'oeuvre and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided for all the
attendees. As the crowd begins to settle down a fabulous fashion show by San
Diego's own Andre Soriano will stun the audience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Andre Soriano channels the high fashion and high art; with influences
from cosmopolitan cities worldwide such as New York, Los Angeles, Paris,
London, Milan and Tokyo. Andre Soriano designs includes all type of garments
from active wear to classic evening wear, and specializes in elegant wedding
and couture gowns. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Styled to Rock, a Fashion Reality Show 'Executive Produced' by
Robyn Rihanna Fenty gave him an exposure of having a celebrity wear his
clothes, which will allow him the means to expand his clothing line beyond San
Diego. Andre's fashion mantra is "Peace, love, glamour and fashion!"<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Andre Soriano w</span><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">ill
be showcasing bits and pieces of his collections, Old Hollywood glamour, Bridal
gowns, Punk deluxe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
night will close with our feature performance from PASACAT (Philippine Arts
Performing Company).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">PASACAT established in 1974</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> is a Philippine folk dance, but in San Diego, it began
as the acronym for the Philippine-American Society and Cultural Arts Troupe.
Today, PASACAT’s mission is to preserve and promote the Asian Pacific culture
through the arts, thereby, extending goodwill and enhancing cultural
understanding</span>. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">PASACAT
will present six different numbers that will reflect the culture of the greatly
affected area of the Philippines by Haiyan, the Visayas Region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">100%
of the ticket and silent auction proceeds from the event will go to Operation
Samahan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";"> </span></i><strong><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">OPERATION SAMAHAN</span></strong><i><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";"> is a community health
center that emerged within the Filipino community over the last forty years.
The agency serves low-income families and individuals in the County of San
Diego in two (2) strategic areas with a high density population of
Filipinos/Asian and other low-income, uninsured individuals — National City
(Southern San Diego County) and Mira Mesa (North Central San Diego).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In
the Philippines, Operation Samahan has a long standing partnership with V olunteers
for Visayans. Operation Samahan will be
forwarding all the proceeds from the show to Volunteers for Visayans. (</span><a href="http://www.visayans.org/"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">www.visayans.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">HAIYAN
SURVIVORS, PHILIPPINES through Volunteers for the Visayans<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background: #FFFCF7; text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Volunteer for the Visayans</span></strong><span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> (VFV), is a registered non-profit, non-government
organization located in Tacloban City, Philippines. It is registered with the
local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to distribute planned
and professional social welfare services to
assist underprivileged and undeserved local communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: #FFFCF7; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Since
being founded in 2004, VFV has dedicated itself to contributing towards
sustainable developments in the areas of child welfare, community development,
education and public health through its broad based social welfare programs. In
particular VFV has invested time and resources to develop a number of long term
</span><a href="http://www.visayans.org/community-center" title="Community & Projects"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Community Projects</span></a><span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> as well as a comprehensive </span><a href="http://www.visayans.org/sponsor-a-child" title="Sponsor A Child"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Child Sponsorship Program</span></a><span style="font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> which combined have led to over 150 children from
disadvantaged backgrounds to have the means to go to school and pursue
mainstream education.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: #FFFCF7; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">To date, 3,976
confirmed deaths, 1,598 missing and 18,175 injured, according to the National
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of the Philippines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: #FFFCF7; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The
Filipino-American along with the many volunteers from the entire San Diego and
Los Angeles will passionately strive to raise funds on this night through
silent auctions and donations.—Clint Gorou </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-73673962144391432382013-07-14T18:45:00.000-07:002013-07-14T19:00:12.447-07:00FALEO First Annual 5k Run/Wak a Success!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Filipino-American congratulates The FilAm Law Enforcement Officers Association for their success in their first annual 5k Run/Walk event on June 15, 2013!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C0Y4oAnnZLiUKWuGwcAz1i6kvgEdv4Uba19P5Db8FC2Sx-xg9R1Saeo7FoxEErF7icfEdD8ca7KO9OnrX-mzaWIOy1EsUG9F2_pvgGiOoznftdBEZ7MSC27kgrxgYCQSM5RvpoQr6znG/s1600/Faleo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C0Y4oAnnZLiUKWuGwcAz1i6kvgEdv4Uba19P5Db8FC2Sx-xg9R1Saeo7FoxEErF7icfEdD8ca7KO9OnrX-mzaWIOy1EsUG9F2_pvgGiOoznftdBEZ7MSC27kgrxgYCQSM5RvpoQr6znG/s400/Faleo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jericho Salvador sharing a few words...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<em>The purpose of the event was to celebrate the 115<sup>th</sup> Philippine Independence Day (June 12, 1898) and health awareness. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
The weather was just gorgeous that day, a little cold but nothing the exciting participants of the event cant handle.<br />
<br />
There were several booths from the sponsors set up, Filipino Business and Professional Network, Wells Fargo-Otay Ranch, Sunga Orthondontics among others. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCI6qnzs5vYb-5e6bWzet7L51uXjLZ1KNQmvmfT3VnCeCz5YBHBfD0OALMigCkGDDWHQFA7iKc59bwVs2QXx2E1Y9HiyWyUcACbJU_mGoBnGQDiFZCTsD567JUeVhgjQCClPx5GSjorXF/s1600/faleo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCI6qnzs5vYb-5e6bWzet7L51uXjLZ1KNQmvmfT3VnCeCz5YBHBfD0OALMigCkGDDWHQFA7iKc59bwVs2QXx2E1Y9HiyWyUcACbJU_mGoBnGQDiFZCTsD567JUeVhgjQCClPx5GSjorXF/s400/faleo2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Law Enforcement Display<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<em><span style="color: black;">The Paradise Valley Medical Missions group was on-hand to provide health screenings. Blood pressure checks, blood-glucose monitoring, oral health, body mass indexing, and exercise regimens were evaluated. </span><span style="color: black;"> </span></em><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>The National Bone Marrow Registry (Bethematch.org) had a registry booth at the event. Angie’s brother, RC Ortanez, is a bone marrow recipient and a leukemia survivor. A portion of the proceeds from the 5K were donated to the National Bone Marrow Registry. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em><span style="color: black;">There were displays of Filipino heroes like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo and many others. These national heroes were instrumental in the Philippine declaration of independence against Spain.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></em><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em></em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">The National City Police Dep</span><span style="color: black;">a</span><span style="color: black;">rtment SWAT had their armored vehicle and weapons on display. The San Diego Police Department Recruiting Unit was also present.</span></em><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>The participants were treated to traditional Filipino foods such as pancit, lumpia and pandesal courtesy of VJ Sturdivant Inc. The talented Katriz Trinidad again entertained the crowd with several songs. </em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em></em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">A free raffle was held. Several prizes were awarded along with the grand prize which was an anniversary football donated by the San Diego Chargers</span> </em></span><br />
<br />
From experience and attending so many of these kind of events I can say it was a great event, really organized, from the parking, registration, program, booth coordination and the run. Note, this was their first too! BUT I would recommend to sponsor again next year around not to mention it is from a great organization and for a great cause!!!- MaG<br />
<br />
References <a href="http://www.faleosandiego.org/faleos-1st-annual-5k-runwalk-a-day-of-celebration/" target="_blank">FALEO SAN DIEGO WEBSITE</a></div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-90439362459231279372013-04-29T20:38:00.001-07:002013-04-29T20:39:06.315-07:00PRESS RELEASE: Ascend Announces the formation of AscendNAAMBA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPGDuH0OLzPpT1orpabK8fEu9eo4y3eUmoxUHnqLjmEikJv1mGGKMpelgQE4rc4-j8I8LrAofp1CmB-Htns43dM2GeJOV6473Hwd-TUnOcaUh65AJYdVis8GgnvSlHyUG8SqKqNhc4YMX/s1600/naamba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPGDuH0OLzPpT1orpabK8fEu9eo4y3eUmoxUHnqLjmEikJv1mGGKMpelgQE4rc4-j8I8LrAofp1CmB-Htns43dM2GeJOV6473Hwd-TUnOcaUh65AJYdVis8GgnvSlHyUG8SqKqNhc4YMX/s320/naamba.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman'; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">April 20, 2013, New York</span> – Ascend announced the National Association of Asian MBAs (NAAMBA) has officially joined Ascend to create the largest non-profit membership organization focused on the leadership development and advancement of Pan-Asians in global business.<br />
<br />
The announcement was made at Ascend’s <span style="font-style: italic;">Inspiring Across Generations </span>Regional Conference on April 20<sup style="line-height: 0;">th</sup> held at New York’s Yankee Stadium. President of the Ascend Board of Directors, Jeff Chin, shared the news with nearly 1,000 in attendance at the conference. “NAAMBA’s focus on MBA’s and universities is a natural complement to Ascend’s network of Pan-Asian business professionals. We are thrilled to have NAAMBA join the Ascend family, and further our collective mission to bring our community together to create a greater impact. Our relevancy to our corporate partners and Asian professionals, not only here in the U.S. but also internationally, will continue to grow.”<br />
<br />
By joining forces, NAAMBA will be recognized as AscendNAAMBA, the MBA component of Ascend, and will continue to offer robust development programs designed to cultivate Pan-Asian talent and professional advancement. Lily Tang, Chair of the NAAMBA Board of Directors, envisions a future with global expansion through regional chapters. “Ascend and the new AscendNAAMBA share a non-profit mission focused on giving back to the Pan-Asian community which allows us to make the best of our collaboration with corporate partners and universities. It’s a model that will continue to serve our members well.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman'; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
Both Ascend and NAAMBA have served Pan-Asian business professionals for many years as separate organizations. The new alliance provides an excellent opportunity to identify and cultivate highly sought after Pan-Asian talent and future leadership for America.<br />
<br />
Ascend and AscendNAAMBA will celebrate coming together with a joint National Convention and career fair on August 23-26, 2013 at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. Thereafter, the plan is to have AscendNAAMBA hold its own National Convention and career fair.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman'; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
There will also be mentoring programs to bring the former NAAMBA students together with Ascend professionals to create a seamless pipeline of Pan-Asian executive talent. Other national and local programs include the ERG Council, Executive Insight Series, LEAD Series, Women of Ascend, Mentorship, Inspiring Across Generations Regional Leadership Conferences, Advance Leadership Program for Asian Executives at Stanford University and the National Convention.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman'; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
About Ascend<br />
<br />
Ascend is the premier non-profit professional organization dedicated in enabling its members, business partners and the community to leverage the leadership and global business potential of Pan-Asians. Ascend promotes critical leadership</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman'; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
skills, mentoring and career advancement from students to CXOs, serving as a collective voice for the Pan-Asian community. Ascend spans 16 professional, 2 regional MBA and 27 undergraduate student chapters across the United States and Canada, reaching over 20,000 people in just 7 years. Our members include corporations, professionals, students and MBAs. For more information about Ascend, visit <a href="http://www.ascendleadership.org/" style="color: #b52750; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.ascendleadership.org</span></a> or contact Jennifer Aderis at 212-248-4888 or <a href="mailto:jennifer.aderis@ascendleadership.org" style="color: #b52750; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">jennifer.aderis@<wbr></wbr>ascendleadership.org</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman'; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
About AscendNAAMBA<br />
<br />
The new AscendNAAMBA will continue to focus on the Pan-Asian MBA population, both foreign and domestic by leveraging key relationships developed with major universities and business schools. Before joining Ascend, NAAMBA operated four national conferences attracting corporate sponsors from a wide range of industries, as well as, two international conferences, in partnership with the MBA Career Services Council. For more information about AscendNAAMBA, contact Robina Singh at 914-356-4184 or <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:Robina.Singh@ascendleadership.org" style="color: #b52750; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Robina.Singh@ascendleadership.<wbr></wbr>org</a></span></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-29942262568337601642013-02-04T20:47:00.006-08:002013-02-04T20:49:10.104-08:00Jan 2013: The FilAm Story: Anthony Fortin Opens a Wellness Store, National City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oMa3NwtAeMI2FNdYYm6lIT_7l5vwNupb42_Vdau_gZDU67fyz9Me2WmGzyKw0vecZ3GBQagpHFEo4X1nPrhyphenhyphenXbz_N0-mr3vx0zuaQXBHma2O8QebmMVY_x7TAGiOs6PjCb-80PKVB6z0/s1600/20130107_151701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oMa3NwtAeMI2FNdYYm6lIT_7l5vwNupb42_Vdau_gZDU67fyz9Me2WmGzyKw0vecZ3GBQagpHFEo4X1nPrhyphenhyphenXbz_N0-mr3vx0zuaQXBHma2O8QebmMVY_x7TAGiOs6PjCb-80PKVB6z0/s400/20130107_151701.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>When did your store open?</em> </span></div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I opened my store back in April 1, 2011 as a money remittance business. I did it by acquiring the rights as the authorized agent of RCBC North America. A few months later, I also forged partnerships with other international companies such as Mango Tours, Globe Telecom Inc, Makati Express cargo and TFC, thus adding more services to my business, such as travel & tours, cargo forwarding, international telecommunication services, and TFC dealership. </span></div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>Why did you choose Health Benefits among the many choices of business that you can add?</em> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wanted to make use of the front space of our new office by adding a retail business. When I was brainstorming on what type of retail business I should pursue, I first started with my target market. I figured, since I already have over a thousand customers under my database, half of whom make remittance transactions at least twice a month, why not start with them? I also found out from my research that the health and wellness industry is the next up and coming Trillion Dollar Industry in America.</span></div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>What is it like to run different businesses in San Diego at the heart of National City, where all the FilAms are?</em> </span></div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Sometimes it's very challenging because some FilAm customers are penny pinchers so they always try to find ways to save a few bucks on products and services. And with so many FilAm businesses that offer the same type of services as I do, I always have to create ways to give better value for my customers. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In contrast however, the moment you successfully turn your customers into loyal ones or "suki" as we call it in Tagalog, they stay very loyal to you and they would even go as far as marketing your business for you through word of mouth. The power of "chismis," I presume. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>Are you born here in America?</em> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">No, I was born in Cagayan De Oro, Philippines but spent most of my childhood years in my father's province in Dumaguete city before my whole family migrated here in the States on November 1998. I was only 12 years old then. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>Where are your family originally from in the Philippines? </em></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">My mother is from Cebu city & my father is originally from the provincial town of Sibulan, next town over from Dumaguete city. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>Do you still speak the filipino language?</em> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our primary dialect is Bisayan or Cebuano. I only learned to speak Tagalog fluently when I arrived here in the States.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>What is your favorite filipino food?</em> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ginisang Monggos with fried pork belly. yumm!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>What is your favorite filipino restaurant here?</em> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Zarlitos offers the best "silog" breakfast meal. Although, I wish there was a filipino restaurant that offers a SILOG buffet. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>Do you still travel to the Philippines?</em></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Between 2006-2010, I used to go at least once a year. Back in 2009, I stayed in Manila for 6 months so I can "re-enculturate" myself. I wanted to relearn what it is like being a true filipino so I figured what better way than to immerse myself in its culture? </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, I'm planning to go back again this March 2013 to celebrate Holy Week there.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>At home, do you mostly eat filipino dish and does the filipino culture run the house or is it more american?</em></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mostly filipino dish but my mom likes to cook whatever she sees on Food Network. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's back to the drawing board for her. Nevertheless, it's edible so I eat it anyway. Hindi ako maarte sa pagkain. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I'd say the filipino culture still runs in our house because we follow traditions during holiday seasons and such.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>As a business owner and entrepreneur, what is the best advice you can give especially in this kind of economy for those who want to venture as well?</em></span></div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Expand your business into many different types of services. Don't just stick to one type of service and think you'll make it big that way. It helps to diversify your products and services because some are seasonal (such as the tax business) and some are easily affected by the state of the economy (ie. remittance business). If you have many services that generate income for you, at least you will have more than one safety net when one part of the business fails. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is there anything about being FilAm or in our tradition and culture that you like the most? </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hospitality we show to others. Also, we are sincere and passionate about the things we do in life. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em>Is there anything that you think we FilAms in San Diego better or more of?</em> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sense of Family as a Filipino community. I believe we need to be more united and become a tight knit family rather than always trying to be better than the other. Everyone seems to think there's some sort of race or contest that they need to win or something. If only the Fil-am community support their kapwa kababayan more, then we can easily rise to the top in this society and the better off we will be as a whole community. We should initiate a "No Filipino Left Behind" Act in our local government to encourage unity within the community. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please stay tuned for the website launch of theirn website: <a href="http://www.healthbenefits4me.com/" target="_blank">www.healthbenefits4me.com</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
</div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-49223320435344001012013-01-21T20:33:00.001-08:002013-01-21T20:33:57.390-08:00Health and Wellness shop opens in National City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7005493585020304" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7005493585020304" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bayani Services, a multi-service business in National City engaged in money remittance, cargo, travel and tax preparation recently launched its health and wellness business with the opening of Health Benefits. </span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7005493585020304" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
</b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7005493585020304" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Health Benefits is a specialty store whose mission is to provide a more effective alternative to the high cost of medicine and treatment with its all-natural food supplements, beauty and anti-aging products. Most of its products come from the Philippines.</span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7005493585020304" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The business addresses the declining health trends and diminished income especially among the aging population who wants to feel good, look good, and stay young and healthy at a cost they can afford. Some of its all-natural products have even proved more potent in preventing and healing diseases which traditional medicine were unable to cure.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Its flagship product is the Moringa, or Malunggay. Moringa is considered a “superfood”, having over 46 anti-oxidants and more than 90 different vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Its health benefits include normalization of blood sugar level, strengthening of the immune system, delays the aging process, controls bad cholesterol, and many more. Widespread claims of the medicinal effectiveness of Moringa have been confirmed by scientific studies at the John Hopkins University.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also available are ampalaya and papaya extracts, gluta-c and belo beauty products as well as a wide array of ginseng products.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The store is Iocated in the Seafood City complex on East Plaza Blvd, Suite E-19A in National City. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit its store or call 619-474-4851.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">List of wellness products:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moringa supplements, Banaba Tea, Sambong Tea, Pito-Pito Tea, Ampalaya Plus, Charanthia, Ginseng products, and many more!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">List of beauty products:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gluta- C soap/lotion/toner, Belo soap/cream/lotion/gluthathion capsules, Maxi-Peel, Kojie-San, Placenta soap, and many more!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div>
</b></div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-90682406997600582152012-02-28T18:15:00.009-08:002012-03-06T07:46:19.120-08:00March 2012 The Filipino-American Story: Marcel Cabrera Jr, Professional Wedding and Portrait Photographer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0UhcIGfBfKuA6ACrVgK7VaUVLivxNlO8BC4C6EJPUP37zM2pfLnqAIpgPZmHGhdczwVaxz58GX4pJ9D_qHiF_CWVfkxK66opNeix5P7hwqhKXLryUKu-xbOdprghLCxgZk5u1dImGDMl/s1600/Studio+64+Photography.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0UhcIGfBfKuA6ACrVgK7VaUVLivxNlO8BC4C6EJPUP37zM2pfLnqAIpgPZmHGhdczwVaxz58GX4pJ9D_qHiF_CWVfkxK66opNeix5P7hwqhKXLryUKu-xbOdprghLCxgZk5u1dImGDMl/s400/Studio+64+Photography.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STUDIO 64 PHOTOGRAPHY</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">This month, we are proud to showcase yet another talent from San Diego, Professional Wedding and Portrait Photographer Marcel Cabrera Jr.<o:p></o:p></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Marcel, tell us how did you become a photographer?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I became a photographer on complete ACCIDENT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(A “happy accident” that is.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought a top end DSLR camera on my 26<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> birthday as a present to myself with ABSOLUTELY NO EXPERIENCE or ANY PRIOR EDUCATION!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3 days later, my best friend called me to ask for an emergency favor.He asked me if I could pretend to be a professional photographer and cover for a magazine editorial/photo shoot of a celebrity for his MMA coach's new fighting/training magazine because the photographer he hired was a no show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did NOT want to do the gig because I had no experience and didn’t want to embarrass myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was intimidated of the whole deal, especially photographing celebrities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But because I didn’t want to let my best friend down, I accepted the gig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The photos weren’t the absolute best as I didn’t have a clue to what I was doing… but my professionalism is what stood out!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm-t23v7-UhGYbh5G5G4HYeMnjXJypEa5776XvSttZHPRY5f8YzgrHSUE7h0P-x3nFmt1GPTah8rg2TCx_Q7wr6OGjg0d-KfMjcYoCzXzR0Iyaku9jnplwznAZrsFDL6L8xRheehrxaZa/s1600/15360_188930489834_3475769_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm-t23v7-UhGYbh5G5G4HYeMnjXJypEa5776XvSttZHPRY5f8YzgrHSUE7h0P-x3nFmt1GPTah8rg2TCx_Q7wr6OGjg0d-KfMjcYoCzXzR0Iyaku9jnplwznAZrsFDL6L8xRheehrxaZa/s400/15360_188930489834_3475769_n.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STUDIO 64 PHOTOGRAPHY'S Photo of "DREW BREES" from the "San Diego<br />
Celebrity Golf Classic 2009" - Featured in today's SAN DIEGO UNION<br />
TRIBUNE (NOV 30, 2009)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIm3x2-5ifCj-TwYtRwjcpAVan6l8PT0PNd8BZ8BQ_QdAptBzj3KDYj-NoE2NyhnN10i1-w8e9NF3T-tIQ2L1i011UruIwMm3CZYunZtfthxFOPcds-9vwjNK-sxgbH2dz1tw_XG2uiZMl/s1600/Eugene+Frances+FIRST+ENGAGEMENT+SHOOT+filam+article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIm3x2-5ifCj-TwYtRwjcpAVan6l8PT0PNd8BZ8BQ_QdAptBzj3KDYj-NoE2NyhnN10i1-w8e9NF3T-tIQ2L1i011UruIwMm3CZYunZtfthxFOPcds-9vwjNK-sxgbH2dz1tw_XG2uiZMl/s400/Eugene+Frances+FIRST+ENGAGEMENT+SHOOT+filam+article.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Three months later, my photo of top NFL Quarterback “Drew Brees” at the San Diego Celebrity Classic 2009 (former “Stan Humphries Celebrity Classic" and now currently the “Brees Celebrity Championship”) was chosen to be nationally published in several magazines across the United States and the local San Diego Union Tribune! I was surprised that my photo was selected because I was an assistant at the tournament with no experience in photography and many of the veteran photographers that were present from several top publications, looked down at me like a joke and intimidated me. (I guess you can say I did well and knew what I was doing because my 2ND PHOTO of DREW BREES at the Brees Celebrity Championship 2010 was nationally PUBLISHED also in several magazines, publications, commercials, and ads such as "Sports illustrated," "Cox Communications," "San Diego Union Tribune," "Groupons,", "Dream Homes Magazine,", etc... <br />
<br />
<br />
Shortly after... I went to photographing my very first family portrait, very first engagement shoot, and very first booked wedding for “Eugene & Frances Amano” and the entire Amano Family. Eugene is the starting center for the NFL Tenessee Titans #54, and also the FIRST full-blooded Filipino in the NFL!<br />
<br />
<br />
And now I'm a FULL TIME Wedding & Portrait Photographer! :)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Where you born in San Diego?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Yes, at the Naval Medical Center San Diego “Balboa Hospital”</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftcpsTWgp-JMpW3__zk5PBXKepac-BC_pIifh6S5SCkTwWCtR9PI-E5PdxjnZBdw3CO2X3vdzsOgvbdiHcQFySX-orxj9_rIIVtsemTZolZIKXlukT1DkeM1o3ySCUSBgeRLO2IBeTyZM/s1600/389855_10150411810564835_159405669834_8466386_1474435775_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftcpsTWgp-JMpW3__zk5PBXKepac-BC_pIifh6S5SCkTwWCtR9PI-E5PdxjnZBdw3CO2X3vdzsOgvbdiHcQFySX-orxj9_rIIVtsemTZolZIKXlukT1DkeM1o3ySCUSBgeRLO2IBeTyZM/s400/389855_10150411810564835_159405669834_8466386_1474435775_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Where are your parents from in the Philippines?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Mother:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angono Rizal, Manila<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Father:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Novaliches, Quezon City<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">How did you come up with <a href="http://studio64photography.com/html_home.cfm?menu_itemID=317682&load=html" target="_blank">Studio 64 Photography</a>?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">One day, when Iris and I were at a photography trade show in Pasadena, CA, we decided to start our photography business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We needed to come up with a business name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, we brainstormed ideas and what we came up with was:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">MARCEL = “I would like to name it “STUDIO-something??” because I can picture us having a photo studio in 5 years and we will be married with our kids and dog running and playing around in the studio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A studio is also a goal we can work towards achieving.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">IRIS = “Ok, how about “Studio 64 Photography!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The number 6 is for the number of letters in MARCEL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the number 4 is for the number of letters in IRIS. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcKECdcw39FzPZgkHqTG9XNq5Yq6eUkp3kWn56yduvX6ZdM4MsOfe1BDzRxpWzEOwQAzjkoW1bMCVW4288q8UWKqgnYmBq530QTD6rgCqnf3EyZwiCUPoELb1x5yXiSmz1uflKeikRAhG/s1600/MARCEL+AND+IRIS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcKECdcw39FzPZgkHqTG9XNq5Yq6eUkp3kWn56yduvX6ZdM4MsOfe1BDzRxpWzEOwQAzjkoW1bMCVW4288q8UWKqgnYmBq530QTD6rgCqnf3EyZwiCUPoELb1x5yXiSmz1uflKeikRAhG/s400/MARCEL+AND+IRIS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcel & Iris of Studio 64 Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I have noticed that most of your shots are weddings and/or engagements, is that your most favorite story to photograph?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Yes!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68Q7qeT6ciEzN_dwvnBgyb4JARGZ5J5zjYZu4YjYhh3AOKJpUjuxxIGTY7w1Ohqj94DoDMSbGQSOucNdk1biicAJSSvVLfemSeHC8HwWo4oh6xT2HCAbAVFpREJ_ggzBJT6oxazdth0bZ/s1600/0728ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68Q7qeT6ciEzN_dwvnBgyb4JARGZ5J5zjYZu4YjYhh3AOKJpUjuxxIGTY7w1Ohqj94DoDMSbGQSOucNdk1biicAJSSvVLfemSeHC8HwWo4oh6xT2HCAbAVFpREJ_ggzBJT6oxazdth0bZ/s400/0728ffb.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The pictures, they are very artistic, did you always come up with these ideas?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I was once told “To be the best, you need to Mimic the best!”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Therefore, I did a lot of research on many photographers/artists that I liked and put it to use in my work.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I love to shoot in RANDOM places, or places that have a lot of lines, nice scenery, or any abstract architecture.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I frequently LOVE to shoot with “wide angle” lenses (which is considered a definite “no-no” in portrait photography) but if you know how to get the right angle and direct and pose your clients correctly, you can achieve some amazing WOW shots!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I LOVE the use and manipulation of LIGHT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what I study the most!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“NO LIGHT=NO PHOTO.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">FACT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>90% of our work is NOT PHOTOSHOPPED!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFZbDJixJCHBC5nY2PouRvsuFq9K8_Gk-vb0qr6fc76nbVIc1Ff8MwZMj5WGOZ0YDHCrv5JMyS8mcLuMPaodFycvXqg3F1FBznYXReyT_j00TGXtUjt1IOgw3zFTD8wZgzR78tvyFHpC9/s1600/1937fi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFZbDJixJCHBC5nY2PouRvsuFq9K8_Gk-vb0qr6fc76nbVIc1Ff8MwZMj5WGOZ0YDHCrv5JMyS8mcLuMPaodFycvXqg3F1FBznYXReyT_j00TGXtUjt1IOgw3zFTD8wZgzR78tvyFHpC9/s400/1937fi.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We take a lot of pride in being Photographers who know how to see, use, and manipulate light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are NOT Computer Graphic Artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We actually like to be called “Light-ographers” if there is ever such a name! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Where does your inspiration come from?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">My inspiration comes from anything and everything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also inspired by many talented photographers all around the world and feed off their unique styles, ideas, use of light, etc to develop into styles of my own.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">However, most of my inspiration comes from my fiancé Iris, who always believed in me from the very start regardless of the continuous downfall of life changing events/tragedies/domestic violence/social/mental abuse I had in a short amount of time, to a point where I was a suicidal psych-patient for 5 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She helped me get back on my feet and change my life around completely!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Thanks hun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8fWsJw5g-AZEbkmWVUVD0V1VEcDNcv9Ad7oHKKAYKaoV08-1GVPS6IaPlPXq_WJYjPOkTnLgk8WycrO0ggm0vEAq_EM12ZaBoFo5z0b-oN5QrBQ7flz4_jJgUH4SVnnodi7nnN73YyEh/s1600/9993ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8fWsJw5g-AZEbkmWVUVD0V1VEcDNcv9Ad7oHKKAYKaoV08-1GVPS6IaPlPXq_WJYjPOkTnLgk8WycrO0ggm0vEAq_EM12ZaBoFo5z0b-oN5QrBQ7flz4_jJgUH4SVnnodi7nnN73YyEh/s400/9993ffb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Iris, your girlfriend and partner, tell us what is her part in Studio 64 Photography?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Iris, (now my fiancé!) is our main photo editor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now she is my secondary photographer and a secondary cinematographer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she is learning extremely fast and doing very well with her photography and cinematography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(maybe because of her awesome teacher!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*cough*cough “ME!” *cough*cough!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hahahah)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>;)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-MfMzgDu-mn1PkreXBwMYtclMpLunb56dN5KmYW8RQerv5wWOBcE-1nJxNeN5J71MCGw8OuOZYur_DOdBaPfq0SSmL5lGX7lHl_csVbLGFABvhGIZcqHcARtirmZvTATUUpRjMbRtlhV/s1600/4924fFB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-MfMzgDu-mn1PkreXBwMYtclMpLunb56dN5KmYW8RQerv5wWOBcE-1nJxNeN5J71MCGw8OuOZYur_DOdBaPfq0SSmL5lGX7lHl_csVbLGFABvhGIZcqHcARtirmZvTATUUpRjMbRtlhV/s400/4924fFB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Tell us some of your most favorite projects/clients?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">My most favorite projects:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo7qOZzQzqI5-z0D3TfCKHH8svfoAgR7-w1GNyo_WfcNBVFLlicbD2msHYTaiIkSzjy8EwJpUEHMAWrMIFtSZSSGHCaSmuVKflhLCE5SF3hUI0aOE2SFrFkWbY1zgRsk1bHVNqJzW7puN/s1600/9909ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo7qOZzQzqI5-z0D3TfCKHH8svfoAgR7-w1GNyo_WfcNBVFLlicbD2msHYTaiIkSzjy8EwJpUEHMAWrMIFtSZSSGHCaSmuVKflhLCE5SF3hUI0aOE2SFrFkWbY1zgRsk1bHVNqJzW7puN/s400/9909ffb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Doing volunteer work as an event photographer for the National MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Society in honor of my fiancé Iris, who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is currently 28 years old and is staying strong!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95Lec-bLWU3oS-IMDYmTiWcWeqMQvHJcbIDGl0GhyphenhyphenPfzXeOH3iKM6eZVdByDOWCTR2AwUCBXNMC8LazcWfgFh4PBQ8IyEgT5WZB11rnWA4uubyCmaftMzVYTef8Ats8VUJ96oIWbVyngM/s1600/8913ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95Lec-bLWU3oS-IMDYmTiWcWeqMQvHJcbIDGl0GhyphenhyphenPfzXeOH3iKM6eZVdByDOWCTR2AwUCBXNMC8LazcWfgFh4PBQ8IyEgT5WZB11rnWA4uubyCmaftMzVYTef8Ats8VUJ96oIWbVyngM/s400/8913ffb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Doing volunteer work as an event photographer/assistant for the “San Pasqual Academy” – a first-in-the-nation residential education campus designed specifically for foster teens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Studio 64 helped with pulling off a very successful Thanksgiving and Christmas Celebration for the foster teens along with “Quentin Jammer” #23 of the San Diego Chargers and Adrian Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Red Sox (former San Diego Padre).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quentin Jammer’s “Jammer Family Foundation” is partnered with the San Pasqual Academy to provide for the foster teens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We packed full a big moving truck with SOOOOO Many Christmas Presents!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such an amazing and heartwarming event to help the teens out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">FAVORITE CLIENTS:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">EUGENE and FRANCES AMANO – for believing in us and giving us an opportunity to succeed in life regardless if others didn’t think we would ever do well in this industry, yet alone start a business with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were blessed with an opportunity to photograph Eugene and Frances’ 2<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>nd</sup> engagement session at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee, home of the NFL Tennessee Titans!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not sleep for almost 2 days prior to the shoot because I was so nervous with the shoot that once we got off the 5-6 hour plane ride, I opted to do the shoot immediately after we arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did a successful shoot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank God we were able to photograph quickly, because the very next morning, Tennessee had a near State-of-Emergency tragedy which involved tornado sirens all throughout the city and floods everywhere!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to stay indoors for the weekend, and didn’t have a chance to tour the city and taste the famous Tennessee barbecue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it was a blessing to get to know Eugene and Frances on a personal level and create a very good friendship with them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you Eugene and Frances!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T9QKQjVTU1WIuAhVt-fOerOV3VIXdG_W5niuu0g4NhHiotEIcW03eqQhWxp6nynZWR8QxgNQbufR345TNgLSt2oC7y7aTXeC4cggbgpx1ApC22ospzjahgwERYnm5nVF4ywQvuo8IB_C/s1600/Jackie+Daniel+2nd+Engagement+Session.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T9QKQjVTU1WIuAhVt-fOerOV3VIXdG_W5niuu0g4NhHiotEIcW03eqQhWxp6nynZWR8QxgNQbufR345TNgLSt2oC7y7aTXeC4cggbgpx1ApC22ospzjahgwERYnm5nVF4ywQvuo8IB_C/s400/Jackie+Daniel+2nd+Engagement+Session.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">BO NAVARRO – Bo is like a 2<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>nd</sup> older brother to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bo is the reason why Studio 64 Photography ever had an opportunity to succeed in this industry in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met Bo while he was the director of the Jammer Family Foundation and was in charge of marketing/advertising for many professional athletes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bo had a very good talk with me shortly after our first meeting, and we have worked together since!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bo is one of the most intellectual and good-hearted person I have ever met and is an absolute genius in his field of marketing/managing of professional athletes and organizations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you Bo!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">ALL OF OUR CLIENTS – are our FAVORITE! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Who is your most recent favorite client?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">ALL OF OUR CLIENTS ARE OUR FAVORITES because they believe in us, trust us, and are absolute fans of our work!<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNf9oxt7SZkIwG-KH_o2RhQ-HbgAdctu2W1_UL_Qav2PjWv0UCV1rrQtkLL0YWjGoYvK1HNLXBp7L0dDSyGMlHVPwTuL1ujMVSjpIXKQM94GsZbXEVsniuEjK-xdLwHReCSz-BVn1XhazM/s1600/2045ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNf9oxt7SZkIwG-KH_o2RhQ-HbgAdctu2W1_UL_Qav2PjWv0UCV1rrQtkLL0YWjGoYvK1HNLXBp7L0dDSyGMlHVPwTuL1ujMVSjpIXKQM94GsZbXEVsniuEjK-xdLwHReCSz-BVn1XhazM/s400/2045ffb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Aside from weddings, what other projects do you do?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Professional sports, product/marketing, family & children portraiture, maternity, newborn, corporate, editorial, modeling, fashion, formal dances, events, medical foundations, Non-profits organizations, charity events & fundraisers, dinner galas, and just about ANYTHING you want me to photograph!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Put the project in front of us, and We will TAKE CARE of it.. and do it well!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">ADDITIONALLY…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I also do wedding & commercial CINEMATOGRAPHY as well!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2SLsd4GmD2FnpqakneimJX_YyFUiaOkDewq8ymQswrfgPbHDnM3WILvOUKgWDHD0459cBhNrODmE9QzhTF4qJxcrfo8pNKloSNjlrpdXlwsFBE46VqoUuWr1GG5Wn1Sizt2RyfnCKvfP/s1600/Andrea+and+Laurences+Back+to+the+Future+Delorean+Time+Machine+Engagement+Shoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2SLsd4GmD2FnpqakneimJX_YyFUiaOkDewq8ymQswrfgPbHDnM3WILvOUKgWDHD0459cBhNrODmE9QzhTF4qJxcrfo8pNKloSNjlrpdXlwsFBE46VqoUuWr1GG5Wn1Sizt2RyfnCKvfP/s400/Andrea+and+Laurences+Back+to+the+Future+Delorean+Time+Machine+Engagement+Shoot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">And in fact just recently won an exclusive workshop competition from the absolute best wedding cinematography company in the industry last November 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was the ONLY student out of 16 who really didn’t have any formal consistent training, a film degree, film school education, etc… All I had, was the absolute PASSION to learn and succeed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was appointed as Director of our team (since I didn’t have any experience in the director position), and we produced the overall winning piece and won in all 4 categories!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a new talent/skill in film directing, filming and storytelling!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWd0i7p4S5_zhBst5MLTyHC7AoD_CYWnNp03TK2v4tjVQ5mbn_kbdzJpzaWznFCKVaNfdvbeDINmVQS27L4Spcz2IAu4cDCPY6Td7UhTX6exnotaJwx9Iz_QwSa6lSKnc-Bf6ZYuccA0f/s1600/9879ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWd0i7p4S5_zhBst5MLTyHC7AoD_CYWnNp03TK2v4tjVQ5mbn_kbdzJpzaWznFCKVaNfdvbeDINmVQS27L4Spcz2IAu4cDCPY6Td7UhTX6exnotaJwx9Iz_QwSa6lSKnc-Bf6ZYuccA0f/s400/9879ffb.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Since becoming a photographer, what was your most favorite shoot that you have done? </span></b></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">My most favorite shoot was my very first engagement shoot that was given to me on last minute notice!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was notified of the engagement session 3 hours BEFORE the shoot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t told who the couple was, but only of the location and time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my surprise, it was for Eugene and Frances Amano!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was intimidated because I didn’t have any prior experience photographing an engagement shoot or knew anything about posing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What made it more nerve wrecking for me is that Eugene plays professional football for the Tennesee Titans in the NFL!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this was a time when I had started to learn the “dramatic lighting style” of photography that I love, and I decided to try my VERY FIRST shot with off-camera flash techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did my first lighting shot with the couple in front of the Museum of Man in Balboa Park, and NAILED IT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing and hearing the look and expression on both Eugene and Frances’ faces was unforgettable!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibs7f1NW4rKYJR5Fe_zQchAL-g1Fab5RNZp4BUD031rGw8v-V0TtgqCF5OGinOHbiZx4ZSoodZXvWmMkxNa7qeko2aduZ4ykI2orYCvsYWGV0C-Xk8R1EccCsY1LZLP9s7Al9qeRTJ5QKm/s1600/Vanessa+&+John's+Wedding+Dramatic+Veil+Shot+@+UCSD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibs7f1NW4rKYJR5Fe_zQchAL-g1Fab5RNZp4BUD031rGw8v-V0TtgqCF5OGinOHbiZx4ZSoodZXvWmMkxNa7qeko2aduZ4ykI2orYCvsYWGV0C-Xk8R1EccCsY1LZLP9s7Al9qeRTJ5QKm/s400/Vanessa+&+John's+Wedding+Dramatic+Veil+Shot+@+UCSD.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">You have mentioned that you also love participating in the Filam community can you tell us more about it?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I participate in giving back to the Filam community by contributing work/service to the “Filipino Press” newspaper. I donate time as an event photographer along with some of my photos, to assist their newspaper articles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My business partner Bo is a partner of the Filipino Press.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together, we have worked on several community projects that have contributed to the Filipino Community in San Diego.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coincidentally, my grandfather was best friends with one of the former executives of the Filipino Press before he passed in 1996.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">What are you proud about the most being a Filam?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Having the ability to be able to learn and live both cultures of being American and of Filipino Heritage and sharing it with others.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">What is your favorite filipino dish?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Believe it or not, DINUGUAN!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“CHOCOLATE MEAT!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Do you have a favorite filipino restaurant in San Diego?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I HAD a favorite Filipino restaurant in San Diego.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was called “Barrio Fiesta” off Sweetwater Rd. in the National City Area about 15-20 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Grandfather, who was a well known professional pianist in town, played there on the weekends with his band.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDBczoRR9_fqm4-ejomI3jAxBQffAAR3SzFWYgsnZmsziTIZiAUN6ZtTWbmdPwUafGDGhNW4t1x2jsviWTt753ATVJQIDgJV7B1zLCqw4Fbujli1QQD9ysBceviu-EgUAURNCgtZTxCZ2/s1600/5320ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDBczoRR9_fqm4-ejomI3jAxBQffAAR3SzFWYgsnZmsziTIZiAUN6ZtTWbmdPwUafGDGhNW4t1x2jsviWTt753ATVJQIDgJV7B1zLCqw4Fbujli1QQD9ysBceviu-EgUAURNCgtZTxCZ2/s400/5320ffb.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Do you still speak tagalog?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Marúnong ako ng kóntì.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Hahah.. VERY LITTLE.. mostly broken up tagalog phrases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I do understand most of the language and can follow along when my parents, grandparents, or aunts and uncles <b>“tsismis!” (gossip)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>haha<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LOL!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">When was the last time you visited Philippines? Which part?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">LONGGGGGGG AGO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last and ONLY time I had the opportunity to visit the Philippines was at 12 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I visited both my parents’ hometowns in Manila and Quezon City.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">How did you learn photography?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I learned on COMPLETE ACCIDENT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A “Happy-Accident” that is! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to “fake it till I make it” and was at the right place at the right time and met the right people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned mostly in 3 ways:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWuu2OG0CVaok35XGTuBJzFZXG5WlbaWtXKVplm21wx8v-zVLmzfzmT6XQFXBT2hVcNLM1m0LNYTy4C1PPtymY1OOtqkdTYy8vCn0RmgzqDBto0iZsQFtPoF4O4ndablsipWrxjP22YUe/s1600/8956ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWuu2OG0CVaok35XGTuBJzFZXG5WlbaWtXKVplm21wx8v-zVLmzfzmT6XQFXBT2hVcNLM1m0LNYTy4C1PPtymY1OOtqkdTYy8vCn0RmgzqDBto0iZsQFtPoF4O4ndablsipWrxjP22YUe/s400/8956ffb.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">1) Being offered photography gigs on the spot or within last minute noticed and PRETENDING I knew what I was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This forced and challenged me to LEARN photography by trial and error and to not embarrass myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">2) Having the utmost PASSION to learn ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING about Photography and to be able to share and teach it to others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NEVER GIVING UP!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Photography is a very CUT-THROAT industry…..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and it’s an industry where people will love your work.. or will absolutely hate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless, it’s an art and you need to accept people’s likes and dislikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never give up, learn from your mistakes, and produce better results next time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the same way to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be successful at anything you want to pursue!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxw_7SUHRfSLprJsgMH0am7_THAek61rQY2aBTJuXGdmQwxVSY9f-PiY8KvI4990FYqseW5_bUQKgQEU42j3qSEe5QUvvg9A6AWkbno3y4km5fkqniHkaz2NWBcmPN35PZEPZD3NmW9EK/s1600/9968ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxw_7SUHRfSLprJsgMH0am7_THAek61rQY2aBTJuXGdmQwxVSY9f-PiY8KvI4990FYqseW5_bUQKgQEU42j3qSEe5QUvvg9A6AWkbno3y4km5fkqniHkaz2NWBcmPN35PZEPZD3NmW9EK/s400/9968ffb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Did you have any formal training?</span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhILHqJjshxKYw1XdI6aECZNie4UvaHwpmv62HbRKKEuBuYCmrT0lcqsHJI6aTbaTAFEPI5Hq1tQsVZ3MLK4-GUsJafVgUFinWo20fpK53jHnwk4PNIJvSKNxpaeFUN18FyDEP1S4Vmt8/s1600/Joey+Erika+Studio+Engagement+Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhILHqJjshxKYw1XdI6aECZNie4UvaHwpmv62HbRKKEuBuYCmrT0lcqsHJI6aTbaTAFEPI5Hq1tQsVZ3MLK4-GUsJafVgUFinWo20fpK53jHnwk4PNIJvSKNxpaeFUN18FyDEP1S4Vmt8/s400/Joey+Erika+Studio+Engagement+Portrait.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHi-H9oIfHBanwi6ygLL97MoKoEHUy0_ByHRb6Xvm1Zo00gmp6CO-neDJZBGYJpEg0uJmJBO5HiN2RCYbfbu_4TvMGG4j4qbEjanL1Guy178-GxDOJMt6SbjOQ-DhgdQ0UFZfw6NtV8BGI/s1600/Jos+&+Ron's+Doggies+Engagement+Session.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHi-H9oIfHBanwi6ygLL97MoKoEHUy0_ByHRb6Xvm1Zo00gmp6CO-neDJZBGYJpEg0uJmJBO5HiN2RCYbfbu_4TvMGG4j4qbEjanL1Guy178-GxDOJMt6SbjOQ-DhgdQ0UFZfw6NtV8BGI/s400/Jos+&+Ron's+Doggies+Engagement+Session.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I did not have formal training via a school or institution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After my first 8 months of being completely self-taught via “Google and Youtube University! (I was broke and had no money), I took some exclusive 1-on-1 mentoring sessions & workshops with some of the absolute best in the industry worldwide! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(after I finally made some money in photography!) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpdZMEqgBiZeYzQ4a9b-i8JXYvM1Hq-t2pBQ8z9Pe0Rc7-MPQxVEo7L0JmCWUfARSSdIAlfbLeOoR1hLwUfumNnElOZglmgolMuxqP-6Y4DKWK6uSP-vfJ03nA-_-D461V_pDi-FJzdd5/s1600/7347fFB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpdZMEqgBiZeYzQ4a9b-i8JXYvM1Hq-t2pBQ8z9Pe0Rc7-MPQxVEo7L0JmCWUfARSSdIAlfbLeOoR1hLwUfumNnElOZglmgolMuxqP-6Y4DKWK6uSP-vfJ03nA-_-D461V_pDi-FJzdd5/s400/7347fFB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">To those who learning photography as a hobby or as a profession, what advice can you give them?</span></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3nY-GIIYpER2gx-lfyB__3u1FBer8_E_Cxhc0BmYLg2vhJ-CNnADgwcd2r9jUXTsMoIHinUP1iB9aFzIQKL6eYTfCKKRFwapJIYhBv7BauOYZOUdUmU-fEOo-V7o2ywT1g1nKlGlSicm/s1600/f-1877fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3nY-GIIYpER2gx-lfyB__3u1FBer8_E_Cxhc0BmYLg2vhJ-CNnADgwcd2r9jUXTsMoIHinUP1iB9aFzIQKL6eYTfCKKRFwapJIYhBv7BauOYZOUdUmU-fEOo-V7o2ywT1g1nKlGlSicm/s400/f-1877fb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">It doesn’t matter what photography school you graduated from, what experience you have, how many years you have been in the industry, how many clients you have served, how much money you have made, or how many awards you have received….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you DON’T have the PASSION, you won’t be successful at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NO EXCUSES!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUjLdghJl40e6-bqeNMhLdUzkTUMxsJDJlmtkPSFvF_OOlu93gI4PRQjXwuvO1_MPdTrFtPhNvhqHIA6CmW8XVbImZz66ZdqIX98GGL1NG_66NKZgGZygfYiwdQisDHZCWZb9irLFy1tM/s1600/7319ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUjLdghJl40e6-bqeNMhLdUzkTUMxsJDJlmtkPSFvF_OOlu93gI4PRQjXwuvO1_MPdTrFtPhNvhqHIA6CmW8XVbImZz66ZdqIX98GGL1NG_66NKZgGZygfYiwdQisDHZCWZb9irLFy1tM/s400/7319ffb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">What is the best way to decide which camera to buy just for a hobby?</span></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUPldSCiyAdapbCYMCyVtnuWYXmWJni54MOnzXjAxN2Q2qe01vV5TIz5EtPPqTzQ2-hvCbd747OjI9jtFrxyl70GjGHkmzFy5ZvJaGJGTetu2Azy4vX2Ayt4CyMhqIMYWxirzAxkbFn9Q/s1600/7552ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUPldSCiyAdapbCYMCyVtnuWYXmWJni54MOnzXjAxN2Q2qe01vV5TIz5EtPPqTzQ2-hvCbd747OjI9jtFrxyl70GjGHkmzFy5ZvJaGJGTetu2Azy4vX2Ayt4CyMhqIMYWxirzAxkbFn9Q/s400/7552ffb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The CAMERA is ONLY a tool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The PHOTOGRAPHER is the ARTIST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the LIGHT is what you need to find or produce! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Start off with your simple camera on your cell phone, and if you understand your lighting, you can take ANY photo you want with ANY camera!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, one of the world’s best wedding photographers placed very high in a photo competition in which he photographed a whole wedding with only an iPhone Camera!!--MaG</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNS998-CI5fLjxJAs2BjHv3nkOe2qwMEjJOL5mGKVTz5B5wIKldu1jOI4nWc_O0E79vyRXqhWwAyUMLAfZYg9RbvUs0sm8j3s8bWkKF2VfL5VXT1bJQ8gZtY-LeLyu0CGecr7ubvtfp1Q/s1600/3631ffb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNS998-CI5fLjxJAs2BjHv3nkOe2qwMEjJOL5mGKVTz5B5wIKldu1jOI4nWc_O0E79vyRXqhWwAyUMLAfZYg9RbvUs0sm8j3s8bWkKF2VfL5VXT1bJQ8gZtY-LeLyu0CGecr7ubvtfp1Q/s400/3631ffb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Studio 64 Photography 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">_______________________</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><a href="http://studio64photography.com/html_home.cfm?menu_itemID=317682&load=html" target="_blank">Studio 64 Photography</a></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Studio64PhotographySD" target="_blank">Studio 64 Photography</a><br />
follow <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/studio64photosd" target="_blank">Studio 64 Photography</a></div>
</div>thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-18179475335089412262011-12-27T23:04:00.000-08:002011-12-27T23:37:05.459-08:00December 2011 The Filipino-American Story: Oishi Media Editor/Director Dj Duel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Visiting <a href="http://oishimedia.com/" target="_blank">Oishi Media</a> and reading from my (twitter) timeline almost daily I can feel DJ Duel's passion for his work, the fire that burns within him reaches you! What is even better is this young Filam also supports our community! <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Recently, Oishi Media just released a beautiful production for Christmas,<strong><a href="http://oishimedia.com/?p=602" target="_blank"> Fall Out of Love by Krystle Cruz</a></strong> a San Diego Filam talent that we featured also here at The Filipino-American...</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_EW9ZQSlqA/Tvq7YcGIuFI/AAAAAAAAARg/d9fz-V_efT4/s1600/djduel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_EW9ZQSlqA/Tvq7YcGIuFI/AAAAAAAAARg/d9fz-V_efT4/s400/djduel.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dj Duel, Director/Editor Oishi Media</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><strong></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Dj Duel, what is your full name?</strong> Marvin <em>DjDueL</em> Suerto<br />
<br />
<strong>Where were you born?</strong> I was born in Quezon City, Philippines<br />
<br />
<strong>You are currently based in LA, correct?</strong> Thats absolutely correct! Northeast Los Angeles<br />
<br />
<strong>Your first passion, is being a Scratch DJ, can you tell us what that is?</strong> I originally broke into the industry as a Battle DJ. With my crew, "SpinCycleLA - Dj's Rever, War, WreckStyle, Hectik and Eri" Going from competition to competition, then later working with Artists. Recording on albums scratching on turntables adding accents and flavor to HipHop songs.<br />
<br />
<strong>When did you start doing</strong> this? I started DJ'ing in 1996 and went on all the way through 2010.<br />
<br />
<strong>You are now the Editor/Director of Oishi Media, tell us what is Oishi Media about?</strong> OISHIMEDIA is a group of guys that started off as friends, a DJ (DjDuel, that's me), an MC (Bong), a BreakDancer (B-Boy Starskee), and a Video Game designer (CJ), that entered a commercial contest for a cereal company for fun. We had so much fun doing it, that we decided to make more videos. And now, almost 2 years later, we've worked with a lot of influential artists that we've always looked up to.<br />
<br />
<strong>How many members does Oishi Media have and who are they?</strong> There are four of us. <strong>Starskee</strong> is our primary videographer, he takes all of my Direction and captures them on film exactly as I envision them. He also, assists in the editing and coloring of the film. <strong>CJ </strong>is our Visual FX Guru. Being professionally trained in the field of video game design, he takes his knowledge and uses it for all our Special FX needs. <strong>Bong</strong> is our technical adviser and helps us with photography. He creates the tools, and sets we need behind the scenes. Then there's me, I direct and do most of the editing. We usually come up with the storyline's and general creative ideas and present them to the Artist. <strong>We take the meaning of their work and translate it Visually.</strong> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--kNH-z26VQ0/Tvq7qOSeFiI/AAAAAAAAARs/PMJcDVy-Uyo/s1600/24940_1305056519499_1623095505_698823_4497498_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--kNH-z26VQ0/Tvq7qOSeFiI/AAAAAAAAARs/PMJcDVy-Uyo/s400/24940_1305056519499_1623095505_698823_4497498_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OISHI MEDIA Bong, Starskee, CJ, and DjDueL</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>You develop/promote talent, how do you choose your projects? </strong><span style="font-size: large;">We look for Artists that mean something to us. People with Art that contribute to the community. We look for artists that have good heads on their shoulders, and promote real life goodness. </span><br />
<strong>Krystle Cruz of San Diego, aside from the obvious that she is very talented, tell us the story... how did Fall Out of Love happen?</strong> We had been working at the<strong> Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC)</strong> for 2 years. We filmed the event, edited and created their first DVD for FPAC 19 & 20. This year at the 20th Anniversary of FPAC, we saw <strong>Krystle</strong> on stage for the 2nd year in a row. We caught up with her after her set, and interviewed her. <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Something about her (Krystle Cruz) felt comfortable with us.</span></strong> So a few months later, while editing the DVD project, we decided to reach out to her about working together. <strong>It just happened to be that she was close to our friends at, "Pnoy Apparel Clothing," and they vouched for her. </strong><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Great thing is that she already had plans to do this video, but fell through. and it happened to be the song that we chose. So we met with her, we wrote a treatment, and set a date to film. We casted <strong>Keiante Glover</strong> as the male lead, and <strong>Carlena Britch </strong>as her best friend.<br />
<br />
<strong>How did Oishi Media start?</strong> It's a pretty wild story. Unfortunately a really close friend of ours passed away, Armando Flores Jr. and a group of us that were really close fell into a deep depression. One of our youngest friends Starskee, was hurting really bad from this loss. <span style="font-size: large;">It seemed the only thing that gets his mind off of things, was wanting to Film and Edit</span> (what he did in high school). So one day while browsing Facebook, I saw an ad for a Video Contest by a Cereal Company. I asked Starskee, and CJ if they wanted to join (the competition), and we did. We had such a great time doing this, that we decided to keep making videos. Eventually our name started to spread really fast, and we started working with popular artists such as,<strong> "Bambu, the Rhythm Natives, Chicharon Adventures....</strong>etc" and that led us to the opportunity to film a promo video for <strong>Joe Bataan</strong>, that then led to the Festival of Philippines Arts & Culture.<br />
<br />
<strong>Why Oishi Media?</strong> <span style="font-size: large;">We thought of Video, and making video being so addictive that you'll be hungry for it. So we decided on the phrase, "Deliciousness for your Eyes and Ears." and OISHI meant delicious. Plus at that time, Sarap Media was taken by a myspace user. hahahaha </span> </div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSeqYqbK4Nc/Tvq8RUPqhlI/AAAAAAAAAR4/T2TyvFHcBJw/s1600/41201_1483018688442_1623095505_1116597_5148781_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSeqYqbK4Nc/Tvq8RUPqhlI/AAAAAAAAAR4/T2TyvFHcBJw/s400/41201_1483018688442_1623095505_1116597_5148781_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Oishi Media Booth @ Festival of Philippines Arts & Culture 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>Tell us what were some of your favorite Filam Projects and why?</strong> Our favorite projects are working with Community Members. Such as the, <strong>"Neri's Curbside Cravings"</strong> food truck. and <strong>"Bambu"</strong> Both have great messages in their work, whether it be Filipino Pride in our Food and Culture, or a musical interpretation of having Filipino Pride in your community through the struggles of Street Life.<br />
<br />
<strong>What challenges do you most have being the director of Oishi Media?</strong> <span style="font-size: large;">The hardest part, is working with people that already have worked with other directors in the Hollywood circle.</span> Only because they expect a lot more leniency, and more of a relaxed environment. <span style="font-size: large;">When I direct, it's more emotional and personal.</span> I try to get Actors and Actresses to feel what the character is feeling by using stronger words. Sometimes even having to offend them. But thats my job. To make sure that we capture your feelings and share them with the world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1300107330"></span><span id="goog_1300107331"></span></div><br />
<strong>What is Oishi Media's latest project?</strong> That would have to be<strong> Krystle Cruz's Video, "Fall out of Love."</strong> But we have more projects lined up for this first quarter of 2012 that should keep us on edge.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaNrW-bJ_U4/TvrBTgK2S4I/AAAAAAAAASo/w-VQDe2_Gcw/s1600/200174_1010532316578_1623095505_21548_7914_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaNrW-bJ_U4/TvrBTgK2S4I/AAAAAAAAASo/w-VQDe2_Gcw/s400/200174_1010532316578_1623095505_21548_7914_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dj Duel at the Roxy, Hollywood, Ca</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>Your support to the Filam talents are overwhelming, what do you like the most about the Filams?</strong> <span style="font-size: large;">Filipinos in general are hardworking and amazingly talented people.</span> Its our duty to showcase those who don't have the means to do so. I mean talent is a God Given gift, wouldn't it be irresponsible to not show this gift to the World? I mean, show that you appreciate the talent that God has given you.<br />
<br />
<strong>What do you like the most about the Filipino Culture?</strong> Mannerisms. We are very mannered people. <span style="font-size: large;">We have respect, loyalty, and Love for our family, friends, and kababayan.</span><br />
<strong>Do you still visit</strong> <strong>Philippines?</strong> I haven't been there in so long. The last time I was in the Philippines we visited our family in Quezon City, and my mother's hometown, "Santa Cruz, Zambales."<br />
<br />
<strong>What is your favorite Filipino Dish?</strong> <span style="font-size: large;">This sounds crazy but I love a good Lechon. Nothing beats the taste of Filipino-cooked baboy. Especially if it's whole.</span> If not that, then Laing. You can taste the flavor of the Philippines in every bite. from the Coconut milk, to the Taro leaves, to the signature chili. it's wonderful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5i3rLcWBbmw/TvrARoUaWxI/AAAAAAAAASc/SFS8LpB3K2g/s1600/38316_415837474348_355410199348_4402733_2832834_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5i3rLcWBbmw/TvrARoUaWxI/AAAAAAAAASc/SFS8LpB3K2g/s200/38316_415837474348_355410199348_4402733_2832834_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>Success with Oishi Media is...</strong> <span style="font-size: large;">showing that not all Filipinos need to be bound to traditional occupations.</span> We showcase Filipino artists to prove that with hardwork, your talents can help your goals become achievable. And at the same time showing that we are a media group making it in the business.<br />
<br />
<strong>Happiness to you is...</strong> <span style="font-size: large;">finding inspiration in everything. It helps you find that Drive in your heart to chase the things you love.</span><br />
<strong>Working, what is your biggest pet peeve? </strong>Tardiness.<span style="font-size: large;"> I have a thing about being on time, and when people are late, it really urks me. LOL </span><br />
<strong>Did you have anyone that inspire you become who you are now? </strong><span style="font-size: large;">My Mother</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">She raised my sister and I on her own, and always believed in us. She never pressured me to be anyone else but myself.</span><br />
<strong>To the young FilAms who want to make it in the industry what advise do you have for them?</strong> Work hard. If it was easy, it wouldn't be fun...!!!!--<a href="https://www.facebook.com/140Melanie#!/140Melanie?sk=info" target="_blank">MaG</a><br />
_____________________________________________</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>All photos courtesy of <a href="http://oishimedia.com/" target="_blank">Oishi Media</a>, All Rights Reserved</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OISHIMEDIA?v=info&ref=ts&sk=info" target="_blank">Oishi Media</a> Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/oishimedia" target="_blank">@oishimedia</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/DjDueL" target="_blank">@DjDuel</a><br />
Return to <a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/">http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/</a><br />
</div></div></div>thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-34520551243297513552011-11-25T22:43:00.000-08:002014-01-19T10:05:19.906-08:00November 2011 The Filipino-American Story: Remil aka @Limer35 a Foodie at Heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1djKEEpDAXYp9SozD-rvIY1xCI1ulysIJCpOUnQyTRHoFs6mZrbBW7w-CrOQnZ5MIefbAcwFgFvkM8vtdEu2nj_H0dcziUJnRzjWHyfSNTzbH0rvuuT2UijmJ1isYwZaB3xPogiCiOBo8/s1600/RIMEL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1djKEEpDAXYp9SozD-rvIY1xCI1ulysIJCpOUnQyTRHoFs6mZrbBW7w-CrOQnZ5MIefbAcwFgFvkM8vtdEu2nj_H0dcziUJnRzjWHyfSNTzbH0rvuuT2UijmJ1isYwZaB3xPogiCiOBo8/s400/RIMEL.jpg" hda="true" height="400" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rimel in front of M. Wells, New York</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/limer35" target="_blank">@Limer35</a> caught my eye a year ago when I was still tweeting via <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/buyfilipino" target="_blank">@buyfilipino</a> for my former magazine publication, <strong><a href="http://filipinoclassifieds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Filipino Classifieds</a></strong> in Sacramento.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was tweeting a picture of rows and rows of puto (filipino ricecakes) that he just finished cooking!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They looked so inviting! So I started looking at his timeline and saw more and more tweets about food! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course I had to follow him! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I moved here in San Diego and sold the Filipino Classifieds Magazine and started the The Filipino-American Website and of course first thing I thought when I created the twitter for @thefilam was to follow my favorite tweeters and of top the list was @Limer35. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">@Limer35 though has never admitted it, is a foodie at heart!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It is about time that we get to know better the man behind this mouth watering tweets and blogs! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Do you mind telling us your name? </strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My name is Remil. It’s Limer backwards.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>You are currently living in LA, where you born in Manila?</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I currently live in West Covina, CA. It has a very large Filipino population, so I feel very much at home. I was born in Malabon, just north of Manila. My family and I moved to California when I was 9 years old.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Your blog is called <a href="http://pinoypanda.posterous.com/" target="_blank">Pinoy Panda</a>...where did it come from?</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was actually given to me by other food bloggers who have become real good friends of mine. There are several "panda" bloggers out there. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>You always seem to be twitting about food, are you in the industry or is this just really a hobby or passion of yours? </strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not in the industry, but I did however cater Filipino food for several years. I stopped about five years ago because it got to be too much. My weekends was spent just cooking & cleaning and I began to miss just spending time with family and friends.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6oUpZy___xuxpJnYvxVQQZNKRUaXP6UHxOgukGOXldhUbSitNf172X3CRomdj3eBm34PHYCGkqxtJBpr7OiLdo5qrcVImo2HeQwkH5D7asXtr80Jltn6zk3GHXslHh1mctk9RO_UxUUj/s1600/RIMEL2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6oUpZy___xuxpJnYvxVQQZNKRUaXP6UHxOgukGOXldhUbSitNf172X3CRomdj3eBm34PHYCGkqxtJBpr7OiLdo5qrcVImo2HeQwkH5D7asXtr80Jltn6zk3GHXslHh1mctk9RO_UxUUj/s320/RIMEL2.jpg" hda="true" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Chef Eric Ripert at Le Bernardin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Your blog and tweets have so many good pictures of food, do you always bring a good camera or do you plan your trips?</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t have a fancy DSLR like my food blogger friends. I just have my Sony point & shoot and my trusty new iPhone 4S.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>How did your interest about food start?</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It started about two years ago when I happen upon <strong>Jaden Hair’s <a href="http://steamykitchen.com/" target="_blank">Steamy Kitchen</a> blog</strong>. From there, I began to discover the world of food blogging. This led to twitting and actually meeting the many bloggers who's food blogs I read on a daily basis. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>When did you get the idea of blogging about it?</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I really didn’t have a desire to start a food blog. But my food blogger friends kept on insisting that I start one. So I experimented with one on Posterous. </span><span style="font-size: small;">I have only three blog posts and have been too busy to post more. You’ll find more of my food escapades on my Twitter feed. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eventually I will concentrate on my food blog.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Which came first blogging or the tweeting...</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Tweeting came first. Experimental blogging just started in June of this year. I do hope to post more.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>If you are not in the food industry what do you do for a living?</strong></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am a contract analyst for the second largest school district in the country. I know…boring right? It pays the bills and my foodie escapades. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>When do you find time to go check out all these places, is it a daily, weekly thing or do you just randomly go?</strong> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">I randomly go after work usually and on the weekends. I check tweets on what's new out there and my friends & I check them out.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Being a foodie, do you still have a favorite food?</strong> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love all foods and it’s hard to pick just one.</span> I’m currently discovering all things Korean food.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>What is your ultimate favorite filipino dish, ultimate favorite dessert?</strong> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">My favorite is actually Torta with Sayote. It’s been my favorite since I was a child when my grandmother would cook it for me. They say that that’s all that I would eat.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Are you<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cooking Filipino food this thanksgiving? </strong></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Funny you ask that question really. Thanksgiving is the only holiday that I prefer that Filipino food not be served. This is my only qwirk. It (Filipino food) somehow does not match with the holiday.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, I love all the traditional Filipino foods to be served during Christmas. On our Noche Buena table, the following must be included: Jamon China, Queso de Bola, Pan de Sal, Sopas, Ube Halaya, Kutsinta and Suman.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><strong>What are your top Filipino places to eat in your area?</strong> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://pinoypanda.posterous.com/a-food-bloggers-lunch-at-pondahan" target="_blank">Pondahan Fusion Restaurant Café & Bar</a> in West Covina is my favorite Filipino restaurant. </span>It’s not a “turo-turo” type restaurant. You can sit, place your order and enjoy the company of your friends and family. It’s somewhere you can bring non-Filipinos to and not have it feel like a cafeteria. <span style="font-size: large;">If I had to go to a “turo-turo” type of restaurant, I would chose Ito Ay Atin Restaurant in West Covina. They have the best selection around and they open early at 6:45 am</span> for that early Kare-Kare fix.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Do you still visit Philippines?</strong> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">I try to visit the Philippines on a yearly basis. But with my work schedule lately, I haven’t been able to visit since 2009.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>What part of being Filipino are most proud of?</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">I am very proud of my Filipino heritage. Our hospitality to one another and to others is unmatched.</span> This is the feeling I get whenever I travel back home to Manila. No matter who you encounter, their first greeting to you is “have you eaten?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>What do you like the most about being Filipino-American?</strong></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"> It has definitly broaden my horizon. I am thankful of the many opportunities that I have been given. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Do you have any tips for all the food bloggers out there? </strong></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’m new at blogging. But I feel that pictures say a thousand words. That’s what grabs me into reading any blog.--<a href="https://www.facebook.com/melanieazcuna?ref=tn_tnmn#!/140Melanie?sk=info" target="_blank">MaG</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">_______________________________________________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Filipino-American</em></a><em> contact us to list your Fil-Am business, events or classifieds free.</em></span></div>
</div>
thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-5879854177875800882011-10-24T23:02:00.000-07:002011-10-25T00:50:06.855-07:00October 2011 The Filipino-American Story: FilAm Fest Chair Dennis-Michael Broussard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAr8XPCBbFMjKNrSKI-raQ0NMyzZY534kp03UifX1C4cBimOMiAvmhYRCUU8hMke0rpTwVG52CXdViKOd-1Y_qot_poLuBucsbN41h7TV2LS6rX643G0dSngYVGMjqOhypJksZYK_xWnk5/s1600/dmb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAr8XPCBbFMjKNrSKI-raQ0NMyzZY534kp03UifX1C4cBimOMiAvmhYRCUU8hMke0rpTwVG52CXdViKOd-1Y_qot_poLuBucsbN41h7TV2LS6rX643G0dSngYVGMjqOhypJksZYK_xWnk5/s200/dmb1.jpg" width="144" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis-Michael Broussard, Event Producer,<br />
Speaker, MC, Coach & Trainer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Congratulations Dennis-Michael on another successful year of the FilAm Fest! It looks like it just keep getting better and bigger!</span> I heard last year attracted 12 thousand people but this year, 20 thousand people, is this correct? What do you think made this event so huge and much better this year?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
This year, <strong>FilAmFest </strong>estimated attendance is somewhere around 17,000, but we don't have the final tally. Could be a little more, maybe a little less, but let's just say it was about that. This keeps getting bigger every year because every year we expand our marketing and outreach and having COX as a sponsor really helped in that effort, too, as they were playing our commercials. Additionally, the event was better because of a few reasons - our committee is getting better with experience and the planning process is getting smoother and easier every year. There are the hitches and bumps every year, but that comes with events on this size and scale. We also shifted the focus to be greater on traditional and cultural aspects and I think that was cause for greater interest and participation from the community. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>Being the Chair of the FilAmFest, how long does it take to prepare this size of an event?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">We start planning for the following year almost immediately after the event happens.</span> We do a wrap up meeting and discuss the good and the bad, what went right and what went wrong and how we can make it better next year. The first year I was a FilAmFest director, we did the event in four months. Now as chair, the committee knows that we need much more time than four months, so we start by the end of October of the previous year. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>How did you become the Chair of FilAmFest?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I became Chair of FilAmFest after serving as a director of the event for a few years. <span style="font-size: large;">My relationship with the the special events department in the City of San Diego as well as my personal contacts with sponsors is what puts me as chair for the event.</span> I am less involved with the operations as I once was, as I let the very capable committee deal with that, while I oversee the major decisions of the festival and help guide them in some areas where their expertise might be somewhat limited. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWUwh0lkdVo5W4nC7QIoIEnCJyPluRMDeJUMJfK_bNW4ZeOCE3SF8iG5rwrTkLNhhCVxEi2YmF5FcTDeU63g3wqEt5nN19HJKhuFtPoJm4ySC84dW_JLrXcGTSvATFlH0Ss6NNlXRMkwj/s1600/09122011+053+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWUwh0lkdVo5W4nC7QIoIEnCJyPluRMDeJUMJfK_bNW4ZeOCE3SF8iG5rwrTkLNhhCVxEi2YmF5FcTDeU63g3wqEt5nN19HJKhuFtPoJm4ySC84dW_JLrXcGTSvATFlH0Ss6NNlXRMkwj/s400/09122011+053+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chair Dennis-Michael at the Organizing Committee Meeting of FilAm Fest 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<strong>What do you want to do differently, if anything for next year's FilAmFest?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Differently? I would like to see FilAmFest continue its increasing focus on traditional and cultural facets. We are going to build on our relationships with the mainstream media, to reach out to more non-Filipinos, while at the same time, increase our outreach to other Filipino groups who we have not yet had a part of the FilAmFest. There is talk and interest in bringing carnival rides into the event, but we will see if that actually happens. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4KNawQNKzxdF-x7Bq1BUmCQv1TeMuKomA8Ecib7P5kcexALU_XgUbfQlUH4EXBPnwAeIfFC2OWN7QYy9KTAIgRdoY-LJmZ8srINnCLd5WKha6GTDScE23XsXAu3B5Ws0Bzb03Q0tDe7I/s1600/09122011+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4KNawQNKzxdF-x7Bq1BUmCQv1TeMuKomA8Ecib7P5kcexALU_XgUbfQlUH4EXBPnwAeIfFC2OWN7QYy9KTAIgRdoY-LJmZ8srINnCLd5WKha6GTDScE23XsXAu3B5Ws0Bzb03Q0tDe7I/s400/09122011+051.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FilAm Fest 2011 Organizing Committee Meeting</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>I have learned you are really active in the FilAm Community, what are your other projects this year?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am extremely active, not just in the Filipino community, but in the Asian American community in general.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">This fall season has been one of my busiest falls ever. My team did the Filipino Cultural Night Pre-Game Entertainment with the San Diego Padres; we created the AMP Music Festival (which is an Asian American out door music festival); I just came from San Francisco last weekend where I was directing an Economic Development Conference; I just completed some events with the San Diego Asian Film Festival; and my team is doing the Asian Business Association's Annual Dinner Gala Fund Raiser in November. </span>There are several other projects that happened this fall, but these were our biggest ones. I also created the Asian Cultural Festival, which we do in May, for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr-V2l2OMsG6gEj4IwWi67TgZPaTCuEwkV5d6nKK-j5IWV-e0nS_695VIfbLxogaONAvZGsdVlSM1JzUVlWnyNtc6FHObI_XNraJbZOMf_YseLhVi5qThIoI6Wf5uInK0B3Vr-ry_Hxrc/s1600/filamfest2011+064+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr-V2l2OMsG6gEj4IwWi67TgZPaTCuEwkV5d6nKK-j5IWV-e0nS_695VIfbLxogaONAvZGsdVlSM1JzUVlWnyNtc6FHObI_XNraJbZOMf_YseLhVi5qThIoI6Wf5uInK0B3Vr-ry_Hxrc/s400/filamfest2011+064+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filipino Food at FilAm Fest 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<strong>With a busy life in America how do you find time to all of this?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, this all why I am busy. It's finding the time to do other things that is the problem...like having a normal life! ;-)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>You are the owner of Silk Road Productions? Tell us about it?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.silkroadproductions.us/index.html">Silk Road Productions</a> is my event management and production firm. I started it as a side project when I was completing my second graduate program. I've been doing all of my events and projects under this banner and in the years that have passed, I have been able to expand and build a team of the most talented, capable, intelligent, and attractive team. Megia Chou, Cynthia Francisco, and Ruriko Sato have been instrumental in all of our major productions. We do it all. Festivals, conferences, parades, concerts, networking mixers, fund raisers, dinner galas, conventions, art shows, whatever the project is, we produce it. And we do it on two fronts, either for hire, or we create them ourselves. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>Are you born here in America?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was born in the USA, but before I can remember, we moved to the Asia-Pacific area. My father was in the US Navy so we bounced around quite a bit. I lived in the Philippines for a total of about six years. But I was very young.<br />
<br />
<strong>Where are your parents coming from in the Philippines?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My mother currently lives in Olongapo City. I have visited her there twice recently. My last visit was in March of this year and I got scuba certified while I was there - there isn't much to do in her town, so I was happy to have that experience there. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>I am sure you speak tagalog, do you also speak another dialect?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I actually do not speak tagalog anymore. I forgot it all while living in the United States. My family here didn't really encourage foreign languages, but I developed a penchant for exactly that - so I ended up studying Japanese, German, Spanish, Mandarin, and my current language fascination is with French. I don't speak any of those fluently, but I can get around well enough.<br />
<br />
<strong>What is your favorite Filipino Food?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I like chicken adobo and I think it is called Nilaga(?). The beef stew. I like a good pansit, but not the type with the thick egg noodles. And lechon. Gotta love a good lechon!<br />
<br />
<strong>What is your favorite Filipino Restaurant here in San Diego?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are a lot of good ones. Can't say I have a favorite yet!<br />
<br />
<strong>Being a FilAm, what part of our culture or traits are you most proud of?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Filipinos are a proud people. And Filipinos are a caring, open, and hospitable people. I didn't really identify with being Filipino when I was living and being raised in New Orleans. <span style="font-size: large;">It was not until very recently, after living in San Diego for a few years that I could identify and really feel as a part of the community. Their openness and friendliness is something I value.</span><br />
<strong>Did you have anyone that you consider as the main reason you are where you are now?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are any number of people who have been an influence on me that helped get me to where I am and to where I am going. Too many people to mention and I don't want to forget anyone. I'll just say there are many people who have been inspirational, influential, and motivational, and I appreciate them all.<br />
<br />
<strong>Do you still visit Philippines?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I do. I went for the first time in 20 years in 2009, and went again earlier this year. I plan on going again sometime in 2012.<br />
<br />
<strong>If there is one thing you want to say to our FilAm brothers and sisters who are trying to be successful here in America as well, what would it be?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pursue an education. Work hard. Network with and learn from people who do what you want to do. Don't let failure get you down. And always do the right thing. --</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.189425692114.133398.655777114&type=1#!/140Melanie?sk=info">MaG</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslTmcaTK7bEnsY0BZ5oxpQcGIsvypc2aW23VylReSHAVDsYL2f2QgHAhJi73kurJxheMJuRpWX6X9xnTSmRhxfu4UWbzUjQ9rlXtD8g6hOV5ehKx1-v4s5yGXvgy9dMuBEyenS7FLC9tz/s1600/287404_226226777432508_172432269478626_600640_244001164_o%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslTmcaTK7bEnsY0BZ5oxpQcGIsvypc2aW23VylReSHAVDsYL2f2QgHAhJi73kurJxheMJuRpWX6X9xnTSmRhxfu4UWbzUjQ9rlXtD8g6hOV5ehKx1-v4s5yGXvgy9dMuBEyenS7FLC9tz/s400/287404_226226777432508_172432269478626_600640_244001164_o%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FilAm Fest 2011 Organizing Committee, photo courtesy of FilAm Fest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<em>Contact us to list your FilAm business, events or classifieds free </em><a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/"><em>www.thefilipinoamerican.com</em></a><br />
_____________________________<br />
<a href="http://dennismichaelbroussard.com/">Dennis-Michael Broussard Homepage</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.silkroadproductions.us/">Silk Road Productions</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.filamfest.org/">FilAm Fest Homepage</a></div></div>thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-4178306286611995852011-10-15T23:44:00.000-07:002011-10-16T00:14:59.090-07:00REVIEW: Tita's Kitchenette-The Best Filipino Food Value in San Diego<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRHpETU99r7xQnkiCPCX29qvNa_H61gyrNKISykoWa51ZOI0z8z5f868GNbN7XDscX-l9rqiECybJBjDCsM7GIxptrnL95lyc1B0y0Xsa0uKvYUQneazTvYON5AiJDmAxIF44KMnIg1yJ/s1600/titaskichenette+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRHpETU99r7xQnkiCPCX29qvNa_H61gyrNKISykoWa51ZOI0z8z5f868GNbN7XDscX-l9rqiECybJBjDCsM7GIxptrnL95lyc1B0y0Xsa0uKvYUQneazTvYON5AiJDmAxIF44KMnIg1yJ/s400/titaskichenette+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tita's Kitchenette is a place where my teller (at the bank), Earlicia usually brings food for lunch and shares with me. She brings huge portions of bistek (beef with soy-sauce and onions) with rice and complimentary chicken soup. <br />
<br />
I always enjoyed them and been wanting to go there especially also because this was the first place recommended to me when I just moved here from Sacramento in November last year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, last Friday at 1pm I headed there with another co-worker. The place was not hard to find and when we got there the huge parking lot was filled with cars. Thank God, we went there to order to go! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This place is what we categorize in Philippines as Carenderia. You go there and there is a line of steaming hot entrees that you pick from and a staff will place them for you in a styrofore and at the end of the line you in pay. In cash! There must be at least a dozen entrees and the staff were very fast and all business, no smiles or welcome just straight to taking orders. No one complains because the service is quick, the place is really clean and mostly people go there just to pick up their food. Don't get me wrong this place was still filled with diners.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since one of my staff back at work requested for pork adobo, that automatically was my first pick. I had to </div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwLC_cHUhhptowpFcQOc5PvrZgpBqnemh7XacDg0M9wARbUWseQKeBMBFAbJvOFswzjfyn-dlvRdauXaJGN0sC_ty5M4EuOA8-9Kkw1O9BUL-LWu4t6NAUctsDUkVK0Q_VKoQwNR_oC21/s1600/titaskichenette+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwLC_cHUhhptowpFcQOc5PvrZgpBqnemh7XacDg0M9wARbUWseQKeBMBFAbJvOFswzjfyn-dlvRdauXaJGN0sC_ty5M4EuOA8-9Kkw1O9BUL-LWu4t6NAUctsDUkVK0Q_VKoQwNR_oC21/s400/titaskichenette+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice and Pork Adobo</td></tr>
</tbody></table> pick my choices quick because the staff that was serving me definitely had that sense of urgency in her face.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They had beef caldereta that day, bopis (diced pork liver, lung & heart with spices), roasted chicken which was being done in open fire right there, fried tilapia (fish) and dinuguan (pork's blood with vinegar) among other stuff.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I picked the grilled squid, bihon (chow mien) and they offered to give me complimentary chicken soup!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the end of the line is another dozen or more of already packed different kinds of desserts and delicacies to choose from.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I asked the cashier if they indeed sell lechon (roasted pork) in this place and she said they do during weekends starting at noon. She said I could even call ahead so they may put aside for me since it runs out really quick. They also accept orders of whole lechon just like they accomodate orders for party trays of entrees for your special occassion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzzLJGd46VYcEmdexvZO6bjf4eoduonoCELie9810FW-SZr-P8gSUP4dHtIWDyFXwC5eUc46xc7BS15sY2tm4CJhKBNsH0Jkw_zEfGdjhKgIzShbCxSQTHX13P-Cv_Cdu6iKelNxqxQTM/s1600/titaskichenette+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzzLJGd46VYcEmdexvZO6bjf4eoduonoCELie9810FW-SZr-P8gSUP4dHtIWDyFXwC5eUc46xc7BS15sY2tm4CJhKBNsH0Jkw_zEfGdjhKgIzShbCxSQTHX13P-Cv_Cdu6iKelNxqxQTM/s400/titaskichenette+010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled Squid with Vinegar and Diced Fresh Green Onions</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">For everything that I ordered, I only paid $10.45. I think it was considered a 2 entree plate with steamed rice (being the huge portion of pork adobo as 1 side and the squid as the other) and bihon (chow mien) as an extra order. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The food definitely didn't disappoint me or my co-worker. He loved the pork adobo so much and I loved the squid. Everything tasted just like home cooked meal straight from a family kitchen in the Philippines.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLg7cl_Ome-uEVsx-r3O2wKPPDBX0PzLjQG89XcyAv8BcNk0a65qY5oLv0cdUfjoz9raRloqIfHmzKLKKJmgLCY6NtIGMQK8PAwT-EBtTtMC55La5xLHK3-v5ayp0RwNLrWmgzG8xEFJF/s1600/titaskichenette+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLg7cl_Ome-uEVsx-r3O2wKPPDBX0PzLjQG89XcyAv8BcNk0a65qY5oLv0cdUfjoz9raRloqIfHmzKLKKJmgLCY6NtIGMQK8PAwT-EBtTtMC55La5xLHK3-v5ayp0RwNLrWmgzG8xEFJF/s400/titaskichenette+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tita's Kitchenette's Menu<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">With this kind of price and quality of food it looks like I may hardly want to go through all that trouble of cooking Filipino Food especially when there is only me who will eat at home. Service is very quick too!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtjAqE4mq8DS4Eh9lwHifW_yQhR0mtVqV6K6gAnKo8W4fMTnVFSm5vsrazPjlPUcxUsaIm-Tv0ORBnd47zCTrexL2-izsjOJmcsmjo5zEgKEAavJbo67PUiBFntTrrj2xcmWPIIeMAxoT/s1600/titaskichenette+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtjAqE4mq8DS4Eh9lwHifW_yQhR0mtVqV6K6gAnKo8W4fMTnVFSm5vsrazPjlPUcxUsaIm-Tv0ORBnd47zCTrexL2-izsjOJmcsmjo5zEgKEAavJbo67PUiBFntTrrj2xcmWPIIeMAxoT/s400/titaskichenette+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork Menudo</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Tita's Kitchenette's take away menu says it is known for best barbecue chicken or pork and toron (banana wrapped with lumpia wrappers and glazed with sugar) and I believe it! Toron is one of my favorite delicacy from Philippines and theirs is really crispy and just has the perfect taste!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUnWqyBKRCXOJ8_eTHXBRb7Y4GKYVdd-1iqTlUT9EXYiDMrLlCiy48iQFCVWF5GxhP7rpg-iM0FZ04VluACuOZqy_CgTbAmCxRzZCRw_q6OgFEBgel5vmnKtlZ8r5c3VkN5r73mEnbe50/s1600/titaskichenette+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUnWqyBKRCXOJ8_eTHXBRb7Y4GKYVdd-1iqTlUT9EXYiDMrLlCiy48iQFCVWF5GxhP7rpg-iM0FZ04VluACuOZqy_CgTbAmCxRzZCRw_q6OgFEBgel5vmnKtlZ8r5c3VkN5r73mEnbe50/s400/titaskichenette+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tita's Kitchenette's Selection for the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">And if you want a formal place to eat with the same quality of food, Tita's has branched out and opened also T2 Filipino Fusion which I should be putting a review up soon!--<a href="https://www.facebook.com/thefilam#!/140Melanie?sk=info">MaG</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">______________</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tita's Kitchenette</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2720 E Plaza Blvd Suite E</div><div style="text-align: justify;">National City Ca 91950</div><div style="text-align: justify;">tel 619-472-5801</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Contact us to list your FilAm business, event or classifieds free. <a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/">www.thefilipinoamerican.com/</a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div>thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-31258122485226419072011-09-29T19:08:00.000-07:002011-09-29T22:09:00.532-07:00September 2011 The Filipino-American Story:Singer/Songwriter and Producer Jesse Barrera<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally!<strong> The Filipino-American</strong> Story is featuring an artist from San Diego! Thanks a lot to <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/graciemac">Gracienne</a> who introduced me to the young yet very talented Jesse Barrera!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcYVoxcvP45lt0Ik0Eo3ElqtanMFLDQeFoVyGxUhuJGeRbrzP2vNLAWgFxbBSSolppGGaig9l56R1ykT7z6JSNpKEcp1MSLSPNVJHFHXJWTZs5B4FxS9tCIsvwuP1503O8L3VQUZBAfN4/s1600/300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcYVoxcvP45lt0Ik0Eo3ElqtanMFLDQeFoVyGxUhuJGeRbrzP2vNLAWgFxbBSSolppGGaig9l56R1ykT7z6JSNpKEcp1MSLSPNVJHFHXJWTZs5B4FxS9tCIsvwuP1503O8L3VQUZBAfN4/s400/300.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Congratulations Jesse on your latest EP that was out just this September 23rd! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>So tell me how did you come up with the title, You'll Feel Alive? </strong><br />
<strong> </strong>Well to make it short, The EP I wanted to put out was a fun, upbeat summer album. An album you could listen to on the freeway with the windows rolled down. I had written a summer anthem which had the lyrics "You'll Feel Alive" in them and felt that it represented the overall vibe of the record. So I went with it. It's pretty self explanatory. I want listeners to FEEL alive, and feel their spirits lifted after listening to the tunes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>How did this EP start?</strong><br />
Whenever I write songs.. It's usually an impromptu experience. Usually happens late at night when most of the creative events in my life occur. So at a certain point I had realized that I was coming up on a good amount of songs I wanted to put out. It had been about a year since I had released a record so I was definitely DUE for a release. So I picked a few songs I thought were worthy to share with the world and decided to start tracking the disc.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGllCCT0oYZ2tN09dLSWFA81HBR2qfDehHMJ_tbgce57DdH5lU4gmqRKABn4OU5ZS-Nh82m3IlIVjullHkosnESTCTjSUZSm8Fhn4KyV0PyGGytw84VHoaqnXJ6xIP2PdWo4ABSDExCr5/s1600/325803554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGllCCT0oYZ2tN09dLSWFA81HBR2qfDehHMJ_tbgce57DdH5lU4gmqRKABn4OU5ZS-Nh82m3IlIVjullHkosnESTCTjSUZSm8Fhn4KyV0PyGGytw84VHoaqnXJ6xIP2PdWo4ABSDExCr5/s400/325803554.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll Feel Alive Single</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>How long did it take you complete the whole thing, from writing the songs to recording, engineering and putting the packages together? </strong>About a year to write and 3 months to track. I produce records as<br />
well, so any down time I had, I spent tracking the record. As forputting the packages together. I just slaved in my room with a printer and a bunch of shipping packages for two days. Definitely beats an office job or a regular 9-5.. Just knowing that people appreciate what I do. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>I have lot of respect for artists like you. When did you actually realize that you were going to be a singer and songwriter? Did one come first? <span style="font-size: large;">I started writing songs when I was about 15. Most of the songs I had written were for a band that I played in for about seven years called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_American_Heart">My American Heart</a></span></strong>. <strong><span style="font-size: large;">There was just a moment that I realized I was kind of good at it when people started telling me they enjoyed what I was writing. I'd definitely say that I'm a songwriter, before I say that I'm a singer.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>I have also learned, that you were a part of a band before under a label can you tell us about it?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I could honestly write a novel about this. But to keep it short. It has shaped the person I am today. I have experienced things lots of people could never experience their entire lives and I'm incredibly humbled and blessed by everything we had accomplished. We were shelved near the end of our recording contract and reached a stalemate with our label owner. So we disbanded not because we couldn't stand each other but we just had no hope in our career together after that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>As an artist, tell me what are some of the accomplishments that you are really and happy and proud of? </strong><br />
Being able to tour the world for several years and obviously being able to work with amazing artists every day of my life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>If you don't mind my asking, and your fans - How old are you?</strong><br />
Just turned 24 in August.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>In performing, what kind of events do you love to perform the most?</strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I love playing in small intimate venues with my band. 300-500 cap rooms.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>You are producing for some young Filipino-American talents recently is<br />
this true?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is true. But not just Fil-AM's. I produce EVERY KIND of human. Haha.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm currently working on <a href="http://www.jeremypassion.com/">Jeremy Manongdo's (aka Passion)</a> record. It's scheduled for a Winter release.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>What are your future plans?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Make records for as long as I live. Simple as that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>Do you have any intentions of just focusing one (producing or singing)? </strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I definitely don't see myself performing with my guitar when I'm 40. That's for sure. Producing and making records is definitely where my<br />
heart is.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>What made you choose this path?</strong>When I realized it's the only thing I'm really good at.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Do you still speak tagalog?</strong>Sadly I don't, mainly because when I was younger my parents had split<br />
up and my step dad was italian. Tagalog was never really spoken in my<br />
house.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8xinhyphenhyphenNUMqdZOWwwRbXzety0mf8SG2wx5h0s9UOqaSNGxL-Bi2cPaRPJqwfW_98P0OeJkEt8RGkfQ6bpQK_1fDxTraTINdBxxT9kxjc36aHLOqb-7KHcWU61bpbPmoHC6ugehr1mW8Y4/s1600/photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8xinhyphenhyphenNUMqdZOWwwRbXzety0mf8SG2wx5h0s9UOqaSNGxL-Bi2cPaRPJqwfW_98P0OeJkEt8RGkfQ6bpQK_1fDxTraTINdBxxT9kxjc36aHLOqb-7KHcWU61bpbPmoHC6ugehr1mW8Y4/s400/photo.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>Where are your parents from in the Philippines?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cavite</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>You are born here in San Diego, correct?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>Have you been to the Philippines?</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes. I went once when I was about 5 or 6. No one ever explained the<br />
concept of JET LAG to me. So I ended up waking at odd times and crying<br />
everyday. But I mean.. I was a crybaby in general when I was a kid.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>At home is it more Filipino Food or American?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both. I love all kinds of food.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>What is your favorite Filipino dish?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm gonna go with the standard and say Chicken Adobo. But I DO love<br />
filipino breakfast. (tosilog, tapsilog, etc)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>As a Filipino-American, what is that you love most about our culture or you can say, this is why I am proud to be Filam! ?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">One thing I noticed about our culture is that were all very supportive of each other. If one person is making it, we all are. We always root for each other and want our brothers and sisters to<br />
succeed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>As an independent and yet really popular FilAm talent, who can you say you are most grateful to?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My mom and my older sister. They both are registered nurses but have supported me 110% with my decision to pursue music as a career.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Is there anyone look up to and say...that is my nemesis or that is who<br />
I hope to be?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No nemesis here. I love everybody. But I do look up to lots of my<br />
musicians who are friends that are making a big and positive impact to<br />
the music industry.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<strong>As a very young artist, what advice can you give for the young FilAms with talents who are also trying to make a name of their own out there?</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are no guidelines in life and if you really want something, go and get it. Doesn't matter HOW you get there, as long as you know you're giving it your all - don't quit. Constantly work hard, keep your eye on the prize and the rest will come. Don't conform to what society asks of you. Be yourself and make it happen. Oh, and SMILE</span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Thank you Jesse for my signed album I enjoy listening to it everyday in my car, good luck and wish you all the best!!!--<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Filipino-American/135044773213331#!/140Melanie">MaG</a></span><br />
<br />
___________________________<br />
<a href="http://www.jessebarrera.com/">Official Jesse Barrera</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=562320133">Jesse Barrera on Facebook</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/jessebarrera">Follow Jesse on Twitter</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/jessebarrera">Jesse Barrera on YOUTUBE</a></div></div>thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-55216458937371642092011-09-07T19:48:00.000-07:002011-09-07T21:30:16.849-07:00TheFilAm Answers: Studying in the Philippines to Avoid Getting Into Debt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A young FilAm wrote us a question....and so I will try my best to answer it and if you feel you a feedback as well to share please do!<br />
<br />
<em>"I'm a Filipino high school student here in CA and I'm on my senior year. I just have a question regarding going back to school in the Philippines to study nursing there. Can I go to the Philippines and study nursing there as opposed to studying in here? I don't want to have a 50k debt once I finish nursing here that's why I'm considering studying in the Philippines.</em><br />
<em>Thanks"- MC</em><br />
<br />
<strong>I think it is a very smart move to go to Philippines and study nursing!</strong> As far as I know the education from the Philippines is recognized here ( I know mine is), the only thing that you need to do (after finishing Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is pass the test here in America called I believe <a href="http://www.cgfns.org/">CGFNS</a>. This test will validate that your knowledge learned in the Philippines passed the criteria here in America.<br />
<br />
If you are American Citizen then you need a student visa to go to the Philippines and study. This allows you to stay for longer period of times without being required to leave the country. To apply for a visa to the Philippines, please contact/visit the <a href="http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/">Philippine Consular Office</a> for details.<br />
<br />
I also suggest asking Registered Nurses that recently migrated here from the Philippines I am sure they will have more accurate answers for you on what to to do!<br />
<br />
I hope that helps, Good Luck!--<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Filipino-American/135044773213331#!/pages/Melanie-Garcia/217778371589563?sk=info">MaG</a></div>thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-31778872167632754222011-08-17T23:48:00.000-07:002011-08-18T22:32:55.681-07:00August 2011 The Filipino-American Story: Hollywood Celebrity Photographer Sthanlee B. Mirador<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTqMQ4POJwu8v8LuQKiex8wtgcRnrHQPlQ0xbyJWTUaAfEYic7ahr44UdDEwc60_EVNinNDf2SxJTJi0fBTVpaNuPUCtyF-ZxOgsBaLYJrzJMGiJQ6ny6MWdnh0DT5ZqFJTBKDplsWDqr/s1600/DSC_7006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTqMQ4POJwu8v8LuQKiex8wtgcRnrHQPlQ0xbyJWTUaAfEYic7ahr44UdDEwc60_EVNinNDf2SxJTJi0fBTVpaNuPUCtyF-ZxOgsBaLYJrzJMGiJQ6ny6MWdnh0DT5ZqFJTBKDplsWDqr/s400/DSC_7006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_vjvnob="164" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sthanlee B. Mirador-August 2o11 The Filipino-American Story</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="191" closure_uid_kaufaz="140" closure_uid_uz7mma="131"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="199" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_5g0rol="120" closure_uid_c1b74="317">Patricio Ginelsa (July 2011's The Filipino-American Story) was not wrong in nominating you. Reading about you I find very much a Filipino in the sense that you are so multi-talented! </span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="199" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_5g0rol="120" closure_uid_c1b74="317">So acting, dancing, directing, creating short films, and photography, which one came to you first?</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="199" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="233" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="346" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, growing up I went to a performing arts school in <strong>San Diego</strong> called San Diego School</span> of Creative and Performing Arts Mabel E. O’Farrell. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="233" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_5g0rol="122" closure_uid_c1b74="348" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There I was exposed to acting and dancing. We didn’t have Physical Education so Dance was our PE. And yes, I had to learn tap, jazz, ballet, and hip hop back then. A lot of my friends including my teacher at SDCPA Mabel E. O’Farrell were actors and were in movies and TV shows. Because of that I became interested in the entertainment industry. I wanted to be in movies and TV too. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_5g0rol="123" closure_uid_c1b74="349" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In high school, I was involved with theater and performed a lot at the Poway Center of the Performing Arts. Growing up I realized that acting wasn’t my thing. I was doing it because my friends were doing it and actually it was making me popular. I then became more interested in the production side of it whether it was film or theater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched a lot of Steven Spielberg films growing up and he inspired me to want to make films. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div closure_uid_c1b74="351" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="352" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In high school I took my very first video production class. I started making short films with my relatives and for my video class. I wanted to go to UCLA for film school, but since I got rejected from UCLA and got accepted to UC Irvine I had to take a different route in what I wanted to do in life and later found my passion into photography. </span></span></span></div><div closure_uid_c1b74="351" closure_uid_uz7mma="175" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div closure_uid_c1b74="351" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="352" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>How did you find your way to Hollywood?</strong></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div closure_uid_uz7mma="171"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="234" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span closure_uid_c1b74="234" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_uz7mma="170" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ha! ha! I went through many obstacles to get where I want to be (Hollywood).</span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="234" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span closure_uid_c1b74="282"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Growing up I've always wanted to work in the Entertainment Industry doing anything whether it was working in production or directing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="282"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First year in college, I never really had any guidance or knew anyone to look up to that will help me break into the industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what I would do on my spare time, is do some research on what is being filmed in the Orange County and Long Beach area by looking in the production section of the Hollywood Reporter and find out where TV and movies are being filmed at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what I would do is sneak into the sets to learn the process of filmmaking, watch behind the scenes and network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div closure_uid_c1b74="358" style="text-align: justify;"><div closure_uid_uz7mma="182"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span closure_uid_c1b74="357"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong closure_uid_5g0rol="124">Since I was UCLA reject for film school, and UC Irvine I never really had a good Film Production program, sneaking on the sets was a way for me to learn and educate myself in film production</strong>.<span closure_uid_uz7mma="176" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><br />
<div closure_uid_uz7mma="178"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="357"><span closure_uid_uz7mma="177" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first set I snuck onto was a TV show called "Melrose Place" filmed in Long Beach at a hotel. I pretended I was a hotel guest and walked around the set when the crew was on their lunch break.<span closure_uid_uz7mma="179" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">An AD (Assistant Director) came up to me asking if I was an extra and I said no and the AD asked if I wanted to become an extra for the day. So I said YES</span> and became part of a wedding scene that took place in the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB29JF94tmmSnpWtkNMT2kDswyU09U0mLN7CyllC2PlQxiBdbTqzi4jhimeB1IrgJ8efvgvbWmg1U0DggJsjKPvdgVIB4paW_KbOzF1-yYcERxd1Nac3VpO4_X7kk_sVFosT3xYZaoE2UQ/s1600/melroseplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="152" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB29JF94tmmSnpWtkNMT2kDswyU09U0mLN7CyllC2PlQxiBdbTqzi4jhimeB1IrgJ8efvgvbWmg1U0DggJsjKPvdgVIB4paW_KbOzF1-yYcERxd1Nac3VpO4_X7kk_sVFosT3xYZaoE2UQ/s400/melroseplace.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_c1b74="390" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Melrose Place-Sthanlee's first extra role</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div closure_uid_c1b74="293" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Being on the set gave me the opportunity to network and ask crew questions on how things work and what their position is.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the day, I was given a Non-Union voucher so I can be paid and they told me that I should sign up with a Background Talent agency so I can work on other sets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I did, and started becoming a Background Talent for Movies and TV Shows. </span></span></div><div closure_uid_c1b74="391" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Being on the set I became interested in the Still Photographer’s job. During my freshman year in college I started photographing and documenting college events. Since I wanted to stick into the whole entertainment industry and wanting to photograph celebrities I started doing my research and finding out where Hollywood event and premieres are being held at. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div closure_uid_c1b74="394" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="392"><span closure_uid_5g0rol="125" closure_uid_uz7mma="184" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again I relied on the Hollywood Reporter to provide me info on upcoming Hollywood events and a contact number to where I can book myself into these events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong closure_uid_uz7mma="183">Back then I had no clue on how I would get into events and that I needed a publication or assignment to cover the</strong> <strong>premieres.</strong><span closure_uid_c1b74="393" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what I did was I lied my way into these events and pretend I work for a certain publication that never existed and got myself booked into photographing Hollywood Events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div closure_uid_c1b74="580"><div closure_uid_5g0rol="134"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span closure_uid_5g0rol="133" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The first event I ever covered was the Re-mastered "Star Wars" Premiere in Westwood.</strong> From then on I started getting myself cleared into more and more Premieres, award shows and Hollywood parties. From all the events I covered I was building my portfolio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time I was doing Background Talent work and working as a Production Assistant on sets. <strong>As a freshman in college I would do anything, whether it is sneaking or lying my way into the entertainment industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong></span></div></div></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_5g0rol="135" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As years passed by and concentrating with school at the same time, I've learned a lot from being on the set and kept in contact with certain people I've worked with and built my celebrity photo portfolio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="395" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I graduated from college in 2001, I wanted to take the Celebrity Photography to a higher level and wanted to see my work published in magazines and books.<span closure_uid_c1b74="396" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>It took me 3 years for someone to notice my work.</strong> </span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="395"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2003, a photo editor on the line who happens to be Fil-Am named <strong>Michael Anthony Hermogeno</strong> have seen my work and told me to sign up with the photo agency he works for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I applied for a photographer position at a photo agency called Shooting Star International Photo Agency, which is one of the oldest Celebrity Photo Agency in Hollywood and got the job on spot because they were really impressed with my portfolio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><div closure_uid_vjvnob="196"><span closure_uid_5g0rol="136" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At that time, agencies were in that transition from switching from film cameras to digital cameras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I knew Adobe photoshop and worked with a lot of digital images in college, transforming into digital photoragphy became easy to me. Photographers who were working for Shooting Star for years had a hard time transitioning themselves into the digital world because they didn’t know how to use photoshop and work on the computer when they were so used to having their film being developed and working on their slides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div closure_uid_vjvnob="196"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWlQna3GaRxBwwCqZtZpM8XZtJuy4fiTwgKm6gtEOufGsI8dQqqzrFg1ZS1mfBpV1MLOxy6-n5UuksZfSKLNbbNstdJrn0LfyCe5g7Dmt_9tktPK3bNtmBYBmiCoaAc0ylsxHbpBpE7PI/s1600/Bebot2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWlQna3GaRxBwwCqZtZpM8XZtJuy4fiTwgKm6gtEOufGsI8dQqqzrFg1ZS1mfBpV1MLOxy6-n5UuksZfSKLNbbNstdJrn0LfyCe5g7Dmt_9tktPK3bNtmBYBmiCoaAc0ylsxHbpBpE7PI/s400/Bebot2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Eyed Peas: Bebot Production</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div closure_uid_vjvnob="196"><br />
</div></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="398" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because of my skills, I moved my way to the top in a matter of weeks and was assigned to covering more big Hollywood Events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The photographers who worked for Shooting Star for years end up leaving because I was given the better events and they felt they were in competition with me. I felt bad because I was taking over their position and I respected them for being in the business for so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it wasn’t up to me in what events I cover, it was up to the assignment editor and the head of the agency, so ever since till this day, I’ve been covering all the major Award Shows, movie premieres to major Hollywood Celebrity events. </span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><div closure_uid_uz7mma="186"><span closure_uid_uz7mma="185" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My work can be seen published in magazines domestically and internationally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My work has graced the covers of magazines, to books, posters and can also be seen in the Entertainment News Channels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the side I still do a little production work with friends who are aspiring Directors, Producers and Artists and build this big relationship with those I’ve became good friends with. </span></div></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="401" closure_uid_uz7mma="190" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="403" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="400"><span closure_uid_uz7mma="187" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From time to time I would do Still Photography on some independent film sets and music videos. <strong closure_uid_5g0rol="138" closure_uid_uz7mma="188">I’ve had the pleasure of working with <span style="font-size: large;">Director Patricio Ginelsa</span> on a couple of music video shoots especially the 2 Black Eyed Peas Music Videos The Apl Song and Bebot as a Still Photographer. I hope to someday work as a Still Photographer on major film sets and be able to travel all over the world during filming.</strong></span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="403" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fUG5kQyr7kgUT0jcez9KVxOqn-EGgsuiLHId5QJ3zUbP3oTxLlcTsJY1oT3qnXIQui1TNcUzqSY9mbOF6Xc82tKCjiDD2ZK0LWf61ARitaWgJ4ysAVkyZmJWZ1Iwx1xRmn1Bg0IrM31T/s1600/APL_Song.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fUG5kQyr7kgUT0jcez9KVxOqn-EGgsuiLHId5QJ3zUbP3oTxLlcTsJY1oT3qnXIQui1TNcUzqSY9mbOF6Xc82tKCjiDD2ZK0LWf61ARitaWgJ4ysAVkyZmJWZ1Iwx1xRmn1Bg0IrM31T/s400/APL_Song.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_c1b74="786" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Working with Black Eyed Peas </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="403" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="399" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="515" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="209" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b closure_uid_c1b74="208" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Are you born here in America?</b> </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_uz7mma="194" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="514" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="209" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="513" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was actually born at the Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines in 1978 and a year later came to America and settled in San Diego, CA.</span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_uz7mma="191" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="210" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Are your parents both from Philippines? Which part of the Philippines?</b> </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="210" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes both of my parents are from the Philippines. They are from Alaminos, Pangasinan.</span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="211" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I saw that you are an alumni of Poway High School, is that here in San Diego?</b> </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="211" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_uz7mma="195" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes I'm a Poway High School Alumni. Go Titans!</span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_uz7mma="196" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="212" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">When did you move to LA?</b> </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="212" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I graduated from High School, I went to college at UC Irvine from 1996-2001. Moved out of Orange County after I graduated from college and settled in the Hollywood area. </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="213" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Do you speak tagalog still?</b> </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="213" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t speak tagalog fluently but I can speak a little. But I do understand it though.</span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="214" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you been to the Philippines, do you still visit Philippines?</span></b></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="214" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes I’ve been to the Philippines. The last time I was there was back in 2006 I believe.</span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="215" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your favorite Filipino dish?</span></b></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="215" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love adobo, pork or chicken. Kare Kare, Pork Sinigang and Pinakbet. </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="216" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b closure_uid_c1b74="217" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How did you find your passion in Photography?</b> <span closure_uid_c1b74="219" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="516" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="216" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="219" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a freshman in college I was taking pictures for fun but then I realized the passion for it was when I realized that photographers can make a good living working on movie and TV sets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="218" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It sounds silly but how did you decide it’s going to be taking pictures of celebrities?</span></b></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84LQJwYRA_DqegHUQ9eJKLM41uEdKs6EQrxqrMXbAGIkKwF1YYQh7ndUrDCYTZYPWFtiG1x6QkUGexbDlgOnb7Cmjf8easUyDg2nDfEhbrJ3pIFtKmwQY98V_7dYcvJTzjM36KUoolwtP/s1600/202289_962993042155_9407407_49294735_7955581_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84LQJwYRA_DqegHUQ9eJKLM41uEdKs6EQrxqrMXbAGIkKwF1YYQh7ndUrDCYTZYPWFtiG1x6QkUGexbDlgOnb7Cmjf8easUyDg2nDfEhbrJ3pIFtKmwQY98V_7dYcvJTzjM36KUoolwtP/s400/202289_962993042155_9407407_49294735_7955581_o.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="218" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_5g0rol="139" closure_uid_c1b74="517" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I realized I love photographing people. I loved photographing and documenting Fil-Am artists who were up and coming back then such as One Voice, Kai, DnH, Premiere and many others. Then I started taking pictures of other Asian American artists and started getting my photos published in 2 big Asian-American magazines back then, A Magazine & Yolk. After covering my first Hollywood premiere which was the <strong closure_uid_5g0rol="140">Re-Mastered Star Wars Premiere</strong> I became more interested in celebrities. The fact of them being in front of you posing for you was so surreal for me at the time. I was like whoah it’s the real Han Solo, Princess Lea and Luke Skywalker. </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="220" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is a day like of a celebrity photographer? </span></b></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="220" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_5g0rol="141" closure_uid_uz7mma="198" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span closure_uid_uz7mma="197" style="font-size: large;">Oh man it’s a lot of waiting around till an event starts ha ha.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An event usually starts in the late afternoon depending what event it is. Shooting a movie premiere would last around 3-4 hours. An award Show usually starts mid-day and end later in the evening. It all depends what the event is. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After an event I’de usually grab something to eat for dinner and end up working all night till the later morning editing photos to meet morning deadlines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I end up sleeping around 6am in the morning and waking up at 12 noon the next day and prepare for that day's assignment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m usually working on other projects and assignments at the same time besides that one event. <strong>Everyday is a non-stop working day catching up on a lot of work and projects that pile up as the week goes by. </strong></span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td closure_uid_c1b74="578" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGncJc_E1etb5dKAnfBnLsaOVBQkI4j43I2lzn9P5iq417CNtY0BY6gaQtJSDu-AVZlr3_55N1OTn5ZSpjTcHBGFJhp7cBAqReW_ImcxIuNtAgoYmb-Kes6Xli9zbgFIFBmE1zv0QWmN_K/s1600/MeAtwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="297" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGncJc_E1etb5dKAnfBnLsaOVBQkI4j43I2lzn9P5iq417CNtY0BY6gaQtJSDu-AVZlr3_55N1OTn5ZSpjTcHBGFJhp7cBAqReW_ImcxIuNtAgoYmb-Kes6Xli9zbgFIFBmE1zv0QWmN_K/s400/MeAtwork.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sthanlee at work</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="581" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span closure_uid_c1b74="546" closure_uid_uz7mma="199">My job as a celebrity photographer is to document and photograph Hollywood events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only moments are to be captured at these events, but also headshots and the fashion of what they wear.<span closure_uid_uz7mma="200" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mind you I do not do any paparazzi work which is stalking and following celebrities. I get invited to cover red carpet events where we’re hired to photograph the talent up close and personal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></strong></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="221" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Do you have a favorite celebrity or celebrities to photograph?</b> </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="221" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh man umm Jessica Alba and Janet Jackson are still favorites. They always give me the photos I wanted. Lately it’s the cast of Glee that are my favorites. I know a few of them that are on the show so it’s easy for me to photograph them. But my favorite out of the cast to photograph are Heather Morris and Naya Rivera. There are others that are favorites but too many to name and there are some that are my least favorite and hard to work with. Ha ha</span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b closure_uid_5g0rol="143" closure_uid_c1b74="222">Did you ever get star struck? If so, with whom and why?</b></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span closure_uid_5g0rol="144" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first started in the indsutry I was actually a little star struck but never acted crazy or anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really more excited and a bit nervous at first to be working and photographing these big Hollywood celebrities. Everything at the time was so surreal for me and I couldnt believe that I was actually up close and personal with these celebrities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember the first time I covered a Hollywood event was the World Premiere of the Re-mastered version of "Star Wars" in Westwood, CA back in 1996.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was excited to see the cast from the film because I grew up watching "Star Wars" and to actually see them up close was like "Wow" for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong closure_uid_5g0rol="145">As months and years go by covering so many events, I don’t really get that much excited in seeing a celebrity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm just there to do my job, get the job done and head back to the office and work on the images.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times when I will get star struck and excited when I meet an old timer celebrity like Jimmy Stewart, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Shirley Temple Black, Elizabeth Taylor to name a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll admit I'll get excited to meet and photograph some Pop Icons like Michael Jackson and Madonna, celebrities I hardly see and are hard to photograph unless you are working as a Paparazzi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew2wxUsRvuml0zefy_zD0etq6811V6w_6Qb5D0n97XUzmvx61WE7r7ZqrgYgHIpXiazLbISvwkmM6kHDC-c9wz7aluWGweSID0QeCbyU2yjdEoXaj6QfXffbDDv1oBHCYgWCb8qJALgdd/s1600/Sthanlee_B_Mirador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew2wxUsRvuml0zefy_zD0etq6811V6w_6Qb5D0n97XUzmvx61WE7r7ZqrgYgHIpXiazLbISvwkmM6kHDC-c9wz7aluWGweSID0QeCbyU2yjdEoXaj6QfXffbDDv1oBHCYgWCb8qJALgdd/s320/Sthanlee_B_Mirador.jpg" width="220" /></span></a></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="582" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="224" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b closure_uid_c1b74="223" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Even with all the stuff that goes on in Hollywood I see you have not forgotten your roots and still find the time to cover FILAM events, how do you balance it all?</b> </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="224" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s by making time for my people. A lot of my friends have been there since the beginning and always been supporting me. And when they have a Fil-AM event it’s my turn to give back in return for all their support and believing in me. Sometimes I just want to cover Fil-AM events because I miss it. I sometimes want to get away from the whole Hollywood scene and just be around people I admire and inspire me, doing coverage for the FilAM community and or the dance community.</span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="225" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You worked for different movies as an actor, which one was your favorite experience, why?</b> </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="607" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="225" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would have to say working on the set of Crazy/Beautiful with Jay Hernandez and Kirsten Dunst because it was the first film I actually worked on the longest. I was on that set for 3 months and the cast and crew were all amazing. I was actually working on that set as a Production Assistant, but thanks to director John Stockwell who thought I was Mexican gave me various small roles to play in the film. From a student to football player and my first small talking part.</span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="227" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b closure_uid_c1b74="226" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If it was all up to you and money is not a factor, what is your dream job?</b> </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="610" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="227" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="611" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be a Set Photographer for one of the biggest Hollywood directors. </span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="610" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="610" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="227" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="611" closure_uid_uz7mma="201" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Being a very young Fil-Am who has done so much what do you advise another Fil-Am who would also want to work in Hollywood? </strong></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4iPJSuNn2mIgC5_8YkRyiabi6TGx7f0maGmG380j7dWC0MhqMQrzekeTR_zo67Kw43aK8CvAV007T2tBfW6u-8pfHuEmjNrwk3vxgFC-Ned1N4flKLVTsAb3rcvKA5tE4XfZmld_dJQl/s1600/KababayanLA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4iPJSuNn2mIgC5_8YkRyiabi6TGx7f0maGmG380j7dWC0MhqMQrzekeTR_zo67Kw43aK8CvAV007T2tBfW6u-8pfHuEmjNrwk3vxgFC-Ned1N4flKLVTsAb3rcvKA5tE4XfZmld_dJQl/s400/KababayanLA.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">KababayanLA</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="610" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="610" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="227" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_c1b74="611" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is to never give up! Keep moving forward and put yourself out there. Patience is a key to this business because things don't happen overnight in Hollywood. It takes time. And ALWAYS SUPPORT other aspiring Fil-Am artirts.</span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="610" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="229" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="315" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is the best part about being a Fil-Am?</span></b></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="316" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="229" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span closure_uid_uz7mma="204" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is being proud of who I am and being able to represent in what I do in the entertainment industry that will inspire other Fil-Ams out there who want to work in Hollywood as well.</span></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How was it starting as a Filipino-American working in Hollywood? What were the challenges that you encountered and how did you deal with them?</span></b><br />
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span closure_uid_c1b74="788" closure_uid_uz7mma="206" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a Filipino-American working in Hollywood as a Celebrity photographer, I thought it was going to be difficult because majority of the Hollywood photographers are Caucasian and I'd feel like the outcast. Majority of the photographers I work with are in their late 30s-60s<strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong><span style="font-size: large;">These photographers actually treat me with respect as being the youngest and only Fil-Am Hollywood Photographer out there.</span> They know that I’m there at an event to work, do my assignment and get the work done. They know that I never get into their business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of people thinks it’s glamorous in what we do but if they only knew the drama and politics that goes on between photo agencies and other photographers…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When working in the field, race never became an issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Majority of the photographers are white and there are few minorities.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeTUIPjDLO1XX3T5yq57GQ9MGsIOfQloUvJFQsUhtCJAPM3vA20f3kco9_ri6ygaAvuLkk4HIQb6hS_2jmDe6nXZXXugQr70RFBKs9TSTRr7HBMWVFJYpX8_YeA_NYaXZCWu23fNbrFgQ/s1600/Sthanlee_NBC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="312" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeTUIPjDLO1XX3T5yq57GQ9MGsIOfQloUvJFQsUhtCJAPM3vA20f3kco9_ri6ygaAvuLkk4HIQb6hS_2jmDe6nXZXXugQr70RFBKs9TSTRr7HBMWVFJYpX8_YeA_NYaXZCWu23fNbrFgQ/s400/Sthanlee_NBC.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="790" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b closure_uid_c1b74="231">What is your ultimate goal in your career?</b></span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><div closure_uid_uz7mma="208"><span closure_uid_uz7mma="207" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My ultimate goal in my career is to be successful in what I do and keep moving to the top. I want to be the next Annie Lebowitz or David La Chapelle, Celebrity photographer. And with my success I want to be able to give back to the Fil-Am Community and help out other young aspiring Fil-Am artists who want to be photographers. Since I cover a lot of mainstream events, once in a while I will cover Filipino Events and Concerts when in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to gain more respect from the Filipino Community and be more exposed to photographing Celebrities from the Philippines.</span></div></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b closure_uid_c1b74="232" closure_uid_uz7mma="209">Please tell us a funny or memorable experience you had in your job and why you will never forget that incident.</b></span><br />
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="818" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><div closure_uid_uz7mma="210"><div closure_uid_vjvnob="243"><span closure_uid_vjvnob="242" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My memorable experience for me was back in 2006 when I covered the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards for the very first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just being there was so surreal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a little kid watching the Academy Awards, I would tell myself someday I will be there on that red carpet. And now I’m actually there working on the red carpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole first experience of just being there and actually working the event is one in my lifetime I will never forget.--<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Filipino-American/135044773213331#!/pages/Melanie-Garcia/217778371589563?sk=info">MaG</a></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_ehtj5x="191" closure_uid_kaufaz="149" closure_uid_uz7mma="169" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OJX6G0T8-97qpE6BFTRvVmij5sXDhmTH6JWbfdtiwyfECkMSf4nkkdgyJOtpTWBsRd_x0EV7TcqOy5x7_RQCMLtmSd9dPV2IrXeFV-xvm7GOELpfdYfZc3iTCbjHjEsMGSOHsBiMsN4q/s1600/sthanlee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OJX6G0T8-97qpE6BFTRvVmij5sXDhmTH6JWbfdtiwyfECkMSf4nkkdgyJOtpTWBsRd_x0EV7TcqOy5x7_RQCMLtmSd9dPV2IrXeFV-xvm7GOELpfdYfZc3iTCbjHjEsMGSOHsBiMsN4q/s400/sthanlee.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="818" closure_uid_vjvnob="307" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="818" closure_uid_vjvnob="307" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><div closure_uid_we8yi6="111"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">____________________________________ </span></div><div closure_uid_vjvnob="277"><em>All Rights Reserved, </em><a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/Home_Page.html"><em>thefilipinoamerican.com</em></a></div></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_we8yi6="130" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><div closure_uid_vjvnob="279"><span closure_uid_vjvnob="280" closure_uid_we8yi6="129" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Add Sthanlee in </strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sthanlee"><strong>Facebook</strong></a></span></div><div closure_uid_vjvnob="279"><span closure_uid_vjvnob="304" style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Follow Sthanlee in </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Sthanlee"><strong>twitter</strong></a></span></div></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_c1b74="207" closure_uid_vjvnob="336" closure_uid_we8yi6="128" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" closure_uid_c1b74="193" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"></div></div></div></div>thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-31061323006140879852011-07-06T22:25:00.000-07:002011-08-18T00:10:00.445-07:00July 2011 The Filipino-American Story: Patricio Ginelsa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3PTyx8TVlq2XhSx9jRaHfaszepYaCLFRAbdrdUHMDQ0zW2CQ2wXJmL2aL5HM1R2gYT1pb75yiX8vvK0kCl80ohr0qERlOWBt4T5WvWqbON7Aktr5hhM9uoy4igqFgkU9kZtYRfpkgr_E/s1600/PG_NativeElements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3PTyx8TVlq2XhSx9jRaHfaszepYaCLFRAbdrdUHMDQ0zW2CQ2wXJmL2aL5HM1R2gYT1pb75yiX8vvK0kCl80ohr0qERlOWBt4T5WvWqbON7Aktr5hhM9uoy4igqFgkU9kZtYRfpkgr_E/s400/PG_NativeElements.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break between takes on the upcoming music video <br />
for Native Elements "Bigger They Come"</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-size: large;">Filmmaker, Director, Founder of Kid Heroes Productions Patricio Ginelsa aka PG is our July 2011's The Filipino-American Story</span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span><br />
<br />
This month's The Filipino-American Story is worth the wait! PG is one of those very hard working people and just don't easily give up. The saying <span style="font-size: large;">"when the going get's tough the tough gets going"</span> is how I imagine PG except that he also gets better! So go ahead enjoy, be inspired but don't forget to leave your comments and shout outs!<br />
<br />
<strong>Were you born at Daly City or in the Philippines?</strong><br />
I was born in San Francisco and then moved to Daly City where I grew up my entire childhood until I left for college.<br />
<br />
<strong>Where are your parents from the Philippines?</strong><br />
My mom is from Cebu. My dad was born in Hawaii but his family are all from Cebu also.<br />
<br />
<strong>Are your parents or any of your family here in America?</strong><br />
My mother and brother still live in Daly City while my sister lives in Vacaville. My dad passed away in 2003.<br />
<br />
<strong>Do you still speak Filipino or Tagalog?</strong><br />
I don't speak Filipino but I can understand my family dialect Visaya<br />
<br />
<strong>Your interest in making movies, how did it all start?</strong><br />
I started making movies with my dad's Video 8 camcorder when I was 12 years old. My younger brother Dar and I would shoot these short films with the neighborhood kids afterschool. It slowly grew to feature length movies every summer which we called Kid Heroes. We would hold a world premiere at my living room. The kids would pass the VHS tape to other kids throughout the year. This would attract other neighbors who wanted to participate in the next movie. After 3 straight summers, we had completed a whole trilogy that could probably rival the new Star Wars prequels in story and plot *haha*.<br />
<br />
<strong>Learning in school in Cinema Production, did you encounter any obstacles? What were some of them and how did you manage to overcome them?</strong><br />
Getting into the film production program at USC was a big enough obstacle. Only a few students each semester were accepted. I applied twice a year starting with my senior year in high school and got rejected 6 times before I finally got accepted late junior year in college. So by the time I had started the program, I never took my experience for granted. <span style="font-size: large;">The rejections probably humbled me enough not to act like a film school snob who thought he was the next Spielberg. </span> The whole school program is built in a way to prepare you for the Hollywood experience. Being one of the top student directors to pitch in front of the board for the final thesis films was an all-time high. However, my presentation skills weren't great back then and I choked during my pitch. Not being chosen was a hard experience to swallow but an experience I really needed to learn from.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibR-jL6zrdrN3qu1oJNlD-Lh1CsboU6OPYESkS2tTDv_oJcfmYoxVFjowDFFyc0jnyZS_w3Ohxoy0xzI-sRFRbz-6jkcHwGf2Q78qmJZU69GXJC0ReADclJ6NMoi5_Sbpn7hrRmzEZMNhx/s1600/DSC_8088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibR-jL6zrdrN3qu1oJNlD-Lh1CsboU6OPYESkS2tTDv_oJcfmYoxVFjowDFFyc0jnyZS_w3Ohxoy0xzI-sRFRbz-6jkcHwGf2Q78qmJZU69GXJC0ReADclJ6NMoi5_Sbpn7hrRmzEZMNhx/s400/DSC_8088.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Directing will.i.am and taboo of the Black Eyed Peas on the set of "Bebot"<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<strong>When did Kid Heroes Production start?</strong><br />
It started when I completed my neighborhood reunion movie LUMPIA in 2003. I decided to name my production company after my past neighborhood movies. It was only fitting since my passion for filmmaking is fueled by my childhood. I made it into an official business and LLC starting in 2004 for the DVD release.<br />
<br />
<strong>Tell us about it?</strong> <br />
Kid Heroes Productions is basically a full service production company that my wife and I manage. Depending on the client's and project's needs, we hire a lot of talented freelance artists from our network. Most of our music videos we collaborate with Xylophone Films, our post-production partner. A lot of our clients range from independent musicians to businesses in need of a commercial. What makes us unique is that we add a community component to all our projects, whether it's recruiting aspiring filmmakers to help out or collaborating with a community partner. We try to provide a platform in which other can experience a real set and learn from it. You can see our full list of projects at: <a href="http://www.kidheroes.net/"><strong>Kid Heroes</strong></a> or my directors website <a href="http://www.patricioginelsa.com/"><strong>PatricioGinelsa.com</strong></a><strong> .</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>I learned you wrote and directed 3 music videos for Black Eyed Peas, tell us about it? What was it like working with them?</strong>In 2004 I wrote and directed THE APL SONG music video off the Black Eyed Peas ELEPHUNK album. The success of that video led to them hiring me once again for BEBOT in 2006, in which I wrote/directed 2 different versions for that song. Both were 2 different experiences as I had the unique opportunity to work with the band at different stages in their career. When we did THE APL SONG, the Peas had just added Fergie, and it all added to a family vibe on set. Between that and BEBOT, they exploded as world-wide superstars. On the BEBOT set, each of them had a bigger entourage and a bigger team. It was hard to get intimate on that huge of a set with an enormous cast/crew. But overall, it all added to my growth as a filmmaker.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOyKcUOFsBBbPtRgRorVVHkCaRwSb2LzsLKUrwLD37p8hZRdTXfNEFi8tDr_u-5Dikrs9k5cVBJbmT_Rf4WfkyN6cnK_PXwnDZvenJvPAfSFKtJ_2-WEvdf5FrWSzDcoeWtcsuFsR1063/s1600/PG_Fergie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOyKcUOFsBBbPtRgRorVVHkCaRwSb2LzsLKUrwLD37p8hZRdTXfNEFi8tDr_u-5Dikrs9k5cVBJbmT_Rf4WfkyN6cnK_PXwnDZvenJvPAfSFKtJ_2-WEvdf5FrWSzDcoeWtcsuFsR1063/s400/PG_Fergie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas during "The Apl Song" shoot </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div align="justify"><strong>Was Black Eyed Peas how you met <a href="http://thefilipinoamerican.blogspot.com/2011/06/june-2011-filipino-american-story.html">Leroid David</a> (our June The FilAm Story)?</strong></div><div align="justify">No, I met first met LeRoid David back in 2001. I was one of the associate producers of the film THE DEBUT. One of my duties included recruiting volunteers for the theatre screenings. LeRoid was one of my first volunteers for the San Francisco portion of the tour. I just admired his undying love for the community and we both shared a common love for comic books. I found out he was a talented illustrator and so he came onboard as the artist for my movie LUMPIA. That naturally led to me recruiting him once again to draw for my APL SONG music video.</div><div align="justify"><br />
<strong>Who was your favorite among the Black Eyed Peas crew?</strong>If I had to choose a favorite, it would have to be their manager Polo Molina. He was the man who plucked me from obscurity and hired me to direct the APL SONG based on a treatment I had wrote for fun. He went outside the traditional channels and gave me my first big gig. When the label didn't initially hire me for BEBOT, he was the one who came back and made sure I directed it. He's also the first guy to really yell at me but in the end, the guy looked out for me. I don't forget stuff like that.</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjaov2WgrHjDzJz0zgtgT7_EMQnmjC0MFH9H887jxhMUHEkxrzTNJ4YYyqlTW1tAaXfU01Z4b0on0aBKimoDW8qPnw1Tfv-nEAow6D7vF0mXDCqyQQR1Zftorb2MWoTG71pE7qF00Yaah/s1600/Whilce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjaov2WgrHjDzJz0zgtgT7_EMQnmjC0MFH9H887jxhMUHEkxrzTNJ4YYyqlTW1tAaXfU01Z4b0on0aBKimoDW8qPnw1Tfv-nEAow6D7vF0mXDCqyQQR1Zftorb2MWoTG71pE7qF00Yaah/s400/Whilce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geeking out with comic book artist Whilce Portacio on the "Your Power" PSA shoot</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div align="justify"><strong>You also do commercial advertisements and have done short movies, what is your favorite thing to do and why?</strong></div><div align="justify">I always prefer to tell a good story. Doesn't matter if the platform is a music video, commercial, or a short film. If I'm able to tell an engaging story within all the restrictions and politics, then I consider that the best thing I've ever done. The APL SONG music video, BAMBU "Old Man Raps" music video, PEPSI video, and DIRECTV "Digital Family" short are probably some of my favorites.</div><div align="justify"><br />
<strong>In all the projects you have done, which was the most fun and which one was the most rewarding?</strong></div><div align="justify">The APL SONG was the most fun to make but my short film BEING REEL was the most rewarding. BEING REEL was a short film I had created for the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival 72 Hour competition. So I wrote, shot, and edited that all in 3 days AND I won the competition. I was going through a rough creative slump and year long depression after finishing BEBOT and I had lost all motivation at that time. My girlfriend (now wife) convinces me to join this contest. All I had was excuses but I labored through it despite all the obstacles (I caught a fever, suffered through a hot summer heat wave). Though the prize was a free HD camera, the real reward was rediscovering my creative "mojo" and my passion for filmmaking.</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrGS3-09dEJx-hhSt1TI2arP6lqe7Qn6IXonK7DlHYVp4aEKuNO4QJgwkjhCsjXwVwNlg3bpyhra12aLvLN62UkpVQRyDGudX9uD_FQCh4KI56EQFXGZQ-AHBx-c0EHdpkCUrVhRatA4x/s1600/img_0967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrGS3-09dEJx-hhSt1TI2arP6lqe7Qn6IXonK7DlHYVp4aEKuNO4QJgwkjhCsjXwVwNlg3bpyhra12aLvLN62UkpVQRyDGudX9uD_FQCh4KI56EQFXGZQ-AHBx-c0EHdpkCUrVhRatA4x/s400/img_0967.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Directing a USC Credit Union commercial <br />
with the famous USC Trojan Marching Band</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="justify"><strong>Is it true that you also have a "daytime" job?</strong></div><div align="justify">Yes, my current dayjob is being a technical coordinator at a learning center/studio at the USC Marshall School of Business. I've worked there for 8 years now after my stint with the DEBUT tour ended. Instead of returning to the Hollywood studio, I ended back here to give me more free mental time to focus on directing. It's worked so far with the wealth of projects I've created the past decade. It also helps when you're surrounded by all these ambitious students with positive energy. They help keep me going and avoid apathy.</div><div align="justify"><br />
<strong>How do you balance everything?</strong></div><div align="justify">Staying grounded with the best friends and family i could ever ask for. I have a network of colleagues who are not only super talented, but are genuinely good people. My long term ambitions as a filmmaker have never stopped me from accomplishing the other important goals in my life. I think my marriage last year to my long time girlfriend keeps me balanced and focused. I'll always be at peace with whatever happens in the future.</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE3ktcWQtMkOGaAg_0UafoKDGhX5zlOaMnV2eXfa5ONfvHfKucE0x8pyYX5oboNt7_fnArdMuQQAxXQ8KgpuQX5gd6IPZ3In6XkB2PGDx14R4QRQEyejNkfNf80HMhKA3uSmfnr9-aO7N/s1600/BambuOMR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE3ktcWQtMkOGaAg_0UafoKDGhX5zlOaMnV2eXfa5ONfvHfKucE0x8pyYX5oboNt7_fnArdMuQQAxXQ8KgpuQX5gd6IPZ3In6XkB2PGDx14R4QRQEyejNkfNf80HMhKA3uSmfnr9-aO7N/s400/BambuOMR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the set of "Old Man Raps" with rapper Bambu</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong> Going back to our roots...what is your favorite filipino food?</strong><br />
Chicken Adobo and Chicken Inasal<br />
<br />
<strong>Do you know how to cook any filipino dish?</strong><br />
No, unless Spam, Vienna Sausage, and Corned Beef counts...<br />
<br />
<strong>Is there anything about being a Filipino of origin that you are really proud of?</strong><br />
Sense of community is most important. Having traveled around the U.S. with THE DEBUT tour introduced me to each city's community leaders. Doesn't matter what city I'm in, there's always this common theme of wanting to help and empower our community that really inspires me and makes me proud to be Filipino. I see a lot of community heroes who do a lot of work that goes unnoticed and yet they keep fighting. That fight is what embodies the Filipino.<br />
<br />
<strong>What advice do you give if any to our Filam brothers and sisters out there to be successful in their endeavor? </strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Simple. Never give up. Be the best you can be in your field and people will notice.</span><br />
<br />
Finally, where can I get the movie LUMPIA? I am really curious and want to watch and own one!<br />
<div closure_uid_ct1s32="123">LUMPIA is on NETFLIX and on AMAZON. <a href="http://www.lovethatlumpia.com/">LoveThatLumpia.com</a> --MaG</div><div closure_uid_ct1s32="123"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ct1s32="123"><div closure_uid_i10epf="133">_____________________________________</div></div><div closure_uid_ct1s32="123"><div closure_uid_i10epf="111"><em>All Rights Reserved, </em><a href="http://thefilipinoamerican.com/"><em>thefilipinoamerican.com</em></a></div></div><div align="justify" closure_uid_i10epf="132"><em><br />
</em></div><div align="justify"><div closure_uid_i10epf="125"><strong>Follow PG:</strong></div></div><div align="justify"><div closure_uid_i10epf="124"><strong>Twitter : </strong><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/kidheroes"><strong>@kidheroes</strong></a></div></div><div align="justify"><strong>Facebook: </strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/kidheroes"><strong>Kidheroes</strong></a><br />
<strong>or visit the director's website at </strong><a href="http://www.patricioginelsa.com/"><strong>http://www.patricioginelsa.com/</strong></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ct1s32="113" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div></div>thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-18804650765939365682011-06-12T09:37:00.000-07:002011-06-12T09:44:39.813-07:00113th Philippine Independence,<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4w0RxuuDWysbaSu3s1Eovqa1g4ldam0ye_in5fFbskRQpHKrkUfa1W2VDvswmbl6sAFENM-_Etj7bHtnkdT9jiKJV8YLguEGlPb-6it-7c29KBaA5qz2BiuZ0Nh9KPmOI5xGZnQ_GfAGr/s1600/national-flag-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4w0RxuuDWysbaSu3s1Eovqa1g4ldam0ye_in5fFbskRQpHKrkUfa1W2VDvswmbl6sAFENM-_Etj7bHtnkdT9jiKJV8YLguEGlPb-6it-7c29KBaA5qz2BiuZ0Nh9KPmOI5xGZnQ_GfAGr/s400/national-flag-day.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><strong><span style="font-size: large;">June 12, 2011 today is the 113th anniversary of the Philippines. As a Filipino-American how much do you know of your homeland, the Philippines...</span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong>Here are some facts that might help us all get closer to where we came from and tell us more who we are.<br />
<br />
Philippines is officially called the <strong>Republic of the Philippines</strong><br />
An archipelago comprising <strong>7,107 islands</strong><br />
<br />
Capital City: <strong>Manila</strong><br />
Divided into 3 major areas,<strong> Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao</strong><br />
<br />
Population: <strong>94 million</strong>, considered the 12th most populated land area in the world<br />
<br />
Filipinos living abroad: <strong>11 million</strong><br />
<br />
First Discovered: <strong>Ferdinand Magelland in 1521</strong><br />
<br />
Native languages: <strong>tagalog, cebuano, ilocano, hiligaynon, waray-waray</strong>Religion: <strong>90% christian, 80% Roman Catholic</strong><br />
<br />
Literacy rate: <strong>93.4%<br />
<br />
Declared independence: June 12, 1898</strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">National Motto: "<strong><i>Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan, at Makabansa</i>" ("For God, People, Nature, and Country")</strong></span><br />
<br />
National Hero:<strong> Jose P. Rizal</strong><br />
National Anthem: <strong>Lupang Hinirang</strong><br />
National Sport: <strong>Arnis</strong><br />
National tree:<strong> Narra</strong><br />
<strong>National bird: Philippine Eagle</strong><br />
National Dance: <strong>Carinosa</strong><br />
National Animal: <strong>Carabao</strong><br />
National Fish:<strong> bangus (milk fish)</strong><br />
National Flower: <strong>Sampaguita<br />
_________________________</strong><br />
references: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" target="_blank">Wilkipedia</a><br />
photo credit: <a href="http://danrogayan.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">divergent's blog</a></div>thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-60665467457804708982011-06-02T21:16:00.000-07:002011-06-02T22:36:45.438-07:00June 2011 THE FILIPINO AMERICAN STORY: LeRoid David<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="bio"><span style="font-size: large;">An artist who has worked with Black Eyed Peas ...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="bio"><span style="font-size: large;">"Family guy. Artist guy. Food guy. Former Tower Records guy. Loves to geek out kinda guy." LeRoid David of San Francisco is our June 2011's The Filipino-American Story! </span></span><br />
<br />
<strong>1) Born and raised in San Francisco, CA, were both your parents Filipino?</strong><br />
Yes both of my parents are Filipino. I was actually born in Mountain View, CA. My parents divorced when I was very young and my Mom raised me in San Francisco. <br />
<br />
<strong>2) Where are they from in the Philippines?</strong><br />
My Mom is from Baguio, Benguet and my Dad is from Angeles City, Pampanga.<br />
<br />
<strong>3) Do you still speak Filipino/Tagalog?</strong><br />
Kunti lang po. I was raised in the English language throughout childhood, but was well aware of my family's culture. I was sometimes teased by my peers because I couldn't understand Filipino/Tagalog. So in high school I was compelled to more learn about Filipino language through movies and books<br />
<br />
<strong>4) You finished Cum Laude, BA in Industrial Arts with Graphic Communications emphasis at SFSU, really impressive. What made you choose this course?</strong><br />
I began drawing at an early age- mostly cartoons and comic books. As my skills developed, I was introduced to graphic design in high school where I learned the concept of visual communication. Despite having interest in other fields, I was really more passionate about learning graphic design over other art subjects.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03eOlUXwKfiAjTLgV_vvCNzcNXgiOffEfVANmhOCC4aiFA2Q3XJHaa2D0GkJJR2WdRofsWAPtklQBsMMplUjcI4vsQ_gGCAwOGnU6B1xqDb8xMWLGg2nCsLzP9d32uqCc_VRDCGWqA5OD/s1600/DeathAngel0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03eOlUXwKfiAjTLgV_vvCNzcNXgiOffEfVANmhOCC4aiFA2Q3XJHaa2D0GkJJR2WdRofsWAPtklQBsMMplUjcI4vsQ_gGCAwOGnU6B1xqDb8xMWLGg2nCsLzP9d32uqCc_VRDCGWqA5OD/s320/DeathAngel0604.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower Records moment: hosting an outdoor concert with legendary Filipino American metal band, Death Angel, in San Francisco</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<strong>5) Was this always what you wanted?</strong><br />
Great question. Yes, I wanted to earn a degree in a subject I love. Career-wise, I haven't settled in one industry yet. As I mentioned earlier, I had interest in other fields- this included film, music, business, computer technology, culinary, and even Asian American studies. <strong>Having worked in a variety of jobs, I consider myself a "jack of all trades" and a "geek" for all things. One of my favorite jobs was working for Tower Records as the Bay Area Event Coordinator. For years I hosted events promoting major/independent label music artists and film. I gained a passion for music, media, and marketing.</strong> Unfortunately, Tower Records went out of business in 2006. <strong>I was also active in the Asian American community, working for local events such as <a href="http://www.pistahan.net/">Pistahan</a>, <a href="http://fiestafilipinausa.net/">Fiesta Filipina</a>, and the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. I'm currently working two jobs in the food/restaurant industry- one of them as an Assistant Manager for <a href="http://www.atticrestaurant.com/">Attic Restaurant</a> in San Mateo, CA. Luckily, I've been able to contribute some of my design skills in all of my jobs.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhWYSGk_b9Y4Eas31TM22WXghKyRQ0hDmUsTkrMtpl_gSEFuic67KFNf20EEeN5BV0cz13sP0PMjbuU3Xp1t_yyBJrUjTJhzbSEHH2y5owN77SH-uUnKpvEQCx8toLBXoTLnDDtrRqTMH/s1600/APLSong2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhWYSGk_b9Y4Eas31TM22WXghKyRQ0hDmUsTkrMtpl_gSEFuic67KFNf20EEeN5BV0cz13sP0PMjbuU3Xp1t_yyBJrUjTJhzbSEHH2y5owN77SH-uUnKpvEQCx8toLBXoTLnDDtrRqTMH/s320/APLSong2.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With<strong> Black Eyed Peas'</strong> Apl.de.ap on the set of "The Apl Song" music video (2004)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<strong>6) You now have 10 years of experience in logo designs, illustrations and storyboards. Do you prefer one over the other?</strong><br />
I was very fortunate to work on some fun and amazing projects over the years. However, I lean more towards logo design and illustration because I'm still learning how to storyboard. LOGO DESIGNS: One of my all-time favorite projects was creating a logo for longtime SF Bay Area radio deejay, Chuy Gomez. In 2006, my logo design was chosen by the Smithsonian APA Committee to represent The Filipino American Centennial Celebration. ILLUSTRATIONS: My comic art was featured in the cult-fave independent film, "Lumpia" directed by Patricio Ginelsa. <strong>I also contributed artwork for the Black Eyed Peas' "The Apl Song"</strong> <strong>music video</strong>, another project directed by Ginelsa. STORYBOARD: In 2009, I entered my first-ever storyboard commercial contest for Skinit.com where I was tied for 1st Place! <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichQL8E56jN5-RSbK92zb3Z0aM_vkgBVcbGj1AVGwwQr2RLfkmdWYGsjZuvMrkuwUaDu3rHzCmL8FoANOTSSwQ4psBXr085QS03v0LF1xkCH2Yellic7HqhW9Rv1M0cCbbD7wM5qwVQW_S/s1600/LUMPIALOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichQL8E56jN5-RSbK92zb3Z0aM_vkgBVcbGj1AVGwwQr2RLfkmdWYGsjZuvMrkuwUaDu3rHzCmL8FoANOTSSwQ4psBXr085QS03v0LF1xkCH2Yellic7HqhW9Rv1M0cCbbD7wM5qwVQW_S/s320/LUMPIALOGO.jpg" t8="true" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lumpia Movie Logo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZJQITaBOl6oDCX4dCtCmMv8jFU-6MT5uX1FFeKJCK3agVXB1Md05DiX3eHfREjKqmycWH-SiRn5lCbBAB3rC7fEwtUGmTnBZ66ZGL3h3LWIBoV5NKe4NUeGSfZVyfsP_jx_FfJdkPjwd/s1600/greatestphilboxers2.sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZJQITaBOl6oDCX4dCtCmMv8jFU-6MT5uX1FFeKJCK3agVXB1Md05DiX3eHfREjKqmycWH-SiRn5lCbBAB3rC7fEwtUGmTnBZ66ZGL3h3LWIBoV5NKe4NUeGSfZVyfsP_jx_FfJdkPjwd/s320/greatestphilboxers2.sm.jpg" t8="true" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greatest Phil Boxers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<strong>7) I have noticed that you've branched out to fashion/ apparel. One of your projects is "Bastard & Friends", can you tell us about it?</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.bastardandfriends.com/">Bastard & Friends</a> is a character-based apparel company that started on the basis of addressing reality with a comical and twisted sense of humor. The idea began in 2007 by a SF Bay Area couple (Filipino American by the way). I was hired to design their logo and some of their apparel. The company grew a strong fanbase thanks to support from YouTube celebrities such as Timothy DelaGhetto, Erika David (my half-sister), Joey Diamond, PeeDeeFlo, and much more. To date, Bastard & Friends is on hiatus with a brand relaunch scheduled for later this year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84Ui52K2fcZSkDrg0tFaGrrW3T9p4HLb9BUTUyZgmZTG3decXlRj7RsNgfBrgBkN-ujjPxKjKuCk3s5XR5-SxdNyeIBmMirrmQwYuY6b0urNU4mgkDSswy3J4QQzh9MKJsX7MvcEDCInA/s1600/Nosey_Trucker_Splash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84Ui52K2fcZSkDrg0tFaGrrW3T9p4HLb9BUTUyZgmZTG3decXlRj7RsNgfBrgBkN-ujjPxKjKuCk3s5XR5-SxdNyeIBmMirrmQwYuY6b0urNU4mgkDSswy3J4QQzh9MKJsX7MvcEDCInA/s320/Nosey_Trucker_Splash.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bastard & Friends "Nosey Trucker" Hat modeled by Joey Diamond</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<strong>8) What are your current projects?</strong><br />
My latest project is a t-shirt design for the upcoming "Rizal150: Celebrating the Birth of a Philippine Polymath" event in Oakland, CA- June 18th. I've also just completed some logos for a couple of non-profit organizations, martial art schools, and independent recording artists. I'm hoping to get back into storyboarding sometime. Besides that, I still have yet to complete a documentary film project on Filipino comic book artists in America, which I started in 2007. My current portfolio can be found online.<br />
<br />
<strong>9) To date, please share with us your best accomplishment just yet.</strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My best accomplishment to date is being a family man! Hello to my wife Fatima and children Yasmin and Diorel!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuDSiUXlERtndONQu4hHjUHlQLwd1uGQfGi_h80PhPGi3JYRqle2g_P6vVbAs7mT8OTs4dZhGTv-dGXXdw1rbY9T6uWzci7EdRlxjXr9TlpHvjYL0Pl8UZ40RQtc2HgJj-Qko9RCoJB45/s1600/davidfam.0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuDSiUXlERtndONQu4hHjUHlQLwd1uGQfGi_h80PhPGi3JYRqle2g_P6vVbAs7mT8OTs4dZhGTv-dGXXdw1rbY9T6uWzci7EdRlxjXr9TlpHvjYL0Pl8UZ40RQtc2HgJj-Qko9RCoJB45/s320/davidfam.0829.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a family affair: Fatima (wife), Yasmin (daughter), Diorel (son)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<strong>10) Being a Fil Am, do you have a favorite Filipino dish?</strong>My all-time favorite Filipino dish is Adobong Manok (Chicken Adobo). I also love that Lumpia!<br />
<br />
<strong>11) Do you also know how to cook a Filipino dish?</strong>Absolutely. The one Filipino dish I personally enjoy cooking is Adobong Manok Sa Gata (Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo). Now that I'm working in the food/restaurant industry, I have much greater interest in learning to cook more! Some say it comes from my Kapampangan side! Although I do miss my Lola's cooking (she passed away in 2007) and I wish I learned her recipes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBS8CY3fceJBlds10iUD0KHxuPMIiEhyZnr8VzxJJBWqlXpZxRbAkBqhnZrIgDrE33XRZUhuy-M2_hP3LZzcYD4e_GpwPrldKlKYuCrFA6svpDQ1MVs-tT6WR3YO3HDSQ3J0gOor6bUvA7/s1600/erika.leroid.xle.2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBS8CY3fceJBlds10iUD0KHxuPMIiEhyZnr8VzxJJBWqlXpZxRbAkBqhnZrIgDrE33XRZUhuy-M2_hP3LZzcYD4e_GpwPrldKlKYuCrFA6svpDQ1MVs-tT6WR3YO3HDSQ3J0gOor6bUvA7/s320/erika.leroid.xle.2008.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singin' sisters: Erika (left) and Krystle (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<strong>12) Have you been to the Philippines? </strong><br />
Wala pa. I haven't been to the Philippines yet. I'm really hoping to visit in the near future!<br />
<br />
<strong>13) What do you like about being a Fil Am the most?</strong><br />
I'm grateful of our Philippine legacy. We come from a culture and history truly rich and diverse. I'm definitely still learning. The Filipino American story continues to fascinate. One current example is the entertainment industry. Back at Tower Records, I've proudly hosted and promoted dozens of Filipino American music artists beginning with Jocelyn Enriquez, KAI, Pinay and One Vo1ce to Apl.de.ap (Black Eyed Peas), DJ Q-Bert, Jasmine Trias, and more. Since then, a new generation of artists have emerged- some of whom are on television, movies, theater, and online. I have to plug that my own family is in the industry as well. My wife, Fatima, is a longtime recording artist who has made it twice as a Hollywood Finalist for "American Idol"! There are also my younger half-sisters, Krystle Jong and Erika David. Krystle is a Theater major and spoken word artist in Sacramento whose performances have won critical acclaim! Erika is an up and coming recording artist with over 190,000 YouTube subscribers!<br />
It's really great to see Filipino Americans getting more mainstream recognition in all industries- arts, music, fashion, sports, culinary, technology, and politics! So many to name and the list keeps growing! <br />
<br />
<strong>14) Do you have any words of wisdom for our brothers and sisters that are trying to be successful here in America?</strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Find balance and passion in what you do in life. Juggling two jobs with family life is a challenge I embrace. Yet, I still try to make time for design gigs, community, recreation, and even random hobbies. Most of all, I enjoy sharing these passions with my friends and family.</span><br />
<br />
More of Leroid David:<br />
<a href="http://www.coroflot.com/public/individual_details.asp?individual_id=166394">Website</a><br />
<a href="http://leroid.com/">LeRoid.com</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/LeRoid">Twitter</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Email us to nominate the next THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN STORY </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/">http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/</a></span></div>thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287045793519553179.post-73909077498751598132011-05-01T12:06:00.000-07:002011-06-02T22:25:50.063-07:00May 2011 THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN STORY: Jo Boston is a Foodie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3RPe9kUuSmfTfwCOM0kmSN2mwUkk7joPpB5mKBNZfMoOcS4Q7K2ueeANZImTzDrAi1ShQ1SC_6HRr83ywxdEdZ9ogYQyOjb0ASv5l3aX3H44vswroVcv_pvCikZdZ-2WM28o1k3FPq4H/s1600/03111738a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3RPe9kUuSmfTfwCOM0kmSN2mwUkk7joPpB5mKBNZfMoOcS4Q7K2ueeANZImTzDrAi1ShQ1SC_6HRr83ywxdEdZ9ogYQyOjb0ASv5l3aX3H44vswroVcv_pvCikZdZ-2WM28o1k3FPq4H/s400/03111738a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Jo Boston of San Francisco is our May 2011's The Filipino-American Story.</span> She was nominated by no other than our first and April 2011's The Filipino-American Story,<strong> </strong><a href="http://thefilipinoamerican.blogspot.com/2011/04/filipino-american-alberto-balbutin-jr.html"><strong>Albert Balbutin AKA Filipeanut</strong></a> for her big heart by making sure the Fil-Ams at the Bay Area had always something going on when it comes to food. I found Jo through twitter last year and have been reading all her delicious tweets about food and drooling at the pictures of the food she often posts....<br />
<br />
<strong>1) I learned from your blog that you are born in San Francisco, where is your Mom's origin in the Philippines? </strong>My mom is from Umingan, Pangasinan…it’s about 4-6 hours north of Manila.<br />
<br />
<strong>2) How did you become a foodie? </strong>I think I became a foodie when I first learned how to eat. I was blessed to have my grandma (who we call Inang) take care of me while mom worked during the day. Everyday she would cook for the family and I’d stand in the kitchen watching her. <br />
<br />
The process of creating dishes interested me to the point that she would let me help in her kusina (kitchen). My mom works in culinary in San Francisco. While food at home was stellar and authentically-Filipino, my mom also introduced me to the American restaurant scene here in the City. I took what they both taught me and it naturally became a passion. In addition, Saturday mornings were my favorite time of the weekend. I sat in front of the TV, not watching cartoons, but cooking shows on PBS. I was not your typical kid. I loved high school because of “Foods” class and competing in FHA-HERO. College was great because of the food sales we’d host for my college’s Filipino club. Basically every phase of my life had something “food-centric.” I suppose you can’t get away from something you love.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGp-nCGPd_PR1ZV-JBfR8hulnaSZC9lIQfykTd1SI6EvOMO74ypQutniBjP-p6WsvJRlXiwTycAZiVioh5NqHn3Og5FjOYrCEMUHiFG-b52tY_1d9ADujCo1lA7Doh0ddjxgvZ5aI5uNa/s1600/05131939.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGp-nCGPd_PR1ZV-JBfR8hulnaSZC9lIQfykTd1SI6EvOMO74ypQutniBjP-p6WsvJRlXiwTycAZiVioh5NqHn3Og5FjOYrCEMUHiFG-b52tY_1d9ADujCo1lA7Doh0ddjxgvZ5aI5uNa/s200/05131939.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>3) What do you do when you are not cooking food? </strong>When I am not cooking, I am eating. =) When I am not eating, you will find me at my day job as an office assistant at an oncology practice in San Francisco. <br />
<br />
<strong>4) Albert was telling me that you are constantly organizing food trips if not cooking to feed them, tell me about it? </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong>I like eating out. A lot. <strong>Collaborating with a start-up called <a href="http://dishcrawl.com/">Dishcrawl</a>, I was given the opportunity to host monthly “Filipino Dishcrawl” dinners. A different Filipino restaurant is chosen each month and the public can purchase tickets to the dinners. There are usually 15-25 people at each dinner. It’s a great way to meet new people, enjoy the food that the restaurant has to offer, and experience a cuisine that I feel is very underrated in the Bay Area. Our goal is to promote Filipino food and introduce it to those who are not familiar with it.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>5) How long have you been a foodie? </strong><br />
I want to say since I was born, but I started my blog as <strong>“<a href="http://jobostonisafoodie.blogspot.com/">Jo Boston is a Foodie</a>”</strong> in 2007.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yBb5iW1SfJOZwXb1jR5IKDVgmBihyUbvoOFafqvaGVS7x1JFiGTM_Sf-pPBNF5wcuMKDV1orjGQnaTYVG2J0E25XdEGePWQU_nKTiyc4-QeOoK5Uf3kaYGoQopDCG-211znGRd4n9FT4/s1600/inangandtatay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yBb5iW1SfJOZwXb1jR5IKDVgmBihyUbvoOFafqvaGVS7x1JFiGTM_Sf-pPBNF5wcuMKDV1orjGQnaTYVG2J0E25XdEGePWQU_nKTiyc4-QeOoK5Uf3kaYGoQopDCG-211znGRd4n9FT4/s320/inangandtatay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><i>Mom, Inang, My Sister Sherri, Tatay, and Myself<br />
at Inang and Tatay's 83rd Birthday in the Philippines 2007</i></center></td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>6) How do you find time to blog amidst the crazy schedule of a Filipino-American? </strong>It’s really tough these days, honestly. I try to balance my day job, time with my husband and family, all the while keeping my eyes peeled for good eats. While I don’t post on my blog as often as I’d like, I do more “micro-blogging” as in updating my Twitter at <strong><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/joanneisafoodie">@joanneisafoodie</a></strong> and my <strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jo-Bostons-Taking-Over-the-World-One-Bite-at-a-Time/160328069673">Facebook</a></strong> all the time with food pictures and everything delicious in 140 characters or less. My phone is always within 5 feet of me just in case there is something to cover. If I do find time to sit down and compose, it is usually late night or a weekend where nothing is happening so I can totally devote my time to writing and editing pictures. <strong>My husband is the best because he supports my passion and gives me time to myself when he knows I am driven to write. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>7) Do you also still do the typical things that Filipino-Americans do as in, send money to Philippines, or send a balikbayan box? </strong>Yes, my mom especially. She sends money every paycheck to my Inang who is currently living there and to fund a new home she is building on the same property she grew up on. Mom tries to go to the Philippines every year or every other year. The Balikbayan boxes we pack usually have SPAM, corned beef, coffee, and assorted chocolate bars. We have a lot of nieces and nephews in the Philippines, and it’s so cute when my mom buys on impulse and purchases Disney or Sanrio backpacks and clothes for them. <strong>My mom works so hard, and always thinks of others.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>8) When was the last time you have been to Philippines? </strong>The last time I went to the Philippines was in 2009 with my then-fiancé. Prior to that was 2007. Prior to that was 1996. I let lots of time pass by, which I regret. Now that I am older and establishing myself as an adult - a Filipina adult - I felt the need to go back and reconnect since I felt detached for a long time. <br />
<br />
<strong>9) Do you plan on going to visit Philippines soon? </strong>My now-husband and I are flying out May 31! I cannot wait! Counting down the days!<br />
<br />
<strong>10) Being a foodie, what is your favorite food? <br />
My favorite food will always be chicken adobo and steamed rice</strong>. Inang spoiled me with incredible food growing up, but it was her chicken adobo that transports me to another place and time - home. It’s like a big hug from the inside out. I also love my mom’s balatong aka mungo. Though she taught me how to make it, it tastes better when she cooks it. It’s the mother’s touch. Inang's pinapaitan is also up there in the ranks! It's an acquired taste because of the bitter bile, but I grew up with it and I love it.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuG8GNPbw2yHLWq67nAEc0kEzit_Wc9LZxoOGS2Bep0lwZ7tlSDxQeLwJfreyDmcKsCX6jkrJrgRXTXMjrPqbRWDhtIr-m3QlbPfYtYDOre1GVCj_2rJoMVdpM5zPkT6d_30EKohoyChvN/s1600/picture03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuG8GNPbw2yHLWq67nAEc0kEzit_Wc9LZxoOGS2Bep0lwZ7tlSDxQeLwJfreyDmcKsCX6jkrJrgRXTXMjrPqbRWDhtIr-m3QlbPfYtYDOre1GVCj_2rJoMVdpM5zPkT6d_30EKohoyChvN/s320/picture03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.atticrestaurant.com/about.html">Attic</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>11) Top recommends for Filipino Places to visit in San Francisco? <br />
My favorite spots for Filipino food in the Bay Area are Attic in San Mateo, Patio Filipino in San Bruno, Intramuros in South San Francisco, and Sinugba in Daly City. </strong> I could as might as well live in some of those places. There are not many [good] Filipino restaurants in San Francisco proper, unfortunately, but Mercury Lounge in the SOMA district is awesome for brunch and happy hour/late night eats. <strong> If you are vegan, No Worries Filipino Cuisine in Oakland is out of this world.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>12) Food for thought to all our kababayans here in America? </strong>Stay connected.<br />
<br />
Even though I was born and raised here, I was fortunate that my family instilled culture in me through song, household practices, and the fundamentals of Filipino cooking. I regret losing my Ilocano tongue as a child; therefore, I think it is important for those in my generation to consciously seek out their Filipino roots, whether you know the language or not. Know where you came from. Know where your parents and your family came from. I am planning on raising a family in the United States, and I hope to one day show them how my Inang, Tatay (grandpa) and mom sacrificed so much for us. <br />
<br />
I love having dinners with my Filipino and Filipino-American friends. Each of us comes from a different part of the US and of the Philippines, but when we get together, we’re just one family sharing experiences and common bonds - our love of being Filipino…and the food, of course. =) --MaG<br />
<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
<a href="http://www.thefilipinoamerican.com/Contact_Us.html"><em>Contact</em></a><em> or </em><a href="mailto:thefilipinoamerican@gmail.com"><em>Email</em></a><em> us to nominate the next <strong>The Filipino-American Story</strong></em></div>thefilamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03851011078189129870noreply@blogger.com4