PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Monday, August 15, 2011 at 07:00PM 
PCSNJ is 25 years old! Founded in 1986 by 19 chartered members, it had since grown to 225 members strong. It is indeed my great privilege to spearhead the celebration of this momentous occasion during my presidency. We began preparing for this big event last year. Jingkie Aseron, chairperson for the 25th Anniversary Dinner Ball, has been busy organizing and meeting with the different committees involved in the celebration. You can be sure that this will be an event that people will be talking about for many years. Mark your calendar- September 9, 2011, 7 p.m. at The Merion in Cinnaminson, NJ. Watch for your invitation in the mail.
We are also preparing a souvenir program that will memorialize PCSNJ’s history and activities in the past 25 years. If you have photos or great memories of PCSNJ events that you would like to share with us, contact me, Eileen Pelaez, or Jojo Jordan.
So many activities had kept us busy in PCSNJ, Inc. since the winter issue of the Gazette. The Christmas party held on December 11 for members and friends at the Philippine Community Center (PCC) was a huge success with many surprise guests in attendance. It was so heartwarming to welcome old members that we have not seen for a long time. There was so much food, and everyone enjoyed the potluck dinner brought by members.
Entertainment was provided by Dr. Ray Soriano who read a narrative poem about the Nativity, and by the members of the Princeton Martial Arts Academy who showed their expertise in Arnis. It was a great reunion of sorts among PCSNJ members. The following day, the PCYouth officers and members hosted the annual Christmas extravaganza for the children. The PCC overflowed with young members of the Filipino community,
their parents, and grandparents in tow. There were so many children dressed up as angels, shepherds, and drummer boys who eagerly participated in the Nativity scene and talent program. The adults were just as excited to record the moment with their cameras. Three generations of the Cagande-Maestrado family delighted the audience with their
melodious string performance: Dr. Bebe Cagande and Vivienne Maestrado played violin
and Dr. Chi-Chi Maestrado gingerly worked her bow on cello. The PCSNJ members’ Christmas party and the Children’s Christmas Party gave us a wonderful opportunity for fellowship among old and new families in the Filipino community. It was certainly a great way to celebrate the Christmas spirit amongst friends in the old-fashioned Filipino tradition with plenty of food, holiday music and camaraderie. Also in December, PCSNJ once again participated in the hospitality at Misa de Gallo at the Church Community of Christ Our Light in Cherry Hill. Members brought food to share after mass and PCY collected for their annual Children’s Fund which will be donated to the Sacred Heart Toy Drive in Camden and the poor children in the Philippines. The PCSNJ Choir members, under the leadership of Arelyne Pacho-Ramos and the musical direction of Jojo Jordan, went caroling in December. They brought Christmas cheers to nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and private homes through their harmonious vocal presentation. Their efforts generated a total donation of $2100 which will be used to buy a replacement for the old piano at the PCC.
In February, PCY hosted a post Valentine Party at the PCC. Golf Philippines, which was coordinated by Senen Fontanilla , brought in $1000 which benefited our Senior Citizen Committee and the PCY. On March 26, in coordination with the Philippine Consulate- NY, we hosted the Outreach Program in South Jersey at the PCC, and over 100 passports, dual citizenships, and legal documents were processed. This was an annual community service that participants truly appreciated since it saved them a trip to the Philippine Consulate Office in New York City. Then on April 2, almost 100 women came to the Women’s Tea Party wearing their beautiful hats and spring outfits. This activity was carefully planned and organized by Lita Cabida in coordination with PNASJP and South Jersey Bible Church. The event raised $600 for the tsunami victims in Japan and in addition, the women donated $1207 for a special collection for
Maricel Eleuterio, a young mother of 3 who died from cancer. On April 16, an Alzheimer’s Workshop was organized by Mammy Vicky Peralta and her Senior Citizen Committee. It was a very informative seminar which got high evaluation ratings from the audience. On May 14, PCY president, Judea Nicdao, and her fellow officers armed with spades, pruning shears, and trash bags cleaned the yard in front of the center. Thanks to our young members, we got rid of the tall bushes and litter in our lawn. On the same day,
PCSNJ sponsored a legal panel forum among Fil-Am lawyers at the PCC. This was coordinated by Michael Angulo, chair of our Eucational Committee. And on May 27, Mammy Vicky and a few of us went to the Jewish Community Center for a health talk, exercise, and lunch with their adult senior members.
The PCC continues to host weekly activities such as Wednesday Line Dancing and Thursday Zumba classes. A Zumba class every first Tuesday of the month has been added by popular demand of the dance-exercise enthusiasts. Many private parties have been held at the center in the past months and more are booked in the summer months.
The Center has also undergone major electrical work in March. Through the combined efforts of Jerry Ancheta, Diana Bondad, Sylvia Tagle, and myself, the old president’s room has been converted to a much more efficient and organized storage room. The new president’s room is now located in the front section of the Center. We are anticipating renovation of the Filipiniana library in the near future.
To encourage fellowship among PCSNJ members, with the approval of the council, Philippine Community Day ( PC Day) was introduced and the activity is scheduled every second Saturday of the month which is the same day as our monthly council meeting at the PCC. This project is free to members and friends, and can range from physical activity, i.e., exercise, dancing to entertainment, i.e. movies, Karaoke before or after the monthly meeting. The objective of PC Day is to provide activities that will be enjoyed by members without cost. In February, the first PC Day was held at the PCC. A Tagalog movie was shown courtesy of Emma de Jesus. In March, a dance exercise was led by Noreen Delfin, PCY vice-president. After an hour of rigorous physical moves, we were treated to a light healthy breakfast. In April, Angela Jordan, a PCY council member, taught us kickboxing that put our muscles and flexibility to task. In May, a panel of lawyers was organized by Michael Angulo to discuss issues on immigration, real estate, traffic court, personal injury and intellectual law. On June 4th, we had fellowship after the annual meeting and election. If you have ideas on an activity for our future monthly PC Day, give me a call (856-428-3855) or email me at fme9@aol.com.
On June 11, along with many organization members of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, we joined in the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, NJ. PCSNJ Choir coordinated by Arelyne Pacho-Ramos and joined by South Jersey Bible Church chorale group led the community in the singing of the national anthems. Diana Bondad and her able assistants served delicious lunch at our PCSNJ booth which was shared by many. We wonder why the line is always long at our booth every year.
As you can surmise, we have been very busy in PCSNJ. We are fortunate to have aCommunity Center host many if not all of our indoor activities. We have more programs planned in the future such as the Filipino Language Summer Workshop for students from elementary to high school on July 18- 23. This will be coordinated by Linda Juliano who teaches Tagalog courses at University of Pennsylvania. We also plan to continue the adult computer classes that we have offered in the past. We are able to provide these services because of continued support from the community, be it in cash or in kind. We have members and non members who willingly volunteer their services. For that, I am extremely grateful.
As I get closer to the end of my first year as president of PCSNJ, Inc., it is truly a great honor and my privilege to serve the Filipino community. In the past months, I have met leaders and members of other organizations who work so hard to keep and uphold our Filipino culture, tradition, and heritage. It is a good vicarious learning experience in social and civic involvement. Thank you for putting your trust in me to lead our organization. Most importantly, thank you for supporting our activities. As you know, only through our concerted efforts can we successfully execute our noble purpose in the community. Together, we make a difference.
Lastly, I invite you to join us at our 25th year anniversary ball on September 9, 2011. Be part of this grand and momentous occasion as we celebrate PCSNJ, Inc- its history, the present and the future. Mabuhay ang PCSNJ!!!!
Sincerely yours,
Frances M. Estella
President, 2010-2012