Issue No 15 September 2010 Cover

COVER STORY-Divine Marcy Parish of Natomas to host 1st Fall Parish Festival

Divine Mercy Parish of Natomas to host 1st Fall Parish Festival

Saturday, October 9, 2010, The Divine Mercy Parish of Natomas is hosting their very first annual Fall Parish Festival between 10:30am to 6:30pm. There will be lots of food, games and entertainment throughout the day for the entire family during the entire event!

Currently, the committee for the festival is accepting booth applications from different businesses and organizations who would love to promote their business and/or organization as well as support the event. The committee is also looking for sponsorships as well as volunteers. Booth prices are $100 for Parishioners and $200 for everyone else.

All proceeds of this event is to benefit the Portable Classrooms Building Fund which the Parish intends to build in the very near future. Divine Mercy Parish at Club Center Drive, Natomas was built in 2004 and is the 100th Parish of the Sacramento Diocesese with Father
Soane Kaniseli as the Pastor. The Parish holds tagalog mass every 2nd Saturday of the month at
6:30 in the evening.--MaG

For more information about the Divine Mercy Parish:
http://www.divinemercynatomas.com/

Issue No 15 September 2010 Publisher's Note

Early this year, I thought that the only time the Filipino-American Community would be having events is around June, which is our Independence Day Celebration and then again during Christmas Season. Looking back, I now realize how little I know then. Looking at our new EVENTS TAB online I could already tell we are going to be busy all the way to December. How exciting!

Cultural Events are really important because not only does it remind us
of our roots it also brings us closer to one another in our own community.
For me, starting a business in this kind of economy was really tough and
it is still tough. The passion however to support the Filipino Community keeps me going and the friends that we meet in these events that we accumulate make up for a strong support system, a network. It might not necessarily be just the Filipino-American Community but also friends from
different community events around. I strongly believe that if we continue to support each other, leverage each other’s strengths, we will get through this. So don’t hesitate to ask, to reach out, you might be surprised!

Melanie Azcuna Garcia
Publisher

“Win loose no matter. Try hard. Earn respect”-Mr.Miyagi, KARATE KID

LIVING IN AMERICA-5th Annual Backpack for Kids Day

Filipino Classifieds Participates in the 5th Annual Backpack for Kids Day by the Calistoga Christian Center, Napa

August 8, 2010, Sunday Morning, we travelled (my first time) to Napa to support Pastor Tom and First Lady Roxanna’s cause, the 5th Annual Backpack
for Kids Day. Every year and all year round, Pastor Tomas and First Lady Roxanna Burgos would collect school supplies and backpacks to give to the kids of migrant workers of Calistoga and Napa right before they start school in August. Pastor Tom said he even sometimes buys them at
garage sales.

This year, we are honored to participate in this cause. We thank our family and friends and everyone that contributed school supplies for this event. The smiles on these little kids when they
pick their backpacks are priceless and I was blessed that I was there to experience it.

At noon, after we finished giving out backpacks, Pastor Tom and Lady Roxanna treated us for lunch at Buster’s BBQ and gave us a tour of Napa. We took lots of pictures of course and I picked up just the perfect wine for me (who usually don’t drink) from the Hagafen Cellars. Pastor Tom and First Lady Roxanna Burgos at the Calistoga Christian Center also give out gifts every year
around Christmas mostly clothes and toys to the Migrant Workers in the area.

They are very popular from Beverly Hills to Sacramento for their traditional wedding ceremonies which include veil, cord and coins, so if you are trying to get married or you are planning to renew your vows make sure to give them a call.—MaG

CONTACT INFO
Pastor Tomas Burgos
Calistoga Christian Center
PO Box 402
Calistoga California 94515
Tel 916-834-1496
www.calistogachristiancenter.org

SPECIAL FEATURE: Bayanihan at Mondavi Center

BAYANIHAN, the National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines will be performing at the UC Davis Mondavi Center, Oct 1, 2010

“Bayanihan, the National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines, takes its name from an ancient Filipino tradition called bayanihan, which means working together for a common good. Featuring lush costumes, traditional music, and fascinating choreography, the company, considered a national treasure in the Philippines, presents a visually stunning evening of enriching entertainment.”

The Filipino-American Community couldn’t be happier to learn that Bayanihan is coming
to perform this October 1st at the UC Davis Mondavi Center. As Rob Tocalino, Director
of Marketing, UC Davis Mondavi Center had mentioned, because of the vast number of
performers that come to Mondavi from all over the world, the likely occurrence of a group
even as prominent as Bayanihan to perform is still more or less once in four years.
Definitely, this is not one event that I would want to miss!
“The Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, now in its seventh season,
is UC Davis’ world-class performing arts facility. It is the premier performance venue
in Northern California and the regional destination for the best in classical music, dance,
distinguished speakers, jazz, theatre, and world music. The Mondavi Center explores the
full range of the performing arts, from the traditional to the innovative, and from diverse
cultures and disciplines through presentation, education, public service, and research. The
Mondavi Center explores the full range of the performing arts, from the traditional to the
innovative, and from diverse cultures and disciplines through presentation, education, public
service, and research.” - www.mondaviarts.org

Bayanihan was founded by Dr. Helena Z. Benitez in 1959. Walter Terry of the New York
Herald Tribune described Bayanihan as an ethnic dance culture which has gone beyond
simple preservation and into creative growth. Bayanihan has traveled all over the world to
share the Philippine Folk Culture and has created an audience globally.--MaG

P.T. JACKSON'S RANDOM REVIEW-TASTE OF BRAZIL

Taste of Brazil 5207 Madison Ave, Sacramento CA 95841
telephone 916-331-5107

This restaurant has just reopened after doing
some remodeling to the place which
makes it a nice place with a scene you can
take a love one to a special dinner. But in
my case, I go there for the FOOD!

Taste of Brazil offers a buffet that is catered
to someone who enjoys meat, and if you’re
a meat eater like me, than you will love this
place! They offer a nice buffet with several
Brazilian entrees, rice, salad, fruit etc.
The main course is when the servers come
around with the different types of steak,
chicken, lamb, or ribs.

My FAVORITE is the top sirloin and the
garlic steak. With endless round of steak
coming my way until I tap out, this has to
be in my TOP 5 Restaurants that I love. Not
to forget the chicken wrapped in bacon, it’s
a pair I never knew would go together until
I tried it! Meat wrapped in Meat!

Last but DEFINITELY NOT least come the grilled
pineapple to end off my meal. This pineapple
is grilled and seasoned that is the
perfect dessert to end my steak buffet. So
keep in mind if you want to take a special
person on a date or want to eat endless
amounts of meat like me, I definitely recommend
Taste of Brazil.

Ask P.T. to review a place:
email filipinoclassifieds@gmail.com

Filipino Classifieds July 2010 Issue No 13 Cover

July 2010 Issue No 13 Publisher's Note

Between June Issue and now we went to four different events and it was so much fun despite the growing heat, the best part is always the food right? Met a lot of new friends too! I am very happy and proud of Angels and Creations for the success of Entrepreneur’s Exhibit and Fair last May 16. I was told to expect many more to come!

We have added a couple of things to our website:

FRIENDS OF PINOY Section, for all those businesses and organizations that have supported us and we made friends with along the way and we want to support them back or maybe they just happened to be really awesome!

NEWS & FEATURES will be our most up to date happenings, events and news before they even get published to our newsletter. We will also be featuring in the tab, Filipino-American Business Owners and Organizations from all over America exclusively since the newsletter is only for Sacramento for now.
Please keep giving us your feedback so we can incorporate them on what we could do more !

Melanie A Garcia
Creator and Founder

June 2010 Issue No 12 Cover

June 2010 Issue No 12 Publisher's Note

How did your Mother’s Day go?

I think mine was the best one ever! Let’s just say I got everything that I wanted for Mother’s Day including the Lechon (roasted pork) from Fil-Am Bakery and Fastfood but most importantly I got to spend it to the two most important people in the world, my husband Ezra and my four year old daughter Megan.

June is another important month to all of us.
June 5 is still the Fiesta Filipino of Sacramento (see page 8) which we are very excited to participate for the first time! June 12 is Philippine Independence Day. Kumusta na ba ang ating bayan? What have we done lately to help our motherland, Philippines? I know we already help a lot as it is by just sending our hard earned dollars over there to support our love ones. That is just how we are we can’t turn our back from where we came from…and then here comes Father’s Day, June 20. Hmm I am thinking steak, a homemade gift certificate that says “you are entitled to play video games all day no interruption” or a gift card to best buy? Wish me luck! And to all of the DADs, Happy Father’s Day!!!



Melanie A Garcia
Creator and Founder

Filipino Classifieds May 2010 Issue No 11 Cover

May 2010 Issue No 11 Publisher's Note

It looks like this couple of months is really going to be busy for all of us!
Angels and Creations is doing the Entrepreneur’s Exhibit and Fair this May 16 and we are very excited to participate and meet with business owners all over again. May 23 is Pacific Rim Festival at Downtown Sacramento and June 16 is Filipino Fiesta of Sacramento, we hope to meet a lot of our Kababayans in the event and definitely make new friends. This is going to be the first for me to attend Filipino Fiesta as well!

This May is also Mother’s Day let’s not forget!

When I was a little girl I remembered asking all the tiny stores at our local supermarket in Valencia, Bukidnon to give me all their needle guides. You see my mother was a dressmaker and her eyes were bad so she always used a needle guide. Nobody else knows what to use the needle guides for so they never sold them and when I asked for it they gladly gave them to me for free. But to my mother it was one of the most valuable gifts she has ever gotten from me. She told me so! 
Think of simple things but are important to your mother or wife this mother’s day and I am sure she will very much appreciate it. “Little things mean a lot”
To all the mothers, happy mother’s day!!!

Melanie Garcia
Creator and Founder

April 2010 Issue No 10 Publisher's Note

I would like to thank everyone who took the time out of their busy schedule to attend the Business Mixer on March 18 at Wells Fargo Bank South Natomas Location.

Special thanks to our guest speaker, Paul Tavernia of Small Business Administration who provided some very good information about the services their office provide.

Thank you to Angels and Creations for the floral arrangements, Lynie’s Variety for the balloons, Oscar Misola of WS Wedding Story for covering the events and to Fil-Am Bakery and Fastfood for catering the event.

Mabuhay to all of you!!!

This month, I am very proud to announce our new Production Manager, Olaf Calderon. Olaf’s professional knowledge in Web Development and Graphic Design will help us greatly in our Newsletter as well our Web.


Melanie A. Garcia
@140melanie at twitter

"What we see depends on mainly what we look for." -John Lubbock

Filipino Classifieds April 2010 Issue No 10

July 2010 COVER STORY - STEVE'S PIZZA Woodland is Owned and Managed by a Filipino!

Walking into Steve’s Pizza Woodland for lunch one Sunday afternoon, I could just feel the difference. The place was extremely clean and really neat, one signature of a true Filipino! We sat down at one of the booths opposite the baking counter and the sun was beaming from the glass roof and it gave me a very fresh feeling, I felt like I was on vacation somewhere far away. I was just in Woodland!

Steve’s Pizza Woodland is different from the regular pizza parlor that one is used to picture. The place is made of solid wood logs and bricks and they also have a very nice patio at the back which was nicely shaded by trees. Inside, it has 2 rooms and a hallway with booth tables, one of the rooms is big enough it could actually be used for parties and it allows some privacy. My daughter’s favorite part of course is the games section at the back!

Ate Aida (Adelaida Recinto), Kuya Slide (Nemesio Recinto) and Ms. Donna Recinto acquired Steve’s Pizza of Woodland on September 8, 2008. Ate Aida and her husband are now retired while Donna is still studying. She is enrolling at University of Phoenix here in Sacramento to get her degree in Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and at the same time is running Steve’s Pizza. Ate Aida’s family migrated to Reno originally from Lipa, Batangas so she can be with her mother. They have decided to move here in Sacramento when Donna wanted to go to school in the Bay Area.

Donna is planning to add Karaoke Nights on Wednesdays among other fun activities that they do at Steve’s Pizza Woodland just as soon as she can convince her dad (Mr.Recinto) to lend his Karaoke and install it.—MaG
“Steve’s Pizza serves gluten free Pizza and Desserts”

July 2010 LIVING IN AMERICA - Entrepreneur's Exhibit and Fair & Roseville Community Tennis Association(RCTA)

This was by no means the regular and ordinary trade fair that I was used to attend in Philippines, in Japan or even here in America.

As I entered the hall I felt a warmth in the atmosphere it was relaxing and then I realized it was the floral arrangements that sorounded the vicinity that gave me that feeling. Wilna, owner of Angels and Creations had decorated the whole place with her beautiful floral arrangements both fresh cut and silk. The funny thing is I couldn’t differentiate one from the other! There were different arrangements for all types of occassions..

The event’s program started with Meet and Greet and appetizers were served from 3pm-6pm, Raffle drawing, presentation of exhibitors...There was at least a dozen of exhibitors there and several Filipino-American Professionals also came from all over the area and of course friends and family Angel’s and Creations is owned and managed by Wilna Sobrepena.

Angels and Creations just started its business late of last year after encouraged by close friends. Wilna is very passionate about putting together events and always there for her friends. To Wilna of Angels and Creations, congratulations on a very successful event, and to many more to come! Oscar Misola of Wedding Story was the Official Photographer of the event.

--MaG

Roseville Community Tennis Association (RTCA) team won the 2010 Mixed Doubles USTA Northern California District Championship.

RCTA will be representing the Northern California district for the Sectional/State Championship on June 5-6 at Stanford California. RCTA are mostly Filipino team members and headed by a Filipino team captain Gabby Espiritu.

They won the Local USTA tournament and represented Sacramento region at Oakley, California last May 21-23. They brought home the titles of the champions for 2.5 Mixed doubles, 6.0 Mixed Doubles and 7.0 Mixed Doubles against other cities all over Northern California.

The teams competed at each 5 flights and the champion declared at each flights will go to the State Championship. Those who will win at the Sectional or State championship will go to the Nationals. USTA is a huge US Tennis Association all over the country. It is an honor for a Filipino-American group to take home and take pride to be called a champion of the league.
–WS

June 2010 COVER STORY - Weng's Oriental Fish Market, We clean, we grill, we fry

When was Wengs Oriental Fish Market opened?
WOFM officially opened on December 28, 2007.

How did you come up with the idea?
We have always wanted to open up a business, but didn't really have any solid idea as to what type. A care home was our first choice, but after a couple of offers that we have encountered problem, we decided that it was probably not meant to be. So our next choice was a Filipino Market.

What made you choose this particular business?
We moved to Sacramento from the bay area in 2005, since then we have observed that the only major area for our fellow Pinoys to get groceries and fish is the South Sac area. It approximately takes 20 minutes to get there. Plus gas at that time was a crazy $4/gallon it is still crazy up to now ). So we thought that having a convenient Filipino store that sells and fry’s fish with cooked food as well would work specifically in the Natomas area being that it is more centralized. Also, it would additionally keep my parents busy since they have retired and complained of doing nothing at home. Having the store keeps them active.

What are things that you love about having this business?
We all enjoy meeting different new people. As people come into the store, we do treat them like we personally know them. We enjoy the conversations we have with them. My mom (our chef) enjoys cooking daily. She gets excited when she knows that there will be some type of catering scheduled for the weekend.

What kind of products you sell aside from seafood?
We do party trays, cooked food to go, grill & fry fish, grill squid, a few desserts. We also have some Filipino groceries and frozen food items.

I know that you also sell food, what is your best selling entree currently?
Pancit is always a popular item. I think my mom’s (our chef) pancit bihon and bam-i (visaya version) is a hit! There is also the toron that is always in demand. Pichi-pichi is also a popular one.

When did you guys (Ron and Weng) move here from the Philippines or were you born here?
Ron migrated here with his parents in 1991. I migrated with my parents in 1992.

How did the two of you met?
We met in SF working at McDonald’s which was both our first job after coming to America. We got married at a very young age, but we both struggled to survive all the marital trials that came our way. We are still standing strong going on to our 17th year of marriage.

Any kids?
Three kids. Clarissa who is 16, Renald who is 15 and of course Clarence, who everybody knows, is 4.

What do you like about being in America most?
I guess I can say that in America is where dreams come true. There is no prohibition as to what you want to be in life. You can be a high school drop-out and still get a job. America allows you to become a better person if you work hard at it. Everything is possible and the possibilities are endless.

What advice do you have for those Filipino-Americans like you and me if they want to start a business?
Think really really hard and make sure that your decision to have a business is what you want. Having a business is not a joke, let alone trying to keep it going in this economy,

What advice do you have for those Filipino-Americans like you and me to stay in business in this current economy?
A lot of prayer and faith is all I can tell you. It is a struggle to be in business in this type of economy. Thank God for family!

June 2010 LIVING IN AMERICA:Filipino Classifieds Turns One

June 5, 2010 is Filipino Classifieds first year anniversary. We started with an A4 sheet, three fold Newsletter with eighteen listings and a circulation of less than one hundred copies. The idea was just very simple, help Filipino immigrants especially those who are new here like me find the things they need that will help America feel closer to home, support Filipino entrepreneurs, Buy Filipino!


Filipino Classifieds now circulates one thousand copies all over Sacramento, Roseville and Elk Grove area with a fourteen page booklet.

No man is an island, like everybody else we owe a lot to those that have trusted us from the very beginning. Filamor Doronio of Small Business Administration had brought me a handful of business cards that he had collected from his most recent APO speaking engagement. That was the very few first listings. He was very encouraging and had so much faith in the project. Vicki Avila, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Consultant and Zeny Winn, REA Realtor were our first couple of advertisers and I am forever grateful for their confidence and support. Lynn Napiza of Lynie's Variety and Pastor Tomas Burgos were the first to contact us from our website and it was very exciting to get their positive feedback. Then there is my unsung hero, Ezra. Ezra was there sitting next to me as my guidance in acquiring filipinoclassifieds.net.

December 13, 2009 we had our First Filipino Classifieds Christmas Party. Filipino Classifieds has also brought together Filipino Small Business owners as well as other Small Business Owners on March 18, 2010 when Wells Fargo South Natomas had hosted a Buisness Mixer. This May 16, is Entrepreneur's Exhibit and Fair by Angels and Creations and Filipino Classifieds is proud to say that we are supporting this event one hundred and one percent.

Filipino Classifieds is turning into a family, an intimate network of small business owners and professionals. Within, we have created a sense of camaraderie. So once you have decided to be part of us then expect invitations, referrals, and support. I look out for you and you look out for me. For me, it is a very nice feeling, actually.

This is how I dreamed it and this is how I wanted it to be.

Filipino Classifieds is the only publication that covers solely on what goes on in the Filipino Community here in America. Filipino Classifieds list businesses, organizations and professionals online free.

-MaG--

Filipino Classifieds August 2010 Issue No 14 COVER

August 2010, Publisher's Note

Filipino Classifieds is asking for your school supply donations as we participate in the 5th Annual Backpack for Kid's Day on Sunday, August 8, 2010 9m-12pm at Napa.

This event is organized by Pastor Tomas Burgos and Firstlady Roxanna Burgos of the Calistoga Christian Center, Napa Valley, California. The couple, also a very good friend of ours is very passionate in supporting diverse community particularly the Filipino and Hispanic Community.

This year it is with great honor that we are able to support this cause and it is our intention with God's blessings that we support Pastor Tomas and Lady Roxanna yearly for this cause and possibly many others to come.

Please send us your used and new school backpacks, paper pads, notepads, pens, et cetera by August 5th

Melanie A Garcia

Creator and Founder, Filipino Classifieds

follow Melanie in twitter at www.twitter.com/140melanie

"Whatever you do in life will be insignificant but it is very important that you do it."-Gandhi

August 2010 COVER STORY-MY DANCING ANGEL:Kylie Ann Misola-Abucay

Hard work, dedication, and pure love for ballet... She would rather be on stage than anywhere else. It is something she knew since she was a little girl. At the sweet age of two years old she pranced around the living room doing costume changes on the coffee table and bowing to her adoring audience of mama, papa, mommy and daddy.
She started performing in year-end recitals, participating in group competitions and taking in different roles in the West Lake School for the Performing Art's annual Nutcracker production held at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco.

It was when she played the main role of "Clara" in 2009 when she realized she could accomplish anything as long as she puts her heart and mind to it. She began dancing with conviction and her love for ballet grew like a rapid fire.



She soon after began training as a soloist in preparation to begin competing. It was nerves and anxiety getting ready to dance in front of the judges all by herself for the first time. Hair neatly tied in a bun, make-up and eyelashes perfect. The suspense grew with intensity until she hit the stage with her chin up high and executed her routine with a graceful strength. It was that moment on stage when she landed her ending, out of breath, looking at the audience, when a whole new world opened up to her. It was like seeing in color for the first time. She placed top 12, but she wanted even more.

It was ballet everything! Waking up at 5:30 am stretching and doing barre and centre in the living room before going to school in the morning, listening to a variety of classical music in the car while twinkling her toes to the routine playing in her head, and searching You Tube for variations.

She competed in the "Showstopper" dance competition in March 2010. She placed double platinum first place in her category and third overall in her age group. Her name is Kylie Ann Misola-Abucay, age 11 and she loves to dance.

For more information please call Joy Misola, 650-868-1863

August 2010 LIVING IN AMERICA-2010 FILIPINO FIESTA OF SACRAMENTO, Connecting our Communities

Over 5000 people attended the 35th Annual Filipino Fiesta of Sacramento at Jose Rizal Community Center, Florin Mall Drive, Sacramento California on Sunday, June 6, 2010. The Fiesta is held every first Sunday of June in celebration of the Philippine Independence which is June 12.
The Filipino Fiesta of Sacramento was put together by a few Filipino-American Community Organizations: Filipino Community of Sacramento and Vicinity (FCSV), Filipino-American Veteran Association, Filipino Women's Club, SFTPAA Sinag-Tala, The Ilocanos of America and Univerity of the Philippines Alumni Association. Together these organizations work in cooperation, friendship and mutual support to showcase the Filipino-American history and culture through educational and cultural activities.

The Filipino Fiesta of Sacramento seeks to bing the different generations together to teach, learn and share Filipino-American history and culture, work on joint educational and cultural activities with organizations in the broader Sacramento Community and help promote better relations among the youth and community as a whhole by sponsoring events and activities regarding advancement of performing arts, sports, public health and safety.

The fiesta started with the traditional parade, attended by the different Filipino-American Communities in Sacramento and neighboring cities and sponsors. There was an opening ceremony which was followed by cultural entertainment. There were a good number of booths and Filipino Classifieds was one of them.

All photographs courtesy of Oscar Misola Photography http://www.oscarmisolaphotography.com/

Contact Filipino Classifieds to get a complete photo coverage of the Fiesta or just a number of photos, tel 916-397-8493 http://www.filipinoclassifieds.net/