Living in America: Natomas Divine Mercy 1st Fall Festival

LIVING IN AMERICA-Adobo Festival Aug 21-22, 2010 William Land Park Sacramento Ca

All Photos by Oscar Misola Photography

Mango Tours

Mango Fix

Filipino-American Youth International Foundation with friends from Daly City

Little 22Ban

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

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 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--

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/

May 2010 LIVING IN AMERICA-12 PINOY Mother's Day Gift She'll Love

1) Floral Arrangement Delivered at Mom's work or at home.
Angels and Creations
Bouquet starts at $19.95 free delivery within
Sacramento & Roseville Area
Tel 916-541-2596
http://www.angelsandcreations.com/

2) Take her to a truly PINOY Lunch or Dinner Date
Fil-Am Bakery and Fastfood
Serving lechon Baboy (roasted pork) and other
special food just for this very occasion
4571 Gateway park Bld Ste C-3
Sacramento CA 95834
Tel 916-419-2606

3) Capture the Moment-Schedule for a professional portrait
Oscar Misola, WS Wedding Story Photography
Will visit your home and set up for portraits,
family or just her!
May 1-30, 2010 25% DISCOUNT when you bring a copy of the Filipino Classifieds May
Issue on the day of the pictorial
Tel 916-574-9858

4) Hire a house cleaner for a day so Mom can enjoy her "ME TIME"
Milagros House Cleaning Services
Service Package starts at only $100 for a 3 bedroom house
Tel 916-333-9452

5) Bring out the SONGBIRD in her-Get the Magic Karaoke!
Giselle Jaime, Sub Dealer
Single Mic $298, Double Mic $398
Tel 916-470-3986

6) Hire a Dance Instructor for the night or a complete lesson
Dominic Salmorin
Professional Dance Instructor
Tel 916-396-8390

7) Take her to shopping for Barongs and Filipina Dresses with Embriodery
Stitches by BIBS
10% on all dresses on Mother's Day
SD Mart Stall H-5 6051 Mack Rd
Sacramento CA 95823
Tel 916-428-1788

8) Keep her up to date with the local PINOY Happenings
Get her a FILIPINO CLASSIFIEDS Subscription
$18 for one year (12 months)
Tel 916-397-8493
filipinoclassifieds@gmail.com

9) Treat her for a NEW LOOK
St.James Studio
(hair and make-up, gift cards available)
Megan Aquitania, Sales Manager
8300 Fair Oaks Blvd
Carmichael CA 95608
Tel 916-944-7361 for reservations

10) Surprise her with her favorite FILIPINO Cake
It's the BIG BREAD SALE Buy 2 Get 1 FREE
Red Ribbon
6051 Mack Rd
Sacramento CA 95823
Tel 916-395-1121

11) Diamonds are a girl's best friend!
JR Enterprises, retailer of real jewerly
(tunay na alahas)
Sells affordable real 14k gold and up and precious stones at affordable prices
Installment Plans also available
Erlinda Del Rosario
Tel 916-265-3247

12) Rosary Bracelets for the Relehiyosa (religious)
Genuine Jade with Swarovski Crystal stones
Giselle Jaime (also distributes MELALEUCA health products)
Tel 916-470-3986

-MaG-
email: filipinoclassifieds@gmail.com for feedback

April 2010 LIVING IN AMERICA-Divine Mercy Parishioners Natomas Welcomes New Pastor Fr. Soane Kaniseli

Born in Navutoka, a small village near Nuku'alofa, the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga

Ordained December 12, 1987, St.Peter and Paul Church for the Archiodecese of Wellington, New Zealand

Parish Assignments: May 1998-Parochial Vicar-St.Joseph and St.Teresa of Avila, Auburn Ca, 2001-Parochial Administrator-St.Joseph Parish in Marysville, Ca, August 2003-Chaplaincy Ministry-Tongan Catholics in Aukland, New Zealand, February 2004-Parochial Administrator, St.Anne Parish, Sacramento Ca, July 2007-Pastor, St,Maria Goretti parish, Elk Grove, Ca, January 2010, Pastor-Divine Mercy Parish, Sacramento Ca

visit for more info: http://www.divinemercynatomas.com/

April 2010 LIVING IN AMERICA-Wells Fargo Hosts Business Mixer (March 18, 2010)

L-R Marissa Eldreth, Lady Roxanna Burgos, Pastor Tomas Burgos

L-R Lynn Napiza, Adonis Aldana, Melanie Garcia, Shirley Aldana, Jeff Jastillana, Roberto Castro

Guest Speaker, Paul Tavernia-Small Business Administration

for more photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/filipinoclassifieds/SacramentoBusinessMixer

March 2010 LIVING IN AMERICA-TAX WRITE OFFS YOU DIDN'T KNOW

The most popular tax write offs are to participate on the retirement paland and health savings account offered by your employer. Avoid early withdrawal on traditional IRAs (subject to additional 10% tax) and other qualified retirement plans except when you use it as a first time home buyer, certain medical or educational expenses, or if you are disabled.

Gambling winnings are always taxable income reported on line 21 of Form 1040. You may NOT use Form 1040A, Form 1040. You can not deduct gambling losses that are more than your winnings and provide receipts , tickets, statements or other records showing both your winnings and losses.

If your Social Security benefits were your only income for 2009, your benefits are not taxable and you probably do not need to a file a federal tax income return. If you received income from other sources, your benefits will be taxed unless your modified adussted gross income is more than the base amount for your filing status.

Quick computation whether some your benefits may be taxable: First, add one half of the total social security benefits you received to all your other income, including tax exempt interest and other exclusions income. Then, compare this total to the base amount of your filing status. If the total is more than your base amount, some of your benefits maybe taxable.

The 2009 base amounts are:
$32,000 for married filing jointly
$25,000 for single, head of household, qualifying widow/widower with dependent child or married filing separately who dinot live together anytime during the year.
$0 for married filing separately who lived together during the year

THE FOLLOWING CAN LOWER YOUR INCOME TAXES:
First $2,400 unemployment compensation deduction
Educator expenses for teachers
Employee business expense not reimbursed by employer
Health savings account deduction form 8889
Moving expenses on form 3903
One half self employment tax
Self-employed SEP, SIMPLE and qualfied plans
Self-employed health insurance deduction
Penalty on early withdrawal of savings
Alimony paid
IRA deduction
Retirement savings contribution credit fomr 8880
Student loan interest deduction 1098-E
Education credit form 8863 1098-T
Tuition and fees deduction
Foreign earned income form 2555
Jury duty pay given to employer
Health savings account & Archer MSA deduction
Health coverage tax credit (HCTC) received 65% of premium paid
Born before Jan 2, 1945 and legally blind deduction
Foreign tax credit credit form 1116
Credit for child and dependent care expenses form 2441
Credit for the elderly or disabled schedule R
Child tax credit
Making work pay and government retiree credit
Earned income credit
First time home buyer credit for ling time resident home buyer credit
Sales or excise tax paid on energy efficient or car deduction between 2/17/2009 & 1/1/2010
Medical and denta deduction in excess of 7.5% of AGI

I am more than willing to assist you for more details on the above topics or if you may have questions on other topics like on Schedule A, Schedule C, Schedule E, 1099-C and 1099-A. Do not hesitate to ask me or you can visit http://www.irs.gov/

Mar Dimes
Tax Preparations, Accounting/Bookkeeping, Payroll and All Tax Reports
tel 916-627-5970

10 TIPS TO A HAPPY NEW YEAR

1) Simplify

Identify what your needs are, what your wants are and what are those that you don’t have to have. We usually complicate ourselves with vanity, material things and sometimes drama.

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line…when there are less things to worry then you have more energy to focus on the important ones and do a better job on what really matters…

2) Know your priorities

Once you know your priorities then the rest will follow. Know what they are and stick to them. Focus on them according to importance these will give you a sense of accomplishment.

3) Live within your means

Sit down, create a budget. This budget should be realistic and should go with what’s important to you. Is health important to you? Is quality important to you? And remember, simplify and according to priority.

Money maybe the easiest problem but to many of us this remains the biggest stress in our life. Once we have control over money then we can enjoy other things in life.

4) Follow your heart

Trust your instinct. They are there for a reason.

5) “Know that there will always be a greater and lesser person than you are”-Desiderata
6) “Do not feign affection…it is as perennial as the grass”--Desiderata

7) Take care of yourself

Take care of your health. Take the time to relax, eat the right food, exercise and clear your mind. Find your peace. What have we got to give to give to our family, our love ones and friends if we do not have ourselves; what can we contribute at work and our community if we ourselves are lost…

8) Be there

So many times we are so busy that we have become very good at multi-tasking. Multi-tasking is really great as long as it is not with relationships. When you play with your child, make it a point that your mind and not only your body is present. When you spend time visiting friends and relatives, be there and not on your iphone browsing the internet. This is something we don’t mean to do but has become a habit.

9) Create a support system within family, friends and at work

Find that somebody that you can trust and know that they will be there for you. Life is so much better when you have someone to share or unburden, to get advice. Most importantly learn to TRUST GOD completely. Everything happens for a reason.

10) Before you throw a stone…

Before getting so angry; Before judging that grumpy person, step back and think…what had this person been through that caused him so much unhappiness…



-MaG

Jose Lyle and Leah Quidet's Church Wedding

Jose Lyle and Leah Quidet's Church Wedding

December 19, 2009

Divine Mercy Church, North Natomas

Sacramento Ca

Jose Lyle and Leah were introduced by each by a mutual friend
Jose Lyle is from Oroqueta City and Leah is from Davao City

Jose Lyle works for Wells Fargo Bank and Leah is a registered nurse

photos courtesy of http://www.angelsandcreations.com/

FILIPINO-AMERICAN'S CHRISTIMAS 2009

FILIPINO CLASSIFIEDS has asked a few of our Kababayans on how they will be celebrating Chrismtas this year...
"I will be celebrating at my Tita's house in Pittsburg, CA. It's very Pinoy Occassion. We have so much Filipino food that everyone will take home baon after the obligatory picture-taking session. It's a large gathering with all the cousins and babies present.

There will most likely be a proogram where kids can show their talent and the elders their sense of humor. We ha an additional tradition of playing charades, a hula hoop competition, and FPJ movie (with subtitles for the the Fil-Ams). This year we will likely be interacting with our Manila family via Facebook or video chat. Pasko na tayo!"--Ron Quesada, KULINTRONICA, Guitar, Kulintang, Bass:Autonomous Region, OAKLAND, CA


"I will be visiting most of my relatives (nieces and nephews) nearby. I have received several invitations this year and it should keep me really busy."--Avelina Uganiza, Retired, World Traveler, SOUTH NATOMAS, SACRAMENTO CA

"I'll be in Tokyo for the holidays...that's 23rd til 05 January so the celebration will be reunion with my Japanese SSEAYP batchmates on the 23rd and watch a christmas concert near Ueno station on the evening of 24th...maybe dinner with family and friends that's because Christmas is like an ordinary day for the Japanese"--Angelie Azuna, Exchange Student, International University of Japan, NIIGATA-KEN, JAPAN

"This Christmas, I will be spending it without my immediate family but instead will be feasting with my family in the San Jose area. It'll be lonely without my wife and two boys but my parents and siblings will fill the gap..."--Wilben Taghap, Nursing Student, SACRAMENTO CA

"We're having our company party at my clubhouse instead of a hotel or restaurant. The money we save we give as part of the employee bonuses. It was my staff's idea...signs of the times..."--Elaine Lat, Chief Operating Officer, STAR HHR Inc, LA VERNE CA

NOV 1ST ALL SAINT'S DAY THE FIL-AM WAY

“November 1- Majority of the Filipino population observe All Saint's Day (Araw ng mga Patay). During the Araw ng mga Patay Filipinos remember their dead, clean the graves, and decorate them with flowers. The Filipino Classifieds, in honor of this very important holiday has asked our kababayans in America to share how they remember their dead. Here is one of the most interesting ones…

Because I’m a musician (Vocalist/Songwriter/Guitarist), I always get invited to a big bash Musicians E-Group Halloween Music Jamming Party performing as one of the musician jammers( performing doing my own original songs, doing my rendition playing my guitar or w/the band) & also as one of the Judges who the best band is & individual musicians. We always have a blast with different kinds of performers! Considering that the majority attendees are Filipinos, we get to invite other nationalities too to join the fun & show them how we Filipinos party to the max! These coming parties in The Swiss Bar Grill, all of us are encouraged to wear costumes since there is a contest! I have been celebrating Halloween the American way ever since I got here in 1985.

When my sister opened her door for "trick or treat" on our first year, I was delighted to see a different costume & giveaway candies! To me it was fun, because, you get to be who you want to be during Halloween.



What I enjoy most, is the art of every costume the way it was made & the designs, colors, details of it, maybe because I’m an artist & came from a family of one whom my brother is a charcoal , pastel & oil painter that I admire.

I still remember, bringing my daughter to do trick or treating in every neighborhood we lived in the area, from Cupertino where we first moved to Brentwood where we previously finished high school. Now that she's a grown- up girl, she gets to join me perform where my gigs are. My family will be with me in this occasion together with all our fellow Pinoy musicians to celebrate this American tradition. The following day we plan to visit my dad’s resting place in Skylawn Memorial the following day to also not forget our own Filipino tradition to visit our dead. I’m hoping my mom feels better to join us there. We will end our weekend going to a nearby Pinoy Resto on Sunday on our way home going back to Elk Grove, Cali which is now our new residence.

Happy Halloween to you Mel & the rest of the crew of Filipino Classifieds! Ahooooooooooooo, Ahooooooo, Ahooo, ahoo, awwwwww!!!!!!!!

Juliet Argoncillo Suarez
Vocalist/Songwriter/Guitarist
Phone 925.813.2272
Email julietsuarez@comcast.net