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(Jersey City, NJ) Not only dedicated to its prime commitment to unconditionally serve the diverse ethnicities and the fast-developing Filipino-American community in the Hudson County but also to bridge any gap that could in any way hinder progress on either side, the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL) has immensely carried out immeasurable tasks and incessantly extended its support to benefit the ever-growing number of Asian immigrants even way farther beyond its mission. Having been distinctly recognized as the only Asian Provider Agency by the Hudson Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office on Aging, PACCAL also extensively promotes Filipino and Asian heritage through cultural presentations and widely disseminated socio-economic programs and humanitarian services.

Earning another feather from the unprecedented success of its recently concluded annual Women’s History Month celebration at the Ramada Hotel (Frontage Road, Newark), the affair’s overwhelming success was undeniably credited to the collective efforts of the enthusiastic and hard-working PACCAL officers, members and volunteers, who, despite the short span of planning, preparations and limited resources, overpoweringly defied every possible hindrance and odd just to insure positive results—which they impressively did!

This year’s roster of honorees was composed of distinguished women who don’t only excel in their chosen career paths but simultaneously serve their community and mankind. Aside from being awarded with a symbolic loving cup distinctly embellished with a pink sash and a Citation Certificate from the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City (through the auspicious courtesy of Councilwoman Nidia Lopez), the honorees were each handed a bouquet of blooms in season through a dramatically well-choreographed “Paghahandog” (offering rites) by PACCAL’s Pagbubunyi Beauties headed by terpsichorean guru, Virgie Alvarez.

The 2011 most outstanding women who magnificently composed the very core of the celebration, duly recognized and bestowed with honors were: Sinforosa “Rose” Tan, Ph.D., Education; Grace Hufano-Labaguis, Media/Production; Clarita “Tarit” Ramos, Cultural Heritage; Zenaida Mercado Almario, Community Service; Corazon Cajucom-Reyes, Humanitarian Service; Cristina Abuan-Zarejko, Government Service; April Talangbayan, Performing Arts; Vilma G. Fule, MD, Medical Profession; and Fe Mones-Saquibal, Nursing Profession. Dr. Fule stood tall and regaled the audience with her meaningful and substance-filled response in behalf of the 2011 Women’s Achiever Awardees.

The remarkable affair also highlighted the oath-taking of PACCAL’s new set of officers as formally inducted by Hon. Councilwoman Nidia Lopez after which the Hon. Dep. Consul Gen. Melita Thomeczek, who energetically represented the new Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr., delivered an inspirational speech. Sworn in to office were Luchie T. Vivas, President (unfortunately failed to attend due to a delayed flight from Manila); Bobby T. Yalong, 1st Vice-Pres. and Production Director; Rose P. Javier, 2nd. Vice-Pres. and Ball Chair; Mae Legaspi, Recording Secretary; Marilou Songco, Corresponding Sec.; Ric Respicio, Treasurer; Helen Dimaya, Asst. Treas.; and Delfin Iglesia, Auditor;

Board Directors: Clara Hayes, Helen Santillan, Rhea Doria, Crispy Mirasol, Joey Mayo, Edgar P. Rosales, and Jimmy Buenviaje. Technical Advisers: Linda Mayo and Betty Buenviaje. Cultural and Arts Consultants: Virgie Alvarez and Ogie Afable. Senior Program Advisers: Jose G. Red, Fred T. Diaz, Bing Antonio and Jose C. Santillan. Program Coordinators: Florentino T. Capili and Susan Liguori. Fiscal Officer: Annie Tan. Community Advisory Council: Dr. Leo A. Dela Cruz, Dennis Hayes, Oscar Fernando, Herbert Y. Magtoto, Romulo M. Luz, Henry Quiambao, Francis Sison, Ric Isip, Ledy Almadin, Atty. Merit Salud, Cherique Po, Dr. Francisco Yuvienco, Ronnie Atinaja, Tudie Basilio, Marietta Lamar, Marietta Salvador, Rolly Javier, Atty. Victor Sison, and Atty. J.T. Mallonga.
PACCAL easily scored tremendous accolades and sky-rocketing praises as undoubtedly attested by the outpouring of a slew of congratulatory email and text messages from appreciative attendees… especially the event’s honorees.
And to quote a few of the heartwarming and ego-elating messages:

“…the silver cup, the citation, and the beautiful bouquet all speak of your sincere intent to express your appreciation of the thematic and culture-based programs I have presented through the rondalla groups I’ve led for almost two decades now. I commend you all who have worked hard to produce a successful and well-organized affair, fun-filled and not an ordinary run-of-the-mill type as I’ve seen in many of our local events. Gleaning from your activities, PACCAL truly has a worthy mission and deserves support from our community!” Clarita “Tarit” Ramos, 2011 Women’s Achiever Awardee for Cultural Heritage.

“Please extend our deep appreciation to the PACCAL officers and members as well as the event chairpersons and committees for a job well done. I honestly did not expect such an elaborate and wonderful production! Congratulations to all who contributed to the success of the celebration and more power to PACCAL!” Rose Tan Kaung, Women’s Achiever Awardee for Education.

“There has never been an awarding event as colorful and touching as what PACCAL just recently hosted. The affair was simply grandiose and the award, worth treasuring! Impressive production! Well-organized program! Thanks for the recognition and the worth-treasuring memories!” Fe Mones-Saquibal, Women’s Achiever Awardee for Nursing profession.

“Friends who weren’t at PACCAL’s WHM celebration sorely missed the event’s showcase. The PACCAL team precisely knew themselves that made the strength of the evening’s festivities. This is the way Filipinos worked together, the way Filipinos and friends dress-up…as beautifully as they are in the presence of God. Mr. Bobby T. Yalong has began another transformation: multi-talented in decorating the stage and venue, designing lovely trophies with beautiful pink ribbons, beautiful flower arrangements in silver, gold and green…that leaves one breathless in the materials used like it was handled with the evening’s guests in mind. The souvenir journal was top of the line! The talented performers, with their God-given talents, were amazing. The Roster of Honorees celebrating Women’s History Month for their accomplishments and presented on a beautiful stage setting was for the future generations to emulate!” April Talangbayan, Women’s Achiever Awardee for Performing Arts.

“Without a single cloud of doubt, PACCAL’s Women’s History Month celebration gave us a very clear insight of the real plight and prominent status of the female populace in the current global set-up. I’m sending my sincerest thanks to every PACCAL officer and member involved for the recognition bestowed on me and my co-awardees… that was one unforgettable shining moment of my lifetime…!” Grace Hufano Labaguis, Women’s History Month Awardee for Media/Productions.

Also deserving of unending praises and accolades were young talented artists who performed and added glitz to the already glitzy affair: flutist April Talangbayan, promising divas Tiffany Viray and Alyssa Shoemaker, youngest singing tandem, the Viray Brothers, Patrick and Zachary, and tested chanteuse Maureen Javier Varco while good-looking male mannequins from PROFILES, Omar Negron and Jordan Balacating, smartly escorted the lady awardees.

“Suffice it to say that, through the years, PACCAL has constantly carried out and struggled to attain proficiency in community interactions and undoubtedly mastered the art of recognizing and awarding outstanding figures who peculiarly manifest the truest essence of unconditional service and excellent human relations. As always, PACCAL stands upfront in its continuous efforts to provide, assist, and empower the community through its varied programs. And for these, we thank everybody who continuously stands behind us and firmly believes in what we do.” Discloses the amiable Linda Mayo, PACCAL’s Founder and Executive Director.

The TOFA project was initiated in 1990 and have been commended by the governments of the United States, Canada and the Philippines. The bio-data of the 320 Past TOFA Awardees are found in the PINOY GLOBAL ON LINE NEWS : HTTP://WWW.FILAMIMAGE.COM, a 24/7 global web site.

The CRITERIA, HISTORY and other TOFA informations are found in the popular website. A complete copy issue of FILIPINO IMAGE Magazine’s 2006, 2007 & 2008 Souvenir Journals, detailing more one hundred pages of biodata of the 2009 TOFA awardees and photographs; VIP Special Messages and including all the Congratulatory Messages and ADs, in full color, are in the website and free for all to read globally. An unprecedented feat in Filipino journalism. The 3-day 14th annual event starts on Thursday, Sept. 09, 2010 with an informal get -together for the awardees and their special guests. The following, Friday, Sept. 10th, the VIP Luncheon at JW Marriott Hotel, and at night, the fabulous welcome dinner reception at the Philippine Embassy. The following day, Saturday, Sept. 11th, a sight-seeing tour, and photo opportunity around the Nations’ Capital, capped with a memorable VIP Dim Sum Luncheon. At night, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, is a formal gala Banquet and Ball Award Ceremony.

After the gala is the traditional Filipino breakfast which will end the whirlwind social functions. Linda Mayo is the founder and Executive Director of Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc., a nonprofit 501 (c3) organization serving the health and human service needs of the Filipinos and other Asians in Hudson County. Ms. Mayo has 23 years of experience in grassroots community organizing. In 1986, she organized the International Montgomery Gateway West Neighborhood Association (IMGWA) consisting of a majority of Filipinos, Asian Indians, Pakistanis, Koreans, Chinese and for added measure some Irish, Italians, African Americans and Hispanics. This new community development in downtown Jersey City at that time was being plagued by robberies, house break-ins and muggings. After Ms. Mayo organized the community, it soon became one of the safest neighborhoods in Jersey City as evidenced by Police records. She then moved to become the president of the Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations which consisted of Van Vorst Park, Harsimus Cove, Hamilton Park, Paulus Hook and IMGWA which actively advocated for various issues affecting the neighborhood.

Ms. Mayo’s focus and years of dedication in community organizing did not go unnoticed. In 1992, Governor Jim Florio appointed her as the Filipino representative to the Governor’s Ethnic Advisory Council. From there, Ms. Mayo advocated for Filipinos and other Asian’s government participation like the appointment of the first Filipino member of the New Jersey State Board of Nursing and appointments of Filipinos to various boards and commissions in Jersey City.

PACCAL has an Artists-in-Residence Project to promote New Jersey’s Filipino and Asian heritage through culturally competent and community needs programs and initiatives. It is the recipient of a Local Arts Grant from the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs.

Featured Artist & Folk Dance choreographer in “Pagbubunyi” is famed dancer/choreographer of Philippine folk dances, Ms. Virgie Alvarez. She will be joined by Nina Grajo, Dante Tolentino, Edgar P.Rosales, Florentino Capili, Rose Javier, Paulette Ong, Liza Arnaldo, Rhodora Villanueva, Tudy Basilio, Betty Buenviaje, Susan Liguori, Linda Mayo, Cienesse Lontoc, JR Lavarro and Dr. Ramon Benito.

“Pagbubunyi” will showcase folkdances from different regions of the Philippines: the Igorot Suite, Maria Clara Suite, Muslim Suite, and Rural Suite. The finale will have a presentation of different beauties representing different regions and popular folk legends of the Philippines. The beauties are:
Lakambini – Denise Rendor
Bathaluman – Luchie Vivas
Perlas ng Silangan – Helen Dimaya
Mutya ng Maynila – Dr. Alice Almendral
Mutya ng Mindanao – Margie Wisotsky
Princesita – Desiree Wisotsky
Mutya ng Bisayas – May Durano
Mutya ng Luzon – Cherique Po
Mutya Ng Pilipinas – Marieta Lamar

Members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, New Jersey Chapter, headed by Sir Francis Sison, Chapter Commander will also participate in the Rural Suite.

“This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner of the National Endowment for the Arts administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, Thomas A. De Gise, County Executive and the Board of Chosen Freeholders.”

Donation is $25.00 which includes cultural concert and dinner dance. For more information, please call Linda Mayo (201) 388-1260.