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TANGLAW Filipino-American Society of Long Island (NY), Inc.

                                                                                                  

Holbrook, NY – On September 27, 2009 Tanglaw Filipino-American Society of Long Island, NY, Inc. has immediately launched Operation Tulong to help the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. This project was in response to devastations which affected more than 122,000 families with 617,182 persons in the Philippines. Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) has submerge major parts of the Philippines. At this point, estimates from varying sources are 140 people have been killed, several thousand are still missing and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. News reports state that this is the worst rainfall the country has seen in 40 years.

According to Robert Zarate, Coordinator of Operation Tulong, Operation Tulong is an affirmation of community spirit in helping our fellow “kababayans” in the Philippines. Please help to make this Operation Tulong memorable and successful one. Hopefully, together with your sup­port, we can make Operation Tulong bring the community together as well as raise funds and collect your donations for this important cause. Your voluntary contribution means a lot.

 

 

 Todate, we have distributed 50 balikbayan boxes in Nassau and Suffolk counties for Fil-Am families to fill up the boxes with their donations.  We are collecting donations from the public and we are desperately in need of clothes, towels, bed sheets, canned goods, and ready to eat foods (cereals, crackers, cookies) rice, coffee, baby formula, diapers, toiletries, medicine, vitamins and money donations.

Tanglaw had chosen to send these the boxes to the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Philippine Medical Women's Association door-to-door with the generous assistance of Highlight Express Cargo who gave us a discount in the shipping costs of the balikbayan boxes.

To learn more how you can help, please visit our website at www.tanglaw.org or call Robert Zarate 631.816-4372; Ramon Villongco 631.742.3479; Tony Enriquez631.942.2850 and Baisy/Tonih Apostol 646.417.2684.

Dr. Fred Roque, Helen Kwong Carvajal, Kristyl-Cuence-Sisko and Onie Cuenca gave a superb musical performance opening at the Tanglaw Dinner Ball.

Tanglaw had just celebrated its 30^th Anniversary with a very successful dinner ball at The Sterling and I am happy to report to one and all that the affair was a tremendous success. Setting the stage was the opening act of Onie (Tito Onie) Cuenca, Dr. Fred Roque (Tito Fred), Kristyl Cuenca Sisko and Helen Cavajal with a phenomenal rendition of “Magandang Gabi…”. The surprise dance number of the Whienos was so energetic that I  wanted to get and dance with them. I know for a fact that they have been practicing for nine weeks and kudos to all for their hard work for it surely paid off.

All these elements brought Tanglaw’s many talents to the forefront. It has showcased its unity, brotherhood/ sisterhood, a true sharing of our values, culture and most of all, the friendships we share.

This was also a time to reflect and see how far we have come, and be proud of what it has accomplished, and to take a peek at what lies ahead.

I had chaired the 2006 Dinner Ball, Tonette Carlos for 2007, and Dr. Manny Dador chaired 2008, which I might add was a very important milestone. Each Chairperson has always brought a bit of their own personality to each one, therefore each is unique in its own way.

Pres. Tony Enriquez’s very good choice for this year’s Dinner Ball Chair could not have been more appropriate because of our 30^th year milestone.

Dr. Dador has always been a stalwart and one of Tanglaw’s rocks, always there when you need him. His quiet and steady presence has always played a key role for Tanglaw’s survival and strength.

One of our co-chairs this year was Bess Protacio. I have and will always value my friendship with Bess. She has volunteered and helped in all of Tanglaw’s undertakings. She always has valuable advice and always there to plug the gaps in any of Tanglaw’s endeavors, from the planning stage to the execution stage.

The other co-chair is Kristyl Cuenca Sisko. Kristyl represents the next generation of Tanglaw. Daughter of Onie and Malou Cuenca, she grew up in Tanglaw, ( with all the Titos and Titas),  and I must say is now a wonderful young lady. She is a young lady that has taken her Filipino values and melded it beautifully with the American way of life.

Kudos to all that have helped make this dinner ball a success and give yourselves a huge pat on the back for a job truly well done. And to next year’s ball chairperson, you have very big shoes to fill. Ask and you will always be given help for it is there for the asking, all because of this very special friendship we all share.

 

THE WHINE OH'S

(Back Row) Helen, Abby, Bess (Middle Row) Olga, Onie, Dette (Front) Laila.

CHECKS/CASH DONATIONS

 

Various Donors, $210

Dr. Lou Escano, $100

Baisy/Tonih Apostol, $200

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Lingad, $200

Mary Jane Lerias, $40

Vi & Friends, $90

Tony & Dette Enriquez, $100

Precy & Fred Salas, $45

Dr. Manny & Mely Dador, $100

Mr. & Mrs. Getjie HombreBueno, $100

Kristyl Cuenca, $100

Oscar & Racquel Dizon, +40 plus canned goods

 

 BALIKBAYAN BOXES
PLEDGES

 

Friends from Nassau - 10 Boxes

Tonih Apostol - 7 Boxes

 Mon Villongco Family - 6 Boxes

Robert Zarate - 5 Boxes

Tony Enriquez - 5 Boxes

Cindy Hom - 4 Boxes

Darlene Nourjaan - 2 Boxes

Sonia Carasig - 1 Box

Bess & Art Protacio - 1 Box

Learn To Dance Group - 3 Boxes

Dr. Edgar & Mary Jane Lerias - 2 Boxes

Ms. Karen Carl - 1 Box

 Special Thanks to:

Ellen & Samantha Bear
ALTANTIC CHEVROLET CADILLAC
1356 Sunrise Highway
Bay Shore, NY 11706-5914

 

This is Sister Ma. Cecilia Calaguas of the Sienna College, St Martin’s Foundation.  Tanglaw had sent her a $500 which she graciously accepted from Bess.

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A little anecdote about our meeting: 

I have been trying to search for Sr. Calaguas since I got into Manila on Feb 6.  Unfortunately I have no contact information for her other than the address on the envelope that is Barangay Sienna.  Luckily my mother-in-law was sort of familiar with the place and we did manage to find it.  We did it the old fashion way by asking around anyone who would talk to us if they knew where St. Martin’s place it.  Of course our kababayans are more than willing to help.  It turns out it was right at Sienna College.  As we were driving in into the campus, I asked the guard if he knew of a Sr. Ma. Cecilia Calaguas.  Sure enough he pointed to a car right in front of us with two nuns sitting in the back about to leave.  I quickly jumped out of my own car to get to them.  I poked my head in and introduced myself from Tanglaw and that I have a check for her. Her face beamed and exclaimed  “Akala Ko makalimutan na ninyo ako”.  She said something about corresponding with Tanglaw for years now and that she was going to write a thank-you note.  

I did not have too much time to chat since she was obviously in a hurry to be someplace else, but it was really a rewarding feeling to see her lovely smile and to witness her genuine delight in receiving that check.  I just wanted to share that feeling with all of you.

 

News 12 Reporter Judith Martin Interviews Tony Apostol, Robert Zarate and telephone interview Philippine Consul General of New York Cecelia Rebong regarding Typhoon Ondoy.  What is the Fil-Am community doing to help the victims of typhoon Ondoy.