That's So Pinoy

The ABS CBN Foundation Internationaland ABS CBN Japan turn over ¥1.5M for disaster relief

Redwood City, Calif. (June 27, 2011) – In response to the needs of Filipinos that fell victim and suffered tremendous loss from the March 11 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, ABS CBN Foundation International and ABS CBN Japan turned over a total of over ¥1.5M in disaster relief. Because of the donations by Filipino-Americans and the philanthropy of singer Martin Nievera, almost ¥.5M was given to two Filipino organizations in Japan: the Filipino Music Artists of Japan and Chubu Philippine Friendship Association. Other funds were given to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

On March 6, Martin Nievera headlined in a Las Vegas event, “The Knockout Concert,” which began the star-studded weekend at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, preceding the Manny Pacquiao-Sugar Shane Mosley fight.

“The MGM Grand was packed with Filipinos that came to support Manny Pacquiao. But it was a beautiful experience to see hundreds of them come to the concert to support our Filipinos in Japan,” shared J. Robbie Fabian, President of the ABS CBN Foundation International.

The event was produced by Chua-Codinera Productions and PAE Live! Sponsors included Arko Foods International, Asian Journal and Las Vegas physician Dr. Noel Fajardo.

Sagip Kapamilya is a program that engages in disaster relief, from funding rehabilitation to emergency rescue. The program has now gone international, providing aid to Filipinos around the world.

“Today, we proved that bayanihan (the spirit of communal unity) around the globe is still alive and Filipinos all over the world will stand ready until our kapamilya (family) in Japan see better days,” said Fabian.

##

ABOUT ABS CBN FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL:

ABS CBN Foundation International is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged Filipino children and their families in the Philippines and around the world.  Its flagship program, Bantay Bata (Child Watch), is a child abuse rescue operation that responds to an average of 15,300 calls for assistance a year. The program assists more than 21,000 children and families in relocation communities and feeds at least 4,400 severely malnourished children a year. Its education program serves 4.2 million elementary school children and their teachers.

In the United States, the organization partners with Filipino-American organizations and associations in addressing community issues--youth truancy, housing, issues affecting the elderly, health,  and emergency needs.  For more programs and information, visit www.abscbnfoundation.org. 

There's only 10 DAYS left til the Dare To Love Benefit Concert!

Have you gotten your tickets yet???

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE!!!

-That's So Pinoy Staff

Obama names Fil-Am as Associate Judge of DC 

PRESIDENT Barack Obama has nominated Fil-Am Maria Elizabeth (Maribeth) Raffinan to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

"Throughout her career Maribeth Raffinan has shown a commitment to justice and public service," said President Obama in a statement released last month. "I am proud to nominate her to serve on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia."

Raffinan becomes the second Fil-Am to be nominated to a top judiciary post after California Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggerrecently named Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye, an appellate judge, to be the next Chief Justice of California.

The US Senate will need to confirm Raffinan’s appointment but it shouldn’t be a problem since Democrats control the legislative body. If confirmed, Raffinan will serve a 15-year term.

Raffinan has been a supervising attorney in the Trial Division of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia since 1999.

According to her bio, as a public defender she has represented numerous indigent defendants facing criminal charges. Prior to joining the Public Defender Service, Raffinan worked in the Officeof the Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia.She has co-chaired the 2007 Deborah T. Creek Criminal Practice Institute, an annual training program for criminal defense practitioners in the District of Columbia, and she has served as a member of the Superior Court’s Drug Court Committee. She has also served as an adjunct professor at the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America.

Raffinan earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Boston College and law degree from Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law.

According to ABS-CBN, Raffinan is the daughter of Dr. Jun and Dr. Maria Raffinan from Tampa, Florida. (Joseph Pimentel/AJPress)

SOURCE: ( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published August 25, 2010 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p.A1 )

Newly elected Philippine President Noynoy Aquino gives his first State of the Nation Address!

Image Source: Politics News

President Noynoy Aquino’s State of the Nation Address Coverage

Written by: Robin John McWell on 26th July 2010

Philippine President Noynoy Aquino’s SONA A Change maker – Having lived in the Philippines for a while specially during the time of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo I would say that the new President’s SONA is a breather and gives hope to millions of Filipinos.

PNoy, as President Aquino is fondly called by the media, begins hisspeech by acknowledging key people in the Joint Session of Congress including Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, House Speaker Sonny Belmonte, Former President Fidel Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada and Former House Speaker Joe de Venecia.

President Noynoy Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) then proceed to give a glimpse of the current state of the country based on what they have found in their initial assessment of the country.

Among those that President Aquino’s SONA mentioned as among the anomalies during Rep. Gloria Macapaga-Arroyo’ term includes the over importation of rice where rice stocks ended up rotting in warehouses,excessive perks of high officials of the GSIS, 130 million pesos of classroom funds, and other missing appropriations that were not delivered or used for other purposes.

“We had been deliberately deceived on the real status and condition of our country,” says Aquino during his SONA. He is referring to how Arroyo and her cohorts tried to paint good picture of the country when in fact they are siphoning government funds.

He summarized what had happened by saying that 90% of the 2010 budget are already spent and only 10% remains. President Aquino says that there leaves the government about 1% to be spent in the next months for the new administration.

President Noynoy Aquino’s SONA then proceeded on how his administration will change all of this. He mentioned about the rehabilitation of watersheds and dams and the protection of the environment, a peace process that is fully supported and a fast resolution to extra-judicial killings.

President Aquino said that his government will be based on transparency and good governance and that corruption will no longer bea culture. He also said that government processes will be made faster so that services can be delivered easily.

President Aquino also mentioned major infrastructure and modernization development in which the government will not be spending a centavo. Among these projects is the proposal to develop an expressway running from Manila passing to Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, NuevaVizcaya, and Cagayan Valley.

Another proposal, President Aquino says is the possible lease of the Navy headquarters in Roxas Boulevard and the Naval Station at Fort Bonifacio. The proposal states that the investor will pay for the cost of the transfer of the Navy Headquarters to Camp Aguinaldo (although I find this stupid because a Navy HQ should be near the coastline).In exchange the investor will immediately give $100M. In addition to that, Aquino also said that the investor will also give shares of the company earnings to the government.

Another very concrete plan of action is in fast tracking business application. President Aquino in his SONA said that documents needed for business application will be brought down from 36 to 6 and the number of pages of the application form from 8 to a single page.

Other noticeable changes which President Noynoy Aquino delivers in his SONA were the increase in the number of years for Basic Educationin the Philippines which he propose to be elevated to the 12-years global standard, funding for classrooms, service contracting throughthe GASTPE, increase in the conditional cash transfers to help poor students, and an increase in the coverage of PhilHealth (a Philippine health care plan).

There were other changes and also Bills which the new President asked the help of the House of Representatives and the Senate. He calls on them to help pass his legislative agenda.

Though, President Aquino delivered his State of the Nation Addressin Filipino, I salute him because before considering foreigners to understand what he is saying he keeps in mind that his primary audience is the people of the Philippines.

You can view the full English Translation of President Noynoy Aquino’s State of the Nation Address by CLICKING HERE.

Source: World Wide News Network

-That's So Pinoy Staff

Legaci featured on local news station NBC BAY AREA!

Our hometown boys Legaci was featured on last nights local news NBC BAY AREA! Here's a video on the news segment where other Youtube artists such as David Choi, Cathy Nguyen and others are featured in! Video credit goes to @Vanessa211 on Youtube!

Legaci will be performing with Justin Bieber today and July 17th at the Oracle Arena! Make sure you grab your tickets before they sell out!

-That's So Pinoy Staff