“Bringing pride to all Filipinos around the world!” Volume 1 Issue 4 October-December 2015
Editor’s Message Here we are in the Year 2016! So many exciting events are lined up to happen in the lives of Filipinos all over the world. We will have a new Philippine President in the middle of this year. The headliner news in the Philippines are all centered on the political climate of our country. We are wishing for a new leader who will be responsible in setting good records for the Philippines. We all deserve a progressive Philippines—a country that we will continue to be proud of and achieve world’s attention. This issue of our newsletter is full of action Ryan Tejero from the many events of Filipinos in Romania captured this past three months. I am glad that with all of our volunteer efforts, we continue to entertain ourselves and others; we continue to be responsible to others and our community, and most of all, we continue to keep our desire to bring honor to our country—the Philippines, and glory to God! Our issue this quarter is full of new year wishes. Thank you to everyone who sent in their wishes for the new year. Also, I would like to thank Rose Reyes for permission to use the pictures and reports from POIR’s facebook page. We are introducing two additional columnist-writers for the newsletter. Truly, it is so exciting to start working with Jhe Garcia and Ken Aguilar. Let’s make 2016 a great year everyone!
NEW PSR Writer-Reporter Janette Garcia “Jhe” is from Valenzuela City in the Philippines, teacher, guidance counselor and advocate for OFWs prior to coming to work in Romania in 2012. She volunteers to help with OFWs who are needing help while they are abroad. She said, “I believe God gave me this as a mission, and every time there is an opportunity to assist a fellow OFW on legal matters, I feel so delighted.” 1
Highlights Wishes for the New Year 2015 Christmas Party Embassy Services POIR in Action
Founder’s Wishes Jenetta Alambra
For the world that we live in, I wish and pray that God will continue to protect this world, with HIS love and forgiveness. For the world to open for peace, understanding, unity and equality among nations. For the Philippines, that we may have a leader who is truly committed to service, rather than looking to be served, and for a citizenry who are law-abiding, people who would think of what they can do for the country rather than what the government can do for them. That God will spare us for any disaster that will come and help us to continue as a devoted Christian nation one that believes and hold on to God's promises. For me and my family - the path was long, but we walked through it all! There were fears and tears and cheers, as we travelled the year. We know that GOD doesn’t require us to “Be the Best.” He just wants us to “Do our Best” because He will take care of the rest! Wishing u happy memories of 2015 and have a great journey ahead in 2016. KAYO LANG AY SAPAT NA!!! For myself, I wish that God will continue to work in my life, to lead me in the way that He knows is best for me, and to give myself more of time and be open in the possibility or any chances in life.
Janette Garcia, Bucharest My wish for the world is PEACE for everyone. My wish for my country is that there would be unity for all Filipinos, that there would be no selfishness, that everyone will aspire to help anyone who needs a helping hand. My wish for my family is that they may stay in good health and out of danger all the times. My wish for myself is to have courage to face all the challenges that I may encounter.
Rose and Rouen Reyes, Bucharest Our wish for the world and its people to finally be at peace and for things to get better. For our country - wishing the government leaders to stop pretending to be saviors of the country and the Filipino people; to be replaced by honest, righteous and nationalistic leaders, whose true love for the country will be matched by sincere action, that our country may start moving forward. For our family, wishing good health, love, respect and continuous guidance of our Lord - Embrace us always!
Josephine Romero Napicog, Bucharest I wish that the world would be a better place - no war, no poverty and no starvation. I wish that Philippines will finally find the right leader, experience economic success, and every Filipino will live in peace and harmony along with others, without regard to differences in religion and status in life. I wish my family a good health, great success, unending happiness and may the warmth of love will always be present in their hearts. I pray that God will continue to shower me with his blessings, good health, peace of mind during life’s uncertainties, deeper understanding and patience and abundance.
GREETINGS FROM YOUR NEWSLETTER STAFF IN ROMANIA
Josephine Napigog Janette Garcia Jenetta Alambra 2
Gloria Oria, Bucharest My wish for the world is no more disasters, end of the rivalry between the Christians and the Muslims in other countries, and that the people and the states should move together in one for peace and unity, and to contribute for the growth of all the countries, nationalities, regardless of their religious beliefs and cultural differences. For my country - the Philippines, I wish that it will prosper and will finally find the right leaders who are honest and transparent. For my family, having them in my life is already a blessing. I wish to see them in good health and happiness in their hearts. For myself, I just wish that I am always in good health, and blessed.
Jorgin Galindez, Bucharest My wish for the world, as always, is peace for every nation. I wish my country to get more united, for leaders to be united with the community of people. I wish that our country will find leaders who will take actions and not only give empty words during election campaign times and yet did nothing for his people, I wish everyone in my family finds stability in life and good health this year and in the years to come. For myself, I have God who leads me wherever I go, I am not scared nor afraid for God is with me who direct my life. God bless us all!
Edwina Mercado Apostol, Bucharest This past year, many things have changed, but I wish that this wonderful world may stay in its natural beauty and continue show the unbelievable things that it has on to the next generation. I wish to my dear country Philippines to have a strong, loyal, kind hearted- leaders, to care for everyone’s welfare. This new year, may everyone in our family be blessed with a healthy body and soul, our hearts to always glow with the light of hope, and to stay in love forever and ever. My wish for myself this year 2016 is to be more patient, to be an angel for someone that needs help, and to stay healthy and always look forward to another beautiful day.
Catherine del Castillo, Bucharest For the world, I wish that the nations and their leaders will shun from the dominance to control in power and triumph over another nation. Instead, they should learn to accept differences regardless of one’s culture and belief. In this way we live in tranquility; no guns no wars. For our country – the Philippines, that every Filipino will learn to justly adore and honor their country, by patronizing our very own native products and there will be less OFWs. Good governance by eradicating the corruption. For my family, that my parents will GROW OLD more smart. For myself, I wish to have a dual citizenship and settle and retire in Canada.
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Spearheaded by The Filipino Community in Romania, TFCR’s Christmas Party is one of the most awaited Filipino events in Romania. It brings everyone together to enjoy the spirit of the season, dress in Holiday style and keeping that Filipino traditional celebration of Christmas. It was held on December 13 ,2015 from 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm at the Restaurant Shorley, Strada Economu Cezărescu 50,Sector 6 București. Close to 200 guests, including Romanian guests, their children and family members, and Filipinos in Romania. The Christmas Choral Competition was participated by the following groups: Bella's Group, POIR Group, Pitch Perfect, Ultimate Group, and RCCG Women’s. The best group that caught the attention of the judges was the RCCG Women’s Group. They received a prize of $100. The judging court is composed of Ms. Alexandra Ivan, Jhe Garcia, Rouen Reyes and Henry Latag. Ultimate Group
Bella’s Group
Pitch Perfect Group
RCCG Women Group
POIR Group 4
MORE FUN AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY 2015 Making the party livelier and merrier were the outstanding dance performances by the POIR Dance Group, Tammy Group and UMD Dancers. It has been a tradition among Filipinos to stage group performances. Chosen as Gentlemen of the Night was James Tumbado, and the Darling of the Night was Ms. Evelyn Paggao Esteban. The Best Couple Award was given to Rose and Rouen Reyes. POIR Dance Group
UMD Dance Group
Tammy Dance Group
Organizing Team of TFCR
Evelyn Paggao Esteban
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Rose and Rouen Reyes
James Tumbado
Emcees Jenetta and Jhe
Filipinos in Romania Register
For Absentee Voting The Philippine Embassy in Bupadest has sent its staff to conduct mobile passport services to Filipinos in Romania. The three Embassy staff who met with the Filipinos in Romania were Mr. Fernando Clavecilla, Mr. Leo Comaya, and Ms. Mia Gaspar. Other than passport renewal, which is the most popular consular service that is availed of by Filipinos in Romania, the Philippine Embassy staff also conducted registration for absentee voting. This event was held on October 18. 2015 at the Imyplace in Bucharest. It was facilitated by The Filipino Community in Romania (TFCR), with the support from Mr. Stefan Leonescu of ImyPlace. The Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) Act or Republic Act 9189, approved in February 13, 2003, provided a system for citizens of the Philippines currently residing or working outside of the Philippines to vote during national and mid-term election period. Filipinos who are at least 18 years old on or before the May 9, 2016 elections can vote for a President, Vice President, 12 senators and party-list groups who represent various sectors.
International Organization for Migration (IOM Romania)
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines 1026 Budapest, Hungary Gabor Aron utca 58 Tel no. : +36-1-391-4300 Fax no. : +36-1-200-5528 Email :phbuda@philembassy.hu budapest.pe@dfa.gov.ph
Editorial Staff Ryan Tejero Editor-in-Chief Email: ryantejero@yahoo.com Jenetta Alambra Managing Editor Email: jenetta_alambra@yahoo.com Contributing Editors Josephine Napicog Janette Garcia Ken Aguilar
Strada Viitorului, nr.11 Bucuresti Romania 021 - 210.30.50 021 - 211.44.54
ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER Pinoy Sa Romania is a quarterly e-newsletter for Filipinos in Romania. It provides a venue to The idea of a newsletter was envisioned by a strong leader and advocate for Filipinos in Romania, Jenetta Alambra. She was able to network with a US-based international columnist-writer Ryan Tejero from Illinois, USA, who started to guide her on how to go about the creation of a Pinoy Sa Romania newsletter. Jennetta was featured in Ryan Tejero’s international column, Filipino Spotted on the Map, which is published in a Filipino newspaper – Pasa Pinoy - in Melbourne, Australia. 6
(POIR) performed Christmas Carol singing to Father Eduard at the Sacred Heart Church located at Strada Aviator,3 Gheorghe Demitriade,Sector 1 Bucharest,Romania, on December 24, 2015 during its English Mass at 7:30pm. Filipinos in Romania led by members of Pinoy Organization in Romania (POIR) had made huge impact by making the children happy at the Asociatia Muncitoarele Isus (Orphanage) on December 20, 2015. The Filipinos spent time by dining with the children and giving them Christmas presents. This annual event of POIR simply shows how Filipinos impact the lives of others, even when they are in their host country.
POIR coordinated the celebration of the 4th Anniversary of holding a Filipino Mass in Bucharest by coordinating the Thanksgiving Mass Celebration on Oct. 25,2015. The successful event was officiated by Father Eduard Giurgi, Sr. POIR extends its gratitude to TFCR, ENFiD and everyone who graced this special annual gathering. POIR thanked those who donated money that will be used to organize a Filipino mass to be officiated by a Filipino priest from Vatican, Father Estefano Canuto. The planned mass will be held in January 2016.
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