February

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FILIPINO AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN
Welcome Message from President Zen Edralin
Jake & Zen Edralin
I
t is an honor and privilege to be chosen as
FAAWIS President for 2013. I am looking
forward to serving our community and extend my
warmest greeting to everyone, Mabuhay!
I wish to congratulate the newly elected Board
Members, Officers and selected individuals to cochair the various FAAWIS events this year.
Our organization has fostered Philippine culture and traditions to the young and young at
heart among us. It supports community programs
and performs activities for the common good.
Imagine if there was no FAAWIS, what a task we
would have, to unite Filipinos in Wisconsin.
Thankfully our devoted predecessors have
given us this wonderful organization and our
FAAWIS was born free to follow this goal. We
wish to welcome new members and would like
to encourage participation from all.
We are committed to rebuilding the Bulalakaw magazine. Donations from individuals
and businesses are most appreciated, as well as
sales from advertising. We also welcome news
events and article contributions you may want
to share. The magazine will be mailed to all
FAAWIS members as part of your membership
and to seniors that are registered with
FAAWIS.
Transportation for seniors is a new program
this year. Our aim is to assist our elders in going to and from FAAWIS events. Please contact
me if you would like more information on gaining the service or helping us provide this service.
We are going to be busy this year as we start
off with the Bowling Funfest this April 6th.
Next is our exciting Annual Picnic on June 15th
at Wirth Park in Brookfield. August 31st is the
date for our Fundraiser Gala Night. The Holiday
Folk fair will be in November 22nd to 24th and
we would need all kinds of help and volunteers
during this 3-day event, Friday, Saturday and
Sunday. The final event of the year will be Lunch
with Santa on Dec 8th.
Please join us one and all. The Officers and
Board members are committed to serve because
of you. Thank you all in advance.
Yours truly,
Zen Edralin, FAAWIS President 2013
February 2013
FAAWIS Officers
PRESIDENT
Zenaida L. Edralin
VICE-PRESIDENT
Edgar Catacutan
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Joyce Coury
SECRETARY
Rebecca Abraham
TREASURER
Donald Mondano
PROPERTY
CUSTODIANS
Roger Mendoza
Alvin Jackson
EX-OFFICIO
Jo Anne Capitan
BOARD MEMBERS
2013-2014
Joyce Coury
Edgar Catacutan
Marlou Kelly
Amy Schemenauer
Manolito Tulod
2012-2013
Gem Cubos
Zen Edralin
Ellen Gresen
Rowena Punzalan
Maria Tilistyak
2013 Events
April 6
Bowling Funfest
J&B Bowling Lanes
June 15
Annual Picnic
Wirth Park, Brookfield
Free Medical Clinic by Mareta Prill
T
he PCCCF's Free Medical Clinic continues
to grow not only in the number of patients
that we service, but in the number of volunteers
who have stepped up and
shown interest in helping out.
Imagine, we even have to turn
volunteers away as there is
not enough for them to do and
our operating space is limited.
Our upcoming clinic dates
are March 9th, March 23rd,
April 13th and April 27th.
If you are a nurse and
would like to help with triage,
please contact Zen Edralin at
414 840-1682 as she coordinates our nursing
staff. All other interested volunteers can contact
Mareta Prill, Volunteer Coordinator, at 262-255-
4548 or mdprill@philippinecenter.com.
Our center has hosted several meetings for the
FC3 which is the cooperative of all the free medical clinics in the Milwaukee
metro area. All of the representatives of these clinics have
only positive comments on our
facility and the extent of the
renovations that have provided
us with such a great clinic.
Currently the Free Clinic
staff is working on organizing
a Health Fair for this upcoming summer. Please watch for
announcements on the free
screening services that will be provided and the
programs that will be held for the community
during the event.
August 31
Dinner Dance
November 22-24
International Folk Fair
December 8
Lunch with Santa
Philippine Center
Free Medical Clinic
Open on 2nd and 4th
Saturday of the month
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Phone: (414)342-1400
Web site:
www.philippinecenter.org
2 Bulalakaw
FAAWIS, February 2013
20103 FAAWIS
COMMITTEES
A Message of THANKS by Jo Anne Dacudao-Capitan, FAAWIS President 2012
Looking
back
at
Membership
2012, it is with great
Beth Bueno
Yoly Estante
honor and pleasure
for me to say “What
Sports
a year!”. From the
Edgar Catacutan
Minnie Parbs
Picnic, to the Din-
Annual Picnic
ner Dance and the
Dr. Marie Rebancos
Bong Capitan
Holiday Folk Fair,
Fundraising Gala
events including the
to the Christmas
Sheila Jackson
JoAnne Capitan
Lunch with Santa
Christmas with Santa
and the Simbang
Joyce Coury
Gabi, it was truly a
Amy Schemenauer
very memorable year!
Simbang Gabi
I cannot say THANK YOU enough to all the support to Zeny Edralin, who has been a pas-
Maria Tilistyak
wonderful members of our community who made all sionate and steadfast leader in the Filipino com-
Ninnette Santos
Community Award
Ellen Gresen
Marlou Kelly
Jo Anne Capitan
Bakalz Christmas Party
this possible. You are the true heart and soul of munity for many years.
FAAWIS!
Congratulations and Best of Luck Ate Zen!
As we start a new year, let us give our heartfelt
The 2013 FAAWIS President
by Minnie Parbs
Z
en Edralin is a transplant from Canada arrived in Milwaukee in
1994 with her husband Jake, has been married for over 36
years. Zen is a nurse by profession but she is a
natural as a community leader, her passion and
love for the Filipino community extends from
her younger days in the Philippines until she
arrived in Canada in the early 70’s to work as a
nurse. She also was a founding member of
Markham Federation of Filipino-Canadian that
provide community outreach to the Filipino
community of Ontario. In 1994 she was recruited by Health Care Corporation as a clinical director, and received the award for clinical excellence in the Midwest Region, the
first and only Filipino to receive the award. She continued her work
as a Director of Nurses in various long term care facilities and as of
late she works at Village of Manor Park as a corporate nurse consultant. She was the immediate past president of Philippine Nurses
Association of Wisconsin and led PNA-WI in hosting the successful
Annual North Central Regional Conference and gala last year attended by seven Philippine nursing associations in the Midwest and
a contingent of Philippine Nurses Association of America. Zen acted
as a treasurer of USTAAWI for 5 years, active member of FAAWIS
who chaired spring fling, annual picnic and dinner dance so it is not
surprising that she is the current leader of FAAWIS. But she has
devoted her time and passion in ensuring that there is a nursing presence in PCCCF Free Medical Clinic. Her dedication to the Filipino
community is evident in all that she does and we can rest assure that
Zen will continue the legacy of past presidents of FAAWIS in promoting Filipino culture and tradition here in Wisconsin.
Come join and say Hi to her during the FAAWIS bowling funfest
in April 6, 2013. Watch for the flyer and article in Bulalakaw. See
you all there.
Violeta A. Singson, MD
PEDIATRIC & ADULT
MEDICINE ASSOCIATES, SC
535 N 27th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53208
Telephone: (414) 345-3000
FAX: (414) 345-3001
Violeta A. Singson, MD
Pediatrician
Jillian Boser, APNP
Family Practice Nurse Practitioner
3 Bulalakaw
FAAWIS, February 2013
FAAWIS Spring Bowling by MinnieParbs
It’s time to Welcome Spring
Go Bowling!!!
FAAWIS Bowling
4040 S. 27th Street, Milwaukee
(formerly Olympic Lanes)
April 6, 2013 Saturday
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Create a team of 4 for $80
& receive 2 hours of
unlimited bowling
(shoes included)
Pizzas, Drinks and Prizes
Write checks to FAAWIS
Proceeds will benefit the
“Free Medical Clinic”
Please contact
Ed Catacutan - 414-525-1401
S
hed your winter blues away. Spring is
coming. Come join us in April for our
annual spring bowling. There are changes
in location and in format of this year’s
bowling event. Location will be on the
newly renovated JB’s on 41 on 4040 S. 27th
street formerly Olympic Lanes. There will
be unlimited bowling and shoes for two
hours and the first two games will be used
to determine the highest scores for the
group and individual prizes. Pizza and
drinks will be included in the price and
there is a restaurant, bar and game room
available but at your own expense. This
year’s bowling benefit the “Free Medical
Clinic”. So, let us support our cause and
enjoy an afternoon of fun, food and prizes.
It will be on April 6, 2013 at 1 pm – 3pm,
$18 for children ages 9-15 and $20 for
adults and premier bowling is available for
$25 includes all the amenities but the area
has couches and projection screen TV, and
you will be bowling in cherry wood lane
and galactic lights and music are available.
So form your team or two and join us.
Please look for the flyer in this edition
of Bulalakaw. for more information contact
Ed Catacutan @ 414-525-1401, Zen
Edralin @ 414-840-1682. Please make
checks payable to FAAWIS and send it to
Ed Catacutan 11215 W. Carol circle,
Franklin 53132.
The Friends of FAAWIS Simbang Gabi 2012
by Maria M. Gonzales Tilistyak
T
he Friends of FAAWIS Simbang Gabi
was held on December 17, 2012 at St.
Roman Parish in Milwaukee, WI. Father
Brian Holbus presided over the mass. It
was a successful event thanks to all who
attended, participated, sponsored and helped with this
event.
Simbang Gabi is a devotional nine-day series of
Masses followed by a light
meal fellowship practiced
by the Filipino Roman
Catholics to prepare us for
the birth of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Simbang Gabi
masses are usually held at
dawn from December 16 to
December 24. It has been a
Filipino Christmas tradition for over 400
years. This special Christmas custom is a
distinct feature of the Philippine culture and
is a symbol of sharing. Let us continue this
Filipino tradition. With your support in
service, monetary and food donations, it
will continue from year to year.
Thank you to our sponsors who donated
generously either in service, monetarily
and/or food for the Friends of FAAWIS
Simbang Gabi this past year.
All of the children who participated in
the mass procession in bringing flowers and
candles up to the altar.
Also, Thank you to the Simbang Gabi
Choir, Mrs. Josephine Gardinier and Mr.
Leo Vitangcol for the beautiful Tagalog
Christmas songs and music played at the
Simbang Gabi Events.
Thank you to the Filipino
Catholic Ministry of Milwaukee (FCM), Angeli Camara,
Mimi Ballesteros and Maria
Clara Gonzales.
Thank you also to our past
sponsors for the Friends of
FAAWIS Simbang Gabi.
Additionally, Friends of
FAAWIS Simbang Gabi
donated a box full of groceries to St. Roman’s Food Pantry for the needy.
It has been an honor to
coordinate the Friends of FAAWIS Simbang Gabi these past two years. If you are
interested in coordinating the Friends of
FAAWIS Simbang Gabi this year 2013
and/or would like to sponsor it, please contact myself, Maria Tilistyak (Gigi) at 4145 2 0 - 7 7 2 9
o r
e m a i l
maria_tilistyak@hotmail.com or Zen
Edralin at 414-840-1682 or email
jedralin@wi.rr.com.
The Friends of FAAWIS Simbang Gabi
this year is scheduled on Friday, December
20, 2013 and the church location to be announced.
Solo Benefit Concert by
Michael Hey sponsored
by UPAAW By Apol Ortiguera
Michael
Thomas
Crisostomo Hey, a local
-grown talent of the first
caliber, performed a
solo piano benefit concert on October 5, 2012
at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
Helen Bader Hall. He
performed before a sold
Michael Hey
-out concert audience,
playing without any musical score, works of JeanPhilippe Rameau, Ludwig Beethoven, Frederic
Chopin and Franz Liszt.
The piano concert was sponsored by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Wisconsin Ltd (UPAAW) for the benefit of its community programs particularly scholarships awarded to
college students in Wisconsin and the U.P. in Diliman, Quezon City.
Michael currently is in his fourth year at the
prestigious Juilliard School in New York City,
studying organ performance. He is the son of Tom
and Christine Hey (a U.P. alumna) and grandson of
Louis and Amy Crisostomo.
Michael grew up in Waukesha and was the piano accompanist for the Simbang Gabi choir during
high school. He offered to perform in this solo concert, citing the desire to give back to his community
for the scholarship grant he received from the
UPAAW in 2009. He is a full-tuition scholarship
recipient at Juilliard and has been accepted in the
elite accelerated Bachelor of Music/Master of Music program. For up-to-date information about Michael’s concerts, visit www.michaelhey.com.
PCCCF MOVIE NIGHT
EVERY 3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH
6:30 PM at the Philippine Center
Next PCCCF movie night,
March 15, 6:30 PM “I’ll Be There”
Starring Gabby Concepcion & KC Concepcion
►April 19, 2013 - “Here comes the Bride”
starring Angelica Panganiban & Eugene Domingo
►May 17, 2013 - “Forever and a Day”
starring Sam Milby and KC Concepcion
FAAWIS
Offers Its Condolences To:
Belinda Tenorio on the passing of her husband,
Angelito S. Tenorio Sr.
Aurora Yumang on the passing of her husband,
Artemio Yumang
Nena Castillo on the passing of her husband,
Dr. Marcelo Castillo
4 Bulalakaw
FAAWIS, February 2013
Philippine Nurses Association
Of Wisconsin Happenings
By Gem Cubos
G
reetings from the PNA! We welcomed the New Year
with a big bang as our organization hosted the New
Year’s Eve party recently at the Sheraton Brookfield. It was
a well attended, festive affair with dancing and games for the
Rowena Poticar, Rose Parolanan,
Milda Cabigting, Maria Yumang - current PNA president,
and Gem Cubos
young and adult alike leading to the countdown. PNA members led by Mercy Violanda rendered carols. Dance numbers
from Robyn Cabigting and Jed Violanda entertained the
crowd. The Annual Reward and Recognition Awards were
drawn and winners were Milda Cabigting and Marilyn Mallari for their exemplary services during PNA activities in
2012. Highlight of the affair was a successful raffle fundraising for victims of Typhoon Pablo in southern Philippines.
This year ushered lots of opportunities starting with all
the initiatives and programs in the national level. We’re
sending delegates to the 34th PNAA National Convention
hosted by Philippine Nurses Association of Ohio ( PNAO)
and its subchapter PNAO Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
( PNAO CinNky) in the heart of Cleveland, Ohio on July 24
– 28, 2013. This year’s theme is “ Strategic, Synergistic,
Social Action – Empowerment and Collaboration”. Nominations for 2013 PNAA Nursing Excellence Award is being
accepted. Our chapter’s Annual Leadership award recipient
will also be announced on said event. The PNAA/PNAAF
5K Walk/Run Wellness Challenge is also underway and will
culminate on July 27 at the convention. Funds raised will
financially support education, research, scholarships and
community service of both organizations. One can register
as participant or donor. We also support the PNAA Kababayan Emergency Preparedness Funding ( KEPF), which was
created as a humanitarian relief mission for nurses to do
fundraising initiatives for calamity victims back home. Just
recently, victims of typhoon Pablo had benefited from this
program. There is the Filipino Cancer Network, initiated to
address the need for further education about the plaque and
support cancer victims within the PNAA and their families.
We also have the Balik-Turo Program , a “teach back “ program where nurses from US go to the Philippines, particularly their Alma Mater, to impart their knowledge and subject expertise in a series of lectures and presentations. And
there is a Faculty Mentoring Program by PNAA in partnership with nursing schools in the Philippines. The PNAA
Mentoring Committee coordinates with a school, assigns a
mentor from the US to assist an eligible candidate or mentee in their educational
and professional development.
On the local scene, PNA - WI has sustained a presence strengthened by community partnerships and activities. On April 6, we will partner with FAAWIS to
host the annual bowling event and proceeds to benefit the PCCCF Free Medical
Clinic. PNA – WI nurses through our community outreach committee, are regular
volunteers of the free clinic. On August 19, we are again hosting our signature
event, the PNA Brewer Tailgating Party, with the home team playing the St. Louis
Cardinals. Details to follow. October 6 is slated for our Fall Educational Conference and General Assembly. We are actively engaged in membership recruitment
as we strive to unite Filipino-American nurses in Wisconsin to promote the highest standard of professional practice and cultural advancement. For prospective
members, you may contact Maria Yumang, our current president at msyumang@yahoo.com or you can like our Facebook page, “PNA – Wisconsin“. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone, the executive board and all
the members for striving hard to promote the goals and missions of our organization. And best of all, special thanks to the general public for your continued support of the Philippine Nurses Association of Wisconsin.
5 Bulalakaw
FAAWIS, February 2013
UST ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN Submitted by:
Mina Vitangcol, MD
O
n the historic day of June
12, 1981, the USTAAW
of Wisconsin was formally
founded by Dr Miguel
Galang, who became its first
President. Thirty two years
later, the Association is thriving well, under the able leadership of Dr Rodrigo Mata
(2012-2013 President), a retired Family Practitioner from Kenosha. The
association recently received a burst of new
energy with its 2013 President-Elect, Dr
Remedios Poe, a local practicing Pediatrician.
La Naval - a Marian devotion, has been
celebrated annually in October in keeping
with the Thomasian tradition. It commemorates our Blessed Lady’s miraculous intervention in protecting the Philippines against
a naval Dutch invasion in 1652. It consists
of a Mass, a Rosary Procession followed by
a Potluck dinner. Last year it was celebrated
at St Dominic Parish in Brookfield.
Philippine & US Scholarships - was initiated by USTAAW to give back to the community in the spirit of generosity and caring.
The Philippine arm has helped educate
teachers throughout college, for them to pass
on good values to the next generation. The
US arm awards $1000 and $500 to deserving
high school seniors as they transition to college. We have had 6 Philippine scholars and
9 US scholars so far.
Annual Dinner Dance a formal affair usually held
in the Christmas season,
has always been studded
with fun and entertainment.
We had a “Curacha” folk
dance presentation, a
Christmas carol miniconcert, 2 banduria players, vocals, a raffle ending
with lots of dancing at the
recent one held at the Marriott Hotel.
Annual Summer Picnic - an excellent
venue for camaraderie, is held at Mitchell
Park in Brookfield. It starts with a Mass, as a
sign of the faith deep in heart of every
Thomasian, followed by a sumptuous minifiesta of a potluck, games for all and announcement of the year’s Scholars.
Simbang Gabi - USTAAW has hosted a
night, for each of the past 2 years. The Fellowship comes from generous hearts of
Thomasians and friends.
Fundraising Campaigns - have varied
through the years has included poinsettia and
T-shirt sales, concerts by Raul Sunico, UST
Singers, etc.
USTAAW has evolved into an association of friendship, camaraderie, and community spirit, in short, dynamism with a vision!!
To all Thomasians, and friends, we welcome
and invite you to join us in all our exciting
future events!!
A Dedication to Belinda Tenorio and Family by Joyce Coury
I
just learned from my sister that my
father had passed away in the Philippines. I cried so hard and loud.
I was scheduled to leave 2pm from Chicago to Manila and would have been in Davao January 25th 6am. My only prayers were
that my father would wait so that I can say
goodbye to him. I longed to hug and kiss
him and tell him that I love him very much.
After 25 hours or so I finally got to Davao. The familiar face I look for at the arrival area was not present. Instead I found him
sleeping so peacefully inside a white coffin.
It’s been 3 weeks now but I still can’t
stop the tears streaming down my face every
time I think about him. I always thought that
I was prepared for things like this since I
work with a lot of elderly people and death
was normal experience in my job. But I was
wrong.
I cling on one truth. God has a purpose
for everything. His will is infinite. We may
not understand it fully but in time we will
see His grace. It’s hard for me to accept that
my father is no longer present in my life but
I know that his death is part of God’s greater
Photo by Ed Escall
Anbel, Belinda, Charles, Kevin, and Angelito Jr.
plan. And even when I feel sorrow, I rejoice
in God’s mercy.
I was lucky to be able to attend a retreat
at Sacred Heart of Theology the day after I
came back home. “Finding ourselves in Jesus’ story” was the topic and it couldn’t have
been more appropriate. The purpose of the
retreat was to take a “vacation for our spirit,”
to focus on deepening as followers of Christ
and to enjoy one another. I learned that Jesus’ life is full of stories: from His concep-
tion, to His birth, His ministry, His Passion and finally His resurrection. His life
story one-way or the other is now part of my
life story. The death of my father is another
chapter story of my life and how I want to
experience it knowing Jesus is part of MY
life story makes a big difference. I could be
bitter, faultfinding, depress and heartbroken
but what for? I only need Jesus.
The final part of the retreat was a reflection time and prayer period. Now I am asked
to re-place my story with God’s story and
serving God’s will. What challenges do I
encounter in following Jesus? And what
concerns do I desire to lay down before the
Lord? These questions pierced right through
me. Well for one, how do I deal with the
grief of losing a parent? How can I rebuild
my relationship with my Mother? How can I
be more gentle and patient with my children?
How can I show more compassion to other
people? How can I show Christ in my life? -- I looked at my notes and thought by following in His footsteps and how He lived
His life and the choices that He made, I can
show Jesus’ story in my life story and hope
that my life story will be a story I can share
with people that I meet along the way.
6 Bulalakaw
FAAWIS, February 2013
Accounting & Income Tax Service
Estela Ravelo Calaycay Prust
Certified Public Accountant - Philippines
Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP)
Approved Electronic Return Originator (ERO)
Dedicated to providing quality
service to people who need
assistance to live independently at
home… we can be there to offer
3620 S Howell Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53207
Tel: 414 486 7892
e-mail: estelarcp@yahoo.com
personal care and support.
Caregivers, Certified Nurse Aides:
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414 352 9040
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Are you looking for a rewarding
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Members and friends of FAAWIS
We are currently looking for caring,
kind, dependable and personable indi-
are encouraged to contribute
viduals who desire to provide non-
news, stories, articles, ideas, pictures, etc.
medical in home care to the elderly.
Please call at 414 352 9040
for more information.
Send via email at
joyce.coury8@gmail.com
7 Bulalakaw
FAAWIS, February 2013
Membership Form
Family=$10.00 Single=$7.00 Seniors (62 years or older)=Free
Seniors: Although membership is free, you will still need to submit annually your
membership form in order to be considered a member.
FAAWIS gratefully accepts all monetary donations, which help subsidize its many
programs throughout the year.
Please make your check payable to FAAWIS and mail to:
FAAWIS Membership
9010 N 86th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53224
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________________________________________________
Email: ___________________________________________________________________________
Membership Amount: $__________ Additional Donation $__________
Please check all that apply:
New_____ Renewal_____ Senior_____ Family_____ Single_____
I prefer to receive Bulalakaw, the FAAWIS Newsletter via: Email ____________________________________ Postal Mail _______
Label address
7300 W Dean Rd.
Apt 1040
Milwaukee, WI 53223