Fil-Am EXPO 2007 Success Story

The finest city in America bore witness to the celebration by Filipino Americans of their culture, arts, talents, assets, business acumen and synergy with other organizations and businesses in a Fil-Am Trade and Cultural EXPO on Feb. 17. The Golden Hall, known as the political hub on election day, was the choice of venue to showcase the more than 103 exhibitors, 30 workshops and entertainment. The Golden Hall was transformed into a sea of blue and white 10X10 booths organized in a wave-like fashion towards the central stage. Red heart-shaped balloons lined the central walkway.

The One Vision One Voice (OVOV) Filipino American Movement and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of San Diego (FACC) sponsored and organized this “Heart of the Community”.

Mayor Sanders Cuts Ribbon

Mayor Jerry Sanders was the central figure in the ribbon cutting ceremony along with Assemblywoman Shirley Horton, Councilman Tony Young, School Board Member Arlie Ricasa, Manny Doria (representing Congressman Bob Filner), Elizabeth Armendariz (representing Councilman Ben Hueso), Randy Granovetter (Microsoft GM), Sam Samson (SamsonPCS), Cynthia Paras Santos (RCBC Philippines), Marnie Tolosa and Jomar Geronimo of Microsoft Philippines, Consul Hellen Barber, Allan James Rubio, Debra Discar-Espe and Dr. Maria Lourdes Reyes.

Debra Discar-Espe, President of the FACC, called the politicians to the stage. Recognition certificates were received from: Councilman Ben Hueso District 8 “Special Commendation for organizing the Fil-Am Trade & Cultural Expo for the San Diego community and Congressman Bob Filner “Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community.” A certificate of appreciation was given for Microsoft from the Consul General.

Expo Chair Allan James Rubio who expressed his sentiments, “this gift to the community had a lot of thought, preparation and presentation”, gave the welcome address. Dr. Maria Lourdes F. Reyes, Founder and Facilitator of OVOV thanked the sponsors and the participants noting that, “communication is the spark that breathes fire to collaboration.”

Launch of One Follow Me Service

For the first time in the United States, Microsoft launched the One Follow Me Service together with Samson PCS and RCBC Remittance. This service aims to bring the Fil-Am community closer with their loved ones residing in the Philippines. It enables low cost communications and remittance services through cell phones between the Fil-Am community and their family in the Philippines. Small group presentations and one on one consultation were held at the Microsoft booth, which occupied a major section of the EXPO. Microsoft was the Titanium sponsor of the EXPO along with Samson PCS and RCBC Remittance.

Dual Citizenship

Consul Hellen Barber and her staff of ten were kept busy all day by over 140 clients with 42 processed for dual citizenship. Services included: applications for Philippine passports, notarization of documents, processing of dual citizen applications and registration of Filipino overseas absentee voters. The excitement of these citizens could not be contained especially having arrived at the site a good two hours before the EXPO opening. Sam and Liz Samson offered the Consulate onsite support services.

Bone Marrow Donors

The Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches (A3M) enlisted 14 new donors to the registry from the afternoon matching program. This was initiated to search for a donor match for two-year old Filipino/Caucasian Harrison Leonardo who has leukemia.

Sponsors

The EXPO sponsors are as follows: Titanium- Microsoft Corporation One Follow Me Service along with Samson PCS and RCBC Remittance. Gold level- Ben’s at Gaslamp. Silver level- Cricket and T-Mobile. Bronze levels- American Cancer Society, Century 21 Award, Chick-Fil-A, Dax Remit, Invisus Direct, Law Offices of Stephen Ure, Myrna T. F. Reyes of Southland Title Company Land America, Maharlika Cafe and Grill, PNB Remittance Centers, Prudential, Smart Remittance, and Wells Fargo Bank (Mira Mesa).

Planning Team

The EXPO planning team include: Event Chair: Allan James Rubio; Vendor/Exhibitor: Chair- Michelle Mendoza and Members- Benjamin Guillermo, Jim Perman, Dr. Ceferina Ruiz and Dr. Maria Lourdes Reyes; Program/Entertainment: Chair- Nicky Dicho and Members- Dr. Marianito Sevilla and Debra Discar Espe; Workshops: Chair- Demy Din and Members- Cielo Foth and Vic Garcia; Sponsors: Dr. Maria Lourdes F. Reyes; Advertising/Website: Joseph Roley-Arzaga; Souvenir Program: Mimi Estrada; Volunteers: Coordinator- Christine Timbol and Co-Coordinators- Benjamin Guillermo and Benedict Guillermo; Raffle: Coordinator- Michael Nguyen; Security: Eleazar Vedar and Carlos Ebalo; Advisors: Debbie Discar-Espe (FACC) and Dr. Maria Lourdes F. Reyes (OVOV).

Registration

The registration desk was kept busy with the non-stop lines of the over 3000 attendees. Volunteer Chair Christine Timbol kept her volunteers on three-hour shifts. She coordinated more than 60 volunteers.

Transportation Provided for Seniors

Transportation was provided for the seniors from the Mira Mesa Senior Center and the Kimball Seniors Tower in National City. The vans were co-sponsored by the Alliance for African Assistance and San Diego Center for the Blind.

Raffles and Prizes

Raffles drawings were held throughout the day with many giveaways from Microsoft, several cell phones from SamsonPCS, hotel overnight stay with dinner for two and the grand prize of a flat screen television. Raffle Chair, Michael Nguyen had the crowd excited during the awarding of the prizes.

Movie Actors

Prior to the showing of the movie, “Gift of Barong”, the actor and producer Dan Moreno, producer Jocelyn Formento and Director Benito Bautista spoke to the audience. They were introduced by Arnold Marquez. The opening act was a fashion show produced by Boodgie Arce of Filifinesse and Ian Armani of Armani Productions International. Both showcased traditional and contemporary barongs and ternos. After the movie, the actors also answered questions and signed autographs then proceeded to Ben’s at Gaslamp for an evening of disco and celebration while the teen audience enjoyed a dance to DJ rock music sponsored by Love Theory at the Golden Hall.

The Entertainment World

Nicky Dicho, Entertainment Chair was seen round and about the stage making sure the performers were on time.  The entertainment world of the EXPO offered a wide variety of performers featuring Tre from Z90 and their Street team who set up their booth just outside the main entrance. Hula from 93.3 was emcee for the day. Other entertainment highlights included: Abalos Pros. who wowed the audience with their mix of comedic sketch humor, urban dance, Olympic gymnastics and twisted performance art.

The Basco Brothers performed their entertainment ensemble. Dante Basco - a Filipino actor from films like "The Debut", "Hook", and "Take the Lead", along with his 3 brothers, were a big hit.

Other performers included: Central Avenue (Rock Band), Those Kids Singers (a talented young ensemble of singers from the Bay area), Maka (local Hip Hop Rap group), cultural performances by Samahan and Pakaraguian, Salsa performance, Belly Dancing, and Asian Story Theater.

Security

The volunteers from the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity enforced security. Security Chair, Vinvin Vedar and San Diego Chapter President Caloy Ebalo gave their crew strict rules to follow. Volunteers from APOAASD (APO Alumni Association of San Diego) included: Carlos Ebalo, Alexander Nuestro, Ira James Castro , Edith Gordo, Gordon Gordo, Meryl Roxanne Demdam , Julian Santos, Paul Rabanal, Robert Diaz, Lilian Diaz, Bryan Diaz, Ante Roy Reyes, Jess Feria, Ana Pureza, and Eleazar "Vinvin" Vedar. Guest volunteers from APOAASB (APO Alumni Association of South Bay: Long Beach/ Carson CA. Area.) included: Dominic Espejo, Benjo Espejo, CJ Espejo, Peewee Munson, Josie Munson, Patrick Afan, Mayette Afan, Archie Cruz, Bernie Cruz, Mike Melendez, Everette Villota, Ernie Mandapat, Henry Estrada and Ricky Layug.

Workshops

Workshop Chair, Demy Din along with Cielo Foth were busy making sure the rooms were ready for the presenters. Workshops included “Know Your Rights at Work” by Peter Zschiesche, Director of the Employee Rights Center (ERC), Anti-Cyber Crime which answered all of Internet security questions by Invisus Direct,  Web presence for Small Businesses provided affordable end-to-end e-commerce solutions for growing companies by Digerati California, Ancient Solutions to Modern Problems, Business Seminar for young entrepreneurs, Credit Score: What Does It Mean and How to Improve It, Discover the Philippines, Political Empowerment, Estate Planning and Trusts, Investing Basics, How to Effectively Recover Bad Debt, How to Finance Your Business, How to Grow Tropical Fruits in San Diego, Philippine History including Magellan, Immigration Law, Missed Fortune 101, Non-Profit Governance, Sending Money to the Philippines, Women Investing and Retirement Planning. A job and career fair was also held. Seen were Sergeant Randy Jones from the San Diego Police Department and the Social Security Administration manager America Donato and Corinne Reyes.

Exhibitors

Vendor Chair, Michelle Mendoza, personally greeted each of the 103 exhibitors and made sure their set-up was done before the opening. These included: 1WorldCardUS, A3M, AB Samahan, ABS-CBN Global, Alas Cargo, Alliance for African Assistance, Alpha-Phi Omega, American Cancer Society, Asia, Asian Journal, Asian Reader, Baguio City Assn. of SD County, Ben's At Gaslamp, BioPro Technologies, BMK Photography, Books for the Barrios, BSV Productions, Century 21 Award (Michelle Mendoza), Chula Vista Elementary School, Council of Phil. Am. Org., Councilmember Ben Hueso, County of Registrar of Voters, Cricket, Dagupan City Club, David Guthrie & Marvin C., DAX Remit, Digerati California, Eco-Quest, El Primero Boutique B&B Hotel, Extreme Wireless, Fil-Am Caucus, Fil-Am Military Officers, Filifinesse, Filipino American Educators (Filameda), Filipino Ink, Filipino Living Magazine, Gallery Builders Club, Gawad Kalinga, Global Equity Lending, Global Knitting Mills USA, Greater Women's Chamber, House of the Philippines, Immunotec, Invisus Direct, Kalusugan Community Services, Kapit Bahay, Law Offices of Ure, Liberty Tax Services, Lions Club 4-L6, Lorian Home Health, Love Theory, Mabuhay Alliance, Maria Clara De Pilipinas Sorority, Microsoft, Mutual of Omaha, National Educational Inst., Operation Samahan, Origins, Pagkakaisa, PASACAT, Phil-Am Bid, Philippine Asian Report, Philippine Consulate, Philippine Greater Tourism, Philippine Nurses Assn, Philippine Village Voice, Pinoy Apparel, Pinoy Appeal Clothing, PNB Remittance Centers, Pollakov Financial Group (Vicente Garcia), Prudential, Prudential (Joe Mendoza), RCBC / Smart Remittance, Rotary Club of Paradise Valley, Samahan Filipino American Heritage, Samahan Performing Arts & Edu. Center, Samson PCS / T-Mobile, San Diego County Times, San Diego Executive Lions, San Diego Majestic Lions Club, SBC Financial Group (Allan James Rubio), SCAPAL, Scripps Mercy Hospital, SD Police Department, Shea Homes, Social Security Administration, South Bay Fil-Am Community, Southland Title (Myrna Reyes), Style Décor, Tamcor Mexim USA , Tibro Realty & Mortgage, The Mili Group, Total Body Fitness Lynn Rivera, Union Pan Asian Comm., UP Alumni, US Small Business Administration, USA Federal Credit Union, USD Filipino Ugnayan Student Org, USD Filipino Ugnayan Student Org, Wells Fargo Bank (Mira Mesa), World Financial Group, Zija Drink. Food concessions were sponsored by Maharlika Café and Grill and Chick-Fil-A.

Media Sponsors

Our media sponsors include: ASIA, Asian Journal, ASIANReader, Filipino Ink, Kapitbahay, Philippines & Asian Report, Philippine Village Voice and San Diego County Times.