Anchorage: Filipino Americans of Anchorage are on holiday spirit binge.  Already four organizations celebrated their anniversaries and annual Christmas Parties and mind you, each one is crowd bringer. The AFFA, Maharlika, Bisayans and FCAA all had their parts. Fil-Am Showtime were invited to most of these activities and were able to feature it on Fil-Am Showtime Special Editions on Chanel 12, for Anchorage, Ch. 95 for Matanuska Valley, and on KACN-TV Ch.1 shown statewide.

Fil-Americans population wise are swelling in Anchorage.  It was not like this couple of years ago, but it is apparent there is a deluge of our Kababayans flocking to Anchorage. Latest observations in the community are the deluge of Filipinos from Kodiak transferring permanently to Anchorage.  These are due to families with growing up children needing to go to college. Others were because of the closures in the salmon industries and consequent lack of job thereafter. Compared to the lower 48^th states, Alaska’s city of Anchorage has better job opportunities. The other possibilities are Filipinos coming from the lower 48^th happened to visit Alaska, saw the serene beauty and bounty of mother nature, decided to settle in Anchorage for good.

The current reported Filipino population of Anchorage alone is over 10,000. The 2010 census will probably be more.

ANCHORAGE: Filipino Alaskans will hold Prayer Offerings & A Benefit Concert for the calamity victims in the Philippines on Saturday, October 24, 2009, 4-8PM at the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center. Admission is by donation.

 Pastor Vic Abalos, Fr. Ben Torreto, and Pastor Thomas Davis will lead the prayer offerings. Local Filipino artists and celebrities will entertain with their golden voices, instrumental renditions, dances and other musical talents.

Bring all your family and friends.  It will be great to see all of us uniting for a good cause of helping our distressed countrymen in our homeland. Together we can help our people rise up and rebuild their lives after devastating typhoons pummeled the Philippines one after the other, causing severe flooding and landslides which resulted in the loss of many lives and displacing millions of people.

ATLAS SHIPPERS, Anchorage on Tudor Road is shipping door to door boxes of relief goods for FREE with the help of ABS-CBN Foundation.  Bring boxes of relief goods ready for shipment to Atlas Shippers on Fridays between 12 Noon- 3pm. You can also bring relief goods to the event on Saturday.

For cash donations, visit any WELLS FARGO BANK. Write checks payable to Filipino Alaskans Emergency Fund (FAEF) account #2935688842. Online transfer is available.

For more info call Nez at 350-0219 or Elsa at 602-3941.

Anchorage: An alliance of concerned Filipino Alaskans met Thursday, October 1, 2009 at the Fil-Am Showtime Studio to brainstorm ideas to raise funds for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines.  Present were:  Elsa Sargento, Nez Danguilan, Pastor Vic Abalos, Gabrielle LeDoux, Beth Beardsley, Emma Munoz, Rowena Carillo, Angel & Femil Cercenia, Nick Noceda, Mel & Jasmin Gallardo, and Jesse Vizcocho.

The attendees shared family stories, and Typhoon Ondoy updates. The Filipino Alaskans focused on what we can do to help, what kind of help to be offered—(immediate, or midterm, or long term), and where this help be channeled.

Discussions were thorough and after much deliberation, it was agreed to focus on the immediate needs and help we can give. It was agreed to collect CASH donations.  A  checking   account will be opened at the Wells Fargo Bank and  will be named  FILIPINO ALASKANS EMERGENCY FUND (Typhoon Ondoy Victims).  Elsa Sargento and Nez Danguilan volunteered to do this task.

(FILIPINO ALASKANS EMERGENCY FUND WELLS FARGO Checking ACCT # 2935688842  opened Oct 2.  Signatories are Elsa, Nez & Emma)

 ABS-CBN Foundation was chosen as the channel for our aid and support.   

It was also agreed upon to reach out to the different religious group for a special offering during their services.  Pastor Vic Abalos and Rowena Carillo volunteered for this assignment.  Lion Emma Munoz volunteered to contact her business associates and other civic organizations for help.  Gabrielle Ledoux and Nez Danguilan volunteered to talk to Maharlika and make a plea on behalf of the Typhoon Ondoy Victims for relief and support.  Jesse V. and Nez D. volunteered to organize a benefit concert.  Angel Cercenia & Nick Noceda volunteered to contact their friends on Military base for help. Beth Beardsley volunteered to continue collecting in-kind and cash donations from friends and members of her organization.

Next meeting is scheduled Oct 8 at 6:30 PM same place. All FilAlaskans are encouraged to attend.

STANDING OVATION FOR SHERYN REGIS

ANCHORAGE: Sheryn Regis Concert is over but the sweet memories linger on. Her comeback performance as the leader of the pack, touched the hearts of the Filipino Alaskans. Her entourage Raymond Manalo, Makisig and Kitkat performances likewise, delighted the Anchorage Filipinos. Raymond Manalo’s second appearance  wowed  the audience as he swooned numerous tagalog songs and accommodated his Kapampangan audience with couple of songs.  Makisig Morales was an instant favorite and showed classic dance and movements with his songs exciting all the screaming Fil-Alaskan teenagers on the crowd.  Kitkat, was something else. She was funny with her off color jokes and the crowd roared with laughter’s especially the one about “Joy”.  She was an instant smash and everyone laughed all the way to her last act.

On the last part of the over 2 hours concert, Sheryn gave her best, belting all her songs that were originally heard by the audience on her TFC /ABS CBN’s ASAP program.  There was a hush on the theater as she gave her sincere appreciation for the love and care accorded to her by Anchorage Filipinos. “To you all Anchorage Filipinos I bow to you, thank you so much.” And when she bowed, there were tears not just by Sheryn but by almost all watching that night.  Then she rendered her last   song entitled “Anchorage” which she composed herself, in the most amazing and touching way. The Anchorage Filipino-Americans were on their feet and gave her standing ovation, with thunderous applause. You still can hear the crowd reaching out loud to her with “Sheryn we love you”.  It won’t be surprising if another comeback is requested.

Sheryn Mae Regis Alaskan Concert

Anchorage:  Sheryn Regis is petite Filipina from the Bisayan region of the Philippines. Her first appearance in Anchorage was in 2008 behind the shadow of Erik Santos. Regardless, she became an instant favorite of Fil-Alaskans. At an interview on Fil-Am Showtime Ch. 12 studio by TV host Nez Danguilan, Sheryn was first seen together with Erik Santos, Pooh, and John Pratts. But it was on the live concert that Sheryn started to prove who she was really. Her renditions both in English and Tagalog, were heartwarming and dynamic, captivating the Fil-Alaskans.

It did not come as a surprise when the entertainment elites of the Philippines dubbed her as the Champion in small package. Barely 5 feet tall, Sheryn Mae Poncardas Regis meteoric rise to stardom, came after a disappointing runner-up to champion Erik Santos (after consistent top scorer of Star in a million contest). After that, Sheryn garnered Crystal Voice of Asia, Queen of Teleserye, 2008 Best Performer in ASEA and Voice of Asia. This is not unusual. After all, in her early years, she has been dubbed Modern Juke Box Queen as well as Filipina Pop Singer and composer.

Anchorage will have the opportunity to see and hear this Philippine diva one more time, on September 6, 2009 at West High School Auditorium, 7 PM. Cost: $58-$78.  Thanks to producers, SP3J Production, the Sheryn Concerts package includes debonair crooner Raymond Manalo, and Kitkat, popular funny female comedian; and added gem, the famous young actor Makisig Morales known as Super Inggo. Tickets for Anchorage are available at Shepherds Pacific Asian Market located at corner Minnesota Dr and Benson Blvd.  Or call Emma Munoz (907) 351 8998; Jessie Vizcocho 306-0459; Linda Rivera 952-1919; Honeylet Juanitez 952-2297; Susan Dickerson 560-1095,  Josie Regal 350-6170 or Fil-Am Showtime at 350-0219.

Anchorage: It did not matter if Mt. Redoubt volcano erupted. Still, she came, she saw, and she conquered! Philippine’s singing superstar Rachelle Ann Go, made her mark with her first solo debut in Alaska, USA’s last frontier. Filipino-Americans in Anchorage, enthusiastically cheered her up and her entourage, Nikki Bacolod, and Jimmy Marquez, at West High School Auditorium’s live performance. Her dedicated Fil-Am fans practically shook the auditorium as she belted her latest hits in her new album “Falling In Love”. It was a night to remember.

Falling In Love theme fits the occasion.  On her TV interview with Nez Danguilan of Fil-Am Showtime on Ch.12 and Ch.1, she explained that Falling in Love theme came about, after a feeling of sadness and at the same time relief, from a love affair turned sour episode experience. “This time around Tito Nez”, she said, “will be more intense and really sweet”. Thus, “Falling in love “ show was born. The tour in Alaska includes Juneau, and Ketchikan.