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| North West (NW) Region |
| Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Alaska, Wyoming |
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BAYANI NA! BEAUTY PA! by Mayleen Panaligan A celebration of Filipino Heroism and Excellence in restoring the dignity and beauty of the Motherland. The stage was set. The expo display booths were artfully decorated. The performers were anxiously waiting backstage. It was an evening filled with fun and entertainment, heroism and pride, but most of all, hope and inspiration for everyone present at UW’s Kane Hall for the “WOW GK 2005 Concert and Expo: Bayani Na, Beauty Pa!” held on November 6th. Prior to the concert and entertainment, guests were able to explore and experience Gawad Kalinga (GK), a program of the ANCOP Foundation (Answering the Cry of the Poor), through various display booths at the expo. The booths were both illustrated with descriptions and pictures and staffed by “Bayani Guides” who explained to guests the basic foundation of GK and how its concepts and programs are changing the landscape of poverty in the Philippines. Booths also addressed how one could become a “GK Hero” or partner to support GK’s efforts, even explaining how one can go the Philippines and help build a house for the poor through the Bayanihan Build in 2006. Most popular of the booths was the video area which allowed guests to see and hear real stories from real people whose lives have changed because of GK. Once the concert doors opened, the band Barkadang Pinoy wowed the crowd with their youthful energy and lively performance to kick off the celebration of Filipino-American talent portion of the concert. Guitarist and composer, Angelo Pizzaro and remarkable singer and performer, Stephanie Reese, both of whom have become GK advocates by promoting the humanitarian work of GK through the use of their amazing talents, then took the stage. Their individual performances had the entire audience mesmerized. Their duet performances were a wonderful blend of traditional Philippine music to modern day pop music. Intermission allowed guests to visit the “sari-sari” store booth to purchase refreshments from which all proceeds would benefit GK. The second half of the concert featured dancers and performers from the Couples For Christ (CFC) Family Ministries who were also joined by Calvin Keen and Stephanie Reese. Through dance and song, this portion illustrated the life of “Juan de la Cruz”, played by Ramon Costales, Jr. who was a struggling Filipino immigrant, he left the Philippines and achieved the “American dream”, but whose heart was still empty because of the poor conditions still plaguing his motherland. The focus of the second half of the concert, however, was the personal testimonials given by local and international GK Heroes and Advocates, Jessy Ang, Aurora Pijuan, Cito Lorenzo, Calvin Keen and Tony Meloto, Executive Director of GK. Each of these individuals, along with many others across the US and all over the world have dedicated either their lives, time, talent or treasure to helping the poorest of the poor in the Philippines. Highlighting these testimonials was touching video segment of actual beneficiaries of GK who described how their lives of despair and destitution were changed into lives of joy and hope. At the end, Tony Meloto, Executive Director of Gawad Kalinga called on stage Butch and Mayin Santos, Regional Directors with Neon Corpuz, Couples for Christ Area Head. They honored the 2005 Ten Outstanding GK Heroes who made a significant impact in the State of Washington like 1) DR. JESSY ANG, ANCOP-GK Champion/Village Partner Coordinator of UST Medical Class’77 who made a commitment to build a village and have so far remitted funds to ANCOP-GK Northwest Office for 11 GK homes to help the Kalinga Luzon typhoon victims. His goal is to complete 15 homes this year and an additional 15 or more by next year. 2) MARS RIVERA, ANCOP-GK Champion/Village Partner Coordinator. He made a commitment to build the UGNAYAN Village for Kalinga Luzon, and in so doing, has helped spread the work of GK to various Fil-Am organizations in the Puget Sound region. 3) SALLY RAMOS, ANCOP-GK Champion/Village Partner Coordinator. She has committed to build a village also in support of the Kalinga Luzon victims, and serves as a GK advocate for Fil-Am organizations, especially around the South Puget Sound area. 4) DR. NICK PANLASIGUI, ANCOP-GK Advocate & Financial Partner representing the Filipino American Physicians of WA (FAPWA). Under his leadership, FAPWA has funded a Health Center in our village in Burog, Tarlac, and is seriously considering building other FAPWA Health Centers in the Philippines. 5) WILLIE & DR. MIRIAM ZARAGOZA, ANCOP-GK Advocates & Financial Partners. Their family has sponsored the “Sacred Heart of Jesus Sibol School” in Burog, Tarlac, Philippines, as well as several GK Homes and children. It is their hope to donate more schools in the future. 6) RUBEN DEL VALLE, ANCOP-GK Advocate & Media Partner. He dedicates his time and talent promoting the work of GK by covering ANCOP-NW events and writing articles for his newspaper, the Philippines News Today. 7) NANCY NUQUI, ANCOP-GK Advocate & Corporate Partner. She made a commitment to introduce the vision of GK777 to big corporations and other institutions like OPRAH that will help in rebuilding the Philippines. Nancy is our 2nd non-Filipino volunteer and appointed International Partnership coordinator here in Washington. 8) STEPHANIE REESE, ANCOP-GK Advocate & Volunteer. She made a commitment to share her time and talent in spreading the vision of ANCOP-GK through her songs in events, cultural shows and other programs around United States. 9) ANGELO PIZARRO, ANCOP-GK Volunteer. He made a commitment also to share his time and talent as a duo with Stephanie Reese since last year. They have been performing on behalf of ANCOP-GK Northwest region. 10) CARLO JOHN CUSTODIO REYES, ANCOP-GK Volunteer. Carlo is a 5 year old member of the Kids for Christ and the youngest volunteer of the ANCOP-GK Northwest Regional Team. He is very intelligent, energetic and fun loving son of Johnny & Sally Reyes. Carlo loves to write, read and dance. He volunteered his time by placing the ANCOP USA mailing labels perfectly on more than 500 ANCOP-GK brochures. Carlo is so proud of his contribution. Carlo was honored as the very first “BATANG BAYANI” in Seattle together with Alicia Bernal, 6 years old who painted several greetings card two days before the concert to raise 1 GK home. These two amazing young GK Heroes had so much fun donating their time and talents in a very humble way. It is indeed that GK is transforming lives, not only the beneficiaries but the lives of the benefactors as well. (SEE PHOTO # 6) Last year’s GK Heroes like Bert Caoili, Alma Kern and many more complete the GK HEROES Circle-Bayani na! They all received the symbolic GK pin and Philippine Flag while singing the finale song “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” (Gift of the FiIipino to the World). The concert concluded by the presence of Malu Santos, the Miss Filipino Community Seattle SEAFAIR Queen-Beauty pa, who was called on stage by Tony Meloto. It was a very energizing and inspiring evening to see the audience proudly waved the Philippine flag as a sign of hope and dignity for our country. (SEE PHOTO # 5) The next opportunity to support and learn more about GK and ANCOP will be a Ballroom Dancing event to be held on Friday, December 30th. For more information, please call Mayleen Panaligan at 360.259.0616 or ANCOP Northwest Regional Office at 206-240-5960 or email: ancop.wa@cablespeed.com or visit, www.ancopusa.org or www.gawadkalinga.org. Below are the photo reference numbers:  WowGK2005 PHOTO # 2 Ruben/Ang Butch & Mayin Santos, Ruben del Valle (GK Hero & Media Partner), Bert Caoili (GK Hero & Bayanihan Build Coordinator) Dr. Jessy Ang (GK Hero & Village Coordinator) and Ciony Caoili during the WowGK Concert & Expo.  WowGK2005 PHOTO # 5 Tony Tony Meloto, GK Executive Director with GK Heroes Circle at Kane Hall.  WowGK2005 PHOTO # 6 Aurora Aurora Pijuan (GK Advocate) former beauty queen with the youngest GK Heroes “Batang Bayani” at the concert. Note: All photos taken by Jude Clavero, PNT photo journalist |