Handog Kay Lolo at Lola - A Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall Feb 4th 2015

The Benefit Concert - "Handog kay Lolo at Lola" translated as "A Tribute to Grandparents" launches a campaign, part of a series of upcoming fundraising events. Our mission is to raise awareness for the continuing needs of our Fil-Am Senior Citizen Community. 

We honor our Grandparents with "Traditional Tagalog Love Songs" (Kundiman) serenading them with a medley of modern, classical and folk songs. We are proud to headline Kay Habana, Kundiman / Classical Soprano vocalist,along-side young theater actor, Bonale Fambrini, the Philippine Chamber Singers of Los Angeles & guests.

If you would like to attend this concert, please contact us immediately. There are a limited amount of tickets still available. This will be a SOLD OUT concert. If you would like to support our cause, we continue to seek sponsors and advertisers. All donations are welcome.

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"Handog kay Lolo at Lola" - (A Tribute to Grandparents)
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Weill Recital Hall @ Carnegie Hall (57th St / 7th Ave, NYC)

Wed, Feb. 4, 2015 - 7:30pm Doors / 8:00pm Show 
General Admission tickets - $50
Portion of proceeds to benefit PAGASA & PACCAL

Performances by: Kay Habana, Bonale Fambrini, Philippine Chamber Singers Los Angeles & special guests

http://kayhabana.com/
http://www.bonalefambrini.com/
http://www.pcsla.org/
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General Ticket sales / VIP seating / Sponsors /Advertisers
for more info contact: sedokg@gmail.com
josemmayonyc@aol.com (917) 656-9443 - Joey Mayo
blue.sevilla@gmail.com (646) 220-2213 - Blue Sevilla
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Portion of proceeds to benefit PAGASA & PACCAL. (PAGASA) Pagasa Social Foundation Inc., is a non-profit organization for the Philippine American Group for Aging Seniors of America, based in Queens, NY. (PACCAL) Pan-American Concerned Citizens Action League is a non-profit 501 (c) 3, a health and human services organization based in Jersey City, NJ most known for it's Healthy Aging Program for Seniors. 

Sometimes forgotten by their families and loved ones, our Fil-Am Seniors here in the US suffer from symptoms of loneliness, isolation & depression. They face such many issues as finding affordable housing, adequate transportation, medical & health care needs. Let us not forget the many of our now Seniors were the first generation immigrant Filipino-Americans who built a home for our families in this new land. 
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For additional Ticket sales direct from venue:

Carnegies Box Office - CarnegieCharge – (212) 247-7800 

BUY TICKETS NOW

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Can Foreigners Buy Properties in the Philippines?

If you are an expat planning on establishing business, retiring or work and residence in the Philippines, yes you can buy condo units anywhere in the country.  Although foreigners are not allowed to own any piece of land in the Philippines, there are vast array of condominium projects that expats can choose from. Central  business districts located in prime cities like Makati, Taguig, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Quezon city, Manila, Pasay, Alabang, Cebu, Davao and other major cities throughout the country.

Example of property for sale: CLICK HERE

The Philippine Condominium Act

Republic Act No. 4726, or commonly known as “The Condominium Act,” is a law that allows people the right to co-own a piece of property of land aside from the absolute ownership of his/her unit.

The Condominium Act states the rights of the owner and the extent of his/her influence in the property where he/she has purchased the unit. It serves to protect the rights of buyers to ensure that they are not being misled by property owners or developers.
One of its most significant provisions is that it allows foreigners to purchase condos in the Philippines, given that they do not own the land on which it is built.

The implementation of this law has allowed many foreigners to buy units in the Philippines, thus strengthening more the country’s real estate market.

Why buy a condo?

When planning to buy a condominium, the ultimate consideration is your purpose for purchasing one. Is it because you want to move into a better residence to establish your independence? Or are you planning to make it an investment property? Buying a condominium ensures that these two reasons are fulfilled.

Low cost of living, warm tropical climate, and friendly people. These are some of the things that await anyone who wants to own a condominium in the Philippines.

Since the steady growth of the real estate market in 2001, buying condominiums continues to become a trend. The proliferation of BPO companies, looking to harness the potential of the Philippine workforce, has created a huge demand for both commercial and residential properties.

Aside from foreign demand, many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are using their income to purchase condos either as home for themselves and their families or as investments to be liquidated in the future. In fact, some migrant workers purchase properties in the Philippines even while abroad.

Owning a condo in the Philippines today has changed from an extravagance available only to the affluent to a worthy investment that yields many purposes.

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Simbang Gabi sa New York (Woodside) 2014

 

Full house of Filipinos living in New York celebrating traditional Simbang Gabi. You can almost feel the spirit of Christmas here in New York. Complete with Tagalog songs, Christmas carol and Pinoy kakanin (delicacies) waiting outside the church. I am just hoping next year San Sebastian Church will invite Filipino priest(s) to preside the mass in Tagalog.

Location: San Sebastian Church

Address: 3960 57th St. Woodside, NY 11377

Train: 7 (7X) Woodside 61st Station

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Simbang Gabi sa New York 2014

Night Mass or commonly called Simbáng Gabi in the Philippines was originated in the early days of Spanish rule as a practical compromise for farmers, who began work before sunrise to avoid the noonday heat out in the fields. Priests began to say Mass in the early mornings instead of the evening novenas more common in the rest of the Hispanic world. This cherished Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of Philippine culture and became a symbol of sharing.

During the Spanish Era and early American Period, the parishioners would mostly have nothing to offer during Mass except sacks of rice, fruits and vegetables and fresh eggs. These were graciously accepted by the priests, who besides keeping a portion for themselves, would share the produce with the rest of the parishioners after the service.

Today in the Philippines, local delicacies are readily available in the church's premises for the parishioners. The iconic puto bumbóng, bibingka, suman and other rice pastries are cooked on the spot. Latík and yema are sweets sold to children, while biscuits like uraró (arrowroot), barquillos, lengua de gato and otap (ladyfingers) are also available. Kape Barako, a very strong coffee grown in the province of Batangas), hot tsokolate, or salabat (an infusion of ginger) are the main drinks, while soups such as arróz caldo (rice and chicken porridge) and papait (goat bile stew from the Ilocos region) are also found.

The rice-based foods were traditionally served to fill the stomachs of the farmers, since rice is a cheap and primary staple. The pastries were full of carbohydrates needed by colonial Filipinos for the back-breaking work they were subjected to in the rice paddies and sugar mills.

While here in Woodside New York, you will sometime see Kababayans selling our favorite kakanin right in front of the church main entrance despite this cold winter. But it is more convenient to eat this food in several Filipino Restaurants steps away from San Sebastian Church. 

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Philippine Consulate in NY offers workshops on Obama's Deferred Action

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Since President Barack Obama issued his recent executive orders on immigration, Philippine consulates all over the United States have been reaching out to Filipinos who may be eligible for the much awaited relief through workshops.

Three components of Obama’s executive action apply widely to undocumented Filipinos, Consul Khrys Corpuz said at a workshop held Sunday.

They are the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA version 2.0, the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability or DAPA and the expansion of provisional waiver for three- or ten-year bar.

“They do not confer lawful status upon an undocumented immigrant, so you do not have status. They do not constitute an amnesty, and they do not constitute the much anticipated immigration reform law. They do not offer a path to U.S. citizenship,” said Corpuz.

DACA is a temporary immigration benefit for people who arrived in the U.S. before his or her 16th birthday and before January 1, 2010, regardless of their age today.

Modeled after the DACA program, DAPA provides deportation relief and work permits to the undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents that have continuously resided in the U.S. since before January 1, 2010.

Their children must have been born on or before November 20, 2014 and must be physically present and out of status on November 20, 2014, as well.

The third category of relief is the provisional waiver which now allows spouses and children of green card holders and adult children of U.S. citizens to apply for unlawful presence waivers from within the U.S.

Previously, provisional waivers were available only to the spouse, parents, or minor children of us citizens.

Qualified DACA 2.0 and DAPA applicants may receive temporary relief from deportation and may be granted three-year renewable work permits if they pass criminal and national security background checks, pay taxes and filing fees and show proof of identity such as a Philippine passport.

“We know it takes a little while for the Philippine passport to be here. In other words, personalization process takes six to eight weeks so they better do it now,” said Consul General Mario de Leon.

Immigration attorney Chris Hugo said that now is the right time to get started with their applications by getting paper works such as proof of identification and past immigration records ready.

“It’s important because sometimes we are not aware that we have a pending file or application to the USCIS. It may affect the process. We should save our money for lawyers and filing fees,” said Hugo.

The USCIS may start accepting DACA applications as early as February 2015 and around May 2015 for DAPA qualified applicants.

Credit: abs-cbnnews.com

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How Much is Ticket if I You Fly This December from NY to Manila?

Fly from New York, NY (JFK) to Manila, Philippines (MNL) $717 round-trip on China Airlines, through Spring. Great fare for this route, Seats are available on flights departing JFK NY to MNL Philippines this December 2014 round trip. You may need to have flexible travel dates to find this fare. Goodluck and enjoy your vacation! Find cheapest ticket now..

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Big Appled: 33 Things You Shouldn’t Do in NYC

Life in New York City tends to move at a pretty fast pace, so living in this bustling metropolis can at times be a bit hectic and overwhelming, especially if you are new to the city.

When you leave your apartment each morning, you are forced to make a series of decisions that can either make your day run smoothly, or make you want to curse out everyone around you and go find a corner to cry in. But don’t worry; we have your back. To make the best out of everyday life in the concrete jungle, you should probably consider avoiding these certain daily decisions. Find out now!

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