SF

Ode to a Balikbayan Box

Thursday, 16 October 2008 14:26 Cynthia De Castro/AJPress

(1 vote, average: 2.00 out of 5)

The “ber” months have started and with September comes that special holiday feeling. In the Philippines, which is known to have the longest celebration of Christmas, malls and department stores have already started playing Christmas songs and selling holiday decors and gifts. In the countries where millions of Filipinos have immigrated or are working, the demand for balikbayan boxes has started to increase as families begin shopping for their holiday gifts to be sent back to relatives and friends in the homeland.

For Filipinos in the US, sending balikbayan boxes to families back in the Philippines has become a major part of our lifestyle. Those who have children, parents or siblings left in the Philippines send boxes regularly, either on a monthly or quarterly basis. But, at Christmas time, many FilAms double their usual padala, adding special gifts and holiday treats to the usual staple items.

The Global Pinoy: The Modern Day Heroes

Thursday, 16 October 2008 14:15 Nickee de Leon/AJPress

(1 vote, average: 1.00 out of 5)

With the onset of technological advancements and the birth of new industries, the hardworking Juan has learned to broaden his horizons and has become a citizen of the world -- a global Pinoy.

There are two kinds of global Pinoys -- the immigrants, who have found permanent residence in another country and possibly have become naturalized citizens of the country that they’ve migrated to, and the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) or expatriates. OFWs or expatriates are Pinoys who work with multi-national companies abroad on a temporary (and oftentimes,contractual) basis.

Ayala Foundation-USA: Creating Better Opportunities to Serve Others

Sunday, 12 October 2008 10:31 Malou Liwanag-Aguilar/AJPress

(1 vote, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Ayala Foundation-USA: Creating Better Opportunities to Serve Others

The emergence of a ‘new golden age of philanthropy’ has pushed the number foundations all over the world. According to a study Asian-American Philanthropy: Expanding Knowledge, Increasing Possibilities done by Andrew Ho for The Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership, the number of foundations in the United States has grown from 22,000 in the early 1980s to over 65,000 in 2004.

However, the boom in the number of foundations and their assets has also involved the issue of diversity in philanthropy – like how it is (or isn’t) a factor in giving, how ethnic and racial groups exhibit different styles, etc. With the growth of Asian American population, there has also been an increase in diaspora philanthropy, or philanthropic giving from citizens and residents of the US to their countries of origin.

This is the thrust of Ayala Foundation-USA -- to inform, motivate and inspire others to be generous in support of social development programs in the Philippines. Established in 2000, AF-USA has become a bridge between US-based Filipino individuals and communities, and Philippine-based social development institutions.

Marciano Paynor, Jr.: All in a day's work

Friday, 05 September 2008 13:33 by Malou Liwanag-Aguilar/AJPress

(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)

The interview with Philippine Consulate General-San Francisco (PCGSF) Consul General Marciano A. Paynor Jr. was scheduled for 9:30 a.m., but at 9:25, we were stuck in downtown traffic.

Knowing that the Paynor was strict on time, I prepared an apologetic speech I can use when I reach the Consulate Office. Fortunately, I didn’t have to use it because he was also running late, since he was flying back from Seattle and his flight was delayed for an hour.