Dateline USA

DINING FOR A CAUSE: Ayala Foundation USA’s ‘Dining with the Chefs’ benefits needy kids in RP

Monday, 26 October 2009 21:14 CYNTHIA DE CASTRO | AJPress

DINNER can’t get any better than this. Four award-winning chefs will divvy up and prepare a sumptuous gourmet feast for you to enjoy in a breath-taking LA mansion, surrounded by a glorious display of flower arrangements by a Beverly Hills fl oral designer. And while you’re indulging yourself amidst the company of your friendly kababayans in LA, you’re also helping needy children in the Philippines.

Ayala Foundation USA announces its 2nd Dining with the Chefs on November 7 – a gourmet dinner for a cause – for the benefi t of underprivileged children in the Philippines.

First free H1N1 vaccine clinic opens in LA

Monday, 26 October 2009 20:51 AJPress

MAYOR Antonio Villaraigosa joined Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Director of Public Health, in opening the first free H1N1 vaccine clinic in Los Angeles. The first free clinic was held Friday, October 23, at the Balboa Sports Complex, 17015 Burbank Blvd, in Encino, and provided access to the H1N1 vaccine to priority group individuals who do not have health insurance or a regular source of health care.

The groups given priority for the H1N1 vaccine are: pregnant women, people living with or caring for infants under six months of age, emergency medical services personnel and health care workers, children and young adults from six months through 24 years, and people aged 25 through 64 years with chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes or weakened immune systems.

RP joins Adventures in Travel Expo

Thursday, 22 October 2009 20:53 Momar G. Visaya | AJPress New York

NEW YORK—Adventure travelers converged at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center recently for the Adventures in Travel Expo 2009, which featured nearly 200 tour operators and tourism destinations.The Philippines put up four booths showcasing the various tourist attractions and diving destinations in the Philippines. Three tour operators joined the Philippine booths, including the Marco Vincent Resort, which offers travel and diving packages in Puerto Galera, Mindoro.

One of the expo’s highlights was the 30-minute talk of Philippine Tourism director Emma Ruth Yulo encouraging guests to travel to the Philippines.

US Census says data is ‘safe and secure’

Thursday, 22 October 2009 20:49 Dymphna Calica-La Putt | AJPress Las Vegas

The US Census Bureau wants to convince individuals that filling out census forms is safe and that data will be confidential.

In fact, it will be partnering with the Filipino-American community, among others, to attest to how safe and secure the census process will be.

"What we are looking to do is form relationships with organizations that are viewed as trusted voices in the local community," US Census Deputy Director Thomas Mesenbourg said.

"Some examples are leaders in the Filipino community or church groups," he told Asian Journal in an interview in Las Vegas last week.

The deputy director was in the city last week to meet with various community groups to send the "key message" that data gathered during the census process will be kept confidential and safe.

Raiders celebrate FilAm Heritage Day, proceeds to aid typhoon victims

Wednesday, 21 October 2009 23:13 Joseph Pimentel | AJPress Los Angeles

OAKLAND—Ten years ago, the thought of having a mainstream sports team hosting a Filipino Heritage day would have been a pipe dream for many members of the Fil-Am community.

The Fil-Am community was small then but now, Filipino awareness and culture is gaining ground.

Last week (October 18), the Oakland Raiders held its second annual Mabuhay Fiesta when the team faced the Philadelphia Eagles the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.