Good News Greet the New Year
By: Veronica Leighton
We have gathered all the good news that we can offer to our readers in greeting New Year 2014, and in this “Vibes” page, let me enthrall you with my most interesting picks…
VIETNAMESE-AMERICAN SCHOOL KID FOLDS A THOUSAND PAPER CRANES TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHILDREN AFFECTED BY HAIYAN
WASHINGTON, D.C.—A Vietnamese-American school girl spearheaded the folding of one thousand paper cranes not only to convey her message of hope but also to raise funds to help Filipino children affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Tenth Grader Francis Nguyen along with friends Chieu Le, Teresa Do, and Kali Gabriel got their families, neighbors, and friends to fold one thousand paper cranes for Filipino children in typhoon devastated areas in the Central Philippines. A dollar was donated for each crane made. “Cranes symbolize hope, health, happiness, and longevity. People need something to hope for and smile about when they believe there isn’t much to look forward to in their future,” said Nguyen who turned over to Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., the paper cranes and the $1,000 she was able to raise for typhoon victims. “The Crane Project, which seeks to bring hope after devastation, was inspired by the Japanese myth that if one folded a thousand cranes, his or her wish would be granted,” Nguyen told Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia who expressed his gratitude for the teenager’s efforts. “I would like to thank you for your kindness, generosity, and prayers. The children in the Philippines, especially those orphaned by the typhoon, need those things you mentioned—hope, health, happiness, and longevity—as we move from the relief phase to the rehabilitation phase,” said Ambassador Cuisia who also received at least $18,000 from representatives of the Vietnam Buddhist Center and the Tu Bi Foundation. Nguyen, who first folded paper cranes following the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in 2011, said she hopes that the money she helped raise from the cranes made can help with post-typhoon recovery efforts. “We think of it not as helping victims but helping friends and family,” said Nguyen as she recalled how thousands of Vietnamese found friends and family in the Filipino people during the migration of the boat people starting in 1975. “I was twelve years old when we arrived in Manila on Christmas Eve of 1978. We spent two months on the boat and five months in a camp. We were welcomed by Filipinos, and we were never asked to leave,” said Le. “I believe The Crane Project is important because it teaches people to have a heart,” said Le who along with Nguyen and representatives of the Vietnam Buddhist Center and Tu Bi Foundation, expressed their sympathies to Ambassador Cuisia for those who lost their lives, homes and loved ones during Typhoon Haiyan. “We comfort each other in the face of enormous tragedy and loss of life, which reminded me of the massive migration of the Vietnamese boat people fleeing Vietnam to find freedom in 1975 and landing in the Philippines,” said the Venerable Thich Nguyen Hanh, Abbott of the Vietnam Buddhist Center. “We are in debt to our Filipino friends. No words can express my gratitude and appreciation for what you had done for us, your support, your extraordinary generosity, kindness, heroism, and never-ending grace which comforted us through the most difficult time in our nation,” he said. The paper cranes and funds raised were turned over by Ambassador Cuisia to Feed the Hungry, Inc., a Philippine-based, volunteer organization aimed at uplifting the spirit and well being of the poor through feeding, community and economic development, gift giving, education scholarships, classroom building, and calamity relief and emergency medical assistance programs. ###
CIRCAPINTIG welcomes the New Year with an exciting Theater Season!
Chicago, IL – CircaPintig, a not-forprofit community-based theater company has gathered a collection of plays that continue to reflect and historicize the turbulent, poignant and the culturally awakening experience of Filipino American diáspora. CircaPintig’s 2014 Theater Season focuses on the immigrant life suffused with hope, nostalgia and the ever-changing realities of cultural assimilation. The three productions dramatize the multi-layered dimensions of living in America, the joys and pains of finding one’s identity amidst diversity. • Two One-Acts: This production features a new play by Chicago-based playwright Lani Montreal called Looking for Darna. It is a family story of three women from three generations who find strength as they relate to the symbolic power of Darna, the popular Filipino comic book wonder woman hero. The play is directed by Daisy Castro. Twinbilled with this play is Allos written by Giovanni Ortega and directed by Louie Pascasio. Allos is an autobiographical sketch of Carlos Bulosan, the Filipino farm worker who came to the US in the 1930s who became a labor organizer and eventually transformed into a great writer and poet known for his novel America is in the Heart. Both plays go on stage on March 21 to April 6. • The Bienvenido Santos Trilogy: Originally mounted by Pintig in 2005, CircaPintig brings back the works of Bienvenido Santos to the stage. Santos’ stories reflect the melancholy, funny and warm experiences of Filipinos in the 1950s and 60s. His characters reveal unspoken feelings about home, identity and friendship seen through the clandestine encounters between Pinoys in an adopted homeland. Adapted for the stage by Chicago-based playwright Larry Leopoldo, the trilogy features Scent of Apples, The Day the Dancers Came and Immigration Blues and will go on stage from May 16 to June 8. • We Won’t Pay. Adapted from Dario Fo’s satiric comedy of the same title, We Won’t Pay tells the story of wives and husbands declaring their resistance against the effects of capitalism in society. This play pokes fun at contemporary issues lingering within the current state of affairs brought on by the financial fiasco of 2008. This play goes on stage from October 3- 26. All performances will be held at Moooh Dulce, 2602 W. Fullerton Ave. , Chicago. Show days are Fridays 8pm, Saturdays 4pm and 8pm and Sundays, 4pm at. Tickets at $20 at the door, $15 with advanced reservation and $10 for students and seniors. For sponsorship, subscription and reservation, visit our website at www.circapintig .com or call (312) 451-6974.###
Johanna Mirpuri Cook, Huffington Post Guest
Johanna Mirpuri Cook, Founder of MommaCuisine was a guest in the Huffington Post live show with top celebrity chef – Emeril Lagasse. Johanna was the first guest to be called on to ask Emeril a question on the live show. Emeril is launching January as “National Soup Month” in this live segment where Johanna was a guest of.
Photo caption: Ambassador Cuisia with members of the Vietnamese Community who turned over almost $20,000 they were able to raise for victims of Typhoon Yolanda, including $1,000 raised by Tenth Grader Francis Nguyen from a paper crane folding fund-raising project. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Majalya Fernando)
Final Simbang Gabi at Queen of All Saints Basilica in Sauganash photo showing “The Faithful.” Francis Cardinal George was the special guest on 12/23 at the 25th Anniversary of Simbang Gabi at Queen of All Saints (It was also the 50th anniversary of The Cardinal becoming a priest). (Submitted by Mike Kessler)
Annual Christmas party of Dr. David Calimag Neurology & Diagnostics for office staff and family held at Maggiano’s Restaurant in Skokie.
Dr. David Calimag is the recipient of the Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame’s Excellence in Medicine 2013.
