Marechiel Santos-Lang President, PAMANA (Wisconsin)

By: Ryan Tejero

Organized in 1984 but with early beginnings dating back to the 1950s, the Philippine-American Association of Madison and Neighboring Areas or PAMANA, is a non-profit organization composed of south central Wisconsin residents of Filipino decent or who have connections to the Philippines or the Filipino People through marriage, adoption, friendships, or life experiences. The word PAMANA means “heritage’ or “legacy in the Filipino language. This term aptly relates to the organization’s goals and objectives. In January 2010, through the relentless pursuit of its officers, PAMANA received its 501(c)(3) public charity designation from the Internal Revenue Service allowing donations to the organization to be tax-deductible.

PAMANA’s mission is to actively foster unity and harmony among members and the community at large through participation in social, cultural and educational activities. Since its inception, the organization takes pride in promoting Philippine heritage, values and aspirations, especially to the younger generations of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans. Over the years, PAMANA has gained recognition in the mainstream through its participation in international events by showcasing Filipino native dances and music and by sharing unique delectable native cuisine.

In most of its holiday events, PAMANA embraces the blending of customs and traditions of Filipino and American cultures, with inspirational speeches, musical performances, unique style and fashionable wardrobe, and tasty and exotic cuisine being showcased at these events.

The cornerstone of PAMANA’s mission, however is giving — giving to humanitarian projects and supporting the less fortunate, particularly in the Philippines; giving back to the community in the form of assistance for building projects and food drives, giving scholarships to graduating high school seniors, and giving back to the PAMANA members and their families at their time of need.

As a charitable and community service organization, PAMANA donated funds from membership contributions and volunteer work at the July 4th Rhythm and Booms, the Brat Fest events to the Rizal Ma cArthur Memorial Foundation (RMMF), Pag-asa Medical Mission, the Philippine National Red Cross and the Second Harvest Food Bank. Back in 20 13, this organization was instrumental in raising funds to assist the victims of Typhoon Haiyan by holding a benefit concert.

This past year 2017, PAMANA has gained more outstanding accomplishments, which gave its members, friends and families a great sense of inspiration to hold strong on the organization’s mission. On July 29, 2017, a summer gathering was held at the Lake Farm Park. Attendees enjoyed the great time not only of friendship but a variety of entertainment and fun activities which included: playing Bingo games, dancing to live band music, playing volleyball, listening to the Book reading of North for Sun by FilAm author Marie Deaconu Baylon, and enjoying Filipino classic comfort food. The planning committee members were Jun Gonzales (chair), Allan Rosanes, Josie Llanto, Bobby Pagas and Ernie Jamandre for organizing. The generous donors were the Picha family, Rosanes family, Llanto family, Gonzales family, Jamandre family, Peniera famly and Pagas family.

For the month of October, the PAMANA Scholarship Committee held a successful “Party for Higher Education,” which was actually a Filipino American Community Halloween Party. This event was held at the World of Beer, Middleton on October 21, 2017. This exciting event was highlighted by Zumba Instructor Gio Guzman and All-Night DJ Club Dance Music, a Best in Costume Contest for Singles & Couples, free Lechon (Crispy roasted pig), auction and raffle prizes. Donations and proceeds benefited the PAMANA Scholarship Fund. Event organizers and sponsors were Boyet & Julie Munsayac family, World of Beer, Barefoot Hands Massage, the Scholarship Committee members Shirley Thompson, Agatha LaFontaine, Stella Ohlrogge and liaison to the Board Janette Jordee.

The triumphant end of the year event was the PAMANA’s Paskong Pinoy 2017. The overwhelming success of this event was attended by more than 200 guests from within the Wisconsin area and its neighboring cities. The party was highlighted by a well-organized program, complete with notable entertainment numbers, live band performance, dancing and giving away of fabulous raffle prizes. The raffle prizes include the following: Samsung 40-inch Smart TV Retail Value $399, Samsonite 2-pc Luggage Set Retail Value $350, National Geographic Top 12 Wines of the World Retail Value $195, Fitbit Charge with additional Band Retail Value $149.99 Oxo 12 pc., Food Containers Retail Value $79, Balikbayan Shipment to the Philippines (3 winners) Retail Value $100/shipment, Purse Love by Syvelle Made in the Philippines Retail Value $30-$40/purse, Philippine- branded and Asian produce Grocery Pack from Om World Market Retail Value $100 ($75 of grocery items and $25 Gift Certificate), High Fashion Bags & Purses ~ Aldo, Kate Spade, Coach, Michael Kors, Dooney Burke Retail Value $50-$110 Author-autographed Sari-Sari Storybooks. Retail Value: Priceless! Calvin Klein Plush Scarf Retail Value $44, Fat Cat 727 Soft Tip Electronic Dartboard Retail Value $50 Gel Fiber Down Alternative HypoAllergenic Pillow. Retail Value $89.99, Dress by The Limited. Tulip style, rush orange. Size 2 Retail Value $109.95. Paskong Pinoy 2017 was sponsored in part by its generous donors and supporters: Gonzales Family, Shirley Thompson, Ruchelle Elliott & William Elliott, Marechiel Santos- Lang & Chris Santos-Lang, Om World Market Sun Prairie, Bobby Pagas Star Djmusic, Noli Ybanez & Jenny Dungca-Ybanez, Myra Normington.

Coming up in 2018 are the following events: Second Harvest Food Bank Volunteering with PAMANA Friends – Saturday, January 27, 2018 9:00 AM, Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin, 2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, WI 53718; Fil-Am St. Patrick’s Day Karaoke with PAMANA friends – Saturday, March 17, 2018 8:30 PM, Dutch Mill Sports Club, 4818 Dutch Mill Rd, Madison WI 53716; and PAMANA Sama-Sama III Summer Picnic Saturday, July 21, 2018 10:00 AM, Lake Farm Park, Shelter 3, 4330 Libby Road, Madison WI 53711.

If you want to become a member of this organization, please contact PAMANA’s President Marechiel at admin@pamanamadison. org or log on to their website: www. pamanamadison.org.

PAMANA President — Marechiel Santos-Langs, with hubby, Christophe at the. PAMANA Halloween Party 2017 for Education. Photo by Vhanie Teggatz. — at World of Beer.

2017 Summer Picnic Sama Sama summer picnic brings together family and friends.

PAMANA Paskong Pinoy 2017 was graced by Chicago’s Teen Singer Kayla Tejero. (L-R) Bobby Pagas, Kayla Tejero,
Linda Knadle, Dolly Pagas and Julianne Pagas.