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The Second Annual Raiders Mabuhay Fiesta, presented by Lucky Supermarkets, will be held Sunday, October 18th, when the Oakland Raiders take on the Philadelphia Eagles at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Raiders will pay tribute to Filipino Heritage Month by showering the stadium with Pinoy excitement.

The Raiders have a long-standing tradition of multicultural initiatives and became the first team in American professional sports to launch its own Tagalog language web section when www.raidersintagalog.com went live in 2007.

"We are pleased to again celebrate Filipino Heritage Month and to salute our Filipino fans as part of our long standing tradition to our global and multicultural fans," said Raiders Chief Executive Amy Trask.

Fans are encouraged to visit Raiderville - the very latest in pre-game entertainment - located in the Coliseum's parking lot 'G.' On the Raiderville stage, there will be a lineup of Filipino artists which includes Lil Jordan, Mike Dash E, Desi Arnez, Divo Bayer, TTB Hip Hop's Bwan and Mr. Rey, Jern-Eye, Jeremy John, and the dance groups Soulciety and Step, Styles & Spotlights. Filipino DJs CMC, B-Strut, Steez-O, Samala will be commanding the turntables on stage.

The Raiders will hold and on-field ceremony to honor the following Filipino non-profit organizations: Filipino American Arts Exposition, Filipina Women's Network, The ABS-CBN Foundation and The Young Filipino Professional Association.

These organizations are beneficiaries from the Raiders ticketing fundraising program and are key contributors to the Raiders Mabuhay Fiesta. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will help these organizations and the four of them will donate those proceeds to the relief and rehabilitation efforts for the victims and survivors of Typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines.

Top Rank fighter Manny Pacquiao was scheduled to appear at the game, however Pacquiao is heavily involved in the relief efforts in his home country.

"World Champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines was looking forward to appearing at the Oakland Raiders Filipino Heritage game this Sunday, Oct. 18. Manny has thousands of fans in the Bay area. He was thrilled to be the guest of honor at the 2009 Raiders Mabuhay Fiesta game," said Top Rank Chairman of the Board Bob Arum.

"Manny, a national hero, and his team worked tirelessly to assist displaced families. It is heart-breaking. Manny believes, as do we at Top Rank, the right thing is to remain at home during his national catastrophe."

A video message from Pacquiao, during which he salutes the Raiders Filipino Heritage Game and encourages the Raider Nation to support the relief efforts, will be showcased during Sunday's game. World Champion boxer Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton, among other Filipino celebrities, will be present in Raiderville prior to the game to participate in a special autograph session in exchange for donations to benefit the victims of the catastrophe.

One of the most celebrated choirs in Asia and the world, The University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers, will perform the National Anthem. The halftime Filipino cultural presentation will feature three dance ensembles showcasing distinct folk styles. Parangal Dance Company will present the ceremonial worship dance Subli, Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble will participate in a Tinikling traditional dance while Kawayan Folk Arts will be dancing to Pandanggo Sa Ilaw using tinghhoy oil lamps simulating fireflies at dusk.

The Raiders Mabuhay Fiesta 2009 will feature a special commemorative limited edition Filipino rally towel. The Raiders, who have long been a leader in NFL merchandise sales, are reaching out to the Raiders international fan base by offering a new t-shirt commemorating the team’s Filipino Heritage Game. The Raiders Filipino t-shirt will be available in the stadium’s merchandise stands, select Raider Image stores and online at www.raiderimage.com.

The Raiders have long been pioneers, both on and off the field, with regards to the team's global outreach. The Silver and Black maintains a global presence and communicates with the worldwide Raider Nation through the team’s official web sites which feature original and translated content in six different languages - Tagalog, Japanese, German, Chinese, Spanish and English.

Source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Labels: Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, philippine news online

The first Filipino executive chef of the White House was awarded a certificate and a medal in a recent dinner reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Washington.

Cristeta Comerford holds the distinction of being the only Filipino chef to have served three US Presidents in the White House. Cristeta Comerford received a Certificate of Recognition for Culinary Excellence from Mama Sita Foundation President Clara Lapus, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

"Mrs. Comerford was also presented with an 18-carat gold medal during the occasion," the DFA said.

Comerford, born Cristeta Pasia in Manila, is the first female and Filipino-American to be selected as White House executive chef.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Willy Gaa hosted the dinner reception at his house in Washington D.C., the DFA said.

Comerford, initially appointed in 2005 by Mrs. Laura Bush, was reappointed by new US First Lady Michelle Obama early this year to continue serving under the current administration.

GMANews.TV

Labels: Cristeta Comerford, Cristeta Pasia, philippine news online

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing the phaseout of the system of employing barangay tanod across the country as it pushes for the creation of a new peacekeeping force in every barangay that will be supervised by local cops.

Dubbed as Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT), members of the new unit will serve as replacement of barangay tanod in more than 42,000 barangays in the country once the recruitment becomes full-blown starting late this year.

''It will take sometime before the phaseout of barangay tanod is done but we hope to accomplish our program, the BPAT, at the end of next year,'' said Senior Supt. Agrimero Cruz, of the Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR).

Unlike the hiring system of barangay tanod, Cruz said the term of office of those who will be hired as BPAT members is not co-terminus with the barangay officials since the town or city mayors, with the direct assistance of the local police, will be the ones who will approve the application of would-be members.

Under the present time, the responsibility of choosing and employing barangay tanod is entrusted to the barangay captain with the approval of the barangay council. Those who are chosen would serve under the pleasure of the barangay captain and the council.

But under the BPAT system, Cruz explained that any BPAT member will remain on their post until he resigns or is found guilty of wrong-doing. The only participation of the barangay captain and the council, he explained, is submitting recommendation and forwarding the intent to join the BPAT by those interested in joining the barangay peacekeeping team.

''So they will not be under the barangay captain. The barangay captain will only serve as co-supervisor of a representative from the local police unit,'' said Cruz.

''We would like also to clarify that BPAT members will not be handpicked, only those interested to volunteer as BPAT members from various sectors like student groups or other non-government organization, will be considered.''

Manila Bulletin

Labels: Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team, barangay tanod, philippine news online