E-mail: buklodkabayan@hotmail.
com
Issue No. 4
President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo (above) speaking
to the press after she was installed as President by
people power (below).
STEERING COMMITTEE HOLDS
‘SALO-
‘SALO-SALO PARA SA PASKO’
by Marian Victoria Hernandez
Some 250 people attended the
‘Salo -Salo para sa Pasko’ organised
by the Steering Committee of the
Filipino Community in cooperation
with the Philippine Mission held at
the Salle de la Tour last 2nd of De-
cember. This gathering was intended
to bring the Filipino community to-
gether particularly the children, to ex-
perience and celebrate the season of
Christmas the Filipino way.
An enactment of the Nativity of
Jesus was part of the programme
role-played by the children. The
proud parents were happy and anx-
ious watching their children play
their roles in the Nativity which was
directed by Aurelia Constantinescu.
Christmas carols were sung during
most part of the evening. The Notre
Dame Filipino Choir headed by Elisa
Andamo infused the solemnity of the
spirit of Christmas through the rendi-
tion of their songs. The Filipino
youth group KKK and lead singer
NEWSLETTER FOR THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN GENEVA
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
NEWS FLASH...NEWS FLASH...
PEOPLE POWER
OUSTS ERAP !!!
In a repeat performance of the 1986
People Power revolution that top-
pled the late dictator Ferdinand
Marcos, hundreds of thousands of
workers, students, peasants, church
and NGO workers and professionals
gathered at the EDSA shrine last
Pocholo Angeles motivated the
audience to sing Filipino Christmas
carols bringing childhood memories
when we go carolling to usher the
Christmas festivities.
The most interesting and much
awaited part of the programme for the
children was the giving of gifts. Led
by Egay Guitierrez disguised as Santa
Claus ,who gave each and every child
their Christmas presents. The food
was delicious and plentiful. The chil-
dren enjoyed the games, the pro-
gramme, the singing and their pre-
sents.
And the participants wanted to stay
on and continue the fellowship. A
Swiss guest commented that the event
was a very warm and joyous Chris t-
mas celebration not comparable to
other Christmas parties.
Kudos to the organisers. One can
be sure that next year’s celebration
would even be better.
JANUARY- MARCH 2001
last Friday, 19 January to force the
resignation of President Joseph
Estrada. The beleaguered Estrada
left the Presidential Pala ce the next
day as thousands surrounded the
palace.
The spectacular last minute
photo finish defection of Defence
Secretary Orly Mercado and AFP
Chief Angel Reyes hastened the de-
parture of President Estrada and
turned the tide for the assumption to
power of former Vice-President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
However, in the final analysis it was
the critical mass of people —people
power composed of workers, stu-
dents, church people and profession-
als that made another heroic chapter
in Philippine history. (jys)
COME and ATTEND
OUR VALENTINE’S
DINNER - DANCE
9 February 2001
at the Hotel
President-Wilson
Sponsored by the Steering Committee of the Filipino Community in
Geneva in cooperation with the Philippine Mission
 Buklod Kabayan
Sister Olive chosen YEAR
Published by the
Steering Committee of the
Filipino Community in Geneva
2000 Banaag Awardee
by Marian Hernandez

EDITORIAL BOARD
Rodolfo DE GUZMAN, Ding BAGASAO,
Manny GOYENA, Marian Victoria
HERNANDEZ, Joseph SYCIP
Contributors:
Sheila AESCHLIMANN, Annie MILNE,
Sr. Olivia RACINEZ, Nena M. VAUGNAUX,
Logo Concept & Design: Joseph SYCIP
Layout & Design:
Joseph SYCIP
Articles, opinions, letters to the Editor, and
other manuscripts are preferred to be in
Filipino or English, typed in Microsoft Word
and sent to:
The Éditorial Board, Buklod Kabayan
P. O. Box 2548 CH-1211 Geneva 2
buklodkabayan@hotmail.com
The views and opinions expressed by the
writers are solely their own and do not
necessarily reflect the position of the
Steering Committee of the Filipino
Community in Geneva
Sister Olivia Racinez has been chosen as the
Banaag Awardee of the Year 2000 Presidential
Awards. She works with the Mission Catho-
lique Philippine of the Congregation of Sisters
"Workers for Christ theWorker" ( WCW). Sister
Olive has been in charge of the canonical mission
for the pastoral care of Filipino migrants for all the
territory under the jurisdiction of the Swiss Bish-
ops Conference since 1994.
The Banaag Award is one of the five Presiden-
tial Awards given every two years. The Presidential Awards are
given to Filipino individuals and organisation overseas who, by
their exceptional achievements of humanitarian efforts, have given
form and substance to Filipino excellence and time honoured val-
ues of pakikipag-kapwa, pagtutulungan and pagkakaisa. Award-
ing ceremonies are held every December.
The other previous awardees from Geneva are Dr.Ferdinand Lit-
taua, Banaag Awardee 1991; Rodolfo de Guzman, Pamana ng
Pilipino Awardee 1993; and the Association Philippines Interna-
tional of Geneva, Kaanib ng Bayan Awardee 1996.

KNOW YOUR FAITH! LIVE YOUR FAITH!

Letters to the SHARE YOUR FAITH! by Sister Olive Racinez

Editor
We have heard of the great news
that an IT group has sponsored a
learning centre for Filipinos to learn
computer. Can we have more stories on
these to be featured at ABS CBN news?
-Dindo_Jimenez@abs.pinoycentral.
com
Yes, we have already forwarded your
request to the Balik -Aral Programme.
We are thrilled that the ABS-CBN is
interested in covering this com puter
learning centre for migrant Filipinos.
Inquiry:
Is Buklod Kabayan accepting
advertisements of business? Or
coverage of business events?
-Bodo G. von Alvensleben
At this point, this question is under
study by Steering Committee.
2 Buklod Kabayan No. 4 - Jan- Mar 2001
Love greetings in Name of the
Lord!
During the last Christmas sea-
son, as we prepared the list of
gifts to give this Christmas or pre-
pared the clothes to wear to the
different Christmas parties we at-
tended, l hope that we also pre-
pared ourselves to receive the In-
fant Jesus in our hearts. Like the
refrain of the Christmas song close
to my heart, ".....the real meaning
of Christmas is the giving of love
everyday......".
Advent is the season of prepara-
tion for the great event. What bet-
ter way to prepare than to follow
the great commandment, "Love
one another just as I have loved
you" (Jn.13:34).
Love...what does it mean to love
one another? We were always told
to love everyone...... whether he or
she be good or bad, beautiful or
ugly, tall or short, old or young, ap-
proachable or non-approachable,
rich or poor. Even our enemies,
those who hurt us or those who
gossip about us.
Sometimes it is difficult! But when
we daily strive to attain peace in our
hearts and minds then we are able
to do to others that we wish others
would do to us. Or, to treat others
as we wish to be treated by them.
And therefore give love everyday.
Let us love everyone. Let us be
the first to love, to make the first
move, to be the first to smile, to
greet, to converse, be the first to for-
give and to seek pardon. For we all
have one Father in heaven and are
all brothers and sisters in Christ.
Let us be one with the others, to
comfort and to console. For joys
shared are multiplied while sorrows
shared are lessened. Let us be glad
with the good fortune and success
of others and thank the Lord for
them.
Jesus is born to give us His love!
Let us welcome Jesus by loving and
being united with one another.
Happy New Millennium!
News briefs
Valentine's Party
Lined-up for 2001
There is no stopping.... just because it's
winter! The Steering Committee of the
Filipino Community in Geneva in coop-
eration with the Philippine Mission is
muscling its might to gather the Filipino
community in Geneva to its first activ-
ity for the millennium. An ambitious
Valentine’s Party is lined-up to offer an
evening with a different ambiance to-
gether with a buffet dinner and an eve-
ning of ballroom dance on Friday, 9
February 2001 at Hotel President Wil-
son from 7:30 PM. Funds raised during
the evening will support projects by the
Steering Committee on migrants work-
ers in Geneva.
Tickets for the buffet dinner-dance will
sold be at CHF100. A cash bar will be
open for drinks. For reservations,
please contact Lydia Stransky-Heilkron
at lystranheil@hotmail.com or Linda
Cacdac at cacdac@intracen.org. (mvh)
DOMESTIC WORKER
OF RP DIPLOMAT
FALLS FROM 5-STORY
BUILDING IN ESCAPE BID
A Philippine domestic worker fell from a
5 -story building in Meyrin while trying to
escape from her Philippine diplomat em-
ployer last 5 December. According to BK
sources the Filipina, Dinia Baliton was
rushed to the Hopital Cantonal and was
placed in the Intensive Care Unit. When
interviewed by BK, consular officials said
that the cantonal hospital authorities up to
the present have prevented them from visit-
ing the patient .
In a report filed at the Consular Affairs
Office of the Department of Foreign Af-
fairs last 11 December, it was revealed that
Ms. Baliton wanted to move to another
employer but was allegedly prevented by
Ms. Teresita Paran, her employer who
works as a communications person at the
Philippine Mission in Geneva. According to
the report, Ms. Baliton tried to escape by
tying together pieces of cloth which she
used to slide out of the building. Unfortu-
nately, it snapped and she fell straight into
PHOTO BY: EYEAN ORTEZA
the pavement.
As of press time, it was confirmed that the
the domestic worker is now out of danger
and will be out of the hospital soon. The
Philippine diplomat on the other hand, was
sent home or “recalled” as part of a discipli-
nary action. ( (jys)
DINNER DANCE
FOR STREET KIDS
A Dinner-Dance fundraising event for
street children in the Philippines will be
held on the 7th of April, at the Le Bol Qui
Riz Restaurant in Meyrin.
Dinner will be SFR 35 excluding drinks.
After 22:30 in the evening, entrance will be
5 SFR 5. Tickets for this fundraising
event are available at the Mabuhay ASEAN
store and at the Bahay Kubo Restaurant.
For inquiries contact Mr. Efren Reyes at
tels: 076 385 4242/3854242
ERAP RESIGN
GROUP STAGES
PICKET
Some 40 persons belonging to the
“ Concerned Filipinos in Geneva”
staged a picket last 13 December in
front of the United Nations calling for
the immediate resignation of President
Joseph Estrada.
The group converged at the “high
chair” at around lunchtime with ban-
ners and placards assailing the alleged
“juetengate” scandal and the “moral
bankruptcy” of the present administra-
tion.
The programme started with the sing-
ing of the Philippine national anthem.
This was followed by a prayer, some
poetry, and the reading of the group’s
statement.
A smaller delegation delivered the state-
ment and were invited to a dialogue
with officials of the Consulate led by
Ambassador Samuel Ramel.
The group’s spokeswoman, Patricia
Sadie told Buklod Kabayan that they
originally planned to picket the Philip-
pine Mission but were not allowed by
the police. However, the police issued a
permit for them to demonstrate in
front of the UN. They vowed to co n-
tinue their protest actions until Presi-
dent Estrada is ousted, resigns or is im-
peached by the Philippine Senate. (jys)
Buklod Kabayan No. 4 -
NEW YOUTH
GROUP FORMED
A new youth group is being formed for
young Filipinos living in Geneva. Its
main purpose is to act as a catalyst for the
Filipino youth community’s varied inter-
ests (arts, music, sports, social work, etc.).
Its primary objective to form a base or
support group needed for the realisation
of projects in the above areas of interest.
The group came to existence as a re-
sponse to a challenge by Atty. Ding Ba-
gasao. During one of our tete-a-tete , he
asked us if we would be capable of unit-
ing the Filipino youth or at least awaken
their sense of patriotism. We said “yes”.
The following morning, we began work
with our first project: a concert cum get
together. We pulled it through, and came
out of it a bit wiser.
Now the group is looking for writers art-
ists and musicians for our upcoming
youth newsletter. E-mail at Saintjamais
@hotmail.com or contact Poch or Paolo
at (022) 733 5241. We’ll hear from you.
(jamie hernandez)
Balik-Aral Programme
bares expansion plan in
Berne and Nueva Ecija
The Balik-Aral programme is opening two
more computer learning centres in the can-
ton of Berne and in San Leonardo, Nueva
Ecija in the Philippines. This was revealed
recently by its spokesperson, Dennis de
Guzm an. According to de Guzman, the
computer centre in Berne is scheduled to
open sometime this year. In the Philippines,
the Rural Bank of San Leonardo has invited
the Balik-Aral to set up a similar centre for
the peasant youth.
The free computer learning center, a
joint project of Habi Foundation and the Ge-
neva Forum for Philippine Concerns first
opened in Geneva last July 2000.
Its success has brought a lot of inquiries
and requests from Filipino groups in other
parts of Switzerland and Europe on setting
up similar migrant computer learning cen-
tres.
Meanwhile, the computer courses starts
again on the 8th of January. The Balik-Aral
programme is appealing for support in
whatever form. Volunteer teachers, second-
hand computers, and other computer para-
phernalia would be highly appreciated.
For inquiries, call Dennis de Guzman at
076-5820127. (jys)
Jan- Mar 2001 3
 BUKLOD KABAYAN NEEDS YOUR ASSISTANCE
Dear Kabayan,

We take great pride in informing you of the birth
of a newsletter intended for the Filipino community in
Geneva. In case this has escaped your attention, Buk-
lod Kabayan has already come out with three issues,
including the maiden issue timed with our Independ-
ence Day celebrations last June 2000. We are now
looking at a 2001 edition.
Buklod Kabayan is intended primarily to inform
the public about current developments, events, activi-
ties and other vital information and services that con-
cern the Philippine community in Geneva. It is a pub-
lication of the Steering Committee of the Philippine
Community in Geneva, a non-formal but nevertheless
serious and regular core-group of Filipinos in Geneva,
whose membership is open and on voluntary basis.
The contents and editorial policies of the newsletter
are very reflective of the objectives of the Steering
Committee that is to be of service to the community
and to encourage a productive and supportive interac -
tion between and among members of the Philippine
community.
The Steering Committee hopes to publish the Buklod
Kabayan on a regular basis as a service to the Filipino
community. It is for this reason that we appeal for you
to get involved to keep the newsletter sustainable.
Concretely, we invite you to participate by giving finan-
cial contributions through focal persons in your organi-
sation or through any of the members of the committee.
With the editorial policies set by the Steering Committee
and the usual journalistic standards, we promise to give
you an informative and creative newsletter.
We look forward to your continued participation
and support.
Sincerely yours,
(sgd) Rodolfo A. de Guzman
Chairperson
Steering Committee of the Filipino Community
in Geneva

ANO BA ANG TUNAY NA DIWA NG PASKO?

Mula sa Pangkat Pang-editoryal

Kamakailan lang ay Pasko. Naalala
natin nuong mga panahon na kaunti
pa lamang ang problema ng ating
bansa, septiembre pa lamang ay
maririnig mo na ang mga christmas
carol sa radyo. Alam na alam nating
ang mga palatandaan- mga batang
nagkakaroling sa mga bahay bahay,
bonus sa mga empleyado, maraming
aginaldo, walang humpay na kainan
at inuman, walang patumanggang
shopping at pag-ubos ng kita at iba't
iba pang pagsunod sa layaw at
pasarap sa katawan na parang wala
nang kinabukasan.
Marami din namang tumamang trahe-
diya sa ating bansa sa loob ng na-
karaang dekada, na dulot ng unos ng
kalikasan, at ganoon na rin ng ating
kapuwa Pilipino. Kung ikaw ay uuwi
ngayon, mapapansin na hindi na
ganoon karami ang mga christmas
lights sa mga bahay, ang mga batang
nagkakaroling ay hindi lamang sa ba-
hay-bahay kung hindi sa mga sa-
sakyan na natatrapik. Ang bonus ng
isang empleyado ngayon ay hindi na
ganoong kalaki, at kung minsan, bigas
na lang ang binibigay-imported na
bigas, dahil daw mas mura kaysa
katutubong bigas natin. Sa probinsiya
ay mas grabe daw, mas lalu na sa mga
depressed areas, at ang mga nasalanta
ng digmaan sa Mindanao. Lahat ng
tao daw ay nakikinig sa radyo, hindi
sa mga christmas carols kung hindi sa
impeachment proceedings. Kahit na
anu daw ang mangyari, masama pa rin
ang ekonomiya.
Bakit kaya ang diwa ng pasko ay lagi
na lang nakatali sa karangyaan. Wala
na bang alternatibong paraan na ma-
sayang pagdaos ng pasko ay hindi
nagdedepende sa laman ng ating pi-
taka? Nasa atin ang kasagutan nito at
kung kaya natin na paminsan-minsang
itigil ang ating karaniwang ginagawa
at isipin ang mensahe ng kaunauna-
hang pasko- ang pagdating sa mundo
ng ating dakilang mananakop na nag-
alay sa atin ng dimapag-imbot at wa -
gas na pag-ibig. Kung lagi sana nat-
ing naisasa-isip ang pag-unawa at
pagtingin sa karapatan ng ating ka-
puwa, hindi lamang sa araw ng
linggo at ng pasko, kung hindi araw-
araw, malamang na uunti ang prob-
lema ng ating bansa. Marami na ang
makakabahagi sa yaman ng bansa at
hindi na kailangang mangibang-bayan
ang Pilipino. Babalik na rin siguro
ang simple nguni't makahulugang
pagdaos ng pasko- ang pagkikita-kita
ng mga pamilya at pagbabati ng dat-
ing nagkakatampuhang magkapatid,
ang walang takot na paglabas ng mga
bata at matanda sa madaling araw
upang magsimba sa misa de gallo, ang
pagbibigay pagkakataon sa kabataan
na makapaglaro imbes na mamalimos
o magwatch your car.
Isang katanungan lamang-paano natin
idadaos ang kani-kaniyang kapasku-
han? Nasa sa atin ang kasagutan.
Inaasam at ipinagdadasal ng mga pat-
nugot ng Buklod Kabayan at ng
buong Steering Committee, na nawa'y
bigyan tayo ng liwanag upang magka-
roon tayong lahat ng mga Makahu-
lugang Pasko at Mapagpalayang
Bagong Taon.

4 Buklod Kabayan N0.4 - Jan- Mar 2001

 IN FOCUS:
AMBASSADOR SAMUEL RAMEL
Editor’s note:
The BK news team met the new Philippine
Ambassador, Samuel Ramel in his office and
was pleasantly surprised with the candour and
lack of officiousness that characterised the inte r-
view. A former Director of the Foreign Service
Institute, and an old Asia hand, Ambassador
Ramel brings to his present post, the expertise
and diplomatic savvy required in an increasingly
complex globalise community. But behind all
this, Ambassador Rame l considers himself as
an ordinary overseas Filipino worker, and not
unlike the majority of the Filipino Community
here in Geneva, looks forward to an eventual
retirement in his Philippine hometown.
Here are some excerpts.
In general how would you describe the responsibilities
of an Ambassador?
An ambassador seeks to promote trade and
always acts to protect his country's interests
within the range of manoeuvrability and
strictly inaccordance with instructions from
Home Office.
Where would you say your expertise lies?
Probably Asian affairs, because it is in Asia
where I have spent a considerable part of my
diplomatic career. Although I miss being in
Asia, there will be many opportunities here in
Geneva to interact and consult with other
Asian countries, through the Asia Group and
the ASEAN-Geneva committee.
How do you find your present post?
Exciting. My previous postings have mostly
been in bilateral relations. The post of
Permanent Representative to the UN in
Europe is multilateral, hence, it presents
different challenges and opportunities for
learning as well as contributing to the wealth
of knowledge in the present community of
nations. The post also includes critical
negotiations with the World Trade
Organisation, an agency whose activities have
far reaching economic effects on our people.
I am however secure in the thought that
Ambassador Edsel Custodio, who is a veteran
trade officer, is our principal representative to
the WTO
How would you characterise our country's
representation with the WTO?
Complex. Many of our entrepreneurs and
industry owners still cannot accept that
economic protectionism can no longer work
in today's global economic environment. The
Philippines has to comply with its obligations
under the WTO convention and the challenge
is to comply within the context of the treaty,
but doing so at the least harm to our
industries.
What would you prescribe to strengthen our country's
trading position?
Our people should depart from the tradition
of being just "rent seekers", and become
"true" entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
We should also do our best to learn from
others and improve on what we learn. We
have to increase our export capability,
but to do this, we have to improve our
marketing skills, learn to be versatile, get
used to taking risks and not just stick to safe
investments.
How would you describe the present European
position towards migrants?
Due to the increasing influx of migrants
into Europe, the sentiment is towards more
restrictive policies because of the threat
of job competition with the locals and
potential danger to security. Before, there
were countries like Germany and Spain,
which did not even require visas for
Filipinos, but not anymore.
What do you think of the overseas voting bill?
It is a citizen's political right under our
Constitution. It is about time that our
legislature approves the bill. You know the
saying, " No taxation, no representation".
The objections appear to be that we lack the
resources to implement such a law. That
may be true but the legislature cannot keep
on denying this right to our citizens just
because we lack resources. It is also a
question of priority. We have learned that
the version of the bill in the Senate excludes
Filipino permanent residents’ abroad from
voting. I am not sure if that is valid.
Suffrage is an attribute of citizenship, not of
residence.
Are there any thoughts relating to your job that you
would wish to share with the Philippine community
in Geneva?
We should encourage constructive dialogue
and avoid petty bickering amongst our-
selves. As your diplomatic representatives,
we welcome criticism from the community,
but when you do, please be ready with your
suggestions or alternatives
What can the Philippine mission do regarding some
reported abuses against Filipinos that they receive
while under arrest or detention?
We can make the proper representations
with the authorities, but these reports
should be properly documented in order
that our representations will have some
basis.
Is there any message you would wish to relay to our
migrants here in Geneva?
While we are abroad, we should not only try
to earn money, but also learn how other
people do things and how we can improve
on them. Studying from others include
identifying successful business concerns as
possible models we could use in our
country. While sending money to relatives
is necessary, we should realise that most of
us are here only on a temporary basis and
will one day return and still need a regular
means of livelihood. Hence it is wise also
to save and accumulate capital that can be
placed in investments or better still, in some
small business that can bring us regular
Buklod Kabayan
income. A returned overseas worker who
discover that these funds dry up within a
short while, and they can end up destitute
or applying again for an overseas job. In a
sense, both Ambassador Custodio and I are
also overseas workers, and we are also
thinking about what we will do when we
both go back to the Philippines and retire.
May we know what you will do when you retire?
Well there is this property in Nueva Vizcaya
that I inherited. I will probably do some
agriculture and also play a lot of golf.
Would you consider your golf handicap a state secret
or would you be able to share it with us?
It is 18.
Thank you, Mr. Ambassador.
Postscript.
Revitalising the relationship between our official
government representatives and our community in
Geneva is most timely considering the crisis our
country is going through. Mr. Ramel’s thoughts on
the long-awaited right to vote of overseas Filipinos
are very encouraging and his advice to our Filipino
workers to save, plan for their return and study
models of entrepreneurial success wherever they are,
may perhaps be the key to transforming the
traditional perception of OFWs as simply dollar
earners and remitters. BK anticipates that concrete
initiatives will soon be undertaken to strengthen the
partnership between the community and our
government representatives in Geneva. BK notes
that a few days after this interview, the case of an
arrested Filipina who was allegedly not given any
food during the first day of her detention was
reported to the Philippine Mission, which promptly
made enquiries with proper authorities on the
condition of the arrested person.
(The BK Team is composed of Ms. Marian
Hernandez, and Messrs. Manny Goyena and Ding
Bagasao.)
No. 4 - Jan- Mar 2001 5
 API’s 12th Anniversary Dinner Dance:

A RECORD BREAKING AFFAIR

by Annie Milne

Welcome world to this big beautiful country, the From the brightly feathered - headdresses and
Philippines ……. so goes the popular Philippine song intricately patterned garments to the simple loin
chorused by the guest entertainers during the clothes and body painting, guests were entertained by
Association Philippine Internationale fund-raising din- the range of varied cultures from the Philippines’ 7,107
ner-dance last 30th September at the Noga Hilton Hotel. islands.
Indeed, this year affair was a record breaker with more
than 270 guests with a lot of surprises in store for them.
Guests from London,

PHOTO CREDITS: Lydia STRANSKY

Germany, Prague and a
big group from neighbour-
ing Lausanne, all dressed
in their finest, came to
celebrate API’s 12th year
PHOTO CREDITS: Lydia STRANSKY

anniversary. API was

honoured to have two Phil-
ippine Ambassadors grac-
ing the affair .. newly ar-
rived Ambassador Samuel
Ramel, the guest speaker
for the evening, and Am-
bassador Edsel Custodio.
Jay Ibot of Philippine Is -
lands Connections Travel
and Tours specially flew in The audience was also won over by a tiny winsome
from London with his tal- girl, not more than 10 years of age, who belted out
ented and beautiful group song numbers incredibly well for such a tender age.
of performers to provide Not to be outdone, regular mainstay Marivik Balchim
the excellent cultural show dazzled everybody with her sultry singing and
for the evening. magnetic stage pres -
“The Journey” , a musical dance and fashion show, ence. And charming
took the audience from the highland tribes of the Moun- and lovely Katheryn, in
tain Province all the way down to the Muslim Filipinos a riveting duet song
and the Badjaos , the sea gypsies of the South. number with Marivik
exemplified freshness
and innocence.

PHOTO CREDITS: Lydia STRANSKY

The numerous tombola
prizes attracted the
audience’s attention so
much that API could not
cope with the demands
PHOTO CREDITS: Lydia STRANSKY

for the tickets. For the

first time, all tombola
tickets were sold out
with many guests clam-
ouring for more.
The successful turnout
of the evening has
enabled API to replen-
ish its funds after its
ambitious project two years ago with the ILO, the
INDISCO Zambales Project. The Committee is at pre-
sent studying some Philippine projects with the aim of
continuing its commitment to help their less fortunate
Ambassador Samuel Ramel, Ambassasor & Mrs. Edsel Custodio together with Annie
countrymen.
Milne, President of API and Lydia Stransky

6 Buklod Kabayan No.4 – Jan-Mar 2001