NDFP losing patience with PNoy

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 11/15/2011 9:49 AM | Updated as of 11/15/2011 1:32 PM

The National Democratic Front Panel is losing patience at the "continued snobbery" of the government of President Benigno Aquino III to its demands in order for the stalled peace negotiations to resume.

"There is an ongoing civil war in the Philippines and it will not stop. The revolutionary movement will continue their armed struggle if there will be no remedy to the NDFP's listed 10 impediments or problems in its peace negotiations with the Government of the Philippines or GPH."

Such were the words of CPP Founding Chair Jose Maria Sison when interviewed by ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau after the press conference at the NDF Headquarters in Utrecht.

The NDFP said it is growing impatient because the GPH remains aloof towards the resumption of peace talks.

Now taking the offensive, the NDFP presented on Monday the prominent international lawyers who will make up its newly formed International Legal Advisory Team or ILAT.

ILAT's mission will be to provide exclusive and confidential pro-bono counsel and assistance to NDFP in matters of law arising from and/or related to the peace negotiations.

The NDFP said it doesn't aim to intimidate the GPH with the formation of ILAT.

"Hindi naman takutin. Pakita na maraming suporta kaya mga prestigious international law experts ito from different countries na they are willing to provide legal assistance. At lumalawak ang solidarity for the Filipino people at for the National Democratic Front all over the world. Pati sa Canada, sa U.S., sa New Zealand, yung trade unions have spoken up for the advance of the peace talks and against the obstacles being put by the government of the Philippines," NDFP chair Luis Jalandoni said.

The press conference gained a lot of interest from the international media and local press in the Philippines as well who joined the video conference.

According to ILAT, the Philippine government's refusal to sit on the negotiating table is a major violation of the human rights of Filipinos.

"The government claims to represent the Filipino people, claims to be elected by the Filipino people, said in public that it intends to negotiate in good faith with the NDFP. Now if it seeks to walk away from the negotiating table then it's betraying itself and it betrays the people it represents," ILAT member and U.K. lawyer Richard Harvey said.

Sison said that soon, the Filipinos will explode just like in the major protests, where the "Occupy Movements" worldwide are rooted because the situation in the Philippines now is grave.

"Kasi ang sistemang naghahari sa Pilipinas, manghihina. Lalo na ngayon yung sistemang capital sa buong daigdig nanghihina. Alam mo naman ang Pilipinas eh lulutang dahil sa pautang pero pag nahirapan nang mangutang tapos yung mga remittance kukulangin na dahil ang mga gobyerno ng bansang nasa krisis yung pag-intake nila ng overseas contract workers hihina..." Sison explained.

Until now, the NDFP is still waiting for the release of its 17 political consultants who are protected under the JASIG agreement.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/15/11/ndfp-losing-patience-pnoy

Fil-Dutch group celebrates silver jubilee

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 11/10/2011 11:39 PM | Updated as of 11/10/2011 11:40 PM

THE NETHERLANDS - The silver jubilee of the United Filipino Dutch Association became a celebration of unity and solidarity of the Filipinos in Holland.

The supposedly sit-down formal event became a standing room only as the NH Schiphol Hotel became jampacked as early as 2 hours before the start of the party.

The maximum capacity was 300 but more than 500 guests came from the different parts of Holland, Belgium and Germany.

But despite the crowded venue, nobody expressed anger for not being able to go inside, with some Pinoys setting up seats outside the venue and toasting the milestone.

To celebrate the big event, UFDA prepared a long musical program that also showed the 3 generations of members.

For the first time, there was a cotillion of former presidents of UFDA, a feat which was impossible in the past.

"Nagkaron ng parang reconciliation ang mga nakaraang mga presidente na nawawalan ng time ngayon. Ginawan namin ng paraan para magkasama sama sila at nabuhay ang dati, yung mas matatag na samahan, binuhay ulit namin yon," UFDA president Boy Balmaceda said.

The successful event did not fail to impress the new Philippine ambassador to the Netherlands.

They are capable of getting together, working together, helping each other and I see that it is a good community. I haven't encountered anything which would speak of issues amongst associations, so for this association to have been able to bring together a lot of Filipinos from different groupings in the Netherlands, that is very laudable," Ambassador Lourdes Morales said.

Even comedienne Giselle Sanchez was blown away by UFDA's pull among the Pinoys.

"Napansin ko tong UFDA naibukod nila at ginawa niyang solid ang mga Pilipino. So hindi na masyadong watak-watak ang mga Pilipino sa Amsterdam kundi isang buo na. Nagsasaya," Sanchez said.

Officers of UFDA thanked all their kababayans who came to return the camaraderie that they have given in more than 2 decades.

Balmaceda said that in the last 25 years, UFDA has established a solid and deep friendship with different Pinoys and organizations in Europe.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/11/10/11/fil-dutch-group-celebrates-silver-jubilee

New PH envoy presents credentials to Queen Beatrix of Holland

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 11/03/2011 5:42 PM | Updated as of 11/03/2011 5:42 PM

HOLLAND - A very loud drum roll and three platoons of Royal Palace guards welcomed the arrival of Her Excellency Ambassador Lourdes Morales at the Noordeinde Palace grounds in The Hague.

In all its pomp and glory, Morales stepped down from the horse-drawn royal carriage to enter the gates of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix’s working palace in order to formally present her letter of credence as the new Philippine envoy in The Netherlands.

The ceremony on the palace grounds was colorful and impressive with a special platoon of royal guards as the Philippine national anthem was played first.

This was followed by a general salute given to Morales by the Honor Guard and then the ambassador walked past the three platoons for inspection before finally proceeding to the doorsteps of the palace for the presentation of credentials.

Curious spectators both Dutch and Pinoys filled the barricaded part of the street in order to watch the grand ceremony.

A Filipino couple who was touring Europe was so impressed as it is their first time to watch such a regal event.

“Nanood kami ng pag-courtesy call ng Philippine ambassador sa Queen,” said Nympha Tabo.

“Maganda ang ceremony nila, very colorful,” retired Army General Tabo said.

According to Morales, her mission is to strengthen the economic ties between the Netherlands and the Philippines.

“We would like to further strengthen 'yong relations natin in that area and we would like to see, to further strengthen the presence of the Dutch in the Philippines,” Morales said.

She added that she hopes that she will also gain the full support of her fellow countrymen here in Holland.

“Ang expectation ko is they will be supportive of us and in the same way, they can expect that they can get the same thing from us,” Morales said.

The new ambassador also promised to match, if not to surpass, her predecessors’ very close relations with the Filipino community.

She succeeds Cardozo Luna who left his post.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/11/03/11/new-ph-envoy-presents-credentials-queen-beatrix-holland

Pinoy basketball team wins tourney in Amsterdam

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 08/20/2011 3:30 PM | Updated as of 08/20/2011 4:11 PM

THE NETHERLANDS - Filipino-Americans bagged the first international basketball tournament held in Amsterdam.

Patience, hard work and dedication in basketball helped the AmPinoy team (American Pinoy) from Germany to snatch the championship trophy in the tournament organized by the United Filipino Dutch Association (UFDA).

“Ilang taon naming pinagpraktis, ibang labanan…pagdadrive sa ibang lugar sa lahat ng labanan. Mabuti sa wakas, kami na nanalo,” said player Crisanto Costes.

The American Pinoys, all working at the US Air Force's Ramstein Airbase, were weaker at the start of the round robin, having been knocked down by the younger Brussels All Stars players.

But the AmPinoys rebounded and beat 4 other teams to face the Brussels All Stars again in the finals.

This time, the AmPinoys proved strong and fierce, beating the Belgian Pinoys who landed second place.

"We are playing our game. They were just bigger and stronger than us,” Jassin Dulnoan from Brussels All Stars said.

The third place went to the Luxembourg Warriors.

The tournament was the very first international basketball tournament organized by UFDA with participants coming from Antwerp and Brussels in Belgium; Ramstein and Bonn in Germany; Luxembourg; and Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam in Holland.

UFDA even hired professional Dutch referees in its aim to hold an organized and clean tournament.

The referees were surprised and impressed at the basketball skills and quality of play of the Filipinos.

"The players are high [level]. They can basketball. It's no street basketball. It's like the competition in Holland," referee Beatrix Lee Ajam said.

The tournament ended well without any injury or fight and the UFDA only had to give credit to two young and energetic Pinoys Archer Escalona and JP Ramos, who organized the hugely successful event.


SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM


http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/08/20/11/pinoy-basketball-team-wins-tourney-amsterdam

Many Dutch opt to visit PH this summer

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 08/11/2011 5:40 PM | Updated as of 08/11/2011 5:41 PM

THE NETHERLANDS - The Philippines is the favorite destination of a growing number of Dutch tourists this European summer.

But who can blame them.

Howling wind and strong rain since July defined this year’s summer in Europe, forcing many to go abroad for their holidays.

Here in The Netherlands, many Dutch seem to have developed a weak spot for the Philippines instead of neighboring Italy, Greece or Spain which are the more popular summer destinations in Europe.

In fact, the Philippine Embassy has already received more than 140 tourist visa applications in July alone.

The number doesn’t include those who did not have to apply for a visa anymore because their stay in the Philippines is less than 3 weeks.

The Philippines is the favorite of a Dutch teenager who has already spent 11 of his summer holidays there.

This year, he has convinced his best friend to come with him.

“I'm bringing my friend to the Philippines for the first time. I hope he enjoys,” Dan Engels said.

For a half-Pinoy, half-Dutch, it is more relaxing to spend the summer in the Philippines than in Europe because of the former’s tropical climate.

Severo Friso van der Kreeft prefers the slow and quiet atmosphere in the Philippines than the fast and noisy club-like ambiance in some European vacation spots.

However, van der Kreeft finds his acquiring a dual nationality a little bit complicated, which is why he prefers to apply for a tourist visa to go to the Philippines.

“I have a Filipino passport but maybe it's better to travel Dutch to go also back to Holland, otherwise I may have to apply for a visa to go back to Holland,” Van der Kreeft said.

One Dutch has already helped promote tourism in the Philippines by inviting his Dutch friends every year.

Jan Engels brought 16 of his Dutch friends to Marinduque last year. This year, he only managed to convince six.

But the Dutch still think that the Philippines is really not yet discovered as a tourist destination.

“It still has to be discovered. But that's also because of the infrastructure, the bad roads, the bad ships, that’s why I think tourists will not come,” Jan said.

When it comes to infrastructure, the Philippines is very much behind in Asia so that it has now become necessary to improve and upgrade to attract more tourists to come.


SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/08/11/11/many-dutch-opt-visit-ph-summer

British-Pinoy duo reaches finals of Dutch tennis tourney

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 08/05/2011 7:23 PM | Updated as of 08/05/2011 7:23 PM

THE HAGUE -- A tennis tandem composed of a British and a Filipino reached the doubles finals of the recently concluded Thor de Bataaf Tennis Open in The Hague.

The duo, however, failed in their bid to win the title as they bowed to their Dutch opponents.

Despite the 6-3 6-3 scoreline, the Dutch champions said it was not an easy fight.

“I don’t find it was easy at all. It was pretty hard. They played very good,” Bas Schenk said.

“They were tough opponents so we played very good for us. Somehow we managed to break them in the first set,” added Jochem Wiersma.

For the only Filipino in the tournament of the Dutch-dominated tennis club, reaching the finals is already a big honor.

“They have the height advantage and we have to compensate for that one in terms of speed perhaps and because of their length and height they've got wider coverage at the net. It's like hitting through a wall when playing them, otherwise everything is equal,” Rommel Loveranes, a Pinoy expat said.

His British partner, also an expat, commended the Pinoy’s style in tennis.

“He is really fast, one of the quickest players I’ve played with across the net. Excellent volleys, excellent smash, excellent forehand, the only thing is only his backhand…but that's not exactly a weakness per se,” David Flaherty said.

The tandem of Loveranes and Flaherty has already moved on.

This time, they hope to make it to the finals and win the championship at the Mets Tennis Open.


SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/ofw/08/05/11/british-pinoy-duo-reaches-finals-dutch-tennis-tourney

Dutch eyes potato opportunities in PH

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 08/04/2011 5:17 PM | Updated as of 08/04/2011 5:17 PM

THE NETHERLANDS - Many Dutch businessmen are starting to show an interest in agriculture in the Philippines.

This sudden interest marks the success of the Philippine Netherlands Business Council or PNBC’s working luncheon where it showcased the richness or potential wealth from agriculture in the Philippines.

Together with the Philippine Embassy and East West Seeds, EU Agricultural Attache Pit Laquian highlighted the investment opportunities in agriculture.

Laquian said agriculture is a highly productive business in the Philippines, particularly in potatoes.

According to Laquian, the Philippines imports potatoes 100% because of the high consumption of French fries and chips of Filipinos.

He said Pinoys have the capability to plant, sow and harvest the same volume of potatoes that the Philippines imports every month, but the only problem is lack of capital.
Laquian said that if there will be sufficient investment in the planting of potatoes, the Philippines can easily save around $200 million per year.

Many Dutch businessmen showed interest in the concept. Even the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture sent a representative to learn about agriculture in the Philippines.

"Now the Philippines as a tropical country has a very different agricultural business than the Netherlands. Nevertheless, we think the Dutch people could assist in developing agricultural business in the Philippines,” John Lintjer, PNBC chairman said.

In fact, a trade mission has now been set to go to the Philippines to check the agri-food and food processing there.

"We know from personal experience the Philippines from many years ago as an interesting country, a growing country. It became more stable in a political way, it's a growing economy and we have chosen the agro, agro-industrial sector,” Steven Mulder of NCH said.

Even some Pinoys who invested in real estate are now having second thoughts.

“Na-inspire lang ako na after ko narinig yung presentation... yung binili naming lupa sa Pampanga is to convert na lang to agriculture land," Pinay Olive van Dijck said.

Individuals interested in the trade mission to the Philippines may contact Vice Consul Cynthia Pelayo at the Philippine Embassy, multilateral@philembassy.nl.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/08/04/11/dutch-eyes-potato-opportunities-ph

Small town in Holland helps Pinoys big time

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 07/20/2011 4:21 PM | Updated as of 07/20/2011 4:21 PM

HOLLAND - For more than two decades now, a small community of elderly Dutch has been collecting donations from all over Holland and sending them to the rural areas in the Philippines.

Everyday, big heavy boxes of donations for the Philippines are dropped in a warehouse in Heeten, a tiny community here in Holland of mostly elderly Dutch citizens.

The warehouse will be filled up with boxes of mainly medical supplies and hospital equipment until the day the boxes are loaded for shipment. Every loading day, many elderly Dutch go out of their respective homes in order to assist preparing the crates and filling a 16-wheeler truck.

The huge truck will bring the crates to a shipping company in Rotterdam which will deliver the goods to the Philippines.

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau was invited to witness the loading process. Also present were Vice Mayor Roger de Groot and several staff from the Philippine Embassy led by Charge d’Affaires Frank Cimafranca.

After the last crate was successfully squeezed into the truck, the door was closed and locked.

But the last step is always symbolic. De Groot and Cimafranca jointly put the lock on the door of the truck, signifying the solid ties that remain between the Dutch and Filipinos.

This was the scene, for more than two decades now, at the Foundation Center Relief Supplies Heeten Philippines or HHCP.

HHCP is headed by couple Jo and Truus Schoorlemeer, who initially set up a group that collects goods for the depressed areas in the Philippines to help Jo’s now-deceased brother, who was a missionary in Philippines in the 90s.

“Exactly on the 16 of August this year, we'll be 21 [years] because we started in 1990 with the earthquake in Baguio. That’s the way we started collecting goods for the Philippines,” Jo said.

In fact, the couple just recently received medals from Queen Beatrix for their continued charity work for the Philippines.

The couple received the Knight of the Order of Queen Orange of Nassau, which is the highest award bestowed on a civilian.

Their hard work also did not go unnoticed in the Philippines as they received a medal from former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2008.

HHCP has already extended its gigantic help to many provinces in the Philippines, particularly in the hospitals in Camiguin, Bicol and Batanes.

As a token of gratitude on the day of the loading, a group of Pinays who are married to Dutch nationals and who are living close to Heeten, came over to serenade the elderly Dutch during their break from loading the crates.

“They're here to also, you know, to give thanks to the foundation here in Heeten that is helping our countrymen back home. It's really a very, very, significant event for all of us,” Cimafranca said.

Even de Groot cannot help but marvel at the magnanimity of the work and the volume of goods during loading.

He was impressed at the Dutch Pinays’ musical number but was more in awe of his fellow countrymen’s dedication and hard work for the Philippines.

“I am very impressed and I love the songs from the Philippine women and it was very good. It’s very good what the volunteers are doing for the Philippines,” de Groot said.

Jo and Truus are not getting any younger, yet they still do not plan to retire from running the foundation because they said that they have left, a long time ago, their hearts in the Philippines.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM


http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/07/20/11/small-town-holland-helps-pinoys-big-time

Exclusive: Kiko visits NDF in Utrecht

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 07/08/2011 10:14 PM | Updated as of 07/08/2011 10:16 PM



THE NETHERLANDS - His visit to the National Democratic Front Panel (NDFP) headquarters in Utrecht, Netherlands brought a larger-than-life hope for Filipinos that unity is soon going to be a reality in the Philippines.

At the NDFP office, where ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau was exclusively invited, there was so much laughter and talks sounded light and not serious at the meeting between Senator Francisco Pangilinan and NDFP's Jose Maria Sison and Louie Jalandoni.

Pangilinan, who just arrived from the Inter-Parliamentary Union event in Geneva, exuded a unique charisma as he sat face to face with Sison, Jalandoni and Sison's wife, Juliet.

The senator came in his capacity as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food and Committee on Social Justice and Rural Development.

Pangilinan brought with him the promise that as a party mate of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, he will bring to the President the conditions laid down by NDFP, in the name of peace and unity.

"Well, ang relationship ko sa NDF, ilang dekada na rin. I was a student activist in the 80s during the Marcos dictatorship so I fully understand the causes that they are fighting for," Pangilinan told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau in an exclusive interview.

"We should focus on how we can unite, on what common ground we can go to, rather than look at our differences, on what divide us. And there is more that will unite us. There is more reason for us to unite in terms of moving forward and bringing prosperity to a nation than there is reason for us to be divided," Pangilinan said.

Roots of armed conflict

In fact, Pangilinan presented his proposals to the NDFP, particularly in helping push the peace talks and modernization of agriculture in order to solve poverty which he says is the root of the armed conflict in the Philippines.

"Obviously, if you look at the Philippine situation, sitwasyon ng ibang bansa, walang bansa na naging progresibo at talagang naging matagumpay at talagang gumanda ang buhay ng mga citizens nila na mayroong armed conflict na hinarap. So the roots of the armed conflict is really poverty and injustice so we're really gonna have to push for peace and I want to see it in my lifetime," Pangilinan said.

"Hindi biro itong insurgency na hinaharap ng bansa. It has been around for over four decades. Social unrest, even more so. The challenge is really how do we achieve a just and honorable peace so that the full potential of the nation in terms of the resources, in terms of its talent, its skill in terms of the economy can really be achieved," Pangilinan added.

The NDFP, for its part, trusts the senator's capability and sincerity.

"Sinabi naman sa kanya ni Louie [Jalandoni] na pag-aaralan ng NDF 'yong mga proposed solutions at mga dahilan kung bakit dapat isipin nating lahat na may pag-asa ang Pilipinas," Sison said.

"Umaasa kami na maipapaabot kay President Aquino 'yong mga pinag-usapan. Kasi bandang GPH (government panel) sa side ng Philippine government, si P-Noy naman ang pinakamapagpasya. Siya ang magpapasya tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay sa panig na 'yon kaya minamahalaga namin 'yong dalaw in Senator Pangilinan. (Si) Kiko kasi, nakakausap niya ang Presidente," the Communist Party of the Philippines chair added.

Conditions for resuming talks

Although the meeting was relaxed and cordial, the NDFP remained firm in its conditions in order for the stalled peace talks to resume.

"Sabi niya tutulong siya sa pag-push for the going forward of the peace talks through the release of the JASIG-protected (political prisoners), the NDFP consultants, as well as for the release of political prisoners. So we value very much his willingness to help and to push forward these talks which are of great importance to us," Jalandoni said.

"Right now na-postpone ang talks which was scheduled in June sa Oslo dahil wala pang nare-release kahit isa dun sa 17 NDFP consultants na dapat ma-release. At saka gusto din naming ma-release 'yong mga political prisoners in accordance with the agreement under CARHRIHL, Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, so we hope that his [Pangilinan's] push, his help together with the help of others will push forward the talks and let the talks hopefully take place in Oslo in September," the NDFP chair said.

"Simple lang naman 'yan--17 lang 'yang JASIG-protected na political prisoners. Kung mapapalaya 'yan, 'yong formal talks madaling isagawa," Sison added.

According to Sison, the relationship is good between the NDFP and the Philippine government in the sense that they are talking, and that even if the formal talks in Oslo were postponed, the door remains open on both sides.


SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/07/08/11/exclusive-kiko-visits-ndf-utrecht

Paintings evoke nationalist sentiments among Dutch Pinoys

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/28/2011 8:35 AM | Updated as of 06/28/2011 8:35 AM


A painting of Rigor Esguerra featuring Filipino street vendors. by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

THE NETHERLANDS – The paintings displayed at an art exhibit in The Hague, Netherlands evoked nationalist sentiment and nostalgic feelings among Filipinos in the country.

The creative canvases that hung on the wall of the Muzee Scheveningen were very colorful.

But up close, goose bumps and heavy emotions were felt by many of the Filipinos who looked at the paintings.

The paintings are part of the exhibit on "Filipinism, what makes art Filipino?" of the Philippine Embassy and the Kunst Gallery, which made a tour of several European cities.

The exhibit featured the works of 5 Filipino painters.

The paintings by Max Balatbat, Erick Dator, Ronna Manansala, Vincent Christopher Gonzales and Rigor Esguerra brought back memories of the Philippines among the Dutch Pinoys who are long-time residents of The Netherlands.

The hit of the exhibit was "Batang Baler" Esguerra, with his paintings depicting the typical life of a street vendor and street food.

"Nakakatuwa kasi... you go on a sentimental journey. Brings back memories of your childhood and that daily life in Manila. I thank this artist here," said Philippine dance diva Becky Garcia.

Esguerra explained that he wants to show the importance of Filipino cart vendors, who contribute to the good of the country in their own little way.

Esguerra said that for a few coins, the common street food will be able to feed a hungry soul who does not have enough means.

"Yung dati na nakikita nila sa Pilipinas, tulad ng pagtitinda ng chicharon, samalamig at tubig, Marlboro cigarette, then balot. Tapos dito naman yung mga cart vendor ng fish ball, banana que, mais, toknene, 'yan ang karaniwang kinakain ng mga Pinoy," said Esguerra.

For abstractionist Balatbat, his theme is deep and intense as he aimed to show the beauty of his hometown Caloocan, which has a reputation of being a haven for prostitutes and bad elements.

"Inspirasyon ko dito kagaya netong mga patterns na to. Top view ng mga shanties sa lugar namin. Yung mismong lugar ng mga puta. Pagtinignan mo para syang tela, pinagsapalsapal na tela. Kinuha ko yun sa pagsasama ng inspirasyon ko yung mga puta, pagsasama ng mga panty ng mga puta," Balatbat said.

According to Balatbat, one should not judge a place by it exterior.

One only needs to look more closely into the hearts of its residents and see the smiles on the faces of the people living there in order to see its real beauty.

Yet again, he refers to his beloved Caloocan.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/28/11/paintings-evoke-nationalist-sentiments-among-dutch-pinoys

PH Embassy in Holland holds dual Araw ng Kalayaan celebrations

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 06/22/2011 2:31 PM | Updated as of 06/22/2011 2:31 PM

HOLLAND-Not to be outdone and dwarfed by the Dutch Pinoy’s grand celebration of the 113th Independence Day, the Philippine Embassy in The Hague held two events of its own.

On Independence Day itself, the Embassy held a Filipiniana breakfast for its staff and for members of the Filipino community.

The festivity commenced with a Holy Mass officiated by Archbishop Arguelles, followed by a flag-raising ceremony and reciting of the Panatang Makabayan.

The breakfast fare of fried rice, longganisa, tocino, tapa, fried eggs and salted eggs with tomatoes certainly took the Dutch Pinoy guests back to the Philippines as they got a taste of home.

Topping the authentic Filipino breakfast was the Philippine flag cake.

And for a more stately event, the Embassy held a diplomatic reception which was attended by more than 80 members of the Diplomatic Corps, led by the U.S. Ambassador to The Netherlands.

“This is the second Independence Day that I am able to celebrate with the Filipinos and I very much admire that they have made it into such a creative and exuberant way,” Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

The regal gathering also featured the mother and son tandem of Mabel and Kim Regasa who provided the entertainment, show-casing to the foreigners the inherent talent of Filipinos in singing.

Dubbed as the mini-Michael Jackson of Holland, Dutch-Pinoy Kim rose to fame as a finalist in last year’s Holland’s Got Talent.

Special guest for the event was Dutch singer Marcel Duprix who wrote the song “Here I Am”, which he says became a hit in the Visayas.

“A friend of mine…asked me to write a song to help support a children's village. So I wrote the song and when I was back in Holland, three months later he sent me a video clip. He was in a taxi, the song was on the radio in the Philippines and they played it eight times a day so he said Marcel you have to go back to the Philippines and perform your song because people love your song,” Duprix said.

Duprix said he aims to help the needy children in the Philippines through music so that all the proceeds from the sale of the “Here I Am” single will go directly to the children’s village of Padre Burgos in Leyte.

The embassy has definitely shot two birds with one stone, that of commemorating and celebrating with the kababayans and foreigners the most important day of being a Filipino and also helping a Dutch citizen promote a charity project in the Philippines

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM


http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/22/11/ph-embassy-holland-holds-dual-araw-ng-kalayaan-celebrations

Joma Sison joins PH Independence Day rite

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/13/2011 7:29 PM | Updated as of 06/13/2011 10:52 PM


NETHERLANDS - The 113th celebration of Philippine Independence on Saturday became memorable for the more than 4,000 Filipinos and Dutch who were at the Spaarnwoude Park in Haarlemmermeer.

In the middle of the Independence Day musical program, Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria Sison surprisingly showed up, causing a commotion among Pinoys who scrambled to shake his hand or pose for photos with him.

It was indeed very rare for Sison to attend such a festivity, especially since it has always been held in a very big park packed with more than 6,000 people every year. However, the stormy weather dampened the attendance this year.

According to Sison, he hasn't been to the Filipino community's Independence Day celebrations since 1999 because of fear for his security.

"Me mga reports na me mga hit team na pinalakad nun ng rehimen sa Pilipinas so bilang pag-iingat kaya di ako sumisipot sa Independence Day," Sison told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

Sison said he decided to finally join the biggest gathering of Filipino communities in Holland after intelligence report showed there is no threat to his security.

"Normal na sumasama ako sa mga kasayahan ng Filipino community. Kahit na open air ito, nagustahan ko, dahil marami, me libong Pilipino ngayon at ako'y natutuwa na nakikiisa sa kanila sa kanilang pagdiriwang ng independence day," Sison said.

The Philippine Embassy staff, led by Charge d'Affaires Frank Cimafranca, was also there. Sison’s presence became the greatest show of unity among Filipinos.

"I heard that he [Sison] came but I think it's a good thing. He should join with the Filipino Community in celebration of Philippine Independence. Kasama yan sa pagkakaisa. Hopefully back home, they will try to approach the peace process positively and let's unite as a people and let's do away with violence and use of force," Cimafranca said.

Sison said he has not observed any bad blood between the 2 parties involved in the ongoing peace talks.

Sison added the second round of formal talks had only been disrupted because of the Philippine government’s opposition to free the individuals who are protected under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees or JASIG. The kinks have already been smoothened out, he said.

There is a great belief among the Pinoys here that the time to be one as a nation and as a people has finally come.

SOURCE:WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

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