Pinoy choir spreads message of peace, love in Holland

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 08/04/2009 3:46 PM

Peace and love is the message in every song of Kammerchor Manila wherever they go.

The multi-awarded choir, which is composed of Filipinos who are mainly friends from way back their college days, have just recently won the gold, silver and special prize at a choir competition in Linz, Austria.

They were most recently in The Hague, Netherlands for Ambassador Romeo Arguelles's last cultural event for the community.

"Gustong kong iwan sa ating kababayan at mga Dutch ang masayang pagkakatipon tipon dito sa pamamagitan nitong choral group at nakita nilang magaling ang mga Pilipino at magaling sa musika," Arguelles said.

Arguelles was very proud at the very warm reception given to the Kammerchor by the more than 150 guests who attended the event.

In fact, at the end of their performance, the crowd gave Kammerchor a 10-minute standing ovation complete with the most energetic and thunderous applause.

The choir was so happy and obliged to the three encores from the audience.

One can feel from every note the passion of the Pinoys who were all united by one goal and that is to share their talents in music in order to spread the word of God.

The choir started singing at the EDSA Shrine and is now singing and performing in the different churches in the Philippines and abroad for more than 14 years now.

"We work as evangelists. Maibahagi namin ang aming musika lalo na sa mga Pilipino sa abroad na alam natin nami-miss nila ang Pilipinas na kahit sabihin natin na magulo sa Pilipinas pero nami-miss pa rin nila so through our music parang nababalik natin sila sa ating bayan," Kammerchor Musical Director Ronnie Abarquez told Balitang Europe.

As a conductor of the choir, Abarquez holds the emotion and success of every show that can be observed with the beautiful performance of the singers and the deep and serious facial expressions and movements of Abarquez as well.

Each song paints a vivid emotional picture of bliss and serenity that is soothing to the listening audience.

"As an artist kailangan mailabas ko ang emotion through my conducting para maipasa ko sa singers kung ano gusto kong mangyari sa kanta na nailalabas nila through sa kanilang kanta," Abarquez said.

But just like any other musical group, the Kammerchor needs funds in order to support their activities.

Apart from fundraising, the choir is also accepting donations and sponsorships in order to help them propagate the spread of God's words in a language that is understood by many--through music.

as of 08/04/2009 3:47 PM

SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/08/04/09/pinoy-choir-spreads-message-peace-love-holland

Young Pinoy finishes 4-day walkathon

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 08/06/2009 4:12 PM

A 12-year-old Pinoy succeeded in his quest to raise funds for the orphaned children of victims of political killings and disappearances by capping off the four-day Walk of the World in Nijmegen, Netherlands.

The trail to his victory though, was not painless and sweet as Kyle Baleva almost gave up on the second day of the biggest walkathon in the world.

“Fatigue po. Sa pangalawa, ‘di ko po alam kung bakit kaso mas mahirap. Dun naman po sa pangatlo, grabe pong malakas ulan. Umuulan po sa pangatlong araw,” Baleva said in an interview with Balitang Europe.

“Nagkaroon ng streams ng tubig dun po sa mga fields. Grabe lang pong lakas ng ulan. Nabasa lang po kami ng grabe.”

“Masakit po yung aking dito,” Baleva added, as he showed his feet.

Each night for four days, after walking for eight hours, Baleva needed to forcefully pull the socks that were almost glued to his skin only to find his smooth young feet very sore and swollen.

But Baleva's solid determination allowed him to finish 30 kilometers each day of the bloody walkathon.

“Naisip ko po kung gaano mas marami akong nalakad, ganoon mas maraming makuha ang mga ulila. Para mas marami pa po silang makuha, kailangan pa po akong tumuloy,” he said.

Outpouring of support

Although Baleva suffers from Multiple Complex Developmental Disorder, which is a form of autism, it did not become a hindrance to nurturing a strong will to raise funds himself for the Children's Rehabilitation Center.

“Madali lang ang paglalakad. Ang hindi madali ang pagsisigurado na hindi mahihirapan si Kyle sa paglalakad, lalo na tuwing bago dumating sa finish line. Yun yung panahon na nahihirapan siya. Akala niya malapit na, yun pala ilang oras pa pala," said Kyle's father, Boyen Baleva.

There was an outpouring of support from Pinoys and Dutch which overwhelmed Baleva.

He surpassed his target of 1,000 euros, raising 1,500 euros (P100,000) from as little as 20 euro cents per kilometer that he walked.

“Grabe akong saya na ‘yong mga ulila, nakuha nila yung ganong karami, at saka nasayahan din ako sa nakita kong suporta. Grabeng maraming tao,” he shared.

Many admired Baleva for his seemingly impossible feat, especially the young Pinoys.

“I think Kyle's a hero. Just knowing that he's only a 12-year-old boy and that he walked 120 kilometers is just impressive. He inspires me and other teenagers my age to also do something for the poor people of the Philippines,” Adrian Paras from Belgium said.

Baleva's story continues to serve as an inspiration to many.

In fact, in the Philippines, several groups of youth, peasants, workers and child rights advocates organized solidarity walks for Baleva.The “Walk With Kyle” marches coincided with Baleva's four-day trek.

as of 08/06/2009 4:12 PM

SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/08/06/09/young-pinoy-finishes-4-day-walkathon

Joma, Cory had 'exceptional' relationship

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 08/03/2009 10:03 AM

Jose Maria “Joma” Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines, and his wife Juliet joined the rest of the world in mourning the death of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino on Saturday.

Sison said he and Cory maintained a special relationship that dates way before her presidency. He said he and Cory's husband, Beningno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., worked together for a common goal to fight the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.

And in the political struggles of Joma and Ninoy, their wives Juliet and Cory became tightly knitted by their love for their husbands, joining and working vigorously in the campaign against Marcos.

“First time nung makilala ko si Cory nung 1967. Dumalaw ako kay Ninoy Aquino. Siya [Cory] ang nagsilbi nung kape kaya natatawa ako noong sinasabi na siya ang nagsisilbi dun sa ibang bisita,” Sison in an interview with Balitang Europe.

“Yan ang pang-charming ni Ninoy eh. Talagang very friendly si Cory, yung kanyang ugali,” he added.

Sison has Cory to thank for his release from almost nine years of imprisonment under Marcos.

“Nung ma-release ako, dun sa penthouse ng Cojuangco building ako na-release at dun kami nagtagpo sa presidente, kay Cory. Kung maalala ko, released ako on recognizance to Doña Aurora Aquino,” noted Sison.

He said that his relationship with Cory was exceptional that it did not end even after an official act to cancel his passport.

“Pati na dun sa cancellation ng passport ko siyempre in public pupunahin ko ‘yon na ginawa ni Cory. Pero di nawawala yung pagkakaibigan namin kasi nagpaabot eh,” related Sison.

According to Sison, it was Cory who fought for almost two years the urgings of the military to cancel his passport.

It was also Cory, according to him, who warned him that it was safer for him to remain outside the Philippines.

“Mabuti daw na nandito ako dahil ang mga militar ang nagtutulak na kanselahin ang passport ko so ganun, hindi nawawala yung aming mabuting relasyon kahit na gumawa siya ng official act na kanselahin ang aking passport,” he said.

Sison said that for his part, the revolutionary movement helped in putting Cory in power and getting rid of Marcos.

A witty and gracious Cory

Juliet has nothing but good memories of Cory. She explained that as wives of husbands driven by a common goal, she and Cory were always together in political events.

“Maraming pag-oorganiza na ginawa namin nun upang kalabanin si Marcos so andun siya sa mga organisasyon na binubuo para labanan si Marcos. Yung Aquino Justice For All, yun namang kilusan na ‘yon di naman para lang kay Aquino kundi para sa lahat ng nabiktima o nabibiktima ng martial law,” she added.

“Kaya nagkakasama kami nun sa mga pagsisikap na ‘yon. Ang mga meeting na ‘yon kasama namin sila Guingona, yang si Cory, si Doña Aurora, sila Salonga at yung mga personalidad na lumalaban kay Marcos na padami nang padami,” she noted.

Juliet said her first impression of Cory was that she was a woman of very few words. But when Aquino became president, Juliet was surprised to see a very witty Cory.

“Si Cory masigasig yan dun sa paglaban kay Marcos. Pumupunta siya sa meetings at demonstrations pero hindi siya masalita,” she continued.

“Medyo tahimik siya at medyo reserved kaya nagulat ako na nung presidente na siya, aba biba din pala siya at natutong mas maging ano yan, relaxed sa public although graciosa siya na tao.”

Communication lines open

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Front Negotiating Panel (NDFP) in Utrecht also expressed its solidarity with the family, relatives and friends of Cory in their time of mourning and grief.

NDFP Chair Luis Jalandoni said that Cory's greatest contribution was her ratifying the Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions which is very significant for the human rights standards and policies.

“Napakalahaga dahil ito ay respected throughout the world as (an) important document and convention regarding the upholding of human rights at nandyan din sa constitution ng 1987 for which Cory Aquino to a great extent yung pag-uphold ng human rights pati na yung mahalagang bagay… yung pagrestrict ng martial law," Jalandoni told Balitang Europe.

He also said that Cory as president was very different from others in that she kept all communication lines open.

“Cory would make use of different means kahit personal na pagpaabot kay Joma na ‘wag ka munang bumalik dito. Meaning she was concerned for his safety or she would use other channels and say she would like to have peace talks,” said Jalandoni.

“She was creative in a very personal way also to maintain communication.”

For NDFP Consultant Fidel Agcaoili, Cory was responsible for initiating the peace talks between the Philippine government and the NDFP in 1986.

“Siya ang nag-facilitate. Of course nagkaron ng ceasefire agreement. It led to a ceasefire agreement and then it led to maraming NDF na lumitaw at lumabas,” said Agcaoili.

Jalandoni added that Cory's outstanding feat was the release of hundreds of political prisoners, which included Sison.

“All those hundreds of political prisoners is a good example of fulfilling her commitment and her magnanimity with regards to political prisoners and those in need and for the families of these political prisoners,” he said.

“Something we don't see in the present administration,” commented Jalandoni.

as of 08/03/2009 1:48 PM

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/08/03/09/joma-cory-had-exceptional-relationship

Young Pinoy inspires youth, child rights advocates

By Maria Aleta Nieva-Nishimori, abs-cbnNEWS.com 07/18/2009 4:18 PM


Taking the cue from the initiative of a young Filipino boy in the Netherlands, a child rights group in Manila has organized a children’s solidarity walk for justice and peace.

Executive Director Ma. Esmeralda dela Paz of the Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC) said the “Walk for Justice, Walk for Peace” will coincide with the biggest walkathon in the Netherlands in which Kyle Baleva is one of its 45,000 participants.

“Kasabay iyan ng mangyayari sa the Netherlands na walkathon kung saan si Kyle ay lalakad ng apat na araw,” said Dela Paz.

The “International Four-Day Marches in Nijmegen” in the Netherlands is set for July 21 to 24, 2009. Participants to the Netherlands’ walkathon will walk 30, 40 or 50 kilometers daily, for four days.

Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau correspondent reported that upon completion, they will receive a “Vierdaagsekruis,” or a royally-approved medal.

Galicia, who first reported Baleva’s preparation for the walkathon, added that every kilometer that the boy walks is equivalent to 20 Euro cents, which he intends to donate to orphaned children victims of political killings and disappearances.

“Hindi lang siya lakad. Mag-aadvocate siya ng support para doon sa mga batang anak ng mgabiktima ng extra-judicial killings, mga desaparecidos at iba pang mga victims ng human rights violations dito sa Pilipinas,” Dela Paz said.

Baleva aims to collect 1,000 euros for the benefit of “A Hand for an Orphan Program” of the CRC.

“Nag isip kami ng isang activity dito sa Maynila na parallel sa kanya para ipakita din ang solidarity at na-package namin siya as solidarity walk,” said Dela Paz.

Manila’s Walk for Justice, Walk for Peace will also coincide with the Lakbayan of peasants, workers and other sectors from Southern Tagalog, who will join a protest-mobilization on July 27, the day President Arroyo delivers her 9th State of the Nation Address to the Filipino people.

“Kasabay siya ng Lakbayan na mangyayari sa Southern Tagalog na aalis din July 21 o 22 from Calamba, and expected silang makarating sa Makati by 24,” she said.

Children under the SALINLAHI Alliance for Children’s Concerns and other child rights advocates will walk in solidarity with Baleva.

“May mga bata from Southern Tagalog na magpapakita ng kanilang support at actually sila din victims din. Mga galing sa urban poor na victims ng demolition na na-relocate sa Calamba at yung iba mga anak din ng mga biktima,” she said.

Young advocateBaleva’s parents and Filipinos living and working in the Netherlands fully support the boy who, at a very young age, has taken on a sense of responsibility to highlight the plight of orphaned children of victims of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and political repression.

“Kahanga-hanga talaga kasi sa ganyang age naisip niya at saka yung effort. Pinoy siya at hindi niya iniiwan ang roots niya, at alam niya ang nangyayari sa Pilipinas, at mula doon, nag e-effort siya,” added Dela Paz.

In the Philippines, the CRC said that an average of three children are orphaned every week due to killings that are political in nature.

In the last five years, CRC added that more than 800 incidents of human rights violations have been recorded in the country, affecting some 215,200 children.

“Mula 2001 hanggang 2008, 66 children ang namatay dahil sa state violence,” she said.

CRC, according to its website, is focused on children in the rural and urban areas who suffer from physical health problems, emotional disorders and social maladjustments due to traumatic events such as arrest, torture, forced displacement, strafing, bombing, massacre, disappearance and other forms of human rights violations.

It offers immediate psycho-social aid to children and families who are affected by natural disasters and accepts referrals for children-victims of other social disasters such as abuse and exploitation on a case-to-case basis.

as of 07/18/2009 4:58 PM

SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/07/18/09/young-pinoy-inspires-youth-child-rights-advocates

Dutch Pinoy youth synthesize talents for a cause

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 07/09/2009 11:39 AM

When one speaks of disc jockeys, Holland is the first to come to mind because of its famous top DJs like Tiesto and Armin van Buuren.

Hence it is not surprising to find Filipino disc jockeys or DJ wannabees here like Pinoy “DJ Esperanza” who has become a familiar name and face at parties and is now very popular in the Asian community.

DJ Esperanza led a group of Pinoy DJs at a big summer party for the youth organized by a group of young Filipinos who found a way to put their creative hobbies to good use.

Three 24-year-old Dutch Filipinos initially had the craziest idea to assemble Pinoy DJs to mix music for a cause.

Nobody thought it was feasible given that the young Pinoys have their own careers during the day and literally will not be able to find time to organize such a big gig.

But they pulled it off.

“We had the ambition to do something for the young people, also to motivate them and to discover their talents so we assembled the creative Filipino people here like the DJs, web designers, film crew,” organizer and businessman Howie Ross Valino said.

The youth who assembled at the Haarlem Park for the party couldn’t help but stare in awe at the young Pinoy DJs.

The event was a big hit among the youth because apart from dancing, they watched the DJs in action and listened to the unique mixing of beats and music in seamless transitions between tracks.

“The DJ guys contacted me if I wanted to entertain people and I said yes. Eventually my dream is to be an international DJ and I also produce my own music. I grew up with a musical family and I also wanted to do something with music,” organizer Roderick Estimada said.

Estimada, works in a bank during the day but is so into disc jockeying in his play time. The event is the start of a series of fund raising activities for the charities in the Philippines.

“Ito pong nagbebenta kami ng flag ngayon worth one euro. Lahat ng mabebenta namin mapupunta sa Terres des Hommes.

At yung Terres des Hommes paglululanan ng mga batang ginagawang prostitutes sa Pilipinas,” supporter Oney Torres said.

Apart from this, the group also aims to foster relationship-building with artistic young Pinoys and share common interests to harness their creative talents.

as of 07/09/2009 4:46 PM

SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/07/09/09/dutch-pinoy-youth-synthesize-talents-cause

Young Pinoy to join biggest walkathon in Holland

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 07/03/2009 10:40 AM

A twelve-year-old Filipino is set to join 45,000 participants in the biggest walkathon in the world held yearly in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Kyle Baleva is now engrossed in psyching up and preparing himself physically for the Walk of the World or the Four-Day Marches that will be held from July 21 to July 24.

Participants from age 12 and above will walk 30, 40 or 50 kilometers daily for four days.

On completion, they will receive a “Vierdaagsekruis,” or a royally approved medal.

Kyle is now training his legs, knees and feet to endure the thirty-kilometer or about eight hours of walk per day.

The only obstacles to his successful completion will be the rain, scorching sun and foot blisters.

But nevertheless, Kyle said that he hopes to be able to conquer all the hardship because every step will be definitely worth something.

In fact, the equivalent of every kilometer that Kyle walks is twenty euro cents (14 pesos) for the orphaned children of the victims of political killings or disappearances.

Kyle aims to collect 1,000 euros (70,000 pesos) for the benefit of “A Hand for an Orphan Program” of the Children’s Rehabilitation Center.

“Maganda lang pong challenge. At saka mas marami pong kaya pong makuhang pera para po sa mga orphans kapag mas malayo,” Kyle told Balitang Europe.

Kyle has the full support of his parents, especially his father who accompanies him to his house-to-house calls for sponsorship.

“Proud ako. Proud kami ng asawa kong si Angie na naisip niya yon na pwede siyang maglakad or mag-perform or mag-exert ng maraming effort para sa ibang tao. Kasi para sa isang 12-year-old na bata hindi yon pangkaraniwan,” Boyen said.

Even many Pinoys have been impressed and inspired by Kyle’s goal and humble cause.

“Nakakatuwa naman. Kasi at a very young age, meron na siyang sense of responsibility at saka gusto na niyang tumulong sa mga nangangailangan especially pang Pilipinas. Maganda ang upbringing ng bata,” Pinay supporter Maridee Borja said.

Because there are still two weeks left before the big event, Kyle is tirelessly soliciting help now from his kababayans.

Other interested kababayans can still send support to: Kyle’s Walk of the World, Nederlands Filippijnse Solidariteitsbeweging (NFS), Account no: 8118425, indicating “Sponsor Kyle.”
as of 07/03/2009 12:09 PM


SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/07/03/09/young-pinoy-join-biggest-walkathon-holland

Dutch Pinoys behind Kalayaan FIesta Foundation's success

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 06/26/2009 2:20 PM

The solid determination of many Filipinos paved the way to ensure that there will be a yearly Philippine Independence Day celebration in The Netherlands.

The recent celebration almost did not take place because of a split among the members of the coalition that organizes the event every year since 1988.

But because of the dedication and conviction of many Pinoys, the Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation was established in place of the coalition that collapsed in April.

“Ang Kalayaan po ay nabuo dahil sa maraming gustong pagbabago ang mga Pilipino dito. Ngayong taon gusto nilang mapabuti ang pera at ang programa natin gusto nilang mapaganda,” said Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation Supervisory Board Chairman Jun Ortega.

“Marami kaming naririnig sa mga tao, sa mga kababayan natin na mga negative na kesyo daw ang mga pera hindi transparent. Kesyo daw po ganun, ganyan, hindi na ako mag-eelaborate dahil hindi po naman dapat,” Ortega added when asked about the rift among members that almost cancelled the event.

The communities of Baranggay sa Holland and United Filipino-Dutch Association are behind the foundation which aims to strengthen the bond and promote unity among the Filipinos in Holland.

The misunderstanding in the coalition served as a big lesson for the members to act and guarantee that the foundation will not falter.

The members said that the foundation was built for a long-term existence.

“Ito ay kailangang itaguyod ng iba dahil we are supported by protocols. Let’s say yung chairman or kung sinong nangangasiwa mag-abuso. Yung protocol ang kalaban nila at yung mga tao na ang kalaban nila,” Executive Board Chairman Jimmy Munoz said.

“Actually sa coalition, wala kaming formal o signed agreement na kami’y coalition. Yun lang lumago ng lumago ng ganun. Wala namang problema dun. Pwede naman kaming mag-negotiate ulit. Why not,” Munoz added.

Munoz cautioned that those who would want to join will have to comply with the foundation’s protocols, house rules and regulations.

With this important issue settled, no other than Ambassador Romeo Arguelles was the first to welcome the good news.

It is certain now that Arguelles will not leave Holland next month with a heavy heart.

“I think kung iyan mawawala tuluyan, medyo parang nawalan ka na ng isang something which is very valuable to you and important. Bagamat ako ay aalis na, ako’y natutuwa na ito’y tutuloy,” Arguelles said.

For the Dutch Pinoys, the Independence Day celebration is the only chance for all Filipinos from different parts of the Netherlands to connect and remind them of their home country.

“Hindi naman para sa amin ito kundi para sa Filipino community na malayo sa ating bayang Pilipinas kasi one time a year lang tayo nagsasama-sama,” Lani van Elleswijk, secretary of Baranggay sa Holland said.

Now that the euphoria from the success of the 111th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day is over, the foundation is now busy lining up projects to collect funds for the benefit of the less-fortunate kababayans in the Philippines.
as of 06/26/2009 2:24 PM

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/06/26/09/dutch-pinoys-behind-kalayaan-fiesta-foundations-success