London, UK- The Cordillera Connection (TCC), one of the lead organisers of The Ultimate Dance Competition 2014 in UK, is proud to have The Voice-UK’s Jade Peters and young Filipino and British Dance artists at the first preliminary competition held in Colchester on March 15.
The winners of the preliminary contest, 1 from the team competition and 1 from solo competition will advance to the final competition in London in December.
There will be 10 preliminary competitions to be held around UK within the year. Filipino communities in the UK who are interested to host one of the preliminary contests are advised to contact TCC as soon as possible. Confirmed host communities include Mitcham for London, Watford, Stevanage, and Norwich. Leeds and Exeter are being worked out.
Hong Kong- A concert in Hongkong featuring Cordilleran Singers is beng organised, aptly entitled OFW FROLICS 2014 FOR A CAUSE which will be held June 2014 in HK. Sponsored by the Benguet Federation (BF), a federation of groups of Municipalities of Benguet working in HK, where Michele Apalla is based, one of TCC’s coordinators. Marsita Singwey, President, and another officer Rosemarie Ticag, convinced fellow officers of BF to sponsor this event which was planned last year yet. The SINGING PRIESTS (Frs. Mario Tambic, Manny panayo, and Jobo Cabading) will perform together with Cordilerans performing in Macau, China. Greg Taag, TCC-Philippines President will hopefully sing with the group. This will generate funds for the beneficiaries and scholars.
In between the activity, there will be playing of gongs and cultural dances. The target date shall be either 2nd or 3rd Sunday of June. This will constitute as a tribute too to all Mothers and Fathers there since May and June are dedicated to them. TCC/TCBCI, as agreed upon, will take care of the printing of the tickets and production of the tarpaulins. When all shall be fixed, Marsite and Rosemarie shall give all the details needed in the ticket and tarp production. We offer this activity to the Lord so that all impediments shall be overhauled and we will be able to raise funds for our beneficiaries.
This year, aside from concerts for a cause, TCC also organised a Dinner For A Cause held last February 14 at the La Trinidad municipal Gym. There were almost 400 people in attendance to eat and sing and dance for the beneficiaries.
Also, The Chinese community shared their blessings to our fellow Cordillerans thru Bell Church- Baguio wherein they donated 5 cartons of Sunbest Mushroom to TCC beneficiaries and scholars.
A newly formed band in London composed of filipino musicians originated from different regions in the country, including a Cordilleran, Ilocano, Tagalog and Surigaoenio (Visayas and Mindanao), will be performing in a Charity event dubbed Building Dreams at St Boniface Hall, 185 Mitcham Road, Tooting, SW17 9PG, London on March 29, 2014, starting at 4PM. The Crossborder Band members, who are working in health sectors in UK, crossed their musical and geographical borders to create a truly simple but entertaining approach in music. Filipinos in the United Kingdom are all invited to this charity event. The proceeds are intended to TCC’s Scholarship program.
Hong Kong- A concert in Hongkong featuring Cordilleran Singers is beng organised, aptly entitled OFW FROLICS 2014 FOR A CAUSE which will be held June 2014 in HK. Sponsored by the Benguet Federation (BF), a federation of groups of Municipalities of Benguet working in HK, where Michele Apalla is based, one of TCC’s coordinators. Marsita Singwey, President, and another officer Rosemarie Ticag, convinced fellow officers of BF to sponsor this event which was planned last year yet. The SINGING PRIESTS (Frs. Mario Tambic, Manny panayo, and Jobo Cabading) will perform together with Cordilerans performing in Macau, China. Greg Taag, TCC-Philippines President will hopefully sing with the group. This will generate funds for the beneficiaries and scholars.
In between the activity, there will be playing of gongs and cultural dances. The target date shall be either 2nd or 3rd Sunday of June. This will constitute as a tribute too to all Mothers and Fathers there since May and June are dedicated to them. TCC/TCBCI, as agreed upon, will take care of the printing of the tickets and production of the tarpaulins. When all shall be fixed, Marsite and Rosemarie shall give all the details needed in the ticket and tarp production. We offer this activity to the Lord so that all impediments shall be overhauled and we will be able to raise funds for our beneficiaries.
This year, aside from concerts for a cause, TCC also organised a Dinner For A Cause held last February 14 at the La Trinidad municipal Gym. There were almost 400 people in attendance to eat and sing and dance for the beneficiaries.
Also, The Chinese community shared their blessings to our fellow Cordillerans thru Bell Church- Baguio wherein they donated 5 cartons of Sunbest Mushroom to TCC beneficiaries and scholars.
London, United Kingdom- Filipinos in United Kingdom are braced to participate in the upcoming Building Dreams Spring Charity Event on 29 March 2014, at St Boniface Hall, 185 Mitcham Road, Tooting, SW17 9PG with the aim to fundraise for Cordillera scholars in Benguet State University.
Filipino musicians based in London, led by Ms Ela Hidalgo are actively volunteering their talents to support this charity event. Featured in this event are the Benguet and Cordillera Native Dances to be performed by Cordilleran ladies, live music performance from Ela Hidalgo from La Union, Jun Degamon from Mindanao, Crossborder Band (members: Ka Roni- Ilocos Region, Liza Ferreol-Pangasinan/Manila, Ador-Davao, and Marben Orfiano- Cordillera), Kizboxrye Band, Jhermy Ezperanzate, Rommel Balacanao, Chelsea Occena, Grace Quinto- Pangasinan, Wynchu Del Importante- Bicol, Manel Roxas- Visayas, E-bot Pentiano Soriano from Benguet, others Like the Mountain Music Band singers from Cordilleras and a Solo Dance performance from Kate Diane Malabanan from Bulacan.
Special Guest also include Jade Peters, a British talent, and a Philippine Pride, former Miss Saigon, Renee Montemayor.
Filipino businesses are also taking part thru donations and partnerships. These include Hello Philippines Newspaper Magazine, One Philippines, Smart Pinoy UK, Finest Workers UK, Kalesa Restaurant, and Majabella Saloon. Also, A British apartment owner in La Manga, Spain offered free accomodation holiday package and an employer has donated West Side Story Tickets to be auctioned on the event. Another Fil-Brit Singer, Thelma Potente Manville, has also donated £25 as her support for the event.
The Finest Workers UK thru Mr Marvin Guzman will also be sponsoring and be donating Concert Eraserheads Tickets to be raffled at the event.
The active organising committee are TCC’s trustees and coordinators: Judith Angog, Betsy Fadlen, Cindy Marcos, Josephine Taag and other supporters including a British-Italian Solicitor who is keen of helping with the cause.
The charity event aims to raise funds for the scholars to secure their full education.
Warning: This article may hurt you if you are not ready to accept reality. Don’t proceed otherwise.
Many times Igorots or Cordillerans have been one of the victims of racial discriminations or racial slurs. It does hurt to hear such. Having been a subject for this matter, what actions have we done on our part to deal with it? Tell yourself.
Here are some few points that each one of us might want to think about:
TOO MUCH BRAGGING OF BEING AN IGOROT (or even FILIPINO when you are abroad) and that’s the END of it- What does it do when you say to the person next to you that you are an Igorot, that you are from Baguio, that you are from the Philippines? What difference does it do to you as a person? Have the English people bragged about their race being an English when they conquered most of the world? Are they bragging about themselves being an English that “English is the International Language? Did Steve Jobs boasted that he is an “American” rather than being proud of his excellent Apple Gadget inventions?
“Can we think many times before we shout to the world or before we become so outspoken about us being an Igorot, Filipino or whatever identity we are in?” Are we really so different among others? If yes we have a unique difference, what does it do to the world?
Being proud of our cultural costumes, gongs, and ethnic dances? We are not so different at all. Many ethnic groups in the world have their own ethnicity and cultural authenticity. Muslims, Arabs, Western People and Chinese have their own gongs or other musical instruments, costumes and other cultural figures. They have their own music, we have our own. We are unique and different in our own terms. Nothing is on top of any other culture. We are unique in our own ways.
So here is the point, whether you are an Igorot, ilocano, tagalog, bisaya, muslim, chinese, english, american, african, arab, mexican, or whatever ethnic group or race you belong, there is no big deal and there’s no point to discriminate others or boast about yourself. We are all the same but ironically unique in our own ways. Just be proud of what you can do for the world and humanity.
Being offensive or defensive, discriminatory or being so Boastful of who you are, are some kind of personal and psychological problem. Don’t be one of them.
London- The Igorot Cultural Dance was one of the specially featured Philippine Folk Dances at The New Dreams for the Philippines charity event for Typhoon Haiyan Victims organised by British-Filipina Actress/ Singer Rebecca Grant thru the Padua Grant Foundation.
The traditional dances were artistically performed by the Lahing Kayumangi Dance Troupe. The Cordillera Connection (TCC), also a registered charity, with its 10-member delegates, supported this event.
As a charity representing the Igorots/ Cordillerans, TCC highly appreciates and commends the choreographers and dancers who beautifully portrayed our unique culture.
LONDON- The Cordillera Connection (TCC) was able to raise £1,750.00 for Bohol Earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda victims with its recently held Pinoy Night 2, Jam & Concert for a cause in Kilburn. This includes the £400.00 raised by the Pathology Department at King’s College Hospital.
TCC Trustees, Judith Angog, Cynthia Marcos, Lilia Baguingey, Marben Orfiano, and Fundraising Coordinator Betsy Fadlen convened and decided on the allocation of these funds. The resulting agreement yielded a decision to allocate £500.00 (Php36,000) for a family directly affected by the Typhoon in Palo, Leyte. The family is also willing to do a feeding program for school children at a particular school in Palo. Another £500.00 is awarded to a family in Anda, Bohol affected by the earthquake. They will also do relief operation in their community.
The remaining £750.00 (Php54,000.00) is now being offered as a grant to any Bohol or Leyte-Based organisation who are doing community or rehabilitation projects in the area. Any interested party may contact us at thecordilleraconnection@yahoo.com or thru this website.
Please note: We will require documentations from the recipient on how the fund is used as well as acknowledgement of receipt of the fund.
Holby City’s Rebecca Grant as she receives her Certicate of Appreciation from TCC
LONDON- Holby City’s Rebecca Grant and a number of UK-based Filipino Musical and Visual Artists came together at TCC’s Pinoy Night 2, The Talent Showdown, a charity event held in Kilburn on the 7th of December 2013, organised to fundraise for Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda victims.
Our special guest, Ms Rebecca Grant with Lodela Hidalgo, one of the Pinoy Night 2 key organisers.
The TWC Crew Dance Troupe
Opening the night’s program was the blessing of the piquant dinner prepared by TCC women headed by Cindy Marcos, Judith Angog, Betsy Fadlen and Macky Dungaya. It was followed by the solemn British and Philippine National Anthem, opening remarks by the TCC Trustee Chairman and the speech of the special Guest, Rebecca Grant. On her speech, she encouraged everyone to take part on such activities that are intended to support unfortunate ones. Ms Grant is also organising a charity event, New Dreams for the Philippines.
The Happy Audience
The Talent Showdown was one of the main featured event of the night where Nine (9) contestants namely: Alaina Xanthea Montaner, Tiffany Ahouzi, Medofo Prempeh, Lindsay Evangelista, Sarah Marcaban, Kate Diane Malabanan, Seymonna Simon, Margie Torres, and Lei Layne Reyes have competed to showcase their unique talents. The prima donna voices of Ms Alaina Montaner and Lei Layne Reyes triumphed to win the 1st and 2nd Runner Up places, respectively. The Grand Prize was won by the standing-ovation dance performance of 7 year-old Kate Diane Malabanan.
L-R: Marben Orfiano, Rebecca Grant, and EMCEEs Alexandra Pascual and Bernadeth Alalag
The main featured event was the Concert Proper where acoustic band NJ & Co with Orly Carbungco and his daughter, Ela Hidalgo, Jhermy Esperanzate, Ador Migullas, Alexa Taag, Thelma Manville, Rommel Balacanao, , Rye Zia Lou, Manel Roxas, and Grace Quinto have played their ear-capturing musical talents. A remarkable performance of these Filipino musical talents was the singing of an original composition, Bangon Pilipinas, a tribute to the tyhoon victims composed by Mr Orly Carbungco. A zealous dance number has also been presented by TWC Crew.
The Perfomers and Talent Showdown Contestants
Another important feature of the Pinoy Night was the art exhibit of Filipino painters Lodela Hidalgo, Charito Calapen, Joemar Carillo, and Marben Orfiano. Lodela Hidalgo’s “Sunflower” has been bought thru bid at £201.00. The paintings will again be exhibited next year on TCC’s planned bigger fundraising event.
L-R: Receptionist Raquel Eustaquio, Talent Showdown Champion Kate Diane Malabanan, and Bar Counter Crew Victoria Pecson
The Standing Ovation Dance Performance of 7 year-old Kate Diane Malabanan
The event was able to raise more or less £1300.00 for the projects indicated. Another £400.00 from the cake sale at GSTS Pathology at King’s College Hospital Laboratory raised by Biomedical Scientists will be added to these. TCC Trustees will soon convene to discuss about delivering relief to the typhoon and earthquake victims.
The Talent Showdown 1st Runner Up Alaina Montaner and Mr Malcom Conlan FullTCC Trustess Ms Judith Angog and Ms Betsy FadlenL-R: Light & Sounds Technical Crew Ryan Zambrano, Betsy Fadlen, Ms Rebecca Grant, Rommel Balacanao, Thelma Manville, Lodela Hidalgo, and Jhermy ExparanzateTHE HOSTS: Alexandra Pascual, Eds Montes, and Bernadeth Alalag
LONDON, UK- A group of Biomedical and Clinical Scientists at King’s College Hospital took the lead and initiated a cake sale within the Pathology Department to fundraise for the Super Typhoon Haiyan victims in the Philippines, a great conversion of their scientific intellect into a good charitable work.
Volunteering for the Typhoon Philippine Appeal of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), Ms Katherine Hodson, a Biomedical Scientist at the Blood Sciences Laboratory sought approval of the laboratory management and GSTS Pathology Human Resources to conduct a cake sale within the clinical laboratory. Coincidentally, a plan for a morning cake with a cake raffle has also taken shape at the Specialist Clinical Biochemistry Department under the charitable minds of Biomedical Scientists Jaco Pieterse, Catrin Hammond, and Marben Orfiano.
The two group of charity event planners then collaborated to conduct the cake sale all at once. This was then backed-up by the pathology management and administrator thus including the announcement of the event during the Tuesday Brief Meeting as well as thru internal communications.
As a result of the laudable cooperation and generosity of the management and admin, scientists, laboratory assistants, technical officers, and the whole pathology staff, the cake sale was a huge success. The numbers of cake donors were remarkably surprising as the supposedly one-day event has turned into two. As a result, the two-day cake sale has raised more than £400.00.
“I just realised I have so much while the victims lost everything. With a little bit of effort, we can make a huge difference”, says Mr Pieterse.
“I’ve always had an interest in helping those less fortunate than myself. It just put all those small worries about everyday life into perspective for me. Having spent 3 months volunteering in Brazil and worked in Tanzania for 6 months I’ve seen firsthand the poor conditions people around the world have to live with, and when something like Typhoon Hiayan devastates a country there’s so much we can all do to help. So when Kings advertised for their fundraising events, I jumped at the chance to contribute,” expresses Ms Hodson.
In addition to the cake sale, a cake raffle as also been organised. Mr Pieterse has volunteered to bake 3 delightful cakes as prizes and the tickets will be drawn on 6th December. The pathology staff also kind-heartedly participated on the raffle so good sales on tickets is expected.
For Filipinos, the monies that have been raised are actually a plus. The thoughts and concerns for the victims are more of great importance.
“I am so thankful for my colleagues for helping us with this initiative. Each penny we raise will surely of great help to our beneficiaries. We might say it’s just nothing but it might actually be enough to help one survive,” says Marben Orfiano, a Filipino Biomedical Scientist, and the Trustee Chairman of The Cordillera Connection (TCC).
According also to Ms Asia Iqbal, another biomedical scientist and one of the active organiser, it is always good to help others, most especially on this time of crisis.
Ms Yuk Inn Leung, a laboratory technical officer , and who has greatly helped on raffle tickets sales says, “I don’t know what it feels like to lose everything, or a family, but I know that I can do all my best to make bit of difference for those who have.”
Over all, the total of the charity event has raised more than £600. Half of these funds will go to Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and the other half will go to TCC. This share amounts to 21,000.00 in Philippine peso.
TCC will add its share to the proceeds that it will raise from the Charity event it has organised on 7th December in Kilburn. The funds then will be used to purchase basic goods as relief goods to the victims of typhoon in Palo, Leyte, one of the neglected worst hit areas. Originally, TCC has planned to help rebuild a school or put up a community project. This has changed when a source has informed that food is still a priority.
THE CORDILLERA CONNECTION 