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The Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG), the multi-awarded, highly acclaimed and leading Filipino dance theater
ensemble caps its US Tour with another captivating performance, practically stealing the show, this time in the DC
Dance Festival at the prestigious Kennedy Center in the nation's capital, Washington D.C. Participants to the 2006
Dance DC Festival organized by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, were groups representing cultures of
different continents namely Asia , Europe , Latin America and North America . The Dance Asia component of the DC
Dance Festival with its theme "Asia in Legends" included cultures of China , India , South Korea , Malaysia , Mongolia
and the Philippines.
IPAG's participation at the DC Festival was made possible through the Migrant Heritage Commission ( MHC ), a
non-profit Filipino-American group based in Metropolitan DC, focused on helping Filipino migrants in dire emergencies.
IPAG's performance is part of the series of events conducted by the Migrant Heritage Commission in celebration of 100
years of Filipino Migration to the United States . MHC is a grantee of the DC Commission on Arts under its Folk and
Traditional Art Grants Program for the MHC Cultural Night : IPAG "ISANG SIGLO" - Tales from Mindanao ."
IPAG performed the colorful Maranao lore, music and dance depicting the story of Princess Lawanen from the epic
Darangen. It is featured around the SINGKIL, the skillful interplay of the rhythm of clicking bamboo poles and the
ubiquitous, versatile malong. As IPAG performers executed their graceful/fluid yet energetic steps in their colorful
costumes to the vibrant playing of the gongs and dramatic clicking of the bamboos and swords, the audience in their
awed faces, enthusiastically clapped in between dance sequence which culminated into a loud crescendo of bravos,
applause and standing ovation until the very last curtain call. Among the captivated crowd were Evan P. Garcia,
(Outgoing) Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Philippines , members of the Diplomatic Corps and other VIPs.
It was a very inspiring and impressive performance which made each and every Filipino in the widely American SRO
audience, very proud to be a Filipino!
Great job, IPAG and thank you Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) for bringing IPAG to Washington D.C. , Virginia
and Maryland !
ensemble caps its US Tour with another captivating performance, practically stealing the show, this time in the DC
Dance Festival at the prestigious Kennedy Center in the nation's capital, Washington D.C. Participants to the 2006
Dance DC Festival organized by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, were groups representing cultures of
different continents namely Asia , Europe , Latin America and North America . The Dance Asia component of the DC
Dance Festival with its theme "Asia in Legends" included cultures of China , India , South Korea , Malaysia , Mongolia
and the Philippines.
IPAG's participation at the DC Festival was made possible through the Migrant Heritage Commission ( MHC ), a
non-profit Filipino-American group based in Metropolitan DC, focused on helping Filipino migrants in dire emergencies.
IPAG's performance is part of the series of events conducted by the Migrant Heritage Commission in celebration of 100
years of Filipino Migration to the United States . MHC is a grantee of the DC Commission on Arts under its Folk and
Traditional Art Grants Program for the MHC Cultural Night : IPAG "ISANG SIGLO" - Tales from Mindanao ."
IPAG performed the colorful Maranao lore, music and dance depicting the story of Princess Lawanen from the epic
Darangen. It is featured around the SINGKIL, the skillful interplay of the rhythm of clicking bamboo poles and the
ubiquitous, versatile malong. As IPAG performers executed their graceful/fluid yet energetic steps in their colorful
costumes to the vibrant playing of the gongs and dramatic clicking of the bamboos and swords, the audience in their
awed faces, enthusiastically clapped in between dance sequence which culminated into a loud crescendo of bravos,
applause and standing ovation until the very last curtain call. Among the captivated crowd were Evan P. Garcia,
(Outgoing) Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Philippines , members of the Diplomatic Corps and other VIPs.
It was a very inspiring and impressive performance which made each and every Filipino in the widely American SRO
audience, very proud to be a Filipino!
Great job, IPAG and thank you Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) for bringing IPAG to Washington D.C. , Virginia
and Maryland !
| PHILIPPINE'S IPAG STANDS OUT AT 2006 DANCE DC FESTIVAL, KENNEDY CENTER IN WASHINGTON DC |
| ISANG TAOS-PUSONG PASASALAMAT SA FIL-AM COMMUNITY . . . HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE MIGRANT HERITAGE COMMISSION, INC. !!! |
We, the Migrant Heritage Commission Executive Directors, Advisers, Programming Partner Organizations, Consultants and
Volunteers take pride in having given our best to be of service and help to our fellow migrants on our 1st Year.
The Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC), since its inception, had staged several successful events that had drawn record
breaking crowd and overwhelming support from the Filipino-American community and multi-cultural groups within the
Metropolitan Washington D.C. and neighboring States. The various events were held in celebration of the Filipino
Immigration Centennial, a year to honor the Filipino Migrants and their significant contributions to our adopted land , the
USA and to our native country, the Philippines.
We guided you to a historical and educational journey of our 100 years of migration in the U.S. For the first time in the
history of the Fil-Am community in Washington D.C area, we conducted centennial activities with spiritual and cultural
dimensions in record attendance . The national mass "MISA NG BAYAN" at the Basilica Shrine of Immaculate Conception
and the People's Centennial Ball attended by more than 1,400 individuals in a unique celebration is a testament to the
vibrancy , unity and resiliency of the Filipino Community.
Volunteers take pride in having given our best to be of service and help to our fellow migrants on our 1st Year.
The Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC), since its inception, had staged several successful events that had drawn record
breaking crowd and overwhelming support from the Filipino-American community and multi-cultural groups within the
Metropolitan Washington D.C. and neighboring States. The various events were held in celebration of the Filipino
Immigration Centennial, a year to honor the Filipino Migrants and their significant contributions to our adopted land , the
USA and to our native country, the Philippines.
We guided you to a historical and educational journey of our 100 years of migration in the U.S. For the first time in the
history of the Fil-Am community in Washington D.C area, we conducted centennial activities with spiritual and cultural
dimensions in record attendance . The national mass "MISA NG BAYAN" at the Basilica Shrine of Immaculate Conception
and the People's Centennial Ball attended by more than 1,400 individuals in a unique celebration is a testament to the
vibrancy , unity and resiliency of the Filipino Community.
MHC, together with the Asia Heritage Foundation, spearheaded the first ASIAN Festival (Fiesta Asia) in the nation's capital
of Washington D.C. participated by 11 countries, and the Philippine participation at America's National Independence Day
Parade in the 4th of July and in observance of the Fil-Am Friendship Day. In these events, MHC and other Fil-Am
organizations showcased the best of the Filipino culture and history. We brought into our area, NEMI MIRANDA's exceptional
artworks and the world-acclaimed and leading Philippine dance theater ensemble, "IPAG" (Integrated Performing Arts
Guild) for its ISANG SIGLO- Tales from Mindanao's which captivated the Americans and other groups across the U.S.
including an S.R.O. audience at the Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia in Virginia Beach and Kennedy Center's Dance
DC Festival. It was indeed a classic showcase of Philippine Arts and Culture which made each one of us proud to be a
Filipino.
Consistent with our noble mission of serving the Fil-Am community, MHC has provided legal services for abused and
battered Filipina spouses. For our first year, we had rendered funeral assistance to Filipino migrants who had died in our
midst bereft of funds and with no immediate relatives, namely Nenita Balsomo, Josefina Martinez & Celedonia de Vera.
We extended financial assistance and moral support to migrants in dire emergencies under the Filipino Overseas Migrant
Fund like Ma Luisa de Vera and other distressed Filipinos.
of Washington D.C. participated by 11 countries, and the Philippine participation at America's National Independence Day
Parade in the 4th of July and in observance of the Fil-Am Friendship Day. In these events, MHC and other Fil-Am
organizations showcased the best of the Filipino culture and history. We brought into our area, NEMI MIRANDA's exceptional
artworks and the world-acclaimed and leading Philippine dance theater ensemble, "IPAG" (Integrated Performing Arts
Guild) for its ISANG SIGLO- Tales from Mindanao's which captivated the Americans and other groups across the U.S.
including an S.R.O. audience at the Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia in Virginia Beach and Kennedy Center's Dance
DC Festival. It was indeed a classic showcase of Philippine Arts and Culture which made each one of us proud to be a
Filipino.
Consistent with our noble mission of serving the Fil-Am community, MHC has provided legal services for abused and
battered Filipina spouses. For our first year, we had rendered funeral assistance to Filipino migrants who had died in our
midst bereft of funds and with no immediate relatives, namely Nenita Balsomo, Josefina Martinez & Celedonia de Vera.
We extended financial assistance and moral support to migrants in dire emergencies under the Filipino Overseas Migrant
Fund like Ma Luisa de Vera and other distressed Filipinos.
We conducted outreach programs in the DC area relative to Dual Citizenship Laws and Overseas Voting Rights and
announce that we had formed a solid partnership with lawyers from the Philippine American Bar Association headed by its
President and volunteer medical practitioners in the area to form the legal resource pool and the medical resource team to
serve Filipinos and Filipino-American migrants. Next year, we will develop and systematize our free legal and medical
programs to make it more responsive to the needs of the community.
Recently, we have honored the Filipino Migrants and Overseas Filipino Workers at the Migrant Workers/OFW night in
cooperation with the Embassy of the Philippines and various partner Filipino-American organizations. Certificates, duly
signed by H.E. Ambassador Willy C. Gaa, Labor Attache Florenda Herrera and MHC's Executive Directors were presented
to Filipino migrant workers in great recognition of their significant roles in sustaining the Philippine economy and in
promoting Philippine interests in the United States, truly acknowledging them as Philippine Modern Day Heroes.
If there is one real cause to celebrate our Centennial of Filipino Immigration in the United States, it is that pride in our having
given our best to helping build this nation and our hope that back in the homeland, our own people would perhaps one day
know, as well, what it is to live in comfort, suffer no further deprivation or hunger but enjoy the earth's bounty, and be as
blessed as all of us here, natives and immigrants thriving in this rich land of America which, also, we now truly call our
home.
announce that we had formed a solid partnership with lawyers from the Philippine American Bar Association headed by its
President and volunteer medical practitioners in the area to form the legal resource pool and the medical resource team to
serve Filipinos and Filipino-American migrants. Next year, we will develop and systematize our free legal and medical
programs to make it more responsive to the needs of the community.
Recently, we have honored the Filipino Migrants and Overseas Filipino Workers at the Migrant Workers/OFW night in
cooperation with the Embassy of the Philippines and various partner Filipino-American organizations. Certificates, duly
signed by H.E. Ambassador Willy C. Gaa, Labor Attache Florenda Herrera and MHC's Executive Directors were presented
to Filipino migrant workers in great recognition of their significant roles in sustaining the Philippine economy and in
promoting Philippine interests in the United States, truly acknowledging them as Philippine Modern Day Heroes.
If there is one real cause to celebrate our Centennial of Filipino Immigration in the United States, it is that pride in our having
given our best to helping build this nation and our hope that back in the homeland, our own people would perhaps one day
know, as well, what it is to live in comfort, suffer no further deprivation or hunger but enjoy the earth's bounty, and be as
blessed as all of us here, natives and immigrants thriving in this rich land of America which, also, we now truly call our
home.
MHC is your organization. Your unconditional support to all our program thrusts to better serve our community in the U.S
and in our homeland will always be a source of strength and inspiration to all of us.
We are deeply inspired and fulfilled to be of service to fellow Filipino migrants for we believe that "No one should feel
helpless in our Filipino-American Community". Filipino-American groups will always be around to help their "kababayan"
Our gratitude to the inspiring forces behind the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC), the late Reynante Soriano Cabanban,
the nurse who battled cancer and later died, in the hope of financially uplifting his family back home, the late Adelaida
Cornejo Pascual, the Migrant Mother of the Year, the late Leticia Buan and Rendon Hale Funeral Homes for their vital roles
in helping migrant workers in need.
and in our homeland will always be a source of strength and inspiration to all of us.
We are deeply inspired and fulfilled to be of service to fellow Filipino migrants for we believe that "No one should feel
helpless in our Filipino-American Community". Filipino-American groups will always be around to help their "kababayan"
Our gratitude to the inspiring forces behind the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC), the late Reynante Soriano Cabanban,
the nurse who battled cancer and later died, in the hope of financially uplifting his family back home, the late Adelaida
Cornejo Pascual, the Migrant Mother of the Year, the late Leticia Buan and Rendon Hale Funeral Homes for their vital roles
in helping migrant workers in need.
Our profound gratitude, likewise, to our presenting sponsor BANK OF AMERICA through Mr. Ramon Llamas, who has been
with MHC since the beginning. Special mention to Ms. Grace Valera-Jaramillo of the Philippine Embassy who continuously
inspires not only MHC but also other Filipino-American organizations in Metropolitan Washington D.C. and neighboring
States to undertake laudable projects that will instill pride in the Filipino heritage and awaken the need to lend a generous
hand to our fellow migrants in this country.
institution event partners, our media partners, volunteers, supporters, friends and to the Embassy of the Philippines for
partnering with us in our endeavors, making MHC events & projects possible.
Taos-pusong pasasalamat sa inyong lubos na suporta sa unang taon ng MIGRANT HERITAGE COMMISSION !
WE SALUTE ALL OF YOU ! MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT !
A BLESSED THANKSGIVING DAY TO ALL !
with MHC since the beginning. Special mention to Ms. Grace Valera-Jaramillo of the Philippine Embassy who continuously
inspires not only MHC but also other Filipino-American organizations in Metropolitan Washington D.C. and neighboring
States to undertake laudable projects that will instill pride in the Filipino heritage and awaken the need to lend a generous
hand to our fellow migrants in this country.
institution event partners, our media partners, volunteers, supporters, friends and to the Embassy of the Philippines for
partnering with us in our endeavors, making MHC events & projects possible.
Taos-pusong pasasalamat sa inyong lubos na suporta sa unang taon ng MIGRANT HERITAGE COMMISSION !
WE SALUTE ALL OF YOU ! MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT !
A BLESSED THANKSGIVING DAY TO ALL !
The above highlights were coupled with Maryanne Herrera’s Orientalia Connections Internationale
“UNANG SIGLO: The Centennial Fashion”, featuring the designs of famous Filipino couturiers (Lito
Perez, Claudio Javellana and Gino Fernando) with top good-looking models focusing on the major
waves of Filipino Migration for 100 years : Sakadas, pensionados, manongs, military, war brides, and
the professionals (doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants, engineers, teachers etc).
An art exhibit by NEMI MIRANDA, one of the Philippines’ multi-awarded internationally acclaimed
artist, flew all the way from the Philippines to exhibit his latest fine works for the Filipino Migration
Centennial Celebration. Several Filipino community leaders and key members of the international
community (Asian, American, Hispanic) participated in the “RIGODON DE HONOR’ choreographed
by Nolly Ceballos, the artistic choreographer of the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG), a
world class multi-awarded performing arts Philippine group in Mindanao.
“UNANG SIGLO: The Centennial Fashion”, featuring the designs of famous Filipino couturiers (Lito
Perez, Claudio Javellana and Gino Fernando) with top good-looking models focusing on the major
waves of Filipino Migration for 100 years : Sakadas, pensionados, manongs, military, war brides, and
the professionals (doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants, engineers, teachers etc).
An art exhibit by NEMI MIRANDA, one of the Philippines’ multi-awarded internationally acclaimed
artist, flew all the way from the Philippines to exhibit his latest fine works for the Filipino Migration
Centennial Celebration. Several Filipino community leaders and key members of the international
community (Asian, American, Hispanic) participated in the “RIGODON DE HONOR’ choreographed
by Nolly Ceballos, the artistic choreographer of the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG), a
world class multi-awarded performing arts Philippine group in Mindanao.
The event was memorable for every guest since each program detail was designed to honor the
Filipino migrant. At the helm of the program were well-known masters of ceremony : Johanna
Manalansan Loyola , Gerry Berdan, Virna Lisa Mananzan and Dr. Antonio Mendoza. Ms. Sylvia
Nera, a leading Filipino local talent and a former Bayanihan artist, led the community in singing the
two national anthems of the U.S. and the Philippines. Rev. Fr. Steve de Leon gave the invocation
while Arnedo S. Valera, Esq., one of MHC’s Executive Directors, welcomed the guests. The DC
Mayor’s Proclamation was read accompanied by giving of recognition to MHC by top officials from
the PG County and Montgomery County in Maryland and Fairfax County (Chairman Gerald
Connolly) in Virginia.
Among the many attractions for the evening were a film showing featuring the “Filipino-American
Story of 100 years” , slide showing of Filipino migrants and their descendants and a mélange of
cultural performances by the 7th Day Adventist Fil-Am group SLIGO Friends headed by Dr. Rosella
Castro with their melodious blending of voices of Filipino “kundiman” songs, the classic Filipino
musical pieces performed by young Fillipino-American pianists and violinists (Genevieve Llames,
Nina Garcia, Rynchelle Campanilla and Brian Anzures Young) , the skillful performance of the
Philippine national dance “Tinikling” by the Filipino- American Heritage Dance Ensemble (with the
artistic guidance of Ms. Grace Valera-Jaramillo), and the beautiful rendition of Philippine traditional
and folk music by the Philippine Chamber Rondalla of New Jersey. Nerojac, a youth rock band
provided entertainment to the children and youth group in the “Tidewater” room.
Filipino migrant. At the helm of the program were well-known masters of ceremony : Johanna
Manalansan Loyola , Gerry Berdan, Virna Lisa Mananzan and Dr. Antonio Mendoza. Ms. Sylvia
Nera, a leading Filipino local talent and a former Bayanihan artist, led the community in singing the
two national anthems of the U.S. and the Philippines. Rev. Fr. Steve de Leon gave the invocation
while Arnedo S. Valera, Esq., one of MHC’s Executive Directors, welcomed the guests. The DC
Mayor’s Proclamation was read accompanied by giving of recognition to MHC by top officials from
the PG County and Montgomery County in Maryland and Fairfax County (Chairman Gerald
Connolly) in Virginia.
Among the many attractions for the evening were a film showing featuring the “Filipino-American
Story of 100 years” , slide showing of Filipino migrants and their descendants and a mélange of
cultural performances by the 7th Day Adventist Fil-Am group SLIGO Friends headed by Dr. Rosella
Castro with their melodious blending of voices of Filipino “kundiman” songs, the classic Filipino
musical pieces performed by young Fillipino-American pianists and violinists (Genevieve Llames,
Nina Garcia, Rynchelle Campanilla and Brian Anzures Young) , the skillful performance of the
Philippine national dance “Tinikling” by the Filipino- American Heritage Dance Ensemble (with the
artistic guidance of Ms. Grace Valera-Jaramillo), and the beautiful rendition of Philippine traditional
and folk music by the Philippine Chamber Rondalla of New Jersey. Nerojac, a youth rock band
provided entertainment to the children and youth group in the “Tidewater” room.
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A N N O U N C E M E N T S
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