UFCP NEWSBRIEF – Vol. 2009-002

UFCP Celebrates 111th Philippine Independence

The United Filipino Community of Pohnpei (UFCP) spearheaded the celebration of the 111th Philippine Independence Celebration here in Pohnpei, FSM.

The celebration started on June 12, 2009 with a flag raising activity at the FILCOM Center. Last June 14, a parade of floats was held and was followed by a cultural presentation (see related story).

The Guest Speaker of the celebration was Pohnpei State Governor John Ehsa. The Governor acknowledged the the contributions of the Filipino workforce here in Pohnpei and encouraged everyone to continue helping each other.

This year’s festivity was also attended by the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy Mr. William Douglass, Deputy Chief of Mission & Councilor of the Embassy of the People’s

Republic of China Mr. QIN, Jien, the Consul and Second Secretary of the Australian Embassy Mr. Julian Parker, and Senator Aurelio Joab of the Pohnpei State Legislature.

To all of you who helped make this celebration a success - MARAMING SALAMAT PO!!! ®

SPORTSFEST 2009 - A Success!!!

The UFCP Sports fest 2009 was a big success! Though there were only three sports categories (basketball, volleyball and lawn tennis), players, committees, team followers and spectators were all happy and they all enjoyed each and every game.

There were many FIRSTS in this year’s sports fest: 1. It is the first time that the inter-color format was introduced in the basketball competition; 2. It is the first time that the basketball and volleyball teams were sponsored by the Filipino-owned businesses here in Pohnpei; and last but not the least, 3. it is the first time that there was no technical foul called on unruly or over-complaining players, coaches, or fans. There was not a single protest and there was not a single altercation.

The uniforms of all the players and sports committee members were sponsored by DROPS of Life & Scoobys.

LKL Construction thru it's manager-owner Mr. Lito Laurel sponsored all the trophies and medals for all sports events including the trophies for Best in Float & Best in Cultural Presentation.

To Rey, May & Lito, Maraming Salamat po! ®

UFCP Sportsfest 2009 Results

Basketball:

• Champion - LKL
• 1st Runner-up - Drops of Life
• 2nd Runner-up - J&P

Volleyball:

• Champion - Grace Special Bakery
• 1st Runner-up - Scooby’s
• 2nd Runner-up - RAM Auto Parts

Tennis:

• Champion: Ray Garcia, Ed Ochoco, Gaby Estur & Ray Almeda
• 1st Runner-up: Rene Merencillo, Robel Basa, Loren Peterson & Tess delos Reyes
• 2nd Runner-up: Dindo de la Pena, Jeero Basa, Jojo Maglaqui & Armand Mariano
• 3rd Runner up: Ausel Rabino, Danny Dumantay, Ed Parce & Gary Garsain

CONGRATULATIONS to all of you!!! ®

KBP wins BEST FLOAT

The Katilingbang Bisaya sa Ponape (KBP) organization won the 2009 Best in Float Competition. The competition was held on the occasion of the 111th Philippine Independence Day celebration. KBP took home a beautiful trophy and $150.00 cash prize. Mr. Tony Reyes donated $100.00, and UFCP added $50.00.

Participants to this year’s float competition were: RAM Auto Parts, KBP, Kaselehlia Diner, LKL Construction, & J&P Construction. The judges were Mr. Ray Musada, Mr. Alfonso del Campo, and Mr. Roldan Laguerta.

To the float sponsors, participants, judges, and all who worked hard for floats, maraming salamat po! ®

Official Score:

• 1st - KBP - 285 points
• 2nd - K. Diner - 273 points
• 3rd - RAM - 257 points

TINIKLING DANCERS win Cultural Dance Presentation

The Tinikling Dancers won the 2009 Cultural Dance Competition during the 111th Philippine Independence Day Competition. The triumphant dancers took home a beautiful trophy and $150.00 cash prize (sponsored by UFCP).

There were six dance groups who participated in the said cultural dance contest, namely; Bulaklakan, Itik-itik/Polkabol, Pandaggo Rinconada, Igorot, Pandaggo sa Ilaw, and Tinikling. The judges were Senator Aurelio Joab, Dr. Vicente Loyola, and Mr. Roldan Laguerta.

To the dance contest sponsors, dancers, judges, and all who worked hard for the dance presentations, maraming salamat po! ®

Official Score:

• 1st - Tinikling - 292 points
• 2nd - Itik-itik - 289 points
• 3rd - Pandango Rinconada - 288 points

UFCP gives appreciation to sponsors

On the occasion of the 111th Philippine Independence Day celebration, the United Filipino of Pohnpei presented Plaques of Appreciation to various companies for their continuous support to the organization. UFCP President Engr. Gerry Figueras, together with all the UFCP Officers, awarded the said plaques to the generous companies.

The companies are as follows: CTSI-Western Union, Ace Hardware, Pohnpei True Value, VCS, Do-It-Best, Scooby’s, Drops of Life, RAM Auto Parts, Genesis Hospital & Pharmacy, Medpharm Clinic & Pharmacy, Grace Special Bakery, PLEC, Kasehlelie Diner, Car Care Center, RJ Electrical & Refrigeration Svcs., LKL Construction, J&P Construction, Kar Kitz, Happy Mart, FSMTC, and R.S.Roque Commercial Arts,

To all of you, Maraming Salamat Po!

Philippine Embassy in Palau to visit Pohnpei for MRP

The Philippine Embassy in Palau is scheduled to visit us here in Pohnpei on the first week of September 2009 for the personal appearance requirement of the Machine Readable Passport (MRP).

As early as the last quarter of 2008, the UFCP has been disseminating the information about MRP. Flyers were posted in the bulletin board of the different stores here in Pohnpei. The flyer came from the Philippine Embassy in Palau, which reads as follows: “By the year 2010, all United Nations Member countries will have to comply with the requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization which is: ALL PASSPORTS MUST BE Machine Readable Passports (MRP) or e-PASSPORTS.”

MRP Forms

As early as June 14, 2009, the UFCP has been distributing passport renewal application forms. Attached with the said form is the step by step instruction sheet. For application forms, please contact any UFCP officer.

WHEN & WHERE to SUBMIT?

The deadline for submission of passport renewal application forms is on July 17, 2009. You can submit the said forms together with your payment to: 1. Gerry Figueras, 2. Jojo Pulmano (FSM Telecom.), 3. Rafael Pulmano (4TY Apartment), or 4. Marilyn Tiburcio (RAM Auto Parts).

FACTS on MRP

1. Requirement by 2010

• As stated in the announcement from the Philippine Embassy in Palau, it is a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization, and that ALL United Nation member countries (NOT ONLY Philippines) have to comply.

2 .Personal Appearance

• To renew the old passport to MRP, personal appearance is a requirement. That is the reason why representatives of the Philippine Embassy in Palau are coming here in Pohnpei.

3. Why I need to avail it now?

• The representatives of the Philippine Embassy in Palau are coming in Pohnpei for the MRP only ONCE - Sept. 2009. Since personal appearance is a requirement, the ONLY other way to renew the old passport to MRP is to go personally to the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines. ®

STAP to hold Bingo Fund Raising

The Samahang Tagalog Atbp. sa Ponape (STAP) will hold a bingo-fundraising on August 23, 2009 at PICS Cafeteria. The prizes for the said bingo-fundraising are as follows: $500, $250 and $100, plus 10 consolation prizes. Tickets are $5.00 each (equivalent for 2 bingo cards), and are still available from any STAP officers, as well as at the gate on game day.

Let’s all support this worthwhile endeavor. See you there!

®

UFCP mourns death of Athena

June 8, 2009 is a day of mourning for the Filipinos in Pohnpei. Athena Jean Mariano, who just turned four years old last May 24, passed away at Genesis Hospital due to Cardiopulmonary Arrest. Athena is the daughter of Armand & Juvilen Mariano. Her cadaver was flown to the Philippines on June 18, 2009.

God Bless her soul!!! ®

Reminders from the P.R.O. (Mr. Russell Figueras)

1. POT LUCK Assignments

• There are hundreds of Filipinos in Pohnpei. If, in case, you do not receive you any pot luck assignment, please bear in mind that ALL FILIPINOS are invited in any UFCP activity. Furthermore, Potluck assignments are just suggestions; you can bring any dish you prefer.

2. ABULOY

• UFCP is NOT SELECTIVE in helping any FILIPINO in Pohnpei, whether active or not active in UFCP activities. The UFCP ALWAYS extends its help to our kababayans who lost a loved one. In case of death of a father, mother

• Help to our kababayans who lost a loved one. In case of death of a father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter, please inform the details to any UFCP officer. However, UFCP also respects the decision of some members who choose not to ask for “abuloy” from the community.

3. Be on Guard

• The thieves’ flavors of the month are Filipinos. RAM Auto Parts & the apartment of Elsa Veloso were recently the victims of burglars. Let us always be alert and do some preventive measures. Memorize the State Police telephone number: 320-2221. ®

RENEW YOUR OLD PASSPORTS TO MACHINE READABLE PASSPORTS (MRP)

STEPS TO DO :

1. Get MRP application form from any UFCP Officer.
2. Fill it up and have it notarized (FREE at Pohnpei Supreme Court and Micronesian Legal Service)
3. Have your pictures taken (1.77 x 1.37, blue background, preferably matte photo paper)
4. Return your MRP application form to Gerry Figueras, Jojo Pulmano, Marilyn Tiburcio, or Ralph Pulmano on or before July 17, 2009, with your payment of: $50.00 (renewal fee), $2.00 (3x shipping), $3.00 (3 pcs. passport picture—optional*)

*UFCP Fundraising: you can have your pictures taken at the UFCP President’s house on July 15, Wednesday, from 5:30-8:00 P.M.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?

1. After reviewing all application forms, UFCP will send the said forms to the Philippine Embassy in Palau.
2. Upon receipt, the Embassy will encode the applicant’s required personal Data for the production of the applicant’s passport COMPUTER GENERATED FORMS (CGF).
3. The Embassy will come to Pohnpei (Sept. 2009) with the CGF for the applicant’s signature, thumb mark, and confirmation of entries.
4. The CGF will then be sent to DFA, Manila, Philippines for the processing of the MRP.
5. Upon receipt of the NEW Machine Readable Passports, the Embassy will inform UFCP to send current passports to Palau for cancellation, then the Embassy will send back to UFCP both the old and new passports.

The Birth of Filipino Badminton Club in Pohnpei (FBCP)

Right after the UFCP Sportsfest & Philippine Independence Day Celebration, a group of Filipinos here in Pohnpei formed a new organization, and they call themselves Filipino Badminton Club in Pohnpei (FBCP). At present, they are having a badminton tournament which is held every after office hours on a make-over badminton court close to the Pohnpei Immigration Office. Kudos to the new organization!!!