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Prominent leaders of various Fil-Am organizations & key members of the community (approximately 700
people) attended the 2009 MISA NG BAYAN (4TH PEOPLE’S MASS), the once-a-year unique celebration of
God’s grace & unity to thank God for the continuous blessings and guidance for sustained immigration of the
Filipinos to the U.S. The People’s Mass is also one of MHC’s institutional events in honoring and recognizing
our kababayans’ contributions to the Philippines and the U.S. The main celebrant was Rev. Fr. Steve de
Leon, who also initiated the 1st MISA NG BAYAN in 1998 during the Philippine Centennial Year. This year’s
theme was “Celebrating Filipino Spirit in the Remaking of America.”
The highly attended event was organized by Migrant Heritage Commission (3 Executive Directors; Grace
Valera-Jaramillo, Jesse A. Gatchalian and Arnedo S.Valera Esq.) in cooperation with this year’s MISA host,
the Filipino Community of St. Rose of Lima Gaithersburg MD (Cezarina Alzona/Teddy Cornejo) and
supported by the Knights of Columbus Santo Nino Council 9462 of Baltimore MD (Grand Knight Pete
Sysantos & Deputy GK Nestor Ugalino), the Fil-Am Ministry of St. Michael in Silver Spring MD (Antonio &
Denia Calaro), Filipino Community of the Blessed Sacrament Washington D.C (Perfecto Paras) and El
Shaddai Catholic Charismatic Group of St. Stephen in Washington D.C. (Araceli Blancaflor). Adding grace
and prestige to the event were the participation of the Knights of Columbus Santo Nino Council 9462 as ‘color
guards’ and the melodious voices of the combined choirs from various Fil-Am church-based organizations
directed by MHC Musical Director Meggie Pleyto of the UP Concert Chorus with the artistic cooperation of
Raymund Cornejo (St. Rose), Erwin Manzano (St. Michael), Lucy Sanchez (Blessed Sacrament), Nerisa
Anticamara (St.Stephen), Jandy Arboleda (Bukas Palad Choir Founder/Composer),Cantors Matthew Aninzo
& Marie Ortega (St.Rose) & Julius Bermudez. Consul Rico Fos and newly arrived-Cultural Officer Robert
Borja represented H.E. Ambassador Willy Gaa at the event. The MISA NG BAYAN, held also in line with MHC’s
objective of bringing people together to foster a culture of UNITY and SERVICE, culminated with a
dinner/dance fiesta to the vibrant music courtesy of DJ Jojo Baldonado. Entertainment numbers were
provided by Jake Macapagal with his Elvis Presley songs, Hannah Cabrera Johnson, ISA’s reigning Miss
Teenage Philippines-USA and FilCom St.Rose’s Fandanggo group.
In congruence with MHC’s HealthCare Resource & Support Program, the Asian-American Health Initiative
(AAHI) of the Montgomery County also conducted Free Bone Density Screening with free medical
consultations by Dr. Bayani Manalo & Dr. Nenita Ulep. Guests feasted on delectable Filipino dishes and
delicacies courtesy of Lumpia, Pansit at Ibapa Restaurant (Cho & Louie Ortega), North Star Catering (Merlyn
& John Eda), Lily Domingo’s Catering, Ligaya Hipolito/Lourdes Comendador, Saul & Mila Barnedo, Bebot &
Gwen Fernandez, Law Offices of Valera & Associates, Jane & Ver Macalinao, Joart & Susan Aromin, Potomac
Driving School (Zeny Frasier), Perfecto & Cita Paras, members of FilCom St.Rose and Ina Poong Bato, as
well as food donors from other organizations.
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