By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2009 Journal Group Link International)

Noynoy Aquino-Mar Roxas Supporters to Hold Memorial Ceremonies on Cory’s Birthday in the United States

C HICAGO, Illinois (JGLi) --  Illinois-based Filipino Americans supporting the presidential tandem of Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, III, and Mar Roxas are holding on Saturday, Jan 23rd, in Chicago, Illinois, an advance memorial ceremony for the Jan. 25th birthday of the late President Cory Aquino.

Marlon L. Pecson, coordinator of the “US Pinoys for Noynoy-Mar” chapter in Chicago, Illinois, said the chapter supporters are meeting at Ravinia Ballroom E/F, Westin Hotel – Chicago Northshore, 601 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, Illinois (Tel. 773-704-4342) between 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 23rd. Special guest in this event is Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis of New York.

They will join other “Noynoy-Mar” supporters in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles (California), Las Vegas (Nevada) and Detroit (Michigan) in commemorating the birthday of Mrs. Aquino, who would have turned 77 on Jan. 25th.

Before her stop in Chicago area, Mrs. Lewis will proceed to Detroit to attend a similar prayer rally and birthday celebration of Mrs. Aquino at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22nd, that will also feature Noynoy-Mar Townhall Meeting/Rally Fundraiser at Fuji Japanese Buffet restaurant, according to its organizer, Willy Dechavez.

WESTIN HOTEL IN WHEELING

M arlon Pecson said supporters, who will attend the meeting, will also contribute funds for the “Noynoy-Mar” Liberal Party ticket. The meeting at Westin Hotel in Wheeling was arranged by publishers-editors Yoly and Bart Tubalinal.

The money raised will be turned over to the Liberal Party campaign in areas in the Philippines where such resources are needed by the campaign.

The “Noynoy-Mar” organizers are going to hold a memorial mass for Mrs. Aquino on her birthday on Jan. 25th at St. Patrick’s Church in San Francisco to coincide with a similar memorial mass also at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and in the Philippines.

Another fund-raiser will also be held at Edna's Ichiban in South San Francisco on Saturday, Jan. 30, to be chaired by Charito Benipayo.

Membership committee chair Emmie De La Cruz reported that the Northern California chapter now has 148 registered members. Among the 40 members at its meeting on Dec. 30 were Filipinas Magazine publisher Greg Macabenta, past Philippine Medical Society Pres. Dr. Carmelo Roco and Integrated Bar of the Philippines California chapter president Rene Pascual.

Filipinos in Los Angeles met last Dec. 13 to form the Southern California chapter of US Pinoys for Noynoy-Mar. Among the principal organizers and convenors of the group are Wally Reyes, Josie Castro, Rocio Noco and Prosy de la Cruz. At their initial meeting, chapter fundraising chair Leo Maranan announced that the group had raised $1,533 to contribute to the Noynoy-Mar campaign. The group laid out plans to host a series of “Salu Salo for Noynoy-Mar” events in cities throughout Southern California.

A Las Vegas chapter of US Pinoys for Noynoy-Mar was also organized over the Christmas weekend by Wally Reyes at the home of Nanette Alcaro. Heading the Vegas chapter is Dr. Philip Chua with Ms. Alcaro, Louie Macapinlac, Noly Malig and Jen Salgado assisting in the chapter formation. The group discussed plans to celebrate Cory Aquino’s birth anniversary at a memorial mass on Sunday, January 24, since it will be January 25 in the Philippines when it is held.

PEOPLE-POWER RALLY

A huge “People Power” rally is being planned either at Union Square or Yerba Buena Garden (between the Moscone Center and St. Patrick's Church) on February 25 or (Feb. 27 Saturday).

This event will be organized to simultaneously occur in Noynoy-Mar chapters throughout the US and throughout the Philippines and in overseas Filipino communities as well.

“Town Hall Meetings for Noynoy-Mar” in cities and counties throughout Northern California are also being lined up. These are in San Jose-Milpitas, Alameda, San Ramon-Pleasanton-Walnut Creek, Vallejo and Sacramento. This is being coordinated by Mike Macapagal.

Fund-raising rallies were already held in San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa.

Supporters are encouraged to log on to www.NOYMAR2010.COM to register their names and email addresses and to use Paypal to donate to the Noynoy-Mar campaign.

Aside from also laying out plans for a February 25 People Power for Noynoy-Mar rally in Las Vegas, the group also discussed hosting a fundraiser on March 13 either just before or after the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather, Jr. fight in Las Vegas, if the fight is not postponed.

The New York chapter of USP4NM was formed on December 12 when community icon Loida Nicolas-Lewis and her sister, Imelda Nicolas, hosted a town hall meeting attended by 75 members of the Filipino community. At the meeting, Ms. Lewis announced the launching of the group’s website, www.NoyMar2010.com, which will be used to inform the community about the activities of the group and on the reasons for supporting the Noynoy-Mar ticket.

Also helping in the campaign is Vickie Garchitorena, president of Ayala Foundation. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net) # # #

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