2 FIESTA IN AMERICA
12:30 pm Jisyl DS
Fiesta! Part 1
12:55 pm Filipino Folkloric Dance Troupe of Central New Jersey
12:15 pm Welcome remarks by Nanding Mendez, Fiesta In America President-CEO Keynote remarks by Philippine Consul General Elmer G. Cato
8:00 pm Vamos a bailar en Fiesta In America!
5:05 pm Patricia Dinglasan
4:40 pm The Arato Brothers
10:30 am Holy Mass
5.55 pm Fashion Show by Asia Pacific Fashion Week featuring Lani Misalucha
5:45 pm Cebu Inc.
Hosts: Grace Rustia and Vincent Medina
Fiesta! Part 2
FIESTA TALKS SUMMER 2022 3
11:15 am Santacruzan procession
2:10 pm Fe delos Reyes
2:45 pm Florante
1:30 pm Kinding Sindaw Dance Troupe
4:30 pm Arianne Aldecoa
Program
IntermIssIon
7.30 pm Florante
6.55 pm Fe delos Reyes
5:30 pm Sounds of Manila
1:15 pm Belvidere Band
12:00 pm Opening ceremonies
12:40 pm The Band of Brothers
4:55 pm Mutya Philippines Dance Company of Philadelphia
1:40 pm Latin American hour
1:05 pm Chris Corro
5:20 pm Rutgers Association of Philippine Students
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Dear Friends:
If the re-launch of Fiesta In America has a theme, there is none more appropriate than “hopeful transitions.” Change is a constant in life; it’s no different with our not-for-profit event, which has spotlighted Philippine culture since 1996. Our 2020-2021 pause was the impetus to sweeping changes; it obliged us to re-assess our model, our market and even the site of our indoor festivities. This year, we are transitioning from a majority Filipino audience to a true multicultural one. We are leveraging the built-in visitor traffic of our spectacular new venue, American Dream. More family-oriented than our site of the last 20 years before the pandemic (the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, to which we remain grateful), American Dream ensures that our event will be enjoyed by visitors of all cultures and age groups. We trust that this more-diverse market will be fascinated by Philippine music, food, products and fiestainfused traditions that our event celebrates.
/
Nathan
NandingSincerely,Mendez
Relations: Dr. l aura Garcia; Art Director: Manny Mendez; Internet
Director: Ogie afable; Cultural Manager: Rose Javier; Empowerment Awards
Fiesta talks is published yearly by special edition Press, inc. | Publisher: Nanding
;
Rhodora santos / Virgie Wilcox; Catering Managers: e ster isip / Connie Capili;
Message froM the President and Ceo Mendez; Editor-in-Chief: len Manansala; Vice President for Community Master: Mendez; Finance Manager: Vicie allam; Comptroller: Jesse arteche Cultural Chair: Darlene Borromeo; Managers: tet Palencia lilian Vita Catholic Mass Co-chairs: Video Director: Mervin Mendez Santacruzan Chair: Freddie Burke
Our deepest thanks to Brian Hague, American Dream’s Director of Government Relations and Communications, for his commitment to our partnership. Many thanks as well to Carly Angeloni, Director of Events; Jason Hammer, Creative Director; and Kristen White, Marketing Coordinator. I am personally grateful to the unflagging support of Fiesta In America’s own team: Ogie Afable, Producer-Director; Dr. Laura Garcia, Vice President for Community Relations; Darlene Borromeo, Chair of the annual Empowerment Awards; Vicie Allam, Finance Manager; Len Manansala, Vice President for Marketing and Communications; Rose Javier, Tet Palencia, Lilian Vita, the cultural show’s performers, our staff and volunteers who have helped us put the Philippines on center stage through the years. To our valued sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers from 1996 to the present, thank you for recognizing Fiesta In America as your “total engagement platform” in the Fil-Am community. Marami pong salamat sa inyong lahat!
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Along with Freddie Aguilar, Heber Bartolome, Sampaguita, and brothers Dennis and Rene Garcia of Hot Dog, Florante De Leon personified the
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FIESTA TALKS SUMMER 2022 5
Florante Fe Reyesdelos
Dynamic singer-comedian Fe delos Reyes often brings the house down with hilarious takes on immigrant life, femininity and aging. The Bay Areabased artist was a member of Music & Magic, one of the Philippines’ premier show bands in the 1980s. After turning solo in 1987, Fe embarked on her novel brand of one-woman comedy and dance-musical acts. Her repertoire includes the “Amerikana…musical-comedyMade In The Philippines” and the blockbuster “LolaLand, The Grandmother Of All Shows,” a observationsidesplittingofwomen, their complicated lives and loves.
Music and laughter
the indelible sounds of fiesta
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6 FIESTA IN AMERICA A Cornucopia of Talent
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Stylish couture creations with a Filipino twist will be modeled on Fiesta In America’s runway at a fashion show organized by Asia Pacific Fashion Week in partnership with GMA, Asian Journal and Global Management Company, Inc. Dedicated to exhibiting “the most promising Fili pino fashion designers from around the world,” Asia Pacific Fashion Week has scheduled the New Jersey edition during Fiesta In America as the culminating leg of coast-to-coast fashion shows this year. Part of the fashion show’s proceeds will help underwrite scholarships for promising low-income designers in the Philippines under a fundraising initiative called “Runway for a Cause.”
S
NightingaleAsia’s
Misalucha
Lauded as “Asia's Nightingale" by MTV Southeast Asia, Lani combines pop, rock, jazz, soul and R&B in her reper toire, which will punctuate APFW’s fashion show. Lani is a vibrant live performer, having regaled audiences in Las Vegas and earned for herself the moniker “New Siren of the Strip.” In 2008, Lani was voted the "Best Singer" (staff pick) in the "27th Annual Best of Las Vegas" poll by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. She won the 1998 Minuro Endo Best Inter preter/Singer Award at the Third Asian Song Festival. Her numerous awards include the Awit Award for Best Perfor mance by a Female Recording Artist, and Katha Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
The four featured innovative Filipino designers are Lionell Christian Lanuzo, Toshimi Pacumbala, Jian Lasala and Dave Ocampo.
FIESTA TALKS SUMMER 2022 7
FilipinoLanidesign ingenuity
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In 1996, the couple embarked on what became a merger of nostalgia and business: the US-Philippines Trade Show and Concert. Held at New York’s Javits Center, the seminal event featured exhibitors from the Philippines and the U.S., capped by performances from Amalia Fuentes, Romeo Vasquez, Gabby Concepcion, Cherry Gil and comedian Pork Chop.
Nanding Mendez
Changes in the venue (the New York Coliseum in 1997; New Jersey’s Mead owlands Expo Center from 1999 to 2019), the name (Philippine Trade Fair and Fiesta in 1997, Philippine Fiesta from 1998 to 2012, and Fiesta In America from 2013 to the present), and Mila’s tragic passing in 2012 due to illness, did not disrupt the event’s annual staging. Hundreds of Philip pine and U.S. businesses have exhibited to date. Indoor atten dance has risen from hundreds in 1996 to over 8,000 in subsequent years.
Fiesta in America Celebrates 25th Year The Mark of Longevity
Kuh Ledesma in New York (1994), Banig in Atlantic City (1995) and Sharon Cuneta, also in Atlantic City (1996).
The idea was, indeed, simple: to relive the spirit of a Philippine town fiesta, but indoors. Nanding Mendez, an awardwinning Art Director and Caloocan City native, traces the origin of not-for-profit Fiesta In America to 1989 when he founded the glossy magazine, Special
FIESTA TALKS SUMMER 2022 9
It’s been a tough climb back, but we have shown that nothing can stop the power of a big yet simple idea.
“It’s been a tough climb back,” admits Nanding Mendez, Fiesta In America founder and President-CEO, “but we have shown that nothing can stop the power of a big yet simple idea.”
Edition Press, in New York. It enjoyed coast-to-coast circulation and a run that exceeded the average life span of U.S. smallInspiredbusinesses.bythe magazine’s suc cess, Nanding and his wife Milagros branched out into a different medium with similar mass appeal: indoor events. They retained Special Edition Press as the name of the holding company, eventually expanding into graphic arts, ment,”Filipinotemporaryiconsheadlinedducinginto“Weingcommercialadvertising,printandrealestate.firstdivedeventsbyproconcertsbypastandconstarsinentertainincluding
“To evoke multiculturalism,” Nand ing adds, “we featured Chinese and Korean dance troupes, Latin singers and U.S. Billboard icons such as The Drifters and Gary Lewis and the Playboys.” He is equally proud of the event’s support for businesses that tapped into the lucra tive Fil-Am market of New York and New Jersey. “Our trade pavilion showcased exhibitors from Luzon to Mindanao, real estate for investment or retirement, Phil ippine travel attractions, free vital-signs screenings from sponsoring hospitals and the Philippine Nurses Association, free workshops, sections for children as well as artists and photographers,” says Nanding. “And because food is a huge come-on in every fiesta, we always served regional Filipino dishes at the native food court.”
In the world of festival organizing, no other indoor Filipino event on the U.S. East Coast has shown con stancy more than Fiesta In America. Founded in 1996 in New York and mounted every year except during the 2020-2021 pandemic, Fiesta In America lays claim to being the most enduring Filipino indoor event in the Atlantic corridor.
Not new to transitions, Fiesta In America is re-opening this year to a new and larger venue. “We are moving to the 3-million-square-foot American Dream on August 20. With no entrance fee, and backed by American Dream’s four theme parks, wide dining and shopping choices, Fiesta In America 2022 is shaping up to become the community’s indoor event of the year.”
The People’s Ball, Fiesta In publiccompanion-gala,America’sannuallyhonorsoutstandingFilipinoindividualsandorganizationsfortheirbodiesofworkinbusinessandindustry,serviceandthehumanities.
Dr. Garcia-Dia is the Program Director of Nursing Informat ics, IT Department at New York Presbyterian Hospital. She earned her BSN from St. La Salle University, Nursing Informatics Master’s Degree from NYU and Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. She is a noted author on nursing
Marie Ortaliz, EdD, MS, BSN, RN, CCRN-K For Nursing Education & Professional Development
Mary Joy Garcia-Dia, DNP, MS, RN, FAAN
For Civic Engagement & Community Partnerships
Joy is currently Supervisor of Nurses (Nursing Administra tion) and Staffing Coordinator for Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, New York. For her civic leadership and contributions to the Fil-Am community, Joy has been recognized by various organizations, includ ing the Philippine American Association of the Bronx, Inc.; Federation of Philippine Society in New Jersey, Inc.; Philippine American Com munities of the East Coast; Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League; and UNIFFIED.
Reynaldo E. Jope For Education & Motivational Literature
informatics, nursing theo ries and nursing leadership. She is the Immediate Chair of Kalusugan Coalition and National Advisory Committee Member for Research on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health.
For Professional Nursing Practice & Informatics
Jocelyn S. Aligarbes, RN
Ludi is Community Rela tions Specialist to the Office of the Bergen County (NJ) Executive. She is responsible for a program of surveys and research relating to community issues. She liaises between the community and public/private agencies to reduce prejudice andOnediscrimination.ofthemost visible Asian American Democratic leaders in the Garden State, Ludi was recently appointed by the NJ Democratic Chairman to Chair the Asian American Caucus. She is the Founder and Chairwoman of the Filipino American Festi val, Inc. and former President of the Filipino American Political Action Coalition.
Ludi A. Hughes
2022empowermentAwArdees
For Professional Nursing Administration
A secondary and dual-enroll ment math teacher in McAllen, Texas, Reynaldo was named District Secondary Teacher of the Year by McAllen Indepen dent School District in 2008. He earned his BS degree in Math ematics from Mindanao State University in General Santos City (1990), and a Master of Lib eral Arts degree in Mathematics for Teaching from Harvard University (2017). His latest book, Feyesper and the Red Shoes (2020), is third in a series, preceded by Feyesper and the Rogue Kite (2014) and the 2018 New York City Big Book Awards Distinguished Favorite Feyesper and the Wicked Neighbor
Dr. Ortaliz is a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medi cine. A sought-after lecturer in nursing best practices, nursing trends and public policy, she is currently President and CEO of the Marie Ortaliz Center, Inc. at the New York City Seminar and Conference Center. The Center prepares courses for nursing accreditation by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Dr. Ortaliz has served as Nurse Educator and Adjunct Professor at prestigious institu tions such as Monroe College, Mount Sinai Beth Israel School of Nursing and Mount St. Mary College. She earned her Doctor ate of Education from the New England College, NH.
For their Embodiment of Filipino Dance as Art
For his many years of dedicated work as Planning Officer, Cultural and Public Diplomacy Officer, as well as Manager of the Philip pine Center in New York City, Deputy Consul General Arman Talbo is being acclaimed by the People’s Ball through a Special Rec ognition for Public Service. Atty. Talbo earned his law degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law.
Deputy Consul General Arman R. Talbo, Esq. Special Recognition for Public Service
Emmanuel Malasig, MD, KCR is the Commander of the KOR New Jersey Chapter for Rizalian Year 2021-2023.
When Megan was seven, she was selected as the official U.S. representative to the 2020 World Cadet Under 8 Girls Chess Championship in Batumi, Georgia. Chess runs in the blood of the sprightly Queens, New York native.
The organization was founded to disseminate the teach ings and martyrdom of the Philippine National Hero, par ticularly among Fil-Am youth. The Order organizes annual projects such as seminars, convocations and workshops on the life, philosophy and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal. They sponsor literary contests and give out awards to citizens for achievements in the arts and sciences, the professions, industry, agriculture and the promotion of world under standing in Dr. Rizal’s honor.
Meagan O. Paragua Special Recognition for Achievement in Game of Chess Ranked #1 World Chess Player Under Ten Years Old
Reagan John Rada For Entrepreneurial Advocacy
Angelo Reyes
Actor-director Angelo Reyes has been featured in the Netflix film “Hill Billy Elegy,” the comedy-drama “The Bill Collec tor,” HBO’s “The Outsider,” and the thriller “Killing Kennedy,” among a host of mainstream films. As a director, Angelo has produced and helmed the short film “Heartless.” In 2018, he was honored with the Ris ing Star Award at the Westfield International Film Festival for “Groomed,” a short film on human trafficking that he produced and directed.
Amazing Filipiniana Dance Ensemble of New Jersey
For Distinction in Contemporary Film Arts
“21st and Colonial,” a short that he co-wrote, directed and starred in, won a REMI Award at the 54th WorldFest Interna tional Film Festival.
of centuries-old folk dances and performed them during a holiday cultural event. Since that auspicious event, the ensemble has educated Fil-Am communities, particularly the youth, about the folkoric tradition of Philippine dance. The group has been a regular presence at nursing fundrais ing events, imparting a sense of pride in Philippine culture and performing arts.
For their Advocacy on Behalf of Dr. Jose Rizal’s Legacy
Knights of Rizal of New Jersey
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
FIESTA TALKS SUMMER 2022 11
Megan is the niece of Filipino American Grandmaster Mark Paragua. She recently vaulted to the highly coveted top of the world rankings by the international chess fed eration (FIDE) as the premier player in the Under 10 years Old bracket.
preneurs. On the entertainment front, his RJP LIVE has mounted 18 concerts in eight cities across the U.S., all promoting Filipino artists. In sports, his RJP SportsFest has organized a multi-city basketball and volleyball tourney in which 84 teams from 14 different cities and six U.S. states took part. Reagan is also currently the founding partner and President of Revolve Holdings, which deals in real estate and finance. He got his fairy tale start by designing jewelry for stars like Elizabeth Taylor; now, he runs his own fine jewelry company, Serendipity Gem.
Led by Artistic and Creative Director Roldan Perez, RN, BSN, the Amazing Filipiniana Dance Ensemble of New Jersey traces its roots to 2015 when Fil-Am nurses from three different hospitals in New Brunswick, NJ pooled their knowledge
Reagan’s business interests are driven by a common theme: helping small enterprises get off the ground. He is the Founder and President of RJP Venture, which funds and mentors Filipino start-up entre
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Corazon Peru
Hudson County Latin American Chamber of Commerce
LATIN AMERICAN houR PERFoRMERS
Email: website:felixjrflores@yahoo.comeclacc.com
Telephone: 201 875-0220
NOSDUH C O U NTY LATINAMERIC AN CHAMBER O F C ECREMMO
To acknowledge the profound and lasting impact of Spanish heritage on Philippine culture, a Special Latin American Pavilion will be reserved for members of Hudson County Latin American Chamber of Commerce and Essex County Latin American Chamber of Commerce.
Victor Baro y Su Orquesta Juan Cartagena and Segunda Quimbamba
For more please contact:
Ms. Heidi Castrillon
In addition, select musical artists from diverse Hispanic Cultures will entertain Fiesta In America’s audience during segments of the daylong program.
Fiesta in America’s Partners in the Latin American Community
Email: website:heidi@hclacc.orghudsonlatinchamber.org
The Latin American Pavilion and Spanish-language musical numbers will help depict American culture as a multicultural melting pot, and the concept of “fiesta” as truly welcoming and inclusive.
Telephone: 201 674-1400
information about our Latin American community partners,
Essex County Latin American Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Felix Flores
SPECIAL LATIN AMERICAN PAvILIoN
Dr.Mendez.Garcia
has served two terms as State Chairperson of the National Federation of Filipino American Associa tions-New York (NAFFAA-New York). She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She also serves on the Manhattan Community Board District Five (CB5).
FIESTA TALKS SUMMER 2022 13
An alumna of Silliman University in the university town of Dumaguete, Dr. Garcia is the recipient of the Outstanding Sillimanian Award for 2022, and a former Press Relations Officer and Board Member of the Philippine Nurses Association, New Jersey Chapter; in 2020, she was hailed as one of Ten Outstanding Butuanons. She is tireless advocate for human rights, with emphasis on easier access to public health among disadvantaged communi ties (her efforts included the widespread distribution of free protective masks during the height of the pandemic), family unity for migrants held at Ameri ca’s southern border, and racial justice.
Laura Garcia, DNP, an associate profes sor of Nursing at the College of Mount St. Vincent and a clinical instructor at the New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, was the recipient of the Pamana Ng Pilipino Award 2021 at ceremonies held in June 2022 at the Manila Marriott Hotel. Dr. Laura Garcia’s Pamana Ng Pilipino citation was an individual honor conferred on groups and individuals outside the Philippines under the program known collectively as the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO). Presented by the Office of the President of the Philippines through the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), PAFIOO is the highest honor given by the Philippine government for the exemplary deeds and philanthropic initiatives of foreign-based individuals and associa tions that contribute to nation-building and Philippine development, promote the welfare and well-being of Filipinos abroad and bring honor to the country because of their achievements and excel
An indefatigable Fil-Am community presence in the New York-New Jersey area, Dr. Garcia is currently the Vice President for Community Relations at not-for-profit Fiesta In America. The
L
organization, headed by its founder and President-CEO, Nanding Mendez, will re-open after a two-year pause in Court A of American Dream Mall in East Ruth erford, New Jersey on Saturday, August 20 (admission is open to the public; the daylong program starts at 10am with a Mass and Santacruzan). Dr. Garcia will be on hand at Fiesta In America’s re-opening ceremonies to welcome Filipino civic leaders and business luminaries, and elected American officials from New Jersey and New York cities and townships with significant Fil-Am communities. “Fiesta In America is fortunate to have the support of Laura as our external liaison,” said
“
I like to serve, and sometimes give a little bit more. ” “
A native of Butuan in Mindanao, and a New York resident since 1985, Dr. Garcia was among the 56 awardees selected ear lier this year from nominations received by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), led by Justice Francisco P. Acosta (Ret.), CFO Secretary and Chairperson. The CFO-PAFIOO committee screened 117 nominations from 31 countries in coordination with 39 Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Asia, North and South America, Europe and Australia.
lence in their fields or professions.
Her standing in the Fil-Am community as well as her professional and academic linkages in New York and New Jersey’s healthcare industry attest to what immigrants can achieve in the U.S. through high education, hard work and single-minded purpose.”
Ogie Afable
Rose Javier
Darlene Borromeo
MESSAgE FRoM ThE CuLTuRAL DIRECToR
Rhodora Santos Virgie Wilcox
Sincerely,
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show, the splendid time that attendees spent with us was worth it.
It is with great pleasure to greet our beloved guests a happy and healthy Fiesta! After two years of absence, we are now ready to once again shine a bright light on our culture andTwenty-fiveheritage. years are a milestone for any organization to achieve. Over two decades, famed movie and TV personalities from the Philippines have graced our stage. Just as important, Fiesta In America was able to give local artists the opportunity to showcase their talents in the U.S. mainstream. I couldn’t be happier to know that, at the end of our
Tet Palencia
It takes a team
My thanks to the organization for the seamless support they provided to me as the Production Director. To Nanding Mendez, President and CEO of Fiesta In America, and to the committee Chairs and Co-Chairs, my deepest gratitude. Be safe. Be well.
The people that brought you
FIESTA TALKS SUMMER 2022 15 shop dine play dream only at 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073 Plan your Dream Daycation today! @americandream • americandream.com Experience the premier destination for making the whole family’s dreams come true - with stunning views of NYC from the Dream Wheel, elevated dining and the only Saks Fifth Avenue in New Jersey!
16 FIESTA IN AMERICA Why do I use and drink Kangen water? Call Specialist Roy Ruben Serrano (201) 993-4274
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25 Years of Fiesta in America
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Now on its 25th year
