Everything is set for the 7th Anniversary Reception of Ambibo.com in honor of Dr. Claude Lacaya-Adriatico, its 2007 Person of the Year. The event will be held at a private residence this Saturday, January 26.

The “invites only” affair will also feature the first “Taste of Zanorte” showcasing fine specialty dishes from the community’s budding chefs.

Ambibo.com went live online on January 24, 2001. On this occasion, Noah and I thank everyone for your support through the years. We look forward to many more years of bringing our global kababayans together. [ABF]
More about us here.

Zanortean devotees of the Santo Niño de Cebu joined the 20th Anniversary of the Chicagoland “Fiesta Senyor” celebrations on Saturday, January 19 at the Saint Catherine LaBoure church in Glenview, Illinois. The traditional novena kicked off the festivities followed by a concelebrated mass led by Fr. Leoncio Santiago. The capacity crowd (despite the subzero temps outside) then moved on to the adjacent Marian Hall where sumptuous early dinner was served by a tireless squad of volunteers. [ABF]

View the slide show.  More at Santo Nino Online

I am currently working with COP/KALAYAAN, a Fil-Am Organization that is based here in Chicago, IL. raising funds to support poor schools back in the Philippines. Selected schools will get an entertainment set so teachers and students will access a new way of learning through watching educational shows that will also come in the packages with different kinds of CD’s and DVD’s that focus on helping students progress a new way of learning. Also, the organization has adopted a Philippine eagle back in Davao, Philippines. Committing for 6 years until the eagle is fully grown and then will be set free back to the wild. These purposes and charitable work has moved me to my core that even to the smallest thing, we can help in any way possible.

I am honored to represent as Mrs. Kalayaan 2008 and I come to all of you, asking for support to achieve our goals. June 14, 2008 will be our gala night…”

- Coie Watters

“The Philippine-American Council of Presidents held their annual kick off and induction ball at Meridian Banquets Hall, Saturday, January 12, 2008. COP as they are known is a group of association presidents with Philippine connection in chicagoland. The council held their induction ball and presented the 2008 muses to be featured in a float at the 2008 Philippine independence day celebration parade in June in Chicago.”

Ruphy Anne Pineda is Mutya ng Mindanao and Ma. Theresa Simborio was chosen Mutya ng Visayas. More at Dipolognon.com

Chicago supporters of ZanortePride met over dinner at Yes Thai on Wednesday, January 16 and discussed plans to assist the province’s newly-organized LGBT alliance.

Inspired by this development, the members held an impromptu election. JayJay Manuelle was chosen President, Vice Presidents are Arnold Margate and Lexie Gallego, Secretary Halle Almirol, Treasurer Ariel Magsayo, Business and Social Manager Bobby Samson. The group’s media relations will be handled by Ambibo.com.

The Chicago group is mulling over plans for a benefit event this Fall while awaiting ZanortePride’s proposal for their upcoming summer activities. Members fondly recalled the pioneering efforts of friend Philamer Baes and the promise of this reinvigorated initiative.

Cognizant of the home organization’s independence and impressive talent pool, their U.S. counterparts issued the challenge: “Impress Us.” [Ambibo.com]

Visit ZanortePride.com