PAFC unveils Spring events in community fellowship, ‘tapsilog’ breakfast
An inviting spread of Filipino breakfast, prepared by North Star: longanisa, beef tapa, chicken, fish with scrambled eggs, veggies, and fruits.
Warm rays of sunshine ushered everyone into the FilAm Multicultural Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland on April 18 for the Philippine American Foundation for Charities’s Salu-Salo, where a ‘tapsilog’ breakfast greeted members of the community.
The breakfast was held amid a community fellowship which kicked off the PAFC’s Philippine Festival Spring event.
PAFC President Mya Grossman and Chairman of the Board Sonny Busa welcomed the community as they announced the theme of the Festival, “Across Generations: Rising Together. Alone we go faster, but together we can go further.”
This means, according to the duo, that as the community faces challenges, “We must enlist the experience of our elders, and embrace the fresh ideas and boundless energy of the youth.” Engaging in creative collaborations, according to Mya, “leads us to build a community that’s committed to the greater good.”
The special guest of the day, Brandon Punsalan Flores-Beyer, a lawyer and Policy Analyst for the U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E and also a small business specialist for the U.S. Department of Transportation, shared the story of his grandfather as an inspiring example of Filipinos “pulling themselves up.”
Providing musical entertainment was the hastily-assembled quartet of Jon Melegrito, Gaby Gabriego, guitarist Vangie Miller and former PAFC Board Member Presy Guevara
Guest speaker Brandon Flores-Beyer receives a gift from PAFC officers Mya Talavera and Sonny Busa
Growing up in the jungles of Pampanga, he got a chance to come to America in 1932 when he got a scholarship to go to West Point. In 1936, he was the only Filipino to graduate from the prestigious academy. After serving in the U.S. Army, fighting bravely to save lives, he experienced bigotry and found out American wasn’t kind to brown skin. But he also saw lots of opportunities before him so he purposely stayed in the United States, earned two degrees, patented his own invention, worked in real estate and became a millionaire.
Beyer went on to say that, “We are who we are because of individuals who paved a path for us, who made the best of what America had to offer.” He encouraged everyone to never forget all those who came before us by proudly sharing our stories of struggle and success. The San Diego-born Beyer got a standing ovation from an appreciative audience.
The PAFC later unveiled the schedule for its spring festival:
Wednesday, May 27 – Wednesday, June 3 (6:30p.m.-8:30 p.m.): Brown Strokes on a White Canvas. Opening Reception for this art exhibit on Thursday, May 28. Philippine Embassy Romulo Hall, 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036. Established artists and newcomers are welcome to participate. Curator: Julian Oteyza
Saturday, June 6 (6:00 p.m. – midnight): Philippine Independence Day Gala Ball. JW Marriott Washington, DC, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20004. Formal dinner dance to commemorate the 117th Anniversary of Philippine Independence from Spain. Includes a silent auction, cultural presentation and a guest speaker. Chair: Beth Wong
Sunday, June 28 (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.): Annual Community Picnic & Sports Fest. Tucker Road Community Center Park, 1771 Tucker Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744. The 5K run kicks off the SportsFest activities at 8 a.m. followed by Zumba at 9 a.m. Features cultural show and many various sports, children and adult games, Food and product booths. Chair: Mya Grossman.