Performances by Fil-Am Broadway Theater Actors, Panel Discussion on Career Perspectives Highlight the 8th Homecoming sa Konsulado

Consul General Claro Cristobal welcomes alumni from Philippine colleges and universities at the 8th Homecoming sa Konsulado. (Photo by PCGNY)

New York – The 8th edition of the Homecoming sa Konsulado was successfully held on 26 October 2019 at the Philippine Center New York, with more than 160 alumni in attendance representing 23 Philippine colleges, universities and alumni associations.

Alumni of Philippine colleges and universities during the 8th HSK. (Photo by PCGNY)

Consul General Claro Cristobal welcomed the alumni to the Philippine Center and expressed hope that the alumni make beautiful memories as a great foundation to “Makisalamuha, Makibahagi, Magkaisa,” the theme for this year's homecoming. He talked about the significance of each word and how important they are in community-building.

Atty. Al-Shwaid Ismael of Gulapa Law talks about last will and advance directives during HSK 2019. (Photo by PCGNY)

The homecoming festivities had a full slate of activities in addition to the traditional parade of alumni flags. Dr. Joie Calub and Ms. Roxanne Cajigas updated the alumni with the recent Gabay Mag-aaral Project outreach in their hometowns in August 2019 while Gulapa Law of Counsel Atty. Al-Shwaid Ismael gave a brief talk about the rudiments of executing last will and advance directives here in the US that is enforceable in Philippine court. The alumni in attendance appreciated that the topic was included in the program as they find it very relevant.

(L-R) Moderator Laura Garcia with members of the panel Dr. Kevin Nadal, Dr. Connie Uy, Mr. Reagan Rada and Mr. Ricardo Cinco during the panel discussion on Career Perspectives. (Photo by PCG NY)

A panel discussion on Career Perspectives moderated by Silliman University’s Laura Garcia featured 4 Filipino-Americans from different fields, namely: Dr. Kevin Nadal - a professor of psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and The Graduate Center of the City University of New York; Dr. Connie Uy - an Emerita Professor of Pediatrics at the Rutgers- New Jersey Medical School; Mr. Reagan John Rada - a fine jewelry designer, president of Serendipity Gems and owner of media entertainment Reagan John Productions; and Mr. Ricardo Cinco – a certified public accountant and
the Director of Business Services of Eisner and Amper. 

Broadway singer Jaygee Macapugay sings “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman (Photo by PCGNY)

They shared what prompted them to immigrate to the US, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them in pursuing their career, as well as their thoughts on how to engage Filipinos to be involved and active in community building.

Broadway singer Diane Phelan performs Paulo Tirol’s “A Simple Transaction” with Justin Ramos on piano. (Photo by PCGNY)

Aside from the informative discussions, the day was highlighted by outstanding performances of talented Fil-Am Broadway singers Diane Phelan, Jaygee Macapugay and Lydia Gaston, with pianist Justin Ramos, and Carla Mongado. It also featured a special dance performance by Mrs. Marilou Cristobal of the Tausug’s traditional Pangalay dance while Rowena O’Mary and Al Usman showed the ancient Filipino martial arts dance, Kuntao.

Madam Marilou Cristobal dances Tausug’s Pangalay. (Photo by PCG NY)

Dance instructor Noel Gamboa kept the alumni on their toes during a line dancing session in the afternoon. The participants were also in high spirits as some of them won raffle and door prizes provided by the different alumni associations and corporate sponsors, Philippine Airlines and Philippine National Bank. Marilyn Abalos of St. Paul’s College won the grand prize Philippine Airlines round-trip ticket to Manila.

Rowena O’Mary and Al Usman of MSU performs Kuntao. (Photo by PCGNY)

The event was co-hosted by Ms. Nelsie Parrado of UPAAA, Dr. Fely Santiago of UPMASA and Ramil Buenaventura of PSK. Alex Esteban of PWU served as the Stage Coordinator for the event. Alex Esteban, who was one of the members of the 2019 HSK Steering Committee, served as the stage director for the event.

St. Paul’s Marilyn Abalos wins PAL roundtrip ticket to Manila. (Photo by PCGNY)

The participating alumni associations, colleges and universities who were also involved during planning meetings led by the Consulate were Assumption College, Ateneo family, Cebu Normal University, Centro Escolar University, De La Salle University, Letran College, Lyceum of the Philippines, Mindanao State University, Paaralan sa Konsulado, Philippine Women’s University, San Beda University, Silliman University, St. Scholastica, St. Paul’s College, University of San Carlos, University of Santo Tomas, UP Alumni Association in America (UPAAA), UP Alumni Association – NJ, UP Nurses of the East Coast (UPNEC), and UP Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA). St. Joseph’s College of Quezon City joined for the first time while alumni from St. Louis University of Baguio City and Asia Pacific College attended as observers.

Members of the 2019 HSK planning committee (Photo by PCG NY)

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