Are we really that connected and productive?
This week, I will dwell on the subject of social media. And let me start with major changes I did on how this new phenomenon made its impact on me. I have 428 friends according to my FB and as I am writing this I just "unfriended" 206 of my so called "FB friends". Now my reading through the posts is much easier. No wasted time going over some really useless posts. No offense meant but who are they? How did I got 428 friends in the first place? How FB does that still boggles my mind and for some they can explain how it is in full details. I was once listening to a guy who explained whow they do it. For me it is too complex I juts let it slide and dealt with the situation my way.
There are some 1.3 billion computers that are connected on line and in such a short time the world became actually a "global village" a happy term for those living in "Hillaryland". But how deep is that connection?
When I moved to lived in the U.S. some 20 years ago I always looked forward to going home open my mailbox and there it is: a letter from my brother or sister. Although we are halfway the world apart, it seemed to me at that time they are that closer and it warms my heart to read their letters.
Today letter-writing seem like a thing of the past; but then I find myself in rare occasions sitting down and actually writing with a fountain pen on a stationery, writing to a friend. It is this aspect of a very deep friendly relationship that was totally dislodged by social media. I like the times I spent refilling my fountain pen with Quink.
When my son was 6 years old, he asked my how does the mail system work? I explained to him slowly and in detail and that started our father-son letter writing chapter in our lives. He would always start: "Dear Papa" written in some cute stationeries that I bought for him. We also went to the U.S. Postal Office and I stood behind him as he asked the postal worker to buy some stamps. I would write back to him and he would call me in the office and tell me "Papa thank you for your letter." That was lost when he started to familiarize himself with email at about 7.
According to the Raider Education website: "Social Media doesn't have educational value. Social Media doesn't belong in schools. Social Media is a preemptive strike by aliens to weaken our society & destroy the minds of our children."
Even in cities, small towns and villages around the world people wake up and find the children gone from home only to know they are in internet cafes. Children today and yoiung people spend more time on social media and online videos than watching TV or even listening to their parents. I think the whole social media is part of a global conspiracy or as Raider Education said a "preemptive strike by aliens to weaken our society & destroy the minds of our children."
In the U.S. alone we lost millions of man hours of company time from employees who are at work and spending time on social media. That is about an hour per shift lost because of one type of social media unto another.
Not everybody says so: social media is actually benefitting us. Jeff Bullas on his website declares this: "If you take a closer look then the benefits seem to outweigh the disadvantages. Here are some of the upsides to social media:
- 18% of people 50-64 years old use it to connect with others who have similar hobbies
- 17% use it to find "love"
- 50% use it to reconnect with old friends
- It is a source of entertainment as 250 million photos are uploaded every day and there are 100 million videos to watch
- 41% of the class of 2011 used it to look for a job
Do you think social media is waste of time? Does it really help us. Are we productive than before. Are we really connected? By the way, I don't have LinkedIn, I close my Twitter account and I don't have Tumbler. My Pinterest page I haven't visited in 6 months. I guess they shut it down, but I am so happy I cut my FB friends by half! Let me hear from you.
Would love to hear from you. Poke me at freddy.panes@gmail.com or Click the Follow button when you visit our website, and please leave us a comment.
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ConGen de Leon thanks FECGP and participating member assns.
We received this letter from Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. of the CGNY > Dear Mrs. Aczon, | Consul General
Mario de Leon. |
I am pleased to learn that the Ocean City, New Jersey's 4th Annual Tribute to the Philippines on 20-21 July 2013 was another big success as more Filipinos and non-Filipinos came to what has evolved as a special cultural-trade-tourism-medical event a!ong the Jersey shore.
A big part of the success of this event during the last two years is the support and participation of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia (FECGP) and its member organizations, in particular > Click for more.
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Bantay Bata to present new program at Philippine Community Center
 By: Senen Fontanilla | Please join us at the Philippine Community Center in Stratford, NJ as we welcome Director of the ABC-CBN Foundation, Jo Ann Kyle and Tina Monson Palma, Director of Bantay Bata Philippines on August 27, 2013 at 7:00 PM
Bantay Bata 163 is a child welfare program launched in 1997 to protect disadvantaged and at-risk children through a nationwide network of social services. It includes the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and abused children, training and advocacy on child abuse prevention, rehabilitation of families in crisis, educational scholarships, livelihood, community outreach and medical and dental missions.
FECGP , PCSNJ, FACAA, VFW Post 1063 , AARP (Filipino Chapter 5435) are co-sponsoring this event and are inviting other organizations to be part of this event also.
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Summer Sinulog Aug 15 to 18 at OSAC Philadelphia.
By: Ferdie Luyun | The faithful congregats of the Olde St. Augustine's Church and visiting faithfuls from out of state will all culminate during the Sinulog Week this month.
Dr. Lita Manguba, chairs the souvenir journal committee and is leaving no stone unturned into having a commemorative book that will reflect the faith and the devotion fo the faithfuls of Santo Nino.
OSAC is the national shrine for the Santo Nino in the United States and the fervent prayers of all its followers are one of the reasons many believe that our area have been blessed to immensely in the many years past. Please invite your friends and family that are our of our area to attend this unique cultural event of the year.
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How to navigate the world of student organizations
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How do you makes sense in finding the best organization that is best for you?
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By: Cheryl Marcelo | College can be some of the best years in a person's life. In fact, many a time I've heard from professionals that college was the most rewarding phase of their life. To seniors in high school dreading the intimidating workload that is synonymous with college life, rest easy--there is a positive side to the next four years of your life. Aside from being driven insane by late night study sessions and last-minute paper writing, college is also about meeting new people, making new friends and building a personal network. Perhaps the easiest way to navigate the social sphere of college is joining a student organization. In most medium- to large-sized universities, the possibilities for choosing an organization seem endless. From major-specific clubs and hobby-specific organizations to Greek fraternities and sororities and cultural associations, there is an affiliation for everyone to join. So how do you make sense of these overwhelming choices and find the best organization for you?
Here are some considerations to think about when choosing the right organization: Read more>
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The Music Pier Tribute to the Philippines held some 2 weeks ago still linger in most of us, maybe because this is the year that many of us went all the way to really get involved and deliver. Consul Zaldy Patron of the Consulate General New York sent me a wonderful email. It's not just for me but in my heart I know it is for all of us:
"Dear Tita Hermie, Thank you, once again, for FECGP's participation at Ocean City, NJ's 4th Annual Tribute to the Philippines. The event would not have been as successful without your group's invaluable support. Hope to have all of you again next year. Best regards, Zaldy."
 
MUTYA's all white event last Saturday, July 27 was very well attended and it was nice to see old friends together again. Fr. Mike Slattery, O.S.A. joined as one of the inductees who sworned to keep their organization going. President Imelda Alpas is very thanks ful to all who attended their event. Photos by Phil Reyes. Click here for photos of the Mutya All-White Event!  The Ilocano Cultural Association of Greater Philadelphia will crown their Little Miss Philippines 2013 tomorrow night August 3 at the Radisson Hotel. ICAGP President Ruth Luyun is also calling on all friends and supporters to confirm reservations to their event.Many more are calling and already their guest list have reached the max. We also congratulate Nellie Birog, past VP of the FECGP, past president of the ICAGP and the proud grandma of Sydney Marie Niemala and her parents, John and Vangie Niemala are the proud parents of Sydney Marie! The event will also bid goodbye to 2012 LMP Vanessa Lampago, granddaughter of Gerry Lampago. Good luck!
My very best wishes and welcome to Fr. Wilson "Willy" Capellan, O.S.A. who is the new FIlipino priest in residence with OSAC. He will work together with Fr. Mike Slattery, O.S.A. to look after the Filipino-American congregation o OSAC. Click here for photos welcoming Fr. Willy.
See you tomorrow at the ICAGP LMP 2013 event at the Radisson. A wonderful weekend to all of you!
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Thanks to all who clicked the FOLLOW or the LIKE button on our websiteNow you will never miss updates and the latest information within our Fil-Am community when you click the FOLLOW button (on the right of our website page). Fill up the necessary info; usually your own email address the purpose of which our server will then send you an email that will look like this:   Now you will not miss important information that concerns of local community. If you click the LIKE button, you photo thumbnail (left) will appear on the right side of our website page along with others who have decided to like our site and join the many others have did the same. It also shows your support to our Fil-Am community of which you are a part of. Encourage your members and friends to Like and Follow our website. It is the single most important tool you will need if you want to stay connected. The Events tab will bring you right into the page that outlines all the current and coming community events.
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Going up and down the stairs can be this easy!
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Happy parties are the ones with our native delicacies on the table.
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Remember those cute little jeepneys?
 An FB Share by Ferdinand Luyun
Way back in the 50s this cute little jeepneys dotted the streets of Manila and its surrounding cities. Through the years they have gotten longer and longer some even have the length of a stretch limousine. I can only admire the drivers who drives them as the navigate to Manila's small and narrow streets. Some comments : Chi Nazario > the jeepney looks different now...longer, more garish:) Joseph Pangilinan > Notice how short the original was compared to what we see today. Tim Gabio > I remember as a kid washing jeepneys for money. We had our buckets, salvaged from discarded cooking oil cans. We used Tide as detergent. A great way to earn a few centavos, especially during the summer break. Jojie Claudio > iyan mga AC jeepney short wheelbase 3-3 passengers they were replaced by longer PUJ with up to 6-'6 passenger each side, AC or auto calesa uses american gus guzzler engines later they used japan surplus 190 220 240 diesel much economical onces Thanks to all your comments!
Click here to view the most outrageous stretched up jeepneys: a symbol of Pinoy ingenuity!
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Voice your concern and make posts that are relevant to our Community Affairs. Join us on Facebook and let yourself be heard.
Visit our site and leave us a comment.
click FB icon to connect to our FECGP Page
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Thanks for your continued interest.
Salamat po.
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Members Notice
If you have a friend or collegue you wish to receive The Update please forward to them. August 3 Saturday Night
at the Radisson
ICAGP Big Event Little Miss Philippines 2013
Sydney Marie Niemala
Have you confirmed your reservations?
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Click here to view 2013 Independence Ball Souvenir Program
Thanks for your comments and suggestions We now have a new look!
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Council Officers | 2012-2014
President: Hermie S. Aczon
1st Vice President: Ruth Luyun
2nd Vice President: Dr. Jose Chatto
3rd Vice President: Lorelei Laurencio
Corporate Secretary: Lyn Javier
Recording Secretary: Mayette Baglieri
Corresponding Sec: Lucy De Simone
Treasurer: Dr. Nieves DeCastro
Asst. Treasurers: Dr. Lita Manguba and
Sherry Panes
Auditor: Nida Imperial
Asst. Auditor: Norma Arcilla
Liason Officer: Frances Estella
Business Managers: Dr. Ferdie Aczon | Nora Benitez | Cesar Manguba | Bel Lopena | Aurora Polutan
PROs: Medy Arevalo; Imelda Alpas | Kim Barroso | Ferdinand Boco
Historian: Manuelita Camomot
Parliamentarian: Prof. Ernesto Arcilla
Editor FECGP Publications: Freddy Panes
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CLICK HERE FOR MORE EVENTS DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE
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Aug 3 | ICAGP
Little Miss Philippines 2013
Radisson Hotel,
Trevose, PA
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Aug 11 | FAAMCI Picnic
Sunday > 11 to 6 PM
The Pavillion at Eagleville Park
100 Parklane Drive
Eagleville, PA 19403
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Aug 18 | SUMMER SINULOG
Olde St. Augustine's Church
Philadelphia
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Oct 26 | UPMASA GOLF TOURNAMENT
Saturday 1 PM
Ramblewood Country Club
Mt. Laurel, NJ
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Nov 8 | PMSGP
Annual Charity Ball
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Nov. 17 | KSOP
Outstanding Parents of the Year
Sunday, Crowne Plaza Hotel
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Dec 6 | FECGP Xmas Party
OLPC 5200 N. Broad
Philadelphia
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Dec 7 | Christmas Cantata
6:30 pm
International Bible Church
Upper Darby, PA
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Dec 7 | FAABCI Pasko sa Nayon
Venue/Details to be announced
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Dec 28 | FAAPI
Rizal Ball & Miss Maria Clara 2014
Venue/Details to be Announced.
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MEMBERS: PLS. EMAIL US YOUR EVENTS SCHEDULE
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Join the Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors Tour of the PhilippineS
JULY 8-12, 2013
- 4 Nights stay at Edsa Shangrila Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City
- Historic wreathe-laying ceremony at Rizal Park, audience with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and lunch at Malacanang Place
- Running tour of Manila and Makati areas, University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Ayala Museum tours.
- Out-of-town tour to Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay with lunch and fiesta activities.
Call SAF Travelworld, Inc.
for more information.
Rates based on departure and return dates and airline availability
Enjoy the New PAL Business Class!  Call Us Today!
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OCEAN CITY EVENTS
 VIN Vigor and Longevity Health Expo
Click for More >
Ocean City Weight-loss Contest Weigh-in
Ocean City, NJ - On January 1, 2013, six Ocean City contestants joined together and started a friendly weight-loss challenge. The six contestants will have their final weigh-in on Sunday June 30th at noon at the Ocean City Music Pier.
The contest began as a friendly challenge between Ocean City Council members Scott Ping and Tony Wilson. The person who loses the least amount of weight will donate $500 to the winner's charity of choice.
Ping and Wilson invited members of the community to participate and four more contestants joined the contest. Ocean City lawyer Jon Batastini, Board of Education member Lloyd Hayes, Councilman Michael DeVlieger and Ocean City resident Bob Becker signed on to the informal weight-loss challenge.
On January 1, 2013 the six contestants weighed in at a collective 1,494 pounds as follows: Jon Batastini 253 lbs., Bob Becker 227.25 lbs., Mike DeVlieger 209, Scott Ping 270.5 lbs., Lloyd Hayes 287.5 lbs., and Tony Wilson 246.5.
Join the six contestants for their final weigh in on Sunday, June 30th at noon at the Ocean City Music Pier to see who will be deemed the ultimate weight-loss loser and to see which charity will receive the $500 prize!
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those who are sick and needs healing in our Fil-Am community. LET US CONTINUE TO KEEP THEM IN OUR FERVENT PRAYERS.
and send him some encouraging messages and prayers. He needs it as he fights Leukemia so he can go back to his family! 
Ken Onseung, you are a fighter and we are behind you with our prayers! This is the photo of my friend. He is strong and wants to get back soon to his wife and young daughter. He needs our prayers. __________
and also for
Teddy Omana
Don Marino Sayson
and
Virgilio Redondo
Prayers for comfort and grace from the Council and the Members Associations
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FECGP Weekly Update is the Online Magazine of theFilipino Executive Council of Greater Phila. and published weekly or as news is gathered.
The Staff -------------------------- Hermie S. Aczon
Executive Editor & Publisher
Freddy Panes
Editor-in-Chief Ferdinand LuyunAssociate Editor
Sherry Sorono
Cheryl Marcelo (Temple U)
Managing Editors
Lucy De Simone
Editorial Assistant
Senen Fontanilla
Contributing Editor
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Job Opportunity
The Philadelphia
Fire Department
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is now accepting applications for new firefighters. The application deadline ends on August 23, 2013. The annual starting salary ranges from
$40,036 to $55,603.
For more information,
Call:
215-685-3748 or 3749
or e-mail
pfd.recruitment@phila.gov |
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