Newsletter

THE VARIETY FCRS NEWSLETTER

CURRENT ISSUE

Filipinos then exuded an air of confidence and purpose befitting a people in control of their destiny with a bright future ahead of them. Contrast that image with today's reality as outlined by the letter which we quote in part below.

"By her own admission, (Philippine President) GMA rightfully assessed that "over the last decades, our republic has become one of the weakest, steadily left behind by its more progressive neighbors. "Forty years ago, we were only second to Japan in economic stature, and way ahead of Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Today, at our present growth rate, it will take us 30 years to get to where Thailand is today. By the year 2030, our children will experience far worse conditions than what we have today:

1. A population of 160 Million
2. Of those, 70 to 90 million (equivalent to our current population) will live below the poverty line
3. Our national debt is estimated to be at US$200B (compared to US$28B when Marcos fled, and US$53B today)
4. We will be competing, not against Thailand or even Vietnam, but against Bangladesh
5. We will be the most corrupt nation in Asia, if not in the world (we are already ranked 11th most corrupt nation by Transparency International)

The signs are clear. Our nation is headed towards an irreversible path of economic decline and moral decadence..."

While the signs may be clear to Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, let us step back and try to understand how the Philippines got to where it is at today

The Tao Te Ching says, When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need. Have you ever struggled to find work or love, only to find them after you have given up? This is the paradox of letting go. Let go, in order to achieve. Letting go is God's law. - Mary Manin Morrissey

By:Ralph Marston

Are things really so bad?

The next time you are tempted to feel sorry for yourself, remember a few things.

You're alive and well. Many people are no longer around, and many others are in such poor health they can barely function. Yet every day, people with severe handicaps accomplish great things. If you are healthy and able-bodied, then you really have no excuse not to be the very best you can be.

Opportunities come disguised as problems. Problems are a blessing, because when you solve them you grow as a person and you gain valuable experience. You learn things that can allow you to help other people solve the same problem. If the problem you solve is big enough and widespread enough, the opportunity that creates could be enormous.

Put your problems in perspective. Ask yourself what's the worst thing that can happen. Then accept that and move on past your problem.

Challenge is one of the best things you can face. Challenges and problems give you a chance to
develop your resourcefulness. Problems are your opportunity to give it all you've got -- to truly shine as a person.

Banig now a seasoned performer
FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo

Have you ever wondered whatever happened to Josephine "Banig" Roberto, the Filipino singer who won in a talent search in California and who guested on the defunct Arsenio Hall Show?

Heres an update on Banig from Funfare reader Louie Gonzales of San Diego, California:

Last Saturday, May 24, Banig Roberto did a concert here in San Diego. The Banig I saw many years ago when she used to tag along in every Gary Valenciano concert, is now a very seasoned performer. The show we watched last Saturday was worth every cent. She was so full of energy,the concert lasted more than three hours. I havent heard a voice so smooth with a range so high.

The repertoire varied from pop, jazz, blues and hiphop and every number was matched with Banigs truly amazing style that, in my opinion, could even surpass the likes of the so-called divas in the US. I hope that next time she does a concert here in the US, the promoters should be aggressive enough in doing their part to give Banig the exposure our Filipino talents need in this still race-conscious audience.

It was just superb. Attendance was about 70 percent, partly maybe because shes not that known yet to the Americans and the promotions were not that aggressive enough. But there were notables among the crowd. One was the father of Michael Jackson who would come to town to
just watch Banig in her every concert. She said they were good friends.

The concert was held at the legendary Spreckels Theater in San Diego which has been the venue of concerts by other Filipino artists, including Jose Mari Chan (last March 31), Basil Valdez and Lani Misalucha (March 30), Anthony Castelo (sometime in June), and Jaya and Janno Gibbs (very soon)

FCRS Music Lounge

Our Artist and Music Review:

Artist : Banig
Album : Silent Whisper
Produced By:(Double Play Entertainment)
Track Lists:
1. Intro
2. Move Your Body
3. Radio
4. Silent Whispers
5. Symptoms of You
6. If You Wanna Know
7. Walk
8. Body...(Interlude)
9. Let Me Know
10. Back this Way
11. Can't Believe
12. Missing Your Love
13. Whispers...(Interlude)
14. Will You Love Me Still?
15. Boogie on the Dance Floor
16. Mother's Love
17. Shortly

Genre:Pop, techno dance.

Distinguishing notes: Banig is best known in the Filipino community; she's been performing on TV, in clubs and in venues across the country. Her sophomore release reflects her affinity for dance clubs, with techno-pop elements on the likes of "Move Your Body," "If You Wanna Know," "Boogie
on the Dance Floor." The sound is hip,now,nocturnal,the kind you'd hear on a crowded dance floor.

Banig is an International Star champion and has been heading her own solo concert since age 9 in big venues as Trump Taj Mahal, Hollywood Paladium and on several grand performing arts hall.

Her first CD entitle Banig: Can you feel My Heart was released under Del-Fi Records back in 1994. The Silent Whisper CD shows her growth as she hopes that her fans would embrace her comeback that they have waited for a long time.

The outlook: Banig has a promising voice and a certain presence, the result is a CD that you fall in love with a little more each time you hear it.This is something special musically and is not to be missed.

Useful Links for Banig:

http://www.banigonline.com
http://www.towerrecords.com
http://www.doubleplayent.com

In Photo: After her consert in Sandiego Banig, Joe Jackson (Father of The Jacson 5) & Diego32 of PalTalk Filipino Community.

Just like any Filipino, Diego32 is one concern kabayan helping to promote the CD for Banig.

I wish we all help... Tangkilikin ang sariling atin (Filipino First Policy). Thank
you!

BY:Louie

Hello Chatters! Good day everyone!

May 2003 brought FCRS to another year of existence, four (4) years to be exact. The last four years we are serving the Filipino Community here in PalTalk was a lot of fun and gratification. Nothing worth even a million having knowing a lot of Filipinos and making them a special friends here in PalTak.

Last month we celebrated FCRS 4th Year Anniversary with two (2) well-attended programs. Crusty_g is very kind enough to host the pre gala night and the May 1 anniversary program. It was a two nights of karaoke festivities.

The FCRS Jazz Group followed the post anniversary program with there own kind of programming. Ms JD was ever ready to host the program "Music of the 80's" combined with a Trivia game. It was a blast!

May 2003 was also a big birthday bash for FCRS regulars and guests. The 29th was to celebrate the birthday of Jed_y, Jules and sweetlips. The evening was surprising as some Jazzers turned out to be singers. IGan and jetblue entertain the guests with their very own style of singing. The very energetic BC45 was in the mood soothing the guests with his Michael franks kind of songs. Fellow jazzers like tonette and Virgo was so cozy to be right there for an evening of fun, just like the rest of the guests.

The Friday Jazz Group has caught my attention. It seems we are reduced to few regulars. We lost those previous high-spirited nights of sharing our collection of jazz music. The regular jazz owls like femme, lafemejune, jaysix, Urban Knight, Canon, Jade, Kaltok China Rose, BabyBlue, nikki to name a few are irregularly seen.

Explanation by Virgo and jetblue that the spring weather might be the reason for their not having time to join the Friday Jazz night. Another reason is that they might be busy with the summer tour. I just wish and hope that these are just the main reasons.

Buzz of another special night for the FCRS Jazz Group is on the air. Suggestions from some regulars to have an evening of Movie Theme Song are building up. What about feeling nationalistic this June 12 to commemorate our celebration of the Philippine Independence Day? Whatever you wish guys, we have three (3) rooms to accommodate you, the FCRS Original Room, FCRS Jazz Room and the FCRS Music Lounge. Please feel free to contact me and suggest something. If you feel like hosting and opening any room outside of the scheduled days, the access code is free to be shared.

Let's have another strong years ahead of us. I just feel great having friends like you. I could never more than happy to serve everyone. Take care and God bless us all. I love you guys!

A teenage girl was about to finish her first year of college. She considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and her father was a rather staunch Republican.

One day she was challenging her father on his beliefs and his opposition to programs like welfare.

He stopped her and asked her how she was doing in school. She answered that she had a 4.0 GPA, but it was really tough. She had to study all the time, never had time to go out and party and often went sleepless because of all the studying. She didn't have time for a boyfriend and didn't really have many college friends because of all her studying.

He then asked how her friend Mary, who was attending the same college, was doing. She replied that she was barely getting by. She had a 2.0 GPA, never studied, was very popular on campus, went to parties all the time and often wouldn't show up for classes because she was hung over.

The father then asked his daughter why she didn't go to the Dean's office and ask to take 1.0 off her 4.0 and give it to her friend that had only a 2.0. That way they would both have a 3.0 GPA.

The daughter fired back and said "that wouldn't be fair, I worked really hard for mine and my friend has done nothing."

The father smiled and said: "Welcome to the Republican Party."

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