B A L I TAThe Official RAPS Newsletter

M a l a k a s A n g B u l o n g S a S i g a w

Our Mission Statement

To unite the Filipino students within the Rutgers community by

establishing solidarity on the basis of a common heritage, to educate the Rutgers community on various aspects of the Phil-ippine culture, to provide information of current socioeconom-ic and political conditions about the Philippines, and to provide services and programs that will be beneficial to Filipinos both

within and outside the Rutgers community.

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Mission Statement 2

Karaoke in the Philippines || Did You Know? 3

What has RAPS been up to? 4

Curent Events || Awesome Haikus 5

What is the Balita? 6

RAPS Sub-groups schedules 7

Upcoming Events 8

Inside this issue:

Karaoke in the Philippines

By Frances Balagtas

Know? Did You

Vocal performance is a well-loved national pastime in the Philippines. It’s not surprising that almost very Filipino home either in the Philippines or abroad have their own karaoke system (Magic Sing anyone?). In major cities, scores of bars and restaurant offer karaoke or videoke machines to their customers. Even more surprising, is that even past city centers and into remote villages in the provinces, a profound love for Karaoke is still present.

The world’s first karaoke machine (known as the Juke-8) was built by Japanese inventor and musician Daisuke Inoue in 1971. However, it is Filipino inventor Roberto del Rosario who owns the machine’s patent. He developed the Karaoke Sing-Along System in 1975.

Ever since, singing has been a central aspect of Filipino pop culture. Many modern television shows in the Philippines focus on singing or music in general. Karaoke is a well-loved, fami-ly activity that is a tradition, often best enjoyed at home with family, or at get-togethers.

October is Filipino American Heritage Month!

The Filipino American National Historical Society established Filipino American History Month in 1988 here in the United States. Filipino American History Month is widely celebrat-ed in many states all throughout the U.S.

History:

In the 103rd Congress, a resolution to nationally recognize Filipino American History Month was introduced. Then, the House of the 111th Congress introduced a House Resolution to offi-cially recognize this month for Filipinos. In November 2009, Congress passed the resolution officially recognizing October as Filipino American History Month

Issue II, Oct 16, 2013 Page 3

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What has RAPS been up to?

Meet the Members Night: Bowling

September 4, 2013

First General Interest Meeting

September 11, 2013

Family Night: Scavenger Hunt

September 25, 2013

Photoshoot Night

October 2, 2013

Haikus Awesome By Adrian Agbanlog

Welcome to RAPS, all.

Welcome to a world of ****.

Just kidding, maybe

During the meeting,

You feel someone poke your butt?

Most likely Ray Chan.

Enjoy college, guys.

The real world is much different

Than TV portrays.

Livingston Campus

Used to be a really rough place

It's come a long way.

Just kidding 'bout Ray.

The sexual harrassment -

Vanessa does that

Issue II, Oct 16, 2013 Page 5

Events Current Earthquake in Philippines Leaves Over 100 Dead

BOHOL, Phil. - The death toll in the Philippines has risen to 144 as of Wednesday, October 16. At least 134 of the victims were on the island of Bohol with 9 more victims in nearby Cebu and neigh-boring Siquijor.

One of the victims, a 4-year-old girl, was trampled in Toledo, Cebu due to people running after a building was shaken by the quake while they were receiving cash grants from a government program to help the poor. Along with those that have died, nearly 300 peo-ple have been injured by the quake.

Residents everywhere in the Philippines have been warned to stay out of major buildings until their structural integrity could be veri-fied, according to the New York Times. The islands of Cebu and Bohol have officially been declared in a state of calamity by the government.

The earthquake struck at 8:12 a.m. Tuesday morning, 32 miles underground near the small town of Carmen, located on the island of Bohol. Philippine President Aquino III has been making his rounds to the affected areas.

Miss World 2013, Megan Young, Returns HomeMiss World 2013, Megan Young, Returns Home

MANILA, Phil MANILA, Phil -- Megan Young, newlyMegan Young, newly--crowned Miss World 2013, crowned Miss World 2013, experienced an amazing homecoming despite the threat of an oncom-experienced an amazing homecoming despite the threat of an oncom-ing typhoon in the Philippines.ing typhoon in the Philippines.

Thousands of proud Filipinos showed their support for Young by Thousands of proud Filipinos showed their support for Young by crowding the streets of central business district Makati, even with the crowding the streets of central business district Makati, even with the pouring rain, according to Channel News Asia. Attendees tried their pouring rain, according to Channel News Asia. Attendees tried their harder to catch as much of a glimpse of Young.harder to catch as much of a glimpse of Young.

Young was left speechless by the outpour of pride by her fellow Young was left speechless by the outpour of pride by her fellow Filipinos, but was ready to make them all proud. She admitted to the Filipinos, but was ready to make them all proud. She admitted to the press during her homecoming, “Being Miss World now, having my press during her homecoming, “Being Miss World now, having my country behind me, representing my country, it’s a big thing. I have a country behind me, representing my country, it’s a big thing. I have a huge responsibility on my shoulders.”huge responsibility on my shoulders.”

Young’s win is something to be proud of: it is the country’s first ever Young’s win is something to be proud of: it is the country’s first ever Miss World and solidifies the fact that the Philippines now has at Miss World and solidifies the fact that the Philippines now has at least one crown each from the world’s largest beauty pageants, least one crown each from the world’s largest beauty pageants, writes Channel News Asia. writes Channel News Asia.

The new Miss World 2013 remains modest despite her big accom-The new Miss World 2013 remains modest despite her big accom-plishment. She said, “While I was in Indonesia, I still couldn’t be-plishment. She said, “While I was in Indonesia, I still couldn’t be-lieve I had that name tag Philippines, that I had a sash that said Phil-lieve I had that name tag Philippines, that I had a sash that said Phil-ippines.”ippines.”

By Darienne Arahan

Are you an avid writer, photographer, illustrator, blogger or

pursuing a career in journalism? The Balita is currently looking for contributors to feature in our future publications. We accept

anything from photos, articles, comic strips,

poems to caricatures.

For inquiries or submissions please email us at:

rapsbalita@gmail.com

Darienne Arahan & Franceazca Balagtas Balita Co-Editors ‘13-’14

Balita is still looking for contributors!

What is the Balita?

The Balita is the Rutgers Association of Philippine Students’ official newsletter. It serves as a medium of communication between our organization and or members. We feature articles written by our very own members, current events, news, fea-tures, pictures, as well as upcoming events. We invite all of our interested mem-bers to send their submissions to be featured in the future publications of the Balita.

Ano ba ang Balita?

Ang Balita ay ang opisyal na pahayagan ng Samahan ng mga Estudyanteng Pilipino sa Rutgers. Isa itong publikasyon na nagsisilbing komunikasyon sa pagitan ng aming organisasyon at ng aming mga miyembro. Itinatampok namin ang mga artik-ulong galing sa mga manunulat na miyembro ng organisasyon , mga kasalukuyang kaganapan, balita, mga larawan, pati na rin ang mga paparating na mga kaganapan. Iniimbitahan din namin ang mga interesadong miyembro na magpadala ng kanilang mga obra upang maitampok naming ang mga ito sa mga susunod na edisyon ng Balita.

Tagalog word of the day:

Manunulat (pang-ngalan) - Writer (noun)

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Sub-groups RAPS Balita : The RAPS Official Newsletter

Ran by members for the members, Balita is RAPS very own newsletter that helps readers stay up to date with what RAPS is doing throughout the year. Have something to contribute? Feel free to contact Frances Balagtas and Darienne Arahan to inquire.

For more information: email us at rapsbalita@gmail.com

RAPS Cultural Dance Troupe (RCDT)

Know a thing or two about Tinikling, Maglalatik, or any other Filipino Folk Dances? Then RCDT is perfect for you!

Inquire with Misha Gomez and Joanne Modesto for more information

Practices: Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 9:30-11pm, Lucy Stone Hall - Auditorium (Livingston Campus)

RAPS Dance Troupe (RDT)

Are you an avid dancer? Are you a big fan of modern dance or even hip-hop? Then check out RDT! Inquire with Kate Miguel for more information.

Practices: Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 9:30pm, Lucy Stone Hall

RAPS Acoustic Group of Singers (RAGS)

Love singing and jamming out to a guitar? Think you have an amazing voice? Then look no further, RAGS might just be the right fit for you! Inquire with Marc Intal for more information, no auditions necessary

Practices: Mondays @ 9pm, Richardson Apartments Room 202 (Busch Campus)

RAPS Sports Team

If you’re a born athlete, love competitive sports, or if you just like playing volleyball or basketball as a hobby, then join the RAPS Sports Team. Inquire with Roel Ronkilla for more information.

For more information: forward inquiries to Roel Ronkilla (Sports coordinator)

 

Meetings and Practice Schedules

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Events Upcoming RAPS General Body Meetings

Wednesdys @ 9pm

Keep a lookout on the RAPS Facebook page for

meeting location

Halo-Haloween Auditions

OCT. 17TH THURSDAY: 9PM-11PM

Asian American Cultural Center (Livingston) OCT. 19TH SATURDAY: 4PM-9PM

Asian American Cultural Center (Livingston)

October D3 General Body Meeting (FIND)

Friday, October 18 @ 6:30pm

Montclair State University

Halo-Haloween

Sunday, October 27

Livingston Student Center - Multi Purpose Room

Other Things to Check Out!

Rutgers University Filipino Martial Arts (RUFMA)

Meeting times:

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11 pm in the MPR (Multi Purpose Room)

Werblin Recreational Center on Busch Campus

Asian Student Council (ASC)

Meeting times:

Every other Monday @ 9:30pm

Asian-American Cultural Center (AACC) - Livingston Campus

Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue (FIND)

With a mission to “offer a channel of dialogue and action” within Filipino students that “promotes and preserves the Filipino culture and raises awareness and offers support,

FIND Inc. hopes to achieve constant growing relationships among Filipino Students. To learn more about FIND Inc.

and RAPS’ involvement inquire with Chris Laurelli.

Scan the QR code above with any QR code scanning app on your smartphone to see what we’ve

been up to!

or visit our website at:

www.rutgersraps.com

Follow us: @rapsawesome

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