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TX. 77031PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III honored 33 outstanding overseas Filipinos and foreign-based organizations during the conferment of the 2014 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas last December 5, 2014 at the Malacanang Palace.

In his speech, President Aquino expressed his gratitude to the awardees, noting that although they are based overseas, they have contributed to nation building. “While the awards you receive today are symbols of your success, I am hopeful that you also treat them as invitations: to continue your pursuit apride and honor to our country,” he said.

“Let us continue doing our very best to fulfill our individual roles in nation building. We have changed the way the world sees us, and we must build on this; we must ride our current momentum and show the world that the excellence of the Filipino knows no bounds.” The Chief Executive said that in the past four years of his administration, the support of the Filipino people has allowed his

government to turn the country’s fortunes around for the better.

With the help of the people, he said, the government has been able to carry out reforms, overhaul the budgeting process, and spend public money on beneficial projects. The government

has also successfully channeled the state’s resources to invest in projects geared towards health, education, and poverty alleviation, thus empowering the people, he added.

Institutionalized in 1991 through Executive Order 498, the Presidential Awards is a biennial search for overseas-based individuals and organizations that have dedicated

their work to improving the lives of Filipinos abroad. The awards also recognize those who have selflessly supported the relief, rehabilitation and development programs in the Philippines and those who have excelled in their fields or professions.

The awardees underwent a screening process that was done by three different communities with representatives from the government, civil society, media, academe, religious and business sectors. They emerged from a total of 157 nominations from 29 countries.

The Presidential Awards consist of the Kaanib ng Bayan Award, Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino Award, Banaag Award, and Pamana ng Pilipino Award. The Kaanib ng Bayan Award went to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (Israel), Wako Asato (Japan), Humana Aid Society, and Dominiek Segaert (Belgium). The lone recipient of the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino Award was Serenata (Saudi Arabia).

The Banaag Award meanwhile was conferred to the Daegu Filipino Community Council (South Korea), Danilo M. Favor (United Kingdom), Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers Central Region Chapter Saudi Arabia, Rosa Angelica Libron (South Korea), Augusto Mercado (USA), Migrante Heritage Commission (USA), Victoria V. Navarro (USA), and Anika A. Sasaki (Japan).

The Pamana ng Pilipino Award was granted to Marianito Asperilla (USA), Michael Cinco (UAE), Kristoffer L. Collo (USA), Cristeta Comerford (USA), Sheila S. Coronel (USA), William D. Dar (India), Roderick M. Dela Cruz (USA), Filomenita M. Hoegsholm (Denmark), Jonathan D. Irabagon (USA), Jasmine B. Lee (South Korea), Cecile B. Licad (USA), Sheila Lirio-Marcelo (USA), Robert Lopez (USA), Katherine Luzuriaga (USA), Baldomero M. Olivera (USA), Alfredo R. Roces (Australia), Lea Salonga (USA), Lolita Valderrama-Savaje (USA), Paolo Antonio S. Silva (USA), and Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi (France). (PCOO/PND (as)- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1781417833061/president-aquino-confers-presidential-awards-

to-outstanding-overseas-filipinos-organizations#sthash.j7X9VvF4.dpuf

CommUNItYNEWS

2014 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas

December 16-31, 2014 December 16-31, 201410 11

CommUNItYNEWS

THE National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and its official media partner, Filipino broadcast giant GMA Network (through its international channels – GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International) announced the winners of The 1st Alex Esclamado Memorial Award for Community Service.

Inspired by the life and works of notable news publisher and editor Alex Esclamado, this honor recognizes outstanding contributions and services rendered by Filipino-American organizations to the Filipino and mainstream American communities and to the Philippines. Following a thorough screening process, one of

the honorees - Philippine American Chamber of Commerce - Texas (PACCTX) was recognized for its outstanding community service in trade development and aid to the Philippines.

Voted as the most outstanding FilAm Chamber of Commerce for 3 Years in a row, and some its most significant achievements includes raising close to $1 million in donations for calamity victims in the Philippines and adopted Hilantaga-An Island in Northern Cebu for medical mission, reconstruction and rehabilitation as well as NGOs in the Philippines. Among them are Tahanang Walang Hagdan, Boys Reformatory School, and the Golden Acres Sanctuary for

Abandoned Seniors.Other accomplishments includes

: Organized three trade missions to the Philippines; organized and funded Philippine Investment Roadshow to Houston led by Philippine Ambassador to U.S. Hon. Jose Cuisia, with Dr. Bernardo Villegas and Trade Commissioner Jose Ma Dinsay; sponsored Back-to-School Projects in Houston; and sponsored entrepreneurial seminars

PACCTX is also the proud host and sponsor of the consular outreach program since 2008.

Through its cooperation and time availability – a team from Philippine Consulate, Los Angeles, California travels to Dallas and Houston and held consular business such as processing of passport renewals, applications for dual cititizenship, authentication of documents and other services.

As of October 2014, there were 22 outreach programs; 18,133 Filipinos served in Texas and neighboring states; and $ 14,506,400.00 in savings by our Kababayans by not travelling/flying to Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles.

PHILIPPINE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TEXAS (PACCCTX)

PACCTx honored for outstanding community service

“The U.S. generally allows people to retain their

American citizenship when they acquire

citizenship in another country,

according to the U.S. State Department “ – Javier Espinoza,

Wall Street Journal in London, November 10, 2014

By The Numbers: 22------Number of Consular Outreach Programs sponsored/

hosted18,133-----Number of Filipinos served in Texas and neighboring

states $ 14,506,400.00-----Dollar value saved by Filipinos by not

travelling to the Philippine Consulate, Los Angeles, CA - to renew passport, apply for dual citizenship, documents authentication and other consular services

3-----Voted as the Most Outstanding Fil-Am Chamber Of Commerce 3 years in a row

many Thanks:To the staff of the Philippine Consulate, Los Angeles, CA - for

us being a partner in your Consular Outreach ProgramsTo the PACCTX Board of Directors and Officers - for all your

hard work and dedicationTo all the VOLUNTEERS - for your awesome time & efforts and

your spirit of volunteerismTo our Donors, Sponsors, Booth Exhibitors and Supporters - for

your generosity and supportOur deepest appreciation and gratitude for being a part of

TEAM PACCTX success !

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The most flattering comment came from our hosts and our guest delegates from 12 states who described the project as “the best organized U.S. Trade Mission to the Philippines, ever!” It was also the biggest trade mission ever assembled with 60 delegates from across the United States, representing different fields of business endeavors.

I am delighted to report to our constituents in the U.S. that after the physically grueling and mentally exhausting trips to the provinces, there have been immediate results and success stories. From my standpoint as Head of Mission, this has been, by far, the most successful and impactful Trade Mission that we have ever assembled – both in terms of the quality of business connections made, the enthusiastic response of the provinces visited, and also from the perspective of immediate results.

Our IT investors in the group had met with dozens of IT and BPO companies and will soon sign contracts.We have delegates who have already signed contracts with local software developers. Our VP of Tourism is already engaged with Filipino HTML developers. Many pursued their interests in investing

in real estate, not only for their own use as retiring baby-boomers, but also for rental income and pure investment opportunities. Our Midwest and Pacific Northwest delegates have already initiated importation of handicrafts, parols and food products from Central Luzon manufacturers.

Our West Coast delegates are seriously interested in partnering with companies in the wellness industry whom they met at the PBC, as well as in joint ventures with manufacturers of electronics products. Our delegates from the Northeast and Southeast who were interested in importing fashion apparel and accessories, gifts and crafts found their suppliers at the FAME Expo. Some delegates are pursuing importation of agri-products from Central Luzon. Members of the Texas delegation, the biggest group with 26 delegates, are pursuing varied interests in eco-tourism, garments, high-end Philippine furniture and accessories as well as high-tech and BPOs. We signed Memorandums of Understanding and Cooperation (MOUCs) with the provinces and chambers of commerce of Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, as well as Clark, Subic and Muntinlupa.

high Level EndorsementsThe Filipino-American Chamber

Federation’s 2014 Trade and Investment mission project enjoyed the strong endorsement of Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose L. Cuisia Jr., Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory Domingo, Department of Tourism (DOT)

Secretary Ramon Jimenez, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balicasan, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Miguel Valera, the 7 Region III provincial governors, Subic Chairman Roberto Garcia, Clark President Arthur Tugade, and President Benigno S. Aquino III himself.

Trip highlightsThe week-long Trade Mission had

many highlights, which included: High-level business forums on investment and joint venture opportunities and one-on-one business matching with local SMEs from Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Nueva Ecija and Aurora, as well as presentations and tours of the Subic and Clark industrial parks. It also included the FAME Expo of world-class quality Philippine products, as well as the 40th Philippine Business Conference and private meetings with government and industry leaders arranged by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI/PUBC); visits

ExCLUSIVE2014 TRADE AND INVESTMENT MISSION

successful beyond wordsBy Gus Mercado, Head of MIssIon

TO summarize the outcome of the recently-concluded Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines– it was successful beyond

words. But it is words that will most effectively describe what has been accomplished and what immediate benefits the delegates and their new Philippine partners have already gained. These words will not come from me, but from the delegates, from our hosts and the local businesspeople whom they met one-on-one. The trip has exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Plaque of Appreciation to Subic Bay COO Joven Reyes

Receiving key to the city from Olongapo Mayor Ed Pamintuan

December 16-31, 2014 December 16-31, 201424 25

Hung Phong Oriental Market

to the largest-in-the-world Philippine Arena in Bulacan; the Ninoy Aquino Museum in Luisita, Tarlac; Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar; and culminated in a meet-and-greet moment with President Aquino at the Manila Hotel.

Success Stories and Testimonials

Edgar Santiago, a Dallas businessman reported: “On a scale of 1-10, I’ll give this Trade Mission a 9.5, close to perfection! The objectives of the trade mission were clearly accomplished. Business relationships were established, goals were presented very well and local counterparts were linked with the U.S.-based entrepreneurs properly. The provincial stops were very well planned, organized and orchestrated. I just signed a contract with a local software system company in Pampanga who will develop our Electronic Health Record system. This Trade Mission has been an excellent vehicle to establish business with the Philippines’ technical IT specialists. I will encourage every Fil-Am entrepreneur to join these trade missions to establish business links in the Philippines and to appreciate the hidden wealth and gems of the Philippines. This has been an exhilarating professional and personal experience for me. My hat is off to the organizers!”

For Paul Buenaflor, who is in the field of IT management consulting, the Trade Mission was a crash course in the latest trends, strengths, and weaknesses of Philippine business in 2014. “This has been a terrific

learning experience for me. It scores a 9 out of 10” he said in summarizing his experience as a first-time delegate.

Bert Golla, FPACC VP of Finance, commented: “This Trade Mission’s planning, preparation, and execution should be in the book of Hoyle for people who plan to do this type of event.” Earlier in the year, Bert had predicted that the 2014-2015 year would be “a renaissance for the Federation of Philippine-American Chambers of Commerce.”

Tony and Zeny Fletcher of Pacific Northwest said: “Words cannot express the admiration we have for both your unselfish service to our country and for bringing us along to experience the governors/mayors/local chambers’ red carpet welcome and presentations that money can’t buy. Pat yourself for a job well done! This has been a “world-class” Trade Mission!”

IT and BPO Investor Ilyas Baig commented: “The rigorous trip took a physical toll on us, but beyond that it was a very worthwhile trip. The IT conference that preceded the Trade Mission was a superb showcase of the Philippines’ IT and BPO capabilities. My wife and I enjoyed the Trade Mission and the trips to the provinces. And I believe I have found potential business partners for call centers/BPO outsourcing that are worth pursuing.”

Tito Refi, Senior Vice President of Southwest Banking Services, shared: I must confess I did not expect much from this trip as I mainly wanted to encourage more participation from our group and to “add to the numbers”. But I must say that I was very

pleasantly surprised after joining and experiencing the arranged visits to those provinces that were graciously hosted by their respective governors and officials. We also met with local business people to get to know their businesses and industries. It was the perfect scenario to explore and find the right business opportunities. And I believe many of our delegates were able to take advantage of it and close on some deals right away. And we all had fun. The visit to Pampanga – Subic and Clark – was really an eye-opener for me who always wanted to find an ideal retirement community for Filipino seniors and retirees in the US whose pensions and social security benefits can hardly cover their living expenses but can live rather comfortably, even luxuriously, if given the chance to discover and retire in the Philippines. Now I can honestly say there is more to the Philippines than meets the eye and I will be happy to spread the good word. My wife and I plan to return in late January for more pleasure trips and discovery.

Anthony Guevara summed up his experience as follows: “Totally exceeded my expectations. All who were unable to attend really missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It gave me the chance to discover what business possibilities are available and helped lay down the foundation to build bridges with future partners. I would highly recommend the Trade Mission to everyone. The rousing welcome by the dignitaries and political figures such as governors, mayors, council members, etc. was a pleasant and exhilarating surprise. NEDA, DTI, DOT, the local chambers and all the hosts rolled out the “red carpet” and offered VIP treatment at every spot and truly demonstrated why doing business is “More Fun In The Philippines”.

Loloy Reyes, Real Estate Investor and Consultant from Houston, Texas wrote: Mei and I would like to extend to both of you our deepest and sincerest gratitude for making the Trade Mission possible and for steering it towards a huge success. We feel nobody can come close to pulling it off the way you two have done it over the years. Your hard work, commitment, dedication and leadership are second to none. Your vision of creating a bridge that will foster not only economic and trade relations but also growth and development between our two countries is very noble and worthy of emulation – a true pride not only of PACC- Texas but of the entire Philippine American community which you represent.

You both are an embodiment of what servant-leaders are supposed to be – selflessly opening doors and windows of opportunities that others can take advantage of. I can speak with authority on this because I am one of those who have been blessed by the Trade Mission when I signed a contract with Megaworld Corp. as its Satellite Office Representative for Texas in 2007. More than the financial rewards that it brought me, I have forged lifelong relationships with stakeholders concerned. The exposure

and experience that the Trade Mission provides (i.e. provincial visits and sorties; conferences; matching meetings etc.) are not only enriching and rewarding but also life-changing. It is our hope that more Fil-Am businessmen and professionals join future Trade Missions so they can be enriched by the experience, reap first-hand the benefits and hopefully find rewarding business opportunities while gaining a better understanding and fresher perspective of the Philippine business, economic and socio-political climate. The humanitarian aspect of the Trade Mission is the soul of the trip. “Paying it forward” is the unwritten, but nobler side of business.

Teresa Snow, founder of the on-line marketing portal, ePalengke: The Trade Mission was my first and it was a great experience. The meetings with key influential government officials, the royal treatments and entertainment from different provinces, all those delicious foods and the one-on-one meetings with suppliers were direct results of many months of your dedication and hard work to ensure the success of 7 days of appointments. The entire trip was very well organized and 100 percent relevant to my business goals. I was able to introduce ePalengke to SME owners, met and negotiated with suppliers and manufacturers for private labels. The opportunity to meet with suppliers, including the makers of Carabao leather, was an extremely unique and rare opportunity, which could never have been possible working on our own.

Simeon D. Mamaril of Portland Oregon and National Secretary of FPACC: “ Overall, the Mission was a complete success. All parties from the hosts on the Philippine side to our US delegation didmagnificent jobs. No stones were left unturned to ensure success. Every aspect of our stay was superb, from hotel accommodations to every hosted event, everything was successful and met our expectations. All MOUs and MOAs signed and accepted by us and our Philippine counterparts sealed our acceptance and commitment to a more lasting business relationship between us and the provinces and their chambers of commerce. I was amazed by the tremendous progress that I have seen in the emerging regional economy, as well as their infrastructures, roads and bridges all contributing to the provinces’ readiness for foreign investments. The very strong family ties and Christian values that built a veritable business empire in Pampanga – the Mekeni Foods Corporation comprised of five brothers and their strong and venerable patriarch – are deserving of special mention and admiration. The Trade Mission’s pursuit of excellence is attributable to the special leadership of Gus and Ethel Mercado, and the cooperation and participation of all delegates and their distinguished hosts. Mission accomplished!”

DeodithMapas of Central Florida commented: “Tremendous gratitude goes to you and Consul Ethel Mercado from the bottom of our hearts for the

Dallas Delegates at FAME Expo

At PBC Break-out Session for US Delegation

With Loloy Reyes, Mei Frias and Radi Miranda

December 16-31, 2014 December 16-31, 2014 2726

LAST November 15, 2014, GawadKalingaUSA, in partnership with GawadKalinga Philippines, held their 5th Hope Ball at Houston Omni Hotel -Westside. GawadKalinga (to give care) a non- profit organization with a 501(C)(3) status, aims to end poverty to five million families by October 5, 2024, by building homes and their communities through values formation and social entrepreneurship.

Texas For GawadKalinga (TX4GK) recently aligned with GK-USA and constitutes the southwest chapter including Houston, San Antonio, Beaumont/Port Arthur, and Oklahoma . Close to four hundred supporters, friends and guests attended the fundraising event in a true spirit of “Bayanihan” and “WalangIwanan.”

Mr. Tony Meloto, the founder of a Gawad Kalinga Development Foundation Inc. was the main speaker of the night. He presented GawadKalinga, it’s accomplishments and recent contributions on the Haiyan rebuilding.

GK so far has rebuilt 2,923 homes, 797 fishing boats, 484 roofs and cared for 3652 kids. He emphasized that GK is not only building homes for the poorwhich was the first phase of his development plan(Social Justice) and that it has moved to the second phase of rebuilding which is social artistry.

It is the creation of wealth for

the poor. He developed a donated 34 hectare of idle land in Angat, Bulacan and called it the Enchanted Farm GK Village. After 3 years of development, this hub for social business and entrepreneurship had become a university.Eighteen(18) universities in Europe had been sending their students there to do their internship in social business.

Many of them spend their time sharing their talent to many of our young Filipinos in the poor areas, who have the desire to better themselves. Lastly, he encouraged the audience to do what this Europeans do, to invest their time, talent and

TEXAS FOR GAWADKALINGA

5th Annual HOPE (Heroes of Poverty Eradication) Ball

treasures to help the lives of the underprivilegedand businesses in the Philippines.

The GK Hope Ball heralded 5 ambassadors who worked hard to fund raise for GK. Funds are distributed by GK USA to various projects and GK villages in the Philippines . This year’s ambassadors included Lesley Barnes, Clariza “CJ” Manlingat, Arebel de Torres, Michelle Lacey and Emmalyn Klee.

The officers of TX4GK were inducted by Tony Meloto with Governing Board and Regional Area Coordinators, Albert and Carol Tulud, Area Coordinators Alex and Jo Gutierrez, Assistant Area Coordinators, Jun and Melissa Amores, Secretary Rosario Tan Matthews, Assistant Secretaries, Mabel Dena and Nancy Lontoc, Finance Lead, Dorothy Sweet with Assistant Treasurers, Lourdes Maningat and Angie Ombrog, Community Program Leaders,Jojo and JojiManlongat and Assistant Leaders, Bernie and CelyLacson, Fundraising Event Leaders, Ernest and Nenie Reyes, Marie Mercado, Grace Hanna, VevenHatsfield, Brenda Paragas, Edith Vito and Next Generation Leaders, Gemma Gullaksen and Lesley

Barnes, Assistant leaders Carolyn Dylan and Merlyn Handoyo.

The night ended with several songs performed by Sheryn Regis and dancing. A special bachatadance performance by Ricardo Chavez and Marjorie Rice who celebrated her birthday along with her friends from FYP and family. It was truly an eventful night but made much more significant by remembering what GK is for, it’s accomplishments and what future it holds. We hope more members of our Filipino American community can join us next year’s gala. We invite male and female ambassadors next year so no one gets left behind. Walang Iwanan!

awesome “Trade Mission” that you both have organized. It is obvious that you have put so many sleepless nights and hours to make this Trade mission a success. This event was phenomenal! I will never forget the experience I gained: the memories, the friendships and most of all the special connections I have made with other Trade Mission delegates. On the scale of 1-10, I gave this event a “9.75”. The office of Bulacan Governor Sy-Alvarado has kept in touch regarding business opportunities that we discussed during our visit. All of the Trade Mission’s tour stops were great, but the following visits were outstanding: Mekeni Foods -- family rags-to-riches story was inspirational, showed true Filipino values of faith and determination to succeed; Bulacan Tour – very friendly and entertaining; Subic Bay – very educational; Bataan and Tarlac – very historical & educational. The young Bataan governor Abet Garcia was amazing!

Ric and Rebecca Gaerlan of Portland, Oregon commented: “Being in a unique profession of Home Designs, I did not think I could relate to the activities of the Trade Mission, until I met Atty. Dulce Punzalan, of International Sustainable Development Enterprise at the PBC conference in the Manila Hotel. Not only was I amazed at her featured product, bamboo, I realized how her product is at it’s infancy back here in the USA. Having seen and met a few entrepreneurs carrying bamboo products, I told her how much interest I have in finding a means of working with her in expanding this wonderful, structurally sound product for residential applications here in Portland and in the business I am in, Home Designs. I am already doing some research and interviewing some potential clients for this wonderful Filipino product. We commend you and Ethel for the splendid job of putting this Trade Mission together. The successof this Trade Mission should be a barometer by which other future Trade Missions could be patterned after.Maramingsalamat!

Recently engaged Cristina Bautista and Kenny Bounds shared the highlights of their Trade Mission trip: “We connected with the Mother Teresa Medical Center in Pampanga and we are in the process of setting up

a possible R&D project in connection with one of our Light Therapy for Life products for mitigating negative side effects of radiation on cancer patients. We also connected with Dr. Mina Gabor and are in the process of donating a huge supply of goods and retrofit services for their eco-sites and surrounding lodges/camps. These products and services will lead to a decreased demand for traditional power services and increase in the usage in alternative energy sources. We believe that Dr. Gabor is such an asset in promoting ecotourism in the Philippines that any help we can provide her would only allow her to do the work she does much more effectively. Another delegate, Andrew Needles, is also willing to make donations if the Federation will match them. We also found many unique handcrafted and food items for my soon-to-open store (www.worldcrave.com) that I am almost overwhelmed by the numerous possibilities. I also plan on working with manufacturers/artisans in Bulacan and a non-profit group in Olongapo City. Thanks for opening these doors for us.”

Alex Borromeo of Washington State: “Kudos on the successful Trade Mission, the exemplary organization and host receptions. As to next steps, I’ll help develop a benchmark template (scorecard) that will serve as a

guideline for future project missions, measure outcomes and performance dimensions and critical competencies — a FPACC toolkit. We will also help with follow-up tasks to ensure the business connections made and the MOUs signed bear fruits.” On top of the incredible receptions that we received and the immediate success stories that have already resulted, another great thing that came out of this is the fact that our Trade Mission came up with a surplus from this huge project. We owe the financial success of this project to FPACC Federation President and Honorary Consul-General Ethel Mercado’s responsible fiscal planning and expert management of the project. The surplus funds will be earmarked for our FPACC Foundation’s Disaster

chamber and people to people between our two nations. And, based alone on the seven short days that we spent in our destination regions, we are already seeing the beginning of the crystallization of that symbolic bridge.

National Delegates, Partners and Sponsors. The delegation consisted of the officers of the Philippine-American Chambers of Commerce in Texas, Florida, California, New Jersey, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Michigan and Washington State, as well as executives of Fortune 500 companies.

Companies represented were: Arthur Lawrence LLC, Titan Gold mining, Valhalla, Nuclear Logistics, American Airlines, Datalogix, Applied Biologics, Hydroflow USA, CNMA Brokerage, Viewhaven Enterprises, Soil Stabilizer International, Capital Source One, BartCo Tech Corp., Boeing, LPR Venture and Investment Group, AMP Financial, Total Interiors, The Bounds Group, GlobelImportex, American Visiting Doctors, Southwestern National Bank, B3 IT Services, ZOE and EMM Designs, Velella Global LLC, ePalengke LLC, Smyth Productions and Globalview Advisors.

Development partners of the 2014 Trade Mission included: NEDA Region III, the Region III Regional Development Council headed by the seven provincial governors, the DTI and DOT Region III coordinators, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the Clark Development Corporation, Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, the International School of Sustainable Tourism in Subic, and the provincial Chambers of Commerce, and the US-Philippine Business Council of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Event sponsors included: Western Union, Megaworld, Ayala Land International, Datalogix Texas International, AMCHAM Philippines, DMCI Homes, PHINMA, the Muntinlupa Chamber of Commerce, DTI Invest Philippines, Tourism Promotion Board and the Vivere Suites. For more info on the Trade Mission, contact Gus Mercado, at (972) 814-7548 in the US or local landline 771-7777, local 3008 in the Philippines, or email gmercado@datalogixtexas.com or ermercado@verizon.net.

Relief Fund which will come in handy as more super typhoons and other calamities visit the Philippines.

The main goal of our Trade Mission was to build a bridge across the seas, not only a bridge of understanding and cooperation exemplified by our signing of five MOUs and sister-Chamber agreements with the provincial Chambers of Commerce, but also a bridge that connects business and cultural interests, chamber to

Receiving Plaque of Appreciation from Bulacan Governor Alvarado

Texas ladies with guest singer Marian Rivera

Delegates enjoying the moment with the lovely Aeta youth singers