Simbang Gabi at the Chapel of San Lorenzo on Broome St., NYC

DEC. 16—The Chapel of San Lorenzo at 378 Broome Street (between Mulberry and Mott Streets) in Manhattan will host a series of Sambang Gabi starting Dec. 16 with the New York Madrigals performing in a concert. This year’s theme is “Filipino ‘Diaspora’ Spirituality.” The series will be until the 24th and all masses will start at 6:30 p.m. The Dec.18 mass will feature Rondalla Christmas which will start at 4 p.m. For more information, call (212) 966-1019.

Joint Christmas party at Step By Step Dancesport in Bergenfield

DEC. 17—The Philippine Air Force Navy Army Group (Inact), Inc. and the Association of the Local Staff of Permanent Missions to the United Nations will hold their first joint Christmas party at Step By Step Dancesport at 24 New Bridge Road, Bergenfield, N.J., from 6 p.m. to midnight. Attire: semi-formal. Donation: $25/person. Contact persons are Boyet (201) 724-8050, Roger (201) 724-0414, Rolly (973) 998-0661 or Roy (732) 574-0185.

Aklan Eastern USA annual Christmas party, coronation

DEC. 17—Aklan Association Eastern USA, Inc. will hold its Christmas party at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Church Auditorium, 40 Sullivan Avenue, Jersey City, N.J. Mass will be celebrated by Fr. J. Beltran and Fr. P. Rentino. Aklan’s Little Miss Christmas 2005 will be crowned. Each family is requested to bring dish to share. Entrance fees are $15 (adults), $10 (teens/seniors) $5 (7-12 years old) and free for 6 and below. Contact persons are Henry Rogan (973) 736-7726, Belma/Ric Abello (973) 325-8445, Don Romero (973) 829-7088, Nonoy Castro (201) 568-9822, Virgil Malapit (201) 265-2068, Bernie Tamayo (718) 297-2732, Jun Teston (718) 835-2209, Tes Refols (718) 763-3827, Terence Raz (718) 761-2126, Nonong Franco (908) 206-1389, Lionel Egasan (914) 793-2738, Jun Duran (845) 358-9285 or Pete Ibadlit (917) 362-4974.

Palawan Assoc. Eastern USA Christmas party, induction ball

DEC. 17—The Palawan Association of Eastern United States will hold its Christmas party and induction of officers from 6 p.m. to midnight at Holiday Inn, N.J. near Newark International Airport, 160 Frontage Road, Newark, N.J. (973-344-4700). Attire: semi-formal. Donation is $50 ($25 for children 2-10 years old). For details, call Minerva Timones (201) 433-4867, Paul del Rosario (201) 433-5741, Nitz Nogales (718) 786-3063, May Rodriguez (718) 468-0509, Rosie Macabale (516) 766-2598, Vicky Martinez (212) 932-8905 or Phoebe Panahon (732) 940-9277.

FAHSI to hold Light-A-Parol at Queens Museum of Art

DEC. 18—Filipino-American Human Services Inc. (FAHSI) will hold its 3rd annual Light A Parol celebration from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Queens Museum of Art located in Flushing Meadow Corona Park, Queens, N.Y. A parol is a colorful Philippine Christmas lantern, usually in the form of a star that represents the star of Bethlehem, and used as Christmas decor throughout the Philippines. The community is invited to sponsor a parol that will be lit on a Christmas tree at the museum. Refreshments will be provided. Performances by the FAHSI community, silent auction and a Filipiniana marketplace. For particulars, call Ted Martinez at (718) 883-1295 or e-mail fahsi@fahsi.org  or visit www.fahsi.org

Dancing Stars of Our Lady of Angelus to hold Christmas party

DEC. 18—The Dancing Stars of Our Lady of the Angelus Parish Church will hold its first Christmas party (potluck) at the gymnasium from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Dancing Stars of OLA was formed to raise funds for the parish by the NY Line Dancers of Queens (Myrna Littlewort, Linda Guanzon and Glenita Sakdalan). Archie Reyes is the dance instructor. Donation is $5 with merienda cena. Call Bernie (718) 897-4331, Myrna (917) 698-7097, Nitchie (718) 699-0471 or Cely (718) 459-8039.

‘Simbang Gabi,’ dinner-dance at Holy Family in Nutley, N.J.

DEC. 18—The Filipino American Catholic Action Group of Essex (FACAGE) and the Filipino Apostolate of Holy Family Church in Nutley, N.J. will sponsor a “Simbang Gabi” at 5 p.m. at the Holy Family Church at 28 Brookline Avenue, with Fr. Alex Barbieto as main celebrant. Music by FACAGE Choir. Dinner-dance (potluck) will follow at the Good Shepherd Auditorium next to the church. DJ by Party Music with Ramon and Bubut Noche. For particulars, call (all 973) Lori or Gene Mallari 667-2509, Araceli Nael 667-7596, or Sam Magalong 759-3438.

UP Alumni & Friends Rondalla at Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz

DEC. 18—The University of the Philippines Alumni & Friends Rondalla will be performing at a fund-raising Christmas concert at 2 p.m. at the Chapel San Lorenzo Ruiz at 378 Broome Street (between Mulberry and Mott Streets) in Manhattan. Also performing are Amor McGuiness, Rollie Aquino and Edmund Nalzario. Donation is $10. There will be Simbang Gabi after the concert. For details, call (973) 335-7660, (646) 229-4849 or (212) 966-1019.

N.Y. Manhattantines to host 7th ‘Simbang Gabi’ at PhilCenter

DEC. 20—NY Manhattanites Lions Club (2001); Cavinti, Laguna USA (1990); and Filipino Westside Neighborhood (2003) will host the 7th day of Simbang Gabi at 6:30 p.m. at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Consulate on Fifth Avenue (45th and 46th Streets). Rev. Fr. Joseph Marabe of the Cathedral of St. Patrick’s will be the celebrant. Dinner will follow. Call Vangie Lazaro at (212) 222-5259.

Tarlaqueños USA Foundation’s 20th holiday ball at The Marriott

DEC. 30—Tarlaqueños USA Foundation, Inc. headed by Celi de Leon will hold its 20th anniversary and holiday ball at the grand ballroom of The Marriott, Newark Liberty International Airport, N.J. from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Attire is formal. Donation is $65 per person. Music will be provided by MR. DI-J. Contact persons are Celi (973) 239-3979, Nita (973) 785-4499, Mila (973) 884-1147, Rollie (718) 536-5204, Vic (732) 356-9133, Douglas (973) 674-9277, Ollie (201) 499-7995, Lorie (908) 757-2149 or Baby (908) 668-0552.

Saint Joseph’s Church (Jersey City) Sesquicentennial celebration, mass

JAN. 1—Saint Joseph’s Church near Journal Square in Jersey City, N.J. (corner Baldwin and Pavonia Avenues) will celebrate its Sesquicentennial (1856-2006) with an opening ceremony at noon. The Most Reverend Thomas A. Donato, D.D., Regional Bishop for Hudson County, will officiate the mass. For directions and other information, call (201) 653-0392. Everyone is invited.

Sto. Niño Group of St. Patrick celebrate St. Niño feast in LIC

JAN. 7, 2006—The Sto. Niño Group of St. Patrick Church in Long Island City, N.Y. will celebrate the Sto. Niño fiesta with a 5 p.m. mass. For details, call MaryJo Palencia (212) 203-6183 or Anita or Rudy Barion (718) 507-4054.

Christian Life Program at Blessed Sacrament Church, Valley Stream

JAN. 14, 2006—See what Couples for Christ is all about. Attend the orientation session of the Christian Life Program (CLP) and learn about this life renewal program that has touched the lives of thousands of families worldwide. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Valley Stream, N.Y. Ministry available for married single parents, single adults, separated, widowed, divorced, youth and kids. Admission is free. Kids watch will be available for free at the premises. Contact persons are Robert or Weng Rodriguez (516) 812-9594, or Ian or Aying Inquimboy (516) 414-6812.

Calauag Central College 75th anniv., 50th bash for Class ’56

FEB. 18—All members of Class ’56 of the Calauag Central College, Calauag, Quezon are invited to attend their golden anniversary, and to all alumni of the college for the 75th anniversary. For more information, call Pilo Pulgar at (718) 948-3556 or Fe Pera (201) 332-7406.

Araullo High School general reunion in Manila set for ’06

FEB. 18—The Araullo High School General Homecoming will be held at the Araullo High School grounds on Taft Avenue corner United Nations Avenue, in Manila. Registration will start at noon. To be hosted by Class ’71. For particulars, contact AraulloClass71@yahoogroupscom ; Willie Monillas, President (011-63) 917-810-2292, williemonillas@cnshipping.com.ph : Rose Alovera (718) 850-3192, ralovera@msn.com ; Juliet Bigtacion-Cabutin (917) 443-8395, julietbcabutin@aol.com ; or Rene Apolinario (818) 281-8003, Rene.Apolinario@21st.com

San Juan de Dios Hospital RN Class ’61 reunion in HI

MAY 12-13, 2006—The Hospital de San Juan de Dios, College of Nursing, Class 1961 will hold a grand reunion at the Sheraton Kauai Resort in Kauai, Hawaii. For complete information, call Perlita Senti-Cruz Mararagan at (808) 337-9588, Mila Salvador Yuson (415) 681-2250, Mercy Rodriguez Nelson (973) 989-0764, Imelda Basconcello Tecson (757) 466-0459 or Aida Arce Fusilero (925) 292-1515.

St. Paul High Class ’81 gear for grand reunion

All graduates of St. Paul College of Manila, High School Class of 1981, are asked to sign up for the membership directory and join preparations for the grand alumnae homecoming and silver jubilee celebration in January 2006. A year-long series of fund raising activities are being planned in the U.S. and the Philippines. For details e-mail Cres Llorca-Logan at spcmhs81@yahoo.ca  orMica Calica-Kerkdijk at gelikerk@yahoo.com  or Loudette Torres-de Leon at EdgarLou@juno.com

Arellano High Class ’56 to mark golden jubilee

Arellano High School Class of 1956 will celebrate its golden jubilee on April 30, 2006. One celebration will be held back home for all Philippine-based alumni, and one in the United States for those who have migrated here. The locations and other data will be announced later. Ray Olmos of Southern California is the U.S. coordinator. He can be reached at (800) 883-7243 ext. 1005 or by email: rpolmos@rcmclean.com  Contact persons in the Philippines are Horacio See at 09174681875 (rexysese@yahoo.com ) and Herman Gamboa at htgamboa@dcdc.com.pha