JAN. 16—Artists Teodoro De La Santa and Francis Estrada will formally open their two-men show at the Philippine Center Gallery on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The opening reception with the artists will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The show will last until Jan. 27. For more information, call (646) 409-2583 or (212) 575-4774 or e-mail tedartexhibition@yahoo.com

Fiesta mass in honor of Sto. Niño of Tondo in Jersey City

JAN. 21—The 10th anniversary fiesta mass in honor of Sto. Niño of Tondo will be held at 3 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church, 144 Grand Street in Jersey City, N.J. near Exchange Place. Bring your family Sto. Niño no later than 2:30 p.m. to be placed at the altar. Fiesta reception follows. For more information, call Leny M. Isidro at (551) 358-7932, Cita Roman (201) 333-5624 or the Resurrection Parish (201) 434-8500.

YWCA of Queens presents Winter Literacy Festival ’06

JAN 21—The YWCA of Queens will present the Winter Literacy Festival 2006 for Children and Youth from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at YWCA of Queens at 42-07 Parsons Boulevard, Flushing, N.Y. Sponsored by HSBC, the event is free of admission. There will be a spelling bee for 1st to 6th grade from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., drawing contest for 3 to 5 years olds from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., vocabulary usage competition for 7th-8th grade from 10 a.m. to noon, essay writing contest for 9th to 12th grade and book fair on Jan. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be facial painting, arts & crafts, free cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones, clown entertainment and door prizes. All applications are available at the YWCA Queens office. Call (718) 353-4553 extension 18 for details.

NaFFAA dinner dance

Jan. 28—The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Eastern Region will hold its induction of officers 2005 - 07 and dinner dance fundraiser at the Chatham Manor in Norwalk, CT at 7 pm to 1 am. Net proceeds from this event will be used for the organization's activities and  a portion towards the Gawad Kalinga projects in the Philippines. Amb. Cecilia B. Rebong, Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in New York will be the guest speaker. Donation: $55/person, $45 per student. Attire - formal. For details, call Lolita Gillberg (212)255-9980, Rhoda Calma (860) 347-3550, Francis Sison (201) 332-7696, Nena Guevarra (203) 264-9855, Helen Louderback (603) 673-9993, Beth Arca (401) 996-8006, Wilson Verzosa (201) 387-6046 and Arnie Rosario (203) 877-7260.

Latin Legends of Comedy presents top Latino comics

JAN. 28—The Latin Legends of Comedy featuring three top Latino comedians — Joe Vega, JJ Ramirez and Angel Salazar — will be featured (in English) at Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, N.Y. starting at 8 p.m. Call (718) 631-6311 or purchase tickets ($35, $32, $29) online at www.visitqpac.org

Feast day of Sto. Niño de Cebu at St. Patrick’s Long Island City

FEB. 5—The annual feast day of Sto. Nino de Cebu will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at 39-38 29th St. corner of 40th Avenue, Long Island City, NY. The celebration will start with the first Sunday Filipino mass at 12:15 p.m. Bring your Sto. Nino images for the Sinulog dance. Food and refreshments will be served. There will also be line dancing. For particulars, call Lucy Dela Paz (718) 729-4270, Nina Borja (718) 729-8401, Carmen Martinez (718) 909-4228, Angie Arguelles (914) 472-2010 and Nena Matela (718)268-4215.

Mardi Gras dinner-dance at Our Lady of Angelus Gym

FEB. 5—The Dancing Stars of the Our Lady of the Angelus (OLA) will hold a Mardi Gras dinner-dance at the Our Lady of the Angelus Parochial School Gymnasium at 63-63 98th Street, Rego Park, N.Y., from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring DJ Ernie Santos. Donation is $20. This is a fund-raiser for the OLA Parish headed by Fr. John Medonca. For directions and other info, call Bernie Bantolino (718) 897-4331, Linda Guanzon (917) 705-0313 or Dr. Myrna Littlewort (917) 698-7097.

Filipino Social Club to crown Little Miss Valentine Phils.-USA

FEB. 11—The Filipino Social Club of N.Y. will hold its coronation ball for Little Miss Valentine Philippines-USA at Astoria World Manor, 25-22 Astoria Boulevard, Astoria, N.Y. from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Donation is $65 per person ($70 at the door). Open bar, free parking, all night buffet. Music by Revival Disco DJ. Attire is formal. For reservation and other information, call Joann Carman (718) 318-0697, Tessie Tadle (212) 828-7016, Lea Segard (718) 429-1567, Abel Baylon (718) 479-1929, Pearl Winthal (914) 968-8703, Sam/Yolly Robeniol (516) 328-3291, Eli/Alfie Bergancia (516) 378-5668, Mili Lipscomb (914) 423-6685, Minda Kennedy (718) 418-1092, Rosendo Cimagala (718) 347-7108, Mitch Lehrer (718) 698-2633 or e-mail mrsphil95@aol.com

PACCCSI 28th anniversary, Valentine ball at Crystal Room

FEB. 11—The Philippine-American Civic and Cultural Community of Staten Island (PACCCSI) will hold its 28th anniversary and Valentine ball at The Crystal Room, 67 Olympia Boulevard, Staten Island, N.Y. (718-447-8920). Cocktails at 7:30 p.m. Dinner with open bar at 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Formal Attire. Music: DJ. Ticket: $65/person. RSVP by Jan. 31. Check payable to PACCCSI. Contact persons are (all 718) Lissa Carreon 761-9763, Antoinette Baylosis 477-9373, Rory Nazareno-Ocampo 727-0619 or Edith S. Gomez 816-0190.

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

Fil-Am engineers 11th anniv. dinner-dance, induction ball

APRIL 1—The Filipino-American Association of Engineers, Inc. will hold its 11th anniversary dinner-dance and induction ball at the grand ballroom of Astoria World Manor at 25-22 Astoria Boulevard, Astoria, N.Y., from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Attire: strictly formal. Donation is $65. Music by The New Dynamic Band. $75 at the door. Buffet and cocktail hour: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Open bar entire evening. Free parking. For reservation, call Mario Garcia (732) 833-6484, Joann Carman (718) 318-0697, Ferdi Taruc (917) 365-7000, Nestor Hermosura (203) 357-0900, Realinda Unay (973) 919-3247, Rudy Quiambao (718) 898-7500, Pete Bonus (718) 843-1156, Jimmy Marcos (516) 248-0750, Ed Macaraeg (201) 343-7321, Antonio Pungot (201) 983-1296, Rudy Jimena (516) 805-4777.

Deadline for Mrs. Phil-USATM ’07 application/nomination set

APRIL 15—Deadline for submission of application/nomination for Mrs. Philippines-USATM 2007, sponsored by the Filipino Social Club of New York, Inc. Candidates must be a Filipina descent, married, divorcee r widowed in good standing. Candidates will be presented during the Mother’s Day ball at Riccardo’s Tiffany Room. Winner will receive a round trip ticket to the Philippines, crown, trophy, sash and bouquet of roses with formal coronation rites at the grand ballroom of Astoria World Manor. She will serve as the ambassadress of goodwill and will distribute the club’s charity to needy Filipinos. Contact persons are Joann Carman (718) 318-0697, Lea Segard (718) 318-0697, Tessie Tadle (212) 828-7016, Abel/Tess Baylon (718) 479-1929, Sam/Yolly Robeniol (516) 328-3281, Mimi Lipscomb (914) 963-9786, Pearl Winthal (914) 968-8703, Connie Pornillos (212) 876-7565, Minda Kennedy (718) 418-1092, Serafina Sengco (201) 876-1830, Eli/Alfie Bergancia (516) 385-9898 or e-mail mrsphil95@aol.com

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

MAY 12-13—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.

Mrs. Philippines-USATM ‘07 presentation, Mother’s Day ball

MAY 14—A Mother’s Day ball and presentation of candidates for Mrs. Philippines-USATM 2007 will be held from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Riccardo’s (Tiffany Room), 21-01 24th Avenue, Astoria, N.Y. (718-721-7777). Attire: Hawaiian (best costume will be awarded). Music by Revival Disco. Donation: $55/person ($65 at the door), unlimited wine, beer & soda. Free parking. For reservations, call Joann Carman (718) 318-0697, Tessie Tadle (212) 828-7016, Lea Segaro (718) 429-1567, Abel/Thess Baylon (718) 479-1929, Pearl Winthal (914) 968-8703, Sam/Yolly Robeniol (516) 328-3281, Mimi Lipscomb (914) 423-6685 or Connie Pornillos (212) 369-8967.

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