President's Corner
Mimi Ballesteros - FAAWIS President

The first quarter of the year has come and gone and we’re off to a good start. I have met many people since the beginning of this year, many of whom have graciously offered their assistance. This is a very rewarding experience for which I am grateful to have been granted.
I would like to thank all of you who have registered as FAAWIS members this year. And for those of you who have yet to do so, please join, and support us with your membership. You are the pillars of our organization, and your support, is our main foundation. Our strong alliance will only help strengthen our community and preserve our culture for our future generations.
There are many things to which I look forward this year, new ideas, new projects, as well as working and interacting with the community. For example, this year we are introducing a Youth Community Service program. We are also hosting a day camp for kids/youth, which is scheduled for June 14th.

FAAWIS kicked off the year with a cultural participation at Worldfest in UW-Parkside in Kenosha on March 7th. This was followed by the “Bowl for Fun” tournament on March 29th. It was a successful event; a fun-filled day for the bowlers as well as for the spectators. Please see our events calendar on the front of the Bulalakaw for this year’s scheduled activities. I hope our plans for the year will be successful and with your assistance and support I am confident our goals will be achieved. Please contact us if you may be able to assist with any of the programs.

I thank you all very much and I look forward to seeing you at our events this year.

Filipino Culture Shared at Worldfest in UWP - Kenosha
By Mimi Ballesteros

FAAWIS was invited by UW-Parkside in Kenosha to participate in its annual Worldfest on March 7th, 2008. The youth dancers enthralled the audience with the ever popular Tinikling, while the adults graced the floor dancing Katlo. It was very inspiring to see the dedication and pride of the dancers and parents, as they so willingly volunteered their time.

Many thanks to Sheila Jackson, who coordinated the dance group with the help of ate Flor Ortiguera. We are grateful to the parents, Lorna and Apolo Guzman, Dr. Sandra Torres, Manny and Dr. Sandra Yamat, Edgar and Rehmie Azcueta, and Charity Wickman for their diligence in driving their kids to practices and for their assistance with the performances. We also thank the Torres family for letting the dancers use their facility for their practices. Most of all, we thank the dancers for sharing their time and talent. It was an evening of fun and unity and it was most gratifying to be able to share our Filipino culture with our fellow Americans.