
By Marivir R. Montebon
Manhattan had a different kind of fun on Friday, August 28 as the Universal Peace Federation-Office of Asian Affairs held a Dance for Peace Concert to further boost its peace campaign and raise funds for the 5th Avenue Lions Club, a humanitarian Lions group doing a come back.
Front act singing debutante Chelsi Burgos, in red and black lace gown, opened the concert justifiably with the song ‘Isang Mundo, Isang Awit’ (One World, One Song). A Filipino pop song originally sang by Leah Navarro and composed by Nonong Pedero. The young New Yorker who hails from Queens followed through two more songs, ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ and ‘Sway’. The guests were fired up enough to dance, including Philippine Consul General to New York Amb. Mario de Leon Jr. and his wife, Ms. Eleanor de Leon.
For a first-timer, Chelsi was visibly battling against her fright, and she proved to be fascinating.
Award-winning comedian Howard Newman sent everyone cracking up with his antics, which for the most part, poked fun on politicians from the Republican and Democratic parties.
Singer Linwood Peel was definitely stunning. A seasoned performer of the popular group Clyde MacPhatter’s The Drifters, Linwood made everyone spring from their seats and dance the night away. The LinRa Promotions brought Peel to the Filipino and international community in Manhattan.
It was a night to remember for a community who wanted to make sensible fun.
Amb. Mario de Leon Jr., Philippine Consul General to New York, swore to office the newly appointed Ambassadors for Peace: Lumen Castaneda, a community leader and teacher by profession, Raquel Moran, an administrator of an adult health facility in Brooklyn and CEO of the LinRa Promotions, and Richard Hartzog, a motivational coach.

This writer with friends Susan Pineda (left) and Ela Sy (3rd from left), of the Javita coffee and Daisy Benin, OSM! photographer.

Mother and son tandem takes the dance floor. Yuka and Sean, loves of Rev. Greg Agulan, executive director of UPF-OAA.
Sponsors Magic Melt, Javita Coffee, DoTerra, Atomy, Paparazzi, OSM! online magazine, PharmScript, and Edison Health Care displayed their products during the concert.

ENJOY THIS DELICIOUS, CHEESY ENSAYMADA. Magic Melt products are available at United Food of Asia, Ltd. on 287 Vandervoort Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211. Tel. No. 718.3885570
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