By Marivir R. Montebon
New York City – April came with rain showers and lots of snow and the Filipino community here celebrated spring with a mix of surprise and awe. For the Filipino teachers group UNIFFIED, there is no let up in organizing and empowering teachers to become the great influencer of the youth. Its UNIFFIED Cooperative – Washington DC chapter just elected its pioneering officers led by teacher Rey Dacul as president. Officers included Evangeline Pabulayan, executive vice president; Jocelyn Rebudan, operations vice president; Priscilla de Guzman Agpawa, vice president for development; and Vanessa Tajaon, executive secretary. Founding president Lumen Castaneda traveled to the national capital to swear them into office, and for some organizational management guidance.
At the Philippine Center on 5th Avenue, the masterpieces of artist Dr. Minda Cabrera absorb you to marvel her perfect detailing, in charcoal and pencil, the faces of the Ati women and children in Panay, who have been otherwise shadowed by modern times and ways of life. A medical doctor in Iloilo, Cabrera reminds us through her Tumandok (natives of Philippine islands) exhibit to honor and respect indigenous peoples.
Dr. Cabrera was a recipient of a travel support by the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
UNIFFIED teachers group in Washington, DC has a new president and officers. On April 6, 2018, UNIFFIED founding president Lumen Castaneda swore Rey Dacul amd his team into office in Maryland.
Rey Dacul and Lumen Castaneda. UNIFFIED ensures continuous training for teachers and due recognition for their hard work.
The artist Dr. Minda Cabrera with this writer. The backdrop is her over-sized charcoal and pencil portrait of an Ati woman in the island of Panay. Her exhibit Tumandok (March 23 to April 6, 2018) pays homage to the preservation of indigenous peoples in Panay.
