Pinoy fiesta in Brooklyn, New York

Special to the Filipino Reporter, a content partner of GMA News Online

 

Beth Israel Brooklyn’s Diversity Council organizers dubbed it a day of music, dance, history and food — a virtual Journey to the Philippines.

 

With the hospital lobby festooned in colorful buntings and flowers, and several members of the staff in island finery, it was a virtual Filipino fiesta!

 

Filipinos on staff led by Nora Villalon, RN, spearheaded the events on June 28.

 

“It was a bayanihan — a community effort — to which everyone pitched in to ensure a successful outcome,” said the 3 East nurse manager.

 

Ethel Tan, RN, and friends handled decorations, and Edith Managa, PCA, took charge of food.

 

According to the Finance Committee’s Evangeline Abalos, RN, employees opened their hearts and wallets to support the event.

 

The hospital welcomed youthful members of the Filipino Arts and Music Ensemble (FAME) who came to present their distinctive music and dance.

 

FAME was founded in 2003 by Beth Israel nurses Belle Soriano Locsin, RN, and Ruth Samalca Manligoy, RN.

 

Both nurses have been with the hospital for more than 20 years.

 

Ms. Locsin, a recovery room nurse, hails from Cavite, and Ms. Manligoy, an ICU nurse, is from Davao City.

 

A rondalla, a string ensemble of 31 performed patriotic and contemporary music on a banduria, a type of mandolin with 14 strings, octavina, guitar and a bass.

 

After a change of costumes, BI transporter Jimmy Locsin manned a CD boom box as several pairs danced Tinikling, mimicking birds rhythmically stepping between striking bamboo poles.

 

Then six boys with halved coconut shells secured to their body and limbs performed Maglalatik, striking each and their partners’ shells like drums as they playfully pranced around.

 

Several FAME members who performed at Beth Israel are children of employees, including Jessica Diaz (Willie Diaz, RN), Kirsten and Paolo Locsin (Jimmy and Belle Soriano Locsin, RN), Vincent Flores (Letty Flores, RN), Francesca and Margoux Manligoy (Ruth Manligoy, RN), Paula Matito (Marietta Matito, RN), Alyssa and Kyle Natividad (Judith Natividad, RN), Kimberley Remulla (Annie Remulla, RN), and Elijah and Noah Tan (Ethel Tan, RN).

 

The standing room only audience erupted in thunderous applause after each number. - Filipino Reporter