Albert Bataclan shows us what to do with your left over Thanksgiving turkey. A reinvention of a classic Filipino favorite, Turkey Lugaw.

With their classic hits like Manila, Bongga Ka Day, Annie Batungbakal, Beh Buti Nga and more, THE beloved 70’s band The Hotdog joins us in our studio.

You’ve heard those buzz words “eco-friendly” and “green.”
Meet the Cardona Chorale Ensemble of Cardona, Rizal. These kids are practically inventing a genre that could be called “green sound,” as they use recycled material to make music. Watch here:

Hit motion pictures come to life in spectacular shows at Universal Studios Hollywood.

From death-defying stunts to awesome special effects, Albert Bataclan takes us to the Special Effects Stage and Waterworld.

Zumba is one of the hottest workouts these days. It’s also ideal for seniors that need low-impact exercises to avoid injury. Albert Bataclan shows us the moves:

-By Balitang America Staff

A Filipino American inmate pleaded not guilty in the San Diego Superior Court to the murder of a police officer. SignOn San Diego. com reports that 27 year-old Alex Charfauros was charged with first degree murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to obstruct justice and other gun- and drug-related charges.

Charfauros, Melissa Ortiz,22 and Patrick Luangrath, 20 were charged in connection with the death of San Diego police officer Christopher Wilson, who was fatally wounded in a shootout some nine months ago.

The judge ordered that Chaufauros be held without bail. Charfauros has been in jail since October and has pleaded guilty to a probation violation and an unrelated unemployment fraud count.

If convicted, he and his co-accused could be sentenced to life in prison.

SignOn San Diego.com reports that last October, probation officers came to an apartment to do a probation check on Charfauros, prosecutors said. Authorities were also looking for Holim Lee, 30, a wanted fugitive. Lee and Lucky Xayasene, 27, who were also in the apartment.

When authorities knocked on the door, Charfauros opened it and then slammed it shut. He tried to flee by running to a second-story bedroom window where a ladder had been set up outside, but officers stopped him before he could get out.

A shoot-out and seven-hour standoff ensued. The District Attorney’s Office said the evidence does not suggest that Charfauros, Ortiz or Luangrath fired any rounds at the officers, but state law allows them to be charged in his death.
For more details: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jul/26/three-charged-officer-wilsons-killing/

By Yvee Tadeo Guevara, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

JULY 18, 2011

LOS ANGELES— Her golden voice may be gone, but Nora Aunor is flying back to the Philippines Tuesday to stage a comeback after eight years in the U.S.

With good friends, her manager, and former leading man Raul Aragon, a simple despedida party for Nora Aunor was held Sunday in Glendale, California.

“Actually kaya ako babalik sa Pilipinas dahil sa kapatid ko at sa mga anak ko,” said Aunor. “Ayoko na sanang lumabas kung tutuusin, pero nakaka-miss din yung ginagawa mo noon dati bilang artista.”

But Aunor will be returning to Philippine showbiz without her famous singing voice that catapulted her to superstardom in the sixties. “Wala pa rin akong boses,” Aunor said, her voice noticeably hoarse. “Nahihirapan pa rin ako magsalita.”

Aunor says she lost her voice due to a botched cosmetic surgery in Japan last year that damaged her vocal cords. She has reportedly sued the doctor for damages. There are reports that a monetary settlement has been reached.

Much to Aunor’s surprise, several projects await her in the Philippines. “Nangyayari lang. Ilang taon ako dito, tapos may biglang dumating na offer,” she mused. “Kaya kung ibibigay talaga sa iyo ng diyos, ibibigay talaga sa iyo.”

Aunor’s manager, Cecile Ramos said the actress needs medical attention. Aunor said she is not taking any kind of medication that could help restore her voice.

Despite this, Aunor trusts that her loyal fans will stay devoted. “Yung mga fans…kahit hindi ako magsalita nararamdaman nila ang ibig kong sabihin. Lalo na ngayong uuwi ako,” she said.

By Rodney Jaleco, ABS-CBN North America

July 14, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Ten years after immigrating to America, and 3 years after starting her own business, Nina Obana- Rodecker is one of America’ s top entrepreneurs.

It was a far cry from her days growing up in Sampaloc, selling mangoes and bagoong at her elementary school until her teacher’s forbade her.

Rodecker and about a hundred other young entrepreneurs were invited to the U.S. capital to help promote business start-ups and job, aiming to help rescue the economy.

“we have to support small businesses started by entrepreneurs because small business accounts for ¾ of the economy, of course more small businesses, more jobs, better economy, “ said Nina Obana-Rodecker.

Rodecker’s Tasty Clouds Candy Company was born when she couldn’t find a store to satisfy her craving for cotton candy when she was pregnant. She has now cornered the cotton candy business in Los Angeles-capturing an A-list clientele of movie and TV, stars, chefs, musicians and athletes.

She says Filipinos have qualities that make good entrepreneurs, wherever they may be.

“First and foremost, they should work on their passion. We Filipinos are very persevering, we are very determined so those are good qualities that would really turn to successful business,” said Rodecker.

And her advice to aspiring Fill-Am entrepreneurs: “Think big, think big, this is America.”Think bigger.”

She’s made one of the simplest sugar treats into a million-dollar business, now Nina Obana -Rodecker is training her sights on bigger things.

By Balitang America Staff

July 13, 2011

The U.S. State Department has linked up with the family members of the Filipino Americans kidnapped in Zamboanga Tuesday to provide consular assistance.

In a press briefing today, a U.S. State Department spokesman said it has been confirmed that two of the three kidnap victims are American citizens, but declined to name them as they await the family victims’ members to sign a Privacy Act waiver,

Meantime, in Manila, the Philippine National Police said the U.S. will not deploy troops to rescue the two Filipino Americans and their relative.

Officials of the PNP said that while the U.S. may send technical assistance but not actual troops, as they are bound by protocol.

Earlier reports identified the American kidnap victims as Gerfa Lunsmann, her son Kevin Eric and nephew Romnick Jakarta.
The three were reportedly abducted by 14 armed men, suspected to be members of the Abu Sayyaf terror group, at their vacation home in Barangay Tictabon.

Gerfa is a native of Zamboanga who is now a resident of Virginia, USA.

She and her son were on a vacation and were supposed to return to the U.S. today.

Gerfa’s husband was not with the family.
In Campbell County, Gerfa’s husband Hiko is watching the situation from the family home, reports local TV new station WDBJ-7. He’s not talking to reporters, but says he has spoken with his wife’s family, most of which live in the Philippines.

CBS News in West Virginia reports that Kevin had confided to a friend that he did not want to go to the Philippines.

Gowen is now haunted by a conversation she had with Kevin, just before he left with his mother for the Philippines a few weeks ago.

“He did not want to go,” said Jean Gowen, a family friend. “He told us he feared going.”
Kevin told Gowan that because his family compound in the Philippines has to be constantly guarded.
“To me common sense would tell you, if they have to march around your house at night while you sleep, then somebody knows it’s dangerous,” said Gowen.

“(Gerfa) loves the Philippines and does consider it her home,” said Gowen. “She would give up any kind of good life, as they might call it here, to go back and live in that.”

Both Gerfa and her husband Hiko Lunsmann work in the town of Lynchburg for Central Health.

Kevin is a freshman at Brookville High School. Best friend Zack is hoping he’ll be back in time for school.

No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping or asked for ransom.

By Rodney Jaleco, ABS CBN North America Bureau

The Peace Corps celebrated its 50th year in a celebration that brought eight orphans and abandoned children from the Rehoboth Children’s Home in Camiling, Tarlac to the folk life festival at the National Mall in Washington DC.

They showed off the Philippine national dance and challenged the audience to test their own footwork.

They also showed curious Americans how to cook pancit.

The Peace Corps has been in the Philippines from the beginning in 1961. Peace Corps volunteers now serve in over a hundred and forty countries but chose only fourteen to join the Washington fest that draws about a million visitors each year.

“Peace Corps volunteers help in our institution. They work as full-time staff without pay and they’ve been helping us work on development programs and life skills. They train children to make them independent,” said Amelia Toquero, who sits as the Executive Director at the Rehoboth Children’s Home.

The 250 Peace Corps volunteers in the Philippines is one of the biggest contingents anywhere in the world. Another batch is arriving this month.

Volunteers Leah and Tom Ferrebee have been working with children at the Rehoboth Home for two years. They say it’s all about the kids who are excited about their first trip to the US.

“I was told before I moved to the Philippines how friendly and welcoming Filipinos are and that was so true. I absolutely love the community I live in. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t feel loved, accepted and supported. We laugh and have fun. I will miss most the youth that I work with and the sense of family I have in the Philippines,” Leah Ferrebee said.

The Ferrebees are finishing up their stint. They’re leaving a little of themselves in Tarlac and bringing a bit of the Philippines when they go home to Virginia Beach.