Full-Page Ad for CAM
We sponsored a full-page ad for the Catholic Action of Mary’s souvenir journal to raise funds for their religious charity projects for St. Mary’s Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. The ad features our dear Reyna Elenas.
PAFCOM Philippine Independence Day Parade & Festival
June 26, 2022 – Our Reynas and their escorts were invited to participate in PAFCOM (Philippine American Friendship Community Inc.) annual Independence Day Parade and Festival in Lincoln Park, Jersey City, New Jersey.
2022 Summer Masquerade Party
We will be enjoying our summer with a Masquerade Party for anyone! Join us and be in disguise for a change! 😉
2022 Santacruzan & Flores de Mayo Festival & Procession
The City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo City Association, East Coast Chapter USA is honored to be a part of Catholic Action of Mary’s 2022 Santacruzan & Flores de Mayo. In its 44th year, it is the longest and biggest on the East Coast held yearly at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in downtown Jersey City, New Jersey, and the festival along Manila Avenue, a well-known Filipino community.
May in the Philippines is a month of flowers and a traditional culture of the religious devotion of faith. Flores de Mayo (May Flowers) is a tribute to our Blessed Virgin Mary. A Reyna (queen) is selected to participate to highlight the gracious, obedient, pleasant, kind, and among other fine qualities of our beautiful Mother Mary. This year, REYNA DE LAS FLORES (Queen of Flowers) is proudly represented by our association’s very own secretary, LADY JAN JAUOD escorted by MATTHEW PEREZ, son of our former Sergeant-of-Arms officer, MARLON PEREZ. Lady Jan (LJ aka “Ice” as we call her) is truly honored to represent our Queen of Heaven and Earth in gratitude and praise for her protection and guidance in our life’s journey.
The Santacruzan (Holy Cross) is a historical commemoration of the discovery of the true Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine who became the first Christian Roman Emperor. The true Holy Cross is said to be the one which upon Jesus Christ was crucified. According to legend, the 75-year-old Queen found the three crosses during an expedition where she had an ailing servant lie on all three on the site of the Crucifixion which the one healing the servant deemed as the True Holy Cross.
This year, two young beautiful, and talented descendants of San Pablenos are selected to be part of this beloved historical Filipino tradition. REYNA ELENA II is represented by ADRIENNE CRIZELLE LACORTE-MERCADO escorted by her brother SEAN ANDREI LACORTE-MERCADO, grandchildren of our very efficient treasurer, CRISTINA RECIDOCRUZ. And REYNA ELENA III is represented by LARISSA NOLA FORONDA-RODRIQUEZ escorted by her brother as well, EDWIN JOSHUA FORONDA-MUERE. These young generations of Filipino descent signify the true purpose of finding the True Cross ̶the virtues of hope, charity, and faith.
Let’s not forget the other young generations who joined the procession…BRISEIS ANTONETTE FORONDA, as the prime angel of heaven, NAYELLI RAMOS FORONDA as a sagala to represent the Tower of Ivory and escorted by ANGELO MONFERO. They are also descendants of San Pablenos living in Brooklyn, New York.
In 2019, ARIANA AVANZADO-SMALLWOOD, the only daughter of the association’s former president and current Board of Directors Chairperson ALMA GRACE AVANZADO, was REYNA ELENA II. Her reign lasted until she pass on her crown in 2021. She had represented other several titles namely REYNA MYSTICA at the Fiesta in America’s Santacruzan, and REYNA DE LA FE (Queen of Faith) at this year’s Landas ng Kabalanan in celebration of the 500th Year of Evangelization of the Philippines at the Sacred Heart Basilica in Newark, NJ. All of these are made possible as she wants to serve and support the Catholic Action of Mary.
These young Filipinos are born and raised here in America. Seeing all of them embracing our Filipino tradition of faith is so wonderful and a magnificent blessing. Their families and friends proudly gathered together to witness their participation. They bonded and built friendships among each other as well as their parents. The Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo is a religious event that our community should continue to nurture and cherish. It enriches our culture. It is a wonderful gift to our young generations. Thank you Catholic Action of Mary for all your devotion and dedication to keeping this tradition alive and continually celebrated every year! Mabuhay!
A donation meant for the boys at St. Martin de Porres
February 22, 2021 – Officers Soc Biscocho, Jocelyn Duma-Biscocho, Jocelyn Danila-Santos, and Nick Luna accompanied by Sta. Filomena Integrated School principal, Ma. Cristina Calingasan visited St. Martin de Porres, an all-boys orphanage, to make a donation. Pictured here with the orphanage program coordinator, Arvin Carandang.
A visit to Sta. Filomena Integrated School to make a donation
February 21, 2022 – SPC Association officers, Soc Biscocho, Jocelyn Duma-Discocho, Nick Luna, and Jocelyn Danila-Santos made a surprise visit to Sta. Filomena Integrated school.
from Principal Ma. Cristina Calingasan Ph.D. posts on Facebook:
“While having our PTA meeting, one of our benevolent donors came in to hand in their financial support intended for the group’s handwashing facility. Thank you The City of Seven Lakes San Pablo City Association East Coast Chapter USA for your continuous support of the school. This has been the association’s 2nd donation to the school for its learning continuity. (1st was last school year 2020-2021).”
2021 Summer Picnic
Great weather, lovely green grass, blue skies, and fresh air. The City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo City Association, East Coast Chapter celebrated summer with their annual picnic at the private Freedom Pavilion at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. Fellow San Pablenos and guests enjoyed a variety of delicious food under the warm sun, played hilarious games with prizes, and shared waves of laughter. Aside from chatting and joking around with each other, everyone took the privilege of striking a pose and snapped photos to look back on them one day and cherish all the fun memories of the event.
San Pablo City Foundation Day
In observance and commemoration of the Declaration of Independence from the Province of Laguna on May 7, 1940, in which the charter bill was sponsored by Congressman Tomas Dizon was approved. The bill became known as the “City Charter of San Pablo” or Commonwealth Act No. 520. The City was then inaugurated on March 30, 1941, with Dr. Potenciano Malvar as the appointed City Mayor.
For the first time, The City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo City Association, East Coast Chapter, celebrated the city’s Foundation Day in Nutley, NJ’s Knights of Columbus. Per the State of New Jersey regulations, 60 persons maximum capacity is only allowed for this event to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We are thankful that despite the restrictions, our celebration is fruitful and successful.
Supporting the Girl Scouts of San Pablo City!
The San Pablo City Girl Scout Council is faced with the emergence of the dreadful COVID-19 pandemic impeding the conduct of scouting activities for the girls’ total development which may be done through online virtual events and training. The expenses for virtual activities of the girls coming from impoverished families are of great concern. The City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo City Association, East Coast Chapter USA sponsored 130 girls to participate as Girls Scouts and continue to build a strong sense of self with positive values, face challenges with dignity, maintain and promote sisterhood, and serve the community.
Funds donated are personal contributions from officers and the board of directors.