Volunteers registered voters at Virginia’s James Lee Community Center for the November 2 general elections. From left: Chau Nguyen, Thomas Pham, Binh Ly, Jackie Bong-Wright, and Van Anh. (Photo courtesy of Jackie Bong-Wright)

Dr. Dino Patti Djalal, the new Indonesian Ambassador to the U.S. (far right), with his wife, Dr. Rosa Rai Djalal, was given a welcome dinner reception by the US-Indonesia Society (USINDO) and the Indonesian embassy last September 16 at the Four Season’s Hotel. Guests included administration officials, lawmakers and diplomats. Earlier, Djalal presented his credentials to President Barack Obama at the White House. He was accompanied by his wife Rosa, and their three children, Alexa, Keanu, and Chloe. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

Maryland Veterans Secretary Ed Chow presented a greeting to Fung Dun, president of Chin Community, USA, on behalf of Gov. Martin O' Malley. Photo shows Dave Wang and Elizabeth Chung, APA Commissioner on the occasion of Chin New Year Celebration.

. Ador and Nanette Carreon recently hosted a fundraising Luau party for the veterans. Shown seated, front row: Henry Balagtas, president, Mission of Mercy; Maryland State Delegate Kris Valderama; Ed Atienza, Philippine American Bar Association. Back: Ador Carreon, Chairman of the Board, Philippine American Foundation for Charities, and Nanette Carreon of the Miss Teenage Philippines, Inc. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

National Veterans Network members met with Congressman Adam Schiff at his office on August 3 to discuss the Congressional Gold Medal Bill. From left: Terry Shima, Grant Ichikawa, Congressman Schiff, Craig Uchida.

Dr. Sang (right) gives information to a patient before Dr. Dung (left) and Dr. Duc administer Hepatis B inoculations to over 100 people at the Baileys Health Center in Seven Corners, Virginia. Photo: Jackie Bong-Wright

Grace Shu, Chairperson of the International Affairs Committee for the City of Williamsport, led a successful delegation on sister city exchanges between Williamsport and Taizhou in China. Others in the group were Dr. Jason Shu, Advisor to the City of Williamsport on International Affairs; William E. Nichols, Jr., Director for Administration for the City of Williamsport; John J. Grado, P.E., Director of Community Development for the City of Williamsport; Joseph P. Pawlak, Budget and Fiscal Officer for the City of Williamsport; Patty Henry, Legislative Aide to Pennsylvania State Representative Garth Everett; and businessman Curtis Henry.

USDA and Federal Asian Pacific American Council will work together on recruitment, student intern placement and other areas of employment to improve the representation of Asian Americans. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Assistant Secretary for Departmental Management Pearlie Reed. Also present: Dr. Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary, and Deputy Chief of Staff Carole Jett. Secretary Tom Vilsack had told his subcabinet that USDA needed to make serious efforts to improve the overall representation of Asian Americans in the Department. Deputy Secretary Merrigan thanked outgoing FAPAC President Farook Sait for his leadership.

Officer Jun Emmanuel Gan from Arlington Country's Sheriff Department is shown at the job fair held recently by Fairfax County’s Police Department and the Asian Law Enforcement Society.

Officers from Arlington Country Police Department read Asian Fortune at the recent job fair held by Fairfax County’s Police Department and the Asian Law Enforcement Society.

Towson University’s Asian Arts & Culture Center celebrated the Many Moons Festival last month. Organizers used six stages and large public spaces. Artists included Silk Road Dance Company; Shizumi and Kodomo performing Japanese dance; Chu Shan Chinese Opera Institute; Wood and Strings Puppet Theatre; Indian dance; Korean Music, Songs and Drums; Nepalese music and dance; Santo Nino Ati-atihan group; and Exploring Kimono Arts and Dance: Waltz with the Moon.

Over a dozen Asian embassies attended Embassy Night held by the World Trade Center Institute in Baltimore recently, designed to honor countries for outstanding business partnerships. Keynote speakers included Dr. Phillip Phan, vice dean of Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School, and Suresh Kumar, Assistance Secretary of U.S. Department of Commerce. About 300 VIP guests attended the event, representing 40 nations and major companies in Maryland.

Virginia Asian American Chamber of Commerce held its 6th Annual Asian American Multi-States Procurement & Supplier Diversity Expo recently. The expo featured domestic and international business development workshops, and matchmaking between buyers anf sellers. Virginia Secretary of Trade and Commerce James Cheng was the keynote speaker.

Patty Yao (center), a 23-year-old honors student at George Mason University, won as Washington Metropolitan Miss Chinese American Beauty Pageant Queen. Other winners: Serena Lin, 1st runner-up; Kathy Shi, 2nd runner-up; Melody Cheng, 3rd runner-up, and Valentina Wang, 4th runner-up. From left: Melody, Serena, Patty, Kathy, and Valentina.Chris Jan, executive director of Pacific Culture International (PCI), pageant organizer, received the Governor’s Citation for outstanding service to the state of Maryland and the Chinese American community.

Organizers from 15 Asian American community-based associations co-sponsored the Candidates Forum, where congressional candidates from the 8th, 10th and 11th districts discussed economic, immigration, human rights and racial profiling issues. (Photo by Dang Nguyen, courtesy of Jackie Bong-Wright)

Vietnamese youth and community members at the September 17 Candidates Forum held at the Ernst Community Center, NOVA Annandale campus. (Photo by Dang Nguyen, courtesy of Jackie Bong-Wright)

The Japanese American Citizens League recently honored several “Women Champions” at its 4th gala awards. JACL Executive Director Floyd Mori (second from right) is shown with guests, from left: emcee Joie Chen, Larry La, owner of Mei-wah restaurants; Tina Tchen Tina Tchen, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and also Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls; and Daphne Kwok.

left: Connie and Nick Relacion and Rudy and Cora Arca make a nice foursome during a dress rehearsal for a community gala event.

Nancy Ceniza and Noah Padua (center) held a joint birthday celebration last month in East Falls Church, Virginia.

The Bicol Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. held its 27th annual Sarung Banggi fund raiser in D.C. Letty Alvarez is the current president. Photo shows the performers of Rigodon de Royale, choreographed by Norie Rosero.