The festival was presented by GRACE Heritage (Global Renaissance of ASEAN-American Culture and Entertainment) at the National Geographic Building in Washington, DC. GRACE was founded by two Indonesians residing in Metro DC., Karina Lee Sudyatmiko and Jasmine Wibisono. From left: Jasmine, Festival Director Karina; Ambassador Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat, Indonesia; Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) General Ong Keng Yong; Ambassador Pengiran Anak Dato Puteh, Ambassador Dr. Rajmah Hussain, Malaysia; Andy Iscandor, and Deputy Chief of Mission Alvin Lim and wife Lynette. From left: Heng Pek Keon, Carol Bidault, Jasmine Wibisono, Tandiyo Tan, Sonny and Katherine Izon, Christabelle and Christopher Tan. Photos: Bing Branigin

Rawlein G. Soberano, president of the Asian American Business Roundtable (AABR) and Ms. Jan Fox, anchor, WUSATV Channel 9, at the AABR awards night last November 10. From left: Bing Cardenas Branigin, National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Chair, Capital Region (Delaware, Maryland, Washington, DC., Virginia and West Virginia); Jan Fox, Mitzi Pickard, Program Director, Asia Society; and Elvie Melegrito, Tanghalang Pilipino. Photos: Bing Branigin

Carissa Villacorta's Book Launch Party was held December 16 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. Surreality is Ms. Villacorta's first book. Contemporary life in New York-in all its forms and imperfections, is the subject of this acclaimed collections of essays written from the perspective of a young Filipina publicist. Photo: Bing Branigin

The Asian American LEAD (Leadership, Empowerment and Development for Youth and Families) hosted an auction featuring Food Network’s Sugar Rush starWarren Brown, lawyer-turned-celebrity baker, on November 4 at the home of George and Synthia Dang in Silver Spring, MD. Warren entertained the audience by demonstrating his technique in making chocolate cupcakes. AALEAD’s mission is the well-being of Asian American youth and families through education, leadership development and community building.

A candle-lit gym provided an inviting atmosphere for Cafe 3:16 at the Chinese Bible Church of Maryland last month. The event, staged by its young adult group, gathered locals from the metropolitan area for an evening of live music, laughter-inducing videos, games and bubble tea. The group meets regularly on Sundays in the Rockville area. Photo courtesy of Clara Yang

Dr. Amjad Riar, a prominent Pakistani community leader, member APADC of Maryland, director of Human Rights Foundation, talked with former US President Bill Clinton on election eve on the midterm elections and international issues, especially those related to minority communities and their role in midterm elections. Clinton visited Maryland in support of Democratic Maryland gubernatorial candidate Martin O’Malley and US senatorial candidate from Maryland Ben Cardin, who both won. Dr. Riar has been strong supporter and contributor to both candidates. He’s also a long- time supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton.

These pictures are from a discussion with Balaji Sampath at the university. Dr. Sampath is the pioneer of the Tamil Nadu government's innovative education program in 50,000 schools. His work has received many honors, including the MIT Ind-US Global Technovator award, UNDP grant for tsunami rehabilitation and the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship. He has played a lead role in developing programs in community health, innovative science education and low-cost libraries. Photos: Association for India's Development

The Philippines and US-based Filipinos took part in this expo in Pennsylvania. From left: UERM Chief Plastic Surgeon and New Life’s Dr. James Joaquino, Wilmington Delaware’s senior economic development advisor; Dr. Tunde Durosomo, APPA president; Dr. Rommel Rivera, Phil. Association of Plastic/Aesthetic president Dr. Hector M. Santos. Standing: TravelPros president Crispino Aquino; New York’s Barry Marchetti; Maryland’s Dr. Vicki Casibang, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital House Anesthesiologist & New Life’s consultant; Dr. Rodelo S. Valera with his sister Philippine Embassy staff Grace S. Valera-Jaramillo; Philippine Folk Art Society’s Dr. Aida Rivera and Migrant Heritage Commission’s Jesse Gatchalian. Others were PMA’s Dr. Gil Cabal Fernandez, Dr. Edwin Illescas del Rosario and Chicago’s Dr. Felicitas Ballesteros-Tobias.

The Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. (PAFC) turned over $20,000 to Gawad Kalinga on Nov. 11 at Manila Cafe Springfield, VA. The funds will go towards the building of homes in Leyte, Philippines for victims of the mudslide early this year. Ramon Magbanua and Ed Vicente, Jr. accepted the check on behalf of GK and ANCOP USA. From left: Jimmy Cardano, Jordana de Leon, PAFC Chair Mencie Hairston, Mary Anne Fadul, Jun Quion, Jennifer Tabones, RJ Barbosa, Rodney Garcia, Orly Barbosa, Ramon Magbanua, Ed Vicente, Jr., Sam Parry-Giles, Eli Parry-Giles, Becky Pagsibigan and Linda Pirrone. PAFC held a benefit concert showcasing composer Rodney Garcia and his equally talented family.

As part of a three-day government exchange program between Anne Arundel County and Changde City, Hunan Province in China, a medical delegation from Changde City visited the County Department of Health headquarters in Annapolis. The visitors and County health representatives discussed tobacco-related diseases, flu prevention and other health issues affecting people world-wide. During an exchange of gifts, the delegation presented the Department of Health with a hand-embroidered silk tapestry from Changde City. From left: Changde City Vice Mayor Zhang Yuanying, Interpreter Hao Xiaohui, County Health Officer Frances Phillips, County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Katherine Farrell, and Vice President and Professor of Changde No. 1 People's Hospital Wei Shangdian. Photo: Rian Almon

Ms. Ha Do, born in Vietnam, has cerebral palsy. She’s an inspiration on how a positive outlook and determination can improve one’s life. She had been employed as a film processor and wanted a job that would "use her mind and education." She was making minimum wage and receiving no benefits. She has a B.S. degree in Computer Science. After working for sPs Consulting for nine months with outstanding performance on a contract, Ms. Do was hired as a full-time Computer Assistant with full benefits.

Widow Shapna Hoque, Maryland author Sharmin Ahmad and So hel Rahman Badal, community advocate and president of California Awami League (Bangladesh political party) plant flowers in memory of Bangladeshi national leaders. A commemoration ceremony of the 31st death anniversary of four leaders (Sharmin’s father Tajuddin Ahmad, the first prime Minister of Bangladesh in1971and his three colleagues) was held on November 3 in Los Angeles, California. Sharmin has been planting flowers for years on this day in honor of her father.

L to R: Norman and Michelle Cruz, holding newly Christened baby Alexi Nicole Embuscado Cruz, at the Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Potomac Falls, last November 19. Photo by Bing Cardenas Branigin

L.A. City Council President Eric GARCETTI, U.S. Representative Xavier BECERRA, artist Cheri GAULKE and Consul General Mary Jo ARAGON with leaders of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans in front of the newly unveiled Filipino American Veterans Memorial in Los Angeles on November 11, 2006. credit: Eric Lachica/ACFV photo

Kimiko Devadas (fifth from left) was presented the 2006 Annual Fellowship of Peace Award in a ceremony November 14 at the Gandhi Memorial Center. From left: Aziz Haniffa, Srimati Kamala, Mrs. Kalpana Sen, Carrie Trybulec, Devadas, Kimiko Devadas, and Ambassador Ronen Sen.

The Cambodian Buddhist Society, Inc. has held an international exhibit of Buddhist Relics at its Cambodian Buddhist Temple in Silver Spring. Maryland from November 10 through November 12, 2006. About 3,000 people of different ethnic groups have gone through the display. The Buddhists believe that paying respect to the Buddha's relics is the same as paying respect to the Buddhs himself, and in doing so,, they can gain the same merits. The relics provides an opportunity to make a spiritual connection with the Buddha. It makes people who do not have a Buddhist vocation to have a Buddhist vocation or to make people who have Buddhist vocation to have a stronger Buddhist vocation.

Montgomery County's Charles W. Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity celebrated its fifth anniversary with a public event that included a Parade of Flags, performances, exhibits, food, craft demonstrations and live music. Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Ortega.