UFO Sightings - June 17, 2013

What: Filipino Teacher
When: June 17, 2013
Where: New York, USA

For our UFO ((U)AE and around the World's (F)inest (O)verseas Filipino) Sighting for today, June 17, 2013 is a Filipina teacher in New York, USA.

A Filipina teacher is among the 11 recipients of the first-ever city-wide "Big Apple Awards", which recognizes the top teachers in public schools across New York City.

Marietta Geraldino is a 10th and 11th grade geometry teacher at the Frederick Douglas Academy II in Harlem, Manhattan.

In a press release by the NYC Department of Education, Geraldino is described as a teacher who provides her students with the opportunity and expectation that they will master content in order to learn about the world around them and develop the confidence necessary to succeed in life.

Geraldino has been teaching for 24 years, 9 years in New York and 15 years in the Philippines.

"I was a high school teacher for eight years in a Catholic University and then I went to teach in college at the same university. I graduated school and I became an executive, a Research Planning Director and Vice President for Academic Affairs. After that I became a Program Director. Then, I came to New York, and became a teacher again as an International Teacher," Geraldino wrote on her profile posted on the school's website.

Geraldino has two master's degrees--one in Math and the other in Educational Measurement and Evaluation. She then went for a fellowship in Australia at Queensland University of Technology and received a certificate in Teacher Education. She got her my doctorate degree in Educational Management.

The mother of four confessed that teaching for her is never boring.

"I cannot picture myself doing something else. You have to be good at what you’re doing and you must love what you’re doing and love the children for you to be able to teach in New York successfully. It takes a lot of heart," she further wrote on her profile.

Last week, Geraldino and 10 other teachers were honored by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott in a ceremony held at Gracie Mansion.

"Great teachers are a school's most valuable asset, and we must recognize their skills and the impact they have on our students - even beyond the classroom," said Mayor Bloomberg.

The program recognizes the city's best teachers and support a system-wide conversation about excellence in the classroom. All award recipients receive a $3,500 classroom grant to deepen their work with students.

"The Big Apple Awards celebrate the unsung heroes who go above and beyond every day on behalf of our 1.1 million students. This group of awardees is a shining example of the wonderful diversity of teachers throughout New York City's public schools," said Walcott.

The program received more than 2,000 nominations from students, families, teachers, school staff, administrators and other community members.

by Maria Aleta Nieva Nishimori, ABS-CBNnews.com

UFO Sightings - June 14, 2013

What: Filipino Fighter
When: June 14, 2013
Where: London, UK

Our featured UFO Sighting for today, June 14, 2013, is a Filipino FMA fighter in London, UK.

A Filipino fighter is in this month's edition of a popular martial arts magazine in the United Kingdom.

Ermar "Alex" Alexander, 36, features in a four-page spread in Martial Arts Illustrated, which is dubbed as "UK's Number One magazine" for the fighting arts.

Interviewed by former Great Britain stick fighting coach John Harvey, Alexander shares how he discovered the art, his experience competing across the international circuit, representing the British team, and his life as an instructor.

Alexander, who began training in arnis, eskrima and kali at the age of 21, has amassed a hoard of achievements.

Considered one of the top exponents of sport stick fighting in the UK, he holds 39 gold medals, 8 silvers and 4 bronzes across a range of national and international competitions spanning from 2000-2013.

The 5th degree black belt is a 4-time world champion, 2-time European champion and 37-time British champion, who has competed in full contact stick contests, knife fights and only recently MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), or cage fights.

But before all of that, Alexander had no idea the Philippines even had its own indigenous combat system.

Born in Cebu, Alexander moved to the UK when he was nine years old. His interest in martial arts began aged 14 where he trained in the Korean art of Tang Soo Do.

He then tried his hand at other styles including Praying Mantis kung-fu, Wing Chun, Muay Thai, and Bruce Lee's own creation Jeet Kune Do.

It wasn't until the age of 21 when he found out about Filipino martial arts through an English friend. That is when Alexander decided to join the Doce Pares club, which is the oldest FMA institution in the Philippines.

"The main reason I think is because of the background of the art. It's from my homeland," he explained.

"I grew up not knowing I had a system when I was young. And also, at that age I didn't really know who I was. I didn't even understand I was a Filipino. When I did the Filipino martial art I kind of went back to my roots and I loved it," he added.

Since 2010, the eskrimador has been running his own school in Harlesden, north west London, where he teaches weapons and empty hand techniques, also known as mano-mano, as well as Yaw-Yan, a form of Filipino kickboxing.

"I've got a very good mix of students here. All from different backgrounds. A lot of Caucasians as well. Filipinos, I'd probably say [they make up] 25% of the students that I have here," he told ABS-CBN Europe.

Aside from its practicality, Alexander feels many students are attracted to FMA because they are introduced to weapons like rattan sticks, knives and swords from the very beginning, which is unlike other traditional martial arts where weapons training comes afterwards.

Alexander has mentored around 70 pupils since 2007, four of which have gone on to win world titles, while 22 are British champions.

Alexander, who regularly holds FMA demonstrations at Filipino community events, is pleased to be in this month's Martial Arts Illustrated.

This is the second time he has appeared in a mainstream UK publication after featuring in Men's Health magazine in 2008.

While he admits FMA is gaining public awareness, Alexander believes the art requires a lot more promotion.

"I'm very happy that they [Martial Arts Illustrated] did this kind of thing. There's not a lot of people that know about it and it needs that kind of promotion, whether it's in a martial arts magazine or any type of media," he said.

"I think FMA needs to be done because it has been used in a lot of films. This is the big thing in film now, using FMA, and a lot of people don't know what it is. They think oh it's just another Chinese martial art, but it isn't," Alexander added.

FMA techniques have been used in Hollywood movies like "Mission Impossible", "Kick-Ass", as well as the "Bourne" series.

By Edward Lao, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

UFO Sightings - June 13, 2013

What: Filipino Television Producer
When: June 13, 2013
Where: Hollywood, USA

For our UFO Sighting for today, June 13, 2013, we go to Hollywood, USA.

From being a waiter to a successful television producer, Filipino-American Marc Nicolas related how he made his Hollywood dream come true.

For the second time in two years, Nicolas can add Emmy-nominated TV producer to his growing list of achievements.

Nicolas is one of the producers of the popular CBS TV show "The Talk" which is nominated in five categories at the 2013 Daytime Emmy Awards which will be held on June 17.

Nicolas and his family immigrated from the Philippines when he was four years old.

"I'm the only Filipino producer in The Talk and also the only Filipino worker on The Talk as well," he said.

Before pursuing his Hollywood dream in 2005, Nicolas worked as a pharmacist assistant and as a restaurant cocktail server. His first big break was as a guest recruiter for "The Tyra Banks Show."

Though working in Hollywood was challenging, his parents Teresita and Marianito Nicolas encouraged him to go after his passion.

"When I got to America, I remember when I was seven years old, like I was watching the Brady Bunch and you know the rolling credits at the end? I was like, Mama, I want to see my name and I want you to see my name someday," he said.

He said it made him feel fulfilled that his mom saw their dream come true before she passed away.

"I will never ever, ever change anything about my life, my challenges," he said.

Representing the Filipino community well in Hollywood through hard work is important for Nicolas.

He gives advice to those dreaming of career here to "always be a hard worker. Just because you work with celebrities don't think you're above them. Don't think you're above anybody."

by Yong Chavez, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

UFO Sightings - June 11, 2013

What: Filipino Digital Artist
When: June 11, 2013
Where: London, UK

Our latest UFO Sighting for today June 11, 2013 is a Filipino digital artist from London, UK.

A seasoned Filipino painter demonstrated his new passion for digital arts at his debut solo exhibition in the UK, moving his art practice from brush strokes to mouse clicks.

Artist Antonio Gorordo showcased his latest artworks at "Digital Abstraction" - an exhibit featuring over a dozen of his digital paintings created with a computer and editing software between 2010 and 2012.

The show, which opened on June 4, was inaugurated by Philippine Ambassador to Britain Enrique Manalo.

“I’m really happy about the show, and it’s even more amazing because it’s in London,” Gorordo told ABS-CBN Europe at the opening event.

Gorordo moved to England in October 2012 with his wife, a diplomatic staff who was recently posted at the Philippine Embassy in London. A trained civil engineer, he started painting as a hobby in 1982, which he developed more formally over the years. His style has been described as abstract or lyrical painting, particularly among his followers on social media platforms.

“They say on Facebook that my work is abstract or lyrical, but I don’t really know what they mean. For me, I do whatever I feel like. I do whatever I feel, whatever comes into my mind,” he explained.

The 55-year-old artist, who previously exhibited in Jordan and Croatia, used traditional painting tools and techniques for several years, primarily with acrylic, oil, and watercolor on canvas or paper. He cites Filipino artists like Ang Kiukok and Jose Joya as personal inspirations.

In 2010, however, he discovered the art of digital painting while looking for alternative ways to paint on account of his child's health.

“When I was doing traditional painting, my child used to get ill a lot because of the smell of paint. So I started to think of other ways to still create new artwork without using harmful paint. That’s when I discovered digital painting,” he recalled.

Gorordo creates his pieces using Adobe Photoshop, a popular photo-editing software. Each of his digital paintings take approximately four to seven days to complete, painstakingly drawing every layer and color using a mouse for several hours at a time.

He believes digital art is the new creative frontier offering limitless possibilities and accessibility. He encourages artists and art lovers to embrace new technologies in making art.

“This is the new thing. It’s more exciting to create things than using traditional tools alone. You can make so many more things with digital art. And when you make a mistake, you can just delete - or use it as a background,” he said.

By Patrick Camara Ropeta, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau