Miss America dances 'Tinikling' for anti-obesity campaign
04/30/2011 | 03:13 PM
GMANews.tv
Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan participated in the Tinikling (PHL's national dance) at the center of the Filipino American Human Science Services Inc. (FAHSI) last April 15.
FAHSI had been chosen to work as a partner of advocacy projects of Miss America and Youth Service America, two non-profit organizations that run the Global Youth Service Day (GYSD).
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the group will get a grant to fight child obesity – a cause shared by US First Lady Michelle Obama.
"It has been given a GYSD grant for its project to fight child obesity through dancing, called 'Sayawan Para sa Puso (Dance for the Heart),'" the DFA said in a news release on its website.
According to the DFA, the project was an idea of two Filipino youths, nine-year-old Eva Marie Bedrijo Louie and 10-year-old Nicole Caye Reyes Alcantara.
Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. noted the relevance of Philippine dance, in promoting physical fitness.
He said dancing comes naturally to Filipinos and that Filipino children are not strangers to all kinds of dance routines.
De Leon also expressed his pride that FAHSI was chosen as a partner NGO in implementing the advocacy projects of Miss America.
The GYSD is the world's largest and longest running youth-led services campaign featuring projects coordinated by the youth to solve the problems such as childhood hunger, obesity, homelessness, the environment and disaster preparedness.
On the other hand, the DFA noted Mrs. Obama has also made the fight against Child Obesity her own advocacy project.
Her representative to the event, Joy Bell of "Let's Move", conveyed the greetings of the First Lady.
A highlight of the event at the FAHSI's center in Jamaica, Queens, New York was a demonstration by Filipino-American children of the Philippine dance Tinikling.
Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan participated in the dance, the DFA said.
Also attending the event were Councilman Leroy Comrie of the 27th District of New York City, Nathaniel Hezekiah of the Office of Congressman Gregory Meeks, Federal Department of Health and Human Services Executive Officer Dennis Gonzales, Jen Voss of Youth Service America, United Health Care Chief Executive Officer Bill Golden, US foreign media, and members of the Filipino community.
FAHSI is a community-based, non-profit organization in Queens, New York, providing programs and services for immigrants, youth, seniors and the growing Filipino-American community in New York.
It has been a partner of the Philippine Consulate General in various projects for the community. — LBG, GMA News
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