PAGING ZAMBOANGUEÑOS IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
  One of our dear friends is visiting San Antonio,Texas to attend her son's graduation in the upcoming week. If you're a Zamboangueño living in San Antonio, Texas---or if you know someone who lives there, please e-mail us
their names and contact numbers at: johnshinn3@gmail.com. Or call Boboy
Shinn at (310) 678-2023. Thank you!

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AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF A ZAMBOANGUEÑA NURSE
Meet Helen Ali...
    KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA --- I am a graduate nurse of Zamboanga General Hospital School of Nursing (ZGHSN). I am originally from Tetuan in Zamboanga City. I have a degree in BSN, PG Public Health Administration, Masters in Psychology and an ongoing Masters in Nursing/MBA Health Administration to my credit.
   I consider myself fortunate to have been presented with the opportunities to explore the different facets of the nursing profession in the different countries I've worked. With each culture were experiences and lessons which only real life can teach us.  CLICK HERE TO READ HELEN ALI'S STORY 

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Photo & caption by AL JACINTO / LAZT Zamboanga Bureau Chief
Man Sells Pork Branded As 'Halal' in Zamboanga City
   ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines –-- A man sells pork (note a pork's head on the right side of the pictue...ED) branded halal in the southern Philippine port city
of Zamboanga on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. But pork is considered haram or food forbidden by Islamic law. Halal is meat that has been slaughtered in the manner prescribed by the Shari'a or food conforming to the Islamic dietary laws. The animals are killed under religious supervision by cutting the throat to allow removal of all blood from the carcass, without prior stunning. Ninety percent of Filipino Muslims live in Southern Philippines --- which includes Zamboanga City.

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Photo & caption by AL JACINTO / LAZamboangaTimes.com
Abu Sayyaf Release Kidnapped Journalists in Jolo
   ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Al Jacinto / June 18, 2008) – Abu Sayyaf gun-
men freed before midnight Tuesday a popular Philippine television reporter,
her cameraman and a Muslim professor in the southern island of Sulu.
  The hostages, Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., including a university professor Octavio Dinampo were
freed to government emissaries in Sulu's hinterlands.
   It was unknown if government negotiators paid ransom or not, but the kidnappers had demanded P15 million in exchange for the lives of the three hostages. The ABS-CBN has confirmed the release of the hostages.
   "ABS-CBN senior correspondent Ces Oreña Drilon and cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion were released by their abductors in Sulu province Tuesday night,"
it said. Above photos shows government soldiers passing by a village in Jolo, Sulu on Saturday, June 14, 2008.

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I Need the E-mail Address of Cynthia Spirig-Hosana
From: Helen A. <helenali21@yahoo.co.in>
To: "johnshinn3@gmail.com" <johnshinn3@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, May 29, 2008 at 7:20 PM

Dear Mr. Shinn,

   Can I have the email address of Cynthia Spirig-Hosana please? I am a nurse
and she was my senior at ZGHSN. I really would lke to contact her.
   Thanks a lot.

Sincerely,
Helen Ali
KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA
 
http://www.nursecorner.com
http://nursecorner.zzn.com

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Boboy's PaparazziNotebook.com Files
   LOS ANGELES --- It's been a hectic week covering Nicole Richie, who lives in Glendale with her boyfriend Joel Madden and Harlow, their 4 month-old baby.
   It was also a fruitful week since I got a bunch of pics of the socialite as she continues to adjust to her new life as a mom.
   Click on the links below to check out my pictures of Nicole Richie out and about in Los Angeles:

   * June 3 - Nicole goes to MTV Studios in Santa Monica   CLICK HERE
   * June 5 - Nicole meets up with her new manager    CLICK HERE
   * June 7 - Nicole out for stroll with baby Harlow    CLICK HERE 

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L.A. Balagunero
By TITONG A. SAN JUAN
Welcome to L.A. Miss Rena Martinez Medallo;
Sulu Tawi-Tawi Society of California Grand
Reunion in Las Vegas on Aug. 16 & 17
                   SANBORN, LOS ANGELES --- The Sulu Tawi-Tawi Society of Cali-
fornia will have its grand reunion at the Tuscany Suites and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 16 and 17, 2008.
    Mr. Asclepiades (Bong) A. Balbuena, the club President, is inviting all Suluanos in this part of the United States to come to the grand reunion. There will be a dinner dance on August 16, and breakfast on August 17.
    The Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Society of Southern California have started a project to give something back to their Muslims brothers and sisters in Sulu who are living in a disadvantaged situation by soliciting donations from corporations and companies either in cash or in kind like books, computers, clothes, foods and medical equipments. The club have already applied for a non-profit status for recognition in their endeavor.
   The registration fee of 80 dollars will be charged to each person to cover for the hotel and other incidental expenses. Mr. Balbuena is also asking the affluent members to advertise in their souvenir program. See you all in Vegas and enjoy your stay there.

                                    **********************************

   The latest bombing in Zamboanga City is scaring local and foreign tourists to come to Zamboanga. It is also scaring local and foreign investors as well. What is funny about this latest incident is when we hear intelligent reports in the news from the police and military that the perpetrators are the Abu Sayaff, MILF, and the MNLF.
   Well, that is always their excuse to the people. Madre Mia!!! What are we paying the intelligent agents for? Are we paying them to give false reports to the public? If you ask the people of La Bella they will answer you like lumang tugtugin na yan. Whenever there's a killing, shooting or kidnapping you can rest assure that these three groups will always get the blame.

                                     ************************************
    Director of Tourism for Region 9, Mr. Ricardo San Juan is inviting Zam-
boangueños from North America, including Canada, to join them in Zaragoza, Spain at the end of June to witness the historical signing between Zamboanga and Zaragosa cities making Zamboanga the sister city of Zaragosa.
    A big Expo will also be held in Zaragosa where 104 countries have committed to paricipate. The official signing will be on June 30 and Mayor Celso Lobregat, Representatives Beng Climaco and Erbie Fabian and other government officials will all be there to witness the signing.

                                      **************************************
Balagunero Tidbits: Welcome to Los Angeles Miss Rena Martinez Medallo. She is here to continue her nursing career. Happy birthday to Leslie Thompson and Gino Españo. Belated happy birthdays to Gigi Ravancho Gauer and son James who celebrated their double birthday party at their residence in Temecula,California.

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BIRTHDAY GREETINGS!

Photo by JOHN L. SHINN III / LAZamboangaTimes.com
Tony Shinn Celebrates Birthday in Glendale, Calif.
Tony Shinn, (2nd from right, back row), recently celebrated his 61st birthday with friends and family members at his Glendale, Calif. residence. Seated from left: John Shinn Jr., Francis Shinn and Rolly Santos. Standing from left: Aton Atilano, Joseph Shinn, Lilia Shinn-Lucas, Raymond Shinn, Tony and his wife,
Leni.   CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS

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Photo by AL JACINTO / LAZT  Zamboanga Bureau Chief
Zamboanga City's 'Have' & 'Have Nots': 2 Worlds Apart
While the three individuals inside a MacDonald's restaurant seem to enjoy a hearty meal, these four homeless children living on the streets of "Asia's Latin City" may be trying to figure out where to get their next meal---or where to
sleep for the night.
CLICK ON PICTURE TO VIEW LARGER VERSION

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BIRTHDAY GREETINGS!

Photos courtesy of BING BONG LOOD / Special to LAZT
Danny Siason Celebrates Birthday with Friends in NY
Our dear friend Danny Siason (3rd from left) of New York celebrated his birthday Saturday, March 29, with close friends and relatives in New York City. From left: Ruben Garcia, Cholo Villascusa, Danny, Rudy Garcia, Archie Lacandalo, Allan Noval, Chiching Natividad and Bing Bong Lood.

Some of Danny's guests, from left: Cholo Villascusa, Dolly Cardenas, Malou Lood, Danny's wife, Nenie and Danny. Happy birthday Danny! From all your friends in L.A., Zamboanga and elsewhere... 
CLICK ON EACH PICTURE TO VIEW LARGER VERSION

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L.A. Balagunero
By TITONG A. SAN JUAN
Welcome to Los Angeles Trining Enriquez;
Belated Happy Birthday to Bob Jaldon
Balagunero Tidbits: Welcome to Los Angeles Trining Macrohon-
Enriquez. The Teeney Pons hosted a party for her at the Anaheim Hills, Calif. residence of Ritchie and Ted Jekums.
   Belated happy birthday to Bob Jaldon who celebrated his birthday at the Barrio Fiesta restaurant here with his family and friends. Birthday greetings also goes to Leslie Thompson and my brother Noning San Juan.    READ FULL COLUMN

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OBITUARY

(July 13, 1949 - April 11, 2008) 
Jaime 'Nonie' Enriquez (58)
Jaime 'Nonie' Enriquez passed away last April 11 in Zamboanga
City. He was 58 years old. Nonie left behind his wife, Elsa Lapi-
dario Samson. They have 3 children: Stephanie Anne, Jamie and Marc Anthony. Nonie was the brother of Kelly, Lily Enriquez-Shaw of Placentia, Calif. and Marita Enriquez-Branchflower of Mission Viejo, Calif.
   Please include Nonie in your prayers. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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NEWS FROM SULU ARCHIPELAGO

Photo & caption by AL JACINTO /LAZT Zamboanga Bureau Chief
A 'Marines Only' Deployment in Sulu Archipelago
Philippine government soldiers on board a military truck pass through a village
in the province of Sulu on Saturday, April 26, 2008. Thousands of troops have already left Sulu since February this year as part of a new Malacañang deploy-
ment strategy to effectively combat Filipino Muslim rebels. Philippine Marines have taken over the places vacated by the army in Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan provinces, all in the Muslim autonomous region in the Southern Philippines as part of the so-called "Fleet Marine Concept."

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NEWS FROM ZAMBOANGA CITY

Photos & caption by AL JACINTO/ LAZT Zamboanga Bureau Chief
Two Explosions Rock Zamboanga City Sunday, April 13
Philippine Army soldiers guard the Immaculate Conception Cathedral gestures to passers-by Sunday, April 13, 2008, after a bomb exploded outside the church in Zamboanga City. A second bomb also exploded outside the Vienna Kaffee Haus near the regional office of the Foreign Ministry, about 2 kilometers away. No groups claimed responsibility for the bombings and police said there were no casualties.

Photo by AL JACINTO/ LAZT Zamboanga Bureau Chief        Caption by JOHN L. SHINN III / LAZT
Picture above shows Catholic worshippers leaving the Cathedral so that the
local police bomb squad can examine the area of the blast. In the past, the military command in the city were found to have been responsible for some
of the bombings in the city in order to get more funding from the national goverment and to justify the continuation of the military presence in the
city.

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Photo courtesy of AL & BETSY BERNARDO-SALAZAR
Vista del Mar Beach, Calarian, Zamboanga City
CLICK HERE TO VIEW LARGER VERSION

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Photos & caption by TITONG SAN JUAN / LAZT Managing Editor
Congressman Erbie Fabian Inducts Las Vegas Group
Zamboangueños from Las Vegas have officially formed a new group called Or-
guliosos Zamboangueños de Las Vegas. Zamboanga City Congressman Erbie Fabian (left, top photo) inducted the new officers headed by Peter Dimaguila (3rd from right, top photo) who will act as the club's interim President. The group held their induction ceremonies at the residence of Chris and Chato
(nee Balintag) Onrubia. Those present during the affair were: Jun and Badidi Saavedra, Monching and Eleonor Basilio, Jayton and Marilyn Bucoy, Joffel Lacandalo, Sonny Miguel, Bing and Jude Herrbano, Nonito and Dinah Araneta. The group will have their first election of officers in May.
CLICK ON EACH PHOTO TO VIEW LARGER VERSION

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OBITUARY
Jose ('Pepito') Lopez (March 9, 1923 - March 18, 2008)
   Jose (Pepito) Lopez, father of LAZT San Francisco Bureau Chief Chito Lopez,
passed away last Tuesday, March 18 at 12:38 a.m. at the Doctor's Hospital in Zamboanga City. He was 85.
   Tito Pepito was the husband of the late Nenita Carmelo who passed away a
few years ago and the father of Raymond (Joeput) Lopez who died in 1977. He left behind his children and their families: Cecile, Baby, Cholo, Chito and Ri-
chard.
    Please remember Tito Pepito in your prayers and may his soul rest in peace.

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Photo by TITONG SAN JUAN / LAZamboangaTimes.com
Top Zambo Tennis Players' Grand Reunion in Vegas
Top tennis players from Zamboanga City gathered in Las Vegas last February 14 for a two days tennis tournament with the Las Vegas tennis players. It was also
a grand reunion for the Zamboanga tennis players as they have not seen each other for almost twenty years. The zamboanga tennis players defeated their rivals 10 games to seven. Zamboanga tennis players in the pictures are from
left to right: Mark Basilio, Ric Puno, Albert Soriano, Ronald Cabato, and son PJ, Philip Cabato, Digoy Cabato, Jing Daludung, Titong San Juan, and Bing Herbano.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW LARGER PICTURE

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Photo by AL JACINTO / LAZT Zamboanga Bureau Chief
Philippine Marines Mourn Their Dead in Southern RP
Philippine Marines carry the casket of one of their fallen comrade-in-arms to
a chapel inside a military base for viewing. The war in Southern Philippines between government troops and Filipino Muslim militants continue to inflict casualties on both sides and there seems to be no light at the end of the
tunnel of this four decade-old war.

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Photo by TITONG SAN JUAN / LAZamboangaTimes.com
Veteran Zambo Journalists Meet with Manny Pacquiao
Three veteran Zamboangueño journalists who are in Los Angeles paid a cour-
tesy visit to Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao here in Los Angeles.
From left: Bob Jaldon, Manny, Ric Puno, Manny's wife Jinkee and LAZT Mana-
ging Editor Titong San Juan. Manny defeated Marquez to win the title.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW LARGER PHOTO

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Photo courtesy of the San Juan Family
Ramona San Juan Celebrates 88th Birthday in Zambo
San Juan matriarch Ramona Araneta San Juan of Pasonanca, Zamboanga City
celebrated her 88th birthday last Feb. 3 with her children and grandchildren.
In the picture are from left to right: Sonia (wife of Rolly), Nonong Francisco, (husband of Ritchie), sister Ritchie, son Nonoy, the celebrant, Rolly, Greg,
Jonna (daughter of deceased brother BIngoy and Noning. Back row: Ric and Bonjing, Judith (Bingoy's wife), RJ (Bingoy's son) and Bochiot (Rolly's son.)
Not in picture is son Titong San Juan, LAZT Managing Editor who now lives
in Los Angeles.     CLICK HERE TO VIEW LARGER PHOTO

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Photo by CHOY ATILANO / LAZamboangaTimes.com
WMSU Alumni Association of Southern California is 4
Officers and members of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU)
Alumni Association of Southern California recently celebrated the group's 4th anniversary with a field trip to the snowy slopes above Palm Springs, Calif.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW LARGER PHOTO

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Boboy's Published Pics of the Britney Spears Craziness
People Magazine                 US Weekly Magazine                London Daily Mail      

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Photos by NONITO SHINN / AdeZU HS Class of '57
Ateneo de Zamboanga University H.S. Class of '57
HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF '57: Seated from  left: BOB RIVERA, JUN CALVENTO (VALEDICTORIAN), WILLIAM CHAN and VALENTIN APOLINARIO. Standing from left: WIL ARSENIA, NONITO SHINN, BOY SANTOS, DENNIS SHINN, ROODY CA-
ÑADA, MANUEL LAGMAN, RAMA and FRANCIS ARNUCO.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PICTURES OF THEIR 50TH HOMECOMING

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Photo & caption by AL & BETSY BERNARDO-SALAZAR of Silverdale, Washington
Bernardo-Enriquez-Salazar Reunion in Zamboanga City
This reunion photo was 18 years in the making. We finally went home last Au-
gust 17, 2007 for 10 days, (I was in the service and we are not authorized to
go to Mindanao). The clan was all there. It was the happiest days of that year.
CLICK HERE to view larger picture.

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REMEMBER THEM?
They're better than the Spice Girls     CLICK HERE

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Photo by AL JACINTO / LAZT                                                  Caption by JOHN L. SHINN III /LAZT
Peace still an 'elusive dream' in South after 40 years
Next year the civil war in Southern Philippines between the government and Muslim rebels will enter its 40th year. Yet, there seems to be no solution in
sight and peace remains an "elusive dream" for many of us Mindanaoans---
Muslims and Christians alike. So long as poverty exists on the island and as
long as the national government continues neglecting the basic needs of our people, the war will continue. Even some, in the military and goverment, use
the pretext of prolonging the war for their financial gain. From being the
"Land of Promise" Mindanao has become the "Milking Cow" of those who are
in power today.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Photo by PETER DIMAGUILA III / LAZT Las Vegas Bureau Chief
From left: Raffy Reyes, Joby Shinn, Peter Dimaguila, Chito Elago & RJ.
Zamboangueños Celebrate New Year's at Peter &
Cherry Dimaguila's Home in Las Vegas, Nevada
     Most eligible bachelor/nurse Chito Elago, Vincent "Vare" Alvarez, wife Cocoy and kids came to Las Vegas to celebrate the New Year's from San Francisco. 
    Raffy Reyes and wife Mae and their kids came from LA. Other Zamboangue-
ños in Vegas also attended the party,among them: Chris Onrubia, Chato Balintag Onrubia and Jun Saavedra.  CLICK HERE to view more pictures.

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SANBORN, LOS ANGELES