BRAVE THE CHALLENGE

A happy and a blessed year 2008 to all!

This is our first issue for the year, and what a better way to welcome 2008 by saying goodbye and thank you to the joys and pains of the year that passed. The hardest of times that Filipino Dance Club-Dubai (FDCD) and BAILE! have gone through had not dampened our sense of purpose, but had only deepened our resolve to go on with our aspirations.

Para sa akin ang bawat pagsubok ay may dahilan, na ang dulot, madalas kesa hindi, ay bagong kaalaman at malalim na pang-unawa. So let us brave the challenges of 2008 with positive attitude.

As we aspire to reach another milestone with our innovations this year, we hope that the FDCD would further bind and unite our small community in this country.

On its third edition, Baile with the support of the FDCD Executive Board, attempts to reach you regularly with our Online Edition. When Baile started a year ago, I can only say that this is a bold and daring endeavor. But with the formation of the strongly committed and selfless editorial team of Baile, there is nothing that cannot be done.

Led by Baile adviser and e-creator Patrick Masahud, the online launching edition will feature a 14-page e-magazine about FDCD, the dances, our counterparts outside Dubai, current officers and their views and programs for the Club.

Also featured in this issue are our winners in the recent dance examinations of 1st Batch 2008 and the integration of other dance clubs in the Emirates and GCC in our newsletter. With this move, we hope to open the lines across our own communities in the Middle East as we try to get closer through this avenue. Let dancing be our voice of goodwill for other nations to hear.

Another major development in the club is the newly designed FDCD website. By midnight of 20th January 2008, a whole new world of FDCD will be launched at www.fdcdubai.com. There you may view the weekly dance clinic and advance class videos, students and members e-albums, calendar of events, the latest issue of Baile and an archive of FDCD newsletters.

In pursuit of our social responsibility, we shall initiate the Charity Salsa soon. Proceeds of this event shall fund the less fortunate children in the Philippines who we intend to send back to school. Eventually, we envision this project to be an annual program of FDCD.

There is much to thank God for; the wisdom, His guidance, the patience, and most of all, for the many wonderful people who have contributed to Club’s continuing success.

To my hardworking colleagues in the Executive Board, whose vision and passion for the Club has tamed and awed me; the Magnificent e-Team: Tinette, Alexis, Ana, Patrick, Jeff, may God bless you all.

Iisa lang ang kahilingan ko sa taong ito. Sana sa mga darating na mga isyu ng Baile, mas lamang na ang mga lathalang nasusulat sa sariling wika. Guilty rin ako sa bagay na ito pero makakaasa kayo na pagsusumikapan po namin at naway tumulong din kayo, dahil ang Baile ay wikang Bisaya pero lahing Pilipino!

Maraming maraming salamat po.

WILMA B. VILLANUEVA
vllnvwlm@yahoo.com