About the Philippine Outpost

from the official Starwars.com site
http://www.starwars.com/community/news/family/news20070622.html

Website: Pinoy501st.com
Regions: The entire Philippines.
Outpost Creation Date: October 2004
Active members: 12

Logo: The logo is based on the Philippine flag with the Imperial cog design incorporated to show the Star Wars feel. "Just like the Philippine Flag, our logo has three sections: the blue field symbolizing peace on top, the red field symbolizing bravery at the bottom, and the triangular white field with three stars, representing the three main regions of the country," Commanding Officer Manny Mendoza explains. "The sun in the middle has eight rays, representing the first provinces that swore allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines. The Philippine flag is unique in that it is inverted to show the red field on top during times of war."

Events: Fans can find the Philippine Outpost trooping at conventions around the world, and members also marched in the 2007 Rose Parade. "The New Worlds Alliance organizes an annual event known as the Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, now on its fifth year," Mendoza says. "The Alliance covers different fan groups from Lord of the Rings to Star Wars, among its members. One of the founding groups, Star Wars Philippines (affiliated with Fan Force), in cooperation with the Philippine Outpost and Rebel Legion, hosted the third convention, entitled 'New Worlds: Episode 3,' a week after the opening of Revenge of the Sith in May 2005." At the Philippine Toys and Collectibles Convention (now on its 6th year) the 501st has always been invited to attend as special guests during the opening ceremonies. In conjunction with the local licensees of Lucasfilms, Ltd., we have worked to promote the release of Revenge of the Sith. Activities for kids and adults were organized in major shopping malls a week before and after the opening. The 501st, along with other costumed characters, marched on the night of the premier to the sound of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra playing the Star Wars themes."

Charities: Though the Outpost has not yet held fund raising activities independently, they have supported various charity events. "The 501st trooped at the holiday party for The Half-a-World-Away Foundation for over a hundred children of the Holy Family Parish in Makati City, Metro Manila," Mendoza says. "The Foundation is formed by Filipinos residing in Canada and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, for the benefit of the less fortunate such us the children of the Holy Family Parish. The 501st also assisted in promotions during the recent Read or Die 2007 Convention (RodCon). Read or Die is a newly established non-stock, non-profit organization which aims to promote the love of reading. The beneficiary of the convention, Acts of Hope for Our Nation (AHON) Foundation, has made it their mission to develop libraries in public elementary schools all over the Philippines. Our Outpost also participated in the annual fund raising celebrity and pet fashion show for Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) which aimed to enhance awareness and interest in animal welfare."

Interesting Facts: "Our Outpost has been invited to numerous children's birthday parties, usually for kids aged 5 to 7," Mendoza says. "In the Philippines, a lot of families consider this period to be significant for their kids. Families also hold especially grand celebrations for a girl's 18th birthday, called a debut. We have been invited to two debutantes' parties, both ladies being really big Star Wars fans and big collectors. Their debuts had Star Wars-themed decorations, gifts, giveaways and costumes as well."

To Join This Outpost: Go to "Find Troops Near You" search function on the home page of 501st.com. Fans can also visit Pinoy501st.com and contact the local officers to find out how to get involved. "Naturally, we're looking for fans who have great devotion to Star Wars, and have the patience and willingness to make their own costumes and troop when called to duty," Mendoza says.