Jemuel Apelar
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Jemuel (Jim) Palomar Apelar (born on November 1957) is a Filipino-American entrepreneur, consultant and leader within the Fil-Am community. Apelar is CEO of Puerto Nuevo Realty Holdings, President of the Apelar Foundation, President of Philippine Ski Federation, & the Director of Recruitment for FAI (Filipino Athletes International) and its program POODC (Philippine Overseas Olympic Development Committee). He is also a recipient of the SIPA Award in 2008 (Search to Involve Pilipino Americans), one of the highest recognitions for service to the Filipino-American community.[1] Apelar sits on numerous boards and community organizations.
Jim was born in Romblon, Romblon, Philippines to Rev. Angelino Apelar and mother, Purita Palomar Apelar, a pioneering missionary Christian pastor/couple in the Philippines and in the United States. He attended the University of Southern California, majoring in Business Entrepreneurship, one of the founders of Troy Philippines, at the University of Southern California.
He was one of the top long jumpers and sprinters in California, holding several records. He also holds many championship and MVP trophies in basketball playing in leagues since 1973 playing under the Goldilocks Bake Shop team and Wah Sang Lung in Chinatown.
[edit] Involvement
In 1997, he established The Athletic Alliance, a basketball league made up of various Filipino churches under different denominations such as Christian and Missionary Alliance, Southern Baptist, Methodists, Presbyterians, Word for the World and other church groups.
He is also the President of Philippine Ski Federation, a national federation with FIS (International Ski Federation, governing body of snow skiing and snowboarding) since 1999.[2]
He is the Director of Recruitment for FAI (Filipino Athletes International) & its program POODC (Philippine Overseas Olympic Development Committee). He was invited by Dick Padron, together with Mercy Jalandoni, Benito Miranda, Doug Bautista, Cirilo Pinlac, Winston Emano and Ban Montoya to create a program for our Fil-Am youth of reaching this lofty goal. Scouring through the web pages, attending meets and partnering with the Philippine Consulates and Philippine Olympic Committee, here are some of the results from their recruitment program of various Fil-Am individuals who have had an impact in the whole Filipino American community in sports the last few years:
Daniel Coakley, Hawaii – Swimmer, Freestyle - Gold Medalist in SEA Games, Asian Games and record holder, he great grandson of the late Olympic bronze medalist Teófilo Yldefonso
Diane Pascua, Solana Beach, CA and Heidi Ilustre, Carson, CA –Beach Volleyball-currently #32 in the world trying to make the top 24 for the Beijing Olympics. They are currently in the American AVP and World FIVB Circuit.[3]
Chad Mowrey - Manhattan Beach, CA and Kimo Tuyay - San Diego, CA– Beach Volleyball – World FIVB Circuit.
Mary Grace Baldo - Ice skating – World Junior Skating Championships 2008
Melissa Glans – Fort Collins, CO – Skiing – World Junior Skiing Championships 2006
Eden Serina – Palos Verdes, CA – Snowboarding- World Snowboarding Championships 2007
Charlie Walker - Peterborough, England, U.K - Philippine & British Swimmer[4]
Jim’s dream of reaching the highest level of competition has been fulfilled by these athletes whom most he personally recruited for the Philippine team.
He said, “In the end, Olympism is not about the country you represent but is about the individual achieving his/her dream through sports competition”.
It is through the POODC program that these goals were realized.
He is married to Gladys Antonio Apelar, a member of the royal Antonio-Pamaran-Cuevas family of Basilan Island, Philippines, descendants of Datu Kalun. They have 5 children. Jezreel Gaius, 22, a graduate from USC (USC Fencing Team); Krizia Leah, 20 (Sophomore from Cal State Fullerton University) is a standout in sprints and a member of the National Youth Philippine Track Team;[5] Jeriel David, 18 (Freshman, Golden West College)– Volleyball, U.S.A.Jr. Select National Volleyball Team; Jezekiel Mark, 13; and Jeiel Elijah, 11 years old.[6] [7] Jim is also the first-cousin of Jared Palomar, the bassist for the band Augustana.
