Samahan
sa
Baryo’s fundraising projects help pinoys back home
Norma's
Beeline
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, magically this season fills our hearts with
kindness and goodness, magically, it fills our hearts with the joy of sharing
and giving.....a gift given to us by the perfect child born in a manger so very
long ago. As we gloriously enjoy this season with our family and friends with
expensive gifts and lavish dinners, sometimes, we tend to forget and get lost in
the hustle-and-bustle of the holidays. We tend to forget that somewhere in our
homeland, Christmas is bleak and lonely, mostly to those who are
under-privileged.
Christmas will just be another day for our unfortunate kababayans, empty,
sometimes without hope and trust. Some hopes remaining will be waiting for
people like the medical missionaries from many organizations from various
communities from abroad, to help them out in their physical ailments. And, God
bless these missionaries for remembering and bringing back the joys of Christmas
to these people.
What a great opportunity to give back...Let your giving and sharing to the
poor and the needy be a symbol of your love and gratitude to God. Just a little
bit of the abundance and blessings He gives us is when we have captured the
magic of Christmas in our hearts.
*****
Many thanks to the following hosts and their guests who welcomed the PMAC
Christmas Carolers as they caroled around spreading the spirit of Christmas with
good tidings and good cheers with traditonal songs that will melt your hearts.
Do meet our very generous and kind-hearted souls; Foundation Chair, Dr. Roger
and Estela Cave, PMAC President, Drs. Ed and Nida Hernaez, Dr. Dinesh and
Rosalyn Jain, Conrad and Norma Manankil, and Home Health execs, headed by Judy
Agno of United Home Care, staff from the Renaissance Home Care , Provide
A-Care, and Mariann Home Health. Proceeds of this yearly fundraiser will go
towards the Medical Mission in Ilocos this coming January to be led by the PMAC
and Auxialary chiefs Dr. Ed Hernaez and Flor Tembrina.
CPMAC Auxiliary Thanksgiving project for the seniors
at Rizal Center last
Nov. 24th. Shown in photo, L-R: Dr. Manny Sanchez,
Veronica, Nelia Ladlad, Dely
Villalon and Carmen Estacio. (Photo: M. Sanchez)
Do also meet the very dedicated and outstanding members of the caroling
group with beautiful and splendid voices. The sopranos....soloist, Dr. Elizabeth
Mutuc, Dr. Evan Suan, Dr. Baby Avila, Dr. Jean Farne, Dr. Flory Dy, Clarita
Mangubat, Dely Villalon and Dr. Nida Hernaez. The tenors....Foundation chair,
Dr. Roger Cave, Dr.Luis Mangubat, Dr. Ben Lumicao, Dr. Ed Hernaez, and soloist,
Dr. Art Fogata. Base....Dr. Meneleo Avila and Dr. Eugene Salazar. The
altos....Dr. Anita Avila, Dr. Emma Salazar, Dr. Maurina Galvez, and Norma
Manankil.
Here's roses to our musical director, Marina Osaki, who is the force behind
the success of the caroling performances. Her high quality of work, her
professional skills, and artistic movements are fascinating to watch.
Behind-the-scenes staff include: Estela Cave, Fe Lumicao, Jose Mutuc, and
Francisco Avila.
****
We welcome 2012 with glorious anticipation of another good year filled with
hopes of good health within our family and among friends ...... a better life
with a more stable economy which lately has been shattering the American
dream.....a peaceful world that is constantly threatened with violence,
terrorists, and turmoil that will need a lot of our prayers if we have to
survive.
2011 is now history. With it are beautiful experiences which impacted my
life that I find enriching and gratifying.....my annual food-giving project in
12 barrios in Pampanga; a trip to Australia, Macao with Conrad; Conrads'
remarkable recuperation from his "stent" surgery, our unique three
grandchildren, Jack, who turned 7, Matt now 6, and Nate at 2, and watching the
Passion Play in Indiana, are important memories that will always be touching and
overflowing with God's love to the world.
****
Let me share with you some new year's messages from some community
leaders....Consul General Leo Herrera Lim, "I am proud of our community in the
manner that they celebrate the joyful season of Christmas - one that is
reflective of our people's rich tradition and generous culture. As we usher in
the New Year, my family and my colleagues at the Consulate join me in wishing
that it would be a blessed and happy one for all.”
Rene Abella, FACC President, “This past year had been a good year and has
been perceptually both a long and short year. On projects that we have worked
continuously, on-going need for improvement and tweaking will be a part of our
agenda. The projects and events that have been successfully concluded have
moved us past one milestone in making the FACC and the Rizal Center viable for
larger future projects.....all this amidst the ever fluid and changing
conditions, not just in the local community, but nationally and
internationally.”
Brenda Stevens, PIWC, chairperson 2012, “I hope for peace and unity,
especially during the June 12 celebration commemorating our independence. Amidst
the lavish preparations and festive galas let us not forget the significance and
the importance of this patriotic event.”
Dr. Manuel Sanchez, past PMAC president, “May the New Year bring the change
we all long for, world peace and love among all people that transcend color or
race, creed or religion, gender or sexual orientation. I pray that each and
everyone, youg or old, rich or poor, be the difference that makes the change.”
Hernan Bundalian, Circulo Capampangan, “As the New Year ushers in, may the
good Lord bring more blessings and good health to all. My special wishes go to
the Circulo family as it continues to keep a strong bond, working together
towards a common goal...to help needy cabalens/”
Lynette Torres, PWC Chairperson, 2012, “Happy new year to all. May unity
prevail during the Philippine week celebation in the community. It is our
shared responsibility to work as one. We owe this to our heroes who fought and
suffered for the freedom we now enjoy.”
Dr. Vince Battung, past PMAC President, “May the year 2012 be full of grace,
life's treasures and friedships. Let us all praise and thank our Lord God for
all the blessings, for he is iur creator and only salvation. Happy New Year!!!”
Elbert Regacho, Kalayaan Chair, 2012, “Helping out as much as I can is my
goal for this coming year which hopefully will guide me in achieving positive
and genuine results. “
Dr. Greg Tolentino, past PMAC President, “From my family and I, happy
new year to everyone. May there be peace and prosperity around the world . The
concern of the future's uncertainty in 2012, can only be overcome with a lot of
trust, faith and prayers to our Lord.
Naarni Ilagan, owner, NRI Laboratories:“May we all continue to help and
share our blessings to our underprivileged kababayans not only in 2012, but in
many years to come. Happy new year!”
Marizon Relucio, past president, PMAC Auxiliary: “Merry Cristmas and happy
new year! I thank God for all the blessings He gave me and my family in 2011. I
hope and pray that 2012 will be filled with kindness and goodness, with respect
and tolerance, most especially, with love and forgiveness.”
Conrad Manankil, founder & past president of Circulo Capampangan, “think
poaitive, the coming year will be better.”
***
Tidbits......Here's congratulations to George and Margie Boerema who have
entered the business world with their GeM packaged travel trips to Branson. We
have heard of the fun-filled short sojourns complete with bus fares, hotel
accommodations, food, and 5-star shows that are comparable to Las Vegas
productions.
Very civic-minded and contributors to Gawad Kalinga, the Boeremas also
distribute food bags and thousands of sandals in Nueva Ecija which they do
yearly. As a kick-off of their exciting GeM agency, the couple is offering a
1,000 gift to any charitable association that will sign up 25 couples in one of
the trips.
*** Welcome to Ethan Michael, born 7 pounds, 1 ounce
and 19.5. in lengthon Nov. 14th. Proud parents are Mark and Nicole Borja Kerner.
Nicole is the daughter of Malou Reyes Borja.
***
Give yourself a treat during your Christmas vacation, go on a house-viewing
at the Silo Ridge subdivision in Orland Park where the Jains' home is situated.
Homes are just like mini-cathedrals and palaces, very stately, and magnificent.
We also enjoyed the colorful and spectacular Christmas decor of the Drs.
Hernaez in Green Oaks. Simply impressive.
***
Thank you, Via Times, for a terrific Christmas party held in Chinatown on
Dec. 8th. Three words to describe it, fun, fun, fun. Only the best of Chinese
cuisine was served which we heard was carefully selected by Joe Mauricio who is
a gourmet cook, himself. ***
Fred Tsai was beaming with delight because he was treated with the hottest
canned peanuts ever. Like Faye Mendiola, she and Fred can compete in Texas or
Mexico in the "hottest pepper contest," and come out as the winners without
shedding a tear.
We spotted Lady Congen, charming as always, Fides Herrera Lim, winning a
golf club set, perfect for Consul General Leo.
Girlie Pascual hosted the evening’s program loaded with fun-filled surprises
and free raffle prizes for the VT family and guests. The Manankil's table seated
with Dr. Ed and Marizon Relucio, Rey and Naarni Ilagan, Ramon Lazaro, and Dr.
Vio and Lina Jonson.
****
Ching Jao Manalo celebrated her 70th birthday on Saturday, November 26th at
the Heatherridge Recreation Center in Gurnee. The intimate affair was hosted by
her children and grandchildren; Bob and Heather Manalo, Jim and Nina Manalo
Strezewski, Dave and Lisa Manalo Noonan and Ryan and Cyndy Manalo Krietsch.
Special guests who flew in from California were sister Vivian Jao Herrera
and best friend and classmate Sylvia Sebastian. Big brother Dr. Rudy Jao and
wife Tessie were also in attendance.
Other attendees were Ching’s UST College of Nursing classmates, co-workers
from the VA, fellow Marinduquenos, and many nephews, nieces and friends.
In lieu of gifts, donations were made to Marinduque International Inc, a
charitable organization of which Ching is currently President. ###
Dr. & Mrs. Manuel M.
Sanchez with their Children and Grandchildren taken
during the 2nd Wedding Reception for Hazel Sanchez and
Peter Rapciewicz held at
The Hilton Garden Inn in Kankakee, Illinois on
December 3, 2011. Their Wedding
Ceremony and Reception was in New York City last
October 8, 2011..
We are in awe of all what the Samahan sa Baryo has done for our Kababayans
back home, projects such as giving financial support to the Cataract Surgery
Program for indigent patients in conjunction with doctors at Medical City in
Manila.
This was started in 2007 by Kapitan Dr. Danny Martinez, followed by Kapitana
Evelyn Cerceo. The surgery costs $200 per patient, and this wonderful help has
been going on for the last four years.
In May of this year, thru the leadership of Kapitan Abe Barcebal, SSB
provided $3,000 initial funding to a micro-finance project in San Jose Antique
with the cooperation of San Jose Credit Union. The targeted recipients are the
itinerant market vendors, who in the past have turned to individual money
brokers using a system commonly known as 5/6, amounting to a 240% per annum loan
for a start-up capital in business.
The program provided the vendors affordable short-term financing and gave
them the opportunity to prove that they are dependable and responsible in
fulfilling their financial obligations when offered affordable terms. Because
of the success of the program, SSB is looking to partner with similar
institution in Manila or Northern Luzon.
Hazel Sanchez and Peter
Rapciewicz Wedding picture in front of Fifth Ave.
Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York City, New
York on October 8, 2011
.
