Christmas at the Park--It is an Ilocos Surian way: An achievement

My humble message to the members of the Ilocos Surian Association of Hawaii (ISAH) as co-Chair of the Christmas Party Planning Committee, and also co-organizers and advisers of this ‘action group’ tay pagsasao nga “aramid ti pakakitaan” [action tells everything] "Nothing is impossible as we have that spirit of commitment, time, and priorities and consider yourself as an ‘achiever’ are the key in achieving things, it is action over idea and intent. It may be immediate or in long term.” 

 

For only two successive ISAH Christmas Planning Committee meetings held at McDonald, Pearl Kai with Danny Villaruz, Al Sabangan, Roger Tapat, Amado Yoro, [Art was not able to attend] on November 25, 2014; and on December 9, 2014, with Danny Villaruz, Al Sabangan, Rose Sabangan, Art Abinsay [Roger Tapat was not able to attend] but as the meetings progressed and developed, most part of the program of activities were set and agreed upon.

After those two Christmas Planning Committee meetings, general notices to all unit organization presidents, all advisers, were appropriately and duly sent out through emails and also presented at the ISAH regular monthly Board members meeting on December 2, 2014 at the Susannah Wesley Community Center.

The Real thing: It was early dawn 4:45 am on December 13, 2014 Saturday, my daughter Cheryl Lei drove me to the Neal Blaisdell Park where Christmas party is held.  Al Sabangan, Art Abinsay, Roger Tapat, Danny Villaruz and this writer came early as 5am to the Park in order to secure a good spot for the Christmas picnic,

As always, in every event or activity/ies, I have a park permit with me from the City Department of Parks and Recreation.

That morning looked so beautiful and the weather is cooperating, I was so delighted to see that other members of the different unit organizations eventually arriving as indicated in the notices sent out to them.

For attendance purposes, I asked them to register and sign up as they arrived. About 60 members representing their respective unit organization.   

ISAH was fortunate to have Miss Oahu Filipina Lovely Orsino in the crowd, also two former State House of Representatives Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr., and Ben Cabreros, one current Representative Romy Cachola, four past presidents of the Oahu Filipino Council, Amado Yoro, Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr., Ben Cabreros [also ISAH past president] Danny Villaruz, all members of the OFCC Council of Past Presidents, all from Ilocos Sur, Ms. Charlene Cuaresma, former State Board of Education member and vice president of the Fil-American Citizens League.

The guests were Miss Oahu Filipina Lovely Orsino, Ellen Orsino, Gloria Padasdao, Rolly Padasdao, Charlene Cuaresma, others. 

The program was emceed by ISAH 1vp Estrella Taong, with an opening prayer. Opening remarks by Chair Al Sabangan followed by ISAH president Danny Villaruz, greetings and welcome remarks. “With your cooperation and continued support and in the spirit of the holidays, we gathered here celebrating the coming of Jesus Christ” said Danny Villaruz as he welcomed the group. “And with so many activities and projects we had been involved and accomplished during the years within and outside, I personally say thank you to you all”.

Luncheon followed with a tasty lechon as provided by the Ilocos Surian Association.

In the entertainment portion, songbird of Narvacaneos Lucy Funtanilla rendered two beautiful Ilokano songs something with a 'diborsio and alimony'. Ms. Lucy is the wife of Mr. Louie "Agbayag" Ka Funtanilla, who lent us his portable microphone with CD in various Ilokano songs also, that according to him - these songs make him strong tapno 'agbayag' [new term for AGBIAG]

Part of the program that I prepared the night before the picnic, each unit president and/or representative must be given an opportunity to convey their holiday greetings to their respective members like Davelyn Quijano, SNHSAAH, Ben Somera, Cabugao vice president; Alice Castaneda, San Juan Lapog, Roger Tapat of Sto Domingo Assn. - Hawaii Chapter; Danny Villaruz, Santanians Assn of Hawaii USA; Louie Funtanilla, Narvacan; Maria Cristina White, Santiaguenians Assn of Hawaii; Neil Gazo, Candonians of Hawaii vice president [Helen Go, president left earlier]; Amado Yoro, Annak Ti Sinait Iti Hawaii, adviser who expressed his sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all volunteers and participants in all the projects and activities under the OFCC Special projects in partnership with UFCH and other organizations. 

We surely missed some unit presidents for some reason or another and no representatives from Magsingal Assn of Hawaii; Annac Ti Caoayan, Tagudinians of Hawaii, Santa Marians of Hawaii but donated some dessert. But as a saying goes: life must go on.

For the goodness of heart, as the organizer and coordinator of the Mission Day Service in the Feeding the Homeless and Adopt a Highway/Park with the UFCH/OFCC and partner organizations, and the Institute for Human Services and the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Highway Division for many years now I cannot close my eyes what I’ve seen around our tables with bounty and abundant of foods, I shared my suggestion to President Danny Villaruz and Chair Al Sabangan to share  a good service and extend to some homeless brothers and sister at the park. I asked Vangie Bacani, another volunteer for the feeding the homeless at the shelter to prepare plates with food and served them meals. What a good feeling to hear their expression of gratitude.

The singing contest portion featured as judges were Nancy Walch, Charlene Cuaresma and Ben Cabreros.

WINNERS: Vigan, Cabugao and Sinait, 1st, 2nd and 3rd placers, respectively. Criteria based on Stage presence, Poise/Artistic, Voice/Melody, Timing/Force with 25% each to a total 100 points.

Greetings were also expressed by State Rep. Romy Cachola, former Reps. Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr., Ben Cabreros [ISAH past president]

Another highlight of the program was the official announcement of the win of Vigan City as one to the New Seven Wonders of the World, Vigan Assn president Tessie Aganon expressed her deep and heartfelt gratitude to all supporters of this historical and significant event rendered to the former Ciudad Fernandina and the capital city of Ilocos Sur.

Special Announcements were made by former Rep Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr., and ISAH Adviser the following upcoming event 2015: the 2nd President Elpidio Quirino Leadership and Humanitarian Award/Gala on May 2, 2015; Mrs. ISAH 2015 in October 2015; Project Marker in Barangay Ambulogan, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, boundary of Narvacan and Abra province, Revisiting the Sakada Statute at the Port Salomague, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, the Syquia Building in downtown Vigan City, the ISAH Medical Mission on December 7 to 22, 2015; others.

ISAH was organized on February 27, 1977 by 22 community and civic oriented leaders from different towns of Ilocos Sur like Sinait [Manuel Cabacungan, Fred Saludes, Pacita Saludes, Amado Yoro], Magsingal [Francisco Ponce, Bert Ugalino, Mike Ulibas, Francisco Ugale], Sta. Catalina [Leon Flores], Vigan [Jun Abinsay, Mario Albalos, Peter Aduja], Caoayan [John Quiocho, Julio Quiocho, Jr., Elvin Quiocho] , Santa [Ernie Cardenas], Narvacan [Macario Manzano], Santa Maria [Art Perez]; Candon [Johnny Villanueva], San Esteban [Ismael MEL Europa, Annie Lugmao, Sonia Lugmao Arranza]

ISAH is an active member of the Oahu Filipino Community Council and the United Filipino Council of Hawaii. Actively involved in various community fundraising, scholarship, typhoon victims campaign drives; community outreach and services include but not limited to Feeding the Homeless, Adopt a Highway/park, Hawaii Food Bank, Walk for Fun, Health Fitness and Medical Missions, community and organizations’ conventions and seminar/workshops. The Fil-Com Center and with other civic organizations’ activities.

Officers 2014-2016 are Danny Villaruz, president; Dr. Estrella Pada Taong,1vp; Letty Dar Dalit, 2vp; Loida Alimboyoguen Yamamoto, recording secretary; Davelyn Ancheta Quijano, corresponding secretary; Rose Sabangan, treasurer; Lina Barnachea Mercado, assistant treasurer; Alice Castaneda, auditor; Emmie Villaruz, assistant auditor; Antonio Ipalari and Romulo Basuel, PRO; sgt. at arms: Art Abinsay, Jimmy Dalit, Nemesio Dar, Al Sabangan, Paul Taong.

Advisers: Rep. Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr., Ben Cabreros, Romy Cachola, Maria Etrata, Louie Funtanilla, Al Sabangan, Dr. Charlie Y. Sonido, Engr. Carlito Soria, Dr. Ignacio Torres, Amado I. Yoro.

ISAH Past Presidents: Atty. Peter Aduja, John Quiocho, Mario Albalos, Sid Villafuerte, Rey Custodio, Ben Cabreros, Epifanio Billena, Julio Quiocho, Jr.