Celebrating Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010

Two days ago. Pine Brook, NJ


A Christmas Story

Our annual Christmas gathering was reborn in 2008 at 10 Oak Lane, Pine Brook, New Jersey. With the superb coordination of Rolly and Sylvia, the party was so memorable. The food set up by Lita and Connie was bountiful as each couple shared their culinary gusto of entrée and dessert. As the host, Nestor offered the toast before Tess’ invocation. Ross, Jimmy, Lisa and Roland led the caroling - surprising us with the tenors, sopranos, and altos coming out of nowhere. Games executed by Rolly and Baby M. were hilarious and fun especially with the out-of-this-world prizes collected by Rudy, Olive and Baby A. Assisting the game team in making sure that bingo players were correctly placing their chips on the designated spots, Bobby deserved a commendation. Momoy and Lulu got most of the prizes!!! As for the clean-up team, kudos to Zoray, Chit, Tess, Ronnie, Jun M and Jun S. for a job well done. It was so much fun….that we did it for the 2009 Holiday Season. Unfortunately, the December 2009 was canceled because of the snowstorm that blanketed the entire New Jersey. We had it anyway in January 2010.

December 18, 2010 marks the third year of our Christmas gathering. We are happy to host the party again. We are excited that Ampie and Tipin are in our midst tonight. Due to prior commitments, the Malalis and the Belarminos can not join us.



The Barkada’s Christmas Tree

Bobby and Chit brought a live tree as their gift to us on that 2008 wonderful event. To this date, the tree has grown into its new height with its luscious branches as you see it now. As I look at this beautiful and vibrant tree, it reminds me of the true friendship of our group…..a friendship that has withstood the test of times….a friendship that keeps us together…..a friendship that is strong and powerful. The core of fraternalism is not only shared by the brotherhood of our husbands, but also their spouses, families and friends.

I recommended to Nestor that this tree becomes the Barkada’s Christmas Tree. We decided to decorate it with the pictures of each and every one of us as you have become part of our family. Because of this tree of life, I became interested on the origin of the Christmas tree. Let me share with you what I have learned:

“Christmas tree is a very important symbol of Christmas. Origin and history of Christmas tree is not exactly known and confirmed. It is believed that usage of Christmas tree started from pagan traditions. Evergreen trees were revered as deities by Pagans. They used to believe that evergreen trees always remained green, even when other trees got dried and dead. Evergreen trees signified eternal hope and life. It was Scandinavian Pagans who first decorated evergreen trees. It is believed that if they bring these trees indoor during winters and decorate them, they will create warmth and comfort. It creates an environment favorable to fairies and holy spirits.

Then, green plants were used to décor houses in ancient Rome. Green plants also signify good luck. For that reason, branches of green plants were exchanged to wish good luck and prosperous life. It was only around the 16th century that religious Christians brought green trees into their houses and adorned them.”


WE WISH YOU A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

CONNIE AND NESTOR

e2 Update

Here's the final update of our Christmas party.

Date, time and place: Saturday, December 18, 2010, 3 PM
Nestor/Connie's Place
#10 Oak Lane, Pine Brook, NJ

Attendees and food:
Connie & Nestor
Olive & Rudy - beef stew
Chit & Bobby - pancit & leche plan
Zoray & Mau - chicken picata & chocolate cake
Babie & Jun - crispy pata & ginataang mais
Lulu & Felix - delicious chicken dish
Tess & Roland - Vegetable dishes
Baby & Ross - fried rice & fresh fruits
Ampie & Chris - one dish & ube dessert
Sylvia & Rolly - fried flounder & pickled cucumber, macaroni salad & red wine
Can somebody please bring white wine?

Liza & Jim and Litz & Ron will be unable to join us due to conflict of schedules and prior commitment. We will miss you guys. If there are changes in your plans, please join us anytime, We all wish you a festive and joyous holiday!

We will have exchange gifts (minimum cost: $25, no perishables).

Please bring inexpensive prizes for the winners of talent show and parlor games (prize suggestions: bag of nuts, scented candles, toiletries, kitchen towels/mittens, x'mas tree ornaments, olive oils, cheeses, dried fruits, vegetable chips, spices). The more prizes we have the more games we will have! Also please bring dollar bills for the bingo game.

Other suggestions:
The party starts at 3 PM. Rudy suggested that those who arrive after 3 PM and those who say will come but do not show up will be fined $25 per couple. I suggest that the late comers pay a fine of $10 and the no-shows pay $25 per couple. Monies collected will be used as prizes.

Babie suggested to have a talent show ala America's Got Talent and American Idol. We will do it if there are at least three contestants.

Another suggestion from Rudy is to have Wii games. Nestor will provide the module & software.

Rudy will learn the gobblepalooza dance and will lead in the group dancing.

Suggested Program & assignments:
- table set-up - Connie & Ampie
- welcome toast -Nestor
- COCKTAIL
- Caroling - Roland & Ross (please someone bring lyrics of Christmas songs)
- parlor games - Babie
- Wii game & gobblepalooza - Rudy
- prayer before dinner - Olive
- Advent Gospel reading - Tess
- DINNER
- bingo - Rolly
- more parlor games/talent show/prize distribution - Babie, Baby & Lulu
- card games - Mau
- exchange gifts - Sylvia
- kitchen clean up - Zoray & Chit and all ladies
- clean-up other than kitchen - Bobby and all the gentlemen
- tsismisan, bolahan, kodakan, kainan, inuman throughout the evening.

If you have any questions or other suggestions, please let us know.
See you all at the party. Regards to all.
Sylvia & Rolly

Ogie's 2010

Golfers and Goofers!

Please support:
Handang Tumulong Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 2743
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410

The Handang Tumulong Foundation is a not-for-profit organization whose primary purpose is to raise funds for the needy in the Philippines, the USA and elsewhere around the world, especially the victims of natural disasters and catastrophes. The Handang Tumulong Disaster Relief Fund is a readiness project for the victims of recurrent calamities in the Philippines. For more information, contact the foundation at htfi.2010@gmail.com or visit the website at www.handangtumulong.com

2010 Lakad Tulong

Yesterday, Handang Tumulong Foundation, Inc. held its second annual walkathon fundraiser, LAKAD TULONG, in Jersey City, NJ. In partnership with the Philippine Consulate General of New York, the foundation coordinated this year’s event with the theme, “Walk for Health, Walk to Help.” Participants focussed the importance of health and fitness while raising money to help communities of unpredictable disasters in the Philippines.

The fundraising event was developed to mobilize the Filipino American community give monitorial donations to be used for future relief aid. With this in mind, the foundation will be able to provide the monitorial aid to affected communities in the Philippines within days, when the assistance is greatly needed.

To those who were not able to attend this fundraising event and the fun-filled dinner hosted by Mauro and Zoray, you can still provide your generous donations by sending your check payable to:

Handang Tumulong Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 2743
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410

Rolly at the U.S. Open . . . .

. . . . . While Rudy Watched . . . . .

. . . his favorite team, the "Baguio Buzzards" took on, drubbed and crushed the unbeaten "No Yak Knix" at the roofless Burnham Park Ricebowl.
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Beautiful Saturday!

True story: A case of mistaken identity

The following day, after a night of wild and noisy post wedding celebration, I headed to the hotel parking lot to load up my car. An elderly couple, on their early Sunday morning walk, purposely crossed my path.

Seeing a living creature haggardly coming out of the hotel that early in the day, both cheerfully greeted me with a friendly, “Good morning, how is the father of the bride, today?”

Half awake, without hesitation and with a big reciprocating friendly smile, I retorted, “He is fine! Today, he acquired a son, but a hundred thousand and one dollars poorer!”

“Aw you poor thing, how come you’re still smiling!?” the elderly gentleman exclaimed with a beleaguered and confused look.

I responded, “I’m the friend of - the father of the bride!”
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. . . and a Wuunderfull Evening!

Surpprise 39th wedding anniversary party at our room in Westin Hotel in Princeton, NJ given by friends on Sept 4, 2010, attended by Olive & Rudy Lambino, Jim & Lisa Belarmino, Ross & Baby Asuncion, Jun & Babie Manuel, Mau & Zoray Cruz, Felix & Lulu Sajorda, and Teresa & Ben Garcia.
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Reflections of the Second Bottle of Life

Brothers and Sisters,

Praise the Lord, we just got home safe. We arrived home at exactly 2:30 p.m. just in time for our Tim Horton's coffee.

We just want to thank you all for this wonderful celebration most esp. to our hosts, Bro. Nestor and sis. Connie. We really had fun and enjoyed our sharing of experiences during our earlier years with the Sigma Delta Pi fraternity.

My wife, Lynn, was so amazed seeing all our pictures in the '60's. We were full of hope and energy and of course...with lots of hair and less bulges as opposed to what she witnessed today. Though, she opined to me that all of you still have the traces of sincerity and genuiness in our fraternal relationship inspite of the years that lapsed. She also observed the truth of honesty when we shared that our
fraternity is an honor society. You all look scholarly dignified inspite of your maturity (old age).

Our gratitude also goes to all of you sisters whose efforts and support to your spouses is remarkable and without them, this celebration would not be relevant.

To Babie - your tortang talong is so good as well as the asado and fruits.
Olive - ang sarap ng pancit mo, I know Bro. Rudy assisted you in mixing the pancit.
Tess - I'd like most your karyok plus dinuguan.
Of course the pinakbet of Sylvia is soooo good and the paella which I can only taste during special occasion.
To Connie for the wonderful place and entertainment and very warm reception.
To Rosi and Asamot - for your company and your prayers.

Again, to all of you...Maraming Salamat and God bless.

Ogie and Lynn

The Third Bottle of Life

"Get Together" to Enjoy the Third Bottle of Life!

Here's an update of our get-together. It's on Saturday, August 28 at Nestor & Connie's place in Pine Brook. Try to come by noon, and according to Nestor we can stay as long as we want.

Here's what we are bringing:

Jun & Babie - Chicken asado, tortang talong, fresh fruits, soda
Rudy & Olive - special pancit, beef goulash (gulay or gulat!, however the dish turns out to), red wine
Roland & Tess - daing na bangus, dinuguan, karyoka (dessert)
Rolly & Sylvia - pinakbet, paella, Russian salad, rainbow jello (dessert), red wine
Nestor & Connie - appetizers and everything else needed for the party

Tom/Rosie and Rogie/Lynn - You are our guests. You do not have to bring anything. Just show up.

Please provide food warmers for your dishes if needed. If you do not have warmers, let us know so we can borrow from Connie.

If you have old frat photos, bring them.

Also, think of activities and entertainment we can do.

Can't wait for the party. I am sure it is going to be a blast.

See you all at the party.

Tour d' Narvaez