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