The Glorious Autumn

October 21, 2007  --  Got something to say?
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KutitapBy Becky Pagsibingan
Autumn has arrived and the holidays are just around the corner! I bought some pots of mums to adorn and add colors to my front door - yellow, rust and burnt orange. They are beautiful and they greet me every day when I go to work. I anticipate the opening of the tiny buds as I open my door and look at them every morning. I hope that when in full bloom, they last the whole fall season until the chilly winter enters the scene.

Ive seen ads for Christmas shopping already, but I am not in the mood for that, yet. I have to savor the beauty of autumn first, my favorite season. Soon we will see the change in colors of the leaves from green to bright yellow, burnt orange and red, a wonderful transformation, and slowly they will fall on the grounds with a sparkling glow from the shining sun. The splendor of autumn is feast to my eyes and this marvelous sight does not fail me every year since I arrived in Virginia twenty some years ago.

I always thought that things will slow down in the community after the busy summer, but - not! I have to constantly remind myself that it is not the case. In fact, friends and associations examine the calendar and consider this season as an appropriate time to hold their parties and events. With this thinking, the calendar of events became crowded again this season. A couple of times in the recent weeks, two, three or even four gatherings were scheduled in the same evening. I really would like to slow down a little bit and enjoy the palette of colors and tempered weather.

* Book Launching
The launching of Sarah K. Joaquins book at the Embassy of the Philippines on October 5, 2007 brought together friends and family of the late author. Her children who live in the area were present to welcome the invited guests - Nenita Rasmussen, Jojo de la Rosa and Joey Joaquin. Tony Joaquin who is based in Daly City, CA did not make it to the event. Rico Fos, the Cultural Consul, played a big part in arranging and coordinating the book launching.

Invited to speak to honor Mama Sarah were Herminia Ubaldo Smith, Tony Romualdez and Oscar Bunoan. Joey Joaquin, the youngest son, spoke on behalf of the Joaquin family. The program ended with a book signing session by the children.

* Birthday Parties
Lita Ramos celebrated her birthday recently at her home in Burke, Virginia. Yearly, she invites friends and well wishers to an almost day long gathering with a fiesta-like atmosphere at her place. A caterer, she cooks almost all the dishes spread out on the dining table. Only the lechon is normally ordered. Like a typical Filipino party, Lita makes sure everyone does not go home without a to go plastic bag - hospitable and generous. Husband Frank entertains the guys with rounds of drinks and karaoke singing session. He sings ala Engleberg Humperdink. Some guests I met at the party were Lilia and Danny Alba, Minerva Rosenthal, Yolly and Johnny Arzadon, Ernie Cordero, Alice and Marvin Santos, Irma Montero, Auring and Frank Redodndo, Bobby and Nina Tamayo hosted a birthday party for Kristin Soriente, the beloved niece of Nina at their home in Springfield, Virginia. The party girl who works at the Embassy of Kuwait and who turned twenty four years old was greeted by the big Soriente-Santos and Tamayo clan, her friends and the hosts friends. Bobby and Nina are known to host parties who serve dishes the attendees usually long remember - masarap talaga! My favorite is Bobbys Pancit Malabon and Egg Pie. Nina is proud of her husband who admittedly is the better chef in the family.

At the party was the group that went to attend the recent Accountants conference in Toronto.
They enjoyed the trip so much that they never got tired of recounting their experience in that conference especially how they won a place in the gala balls dance presentation. My husband Pat and I enjoyed this wonderful and extremely funny group - Bobby and Nina Tamayo, Mike and Chris Banagan, Bong and Josephine Pangilinan, Dave and Francine Pagsibigan, Ed and Virgie Aznar, Al Trapal, and Patrick Ferraren.

* Welcome Party
Buddy and Jojo Masanque hosted a luncheon party recently at their hone in Ashburn, Virginia, honoring Jeremias Paul, Philippine Finance Undersecretary who was in Washington, DC on official visit. Invited guests were Philippine Ambassador Willy and Mrs. Linda Gaa, Wendell Gaa, present and former executives from the World Bank and IMF and their espouses -Maurito and Helen Garcia, Charlie and Eunice Garrrido, Josefina Pauline Dizon, Tony and Cristina Romualdez and others.
On the side, my husband, Pat, and I came a bit late because of my cotillion rehearsal and missed friends like Tony and Cristina whom I have not seen for quite sometime now. I met them a week later at a book launching at the Philippine Embassy where Tony delivered a tribute to the writer of the book, the late Sarah Joaquin. Here we had a quick chit-chat about our children and their apos by children Pael, Kiko, Ana and Martin. Brother of Jojo, Dave Pagsibigan with wife Francine, also arrived late. Dave and Jojo are my husbands nephew and niece.

* Fundraising Event
Sonny and Melitte Acuna graciously hosted a fundraising event at their elegant home in Fairfax Station, Virginia to support the election campaigns of Vellie Dietrich-Hall, a Filipina American candidate running as Supervisor for Mason District in Fairfax County. The couple invited some friends who were generous donors said campaign. Supporters among others at the event were Roger Saplan, Rico Santos, Gary Azarcon, Ruby Pernea, Vincent (brother of Melitte) and wife, Marylou Gonzales, Bing Branigin and others. Vellies campaign volunteers who helped managed the gathering were, Maurese and Kevin Owens, Warie Azarcon, Inday and Rene Alvir, and Becky Pagsibigan.

Host Sonny Acuna had announced that he will give a victory celebration party for Vellie complete with a lechon if she wins the elections. Vellie who spoke with confidence and enthusiasm presented her platform and urged the audience to extend their support for her as the election day nears.
* Upcoming event
The Embassy of the Philippines will host a workshop which I will conduct - Philippine Folk Dance: Training the Trainers” on October 20 and 21, 2007. Participants are the student leaders at universities in Metro Washington DC who teach Philippine Folk Dances at their respective cultural groups. About 50 - 60 participants have signed up to attend the two-day workshop which will cover two parts - the theoretical and practical. The aim of the workshop is to appreciate the interest and enthusiasm of the student leaders in promoting Philippine culture through Philippine Folk dances and most importantly, to preserve the authenticity of the dance steps, movements and use of appropriate costumes. Certificates will be awarded to the participants who will successfully attend the workshop. Rico Fos, the energetic Cultural Consul who arranged the event will do the initial introduction and will also act as the emcee for the two-day workshop. Arrangements are being made for Ambassador Willy Gaa has to award the certificates.

An interested party in Richmond had contacted the Rico Fos for a similar two-day workshop for their local group. I am working on my schedule to make it happen in November.

* October Birthday Celebrants:
- Dr. Alvin Madarang of Potomac, MD on 10/6.
- Efren Sangalang of Germantown, MD on 10/8
- Nicky Suarez, son of Lito and Millette Suarez of Beltsville, MD on 10/9
- Remy Cabrera, of Gaithersburg, MD on 1011
- Rissa M. Pagsibigan, my daughter, on 10/18
- Ben Roa, son of the late Pete and Boots Anson Roa on 10/23
- Pat Pagsibigan, my husband, on 10/25
- Vellie Dietrich-Hall, candidate for Mason District Supervisor on 10/26

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