AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

January 19, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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Kutitap By Becky PagsibinganBy Becky Pagsibingan
The days after Christmas were restful and glorious for me -no more tight schedules nor pressure to dash from party to party, no more shopping nor fighting crowds in the mall, no more cooking, no more writing and mailing out cards nor wrapping of gifts. So I kicked back, cuddled under my favorite blanket and enjoyed watching DVD movies - just watching and not multi-tasking. This was pure luxury!

The Roa Family Christmas Visit
This was also the time when Boots Anson Roa visited from Manila. Many Washingtonians still remember Boots and Pete Roa from the early 80s till mid- 90s when they decided to return back home for good. They were popular in the community with their involvement in different and varied events. Boots arrived a couple of days before Christmas with her daughter Chiqui who traveled with husband Congressman Robbie Puno and their two sons, Randy and Nico. This visit elicited mixed emotions in the Roa family. Happy because this was the first time Boots spent Christmas with her oldest daughter, Leah and youngest son, Ben, since she returned back to Manila some fourteen years ago. She visited several times in the past, but not during the nostalgic Christmas season . And sad because the Padre de Familia and esposo of Boots passed away four months ago in Manila. I was visiting with my husband when Pete Roa died, but luckily had the chance to talk to him a day before his last.
It was a good decision to have spent their first Christmas without Pete here than in Manila. All the apos were excited to see their Lola Boots who distributed aguinaldo on Christmas day. Leah has four children and Ben, two. Saturday after Christmas, family and friends gathered in the home of Ben and Michelle in Ashburn. It was a happy reunion with the Roas, my family, and several other common friends. On New Years Eve, we were at the place of Vic and Linda Frondoso, the in-laws of Ben and parents of Michelle. We waited and welcomed the New Year with all the trimmings -champagne, hats, noise makers and shower of coins for good luck. Nanny Janet of the Frondosos took care of all these fun things. She was so detail oriented that she even thought of distributing small plastic bags to put the coin loots. She instructed all of us not to spend them and to keep the coins for good luck this year - I guess good luck in money. Some of us even wore attire with round designs or with round accessories like pendant, brooch, etc.. Linda Frondoso wore a dress with big white dots all over.
It was decided that the last dinner would be at the home of Sonny and Maura Gahuman. Maura was well loved in the Roa household and was popular within their circle of friends. Nanny Maura took care of Ben, the youngest in the family and easily became endearing to everyone whenever we had family gatherings at their home in McLean back then. Then, she got married and raised a family of her own. She prepared and cooked dishes that were popular with us during those days and over dinner, we reminisced happy and fun times especially with our childrens activities and mischief. It was truly a relaxing dinner in a family atmosphere like the old times.
Boots Anson Roa, a Friend
I had fun with Boots when we went to BSW, a new shoe store in the Tysons Corner area. We started this shopping for shoes activity a few years back whenever she visited and it became a tradition for us to do so. This was the only time for us to get to talk about ourselves and our family. With her situation now being a viuda, I asked her if she would consider coming back to Virginia. Of course she would, but it will be very challenging and not easy to do.
I have known Boots to be so self contained and calm even in moments of sadness. Her composure was so amazing and nothing has changed in her. She has a great sense of humor, like her late husband, and her sense of values is incomparable, a wonderful example to her children, grandchildren and a jewel friend. It will really be nice if she comes back. Reconnecting will be easy as she still has a lot of fans, acquaintances, friends and professional colleagues in the Washington, D.C. area.
Cheers to the PAFC Board
A toast to cheer was in order to celebrate the first event for 2008 at the Embassy of the Philippines on January 9, 2008. It was also the first event in the Filipino American community as the newly elected Board of Directors and the appointed Executive Officers were inducted by Ambassador Willy Gaa. Yours truly was one of the nine Board members who was sworn into office. The nine were Ador Carreon, Ernie Cordero, Dr. Victor Lorica, Becky Pagsibigan, Nick Tongson, Ed Tiong, Presy Guevara, Fely Gomez and Gerry Llames. The appointed Executive Officers were also called to be inducted : President - Ador Carreon, the only elected position; Vice-President for Internal Affairs -Ludy Cabanas; Vice-President for External Affairs, Ruby Barbosa, Secretary - Mila Nazal , and Treasurer - Dave Pagsibigan.
Family and friends were present to congratulate the new board and officers of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. This new group has already lined up their plans for 2008 and has formed the different committees headed by each of them - Youth, Education and Arts and Culture, Youth, Senior Citizens, Philippine Festival, Fundraising, Membership and Special events.
The gracious Mrs. Linda Gaa not only attended the event, but also brought some dishes for the occasion. It has already been circulated in the community that Madame Gaa is a gourmet cook and a delightful interior decorator. The Lumpiang Sariwa with homemade wrapper was so delicious that they were gone first. With much appreciation, we thank the kind and generous wife of Ambassador Gaa. We thank Ambassador Gaa for taking his precious time to conduct the induction ceremony.
And of course, have you seen a Filipino American party or gathering without kodakan?
January Birthday
Celebrants
Presy Guevara - 1/1
Fred Soriano - 1/8
Ched Bautista - 1/8
Ellen Moran - 1/19
Dr. Cesar Madarang - 1/24
Warie Azarcon - 1/24
Dr. Marilou Jimenez - 1/29
Boots Anson Roa - 1/30
Email address: pagsibiganr@aol.com

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