“Simbuyo” Cultural Night

The month-long celebration of the Philippine Independence in the Washington, D.C. area opened with the Brown Strokes on a White Canvas reception, at the Philippine Embassy last June 3. Amb. Willy C. Gaa, and Mrs. Linda, cut the ribbon to officially open the art exhibit (See Brown Strokes)story and photos elsewhere in this issue). With them was Julian M. Oteyza, Chair, Brown Strokes on A White Canvas, Maurese Owens, Malcolm and Nenita Churchill, Presy Guevarra, and the various artists participating in the exhibit.
The weather in the Metro DC area had been bad the first week of June but this did not stop guests from attending. A sumptuous buffet, San Miguel beer, wine, and assorted drinks flowed through the night.
As in every event, Filipinos were busy with their “Kodak” moment and chikahan.

This was followed by the “Simbuyo” Cultural Night June 5 at the Grand Hall, Visitors Center, Church of Latter Day Saints, Kensington, Maryland.

Again it was a very rainy Friday, so the program started a bit later to accommodate late comers that got stuck in the traffic.

Audience was treated to almost two hours of Filipino songs and dances with a audio visual backdrop of Philippine vignettes.

It opened with the Northern Virginia Rondalla, followed by the Effie Nanas Ballet School with their interpretation of Itik-Itik. Beautiful, young and energetic dancers came out with a big smile in their faces.
This was followed by piano rendition of Kundiman ng Luha, by a young talented and accomplished Filipina American Genevieve Llames.

Another group, the Ateneo Alumni Choir surprised the audience of their good singing. The performers alternated their numbers that made the audience in their seat and enjoyed every bit.
Simbuyo, literally means an outburst of emotion.

I call it Cultural Bailout. For one night, Filipino Americans were treated to a Philippine cultural night filled with music and dances. For a moment, we forgot about the economic crunch, unemployment, and the uncertainty of our future.

As the performers took their last curtain call, guests spilled to the lobby with smiles in their faces, an extra bounce in their stride, and sense of pride to be Pinoy.

The Philippine American Foundation for Charities (PAFC), did a great job for sponsoring a free event during this hard economic times.

To Ador and Nanette Carreon, Maurese Owens, Atty. Tanya Lat, Miriam Iris Suyat, Ateneo Alumni, Genevieve Llames, Effie Nanas Ballet School, Northern Virginia Ballet School, PACAS, Presy Guevara, Amb. and Mrs. Willy C. Gaa, Elder Rich, and to all the volunteers, thank you.

To Robert Borje, the new Cultural Officer for doing a tremendous job behind the scenes.

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Apart from the despedida for Consul Rico Fos at the Alumni House of George Washington University, separate receptions were held by friends in other venues. One of them was a get-together dinner in a restaurant in Bethesda, Maryland in which White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford was present. (Story and photo of despedida elsewhere in this issue)

Rico, Myla, and son, Ton Ton, were also feted May 31 by several family friends May 31 at the home of Nina and Des Cunanan, in Potomac falls, Virginia.

(put photo here) From left are Alma Conty, Nina Cunanan, Mara David, Fred Embuscado, Mrs. Varela, Des Cunanan, Nanette Carreon, Bill Branigin, Vicky Embuscado, Chelo David, Dulce Guevara, Bong David, Presy Guevara, Rico and Myla Fos, and Ador Carreon.

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Don McCollumn celebrated is birthday with family and friends while visiting the area last Memorial Day weekend at the home of Francisco and Rose Valeirano at a high rise condominium building in Rosslyn, Virginia. Photo shows, from left, Zashar Valeriano, Sammie Valeriano, and Rihanna Richards. Back row: Francisco Valeriano, Don McCollum, Leila Benitez McCollum, Emma Benitez Valeriano, and Rose Aquino Valeriano.
Another successful Coronation & Ball for the Miss Teenage Philippines(r) Pageant, Inc. took place May 24th, 2009 at the J.W Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. The pageants opening number, a jazz dance performed by the 7 candidates, set the tone for the evening’s festivities. This was followed by the presentation of Candidates wearing a glamorous sequined “terno” and their escorts, wearing a “barong tagalog”. This formal attire is the traditional dress worn in the Philippines.

At the end of the evening, Adrienne Usman, a senior at Bishop Denis O’Connell High School was crowned the 2009 Miss Teenage Philippines. Samantha Jamilee Salazar Domigpe who attends Thomas A. Edison High school was chosen as 1st runner-up. The 5 finalists (in random order) were: Krystle Canare of Westlake High school, Kasie Cantor Culi of Oxon Hill High school, Joanna Marie Canda attended a special school for the Deaf/High school, Kristine May Climaco of Oxon Hill middle school and Kelly-Anne Bianca Salcedo Salita at Northwest High school in Silver Spring, MD.

Other titles also won that evening were “Miss Faith”, “Miss Popularity”, and “Miss Hope”. The Miss Faith title was won by Krystle Canare, the candidate who was able to have the most ads placed in the Souvenir program. The Miss Hope was Adrienne Usman, the candidate who had the next highest ads and Miss Popularity, the candidate who had the most guests in attendance was Adrienne Usman.

Popularity: unranked [?]