ALIGUAS MANGALDAN: Celebrating Life, History and Culture of Mangaldanians

De Vera-Flores of Vancouver, CA

My cousin Orlando "Dong" de Vera invited me and my family to join them in a traditional Christmas Day lunch with another de Vera, Josie. I learned that Josie and I are also relatives as our names appear in the 8-generation family tree of the Serafica's (beginning with Sudiano Serafica in 1720).

Josie holds my granddaughter, Natalie. Her husband, Bonnie Flores (from La Union) is at the center and rightmost is the music wizard and wholesome entertainer, Dong.

Bonnie and Josie are such a warm and generous hosts. They took turns serving the guests and they made us feel so home sick after seeing all the native "handaan".

Just look at those delicacies!

Dong pulled out his guitar and brought the crowd to nostalgia singing, "Pasko na Naman", "Ang Pasko ay sumapit." I was hoping someone would recall the lyrics of "Galikin, galiken, ka pastorisan..."

Josie's brother, Fred, wearing a mustard-yellow jacket, came in from Oregon to join the gathering. Fred has not been home to Mangaldan since he left in 1975. He is looking forward to finally visit his hometown in the next three years.

The matriarch of the family is Tia Yayao (married to the late Guillermo de Vera). She was glad to hear me greet her Merry Christmas in Pangasinan. Seated to her left is Carlos Cruz, Dong's father-in-law, Mita Cruz-De Vera, Dong's wife, my grandaughter Natalie and Maridel Hernandez-De Guzman, my wife.

Bonnie's career start in Canada in 1978 is a story worth writing about and can be an inspiration to all of us migrants. Despite being a established professional (civil engineer) back in the Philippines, Bonnie went through the entry ladder start as a welder and made his way up to be a much sought after consultant nowadays. He says hard work, perseverance, solid values, prayers and a strong family relationship are keys to eventual success.

That was one great Christmas Day gathering! Thank you, Bonnie and Josie.

Serafica's of Mangaldan

My immediate relatives from the Serafica side sent their Christmas pictures.

Tio Benny and wife, Consuelo, celebrated Christmas together with their children, Dr. John Paul S. and Dr. Monet S. 

If the "handa" seems too large for the four of us, we had other guests - household help and handymen with their families.  Traditionally we invite them for the 'noche buena", after which we give them their gifts and red envelope "ang pao's", to show our appreciation for their work and loyalty,

John Paul went on a medical mission to Bicol which was badly hit by the last typhoon.  He got back in plenty of time for Christmas.  His group was featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer with a photo of John Paul treating a typhoon victim.

Happy New Year to all of you in Mangaldan.

The family of the late Tio Luis Serafica also observed the traditional family get together in the Serafica home just right beside the "tindaan ed poblacion". Tia Paz (nee: Generosa) is seated at the center. My cousin, "Tot-tot" Atty. Maria Paz Serafica (rightmost, standing) sent the picture.

Aquino's of Manteca, CA

Arturo Aquino sent me a pair of emails and I have taken the liberty to share his pictures and writeup. (Djoma)

The Aquino siblings of Manteca and Lathrop, California extends  our  kabeleyan "Christmas Greetings and a very good wish for a Happy New Year."

Attached picture taken a year ago.  From left to right: James (Moises), Arturo, Theodore (Teodoro), Isaias and our Inang (Margarita Aquino) who's 88 years old, makulit, always stays busy looking for things to do to the extent of locking you out of your own house.

Attached is a picture taken yesterday in Manteca, Calif. in celebration of Christmas which I would like to share with our kabaleyans.

Thanks to the site. I was able to get in touch with Mon Orap who's a dear friend of the family. I can relate to his experiences, reading with a chuckle his email  to Marie on how he pulls sugar canes(onas) from trucks that passes by. My brothers and I who are known as the sapateros, once lived in the center of commerce of Mangaldan (tindaan), were more probably adept in that art of pulling because it would mean.... our desserts and bouts of acid reflux (apagew cuanda),  a local version of Zantac would have helped back then.

Keep up the good work. We look forward to seeing more of our kabaleyans from your site.

Picture shown seated on the floor left to right : Theodore and brother Arturo Aquino.

Seated on the couch left to right: Estrella Tibule Aquino (wife of Theodore from Baloling, Mapandan), Esther Aquino Tecson (Mama Eding Aquino's daughter from Banaoang), My Inang (Marie's boloy) Margarita Aquino, Aida Aquino Navarro (Esthers' sister and wife of the late Frank Navarro Jr. from Banaoang), Leticia Lalicon Aquino ( wife of my brother Isaias from Istasion, baley), Isaias Aquino, and my wife Apolonia Ferrer Aquino (from Amansabina).

Paskohan sa Sydney

Some of our viewers are experiencing difficulty in viewing the uploaded video clip of carolers from Sydney because it requires the use of a specific movie player (Quicktime). We are trying this other system for video viewing. Kindly give us feedback on your viewing experience. -- Djoma

Caroling Time in Sydney

The Sydney group is having a hey day in celebrating the Christmas holidays. Here's a video clip sent by Pec Visperas from last weekend's gathering. Note: click on the screen image to activate the video clip. If it does not work, double click. If it gives you trouble sent us your comments.

We invite all Kabaleyan to send us pictures and video clips of how you are celebrating Christmas. In case, a technology issue arises that slows down transmission of videos, a patch to a third party server will be installed so we can still view the clips.

Thank you, Pec and Tess for taking the time out to prepare the video and the gathering.

Grand Reunion: MNHS 1972

Mon (Ramon) Orap who is based in Sydney, NSW, Australia sent this response to my email. ---Djoma

"Vicente Orap is my uncle.

My family lived near the crossing (Dizon, Macatlang ). Rene Magno - son of Atty Loduvico Magno, was our neighbour. Our house is in the corner of the roads going to Mapandan and Landas/David.  I used to sit outside my house when I was a teenager waiting for the trucks and pull some of the sugar canes. That was my life... Nothing much to do then but surely we miss those little adventures. As you know it takes a good practice before you can pull around 10 "onas" to share among your little friends. You were considered to be a hero and provider then.

Dont know much of the Oraps in Macayug but I am sure they were under the spell of the local power at the time.

By the way, would it be ok if we can put our coming class re union in the site? Details are:

Grand Re union of the Mangaldan High School Class 1972.

Dates July 6-8 2007.

Contact: Ramon Orap email Kingjafaorap@yahoo.com.au

Fred Monsada email Monsaderf55@yahoo.com

We are expectig many attendees from New York, Cali, England, Italy,the Saudis, India. Hongkong , and of course our local classmates in Mangaldan whose efforts and assistance are endless in organising the coming gig."

Thanks mate

Cherio...

Mon