ALIGUAS MANGALDAN: Celebrating Life, History and Culture of Mangaldanians

Dominic Rivera: Scholar and Athlete

My childhood friend, Raffy Rivera, finally acceeded to a request to share with Aliguas Mangaldan the achievements of his son, Dominic. It needed a trip to New Jersey, a hug and a push to convince Raffy that Dominic is an exemplar for the younger generation of Mangaldanians.

Always humble and ready crack a rib tickler when the opportunity opens, Raffy, and wife Carol, have worked conscienciously, and generously provided for the education of their two children: Dominic and Rebecca. The latter are both a source of pride to the parents and to Mangaldanians. Raffy and family are based in Passaic, New Jersey and live close to siblings Hermie, Mely, Viring and Lita.

Dominic, the second child to Raffy and Carol, just graduated as Valedictorian of his class in the Eastern Christian High School, New Jersey. He has been a member of the National Honor Society since his junior year and has also been named an Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholar. He has also served on the student senate.

He is adept in balancing academic and sports. As senior captain of the school's soccer team, Dominic's coach, TC DeGeyter said: "It is rare to find a senior with such natural leadership ability. He is well respected by his teammates and has proven that he is able to make the right decisions even if it is not the most popular." As a center midfielder, Dominic helped lead the Eagles to the Passaic county semifinals and was named First Team B-PSL Carpenter, second-team all-Passaic county and second team Herald News All-Area.

Aside from soccer, Dominic is an active player in bowling, basketball, baseball, spring track and more actively, in varsity tennis. As he moves to college, Dominic plans to build a career as a teacher in middle school.

Barry Veenstra, a coach at Eastern Christian who also runs the Eagle Sports Camp has this to say about Dominic, "I think the highest praise and compliment I can give him is I wish he would marry my daughter. He's in a class by himself and a Class Act sums him up."

Paz Generosa-Serafica 70th Birthday

Being a mother to a large brood is a lifetime career itself. Attending to the needs of nine children and bringing them up to become responsible and conscientious members of the Mangaldan community is a feat reserved for those with the inner strength and devotion, a quiet but firm commitment to be a mother in its truest sense. Her capacity to turn an adversity into an opportunity for growth can be surmised on how she has turned a once muddy homeyard into artful garden that beckons to calm the soul.

Giving begets unsolicited giving. The children and grandchildren, together with the in-laws, gifted Paz Generosa Serafica a life-to-remember celebration of her 70th birth anniversary that was held on August 4, 2007 at the Star Ocean Restaurant, Star Plaza Hotel, Dagupan City. Paz was married to the late Atty. Luis Evangelista-Serafica.

Tio Ben Serafica led the clan in greeting Tia Paz a great birthday, thanking her for keeping the family together and providing a warm abode for the children and grandchildren.

The daughters and daughters-in-law treat Tia Paz with a samba dance. In the first picture are daughters-in-law: Joy (Chito), Melba (Nonong), Minnie (Raul), Cecille (Bertrand) and, elder daughter Lally. Tia Paz is with her sister, Gloria, who is married to incumbent Mangaldan Mayor Herminio Romero. In the second picture, younger daughter Tot-tot (Maria Paz), stands on the front right. Both Lally and Tot-tot are lawyers.

The grandchildren do their gig for Lola Paz.

The sons of Tia Paz: Chito, Raul, Nonong & Bertrand. Not in picture are Sammy and Victor (who is based in UK).

Granddaughter Princess (Raul & Minnie) and in-law grandson John Boy (Bing Serafica-De Guzman) greet Tia Paz. The rest of the boys pledge allegiance to stand by Lola Paz. My sisters Tere (Atty. Teresita) and Bing (Corazon) with her son, John Boy traveled from Manila to join in celebrating Tia Paz' birthday.

The ladies and the celebrant: sitting from left, Cecille, Joy, Melba, Minnie, Princess, Tot-tot. Standing: Bing, Tere and Lally.

Congratulations, Tia Paz!

Pictures were sent to Aliguas Mangaldan by my cousin Tot-tot Serafica.

A Crown Prince Arrives

It is with great joy that I share with my Kabaleyans of Mangaldan, especially the readers and contributors of Aliguas Mangaldan, the birth of my first grandson, Pablo Federico Herbosa-De Guzman. The second child, after Canada-born elder sister Natalie, to my son Johann and his wife Riz Herbosa, Pablo is the first male in his generation of De Guzman's. He was delivered by C-section at the Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, BC.

Pablo's arrival suddenly made me feel so immensely gifted by the Heavens to witness 5 generations in my lifetime: Don 'Laki' Ero Zambale-Prestoza-De Guzman (former presidente municipal/town mayor), my dad Atty. Pedro Lopez-Sta. Maria-De Guzman, myself Djoma Serafica-De Guzman, my son Johann Fidelis Hernandez-De Guzman, and now my grandson: Pablo. ..."by the powers bestowed on me by the Lord of the Rings... I proclaim Pablo as the crown prince of his De Guzman clan..."

Many of us are gifted by the Heavens to witness different generations. Here in Vancouver, there is Tia Esther Mejia who probably is witness not only to 5 but to 6 generations. Only after one goes through a personal experience, does the generational gift suddenly make us so thankful for life.

Allow me to share our joy once more. Johann shows off Pablo, Riz cuddles breast-fed Pablo, G-Mama Maridel gives Pablo the warm and nurturing shoulder, Lolo Djoma gushes with exuberance to hold Pablo in his arms.

The parents of Riz, Guilles and Mel Herbosa arrived in Vancouver from Manila to witness the birth of Pablo. Parents and grandparents happily greet the coming of Canada-born Pablo Federico whose name was derived from two reknowned modern playwrights. Parents, Johann and Riz, are both professionals in the theatre performing arts.