ALIGUAS MANGALDAN: Celebrating Life, History and Culture of Mangaldanians

Vancouver's For-D-Boys

Vancouver's For-D-Boys came over to former Poblacion Kagawad Ronnie Limon's residence last Saturday, April 28th, for a night of laughter and unwinding.

Longtime Vancouver resident (that is 10 years already) Roque Bautista from Barangay Osiem came out of hibernation to join the group. Like a traditional 'barkada' player, he needed no urging to bring a case of Coronito. The first arrivals were: Ronnie Limon, Pepe Tan, Philip Fabia, Roque Bautista and Djoma de Guzman. Espie Limon graciously took our pictures. She also dished out sinigang na ulo ng salmon and baked halibut collars ('panga'). Ronnie and Philip shared their Remy Martins and Pepe sampled us with Mona's famous sardined-Sockeye.

Later in the evening, Jun Cadang arrived with a bottle of Fundador. Rey Tan, who lives just next door to Ronnie, also came over with his two friends. In this picture: Philip Fabia, Rey's friend, Roque Bautista, Jun Cadang, Rey's friend, Rey Tan and host Ronnie Limon. The group decided that the event is worth repeating, an opportunity to unwind from the rigor of work-work-work, and so they will meet from here on every first saturday of the month.

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.

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.

Aida Tandoc-Fabia: 70th B-Day

A few months ago, while on two-month vacation in Mangaldan, her children -- Marfe, Philip and Buen, planned a secret birthday party for their mother, MRS. AIDA TANDOC-FABIA. She was later a bit surprised when she came back to Marlton, New Jersey, USA that a few days later, a grand 70th birthday celebration in her honor was about to unfold in the Main Hall of the Indian Spring Country Club located nearby.

  Carefully prepared by Marfe in consultation with Philip and Buen, the RSVP affair was complete with printed formal invitations, adequate hall decorations and choiced menu buffet, and about 75 guests came in colorful printed floral clothes, leis, flowers and some in grass skirts adhering to the Hawaiian attire of the affair.

Not to miss this important occasion, her son Philip flew in from Vancouver, Canada to emcee  the program and enjoy the afternoon with relatives and friends. Highlights of the program were the waltz dance by the chosen "Twelve Gorgeous Men" as they took turns dancing with the celebrant offering roses in their hands led by her son Engr. Philip Fabia, the words of endearment by the chosen "Ten Lovely Ladies" as each of them gave flower bouquets led by Dr. Candida Fabia, invocation by Rev. Fr. Peter Aquino, the testimonials of warmth and love by her children, intermission numbers given by Michelle Surot Marron playing the saxophone and Hawaiian dance performed by Melanie Surot Marron and Catherine Surot, showing of a 15-min. film depicting the travels and pictures of the celebrant created by son-in-law Rod Agnes, the crowd singing of "Malinak lay Labi", "Let Me Call You Sweetheart", "Dahil Sa Iyo", "You Are My Sunshine" led by her sister Dr. Gloria Surot, singing of Happy Birthday song led by her grandson Francis Fabia Agnes, blowing of candles in the twin cakes and capped by a visibly overjoyed speech of the celebrant.

The food was great and lots of dancing followed as everyone strut their own dancing prowess with the guidance of a dance instructor. Seen in the pictures is the celebrant with her family--- Rod and Marfe Fabia-Agnes with their children Francis and Alyssa, Engr. Philip Fabia and Buenafe Fabia. Also shown are fellow Mangaldanian relatives and friends who were present: Dr. Gloria Tandoc-Surot; Rev. Fr. Peter Aquino; Rodrigo and Filipina Surot-Fernandez and their son Ronnie from New York; Daniel and Liza Fabia with their children Lance, Lana and Darren from Pennsylvannia;

Rodel and Anneli Surot-Marron with their children Michelle and Melanie; Lano Ilustre and Malou Surot with their children Cristopher and Catherine; Mac Froilan Surot;

Dr. Joel and Maricris De Guzman with their children. --by Philip T. Fabia

New Jersey: Francis Fabia-Agnes 7th Birthday

Philip Fabia who is based in Vancouver submitted the following article about his nephew's, Francis birthday celebration in New Jersey. - - Djoma

On October 15, 2006, my nephew Francis Fabia Agnes celebrated his 7th birthday at the sprawling Indian Spring Country Club in Marlton, New Jersey, USA. The lunch party was tendered by his loving parents, Rodrigo and Marfe Fabia-Agnes, and was attended by his family, relatives and friends. Emceed by my cousin Dennis Fabia, the affair turned out to be one joyous occasion with lots of food, singing and dancing. Highlights of the program include the Sponge Bob Pinata participated by the children, singing of the Happy Birthday and blowing of candles, crowning of Francis as the King of the Day, serenade song sang by the girls that surrounded him, HAPPY BIRTHDAY poem by his cousins Melanie and Michelle Surot Marron, singing of "I'll Be Loving You" song led by Dr. Gloria Tandoc-Surot, and beautiful words of wisdom, love and affection by his parents, his grandmas Aida Tandoc-Fabia and Annie Agnes, his godfather Dennis Fabia and his godmother Buenafe Fabia. Followed by a lot of dancing that included ballroom and other kinds of music, the guests were treated with lots of fun as they enjoyed the camaraderie among acquaintances until 4:00pm.

Francis is a Grade One student of Jaggard Elementary School. He is the son of my sister Marfe Fabia-Agnes, a registered nurse. My other sister, Buenafe Fabia is also a registered nurse. Both of them have been in the states for 15 years now and are American citizens while my mom, Mrs. Aida Tandoc-Fabia (married to the late three-term Mangaldan Municipal Councilor and Insurance Executive Felipe Fabia) is an immigrant. My sister Marfe is married to Rodrigo Agnes Jr.(of Lucena City, Quezon) and with 2 kids, Francis and Alyssa. My sister Buenafe is engaged to Dr. Daniel Zimmerman of New Jersey.

Pictures attached: Blowing out the candles  --- Francis blowing his birthday candles after being serenaded and crowned as the King of the Day; Buen and Dan --- my sister Buenafe Fabia, a registered nurse, with her fiancee Dr. Daniel Zimmerman; Dad and Mom with birthday boy --- Francis with his dad Rodrigo, mom Marfe and his sister Alyssa;

Holding it all --- Francis at home opening his gifts just after the party;

Lolas celebrating with their grandson --- Francis with his grandmas, Aida Tandoc-Fabia and Annie Agnes;

Tita Aida and Tita Gloria --- my mother Aida Tandoc-Fabia ( retired Master Teacher I of DECS Mangaldan II) and her sister Dr. Gloria Tandoc-Surot (retired DECS District Supervisor of Pangasinan and married to the late Jaime Surot Sr. of Guiguilonen, Mangaldan); Picture 099 ---file picture of Francis Fabia Agnes. -- Philip T. Fabia

Daing na Bangus

Rene Palaganas treated his friends last Saturday at their Collingwood-Vancouver home to a delectable home-cooked dinner to celebrate his birthday. Wife, Grace (nee: Domagas) was all over the place making sure that guests returned to the table for a second serving from an overwhelming array of choices of native Filipino dishes. The "daing na bangus" was brought back by Rene from his recent vacation in Mangaldan to visit their children who are currently enrolled in nursing courses.

Food was terrific and there was also the karaoke system that help digest (or trigger indigestion depending on who is singing --joke only). When you eat, you must sing. Behind Rene and Grace is former two-time municipal councilor Engr. Philip Fabia who arrived in Vancouver in January 2005. He is currently eyeing manager positions in several multinational chain stores while currently doing his studies in financial management. We wish Philip the best in his final panel interviews and hope that he gets the well-deserved work he aspires for.

Some of the guests were from our town of Mangaldan.

In this picture (l-r), Grace joins: Jing Martinez-Ho who arrived in Vancouver in 1997, Marie Soriano-Palmari whom I met earlier in a 2001 visit to Vancouver and her husband Lyndon Palmari who arrived last October 2005.

Thank you Rene and Grace! Thank you Philip for tagging me along to this occassion so Aliguas Mangaldan can continue to document the lives of our townmates. (Djoma)

Birthday on Thanksgiving Day

Charmagne  Gordon (nee Junio) was hosted to a surprise evening dinner celebration of her birthday last October 9, 2006 which coincided with Canada's Thanksgiving Day. Her mother, Marie Aquino-Junio quietly arranged to bring a small group of relatives and friends to Uncle Willy's restaurant at the Metro Town area in Burnaby, BC. Charmagne arrived with husband Allen  Gordon expecting a quiet dinner with Marie and husband, Remo  Gambioli .

Yes! Remo was there and so were others who are close friends to Charmagne. Given that the restaurant crowd was growing as the evening went waiting for Charmagne's arrival, most filled their plates at the smorgasbord line topping their selection with slices of roast turkey and roast beef. At one table sat (l-r): Remo, Marie, Mona Tan, Pepe Tan,  Briggy Miraflor  and wife Rusty Cervas Miraflor  and Maridel de Guzman ( husband Djoma was taking these pictures ).

Earlier in the morning, Marie secured an 'ube' flavored birthday cake from Goldilock's Bake Shop. The celebration would not have been complete without the ritual of making a wish and blowing the candle. Others joined the ritual of candle blowing (l-r): Marie, Remo, grandson Gabriel Gambioli-Lefort , Charmagne and  Clarissa  C.  Cox . Other guest were Michael and Gina ( former Carvajal ) Perez and sons Mark and Matthew ; Peter and Carol ( nee Carvajal ) Cox and young daughters Clarissa and Lenina .

There were others who would be marking their birthdays right after Charmagne's . Franz's birthday is Oct 10  and   Allen's is Oct .11 ( Picture :l-r): Charmagne, her husband Allen , Marie, Remo, Nora Gambioli -Lefort , son Gabriel and husband Franz Lefort .

The evening was capped with a "class picture" gathering all the guests and celebrant in one corner of the restaurant. Charmagne gave her mom, Marie, a big hug for making the occassion a special moment to remember.

Cendana-Hernandez Wedding

James Mejia-Cendaña and Vanessa Hernandez recently (Sept. 2 , 2006) got married in Bremerton, Washington, USA. James' parents are Henry Cendana and Baby (Filipina) Mejia, both from Mangaldan. Some of the guests in the reception were: (seated L-R) Mona Lopez-Tan, Dolor and Carding Mejia, Marie Aquino-Junio and Tess C. Marier, current chairperson of the Mangaldan Residents of Greater Vancouver Group.

Other guests were: (seated from left to right) Estrella Mejia-Espinosa, Luz Mejia-Clemente, Dolores Mejia, Mrs. Esther P. Mejia, Virgie Enriquez and Leny Dalupan. Standing: newly weds Vanessa and James Mejia, Joel and Jury Mejia, and Marie Aquino-Junio.

Wedding in Japan

Aliguas Mangaldan co-editor Marie Aquino  Junio recently flew to Japan to attend the wedding of her youngest  child, "CJ" Cesar Angelo Junio, Jr. to "Janie" Mary Joanne Coronel ( youngest child of Lilia Aquino Coronel , co-founder of Cherished Moments  School in Mangaldan , and Remigio Coronel ) which was held last September 8, 2006, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Roppongi, Japan. The officiating priest was Fr. Sweeny. One of the witnesses was Emma Yamada (whose husband , Joseph not in photo, was the other  witness ). The Junios and Coronels are long time close family friends but CJ and Janie barely knew each other  until  about  eight years  ago  when the Coronel children visited  Vancouver . Both CJ and Janie teach at the Berlitz International Language Center in Japan  presently .

On a lighter note: given that the wedding ceremony was held away from the homes of CJ and Janie, given that Marie flew in from Vancouver and, given the tight hotel room availability in the embassy row (where the Philippine-owned consulate building is also located) is at Roppongi ....bridegroom's mother Marie, had to share the newly weds' room on their wedding night. Ooooppppssss!