Vancouver With Love

A Blessed And Merry Christmas To Our Kabaleyans

 

 

 

Another  year , another  Christmas ! !  Christmas  as  we  all  know  , is  a  time  for  togetherness   and  reconnection . 

Sometimes , when   we  settle  in  other  parts   of  the  world other  than  our  birthplace , we  try  our  best  to  integrate  into  the  mainstream  . We  work  so  hard  to  live . We  try  our  best  to  provide  for  our  family  . And  in  the  process , we  sometimes  give  up  the  time  of  togetherness , specially  in   special  occasions   like  Christmas .

However , the spirit  of  Christmas  that  we  grow  up  with , remains  in  our  heart  and  soul . As  we  all  knew   in  our  hometown  , a  midnight  mass  on  the  eve  of  Christmas   is   like  a  must  for  everybody  .  A  media  noche  follows  . It  was  truly  a  day  when   being  together  is  more  important   than  receiving  an  expensive  gift .   Christmas  Day   without  our  " Lauya " at  lunchtime  does  not  seem  to  be   complete .

And  what  did   we  do  after  Christmas  Day ?  We  did  not   seem  to  ran  out  of  what  to  do   after  Christmas  when  we  were  in   our  town  of  Mangaldan . I  don't  think  the  word  " boredom "  existed  during  those good  old   days .

Today  we  celebrate  Christmas  in   different   parts  of  the  world .  As  we  and  our  loved  ones  attend  the  midnight   mass  or  the  Christmas  Day  mass  and  gather   together  to  partake  of  a Christmas  breakfast , a  Christmas  lunch  or  a  Christmas  dinner , let  us  remember  each  other   on  this  special  day .  Not  all of  us  will  be  together  with  all  members  of  our  family  or  our  loved  ones  for  one  reason  or  another , but  we  will  all  join  each  other  to  celebrate   the  birth  of  our  Lord  Jesus  ,  who  is  the  center  of  all  this  celebration   . 

Many   Mangaldanians  all  over  the  world  want  to  greet  their  kabaleyans  through  this  website  . For  those  who  wish  to  do  so  , you  can  still  send  me  your  pictures  to  be included  in  this  article . We  all  want  to  see  you  and  your  families  in  living  color ..At  least   we  would  feel  that  we  are  closer  with  each  other ....

We  start  with  Mangaldanians  here  in  Vancouver  .

 Briggy  and  Rusty  (  nee Cervas )  send  their  Christmas greetings  to  all  our  kabaleyans .

Rusty  is  the  present  Chairperson (  or  head ) of  the Mangaldan  Residents of  Vancouver  .( MAREVA )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Jonathan  and  Willena  ( aka Leny  Cancino ) with  children Maria and Jesko . Leny  is  the  Secretary  of  MAREVA .

Mike  and  Angie (  nee de Vera )  Encarnacion  greet  the  Mangaldanians  . Angie  is  presently  the  Treasurer  of  MAREVA .

 

 Lito   and   Estrella  ( nee  Mejia ) extend  their  greetings  to  all  our  kabaleyans . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Tess  ( nee Carvajal )  Marier greets  Mangaldanians  all over  the  world .  She lives  in  Metro  Vancouver .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jhun  and    Lina  Jimenez  wish  all  our  kabaleyans  a  Merry  Christmas  and  a Happy  New  Year ... 

 

 

 

 

 

Fernando ( aka Pepe )   and  Ramona  (  aka Mona  Lopez )  greet  all  Mangaldanians  this  season .

 

 

 

 

From  their  home ,  Dominador ( aka Dom ) and  Helen  ( nee de Vera ) send  their  greetings  to  our  kabaleyans ..

   

Ricardo  and Reynalda ( nee  Cabrera )  wish  everybody  the  best ...

 

 

 

 

Orly  and  Rose  ( nee  Urbano )  Cervas  joins with   their  Christmas  greetings ..

 

 

 

 

Marie  ( Aquino  )  and  Remo  Gambioli  wish  to  greet   our  kabaleyans  a  Blessed  Christmas  and  a  joyful  and  peaceful  New   Year ...

 

 

 

Djoma  and  Maridel  de  Guzman  and  their  expanding  family  , son  Johann  and  his  wife  Res , granddaughter  Natalie  and  grandson  Pablo  extend  their  best  wishes  to  our  kabaleyans ."

And  from  our  counterparts  in  different  parts  of  the  world ...

From  Perla  Biala  Cruz  and  family ( including  her  doggie ) sent  this  card  to  greet  our  kabaleyan . Perla  is  the past  President  of  Mangaldan Association  of North  California ( MAONCA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Ditas  ( nee  Palisoc )  and  Dick  Sarzaba  took  time  out  from  their  busy  schedule  to  have  a  family  get together  with  son  Dedrick  and  Darryl . They  send  their  best  wishes  to  our  kabaleyans  along  with  this  photo . Ditas  is  the  incumbent   President  of  MAONCA .

 

   

Silverio  ( aka Boy )  and  Teresita ( Tita )  and  their  son  Jeffrey and  daughter  Beverly  greet  our  kabaleyans  this  special  season .

   

Silverio or  Boy  is  presently  the  President  of  the  Mangaldan  Association  of  New York / New Jersey . As  the  Chairman  of  the  Mangaldan  International  Organization ( MIO )  currently  working  on the  Mangaldanians  Grand  Reunion  in Las  Vegas , Boy  wants  to  extend  the   seasons  greetings  as  well  as  to  invite  all  Mangaldanians  to  join  the  Grand  Reunion  .  Check  the  site  " 2009  "Viva  Las Vegas " Grand  Reunion   ( aliguas  feature )  site   for  more  infos .

 

 

 

Stephen and  Lani ( formerly  Marron ) Basuel  with  son  Pjay  send  their  season's  greetings  to  all  Mangaldanians . The   family  lives  in  California .. 

Mrs . Rebecca  Aquino  Domagas  from  California  and  granddaughter  JS  Piano ( from  the  Philipppines )  wish  every  kabaleyan  the  best  on  this  special  season .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

This  cute  little  picture  belongs  to  Rene  and  Grace  ( nee Domagas ) Palaganas  and  their  three  children , JB , April  and  Rena , who  are  in  the Philippines  for  their  studies . Grace and  Rene  reside  in  Vancouver . ( Sorry  , guys , I can  not  seem  to  enlarge  your  photo . ) Anyway , they  want  to  send  their   Christmas  greetings  to  us  all ..

 

  Dr. Gina   Domagas  Piano  and  her  children  JR  and  JS  are  residents  of  the  Philippines  who  wish  their  kabaleyans  a  "Merry   Christmas "  and  a   "Happy  New  Year " . 

 

   

Renan  and  Liya  ( nee Domagas )  Laya and  their  children  Adriel , Mariel  and Jannelle  greet  Mangaldanians  this  season . The family   resides  in  Austin , Texas .

 

Long  and  Michele (  Domagas )  Le  with  their  children   Savannah  and  Brandon send  their  warm  greetings  to   the  Mangaldanians  . The  family  is  based  in  Austin  , Texas .

 

 

 

WISHING  ALL  OUR  KABALEYANS   A  VERY   MERRY  CHRISTMAS   AND  A  JOYFUL  , PEACEFUL  AND  A  PROSPEROUS   NEW  YEAR  ! ! ! GOD  BLESS  YOU  ALL ...

Note :  As  I write  this  article , Vancouver  has  been  " snowed  in " . British  Columbians  are  experiencing   a  really   " white  Christmas ". Unfortunately  , many  plans  of  getting  together  with  family  and   friends  for  the  Christmas  eve   dinner  have  been  cancelled  and / or  postponed  . Oh, well , we still  have  lunch  and  dinner   today  or  on  the  26th  , Boxing  Day  ( in Canada ) .

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY CANADA

  Today  is one of the most important days  in Canada  . It is  Thanksgiving  Day ..

People of Canada celebrate Thanksgiving on  the  second Monday  in  the  month of October  every  year . It is celebrated  to thank  the  Lord  Almighty  for a bountiful  harvest . America ( USA ) , however , celebrates Thanksgiving  on  the  fourth Thursday of November every  year . The  reason  behind  the difference is  geographical  ; autumn season  starts  earlier  in  Canada  than in America .

The Thanksgiving celebrations  include  parades , customary " family  feast " and " turkey ". It  is  a  time  for  sharing , loving  and  family  reunions . The central  idea  behind  the  celebration  is  to  thank  Our  Lord , for  the past  harvest  and  to  pray  for  the  coming  year ....

I have compiled  some quotes  about  this  very  significant  occasion  from  some  of the well-known  writers  of our times . Read  them , relish  them  and  to  all  our  kabaleyan  Canadians  , enjoy  the spirit of this  very  special  occasion .

"He  who thanks but  with  the lips , thanks  but in part .....The full , the  true  Thanksgiving   comes  from  the  heart .

                                                            J.A. Shedd

" For flowers  that  bloom  about  our feet , for tender  grass , so  fresh, so  sweet. For  song  of  bird , and  hum  of  bee..For  all things  fair  we  hear  and  see .. Father  in  Heaven , we thank  Thee. "

                                                             Ralph  Waldo  Emerson

" We can  always  find  something  to be  thankful  for , no matter  what  may  be  the burden  of our  wants , or  the  special  subject of  our  petitions ."

                                                                Albert   Barnes

" You  say  ' If  I  had  a little  more , I  should  be  very  satisfied ' . You  make  a  mistake . If  you are not  content  with  what  you  have , you would not  be satisfied  if  it were  doubled  "

                                                                  Charles  Haddon  Spurgeon 

" Without  Thy  sunshine  and Thy  rain , we  could  not  have  the golden  grain  ; Without  Thy  love  we  could  not  be  fed . We  thank  Thee   for  our  daily  bread . "

                                                                          Anonymous

" Some people  complain  because  God  put  thorns on  roses , while  others  praise  Him  for putting  roses  among  thorns ."

                                                                           Anonymous

TO  ALL  FILIPINOS  , SPECIALLY  MANGALDANIANS , LIVING  IN  CANADA ,  HAPPY  THANKSGIVING  DAY  TO  YOU  ALL  ! ! ! 

   

 

 

 

 

Celebrating CANADA DAY ! ! !

 

As  I was  driving  my   former   college  friend  and  former  colleague   in  New  York ( visiting  Vancouver  this week ) and another  former  classmate  based  here in  Vancouver  , our  conversation  turned  to  our  coming  holiday  , Canada  Day  . My New Yorker friend  mentioned  that  we never  studied  about  Canada  while we were  studying  in the Philippines  so  she does not know  much  about  Canada . So , she asked  why  we are  celebrating  Canada  Day . She  further  asked  if  it has  anything to do  with  being  independent  from  what ?

My  Vancouverite  friend  said  she does not  know  why .. I  guess  most  of  us  won't  be able to answer what  is " Canada  Day " or  the  significance  of  it  even  if  we  are  Canadians .. A little  bit  of  info (  in  a  nutshell ) might   come  in  handy   one  of  these days ..

Today  , July  1st ,  2008  , we  are celebrating  the  141st  year  since  Confederation . Canada is celebrating  the events  that  occurred  on July 1, 1867  when  the British  North America  Act  created  the Canadian  Federal  government .  Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867  while retaining  ties  to  the British  Crown .

The BNA Act proclaimed " one Dominion " under  the name of Canada , hence the original title of the holiday  , Dominion Day  , was officially renamed Canada  Day  by  an  act  of  Parliament on October 27, 1982 .  This change reflected the policy of successive  governments to downplay  Canada's colonial  origins .

All Canadians are entitled to Canada  Day  off  work  although  some people  work  ( like the police , Fire  and  Emergency  service  workers and  some  store  work force  ).

Canada Day  is  considered a  Family  Day  with outings , picnics  and   celebrating the birth of our  nation . It  is  also  the  day  former  immigrants  are sworn   as  new  Canadians . We wave  our flags , sing songs  and enjoy the day  and  then watch  the fireworks  in the late evening . Today is the day  we  show  our  pride  in  being  Canadian .

Flag of Canada - It  is  a symbol of Canadian  identity , unity , for it , beyond doubt , represents   all  the citizens of Canada  without  distinction  of  race , language , belief  or  opinion  ( Canadian Honourable Maurice Bourget ).

Description  of the Canadian Flag - It is  red  and  white , the official  colours  of  Canada as appointed  by  King  George V in 1921 , with   the  red  maple  leaf in the  centre  of  the  Canadian  flag . 

HAPPY  141st  BIRTHDAY   CANADA ! ! ! ! 

Our Season's Greetings To Our Kabaleyans , Near And Far

It is CHRISTMAS  DAY ! !  Almost  everybody  is getting together  with families  and  friends  . The pre- Christmas  Day  consisted  of   shopping sprees  and meeting up with  special  people . Tonight and tomorrow night  those special gifts  we labored  so much  to look  for , would  go to their rightful  owners . It is the power  of  giving  that  drives us  to  do the same route year in and year out . And don't  forget  that  the  power  of advertisers  makes  the  buying  spree  so appealing  until  we realize  that  we are spending  more and more .

Nevertheless , as  Christmas  approaches , the power  of  reconnecting with  families  and  friends  who  live  miles and miles away  become  stronger . Let me take this opportunity  to  do the process  of this reconnection . Let me start  with  us  here in Vancouver , from  our MAREVA  group  and all  the other  families  in different parts  of the  globe . In other words  , this will be the GLOBAL  Greetings .

From  MAREVA :

Briggy  and Rusty ( Cervas ) Miraflor  who is  the present Chairman of MAREVA .

Leny  Cancino-Guiang , Secretary  of MAREVA and family ; husband Jonathan ( Jojo ), daughter Maria and son  Jesko.

Angie ( de Vera )  our  Treasurer , and Mike Encarnacion  .

Marie Aquino , member of the Board, and  Remo Gambioli .

Lina  and Jhun  Jimenez , members of the Board

   

  Helen (de Vera ) and   Dom  Cendana  , members of the Board

  Mona  ( Lopez )  and  Pepe Tan , members of the Board

Rose ( Urbano ) and Orly  Cervas , members of the Board

  Estrella ( Mejia ) and Lito Espinosa  , members of the Board

Reyna ( Cabrera ) and Ricardo ( Carding )  Pagal  , members of the Board

Tess  Carvajal  Marier , member of the Board  

Sally  and Tom  Oca , members of the Board

Djoma  and  Maridel  de Guzman  with  son Johann ,wife Riz ,and their children  Natalie and Pablo  , who are all based in  Metro Vancouver ...

Rebecca ( de Vera ) and  Manny  Mejia  have just moved  from Edmonton , Alberta  to Vancouver , B.C. They are our newest addition  to  MAREVA's  membership .

Gene  and Dolly  ( Cervas ) Cervas  with  their children Faye , Lara , Jessielyn  and John Paul .

Mike  and Gina  ( Carvajal ) Perez and children  Mark  and Matthew .

Allen  and  Charmagne ( Junio )  Gordon

Jeremy  and Sandra   Junio  and children  Nicholas ,  Nathaniel  and Jonah.

Katrina  (Mir) and J.R. Diasnes  with son  Jermain and daughter Karmelle

Josie ( de Vera ) and Boni Flores

Tomas  Barrozo

Rene  and Grace ( Domagas ) and their their three children , JB, April and Rena  .

Cecile ( de Vera  ) and Michael  Townsend

Philip  Fabia

Mrs. Ester ( Penullar ) Mejia  is  one  of  our two oldest  MAREVA   member

Mrs. Maria  de Vera  , the other  oldest member  of Mareva 

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Connie ( Baby  de Vera ) and Eugene Labonte from Edmonton , Alberta

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Our  kabaleyans  from   Washington   wish to convey their  greetings  to  all  our kabaleyans  all  around the   globe  .

Lita ( Sarzaba )  and Carlito ( Caloy )  Torio  from Seattle

Caloy and Lita Torio  and  their  family   in Seattle  including  daughter  Claire and Jes  who are based in Vancouver ...

This is the Torio "Hug "  being extended  to all their families and friends ...

Mimi  and  Ray  Lautengco  and   children  and grandchild

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Our  friends  and  kabaleyans  from  California   wish to  send their  greetings  to all  kabaleyans  ...

Ditas ( Palisoc ) the newly elected  President  of the  MangaldanAssociation of North  California  with  Dick Sarzaba  and their two sons , Darryl and  Dedrick .

 

Federico and  Filomena  ( aka ) Feling ( Tamondong )  Palisoc .

The Aquinos  of  Manteca  , with  their mother , Mrs. Margarita Aquino .

 

Lani ( Marron ) , hubby  Stephen Basuel  and  their son PJ from San Francisco .

Lourdes ( Aquino ) and Marc  Sampaga  from Sacramento

   

Cecile  ( Ferrer ) and  Ross  Mejia  from West Covina  .

 

Mila ( Aquino ) and Eddie  Madamba  from Lakeview Terrace

Elisea  ( Aquino )  Bayle  and family  from Lake Forest

Jun de Guzman  from Chino Hills  and Juliet  Quinto  from San Jose .

Rebecca ( Aquino ) and Serafin  Serafica  from  Yorba Linda .

Cora ( Almonte ) Lindayen and  son L J from Vallejo , CA ..

 

The Domagas Matriach , Rebecca  Aquino  Domagas , lives in San Jose , CA.

Arlene ( Leny ) Salvatin  and  Wilson Catubig  and their children , Anthony , Jovy  and John  and their  expanding  family with their   two granchildren ( Anthony's ) . They reside in Fremont , CA

Victorio ( aka Boy ) and  Eleanor Salvatin and daughter Melissa . They are based in Sacramento , CA .

Imelda ( Dada ) Salvatin  with her daughters , Genelle , Geena and Genessa  who live in Union City , CA .

Peter  Salvatin  and wife  Joanne , with children Jordan , Andrew and Joshua   who are based in  Fremont , CA .

   

   Patrick  Salvatin and his daughter  Lorissa  based in Fremont , CA .

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Our New York  Kabaleyans  send their  greetings  .....

Father  Reynaldo  ( Pal ) Domagas , Our Lady of Victory Parish in Manhattan , New  York ... 

 

Rowena ( Totit ) Domagas  Quinto  of New Jersey .

   Quinto  siblings  , Danny , Belen  , Christy and Silvestre Jr.

Pictured here are Ferdinand ( Sande ) and wife Elsa  Idio  and their  two children , Josh and Elliot . They reside in Nutley , New Jersey .

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From   Texas  , USA ...

Puring ( Torralba ) and Pete  Cendana  in Spring , Texas

Karina  ( Cendana ) and  Rene    Soriano  also  from  Spring  , Texas .

Irene  Samson  Halfaker from  Conroe , Texas

Belen ( Quinto)  and  Frank  Cariaga  from  Missouri  City , an outskirt of  Houston , Texas .

  Liya ( Domagas )  and Renan Laya  with their children Marielle ,Janel , Savannah .They are based  in Round Rock , just outside Austin ..

  Michelle ( Domagas ) and Long Le with  Savannah and Brandon  also  from Roundrock .

Rosemarie ( Domagas ) Keithley  also  from Round Rock .

Dr. Andrew  D. Aquino  and  wife  Inge  from Kingsville , Texas .

Yolanda  Aquino  from  Austin , Texas

Andre  Jr . Aquino  from kingsville , Texas .

Andrea  ( Aquino )  and  husband Tony  Vaziri  are from San Antonio , Texas .

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From  Yuma , Arizona ....

Salvador  and Naty  Mendoza ....

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From Washington D.C ...

Betty  Baltazar Magno  residing in  Washington , D.C.

The Catalasan family  in Washington , D.C. : Ranilo , Imelda ( Magno , daughter of Rene  and Betty Magno )  sons  Michael and Jon , who are both  attending Universty  in Texas ..

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From our  kabaleyans in Australia  :

Pec and Tess ( Biala )  Visperas  with  children . L-R  are Joper , Trisha ,Pec , Tess , Camille and TJ. from Blair Athol  ...

Myrna ( Paraan ) and husband Ed Cala ,  and Divina Paraan  from  Gleenwood.

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From Germany ...

Fe  Mercado 

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From Tokyo  , Japan ...

Cesar  Aquino  Junio Jr  and wife Janie A. Coronel   based  in Tokyo , Japan ...

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Some of our  kabaleyans  from  our  beloved  Philippines  .

Greetings  and  prayers  from  Sister Severina Aquino  based in Manila  and Sister Andrea  Aquino  based in Bangkok , Thailand  .

Greetings  from  Frank D. Aquino  who is now based  in Mangaldan .

Romulo ( Pipo )  Domagas  , our well -known photographer in Mangaldan

From  Dr . Gina ( Domagas )  and  Gen.  George  Piano and children JS and JR . They are based in Metro Manila .

Eva ( Biala ) and  Dr. Raul Sabado  who are based in Metro Manila ..

Boy  and Libby  Pulanco   of Mangaldan .

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The  Editorial  Team  of  our website  "ALIGUAS  MANGALDAN "  wishes  to  greet  all our  Kabaleyans  whether  they are near or far  " A BLESSED  AND  MERRY CHRISTMAS  and  A VERY " MAALIGUAS"  Ya BALON  TAON  2008  ! ! !  GOD  BLESS  YOU  ALL ..

You  are  welcome  to send  your  pictures ( solo or as  a couple or as family ) to be published  . Our  kabaleyans  are happy  to  see  you in our website .Please e-mail them to  lelimar07@yahoo.ca

  Djoma  Serafica  de Guzman                                 Marie Aquino  Junio

Remembering Our Heroes-Here and There

Every year on November 11th , Canadians salute their heroes  as time  stands still . As a citizen  now of this vast land  for more than three decades, I   have learned  and  embraced  the important Canadian values as well as retaining  our more important Filipino culture -  a fusion of the East and the West  cultures .

Remembrance  Day is one of the most important  celebration in Canada I can not  ignore .  It is during Remembrance Day  that the soldiers who lost their lives  and those who survived  are recognized and honored  for their service and sacrifice . Canadians pay tribute  through a parade ; by pausing for two minutes of silence ; and  by attending  the commemorative  ceremonies  in memory of our war dead .

     Pictures are taken during the  Remembrance  Day Parade and the ceremony  in Vancouver , B.C.

Poppies  are worn  as the  symbol of remembrance , a reminder  of the blood-red flower  that grew profusedly   on  the  battlefields of  France  and Belgium. It was during  the terrible bloodshed  of the second  Battle of  Cypress in the spring  of 1915  when Col. John McCrae , a doctor serving  with the Royal  Canadian Army Medical Corps  , wrote of these flowers , which lived on among the graves of dead  soldiers . 

 

The  blood-red poppy flower  evolved from a lowly  field flower  to  the most respected flower  world wide  due  to  this  poem : IN FLANDERS FIELDS WHERE POPPIES BLOW

The flowers  and the larks  in the poem serve as reminders  that nature has the ability to withstand the destructive  elements of war by men  and a symbol of hope  in times of human despair  . In Canada , traditionally ,  the poppies which we  wear  were made by disabled  veterans . For this one day  of every year , we remember  and acknowledge  our responsibility  to  work  for the  peace they  fought  hard  to achieve . They fought  to preserve a way of life ; Canadian  values ; and the freedom  we enjoy today  and often  take for granted  .

As I write about  the Canadian value , I am not remiss  in my love for  my  land of birth , the Philippines . From the time  I started my  schooling  at the  Mangaldan Central School , our teachers have always instilled in us  a love  for our country  and our national  heroes . As a reminder to  our  young  ones who may be born in the Philippines but  schooled  in other countries  and  those who are born  abroad , I want  to  introduce to  them  briefly   our  well -known  Philippine  National  Heroes .

Our most celebrated  national hero  is Dr. Jose Rizal which I am sure  every  true Filipino  knows . We celebrate  his  memory on December 30th  when he was executed  in  Bagumbayan ( Now Luneta ) by  the Spaniards  who  occupied the Philippines for many years .

Another  national  hero  is Andres Bonifacio , who founded the secret society  , the Katipunan  , to fight  Spain . He was born in November 30, 1863 and grew up  in the  slums  and never knew  the  benefits of a prosperous life .  He was killed in  May 10, 1897  in Maragondon , Cavite .

Another Philippine National  Hero  is General  Gregorio Del Pilar  , who was known as  the Hero of Tirad Pass . . He was born on Nov. 14 , 1875 in Bulacan , Bulacan  and died on December 2, 1899 in the battle of Tirad Pass to enable Gen.  Emilio Aguinaldo  to escape  from the Americans . He was  one of the youngest and bravest generals  that the Philippines  ever produced .

 

            

                                                             

                              

 

      General  Emilio  Aguinaldo  officially proclaimed  the Philippine Independence Day  in Malolos , Bulacan  on  January ,1899    with  him  as  the First President . It was the  first  republic  in Asia .. He was born in Kawit , Cavite  , on March  22, 1869  and died  at the Veterans Memorial Hospital  in Quezon City  on February 6, 1964 .

Apolinario Mabini   was known as the 'sublime paralytic " and the brain of the revolution . He was born  in Talaga , Tanauan , Batangas  and died in Manila on May  13 , 1903.

We have  many  other  heroes  like  Father Mariano Gomez, Father Jose Burgos and Father  Jacinto Zamora , Emilio Jacinto , General Antonio Luna , Melchora Aquino  , Marcela Agoncillo , Diego Silang , Lapu-Lapu  and many more , including  our  war veterans . What  they  had  in  common  was  their fight  for freedom .

Let us  remember then  that  the soldiers  and  the  heroes that we are honoring today  fought  and sacrificed their lives  for  peace and freedom   and  so , let  not  that  sacrifice  be  in vain  and do our part  in our own simple way . Let  us  pray  for them and their families  and let us pray  for our loved  ones   and  let us pray  for  peace  around the world today  and everyday ...

Celebration of National Heroes Day in the Philippines ....

Do you know that  the sun in our Philippine National Flag symbolizes  LIBERTY ;  the 8  rays  represent  the first 8 PROVINCES  that fought Spain ; and the three  stars represent  the three  major islands , LUZON,VISAYAS,  and MINDANAO  ?  I almost have forgotten  the  symbols  on  our flag . Looking at them  reminded  me  what  they are all about .. Am I glad we have this  Remembrance  Day  to remind  me about  things , people  and places I don't want to  forget  !!                                                         

                           

Halloween Time

Getting ready  for trick or treating  on Halloween evening ? According to statistics , Halloween is the second most important  festivity  in North America . Selling candies and selling  costumes are big businesses in North America . Costume makers  not only cater to the  humans , but  dog  costumes are now in demand .

As we are aware of , our Mangaldan way  of  celebrating  the eve of All Saints Day  is quite different  from the North American way . We are  more  religious in our ways . We  sing  the "Gali ken "  and  households  prepare  all kinds of rice cakes , specially dermen , the darkened  malagkit rice  made into  "inlove " . Inlove is always  a part of  goodies   during "  Pistay  Inatey " , a very important  holiday  of the Philippines  which is November 1st .

But having lived here in Canada for so many decades , I have been exposed  to  the Halloween celebration  since  our first year of  emigrating here  when I had to  bring my kids around for "trick or treating  " . They got more candies and chocolates  than they could handle .

I decided to write about  this North American  Halloween tradition . There are  many superstitions and symbols connected with the festival of Halloween  celebrated on October 31st . The name Halloween  means "hallowed evening " since  it takes place  before All Saints Day . Halloween  traditions  originate  from many countries  and have been modified  by different  cultures  over time .

The use of witches, ghosts and cats  in Halloween  originates with the Druids , who were an order of  priests  and priestesses  in  ancient Gaul  and  Britain  who believed  that ghosts , fairies , , witches and elves came out on Halloween to harm people  . The  Druids  also took part  in an Autumn festival  called  "Samhain " ( pronounced sah win ) or summer's end . It  was  a  celebration  of the food  which  had been grown  during  the summer . The tradition  of decorating  with pumpkins , leaves and cornstalks  originates  with this Druid  festival .   

Carved  pumpkins come in all  types.

Trick or treating  had it's origin  in the  practice of "souling " where people  visited  homes  and offered  prayers  for the dead  in return  for gifts of food .

The modern Halloween celebrations in Canada  began with the arrival  of Scottish and Irish immigrants in the 1800s . Pumpkins were used  instead of turnips. Celebration of the fall harvest included  feasts, Halloween parties , trick or treating and decorating  with pumpkins  and corn stalks . Some people  make pumpkins real works of  art  and they are called "Jack-O-Lanterns ".

HAPPY HALLOWEEN  TO EVERYBODY  AND TO OUR KABALEYANS "  HAPPY  ALL SAINTS  DAY " ! ! It  is time to remember  our relatives and friends  who are now with  our Lord  on All  Souls Day  , November 2nd ... 

                       Addendum  sent by  Father Pal Domagas who is based in New York :

 

Happy Birthday , Canada ! !

Today , July 1st , we  celebrate  Canada  Day , the equivalent of  Independence Day in the USA ( July 4th ) and  the Philippine Independence Day  ( June 12) . Canada is our adopted country  and  it is  fitting that  we join in the celebration of this special event . Canada has an extensive  ethnic groups with     very diverse cultures . The Filipinos rank as the third  largest  ethnic  group  in Vancouver . If  you look back  at  my  Co-Editor  Djoma De Guzman's  picture ( it used to be on the first page of  our website  ) , you will see the Canadian Flag painted  on  his left cheek .

That's  Canadian  Spirit , Djoma ! ! !

Here is a short  recount of  our Canada Day  and  a picture of the Canadian Flag ...

Celebrate Canada Day

On July 1, 2007 Canada will celebrate it's 140th year since  Confederation Before 1982 Canada Day had been known as Dominion Day, First of July, Confederation Day, and July the First. Canada Day celebrates the events that occurred on July 1, 1867, when the British North America Act created the Canadian federal government. The BNA Act proclaimed "one Dominion under the name of Canada," hence the original title of the holiday, "Dominion Day." Dominion Day was officially renamed "Canada Day" by an Act of Parliament on October 27, 1982. This change reflected the policy of successive governments to down play Canada's colonial origins. Canada's national celebration is always observed on July 1, unless that date falls on a Sunday, in which case it is observed the following day. All Canadians are entitled to Canada Day off work - although some people have to work. (like Police, Fire and emergency service workers). Canada Day is considered a Family Day with outings, picnics and celebrations of the birth of our nation. We wave flags, sing songs and enjoy the day!

Christmas Greetings #2-

                                                                                                   

O, come all , ye  faithful , joyful  and  triumphant  will  soon  reverberate in the churches all over the  world as we await  the  birth  of  our  Lord .  Most  Filipino  families  will  have  their "Noche  Buena " before  or  after  the midnight  mass . Most  North  Americans  have  their  family  get together  and  dinner  on Christmas  Day , December  25th . Whichever  day we  celebrate , gift-giving  always  follows. We  have  in  us  that  child-like  feeling  of  excitement  to  open  our  gifts , big  or  small . But let us  not  forget  to  reflect  if  we  have  given  enough  for  the  needy ...

As the  eve  of  Christmas is  approaching , I wish  to  greet  our  Kabaleyans again  in  all parts  of the world a very  Holy  and Happy  Christmas ...I wish  to thank all  who sent  their  pictures  and  greetings to all  Mangaldanians.. Let  us  all  think that  we  will  all  be  home  for  Christmas , even   just  in  our  dreams  and  in  our  hearts ...

                    MARIE

    

The  Domagas  sisters  got together for  Christmas with their Mom Rebecca  in Austin, Texas . The  sisters are Rosemarie,Raquel, Rosario,Rosalia and granddaughter Michelle Le." Christmas  as well  as New Years greetings  to  all  our  Kabaleyans ! ! "

Father Pal Domagas  and Father Joseph Visperas wish to  greet  our  co-Mangaldanians  a Happy Christmas and  and  a  Joyful , Peaceful  and  Prosperous New Year . Father Domagas  is based  in New York  and Father Visperas' Parish  is in  Southern California .

Dr. Andres D. Aquino and Family who celebrated Christmas at the  family residence in Kingsville,Texas , wish to extend  their  Season's  Greetings  to all  Mangaldanians  all  over  the world. Daughters Yolanda  resides in Austin ,Texas  and  Andrea lives  in San Antonio .

The Quintos ; Danny ( from New jersey  ), Belen  Q. Cariaga ( From Missouri City ,Texas) , Cristy Q. ( from New Jersey ) and  Silvestre  (Junior from new Jersey )  greet  their " kabaleyans  " with their best  wishes for the coming New Year .

Charmagne  ( nee Junio ) and  Allen  Gordon  wish  the Mangaldanians  a  Joyful, Peaceful and Prosperous  New  Year . They  are residents of Coquitlam , B.C.   

Christmas Greetings

We are  now  counting  the days  before  Christmas  day , the most awaited yearly celebration. It is the time of the year  when we  dig, not  only in our pockets  but into the list  of our  relatives  and  friends' addresses. It is  the best time  to get in touch  with  each  other .

It is  also  the  time to  reflect  and to share. This is what  Christmas  is all  about . It is comforting to know  that there  are  still  people  whose centre  of  Christmas  Is  JESUS , His  birth  and the  significance  of  His  coming  into  this  world . Let  Jesus  reign  in our hearts  and  make  the Christmas event  another  affirmation  of  our  faith  in Our  Lord  Jesus.

Let  us also  remember  the  needy  people  and  give  what  we can  afford . There is that  unexplained  satisfaction  whenever  we  see the  faces  of  the  ones who  receive  what we give . This  is  this  satisfaction  that  will  become our  anchor as we  embrace  the  coming  New Year . In  behalf   of  our  Kabaleyans  here  in  Vancouver , we  want  to  greet  our  kabaleyans  in  other parts of  the  world . Djoma  and  I  want  to express  our  thanks  for  your continued  support  through  your  feedbacks  and  continuous communications  with  us . We  want to  greet  all of  you  all over  the world , where ever  you are , our  dear  kabaleyans .  Please  keep in  touch .  

Djoma  and  Maridel  shown  here  in  Whytecliffe Park  in West  Vancouver , B.C.

 

 

Other  Mangaldanians  who wish  to  send  their  greetings  through  Cyberspace  are  the   following :   Pepe  and  Mona  ( nee Lopez ) Tan  and Family  (Vancouver  residents )and Mona's  sister  Leny  Lopez Manlongat from New York .

    

Rusty ( nee Cervas ) , Briggy  and  Mary Grace  Miraflor  wish  all  our  Kabaleyans  A Merry  Christmas  and a Prosperous  New Year ...

   

Helen  (nee de Vera) and Dom   Cendana and   family , Connie (  de Vera ) and Eugene  Labonte ( from  Edmonton )and their sister Noemi  ( from the Philippines )wish to send their Christmas greeetings to their relatives and friends.

Grace  ( nee Domagas ) and Rene Palaganas send their warmest  greetings  to their  families  in the Philippines  and the USA and other parts  of the  world .

Greetings  from  Tess Carvajal Marier  ( from Vancouver ) and sister Lina Carvajal  who is  based  in  Los  Angeles , CA.

Here  are  the  Torio family  sending  their  love and hugs to  their  families  specially  to  Mom Lita in the  Philippines  and sister  and family in South Carolina . In the picture are Claire , her husband Jess ( Alejandria ), Dad  Carlito , Joe Boy , John John , Julius   and grandson .Their Message : " Christmas blessings be upon  you  today  and throughout  the New Year . From  the Torios  of  Seattle  and Vancouver " .

Janie ( nee Coronel )  and  C J Junio  send their Christmas  and  New Year's  greetings  from the Land  of  the Rising Sun , Japan . They wish they  could join ,  for  Christmas , either  Janie's family ( her parents  are now in Maryland  visiting  her sister  Joy and her family )  or  C J's  family  who are in Vancouver .

Peter and  Joanne  Salvatin and their  three boys  wish to extend  their  Christmas  greetings  to all  Mangaldanians . They  lived in Fremont, CA.

Fred  and  Susan  Martinez   and their  family  sent  their  Christmas  greetings in their 2006  Christmas  card.

                                                                                       

                                                                            

Remembrance Day: Lest We Forget

                                    

                                                                           "In Flanders Fields where poppies blow " is a poem written by a Canadian soldier , Lt. Col. John McCrae as his comrades lay dying in Flanders Fields ( Ypres Salient ) among  the poppies in bloom  . His poem speaks of Flanders Fields but the subject is universal ; the fear of the dead that they will be forgotten ; that their death would have been in vain . Remembrance as symbolized by the poppy , is our eternal answer  which belies that fear . The poppies bloom every year  on the 11th day of the 11th month on almost all Canadian's lapel  .

Today I see it befitting to pay tribute to our  heroes specially our Philippine National Heroes and most specially our heroes in Mangaldan .One of the survivors of the Infamous Death March was Mr . Manuel Mejia . He lived to tell the story of that horrible march . Sadly , he passed away on July, 25, 1997 here in Vancouver , with his wife, the former Ester Penullar and his three children and their families by his side . His co-veterans were on hand  to give him accolades and accompanied him to his final resting place in a befitting manner .There are more heroes , unfortunately , I don't have their names .They are our heroes. They served  and gave up their lives for us so that we will live . I would welcome any information  about  any names of veterans from Mangaldan . Just e-mail me the information so I can add their names to my list.

Below is a picture of  Mr. Manuel Mejia and wife Ester as they received  their Canadian Citizenship ..

I am also reprinting  a story I co-wrote with my cousin , Rafael D.Magno , about our uncle , the late Col. Emigdio V. David . After we did a thorough research , the article was published in the 1998 Mangaldan Town Fiesta Souvenir Program . 

                      

                                                    

                     

            THE UNKNOWN  SOLDIER OF  MANGALDAN

                                  By  Rafael David Magno and Marie David Aquino Junio

          War always brings the sufferings , destruction and death to nations and people . At no time in their entire  history did the Filipino people endure greater humiliation than during the Second  World War . No people was hated  by them more fiercely than their Japanese conquerors.

          During the three long years of Japanese rule, the Philippine Army and the Guerilla Resistance Movement joined forces. From their rugged mountain hideout, they secretly came down in hit-and-run sorties to harass and rag-tag fight the invaders as they anxiously awaited the American Liberation. It was a seemingly desperate effort , but their persistence paid off.

          If war brings out the beast of men it also brings out the best of them and Mangaldan shares a good number of war heroes. The infamous Death March widowed  wives, maimed and killed young men in their prime of life, orphaned children, not to mention broken dreams of sweethearts. The atrocities perpetrated by the Japanese soldiers were worst than slavery .

          How pathetic, however, that after those long, long years, little is known, if at all, by the people of Mangaldan about the Supreme Sacrifice of one of their townmates who could have saved his life in exchange for a cowardly repudiation of his allegiance to the United States and loyalty to his country  and his people. Equally ironic, is that he is better known and acclaimed hero in the province of his wife , Cebu, than in his  hometown .

          The saga of this man during the war is contained in a book " TABUNAN" written by his comrade-in-arms, Manuel Segura , Col. PC ( G.S.C)

          But this is going  ahead of the story ..

          Col. Emigdio de Vera David was born in Mangaldan on the 5th of August,1894. He was the second  child in the family of six children of Don Juan David and Dona Dolores C. de Vera . His brothers and sisters were ( in order of their births) Julieta, Teodorica , Severina ( only living at 93), Jose and Norberto . Two days after his birth, infant Emigdio was baptized in the Catholic Church by Fr. Miguel Llambi, the last Spanish Parish Priest of Mangaldan . He grew up and started his early school years in his hometown and finished high school in Lingayen, Pangasinan. After graduation , he entered the Philippine Constabulary Academy ( now PMA) in Baguio and graduated in 1916, the first military graduate of Mangaldan of that school .. It may be of interest to mention that he earned  an enviable distinction among his classmates on account  of his sharp -shooting prowess.

          Starting as 2nd Lieutenant , his first assignment was at Fort Stotsenberg ( now Clark Air Base ). From there , his ascent in ranks  continued steadily as he hopped from one mission to another .

          One of his most dangerous assignments  was in Zambales where he replaced the Provincial Commander who was killed by the rebellious Aetas. It was perhaps his ability in gentle persuasion combined  with his strong personality  that he succeeded  in pacifying this tribe .

          Destiny has designed that he be assigned  to Cebu where he met  and fell in love with the lovely niece of the late  President Sergio Osmena, Sagrario  Velez . They were married  shortly  after and soon were blessed  with three children , Mariano, , Jorge and Carmen . Mariano , an engineer( deceased) married  Mercy Soliven , the sister of Max Soliven , the newspaper columnist. Jorge , also an engineer, is living with his wife  Rosita  in Bellevue , Washington , USA. He worked  at Boeing Aircraft and was among the technicians of Apollo 13. Carmen , the 3rd child is also deceased.

          When the clouds of war began to  gather ominously over the Philippines , Lt. Col. Emigdio V. David ( still the highest military  officer  from Mangaldan ) was in command of the 82nd infantry regiment in Cebu .

          After Bataan and Corregidor fell, the Japanese invaders sent three warships and eleven transports to Cebu , in April 1942 . With continued persistence and defiance , it had been attested that the Guerilla Resistance Movement in Cebu was " one of the most active and successful of the known guerilla organizations". However, with the approaching powerful armada the defenders came to realize the futility of their efforts . Outmanned and outgunned, Cebu lay prostrate before the onslaught of the enemy .

          It was in the middle of May 1942 when Col. David was last heard of . For a long time his wife and children, his mother, his brothers and sisters were kept in the dark about the whereabouts and what eventually happened to him.

          The truth emerged when Col. Manuel Segura published his book in 1975 . Among other matters , it relates the courage and  bravery of the Cebu  guerillas "for having killed more Japanese than in any other area" . When Cebu finally fell , the higher ranking officers of the USAFFE were gathered by the Japanese . Col. David was the most senior officer not yet in captivity .. So, he exercised the power of the General Headquarters . He gathered his beleaguered men and instructed  them to decide for themselves whether to return to civilian life or stay and risk capture .

          With his back against the wall , there was no way  out left for him . Bitter and battered , he went to surrender himself alone, hoping the enemy to honor the International Law of War . Instead , after having found out who he was, they horse-whipped and tortured him . Later they  brought him to the  Cebu Provincial Jail  where for several days they tried to indoctrinate and persuade him with threats , to swear allegiance and collaborate with Japan . He stubbornly refused .

          Early one morning , a band of Japanese soldiers came to his cell and ordered him to pack up his belongings . He was put  in a cargo truck with other prisoners and taken to nobody knew where . He was never seen nor heard of again .

          Col. Emigdio V. David was a soldier in the highest order and with sterling character . His loyalty to his career and dedication  to his duty was uncompromising . A deeply devoted husband and father , he spent every  moment of his free time with his family . A compassionate man  that he was , he never refused to extend his helping hand to those in need .

          " GREATER THAN THIS , NO MAN HAS , THAT ONE LAY DOWN HIS  LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS" John 15:13 

          It is not the intention of this story to suggest that a cold stone be carved as a memorial to this unknown man nor  is it our desire to have  a street  be named after him . It is rather wished that the virtues of Col. Emigdio V. David be enshrined  in the hearts and minds of the young people of Mangaldan . May he inspire and guide them as a shining model , so that Mangaldan and the people of this country which he served so well ,, will live peacefully , happily and be truly proud of their heritage .

                             

        *********************************************************************************************** 

I have added  some  old  pictures  of Col. David   which were sent by  his youngest son , Jorge, who lives in Bellevue whith his wife, Rose . The first picture shows Col. David , his wife Sagrario and their three  young children .The threesome picture includes Col. David, wife Sagrario and eldest baby son Mariano .

   

       Another Post Script ( From Marie):   Since  this  story was  first published in 1998 , few details have changed . My mother , Severina  David Aquino Cabrera passed away on September 19, 2005  at the age of 100 years and 8 months , and my  cousin , who  co- wrote  with me the above article  had lost his battle with cancer on February 21 , 2006 . My mother and my Kuya Rafael ( called  Paeng by most of his friends ) and  wife Asuncion were very close . He was the only nephew  of my mother who lived  in Mangaldan , close to where she was  residing and my mother  was his only living aunt . I am attaching a picture of both  during my mother's 95th birthday . How I miss them both  ! ! !