June 13, 1998, Passaic Park, NJ. Calamba Association Northeast USA were a hit at this year's Philippine Centennial Independence Parade that was held from Passaic City Hall all the way to Passaic Third Ward Memorial Park.

     Most officers of the association showed up sporting the association's T-SHIRT with the Calamba Association's Seal in front and the Philippine Centennial Commemorative Years imprinted at the back. The t-shirts were imported and silk-screened from the Philippines by Mrs. Nini Mendoza.

     Along with the t-shirts, were very avant-garde and impressive ball caps and matching umbrellas that sport our countries colors (red,white,blue, yellow) that had a flag-type design on it.

     Immediately after the association members stepped-off their vehicles and onto the gathering were most Filipinos were at the parade staging area, the Calamba Association, as it were, attracted attention being all in uniform clothing.

     Groups of people immediately approached the vehicles and asked if they could buy the ball caps we were sporting and also the beautiful umbrella. We really did not want to sell the ball caps, but passengers of one particular van, one belonging to the Philippine Consul General's Office pleaded so bad, we had to sell them all we could spare. To be fair, we sold 3 or 4 more to others before we declared to everybody that we were out of them. Can you imagine how much money the association could have made if we had tons of them?
Within minutes of our arrival, the crowed had a noticeably distinctive look of the Calamba Association's Ball Cap.

     Luck struck. One of the Parade officers is a former Calambeno and because of this and the confusion going on with the traffic, the Association's vehicle were allowed to be at the "head" portion of the parade, immediately following the Consul General's Office and other dignitaries' vehicles. The planned "walk" was abandoned as the weather was not cooperating well. The Calamba Association had a total of 2 vehicles in the parade.

Tonette, Malou, Cora, Nini, Junior, Lito with coordinating tshirts, ball caps and umbrella with Philippine flag design.

     Almost like a tradition, the association's photographer was Dr. Rudy Lim. (Mind you, Calambenos really do not abuse our doctors this way).

     Of course, Calambenos do not go anywhere without food, and immediately after the parade, CANEUSA gathered at Tonette Alonzo's house which is located at the park and brought all the food with them.

     A pot-luck/pic-nic ensued. Tonette Alonzo, being a geographical bachelor at that time as his wife, Olga, was in the Philippines, was not without help.

     Dra. Jojo Lim became the dishwasher, Dr. Rudy Lim was the garbage man (believe me, we really do not abuse doctors this way, these people are just down to earth), Nini and Malou Mendoza set the table, Willie got the dishes and the drinks. All around you, you see everybody doing something to get the picnic going, and going it did.

     We were all stuffed! Of course, we then went to the park to watch a beautiful presentation of Philippine History, listen to the artists perform their native Philippine songs and dances. Booths were all around showing Philippine Arts and crafts. There were quite a few booths selling Filipino Food, but, the CANEUSA members are really not much with food (yeah, right…..).

     All I can say is, you should have been there! Are we going to do it again next year….you bet ya!#