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BAYONNE, NJ, DECEMBER 13, 1997. The first Christmas Party and Inaugural Ball of Calamba Association Northeast USA, held at Harbor View Community Club in U.S. Army Base in Bayonne was not just a complete success, it was a super-success as more than 150% of the expected guests participated. The guest speaker was the Honorable Willy C. Gaa; the Consul General of the New York's Philippine Consulate General's Office and the Head of Mission of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. He arrived with his wife, Linda and son Wendell. He stated that this was the first time ever that he brought his family to a Filipino affair. He also mentioned that the association's souvenir program had 2 letters/messages from him to show his admiration of the association.
EXCEPTIONAL PLEDGE
Honorable Willy Gaa happily noted, during his speech "the special and unique part" of the association's pledge of allegiance that included "..to stand vigilant against injustice and slander to my people…". He praised the association for that and commented that the association indeed knows how to "lumingon sa pinanggalingan" (to look back where one come from) as the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who was born in Calamba, Laguna advocated. Laughter broke-out when he added, except for those who have stiff necks according to Dr. Arambulo, a member and an adviser of the association. He invited the association to take an active role and participate in the Centennial Celebration of Philippine Independence starting 18 days from thereon .
The Consul General received 2 certificates from the association. One accorded him to be an "Honorary Member" of the Association and the other; a Certificate of Appreciation for being a Guest Speaker. They were presented by the association's president, Tonette Alonzo. The Consul General once again got the crowd laughing by stating that he should get free entrance now at Hot Spring Resorts in Pansol, Calamba, Laguna.
FOOD SHORTAGE ! !
Approximately 150 percent of the guests' reservation arrived. The entire facility of Harbor View Community Club, which was reserved for the entire night was ready to serve all those who responded in
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time plus extra 30 percent. This was done in cases of under-booking and for those who desire second helping of food. But they were surprised and caught off-guard when the number of the arriving guests exceeded normal expectations. More, children, of course had to take full course meals, which the reservation numbers did not show. Colonel Sanders of KFC came to the rescue as Chito Manayon (association's regional mayor for New York) and Art Carandang (association's regional mayor for Pennsylvania) took a quick run to Kentucky Fried Chicken out in town and brought several buckets of chicken to the party.
FREE ENTRANCE.
Tonette Alonzo, the association's president and Lito Mendoza, the Chairman of the Board, immediately decided to have everyone who comes in late be reimbursed for the tickets they purchased as the only food available were the fried chicken from KFC. Honorable Willy Gaa called the situation, a "beautiful problem". Most people who were late commented, "We came here to meet our townmates, to hear the Consul General speak and to dance, not for food". The officers of the association took heart and learned from the situation, RSVP will be enforced more rigorously and a Kid's Menu offered. An adviser commented, "There has never been a perfect first name".
TODONG-TODO.
The dance floor swelled with dancers until one o'clock in the morning. The music was provided by THE CHAMP and was paid extra for staying an extra hour. The dance floor bled over to the carpeted area to accommodate all the dancers. There was a "D. I. ", (Dance Instructor) who led the dancers with new and "improved" dance steps. Todo-todo "a la" Bump emerged when the music was played and several versions of Todo-todo appeared on the dance-floor and dancers ended up bumping into each other. It was a funny spectacle! At one point, the dancers, led by Lito Mendoza, formed a circle and each one around the circle took turns dancing at the center of the circle with their "funniest" or expert dance moves. Once again, as almost a tradition, Arlene Alcasid takes the winning cake by taking her top off! No, not that, just the "Bolero" top of her beautiful gown. As usual, Don Alcasid, her husband, was just standing on a corner, watching gleefully.
MUSICAL TABLES, MUSICAL CHAIRS.
Who is sitting in what chair or table? No one knows as just about every guests moved around from table to table chit-chatting and greeting the long lost town-mates, teachers, classmates, friends and (Continued on page 19)
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