by Noel Cadelina
With more than 350 guests at the PCCM’s “Papasko Sa Mga Bagong Dating” held last December 12, Sunday, at the PCCM MPR, the Christmas celebration highlights the traditional Filipino hospitality of welcoming the new immigrants with all the fanfare and trimmings of a real Paskuhan tradition. And in spite of the hovering windchill factor of -40, the new immigrants specially their children enjoyed the celebration of giving and of sharing. With warm hearts, games, food and gifts, the annual celebration makes the new immigrants feel wanted; and the sense of belonging to the community is shown in their faces. They joined the community singing, they shared with their experiences when they arrived specially in the middle of the winter months in Winnipeg.
“I just arrived last September and I started enjoying my stay in Winnipeg.And when the snow fell, wow, so white, so beautiful, and I told myself,’ Am I in a dreamland?’, a smiling bagong dating relayed her story. “Parang hindi ako umalis sa atin, ang dami palang mga kababayan dito…parang ‘Pinas, akala ko mahohomesick ako,” another new immigrant said. “Thank you for giving us this wonderful christmas party, excited nga ang anak ko kay Santa Claus,” a mother told us.
Pastor Lorenz of Maples Evangelical Church gave an inspiration talk. And gladly, our benefactor and patron, Larry and Tova Vickar, President and CEO of Vickar Autogroup, Inc., together with their grandchildren and some members of the sales staff attended to enjoy the annual Christmas celebration for the new immigrants and their families.
The PCCM’s MPR is fully decorated with festive balloon created and donated by Aldrin, Miriam and their family’s Melo’s Balloon; the memorial giant Christmas tree donated by the late PCCM president Linda Natividad Cantiveros was lighthed to add to the festive mood of the celebration; on the side of the Christmas tree is our special guest, an annual appearance of Santa Claus, in the person of Andrew Smith, the assistant of MP Joy Smith of Kildonan-St Paul riding. He was the centre of attraction of the guests especially their children.
And the games were held and the prizes were given to all the families and children. The program was emceed by Winnie Navarro of CTV and Marianne Ferrer of Agape Insurance and Financial Services with the help of Santa helpers, namely, Sylvia Cadelina, Eva Cablatera, Arlene Bugtong and Sally Raymundo. “Christmas Treasure Hunt” conducted by PCCM president Rod E. Cantiveros was participated by the children; and the “Bring Me Game” started with the fun time. To add flavour to the occasion, the PCCM officers, board of directors and volunteers, rendered a community singing led by Jean Guiang, former executive director of PCCM’ and accompanied by Mike Santos. Singing prowess was shown by Winnie, Marianne, Sylvia, Arlene, Eva and Carrie Barroga; Rod E. Cantiveros, Kelly Legaspi, Gem Anis, Noel Candelina, Nap Ebora ,Allan Zoleta, Julie Javier, Norman Padilla and Jun Oquendo encourage the guests to participate in singing and dancing. It was such a fun moment. While the fun was going on, the food committee composed of Clarita Nazario, Letty Antonio, Lyn Cabaltera, Nena Ebora and Lita Anis, was preparing the food to be served. At the lobby, QPAM ladies, Maan “Maggie” Chan Urbano, Candy Padilla, Glenda Relis, Mrs. Chan and Elisa Magarro,were still welcoming the new immigrants. Lito Taruc, president of PAM, was busy registering for the Christmas Cheer Board; and other organizations, namely, FTCPAM, QPAM, MFBC, PNAM,Sikaran, Agape Insurance and Financial Services, Sunnyday and FCP Builder Smart, Karmel Klinic and two NGO’s on housing and settlement were busy giving information to the new immigrants.
Family pictorial was handled by Ron Cantiveros, CEO/president of the Molave Publishing, publisher of Manitoba and Alberta Filipino Journal. At the same time, Santa Claus was busy giving gifts and personal picture taking by the families. After the paskuhan celebrations, everybody was so happy for the prizes they received from many donors and sponsors like Vickar Autogroup, Inc. Sunnyday and FCP Smart Builder, JS Furniture, CTV and GMA, Western Union, Agape Insurance Agency, Sarbit Travel and Insurance, Discovery and Jimels Bakeries; and the major prize from well-known Filipino painter, Ted Bobier;and the “Quezo de Bola” gift from Lucky Supermarket at Winnipeg Avenue and McPhillips. Indee, a night to remember for the new immigrants to enjoy their 1st Christmas party and it was a true celebration of the dreamlike White Christmas.
And we are very thankful to all our major sponsors, donors of food and prizes, decoration sponsors, entertainers and most valued volunteers.. The plan for the next “Bagong Dating Welcome Party” is being scheduled. And for our kababayans, the new immigrants, welcome to Winnipeg…mga kapuso, mga kapamilya, mga kaagapay! Merry Christmas and Best of the New Year, 2011 to all…from the 2010 PCCM officers and board of directors.
Sponsors: Vickar Chevrolet, Vickar Mitsubishi, Waverly Mitsubishi, Vickar Autobody & Glass, Vickar Nissan. For Food and Prizes: Lucky Supermarket (Best Selection in the City). For 200 boxes of “Quezo de Bola” from Magnolia, Philippines. Sunnyday Heating, Ventillation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, FCP Smart Builders (For Food and Prizes),JS Furniture (For Prizes), Donors: Ted Bobie & family (Major Prize-Painting), Melo’s Balloon of Aldrin and Miriam Deuna & family for the beautiful christmas balloons, CTV and GMA -Winnie Navarro & Rosemer Enverga of GMA, Western Union – Cash money for 10 cases of bottled water, IWC for calendars and members, Midwest Garment for prizes, Discovery Bakery for food, Jimmels Bakery for food, Filipino Journal for Buffet Square gift certificates, Dr. Dennis Kho for prizes, Agape Insurance Agency and Financial Services for prizes, Sarbit Travel and Insurance Services for prizes, Pastor Lorenz donated cash money for bottled water. Volunteers: Sylvia Cadelina,Winnie Navarro, Marianne and Jason Ferrer, Stella Raymundo, Eva Cabaltera, Lyn Cabaltera, Arlene Bugtong, Elisa Magaro, Mike Santos, Denny & Raquel Nangan, Tony & Letty Antonio,Jean Guiang, Orli & Carrie Barroga, Pastor Lawrence Sallong of Maples Evangelical Church, Arnold Dulay, Lito Dabu, Sarmiento Monerie, Lester Candelario, Rico Arica, Mimi and Moises Duot family, Andrew Smith (Santa Claus), Candy Padilla, Lita Anis, Nena Ebora, Maan “Maggie” Chan-Urbano, Glenda Relis, Elisa Magaro, Staff of Agape Insurance Agency and Financial Services, Reg Igne. Performers: James Baris, CKJS Tuklas Talino Champion 2010, Mimosa and Moises Duot- up and coming singing sensation from Tuklas Talino, Star Search, Decoration: Christmas Balloons, Aldrin & Miriam Deuna and children of Melo’s Balloon, Christmas Tree – Cantiveros family. Participating Organizations: PAM (Christmas Cheer Board) FITPAM, QPAM, PNAM, MFBC, Karmel Clinic and two government agencies. And to see the folkloric Vickar Philippine Jeepney on the pile of snow is something to remember our homeland during Christmas.
From the Officers and Board of Directors of the 2010 Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba, Inc.- Rod E. Cantiveros, president; Allan Zoleta, vice-president; Julie Javier, treasurer; Dr. Irene Guzman, asst. treasurer; Clarita Nazario, recording secretary; Jun Oquendo, corresponding secretary; Norman Padilla, internal auditor; Lito Taruc, Leah Enverga-Magsino, Noel Cadelina, Nap Ebora, Gem Anis, Kelly Legaspi and Jing Asperin…at mula din po sa mga Bagong Dating na dumalo…. Sa uulitin po.
