SMU Alumni Association of Toronto & Alumni Abroad Reunion & Social Network
www.smutoronto.org
Alumni Journal
Seeing my Church in better light
Philippine Daily Inquirer
05:03 AM September 6th, 2015
Shrine of the Sacred Heart, San Antonio Village, Makati City. PHOTO fromwww.splendorofthechurch.com.ph
I went to Mass early last Sunday at the Shrine
of the Sacred Heart in San Antonio Village, Makati City. The priest who celebrated the Mass was a very vocal person who would speak strongly on issues of the day.
I once wrote against that priest because he kept on attacking the reproductive health (RH) bill. He would argue against birth control even if he could see the poor outside the church hungry and begging for alms from churchgoers.
The poor women around the church had children trailing them and some were pregnant and expecting their sixth or seventh child. In fact, one of them gave birth to twins during the RH controversy.
Going back to that priest, his insistence on banning birth control methods and devices gave me terrible headaches as I could not stand up and refute his statements, not because it was not really allowed but because I think it was more of a Catholic tradition to just leave the priest alone with his homily.
Actually, I have argued many times with an assistant to the parish priest about a lot of things, but she tried to explain things simply without triggering a fight.
Essence of Christianity
Yesterday, I listened to the same priest and expected him to rile against people causing a traffic mess in Metro Manila but to my surprise he did not take the opportunity to lash out at them. Instead he gave a beautiful homily on the sacraments, and in the prayerof the faithful there was a petition for the mass media not to destroy the reputation of people.
I salute my Church for its kindness, discretion and decency. That, I think, is the essence of Christianity.
The Catholic Church, for all its faults, allows its faithful a lot of freedom. For writing against a priest of the Sacred Heart Church, I could have been banned from the church and its premises. But even after that negative article, the parish priest, on my request, came to my house to bless my image of the Sacred Heart with all the graciousness that a holy man could muster.
Freedom of choice
The Catholic Church has its causes, too. For instance, people sometime ago were asked to rally against the RH bill but many of us who were for it did not heed the call and no one was punished for not being there.
In my opinion, my Church’s policy has always been you are free to choose what you believe in and God forgives your soul if you are wrong.
Contributions to the Catholic Church are always voluntary and in fact I sometimes get embarrassed for my fellow Catholics when I hear the jingling of coins from two out of seven people in a pew.
Sometimes you hear a priest or two complain about the measly contributions Catholics give but, generally, the Church refrains from asking people to contribute more.
Luckily, there are thoughtful followers who give generously to help sustain the Church’s operations.
Except for Sundays, we are never obliged but encouraged to gather for church celebrations. Expect Catholics to come when they deem it good for their spirituality.
A loving Church
Look at the number of people who came out in throngs for Pope Francis during his visit in January. They came to see this man who loves the poor, who shuns luxurious mansions and cars, and who exhorts Catholic priests and the faithful to lead simple lives, love the poor and love their enemies and sinners, and told priests to stop talking about birth control.
Pope Francis says the Catholic Church should be a loving Church. He does not tell Catholics that they have exclusivity to heaven but that everyone, members of other sects and even sinners, who reconcile with God in their own way are also given by God the chance to be with Him and have eternal life.
Francis urges the Catholic Church to be more forgiving and open its doors to people it used to marginalize—sinners, divorcees, people from other faiths.
He has openly asked forgiveness for the criminal offenses of Catholic priests—pedophiles and other sex offenders and other errant priests.
The Catholic Church, like any Christian sect or organization, protects its privacy but when secrets come out in the open, it does not chastise the media but faces the problem squarely.
Thank you dear Church for allowing us to throw stones at you once in a while and thank you, too, for granting us all the freedoms humans are entitled to. We appreciate and are deeply grateful for your acceptance and tolerance of our complaints and criticisms.
Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
Sylvia Europa-Pinca - SMHS Class '67
Note new URL: www.smutoronto.org
email: reunion@smutoronto.org
Update on Alumna Janet Belarmino-Sardena (SMUHS Batch 1995)
.jpg)
SMU ALUMNI ABROAD GRAND REUNION 2010
On July 30, 31 and August 1, 2010, the SMU Alumni Abroad 8thGrand Reunion was held at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. On the shindig night, July 30th, more than 200 alumni and their guests gathered in the ballroom of the Hotel. They came from different countries around the world, such as Australia, the Philippines, Italy, the United States and Canada, mostly from GTA (Greater Toronto Area).
At the start of the festive occasion, the atmosphere was charged with happy and anxious moods as the alumni searched for their long-unseen but not forgotten friends and former classmates in the various departments of their beloved Alma Mater, the St. Mary’s University, now the most prestigious and popular centre of education, strategically located along the southern gateway to the vast Cagayan Valley in Northern Luzon, Philippines.
The night’s program started at 6:00 p.m.with the singing of the national anthems of the Philippines and the U.S., led by Dr. Virgilio Aguilar, Jr., followed with the national anthem of Canada, sung by Mr. Ponce Lachica and the audience.
Judge Delano Europa (currently Justice of the Peace for and in the Province of Ontario), Legal Adviser of the SMU Alumni Association of Toronto, rendered the opening prayer, then he expounded on how the Planning Committee initiated and steered the 2010 SMU Alumni Abroad Grand Reunion into realization. He hoped that the program and various activities to be conducted and performed will be enjoyed by the audience during the 3-day fun-filled entertainment to their full satisfaction and delight.
The Officers and Members of the SMUAToronto sung the SMU Alumni Welcome Song, conducted by Mr. Melchor Ambatali, Jr., PRO of the Association, composed by yours truly, who accompanied the choral group on the electronic keyboard.
In was indeed a festive night when the DJ began airing ballroom music and most of the audience in casual attire converged to the dance floor and exhibited their expertise in dancing to the tunes of waltzes, cha-chas, tangos, rhumbas, line-dancings and other leg-shaking, hip-swaying, titillating music.
Lots of pop drinks and desserts were laid on the tables along one wall of the ballroom and the dancers refreshed themselves to have more energy and vigor to do more dances as the night wore on, myself included.
Then the MC announced the presentation of the Alumni attendees, who studied in the various departments of the SMU, beginning with the earliest alumnus present, myself SMEHS ’39, to the latest, Mrs. Daryl-Cachero-Baladad, SMES ’04 (grand daughter of Mariano, my brother-in-law). In between those years many alumni joined us at the centre of the dance floor and SMHS’61, with 18 classmates-attendees, gathered together, among them Judge Delano Europa, Mrs. Lety G. Europa, my son Wilfred P. Fabroa, Mr. Melchor Ambatali, Jr. and others.
The DJ continued belting ballroom music, so most of the audience danced to their heart’s content and filled the night with lots of fun, joyous camaraderie and delightful reminiscences of bygone days, while cameras seemed not to stop clicking, until past midnight when the shindig affair came to a regrettable end.
The Alumni and their guests, who came from abroad, as well as some Alumni in Canada, repaired to their respective rooms in the Delta Chelsea Hotel, where they lodged for the duration of the reunion.
My wife and I were luckily voted by the Planning Committee to stay, gratis et amore, for two consecutive nights, in Suite No. 2058, the bonus room awarded to the Planning Committee as reward for exceeding to occupy the 40 contracted rooms to 50, which we much appreciated.
In the exclusive privacy of the expensive suite, my wife and I renewed our romantic youthful escapades, which we enjoyed for 66 years of our blissful marriage, with the blessings, protection and guidance of a very loving God.
The following night, July 31st, was the Grand Gala Dinner and Dance that started, like the night before, at 6:00 p.m., but this time the attire was formal – coat and tie for the gentlemen and attractive evening gowns for the ladies. More than 250 happy Alumni and guests attended, as those who did not attend on the previous night were there to add more festive activities to the gala occasion.
As soon as the ballroom door opened, the people anxiously waiting at the foyer, converged therein, like an army of ants or a swarm of bees milling around, eagerly and happily looking for their friends, acquaintances and former classmates, whom they have already met the previous night, and also those who newly arrived and they renewed talking about their life’s experiences, and continued to reminisce their happy years within the portals of their prestigious Alma Mater, the St. Mary’s University.
After some dances were performed to the tune of lively and lovely music, the MC announced that the program was formally opened. Like in the shindig night, it started by the singing of the national anthems of the Philippines and the U.S., again led by Dr. Virgilio Aguilar, Jr., followed by the Canadian national anthem sung by Mr. Ponce Lachica, together with the audience.
The Invocation was rendered by Mrs. Ramona Duque, after which the President of the SMUAToronto, Mr. Wilfred P. Fabroa, SMHS’61, Head Coordinator of the Grand Reunion and Designer of the Souvenir Program, delivered his Welcome Address.
On behalf of the Reunion Organizing Committee, he welcomed all the Alumni, their families and guests, who came to attend the once-in-a-lifetime memorable event here in Toronto, which provided them opportunities to reminisce with their former classmates and renew the friendship and camaraderie they once experienced in bygone years and after leaving their beloved Alma Mater to pursue some other venues and careers in life.
He likewise expressed his gratitude to all the members of the Planning Committee and other volunteers who have unselfishly sacrificed their time and efforts in this worthwhile endeavor, including the financial supporters and the advertisers who made the publication of the Souvenir Program possible.
Wilfred was the President of the SMU Alumni Association of Toronto for 8 consecutive years since the inception of the organization in 2002, and like an unbeaten boxing champion, he retired on August 22nd, after he was the Head Coordinator of the Grand Reunion and Designer of the Souvenir Program, which he regarded as the crown of his tenure as President. He is also the Site Administrator of: www.smutoronto.com (the grand reunion website and now has morphed as the SMU Alumni Abroad Networking website.
A sumptuous dinner was served, catered by the Hotel staff. After the diners have partaken of the several dishes to their full satisfaction, Judge Delano Europa, SMHS’61, introduced the Guest Speaker.
Engr. Carlito Abad, also SMC’61, rendered a lengthy speech, speaking autobiographically of his life and his experiences in St. Mary’s High up to being the guest speaker in the present grand reunion.
After the speech, the quiet attitude of the audience broke into a pandemonium when they witnessed an Ifugao native dance perfectly performed by the Officers and Members of SMUAToronto, wearing very colorful native costumes designed and sewed by Lettie Gurat-Europa, like authentic native dancers, to the beat and rhythm of the gong and to the tune of Lady Gaga’s award-winning song “Shall We Dance”. I was among the dancers. The audience loudly applauded and clamored for a repeat performance which did not materialize as time was running short and the program went on.
Mr. Leoncio Pascua, who hailed from San Nicolas, Bayombong, sung a Gaddang plaintive song (Ope mangki wayik) about a jilted lover left by his former sweetheart for another man.
A special “Latino” line-dance was exhibited by Mr. Jun Ambatali and two DIs, who perfectly synchronized their intricate steps and body movements with their lady partners. Another line dance was performed by the Officers and Members of the SMUAToronto, whose seemingly never-ending previous practices were compensated by the spontaneous applause, whistles and catcalls of the audience, expressing their utmost joy and delight.
More ballroom and line-dancings were exhibited, punctuated at intervals by the awarding of prizes to various awardees, in appreciation of their financial support and also to the advertisers in the Souvenir Program, a copy of which was given to each of those alumni in attendance.
While my wife was an SMES’41 alumna herself and me, an alumnus SMEHS’39, all our children were also alumni in the different departments, such as Wilfred, SMHS ’61, William, SMHS’63, Zenaida, SMHS’66, Cynthia, SMHS’69, Perlina, SMHS’71, Walter, SMHS’73, Wilson, SMHS’74, Wilmer, SMHS’78 and Brenda, SMHS’79 & Edmund Rice Cath. Sec. Sch. Cl’83 here in Toronto, and Hyacinth in Sen. O’Connor College H.S. Cl’91.
However, those of us members of the Fabroa family who were present in the reunion were somewhat dismayed by the absence of William, Zenaida, Cynthia and Brenda, who missed the reunion due to unavoidable circumstances, and also the unfortunate disapproval by the Canadian Consulate in the Philippines of Cynthia’s visa application.
Group pictures wee taken of all the SMU Alumni attendees, followed by the singing of the St. Mary’s Hymn and the SMU Alumni Farewell Song, sung by all the Alumni, also composed and accompanied with the electronic keyboard by myself, and conducted by Jun Ambatali.
More dances followed and the festive mood went on till past midnight when, like the shindig night, the happy occasion came to a memorable but regrettable conclusion.
On the last day of the 3-day Festival Extravaganza, after the Alumni hotel lodgers had breakfasted with bread and butter, chased with coffee or tea, a picnic was held at Earl Bales Park, south of the intersection of Bathurst St. and Sheppard Ave., where the rest of the Alumni attended, as the others already departed for their respective countries and homes.
The participants continued having more fun and camaraderie, conversing to renew and revive the embers of memories of bygone years when they attended the different departments of their beloved Alma Mater, the St. Mary’s School that had its humble beginnings in June, 1928 in the primary and elementary grades.
In 1934, the SM High School admitted the elementary graduates, who were the first batch of senior students that proudly received their well-deserved diplomas four years later in March, 1938. My older sister Leonor SMHS’38 was one of them.
The outbreak of World War II in the Pacific in 1941 forced the closure of all educational institutions in the Philippines, including the St. Mary’s College. Some of its male students joined the war and a few of them never returned when the SMC opened its doors again in 1946. In 1947 the school presented its firt post-war graduates.
The fun continued with more line-dancing exhibitions and prizes were awarded to the best line-dancers in every performance and my daughter Bing received a prize, as one among the best dancers.
A group of fortune seekers were virtually laughing their heads off, as they were very much excited by the palm readings of my cousin, Mrs. Lourdes Balido-Tan, who, to my great surprise, was telling their fortunes, whether or not they were true did not really matter to them.
However, by the reactions of those whose palms she read, sometimes her reading was “true” in a particular circumstance of the “lucky” customer, who added more to the growing pile of coins and bills in U.S. and Canadian currencies. When everyone’s palm was read, my cousin accumulated $150.00, all for the sake of a lot of fun by the happy but gullible fortune seekers.
At noon lunch was served, buffet-style, catered by a closed friend of Melchor Ambatali Jr., who does catering service on the side, with Filipino dishes, like the ever-present pork lechon, pinapaitan, caldereta, vegetable salad, fried or-adobo chicken, etc. with lots of fruits and sweet desserts, some of which were brought by volunteer pot-luck donors.
It was already late in the afternoon, when the sun was about to set on the western horizon and its brilliance was slowly dimmed by the thickening clouds. Therefore, to honor and remember once more their Alma Mater, the Alumni and guests sang the St. Mary’s Hymn and also the traditional parting song “Auld Lang Syne.”
Tight hugs and embraces and heartfelt filial kisses were soberly exchanged and with lots of tears rolling down their cheeks, they hesitantly bade adieu, goodbye, so long, farewell and parted from one another, till they meet again, God willing, at the next sitio of SMU grand reunion, when and where only the Great Creator God knows! (Note: Of late, the SMU Alumni San Diego Chapter has opted to host the 2012 alumni abroad grand reunion. So watch for further details of this event.)
So long and 'til we meet again!
Papa Pedro A. Fabroa
May 11, 2010
Reprint from Balita (Toronto Tabloid)
Today marks Gloria V. Europa’s 67th birthday anniversary, and the 30th anniversary of her election to the Provincial Board of Nueva Vizcaya (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) where she led the candidates for the same position. Incidentally also, the subtitle in Pilipino was by Editor Ruben Cusipag of the Balita in Toronto. Shortly after this article, Mr. Cusipag was hit by a truck and critically injured, suffering brain injuries. He has become a paraplegic but continues to be at the helm of the Balita as editor.
Page 12, Balita, July 1-15, 1996
Kapatid niyang babae 30 taong may cancer
Justice of the Peace has sad travelogue
By Delano V. Europa
Contributed Arcticle
Visiting Nueva Viscaya after a decade was for us a nostalgic and poignant event. We saw my sister Gloria who is suffering from a terminal illness. Diagnosed in 1962, her prayers have kept her still here.
She is rallying point and doyenne of cancer-stricken patients in Nueva Vizcaya, whose battle cry in I1ocano is, “Apay ngay ni Manang Glo”. Which means “If Manang Glo had it for more than 30 years, we will survive that long too!” But sad to say, at this writing all of them have gone 10 their reward.
Our going there stems from a conscience-stricken sense of moral duty. We didn’t find the time to visit her two years ago when she was in Calgary - a mere three and a half hours by plane. Now we have to fly 18 hours to be able to see her.
.jpg)
Nueva Vizcaya Governor Rodolfo Agbayani. With Del are his wife Lettie, daughter Rochelle, Fiscal Araceli Manaig, the governor’s wife, Dek and Nanie Europa and Del’s mother Marcelina. They dined at Governor’s Palace, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.
Physically, she is debilitated but her spirits remain high. She is waging a constant battle to be alive. She needs a high energy level just to be able to breathe.
Breathing brings shrill grating sounds like brushing one’s fingers against the rotating wheel spokes of a bicycle but on a high note because of blocked air passages.
“The chain-saw-like roar of my breathing has kept the passengers in, the 747 awake, aghast and antagonistic”, she said. “They should be thankful to me. I kept the pilot alert and on his toes.”
This had also kept me awake all night during my Nueva Viscaya visit. I am used to waking her up, banging the doors whenever she uses the washroom as she falls asleep at the flick of a finger due to lack of oxygen going into her system. “Are you still there?” I would shout.
She told me, “Once I found myself with my head submerged on the toilet bowl, God heard my prayers I should not drown should I doze off and fail.” (But just imagine the wet experience)
I was not being flippant nor cruel when I told her jokingly, “When you make stop-over from Calgary to Tokyo, try to find a muffler to refine the sounds coming from you like a car muffler.”
I wish they had invented one. I see an urgent need for her to have one. Right now the noises call attention to her ailment instead of diverting people’s awareness of her handicap. And not too well-meaning people regard the sounds as irritating (and even well-meaning people, for that matter).
March 5, 2010
MY LIFE AS AN SMC (SMU) ALUMNUS continued (scroll down for the 1st chapter - October 27, 2009 ISSUE....
These are my first Canadian experiences since I came to Canada with my wife and four children on December 18, 1979 up to my retirement in 1990.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
January 2, 2010
.jpg)
.jpg)
Janet Belarmino w/ Team Mt. Everest @ 8,300 meters
.jpg)
.jpg)
December 31, 2009
December 14, 2009
December 8, 2009
.jpg){kind=spacer}
November 24, 2009
November 15, 2009
.jpg)
November 10, 2009
.jpg)
November 9, 2009
November 6, 2009
.jpg)
November 2, 2009
October 31, 2009
.jpg)
October 28, 2009
.jpg)
October 27, 2009
.jpg)
Courtship & Marriage...by Pedro A. Fabroa
000/9/7/3/5379/userfiles/file/COURTSHIP_and_MARRIAGE.pdf
October 9. 2009
October 7, 2009
.jpg)
September 24, 2009
September 10, 2009
.jpg)
August 22, 2009
August 16,2009
.jpg)
August 10, 2009
(2).jpg)
August 7, 2009
August 4, 2009
July 23, 2009
July 20, 2009
.jpg)
July 17, 2009
.jpg)
July 15, 2009
regarding bail when I was an 18 years old student in 1963.
This is not a case of “to know a criminal, you should be one”. But I was treated like one, and what followed was not merely a tempest in a teacup.
I was arrested by the Manila police for jaywalking. I asked myself: did I do something so heinous it warranted detention? This was all too real. Was this a case of justice not tempered with mercy?
I was put in a decrepit, squalid, overwhelming stench- filled cell (14 ft by 14 ft.) floor swarming with flies, awashed with sputum and saliva, together with 20 persons mixed with hard core crimnals, clawing, grasping your body, extorting money or cigarettes, menacing and threatening, bullying, spitting, sneezing, coughing, growling, snarling like wild beasts and using the foulest and vilest language you can imagine.
If you have not experienced this you cannot imagine how it feels to be in the miserable company of wretched individuals who may have been victims of their circumstances. I could still hear the sound of clanking bolt and padlocks to prevent us from “escaping”. I asked permission from the police to allow me to call my aunt with whom I was staying as a boarder, but to no avail. I was speaking to a wall. I was incarcerated from 10:00 a.m. to 3P.m. without food and water. My needs and problems were totally ignored by the police. I used to go to the Toronto East Detention for bails of inmates at 3:30pm and I had to wait awhile before they could come down from their cells because they were having their snacks supplied by McDonald, at the moment.
At 18, I was still considered a minor. (21 yrs. was the age of majority). There should have been a separate facility for minors. It is a no-no in Canada to mix a minor “offender” with adult offenders. There is a law prohibiting such a mix.
If it happened in Toronto, you would simply be issued a ticket. At the back of the ticket is printed three options: you would have to call the court administration for an appointment and/or personally appear before the court administration to opt for a plea of guilty with representations or a first appearance by pleading guilty, or to appear in court to challenge the evidence of the officer, within a particular time frame.
Yes, this was a baptism by fire. It was surreal. I among with other pedestrians were hauled onto a paddy wagon and brought to a certain police jail. I thought I would only be asked questions and thereafter ordered to pay a fine. But all of us en masse were put into prison cells. I was in such a hurry to reach the university for my final exams that I lost track of where I was going.
In Canada this is only a regulatory offence, which does not call for imprisonment, what under the law is called an absolute offence. These are laws passed for the health, well being, safety and welfare of the community. It does not take into account the good faith or intention of the person involved, but the mere doing consummates the offence.
It was a six hours ordeal. What was telling is that a woman was there while we were behind bars, trolling the place and offering surety insurance which we were compelled to take, then we were whisked to the city court to enter a plea of guilty. Now I know where part of the premium of the surety went. I was so naïve. I even saw Vincent Crisologo, son of the late congressman watching us. I once played basketball with him at Vigan with my cousin one summer vacation. But I was too shy to ask help from him. I was not so sure he still knew me. He might have forgotten me. But I could just drop the name of my cousin and I could have been alright. But that’s another story.
July 13, 2009
.jpg)
.jpg)
THE CULTURAL DIVIDE HAS ITS OWN BRIDGES
.jpg)
By : Delano V. Europa (SMHS Class '61)
For those who want to go to Toronto, there are English words to watch and get familiar with, ironically:
If you are just a bagong salta(newbie) in Canada you may need work on your colloquial English, not a complete makeover but some retrofitting. As a people we pride ourselves with a knowledge of good English and wherever we may go, we can fit in and adjust accordingly. Recently, my wife Leticia and I, the SMUAAT president Wilfred Fabroa and his wife Daisy had a two week tour of Europe. I could read signs(only in their English equivalent though. I am proud I am Filipino.). Italy’s and Greece’s famed ruins and monuments are only equalled in their unbelievable and unearthly magnificence and dazzling glory by the majesty of their languages.
.jpg)
The road to Italy is paved with good attention getters. For instance, in Messina, Sicily, my attention was caught by a parking sign( it seems I am fixated by signs..is that because I deal with traffic signs almost everyday in court?) which stated: E vietato introdurre e parchegiare automezzi non autorizati (cars not allowed to park without authority). Likewise I came across a sign which said, Propiedad Privata (this is understandable enough, I think).
The road to Mandalay(bay Hotel) is where our Pacquiao became our monumental hero, or where the poet Rudyard Kipling peans were directed, but the road to Turkey offers similar one-in-a lifetime surprises. In Kudsadasi, Greece, the inscription of an intricately carved monument of Ulyses and Polyphesus runs “Issi tapinadi alinligi odiesus polifemos grvdo”
M.O. 1 Yuz Yil meaning, “pediment of Issis temple group of Ulysses and Polyphemus 1st century B.C. (Note: according to the Oxford dictionary of current English, a pediment means a triangular part crowning front of buildings, especially over portico..from the word periment, corruption of pyramid) I didn’t spar with what the meaning was because after the Turkish, as previously intimated, there were subtitles in English.
Now let’s go to some malapropisms. We have been used to saying sit down or stand up. But here it is more common to say the opposite, sit up or stand down(meaning to defer). When the court is still hearing cases, you say, “the court is still going.” Have you heard the expression, “See you in a bit” which simply means see you later, or talk to you later, which is just a dismissive way of terminating a conversation. In Toronto TTC means Toronto Transit Commission but in Ilocano it may be the honeymooners’ motto.(Tat Ta Coman).
If somebody offers you food, instead of saying, “no, thank you”, you can say, “I am good” or I am fine”. You don’t say, was he confined in the hospital, you say, did he stay in the hospital? I have searched for years for the equivalent of our “Bahala na” without success but I found the answer in Canada with the “I don’t care” facility of expression I hear daily. Is that true is “Are you serious”. I am not joking is I kid you not..
You don’t say, “by and by” but later. You don’t say it took you a long time but, you say you were away for a while. You don’t say I got the answer but say, “There you go.”
Let’s shift our attention now to North America. If you are in the US toilet signs say “restroom” —in the Philippines, it is C.R. or comfort room.(known as contort room(when the going gets tough, the tough gets going, so you contort(a contortionist, is a performer who can twist his body into unusual positions, according to the Oxford dictionary of current English, if you know what I mean but then there is no need to contort when you are in a loose environment, )
To remember the Canadian “washroom” or toilet, we can remember it best if we add the word “ba” or bawas which means to reduce something somewhat somewhere.
Not to be outdone: our Filipino language have made itself known to the world long time ago, and I dare say some words will be adapted in the future by the English language, as is the tagalog word “bondoc” which have been assimilated into the English language as “boondocks.” And who said the French invented the word hors-d’oevres (pronounced “oderb” or what we simply call sar-sar-am-sam in Ilocano or “chitchiria” in tagalog. And who said the Italians coined the word”acapella” or without accompaniment. We have the “magpapak” in tagalog, not accompanied by rice, or in Ilocano, “agalonos”.
There you go. Welcome to Toronto!
June 29, 2009
Uploaded with permission from the writer
Note: Hon. Delano Europa is SMHS Class '61
March 28, 2009
SMUAAT Spring Shindig officially launches www.smutoronto.com in preparation for
2010 Grand Reunion here in Toronto
.jpg)
Luz Romero-Sucilan (Class '81)
Hosting a fund-raising dinner and dance is a win-win activity for most Filipino organizations.
This event provides our “kababayans” with great opportunities to re-connect people, re-affirm relationships, meet new faces, launch programs, raise funds and experience the dynamics of each island’s culture.
Such was the “Spring Shindig”, the dinner and dance organized by the Saint Mary’s University Alumni Association of Toronto (SMUAAT) as they gathered to welcome and celebrate spring with alumni, friends and family last March 28, 2009 at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church Basement Hall.
Despite the cloud of doubt that seemed to permeate each empty sit in the hall early that evening, smiles, laughter, dancing and an overwhelming attendance sealed another successful night for association president Wilfred Fabroa (Class 1961).
Mr. Fabroa was very proud to announce the launching of the alumni website www.smutoronto.com as SMUAAT prepares to host the Saint Mary’s Grand Reunion here in Toronto, Canada from July 30 to August 1, 2010 at the Delta Chelsea (Downtown) Hotel. With this website, he hopes to bridge and gather all the Saint Mary’s University (Phils.) alumni from all over the world as he encouraged each alumnus to invite schoolmates, teachers and friends to log in and get details on their 2010 Toronto summer destination.
“Toronto will now be the place where SMU alumni will be - reminiscing the past, rekindling friendships and picking up all the things where we left off.”
Wilfred P. Fabroa
The night was interspersed with more serious matters like Retired Justice of the Peace Ricardo Manangkil inducting new and old faces elected for the 2008-2011 officers, advisers and directors of the SMUAAT.
The exemplary leadership of SMUAAT President Wilfred Fabroa has been such an inspiration to SMUAAT members – as Marians rally behind the cause to raise funds for the 2010 Grand Reunion.
The party hall was filled with music, line-dancing aficionados, dance instructors, delicacies from home and abroad and just the smell of good time where we witness how Filipinos re-affirm friendships they hope to last a lifetime even during tough times.
Yes we can…
.jpg)
SMUAAT OFFICERS INDUCTION HELD MARCH 28, 2009 and SMU ALUMNI ABROAD 8th GRAND REUNION IN TORONTO IN 2010 ANNOUNCED
The SMUAAT elected Officers for the term 2008-2011, were inducted into office in a Dinner-Dance held on March 28, 2009, at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church Basement Hall. The affair started at 6:00 p.m., signalled by the ballroom dance music aired by the famous DJ Rolly & Edith and the dance oficionados began exhibiting their expertise in line-dancing and ballroom dances, mostly waltzes, cha-chas, tangos, etc. You name it, DJ Rolly will play it!
The program was formally opened at 7:30 p.m. by the EMCEE, Ms. Luz Sucilan and the national anthem of Canada was aired, followed by the national anthem of the Philippines, in Tagalog. Everybody in the audience quietly and respectfully stood up and sang the meaningful words attuned to the music of each anthem. As most, if not all, of those present were Filipino-Canadian compatriots, both immigrants from the Philippines and residents in Canada, they emotionally felt the solemnity and awesomeness of singing the national anthem of their beloved native land the Philippines and that of their adopted country Canada, land of opportunities,virtually flowing with milk and honey, that their hearts throbbed with love and affection for both their beloved countries, their eyes brilliantly sparkled with tears of joy and happiness.
The Invocation was rendered by this reporter, asking God's blessings to the Officers and members of SMUAAT, to grant each of them the wisdom and ability to perform their respective duties and responsibilities, also to bestow His blessings, protection and guidance to the numerous guests and visitors, who turned out to have made the evening's occasion a resounding success by their kindness and generosity.
At 8:00 p.m. dinner was served, and though everybody was famished due to non-stop dancing, two orderly lines slowly proceeded to the caterer's domain, where each individual was served with the food of his/her choice, which tasted so delicious and succulent that some even went back for a second serving!
The climax of the evening's affair soared to its crescendo by the induction and oath taking of the Officers of SMUAAT for 2008-2011, administered by Retired Justice of the Peace, the Hon. Ricardo Manangkil. Pictures were taken of the Officers taking oath.
The icing of the cake was the presidential speech by El Presidente, Sr. Wilfred P. Fabroa, wherein he mentioned that this year (2009) is the 7th anniversary of the SMU Alumni Association of Toronto. It is also his 3rd consecutive term as President, and, God willing, he will be leading again the banner of the Association for the next three years. However, his speech was punctuated by the tumultuous viva voce "You'll be President for life!" the Officers and members, authenticated by the reverberating applause of approval of the audience.
El Presidente, Sr. Wilfred, likewise stated that the SMUAAT will host the SMU Alumni Abroad 8th Grand Reunion in Toronto, slated to be held on July 30, 31 and August 1, 2010 at the Delta Chelsea Hotel (right in the heart of downtown Toronto). Members interested to join this joyful reunion can log in to register at www.smutoronto.com. The President emphatically promised that this once-in-a-lifetime alumni gathering in Toronto will be one of the best, if not the best of the best SMU Alumni Abroad Grand Reunion in North America, on condition that all SMUAAT members and officers will involve themselves 100% physically, mentally and financially, without any reservation whatsoever, and exert their utmost best to assist the reunion committees in its preparation. All the members and officers accepted their President's challenge with their resounding applause of approval.
On behalf of the members and officers of the SMUAAT, the President expressed their undying gratitude to the donor of the door prizes - the fast and reliable Western Union Money Transfer; to amiable Mrs. Gladys E. Calderon, Manager of the SmartChoice Travel and Tours, who donated Travel discount coupons; and to the ever vibrant DJs Rolly & Edith who augmented the evening's enjoyment by their titillating, leg-shaking and feet-stomping music. Kodus to them all!
A Raffle tickets were sold - 10 for $5. Hopefully a lot was sold, as this was the main source of the financial help that the Association donates to their Alma Mater, the St. Mary's University back home in the Philippines, for deserving scholars in said university.
The night seemed to have gone so fast due to the non-stop belting of ballroom and line-dancing music by DJ Rolly, and the dancers seemed never to have tired cavorting on the dance floor, until 1:00 a.m. when the majority went home, except the few officers who cleaned up the hall.
SMUAAT's next social benefit dinner dance will be in the Fall. Tickets to the dinner/dance will be available soon! I just couldn't wait for the association's "Treat or Trick" social gathering again.
Reported by: Pedro A. Fabroa
Click for a complete photo coverage of the dinner dance.
The Year In Review
The year 2003 has taken a graceful exit for the officers and members of the Alumni Association with cash, kindness and gratitude to boast of. The organization as been heralded through a very challenging year by its founding President, Wilfred P. Fabroa and a team of truly dedicated partners/advisers, Mr. & Mrs. Delano Europa, Mr. Melchor Ambatali, Jr., Jean and Ruffy Morales, Mr. & Mrs. Mariano Duque, and Jun and MayetteReyes.
Despite the heavy blows directed to the Ontarians by fear of the deadly SARS and crippling effects of the huge power blackout, the organization looks back and breaks into a smile for having witnessed a very memorable year.
Here are the highlights...
.jpg)
January 2003
The SMU Alumni Association in Ontario kicked off the year 2003 with a “Sold Out” induction ceremonies on January 18, 2003 at the Dufferin Clark Community Center.
The induction/dinner/dance event gathered more than the 240 seating capacity of the center to include SMU alumni, friends, relatives and members of various groups in the Filipino-Canadian community.
Hon. Romeo Young, Philippine Labor Attaché to Toronto delivered a special message from Philippine Consul General Susan Castrence. She congratulated the organizers and officers, saying that “your election is symbolic of the high level of trust and confidence that the members have reposed on you.”
The Hon. Castrence stressed the importance of participatory leadership, providing leadership and being a follower at the same time. She reminds the officers to “strive to preserve that trust” and remember that “the strength of the organization is derived not only from the leadership skills alone but from the willingness of members to support you and the vision of the association.” Finally, she says that this kind of leadership has propelled the success for many associations just like ours.
Indeed, the SMU Alumni Association’s mission was to foster a closer link among member alumni who have made Canada their home. Its mission is to use the talents and resources of this alumni association to support and enhance our Alma Mater’s standing as a premier institution of higher education in the Cagayan Valley Region by infusing support funds, grant, equipment or in some other form, for laudable projects.
January 18th will be a night to remember as it sealed the beginning of a journey, both for the leaders and 30 registered members of the association. It was a night filled with wonderful memories of the entry of a dynamic association, ready to share, work and face the challenges towards attaining its goals and mission for the years ahead.
February 2003
The association was now ready to initiate talks as the induction event boosted the association’s finances.
The links between the SMU Alumni Association Toronto and the SMU Alumni Affairs in Bayombong have thus started to be forged. The post induction meeting that followed gave the advisers and officers the opportunity to decide on how best to respond to our calling.
The decision was then to send both monetary and material tokens.
However, we were off into a major challenge as we needed to prepare the association’s constitution and by-laws to establish our legal footing in the Canadian community and conduct social and business transactions in the future.
March 2003
The SMU Alumni association finally approved the draft constitution and by-laws and likewise finalized the release of funds for the donation made to the SMU General Scholarship Fund and the SMU “Balay na Alumni”.
The association also shipped a brand new microwave oven as 
requested by our alumni counterpart in Bayombong.
April - May - Jun - July - August
September 2003
Time out for another fun filled day on September 21, 2003 as members of the association took a bus trip to the Casino Rama in Orillia. For those first timers, it was all about getting the kick from hearing the rush of coins falling (winning) in the slot machine. The first timers also got excited just inserting their coins and enjoying a mixed or matched game up to their threshold amounts to the tune of $20, $40, $60.
Those who have been there just whiled away their time in the complimentary buffet or played hoping to win this time.
As a whole this trip has generated funds as well as goodwill among members and those who attended the trip.
November 2003
The SMU Alumni association co-sponsored the 4th Law Lecture Series of the Filipino Lawyers’ Association in November 15, 2003. This is a continuing initiative to public service and information/seminar series provided by the Filipino Lawyers’ Association on areas of law for the filipino community in particular on Immigration, Family Law, Tax related matters, Real Estate and Mortgages, and Estate Planning.
The highlight in this event was a briefing on the Philippine Dual Citizenship Law and absentee voting delivered by Philippine Consul General Alejandro Mosquera. Other speakers included Mr. Richard Quon (Immigration Lawyer), Mr. Roy Respicio (Family Lawyer), Mr. Ian Eisenberg (Tax consultant), and Mr. Nick Catre, Barrister-Solicitor, (Real Estate and Mortgages).
Mr. Quon provided some highlights about the new Canadian Immigration law, changes, new guidelines and procedures being implemented on applications for entry and stay in Canada and a deeper look into the humanitarian and compassionate grounds principle of the immigration law.
Mr. Roy Respicio provided a brief look into procedures and guidelines governing equitable distribution of property, matrimonial home and support obligations.
Mr. Ian Eisenberg gave a brief talk about tax related matters to include privacy protection some tips on tax management.
In Summary
The SMU Alumni association has been steered past the inactive months of March, April, May, June, July, August and most part of September where the highly contagious Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) made us fearful of meeting in closed spaces, not to mention render a handshake.
There is not much to ask from each of the members of the organization who participated and whose total commitment never faltered by rendering their presence time and support, time and again.
Kudos to our president, our advisers, our officers and their supportive spouses as they have provided the spirit to move on and truly make this association another success for 2004.
