A 2008 Christmas Caroling Success
SUAF members, who can carry a tune, took time off from daily chores and a busy schedule to get together to learn new songs and tune up their voices in a effort to help rekindle the spirit of the season.
In the spirit of sharing the 2008 caroling experience, Fely Tan-Narvaez recounts the events of the 1st day of Christmas caroling while Miriam Tan-Cole relates the events of the 2nd and 3rd day of Christmas caroling.
It's the first day of Caroling and the Carolers were excited to perform and present what was learned from and practiced with our conductress Miriam Tan-Cole.
On the first Saturday of December we were invited to carol in Penasquitos. After a short warm-up we all proceeded to our first home. Sang " Caroling, Caroling, now we go" outside the home to announce our presence and completed our repertoire of Christmas songs inside the house. We sang with gusto and joy. Cory Bandala sang a solo accompanied by our guitarist, Nathaniel Tan. Sean Gularek played his flute with mom Laarni accompanying him in the piano. The Tansan (Tanoliv) device, our newly "patented" musical instrument, completed our renditions with nostalgia and with the Spirit of Christmas renewed.
Our hosts, Ibony and Romy Cruspero ushered us to a sumptuous and exotic dinner and what a spread! They prepared a huge stuffed squid and sinugbang baboy ug manok. But the isdang kilawin was extraordinary even though I have tasted it many times in my lifetime, there was something special about it this time. It must have been prepared with love! Click here to see pictures of the first Christmas Caroling.
December 13, 2008 did not provide a promising night to carol. In a non-typical San Diego fashion, the air was wet and the streets were damp but 13 carolers "braved" this weather. After a "pospas" warmer served by Grace and Nate Tan and a brief rehearsal, we left for Scripps Ranch and Rancho Penasquitos to sing at the residences of Zeny and Ben Ebitner and the Someras. We then left for Amelia Buluran's residence down south. Amelia and daughter Carolina prepared a feast for us which we devoured after singing our carols for them. Susan and Bill Soldwisch arrived a little later and we sang for them as well. Not only did we have a grand time chatting and eating, Amelia showered us with gifts and a donation as well!!! Talk about hospitality and generosity! Click here to see pictures of the second Christmas Caroling.
The next night started at Alma Lavergne's residence. Warm drinks, finger food and dessert greeted us which we consumed during and/or after we rehearsed. There were only 10 carolers this time. The first stop we made was a Senior Center close to Alma's house. The faces of the people that were in the room we sang in were a mixture of sad and happy ones. The carolers were cheered on because there were quite a few of them who sang along. We were happy to witness that the sad faces were no longer sad by the time we finished (what a relief!). After we sang, Laarni noticed that one of her snow flake earrings was missing and started looking for it. The residents, some of them quite disabled, went on the floor to help her look for it to no avail. Laarni reassured them that it was alright because it was just a "fake flake". (It turns out the she left the earring at Alma's after all.) We stopped by Alma's neighbor, the Gonzalezes who served us home-made salabat and fresh guavas. We quickly left for Ben and Becky Majam's home where another feast was waiting for us. It was another wonderful time of rekindling friendship. They now have a blond, blue-eyed great-grandson! The 22nd addition to their clan. Click here to see pictures of the third Christmas Caroling.
I hope when you read this, you will be encouraged to join us next year. The words of one of our carols say: "Joyous voices sweet and clear, Sing the sad of heart to cheer." The news of our Savior's birth and our willingness to broadcast it made that a reality, and so can you. As a sidebar, we did also earn money for our Alma Mater.
Thanks to Soloist Coring Bandala, Guitarists Nate Tan and John Bandala, faithful "driver" and Caroler Reinhold Paniamogan, Carolers Vivian Garrovillo, Laarni Gularek, Sean Gularek, Alma Lavergne, Priscilla Madrid, Fely Narvaez, Manny Narvaez, Pastor Isaias Paniamogan, Mila Paniamogan, Sonia Sheeks, Grace Tan, and Teo Tawagon.