Silliman University Alumni

and Friends @ San Diego
 

A Filipiniana Event

Filipiniana Celebration was the theme and the event held at the King’s Garden of Mira Mesa and sponsored by the Silliman University Alumni and Friends @ San Diego on October 11, 2008.

Was fitting to see most of the attendees wore their native costume like the barong Tagalog and mestiza attire and others dressed in their colorful and elegant semi-formal dresses.

To make the place festive and reminiscent of the old Philippine Islands, there were lots of flowers with a banana plant propped centrally near the stage and Filipino favorite tunes played through out the evening.

The creative skills of Mila Paniamogan were tapped to make a banner that served as the backdrop decor. Many hands put up the string of colorful patterns on the ceiling lead by Frank Gularek, Reinhold Paniamogan, Pastor and SUAF President Paniamogan and assisted by many more volunteers.

Philippine products were on display as stage and wall decorations to give the venue the special Filipino atmosphere. Filipino artifacts were brought in by Amelia Hernandez-Buluran and Laarni Catague-Gularek. Alma Pinili-Lavergne contributed a special flowering plant,

Highlights of the event included an 8 Course Oriental Dinner, a lot of dancing, and entertainment by the Fil-Am Cultural Group with a delightful Filipino folk dance. Those in attendance closed the event with a spirited round of the chicken dance.

The Filipiniana Celebration was a fund raising event to generate the resources to pursue ongoing projects such as books for the Filipino Heritage Collection at the Mira Mesa Public Library, to sponsor scholarships for deserving students at Silliman University, and to provide a one time gift for high school graduates of Silliman Alumni as a form of encouragement for them to pursue their educational dreams.

Thanks to the leadership of Amelia Hernandez-Buluran, the Fiipiniana event achieved unprecedented financial, cultural and participatory success.

Besides serving as Chairman of the SUAF Board of Directors, Amelia led the organization, planning, execution and provided inspiration to a bevy of hard working volunteers.

A historical first was achieved with a full page, color souvenir program created with the expertise of SUAF VP Mary Olivar-Garrido.

To the many hands that helped make the event an unqualified success, to the many friends and patrons who donated to a worthy cause, and to all who came to lend their presence to the event, the SUAF @ SD extends a hearty "thank you and Salamat Po".