FOUNDER'S DAY PICNIC
August 16, 2008 - Tecolote Shores North, Mission Bay
It was a perfect day, perfect weather and perfect location for a picnic. The SUAF of San Diego couldn't agree more. For their first big social gathering of the year, the organizers led by Laarni Gularek, chairman, and Fely Narvaez, co-chairman, planned the event well in advance starting with a diligent search of the best location in order for the members to have a great time celebrating SU Founder?s Day with their families and friends.
Under the general park permit policy, it's "first-come, first-served", hence, securing the picnic site was foremost and a difficult task. Vanessa Puniak, a member from Oceanside and an unlikely volunteer, decided to go to Mission Bay in the wee hours of the morning to outrun everyone and get a prime location with a gazebo, playground for the kids, a beach, path for walking, and open space for sports. When daylight came, all the picnic areas of the bay were filled with people, tents and giant slides. The SUAF site was easily noticeable with four gazebos festooned with balloons, SU banner and reserve signs that Vanessa and her friend set up.
Inside the food gazebo, an assortment of delicious Filipino and American foods, desserts and drinks were neatly laid out by the food committee headed by Alma Lavergne, chairman, Vivien Garrovillo, Mila Paniamogan, Cory Bandala and Mary Garrido, members. Lunch started promptly at 12:30 pm.
The potluck leaders from the North, Central and South also had their share of the work. Precy Garrido, Pastor Paniamogan, and Teo Tawagon made sure there were enough of the different kinds of food brought to the picnic by coordinating with the members.
There was laughter and picture-taking happening everywhere. Members greeted each other like long lost relatives. Pastor Paniamogan chatted with everyone. Fely Narvaez and Prescy Madrid, meanwhile, led the kids and adults in an egg-relay competition, tug-of-war and taboo. The ladies practiced their line dancing repertoire while the seniors retreated themselves to playing mahjong.
A happy day it was for the families and the committee that made it happen. It was an event everyone wants to look forward to once again next year.