Founders Day Picnic
Distance in miles or time from Silliman University did not dampen the enthusiastic spirit of those who came to the Founder's Day Picnic hosted by the Silliman University Alumni and Friend of San Diego.
Diverse attendees included a group form SUAASC from Los Angeles, a group of parishioners from the First Congregational Church of Perris, guests and relatives of SUAF Members, as well as Silliman Alumni and Friends of Silliman in San Diego.
Picnic planners, sisters Miriam and Fely implemented "the Recipe for a Successful Picnic" to ensure that everyone had an enjoyable and pleasant time.
Securing a prime venue at the sea side picnic site was the critical component of the picnic plan. First come first served permits were issued to three groups who wished to use the Park for their activities. Exercising "above and beyond" initiative, Manny Narvaez successfully secured the desired venue for SUAF.
Early arrivals "drafted" to help set up the venue included Miriam, Isaias and Mila, Fely, Nate and Grace, Ligaya and Joel, Teo, Alma and JB Lavergne and Reinhold Paniamogan.
A variety of fancy looking and great tasting food and drink filled the banquet tables as more attendees arrived. John and Cory Bandala were enthusiastically greeted as they picked up the "guest of honor" (Lechon) for the occasion.
"Guests" that surrounded the "honored guest" included the traditional pancit, and lumpia. Variations of Americanized Filipino dishes such as potato salad, chicken with mushroom, boiled peanuts and seafood pasta. A "special guest" all the way from the Philippines came with Frank and Laarne Gularek. It was a sight to see Frank practice the art of deep frying the Dang-git to achieve the perfect look,smell and taste of the crunchy delicacy.
The desert tables were not to be out shown. Philippine dessert included the Turon and Casava Cake.. Topping the desert guests was the special birthday cake of Ligaya. Coincidentally the day was also her birth date.
Attaching the name Founders Day to the occasion was a great incentive for fellow alumni from Los Angeles to drive South and join in the revelry. The SUAASC delegation included President Lady Hope Robillos, Uri Robillos, John Waldren, Joel Gamo, Emmanuel Pena, Elaine Sabolboro Masangkay, Tess Hernando Somera, Lemuel Somera and Genevieve Pag-ong
It would have been interesting to get into the minds of the guests from Perris as they were subjected to two (Tagalog and Cebuano) foreign dialects seamlessly intermingled with English. But if actions speak louder than words, I am sure they felt welcomed and that all were extremely pleased that they could join us on this special day.
Camaraderie was the order of the day.
Having indulged in more tasty calories than one cared to admit, it was a relief to participate in some an organized activity that featured fads that were in vogue when "parents or grandparents" were barely out of short pants.
On a sun filled patio cooled by a gentle sea breeze, participates learned and did the "Hand Jive" and the "Madison". Some managed to learn how to "Stroll" While some demonstrated skill and grace, most just had fun and enjoyed the participation. It was nice to wave goodbye to some calories and have a reason to head back to the banquet tables for more of the good stuff.
Underlying the fun, was the serious task of raising funds for the SUAF scholarship. The SUAF is committed to making good of a commitment to sponsor a scholar at Silliman University. To fulfill this goal, a raffle was held to benefit the scholarship fund.
Juan Pia Jr and Esther-Flores Pia donated a Las Vegas time share as the grand prize for the raffle. Because of the worthy cause and the allure of a Las Vegas adventure, the raffle tickets were brisk. When all was said and done, Mary Garrido was the lucky raffle winner and enough funds were added to the scholarship coffers to implement a viable scholarship program.
Lady Luck made sure that the SUAF of San Diego upheld the Filipino tradition of hospitality toward honored guests by smiling upon LA President Lady Hope Robillos who won both the $25 Albertson Gift Certificate donated by the SUAF and the $50 cash prize donated by SUAF Director Fely Tan-Narvaez.
Other special awards were given to Laarni and Frank Gularek who just came back from Dumaguete and brought the crispy dang-git, to Precy Garrido for selling the most raffle tickets, and to the special guest from Perris who was the "wisest" person attending the picnic.
The SUAF says a big THANK YOU to Johnny and Esther Pia for their donation and to Fely Tan-Narvaez for running and managing the day to day tasks associated with conducting the raffle.
The presence of many members at the picnic contributed to the success of the event. It was most gratifying to meet and greet those whose priorities are work and family leaving minimum disposable time for social activities.
The consensus of attendees was that "we should do this again next year"!
To visit or revisit the Founders Day Picnic through the eyes of photographer Mila Paniamogan, click Picnic Pictures.