Accents
The BANC in Northern California
At the outset, let me say that I got the acronym right. BANC stands for the Bayanihan Association of Northern California, and this writer is banking on the Pinoy's bayanihan spirit to make the BANC one of the many Fil-Am associations here in the U.S. of A. that have made a difference in the life of the Pinoy abroad: meaningful, purposeful, enjoyable.
Mixing and interacting—call it socializing—with fellow Filipinos makes the longing for home a little more bearable. The hard work of earning a living becomes a little less burdensome. In the association, a kababayan newly arrived in alien land, gets plenty of moral support from old-timers already well-entrenched in the community. Thanks to the legendary bayanihan spirit of the Pinoy.
That spirit I found alive and well in the Filipino residents of Redding and environs that comprise Shasta County of Northern California. Worthy to note that BANC adheres to the following objectives: "(1) Preserving and promoting among members the Bayanihan spirit which shall be construed as the spirit of unity, good camaraderie, and giving a hand to those who need help; (2) Promoting and conducting cultural activities to contribute to the solutions of economic and civic problems in the community; (3) Establishing good relationship among members in particular regardless of religion, racial origin or ethnic background; and (4) Promoting good leadership, discovering talents and putting them to use, and networking of personally owned businesses." (Our daughter Raileen, a pediatrician, has her own private clinic here.)
At the frontline of carrying out the foregoing objectives are the 2007-08 officers sworn in last August in a festive Barrio Fiesta: President - Brenda M. Hansen; Vice President - Aida Stickney; Secretary – Rossana Roman; Treasurer – Aimee Dallara; Ass't. Treasurer – June de Guzman; Auditor – Minda Weick; PRO – Jamie Calloway; Social Events Coordinator – Arlene Dunivan, Rolly Cadungon; Members Coordinator – Thelma Lacanilao, Mary Jane Rulon; Fund Raising Coordinator – Jim Holden; Sgt.-at-Arms/Property Custodian – Benny Cruz; Board of Directors – Roland Itchon, Selma Payne, Dr. Edith Orlino-Oliva, Angel Orlino, Lorna Dean, Chris Manacop, and Noel Manacop.
The new president, bookkeeper of Western Business Products, hails from Pangasinan, and will have to set another successful record achieved by her predecessor Roland Itchon, a bigwig politician in Ilocos Sur before he migrated to the States. Says Brenda: "Our plan is to make the BANC stronger and possibly solid as can be. Recruit as many Filipinos that live here in Redding and in the surrounding neighborhood. Our project is to raise funds to help people in case of emergency among our members and in the Philippines. Our plan is to have once-a-month potluck, perhaps celebrate birthdays so that members can have fun, get acquainted, and enjoy life here in Redding being away from home (Philippines)."
BANC is bolstered by a sister organization composed mostly of BANC members themselves: the Fil-Am Catholic Association of Northern California (FACANC). The latter's biggest affair was the 5th Annual Fiesta Celebration honoring San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila whose feast day was Sept. 28, a working day, so that the Mass and dinner was held the following day, Saturday. (San Lorenzo was canonized and declared a Saint on Oct. 18, 1987 in Rome.)
Like any patron saint's fiesta in a Philippine hometown, members, families, guests gathered at the social hall of Redding's Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church to partake of the sumptuous fare: the ever-present crackling lechon and a variety of dishes that only a Pinoy dinner table could hold, thanks to the hermanas—the Orlino, Templado and De Guzman families and a host of generous sponsors and donors. There was a Flores de Mayo procession, very much out of date I think. Maybe a redux in May next year? The different folk dances showcased Philippine culture as introduced by the very able emcee, Lorna Vagilidad-Dean, a former teacher from Antique. The painting of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo came to life with every clang of the bamboo poles in the Tinikling.
The bayanihan spirit trumps the modern-day cynicism, individualism, and pretensions of some Pinoys in many a Fil-Am organization here in America. The spirit is in high gear at the BANC with prexy Brenda Hansen enjoining everyone: "Let us help this association be successful, no matter what religion we have, let us unite and be proud to be a Filipino." Touche! Let us be proud to be a Filipino wherever we are. (Comments to lagoc@hargray.com)