Accents
FAABC: A time to rejoice!
To everything there is a season… The Ecclesiastes says it completely and perfectly—broadening the mind to understand the mix of laughter and tears. “A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance.” There is rhyme in the poetic parallelisms; for the reason, it is a continuing dig into the caverns of deep thoughts and philosophy. How to reason out the invasive blues in Bayan Ko? History will unfold and, with our prayers, we can only hope tidings of good cheer will ring in and ring out the rumbles in the land of our birth.
A time to laugh and a time to dance. FAABC knows that. To make a short term long, FAABC is the Filipino-American Association of Beaufort County here in South Carolina, Uncle Sam country. The time and place: night of December 6 at Port Royal in the island resort, Hilton Head. Over a hundred Pinoys and American friends and relatives through racial intermarriage gathered to rejoice!
More than just the traditional Christmas Party, the festive event was also “In celebration of 6 years of unity and achievements,” the theme very well illustrated in the association’s souvenir book that has the state logo on the cover sandwiched by the Filipino and American flags. An inspiring, congratulatory message on FAABC 6th anniversary came from Hilton Head Mayor Thomas D. Peeples: “Hilton Head is comprised of many diverse and interesting cultures and it is wonderful to see your group strive and succeed in nurturing your Philippine heritage, traditions and customs.” As good as enjoining FAABC to go strong as a vital component of the community.
The age of Maria Clara came back to life with most of the women folk dressed in baro’t saya, kimona, and balintawak, and the men, mostly in barong tagalog. Some Americans were simply elegant, donned in our customary barong. Eileen Buckalew and Richard Cuanang romped away with the judges’ choice for best costume.
Having missed the opening ceremonies, we asked Eileen, the irreplaceable FAABC secretary, for details: “Aimee Alcantara led the Philippine National Anthem and Elleana Kate Gervero led the American National Anthem (only 12 years old and a beautiful voice). Both did wonderfully. Edna Reynoso did the Invocation, lovely and thoughtful. Caitlin Buckalew & Alexis Bothe were the emcees and were very good at directing everyone on what was taking place where and when.”
A reflection of the Pinoy parties back home, the dinner tables were heavily laden. Stateside salad greens were present, only to play poor second fiddle to Pinoy cuisine. Among the array of popular Pinoy concoctions, the dinugu-an was easily the favorite. After months, even years of not having enjoyed its country taste that is uniquely our very own, many went for seconds. The fruit salad was pure delight except that it lacked the slivers of young buko that melts in the mouth. The Philippines is coconut country and fresh young coconut is a staple beloved by foreigners and missed by the émigré. Conspicuous in its absence was the lechon. Think crispy roasted pig, the apple plugged into the mouth, the centerpiece of many a fiesta celebrating the patron saint in the homeland towns.
Two generations executed the dance numbers. The elderly performed just as adeptly as the tykes and teens with the former trying to match the grace, vibrancy and skills of the latter. How we ourselves would have wanted to traipse the light fantastic, and stay far into the night, but the next day being school day for grandkid Danika, the contingent that included our daughter Randy and her husband David had to leave right after the program. But not before Rudy, the significant other, had administered the oath of office to the 2010 officers,
Former prexy Ike de Mesa traced the history of the association from a fledgling group in 2003 to the established association that it is now, thanks to the pioneering efforts of two past presidents, Florence Albaugh and the late Greg Patron. Over the years, two members have displayed unstinting cooperation: Eileen Buckalew and Naty Orr. They were recipients of well-deserved plaques and adulations. Eileen and Naty have always made FAABC gatherings alive and fun-filled. As the cliché goes, theirs is service “beyond the call of duty.” Two esteemed colleagues ever ready to walk the extra mile for the FAABC activities and projects to succeed. Foremost among these endeavors is the association’s support for the Hilton Head Rotary Gift of Life program, prompting us to ask what other humanitarian activities are in the offing.
The association is a conglomeration of Pinoys from the different regions comprising archipelagic Philippines — 7,107 isles strewn over emerald seas that the tour brochures splendidly portray. Even so, FAABC exemplifies unity in diversity. The president is a fellow Ilonggo, the vice president is from Ilocos Norte, the secretary hails from Pasay City, and the treasurer is a homegrown Cebuano, and so on down the line, members from the far-flung provinces and cities of Bayang Magiliw. Mga kababayan united by love of country and everything that it connotes which time and distance cannot wipe away.
The members repose their confidence for a much stronger FAABC in the 2010 officers, namely: Ellier Gervero, president; Richard Cuanang, vice president; Eileen Buckalew, secretary; Alvin Arcayan, treasurer; Maria Boethe, auditor; Teddy Caasi, sergeant-at-arms; and Remy Huber, press relations officer. How far will the foregoing personalities share the essential three—time, talent, and treasure—to achieve the association’s goals and objectives?
The future will tell.
(Email: lagoc@hargray.com)
