I wonder if my friends Jon Melegrito, Julian Oteyza, Jun Eusebio, Warie Azarcon and Jennie Ilustre are like me. They are in different disciplines. The choreography that I did last June during the Philippine Festival Gala Ball was an example of “the bulb in my head would just light up.” The idea was there after meeting with Gloria Caoile and Lottie Buhain, co-chairs for the gala, but how to translate or put the idea into dance as a form of entertainment did not come up right away. One morning, I woke up with some dances in mind and one quiet evening, I sat down in my favorite nook in the house and completed the rest of the contents of my show, the performers in mind and the schedule of my rehearsals. Doing the music is another feat. Researching for the right music,  listening, choosing, putting them together and editing them called for three more quiet hours in the kitchen.

The Loving Memory

“We lost a mother with a heart of gold, how much we miss her can never be told;

She shared our troubles and helped us along, if we follow her footsteps we will never go wrong;

We miss you from our table, your loving smile and gentle air;

Your vacant place no one can fill, we miss you mother and always will."

This were the words in the “stampita” or little cards chosen by the Soriente family that were available to be picked up by the mourners during the wake of their mother at the funeral home.

I thought that the words were beautiful and touching. I thought of my own mother who passed away many years ago. I kept the “stampita.”

Mrs. Ligaya Santos Soriente, mother of Nina Soriente Tamayo  passed away on August 26, 2006 at the age of 85. Nina and husband Bobby Tamayo are active in the community, most sought after in the area of accounting. They are the favorite couple because of their thoroughness and integrity in management of funds. They were mostly available when help is needed in any form. Personally, Bobby and Nina are also one of our favorite couples in the community because of Bobby’s bubliness and Nina’s sense of humor. They are very lively and lovable as they make fun of themselves. With Bobby’s Bulacan accent and expressions, there’s never a dull moment with their presence in any gathering. We just love them. He often said that he was the favorite son-in-law of the deceased although she was strict. We say, “Marunong mag-karinyo at masunurin si Bobby sa kanyang biyenan kaya siya favorito." <D>The funeral parlor was full during the two-day wake. Many friends condoled with them during their time of bereavement. This was an indication of their wonderful relationship with the Filipino American community in the Metro Washington area. Nanay Ligaya<D>, as she was fondly called by close friends, is survived by her children - Danilo, Reynaldo, Ligaya, Jose, Ramon, Lilian, Romeo and Divina (Nina) and their espouses; 18 grandchildren and 7 greatgrandchildren. Her body was flown to the Philippines where she will be buried at their family plot. Many of us recalled that she was moved to a hospice care a week before she passed away.

September Birthday Celebrants

My good friends Evelyn Bunoan and Florence Hansen jointly celebrated their birthdays in a small gathering at the home of Warie and Norma Azarcon in Herndon, VA. The actual dates of their birthdays were September 1st for Evelyn and September 2nd for Florence. The delicious cake baked by Chef Evelyn herself was shared by the two celebrants as the attendees sang Happy Birthday. Friends who attended were Minerva Rosenthal, Sally and Romy Rosal, Ernie Cordero, Greg Bacani, Pat Pagsibigan and myself. Husbands Oscar Bunoan and Alan Hansen were, of course, present in the celebration. The two honorees were part of the choir that sang in in a recent Gala ball at the McLean Hillton.

Other September Birthday Celebrants

* Ed Fadul of Herndon, Va. - September 20

* Jennifer Tabones of Sterling, VA - Septemebr 23

* Dr. Jovy Eusebio of Bethesda, MD - September 24

* Lita ramos of Burke, VA - September 24

* Mito Tabones of Sterling, VA - September 26

Email: pagsibiganr@aol.com