RUSSETT, RED AND YELLOW - Kutitap

The stunning vista of pallette of colors were before my eyes as I drove along the hilly and winding road to home. A leaf fell on my windshield as the soft wind blew. It was a perfectly shaped red orange maple leaf that landed right there in front of me - a beautiful nature’s work of art. It could be a subject in painting. I stopped by the park where the trees blazing with red orange leaves stood in line. I momentarily got lost in the surrounding with a breath of fresh air, cool and crisp.

As we adjust to the new temperature and seasonal climate, we leave behind the stifling heat and the hustle bustle of summer. This is autumn, my favorite season. The colorful sight and cool weather touch my sensibilities. The night becomes longer which allows longer respose and peace of mind. However, my husband sees things differently. He calls this season leaf picking and leaves raking. He looks at the tall and mature trees in front of our house everyday, praying that the ugly leaves fall down fast - the sooner, the better. It is a prelude to a more back breaking activity -snow plowing! Why is he not seeing the splendor of autumn nor the picturesque sight of white snow on the branches of pine trees?

A Family Visit

My younger sister from Canada was a recent visitor at my home. This visit was a bit different from the past one. She was very healthy then, no medical nor physical impairment. I was closely observing her for any show of self-pity and I was constantly on guard with my emotions. She was sick of diabetes and three months ago, her left leg was amputated. I was dumbfounded when she told me. This was the same sister whose 27 year-old bunso <D>met a sudden death three years ago and two months later, her husband had a by-pass heart surgery. I was amazed at her composure and positive attitude. Within the span of three years, tragedies struck. The family just took the pains quietly. The God-given break was the wedding of the remaining son, the older of the two. It was both a happy and sad occasion. Happy part was my sister, Patri, and her husband, Romy, had gained a nice and pretty daughter-in-law. The son who died was supposed to be the bestman, the father took the part. We were all teary-eyed at the wedding.

I did not take a look at her leg. She was wearing trousers over the temporary prosthesis, the permanent one will be given when the wound completely healed. I gave her a warm hug when I saw her. My voice broke down a little bit, but I quickly recovered. She was in total control of her herself. I thought I was the stronger one, but she was! Her inner strength was tested in silence and I admired her so much for this. It all started when she had a small wound on the small toe of the left foot. Thinking it was healed, it silently advanced to the ankle and went up to the calf. At this point, the doctor said it has to be amputated before it reaches the knee. My sister was in shock. But after she has recovered, her thinking and demeanor went positive, through and through. She got a wonderful advise from the doctor to save the whole leg; the nurse who went for home visits was very thorough and gentle; the Canadian Medical Program was excellent; they did not pay for the surgery, hospitalization and therapy sessions; she will just pay 20% for the permanent prosthesis; the prosthesis looked like the real thing and her walking won’t be affected by the leg support, etc ...... She focused only on what is positive. Lesser persons would indulge in self pity and depression. I’m sure depression creeped in at the beginning, but she did not allow that state of mind to control her.

During her stay, we were home most of the time to catch-up with family talks and chit-chats. I cancelled all my previous social appointments except one, a cotillion presentation, which I could not be away from. We enjoyed the visit immensely, but could have been better if Patri was not physically impaired. Instead of a skirt, I bought her a pair of woolen trousers with an attractive soft sweater for the coming cold weather as my send away gifts.

Friends

Former Washingtonians Romy and Belen Coronado Garcia have moved to Haymarket, Virginia to set up a retirement home. Both now enjoy a hastle free life in a newly developed adult community, just about forty five minutes drive from Tyson’s Corner. The place was a gated subdivision with an inviting golf course. Contrary to what I thought, they did not down-size. From a condominium in McLean, they bought a big house with plenty of space for entertaining and with long stairs to the second floor. They have been inviting me and my husband to their retirement home, a dampa<D> (a small home in the Philippines), as they descibed it. I thought it was true. I was excited to see a dampa <D>in America, but it turned out to be a big house. Some years back, Romy was the President of Pampangueno association in the Metro Washington, DC area, while Belen worked at the World Bank before her retirement.

One Saturday, a gathering was arranged by the couple and invited a small group of friends for lunch at their elegant home. Warie Azarcon, who was also invited, Pat Pagsibigan and I went and met with the Haymarket group. They were Vilma and Joe Pauig, Dr. Ellen and Carding Veneracion, Drs. Andrea and Jess Vinluan. Nikki and husband Dr. Dan Prieto, formerly from McLean, were also invited but did not make it. It turned out that this group is a strong Republican supporters and they share the same political party affiliation as the Garcias. Romy is a friend and for years now, has been a staunch supporter of Congressman Tom Davis. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with them and Warie, being the current president of the Filipino American Republicans of Virginia, was happy to talk to the group about FARV. There was a lively discussion and sharing of thoughts, ideas and opinions. They were happy to become new members of FARV.

It was a truly enjoyable afternoon complete with a snack of Halo-Halo. Lunch was delicious with the home cooking of Belen. Had we stayed longer, there could have been dance and singing sessions. In that case, Belen had to

cook another set of menu. We thanked the perfect hosts and went home happy.

Cotillion

Reliza Panlaqui, daughter of Robert and Fritzy Panlaqui of Centreville, Virginia, celebrated her 18th birthday on October 8, with a Cotillion dance. The ballroom of the Hilton Garden Inn in Fair Ridge, Virginia (next to Fair Oaks) was decorated with roses from the main door to the presidential table. Reliza invited her close friends and classmates to be part of her entourage who performed the cotillion. The debutante wore an elegant Cinderella-like full white gown while the other young ladies who participated in the dance were in pink, matching the elegance of the black tuxedo of the equally young gentlemen. The Cotillion was perfectly performed with precision and grace. It was a wonderful experience for this vibrant young group.

Entertainment was by the M.E. Jazz Band, headed by the debutante’s father, Robert. Invited performer was Virna Lisa Mananzan, a seasoned singer who charmed the audience with her jazzy style of singing.

Welcome

We welcome Fr. John Paraon, a newly arrived priest from Gumaca, Quezon. He is here on sabbatical leave to raise funds for the recent typhoon victims in the Philippines. Fr. Paraon is available to the community for mass services as a way to help raise funds. Please contact Remy Cabrera at 301-654-4451 or 240-893-2624.

Birthday Celebrants:

October

* Dr. Alvin Madarang of Potomac, MD,on 10/6

* Efren Sangalang of Germantown, MD, on 10/8.

* Nicky Suarez, son of Lito and Millette Suarez of Beltsvile, MD, on 10/9.

* Remy Cabrera of Gaithersburg, MD, on 10/11.

* Myrna Lopez of Clifton, VA, on 10/17.

* Rissa M. Pagsibigan, my daughter, on 10/18.

* Ben Roa of Ashburn, VA, son of Pete and Boots Anson-Roa, on 10/23.

* Pat Pagsibigan, my husband, on 10/25.

* Vellie Dietrich-Hall, White House Commissioner, on 10/26.

November-* Christian Mirasol, son of Jess and Miriam Mirasol of Fairfax, VA, on 11/4.