The Gala Ball on June 2 at JW Marriott Hotel in Washington DC spearheads the month long Philippine Independence Day celebration. It will be an elegant evening of pure enjoyment with a gourmet dinner, powerful live band and a cultural show. The new Philippine Ambassador Willie C. Gaa will grace the event and deliver a brief message, the best opportunity for those who have not met him in person, yet. After her hectic schedule during the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II, Cristeta Pasia Comerford, the Filipino American White House Executive Chef, graciously accepted our invitation to be the keynote speaker. She is charming, smart with very pleasant demeanor.

As in the past years, we anticipate the guests wearing elegant gowns, black tie and Philippine native attire. The huge dance floor will be ready for the ballroom enthusiasts with music provided by Alex Paragas and D’Originals from Virginia Beach.

Being this year’s Gala Ball chair, I am lucky to have wonderful heads for each committee – Nina Tamayo (Invitation & Registration), Dr. Marilou Jimenez Program Director), Dr. Jovy Eusebio (decoration), Evelyn Bunoan (Snack), Belen Saramosing Ramirez (Reception), Ferdie Gomez (Marshals) and their efficient assistants and members. My co-chairs Gloria Caoile and Celia Donahue are super.

I will write more about it in the next issue, especially the guests and the dance presentation. The next day, June 3, the Filipino American community will troop to the Philippine Festival street fair in Washington, D.C. A whole-day event of foods, arts and crafts, parade and cultural show, part of Pennsylvania Avenue will become alive and busy - sights, sounds and aroma of barbecue will fill the air. Last year, The Philippine American Foundation for Charities, the sponsor, reported that about 30,000 people were in attendance.

Other activities are: June 4, Opening of “At the Turn of the Century: The Emergence of a Nation”, an exhibit of vintage photographs at Charles Summer School and Museum in Washington, DC. June 16, Fil Am Youth Festival at Bishop O’Connell HIGH School in Arlington. Then, on June 24, come the Community Picnic and Sports Fest at Tucker Road in Ft. Washington, MD. It is a family event with foods, games and raffle drawing.

The volunteers are again in action. I salute them for giving a lot of their time and energy for the spirit of fun and enjoyment for the community. Some are very visible and the others work quietly behind the scene. They are self-less. A lot of people have expressed appreciation of them.

Some Proverbs from My Old Book:
“April showers bring May flowers”
“The bigger they come the harder they fall”
“Do not cast your pearls before swine”
“Let’s cross the bridge when we come to it”

June Birthday Celebrants
Dr. Bayani Manalo of Vienna, VA on June 14
Jun Conty of Annandale, VA 0n June 14
Consul Joy Quintana on June 20

Wedding Anniversaries
Pete and Boots Anson Roa- June 5
Pat and Becky Pagsibigan – June 14
Vic and Linda Frondoso – June 23