I am proud of this culture. No, I don’t mean the sandwich that we eat. This analogy describes us, Filipinos, in regards to being responsible for the well being of our old parents as we take care of our own children. We are sandwiched between two great responsibilities. The task is a lot easier in the Philippines where most households have katulong or kasama sa bahay . It is a way of life. But, here, as an observation and as some friends told me, it is a more challenging task. I did not experience it as I am ulila na for quite sometime now. My mother died at an early age of 56 years old many years ago in a vehicular accident in the Philippines and my father succumbed to death years after he migrated to Daly City, California.
I am amazed at my friends here, who in
spite of work and immediate family responsibilities, could juggle their
schedule to attend to the needs of their old parents who either live with them
or at a sibling’s home. Like most of us, they have a spouse, children, work and
household chores, and no katulong or household help. It is challenging, yes, but
they did not feel trapped. They are just thankful that they still have living
parents who enjoy being part of their grandchildren’s growing up. I wish I was
one of them. I wish I had the chance to give my own parents joyful experience
in their waning years.
I have a friend who several years back
had made a big decision to let go of her popular bakeshop to take care of her
ailing mother. That time, she had two teenaged children to attend to. This is a
very Filipino trait that showed selfless and real concern for a mother. I
salute Maggie Tolentino of the former Maggie’s Bakeshop in Arlington and Tito Tolentino, her husband,
who was supportive of her decision. There are other people around who very well
fall under this wonderful Filipino Sandwich Culture.
@9PTLA = A Piano Concert
The Embassy of the Philippines has
sent out invitations to a pre-Valentine Piano Concert entitled, “Kundiman: A
Tribute to Filipino Composers.” The event will be on Monday, February 12, 2007
at the Romulo Hall of the Embassy of the Philippines
in Washington, D.C.
The guest pianist, Ms. Adolovni Acosta,
has an impressive list of honors and accomplishments to her name such as:
Recipient of 2006 Presidential Award; 1st Prize Winner National Piano Competition
sponsored by the Music Promotion Foundation of the Philippines; Recipient of
the Rockefeller scholarship from The Julliard School Master’s Degree Pogram;
holds a 21-year career performing solo recitals in Europe, North and South
America, Middle East, Asia and the Pacific.
I won’t miss this wonderful event.
@9PTLA = Asian Love Poetry: Romance and
Music at the Library of Congress
On February 13, at 6:30 PM, an all
Filipino actors will be dramatizing love poetry written by Asian poets
at the Library of Congress. Linda Caro (of the “Luto, Linis, Laba” stage
presentation), Neil Puzon, Mark Loyola and Johanna Manalansan Loyola will be acting on stage,
directed by Reme Grefalda. The poems were selected from Love Gathers All: The
Philippine–Singapore Anthology of Love Poems.
The poetry event is free and open to the
public. The stage will be set at the Whitall Pavillion, Jefferson
Building at the Library of Congress in
Washington, D.C. It is sponsored by the Asian Division
Friends Society.
@9PTLA = PAFAI Gala Ball
The Progressive Alliance of Filipinos and
Americans, will hold its 34th Annual Inaugural Ball on Saturday, March 17.2007.
Annie Sto. Domingo will be inducted as the association’s incoming President. It
will be held at the ever popular J.W. Marriott, the scene of most
Filipino-American formal dinner dance in Washington,
D.C. Proceeds will benefit charitable programs
supported by PAFAI in the Philippines
and the United States.
Al Rivera, the hotel’s Director of Food
and Beverage, is the reason why the venue is a favorite of many associations
and organizations. A recipient of PAFC’s prestigious Dakila Awards in 2005, Mr.
Rivera has arranged memorable events in said hotel – with a little more
Filipino touch.
@9PTLA = MCPAA’s Induction of Officers
Linda Caro, the President-Elect of the
Montgomery County Pilipino American Association (MCPAA), will be inducted
together with the association’s Board of Directors and other officers on
Saturday, March 10, 2007. The venue is at the Bethesda Marriott, in Bethesda, Maryland.
Beneficiary of proceeds will be the membership’s Children Scholastic
Achievement Program.
@9PTLA = First Birthday Celebration
Alexi Embuscado Cruz will celebrate her 1st
Birthday on February 24, 2007. The
party will be hosted by the paternal grandparents, Gandma and Grandpa Cruz at
their home in Centerville, Virginia. Lolo Fred and Lola Viqui
Embuscado, are the proud maternal grandparents of the little celebrant. Alexi
is the daughter of Michelle Embuscado and Norman Cruz.
Email: pagsibiganr@aol.com
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