It’s Summer Time in Seattle

Tag-init na naman! Sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng America, gaya ng California, marami ang umaangal sa tindi ng init ng panahon. But not in Seattle. Kung sabagay, kapag umabot na ng 70’s ang temperatura sa Seattle, naguumpisa ng magreklamo sa init ang mga tao. Tumira kaya sila sa Pinas para malaman nila ang tunay na kahulugan ng “Tag-init na naman.”

It’s summer time again in Seattle. Keeping children occupied when they are off from school is the main goal of many parents. It’s time for picnics, camping, banquets and balls. Seattle residents are notorious outdoors enthusiasts. They enjoy hiking, mountain-biking, sailing, boating and much more. Being an ocean-front city, Seattle offers numerous world class recreation activities.

Pista sa Nayon

Summer in Seattle also means that “Pista sa Nayon” can’t be that far away. In the previous issue of One Philippines, I invited you to visit our booth to pick up your current issue of One Philippines as well as place your order for Direct TV (TFC & GMA Pinoy TV) or Clearwire. Pista sa Nayon, a Filipino American Fiesta, has been a part of Seattle’s Seafair events. This will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2008 at the Seaward Park.

Pista sa Nayon is celebrating its 19^th year of bringing the community together and honoring the cultural heritage of Filipino Americans, preserving traditions and artistry for future generations. The festival features music, dance, live entertainment, Filipino cuisine, food booths, arts and crafts, community based cultural booths and contemporary and traditional repertoire by singers, dancers and musicians.

FAANPS Camping at Jim Creek

The Filipino American Association of North Puget Sound (FAANPS) held its annual 3-day camping last weekend at Jim Creek in Arlington, Washington. I was there during the “eating time.” I could not resist the invitation because I was told they would have the traditional cooking of lechon --- meaning hours of cooking. It was worth waiting for the lechon to be cooked. The “balat” was crispy and the meat was juicy.

Camping is a time for family bonding. The kids were fun to watch as they participated in the different parlor games. There were raffle prizes and I was one of the winners. I was told there would be line dancing but I had to leave for another party. By the way, Binibining Pilipinas -Universe 1996, Aileen, graced the occasion. She came with her mother and two kids. I had the pleasure of meeting her but I did not have much time to talk to her.

FAANPS president, Alan Viray, invited me to the association’s annual grand ball on Saturday, August 16, 2008. The grand ball is in celebration of FAANPS’ 22^nd year anniversary as well as to recognize the 2008 high school graduates and award scholarships to the outstanding graduates. This year’s theme is “Salute to the Graduate.”

Filipino-American Friendship Day

During my growing years, the Philippines celebrated Independence Day on July 4^th. Former President Diosdado Macapagal moved it to June 12, the date on which the Philippines declared independence from Spain 1898. Filipino-American Friendship Day, July 4^th, is a day in the Philippines designated by President Macapagal to commemorate the liberation of the country by joint Filipino and American forces from the Japanese occupation at the end of World War II.

In Washington, D.C., the Filipino-American Friendship Day was celebrated with a parade. Migrant Heritage Commission Executive Directors Grace Valera-Jaramillo and Jesse Gatchalian led the celebration. One of the favorites during the parade was the participation of the officers and members of BIMAAK DC and Benguet 13 led by their respective Presidents Connie Alfrido and Elvis Cagas.

Mr. Pure Energy Did It Again

Gary Valenciano once more showed his Washington audience that he is still the holder of the title, “Mr. Pure Energy.” His recent concert at the Comcast Arena in Everett, Washington was a big hit. Although the show started an hour late, the audience was compensated by an extended show with Gary serenading the audience with several love songs. Every time the audience started to leave the hall, they would go back to their seats when Gary started singing another number. For a while, I thought Gary would not stop singing to the delight of his audience.
Gary greeted all the fathers in the audience a happy father’s day. With Gary’s Seattle concert coinciding with Father’s Day, it seems especially fitting that he should have both his equally talented sons, Gabriel and Paolo, with him onstage. In keeping with Gary’s Christian devotion, Father’s Day also represents Mr. Pure Energy’s love for the Divine Father to Whom he has always acknowledged as the source of his success and inspiration.
But for many of us, Gary himself has become our significant inspiration – as a man who beat personal odds to climb to the top of his field, as a devoted father to three wonderful children, as a husband to wife Angeli, and as a symbol of what one can continue to achieve when we pair talent with hard work, generosity and a humble heart.
Gary’s concert would not have been complete without his friend, Martin Nievera, doing some numbers with him. Martin is equally popular with the audience. Gary told the audience that if you are going to ask him, Martin Nievera is the real “Mr. Pure Energy.” At the ASAP shows, Martin is filled with energy even during commercial breaks.

Miko Aytona
One of the guests of Gary V. that caught my attention was Miko Aytona. He is new in the entertainment industry but his evening performance was impressive. He could sing and dance as well. We rarely see Miko in TFC shows because he is from GMA 7. He is one of the co-hosts of Kuya Germs in “Walang Tulugan” and SOP on Sundays.
Miko started schooling at the La Salle University. For a while, he’s with the University of the Philippines’ Theater and Arts and then transferred to Asian Institute for Distance Education in Makati. By the way, Miko is 19 years old. He celebrated his birthday last June 22. He’s so excited for the opportunity to visit Disneyland and Universal Studio in California. Miko told me he will visit his relatives in Chicago before proceeding home.