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President's Desk

Dear Kuya Bert – September 2005 issue

The 2005 Junior Girls Softball World Series is over, but the fond memories of the Philippine Team and all of those who supported them will always remain in my heart.

In all honesty however, I was not sure at first if Seattle would be able to support the team especially with the very short notice (less than 5 days) before the delegation’s arrival. It was very stressful – looking for host families, drivers, volunteers, etc. Many people were on vacation, or had made vacation or other plans already. Some were disappointed because it seemed that Seattle was just an afterthought. Olympia apparently was going to take care of the delegation while here in Washington. According to Ruffy Ignacio, the plan was to host the Team in Olympia where he arranged practice games with local teams. The plan backfired however when they found out that the Junior League prohibited such practice games before the World Series. It was then that Seattle was asked to host the delegation during the week before the Series. Against the advice of some, I took the responsibility to take care of the Bacolod City Team. I always believed that if we did not do it, who would? It was a big task but with God’s help we prevailed.

Responses to my email blitz were positive and encouraging. Pastor Art Pena took the task of informing and mobilizing all the members of his congregation – Lifestream, and the Ilonggos in general. There are those who really went out of their way to help like host families Nanette Villagracia and her daughter, Lindsay, and Rosie and Rene Agosto and family. Upon the team’s arrival, Ella de Guzman and Sonny Santarin played a big role in satisfying the needs of the players and the coaches. Rod Agbunag arranged for a visit to the Pacific Science Center, and so did Mel & Vilma Fernandez who used their influence so that the coaches and the members of the delegation could visit Safeco Field and see the Seattle Mariners in action. Jesse Villasin, Merly Camerino and her son Cedric were always there when you needed them – driving, cooking and cheering on the team. The local media were also there in the likes of Mabuhay TV’s Joel Durias, David Ilagan and Ruben del Valle, the publisher of the “Philippine News Today.” Ruben was one of the first to offer assistance to the girls. He also networked with Robert Eleccion of Manila Bay Restaurant, where the celebration after the Series was held. There were so many others who hosted dinners for the team like Lily and Roy Arroyo, Ernie Torrejon, Nelson and Alita Pedrina, Marie Brusseau and Baby Turla, Bebot and Carmen de Guzman, Connie and Sammy Samson, Lydia Palma and Kahirup thru Ciony Caoili, Joy and Dan Shannon, and Tonie Funcion, Norman Cunanan, Divina Sipin, the PAEP thru Bobby Friedlander, the Santarins, Ella de Guzman, Maricres Tugade, Larena Glass and others. I apologize if there are names that I may have missed. Thank you!

There were also so many who gave financial support that totaled $1,380.00. Thank you to Gary Wolfstone, Gussie Jagod, Mar Murillo, Sammy & Connie Samson, Bert Golla and the FCCPNW, Pepe & Zeny Salamanca, the FCS Board, Marissa & Felipe Aragones, Bert & Ciony Caoili, Triad Investments, Laurel & Lerrie Azucena, Marlyn & Adolfo Santos, Juan & Alicia Paraiso, Vilma & Mel Fernandez and Luis Batayola. I hope that the others will make good on their pledges. There is always time to mail me your donation.

I also would like to thank the Filipino American Association of South Puget Sound under the leadership of Rufino Ignacio for taking care of the delegation from August 21 thru August 30.

Lastly, thank you to all those who responded to my emails in search of support for the Team. I would like to thank the members of the Filipino Community of Seattle for being good hosts. As for me, I just did the best I could as President of the Filipino Community of Seattle.

CAN YOU HELP?

There are two really big issues now where your help is needed: 1) The plight of the young children that are imprisoned in the Philippines, and 2) the victims of “Katrina” in the Gulf States. Read all about it. We also have sent emails about these events, and please do your part to help. Thank you.

NEEDS CONSULAR HELP

Kuya Bert,
My husband Agapito got his Certificate of Personal Appearance needed for his Social Security pension, when the Consul General came here in Seattle last April. They mailed it to him and we sent it to the Philippines. The problem now is they never got it and we don't have any copy.  How can we request another one?  Please help.
Thank you so much and regards,

Ernestine A – Bellevue

Dear Ernestine:

Please contact Consul Anton Mandap, the Vice-Consul at the Consulate General of San
Francisco at 1-415-421-2641 or email: anthonyachilles@yahoo.com. I am certain that he can assist you. Thank you for contacting the Filipino Community of Seattle.

THE NEXT ELVIS?

Imagine this: Little D.J. Laurencio came into the Filipino Community Center last Thursday, led by his mother Nenita Laurencio. With his dark glasses, he goes to the stage, instructs his mother to play the CD, and off he went, singing, gyrating, and dancing to the tunes of “Spaghetti,” “Pamela,” etc. Appreciative community members responded by giving him a dollar or two, led by Julio Joaquin. Little D.J was truly entertaining!

Bert Caoili is President of the Filipino Community of Seattle. Please E-mail your comments to: kuyabert@comcast.net