We’ve come to the end of yet another year. To sum it up, it was a season of reason as associations reminisced and celebrated milestone years. The Ilocanos celebrated their 20th anniversary; and so did the Aguman Capampangan; the UP Alumni Association made it to 30; and the Philippine Community Council of NSW held its ground for still standing after 20 years.
But for as many as there are still standing, there were those who never got to stand up, simply because it was easier to be swayed with the flow than to be left poised alone. Some rocked on the fence, and even worst some simply went a-swinging from camp to camp.
Brave hearts emerged. Some crawled their way into the political arena while others settled to shake their booties on the dance floor – the PAMA doctors who resuscitated ABBA and the Pee-cee-cee community liders – Atoy Sayas, Alric Bulseco, Dodee Leones, Mao de Vera and Rey Manoto who jiggled to the tune of the Village People’s “You can’t Stop the Music!. And when Bulseco let his hair down, so did his clothes!!
But the Banag-Banag Association once again showed that it takes more than a wiggle or two to party and showed us what it was to really shake it all, pacific islands style plus a great duet from Cleo Diana and Dexter Villahermosa. These people define party! The melodic voices of the PLCAA choral group sure gave everyone much glee; and borne out of four women, RC Reyes with RJ Rosales and a cast of theatre-buffs, Rizal came to life to at least give us a glimmer of hope.
Some faded quietly; some slipped into the cracks of oblivion; but some could not be easily filed under forgettable. After all, they alerted us and our jaws dropped with bemusement and our eyes flashed wide open. So…here goes….drum roll please……
MOST POPULAR INDIVIDUAL
The award goes to …Albert Dimarucut…. from Lubao, Pampanga to Tarlac; from Intramuros to Morayta; from Sydney to Germany; from PCC to FILCCA…swinging in and out of every event and all dance floors in between, even when it was right on enemy camp.
And runner up….Dr. Elsa Collado, who with a smile never skipped a beat or an event – in all corners of NSW and Melbourne too; and hardly sleeping a wink for the sake of PCC.
MOST POPULAR GROUP
The Media group…or what is it called again? … hard-pressed for publicity this group keep wearing labels “Press”, perhaps so as not to forget who they are.
CHARITY QUEEN OF THE YEAR
Ms. Josie Musa for continuously manufacturing GK young ambassadors although the original group who started it, APO, is now devoid of it. Accountable to no one, it’s all in the name of charity and the Gawad Kalinga people always fumble with surprise.
CHARITY KING OF THE YEAR
Cesar Bartolome for swapping cash for lifeboats after the Ondoy Appeal. Wonder if he can change water into wine?
ENTERTAINMENT OF THE YEAR
Nora Aunor’s ‘Silent Night” – the concert when not a sound screeched out of Nora’s vocal chords….a magic treat…or echoes of pathos…or the tune of a con? The silence was deafening!
And runner up – The Philippine Lantern Festival which had more food than lanterns. (And who, pray tell, was the crowning glory to behold, who walked around Parramatta with sash and all, leaving onlookers, bewitched, bothered and bewildered!?)
MOST CONTROVERSIAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
The Amores and company walkout during the last PCC election. The whole episode could have been titled “No Way Out” or “The March to Nowhere.”
ENVIRONMENT AWARD Is given to the Kapitbahayan for their luvvy-duvvy good neighbour treatment.
SPECIAL AWARD – BEST NEWCOMER
RC Reyes, the producer/director of the play “My Son, Jose Rizal” who although not new in the community, broke new grounds and found himself shell-shocked!
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To all our readers who provide the encouragement for this column, as always, my sincerest thanks. Laugh and love to your hearts’ content.
Here’s wishing you the best of the holiday season and may 2011bring you a touch of heaven.
