May 2019 ZAI Newsletter
Publisher: The Zambales Association, Inc. (ZAI) May 2019 Monthly Issue
Virginia Beach, VA
ZAI Newsletter
Our mission is to document events within the Fil-Am community and the Zambales Association in particular
in a sincere, honest, and humane account of events to the best of our abilities.
Editor - Mike Colorado
ZAI Officers
Editor - Mike Colorado
ZAI Officers
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| Zambales Association Inc. (ZAI) New Officers
Zambales Association Inc. Induction Ball on April 13, 2019, at the Chesapeake Conference Center. The inducting officer is Dr. Christopher Asuncion. The elected members are as follows: Joseph Alvior (President), Merlyn Guerrero (Ist Vice President), Pinah Cecil (2nd Vice President),
Mineheart Najera (Recording Secretary), Norma Abiva, Edith Alvior, Lydia Caja, Nelly Fernandez, Visie V. Harris, Mila Raganit (Corresponding Secretaries),
Larry Sahagun (Treasurer), Angie Aranas (Assistant Treasurer), Pepe Cabacoy (Business Manager), Freudian Fernandez (Press Relation Officer), and Bellafe Paat (Auditor).
Elected Peace Officers listed in alphabetical order are Pate Aquintey, Jun Cachaper, Frank Evangelista, Rene Gonzales, Bert Mirador, Jun Mirador, and Alan Villanueva.
Elected Board of Directors listed in alphabetical order are Thomas Cecil (Chairperson), Aurora Aquintey (Member), Anne Cabacoy (Member), Leticia Colorado (Member), Remedios Corcuera (Member), Fely Fontanares (Member), Estela Imperial (Member), Salvacion Manglicmot (Member), and Yollie Sagun (Member).
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| L-R: Joe Agbanglo, Daisy Strawbridge, Letty Colorado, Lolita Abad, Remy Corcuera, Venus Najera, and Aida Celiz |
Induction Ball - April 13, 2019
The evening started well. Then came the rain, followed by a whipping wind. The drive to the Chesapeake conference center was a little challenging because an area on Ferrell Parkway was flooded. The other drivers went through the high water anyway. We paused for a moment before deciding to proceed. Thereafter, the rest of the drive was easy.
Despite the weather conditions, we arrived at the venue surprised to see that many were there sooner than we did. We were late, by their standards. As we entered the conference hall, we were surprised to see how well it was set up. The DJ, the rostrum, the tables, and the bar were perfectly placed, ready to offer anything desired. What a great place to spend an evening with friends, we thought.
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| MC Vennie Cachaper and Rey Fanugao (not pictured) |
The guests had a short wait to get drinks from the bar while the DJ played beautiful and enticing music. Soon, the program wheels started to spin, and the night moved on with ease.
Yeah, buddy! The fun was going to start soon! The Masters of Ceremony, Reynaldo Fanugao, and Veneracion Cachaper, provided a brief overview of what to expect throughout the evening hours. Then both U.S. and Philippine national anthems were played. As any good citizen would do, we knew what to do. On cue, we all stood up and acted in patriotic ways.
Then Thomas Cecil, the president who was leaving office, was ready to make his opening remarks. His speech included a summary of his accomplishments as ZAI president. Our members are grateful for all he has done for ZAI over the years.
After he had finished his speech, it was time to say grace for dinner. Edith Alvior led the prayer to thank the Lord for the food we were about to share.
Dancing and more dancing followed dinner. A few guests would have liked to be on the dance floor, but their aching bodies make dancing hard for them. However, they were enjoying themselves. Some people continued to move around the hall, searching for old friends who were in attendance. Some people were lucky, and others were unsuccessful, so they chose to hang out by the bar area.
Our most capable Erlinda Lazo was prepared to introduce Dr. Christopher W. Asuncion, M.D., the Inducting Officer for the incoming ZAI officers (listed on top), for his inspirational speech.
The doctor discussed his years growing up in New Jersey, his career in the US Air Force Medical Corps, and his medical practice in Hampton Roads as crucial points in his speech. He also said that it's important to teach children about their cultural heritage and their roots as young as possible. He mentioned that his two sons, who take part in Fil-Am language and art classes, are good examples.
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| Photo: Another Angle of the swearing-in ceremony |
When he said, "I, Joseph Alvior, do solemnly swear," his life began a new phase of leadership and respectability. These are the most rewarding elements one can experience when faced with responsibility. He will take ownership of ZAI in the process. (Fellow ZAI members are going to make him think about staying on as president until his social security check starts coming in the mail. Haha!) We wish Joseph and the Alvior family the best of luck as they face greater challenges. They will require patience and understanding throughout the process.
Meanwhile, we continued to burp and sip coffee as our entertainment began to take shape nicely. Ladies in red blouses and black skirts and men in white shirts and black pants slowly filled the dance floor. Next, the music came on - Watch the Quiero Dance on Youtube. The evening was never the same again afterward.
From left to right: Estela Imperial, Lydia Caja, Amy Sawi, Nellie Fernandez, Venus Najera, Vessie Harris, Carina Chavez, Edith Alvior, Letty Colorado, and Aida Fanugao
From left to right: Nelly Abad - Choreographer, Anne Cabacoy, Mida Arenas, Easter Ramos, Bellafe Paat, Jackie Roma, Tessie Bialas, Virgie Calderon, and Aurora Aquintey
We would like to express our gratitude to Nelly Abad for patiently teaching the dancers their step arrangements. Because of this, the Ballroom Dancers of Virginia and the ZAI Dance Group performed flawlessly. Also, Carmen Thiergardt and Jay Yan shouldn't be denied their right to be honored.
We are very proud of you and everyone else for their unselfish efforts in making this affair successful. It will be a memory to cherish for a long time to come. - By Mike Colorado
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