November 2022 ZAI Newsletter

Zambales Association Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia

Google search “Dawasan Blogger” if unable to read the email.

The Autumn leaves 

We are beginning to see the Autumn foliage, with temperatures dipping into the forties at night. The color of the leaves changes rapidly, and soon we see them slowly falling on the ground and remaining dry through the Winter months. Appreciating the colors of the landscape is what Autumn is all about.
The elders reminisce about love and relationships. While the young are just beginning to discover the beauty of life and the world's wonders. Let us waste no time savoring God's creations.

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Fundraising: Fish for sale 

(L-R) Fely Fontanares, and Anne Cabacoy

A work in progress to obtain many fish (spots) for sale with profit over the cost of buying it. Also, transporting the merchandise to and from the supplier in Poquoson is expensive. That is the scenario.

Now the question is, how many pounds of fish will we sell to make a profit? What is the markup over cost?

While we ponder how to answer the questions, negotiations are going on with the supplier. Our negotiators (Manang Fely Fontanares and Anne Cabacoy) hope to secure a profitable deal for a good cause. If their efforts are successful, we may see some happy faces. Good luck, guys!

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 Saturday, October 22, 2022: Membership meeting yielded results 

1. Elections of Officers – our current president, Joe Alvior, is willing to serve another term, and other officers are also contemplating staying on. We are proud of what you do and thank you so much for being there for us. So, volunteerism is alive and well in the Zambales community.  
2. We extend our great appreciation and deep gratitude to Drs. Arlene Fontanares, Cynthia Romero, and their volunteer staff. For their time to set up COVID-19 testing sites and inoculation centers for the Fil-Am community during the grueling hours of the pandemic.
3. Christmas party Potluck – The upcoming Christmas party, December 18, 2022, at Glenwood Recreation Center on Round Hill Rd, Virginia Beach, next to the Honey Bee Golf Course is in the planning stage. It is not too early to think of what is best for everyone. Bring your special dish to share. Thank you, guys.
4.  Fundraising: Fish for sale (If available, you will be notified. Thank you.)
5.  Another meeting (TBA) next month to finalize details of the upcoming Christmas party
6. Auring and Jimmy Reyes – Welcome back. We hope your stay with ZAI will be fruitful and enjoyable this time around.  
   

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Halloween in the Philippines 

The observance of Halloween in the Philippines is unique. The event occurs at least a week before October 31 and continues through November 2. Let us talk about Halloween, Philippine Style!

Many will travel back to their hometowns where their loved ones were entombed. They come from near and far, and the trip will be hectic, depending on transportation. These days, most people working out of town are allowed to take time off while family members in residence are tasked with cleaning up the tombs and grave sites of dead relatives. (Philippine President Bongbong Marcos Jr. declared All Saints' Day a National Holiday.)

On the night of October 31, the customs and traditions widely practiced in the United States and Canada, children would go around the neighborhood trick or treating.

(Halloween shrinkflation – It isn't a nightmare. Your Halloween candy just got smaller. A bag of dark chocolate Hershey's Kisses is now a couple of ounces smaller than before. A two-pack of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups is a tenth of an ounce lighter. And Cadbury milk chocolate bars are about 10 percent skimpier.

Consumers can partly blame “shrinkflation” — manufacturers reducing the size of their products rather than increasing the price. Over the past two years, companies have downsized paper products, salty snacks, and many other consumer packaged goods as their ingredients, labor, and transportation expenses have skyrocketed.)

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, most people are busy preparing for the next day's holiday – All Saints' Day. 

Here, in cemeteries and memorial parks, relatives, and friends of the dead converged. Many come here to celebrate the lives of dead relatives. Various food delicacies are served under tents and makeshift shelters to shield them from the heat of the smoldering sun. Music fills the air with radios and other instruments. Even karaoke found its way to remind everyone that, at one time, departed relatives used to sing Elvis Presley's “Love Me Tender” with gusto. Line dancing is not at all an uncommon occurrence in the cemeteries.

All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day are celebrated the same way. The difference is that on November 2, there were fewer visitors to the cemeteries. Usually, this day is reserved for travel back to home base in the cities or other places where work is to resume the next day. That is Halloween in the Philippines, where generosity and having fun are the norms. No shrinkflation here. Happy Halloween, guys!

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Mid-Term Election coming soon

We have plenty of time to learn more about our candidates. Voting for the right person to represent us is significant. It affects our lives in more ways than most. We may realize the significance of choosing suitable candidates, but if the wrong person gets elected, it is because we need to do our job diligently. Make that vote count. 

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2022 Veterans Day

This year, there are many, many deals and discounts available to Veterans. If you are one of them, read the News about disability benefits and more. Read more …

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Thanksgiving: Dewey's Turkey 

Dewey's Turkey

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in the Philippines on November 24, 1898, upon the declaration of American Governor-General George Dewey. The main dish was popularly known as “Dewey's Turkey.”

The Filipinos celebrated this American holiday with the annual issuance of proclamations by the American Governors-General from 1901 to 1935. When the Philippines became a commonwealth in 1935, President Manuel L. Quezon continued to decree the American Thanksgiving Day as a National Holiday until the outbreak of World War II.

In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a proclamation declaring that the United States officially celebrates Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November. This day is often discussed in the history of the pilgrim colonists and the Wampanoag Indians' celebration of their bountiful harvest in 1621.

Wampanoag Indians and Colonist's First Thanksgiving

On May 6, 1943, Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo visited Luneta and held a ceremony “in Thanksgiving to the great Japanese Empire.” During this period, Filipinos and Americans celebrated the American holiday secretly without regard to safety. 

The Thanksgiving tradition was continued after the Second World War as a memorable public holiday. President Osmena issued the declaration from 1944 to 1965 through the times of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. However, the fall of the Marcos dictatorship during the 1986 EDSA Revolution saw the end of the Thanksgiving Day tradition in the Philippines.

Other nations officially celebrate Thanksgiving Day in their own way. Canada, for example, celebrates this special day on the second Monday of October. Some Asian countries, including India and China, have their celebration, but theirs is tied to the folklore of long ago to validate a good harvest.

In the Philippines, it is suspected that many Filipinos believed that the Pilgrim colonists landed on the shores of San Narciso, Zambales, and were helped to celebrate their safe landing. This unremarkable story is known as fake News today and, through the spy network, reached the ears of the American Governor-General Dewey in November 1898. This episode, although unreliable, prompted Dewey to proclaim the celebration of Thanksgiving Day and encouraged Filipinos nationwide to imitate the Americans and enjoy a good Turkey dinner.  

The (story is that the) homeboy cooked his pet rooster because he could not find a turkey to cook for Dewey. (No turkey to be found on the Island then – itik, maybe.) So, to keep his job and make his employer happy, giving up his pet rooster was not a tough decision. That hapless rooster is now known as “Dewey's turkey.” (Haha! What happens in the kitchen stays in the kitchen. So beware when you go eat out in your favorite restaurants. If your cook smiles at you nicely, watch out!) Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

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Humorous Bits and Pieces

 A gang decided to rob a bank.

They opened every vault and found only cups of yogurt. 

So, they ate it all.

The next day, on CNN news:

“BIGGEST SPERM BANK ROBBED!” Yak!

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 Ano ang pwede mong gawin sa GABI na hindi mo pwedeng gawin sa UMAGA?

A: Eh, di MAGPUYAT.

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May tatlong lalake ang tumalon sa tubig, ilan ang nabasa ang buhok?

A: Eh di wala. Kalbo silang lahat eh.

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Q: Ano ang similarity ang UTOT at TULA?

A: Pareho silang nagmula sa POET.

 

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Pancit, Filipino Style

The myth about this dish dates back to when Limahong, or Ah Hong, the Chinese pirate and warlord, invaded the northern Philippine Islands in 1574. This man and his men plundered the area, especially the Ilocos region's coastal towns. Because of their frequent visits to the site, one of his men, Pang Shi, introduced the locals to noodle making, the main ingredients for pancit.

Now, we know the origin of noodles in the Philippines. The Ilocanos were probably the first group to prepare pancit, the name taken from Pang Shi. Later, it became common knowledge, and the non-Ilocanos changed the ingredients with different spices and called it their pancit, Filipino style.

Note: The earliest written record of noodles appears in a 3rd-century Chinese dictionary written during China's East Han Dynasty, sometime between A.D. 25 and 220. It describes a bread-like dough made from flour and water, which is then torn into pieces and added to a mian pian soup. It is still eaten in China today.

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The Joy of laughter 

Sitting by the lakeside, she felt the cold flush on her face. Martha knew she needed to bring out warmer clothes the next time she ventured out.

Looking through the window of their cottage was her husband, Diego. He thought Martha had her daily peaceful meditation, a routine she had developed years ago. It seems like she is more settled now and no longer bothered by her bout of unwanted stress episodes.

The sun was setting nicely beyond the trees, showing the silhouettes of it on the clear water of the lake. The wind brings a slightly cooler Autumn breeze, enhanced by the variety of colored leaves that seem to dance in unison with the wind. The visibility of change is beginning to take shape. Soon, the trees will be bare, and the evenings will be chilly again.

Diego came out of the back door, holding a bottle of Chardonnay, two glasses, and a cheerful spirit to enjoy the moment. She turns around upon hearing the sounds of breaking twigs and crushing dead leaves as he steps on them. He showed her the bottle of wine and two wine glasses as he sat them on a log between the chairs. Then he motioned to uncork the bottle and pour the contents into the glasses.

They raised their glasses and said, “Cheers!” almost simultaneously. They laughed at each other as if they had just discovered the Joy of laughter.

 

They sat side-by-side quietly by the water, gently holding each other's hands with slow breathing as they savored the peace and tranquility of the moment. The wine seems to help put them in the mood. And they looked at each other and wondered what these all meant – this feeling of contentment and peaceful co-existence.

Martha and Diego are in their late seventies, nearing crossing the aging boundaries of life's uncertainties. They both feel healthy, with occasional pains here and there. Their doctor always says, “At your age, you are both in good health. Make the most of life every day, every moment, and try to laugh as much as possible. Do not worry about the small stuff. Letting go of the baggage that troubles you will make you feel happier and enjoy the sweeter side of life. Remember: life begins at birth and ends at death. Any time in between is a journey. Make that journey a happy and enjoyable trip.”

It was so long ago when life at sixteen was so wonderful and carefree. We thought it would never end. Unfortunately, God's clock never stops ticking. By Mike Colorado.

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 In Memoriam | Obituary  | |  ZAI Officers  | 

 

This year, 2023, is the fifth year we've published the ZAI Newsletter under the Dawasan Blogger. We remain operational during the first part of the pandemic. Now, the outlook is beginning to look good. There are still doubts and uncertainties out there. (Mask-wearing is now optional.) It's what life is all about. So, let's keep alert and grateful for our experiences as they come to us daily. As the saying goes, 'Plan for the best. Work for the worse.'

We apologize for unintended errors. English is our second language, and we know there is room for improvement. We are trying our best. Unfortunately, we are not Grammarians by profession. So perfection is hardly attainable. Sorry.

Your support has empowered us to press on despite our limited resources. We appreciate your patience and help in making our newsletter grow. — Mike Colorado