September 2, we were at Manong Rudy and Imelda Europa’s place in Redlands. They prepared lunch to celebrate Winston’s Birthday. Manong Ruben and Deling Sapin from Australia joined us. Later that night, Rudy Orpilla invited us to his new house near Redlands for dinner.

     September 3, Randy& Rozelle, Rommel Europa and Ronnie Eleccion brought us to Terra Bella. We stayed at Auntie Caring Vergara’s place. My cousins, Fe & Chit and Dra. Nelly Simon stayed there too. That evening the celebration of SECC 50th Anniversary commenced where in SBM Dra. Florence Ramirez was the Guest Speaker. September 4, Cromwell and Mita Guzman invited me for lunch. In the evening was the coronation of Queen Jenalyn Vergara Rilloraza.

                             

     September 5, Manang Luming Mondero brought Zoraida and me to San Bruno. Chelo and Celeste went with Randy and Rozelle back to Moreno Valley. September 6, I got to meet my cousins, the family of the late Uncle Dinong, in a welcome party at San Bruno. September 7, with Manang Luming and Cely, wife of Eric were treated to lunch by Sonny Vergara at Chinatown, San Francisco, then Sonny brought us to the airport for a flight to Seattle. At SEATAC airport Winston, and Arthur Benitez fetched us. Arriving from Oregon, Rachel brought Dra Florence and Erming Eala. Sept. 8, we went to Vancouver, Canada. Our group was composed of Winston, Nana Norma Europa, Dra. Florence, Erming, & Raquel. Zoraida, not having a Canadian visa stayed with Susan at Bremerton, Washington State.

     In Vancouver, we visited and stayed overnight at SBM George Balmaceda’s siblings. Rose and Satur Deyro and Lorene & Ted Lederer. Dra. Lorene took us around the beautiful places in Vancouver and we also visited Hubert and Thelma E. Reganit. The next day we went back to Bremerton. The group of Manong Rudy & Linda Vergara, Bong & Marlyn Benitez, Ruben & Diling Sapin of Australia and Marjoe and Danny Fernando joined us in and had more Bremerton exuberance. After lunch we went to Renton, to meet the San Estebanians of Washington at the house of Larry Apolonio, TSEW President where a welcome reception party was held. We had fun there with a live radio interview direct from Vigan City Radio station DWRS. After the party, Dra. Florence and Erming took the Greyhound Bus in Seattle bound for Redding, California.

                             

     Sept. 11, we went to Hillsboro, Oregon and stayed at the house of Danny and Racquel Fernando. We were joined by Rudy & Linda, Ruben & Deling and Nana Norma. Danny & Rachel took us around the attractions of Portland and vicinity. Jun and Maridel dela Chica, Helen & Marjoe Europa took turns in showing us around. Danny and good friend, Liong, a Vietnamese immigrant took the Vice Mayor to where the stars shine brightly all the time of the day.

     Sept. 15, Danny and Raquel took us to the bus depot in Portland and had the 12-hour trip to Sacramento, Ca. We stayed with Uncle Val & Auntie Lerma’s place. In the evening we were at Thunder Valley with Luz Espejo. Sept. 17, Edong Espejo treated us for lunch then drove us to Stockton to meet Vladimir Valera and family. The next day, Jun and Ella Juan Empleo from San Francisco, with Dra. Florence, Erming and Mayora Evelyn, picked us up in Sacto and went to tour the Napa Valley. We had wine tasting at different wineries, had a hearty lunch and Ella gave us lots of souvenirs. In the evening, Jun and Ella brought us to Elk Grove where Uncle Roming and Liling Vergara prepared a welcome party for our group. Sept. 19 Uncle Roming & Liling brought us around Sacramento and gave us lots of souvenirs. September 20, Sonny Vergara took us to San Jose where we stayed with Dr. Floro Ramirez. Manang Cely was in the Philippines at that time. Bill, Floricel, Susan and family friend Norma took good care of us. From San Jose, we took a flight to Ontario, Ca. where Randy, Rozelle, Chelo and Celeste were waiting for us. Next day was a welcome party hosted by Mac and Linda Eleccion at Chino Hills. We then headed to Oceanside, Ca. where we stayed with our relatives, my mom’s siblings, and had a grand time.

                             

      Next welcome party was on October 1 at Sam and Marilou Orpilla’s place in La Palma. It was one unforgettable night since we had folk singer Ram Lopez to entertain us. The next day was the birthday party of Rommel Europa held at Moreno Valley. We went back to Oceanside and on October 6 we stayed at Cerritos at Mario and Ciony Querubin’s place. October 7, Mario took me to the airport and I was on my way to Honolulu. Zoraida and my daughters were left behind in California for a vacation.

     There to meet me was Melito & Cora Europa and Cesar Calo who took me to Dr. Ben and Adelle Galindo’s condo unit overlooking Pearl Harbor. Mel and Cora Europa brought me for dinner to the house of former Col. Tex Balmaceda where I met Col. Philmore Balmaceda and daughter Dra. Joy. October 8, Mayor Armando Abad arrived in Honolulu and immediately afterwards we made a tour around the island courtesy of Manang Vilma Vergara, Mel and Cora Europa. In the evening was the meeting with the San Esteban Aloha Mission at Dr. Galindo’s residence and there the Memorandum of Agreement for the construction of the Municipal Health Center Annex was approved by the Mayor and Dr.Galindo. Also present to join us were Dra. Florence and Erming Eala. October 9 was the welcome party tendered to us by the San Esteban Aloha Mission at the Pacific Hotel in Waikiki Beach. Feted were their guests from the Philippines, Mayor Abad, Vice Mayor Norman, SBM Florence, Former SBM Erming Eala, Col. Philmore and daughter Dra. Joy Balmaceda.

                             

     On October 10, me, the Mayor, Dra. Florence and Erming Eala took a flight to Maui. To meet us at the airport were Erning and Cely Carranza, Rolly and Pacing Espejo, Flor Ea, Maxwell Guzman and mom, Nana Ditang. We had lunch at Erning Carranza’s place. Rosella Vergara Degala took us to the Big Beach and showed us the Four Seasons Hotel where she and many San Estebanians are working. A big welcome party was hosted by Rolly and Pacing at their house in Kihei. Many town mates came and truly they were warm and very generous. Me and Mayor Abad stayed at the Hyatt in Lahaina courtesy of Flor and Remy Guzman Ea. Dra. Florence and Erming stayed with the Carranzas in Kihei. The next day at dawn we all went to Mt. HulaKela, 10,000 ft. above sea level to watch the famous daybreak on top of the inactive volcano. It was very cold but indeed a spectacular view up there. Ella took us for breakfast at Ihop where her brother Manuel works. Then we went to see the Iao Needle. We had lunch at Gerlyn & Ines Europa’s residence then went back to Hyatt for a once in a lifetime experience of having a Luau dinner. The next day we went to visit Buena Sabas house and Digna was there to entertain us. We had lunch at Joey and Diana Bautista Guerrero and this was our despedida as we headed back to Honolulu.

                       

     In Honolulu, we had dinner with SEAM President Dr. Galindo, Mel & Cora, Vilma and a close friend of SEAM Mr. Lito Alcantara. The next day, the Mayor and Cesar Calo took me to the airport for a flight to Manila. The Mayor stayed for another day and headed for San Francisco. Dra. Florence and Erming left Hawaii for home after a few days.

     I want to thank you all - friends relatives and townmates for making our visit to the USA another memorable journey.

To view more pictures related to this article please click on the following URL:

Honolulu Reception Party
Visit to NAPA, California
Visit to Sacramento, California


To our kaillian in Maui, Kumusta kay amin dita.
Updated by:Susan(S.A.E.) (Webmaster)