|
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Lucky balikbayans to be feted
AN ELDERLY couple and a nursing consultant from the United States, a teacher from Indonesia and a roving overseas broadcast journalist are this year's "Baguio Lucky Balikbayans" to highlight the Pearl Anniversary celebration of Silahis Ng Pasko 2003.
Former councilor and Silahis ng Pasko executive chair Narciso Padilla said the quest winners will be accorded a VIP Mabuhay reception by Silahis and Christmas in Baguio officials, led by Mayor Bernardo Vergara and Rep. Mauricio Domogan, on Dec. 27 billed as Baguio Balikbayan Day.
He named the lucky balikbayan couple as Benito Sibayan, 78, and wife Maria Nieves, 69, from Los Angeles, California, USA.
"Sibayan is a retired non-commission officer from the Philippine Army, AFP where he was in the service for at least 31 years, 18 years of which was spent at the Philippine Military Academy at Fort del Pilar," Padilla explained.
He said the couple migrated to the US in the early 1990's to join their son who works in a computer company in Los Angeles. They reside at Amistad Village in Camp 7, here.
Padilla added the two are here for the Christmas holiday to visit their children and grandchildren.
On the other hand, Maria Helen Quijana and Arnell Foronda Alhambra were chosen as the "Lucky Individual Overseas Worker-Balikbayan" in the quest's female and male category.
Padilla said Quijana is a classroom teacher at St. Nicolas Pre-School in Jakarta, Indonesia for two years now. She was formerly a substitute teacher at the Baguio City National High School. Her husband is a photo printer at the Fuji Films shop along Session Road, here. They will be celebrating their wedding anniversary here on December 26 together with their two daughters.
Alhambra, seeking greener pastures abroad, left for the United States in 1979 where he is presently employed as management nursing consultant in an insurance firm in Irvine, California. He is also connected as a volunteer Scouter with the International Committee of the Desert Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Padilla revealed that veteran radio broadcaster Francis "Kiko" Calado is this year's "Balik ng Balik Balikbayan" awardee. He is presently a senior correspondent of Radio Station DZRH covering the US mainland from the West to East Coast.
Padilla said Calado's beat include activities of the Filipino community, sports and special events.
He added the activities will start at 9:30 a.m. with a motorcade coordinated by the Spectrum Communications Group along the city's main thoroughfares which will end at the Sunshine Park for a fellowship party. Gaby Keith
(December 20, 2003 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
