"Araw ng Pamilyang Pinoy 2007" - A Celebration of the 109th Philippine Independence
Preparations for the “Araw ng Pamilyang Pinoy 2007" (or Family Day 2007) started as early as the 3rd week of June 2007. This was planned by AFET in its calendar of activities, as a culminating event of the Pinoy Sports fest 2007 in time for the 109th Philippine Independence Day Celebration.
The AFET Board with the help of the Council of Senior Advisers (CSA), constituted themselves as the working committees. Since then, weekly meetings were held to ensure that the great event will be successful.
July 15, 2007 (THE DAY) came and at 4:00P.M., what was planned happened. The rest is part of history……
4:00 P.M. -- The Parade in review and Opening Program took place. For the first time,a family served as toastmasters of the entire program. Led by Brother Mon Santiago of the Couples for Christ (CFC) and an AFET Board member, he was joined by his daughter Tina and son-in-law Anthony. The family emceeing gave a boost to the success of the entire activity as it was so organized and smooth from start to finish.
The parade started outside the gym with the Philippine and Timor flags, as well as the AFET banner being waved by our uniformed Filipino UNPOL policemen; followed by the handsome and beautifully dressed Filipino native costumed AFET Officers and Advisers; and then followed by the different sectoral contingents wearing their color identities: religious & international NGOs/GOs in their white shirts; services sector in their yellow shirts; construction sector in their red shirts; and UNPOL and other UN agencies in their blue shirts.
The Opening Prayer was a Prayer for the Nation done through ecumenical service, represented by different sectors. This was followed by the singing of a Hymn of Praise “Tanging Yaman”; the opening remarks read by the emcee in behalf of Ms. Cherry Mazaredo, the Chair of AFET’s Council of Advisers; a brief report to the General Assembly by AFET President Mitz; an Inspirational speech given by the UNPOL Commissioner, General Rodolfo Tor and ended with a Community singing and dancing “Pinoy Ako”.
5:00 P.M. --- This was the liveliest and the most fun part of the event….the Palarong Pinoy Games. Organized by the group of Jun, John, Ted and P.J., the pinoy games were played and participated in by the different sectoral contingents. Grabe talaga ang participation ng sectors including the UNPOL, who were playing in complete uniforms. Games played were: sack race, tire race, two-legged race, tug-of-war and the obstacle race. Nobody minded which sector won the over-all games dahil everyone was simply enjoying and cheering for their respective groups. Even the very dainty and fragile women from the Religious and International NGOs/GOs were brave enough to compete with the Construction sector women, just for the fun of it.
Interspersed with the pinoy games were the Pa-Raffle ng AFET ably led by Ms. Malu Cagay, together with her sector Anchor persons: Mylene, Doray, Mitz and Abelle.
While the games were on-going, the FOOD FAIR participated in by Nanay Eva’s lugawan and Malu burgers’ corners were opened for the public. Mylene, the AFET Board in-charge made sure that people won’t go hungry… At the same time, the Health Assistance Desk was also opened for blood pressure taking and distribution of health tips/materials ranging from HIV/AIDS, Cholesterol/Hypertension, Malara/Dengue Fever and Hospital services. The Health Desk likewise acted on an accident that happened to Boyin de Loyola who had a hand fractured and who had to be brought to the hospital. Thank you to our doctors on-duty: Dr. Juvy, Dr. La Vernie and Dr. Jane.. maraming salamat!
6:30 P.M. --- The foreign guests were waiting for the "Kulturang Pinoy" (Cultural Show) of Filipino dances while the different teams were waiting for the Sports fest awarding ceremonies. In this part, the dancing Filipinos showed their talents in performing Carinosa, Kappa Malong-Malong (a Muslim dance), Itik-Itik, Tinikling and the modern pinoy version of OPM hip-hop dance. Ganda ganda din ng presentation…The AFET President, Mitz, ably orchestrated the entire program.
7:30 P.M. --- At this point, marami na ang gutom after playing, dancing and bearing the heat of the gym. Pagkain ng Bayan, which is the libreng pagkain was the most chaotic part. While there were 4 distribution centers set up in the 4 corners of the gym, magulo pa rin ang distribution. More than 300 participants and guests were served with food catered by Kampai with 5 pieces of lechon donated by generous donors. Mang Caloy roasted 3 of these lechon and chopped all of them in front of everyone to see. While everyone was enjoying the meal, the KOBE BAND played filipino music to the hearts content of every filipino.
Immediately after the dinner, the major prizes of the Pa-Raffle ng AFET were announced. The winners will also be posted separately….Congratulations to the winners. A total of 2,000 raffle tickets were given out, 35 of which were returned, giving us 1,965 tickets sold (less 10% discount) by the different sectors. The raffles generated sales that will allow AFET to fund its future activities and outreach project in December 2007.
8:30 P.M. --- Capping the night was the “Pinoy Disco: led by the KOBE BAND. Marami ang nagsayaw at nag enjoy, sweating it out…Masaya! Masaya! from start to end of the event. Si Doray naman, another AFET board member, made sure that the Filipinos remain and dance the night out. Thanks to Ted for setting up the disco light, with Oscar sourcing out where to get the lights from.
The event ended with no great troubles on security. We also thank Col Ruben Padua and his UNPOL men, together with the local police for keeping the place safe…..
Maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga tumulong sa pagsasagawa ng Araw ng Pamilyang Pinoy, pati na ang lahat ng mga donors at sponsors who contributed in cash & kind.
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