By Cyrus Natividad
Members of the CPU NorCal AA during their Christmas event.
With life continually going back to normal after years of pandemic, the CPU Northern California Alumni Association (NORCAL AA) held their Christmas Party last December 10, 2022 at a community center in Fremont, California. The gathering was a follow through of the successful Summer Picnic last June and outdoor Family Day last September. Though it rained hard that day, it did not dampen the excitement of everyone to come and celebrate Christmas together after years of restrictions.
Pastor Edward Pormilos, the re-elected Chapter President, welcomed the participants and provided updates on the affairs of the Chapter. He assured everyone that while the virus is still around, it is not as threatening as before because of vaccinations. It means, the Chapter is back to business again, aiming to gather quarterly with no less than the biggest event of the year as the Christmas Party.
Aside from the usual food fellowship and exchange gifts, the Party has family-oriented games led by Mrs. Emineh Pacania, the incoming Vice President. Carlo Pineda, the super gifted outgoing VP, rendered a beautiful Christmas medley with his violin. A caroling number (daigon) by Dumangas Centralians was led by Mrs. Patricia Desales, a very dedicated adviser. Pastor Richard Pacania, the ever-supportive spouse of Emineh, gave a moving Christmas message.
Sponsors of Grant-in-aid program were given special recognition and gifts. The Grant is an on-going program that started last 2021 with the purpose of supporting the education needs of poor but deserving CPU college students at Php5,000 per student per year. There are 17 recipient/scholars for the current school year. Because of the high dollar exchange value during the remittance of the fund, the extra of at least Php10,000 were donated to the God’s Grace Ministry for work students. The following are the Grant sponsors and the number of sponsorships they donated since the program began: Rodney & Kathy Leyble Kriewall – 7; siblings Pablo & Mildred Cababaan – 4; Pastor Edward & Katherine Pormilos – 4: Eduardo & Amy Soldevilla – 2; Ma. Patria Onate Desales – 2; Teresita Delipe Pedrola – 2; Pastor Richard & Emineh Pacania – 2; Jahzielle Pineda Chiappetta – 2; Lee & Girlie Hudierez Plagata – 2; Jewel Joy Borja Castillon – 2; Marah Rafols Torres – 1; Tito & Lydia Rafols – 1; Lisear Carlo Pineda – 1, Pastor Edward Faalam – 1 and Pio Go – 1.
A Service Award in the form of beautiful plaque was given to the couple, Ananias and Godela Gasacao for their dedicated and self-less services to the Chapter that contributed significantly to its sustainability and growth. Godela served as President and Treasurer while Ananias has been P.R.O. and provider of P.A. System free of charge in every event. The Service Award is another continuing program given every Christmas Party for those who rendered services to the Chapter and are now retired or semi-retired.
The event was also highlighted by the induction of the new officers. Mr. Lee Plagata, the newly elected FOAAI President was the Inducting Officer. He was specially recognized for being the first Federation President coming from the Chapter, thus creating a milestone in the Chapter’s history. Mrs. Kathy Kreiwall was also recognized as the new Treasurer of the Federation. Both of them were past presidents of the Chapter. The following are the new officers for the term 2023-2024:
PRESIDENT: EDWARD PORMILOS
VICE PRES.: EMINEH PACANIA
SECRETARY: JAHZ PINEDA CHIAPPETTA
ASST. SEC.: REBECCA DEOCAMPO DIANALA
TREASURER: MARAH RAFOLS TORRES
ASST. TREAS.: GIRLIE HUDIEREZ PLAGATA
AUDITOR: LEE PLAGATA
ASST. AUDITOR: LISEAR CARLO PINEDA
PRO: TEX RHEDAN PELOPERO
ASST PRO: ANANIAS GASACAO
SGT. AT ARMS: PABLO CABABAAN
ADVISERS:
KATHY LEYBLE KRIEWALL
MA. PATRICIA DESALES
PERLA DEOCAMPO
During the closing, re-elected Treasurer, Mrs. Mara Torres, acknowledged the participation and contribution of everyone. The Bayanihan spirit was in full display both in service (setting and packing up) and sponsorship of needed items such as poinsettias, gifts, plaque, and prizes. She also initiated the silent auction for unused household items that generated total proceeds of $152 going to the Chapter Fund.
It was truly a meaningful day filled with hugs, laughter, story-telling (kata-kata), helping and working together, games for young and olds, gift-sharing and food fellowships that truly satisfied the longing for each other (hidlawanay) as the Central Spirit lives on and to celebrate Christmas together.