With a weather forecast of a thunderstorm and seeing a drizzle early morning of the 4th of October 2008, a shower of phone calls was pouring from eager participants confirming whether the PLCAA Family Fun Walk will go on.
With our golfers Albert Ibarra, Andy Porral and Dodee Leones confirming a good weather, the optimistic organisers headed to the Tench Reserve near Factory Road, Penrith.
The registration desk manned by Chiqui Desphy , Leticia Cunanan, Marie Bandayrel and Divina Ibarra were ready to accept registrants by 7:30 am. The first batch of walkers were warmly welcomed to this much-awaited event. These included Sean Desphy, Elvie Williams, Mitzi de Vries, Josie Bettini, Teri Carey, Lety Cunanan, Vic Carino, Divina Ibarra, Dodee Leones, Evelyn Esguerra and Jun Esguerra.
At 8:30 am, they marched forward as a team with no intentions of competing for prizes at stake during the walk. They were like children having fun, walking together towards the chain of walkstations positioned strategically at the 3.5 km walkcourse along the Nepean River. James Desphy, Lenny Barretto & Jinno Roldan as marshalls at the first station not only guided the walkers to the right direction but cheered and wished them well for a good walk. Next the walkers were sighted by Marie Bandayrel, the marshall at the second station. With her colourful pink-haired hat, she amusingly announced the time it took the walkers to reach her station. Marie was spared of any bargaining, bribery or any corruption that the walkers could have made. This walk was all meant for fun and be enjoyed. The walkers were regarded as well-wishers for PLCAA to achieve its goals.
Then came Nature’s reward to these walkers as they were greeted by a great number of mulberry trees that lined the pathway. The walkers had a big treat of eating these edible berries. At the other end of the course, walkers cheered at the sight of the Philippine flag hoisted on top of a tree guarded by Nonoy Laserna .They were also greeted with Philippine music played as a gesture of gratitude for completing the walk. These first batch of walkers were oozing with much energy as they returned to the main station. They met the second batch of walkers which included David Bradbury MP, Philippine Vice Consul Anthony Reyes, Rodnor Sadia, Willy Reyes, Andy Porral, Cora Barretto, Bhoy Barretto, Alexis Leones, Ninea Nepomuceno, Malu Roldan, Marjo Villarosa and Natalie Laserna.
At 9:30 am, the second group was ready to have their turn of doing a heroic deed with their joyful walk. David Bradbury with Vice Consul Reyes were already been successful in setting a quick pace for the group having passed the path of Marie Bandayrel’s second station in a matter of less than 5 minutes. They were defeated when the group’s interest was taken by the berries. They paused and could not resist harvesting these delicious berries. The marshals witnessed the delay in the walk caused by the temptation of having a taste of fresh berries. This moment showed how Filipinos can turn the unexpected into a momentous, spectacular experience.
By 10:30 am all the participants were back at the main station and started to enjoy the delicious meal not to mention the ever-popular Filipino style pork barbecue on the stick prepared by Malu Laserna and the tasty “biko” made by Tita Lety. There was much fun having lunch together that the group didn’t mind at all the rain which actually waited till everybody has gathered at the main station. Nature has provided well for PLCAA.
The fellowship continued. Tita Lety did the invocation asking for blessings for all those gathered. Andy in his welcome address expressed how “ Filipinos make the most of what we have” seeing that the rain did not dampen the festivities with everyone enjoying the food and the camaraderie. How much we enjoyed the presence of our guests Rodnor Sadia, Marjo Villarosa, Willy Reyes and the PCC-NSW people: Elsa Collado, Ronaldo Villaver, Ruben Collado and Emma Braceros.
David Bradbury MP in his talk, recognised the tenacity of the Filipinos as a valued asset in achieving community goals. Philippine Vice Consul Anthony Reyes echoed our Philippine Consul General Maria Theresa Lazaro’s gratitude in consistently having PLCAA worked with the Consulate in pursuing projects such as the Read Philippines. The role of PLCAA in the promotion of the use of the Filipino language and increased appreciation of one’s Filipino heritage through the operations of the Penrith Community Filipino School was also acknowledged by ConGen Lazaro.
Donelle Nepomuceno entertained the group with her beautiful songs. Games were played and were enjoyed tremendously . Special thanks to Malu Roldan and Nene Castillo in handling the games. The Fun walk raffle winners were Elsa Collado for the first prize of a dinner voucher at Trevi Ristorante in Penrith worth $200; Edna Voros won the golf package of a glove bag with balls and gloves worth $100; and Evangeline Rixon got the 3rd prize of a Tupperware set worth $60. Lots of consolacion prizes were also won.
A big thank you to the PLCAA Family Fun Walk’s Major Sponsors : Westbus Sydney Spirits, Inspired Focus Solutions and David Bradbury MP.
Special gratitude goes to all the participants and their sponsors.
Congratulations to the Family Fun Walk Chairman Andy Porral and the whole committee: Malu Roldan, Divina Ibarra and Cora Barretto.
Congratulations to all the Marshals, the Food Committee, Registration Committee and the Media Committee.
PLCAA Family Fun Walk 2008 was a successful event. It was not only a display of physical endurance but an exercise of hope, perseverance, optimism and of the Filipino’s tenacity.
MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT.
With our golfers Albert Ibarra, Andy Porral and Dodee Leones confirming a good weather, the optimistic organisers headed to the Tench Reserve near Factory Road, Penrith.
The registration desk manned by Chiqui Desphy , Leticia Cunanan, Marie Bandayrel and Divina Ibarra were ready to accept registrants by 7:30 am. The first batch of walkers were warmly welcomed to this much-awaited event. These included Sean Desphy, Elvie Williams, Mitzi de Vries, Josie Bettini, Teri Carey, Lety Cunanan, Vic Carino, Divina Ibarra, Dodee Leones, Evelyn Esguerra and Jun Esguerra.
At 8:30 am, they marched forward as a team with no intentions of competing for prizes at stake during the walk. They were like children having fun, walking together towards the chain of walkstations positioned strategically at the 3.5 km walkcourse along the Nepean River. James Desphy, Lenny Barretto & Jinno Roldan as marshalls at the first station not only guided the walkers to the right direction but cheered and wished them well for a good walk. Next the walkers were sighted by Marie Bandayrel, the marshall at the second station. With her colourful pink-haired hat, she amusingly announced the time it took the walkers to reach her station. Marie was spared of any bargaining, bribery or any corruption that the walkers could have made. This walk was all meant for fun and be enjoyed. The walkers were regarded as well-wishers for PLCAA to achieve its goals.
Then came Nature’s reward to these walkers as they were greeted by a great number of mulberry trees that lined the pathway. The walkers had a big treat of eating these edible berries. At the other end of the course, walkers cheered at the sight of the Philippine flag hoisted on top of a tree guarded by Nonoy Laserna .They were also greeted with Philippine music played as a gesture of gratitude for completing the walk. These first batch of walkers were oozing with much energy as they returned to the main station. They met the second batch of walkers which included David Bradbury MP, Philippine Vice Consul Anthony Reyes, Rodnor Sadia, Willy Reyes, Andy Porral, Cora Barretto, Bhoy Barretto, Alexis Leones, Ninea Nepomuceno, Malu Roldan, Marjo Villarosa and Natalie Laserna.
At 9:30 am, the second group was ready to have their turn of doing a heroic deed with their joyful walk. David Bradbury with Vice Consul Reyes were already been successful in setting a quick pace for the group having passed the path of Marie Bandayrel’s second station in a matter of less than 5 minutes. They were defeated when the group’s interest was taken by the berries. They paused and could not resist harvesting these delicious berries. The marshals witnessed the delay in the walk caused by the temptation of having a taste of fresh berries. This moment showed how Filipinos can turn the unexpected into a momentous, spectacular experience.
By 10:30 am all the participants were back at the main station and started to enjoy the delicious meal not to mention the ever-popular Filipino style pork barbecue on the stick prepared by Malu Laserna and the tasty “biko” made by Tita Lety. There was much fun having lunch together that the group didn’t mind at all the rain which actually waited till everybody has gathered at the main station. Nature has provided well for PLCAA.
The fellowship continued. Tita Lety did the invocation asking for blessings for all those gathered. Andy in his welcome address expressed how “ Filipinos make the most of what we have” seeing that the rain did not dampen the festivities with everyone enjoying the food and the camaraderie. How much we enjoyed the presence of our guests Rodnor Sadia, Marjo Villarosa, Willy Reyes and the PCC-NSW people: Elsa Collado, Ronaldo Villaver, Ruben Collado and Emma Braceros.
David Bradbury MP in his talk, recognised the tenacity of the Filipinos as a valued asset in achieving community goals. Philippine Vice Consul Anthony Reyes echoed our Philippine Consul General Maria Theresa Lazaro’s gratitude in consistently having PLCAA worked with the Consulate in pursuing projects such as the Read Philippines. The role of PLCAA in the promotion of the use of the Filipino language and increased appreciation of one’s Filipino heritage through the operations of the Penrith Community Filipino School was also acknowledged by ConGen Lazaro.
Donelle Nepomuceno entertained the group with her beautiful songs. Games were played and were enjoyed tremendously . Special thanks to Malu Roldan and Nene Castillo in handling the games. The Fun walk raffle winners were Elsa Collado for the first prize of a dinner voucher at Trevi Ristorante in Penrith worth $200; Edna Voros won the golf package of a glove bag with balls and gloves worth $100; and Evangeline Rixon got the 3rd prize of a Tupperware set worth $60. Lots of consolacion prizes were also won.
A big thank you to the PLCAA Family Fun Walk’s Major Sponsors : Westbus Sydney Spirits, Inspired Focus Solutions and David Bradbury MP.
Special gratitude goes to all the participants and their sponsors.
Congratulations to the Family Fun Walk Chairman Andy Porral and the whole committee: Malu Roldan, Divina Ibarra and Cora Barretto.
Congratulations to all the Marshals, the Food Committee, Registration Committee and the Media Committee.
PLCAA Family Fun Walk 2008 was a successful event. It was not only a display of physical endurance but an exercise of hope, perseverance, optimism and of the Filipino’s tenacity.
MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT.
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