The quarter is almost over but before it's gone, here's a brief round-up of events that have taken place since the beginning of the year.  I know, I should do a timelier blog, but hey, quarterly is better than nothing.  I’ll try to do better next time. 

First off, there was the long overdue wedding of Joy Hernaez and Bien Carvajal on Jan. 5 held at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel.  It was an intimate affair attended only by close members of the family and a few friends.  The wedding entourage includes OMASC officers, namely Eleanor Evangelista, Elsie Amansec, Hermie Maramot, Jonathan Fedelicio, and Ernie Cleofe.  The groom’s cousin, aptly name Beauty, was the wedding planner.  The ceremony was presided over by Rev. Southwick whose mix of humor and solemnity helped set the nervous bride and groom at ease.  After the ceremony, dinner was served and dance soon followed.  The bride traded her flowing white gown for a more comfortable dress and danced the night away while the groom nervously watched from the sidelines.  As my sister Nida Mendoza cleverly wrote, we wish them “Joy and a Bien married life.”

For his birthday, Mike Gonda threw a dinner/dance party at the L&J Ballroom on January 19 in Covina, the dance studio of choice for most Filipinos in the Los Angeles area.  Mike’s popularity as a DI is evident in the number of people who attended the event.  The night was a chance for Mike’s students to show their instructor the moves he has taught them to do on the dance floor.  They showed off their skills in dance numbers including salsa, rhumba, chacha, swing, boogie, and tango a la Dancing with the Stars.  The wallflowers (including me and most OMASC guests) were no less entertained.  They gaped and gasped as some of the twirls nearly turned to spills and some dips to flips for some overly enthusiastic performers.  It was another night to remember for the youthful-looking birthday guy and for his many, many friends.

The following Saturday, January 26, Thelma Osorio and husband Vic renewed their vows at the St. Philomena Catholic Church in Carson to mark their 40^th wedding anniversary.  The reception and dance was at the (you guessed right) LAX Marriott Hotel.  Thelma’s business associates, employees, and some OMASC friends made up the guest list.  Elsie Amansec reported it was a lovely evening with lots of dancing.  Happy anniversary, Thelma & Vic!  Elsie herself celebrated her birthday March 19.  Happy birthday, Elsie.  How old are you now? J

On March 9, a meeting of officers was held at Jojo and Lynette Leviste’s home in La Mirada.  Friends of OMASC including Carmelita and Patrick O’Neil, Dr. Linda Enriquez, and Dr. Juanito Garlitos were invited to discuss a medical mission project OMASC is considering.   They left after their part was done but not before I had the chance to confirm with Dr. Enriquez that she was my friend Linda Borja I went to pre-med with at UST decades (!) ago.  The realization came to me as I was looking and listening to her discussing the medical mission.  She went on to med proper and I went home to Oriental Mindoro to grieve for my brother who passed away, and for my dream to be a doctor.  My brother, who was a newly-minted physician at the time was the one going to send me to medical school, you see.  My dream died with him.

At the meeting, letters were read from the many people asking OMASC for assistance.  Our willingness to help is limited by our ability to raise funds.  Unfortunately, our inability to achieve the much coveted 501(c) 3 status limits our ability to raise funds.  We ask donations only from the same donors we approach year after year after year.  God bless these people who never get tired of giving.  They are the ones keeping OMASC alive and well.