Tags: Filipinos Abroad
By John Paras
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – In the beginning, it seemed forming our group was difficult. But with the support of fellow Capaseñans, coming from different parts of our adopted country, we are now able to gather – at least once every year – and reminisce about our beloved hometown.
Capaseñan -USA was conceived during a small gathering held at the residence of Rolly Quitalig (originally from Barangay Cubcub) in Carson. Tila Sigua (originally from Barangay CutCut) proposed having an annual celebration of the feast of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of Capas.
At that time, everyone agreed that it was a wonderful idea since September 10 officially the date of the annual fiesta in Capas, was fast approaching.
But timely notification and inviting all Capaseñans was then almost impossible. Not to mention the financial aspect of turning our idea into reality due to constraints in resources.
But the group’s pioneers (which also included Sito Paras, Bong and Orly Quitalig and Roel David) persisted and began pitching in ideas and financial resources out of their own pockets.
Toy Lavarias (originally from sitio Patling)and Rel Pamintuan (originally from Lawy) also likewise contributed along with our Capaseñan brothers and sisters who, in their own little ways, lent a hand in making the first annual fiesta in 1993 a success.
This annual activity eventually turned into an informal gathering at Rolly’s house. But we’ve revived it starting last year.
Right now, the Capaseñan-USA Los Angeles Chapter has become an LLC (Limited Liability Company). This means that when people write their cheques for donations to our party-cum-fiesta, they make it payable to the organization, not to just one person.
The 2009 (we call it the revival year) fiesta last year–I was the Vice President, and Cora Rodriguez-Sicat was the President. The one and only superstar, Miss Nora Aunor was our guest of honor.
This year, we held our annual fiesta last September 5 at the Holiday Inn in Torrance. As the president for this year’s annual fiesta, together with the help of my Vice President Cecil Sibal-Dominguez (from Cubcub), Secretary, Mina Lagman and Treasurer Celestina Lagman, we had a challenging time ahead of us with the recession and all.
Fortunately for us, we still had kababayans who attended and drove from San Francisco (the Capil family), San Diego (The Capunpun Family) and others who flew all the way from Seattle and New York.
It was a fun night for everyone, as we had dancing, singing and a feast, which of course included 2 lechons (roasted pig). Of course, this was all for a good cause.
Whatever proceeds we made, we have projects we would like tackle to help our kababayans, like build a community water pump for a far flung barrio in our town, or have a scholarship grant or grants to deserving students in our town.
Capas has progressed a lot and I hope whatever the former Mayor (Reynaldo) Catacutan was able to do , the new mayor Antonio “TJ” Rodriguez Jr., will be able to continue his good work on our town.
The previous administration has quite been successful in making Capas a tourist destination because of the trek to Mount Pinatubo and Death March shrine. This has led to a boom in local businesses, including VES Food House in Sto. Domingo, which, incidentally, is owned by my dear sister. They serve the best chicken barbecue in our town, by the way.
Next year is just around the corner and we are now in the process of looking for volunteers to be the next batch of officers for the association, so we can start the fund raising again and have fun and fellowship at the same time.
John Paras is a Flight Attendant for United Airlines for almost 13 years and is also a wedding photographer. Please visit his website at www.johnparas11.zenfolio.com. He has lived in California for almost 20 years.
(Photos taken from the Capasenan USA Facebook page)
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