The snow in Spokane was fun especially for the kids, but shoveling it off the driveway was definitely hard work!
Christmas and New Year Greetings!
CHRISTMAS AT THE FCC It was certainly one of the best Christmas parties ever held at the Filipino Community Center. There were lots of kids, lots of gifts and lots of fun! The children loved “Santa” (Celso Tolman), just as the adults loved “Super Santa” (Ruby Francisco) because she gave real dollar bills to everyone, including yours truly. Super Santa has surely taken over the task of Manang Julita Tangalan in years past. Thanks to all of those who shared their love in the spirit of Christmas.
CHRISTMAS IN SPOKANE The dream of having a “White Christmas” came through on December 25, 2007. I was told that in Seattle it was short lived, but not in Spokane where Ciony and I spent Christmas with my daughter Monica, her husband Don and my three grandchildren: Brianna, Brandon and Bryan. There was about 6 inches of snow on the ground which added to the splendor of the surroundings. It was beautiful as everything was snow-covered – the lawns, the Christmas ornaments in the yards, the roofs and the trees. Nearby the kids set up a sled area, and just watching the kids going down the hill on their sleds surely made up for the task of shoveling snow off the driveway. More importantly, the snow on the streets did not prevent us from doing our “after Christmas” shopping.
NEW YEAR’s GREETINGS
From Linda Nietes of
NaFFAA: From Elena Areno and Son: PEACE be in our hearts, in our minds and our spirits. PEACE be in our families, workplaces and communities.
THE BEST GIFTS THIS SEASON To a Friend: Loyalty; To an Enemy: Forgiveness; To your Boss: Service; To your Child: A good Example To your Father: Honor; To your Mother; Gratitude & Devotion To your Spouse: Love & Faithfulness To Yourself: Respect; To All Men: Charity To God: Our Life!
Dear Kuya Bert, Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Brian Doyle and I am the executive director of Byodo Foundation a US registered 501 (c) (3) non profit. Our current project is to reduce or eliminate remittance fees between first and second worlds and we have selected the channel between the US and the Philippines as our first target. We hope to launch this innovative service sometime in the second half of 2008 and I would be interested in meeting with you sometime in January to discuss how your organization might be involved with our project. Nearer the second week of January when my itinerary is more settled I will contact you to set up an appointment, perhaps on January 15th as you have suggested. In the meantime please visit our website to learn more about our purpose and our intentions. I can be reached at this e-mail or on my cellular at 1-250-744-9494. Thank you. Brian Doyle, Executive Director Byodo Foundation
ON OUR CHRISTMAS LETTER This Christmas, we decided to send (by email or US Mail) to all our acquaintances a Christmas Letter in lieu of a Christmas Card. These are just a few of the responses we received:
Manny & Lauren Divina - Seattle
Dear Bert and Ciony, Thank you for your Christmas letter which in so many ways surpasses the good intentions of the Christmas card in content, length and detail. We congratulate you on having been blessed with five grandchildren and they impressed us as being singularly and exceptionally handsome. Finally, our first one is expected in mid-March and we have plane tickets at the ready to fly in early-March to be in Johannesburg in time for my daughter Marianne's delivery. I think both Imelda and I are more excited about the whole thing than the parents themselves. With your whole family around you who all seems to be in good health and jolly spirit, we have all the trusts in the world that your Christmas will be a merry one and the expectation of your hopes for the New Year would be fulfilled. We wish you well on your civic projects especially the Seattle Community Center in which you carry the burden of leadership and your Gawad Kalinga project which we ourselves unconditionally support. We wish you then, and Ciony who to us appears very much younger than her stated age, a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and blessed New Year! Nitoy & Imelda Buenaventura – New York
Hi Kuya Bert, Ciony and children, This is awesome! Thanks for this lovely Christmas Letter and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Who is sending Christmas Card anyways, it is passé and this is a much better way to greet everyone on Jesus' Birthday, I personally think. Thanks and God bless... Josie Leyva - Issaquah
Hi Bert and Ciony, You have a beautiful
Christmas letter. We congratulate and thank you for
Buddy Bert, I was meaning to call you right back when I received your phone message. I really am so appreciative of your 'CARING', your pakikisama, pag-papabigay pansin at halaga sa iyong mga kaibigan (kaya naman lalo kang napapamahal sa aming lahat). Coincidence and I'm happy to learnyou're also a 'Sagitarius' (Dec. 16). Happy Birthday Buddy! Mine is the 19th celebrated last 16th Dec. We wish you & Bebot and families get to share with us. But we understand and we sure appreciate you very considerate reply and so with our Buddy Bebot & Mommy Carmen. Thanks again Buddy Bert. You're a 'jewel' of a friend. God bless! May you & Ciony and all your Love Families & Circles of friends have a very 'Merry & Joyous Holiday' and a New 2008 Year with more prosperity. MABUHAY! Always, Roland & Cristy Santos - Tacoma
Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your wonderful family. You and Ciony are truly blest and fulfilled. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New to you and your family as well. Art Tugublimas - Renton
Bert: It is really, really outstanding letter. Thank you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too, to you and to your beloved family. Tata Quijance - Seattle
WORDS OF WISDOM Do not be discouraged when things do not go as you had planned, because what is not possible today, will be possible tomorrow. But remember, Big Vision requires Big Dream, Big Dream requires Big Actions and Big Actions require Big Commitment.
(Email Kuya Bert at kuyabert@comcast.net) |