Greetings from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

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"The Calalang family wishes everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday Season and all the best for the coming year
May the Almighty God bless us all"

Rene & Lita Calalang and family--Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
SRF-Shop 31 Subic Bay

Greetings from Everett, Washington State, USA

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My family and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas
and a Peaceful New Year!

From the Herreras:
Boysie (SRF-Shop 51), Nenette (NSD) & Marlon
Everett, Washington State, USA

Greetings from Fort St. John, BC, Canada

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Jun Salinas (SRF-Shop 31) and family
Fort St. John, BC, Canada

Greetings from Vancouver, BC

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Joe Suganob (SRF-Shop 31) Vancouver, BC, Canada

Greetings from Coquitlam BC

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Lito J. Blancaflor – SRF (Mechanical/Machinery Group Shop – 31)

Greetings from Seattle!

"MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON SA INYONG LAHAT"
From Seattle with love, Eva and Louie + grand dog - wala pa kaming apo, eh!

Eva Abad, NSD Inventory Control (Bldg. 248) Subic Bay

Greetings from ZCCABC Execs

MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON 2009!!!

ZAMBALES CULTURAL AND CIVIC ASSOCIATION BC
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From Left to Right: Bob Montes, Helen Montes, Mrs. Hermie Edora, Rebecca Delos Reyes (San Felipe, Zambales),Lina Ragasa (Olongapo), and Mr. Fil Edora (Palauig, Zambales)

Robert Montes, SRF-Shop 17, Subic Bay

Greetings from Frank & Sony Tomelden!

To All USNBEA members: Greetings from Vancouver, BC Canada

OUR WARM WISHES FOR A BRIGHT AND FESTIVE HOLIDAY SEASON!
May You All Be Blessed With A Prosperous and Healthy Year Ahead!
MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

CHEERS,
Frank, Sony and family.
Frank Tomelden, SRF-Shop 31 Subic Bay

RENE CALALANG launched his first book!

11/15/2008

Rene Calalang (SRF-Shop 31), a staff writer/regular contributor of literary works to Balita (a Filipino-Canadian newspaper published and distributed in Greater Toronto area) and Munting Nayon
(an English/Tagalog magazine published in the Netherlands and circulated in Europe and North America through hardcopies and its website, http://mnnetherlands.com), launched the publication of his first book during the fundraising dinner/dance 'Christmas Party' of the Malolos Group, last Saturday, November 15, 2008 at the Kalayaan Cultural Community Center in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

The book, titled "Sa Aking Dalawang Daigdig/In My Two Worlds" was inspired by the author's life experiences and observations, and is a collection of his early short stories. It is written in both English and Pilipino and is similar in format to that of Canadian government documents.

The book sells for $12.00 per copy + ($3.00 shipment in Canada/$8.00 shipment in USA) All in Canadian funds.

To order, you can phone Rene Calalang at 416-286-7524
or you can e-mail him at:

renecalalang@rogers.com or rene_calalang@hotmail.com

New Pasig River Ferry!

Experience the ride along Pasig River aboard the almost new Pasig River Ferry!!!

Pasig River is in the island of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines and it connects Laguna de Bay (via Napindan Channel) into Manila Bay. The river is called Ilog Pasig in Filipino. It stretches for 25 kilometers. Eight (8) major bridges connects the north and south banks of Pasig River in Metro-Manila.

The Pasig River Ferry was launched by President Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday, February 14, 2007. Five of the ten terminals were already been built and are connected by twin-hulled catamarans 24.5 meters long by 7 meters wide. Each vessel has a capacity of 152 passengers and runs at an average speed of 10 knots.

Highly recommend this tour to everyone, especially Balikbayans! Try it and experience the ride. The Pasig River ferry has twelve (12) stations, starting from Intramuros (Plaza Mexico station), Manila to Pasig City (Kalawaan Station) and 10 more stations in between.
It is open daily, first boat leaves at 6AM. You get to travel in safety and it's comfortable, air-conditioned, too. The ferry departs every 30 minutes. Regular fare: minimum P20 to maximum of P45. The best thing is, no traffic to beat--Guadalupe, Makati City to Escolta, Manila- in just 55 minutes. As of now, there six (6) ferries on the line.

For more information: Click this Pasig River Ferry Service

Celebrate this year BC 150th year in Fort Langley!

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"Gold fever hit early in 1858 as reports of rich gold finds on the Fraser River leaked out. Some 30,000 people, from California and around the world, came in search of quick riches. Fort Langley achieved world fame as the starting point for the Fraser gold fields.
Fearful of an American takeover, the British Government declared the territory a British Colony, and on November 19, 1858, a gathering at Fort Langley's 'Big House' witnessed the creation of the Colony of British Columbia.
James Douglas, a HBC (Hudson's Bay Company) manager, was installed as the first governor, and recommended Fort Langley as capital of the new colony, but was overruled by the British Royal Engineers, who chose New Westminster as a more defensible location. When the British Columbia (mainland) and Vancouver Island colonies merged in 1866, Victoria became the capital of the combined colony, which soon became a province of Canada."

Photos shows: Upper, left to right:

• Barrel making building,
  
• Blacksmith shop,
  
• Storehouse (The storehouse, built in the 1840s and renovated in the 1930s, is the only original building left on site. Used as a warehouse for most of the Hudson's Bay Company time period, it has also served as a cooperage, a dwelling, and a barn.)

Lower: Left to Right

• This 'bateau' is similar to the boats that took supplies to the interior posts and brought furs from the Interior to Fort Langley.

• Big House- British Columbia was proclaimed a colony at a ceremony in the Big House on November 19, 1858. The present building was reconstructed for the centennial of this event. The original building served as the fort's office and residence of the chief trader, the clerk, and their families.

• Inside the 'Big House.'

Important point:
Fort Langley WAS NOT a military fort. --joesuganob

Tess & Jim Ebalo visit Seattle, Washington State

Tess used to work at NSD Inventory Control (accounting/statistics) and Jim Ebalo

used to be an apprentice instructor at SRF. Immigrated to USA in 1989.

8/11/08: We had a chance meeting with Tess and Jim Ebalo yesterday (Sunday) in our church. We were in the coffee hour after the 9:00 AM mass and Bro Cel Ebilane told us that they are attending the 11:00 A.M. service. They were in Seattle to sponsor the wedding of Tess del Rosario's son and are headed to Ruby Abrigo's place after the mass before going back to L.A, Monday. I've attached the pictures and copy and pasted it here too. The couple are both former U.S. Naval Base employee, Tess at NSD Inventory Control, Accounting and Jim as Apprentice instructor at SRF. They are also our KC bro/sis. This is just an update for those who know this couple. Regards. Eva & Louie

USNBEA GRAND REUNION 2008

SRABC-COQUITLAM BRANCH LUNCHEON 2008

Coquitlam, BC, Canada (click photo for larger view) Templeton Branch went to Coquitlam Branch luncheon, Friday, June 20, 2008.
Some of our group went by car. In Ollie's van were Wanda, Gabriel, and Bill. Our volunteer, Gina's car were Joe, Athena and our another volunteer, Umeka. Deb and Gage came with Mei-lin, Killarney Branch Coordinator. I went to Coquitlam by Skytrain and public bus on my electric scooter and I really liked it now.

Other branches: Killarney, Delta, both South and North Burnaby, Port Coquitlam Branches were there. And, of course, the host branch, Coquitlam. SRABC Executive Director, Linda Lane Devlin and Coquitlam Mayor Maxine Wilson.

Luncheon was good and dessert was excellent; lots of coffee and tea.

Only Joe won on raffle. He got 'perpetual' candle because it was so big!

The entertainment, Comedi Improv group, was hilarious; and, with audience participation, lots of amusing things happened along way.
When you were having fun, time is short, because three hours is not enough!

We cannot wait for the next year luncheon.

STRIDES FOR STROKES 2008

"STRIDES FOR STROKES 2008" click photo for larger view
Saturday, June 14, 2008. West Vancouver Seawall (near Ambleside Park) BC, Canada.
Led by Stroke Recovery Association BC. Templeton Turtles walked and wheelchaired the route; from John Lawson Park to Dundarave Park and back.

Branches from North Shore, Langley, Coquitlam, Vancouver (Strathcona, Templeton, Douglas Park, Killarney) walked the whole way. You could see the people with blue t-shirts along the seawall.

I went to "Strides for Strokes 2008" with my electric scooter; I took Skytrain, Seabus, bus to Park Royal, West Vancouver in less than an hour. From Park Royal; Ambleside Park is less two kilometer.
Easier than I thought it would be; being the first time I tried this. And I liked it--joe

White Rock Day Trip...

April 24, 2008-click photo for larger view
Thursday, Templeton Stroke Recovery went to White Rock & Crescent Beach, BC, Canada.
We rented the Legion bus, 'BURN-A-BEE SWINGING 60+ SENIORS CLUB' for the day.

Some members of Burnaby Branch and Douglas Park Branch went with us. (Stroke Recovery Association of BC)
It was sunny and cold. So, we ended up at a restaurant, where it was warm and viewed the White Rock beach from the restaurant big window.
I hope, we'll have more trips this year.

Snow???

East Vancouver--March 28, 2008, Friday Morning, 9:37 am, to be exact, big fluffs of snow came and for three or four hours more before it stopped; but the snow didn't stick to the ground.
There were years before that we had a dump of snow in April, so don't take off your winter tires yet! --joe

From Prince George to Kamloops! BC, Canada

Just a note to let you know my new email address has changed.
Nag-retire na kami and moved to our new place in Kamloops to be with our 15 months granddaughter.

After 33 years, it's sad leaving Prince George...but, so excited, also. Now, that we're all together and closer to my son in Vancouver.

Please forward this to our SRF friends because I lost all the email addresses when I switched to Telus.

(Family picture attached)

God bless you and your loved ones,
Art & Gloria

Year 2008, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Sunny today, January 25, 2008
I took this picture at corner of Main Street and 2nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada. You could see the Lion's in the background. A little nippy. The temperature was zero degrees Centigrade that morning.

They are building the Olympic Vancouver 'Village' for the participants in Winter Olympic 2010. It is next to the Telus Science World. Two more years! And world will come! again!!! First, they came in for Expo '86.