USNBEA Greetings

Dec. 23, 2009 - From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Joe Suganob (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)
"Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon 2010"

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Dec. 22, 2009 - From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Art Bantog (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)
"Merry Christmas and a Happy Prosperous New Year to all!"
God Bless you all now and always.
Art & Elvie (Bantog)

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Dec. 21, 2009 - From Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Wilma Morales De Guzman (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 51)

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Dec. 12, 2009 - From Fort Saint John, British Columbia, Canada
Jun Salinas, (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)

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Dec. 20, 2009 - From Seattle, Washington State, USA
Eva Abad, (Subic Bay, NSD)

"Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!"
Eva and Louie (Abad)

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Dec. 20, 2009 - From Ontario, Canada
Rene Calalang (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)
"Our best wishes to all our friends and colleagues!"

Rene, Lita & family (Calalang)

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Dec. 25, 2009 - From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Danny Libonao (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)

"May your holiday be filled with happy times
warm memories bright hopes
and wishes of all the joys of the season
filled with love and happiness
Again: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
Danny Libonao and family

Dec. 23, 2009 - From Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines
Angelo Taliman (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 31)

"May you have a Merry Christmas and a very Prosperous 2010"
--from our family to yours--
Angelo, Narcisa and family (Taliman)

Dec. 21, 2009 - From Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Orly Faytone (Subic Bay, SRF - Shop 38) and Elen Faytone (Subic Bay, NSD)

"May you find peace, love and joy this Christmas season
and may your New Year bring the best of your wishes"
Orlando, Elen and family (Faytone)

Dec. 20, 2009 - From Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Carlos, Amy Porciuncula, (Subic Bay SRF - Shop 31)

"Wishing everyone happiness, good health, peace and
a blessed Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!"
Carlos, Amy and family (Porciuncula)

Dec. 20, 2009 - From Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Arnold Sr. (Subic Bay, SRF-Shop 31)

"Merry Christmas"
'Wishing everyone a very Happy Holidays!!!
Filled with special moments to share together.'
Arnold Sr, Dory, Arnold Jr (Aquino)

Dec. 18, 2009 - From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Frank Tomelden, (Subic Bay, SRF-Shop 31)

Greetings To All!!!
Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for a New Year 2010!

Wishing you and your family a "Merry Christmas"
Have a nice one and take care.
Frank, Sony and family (Tomelden)

Templeton's Christmas Dinner 2009

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December 5, 2009
Almost a tradition now, Templeton Stroke Recovery held an awesome 'Christmas dinner' on December 5, 2009. After the sumptous and generous helping dinner, the raffles was held. It was excellent and many guests wanted to join the fun, especially the 'Pop-a-Balloon' raffle. The skit, which was the entertainment (Templeton members), was so surprising and the best ever. Templeton's members and volunteers was outstanding and they wish everyone a 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. '

AHA SHOWCASE & SALE

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November 19-20, 2009
Artists Helping Artists (AHA) showcase and sale was successful!
Many people came despite of inclement weather, to buy paintings from landscapes, seascapes, pets, African Art, too!(watercolors, acrylics, pastels) and the same time talk to the artists.
And, look at the food prepared by our volunteers!

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

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November 18, 2009
Mt. Pleasant Neighbourhood House's Seniors celebrated November 1st event last Nov. 18. The Spanish speaking Seniors (Mexico, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, etc) and volunteers held what they called 'Dia de los Muertos' (Day of the Dead).
With Latin American cuisine included: maize-based dishes (tortillas, tamales, pupusas) and various salsas and other condiments (guacamole, pico de gallo, mole, chimichurri, and pebre). These spices are generally what give the Latin American cuisines a distinct flavor; yet, each country of Latin America tends to use a different spice and those that share spices tend to use them at different quantities.

For entertainment, some ladies sang Spanish songs and Dominicanissima Dance group, led by Martha Rodrigues (Instructor) showed us the Dominican Republic native dances and soon everybody was dancing.
The event was coordinated by Jose Mendoza and Angela Palyizi.
Mount Pleasant Neighborhood House -
'Making Neighbourhoods Better Places to Live'

ARTIST'S STUDIO TOUR 2009

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September 12, 2009
Burnaby Arts Council coordinated and sponsored the Burnaby Artist's Studio Tour 2009.
23 artist's addresses in Burnaby, BC, Canada were included in the Studio Tour 2009. And, AHA Arts Studio was one of them (an art cooperative dedicated to bringing together able-bodied and disabled artists in a collaborative space).
AHA members, (showed their works in watercolor, acrylic, Digital painting, photography and collages) are: Steve Quattrocchi, Norm Coridor, Derek McElheron, Olga Kalamkarova, Jose Suganob, Trina Henderson, Storma Sires, Daryl Dickson, Piero Faccio, Anthony Maierle, Amanda Henderson, Bobbie and Heather.

YES WE CAN

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September 3, 2009

People with physical challenges showed their 'stuff' at the 'Open House' in Mt. Pleasant Neighbourhood House, 800 East Broadway, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Adaptive Techniques (which are a daily part of their lives) were used in; for example, table bowling, Flarts (adaptive game of Darts). In which, they challenged the guests and friends to play an easy? game of table bowling or Flarts. Arts, Crafts, Hobbies and Games were, also, in display.

Templeton Stroke Recovery Picnic

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TROUT LAKE PICNIC —July 30, 2009
Hot! Hot! Hot! We have a "heat wave.‟ and, temperature records dating back more than 50 years were broken across the BC: Vancouver: 34C.- Bella Coola: 40C

Sunny, the day we held our picnic. It‟s good, we got a sheltered picnic area and everybody was on the shade. Nobody wanted to play the bocce, horse-shoes in the sun.. And, everybody moved in slow motion.

“You start to feel weak, a little dizzy and you just want to sit down and do nothing.”

It‟s only when some body started squirting cool water on wrists and other pulse points. You feel refreshed from that stifling heat wave.

Valerie, Orlando, Gina, Deb, Tony, Key, Gabriel, Heather , Mei-lin, Josef, Louise, Olga, JoAnne, Jose, Martha, Blair, Mitch, Helen, Daniel, John, Irma, Ollie, Hailey, Jack and Matthew‟s group from Trout Lake Stroke Recovery.

Olga, JoAnn, Josef and Orlando played Cribbage to beat the heat.
After a magnificent lunch we were serenaded by Mitch, on the French horn and Gina, on electric piano and we had a sing-along as well. We practiced the songs at our meeting as a speech improvement/exercises. We are getting better in singing, too!

Helen‟s son, Daniel, had a portable tent awning where Mitch; showed her Hula dance expertise and we were amazed again, again, again… Daniel got his portable massage chair set-up and; Blair, Martha and Heather got a massage courtesy of Helen‟s son, Daniel.

There‟s wind blowing when the picnic was winding down at 2 PM. I‟m not really complaining because I know that the heat wave won‟t last for too long, anyway. —josesuganob

USNBEA Grand Reunion 2009

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USNBEA GRAND REUNION 2009
It’s a sunny and warm early Saturday morning, July 25, 2009. The HandyDart picked me up and delivered me at the Riverfront Park, 8:30 am. Nobody was there but they soon arrived, one by one, before I panicked.
Families, with specialty dishes/desserts, came one after another. Eunice started frying lots spring rolls! Lito Blancaflor was our roving photographer.
Elen Faytone & Merlina Fayusal group, with Frank Tomelden, were preparing the event program: registrations, door prizes and games.

Washington State group arrived led by Rod Pablico, Eva Abad, Cel Ebilane, Jasmin Evangelista, Frank Rendorio, Raul Evangelista, Elsa Mutuc, Dave David, Ed Tingco and their guests.

BC members came in droves; some not so old folks and new ones, too. Registrations were brisk because some were first timers. That’s good, I supposed.

Reyno Fernandez, from San Francisco, California, came just to see what’s it’s all about. I hope, by now, he knew. It’s a reunion of old friends and former co-workers.
Jun Salinas from Fort St. John, BC & Temie Tara from Squamish, BC. All went their way just to be at the reunion.

Mel Zabala came with two big box of fresh oysters (ang mga 'talaba' was donated by Tony Bernales). They were broiled it right away and the big feast was on!
Helen Montes brought fish; fresh fish and everyone was talking about what kind of fish was this?
Then, the arrival of ‘lechon,’ Every body’s diet was being discarded, for that day. O, ang Cholesterol mo!!! sabi ni Mario S.

Time for door prizes and games!!! Door prizes were donated by BC members.‘Talong at Saging’ game! Everybody was laughing so hard!! Humahagalpak sa tawa!
At ang sabi ng isa, “Mahaba naman ang talong mo!”
‘Pinata’ and ‘Pabitin’ for the grandkids.

May pabalot pa! There was so much food that everyone have a ‘balot nga!’ And,Frank’s ‘pan de sal’ was becoming ‘famous.’

Almost 3 pm. Formal change of command (wow! parang militar ang pasok!) USNBEA banner was given to the Washington State group for the next year reunion, to be held somewhere in Washington State. See you next year at the reunion!

—Joe Suganob
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood House Seniors Celebrate

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June 29, 2009--
Wow! The Seniors of Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood House really celebrated the Multiculturalism with dances with colorful, native dresses; songs (Chinese songs), of course, lots of food.
Seniors from Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese and Canadian community gave their out most in singing 'O, Canada.' Jose Mendoza and Angela Paiyizi coordinated the event.

Last pre-Reunion meeting!

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6/21/09
USNBEA Grand Reunion day is coming fast! This was our last meeting before the reunion and held at Frank's place. We had to 'tsibog' first. So many food at the table; salads,pancit bihon guisado,spring rolls (vegetable & togue type),and desserts like Eunice's puto bumbong, pan de sal ni Frank, more food (I don't know their names but they were absolutely good), and with some wine, 'ayos na naman.'
Then,we (Bob & Helene Montes, Lito & Eunice Blancaflor, Mario Suratos, Danny Libonao, Frank & Sony Tomelden, and Joe Suganob) went to more scheduling, organizing and preparing this year's reunion. And,we have to email more and phone each other, for more exacting details. Meeting adjourned about 6pm.
The USNBEA Grand Reunion 2009, is on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at Riverfront Park, near Fraser River, Vancouver, BC, Canada. See you there!

SRABC - Coquitlam Branch Annual Luncheon

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June 19, 2009--
Templeton Stroke Recovery went to Coquitlam Branch Annual Luncheon last Friday, June 19, via HandyDart.
Coquitlam group welcomed the SRABC branches from Burnaby (North & South), Delta, Douglas Park, Port Coquitlam, Shaughnessy, TEMPLETON and one person from Vernon Branch (Vernon, BC).
The luncheon was very good and entertainment, wonderful! Will be back next year, that's for sure!

Strides for Strokes!

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June 14, 2009-
Peace Arch Park was the place to be on Sunday, June 14, 2009. The Stroke Recovery Association of BC held its annual “Strides For Strokes.”
The Templeton group gathered at Templeton Park Pool early Sunday morning, (June 14, 2009). The HandyDart came at exactly 9am. Fourteen members and volunteers was really excited to go, being the first time that the HandyDart drove us from Vancouver to Peace Arch Park, near Peace Arch Border Crossing.
Branches from White Rock (host), Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Shaughnessy and TEMPLETON came. Some branches (us included) had a table to show what they are doing in their groups. You could see all the smiling faces, meeting old friends and making new ones.
Featured: music by Ish Da Fish; very tall Mr. Bubbles; face-painting and a fire truck.
The emcee was Mark Madryga, senior meteorologist from Global TV Morning News, forecasted a very warm afternoon and was leader of the pack of very enthusiastic stroke survivors, relatives, volunteers and friends in walking around the park and the event raised $15,000 to support stroke survivors rehabilitation programs.

Hats Off Day 2009

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Saturday, June 6, 2009 - 9am to 2pm
The Heights is a special place! This North Burnaby neighborhood has a strong sense of community, and a thriving business district all within walking distance.
Hats Off Day is when the Heights merchants "take their hats off" to their community and their customers and the entire Heights community celebrates together. It's was a huge, one-day extravaganza featuring a colorful main-street style parade with real local flavor, and a big street party afterwards.
Artists Helping Artists (AHA) is in Heights' neighborhood so, we were there, too!
With lots of music, food, kids activities! It was fun!!!

F.I.S.T. Reunion 2009

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L-R, Standing: Margie Trinidad, Pennie Fabros, Marc Monisit, Bodeng Juatco, Roger Cabrera, Nonoy Lee, Jun Bagunu, Newton Tan, Kim Tan, Terry Juatco, Art Trinidad, Beng Yu, Andy Choy
L-R, Seating: Larry Rodriguez, Louie Mercado, Joy Bagunu, Lynn Juatco, Joe Suganob, Hershey Yu

Tribute to Jorge Joaquin (5/23/09)
Old pistoleros from FIST came to pay tribute to our fellow FIST shooter, late Jorge Joaquin.
Thanks to Jun and Joy Bagunu for calling old shooters, in such a short time (three days). And, he booked Toyo Shushi Authentic Japanese Restaurant (corner Cambie Street and 6th Avenue in Vancouver)
After, almost 20+ years, many of us have interesting stories to tell the group. And, we, obviously slowed down some over the years but still smooth--in dancing and--effortless in singing karaoke!
I hope, there's more FIST happenings in the near future!

Pista sa Nayon Night!

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Front row:
Luz Cavalo, Shirley Francisco, Zosima Iligan, Efigenia Sityar, Joanna Zuo
Back row:
Jose Mendoza, Shonee Mendoza, Sally Dacquel, Linda Santos, Jose Suganob, Cynthia Ziranovic, Angela Paiyisi, Fleur Domingo, Zeny Talusan, Violy Calobong, (unidentified)

'Pista sa Nayon' Night, (May 13, 2009) in Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood House, above were some of the volunteers, coordinated by Jose Mendoza and Angela.

New Vancouver Convention Center

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4/04/09
Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Center:
Some facts about the new Vancouver Convention Center:

• Six acre grass and wildflower roof has been cultivated to be the perfect nesting ground for song birds and is home to four beehives.
• With 40% of the convention building suspended over the harbor, its foundation has been specially designed to recreate a natural shoreline and acts as a marine habitat for sea urchins, starfish and sea lettuce, just to name a few.
• Vancouver Convention Center's unique seawater heating and cooling system makes it one of the most energy efficient building in Vancouver.
• The unique lumber stacked interior walls are built from sustainable BC Hemlock and were assembled by a robot named "Victoria" in Saanich, Vancouver Island.
• Look up. There's 45 km. of sustainable BC fir Glulam beams above your head.
• Everything is better when it's made from scratch, so that's how Convention chefs do things; in one of the country's largest banquet kitchens. And because everything's made from scratch, there's a lot less packaging to throw out, reducing the carbon footprint.

4 levels of astounding view of North Shore mountains.
Experience a sampling of trade shows - supersized. Helicopters, fire trucks, flower gardens and more, a real - life sample of exhibition and tradeshows on 220,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space.

Grand Reunion Preparation

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(3/15/09) I told Frank that I will be at the second meeting, rain or shine. I didn't expected it to be snowing. It's good the snow didn't stick to the ground.
More people attended and Frank's place was buzzin,' Attending were Mario Suratos, Romeo Samson, Joe Suganob, Lito & Eunice Blancaflor, Arnold & Dory Aquino, Robert & Helen Montes, Frank & Sony Tomelden, Orlando & Elen Faytone, Mrs. Risma, Ben & Celia Lachica.

The BC Chapter ladies cooked so many Pinoy dishes and with Frank's pan de sal and Lito's puto and Dory's suman, and some wine, ayos na naman ang buto-buto!!!!

Riverfront Park, (near Fraser River) Vancouver, BC is the location of this year reunion and the date is Saturday, July 25, 2009.

Don't underestimate the work involved!!! And...
Everybody is willing to offer their help and share the work.
There are many details and arrangements that have to be taken care of.

Committees that are active and well organized will be positioned for success
Meeting adjourned about 6pm.

Follow-up Meeting: June 21, 2009
Frank's place at the same time, 2pm

2010 Winter Games - Olympic Vancouver Village

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Seven hectares of the 32-hectares Southeast False Creek Development site will be transformed into the Olympic Village during the next year 2010 Olympic Winter Games!



The Olympic Village, after housing the athletes for the 2010 Winter Games, is to be converted into 850 market-priced homes and 250 units of social housing.

Reunion 2009 Preparation

Is it just me or does everyone seems busier these days? Running grandkids to practice after school, work, etc. Seems like there is hardly enough time to get the basics done, much less take on a new project like organizing a reunion.
Every reunion needs a take charge/ type A / angel to take the helm but that task can be quite intimidating for even the most organized.
Grand Reunions are special events that connect former Subic Bay employees, especially those in their Golden Years.

Twelve enthuasiastic people from BC Chapter of USNBEA: (Arnold & Dory Aquino, Lito & Eunice Blancaflor, Orly & Elen Faytone, Frank & Sony Tomelden, Bob & Helen Montes, Mario Suratos, & Joe Suganob) met at Boston Pizza (near MetroTown, Burnaby, BC) last February 15, 2009 at 2pm to prepare the reunion.
With three (3) large pizza and coffee, we tackled the first problem, that is, when? After second slice of pizza, we decided that the Grand Reunion 2009 will be Saturday, July 25, 2009.
Planning our Grand Reunion was hard but after consuming two bottle of Two Oceans Red Wine from South Africa, our thirst were quenched and, at the same time, reunion planning were becoming manageable. Isa pa nga! (joke only)
Our creative energy, spirit and enthuasiasm was contagious!
Meeting was adjourned about 4:30ish pm.

Next meeting, March 15, 2009 at Frank's place, the same time, 2pm. See you there!
Tentative agenda:
Where? Form sub committees, Brainstorm additional activities set date(s)

Snowy Vancouver

After an unusually warm fall, Vancouverites were talking about the possibility of a mild winter. So, it was a surprise when the snow came in Dec. 13, just 11 days before Christmas. Snow in Christmas time is always a bonus, a White Christmas..... But the snow just kept on coming, even when the weatherman predicted rain.
Many Christmas events and celebrations were cancelled due to the snow. Car accidents, personal injuries from falls, heart attacks from strenuous snow shoveling, senior citizens shut-ins, these are some of the many inconveniences caused by the snow.

Here are some of the snow advisory:

1. Use the proper snow shoveling tool which is shaped to scoop snow.

2. Get some Sifto ice salt for salting your driveway. If your budget is tight, draw out a pathway from your door to the road and salt that pathway. This is especially important for seniors who are in frail health. Ice salt is available from Canadian Tire or your local hardware store. Always stock some for the winter. Stores can easily run out of ice salt just when you need them.

3. Wear proper shoes. Snow boots are ideal as they have the right soles that make it easy to walk on snow. They are also waterproof and well insulated. They keep your feet warm and dry. WalMart is a good place to shop for inexpensive snow boots.

4. If there is a forecast for heavy snowfall, start shoveling as soon as the snow starts. Do not wait for the snow to pile up, as the snow will become too heavy, and snow shoveling becomes strenuous work.

Most importantly, NEVER, NEVER pour hot boiling water on your driveway. It does not replace snow shoveling. What you end up with is ice on your driveway, and that is worst than having snow. It means that your driveway has just become a skating rink.

New Year 2009!

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2008 was an awesome year. It was because of people; contributors and readers (of our newsletter) alike, whom I call virtual friends. Many Thanks!
Soon we'll be used to writing "2009" on checks, the snow will be gone (I hope) and we'll be consumed with new problems and challenges.
My New Year's wish for you all is that you don't find yourself in the same place you are now as you stare 2010 in the face.
With a little effort and a little luck, you can make sure 2009 is your best year ever.

Joe Suganob, Vancouver, BC, Canada
SRF (Shop 31) Apprentice Batch '73