Here is a big, big welcome to all of you here in the celebration of our 10th anniversary as an organization. I distinctly remember that early afternoon in June when we had a picnic at Oaks Park. It was then when we organized ourselves as a group. Some of us, founders, like in my case, were members of the Fil-Am Friendship Club. Some, like the late Ben Susi, belonged to the Fil-Am Association of Portland and Vicinity. Another founder, Art Villanueva was a member of the Golden Agers, and his wife Marita was with the Fil-Am Clark County Ass. We all had one thing in mind then: to have an association of our own as an ethno-linguistic group, and with the purpose of projecting our presence in this cosmopolitan community.
It's been 10 years now since the birth of the Aguman. Can you believe that?
And, by the way, does anybody here, know what "aguman" means in English? (pause) I remember the actor, Willie Sotelo, Charlies brother-in-law, asking me that, and I said,
Aguman is a Kapampangan term for association. Aguman Capampangan simply means Capampangan Association.
Well, actually many Pampanguenos themselves don't know what Aguman means. It's like those words in English that are deep in meaning and which are rarely used in everyday conversation. For instance, we have the word, muni'ficent. How many Americans, British, Canadians and Australians know what muni'ficent mean? But it simply means "generous". Yes, just like the munificence you're showing now for coming here, your generosity, that is. You are here to help us raise funds for our medical mission temporarily scheduled in January. In the past, we have served not only several towns in our province Pampanga, but also a few towns in Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Batangas and La Union. As lately as two days ago, two Filipino leaders sitting here with us, signified their interest in joining us in our next mission which will include Mr. Mamaril's hometown of Aringay, La Union. Our medical mission chairman, Rudy Alejandrino is now actually accepting petitions from various towns in Pampanga and vicinity.
In closing, know ye that the success of this undertaking is only made possible by you, you and your so-called "munificence". I thank you.
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