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| AGUMAN MEDICAL MISSION (P.3) |
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| By Ernie C. Turla |
Soon afterwards, Josie Henson, the president of the
Akademyang Kapampangan, who had joined us sometime
during the dinner, took Angie, Frida, Mary and me out for
sightseeing, leaving Rudy behind playing mahjong with
the others such as Jerry, Paul (Ramirez), Ellen and Cris.
She took us to the AUF (Angeles University) campus
(this time around there was school, unlike when Manny
Angeles gave us a tour the week before.) and introduced
us to Alma Sampang Canlas, the secretary of the
Akademyang Kapampangan. Then the two of them took us to
the air-conditioned Kapampangan Cultural Library where
we got to peruse and scan a lot of books that had
something to do with Kapampangan culture. There were
lots of old, rare books written in Kapampangan, such as
the works of Crisostomo Soto and Amado Yuzon. Even a copy
of my own book was there on display! It was the one I sent
months ago to Dr. Nunilon Ayuyao, the president of the
Akademya then. We rested there and continued to read
while Josie asked to be excused so she could go home and
cook something for us for dinner. Later on at around 5,
Josie's driver came to fetch us and he brought us over to
Zeny's place again. Half an hour later, we were invited
over to Josie's. We rode in their car while some just
walked, because it was just a few blocks away.
Josie Henson's house is in an exclusive subdivision
called Villa Gloria. It is not far from JR Pingul's
ancestral home across MacArthur Highway. At the gate, there
is a checkpoint with a monitoring device and two security
guards. Its entrance is through their garage where their
four cars (most of them Mercedez, and another is in
Manila at their cosmetology clinic there - I forgot to
ask them if they know Dr. Mangubat). Inside is a large
beautiful yard well maintained by a number of gardeners.
Many different kinds of fruit and ornamental plants such
as orchids abound, and the sight makes ones eyes feel fresh
- what with all the tranquility and greenery! It reminds me
of the Pineda's where you would feel like being in some other
place if you're unaware that just beyond the fence is
something drastically different. Or perhaps at another
friend of ours (Oming Rivera) who is married to the Dimsons
in Prado Saba, Lubao -- their yard and garden is also of the
same type: verdant and serene. And like Oming who,
incidentally is also from Angeles, Josie is humble and,
as shown in all her natural ways, she can mix with people
of lower economic status like her visitors. So when we entered
her place, we were awed not only by its beauty, but also
by the heart of the host receiving us! After an hour of
conversation, we had a garden buffet. Sumptuous, delectable
food with Kapampangan touch prepared by her cooks, was laid
along a circular table around the trunk of a tree overhead of
which were multicolored lights. We helped ourselves
with every dish, and in the end I was so full, I could hardly
carry myself up! During all that time, Josie's clubmates
(she is the president, by the way) came by at her invitation.
I had the pleasure of meeting Abraham Tayag, son of the late,
well-known author Renato Tayag who later gave me copies
of his father's book, Recollections an Digressions. I also
had the pleasure of meeting the energetic and promising young
editor/publisher of K-Magazine, Elmer Cato, who works in the
foreign service. He gave me complimentary copies of the latest
issue of his magazine in which Ninoy graces the cover. I had
the pleasure of meeting two rare personalities whose viewpoint
on Kapampangan as regards style of writing runs parallel with
mine: Erli Mendoza and Conrad Manankil. Erli was a post graduate
student at UST, specializing in the study of Capampangan. Conrad
was a songwriter in Capampangan living in Chicago with his wife,
the former Norma Ronas.(I got to do some book-signing - on the
Kapampangan dictionary sometime then.) During the party Dr.
Henson arrived, and it was the second time I had pleasure of
seeing him. He was kind and gentle, and not aloof like some
other professionals of his stature, and I readily got to like
him. The visit of the Akademyang Kapampangan USA (AKUSA) to
the main club the Akademyang Kapampangan (AKKAP) was, to say
the least, fruitful and friendly. The pioneers of the pilot
club who complied with Josie Henson's invitation to a dinner
would like to convey their thanks for being welcomed.
(Josie had her driver take us back to Masantol. The chauffeur
was so caring, he would not leave until we were safely inside
the house. He even helped in trying to call my brother-in-law
who would not hear our call and our knocking on the door for
10 minutes, and I commend him for such an attitude.)
Jan. 4 - I did not do anything except watch the Erap
impeachment hearing. It was mostly about Sen. Miriam Defensor
Santiago's making a scene when, according to her, some
spectators in the gallery stood up and glared at her
mockingly during a friendly interrogation of Sen. Rocco
on the witness, Miss Banal. It was also about Sen. John
Osmena's ludicrous suspicion of a microphone (seen by the
naked eye, and not concealed) being used by GMA to listen
to their private conversations.
Jan. 5 - To Manila for our flight back to the U.S. - just
Angie and I. (The rest of us have different return schedule.)
Eto and Zeny gave us a ride to the airport. On our way there,
Angie was filled with nostalgia as we entered and passed
through the UST campus on Espana. We boarded the China
Airlines bound for Taipei at 4:00 P.M. After a 3-hour stopover,
we boarded another plane enroute to San Francisco, arriving
there at 4:30 P.M. (PDT) on the same day, Jan. 5. After a
3-hour stop-over, we boarded an Alaska Airline commuter plane
and ariived at PDX at about 10:00. My daughters, Eileen and
Kathy, promptly picked us up, and we dropped them off
at Eileen's place in southeast Portland. They would both see me
again the following day, Jan. 6, along with my other daughter,
Pam, my son-in-law, Jonathon and my granddaughter, Hannah,
take me and their Mom to Newport Bay Restaurant after greeting me
"Happy Birthday, Dad". End of Diary.
Not bad, huh?
Belated Happy New Year to Everyone! 
Below is a congratulatory message I got from my good
friend, Angie. She is the founder and former president
of PACCO (Philippine American Chamber of Commerce in Oregon)
Her letter has made my day! (Thanks for the boost, Angie!)
What a wonderful report, Ernie. It was like being there
with the Aguman all the way. Like feeling the terrifying
shaking China Air plane to feeling the genuine gratitude of
the recipients of the medical supplies. I have no idea how
the Aguman could amass $75,000 of medical supplies in two
years. In whatever manner it is happening, it is happening
like a miracle, and I congratulate and applaud the effort
it must have taken. Biba the Aguman Capampangan of the
Northwest, USA !!! Your work is so exemplary, the rest of
us Filipino Americans in Oregon stand in awe! How utterly
marvelous to be able to extend charity on a one to one basis
with the less fortunate in the Philippines (who benefit so
directly). Imagine, 10 towns getting direct help from your
mission, and by a social club! Really, really outstanding !!!
From you report, I could empathize with your jet lag and
mercifully "sleeping like a log." Oh yes, and how those big
buses manage to literally squeeze through traffic. with an
inch to spare on each side, and taking what seems like
reckless chances on the road (Disneyland eat your heart out)
but are so expertly maneuvered one doesn't dare breathe for
the moment; one's heart is way up one's throat. Your
description of the tasty dishes "from tugak betute to sisig"
made my mouth water even though I am not familiar with those
dishes. You must explain them to me one day. I didn't even
know there were fruit orchards at the foot of Mt Arayat. The
view from Magalang over the fruit orchards must be gorgeous.
It is too bad that I couldn't access the rest of your report.
Although I tried more than once, each time I would hit "go"
on the website, the whole screen would turn blue and freeze.
I'd have to shut down the computer and boot up again. I can't
imagine what is causing it.
Nevertheless, my hat's completely off to the Aguman, and to all
of you. Biba ! Biba ! Biba!
Warmest regards to all,
Angie
Angie Collás-Dean
Philippine Trading Co.
2092 Roland Way
Eugene, Oregon, 97401-2061
Phone/Fax 342-3419
Here is another one from my good friend, Eric Tadeo,
the president of the Filipino Association of Clark
County, Washington. (Thanks, Eric!)
Ernie,
Thanks for this excellent chronicle of this medical
mission. I hope the word of what you have done gets around
quite widely, as these are the kinds of work that our
Fil-Am community resources should really be channelled
towards. Takes great effort and energy, not to mention time
and money, but to the beneficiaries, the outcome is of
magnified proportions.
Welcome back, and hope to see you again sometime. You
missed our Chirstmas party/installation of officers for the
Clark County group, where I did mention your medical mission
to the big crowd (over 200 people!) in attendance.
Take care and God bless.
Eric
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