5th Annual Christmas Party of Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge No 189, Dec 17, Saturday

The December Meeting of Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge No 189 was moved from the 23rd to the 17th at 10 AM. That morning, we conferred the EA Degree on Bro JP1 Arabe and Bro Dale Pineda, the son and son-in-law, respectively, of WM Melvin Arabe. It was also the Official Visit of RWB Randy Fraser, DDGM of Unity District. The Degree Conferral was excellent, the Refreshment Hour was wonderful - the  food was very tasty and the fellowship was very warm. Everyone was in a rush to go home and prepare for the Lodge Christmas party that evening.

Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge No 189's 5th Annual Christmas Party was again held at the Khartum Shrine Centre. JW Bro Darwin Agustin opened the Party and welcomed the 130 adults and children who all had an excellent time that evening.

As usual, there was a lot of food. The Fil-Can Cabletow Brethren sitting as WM's for 2011 contributed lechon (roast pig). These WM's are WB Melvin Arabe (Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge No 189), WB Arnold Calambacan Sr (Capitol Lodge No 136) and WB John Baptista (Winnipeg River Lodge No 154), who just became an IPM a week or so ago. Thank you, Worshipful Sirs for the very tasty lechon. Of course, I only had a very small piece, if you can believe that.

This is the dessert table (there were more desserts brought after the picture was taken).

Lady Hope Rosenbaum (wife of Noble Chief Rabban Harry Rosenbaum of Khartum Shriners) on the way back to her table.

The Grand Lodge Officers with the Chief Rabban and their Ladies.

Other guests, including Unity DDGM RWB Randy Fraser and his family; Past Unity DDGM RWB Dave English and his wife, Margaret; PDDGM RWB Doug Smith and his wife, Carolyn; soon-to-be-WB Robbie Green and his mother, Barb. RWB Brian Langtry and his wife, Linda, are seen approaching the table.

The entertainment included a dance by a group led by Dreden Gomez, the grandson of the late Bro Poy Gomez. You can see some of their moves in these pictures.

 WM Melvin Arabe gives his welcome address.

Jerilyn Bulaong, the daughter of Bro Raul Bulaong, belted a song. It was a beautiful performance.

The Lodge Brethren giving their surprise number. Bro Conrad Cabrera "conducted" the choir. We learned that it has been his life-long dream to conduct a choir or musical group. Well, he was able to check off that "to-do" that evening.

Well, Santa Claus made it that evening and distributed gifts to the children.

Even the big kids received a gift from Santa Claus ...

There were games for adults. The musical chairs is a favorite.

 

 

And then there were only two left ...

The DGM opened his banana ...

And then he started eating it!












The children had their own version of musical chairs. Or is it musical jail?

Some of the parents were quite ingenious in this game. Some were more subtle than others.

No, this is not an Initiation. The contestants had to find an object on the floor.

 

Ang nagwagi ang mahusay gumapang o' manggapang sa dilim. (The winner was the best crawler in the dark.)

The older children had an egg race. Only one egg fell and broke.

The young-at-heart tried their hands at this game - shoot the balls into the cups. It was not easy.

Some of the lovely ladies ...

That's my favorite daughter. Hey, I only have one daughter.

Ate Baby and Manang Jo.

The ever youthful and smiling Illustrious & VW Bro Kuya Lito Caguiat

Nagliligawan (courting).
Are your intentions serious?

Kodak moments!

This is DGM RWB Al Hadley, a good friend of mine and of the Lodge.

A Widow's pin was presented to Sis Cris Gomez, the widow of our late Bro Poy, who we sorely miss, specially at Lodge events.

The Lodge also presented Sis Cris Gomez a Christmas gift - a fruit cake.

Time to get some food to take home.










It was another excellent evening of fun and fellowship.
Wishing everyone a blessed, meaningful and merry Christmas!