By  LPJ

More than just a deja vu of previous celebrations, the 50th anniversary ball of the Santiagenians of the USA (SUSA) last Saturday, July 27^th, was a bell ringer. It drew the largest crowd in five decades. Three-hundred thirty six attendees packed the grandiose ballroom of the Stockton Hilton Hotel in California. Excitement saturated the air. Nothing could have marred what appeared like a victory party. Victory – for the club’s staggering sustainability over half a century, and for more achievements expected in decades ahead. Kudos to its founders, officers and leaders, pillars of the organization, movers for progress, and inspiration for tenacity.

Not exactly a surprise was the number of guests that came from far cities and states, including Hawaii, as well as Canada and the Philippines. During the festivities. energized greetings and merry meet-ups regaled the atmosphere. Members of the organization, with connections with the hometown of Santiago, Ilocos Sur either by birth or affiliation, surged cultural sentiments nuanced in costumes, folk dancing, songs and speech. The evening’s extravaganza did not fall short of spotlighting the varied colorful, attractive and intricate Philippine attires paraded with music and dance moves. The male and female apparel changed with every folk dance featured. Quite impressive and ethnically fashionable, a showcase turning to be a tradition in every Santiagenian anniversary soiree.

Folkdancers at the ball (photo courtesy of the Santiagenians of the USA)

After the anthems led by Gloria Dasigan, Chariza Leille Quinola and Josh Gallego, the program, emceed by Gemma Cabaccang Bartolome and Felomino Escalona, began with an invocation by the invited priest from Santiago, Rev. Father Florentino Escalona.  Rosemary Amor Salim introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Edna Domenden Taniegra. Dr. Taniegra shared her achievements attained through persevering efforts fraught with challenges. As in most inspirational talks, her  speech aimed to motivate especially the young Santiagenians nurturing dreams of success for their profession. It emphasized endurance and determination as basic prerequisites to success.

The lively frills of the program included the royal parade of the club’s former king,  queens and princesses, special recognition to recently retired members and new members, and awards to academic achievers and recent graduates. Adding nostalgia to the event was having Raquel Belmonte-Young, one of the organization’s founders and early presidents, hand over the awards, along with Dr. Narcisa Tuliao-Still, Juvy Nuezca, Eloisa Sipin, Blas and Malou Elefante.

Nostalgia, always a part of any hometown organization’s gathering, was richly projected, particularly through the choral performance of Ilokano songs conducted by Malou Elefante.  Generally waltzy in tempo, the songs elicited graceful sways from the admiring audience that included some non-Ilokanos. The music provoked sentiments of homesickness universal and common to all who left the original homeland. It is a phenomenal element that bonds. That anniversary event carried strong hints of bonding.

Dancing sparked the evening’s gala. The dance floor was always packed. The band  was at its best, belting out numbers that drew attendees out of their seats to beat the floor with cha-cha, salsa, disco, tango, rumba, waltz and line dancing. The very few that didn’t dance sat content just savoring the music.

The whole anniversary celebration that spilled on to a well-attended picnic at Lodi park the next day was spearheaded by club president Sam Nuezca and his wife Juvy, Stockton leading club matriarch Dr. Narcisa Tuliao-Still, club vice president Mino Escalona and his wife Minda, Alex and Thelma Dimalanta, Gabe and Emma Elefante, Blas and Malou Elefante, Ed and Bernadette Escalona, Elizabeth Al-Rousan, Vangie Echavarre, Irma Sipin, Elena Wells, Mailyn Villamonte, Alain Claude, Rey and Majen Cabaccang, Hedwig Tolentino, Joe and Cathy Quinola, Vics Sipin, with the assistance of scores of active Santiagenians in Stockton and adjacent areas.

But the SUSA celebration is not all about party. It is a commendation for the club’s humanitarian projects for the development and progress of Santiago and vicinity in terms of education (scholarships, library resources, school materials, music and sports equipment); the community’s economy (financial aid and supplies for needy families); and infrastructural projects (construction of the altar and renovation of the chapel and day-care center).

What’s next after this anniversary celebration is anyone’s guess –– more bell ringers – perhaps, a resounding reunion — more Santiagenians working for the common goals – indeed, a true victory deserving of confetti.

Linda P. Jacob