INDEPENDENCE DAY KALAYAAN - WordPress.com...Ni Ferdinand Magellan ang ating bayan Makislap na isla sa Pacific Ocean Ubod ng ganda at hitik ng kayamanan. Agad ipinaalam kay Haring Carlos

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JULY 2011 VOL. 1 ISSUE 5

Birthdays and Other Events.

KALAYAAN

Taong1521 nang masilayan

Ni Ferdinand Magellan ang ating bayan

Makislap na isla sa Pacific Ocean

Ubod ng ganda at hitik ng kayamanan.

Agad ipinaalam kay Haring Carlos

Natuklasang paraiso sa gitna ng laot

Itirik ang Holy Cross at angkining maayos

Tawaging Las Islas Filipinas mabilis niyang utos.

Tatlong daang taong namayani

Kaharian ng Espanya sa ating ari

Datapwa’t tinuruan tayo ng Christianity

Laganap parin ang pag-angkin at pang-aapi.

Sa galit ni Lapu-Lapu kanyang tinaga

Ang dayuhang si Ferdinand at mga kasama

Si Jose Rizal nama’y ipinaalam sa madla

Sa nobelang Noli at El Feli na sinulat niya.

Buti na lang tayo’y sinagip

Ng mga Amerkanong ubod ng bait

Binalikan pa tayo nang kinupkup na pilit

Ng mga dayuhang Hapon na ubod ng sungit.

Nagpatayo ang America ng mga paaralan

Sa lahat ng sulok ng Philippine Island

Inalok pa tayo ng trabaho sa mainland

Upang magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan.

.

Salamat America sa ‘yong pagkupkup

Ang pagtanda nami’y masagana at masinop

Lubos ang aming pagtanaw ng utang na loob

Pagpalain kang lagi ng makapangyarihang Diyos!

Fanny A. Rodriguera

INDEPENDENCE DAY

FAS Celebrates 4th of July at the Disney

Boardwalk July 4

th – Independence Day was celebrated in

true style by FAS by watching the Disney

fireworks at the Disney Boardwalk - a stone’s

throw away from the fabled EPCOT and the

resorts of Swan and Dolphin. Sitting in comfort

and people watching as we wait for the

fireworks; we were entertained by the fine disco

music by the lawn of the resort hotel. Families,

from grandparents to parents to small children

were all enjoying the whole fun that only a

Disney resort can offer for free! Some of the

more sturdy walkers from the group did browse

and stroll along the colorful, waterside

boardwalk. Much to our disappointment the

Dined at Ichiban Restaurant prior to watching

4th

of July fireworks at Disney World.

4th

of July 2011 Photos

Atlantic Dance Club is closed for the

evening since the DJ was performing

right at the lawn of the Boardwalk.

Well – another time perhaps (?) Prior to the Boardwalk venue, the

group had dined at the “now Solivita

favorite eating venue” of Ichiban –

an all you can eat Chinese/Japanese

restaurant by I-192 – close to Poinciana Blvd. The fare consists of

more than 100 choices of sushi,

clams, oysters, crabs, Chinese dishes

and even offers a hibachi grill of

steak, shrimp, and scallops

combination at a fraction of the

price one would pay somewhere

else. With the 10% senior citizen

discount – FAS truly had a good fill

of good, mood food before hitting

the Disney Independence Day

celebration.

MANGO PICKING AND

CRABS AT MS. APPLES

What better way to spend a regular

weekday than to go outing with the

FAS members for a whole day of fun

– picking mangoes, eating to one’s

heart’s content of crabs, crabs and

more crabs – and enjoying the fun and

camaraderie of one another!

It started with Mimi Canlas contacting

a former classmate and friend – now a

retired distinguished doctor who lives

in Merritt Island in a 6 acre property

with his American wife. Dr. Locano

did own an orchard with citrus,

mangoes, chicos, etc. Having gone to

Merritt Island previously and paying

$40 for a bushel of mangoes – the

fifty cents per mango being offered by

Dr. Locano (courtesy of Mimi’s

brilliant friendship and negotiation) is

a great deal – so FAS in members in

four (4) vehicles travelling convoy

attacked the mango plantation.

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here.

FAS members went to Boardwalk Disney to watch 4th

of

. July fireworks display.

Despite the heat – we were like kids

being turn free on a candy store –

we pulled and picked the mangoes

dripping from the branches – and

the size of those mangoes – maybe

a pound and a half each. I swear I

cannot carry more than six and I

had to keep on shouting for Roger’s

help – so we can pick more. Some

had it easy – like Archie who

preferred to pick “some “of his

mangoes from the baskets of chosen

ones – picked by the ladies. This

led to everyone protecting their

cache from Archie. We brought

out the kids in us by showing

such kiddy behaviors! It was just

pure, clean fun!!!!

After the excitement of mango

picking – more fun lies ahead as we

headed for Ms. Apples for crab

luncheon. The members did bring

lots of rice and vinegar with garlic

for “sawsaw”. But others like Ely

Jose went beyond by bringing in

boiled corn on a cob and chop suey

– Eddie was not there as he had to

backed out last minute to baby sit

his grand-daughter. Cathy Farag

brought her homemade salted eggs

chopped with onions and tomatoes;

Rosie brought French cut beans

guisado and soft soap to help clean

up after the crab luncheon.

With the help of Cathy Farag and

Christy Cambronero – we were able

to put in six( 6) dozens of crabs and

three 24 pieces of mussels for

cooking. While waiting for our

order to be cooked; Archie already

put his order for three lobsters – one

to be devoured on the spot and

two (2) for takeout. Rudy and

Boots Julian did order their own

crabs and lobster to go; same with

Ed and Marlene Simeon – who

came with their daughter, son – in

law and two beautiful

( cont. on page 5 )

teen-age grand-

daughthers. Margaret ordered her

own frozen seafood combo as she

does not know how to dismantle

MANGO PICKING AT COCOA BEACH

MORE MANGO PICKING

(from page 3)

teen-age grand-daughters. Margaret ordered her own frozen seafood combo as she does not know how to

dismantle and eat the meat of the crab. Meanwhile Rosie, Roger and the rest prepared four (4) tables by putting

the covers, etc. And then it was time to eat! Yumm…mmm….mmmm! No more talking! All were busy

eating - cracking the shells and stuffing our faces. We ate to our hearts content. A meal could never taste better!

And just to think that we were even able to take out the leftovers!

Anyone for mango- picking and crabbing again?

LUNCH AT MS. APPLES CRAB SHACK

HARD ROCK CASINO BUS TRIP IN TAMPA

WHAT A FUN DAY! WHAT A FUN GROUP! EVERYONE WAS A WINNER!

ANOTHER EXCELLENT JOB REGGIE!

BT

Hello FAS,

Truly, the pictures paint a thousand words. Needless to say that we all look very happy and contented in our

"fun -filled casino trip."

Thanks to you and of course Reggie Mallabo to make this thing happen. Reggie for his solid determination to make

this affair come true. To you for your kind guidance to the neophytes like me and Roger to show us the rope on what

to do and how to proceed when we got to the casino. To Mimi for her kind and good luck touch on Roger's slot

machine - and made Roger a winner of a grand total of

$169.50.

To track back - all the participants converge on the parking lot by Freedom Park around 8:30 am. Thursday,

June 30th - which by the way happens to be my first year

anniversary of full and happy retirement. And here I was - one year after - 10 lbs. bigger and happy and merry as

happy and merry can be - with FAS and friends waiting for the Casino bus to pick us up in the middle of the parking

lot on a downcast and slightly drizzly morning. But the socialization and camaraderie while waiting for the

bus was amazing that maybe we should do this more often

- meet in the parking lot and socialize.

The bus arrived around 8:45 with us all worrying where Al was (who came a little bit later since he made a

big sandwich which he ate in the bus but regretted having

eaten it for reason to be divulged later). Boots who went home to pick her forgotten cell phone still being re -

charged was the last one to board the bus. There are 24 attendees which was sufficient to pay the casino bus.

The rain started as soon as the bus left Solivita - but the passengers were all nonchalant and unaware of the

foul weather since the warmth of the friendship inside kept us all happy and secure. The ride was not long -

maybe an hour but on that short ride; we were entertained by "jokes " some clean, some very dirty; some hilariously

funny, some ho-hum...Cristy of course, has the first joke,

then Reggie with his one and only one joke; then Ed Simeon and Benny Rodriguera; Rudy Julian and Safy and

Al and even Margaret and even I myself, joined in the fun.

Once we reached the casino - the reception/dispatcher

came to the bus with our packets of coupons and explained on how we should proceed as we entered the

casino. Things would have been very confusing if not for Benny R. who loomed over us like a guardian angel -

helping us in every step of the way.

After the initial shock and orientation to the casino layout

and configuration - Benny led us to the 2nd floor - where the $20 eat all you can buffet is located.

Already seated were Archie and Merlin (the Mutt and Jeff of buffet action!) while Rosie, Marlene, Elsa, Margaret and

Reggie (?) in another table.

We sat with Christy and Sam and Allyn - who is now ready for his buffet after his sandwich; and on another table

were Rudy, Boots, Cathy, Safy and Paraon - who happened to be in Solivita and who enthusiastically joined

in the fun. Roger and I came with the group - not to play

and gamble - but to eat - and the buffet lay out of the Hard Rock Casino did not disappoint us.

The fare was enchanting and what a sight to

behold - food station after food station - from the sushi, Asian counter; to the salad bar; to the

seafood; the American fares; to the Mediterranean/Italian and the center stations -

grilling and the desserts ! Oh, what I would give to have my tummy extend for just this once!

Champion among the champion eaters - the

winners are Archie and Merlin - who we found later sitting contentedly on the sofas by the

lounge area - with extended and bloated tummies. For the rest of us - with the $5 dining

coupon and extra $10 more from our new

membership card - the $5 final cost is so much worth the trip to this place. We swear right

there and then those we will BE BACK!

Having heard from Benny R. that Mimi already won a big $1,080 on the 2-cent slot machine; we

face our destiny in slots with grim determination

to do the same. And lo and behold - with Mimi helping Roger - showing what to touch and

where to insert things - we were mesmerized and transported on the land of the slots.

The continuous rolling and flashing was actually

a sight to behold especially when it means dollars and dollars and more dollars for us!

Rudy was as excited as I was with my poor Roger just letting things happen and with Mimi's

lucky fingers guiding - we finally collected - the

$169.50 - which to us was the grand price of the day. That was a great high.

Sure, Cathy lost in just four button push and so

did the rest; but a lot of us came out winners. Aside from Carmen, Ernie also won and so did

Rosie and Marlene. With shaking knees due to

the excitement; we sought the lounge (again with Benny's guidance) where we can sit down

and chat and talk while waiting for our departure time. The time came for us to depart

- the bus ride home to Solivita was comfortable

and with the video to entertain us; we were back to the parking lot by 4:30 p.m. Time sure

flies when you have too much fun.

We should do this again! Ely Jose already expressed her wish to have her birthday –

and maybe the October and November

celebrants - have a bus trip to Hard Rock Casino - why not? re to make things happen and so is

Benny who is with the Birthday Committee. With us - we cannot wait to be back for sure -

maybe Lady Luck will be with us again!!!!

Reporting from Solivita Library

Nady

COMING UP: MORE SUMMER / FALL BIRTHDAYS

BIRTHDAYS Linda Asuncion - Aug. 02 Jay Gutierrez - Sept. 05

Cathy Farag - Aug. 03 Benny Rodriguera - Sept. 06

Archie Laano - Aug. 10 - Zynia Rionda - Sept. 06

Naomi Martin - Aug. 16 Reggie Mallabo - Sept. 07

Sol Pierce - Aug. 24 Guia Saulo - Sept. 14

Articles by Nady Gutierrez

Producer / Photography – Benny Rodriguera

Benny Rodriguera – Producer & Photography Contrib

BIRTHDAY COMMITTEE

Roger & Nady Gutierrez; Ernie & Mimie Canlas; Benny & Fanny Rodriguera

Friends at FAS enjoying music at the Lounge Bar posed for one last

souvenir picture before the ride home to Solivita.

Documents

INDEPENDENCE DAY KALAYAAN - WordPress.com...Ni Ferdinand Magellan ang ating bayan Makislap na isla sa Pacific Ocean Ubod ng ganda at hitik ng kayamanan. Agad ipinaalam kay Haring Carlos