To: PBUSA@yahoogroups.

com
CC: mgrbelo@gmail.com
From: "Khing Vaño" <gospa58@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 05:42:51 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [PBUSA] BANKA CHRISTMAS PARTY 2007

BANKA CHRISTMAS PARTY 2007

Novaliches, QC, Philippines. The sound of unique laughter echoes

through the parish hall. It's Fr. John Bosco Abellana, Pastor of
Pagkabuhay Church in Novaliches welcoming some 30 visitors,
active priests and inactive, ex-seminarians, and guests, as host of
the event. Dec. 1, 2007 was the Christmas Party and 20th
Anniversary of BANKA. Food was deliciously abundant, drinks flowed
freely. The fresh tuna sushi and "sinugbang iho" were flown in by
Martin Bangcoy from Gen. Santos City, now GenSan's Commissioner
of Customs. Two lechons were just too much for the visitors that only
the skin was touched.

What a joy to see each other again, some for over 20 years, and
reunite with each other. Their common bond, the Immaculate Heart
Of Mary Seminary. Virzam Zamora presented powerpoint photos of
IHMS. Banka members felt the nostalgia. IHMS, we love you!
Mannix Cimafranca, now a successful Manila lawyer, spearheaded
the reunion by inviting members through the fastest, easiest and
cheapest way - text messaging. As emcee of the program, he called
those in attendance one by one to share their Christmas message or
life's message of sorts. They obliged.

Martin Bangcoy posed a challenge to BANKA members that our

group should not only dwell with the past memories but look toward
the future, set sail forward because that's what a boat (banka) should
be. Roland Inting came up with his usual humorous antics. You might
have heard him many times, and you can't help but laugh. The
highlight of the sharing was when Tita Ramiro-Belo was called to the
microphone. She came with her husband, Vic, a retired Air Force
General, and their beautiful daughter, Greta.
"Even after World War II, our house at 30 V. Rama Ave in Cebu was
open 24 hours a day to Bohol priests and seminarians. We knew the
priests, we knew the seminarians. They were our family," she said. "I
used to hide under the priests' sotana when Mama Leoning was
going to spank me. Our lives were influenced by the presence of
priests at our house. Kami malipay kon dunay ordinahan, magsubo
kon dunay mogawas, masuko kon dili tagdon, mabalaka kon dunay
mawala," she added.

Mama Leoning passed away in 1984 and Mama Sosing is 92 years

old, with failing sight and hearing. As generations of priests and
seminarians have come and gone to 30 V. Rama Ave. (also known as
Calamba), as Tita has lived in Manila with her family, it still burns in
the Ramiro hearts - the simple motherly love for their priests and
seminarians. Reason why they skipped a wake just to be with the
BANKA tonight. Remarkable love and concern, we priests and
seminarians are so lucky.

The program ended with the singing of Salve Regina in honor of our
patroness, the Immaculate Heart of Mary. While the road from Taloto
to Manila is long and winding, each one made the turns easier with
that brotherly love for each other, sons of IHMS. It was aptly
expressed in the singing of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother."
In the days of digital and cellphone cameras, the picture-taking with
everybody present was not to be outdone. And as the last bulb
flashed and last button clicked, the BANKA members together in
unison intoned, "Mi Amor Mi Pasion, No Other Love", a fitting end to
a night full of memories, an evening full of joy, and a prelude to His
coming -Christmas 2007.

LAYAG BANKA! PADAYON PARING BOL-ANON!

(((Present At The Party: Fr. Baby Amper, Fr. Bobot Clemen, Fr. Khing
Vano, Fr. John Bosco Abellana, Roland Inting, Joel-Veni Otarra,
Ramon Dumadag, Jr., Jimmy-Chielo Cempron, Martin-Lourdes
Bangcoy, Aquilino Bernaldez, Jr., Pedrito Rances, Rudy Reyes,
Joseph Raniola, Tyrone Cimafranca, Luis Abellana, Jerome Cubelo,
Virgilio Zamora, Mannix Cimafranca, Tyrone Cimafranca, Vic-Tita
Belo, Greta Belo, Seminarian Orimaco, Seminarian Boiser, Atty.
Relamida)))

(By Fr. Khing Vano)