Sentidokomon

During the preparation, old foes became friends, friendships were renewed and rekindled and the camaraderie of the true Filipino spirits came out. Everyone involved did their best to do whatever they could to make sure things would happen as planned. As the day of the celebration itself was fast approaching, you could feel the anxiety and frustration of some committee members, as things were not happening as they should have. Added to the circumstances was the fact that I had to go away with my husband, joining him for a business trip in Rome, a week before the celebration. It was a break that both of us desperately needed. While attending the 15-minute blessings given by H.E. Pope Benedict XVI to the faithful at St. Peter’s Square, I couldn’t help thinking about my colleagues back in Cyprus as they were meeting for the last time before the big event! Added to it, we were sad to know of Venny Mc Cullie, one of the members of the committee,  losing her husband in Iraq. We shared in her bereavement as we let her go to London and be united with him for the last time. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm of the committee had grown bigger despite the recent obstacles. I take my hat off to the editor-in-chief of Tinig Pinoy, Ms Joy Miranda as the over-all in charge of production, and to Scarlet “Iska� Tugbo, her very able assistant for the endless nights they spent at KISA Café to research and prepare all the necessary paperwork, after they finished their respective works with their employers. Personally, I would like to especially mention some Filipino groups who had really persevered in making a difference to the celebration. Particularly the Filipino members of the St. Joseph Social Centre who had not missed a single Sunday practice since they were told to present something in the program. Also, the Smart Flat Girls for having so much fun practicing their Dayang-Dayang dance and the song “Napakasakit Ate Ester�, the latter being well- received by the audience with laughter! I am full of gratitude for all the committee members for their hard work and support for the tasks given to them. The invaluable input and contributions given by Mrs. Renalyn Natural-Clavesillas, a Filipino personnel at UNIFYCIP, was very much appreciated. She has given much of her precious time to us in spite of having two young children as well as going back to work after maternity leave. The most difficult part to organise was when it involved the Filipino men. Since the program called for few males to perform certain tasks, it was very difficult to find them, except the few reliable ones who were willing to do something for the program. It was really bizarre that we had to ask Filipino guys from Limassol to come and help us for the crucial moments because nobody from Nicosia was interested in helping! Family support is very important for events like this, and it held true particularly with my husband and my daughter, Cathrine, who were both very helpful throughout the whole time of the preparation until the end, although at times I felt like I was pushing my luck a bit too much! Many thanks to them for their understanding to what I am doing for the Filipino community. My gratitude also and sincerest thanks to all the performers for their wonderful participation, the sponsors & donors for their generosity and kindness, those who have helped in any way and last but not least to the committee members for a job well done. It is very true that being united is better than being divided! We can do so much more being one..and in this aspect, unity-wise, all the hard work  we have done, were all worth it! Everybody is already looking forward to the next big event. Watch out for the announcement with the next issue of Tinig-Pinoy! MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT MGA PILIPINO!