A December to (most definitely!) Remember

It was a hectic December (not counting the prep time in November!). It was chockablock of hard work rewarded by loads of fun. Look at how busy we were:

1. Caroling Practice - At the beginning of December, a group of us die-hard carolers met to practice our repertoire. Organized a year ago as a project between the University of the Philippines Alumni Association-Hawaii (UPAA-H) and the MDA ALS support group, this merry band of troubadours was joined this year by young men and women from the Singles for Christ (SFC), led by Jon Ellis Pangilinan (also UPAA-H PRO). We met for practice at UH Saunders Hall one evening and fueled by Zippy’s chili and turkey sandwiches prepared by our own Nancy Fujino, we belted out one carol after another. We don’t know if the final exam takers at the classroom next door were delighted or not, but we sure sang our hearts out.

2. First “Dress Rehearsal” at Nurse Advocates and Mentors, Inc. (NAMI) graduation – We didn’t wait too long after rehearsal to foist our singing on a real audience. The following day, we displayed our talents at the graduation of the NCLEX-RN review sponsored by NAMI held at Filcom Center. As self-appointed leader of the group, I explained to the crowd of families and mostly Filipino nurses, what the group was about – our mission to spread Christmas cheer through music to all who would listen but especially to members of our MDA ALS support group who were home-bound. Since we were also trying to raise money for our HALSSGO activities, I passed around a Christmas stocking “with string attached” (literally!).

Another serious group. Bah, humbug! The group was joined by Consul Paul Cortes (second from the right in suit) of the Philippine Consulate General. Maybe because of his company, we were able to raise $94 this evening! Consul Paul, we’ll have you anytime!

3. Second “Dress Rehearsal” at UPAA-HI Christmas Party – That Sunday, December 7, we reprised our outstanding selection of Christmas carols at the annual Christmas party of the UPAA-HI held at the Philippine Consulate General lanai. To our delight, the audience joined us in the caroling! It was a night to remember as we joined the UP alums winning gifts in the raffle fundraiser, making mini-parols (Christmas star) and enjoying the sumptuous buffet. Only the lechon (roasted pig) carcass was left as evidence of the merriment that occurred that evening at the mansion on Pali Highway!

4. MDA ALS Support Group Party – The Tuesday following, it was our turn to make merry at the Philippine Consulate General Lanai. Thanks to Consul General Ariel Abadilla, we became the only (hmmmm, maybe just the first) non-Filipino group to be have been granted the use of the lanai. With the embers of merriment (read: Christmas decor) from the UPAA party the Sunday before still flickering, ours followed a similar festive path but with some distinctly HALLSGO traits. First, all sorts of headgear appeared. Santa hats and mutated reindeer antlers (generally, ones inspired by commercial DNA) adorned many a head. A “cool dude” Santa in red hapi coat and holding a folded Japanese fan orchestrated the “Win-win Raffle” while MDA Health Care Services Coordinator Jennifer Li tapped audience members to pick the winning numbers. Wonderful friends such as Laura Steelquist of HiMed and Pam Fujimoto of Tripler MC donated pahhhhhlenty of prizes! And many more donated cash! Muchos majalos, to all of you!
We had a one-man band made up of two people. Dr. Gerry of Convalescent Center of Hawaii and his sidekick, Ernie, provided music and entertainment. Guest of honor Daniela Minerbi played the piano and our new friend, Consul Lulu Tabamo gave an inspiring talk. The dear mainstay of ALS Christmas parties, Penny Chun’s Christmas angel craft corner, delighted the young and the, ah, “always young.”
After having so much practice, our caroling group strutted our stuff. I danced myself breathless, of course. And as always, Gyotaku’s catered food (thanks to MDA for providing) and our own homemade desserts capped the evening. There was sooooo much fun, the time went by quickly and soon, it was time to distribute the leftovers and clean up.
There were many people without whose magnificent aloha, our Christmas party would not have been as enjoyable. To each of them we sent “thank you” cards.

5. Finally! Caroling night – We hadn’t even started singing and it was already pouring all over the island. The downpour did not stop us anyway. The group was divided between Leeward and East Honolulu. Three homebound families were visited by each group. The east Honolulu group mother-henned by Nancy Fujino and Jennifer Li visited the Warrens in Hawaii Kai, the Hinds in Moiliili and the Rakers in Nuuanu. Several members of SFC and the guitarist, Jon Ellis Pangilinan, joined them.
Meanwhile, in the Moanalua-Aiea area, an all MDA ALS star cast of Paul and Dale Mahi, Brad and Penny Chun, Kathleen Hanson, and moi were joined by UPAA’s Rose Zabanal and Ray Liongson, our guitarist. We packed into Paul’s minivan and chugged from the Hanson-Ching’s to the Chun-Kam’s and finally, to the Meckstroth’s. The entertainment was not just one –way as Ken Ching treated us to the haunting music of a nose flute and Jennie Chun tickled the keys to “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” And, of course, there were punch and cookies for the road!
Like anything worthwhile doing accomplished, the road ended in gastronomically enchanting places. East Honolulu made their way to Kenny’s while The Leeward group tried exotic Souvaly’s in Pearl City. In the end, everyone went home sated and happy that a good deed was done this very unlikely night!

6. Christmas Cookie-baking with Master Cookie Monster Cathy Anderson – You could tell with all the equipment she brought with her to my house, either she was a professional pastry chef or a mom whose children adored her cookies. She was both. Cathy showed novices Rose Zabanal and me and experienced Nancy Fujino how to bake Christmas treats AND how to box them in an, ohhh so delicious!, manner. This project took many hours and two heat blisters on Cathy’s fingers. It started in the afternoon and wasn’t done till 10PM. But it was worth the sweat! We were able to fill eight red boxes tied up in beautiful gold and red bows! After this experience, I couldn’t look at cookies quite the same way.

7. The Nutcracker c/o Ballet Hawaii – We were there! Never mind that it was a dress rehearsal. It was THE Ballet Hawaii dress rehearsal, which meant it was like seeing the real thing. Thanks to Jennifer Li, who organized this activity, fifty of us, including our families and friends, came, watched and went home, culturified balletomanes. My granddaughter did her version of plie for days.

8. Remember the Cookies? – On Christmas eve, Nancy and I delivered the cookies to eight families – the Valentis, Hinds, Rakers, Warrens, Meckstroths, Hanson-Chings, Yamaguchis, and Chun-Kams. We stayed too long chatting with gossip-starved Mary Valenti, got lost looking for the Warrens in the daytime, wished the entire Chun brood “Merry Christmas” at Jennie and Warren’s home and got verrrry lost looking for the Meckstroth’s. We saved the last box of cookies for Lisa and her family who were knee-deep in preparation for a big Yamaguchi family get together at their home for Christmas the next day. It was late when I got home at half past eight. But Nancy and I were happy to have brought our Christmas cookies to our home-bound friends. We will always have their happy faces in our hearts. And for you, the photos from our camera!

And that, friends, is how we approached Christmas, the holiest of birthdays: lots of giving and receiving. The best part is we get to repeat this ritual again at the end of the year! And we have the whole year to cook up our next Christmas plans.