Growing up in barrio Lungao, a small village on the foothills of Caraballo Mountains and where the infamous Ambayoan River in its time lies, I never dreamed to make it here in Canada. I’ve always wanted to go to the U.S. Anyway, I arrived in Toronto in the mid ‘80s. My first sight of my new world was an electrifying experience. Everything seemed contentment and promising to me. It was like arriving in a country with my future depends on my capacity to endure the challenge. All seemed familiar and amiable especially the white faces of the buildings blending in the amicable heat of the sun. The green contours of the valley near the Lake Ontario that seemed to vanish in the extremity of the light. With an impulsive burst of exhilaration, I knew that my dream has been fulfilled to reach the continent of North America.

On my first day at home, I heard stories regarding our town mates living in the area and suburban community. Some of the family names sound popular and close to me. To my jubilation, I was very enthusiastic to meet these folks. It was then I realized that my flexibility would be easy to adjust if I blend in with my town mates.

The first few people I met were the Catuiza and Castillo families in which I had very close relationships and had struck up friendship with all my cousins here whom I’ve never seen before.  Months had gone by and I encountered more of our town folks. My nostalgia at home had diminished when I faced my close friends back home. It was then I was getting invitations to join their occasion such as birthdays, christenings, weddings and so forth. My affections toward them had developed into kinsmen relationship. Not only I was in full of elation but I made myself sure I’m safe with my hometown folks near me. This was my first inniliw.

I attended my first San Nicolanian Christmas party at Saint Joseph in downtown Toronto. To my surprise I wasn’t expecting to encounter more of my friends but they were there to celebrate. Some of the officers are well known in our home turf and it wasn’t alarming most of them are even close relatives. This event will never fade in my memory and I did cherish it.

I have been attending San Nicolanians camping here in Ontario and in the U.S. almost every year and the very positive attitude I always see is the closeness of each and everyone. Inniliw is always one of the reasons why we do such kind of gatherings. Inniliw became a big part of my life. My family tree that used to be a vertical line is now sprouting branches in many directions. The relatives I never had a chance to know back home, now I’m communicating and meeting them. San Nicolanians in any part of the world apparently could have inniliw as often as they want now because communication is just a fingertip away.

It was a coincidence when I was scanning through a San Nicolas web site in Metro Chicago when I glance at last names that sound familiar to me. I’ve been searching for relatives and friends. My pleasure in searching some of my relatives in the U.S. had a lot of passion when I send an email to manong Roger, manong Romeo and many manongs. Manong Roger responded in a very friendly bearing then we became acquainted through cyberspace communication. In fact he was the one who encouraged me as a prime mover of the organizing committee in Toronto area. With his motivational attempt to take charge in making this event possible had made me more anxious in convincing San Nicolanians here in Ontario to blend in with us in Las Vegas.

This three days event would always be in my memory since this is our first grand reunion in the entertainment capital world. My ex-classmates and most of my relatives will be here to celebrate this affair that never happened before. It is clearly showing that we have cohesiveness with this magnitude of attendees. As one of your confident organizer of this reunion I thank you all and with no pause to express my immense appreciation to all of you.

Having this reunion is not only for inniliw but it is a perfect timing too to discuss how we can help our hometown.

Wes Rollolazo has engendered a project to build a new library in our hometown. I wish we could support his undertaking for the benefit of our school children and the whole town as well. This is our opportunity to help our hometown…Also, as this event sponsored by the RAHS Alumni Association it is my desire to reach out to all of you to help my Alma Mater. How? I don’t know. Nevertheless, I believe San Nicolanians (alumni or non-alumni) have the heart to supporting good cause like this. So, let’s be of HELP!!!

… and oh yes, who would guess that almost all of you are my relatives.

SNPANC

SNASC

SNNW

SNAO

SNAC

SNMC

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"We don't accomplish anything in this world alone ... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something." - Sandra Day O'Connor