Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
College of the Holy Spirit Alumnae Canada East Chapter Members and Guests at their Christmas Potluck and Ambahan Ukay-ukay on December 10, 2023 in Pickering
After a hiatus of 3 years due to the pandemic, the members of the College of the Holy Spirit North America Foundation, Inc. (CHSNAF) Canada East Chapter held its Christmas Party on December 10, 2023 at the East Shore Community Centre in Pickering, Ontario at 3:30 pm.
But true to the CHS motto of “Veritas In Caritate” (Truth in Love), the party was not only the usual get-together with music, food, and dancing, but moreover, the ladies made it an event to also share their possessions to the needy – both in the Philippines and in Canada. Accordingly, the CHS ladies were asked to voluntarily donate possessions that can be sold at the event, the net proceeds of which will go to the scholarships of the Philippines’ Indigenous groups, the Mangyans and the Aetas as well as scholarships 5 schools run by the Holy Spirit sisters in BF Homes QC, Cubao QC, Malolos, Tarlac, and Irosin in Sorsogon.
College of the Holy Spirit Alumnae Canada East Officers at their Christmas Potluck and Ambahan Ukay-ukay on December 10, 2023: Asst Treasurer Dette Noble, Asst VP/Sec Sheryll Almazan-Park, President Beng Lorayes and Treasurer Lydia Bernardino. Also shown are Philip Magtulis, hubby of Charie (member). Not in picture is Malou Parcero, Vice-President/Secretary.
Accordingly, the event was called “Ambahan Ukay-Ukay” , where “Ambahan” is a form of Mangyan poetry and “Ukay-Ukay” means a Thrift Bazaar.
In addition, the event was held to also help the needy in Toronto by soliciting donations of winter hats, scarves, and gloves to Covenant House in Toronto. Covenant House is the largest agency in Canada serving youth who are experiencing homelessness, trafficked or at risk with shelter. They offer 24/7 crisis shelter transitional housing options on-site and, in the community, health and well-being support, training and skills development, and ongoing care once the youth had moved back into their communities. At the end of the night, the event managed to collect five large garbage-bags of these winter clothing.
College of the Holy Spirit Alumnae Canada East Chapter Treasurer: Lydia Bernardino, hard at work at the Ambayan Ukay Tables.
Donations to this affair were also received from CHSNAF members from the USA. Steve Stanton, a CHS family member, donated a handmade wooden charcuterie board with the CHSNAF Canada East logo and a vintage sleigh board centrepiece/décor for auction.
The party also featured a fashion show of Christmas 50’s/60’s/70/s outfits and guests played games such as “Pic-Pac-Boom” and “Hep-Hep-Hooray” – both games that challenged one’s memory and the ability to coordinate one’s physical movements. Winners of the games included Vica Mangalindan, Gloria Matias, Puso Baldos, Bella Bustamante, CHS hubby Philip Magtulis, Tita Mandin, Ethel Zabala-Laxa and guest Anya Hofileña.
Some of the 10 dishes and 11 desserts shared at the CHS Christmas Potluck and Ambahan Ukay-ukay on December 10, 2023.
Fun music was provided by DJ Ross Bautista, with superb emceeing by Jillian Cu — volunteers who were recruited by President Beng Lorayes.
College of the Holy Spirit Alumnae Canada East President Beng Lorayes with the Christmas-themed directional sign handmade by Beng’s hubby Mando! Pretty creative!
The two rooms, walls and tables were set-up with Christmas decorations which included hand-made, knitted ornaments by Sheryll Almazan-Park, one of the CHS Officers. There was the usual photo-op of the group showing one of the wall decorations.
Some of the items sold at the College of the Holy Spirit Christmas Potluck and Ambahan Ukay-ukay on December 10, 2023: Thanks to the members and guests , the items were almost sold out! Net proceeds will go to the Holy Spirit Missions with the Aetas in Tarlac and with the Mangyans in Mindoro.
While there were no tickets sold to join the party, members were asked to bring some pot-luck dishes. And lo and behold, the party of about 50 guests had a buffet table with as much as 20 dishes along with drinks, coffee, and tea. Big thanks to the generous potluck donors!
One guest even commented: “I was just in a Christmas Party where I had to pay a $50 ticket. Here, I came here for free, but the food and drinks served were about three times more.”
Above are the handmade charcuterie boards donated for auctioning by Steve Stanton, a CHS family member. Above are Steve Stanton, CHS officers Malou Parcero, Sheryll Almazan-Park and Beng Lorayes.
The hard-working Officers of the Group include: Beng Lorayes (President), Marilou Parcero (Vice President/Secretary), Sheryll Almazan-Park (Assistant Vice President/Secretary), Lydia Bernardino (Treasurer), Claudette Noble (Assistant Treasurer) and ex-officio immediate past President, Vica Mangalindan. The officers thank the valuable members who helped set-up the event from start to end.
Winners of the best costume outfit at College of the Holy Spirit Canada East Chapter Christmas Party: Phil Magtulis as Michael Jackson and Vica Mangalindan (past CHS President) as blonde Cher
For 2024, the CHS Alumnae Canada East chapter is planning another fundraiser – a Garage Sale Ambayan Ukay-Ukay in late Spring. More details to come.
College of the Holy Spirit Members and Guests at their Christmas Potluck and Ambahan Ukay-ukay on December 10, 2023 : Pic Pac Boom Game winners – CHS guest Anya Hofileña with CHSians Gloria Matias and Vica Mangalindan.
Covenant House Toronto representative with College of the Holy Spirit North America Foundation Inc. ( CHSNAF) Canada East officers: Beng Lorayes ( President) and Claudette Aquino (Asst. Treasurer) delivering winter accessories donations (from CHSNAF Canada East Christmas Fun/Fundraising) on December 22, 2023. (Covenant House is the largest agency in Canada serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk
Credits for the attached photos go to Noel Cruz, Sheryll Almazan-Park, Jocay Dawang and Jillian Cu
– Mila Eustaquio-Syme, CHSManila HS 61
