Atinitonews.com : Philippine News Feature - PCUAA Gearing UP for Summerfest 2010

Summerfest is coming! Eight hundred to a thousand or more graduates of various Philippine universities and colleges, their family members and friends are expected to join the annual gathering with a picnic and games event at the huge Mississauga Valley Community Centre Park (Mississauga Valley and Central Parkway) in July 11, 2010 (Sunday) from 9:00 AM to sundown.

Fifteen (15) alumni associations of as many schools have registered at the Philippine Colleges and Universities Alumni Association (PCUAA), the biggest umbrella organization of its kind known to date, in North America. Schools and their alumni associations involved are: Adamson, Ateneo, Central Philippine University, Centro Escolar, College of the Holy Spirit, FEATI, FEU, Jose Rizal University, La Salle, Mapua, San Beda, UE, University of San Carlos, UP and UST. Alumni members, their families and friends come from Toronto and suburban areas like Ajax, Pickering, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, as well as from other cities and even from the USA.

PCUAA is now on its 10th year of existence; the annual Summerfest is now on its 9th year. In what is now an established tradition, individual associations are assigned their respective nooks in the park. They set up picnic tables, chairs and sun shades, as well as display their schools’ seals, logos or insignias, signage, buntings, banners, and colors that will be waving with pride in the summer breeze. Alumni will be wearing T-shirts, hats, caps and other clothing that will display their varsity seals, colors and designs. Varsity songs, cheering songs, even drinking songs will combine with campus songs that attendees will try to remember.

In the spirit of fun and camaraderie, alumni associations vie with each other as to which groups have the bigger attendance, and more participants in the games, higher decibel range in group singing, cheering, and hooting. The “oldies” among them, who are often plentiful in number, will try to re-capture their campus verve and charm; the younger ones will shake their heads and laugh in good-natured indulgence. Memories of yesteryears will be rehashed and nostalgia will mix with jokes and banters.

Alumni groups as a rule will load their groaning tables with potluck or catered food and beverages, and barbecue smoke will waft in the air as well. Aside from reuniting with fellow alumni members, the Summerfest also provides an opportunity to visit old friends from other schools, as well as partake of each other’s groaning tables of food, snacks and beverages.

More fun is expected during the games period as attendees jostle to watch the plank race, sack race, ball toss, tug-of-war, and volleyball. At press time, participants in various games are already starting to plan their games, strategies and practice. Must win that Championship Trophy! Never mind if participants are not really alumni of the schools they represent – children and grandchildren of alumni are allowed to participate and win in the games. The program will also include dance presentation, singing and other show of talents.

The Summerfest 2009 Champions are the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association, with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association as 1St Runner-up. The Summerfest Champions over the years are: UST (3 time Champions) – 2002, 2004 and 2009; Centro Escolar University – 2003; Central Philippine University – 2005; Mapua – 2006; Ateneo – 2007, and UP – 2008. Aside from former Champions, other alumni associations also have an eye for the championship trophy, so it is expected that this is another fun-filled and thrilling summer festival.

Trophies will be handed out to winners towards the end of the event, and formal presentation will be held during a fundraising dinner dance in January next year. PCUAA president Rey (Boy) Reyes reports that member organizations will not pay park fees again this year as there is enough raised funds during the formal presentation of awards to winners last January. The rest of their monies will be used for other incidental expenses at PCUAA events.

PCUAA is one of the biggest Greater Toronto-based Filipino Canadian umbrella organizations in the area. It promotes camaraderie and pride of achievement, and foster unity and identity. Visit its website at www.pcuaa,org for more information and to view pictures of its events. You can also contact PCUAA president Rey (Boy) Reyes at 905-497-4105 or email at rlreyes@rogers.com.