The Canada West group held a reunion in late November at a Chinese restaurant in Vancouver. There were 29 attendees, including, for the first time, three participants from Seattle.
Fremma Esquejo, Gina Ramirez, Aria Ganesan, Padma Ganesan, Carmen Lanzador, and Maria Luisa Dizon.
After an hour’s happy socializing and reminiscing, we enjoyed Szechwan fare. Then, as coordinator, I reviewed AFE matters over the past year, touching on the security of pensions, the new long-term care insurance program, keeping up-to-date with membership fees and contact details, the management set-up at headquarters, the recent flooding in Manila and the call for funding, and of course the death of Executive Secretary Emeritus Khan. I noted thatIkramullah Khan’s contribution to retirees’ welfare had been enormous. I also noted that Canada had been split into two subchapters: Canada West (British Columbia to Manitoba) and Canada East (Ontario to Newfoundland).
John Cole, Gina Ramirez, and Baby Ignacio.
After discussion, the reunion became a party. Jenny Majarreis emceed everyone through an amusing brain-teaser quiz on seasonal songs (e.g., Soundlessnocturnal period = Silent night) and she required solutions to be sung. Then she had everyone singing more seasonal songs, this time imparting feelings(joy, fear, etc.) drawn from a hat. Finally, there was an artistic challenge—everyone had to do simple drawings, which Jenny eventually revealed to be part of the psychiatrist’s standard battery of tests! It was all a lot of fun.
Bruce Murray, Alex Jorgensen, and Wei Min Yang.
A very good and informative time was had by everyone and, thanks to AFE, links with ADB colleagues and friends were renewed and strengthened.
Lenn Castro, Dolores Telan, Ed Lanzador, Rey Castro, and Baby Ignacio.