Bicol Canada summer event: A success

Bicol Canada summer event: A success

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT

The “Bicol Kaogmahan sa Earl Bales Park” held on July 22nd, 2012, is another annual  summer event successfully notched in the “history book” of  Luzon Island.  
Organized by Bicol Canada Community Association (BCCA), a 6- province organization of Bikolano residents in Ontario, the yearly potluck picnic activity was a collegial celebration and collective showcase of Bikolandia’s exemplary cooking and spirit of camaraderie, co-operation and coordination. 

Bicolandia comprises the provinces of  Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon . Favourites among the attendees are the usual fares of spicy laing, Bikol Express, maruya and gatang dinuguan.

Led by long-serving BCCA President Rafael “Paeng” Nebres, more than 200 members, friends, family members and guests joyfully participated in the whole day gathering cum volleyball tourney at-the- park in North York, Toronto. This year’s Kaogmahan festivities was chaired by BCCA secretary Arlene Martirez. In his address, R. Nebres thanked the entire BCCA membership and the main sponsors of the event : Action Honda, CANNEX Immigration, GMA Pinoy TV, Sun Life Financial, TFC-Kapamilya, and Western Union Canada.

Central to the park celebration was the 2012 Fifth Volleyball Cup competition organized by BCCA’s sports co-ordinator Noli Aquino of the Batoenos. The team from Camarines Norte won the Men’s Volleyball championship for the first time. Awarded  the coveted revolving Champions’ trophy and gold medallions are players  Butch Lipang (captain and MVP), Lito Consolacion, Bong Fabros, Joshua Fabros,Paatrick Mason, Ronnie Miranda, and Manny Tan. The Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon/Masbate men’s teams garnered 2nd, Third,4th, and Fifth places.The Lady spikers of Sorsogon-Masbate successfully retained their Women championship crown with players from Camarines Sur, Albay,Camarines Norte and Catanduanes placing 2nd and 3rd, 4th and 5th, respectively. The champion in volleyball are: Maria Cuaresma (captain), Senh Ban (MVP), Jessica Bitoy, Cynthia Chung, Lydia H., Sarah Joseph, Jasey L., JieJie Piedad, Rory Sibal, Jessica S., Tasmit and Beb Zaragoza.

(PRESS RELEASE)