WAFP and BE A HERO (at Laresio Lakeside Resort and Spa)

I've been a member of WE ARE FUNTASTIC PHILIPPINES (WAFP) for a couple of years  now but it was only yesterday, September 19, 2015  that I had the chance to join the group in a celebration, its 3rd Anniversary.

Together with Josie Arrieta and Desiree Panganiban, we arrived at the venue, the Laresio Lakeview Resort and Spa,  at about 8 o' clock in the morning through the kindness and generosity of Atty. Voltaire Gumban and his lovely wife Bing who picked us up at Shell Almanza Gas Station in Las Pinas at aroud 6:30 am.  We were the earliest birds, I think, and we were all expecting a special award  (LOL).  Liza Amo, who commuted straight from Fairview, Quezon City, arrived also in a few minutes.  We were temporarily  accommodated at the cottage by the lakeside in the meantime that the main hall was still full of students who were enjoying their breakfast.  Later,  AJ Susalta, Sherwin Motilla Losito and Rina Alcantara joined our  group as well  Imee Marquez and company.  We  enjoyed the breath-taking and relaxing view of the Alligator's Lake  that early and had so much  fun watching the divers (and bullying those who failed to dive due to nervousness) and the future seafarers as each of them paddled their boat to different directions that kept them turning round and round.  From our cottage, we also had a good view of the tip of the Mt. Makiling in all its splendor.  Of course, I began to hear the clicks of the cameras from here and there  and we really started our day right.

It did not take long when the event's organizers arrived and they immediately decorated the function room assigned to WAFP.  It was indeed a touching moment to see the BAYANIHAN in ACTION where everyone tried to give his/her time and talent for the group.  With the concerted effort, the stage was successfully set up in an hour or a little bit more  and the whole room was filled with colorful balloons with curled ribbons  and paper buntings.  FIESTA TIME has come, indeed!

It was approximately eleven o'clock when Gelyn Pulayan took the microphone and officially started the celebration.  The dashing Mr. Jay Tee opened the program with a prayer  followed by the inspirational talks from the pillars of the group, Mr. Jay Tee himself and another idol of the WAFPers, Atty. Voltaire Gumban.  The newly elected set of an all-women WAFP officers was also inducted to office  ( the most solemn oath-taking I have ever witnessed ~ PROMISE! LOL ).  WAFP members from abroad sent their touching messages through a video while the whole group was entertained to the bones when The Stylistics came alive in action through Councilor Edward Tiongco and his father Mr. Emil Tiongco of the legendary Tiongco Brothers .  We never got tired listening to their songs and we kept shouting for more . ..  PROMISE ulit!  haha...

At exactly 11:30 in the morning, the group was dispersed for the much-awaited photo walk around Laresio Resort, each one trying and hoping to win the grand prize worth 20k package courtesy of the resort's management.

At 12:30 noon, everyone was back to the main hall for lunch.  We feasted on chicken afritada, ginisang sitaw at kalabasa, grilled liempo, and crispy fried tilapia.  The mouth-watering lechon gave authenticity to the FIESTA celebration and as usual, it became the center of attraction at the buffet table.  There was UNLIMITED RICE, as well  and oh...  I'll never forget that agar-agar look-a-like gulaman drink to cap our meals. 

 

Super fun, fun, fun under the sun followed as the whole group was divided into three teams for the parlor games.  The balloon relay was exciting but filling a jar with water from the pool brought  much more  joy and laughter.  The last game, however,  was more of a "punishment" I think and there was much of a physical stress .  Nevertheless, it really brought out the true spirit of sportsmanship, the beauty of being in a group with a good camaraderie... hehe  After the activities  by the pool, we went back to the main hall for our merienda.  We had  a choice of either pancit canton or pancit malabon, tasty bread and a cold glass of orange juice to quench our thirst.  We also had cakes and fruits on the sides, which made us feel so full! We even had a box of brownies for take out !

September 19, 2015 will always remain a remarkable day for me.  This was the day when I felt I was in the midst of our modern day heroes, shouting their love for our beloved Philippines while they simply raised their hands, declaring themselves as advocates of a better life through Philippine tourism as Councilor Edward Tiongco took the center stage and gave his impromptu speech and challenged the present WAFP leadership to find ways and means of establishing a better and stronger linkage with the government, especially with the LGUs.   I have felt the sincerity of everyone to willingly give his time, spend  his money even  from his own pocket and share his talents for the sake of his country.  I felt the moment where patriotism and heroism were strongly displayed without pretentions.  There were no guns and bullets.  There were no placards and microphones.  They simply gathered,   shoot pictures with their cameras from all sorts and showcased the beauty of the Philippines and its people to the whole wide world !  Isn't it great to be one of them?

Thank you for  the prodding and encouragement of a gWAFPa  named Liza Amo.  If not for her, I should have missed this group where age didn't matter;  I should have missed the company of this pool of impressive talents;  I should have missed the fun and food galore as well as the excitement to be with  the people who even shed off their ranks and be one of the common tao !  I should have missed the height of sportsmanship displayed during the best ever parlor games!   Had I failed to come, I should have missed the kindness and generosity of Atty. Voltaire Gumban and his beautiful wife Bing Tirol !  I should have missed SO MUCH in my life had I let go of this opportunity!

To all the gWAFPos and gWAFPas who spearheaded this event and who, in one way or the other contributed to its success, my sincere gratitude!  You have created a great impact in my life!

So  my dear relatives and friends, ladies and gentlemen, what are you waiting for? Come one! Come all!  Experience real joy and  fun from WAFP!

Be a gWAFPa or a gWAFPo and, in your own right, BE A HERO!



WAFP 3rd Anniversary Logo



The venue ~ Laresio Lakeside Resort and Spa



Entrance to Laresio Lakeside Resort and Spa



BAYANIHAN in ACTION



Colorful balloons filled the main hall and the stage is now ready for the celebration



Opening remarks and inspirational talks from Sir Aldwyn a.k.a. Juan Tamad

Atty. Voltaire Gumban, one of the stalwarts of WAFP,  also gave his piece of inspirational talk
 



The most solemn oath-taking I've ever seen  . . . haha



Thank you Mr. Emil Tiongco of the legendary TIONGCO BROTHERS.  We really had a great time with you and your special song numbers!

The photo walk has begun... So what's going on in here?  What's up there?

 

 

 

 

Tinipak ang bundok...

 

Ano ngang bundok ito,  Kuya Bitoy?

 

 

the sensational white slide from a distance

Testing the waters...

Game na game na sila...

 

they seemed to have decided to climb up the slide... haha

 

The tip of Mt. Makiling in all of its splendor

 

What's on the side of the Alligator's Lake?

Next time, let's try to explore the other side of the Alligator's Lake... hehe

 

Hey, look up!  That's the 20k package grand prize for the photo shoot contest!

 

 Ang nagbabagang kayak ....

At inilusong nila sa lawa ang nagbabagang kayak...

The Seafarers  in the future...

 

Test your stamina...climb this wall!

 

Instant modelo ang babaeng kay ganda . . .

Josie and Roan... pose pose din pag may time!

 

 

 

hari ng hapag kainan....yung lechon.... haha

 

 

Afritadang manok

Ginisang sitaw at kalabasa...

 

inihaw na baboy

Piniritong Tilapia

Tinadtad na lechon

 

cool na cool pa dito ang Team 3 ~ tulog lang ang peg... haha

 

  

 

Parang susuko na si Master Chard dito... habang tinatawanan lang ni Sir Bitoy ang palanggana... haha

 

kayang-kaya pa ....

 

 

 

Dito, mukhang suko na si  Say . . .. hehe

 

hawak-kamay.... di kita iiwan...

 

 

my team mates.... kaya pa more!

 

Thank you, my dear Liza Amo, for all the prodding and encouragement...

 

Thank you for visiting my site once again, after a long, looooooooooong   time!  Next time I'll see you, ka gWAFPo at ka gWAFPa  na kita!