PAGGAWA Holds a Cultural Presentation at UCC

Sunday, February 13, 2005

PAGGAWA held a Philippine cultural presentation at the United Church of Christ in Southbury. The Sunday school children of UCC donate their weekly offering to help a boy, named Erwin, in the Philippines. To learn more about his country, Georgette Huie, UCC’s interim Minister for Christian Education and Youth, invited PAGGAWA to share their Filipino culture.

The program began with a slideshow presented by Dr. Julius Fajardo, president of PAGGAWA.  The presentation showcased Philippine history, geography, education, customs and tidbits of daily life.  There was also an exhibit of Philippine items which included baskets, jewelry cases, postcards, dolls, wood carvings, shells, textiles, and various novelty and decorative crafts. Books, posters and tourist brochures were also on display.

After the church service, about 140 members of UCC joined the children to view a parade of traditional Filipino costumes and  contemporary attire. The Filipino men including  5 year old Joseph Danay Jr. wore the Barong Tagalog. This formal wear is made of jusi fabric, from raw silk, or the delicate pina fabric, from the mature leaves of the pineapple plant.  The women wore various styles of traditional Filipino dresses. Natasha Angel and Katelyn Ballesteros wore costumes of the Igorots, a cultural minority of the Mountain Province in Northern Philippines.  Shatilla and Sherise De Leon wore formal gowns with a contemporary flair.  After the show, the PAGGAWA children performed two dances.  The first was the Itik-itik, choreographed and taught by  Sally Johnson.  The second was the Kunday-kunday, which the children learned last year.  The performers were: Nicole Angel, Kateri Danay, Marco Fajardo, Kaycee Gregorio, Nicole Javier, Jardanne  and Jansel Padilla, Jacqueline Pascual and  Paulo Villanueva. In appreciation, the UCC children presented gifts to the PAGGAWA children.

The UCC members were then invited to sample Philippine food provided by PAGGAWA:  Pork and Chicken Adobo, a stew cooked in garlic, onions, crushed peppercorns, vinegar and soy sauce,  Pancit Bihon, rice noodles sautéed with garlic, onions, chicken and vegetables,  Lumpia, beef spring rolls dipped in sweet and sour sauce,  and Puto, a sweet white bread made from rice flour.  UCC also celebrated Erwin’s birthday and provided a birthday cake, coffee and drinks.

PAGGAWA Visits Waterbury Nursing Homes

Sunday, November 20, 2005

PAGGAWA performed for the residents of two Waterbury nursing homes, the Health Center of Greater Waterbury and Haven Health Center.  Dance, song, and musical performances were presented by Jacqueline Pascual, Samantha and Shelly Evia, Marco Fajardo, Kaycee and Michelle Gregorio, Nicole Angel, Kateri Danay, Nicole Javier, Jardanne and Jansel Padilla. The program was emceed by Miguel Penabella. After the show there was a raffle of socks and blankets, knitted and donated by Waterbury resident Grandma Marion Mayor. The event showcased the talents of the PAGGAWA children and brightened the day for many senior citizens.  

The PAGGAWA organization is dedicated to community service and is involved in a variety of cultural and social activities.  This event is one way of demonstrating that there is a Filipino American group that cares and shares in our community.

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