….Another Successful and Thankful Year for the Publication.

By:  Tata “Tatsky” Gascon-delos Reyes

Another year went by and Pinoy Times’ Publisher Connie Kriaski never let the year ended without giving back to her loyal advertisers and readers.  Once again, the celebration was held at the same venue (Huntington Hills Community Center) last December 17, 2011.  This time around, although that morning’s  Philippine News flashed a very unfortunate event when yet another flooding hit the Philippine island this time centering on Cagayan De Oro and Iligan provinces, the crew and staff of Pinoy Times carried on.   Everything planned for the night needed to move forward.

Even if the laughter abound inside the hall, we all knew that deep inside, Christmas 2011 will be different. One week shy of Christmas Day, many from our home country are sad, in tears and in pain.  But as most other Nationalities describe us, “Pinoys” are resilient.  We may, just like a bamboo, battered by a strong storm, will crack and bend a little or more, but definitely, will stand back strong as ever and face the tribulations no matter what.

The program highlighted the On-The-Spot Parol (Christmas Lantern) Making Contest, where local and avid readers of both Pinoy Tmes and PinoyLiving Magazine, took home the 3 monetary prizes at stake. Congratulations to Alex Galangga (1^st), Alex Velasco (2^nd), and Luis Magnaye (3^rd).  Teresa Hamoroc (4^th) bagged home the Xmas basket and all brought their works of art made beautifully with pride and honor.

A new addition was the Photo Booth which was a collaborative effort by the 3 members of Klick14 Photography Club.  Thank you sincerely for new additions to the line of Pinoy Times volunteer photographers Zaldy Francisco, Mark Ancheta, and Jazle dela Cruz.  Half of the proceeds earned from that night were donated to the CDO Campaign to which Connie Kriaski announced. The lovely men, women, and children of the Pinoy Times Circle of friendship openly shared a bit more from their precious pockets to donate through the photo booth sessions that night.  It is also worth mentioning that a 50/50 draw was held as well, where 50 % of the proceeds was lovingly donated by Connie Kriaski to Pinoy Times’ chosen non-profit and charitable organization that would embark to relay the help back home – Sagip Kapamilya, an ABS-CBN Fundraiser and Disaster Relief body that looks out to our “kababayans” in times of helplessness brought about by any type of calamity.

The last highlight of the event of course was the big raffle draw for the Cruise Trip  Certificate donated by Alex Taylaran of South Pointe Toyota and the 32” LCD Television donated by Ms. Lottie Brar of MCL Ltd.  Big winners were Miss Alice Cabagan of GreatLife Financial and Rey Labay & Emily Opinaldo for the most awaited Cruise opportunity.  Congratulations once again to all of us!!! See you in December when we meet again to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birthday or the Paskong Pinoy Times 2012.

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