phil indie day 2009 in mongolee

that was a blast. the pinoys in mongolia’s first ever open party, attended by close to 300 people less than 10% of who were pinoys, to celebrate the 111th philippine independence day on 14 June 2009 at the star apartments community center.

doubling as a fund raiser for the good shepherd parish in ulaanbaatar, we raked in more than 3.6 million tugriks  including donations from generous individuals.

it was a challenge to organize the event, lacking as we were with the necessary materials, hands and funds.

a barrio fiesta atmosphere nonetheless was approximated — lechon kawali in lieu of a whole roasted piggy, light wood dos por dos in lieu of bamboo for the tinikling, styro bahay kubo (nipa hut) facade. strung and hung the banderitas, served the ubiquitous chicken adobo, rice, tokwa with togue and veggie sotanghon for the non-meat eaters, biko and mango juice.

guests were entertained with folk dances — itik-itik, kappa malong, pandanggo sa ilaw, tinikling — and got everyone grooving to the opm music of the boracay-based pinoy band who took off from their regular gig at strings. tinikling was such a hit (”awesome” !) that many brave souls from the audience tried. no casualty, thank heavens!

there was too a mini tianggue where sold were embotido, tapa, tocino, pearl trinkets and other blings. raffle prizes that were put up by marn    et for those who bought buy-a-brick tickets (for the church’s fence) were added incentives. the “philippine libations” pack, consisting of tanduay rhum, ginebra san miguel, ginger tea powder, sumatra blend tobaccos and cebu dried mangoes was particularly inventive.

unanimous, hands-down, no contest verdict : indeed the “philippinos” definitely know how to throw one helluva  fantabulous parteehh!! ….. and when might the next one be?

can’t end this post without being showbiz — we would like to thank our sponsors … and the rolling credits.

the pinoy community in mongolee is small, give or take 100 persons. many of them gave their best, within respective abilities and limitations, to make the party rock. to them — dancers and choreographers, creatives, the strings pinoy band, gate keepers, food table supervisors, buy-a-brick ticket minders, trinket seller, deli supplier  –  HUGE APPRECIATION. 

meantime we do have to mention special people: Marnet, who pursued, glued and coordinated, Fr. Ronald and the girls from the Good Shepherd for responding to tough logistical needs, Louise and John from the US Embassy for facilitating the use of the venue and security as well as the cash bar, Ms Delia B from far Egypt but whose spirit of solidarity reached UB in $$$.

then of course our gratitude to other Pinoys and non-Pinoy friends who celebrated with us, such as the Chingeltei District Health Unit who came in full force, Roni’s Mongolian colleagues who drove all the way from Darkhan, Ambassador Patrick Chrismasant of France who charmingly beamed at the dancers, Swiss Consul Markus Dubach who honored us by wearing a barong tagalog and his wife Gertrude who gamely dared put her dainty feet in between the tinikling poles.

muchas gracias y salud!