Ivatans greet Gloria
Special to Batanes Online and Bandillo Batanes
by vbc, Toronto*

The Ivatan Canadians of Ontario (TICO) was honoured to have been one of the Philippine community organizations to greet Her Excellency during her brief stopover in Toronto last January 31. The president was on her way from Ottawa (Canada's capital) to attend the World Economic Forum in New York City.

The Officers - L to R: Johnny, Roger, Ramon, Lerma, Aurora, Max, Victor, Mely, Irene, Ailyn, Jovy, Jun and Consul Badajos.

The ceremony was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and TICO was there for the event upon the invitation of the Philippine Consulate. The Ivatan organization was represented at the occasion by its officers headed by: Johnny Agsulid, president; Roger Caballero, executive vice president; and Aurora Caballero, treasurer. Unable to attend were: Ramon Aguto, vice president; and Lerma Aguto, Secretary.

Gloria during her speech before the Philippine communities reported the achievements of her one-year administration. She proudly emphasized that GDP grew by 3.4 per cent in 2001, and GNP increased by 3.7 per cent, one of the highest growth rates in the world today. The president also reported that when she assumed the presidency, unemployment rate was 11.6 per cent , but 8 months in her administration, it was down to 9.8 per cent.

With the Dual Citizenship and the Absentee Voting Rights bills now pending approval in the Philippine Congress, Her Excellency asked her Filipino audience to exert more effort to lobby their congressmen and senators to support the two bills.

An Ivatan cultural organization

The Ivatan Christmas Choir - L to R: Aurora, Mely, Roger, Lerma, Ramon, Johnny, Max, Rosie (formerly Miss Sabtang), Froilan, Enong, Irene and Victor.

TICO is a cultural (strictly non-political) organization with the mission of preserving the Ivatan culture among the Ivatans in Ontario. The induction of officers ceremony last year coincided with the annual Ivatan Christmas Party. The induction was before Vice Consul Edgar Badajos, a lawyer and formerly from neighbouring Cagayan province.

The 2001 Ivatan Christmas Party was the best ever. President Agsulid in his welcoming address expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ivatans and Non-Ivatans for their part in the achievement of TICO's objectives.

The Ivatan "Fandango" - L to R: Ramon, Roger, Sherwin, Johnny and their ladies.

Vice Consul Badajos delivered the Christmas message and reminded the Ivatans of the spirit of the season. He also told the Ivatans not to forget family and friends left behind and of their ties to the islands. (His brother served as commander of the Philippine Coast Guard Station in Basco.)

The Ivatan "Fundango" - Roger and Aurora on their way to the dance floor.

To the delight of the audience that was a composite of Ivatans and Non-Ivatans, the officers of TICO under the direction of Secretary Lerma Agsulid performed a cultural presentation of the Ivatan "fundango," a traditional Ivatan folkdance of Hispanic origin. A solo was also performed by Melissa Aguto of Kitchener, Ontario.


Summer in the city

It's still winter in Toronto but indications are that spring and summer will be returning sooner, and with it the summer activities of the Ivatans in the city. Foremost among these events is the Annual Ivatan Summer Picnic at the Shades Mills Conservation Area in Cambridge, Ontario. This summer opener is traditionally hosted by the Agutos of Kitchener, Ontario.

Another annual event at midsummer and appropriately called "An Ivatan Midsummer's Dream" is held in the Toronto area. Ivatans in the city (the Agsulids, Babalos, Batin-Valerios, Cabal-Martinezes, Caballeros, Canos, Cari-Ferrerias, Castillejoses, Belgados, Enfestas, Gonzaleses, Meriels, Rascos, Valiente-Tuazons, Violas, etc.), take turns hosting the event.

Then the summer closer which is mainly a camping trip is held in Peterborough, Ontario near the Haliburton Highlands, a couple of hours drive from Toronto.

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* vbc - Victor B. Caballero (victor.caballero@sympatico.ca) is an Ivatan in Toronto and one of TICO's PROs. Vic also maintains the Uyugan webiste www.geocities.com/uyuganbatanes/