Hosts and Guests
By: Ismael J. Castillo
Organizers observed that this year’s attendance was not comparably high but not low either. While many faces were absent from the familiar crowd this year, others were back to grace the occasion such as Jessie and Miriam Mirasol from Virginia, Rodelito Benerayan and wife Myra from Maryland, Tessie Villiamin-Tuason and children JJ, Lea & Edwin from Chicago, Nida Papa & son Adrian, and Rosie & Lando Capinpin from Michigan, Danny & Eden Villanueva and Mabel Arroyo from New York City, Mely V. Melton with son Frederick (who brought along a friend from Seattle Washington) and daughter Aimee with her young children Robyn & Gwendolyn, all from Texas, Nida Generoso and Celso & Maureen Ramos from California, Leo (Momoy) Mesina from Vancouver and Oscar Mejilla & wife Delia from Alberta among others. Andrew Ansay was the lone representative of Chicago’s Ansay clan. The Ansays and their Chicago Paluwagan group are regular attendees and contributors to the Cavinti Fiesta but they skipped coming to the celebrations this year for reasons that many understood.
Dinner is Served
James Mejilla who is visiting Canada along with wife Sofing and sister-in-law Evelyn Ansay automatically assumed the ambassadorship of goodwill from the Philippines and as such was invited to deliver a message during the evening.
In his address to the gathering he appreciated the opportunity of attending the fiesta in Toronto and urged Cavintinians in the GTA to continue celebrating the feast of our Patron San Salvador del Mundo and keep the faith burning.
After weeks of conjectures and wild anticipations (this year’s feature presentation by the Cavinti Performing Arts Generation 2) was the most guarded secret in the 30-year history of the GTA Cavinti Fiesta), Chris and Eugene Mirasol acting as pageant hosts welcomed everyone to the 2009 Miss Cavinti Beauty Pageant by teasing that “our audience is in for a real jaw dropping eye candy that will knock your socks off”.
Long Gown Competition
And true to these words, the house suddenly erupted in thunderous applause, whistle and laughter when one by one the six pageant participants strutted out with complete make-over such as wigs, stilettos, make up, and all those stuff that a beauty contestant make.
The contestants namely: Darling (a.k.a Derek Linay), Apple (a.k.a Arden Villanueva), Bet-Bet (a.k.a Hubert Ramos), Nene (a.k.a. Neil Flores), Teresita (aka Terry Trinidad), and Paciencia (Patrick Teruel) all appeared confident and romped like real models on the catwalk during the Sarong, Bikini, and Evening Gown competition respectively.
Bet-Bet (Hubert Ramos) was the crowd favorite and winner based on poise, smile, and his answer to a “controversial” question. When asked: “What can you say about Same Sex Marriage?” (an obvious spoof of the recent Miss California controversy), Bet-Bet answered in a broken and funny Tagalog accent: “Ay naku, mahirap na question ito”. He continued, “I am glad you asked the exact question because I am married to one of the contestants.” The house almost broke down with that hilarious answer.
Bet Bet Ramos and Eugene
In a cameo role as the reigning Miss Cavinti, Teodurika (a.k.a. Teody Gahite) in attractive one piece bathing suit relinquished her tiara and sash to the Miss Cavinti of 2009.
Concluding the pageant, Resa Avelino, the creative director and choreographer of the event, acknowledged the audience’s appreciative clapping of the hands by taking the centre stage and making a bow.
Showcasing talents of Cavintinians in between the pageant events, Samantha Oraa, Edwin and Susan Oraa’s daughter, awed the audience with her excellent dance moves that made her a World Tap Dance Champion at the recent world competition in Germany.
Fair ladies of Cavinti
She started dancing at an early age of three and has since then garnered awards at various competitions all across Ontario and the USA.
As well, Samantha performed at the Toronto Urban Music Festival, the premiere screening of the movie “How She Move” at Disney World in Florida and has done music videos for some artists.
Chelsea Angeles and the ORA trio on the other hand participated in as invited singers.
Later in the evening the outgoing chairperson, Chris Avelino transferred the responsibility for the Cavinti Fiesta to Adan Vita, incoming chairperson for the 30th Fiesta Anniversary slated for next year.
Ladies Committee
Adan in his acceptance speech already geared up 2010 Fiesta by inviting everyone this early.
Andy Da Silva of Classy DJ provided well balanced selections of party music which the party goers enjoyed to the last piece.
Unwinding from months of preparation and the hectic four-day fiesta events, the members of the Fiesta Organizing Committee along with some visitors trekked to Casino Rama on Monday, August 3rd.
The traditional Lupi, the culmination of the long fiesta festivities, will be celebrated albeit two weeks later by the majority of the organizers through a sight seeing trip to Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and New York City on August 11th to 14th ( inclusive).
