I. J. Castillo
Toronto, Ontario
Living up to expectations, the Cavinti Club of the Greater Toronto Area’s Performing Arts Group once again staged another successful fiesta coup on July 31st with its much anticipated Feature Presentation, this time a spoof of the recent royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Garbed in authentic-looking knocked out wedding regalia, the participants were introduced by Reesa Avelino in her convincing role as the BBC’s host of the event. She also choreographed and directed the show and co-emceed the entire program with Sharon Diaz.
The ladies of the Cavinti Performing Arts Group took part as the wedding invitees who were ushered in by the dancing duo of Jimmy Mesina and Lindo Linay. The main characters appeared in the following order:
Nilo Flores and Lorna Linay-Dionisio as Prince Charles and Camilla respectively, Roland and Tessie Castillo as the Middletons, Kate’s parents, Mike and Perla Diaz as Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, Bien Villanueva and sister-in-law Joy in the roles of Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton, and Allen Villanueva and Teody Gahite leading the cast as Prince William and Kate Middleton respectively. Ian, a fiesta guest with a great sense of humor, played the role of the Archbishop of the Canterbury and impressively officiated the mock wedding with his British accent.
Playing the roles of media correspondents were Mel Castillo, contributor to the Tipakan.com, Jing Linay of the BBC (Balitang-Balita sa Cavinti Bureau), and Rachel De Mesa of CCN (Cavinti News Network Toronto Bureau Amidst the frenzy and flashes of digital flash bulbs from the legions of paparazzi wannabes, the staged wedding ceremony ended with the simulated first kiss of the royal couple at the balcony.
Prior to the Feature Presentation, Jenny Villanueva-Cruz, the chairperson for 2011 Fiesta, welcomed all the guests, and delivered an impassioned message of the importance of the annual Cavinti fiesta in the GTA both for the older and younger generations in the GTA. She continued by urging the organizers to carry on the most attended Cavinti fiesta abroad; amid speculations that there would be no chairperson in 2012. This year completes the lineup of prospective chairpersons that takes 32 years to fill up.
Mel Castillo, designated spokesperson for the Organizing Committee, dispelled the rumors and allayed concerns when he announced, to the surprise of many, Ed Avelino as the chairman for 2012 fiesta. Ed, who as always motivates, inspires, and leads, has volunteered to the fiesta chairmanship.
Rudy Zalameda introduced new Cavintinian residents of the GTA such as Sylvia Linay-Garcia, Reese Benerayan, Myra Mesina, the newly arrived family of Nap Oliveros and the new members of the 2nd generations of the Cavinti Kids. Dr. Ronald Villanueva, a retired Cavintinian surgeon from Ohio, delivered the Ambassador of Goodwill message.
Regular fiesta revelers and devotees to San Salvador come back again this year to take part in the fiesta celebrations. Our roving lens caught notable first timers such as Maring de la Cruz-Salandanan and daughter Edwina who were vacationing from California (and were guests of Perla Villanueva-Diaz and hubby Mike), New Yorkers Dennis Villanueva and wife Edith, Peter Burgos and wife Dina (nee Villanueva), and Rosalina (Nene) Ramos-Rivera.
First timers Arnold Gordula and wife Miming of Chicago likewise attended with relatives Pete and Janet Santos (originally from Majayjay, Laguna), Alice Flores- Oliveros from California, newly landed Dante and Rosie Veluz of Maryland; and tagging along with Linda Custodio-Principe from the Buffalo, N.Y area were her children and families: daughter Rowena and businessman husband Robert Simon, and son Robert Principe and family from North Carolina.
Impressed with the fiesta; they vowed to come back next year. Lastly, we had a couple of guests again from the Philippines: Nisa Gasapangra-Nocea, and Guerrick Mariano.
Among Balik-fiesta (after an absence for more than a couple of years or so) were Cesar and Ester Ramos of New York, Brian Resurrection and family from Maryland, Dr. Tinong Gallardo of California, and from Windsor, Jess Tiansing and wife Bertie, who significantly met at the Cavinti fiesta in the GTA in 1980
This year’s Cavinti fiesta started earlier on July 29th at the Bespiras dinner hosted by Jenny V. Cruz to welcome out-of-town and local resident guests alike.
The celebrations ramped up to the Picnic July 30th where kids and adults enjoyed a wide range of new games which were prepared and facilitated by the Mesina sisters, Liezle Mesina-Trinidad and Jasmin Mesina-Black, daughters of Jimmy and Miner Mesina.
The Community Mass in Christ the King Church, where the priest made tributes to our Patron, San Salvador del Mundo and to the Fiesta Organizing Committee, highlighted the fiesta. The Gala Night capped the annual fiesta celebrations.
The Cavinti Club of Greater Toronto Area, through the chairperson Jenny V. Cruz, thanks everyone who joined us in celebrating the 32nd annual fiesta in honour of our Patron, San Salvador del Mundo, especially those who travelled from near and far and those who volunteered donations in cash or in kind. Likewise, we appreciate Rachel Valenton and Loi Delmar who provided most of the wonderful photos of the fiesta photo album. Your unwavering support of our fiesta makes it going and going annually for 32 years.