‘Magkitanay kita 2012’

How many Kabankalanons from abroad are attending the Global Kabankalanon reunion this week?

As of yesterday, according to Toti Quizan of Kabankalanon Canada, there were already 124 registered with the secretariat headed by Dolly Alvarez.

“But we are expecting more from Australia, Japan, and the Middle East,” Quizan said.

Well, that means that Sinulog 2012 will be worth the memory, if the Kabankalanons from abroad actually participate in the many activities they had drawn up for the affair.

But by today, January 5, the Kabankalanons already in town are supposed to join local coordinator, Msgr. Vic Rivas, vicar general of the Bacolod Diocese, at his Punta Taytay rest house. The luncheon affair will be hosted by Kabankalanons of Bacolod and Msgr. Rivas.

Actually the affair has been one year in the making. Elmer Cordero, editor of the Kabankalanon newsletter, had informed me about the plan a year ago. The plan is to reach out to Kabankalalon organizations abroad to encourage them join the “balikbayan” pilgrimage to their home city.

“This promised to be the biggest volume of Balikbayans returning home,” said Toti.

Tomorrow, the more than 124 Kabankalons in town are scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. at his capitol office.

In the evening, there will be “binayle” as Planta Hotel. This will be hosted by Bacolod Kabankalanons.

In a way, the sudden death from heart attack by Jose Maria “Boy” Zayco gives a pall of gloom on the unprecedented return of so many Balikbayans from Kabankalan.

Zayco was vice president of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was 64.

Anyway, the show must go on. On Jan. 6, the Kabankalanons will join a caravan motorcade from Bacolod to the Southern City. They will be in six buses and many more cars will join the caravan. Guizan said.

The “balikbayans” will convene at city hall where they will be officially received by City Mayor Isidro Zayco and other city officials, including Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez and Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District).

Later, in the afternoon, starting 4 p.m., the global Kabankalanons will participate in a walk for a cause, which will converge in the public plaza.

The affair will be capped by the Mass at the Cathedral of Kabankalan, which will signal the official opening of the Sinulog 2012.

This will be climaxed by the cultural program sponsored by the City of Kabankalan at the plaza.

That, so far, are just among the various activities that will mark Makinitaay Kita 2012 sa Kabankalan.

But, as I had said yesterday, the 124 registered balikbayans are just the vanguard of what could be a groundswell of Kabankalanons from all over the world who are here to make sure that Sinulog 2012 will be a smashing success.

My son, Rolando Junior, has been registered also, although his wife, Mercy Cabile, is the native Kabankalanon. Both are staying in Dublin, Ireland. They brought home with them their daughters, Daniella and Blanca and their youngest, Mart.

Jun-Jun, however, is reportedly participating in the Cebu marathon on January 8.

Still, I just hope that Kabankalanons will have a clearer vision when they cry out – Hala Bira.

* * *

I join the rest of news media workers in grieving over the sudden death of 64-year old Boy Zayco.

Although he was better known as a business executive, Boy was actually more like a news media worker to most of us in the journalism profession.

He was an integral part of any media gathering, as he was active in many other business conferences as will as meetings of projects of non-government organizations.

A salute to Boy. And our condolences to Rachelle, his daughter, and granddaughter Angelique.

Everyone in media will miss Boy.*

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