The Eastern Samar (Canada) Association is having its Spring Dinner-Dance and Induction Ceremony on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 at 6pm.
The new set of officers:
President Gil Baquilod
Vice-President Sonia Quintua
Secretary Arlene Beato
Treasurer Delia Ditalo
Business Manager Sonia McDonald
PRO Nora Gacita
Inducting Officer PhilConsulGen Hon. Orontes V. Castro

Attire: Semi-formal Ticket Price: $25

Venue:
Royal Canadian Legion - Fairbank Branch
31 Shortt Street, Toronto
(Main intersection - Eglinton Ave. W and Dufferin St.)

All are welcome and enjoy the evening.

Congratulations to the new set of officers for 2022-2023. The election held on August 28, 2021 was blessed with a good weather that contributed to the successful activity of the day. We wish the newly-elected officers good success in their new endeavour. We also hope that the plague of the COVID-19 pandemic will not intrude into the plans of the new administration. Here are the names of the new set of officers.

President - Gil Baquilod
Vice-President - Sonia Quintua
Secretary - Arlene Beato
Treasurer - Delia Ditalo
Auditor - Josephine Baquilod
Business Manager - Sonia McDonald
PRO - Nora Gacita

We bid a heartfelt adieu to the former officers. Their tenure was not without its inconveniences due to the fact that it was fraught with the COVID-19 pandemic which affected its activities. We wish them farewell.

God bless.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all our Members!!!
We thank all those members and guests who graced our Christmas Party with your presence. It was indeed a very memorable and enjoyable night because of the enthusiasm and energy that everyone generated during the whole evening of festivity. I thank those who prepared the room with the festive decor (with the special mention of Anita.) I thank those who brought the delicious food that occupied our dining tables. We thank Sonia for the Christmas tableau and the performers. Special mention goes to Lawrence and Cleofe for managing the whole affair. Congratulations to all!
Carlos

Hello ESCA members,
I congratulate you for the success of our recent Kapatronan and Thanksgiving celebration. Everyone did have a really grand time. The food was sumptuous and the entertainment was awesome. It is this kind of night that we cultivate the camaraderie and close togetherness with our igkasi Estehanons and friends. With the funds generated in this occasion, we will be able to finalize our ESCA Wheelchair Donation Project. We thank our advertisers and supporters of our ESCA cause. Most of all, we thank the Hermanos and Hermanas of the South District of Eastern Samar who hosted the evening affair. May God bless us all.

Our ESCA Annual Summer Picnic did turn out just great. I thank all our members and guests for coming and bringing their own special food offerings that more than sufficiently provided for the meal. As they say, more choices make a great feast. Sonia did a great job of making the picnic entertaining and interesting with her store of fun games.

I also would like to extend my congratulations to the new set of ESCA officers. We are confident that they will carry on the spirit of service to our organization and its objectives.

ESCA New Set of Officers for the term 2020-2021:

President: Lydia Sabay
Vice-President: Sonia Quintua
Secretary: Cleofe Robin
Treasurer: Amanda Abug
Auditor: Alberto Sabay
Business Manager: Donald Balaong
Public Relations Officer: Cleta Zadeh

Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Well, the trip our ESCA group had just taken to the Fallsview Casino Niagara was very memorable and quite exciting. I can say that for a fact because seldom do we have this kind of activity when we encounter being stranded in the highway with a disabled bus or coach. And a busted and leaking transmission at that. We had to wait for two hours for a relief coach to come and bring us back home. Wheeew!!! We're glad no untoward incident happened to anyone in the group. Everyone got home safe.

In spite of this, we were able to get the maximum allowable generation of funds raised from this particular trip. A well-deserved effort from everyone. I believe some of us won somehow. Good! But don't count me in.

Overall, everyone enjoyed the trip, especially those guests who came from the Middle East. They were able to see the beauty and grandeur of the Niagara Falls!

Thanks and congratulations all around.

Thanks to all the ESCA members and guests who made our Christmas Party a great success! Without your support, this year's Christmas celebration would not have been possible. So, let's congratulate ourselves. We were able to get into the spirit of the season. And may all of you now be in the proper joyful expectation to memorialize the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ who was born that Christmas Day in Bethlehem.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

I wish to congratulate all those involved in our Kapatronan and Thanksgiving celebration. Special recognition and thanks to the Hermanos and Hermanas of the Central District Towns of Eastern Samar for being the hosts of the evening. By the looks of it, our Kapatronan celebration was a great success.
We expect that the collaborative efforts of the ESCA members give hope that the Association will continue to forge ahead as a uniting agent among the Eastern Samareños. Bravo to all!!!

Congratulations, ESCA! The Annual Summer Picnic was a great success! Thank you, Mr. President Quintin Sim for the leadership you showed to make our ESCA group a stable and strong organization that will weather any storm or obstacle. Our appreciation and thanks also go to the untiring members who keep ESCA alive and to the guests who shared the fun times and camaraderie.

WE congratulate the newly-inducted set of Officers of the Eastern Samar (Canada) Association. As to how the night went, I invite comments below.

Thank you ESCA members and guests who with your presence graced the Eastern Samar (Canada) Association Christmas Party and made the evening very exciting and Christmassy, what with all the Christmas carols and Christmas-themed dance numbers in full galore. I also appreciate all those who heeded the call to bring their own kind of cuisine and desserts to be shared with other attendees of the evening. These offerings enhanced a great deal the main course provided by ESCA. Also, many thanks to Sonia and Paterno for a lively emceeing of the programme.

The year is at its end and the present set of officers say Adios for now and we greet the new set of officers and welcome them this coming new year. We earnestly hope that ESCA members will give them their utmost support so that our organization will keep the course to a new horizon.

And to the ESCA Executive Council and members, my heartfelt gratitude for the help and loving support you gave during my time as your President. I cannot thank you enough.

Regards to all. And God bless.
Maupay nga Pasko haiyo ngatanan!!!

Carlos Abug

I thank all those who came to our Kapatronan and Thanksgiving celebration, guests included. The night would not have been successful without the Hermanos and Hermanas who were the hosts of the affair. My special thanks of course, go to the volunteer Hermanos and Hermanas who assumed the honour by adopting the unrepresented towns of the North District of Eastern Samar. Cleta Zadeh did a great job of preparing the table centre pieces which made the hall presentable. And Sonia Quintua gave our guests a glimpse of our rich Philippine cultural heritage by her dance numbers. Bravissimo!

In spite of the few attendance, the evening festivities were not lacking in the fun category. Everyone was enjoying themselves.

So, congratulations are in order to everyone involved.

Thank you all and God bless.

Carlos

PS. This day is the 100th Anniversary of the Miracle of the sun in Fatima, Portugal!!! Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

Dear ESCA members,
Thanks for coming to our ESCA Annual Summer Picnic. It was a heck of real good weather with which we were blessed. I can say with certainty that everyone had a really great time! Everything turned out well. The food was superb. The games were fun and enjoyable.

I congratulate the new set of officers elected during the picnic. I wish you all goodwill and my appreciation that you will carry on the torch of the Association as we go forward.

God bless.

Carlos

It was one heck of a night, won't you agree, folks? I mean, our Eastern Samar (Canada) Association's 10th Anniversary and Christmas Party held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Toronto Airport West, Mississauga. I congratulate all those who were able to attend this our historic event. I owe my gratitude to those loyal members and guests who made that evening of festivities possible. My sincere apologies to those who could not get the tickets because of limited seating.

The evening's affair seemed to be a popular one. And because everyone has a very favourable opinion about the evening's festive atmosphere, everyone seems to agree that come Christmas time next year, we may have to do this all over again. And this, in spite of the cost which it entails. And, by golly! We'll do it again.

Thanks to all the members of ESCA, to our loyal friends, guests and sponsors who have supported us through the years.

Also, Amanda and I thank everyone for being so kind to give us that wonderful surprise of acknowledgements and commendations.

Happy ESCA 10th Anniversary and Merry Christmas to everyone!!!

God bless!

Carlos

We just finished celebrating the annual Kapatronan and Thanksgiving on Saturday, October 8. It was a fairly attended event. Of course, the vibrancy, energy and enthusiasm of those who attended were all in display.
I thank all our Hermanos and Hermanas, members, guests and sponsors for bringing the affair to materialization and therefore to its successful conclusion. In that evening, I also announced the upcoming ESCA 10th Anniversary and Christmas Party celebration which we are going to hold on Saturday, December 3, 2016 starting at 6 PM. The venue is the Hilton Garden Inn, 1870 Matheson Blvd., Mississauga. Main intersection is Eglinton Ave. W. and Dixie Rd., S. - across the Canada Post facility.

I hope to see you there as we start the next ten years of ESCA.

Regards and God bless.

Carlos

I'm sorry I have been remiss in my update of ESCA news. I was not able to give any missive after our ESCA Induction of Officers in April. So much waters have gone under the bridge so I need not have to revisit the event. Except to say I'm so sorry.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the ESCA members and guests who graced the ESCA Christmas Party 2015 with your presence. The affair was quite an event. It was one of the merriest Christmas Parties we have had. The Christmas spirit was all too pervasive. And the Christmas carols, of course, gave the evening the atmosphere of expectation of the coming of our Saviour, in His most vulnerable stage; a babe in a manger. We ponder at some moment if we are worthy to be visited by the Creator of the universe. But He came nonetheless. And we are the better for it. That`s why we are celebrating the day when He was born.

So with this in mind, I greet you all a very Merry Christmas. Hope to see you all in the New Year and may this coming New Year find you with more blessings.

Again, Maupay nga Pasko Ha iyo ngatanan.

Yours in the Infant Jesus Christ,

Carlos

My thanks to the Hermanos and Hermanas of the Kapatronan and Thanksgiving 2015 for hosting our yearly event. Also, to those ESCA members who helped in the preparation of the Legion Hall and the housekeeping afterwards. And of course, thanks to our guests and members who came to make the night a memorable one. Be looking forward to next year.

A mea culpa for posting this late. But the Spring Dinner-Dance just past was grandly held and surpassed all expectations. Congratulations to the winners: Most Popular Couple, Nora and Nilo Gacita; 1st Runner-up, Cynthia Cabatu and Steve Fearon; 2nd Runner-up, Oliva and Ed Mayled; and 3rd Runner-up, Charina Baquilod and Robert Linsao. The night would not have been productive had it not been for the cooperation of all the members, the eagerness of the couples themselves and the skillful stage-managing by the energetic Sonia Quintua, our Special Events chairperson. Hey, we may even have this kind of event a yearly fixture. Are we OK with this, guys?

The ESCA Christmas Spirit cannot be contained. The Royal Canadian Legion Hall Fairbanks Branch was shaking to its rafters with the tremendous energy the members were emoting while enjoying the atmosphere of the Christmas spirit of the season. It was a very much well-attended party. I thank all for the success and the resulting elation of everyone brought on by the presence of familiar faces and of guests who were introduced to the way Estehanons throw a party. I thank those who brought food to the table. Some comments bear mentioning: They say that the food was so gooooood! Entertainment-wise, it wasn't that boring. As a matter of fact, it was superb. Special thanks to Nora, Nilo, Joel and the crew for the preparation and upkeep of the hall.

There you are folks. Let's try to top this one the next time around. Agreed?

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!!!

It was indeed a very beautiful and happy gathering that the Eastern Samar (Canada) Association had at the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church Hall on Saturday, October 11. It was a night full of fun, where everyone had a very good time. As usual the food was great and aplenty. The entertainment did not disappoint. For those who were not able to attend because of emails not being received or hard mail being returned back to sender, it is a sorry state of affairs. But if you are one of those affected with these issues, please reconnect with ESCA by giving new particulars about yourself, that is, your active email address, new phone numbers (home/cell) and address of your present residence. You may send them by email to: carlq@rogers.com, by phone, 905-457-3019, or by post, 1607 - 3 Lisa St., Brampton, ON L6T 4A2.

Our thanks to the Hermanos and Hermanas who made the evening possible.

ESCA members were blessed with a beautiful day when they held their Annual Picnic at Earl Bales Park. They enjoyed the company of each other; reconnecting and updating themselves of issues while sharing each other's food and desserts. The day gave them a much deserved respite from everyday concerns. Their reinvigorated energy and verve will serve them well for another year.

June 14, 2014 turned out to be a most enjoyable night for the attendees of the Eastern Samar (Canada) Association Induction of Officers and Spring Dinner-Dance. The ESCA members were able to meet the Philippine Consulate General of Toronto, Ms. Junever Mahilum-West, who was the Inducting Officer and also the Keynote Speaker. They enjoyed her company in the sense that she was very accommodating and down-to-earth. They kept turns in being photographed with her.

In her speech, she enjoined the ESCA members to consider having dual citizenship and the privileges it entails. She read on her iPod a speech of President Aquino delivered on Independence Day. She was also appreciative of the fact that Canada is one of the top three countries that helped those who suffered the devastation brought on by the super-Typhoon Haiyan. Due to another engagement she had to attend that evening, she asked if she could leave sooner than was expected. Which she did.

On the whole, she gave presence to the ESCA affair which was greatly appreciated. The rest of the evening, well, ESCA members were making the most of it and having fun!

Whatever source of help can be extended to our town folks in Eastern Samar who are suffering from the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, it will always be a blessing. It was in the form of monetary assistance that ESCA did its part in alleviating the hardship our igkasi-Estehanons are going through. So fellow ESCA members and friends, on behalf of those affected by Typhoon Yolanda, I extend my thanks and appreciation for the generous contributions you offered.

God bless.

The South District of Eastern Samar (Canada) Association composed of the towns of Quinapundan, Gen. MacArthur, Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Balangiga, Mercedes and Guiuan, did its utmost to outdo itself in being host to the ESCA Kapatronan and Thanksgiving celebration held in Toronto on October 12. Congratulations to the Hermanos and Hermanas for the generous hospitality accorded the members and guests who were more than pleased of what transpired during the evening affair.

Maupay nga Kapatronan ngan Thanksgiving ha iyo Ngatanan!!!

Through the auspices of our Patron saints of the Central District of Eastern Samar, the ESCA celebration of our Kapatronan and Thanksgiving was a success by any standard. All appreciation and applause go to our Hermanos and Hermanas for the wonderful food offerings they prepared for the attendees. Through the sterling efforts of Sonia in coordinating tasks with her co-celebrants, they delivered a very successful and entertaining evening. ESCA is hopeful of its future because the leadership shines forth when needed. Keep up the good works, eh, guys?

Our thanks and gratitude also go to the members, guests, relatives and friends for coming to the fiesta. Without them, the evening will not be that great.

An iPhone 4S was what you may have won!!! That is, if you have come to our ESCA Annual Picnic on Saturday, August 11. During the Picnic we held a raffle and the Prize was the iPhone 4S. Of course, the proceeds from the sale of the raffle tickets over the cost of the award prize will be in reserve as part of the ESCA fund. The raffle winner was Albert Sabay. Congratulations!

The day was part picnic and part AGM meeting. The meeting attendance qualified for a quorum which our President Gil conducted. ESCA member attendance was satisfactory. We appreciate the presence of those members and guests who came to Earl Bales Park inspite of the inclement weather. We have to make special mention of the efforts made by Nilo, Jun and Albert in preparing the Picnic site. The tarpaulins they put up helped a lot in keeping everyone practically dry when the rain started to pour. Nilo, Jun and Pat were the chefs as they were the ones in charge of the barbequing job. Our thanks also to those who brought desserts, drinks and other prepared foods to the picnic.

Will the Annual Picnic day next year be better than this one? Weather forecasting has never been an exact science. We just hope it will be better.

Salamat ha iyo ngatanan.

ESCA is alive and well. We just had the installation of the new set of officers on April 28, 2012. The way the evening turned out, it seems there is promise that the Eastern Samar (Canada) Association will continue its mandate to be the bringer of joy and camaraderie among the members of the Association. Aside from these aspects of the Association�s reason for being, we also have the opportunity to be of service to those who are less fortunate; as what we do now by raising funds during our designated events of the Association and remitting a yearly financial assistance to our adopted orphanage and mission house in our beloved Eastern Samar. It is our hope that the future will give us the chance to grow more in our generosity and make use of our talent, time and treasure for the well-being of the Association and that of others.

We especially thank our Keynote Speaker and Inducting Officer, the Labour Attaché � Philippine Consulate General Office, Toronto, the Hon. Francisco B. Luna and his aide, Mr. Oliver Bendaras for giving up some of their precious time to be with us.

Congratulations to all the new executive officers of ESCA, committee members and municipal representatives and our thanks to the members of the Eastern Samar (Canada) Association, their guests and friends for their presence.

Lastly, just to let you know how our members feel about our organization, we�ll let the expression out of one of Primo�s friends and igkasi-Estehanon, Boy Abunda; �ESCA, IKAW NA!!!� With Boy Abunda's permission, we can adopt this expression as the rallying cry of the Association.

webmaster

The affirmation that ESCA members believe in a loving God Who humbled Himself by coming down to us as a helpless Child, was shown when the ESCA membership held our 2011 Christmas Party on Saturday, December 10. The weather cooperated and everything went beautifully according to expectations. A Christmas Story Play choreographed by Sonia was presented and acted out by the members' children. There were some fun moments during the play when the girl cast as the Virgin Mary was halted in her dialogue as she was overcome by a coughing spell when she started to say the Fiat: "Be it done unto me according to your word." It took awhile before anyone realized that she needed some help. Someone offered her a napkin tissue while another offered her a bottle of water. Of course, the show had to go on and ended well to the satisfaction of all, especially the parents whose child who was a cast member, were expecting their child to be the one to get the Oscar Award.

Haiyo mga igkasi-Estehanon and friends, A VERY BLESSED MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!!! MAUPAY NGA PASKO HAIYO NGATANAN!!!

webmaster

ESCA activities always have the lingering effect on people of the senses being massaged to a pleasurable feeling. The 2011 Kapatronan just held recently at the Holy Rosary Parish Church in Toronto is one such activity.

Guests and members leave the scene gratified that they have just witnessed a very beautiful and enjoyable evening. But the evening could not have been possible without the Hermanos and Hermanas of the North District of Eastern Samar. Kudos to them!!! To Sonia for making the Kapatronan celebration alive and festive by her dance numbers. And to the ESCA choir for bringing nostalgia to those present with the Estehanon mainstay, the Guindomdom Ko Ikaw ditty.

Our sincere appreciation and gratitude to our honoured guests, friends and of course, the membership of ESCA for being there. See you again soon!

webmaster

It lived up to its expectations. We called and themed our evening festivities as "SPRING FROLIC". The evening did not disappoint. So the Eastern Samar (Canada) Association Spring Dinner-Dance was a success after all.

The officers and members of the Association wish to extend their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the esteemed guests and friends who honoured us with their presence, generosity and support of the aspirations and worthwhile projects of the Association.

We thank all the officers and members who helped in the planning of the evening festivities and bringing it to its fruitful and happy conclusion. SALAMAT HA IYO NGATANAN!!!

webmaster

On January 28, 2010, Dario Cidro, an international student at the University of Guelph, Ontario, and supporting himself as a teaching assistant at the University, emailed the ESCA website (www.escaestehanon.org) if there is any way ESCA can help in the shipment of books he collected from the University to the Eastern Samar State University in Borongan, Philippines. He suggested that since ESCA is involved in helping high school graduates through its STAR Award program, the donation of books to ESSU could just be an extention of ESCA projects. Well, ESCA has earlier donated books to Malinao (Taft) High School in cooperation with the Federation of Filipino Canadians of Brampton when that school suffered flooding due to a tropical typhoon. So Dario's request was easily taken up by the ESCA Executive Council in its monthly meeting and decided that it will assume the cost.

After a few more books collected, Dario emailed that I can pick up the books from the University. That was Saturday, May the 8th. Together we loaded my Dodge Avenger (trunk and backseat). Boy, that was a back-breaking job. For me at the most. For Dario, no sweat. He is still very young. We dropped by his flat for a tea and coffee and some small talk.

Going home back to Brampton, I dared not fill up my gas tank for fear that with the added weight, my tires might not have been able to carry more load.

Next step: Shipping the books to ESSU.

Update: The books (1 regular box and 1 baby box) were picked up via Forex on Thursday, May 27th.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY (BORONGAN)LIBRARIAN OF THE RECEIPT OF SHIPMENT OF BOOKS TO ESSU JULY 22, 2010.

The Eastern Samar Canada Association
Thru: Pres Carlos Abug

Gentlemen:

The Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) is greatly honored and privileged to be a recipient of your book donations.

We received two(2) boxes containing of 126 vols. through the UMAC forwarder. The books consist of varied and excellent titles for research by our students.

No amount of words can ever say how thankful we are to ESCA through you sir, and the rest of the officers to select our school as recipient of your project. Long live and More power to the Association. GOD BLESS.

You are one in a million. Have more blessings

Warm regards to all estehanons there. Visit our Library, you are all welcome! Please advise any balikbayan to visit ESSU-Borongan so they can see your donations. Am looking forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,

FLORITA CIDRO-CABATO
University Librarian