My Dearest Raquel,
I was touched and moved for letting me talked to you during the recent Vintarinian, USA dinner-dance in Sacramento, California. I just wanted to remind you today of how beautiful and precious you are to your loved ones. Inevitably, you will grow up and all of those significant things that happened that night at the party will be forgotten and set aside, while you will pursue your dreams that fate has laid down for you.
But, I will remember you very well, my dear sweet child, because you made time stood still as I took your images with my still and movie cameras. I found you, a golden nugget among the grownups. But, the grownups were not bad either. You see, these are your folks who hailed from a small town in the Ilocos region of the Philippines called Vintar. Someday, you'll want to go there, and you'll then understand why they migrated to Sacramento, USA. And why they get together annually to pay respect to their roots and raise funds to help the folks back in Vintar.
Rural Sacramento is not that different from Vintar, except for the flatness of the land. Like Vintar, they too grow rice here, raise cattles, hogs, sheeps and goats. On your backyard, you can grow a vegetable garden of peas, eggplant, tomatoes, bitter melon, squash and other edible plants that are familiar to the palate and taste of your forebears. No wonder then, that they were drawn to this region of California, a place that has a long agricultural and rural connection in the Pacific.
Your grandfather started it all. When he got here, there was already a community of folks from Vintar. These were the first immigrants that worked in the agricultural sector of the local economy. Not too long, however they were followed by servicemen and professionals that now dominate the local scene today. Your grandfather saw a need to organize and form a cohesive group to take care of the socio-economic status and well being of the Vintarinians. Hence, the Vintarinian, USA was born.
Since then, projects after projects have been created to help the folks back in Vintar. It has touched their lives, significantly. A scholarship program now supports a handful of high school and college graduates. Within its sight are grade schools such as Pallas, Central Surong and F. Camaquin for educational materials. At present, rebuilding the Puericulture Center is the main goal. Your Auntie Marissa, as a new elected president is now spearheading this effort.
This organization is imbued with the Siwawer legacy. Siwawer is a bird of prey that belongs to the hawk/eagle specie of the Philippine eagles. It has dominated the blue skies of Vintar for a long long time. It is known for its legendary hunting prowess above and below the mountain ridges of Vintar and along the Bislak River. To the Vintar psyche, it is the bird king. It reflects the grit and determination of survival and sustenance of the Vintar nation. Hence, a Vintarinian is a Siwawer. You, my dearest child are a Siwawer! I am a Siwawer. Your grandfather is a Siwawer. And the Vintarinian, USA is a Siwawer. It represents the continuity of the Vintar nation, where ever they maybe on this globe.
This is why, you were there that night. That is why I was there that night. We were there to continue on the Siwawer legacy of the Vintar nation. The only difference is that I am on my last leg of my journey and just like the Olympic torch, it is time to pass it unto the succeeding generation. You, on the other hand, my dear sweet child is starting your own journey, and I am pretty confident just like your grandfather, and just like the Siwawer, you'll carry on the torch and lit the skies of Sacramento for the Vintar nation.
