 It was September 29 when our car detoured from The Hague to NH Schiphol Hotel at Hoofddorp, a provincial town near Amsterdam Airport. Seemingly Dutch roads these days demand careful up to date planning to get there, what more, get there on time. It’s only since a few years the ever valid excuse back in Manila, MA TRAFFIC, in connection with late arrival, transformed to a valid Dutch excuse too, now realizing it’s validity.
I had not been to any of the Pinoy Groupie Gatherings for some years, saturated by previous years of overexposure. This, 28th. Annual of DPA (Dutch Philippine Association) however, could not be wavered for various reasons. Even though late, half-hour after starting time, we were still amongst the first. It took some length before the Hall filled up. Even the Chief of Mission His Excellency Ambassador Arguelles, one of the exceptional punctual Pilipinos, arrived with some delay. As the crowd grew so did its sound, it felt like a volume competition between lively band and vigorous guests. "I asked for mellow music?" a board member said apologetically. Obviously this was mellow from the eighties and we from the forties.
Before long the small dance floor filled in a mix of young and not so young. Dance partners of the same gender, mostly women, very common in the Philippines moving with thrills, elastic, electric and suppleness close to Afro-American ways. I was envious. Camera’s flashing so as to freeze these moments of ecstasy. Like none other in this world they, Pinoy, pose elegantly freezing mid-air if need be. Many a Hollywood star and starlet could take lessons in projection for photo shoots from them. You could tell from the ritual of greeting if one was acquainted or tenderfoot. The long time no see friends were welcomed with cheers, shrieks, hugs and a bombardment of bolero. Newbies, mostly puti, with shy eyes whispering voices and other expressions of nahiya, subtly, charming the novel connection.
Bravely the MC (Master of Ceremonies) took mike and floor instantly giving in to the desire of floor-occupants to move some more. His second attempt showed less mercy, announcing the performance of native dances from all three major regions, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Motions with emotions a wonderful presentation; this really captured me in full. At awe I was! Me, who could memorize all Bayanihan dance numbers if woken mid-night. Perhaps, putting it stronger, seeing the efforts of second generation migrants from the Islands, witnessing mothers transform to daughters and fathers to sons, the spirit of fun, enthusiasm as virgin as was in the sixties and seventies, was awesome and astounding! Goosebumps!
Amazing too, at all times, to see how crowds of Pinoy have and maintain this natural hunger for fun. It was not only the presence of sweet debonair Ambassador Arguelles, but in addition the crowd itself of old and young Flips that turned NH Schiphol Hotel into a spare for the Seven Thousand Islands embraced by China Sea and Pacific. I felt transcended, felt to be in the Philippines, back home once more without cruising boring torturous hours at high altitudes .
The Ambassador, though by nature shy and subdued, walked around for picture taking sessions, pleasing his countrymen and women, posing with warm friendly smiles as Schwarzenegger would in California. Kodakan a Tagalog verb for picture taking develops in ones earliest years. Like singing and performing, first by parent’s force, later by kin request, after some years by personal addiction. Forming balance between a rooted bashful nahiya tradition and struggle for survival demanding the more extravert approach. Too Pinoy are spoon-fed with ambition. Already in Kinder- and Elementary striving to be best in Class, rewards such as medals and ribbons are family trophies. It is the basis too why Filipino Organizations of all sorts nominate kababayans as outstanding and award winning, a more elaborate pat on the back of cool westerners. Call it genuine desire for shared pride. DPA awarded their 2007 Champions with a plaque of appreciation, thus showing their shared pleasure. Honorary Consul Horlings was awarded for his generous support towards the Philippine Arts and Culture. Cystene Carreon for her leading quality as Musical performer and Ruben Abellon for Royal credits earlier in the year. It is very Pinoy to joyously share pride without prejudice. Party Tayo!
Bayanihan in other words is much more than moving a house from place to place.
Indeed I may be branded as Balimbing Dutch, true, but no one can deny the strength of fellowship amongst Pinoys, diverse in the Philippines, but united when abroad. The age and wisdom of DPA is no tool in this phenomenon the nature of alienated Pinoy is. Accept this compliment from a die heart well traveled Dutch, you are unique as a people, first, second and any after generation! Keep these warm glowing home fires burning, never let cir*****stance make you surrender such divine quality. Not because you owe the first generation, but simply that you would not deprive yourself and the next.
Indeed I may be branded as Balimbing Dutch, true, but no one can deny the strength of fellowship amongst Pinoys, diverse in the Philippines, but united when abroad. The age and wisdom of DPA is no tool in this phenomenon the nature of alienated Pinoy is. Accept this compliment from a die heart well traveled Dutch, you are unique as a people, first, second and any after generation! Keep these warm glowing home fires burning, never let cir*****stance make you surrender such divine quality. Not because you owe the first generation, but simply that you would not deprive yourself and the next.
Having carefully and painstakingly observed the expanding Pinoy community in Netherlands I can swear you are more confusing than Confucius is. On one hand subdued and shy on the other extravert and flamboyant. Presupposed Western by Spanish American heritage but in reality Asian in core. I am sure you, readers, will admit sensitivity as characteristic and quality of Pinoy, yet you are inquisitive to close indiscretion too. No wonder few peoples fully understand Pinoy. Electric is perhaps the appropriate idiom to describe Pinoy gatherings. Heartwarming lambingan. You stem from unique fascinating roots and those who don’t see are simply blind. Preservation of all of these qualities should remain top of your list, too self, to children and grandchildren alike. That’s how you keep heritage alive.
DPA, first and therefore oldest and no doubt wisest of Pinoy Associations and all their member Mamma’s and Papa’s deserve a warm hand and credits for inter-linking Dutch/ Pilipino while preserving what is mans greatest asset, roots. Put three Pinoys together you have Samar, put a hundred together and you have the entire Archipelago in a fun filled frenzy at NH Schiphol Hotel, half a world away from home yet home. Hats off to all that Keep Pinoy Pride a Priority, Mabuhay. - Henk J. van der Vaart |