Sandra (Arcamo) and JesHart Sagario load the holiday turkey to the oven at their residence in Skokie, Illinois as they joined the rest of America celebrate this annual holiday. This is their first Thanksgiving together as a newly-married couple. (Photo: AmbiboMedia)

Members of the Arcamo, Sagario and Bengua clans at yesterday’s table. Sandra’s mom and sister (3rd & 4th from left) flew in all the way from California to join them. This year is especially meaningful to this family after the successful resolution of JesHart’s immigration issues – not uncommon among Filipinos here.

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is primarily a North American holiday which has generally become a national secular holiday with religious origins.

The date and location of the first Thanksgiving celebration is a topic of modest contention. Though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida, the traditional "first Thanksgiving" is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621.

Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Thanksgiving dinner is held on this day, usually as a gathering of family members. (Wikipedia )

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Photographer Aleksi Mari B. Gumela takes us through Christmas celebrations at home in a series of holiday images leading to December 25. ©2008 All Rights Reserved. AmbiboMedia, Inc.

30 days and counting. A beribboned Zamboanga del Norte Capitol building is prepped for the holidays.

29 days and counting. Erlinda’s ; on Dapitan’s famed boulevard by the sea beckons, all aglow for the season.

28 Days and counting. Street food abound under thousands of twinkling lights along the Dipolog boulevard.

27 Days and counting. Chicharon and Christmas make a crunchy mix at the ZaNorte Provincial Capitol grounds.

26 Days and counting. A duo of “mananaygon” belt out the season’s top tunes for some pocket change.

25 Days and counting. Dipolog’s Plaza Magsaysay promenade in it’s holiday finest leading to Holy Rosary Cathedral.

24 days and counting. A family visits the traditional “belen” (crèche ) at Plaza Magsaysay.

23 Days and counting. Sunday scene at Saint James’ Church, Dapitan City.

22 Days and counting. Bread to keeps the warmth on chilly December evenings.

21 Days and counting. Rejoice, reuse, recycle. An artful holiday display at a gas station in Dipolog.

20 Days and counting. City sidewalks, busy sidewalks.

19 Days and counting. Apples and oranges, imported for the season.

18 Days and counting. Christmas. Tree. ‘Nuf said:)

17 Days and counting. Sushi and sashimi for noche buena?

16 Days and counting. More evidence that sweets aren’t good for your teeth.

15 Days and counting. Tutti frutti holiday!

14 Days and counting. Cakes and pastries and flans galore.

13 Days and counting. Stars of wonder, stars of night!  Star of royal beauty bright

12 Days and counting. Waiting for Santa’s caravan.

11 Days and counting. Christmas kitsch on the way to the manger.

10 Days and counting. Dipolog Boulevard with holiday revelers.

9 Days and counting. A glowing entrance to Dipolog, where even grass is lighted up.

8 Days and counting. Glowing garlands drape trees surround the kiosk at Plaza Magsaysay.

7 Days and counting.

6 Days and counting. Macy’s? No, dahlin’ we’re in Dapitan and the star is called a “parol.”

5 Days and counting.

4 Days and counting.

3 Days and counting.

2 Days and counting. “Simbang Gabi” at Saint Jame’s Cathedral, Dapitan City

1 Day and counting. Oh come, let us adore Him. The Dipolog cathedral beckons the faithful on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas!

Renee Elizabetta Asuncion, Kathleen Hanna Soco, Rochelle Erika Sienes and Mary Ann San Juan at last Saturday’s 35th anniversary and cotillion of the Philippine Engineers and Scientists Organization (PESO) in Chicago. (Photos: Joem Bayawa, ABF & Christian Ochotorena)

Current PESO President, Elbert Regacho

An excerpt from his Presidential Address.

"What is the role of PESO? We need to ask ourselves, what is our resolve? What can we contribute to a better environment?  Who do we need to become? What do we believe in? These are some of the many questions we face today and with global impact. No, don’t expect me to give an answer nor address these issues. I cannot, at least not alone! I rather share these questions to you or to all of us, especially the younger generation/members many of which are here tonight. Not to be sounding righteous but we all need to act responsibly, either in our own individual capacity or collectively, and I prefer the latter. Obviously, collective efforts provide larger effect. Our organization, with the members acting collectively, should be able to effectively pursue its objectives. This is this administration’s thrust. To provide assistance whenever possible, to very extent it can afford in the hope that such kind of help reverberates to other peers and perhaps to society. Forget indifferences and collectively pursue proper and beneficial objectives for its members, for all humanity, for the environment. To the members who belong to the younger generation, to the members of the executive board, and to each member who wanted to be responsive, recognize these global issues.  Be proactive, update your technical know-how and capability.  Overcome the challenges.  Empower yourself and the organization. Congratulations to the past administration and to the new officers and members.  Enjoy the night mga mga kapuso, mga kapamilya."

Elbert R. Regacho, P.E.
President, 2007-2009

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