The action and vibrant colors of Hudyaka are captured in this series of photos from Aleksi Mari B. Gumela and other contributing photograpers at the opening of this year’s festivities.

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Snaps from Saturday’s Charity Day with Miss Zanorte candidates at the Provincial Hospital. Photos by Aleksi Mari B. Gumela.

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Dipolognons, families, friends and guests coming from other regional communities and as far as Arizona gathered on Saturday, May 22 at Proesel Park in Lincolnwood, IL. to celebrate the annual feast of San Vicente Ferrer (St. Vincent Ferrer), the city’s patron saint.

The celebration was kicked off at 10 AM with a procession and holy mass concelebrated by Fr. Maning Recera and Fr. Alan Lastimosa. Flowers were offered by children and the public to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary as a tribute to “Flores de Mayo.”

The traditional “Tugtorogtog” dance, a ritual where the image of San Vicente is passed around by devotees who firmly believe in it’s healing powers. Lunch immediately followed at tables, set up by various organizations, clans and households.

Blessed by fair weather and an accommodating venue, this year’s event was among the best-attended. This success is attributed by many to scrupulous planning, a legacy of the late Chicago fiesta founder Cita O. Bajamunde.

The Organizing Committee expressed it’s appreciation to the many volunteers, Novena sponsors, parents, organizations and guests who helped make this year’s festivity as success.

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by: Joy Martinez, 2nd year-student at Harper College, Palatine.

Yesterday my Mama bought some Marigolds for my garden. I’ve been waiting for the right weather to do gardening again. Although I must say I do not really consider it as my hobby yet I enjoy touching the soil, watering my plants and the sunshine. My friend who is now in San Diego working as a U.S. Navy called while I was gardening telling me that he wants to visit Chicago. He said that the last time he was here was 2006 but never really get to tour the city. I told him that I am not a good tour guide for I do not know how to drive from our house to downtown. Later that night my high school friend texted me asking when am I going to visit her in New York. I was really planning to visit her for the weekend of spring break while my parents are out of town. maybe I can just hop on the plane, land in JFK and be back before they would notice. Well, I did not since my parents did not hire a sitter for my younger brother. Being an older sister has responsibilities, including unpaid baby sitting.

Yet being older also has a positive side. I was in Europe last week hitting two countries, London and Germany, and back in Chicago in 48 hours. The German immigration did not let me in because I forgot my visa so they sent me back to London where I landed on the first place. That was some trip, really. The German consulate detained me for 4 hours while they process my plane tickets. I called up my Dad to let him know where I was and he was panicking while I felt funny. Funny for the single reason that I asked God for an eventful and unforgettable trip and I got it! I should’ve been more specific but God does have a great big sense of humor! My German friends called the officer who handled my case and pleaded to let me in. They drove for an hour and a half with the speed of 120 mph just to be able to see me for 10 minutes before I depart for Heathrow. They brought me a bouquet and some hard German bread. In that short time we got to share laughter, had a picture taken by the Polizei, and enjoying ourselves regardless where we were.

At Heathrow, I asked if I can go out the airport and stay in a hotel yet then again they detained me. Asking for fingerprints, pictures, questions about what my purpose is, how much cash I have, I felt like a criminal! Especially when they escorted me to the room where I will be staying for the night and eating those hard bread. I felt like one of God’s disciple being imprisoned without committing a crime. I was detained for 12 hours waiting for my flight to Chicago. While I was being withheld, I read a book borrowed from my Mama entitled the “Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting.” Just what I need to learn in those moments. I learned patience: quoting from the movie Evan Almighty, if someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does He give them the opportunity to be patient? Second, to live in the present even though my mind kept running back and fourth how irresponsible of me not to check and double check for my visa, I was able to appreciate where I was. Third, I learned loss of control: to trust God that anything can happen, for His ways are not ours. Fourth is compassion, for myself and the longing to see my family again. Fifth is gratitude: learning to give thanks even in the midst of a dilemma. Sixth is humility: although I could’ve called the airline and blame it to them because they checked my papers before I boarded at O’hare, I could have saved myself from all the hassle, I did not. And lastly, I learned to trust God in whatever or wherever I may be in.

All of us are waiting for something: paychecks, summer, the mail to arrive, the holidays. I did learn the spiritual gifts of waiting in an unlikely place although I consider myself patient, I do no know how to make sense of waiting. Well for now, I will finish this semester and of course my garden. I can still remember when I arrived home (it was also my parents anniversary) I told them I couldn’t imagine not being there for the celebration and my Mama was laughing. That night we enjoyed some mussels, crab legs, soda and unending chuckles about my trip. Before I went to bed Mama said, “Laagan man gud ka.” But then asked when I am planning to go back to Europe and hopefully can get out of the airport.

P.S. Happy Mother’s Day to my Mama.