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By Marilyn Bengzon St-Pierre
Chairperson, Carolling Committee

After more than 3 months of practice, the St. Scholastica's College Alumnae Association choir was all set to go carolling. Under the superb guidance of our musical director, Mila Alvarez Magno and the unstinting support of the only Scholastican husband present (who was also our tenor), Oswald Magno, we went to work for 5 nights in November and December.

Carolling is an annual event for our association - one that we have been doing for the past eleven years. All funds raised during this time is sent to the Philippines. As our president, Boots Delgado Montano, explained at each location, this activity is for charitable purposes, and the recipients are always our financially-challenged compatriots back home.

Carolling 2002 was a success. We had such generous donors, who not only opened their pocketbooks, but also their homes and in the case of Dr. & Mrs. Solon Guzman, their dental clinic, to us. We were welcomed with warmth by everyone, starting from the very first house we went to. At Lito and Josie Almario's place, we were positioned on the staircase and singing at the upper portion made me feel like an angel heralding the Good News.

There was always this friendship, this fellowship, this Filipino hospitality which we experienced at the homes of Pearly & David Allison, Fanny Quimson and Rick Salvador. We also cannot forget the most delicious goto served to us by Dr. & Mrs. Maselle Virey and the multi-national audience at Ben & Sylvia Boelens' place. The most poignant moment came when we went to the home of Atty. & Mrs. Severo Derige. Many years ago, we carolled at their place and at that time, their daughter, Lyn, was suffering from cancer. This time she was no longer there.

When we thought we were done for the year, we were invited to sing at the St. Mary Immaculate Church at Richmond Hill. Like seasoned troopers, we went and sang on a Monday evening. This was our last engagement and we ended our carolling season tired but contented, with that inner happiness that comes from giving of ourselves to those who are less fortunate.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the other donors: M.B. Desaultes, Emilia Rizzuto, Mary Giza, Blessed Trinity Prayer Group, Clemente & Norma Cabillan, Bart & Lily Mesina, Noel & Agnes Cruz, Bert & Cecile Cruz, Mark & Lily Pena, Friends of Sylvia Boelens, Margarita Mendoza, Catholic Women's League, Stephanie Montano, Marina Frescura, Miriam Hubbard, and Cora Lat O'Connor.

Choir members are: Mila and Oswald Magno, Rose & Gwen Flor, Cecilia Fiel, Boots & Stephanie Montano, Cherry Quiroz, Emy Telesforo, Millie Nowakowski, Zennie Bernardo, Marimon Periquet, Toni Velez, and Marilyn St-Pierre.

(See Photo Gallery)