We Did It Again!

Congrats Team Mama for accomplishing your 2nd annual Alzheimer's Foundation Memory Walk 2009! Thank you to our team coordinators, Nina Joan Aves and Maribelle (Bea) Dizon for your support and team-building skills that made this all possible. Thank you to Omar, Princess, Myrnelle and Maribelle for the lovely banner. We wore our beautiful purple t-shirts in honor of you, Mama.


Great job to our WALKERS:
Froy, Myrnelle, & Maribelle Dizon
Chey Onopa
Joe Wigginton
Rose & Joe Baldivia
Princess Amontos
Fred, Jackie & Cherry Santiago
Omar Buenaventura
Krys, Allan & Jordan Strong
Connie, Nina, & Neil Aves
Michelle Ocampo
Lloyd
Eryln Dizon

Thank you to our SPONSORS:
Anthony Dizon
Linda Sparks
Louis Villasenor
Michael Olivarez
Joy Roque
Rowena Ortega
Gerald Garden
Sylvia Onopa
Julie Onopa-Pierce
Thelma Mangahas
Princess Amontos
Cherry Santiago
Michelle Ocampo
Eryln Dizon
Myrnelle & Maribelle Dizon
and those who chose to donate anonymously...we thank you.

Amaya's Baptism (Sept. 13, 2009)

Hello Mama and Papa,
Sorry it took so long, but I've been busy driving my parents crazy and getting spoiled by my ninangs and grandparents! You would've been so proud of me! Here are some pictures from my baptism that I wanted to share.


The priest was funny, but I was asleep when he poured water on my head. Luckily, it was warm so it didn't wake me up! Mommy and daddy were relieved because I was kinda grumpy earlier and needed a good nap.




My Abuelo and Abuela were all smiles in front of the church. There were too many cameras flashing at once! I felt like a pop princess!






My Lola and Lolo love to carry me. Here I am sporting my first Disney outfit courtesy of Tita Bea.






I am so lucky to have not one, not two, but FOUR lovely Ninangs (Princess, Kate, Bea, and Myrnelle).







BIG KISSES! Love, Amaya Janae Ayau

Remembering Papa

Hi Ma,

It is hard to believe that it has been almost two decades since Papa passed away. So much has happened in my life; in all of your grandchildren's lives that he did not get to experience along with you. Birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, and the births of your great-grandchildren. Such thoughts come to mind on what would have been his 86th birthday today.

Although I was barely out of 5th grade, I remember him well. Not only because I lived with him for most of my childhood, but because he had some interesting little traits about him that made it quite hard to forget.

I know you would agree that Papa was not your typical grandfather. He did not read books, smoking pipes by the fireplace. He did not take me fishing or out for ice cream cones on a hot, summer day.

It seemed like Papa always wore a plain white v-neck shirt with red stripes aligning the sleeves. He was a mechanic who liked to work on cars, especially his bright red Pinto that smelled of oil. I remember how callused his hands were and how he could never really get all the dirt out from under his fingernails. You used to make him scrub with the same cleaning tools we used on the bathroom tiles!

Although it pained you, his vices were Budweiser beer and staying up late. Papa was the life of the party who loved having friends over for no reason at all. Even during some frustrating times, he knew through it all you would stand by his side. He was a stubborn, temperamental man that never backed down from an argument. But you never let him off that easy. You always seemed to balance each other out that even as macho as he wanted to be, you knew he would come home to you. He relied on you to take the can of beer out of his hands, put him into bed and wrap him up in his mustard-yellow blanket to feel safe again.

Yes, Papa did his part to provide for you but you did your best to care for all of us. Now that you two are back together again it is my hopes that the family you left behind will slowly start to do the same.

Miss you both dearly,

Myrnelle

Welcome Baby Emily

Dear Mama,

Baby Emily Santiago Alejandro, weighing at about 7 lbs was born today, October 8, 2009 at Huntington Memorial Hospital.

Congrats new parents, Ivy and Abe Alejandro and new grandparents Bott and Fred Santiago.

More details to follow.

Sincerely,

Tita Emma (Thelma Mangahas)

Memory Walk 2009 Announcement

Hello Pamilya (Family),

In just one month, it will be OUR 2nd annual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk in memory of our beloved Mama!

For those of you who were not able to join us last year, it’s a non-competitive 5k walk (about 3 miles) that raises money for Alzheimer’s research, education and support to those currently with the disease and their families. More importantly, it’s the annual exercise for all of us, we all know how much Mama emphasized how much she can walk and made sure our backs were straight! Maybe we can even have a picnic at Forest Lawn after the event?

Last year, we had 16 walkers and raised $1,267! How many walkers will we have this year?

Here are some details:

-When: 7:00 AM, Sunday, November 1, 2009
-Where: 350 South Grand Avenue at the Watercourt, Downtown Los Angeles, 90071
-Our team website: http://2009MemoryWalkLA.kintera.org/teammama
-It is free to walk! (They even provided a lot of free goodies last year!)
-Signing up online allows you to create a website, so that you can send the link to your friends and family to collect donations, or even just to spread awareness. Participants who raise $100 or more will receive a 2009 Memory Walk T-Shirt!
-Signing up online is FREE!
-TSHIRTS. We are planning to have dark purple T-Shirts printed for the big day. Would you be interested?

HOW TO SIGN UP:

1. Click on the link above
2. Click on “Join our Team”
3. Read the agreement/waiver and click on “I agree”
4. Enter all required information:
-Enter your personal web page name to make your webpage easier to remember. For example: http://2009MemoryWalkLA.kintera.org/ninaaves
-Enter your personal fundraising goal. $5? $200? It's all up to you! There is no requirement to meet this amount.
5. Spread the word and get your walking shoes ready!

Your Team Captains,
Joan & Bea

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson passed away today June 25th 2009. His tragic death reminded me of childhood memories with you Mama dancing to his songs with my cousin Cathy and my sister Myrnelle. Just like you Ma, he will be missed!

With Love,

Michelle Ayau

Happy Birthday, Mama

We just wanted to say we love and miss you so much! We hope you, Papa and your beautiful angels are having a wonderful time together, flying around up there in the sky.

Love Always,

The Dizon Family