Ahhh...my last message as President. Mixed emotions, for sure! First and foremost, I had a great time. It was a big responsibility to be President of such a big organization.

Some people would say it was hard and indeed, it was! But with a group of people working together for a common goal, nothing is impossible. I cannot deny it was very challenging and for those who have "been there, done that," I'm sure they'll agree. To those of you who have worked closely with me, you know what I am talking about - stress, tears, frustration. But at the same time, I am proud to say this is a big accomplishment for me personally! And I want to take this opportunity to thank you all once again from the bottom of my heart. Twelve months ago, I wasn't sure if I could do it; I just knew there was no turning back. I am "it" - the President of the Filipino Association. I tell you what though, the pats on the back and the kind words actually kept me going.

So many people to thank, not just for what we did in the month of December but for the entire quarter! In October, we had NASCAR and the Shrimp Dinner. We had a little break thereafter but then November came with a vengeance, bringing with it a level of stress that seemed endless! Tired as we were, we had to do mobilize to give back to the Philippines after typhoon Haiyan.

Thank you to those involved with the Pinoy Breakfast, the collection, packing and shipping of relief goods, the benefit concert production, Rockhurst High school, all the performers, Phil and Paco Vitug, the Zumba fundraiser. To all our generous donors, the tv and radio stations for the publicity and all the volunteers who shared their time for this cause, maraming salamat! The response from the community was overwhelming! We got emails and phone calls from so many people, many of them strangers to us! It was crazy, but it was awesome at the same time.

Special thanks go to the breakfast crew headed by Linda Francisco, Car and John Contreras, Angelo and Carlo Santos and Neo Rabang for working so hard. We almost ran out of food but somehow, we managed! Thanks to those who donated desserts, to Mary Ann for the fruits and Joy Shute for the palitaw and Carol for the cookies. It was our biggest breakfast - we netted more than $2000, with all proceeds going to typhoon Haiyan victims.

Special thanks also to Beth Rosas and Henna Fuller and the nurse-members of the PNAGKC for managing the packing of solicited goods. Thank you to Jun Puno for his extended stays at the Filipino Cultural Center to accept donations. Thanks to Tita Mila and Mary Ann for writing thank you notes and keeping track of donations. Special thanks also to Jinky Bautista and Glen Balilo for bringing their friends and a team of engineers to help with the packing. They were also the last ones to leave to help with the clean-up, along with my brother-in-law John and my sister Car. Thank you to Art Villamayor and the Villamayor Balikbayan Shipping Company for giving us discounted rates to send those boxes. And thank you to Aris Villamayor for donating and hauling the boxes.

To the many who did private fundraisings, a BIG thank you. We may not know your names but life and karma will find ways to reward you! We have proven once again that the spirit of bayanihan continues to live and breathe in KC!

Last month, we were supposed to have the Volunteer Appreciation Day. It is our way of saying thank you for all you do. But with all that was going on with the Haiyan relief efforts, we had to cancel it. Thank you volunteers for making it easy for me to make this decision. And as most of you suggested, we will donate the money to the Haiyan fund instead.

On December 5, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce invited me to their last event of the year. It was also a fundraiser and they made the Haiyan victims, through the Filipino Association, their beneficiary! The FA-GKC President-Elect and I had fun with their Karaoke contest and the awesome spread of food and drinks. They even made me speak during the event, so that was a great honor as well. Shortly thereafter, Sook Park, the Executive Director of the AACC, emailed to let me know that we were getting a $2000 check for Haiyan relief. Thank you and hats off to the Asian American Chamber of Commerce for reaching out to us!

And of course, we had our Annual Christmas Party celebration! It was planned to be a low key celebration because of the multiple activities we've had in the community. But even then, we still had a pretty good-sized crowd. We had a lot of new faces! As always, kids had a great time with Santa. Thank you, Peter, for wearing the suit and making the kids happy. Special thanks to those who brought food and to the lechon donors, Cindy and Ely K, Jojie Doronio, Mila Tiojanco, Bong and Kelly Tumanut, Mary Ann Deming and Fely Francisco. Thank you, raffle donors - Tita Pipay, Car, Joy and myself. Special thanks to our DJ Clyde. It was a last minute request and he agreed to do it, despite the fact that he even had to play for the KC Sporting finals that afternoon. Last but not least, thank you to my decoration and set-up crew, Armando, Car, John and the boys and Angelo.

So, what is left? The New Year's Party! This is a membership campaign the Senior Council started 3 years ago. It's such a fun event so we hope you can come and experience it. We will also have the induction of the 2014 officers. Special thanks to Tita Lisa Hopkins for heading the Nominations Committee. She was so organized; she didn't need help in taking care of the ballots!

In closing, I want you all to know that it was a pleasure and an honor to serve this community. It made me a totally different person. It made me grow as an individual and it made me believe that if they can do it, I can do it too! And trust me, if I can do it, so can you! It made my marriage grow stronger in spite of our petty fights and arguments. It made me become more humble and patient...to a certain degree (smiling!).

Good luck to incoming President Ed Tumanut and to the 2014 officers. We will stand where you need us – behind you, beside you and if necessary, even in front of you! All the best in the remaining days of 2013 and the coming 2014!