Every year we celebrate the Kalipay picnic where all the Filipino people gather together. The majority of the people, who attend, are from the Visayan islands originally. Now they live all over the United States. They attend the big picnic to mingle, eat all different kinds of food, play all different kinds of games, dance, sing karaoke, or just relax and talk. I love to attend the Filipino community events because they remind me of the Philippines. I am so grateful to see Filipino people, my kababayan (fellow Filipinos). Whenever we get together we always have many dishes to pass, especially letchon (whole roasted pig). My favorite things at the picnic are the letchon, the music, the games for kids and adults, everything that makes the day enjoyable. We call our party “Kalipay” meaning happiness.
I love watching happy people; I also love taking pictures of my kababayan. Everyone was relaxed and enjoying the good weather. The kids were playing in the surrounding park, or participating in the games. There was so much food that everyone was full and content. No matter how busy our lifestyles are, we always have time to get together and have some fun. I saw all my friends from fifteen years ago and they still look young, happy and of course beautiful. They all were happy to see me again and we spent many hours reminiscing about the good times. I love Kalipay parties. We will do it again each year for as long as we live.
