The Pagadianons and Zambosurians of Chicago and Illinois, U.S.A. held their first get-together picnic at Montrose Beach in Chicago on July 18, 2009. Under the initiative of Mss. Fe de los Reyes-Cabrera and Jeannie Cagampang-Laurenciana, the Pagadianons and Zambosurians of Illinois were, for the first time, able to gather as one big group.

Although, a few Pagadianons have meet each other occasionally during parties or some social events, this is the first time that a gathering of Pagadianons and Zambosurians only come to materialize in Chicago. There were over thirty families or couples in attendance, which is quite significant considering that this is the first time such a gathering was called. Everybody was surprised to find out that there is quite a number and growing population of Pagadianons and Zambosurians in Illinois. We have estimated that we could easily reach more than a hundred here in Illinois to include family members.

New acquaintances were made and old friendships rekindled that day. A feeling of nostalgia was in the air, but everybody felt they were back at home upon seeing their many kababayans. Laughter filled the picnic grounds when hearing the different stories of our experiences in Pagadian and Zamboanga del Sur then and now. The feeling of oneness and belongingness to one another as kababayans just seemed to have enveloped everybody during that day. Familiar Pagadian and Zamboanga del Sur names who were present that day were, de los Reyes, Ramos, Tolentino, Viray, Padayhag, Labang, Ong, Maginsay, Eslit, Cabatit, Cagampang, Hesoler, Salera, Ramiro, Tagayuna and several others.

The group agreed to have their next meeting come December 2009, which will be their organizational meeting and Christmas party. Once formally organized, the groups is looking forward to having more activities in the future and to reach out to all Pagadianons and Zambosurians not just in Illinois but also in the entire Midwest region of the U.S. We will also embark in activities and programs in the future that will also benefit our fellow Pagadianons and Zambosurians back home and for our city and province as a whole.

We call on all Pagadianons and Zambosurians from other cities and states here in the U.S. and encourage them to do the same, if they haven’t done so. By doing so, we may in the near future, be able to form a national organization of all Pagadianons and Zambosurians here in the U.S. Contributed by: Cynthia Tugonon-Yobero*

Last update: 15-02-2011 09:28