Kasamahan ng mga Noyps sa Maldives

It's been quite some time that a group of us have been toying with the idea na magkaroon ng isang grupo albeit informal lang here in the Maldives (longer than that kung tutuusin kasi parang 10 years in the making na ito!). Actually, some have been at it far longer than I am but sadly, I think due to the geographical challenges (most of the Pinoys are scattered around the resorts) posed by our work locations we were not able to have it sooner than we would have liked. So far, by our estimations, there are now probably about two thousand Filipinos scattered around the Maldives. If you factor in the fact that the local population is only 380,000, we are roughly 0.5% na agad and still growing, actually it’s only the past two years that the Pinoy population here has ballooned, as of 2005, there were only about 400 Pinoys all over the country as per the data collected from the Labor Ministry.

When I got back from my Mekong trip, I got busy with the preparations (I promised Kuya Boy that I will prepare one when I come back! Kaya walang lusot talaga! Hehehe) for our “Pinoy Fiesta sa Kuda Bandos”, the second informal gathering of all Pinoys in Male and from resorts (the first one was last November 2007, a “get to know you” party made up mostly of Pinoys residing in Male and the BH/Bandos teams, the only resort attendees) last May 9th 2008. The party is created mainly so we can finally come as a group and decide about establishing an interim association (or shall we say, “society”, since it is illegal in Maldivian laws to have organizations). The organization is not there just to provide activities for recreation and enjoyment (although it’s a major necessity in the lives of Pinoy OFWs --- the easing of the boredom and homesickness), it is there to help Pinoys who are in need, who have problems with their employers, etc.
“Tsibugan Na!”
The invitation states…. Bring your own baon of Pinoy food….everyone brought their own version of Adobong manok (mahirap makahanap ng baboy dito!), Pancit, Beef steak, Fried Chicken (di na inabutan ni Ate ang luto nya, ubos agad!), atbp….meron pa ngang Fruit Salad na biglang naglaho agad!!! Of course, hindi mawawala ang mga inihaw na pusit, isda, at manok! Salamat Alex for the nonstop ihaw --- sya ang naging Grill chef namin! Tingnan mo ang mga nag-aabang ng luto na...“Election”
We also elected a set of interim officers (we will be again having another ‘bigger’ election after 6 months).

Chairman - Engr. Lee Silva “Kuya Boy”
Vice Chairman - Yvonne Dela Cuesta “moi” J
Secretary - Roselyn Waheed
Treasurer - Marivic Vargas
PRO - Jerson Milette
“Videoke”
Is there any Filipino gathering without a “Videoke Session”?????? Naku, mawala na ang lahat, hwag lang ang videoke! Kuya Boy brought his ‘magic sing’ (actually, nagdala din kami just in case! Hehehe) and we mounted a wide screen projector in the middle para kita ng lahat! Okay, here’s the deal --- if your score is 90 and above, you will pay only Mrf 10 (U$1 = 12.75Mrf), BUT if you score below 90, you will pay Mrf 20!!! Hay naku, sabi ko nga, if I sing they might ask me to pay Mrf50!!!!!! I certainly lack talents in that direction… especially when the guys started to sing, nakakaloka! They are soooo good! I wouldn’t dare take the microphone after them! Buti na lang nandyan si Janeth --- our pambato sa kantahan! “Disco”
Actually, we were trying to rush off the election kasi gusto na namin talaga magDisco na….hehehe…. nakahalata naman si Kuya Boy so he asked DJ Benray (he took an off day just so he can play for FREE --- ganyan ang totoong Pinoy! Saludo talaga kami sau DJ Ben, ang galing!) to start the music… Ayun na! naglundagan na lahat….. We went crazy I think…hehehe….I was dancing nonstop, even when the music stops we just stand there and wait for it to begin again! I even had to go back to the room (we are staying overnight) to change my shirt, it was totally drenched with sweat! Some are cooling themselves in the sea….ang mga “basa sa dagat” hehehehe It was FUN and we also got what we came for --- Mabuhay ang mga Pinoys sa Maldives!