Elvis was in the House,ATBP The AAGI Banquet

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

Bloomingdale Country Club is situated close to the famous Medinah Club, and the nippy December air was perfect for the Christmas atmosphere that added to the anticipation of another fun-filled evening with the officers and members of the Asian American Golfers of Illinois’ annual awards event. Guests started coming in to the beautiful ballroom, thanks to banquet manager, Karen Helmig, a tall, svelte lady that was the epitome of efficiency and charm. The twinkling lights of the Christmas trees on each side of the airy room, and the giant central wreath made for an elegant backdrop, the perfect setting for the evening’s festivities. DJ Calvin had his music started at 5pm, while guests nibbled on asparagus and feta triangles, crab Rangoon and Swedish meatballs, complemented by bar drinks nearby. Angie Adorable, and incoming AAGI First Lady Cris Plata manned registration, while incoming AAGI President Rowell Plata and Vice President Ray Adorable. helped to set up the bountiful raffle and dessert tables. Gerry, our Treasurer, with wife Nanie Liwanag, arrived early to help, while James Delacruz and yours truly made sure that the trophies and plaques were ready for distribution. By 5:30pm, everything was in place and guest started piling into the ballroom. I started the evening as emcee, and blessings were remembered through Gil Sarmiento’s thoughtful invocation. Soon, the party and awarding was underway, following entertainment numbers by father/daughter James and Camryn Delacruz, she on violin, he, adding the vocals to a touching Christmas song. This was followed by a show-stopping vocal rendition by my nephew, Miki Pascual, whose talent has grown immensely in a short span of time—watch him on “You Tube”. But the main entertainer that night was Dr. Lito Fernandez’s guest, Mr. Rey Limberg of Peru, Illinois, a professional Elvis impersonator that is famous in his town. Thanks to Rey, we were all treated to a night of Elvis Presley songs and antics, complete with the rhinestone-studded jumpsuit, the numerous finger rings, the Presley “twerking”, the sideburns, pompadour, and attitude that reminded us of “The King”. It was quite a show, and everyone enjoyed Mr. Limberg’s unabashed performance. World Girls Promo Karla Maglantay and Jegie Carrera were there to promote their new business in bright red dresses, as Cassie Plata and Meghan Baluyut helped to sell our raffle tickets. Our first prize was a Taylor-made Slidr driver, second prize was an Odyssey limited-edition putter, third prize, a Sky Caddie range finder, and fourth prize was a deluxe gift basket with gourmet items, and the rest of the prizes included assorted smaller gift baskets, golf hats and balls. Director Vernie Morales of the Department of Tourism helped picked the winners, as well as Veronica Leighton of Via Times. But the big winner that night was none other than our incoming President for 2015 and 2016, Mr. Rowell Plata, who won all the major categories this year—2014 Club Champion, President’s Cup, this year known as the “Soria Cup,” after last year’s winner Carla Soria, Class B Champion and first-place winner of some of the AAGI mini-tournaments. It was a great night for Rowell, a very deserving player, and we are excited for him as our new Club President—Congratulations Rowell! The rest of the winners include James Delacruz as Class A Champion, Gil Sarmiento as Senior Division Champion and Royalty Cup winner along with Ray Adorable who shared the same title. As for the incoming officers for the next two years, Ray Agbunag, current President from 2013 and 2014, helped to swear in our new group, and they include President elect Rowell Plata, Vice-President Raymond Adorable, Treasurer Gerry Liwanag, Auditor Gil Sarmiento, Club Secretary Ellen Ruiz, Tournament Director James Delacruz, and Rules and Regulation Committee Chairman Clive Merrill. Chinda Khiev, General Manager of the Highland Park Golfsmith helped with the induction, and was surprised to learn that he was the evening’s Guest of Honor with his children Michael, 17, Katie 16 and Alyssa 15. It was a bittersweet tribute to Chinda Khiev, who played for AAGI in June at the Philippine Independence Tournament, even turning in a winning score to help us place third in this year’s team competition. He has accepted a position with the Golfsmith store in North Carolina as he continues to rise in the company ranks. We wish Chinda and his kids all the best! Elvis was in the House,ATBP The AAGI Banquet Thank you to all our family, friends, fellow golfers from the different leagues like the Philippine Senior Golfers Association or PSGA, the Brotherhood Golfers, Golfinos, and the Senior Golfers of Illinois or SGI. Our faithful sponsors were also there to party with us— Veronica and Joe of Viatimes, Don and Flor Kramer of Seafood Merchants, Nell and Lain Frias of Creative Impressions, Marilin Solomon of PESO, Dr. and Mrs. Arcadio Dumpit of 7 Hills Home Health Care, Ed and Lolit Ranchero of LMR Home Health, Bernard and Au Pragides of LEENTECH Services, Alternative Home Health, courtesy of Pat and Fe Mangulabnan and our generous and always supportive membersponsors, Doc Lito and Elvie Fernandez, Gil “Godfather” and Alice Sarmiento, President Rowell and Cris Plata, Ray and Angie Adorable, Gerry and Nanie Liwanag, my BFF Dan Gawat and Chris Goudsmith, and the everaffable Clive Merrill. To our partying AAGI members, we salute all of you who joined us that night—Boyet and Rory Abacan, Brian Abad, Jessie and Virgie Magsino, Roy and Ellen Ruiz, Jessie Manalo, Andy and Vicky Justo, Peter and Kay Hwang, and my brothers Brent and Bently, and sister-in-law Dodjie, niece Mika Pascual and nephewsinger, Miki Pascual. Everyone stayed to dance the night away, laughter being the loudest music of the night. Thank you to everyone who shared their time, were generous with their donations, and helped with our sponsorships. AAGI will not be the league that it is today without its loyal officers and members. It is a team with a mission of golfing while respecting the rules of sportsmanship and fair play, while enjoying the sport we all love. For membership information, please check out our website at www.aagiclub. com. Until next year, we all await spring, even as winter is just starting to gain momentum. In the meantime, the golfers are flying south to Florida, or East to the Philippines for the winter. As for me, I am here, working, writing, selling, and dreaming of golf…Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All— MABUHAY AAGI!

The Induction of the AAGI Officers with Girlie and Chinda Khiev, L-R: Rowel Plata, Ray Adorable, Ellen Ruiz, Gerry Liwanag, Gil Sarmiento, James Delacruz, Clive Merrill.

AAGI awards Chinda Khiev with past president Ray Agbunag and incoming president Rowel Plata.

The Royalty Cup winners Ray Adorable and Gil Sarmiento.

Its a sweep! Rowel Plata wins it all – AAGI Club Champion, Class B Champion, President’s Cup.

The father daughter team CAMRYN and JAMES DELACRUZ serenades the audience with Christmas music.

Sponsors and friends.:L-R: Flor Kramer, Dan Gawat, Veronica Leighton, Girlie Pascual, Director Vernie Morales and husband Bob, Nell Frias, Marilin Solomon of PESO and Lain Frias of Creative Impressions Plus.

The wonderful sago/gulaman of Virigie and Jessie Magsino was the best dessert ever.

The commander-in-Chief Roy Ruiz with his lovely wife Ellen Ruiz, new AAGI Secretary.

Banquet manager Karen Helmig of Bloomingdale Golf Club with the AAGI members,L-R: Rowel Plata, Elvie Fernandez, Girlie, Dr. Lito Fernandez, Bernard Pragides, Gerry Liwanag.

The golfers come together from PSGA, Brotherhood and AAGI. L-R: Doy Nucum, Rowel Plata, Dr. Lito Fernandez, Bernard Pragides, Girlie Pascual and Philip.

AAGI members and guests enjoy the night L-R Standing Brian Abad, Ed Ranchero, Ernie Catral of Golfinos, Andy Justo L-R Seating: Philip, Bernard and Au Pragides and Lolit Ranchero.

The ladies of AAGI, L-R: Elvie Fernandez, Rory Abacan, Lolit Ranchero, Virgie Magsino, Ellen Ruiz.

The PSGA members and SGI golfers share the fun. L-R Couples: Mr. & Mrs. Greg Asierto, Mr. & Mrs. Domi Lico, Dr. & Mrs Arcadio Dumpit, Mr. & Mrs. Glicerio Abante.