Red & Gold New Year’s

By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

True friendships and great relationships are precious. The ones that last are priceless. And those that persist despite thousand-mile distances and time zones are truly a blessing. As I write this on the 2nd week of our Philippine Trip, my heart wants to shout out how blessed I feel for having friends I’ve remained close to as though I never move to another country halfway around the world.

At the same time, I feel truly blessed for friendships that I have made in my new home. Every end and beginning of a year is a time to celebrate new friends we’ve met and old friends who shared another 365 days of memories with. So while we are making more memories in Manila, here’s some treasured moments with friends who have made our 2014 unforgettable– our RED & GOLD NEWYEAR’S PARTY..

Party guests enjoying a selfie huddle with (clockwise from top left) Don Kramer, Marisha Saii, Joe Mauricio, Ruben and Merle Salazar, Telly Yumping, Flor Kramer, party host Louella Cabalona, Veronica Leighton, Lee Maningas, Rian Mari, Jeff Cruz, Anna Millan, Pup Shen (Photo by Castillo Studios)

Louella with SamaSama Project musicians – keyboardist Orlando Cabalona, trombonist Eddie Irrizary, Musical Director and bassist Baron Cabalona, keyboardist Ben Corpuz, and saxophonist Jun Rodriguez (Photo by Castillo Studios)

Musician friends – Maribel and Ramon Mendoza, Fred Alba Sr., Ben Corpuz, Jun Rodriquez and friends Junimar and Kristin Mahinay with Baron and Louella (Photo by Castillo Studios)

With friends in community work – Anna Millan, Rian Mari, Agnes Cook, Louella, Telly Yumping and Jeff Cruz (Photo by Castillo Studios)

SamaSama Project’s guitarist Ran Sevilla and drummer John Mc Nulty jamming with Ramon Mendoza and Jun Ro

Chicago Friends (clockwise from bottom left) Tom Audi, Milette Obleda, Baron, Michael Melegrito, Jose Velasquez and daughter Lena, Sandy Cabrera, Raza Ali, Ronnie Ruivivar, Dyhan Narvaez and Louella (Photo by Castillo)