By: Maria Girlie Pascual
While the biggest Powerball jackpot of $2.04 billion was won by a single ticket, unfortunately not mine, some hot stories for 2022 include the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the rise of mortgage interest rates and the ensuing inflation that still affects everyone, COVID resurgence, BBM or Bongbong Marcos’s Presidential win in the Philippines, and many other world and local news that captured our attention, it was the return of families to simple pleasures that captured mine.
With this in mind, let me dedicate my first column of the year to my family, especially to my grandson Kenzo Wildoer, who, at four years old continue to amuse, amaze and inspire me to be the best “Wawa” or Grandma in his life. I also wanted to take this time to reflect on what was important to me, and the major role that real friendships also played in my life. At an age past my prime (ahem), my relationships to those around me have shaped how I viewed the world, and the changes that continue to make my journey challenging, sometimes frustrating, was made tolerable by shared laughter, shared meals, and wonderful experiences of travel, celebrations, and milestone events I can look back on and smile about. Yes, my real estate career is at an all-time high, and fingers crossed, will continue to be strong this year in 2023. Of course, nothing is possible without HIS Divine plan, and for that, I deeply am thankful to the Almighty for keeping our loved ones safe through all these ebbs and flows of life. So please enjoy my version of 2022, seen through the smiles, the gatherings, the daily activities, some of which have now become precious memories.
Happy 2023 from our family to yours !!!
Kids are all excited about New Years Eve game night at the lakehouse
Kenzo remembers Mommy’s birthday is Jan 1st
It’s the time for family & great memories for the kids – Christmas Eve Dec 2022
Christmas Eve cheers w (L-R) Bently & Brent Pascual, Wolfgang, Daniel Traimas and Kristoffer
At Kristoffer’s home Christmas Eve 2022
Surprise visit from White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford
Ladies of Christmas present – (L-R) Elizabeth Regacho, Merle Malanyaon, Gurkie, Irene Gonzaga, Lalaine Bernardo, Sue Buniao, Alma Viudez, front Salvy Marino – cheers ! Dec 2022
Thankful for the blessing of friendship (L-R) seated are Tessie Lising, Girlie Pascual, Elizabeth Regacho, Salvy Marino, Rose Cordero and Standing (L-R) Sue Buniao, Merle Malanyaon, Lalaine Bernardo, Irene Gonzaga & Alma Viudez
Birthday dinner for James DC with (L-R) birthday boy James, Elbert Regacho, Fritz Hammer, Salvy Marino, Girlie, Elizabeth Regacho, Dan Gawat, Flor & Don Kramer & Jan Paul FERRER
Christmas dinner at the University Club with Dan Gawat, Flor Kramer, Elizabeth Regacho, Girlie & Salvy Marino
Mexico wedding of Mark & Nadine Calayag December 2022
With Dr Harold & Maria Sy, son Sebastian and Sonny Madera
Parents of the groom Wally & Betnadette Calayag with Sonny & Girlie
Salvy Marino’s follow up birthday dinner December 2022
Christmas 2022 at Bently & Pie Pascual’s home
PMAC Thanksgiving luncheon at Marriott Oak Brook
Emceeing Dr Willie Wilson’s fundraiser December 2022
Congratulations to the performers of Elbert’s Birthday Show for a job well done! Thank you all ! December 2022
Gentlemen of the round table standing is Ben Lising then (L-R) Claro Buniao, James DC, Ray Anthony Bernardo, Limuel Cordero, Elbert Regacho, Fritz Hammer, Jan Paul FERRER, Rodel Malanyaon, Mon Viudez and Ray Gonzaga December 2022
Friends of Nestor & Edith Ardiente at their golden anniversary November 2022
Gerry & Melvin’s money dance with Ninang Salvy Marino
Dance off with Glenn Rivera & James DC at Gerry & Melvin’s wedding October 2022
Great friends enjoying the Tirso Cruz III & Christopher De Leon dance concert Dec 2022 (L-R) Dr Rose Climaco, Girlie, Salvy Marino, Rose Cordero, Elizabeth Regacho, Alma Viudez, Sue Buniao & Veronica
Fun dinner with the ladies (L-R) Rose Cordero, Lalaine Bernardo, Elizabeth Regacho, Irene Gonzaga, Salvy Marino & yours truly Fall 2022
The main performer birthday boy Elbert Regacho with family & friends (L-R) Gie Hermano, Rome Fernandez, James DC, Claro Buniao & Ray Anthony Bernardo
Despedida birthday for Flor Kramer with the BFF group: left side Flor, Vero, Jan Paul FERRER & James DC, right side with Salvy Marino, Elizabeth & Elbert Regacho, & hubby Don Kramer
Salvy Marino’s lovely birthday party at the Russian Tea Room in downtown Chicago
Dress rehearsal for Elbert Regacho’s birthday show October 2022
Kenzo celebrates his 4th birthday November 2022
Halloween fun with the kids October 2022
Golf is a game I can share with my son Kristoffer that’s why I love it !
Golfing in Las Vegas Nov 2022
Our 2022 AAGI champions Rowell Plata & Carla Soria – Congratulations for a well played season !
The AAGI Championship playoff with (L-R) Henry Cristi, Ed Ranchero, Rowena Esquivel, Cris Plata, Bently and Brent Pascual
Get together for Anthony Garcia at Top Golf
One for the road before going back home to Manila for Anthony Garcia
Cocktails with amazing ladies Salvy Marino, Lalaine Bernardo & Elizabeth Regacho September 2022
Bently’s birthday get together after golf at Brent & Dodjie’s house Sept 2022
AAGI with Pres Joe Molina and Lady Champ Cris Plata enjoy the awards banquet in West Virginia Sept 2022
Veronica’s Birthday Tea Party 2022
My crazy brothers Brent and Bently matches the statue with his golf outfit – really ??? LOL
Interview with the group Budakhel at Hong Ning w associate producer Gerry Rebello & publisher Veronica Leighton
Interview with Alden Richard’s & Sue Ramirez October 2022
Reunited with the Interstate Golf Founders in West Virginia
AAGI players in attendance at Larry & Surnee’s wedding August 2022
The AAGI group golfs w out of state friends in West Virginia
Janet & Jerry Masangcay’s beautiful wedding with Kenzo as one of the ring bearers
Meeting of the Orange minds with Veronica Spring 2022
with Viatimes columnist Atty Janice Dantes at the polo match courtesy of Anthony Garcia
Kenzo with dad Kristoffer & Uncle Neil at the polo grounds in Oakbrook to see Anthony and team Passion for Polo
Philippine Polo Champ Anthony Garcia at the final polo match in Oakbrook Sept 2022
Another summer wedding with AAGI players husband & wife Larry and Surnee Fong at Kemper Lakes August 2022
Our league the Asian American Golfers of Illinois with President Joe Molina
Celebrating birthdays with a golf outing every year
James DC & Elbert Regacho help with the oysters with Flor & Vero tasting the freshly shucked mollusks
Seafood Merchants owners Don & Flor Kramer hosts our summer seafood BBQ at their beautiful home
Summer BBQ at Don & FlorKramer’s home July 2022 w (L-R) Elizabeth Regacho, Salvy Marino, our gracious host Flor Kramer, Gerry Rebello & Veronica Leighton
Emceeing THE ICONIC concert featuring my nephew Miki Pascual with Father Sunny & Russell, produced by Gerry Rebello
As one of the bridesmaids in Janet & Jerry’s wedding July 2022
AAGI competes in the Interstate Golf Tournament in West Virginia
First Summer at the Lake Carroll house 2022
Summer with the grandkids Ella & Kenzo with Elizabeth Regacho
Kenzo & Ella at the Chicago Skydeck with Glamma Elizabeth and WaWa Girlie
Unforgettable Italy trip May 2022 w (L-R) Dodjie Garcia-Pascual, me, Sonny Madera & our BFF Elizabeth Regacho
A Tuscan wedding with Elizabeth Regacho, niece Sharmila and hubby Marwan, Paul Regacho takes the photo
In Tuscany with Sonny and James
In Florence May 2022
With the Regacho family (L-R) Paul, Elizabeth l, Elbert & John in Pisa, Italy
Milan May 2022 with Elizabeth Regacho, Sonny Madera & Dodjie Garcia-Pascual