BERGHAUS GIRLS GRAND REUNION 2011 in TORONTO-CANADA

By Ying(Puring) Barcelo-de la Rosa (Group Kwartellaan 2)
Sun 18th September 2011



Photos courtesy of: Dolly Magbitang and Alice Edano Groups
 
The Berghaus Girls Grand Re-union (Groups (from 1966-1976) was held at Toronto Airport Hotel, Toronto Canada on August 20,2011,


The attendees came from as far as The Netherlands, California, Florida,  and Chicago USA, Vancouver British Columbia, Calgary Alberta and Winnipeg Manitoba– to the delight of those who are residing in the Greater Toronto Area, and Ajax Ontario.
 

 

 
Majority of the girls arrived on August 19^th, mid-day, and quite a few small groups took advantage of their free time to see downtown Toronto, in particular, Chinatown,( a fav destination of the Berghaus Girls whenever they are in Toronto- for authentic Chinese food, atis, lanzones, mangosteen etc.)  CN Tower etc.

 
Registration for the Saturday party started at 2:p.m., Dinner and dance was held at the same hotel where majority of the attendees were staying.  


The attendees were given boarding passes indicating their table and seat numbers, an attempt to spread out the ladies from the same group to give them a chance to ““get to know those who came from different groups -(chica-chica)_.  There were at least 18  from the Valkenhof Group, 10 from the Kwartellaan 2 Group, 8 from Bijlmermeer Group. There must have been a total of at least 150 attendees, including their guests.

The opening ceremony  began at 6:00 p.m. with the national anthem of the Philippines, Canada and Wilhelmus Van Nassouwe of  Holland.
 
It was quite emotional for everybody even if majority of them are not, or, are no longer familiar with the lyrics. Mrs. Miriam Catalan –Bray, the Social Worker of the 1st Gendringen Group 1966-1972, and The Kruitberg Group, gave the opening remarks, Grace before meal  by Fely Canlas-Mendoza ,. followed by the sumptuous buffet. 


There were slide shows from different goups entitled “those were the days my friend.” Cynthia Galang-Barber, the coordinator of the event, from the 1^st Gendringen Group, gave a brief remark followed by the much awaited dancing to the music from the ‘60s and the 70s.`` Fotomaken were everywhere, cameras flashing from all sides of the party room, highlighted by a group picture.
 


 
The ladies from Ulft presented a goup line dancing. There were also a lot of singing and short skits. A” pretend” Queen of Holland walked around waving her hand like the Koningin. It was a fun-filled night. Attendees and their guests  danced all night; and some door prizes were awarded.
 
The following day was an all day trip to Niagara Falls. The rest of the group crossed the Canada-US  boarder for shopping, Casino, and a visit to the famous Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at Lewiston New York.

See Also:

• THE BERGHAUS GIRLS