Annual Picnic
Year 2008
by Robert Roliz
The one thing that binds us all together is Family.
The feeling of family spirit or unity was apparently spread all around the green
grass fields at Beresford Park in San Mateo on July 12, 2008, when an
unprecedented 175 Lusitano members and guests showed up with their children and
loved ones for some fun and games in the sun.
It was truly the most spectacular and memorable
moment I have ever seen in any past club event. It was just a “Bundle of Joy” to
see everyone having a good time while spreading the love around the mahjong
tables, softball field, and games that remind us of our old HK Club Recreio
events (i.e. sack race, 3-legged race, water balloon toss), with Melissa &
Leonardo Xavier playing host to the cheerful fans of kids and adults alike,
while Jojo Xavier and Hunter Choi carefully maneuvered their way around the big
crowd to capture some of these playful moments.
This large and wonderful event would not have been
made possible if it wasn’t for the fuel support of BBQ chefs, Hunter Choi, Ozzie
Ozorio, Leonardo Xavier, Kaua Young, Nuno Da Cruz, and Eduardo Collaco, for
satisfying the many hungry bellies, with the regular picnic entrees: Hamburgers,
Hot dogs, Hot Links, and Potato Salad; and the specialty food: Korean Ribs,
Chicken, Korean Noodles, Summer Green Salad with mandarin oranges & nuts –
prepared by Dorothy Oliveira (the Club’s main chef and Gastronomia Rep.),
assisted by Maria Joao Da Cruz.
Special thanks goes to Michael Carion, Kirk Harper,
Maria Roliz, and Hunter Choi for setting up the chairs, tables, and other needed
supplies to get the ball rolling; and Virginia Yoshida for simply just assisting
in whatever matters when called upon.
And that includes some of the other unnamed volunteers who helped clean
up and close this special party to a sweet end.
The sweetest moment for me was when the club
provided a birthday cake to celebrate the July babies, as part of the family
spirit. July babies included myself, Barbara Vas, Orlanda DaCosta, Shirley
Johanssen, Brenda Oliveira, Jaclyn Aquino, Nicholas Maher, Juliana Pereira, and
especially Amelia Maherwho turned 88 for many more to come.
This annual picnic not only brought many different
families together to bond as one while providing them with some moral and
emotional support; it gave me a great sense of pride when I realized 50 or so
attendees are my relatives from the “Pereira de Campos” family tree from some
250 years ago at this very event.
My sense of pride grew even more when I met a new
member, Carl Bunje, who joined at the ripe age of 86 to just explore his
Macanese heritage and it was a real surprise to find out that we share the same
“Pereira de Campos” roots from 2 1/2 centuries ago.
I think he was speechless when my curiosity helped find his other
relatives: Alvarenga (António de Alvarenga Coutinho), Aquino (Joaquim Francisco
de Aquino), Liger (João Corea de Liger), Placé (Lourenço de Sousa Placé), Rosa
(Vicente Rosa), Silva (Domingos da Silva), Vieira Ribeiro (Inácio Vieira) from
Henry d'Assumpcao’s website.
All this left me with an overwhelming feeling which
made me even more appreciative of my Macanese identity and heritage.
Having this window of opportunity to explore and embrace my ancestor’s
past was a great way to search for my roots, making me who I am today, “A Proud
Macanese”. You may be just as surprised to find there are other wonderful people
like Carl Bunje here at this picnic related to you and perhaps me too?
It’s all about LOVE, DIGNITY & RESPECT!!!