Feb.2, 2011
Last Sunday, Jan.30, 2011 our Jacinto Clan, descendants of Esteban Rave Jacinto via his son Gervasio (married to Ramona Lim) had our first clan reunion at San Jacinto Chinese Restaurant, culminating over 6 months of preparation started by my younger brother Junior and my cousin Ben Jacinto. Gervasio and Ramona begot my grandfather Alfredo (Pedong) and his siblings Jose (Pepe), Virgilio (Viliong), Sulita (Choleng), Natividad (Naty), Abundio (Charling) and Rmedios (Meding). Charling died of illness while still a young bachelor. All the siblings married and had children. My mother Renee is the eldest daughter of Alfredo Jacinto and Venancia Yuson, both from Gapan, Nueva Ecija.
It was a wonderful event and a happy occasion to meet uncles and aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces and grand nephews and grandnieces. About 210 clan members attended.
Yesterday, I guided some 23 of them to visit the Jacinto roots in Barasoain, Malolos where we visited the old historical Catholic Church where the first Philippine Congress was held and the first Philippine Constitution signed and ratified. From my immediate family joined my siblings Manolo, Maricar, Freddie (with daughter Grace), and Babs.
From Malolos we proceeded to the Jacinto hometown, now Gapan City. We arrived at noon and were feted to a very sumptuous lunch of typical Gapan food fare by the young Mayor, Christian Tino, probably a distant relative. After the Mass we proceeded to pray the Divina Pastora Shrine, where we also attended a Mass of Thanksgiving.
After the Mass, we proceeded to the home of the aunt of our Tito Teng Jacinto who had organized a very big merienda (snacks) of native delicatessen. We all enjoyed the wonderful food.
Before heading home to Metro Manila, we passed by the old cemetery to pray for our departed relatives.
Thank God for a great bonding with my relatives.
