KUWAIT CITY, Dec 29: There has not been a dull moment in the whole year for Filipino Badminton Club in Kuwait (FILBACK) as well-organized tournaments were arranged throughout this period and, therefore, it did not come as a surprise when another unforgettable event — FILBACK Annual Awards Night — was organized for the FILBACK Family at the Kuwait Hyatt Hotel this week.
As always all the events were led from the front by FILBACK Founding Chairman Caloy Abesamis, with tremendous support coming from Leo Regner - Vice Chairman and all the other FILBACK directors and committees.

FILBACK members

All of them worked really hard to make every event enjoyable for all the members and non-members and the awards night, which was coupled with the Christmas celebrations for friends and families, was no different as all those who took part in the gathering enjoyed every moment of it.
But all the hard work and determination of the FILBACK team would not have brought the desired results had it not been for the tremendous support given by all sponsors whose dedication and trust for FILBACK was very evident that evening as they gave away lots of prizes to the raffle draw winners, backed by cash prizes to those who performed well in the group dance contest.
Every moment of the evening was one which will be remembered for a long time by the attendees as it was superbly organized, with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem by Albert Naguit starting off the program.

Jabriya Group performing

This was followed by welcome remarks and invocation by Nestor Matondo. Philippines Embassy Labor Attache Atty. Vivo Vidal then delivered an inspirational talk for all the members of FILBACK Family.Both of them commended the FILBACK office-bearers and the FILBACK Family for all the dedication they displayed throughout the year to make every event that they arranged a success.
These words of praise looked at the objectives of FILBACK and the success it has achieved. These words were a source of strength for the FILBACK organizing committee and all the members for now they can look forward to the coming year in which they can pursue their objective of sharing love and happiness and at the same time building a sense of unity among all the Filipinos in Kuwait.
Looking around the hall that evening, one could see that all the attendees had come dressed in their best and they were feeling as comfortable as they do every Friday in their sports gears during every tournament throughout the year. Once could feel a sense of closeness and unity going through everyone.
With everyone enjoying the evening, the night was still young when the “masters” of the ceremony Joel Aguirre and Jelly Cadano pulled out a very long list and announced the winners for the recently-concluded tournament entitled “Hataw Sa Pasko 2010”.
Mrs Regner and Mrs Abesamis - looking as beautiful as ever — presented the trophies to all the winners and other position-achievers of “Hataw Sa Pasko 2010”.
All the awardees were presented trophies that for their achievements.
“Hataw Sa Pasko 2010” tournament prize-winners
Category    Name    Attained
Mix Lower D    Romeo Trillanes    Champion
Mix Lower D    Danny Quindoza    Champion
Mix Lower D    May Comilang    2nd Runner Up
Mix Lower D    Maricel Ilagan    2nd Runner Up
Mix Lower D    Ma. Leonora Laurito    1st Runner Up
Mix Lower D    Marilou Lubaton    1st Runner Up
Mix Lower C    Andrew Dalida    Champion
Mix Lower C    Albert Naguit    Champion
Mix Lower C    Romeo Logalong    2nd Runner Up
Mix Lower C    Regina Casano    2nd Runner Up
Mix Lower C    Betchai Buensuceso    1st Runner Up
Mix Lower C    Edison Gaspar    1st Runner Up
Mix Higher D    Abdulatif    Champion
Mix Higher D    Christian Magsino    Champion
Mix Higher D    Enrique Macarandang    2nd Runner Up
Mix Higher D    Fay Guzman    2nd Runner Up
Mix Higher D    Rowell Antonio    1st Runner Up
Mix Higher D    Ayi Buenaventura    1st Runner Up
Mix Higher C    Noel Zagada    Champion
Mix Higher C    Ejay De Leon    Champion
Mix Higher C    Romeo Tribunalo    2nd Runner Up
Mix Higher C    Rico Gabuyo    2nd Runner Up
Mix Higher C    Ronald Brizuela    1st Runner Up
Mix Higher C    George Burgos    1st Runner Up
Men’s B Doubles    Sid Ladia    Champion
Men’s B Doubles    Dennis Fermo    Champion
Men’s B Doubles    Billy Ramos    2nd Runner Up
Men’s B Doubles    Jet Adlawan    2nd Runner Up
Men’s B Doubles    Joel Aguirre    1st Runner Up
Men’s B Doubles    Dennis Malay    1st Runner Up
Men’s A Doubles    Edison Dela Cruz    Champion
Men’s A Doubles    Sharad    Champion
Men’s A Doubles    Nestor Matondo    2nd Runner Up
Men’s A Doubles    Marianne Salunga    2nd Runner Up
Men’s A Doubles    James Flores    1st Runner Up
Men’s A Doubles    Ed Buensuceso    1st Runner Up
The presentation of trophies to the winners of “Hataw Sa Pasko 2010”, was followed by the main draws which involved giving away of three LCD TVs and one washing machine.
The lucky winners who collected the TVs were Robert Veloya’s group, Ilejay’s family and Renato Calanog - Al Salam Group with the washing machine going to the Amador family.
With the end of the draws, one might have thought that the proceedings of the evening were coming to an end but that was not the case as many more beautiful moments were still in store for all those present because the “masters” of the ceremonies were back with another very long list which carried the names of all those who had performed to the best of their ability in another tournament, entitled “FILBACK Hatawan 2”.
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These winners were also honored for the hard work they put in to reach the pinnacle of each event.
“FILBACK Hatawan 2” tournament prize-winners
Category    Name    Remarks
MIX Lower D    Val Canicosa    Champion
MIX Lower D    Leonor Laurito    Champion
MIX Lower D    Vhenie Ilejay    2nd Runner Up
MIX Lower D    Raffy Ilejay    2nd Runner Up
MIX Lower D    Malou Lubaton    1st Runner Up
MIX Lower D    Elibeth Mendoza    1st Runner Up
MIX Lower C    Noel Zagada    Champion
MIX Lower C    Brilly Lariosa    2nd Runner Up
MIX Lower C    Marie Grace Calungsod    2nd Runner Up
MIX Lower C    Romeo Tribunalo    1st Runner Up
MIX Lower C    Lyn Roca    1st Runner Up
MIX Higher D    Marvin Maghirang    Champion
MIX Higher D    Fay Guzman    Champion
MIX Higher D    Rowell Palacio    2nd Runner Up
MIX Higher D    Mayeen Abesamis    2nd Runner Up
MIX Higher D    Ramis Ensomo    1st Runner Up
MIX Higher D    Ayi Buenaventura    1st Runner Up
MIX Higher C    Gomer Imperial    Champion
MIX Higher C    Betchai Buensuceso    Champion
MIX Higher C    Rene Anglita    2nd Runner Up
MIX Higher C    Maebelle Abesamis    2nd Runner Up
MIX Higher C    Arnel Miguel    1st Runner Up
MIX Higher C    Alethea Adana    1st Runner Up
MIX E    Mechelle Magbanua    Champion
MIX E    Jazella Ilejay    Champion
MIX E    Mark Jason Sibunga    1st Runner Up
MIX E    Hajj Christian Queddeng    1st Runner Up
Men’s B Doubles    Jonnie Gratil    Champion
Men’s B Doubles    Marianne Salunga    Champion
Men’s B Doubles    Billy Ramos    2nd Runner Up
Men’s B Doubles    Rey Queddeng    2nd Runner Up
Men’s B Doubles    Rey Lubaton    1st Runner Up
Men’s B Doubles    Leandro De Jesus    1st Runner Up
Men’s A Doubles    Nestor Matondo    Champion
Men’s A Doubles    Jess Sibunga    Champion
Men’s A Doubles    Roy Satorre    2nd Runner Up
Men’s A Doubles    Kristian De Jesus    2nd Runner Up
Men’s A Doubles    Richard Amoto    1st Runner Up
Men’s A Doubles    Rasheed    1st Runner Up
If you think the party ended with the distribution of the prizes to the winners, then you need to think again for it continued late into the evening with various dances and a music band providing a lot of entertainment to bring out the best in everyone as the occasion of Christmas provided everyone with just the right setting to enjoy themselves.
 First there was Ronnie’s Band whose music and songs had everyone tapping their feet, including those who normally do not make a show of being overwhelmed by any occasion but the setting was just right for everyone to just shed off any “chains” that might be holding them down... but everything was done within the confines of dignity so that everyone enjoyed himself and did not get offended. Everything had been arranged in such a way that there was grace in everything that was done.
Along with the music, which was really soothing to the ears, came the presentation by the Group for Xmas. These individuals, from within the organization, had prepared unique talent shows which proved they were endowed with skills other than the ones they display regularly on the badminton courts.
The members of each group were represented by some officers and players, split by location, who had prepared their own programs different themes to display their talent. Their was an “individuality” in each presentation yet there was a cohesiveness which bound all of them which gave them a “oneness” when they took to the stage, each on their own turn.
The different groups were: The 70’s - Team Jabriya/Hawalli, The 80’s - Team Maidan Hawalli, The 90’s —Team Salmiya and last but not least The 00’s - Team Al Salam.
Each group put in their best effort to make the FILBACK Night as lively as possible. The whole show was a contest and the presentations of all the group were all humorous which brought out laughter from the whole audience, so much so that even the judges could not hold back their smiles. Some of them even shed tears, if that is what one could call them, because they laughed so much that they could not control themselves while judging the presentation of each group and the result was “water” trickling down the cheeks of everyone.
This part was enjoyed the most because even the judges shared a little of their talent after each group’s presentation. At the end of this contest, The 70’s - Team Jabriya/Hawalli headed by Albert Naguit proved that they were in a “class of their own. They won the contest and received the main cash prize. To be fair to the other groups, the judges awarded them with a triple tie for the runners-up spot so that they could share the cash prizes. The aim here was to recognize the efforts of all those who put in a lot of effort to prepare for the entertainment part of FILBACK Night.
The entertainment segment was supported by all the FILBACK brothers and friends. They all chipped in to come-up with the cash prizes which were awarded to the participants.
FILBACK would like to acknowledge the support of Mr. Hermie and family, Atty. Vivo Vidal and family, Mr & Mrs Raffy and Vhenie Ilejay and family, Bro. Reggie Ramos and family, Bro Noel Amador and family, Bro Deo Amador and group, Bro Jaffy and family, Bro Noel Candolesas and family, Robert Velayo and family, John Rubin and family and Roy Satore and family.
The Founding Father of FILBACK and also its Chairman - Caloy Abesamis - then presented the Special Awards to the deserving players and officers who were selected for this honor because of the loyalty and hard work that all of them put in throughout the year to ensure the smooth running and success of each tournament.
The awardees were Richard Amoto, Ed Buencuseso, Renato Calanog, Rey Lubaton and Albert Naguit.
According to Abesamis “Everyone has a chance to collect such special awards ... all they have to do is to show that they deserve to be one of this special group. In the coming year, we will again remained focused to select individuals for this category...Good luck”.
To start the year 2011, the Chairman then invited everyone to join and have fun again in a major tournament - ‘Vivo Vidal Cup - The Challenge’ which will be inaugurated on Jan 7, 2011 at the Gym in Reggai, next to the Ramada Hotel. For details, contact the Filback officers or Caloy Abesamis on Tel 99540450.
The last award was presented to Mechelle Magbanua and Ronald Brizuela who were nominated the King and Queen of the night. They were selected by a panel of judges comprising Reggie Ramos, Noel Amador and Caloy Abesamis.
The climax of this night was completed by Ronnie’s Band who continued to provide some very lively music so that everyone could continue enjoying the party all night.
Put all the events together and one can easily see that the organizers had done a remarkable job to make it a success. While most of the credit goes to the organizers, all the participants must also be commended for their contribution.
FILBACK would like to acknowledge as well as offer special thanks to the following sponsors: Eureka House of Electronics - Khaled Abden, AMEC CO. - Russel Skoyles / Greg Blanco, Western Union Money Transfer - Hermie and Vangie Gernale, Century Properties - Rod Robles and UIGT - Raffy and Vhenie Ilejay.