Strangers In The Box

Come, look with me inside this drawer,

In this box I've often seen,

At the pictures, black and white,

Faces proud, still, and serene.

I wish I knew the people,

These strangers in the box,

Their names and all their memories,

Are lost among my socks.

I wonder what their lives were like,

How did they spend their days?

What about their special times?

I'll never know their ways.

If only someone had taken time,

To tell, who, what, where, and when,

These faces of my heritage,

Would come to life again.

Could this become the fate,

Of the pictures we take today?

The faces and the memories,

Someday to be passed away?

Take time to save your stories,

Seize the opportunity when it knocks,

Or someday you and yours,

Could be strangers in the box.

~Author Unknown

Theme

"Appreciating the past to enrich the present & the future."

Introduction

The 1st Pomar-USA Reunion Arizona 2012 is a small gathering of four families residing in the United States from the Philippine descendants of Juan Domingo Pomar & Casimiro Pomar, uncle & nephew, respectively, both of Ruiloba, Cantabria, Spain.

Family Reunion Prayer

Kind Father, I thank You for my home where loved ones dwell and to which my fondest memories now turn. I praise You for the family love and peace and cheer which follow me and comfort me in strange and distant places. I am grateful for all things we share in common: the worthy lessons we learn, the hardships and griefs we sometimes bear, the tasks and pleasures which bind us closer to each other, and the abiding affection and heartfelt prayers which still keep our spirits one in You.

Shelter my home, O God, and all my dear ones there. Make me strong, unselfish, and brave to defend and protect them. Send down Your peace to every family on earth, and grant an abundance of grace to them so that in doing Your will they may merit the joys of eternal salvation. Amen. ~"Prayers for Today," published by Leaflet Missal Co.

Acknowledgement

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to: a) Dr. Kenneth Pomar-Rebong, wife Dr. Marie Anson-Rebong, children Alexa, Matthew & Michael of Morgan Hill, California for their presence and financial support to make this family affair a success; b) Mr. Catalino "Scott' Pomar, and wife Ms. Carmen Lastimosa of Chicago, Illinois who traveled the farthest from Chicago & the Philippines, respectively, and the oldest living descendants of Juan Domingo Pomar present, and their son & daughter-in-law, c) Mr. Catalino Keith Pomar and wife Carla Saraga Pomar of Santa Barbara, California, who wrestled with their working schedules to participate & be present in our family reunion; d) Mr. Edwin Bael, husband of Ms. Betty Pomar-Burgos Bael of Phoenix, Arizona, who had sleepless nights putting together the contents of this site from the data collected by Mr. Richard Burgos of Manila, Philippines & Hyderabad, India, co-organizer of the San Carlos City, Neg. Occ. Pomar Reunion; Ms. Marite Villegas Pomar of Ruiloba, known direct descendant of Juan Domingo in Spain & Mexico; Mr. Inigo Aguilar Sanchez of Pomar descent, President, Genealogical Society of Cantabria, Spain; and last but not least, Mr. Bernard Josef Bael, son of Betty Pomar-Burgos Bael, for his patience and tireless support in setting up this site.

Dedication

This site is dedicated to all our Pomar relatives from all over the world particularly the descendants of Juan Domingo Pomar and Casimiro Pomar. ~Edwin, Bernard, Betty (Pomar-Burgos) Bael, organizers of the 1st Pomar-USA Reunion Arizona 2012

THE FIRST POMAR-USA REUNION AZ 2012
May 26-30, 2012
The Palisades, 13440 N. 44th St., Phoenix, Arizona
Theme: "Appreciating the past to enrich the present and the future"
May 27 Reunion Day

10:15am – Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church

11300 North 64th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(480) 948-8370

6:00pm - Dinner at the Poker Room, The Palisades

7:00pm - Program at the Theatre Room, The Palisades

I. "The Prayer" by Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion
II. Welcome & Acknowledgment by Betty Pomar-Burgos Bael,

co-organizer & host, 1st Pomar-USA Reunion Az 2012
III. Introductions by everybody
IV. Glimpses of the Philippines' Spanish Past (Short Videos)
-"Cultural History of the Philippines: Hispanic Philippines Than We Admit"
-"Espanol de Filipinas, Entiendes El Acento Filipino"
-"Spanish Colonial Era: La Mujer Filipina"
V. "Enlaces Y Raices" ("Links & Roots") by Edwin Bael
VI. "Mama" by Il Divo
VII. Closing Remarks by Ken Pomar-Rebong, co-organizer & next reunion's host
VIII. "Time to Say Goodbye" by Sarah Brightman

9pm - Skype Video Chat with Pomar Worldwide

Contact Details of the Bael Family, co-organizers and host

Cell: 480.217.6336

Home: 602.357.2209

Gate Code: ##1010

Guest Parking: any open parking spot (w/o roof) except for reserved areas

Building #33: upon entering the gate, turn L, first bldng is #33

Unit: #1219: ground floor level going inwards, towards the tennis court

HIGHLIGHT OF THE PROGRAM REPORT

One could probably say that the unifying emotional highlight of this reunion was

when Ken Pomar Rebong said that he and his siblings knew they were Pomars

because they were different, but doubted that they really were because they had no

known Pomar relatives (in tears, almost); "You got us now!" exclaimed Junjun;

"Yeah!!!" chorused everyone; and as he moved back to his chair, Tito Nonon rose

up and embraced him "muy fuerte", Junjun touched his right forearm and

Betty covered them with a warm look of tender acceptance and love...
this embrace of at-one-ment includes all the kin in the Philippines,
India and elsewhere, as well as Marite and family, in Ruiloba,
Cantabria, Spain, and extends to all in the Pomar lineage...

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Venue: The Palisades at Paradise Valley Mall
13440 N. 44th St., Phoenix, AZ 85032

Detailed look at the label of the award winning premium Windsor red wines (pinot noir,
merlot & cabernet sauvignon) especially sealed and delivered for the reunion participants
from Kenneth & Marie Rebong

Tees, hats and moustache: ready for the party... colores de Espana!
The T-shirts were especially ordered by Ken Rebong for the reunion.

May 26th Dinner at Marcellino Ristorante, Scottsdale, hosted by the Rebongs
L-R: Marie, Alexa, Matthew, Michael, Ken, Betty

Sister and brother: Alexa Rebong and Matt Rebong

Edwin Bael, Marie Anson Rebong, Alexa Rebong

Brothers: Matthew and Michael Rebong

The Cousins: Kenneth Pomar Rebong and Betty Pomar Burgos-Bael

Welcome Banner to the Reunion, 27 May 2012

Torero frames and top hats: ready...

The Windsor Reunion wines with, to the left, non-alcoholic sparkling apple ciders
and at their rear two bottles of Real Sangria

Closer picture of the Windsor labels

The table: tortilla espanola, Sweet Lucy red dessert Arizona wine, pica-pica, salad

and dessert tray with balled melons and mochi ice cream (mango & strawberry)

Mouth-watering Paella - Betty's labor of love

Muy sabroso bowl of Gambas al Ajillo (con mucho, mucho ajo)
part of a bigger dish especially prepared by Drs. Marie and Ken Rebong

Tito Nonon holding a faded photo, Ken Pomar Rebong, Mike Rebong and Matt Rebong

Standing L-R: Alexa, Carla, Tita Carmen, Junjun, Tito Nonon, Ken, Marie, Edwin, Betty
Seated L-R: Michael, Matthew

L-R: Junjun, Ken (partially shown), Bernard J, Alexa, Michael, Matthew, Carla

Same group as above, taken from the right

L-R: Tito Nonon, Tita Carmen, Kenneth, BJ, Marie and Junjun

L-R: Junjun, Tita Carmen, Tito Nonon, Michael, Matthew

L-R: Matthew, Betty, Kenneth, Edwin

Kenneth, Marie, Junjun, Michael, Matthew giving all ears to Tito Nonon

Tito Nonon as he presents his family details and points to Junjun

Kenneth waxing sentimental about not having known any other Pomars before...
THE HIGHLIGHT EMBRACE right after was not caught on film
as all were too emotionally involved to mind any camera...