In folksy tribute, Congen De Leon takes pride in Jersey roots, says FilAms now earning R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Despedida dinner for Congen Mario de Leon Jr. shown here with wife Eleanor de Leon: An evening of music, laughter and not a few tears. Photos: Loren San Diego of Bebe Cherie Photography
By Cristina DC Pastor
At a musical tribute in his honor, Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. reveled in the warm glow of the New Jersey FilAm community’s affection, thanked them for their friendship, and said, “I hope you enjoyed the journey we had together.”
The Philippine American Friendship Committee (PAFCOM) despedida dinner was one in a never-ending series of send-offs for the departing diplomat since it was announced his tour of duty was coming to an end. He said New Jersey was his first home when he was assigned in New York as a consul some 25 years ago.
“New Jersey is close to my heart,” he said. “I first lived here around the Jersey City, Bayonne area. I’ve always considered myself a part of New Jersey.”
He commended PAFCOM for its work engaging FilAms in the Garden State. “I’m very encouraged,” he said, by the organization’s mandate of helping the community.
De Leon went on to state how Filipinos are starting to move away from widely perceived invisibility and making their mark into, for instance, politics. He noted how Jersey natives Rolando Lavarro is currently president of the Jersey City Council, and Councilman Jonathan Wong may yet become the next mayor of Mahwah, a city with a small, “maybe less than 1 percent,” FilAm population. What this means, he said, is how Filipinos are now earning recognition and being treated with respect.
“Mainstream Americans are starting to respect Filipinos,” said De Leon.
“I’ve been here for five and a half years,” he continued. “I’ve dealt with a lot of you. I consider all of you my friends. I hope you enjoyed the journey we had together.”
It was an emotion-filled evening, one with a lingering program of songs, dances and a couple of comedy acts. The ballroom audience delighted in Mario Garcia’s raunchy ditty “Ang Sapatos ni Sion,” and Linda Rupel’s impersonation of Tina Turner’s “Private Dancer,” complete with an Afro wig and a dazzling disco outfit.
Talent after exceptional talent rendered songs they believed the departing diplomat would enjoy.
Jerome Gentolia’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was a robustly applauded number. De Leon later came up to him to express his praise. Kirby Asunto sang “Proud Mary” remembering how the Congen is a big Beatles fan. Elaine Ficarra’s “What I Did for Love” from the A Chorus Line musical comes from Congen’s repertoire of Broadway favorites. Jared Martin sang “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” in English but that did not stop the Boomers from singing along – in Tagalog! Jazmine Andes sang a song she composed for De Leon, whose leadership she said she admired. Saxophonist Efren Recana’s “Maala-ala Mo Kaya” hushed the ballroom crowd into a dreamy, romantic spell.
The evening ended with the community gathered around De Leon and singing “Through the Years” by Kenny Rogers. He gave everyone a hug, a few in room wiping away tears.
“Congen has always been sincere and real with the way he deals with people,” PAFCOM President Ledy Almadin told The FilAm after the party. “What we saw tonight is the community giving back their sincere friendship and heartwarming appreciation for all that he’s done.”
Linda Rupel as Tina Turner; Efren Recana on sax
Clockwise from top left: Kirby Asunto, Jerome Gentolia, and April Talangbayan on the flute. Photo of April by Ferlie Almonte
