At Jersey City picnic, FilAms’ last fling before the end of summer

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop takes over grilling duties from Gani Puertollano. Photos by Jujo Conol

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop takes over grilling duties from Gani Puertollano. Photos by Jujo Conol

Eleanor de Leon, the wife of Consul General Mario de Leon Jr., blows four birthday cakes!

Eleanor de Leon, the wife of Consul General Mario de Leon Jr., blows four birthday cakes!

By Cristina DC Pastor

Imagine a Filipino party with trays upon trays of food, where the women are busy cutting, serving, tossing, fanning, and stirring the food, while the men are gathered around a fire pit.

Transport this scene to Jersey City, a community with a large Filipino American population of more than 15K, and you have a clackety gathering of families, organization leaders, residents and their friends made memorable by the presence of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Consul General Mario de Leon Jr., and his wife Eleanor.

I decided to attend the Pafcom Picnic of September 7 held at the Liberty State Park because in my coverage of the community, I feel I have not been to Jersey City much. Because of its close proximity to Manhattan, and also because many of my Jersey City friends work in NYC, I tend to view this populous metropolis as contiguous to New York.

The sun was gentle that day, and the imposing State of Liberty in the background appeared to give the picnic a thumbs-up for a pleasant weather.

People alternately came in hordes and trickles, looking happy as they waved to friends and headed toward the three picnic tables loaded with food trays. With plates in hand, they joined their friends for some catching up. I was introduced to Mayor Fulop. As we shared a chat, there would be women offering him a plate of pansit, a bowl of fruits, lumpia, etc. which he politely declined.

“It’s great to be among Filipinos,” Fulop said hanging back as he scanned the interactions around the grill and the picnic tables. “Filipinos are so festive. I’ve never seen any other group quite like this, no other group.”

He is, he said, proud to have two FilAms serving Jersey City: Council President Rolando Lavarro and Chief Municipal Court Judge Carlo Abad. But before he met them, he worked with Pam Andes for about 10 years when he was a councilman for Jersey City’s Ward E. Filipinos have always formed the bulwark of his political support.

“You have a happy, easy-going culture,” Fulop said.

The people I met looked truly relaxed and loved to tell stories. I renewed acquaintance with former PIDCI President Gani Puertollano, who skillfully commanded the grill; met Maharajah USA board member Anthony Yabut of Teaneck and his family; had an engaging conversation with Jersey pioneer Dr. Ellice Flores (and her cousin Nimia Lacebal), a retired physician who walked me through the history of many community organizations; met activist Joelle Lingat, who spoke about her fascination with the concept of crab mentality; and many other interesting personalities.

People arrived with pots and trays of their homemade dishes. Retired school teacher Lumen Castaneda offered plates of her cole slaw; Team United’s Cynthia Ballenas urged guests to try her shanghai-sized ‘turon;’ and accountant Ledy Almadin was shy about her adobo but was pleased to know it was the first to go. The lechon was a hit, and my humble contribution of Choc Nut and yema candies buried under the mountain of paper plates, empty boxes, foil wrapper, and plastic cups.

That afternoon, the Filipinos of Jersey City appeared to be one big, happy family nurtured in a city that is now their home.

“It is happiness that’s genuine, and not driven by alcohol,” said Fulop.

On that day, one big, happy family

On that day, one big, happy family

One of three picnic tables covered with trays of food

One of three picnic tables covered with trays of food

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