Sikap turns 40

 

Lester Esquilona speaks in the shadow of his mentor and predecessor, Sikap founder Rey Vital

Forty years. That’s how long this group of Filipinos in Hong Kong has managed to not only stay together, but also to continue having fun together, as they do their bit to help other people in the community.

Last Sunday, Nov 24, Sikap Association Hong Kong (short for Samahan ng mga Nagkakaisang Pilipino) led by its hardworking president, Lester Esquilona, held not just one, but two big events, to celebrate the milestone.

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Kickstarting the celebration was a lunch party held at Rosedale Hotel in Causeway Bay, where the Sikap family, made up by about 70 Filipino residents as well as foreign domestic workers mostly working as family drivers, entertained each other and their guests with songs, dances and lots of surprises.

The fun did not stop there, as the members regrouped at their usual hangout at the Hong Kong Tennis Court on Wong Nai Chung Road in Wanchai, for an even bigger and more raucous celebration, this time in the company of Labor Attache Mel Dizon.

Fun is in the air as Sikap members celebrate their 40th year

“I really wanted our 40^th anniversary to be special because I wanted to show everyone that Sikap Association Hong Kong not only looks after the well-being of its members, but also help needy members of the Filipino community,” said Esquilona.

“I wanted everyone to feel the warmth and love coming from our group,  embrace and love from our group, as we continue gathering every Sunday after playing tennis to have meals and fun together, just like any other Filipino family.”

Esquilona also took time to pay tribute to the well-loved Sikap founder Rey Vital, who became literally the group’s president for life, as he remained at the helm until his passing in 2022.

Keeping the group together was his way of preserving Vital’s legacy of kindness, humility and hard work, said Esquilona. (See story on Rey's passing here: https://www.sunwebhk.com/search?q=Sikap )

The celebration at their Wong Nai Chung hangout, where Labatt Mel caught up

Part of the surprise was the awarding of prizes to members who excelled in tennis, the sport that has bound them together for decades.

Named Players of the Year for scoring the biggest number of wins for the entire year were Liza Marco in the women’s category and Robert Dayao in men’s.

The SUN editor Daisy CL Mandap who was the guest speaker, handed out the trophies. In her speech, Mandap praised the group for sticking together for so long that they have become one of the oldest Filipino community organizations in Hong Kong.

Mandap also commended Sikap for giving back to the Filipino community, especially to the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, which has been their beneficiary for many fund-raising events.

One of the specially made trophies handed out as part of the celebration

The other awardees were Jaquilyn Rodriguez and Liza Marco, champions in Ladies Doubles Category B; with Melody Ytis and Helen Bade as runners-up; and Canolyn Luciano and Marissa Naquila, champions in the Ladies Doubles Category C; with Angeline de Guzman and Aiza Remollena as runners-up.

Taking the crown in the Men’s Doubles Category A were Bingbong Quicho and Elmer Palma, with runners-up Robert Dayao and Leo Hibaya. In Category, the winners were Arnel Dimapilis and Michael Morales, with Roldan Arellano and JM Sabado as runners-up.

For the Mix Doubles, Jonathan Nicolas and Canolyn Luciano teamed up to take the champion’s trophy while Roldan Arellano and Teng Fulgencio settled for second prize.

Named most improved female players in the beginner’s category were Cecil Sabado and Marissa Naquila while in the men’s division, the awardees were Roldan Arellano and Arnel Dimapilis.

The awarding would not have been complete without two fun players being recognized. Named “Most Funny Player” among the men was a boisterous Wilfredo Dario, while Lilia Miguel who was also all smiles won in the women’s division.

There were also prizes galore as different companies serving the Filipino community in Hong Kong donated goods, from cellphones to door-to-door boxes and meal coupons.

Employment agency owner Merlinda Mercado who headed the raffle committee, made sure many of her fellow members went home happy.

A dance by 'oldies' was one of the surprises at the party 

Rounding up the committee of fun were engineer Ric Mercado and coach Randy Vilan, who acted as hosts.

Sikap was founded in 1984 by Rey Vital with the objective of organizing sports events and tournaments to promote unity among Filipinos in Hong Kong. Initially they focused on basketball and volleyball, but later ventured into tennis which now serves as the group’s sport of choice.

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