A heartfelt salute to all of you my Cabalen. Together with my wife Ginny, my children Marianne, Joanne Marie, Pia Marie, and Roxanne Marie, we welcome you all to this joyous and festive event.

     I believe that I share the same sentiments of most if not all of you here, that through this fiesta, we bring Angeles City, our hometown, right here in the United States.

     The 17^th La Naval Fiesta is a commemoration of several victorious years of the existence of our community, the "Angeleños of Southern California". With our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary behind us in all our endeavors may we conquer our battles, win our wars, and someday be celebrating our own centennial. We Filipinos are known to smile at the better times and still stand to smile at the worst situations. Our community has survived many fruitful years filled with surprises… may there be more to come.

     Just as our Lady of the Holy Rosary interceded and performed miracles for us, we ourselves are performing miracles in our own little ways, by sponsoring a scholarship program geared for the betterment of our youth. Our project has opened our eyes that a little something, may be a great deal for someone else.

     In behalf of the 1998 La Naval Fiesta committee, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to all those who have supported us, and I believe will still be supporting us in the future, on our activities… spiritually and financially.

     May our reverence for Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary never cease to exist, as our love for our countrymen stay the same, and may our devotion to the Rosary grow more faithfully each day.