28 years
of
Community Service
MUNTING NAYON
News Magazine
Operated by couple Eddie Flores and Orquidia Valenzuela
News and Views of the
Filipino Community Worldwide
Berghaus Girls
LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF MUNTING NAYON

By Dolly I. Magbitang (Social Worker-Kwartellaan-Group 2)
Toronto-Canada
Sat 17th December 2011




As we get closer to the end of year 2011, looking at the 2 pictures taken last month celebrating Kwartellaan 2’s 40th anniversary, and posted at the latest issue of Munting Nayon, memories of 1971 flashed back.
 
For the 99% from the 3 groups of Berghaus Girls who went to “occupy” Amsterdam, Wehl and Ulft, that was a first of so many things: excitement of seeing another country, seeing relatives who left the previous years, and meeting new friends; being called a “working girl abroad”; earning a “salary” ; but also sadness of leaving their  families.
 
To jog your memories, here is an  old photo of the social workers. Unfortunately, unable to get any picture of Aidaje and Perla Javate
L to R Terry Trijo, Mirian Catalan-Brey, Laly Noble, Precy Manuel (Wehl2 Group),  Dolly I. Magbitang, and the late Dading Belarmino


L t R:  Mr. Winkenius from Berghaus Ulft, Dolly Magbitang, Espie Oliveros,           And the late Fr. Van Dooren

The experiences gained were “priceless”: enhancement of social and interpersonal skills, learning new culture, learning new skills, and learning about various countries through travel around several European cities.
 
 
Wehl Group
 

 
Munting Nayon has dedicated a special section exclusively for The Berghaus Girls, and has documented all of the above mentioned significant, life-changing, priceless experiences.
 
 
L to R Alice Edano, Dolly Magbitang
 

 
Eddie Flores and his wife Orquid have been there throughout these 40 years – providing support, sharing their experiences and wisdom, demonstrating the true meaning of “Filipino hospitality” and “bayanihan”. 
 
The skills that were learned, and the experiences that were gained became very useful tools as the 3 year contracts end- The Berghaus Girls became so marketable in the Canadian Employment area – so much so that they all had their job offers by then. All of The Berghaus Girls left The Netherlands to “occupy” Winnipeg, Toronto and Vancouver – arriving as “new Canadians” – all with new employers.
 
 
Kruitberg-Amsterdam
 

 
While majority started in the garment industry of Manitoba, they soon changed employers. Some of them were able to get jobs with Air Canada, Canada Taxation Office, Manitoba Hydro, and other Manitoba Government Office, University of British Columbia, hospitals, financial institutions such as Toronto Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Canadian Imperial Bank, Ministry of Health Ontario, and  City of Toronto Ontario,
 
Shortly thereafter, they were able to sponsor all of their family members. 99% of The Berghaus Girls got married either to their boy friends from back home, Dutch boyfriends, or Canadians.
 
With Dutch partners
 


 
 
Ulft – Wehl groups
 

 
After 40 years, a lot of them now have grown up children who are now professionals, and a few of them are now grandmothers; some of them are even enjoying early retirements
 
 
At Gendringen
 

 
We are truly grateful to Berghaus – for giving us the opportunity to be able to work in Holland: Mr. Croonen, Father Croonen and all the management staff of the 3 Berghaus locations; we are also grateful to all of our “kababayan from the Philippine Embassy and those who were residing then in The Hague; our  Dutch friends, in particular the late Mayor Paw, and family(Wehl) and Mayor Cramwinkel and family of Gemeente Gendringen.
 
 
At the Philippine Embassy-The Hague
 

 
Most importantly, to Eddie and Orquid – we truly want to express our sincerest appreciation for “being there” for us.
 
On behalf of my colleagues and all of the Berghaus Girls:
 
THANK YOU SO MUCH,  MARAMING SALAMAT PO;   DANK U WEL
 
MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON SA INYONG LAHAT !!!!!!


See Also:
Tweet
MoreBERGHAUS GIRLS participate in Canada Run/walk for the cure of Cancer – October 5, 2014
Dolly I. Magbitang

As in the previous years, 2014 was another great year for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC (Canadian...
MoreBERGHAUS GIRLS’ GRAND REUNION 2014
Dolly Magbitang

The August 2-2014 Grand Reunion of The Berghaus Girls was held this week-end in Winnipeg: a Saturday dinner...
 
MoreRELOAD YOUR DREAMS - Rebecca Bustamante Inspires Toronto
Michelle Chermaine Ramos

On Friday, August 19 2016 iKUBO Media in cooperation with Chalre Associates hosted Reload Your Dreams at the YWCA at 87 Elm Street in downtown Toronto....
 
MoreMy ‘Tall Dark, and Handsome’ younger brother, Hermes
Renato Perdon

In commemoration of the 70th birth anniversary of my TDH younger brother on 28 August 2016, I am posting this piece....
MoreHWPL to Host “2nd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit” in Seoul, South Korea in September
Marilie Bomediano

Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL, Chairman Man Hee Lee) is hosting its “2nd Annual Commemoration of September...
MoreAmbassador Gatan Celebrates Summer Reunion with PAG Artists
Michelle Chermaine Ramos

The Philippine Artists Group of Canada celebrated their annual summer reunion with Ambassador Gatan, Mrs. Debbie Gatan and Consul General...
MoreLUNIJO’S MISS GRAND CONTINENTAL QUEEN CANADA PAGEANT A CLASS OF ITS OWN
Li Eron

This year's Taste of Manila in Bathurst Street disrupted traffic in a good way for it being one of North...
MoreDurham Crossover Basketball team wins tourney
Dindo Orbeso

Durham Crossover Basketball team won  the U11/U12 Last One Standing Tournament  held last August. 20-21, 2016 at Bill Crothers Secondary...
 
More`CON AMOR’ FOUNDATION B0ARD MEMBERS VISIT PROJECTS IN PHILIPPINES
By: Orquidia. Valenzuela,  as reported by Myrla Danao

Businessman Jaap van Dijke, chairman and two board members, Myrla Danao and Dr. John Deen of Con Amor foundation in...
MoreArt Creations
Vicente Collado Jr.

Welcome!

Many believe formal training is a prerequisite to quality in painting. Not a few will agree with me one can...
MoreTHE CHILDREN IN DON MANUEL GK VILLAGE
Orquidia Valenzuela Flores

Sixty-three children from age three to six years, in the very poor community of Don Manuel village in Barangay...
 
Disclaimer

Contents posted in this site, muntingnayon.com, are the sole responsibility of the writers and do not reflect the editorial position of or the writers' affiliation with this website, the website owner, the webmaster and Munting Nayon News Magazine.

This site, muntingnayon.com, the website owner, the webmaster and Munting Nayon News Magazine do not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages arising for any reason whatsoever from this website or from any web link used in this site.