When Francis Lucas' friends learned that he wouldn't be able to work for at least six months after his bypass surgery, they organized a benefit social as a sort of fundraising to help out his family. The social was held at Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Hall on Sunday, March 20, 2005 and started at 6:00 p.m. Tickets were pre-sold and a few were sold at the door.
The organizers (volunteers) decorated the parish hall with streamers, spotlights and a disco ball. Co-workers, members of Couples For Christ, friends, and friends of family mingled and danced. Friends donated prizes for the silent auction. People also donated food -- pancit, spaghetti, pizza, bread, kakanin (deserts), chips, drinks.
When the Village People's "YMCA" was played, people started circling the dance floor and danced to the tune. After a couple of rock-n-roll tunes, a slower "Black Magic Woman" followed, and then a faster paced "Freak Out." Then it was "chow time."
Nel, the head organizer and emcee of the night, introduced Francis and Carolina Lucas. Francis thanked everybody who attended. He said, "A friend in need is a friend indeed. You have proven yourself without any doubt."
"The Original Dancing Couples," five pairs of ladies in red tops and black bottoms and gentlemen in matching dark outfits, graced the dance floor with their swaying moves to "Words Don't Come Easy."
The Lucas Family showed a video presentation. The first part was a tribute to Francis' mother who passed away last November. It was accompanied by the song "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan" and showed pictures of Francis' family in the Philippines -- his Nanay, brothers, sisters and their families. The second part was accompanied by Kenny Loggins' "Your Heart Will Lead You Home" and showed us pictures of the Lucas Family - Francis, Carolina and their seven children. This was followed by a poem written by 17-year old, Agnus-Mariae, "The Return," which she wrote for Father's Day.
After the presentation, Agnus delivered the following speech:
"When we heard that Tatay had a heart condition, we prayed that he would get better without an operation. But later, we realized that it was for God's greater glory that Tatay would have the surgery. We were so focused on the success of his operation that we didn't think of other things. Instead, his co-workers, Tito Nel, Tito Eddie, and the rest, were the ones that did that. They thought of holding a social to help us financially while Tatay wasn't working. It's so heartwarming to know that each one of them and many others from our parish, St. Andrew Bobola, our Titos and Titas from Couples for Christ, and even people who don't even know us are willing to help in the success of this gathering. Also, our friends and relatives, Lola Mama, Tita Irene, and Tito Ronald, have been very supportive to us in this special time. So to all of you, we dedicate this song."
The Lucas kids then sang their own rendition of ABBA's "Thank you for the music," accompanied by Arman on the guitar and the oldest Lucas son,Thesaurus, on the tambourine. Their version said "Thank you for your kindness, for sharing it with us."
Nel jokingly referred to them as the von Trapp family.
Agnus said, "Tito Nel said that there will be inappropriate beverages for the kids from this point and so Lola Mama said that we shouldn't be here when that time comes. We just came here to thank you personally and since we already did that, we now bid you farewell."
The children then wowed the audience with "So Long, Farewell," by the von Trapp kids from the "Sound of Music." They were just oh so cute and they got a big applause from the audience.
Francis also said goodbye. He said, "I'd like to stay, but physically I can't. I should really exercise more."
The silent auction was then held and dancing continued. People danced to "Sugar Sugar," "Dancing Queen," "Staying Alive," "The One That I Love," "Footloose," and many more. They line-danced to "Achy Breaky Heart," "Macarena," etc. They danced away until 11:00 p.m.
The social was a success and the Lucas Family can't thank you enough.
May God bless you all!
