It’s been a chilly spring, but at The Asian Reporter Foundation’s 13th Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet, held Friday, April 22 at Legin Restaurant, it was plenty warm. More than 400 members of Portland’s vibrant pan-Asian community gathered once more to honor elders, award scholarships to youth, and recognize community volunteers. Thirteen years this has been going on. How the time does fly.

It wouldn’t be the annual banquet without a lion dance. The Minh Quang Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association’s dancers were just the right combination of frisky and ferocious as they pranced among tables filled with guests who couldn’t take their eyes away.

Ronault L.S. Catalani, known to all as Polo, and his wife Nim Xuto were masters of ceremonies for the evening. Welcoming the guests, Polo pointed out that the region called the Middle East is now referred to as West Asia, and that this is good news indeed, as "our Asian family is growing."

Jaime Lim, publisher of The Asian Reporter, told those gathered, "Every year you give us a wonderful reason to come together," and extended thanks to the event’s sponsors, without whom "this annual celebration would not be possible."

As plates of walnut glazed prawns, black mushrooms and Chinese broccoli, sautéed tofu and vegetables, kung pao chicken, string beans and beef, and steamed rice began to make their appearance, and the first raffle baskets were won and squealed over, Polo teased that guests were paying all their attention to each other and none to him. The informality of the foundation’s banquet is one of its most charming qualities.

A hush descended on the huge room when the time came to introduce this year’s honored elders, a lady from the Philippines and three Indo gentlemen. Among the four of them, Isabel Carino, Frank DeWater, Charlie Tjaden, and Ryk Van de Pol have 328 years, 21 children, 45 grandchildren, and "many, many" great-grandchildren. All three of this year’s honored gentlemen are experienced musicians, and the honored lady has taught folk dances. No couch potatoes in this group.

Guests always need a break from clapping for our beloved honored elders, and this year it was Fujinami Kai who gave our hands a brief rest while our eyes and ears feasted. Larry Kominz performed Ikken (The Way of the Sword) and Kanchie Fujima performed Sakura Sakura Henkyoku (Cherry Blossom Variation). Needless to say, guests were putting their hands together once more following these lovely dances.

Not only elders, but also young people of the next generation, are honored at the banquet. This year, 16 promising Asian-American students were awarded scholarships by The Asian Reporter Foundation, the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon, and the U.S. Navy.

When Portland State University’s Kaibigan student group put on some fancy footwork, Polo urged, "Don’t be shy, clap your hands. You’re among family here." Subli, Kaibigan’s first dance, originated about 300 years ago in the barrio of Dingin and stems from words meaning "falling on head" and "broken." The second dance, Tinikling — which features performers leaping gracefully between rapidly clacking bamboo poles — is a popular dance that imitates the movement of tinikling birds.

When all the raffle baskets had been distributed to their new owners, it was time to recognize this year’s Exemplary Community Volunteers.

Groups honored include the Council of Filipino American Associations of Oregon & SW Washington, an information clearinghouse and activities coordinator for 14 Filipino-American nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest; the Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association, which promotes the professional development and advancement of Asian Pacific American attorneys through events, seminars, and more; and the Zomi Association of USA, a nonprofit that aids in the resettlement of Zomi refugees from camps in Thailand and Malaysia.

In closing, Polo encouraged guests to dance to DJ Max by explaining, "This ends the part of the program where Nim and I will be standing in front of you as if you’re listening to us." Laughter followed, then the kicking up of heels, and finally, the long wait for next year’s banquet.