The Asian Reporter Foundation’s 14th Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet at Legin Restaurant was just getting under way with a social hour at 5:30pm when Encarnacion Arroyo arrived and stood inside the door, spotted dozens of people already mingling among a sea of tables, and declared the event, which would not conclude for well over three more hours, "Very successful."

An hour later, the drums of the Minh Quang Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association Lion Dance group announced the official start of the banquet as two ferocious and friendly beasts proceeded to charm the audience by blinking their glittery eyelids, flipping their ears, clacking their jaws, ruffling their ruffles, stretching up as high as they could stretch, and nipping at the unsuspecting.

Following a welcome by masters of ceremonies Ronault L.S. "Polo" Catalani and Nim Xuto and Asian Reporterpublisher Jaime Lim, it was time to introduce this year’s four most honored elders.

Dr. Angelito "Lito" Saqueton, born in 1938 in the Philippines, said of his award, "This inspires me to do more not just for the Asian community, but for the community at large. The United States is not a perfect country, but it is one of the best. I need to do my part to make it better."

"We are trying to meet each other, to strengthen our community so we don’t feel lost," said Dr. Bolyvong Tanovan, born in 1937 in Laos. "There is a lot to be learned from each other. I am grateful."

"I’m sure there are a lot of people that qualify," said Fred Wong, born in 1935 in Portland. "I feel honored to be selected."

Wing Louie, born in 1924 in China, spoke through one of the many well-wishers surrounding him, who translated his sentiments with perfect simplicity: "I’m very happy."

A special presentation, a surprise that was not even listed on the evening’s program, came next. "We really don’t stop to consider well or to care properly for those of us who’ve made lives of caring for others," Polo began. "Until, of course, these folks get ill or old or both and we’re suddenly startled into giving back a little of how much they’ve given us."

Joining Polo onstage were several veteran Asian-, Latino-, and African-American leaders in business, media, civic society, and government. They gathered "to give back just a little of what Manong Jaime Lim has given our communities," Polo told the audience. "With this annual award named in his honor, we’re recognizing American community builders in our immigrant nation."

Polo continued: Jaime is a "founding board member of many local community organizations" and a "civil engineer who has built communities on both sides of our Pacific sea."

Accepting his surprise award with typical humor and modesty, Lim said, "What do you know? The guy who gives the award gets the award," then continued, "I’m humble. We do what we do because we believe in it." He went on to thank his children, staff of The Asian Reporter: "They do all the work, we get all the glory."

It was a tough act to follow, but if anyone could do so, the next generation could. Twelve young men and women of great promise were presented with $1,000 scholarships from The Asian Reporter Foundation. Two $500 awards sponsored by the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon followed.

With more than a few lumps in more than a few throats at this point, it was time for something soothing, and performers from the Khana Looke Larn Lao dance group gave the audience exactly what we needed with their colorful, graceful, stylized New Year Greeting Dance.

Last, but a long way from least, three worthy organizations that have been serving the community since the 1980s — the Asian Health & Service Center, the Buddhathammaram Lao Temple, and the Filipino American Association of Clark County and Vicinity — were honored with Exemplary Community Volunteer awards.

After the formal program concluded, the audience headed to the dance floor to continue enjoying each other’s company to music provided by DJ D².

Many thanks are in order. It wouldn’t have been The AR Foundation’s annual banquet without the generosity of sponsors of the annual event, donors who make the silent auction and raffles possible, and the delicacies of a six-course feast at the Legin Restaurant.

Very successful indeed.