Vol. 35. No. 2 A Publication of UMA, Inc Apr-Jun 2012 Editor: Daniel Gomes, 4394 N. Sweetbriar Ct, Concord, Ca 94521 E-Mail: [email protected]

CONNECTIONS (by Alberto M. Guterres of Sydney, Australia)

The Diaspora of our ethnic group from the Far East including Shanghai, Macau and Hong Kong have caused many family ties and friendship to go astray and contacts to be lost and some never to be regained again.

I was always very interested in the Indochina branch of my family - “da Cruz”, since I was never given the opportunity to meet most of the members who resided in Saigon. My mother and her 2 children (Peter and self) left Macau in December 1946 for Brazil via Portugal. Brazil was never attained and so we made our home in Lisbon, Portugal without ever visiting Saigon. The French Indochina War began on December 9, 1946 (a day after we left Macau for Portugal) and terminated on August 1, 1954 with the defeat of the French Forces in Dien Bien Phu.

My “da Cruz” branch of the family migrated to France in 1954, after sensing the country was lost and due to the death of the Patriarch Antonio Maria Augusto, who died that same year. He had learnt with horror that his country home in Dalat was destroyed and his home in Saigon had been taken over by the Communists. My mother used to write to her father until his death in 1954 but lost contact with the rest of the ‘da Cruz’ family who left for France.

As I grew up, I had learnt much of the wonderful lifestyle of my grandfather Antonio Maria Augusto Botelho da Cruz through my mother and some other members of the family (including Aunty Cano and husband Uncle Riddo, Aunty Nina and her husband Rafael and others) over many years. My desire to contact those in France never waned.

I wrote to my Uncle Rafael Hyndman da Rosa in the 1980s, who by then had taken refuge in Portugal from the wars in Angola and it was my good fortune that he put me in contact with Christiane and her husband Georges Eginard with whom I entered a correspondence for many years. Christiane is the daughter of Fernande Maria da Cruz and her husband Eleuthere Bernard Chavigny de La Chevrotiere.

When Jorge Forjaz visited my late wife Rosemarie and self in our home in Chatswood, Australia, I provided him with the information of that branch of the “da Cruz” and he expended his research to include the members of my grandfather’s brother – Jose Maria Botelho da Cruz. Meanwhile I was also interested in my late wife’s own family “Noronha” of Holland and through the branch living in Manchester, we were able to contact the late Eric Henry James de Noronha and subsequently were visited by his granddaughter Naomi in Sydney; we became good friends with her and her fiancé Jibin and also with her brother Ramon Miguel – we corresponded with both over many years. My son Gerald and wife Claudine were able to attend the wedding of Naomi and Jibin in Amsterdam in 2001. It needs be said that it all started from a tenuous connection and now we are again a connected family.

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Connections

In 1993 we visited Paris (Rosie and self) and were told of a family gathering to meet us both. To our great surprise we met some 50 members of the family, including my own first cousin Louisette (daughter of my mother’s 2 nd brother Victor and my mother’s own flower girl!).

We have been back several times to Paris, the last 2 times I brought my new wife Dorothy and introduced her to some members. She was so delighted that she decided to learn French to be able to converse with them, as none speak English.

We were back this year in Paris and we had a wonderful lunch at Terminus Gare du Nord Restaurant with Georges, Christiane and her mother Fernande. Fernande is a spritely old lady of 89 who still travels throughout Paris by bus on her own But not able to use the “metro” because of the numerous stairs. We visited Louisette in Gagny and Dorothy was able to speak to her without my assistance and they held a most wonderful conversation, like good old friends.

Dorothy was not able to accompany me to Manchester or Holland due to the arrival of her new grandson Nathaniel in London. I travelled on my own, firstly to Manchester where I met with Hilda Bethell, widow of the late Bill Bethell - son of Aunty Cissy Noronha Bethell (Rosie’s aunt). She told me that Aunty Cissy and son Bill were interned in the Stanley POW and that both had signed a bed sheet together with all the prisoners of the camp that is today displayed at the Imperial War Museum in London; also met with Bill Cain (son of Dorothy Noronha Cain – another aunt of Rosie). We had a great afternoon talking about the family and exchanging photos and family details.

I also visited Sassenheim in Holland, in the region where the “de Noronha” family lives but also the region where tulips are grown. I stayed with Ramon and met his wife Magda and children John and Arabella, and we had a wonderful dinner with Naomi and her children. Jibin was away on business.

The reason I am writing this short story is to recommend to all members (particularly the young ones) to maintain the links to family and friends, for all the surprises that life holds and for the benefit of future generations, those that one day will ask – whom am I and who are the members of my family and where do they live in this world of ours.

Make yourself know. Make an effort, if not for your benefit, but for all those that have a need to know of our most illustrious background and our wonderful families who once were the backbone of many enterprises in the Far East but now roam the whole world and have made new lives elsewhere.

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Maria Fatima Gomes

OUR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 th , 2012, at the Pacifica Community Center. Come and find out more about UMA, and enjoy the warm camaraderie of our members. Join our many wonderful volunteers who come together to enjoy each other and do the work of UMA. Come support and work with these outstanding people who have given a great deal to sustain and GROW UMA . Your presence is important and valued, and we need to have enough members present to have a quorum. We look forward to seeing you at this meeting, so please put it on your calendar .

This is an ELECTION YEAR, so consider running for office or serving as a director; join us in setting the direction of UMA for the next two years. If you know of anyone who would be a good officer or director, encourage them to run for office. The NOMINATION FORM is on Page 5 of this bulletin.

Have you viewed our UMA Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/UMA.USA ? Check it out, and put your knowledge of Macau to the test with our newly launched PORTUGUESE/MACANESE TRIVIA CONTEST. This was created and maintained under the leadership of Denise Pereira Webster, a member of our UMA Web Development Committee . Our UMA Cultural Committee is supporting this endeavor by funding the prizes for the winner. This Trivia Contest is also on our UMA Website. The winner will receive a coffee mug with our UMA Logo and two coupons to be used at the UMA event of their choice. Join in on our fun TRIVIA CONTEST which will end on July 31st.

ENJOY THE MANY PICTURES OF THE EVENTS WE HAVE HAD THIS YEAR on our Website www.uma-casademacau.com . Our new Rock ‘N Roll Dinner Dance was a huge success; our All Day Social was well attended and fun for all who were able to attend; our new Golf Social was a delightful day of golf; and our Southern California Luncheon was also an enjoyable and successful event. Some pictures of our All Day Social and Golf Social are on the next page.

DON’T MISS OUR UPCOMING EVENTS : the THANKSGIVING MASS on Saturday, July 7 th ; the GOLF TOURNAMENT on Saturday, July 21 st , the FAMILY PICNIC on Sunday, August 26 th , the LAWN BOWLING TOURNAMENT on Saturday, September 1 st , and our NOITE DINER DANCE on Saturday, September 15 th . The events flyers for these events are on Pages 15 to 20.

OUR 2011 FAMILY PICNIC was a huge success and a fun event for all three generations present. Check out the photos on our website. Put our 2O12 FAMILY PICNIC which will be on August 26th on your calendar; work on getting your children and grand-children there to have a great time. Bring all your family, friends, and extended family members to enjoy time together at beautiful Heather Farms Park in Walnut Creek, with all the food and fun games provided by our terrific workers.

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT UMA OFFERS. INVITE THEM TO ENJOY OUR WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE TO STAY CONNECTED , AND BRING THEM TO HAVE FUN AND SPEND TIME TOGETHER AT OUR EVENTS.

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ALL DAY SOCIAL on March 24 th , 2012, at the Pacifica Community Center.

GOLF SOCIAL on April 28 th , 2012 at the Rossmoor Dollar Ranch Golf Course.

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Maria Gomes, Vice-President of MCC and President of UMA

On behalf of the Directors of the Macau Cultural Center I am happy to report that our rentals have continued to generate revenue to partially fund the many operating expenses we have. Our two retail spaces are leased to the Fremont Art Association and Niles Ice Cream Shoppe. The Fremont Art Association is doing very well and enjoying our rental space. The Niles Ice Cream Shoppe has not yet opened their doors for business and continues to work with the City of Fremont to get all necessary approvals. We also have a rental lease with De Souza Niles Yoga for the use of our Conference Room.

The rentals of our Ballroom with the kitchen has also brought in revenue, but we need to increase our hall rental revenue to generate more funds to cover all our operational expenses. Please get the word out on our hall and conference room rentals to your friends. With more rentals we can generate additional income to meet our financial responsibilities.

In 2012 additional revenue came from the Macanese Youth Day on March 10 th which was sponsored by IIM, International Institute of Macau, and MCC. This event gave us a net profit of $499.61. We also received an additional settlement from Charles Schwab in the amount of $968.74 in April; and we received a $100 donation from one of our UMA members.

The Dia de Sao Joao we just had on June 24 th was a great success; we had a mass followed by a most enjoyable presentation on the history of Macau’s Dia de Sao Joao and Patua by Jim Silva. We then were well entertained with a skit by Flavia Greubel and Antony Capitule; a short presentation on Patua by Adelaide Loo; and a video on Patua. Finally we enjoyed a delicious homemade Macanese dinner and danced the rest of the night away. Photos of this event will be posted on our UMA Website shortly. The next MCC Event will be the 95 th Anniversary Celebration of the Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima on Saturday, October 13 th . The flyer for this event is on Page 20 of this bulletin.

The total MCC Funds in the Union Bank of California is $34,548.74. As of April 30, 2012 the total 2012 Revenue for MCC was $21,581.49; the total Expense was $24,823.84; which resulted in a total net loss of $3,242.35.

The Operating Expenses of MCC are very high, and we need all the help we can get to raise funds for MCC. We need to increase our rental income and our donations. Please help us out any way you can. Send us a donation and join our 2012 FRIENDS OF MCC, or help us pay down the Fremont Interest-Free Loan by being a LOGO & SIGNAGE SPONSOR for $300, or be a FAÇADE & RETAIL SPACE SPONSOR for $500. Make your donation check out to UMA, Inc. with a note that it is a donation for MCC, and send it to our Treasurer, Francis Carion, 1112 Rockledge Lane, No.7, Walnut Creek, California 94595. He will send a check in your name to MCC. This way UMA can get credit for your donation.

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Nominations for UMA Board of Directors

Instructions:

Please write the name/names of the person/persons you wish to nominate for the positions of Officer and/or Director. There will be 4 Officers and 5 Directors making a total of 9 in the Board. Anyone you wish to nominate as an officer, i.e. President, Vice President, etc., make sure you also write that candidate’s name as a Director, in case he/she loses the vote for that officer position, he/she is still eligible to be a Director. Any member may nominate himself/herself for a particular position.

Approval of the person(s) being nominated should be obtained prior to submitting name(s) in the nomination .

Send your nominations early. Deadline August 17, 2012.

Mail form to: Vilma Remedios Chairperson, Nominating Committee 2616 Saklan Indian Dr. #2 Walnut Creek, CA 94595

President ______

Vice President ______

Secretary ______

Treasurer ______

Director ______

Director ______

Director ______

Director ______

Director ______

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Youth Encontro – Meghan Remedios

My grandparents had left Hong Kong with my dad when he was only four years old, so I was already considered part of the second generation. As a result, growing up I naturally felt somewhat disconnected from my Macanese heritage. When the 2012 Macanese Youth Encontro came along, I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about a culture that was part of and very important to me, albeit one I felt distanced from.

I had the privilege of briefly visiting Macau with my family several years ago, but spending a week in this bustling land with 37 other youth of the Macanese Diaspora was an entirely different experience. I had never met so many other Macanese youth in my life, even considering UMA functions. Although we were strangers coming from different parts of the world, our shared culture had brought us together in Macau. This gave us an instant connection; we could bond over our love of traditional Filhomac dishes, share the stories of our parents and grandparents, and joke about the difficulties we had all encountered trying to explain being Macanese to people who had never heard of Macau before.

The Organizing Committee and Conselho das Comunidades Macaenses did an excellent job of putting together our program. The opening ceremony at the MGM was extravagant and set the tone for the entire week. It was heavenly getting to enjoy all of our favorite Macanese dishes and I’m pretty sure we all returned from the trip at least a few pounds heavier. We also got to be a little adventurous in our eating trying new, obscure foods such as pigeon. Presentations by the Macau Youth Federation and the Supporting Office gave us a better understanding of the economic and cultural conditions in Macau, and the trip to Zhongshan was my first time experiencing mainland China. The visit to the Planetarium at the Macau Science Center, seeing the giant pandas in Old Taipa, and the Portuguese Churrasco were also fun additions to the program.

Although the schedule for the week was packed full of activities, we somehow had enough energy to go out and take in Macau’s rich nightlife at the end of each day. What little free time we had during the trip was spent exploring the lavish hotels and casinos, sampling beef jerky and almond cookies from vendors near the Ruins of St. Paul’s, browsing shops around Senado Square, and of course seeking out Portuguese egg tarts. Sleep was a low priority during the trip, but understandably so; the excitement of the city and energy of everyone in the group was such that you didn’t want to miss a thing.

It’s funny how friendships can blossom over such a short period of time, and people you’ve only known a week can begin to feel like people you’ve known a lifetime. The Youth Encontro has given us all a deeper understanding of the importance of being Macanese and preserving the culture and traditions of this land where our emotional ties lie. It was an enriching and unique experience that we can share with our friends and family back home and in our respective Casas around the world. The booming gaming industry is evidence of a Macau that is quite different than the one our parents and grandparents grew up in, but one that still holds on to the richness of culture that is familiar to the Macanese community. To serve as a reminder of the week we spent together in Macau, there are numerous memories, photographs, and a Facebook group to keep us connected, as well as a newly awakened drive to keep the Macanese traditions alive among younger generations.

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Youth Encontro – Allison Brekke

I went to Macau to get a first hand education on my heritage. I came back with that and so much more.

When I first found out that I was chosen to go on the 2012 Macanese Youth Encontro I was very honored. I made sure to take another look at ‘All Our Yesterdays’ (published by UMA in the 1970’s, and presented to me by my grandparents). I looked forward to learning more about Macau’s history, cuisine, languages, beliefs, people, etc. Maybe I’d see the ruins of St. Paul. Maybe I’d eat a delicious tart. Maybe I’d hear Patuá. What I came to realize was that the most valuable things I took away from the experience were the relationships I made with the people I met while there, and because I was there.

Most of us who are Macanese have an understanding of what that means, but why? Is it because of teachers, books, the news? I don’t happen to thing so. Most of us know because it has been passed down to us. And by who? After this trip I have come to realize that this sharing of information is my duty, a duty that I am eager to fulfill.

This responsibility has been made easier by meeting the youths of the Encontro. We are all excited to share what we learned with everyone who is willing to listen, and to meet periodically to celebrate our experience. I am confident that I have made life long friends that will help me, and join me in passing on the Macanese heritage.

I believe I read somewhere that when speaking of the Diaspora, Chief Executive Chui Sai said that it plays a crucial role in promoting Macau globally, and that the Macanese people have a unique and amazing culture which should be both preserved and shared with the rest of the world. This is so true. This Encontro was made up of youths from the USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Portugal. If we continue to celebrate Macanese traditions and culture in our homelands, maybe more people will be interested in it, more clubs will be established, and more youths from more countries can attend future Encontros. It will hopefully have a snowball effect, guaranteeing that something so special will never die out.

I would like to thank UMA, the Macanese organizers, as well as everyone else who was involved in making this trip possible. It exceeded my expectations and really was life changing.

UMA Southern California News Mercia Poirer

We had a very successful luncheon at the Hibachi Grill Buffet in Norwalk on May 19th. There were some people there we hadn't seen for a long time and it is always nice to renew old friendships. The food was wonderful, and there was lots of it. The vast assortment of Chinese, Japanese and American cuisine items appealed to the taste of everyone present. We all enjoyed the meal and certainly had our fill. We would like to thank Rita, Alda and Aurea, these sisters did a fine job in their planning. We look forward to the next event they have planned for August 18.. Please check this bulletin for further details. We hope to have a great turnout the next time. Upcoming Events in Southern California:

DIM SUM LUNCH

Date: Saturday, August 18, 2012 Deadline : Wednesday, August 8, 2012 Time : 11:30 AM Place: Great Seafood Harbor For Reservations , please contact: 18329 South Pioneer Boulevard Alda Gosano at (562) 804-3212 Artesia, CA. 90701 Or Tel: (562) 860-7794 Aurea Pereira at (562) 925-4604

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“THE PORTUGUESE COMMUNITY IN HONGKONG'' By Jim Silva

(UMA Member Jim Silva gave a talk at the San Jose State University 's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library. The Talk Was Sponsored Jointly By The 'Macau Arts, Culture And Heritage Institute' and The "Portuguese Heritage Society Of California''. Below is an edited version of the talk.)

Perhaps I should begin with some of the historical background on this subject. All Americans know that in 1492- "Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue", and thus discovered the New World. He thought he would sail to the Indies by going West. Little did he know that there would be two oceans and one continent in his way before he could reach that fabled land.

At the same time few Americans know that barely 6 years later in 1498 the Portuguese were to become the first Europeans to reach the Indies by sea . Vasco da Gama and his crews sailed around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, then sailed north along the east coast of Africa and crossed the Arabian Sea and landed in Calicut in India.

Portugal made the most of this landfall and soon succeeded in establishing a settlement and trading post in India under a capable Viceroy-Afonso do Albuquerque.

Scarcely 13 years later Albuquerque launched an expedition and proceeded further east to land in and eventually capture the city of Malacca (in today's Malaysia) in 1511. Malacca was then already a prominent native trading center for the goods and spices of the neighboring regions. Two years later in 1513 -from Malacca- a Portuguese expedition led by one Jorge Alvares went yet further east to land on islands off the mouth of the Pearl River Delta in south China- very close to Canton and Macau.

Alvares could not get Chinese permission to proceed to Canton and Peking and negotiate for trading facilities . Instead he was asked to leave and to return from where he came. Which he did. But in short time other Malacca Portuguese merchants tried for trading contacts in these same areas around Macau and in time managed to develop a small but very profitable trade.. So much so that by 1557 the Chinese allowed for a permanent Portuguese trading settlement with housing and storage facilities to be established on the nearby peninsula of Macau. This is now the official date given to mark the beginnings of Macau.

A Portuguese version for the permission to use these facilities was that Portuguese ships managed to rid the region of notorious pirates plaguing the area and in gratitude they were invited to settle. The Chinese version was that Portuguese and Chinese traders together bribed the southern Chinese officials for this settlement. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between.

At that time there was never perceived to be a change of sovereignty for Macau. Indeed, the Chinese continued to operate their own customs station in Macau and also received an annual rent from the Portuguese. Nevertheless it was a prosperous and convenient arrangement. Forget about treaties and permits and deeds and documents -it was enough that both sides prospered under these loose arrangements.

And prosper they did. The Macau Portuguese had a virtual monopoly on Chinese goods for trade with Japan, Indonesia, Malacca, Goa and the Philippines . This brought great prosperity, especially in the trade with Japan. Both the Chinese and Japanese authorities prohibited their nationals from traveling and trading overseas-and the Portuguese alone were allowed to carry on this very lucrative China/Japan trade.

These happy arrangements came to halt around 1640. Three things happened then. Firstly, Portugal again became an independent Kingdom by breaking off from a dominating Spanish monarchy. This was welcomed by most but at the same time detrimental for trade within the Spanish empire-which then included Macau and Manila.

Secondly the Dutch captured Portuguese held Malacca and controlled the surrounding seas to menace Macau's trading connection with Goa and beyond. And thirdly-and most importantly- the expulsion of Portuguese traders and missionaries from Japan. The threat of converting Japanese away from their old beliefs towards a new faith led

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Portuguese Community in HK to this expulsion. Portuguese merchants and missionaries and many Japanese Catholics had then to retreat to Macau.

This led to a long period of decline and stagnation for Macau.

Things went along their slow quiet way until the British came on the scene in the early 1700's. The arrival came in the form of the monopolistic British East India Company- a semi governmental trading corporation which had been the original British presence in India. However, other independent British traders were soon also on to the China trade and with the British Government's approval the original British East India Company's trading monopoly was withdrawn to allow for independent companies to take its place. Soon British and Indian (Parsi) companies together with other nationalities also entered the Chinese trading scene.

These new traders established "Factories" down river from Canton along the Pearl River's banks. The factories did not manufacture anything. They were the offices, warehouses and living quarters of the trading companies and their staff.

Trade flourished, but under strict conditions.. No European women were allowed to live in the factories; Trade could only be done through specified Chinese agents call the "Co-Hong"; After the winter trading season traders had to leave their factories for six months of the year and retire to Macau for the summer.

The role of the Macau Portuguese became somewhat marginalized now - they became landlords to the returning factory personnel from Canton. Some were employed in Macau as clerks and office staff of the bigger companies. These circumstances continued until 1841 with the outbreak of the first Opium War between England and China . A more shameful war can hardly be imagined today. British traders slowly and steadily imported opium from India into South China . The addiction and corruption of the Chinese in this area and beyond brought great concern to their authorities who then banned the sale and importation of this drug.

An incorruptible Chinese official demanded that all importation of opium be prohibited and current stocks lying in the warehouses of the foreign factories be delivered up to him for confiscation and burning. To the dismay of the factory traders this was done under duress and without compensation. In London the British government was prevailed upon to support the opium merchants of whom Jardine, Matheson & Company was the leading entity. The British government was also anxious to increase future general trade with China and wanted to do away with other current petty regulations that tended to restrict and curtail open and free trade.

The British navy easily overcame Chinese opposition during the short "Opium War" - whilst the Portuguese stood neutral on the sidelines. With victory the British demanded that a nearby rocky and hilly island called Hongkong be ceded in perpetuity to Britain and that five Chinese coastal cities be opened to all foreigners for trade. These were to be the original "Treaty Ports". Elsewhere, there were to be no regulations or restrictions against any foreigners on trade and commerce.

And so began the story of Hongkong. As Hongkong quickly developed into a significant world wide trading base so did Macau's role and significance shrink to become a quiet backwater on the South China scene.

Physically - what was Macau like in those early years before and after the Opium War? Very picturesque - much like a small Mediterranean port of today. Cobblestone streets, plazas, large banyan trees, low rows of pastel colored homes, a broad beautiful waterfront promenade overlooking the China sea, and churches, churches everywhere. This was true until the 1950s and 1960s when "modern" development began. Today there is yet further development as Macau strives to rival Las Vegas with huge and garish casino palaces dotting large areas of old mainland Macau and spilling over three bridges on those same lines to yet more monolithic casino palaces.

There is a developed area of reclaimed land that connects the once separate islands of Coloane and Taipa now called the "Cotai Strip". This is where the gaming action now is.

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Portuguese Community in HK

I should like to digress now to two battles for the defense of Macau for which the Macau Portuguese are justifiably proud.

Around 1622 the Dutch tried to invade Macau. From Batavia-today's Djakarta - the Dutch landed from a fleet of 15 ships to attack Macau. The Dutch always coveted the rich Macau/Japan trade and would just as soon take it over for themselves. An invasion by over 800 Dutch soldiers came ashore on June 24th ( Dia de Sao Joao) and marched towards a poorly defended city.

Just then the backbone of the local garrison was away from Macau on an expedition in China. Left to defend Macau was a ragtag army of soldiers, slaves, women ,priests and civilians. They were determined to repel those protestant heretics from their shores. The defenders tactics were to retreat and ambush. At the height of the action a Portuguese cannon fired from a hilltop fort and aimed by a catholic priest delivered a direct hit on the Dutch ammunition and powder carriage. A counter attack followed, which drove the enemy back to their landing beaches and boats. In the subsequent retreat many of the invading Dutch were drowned or killed .

Total victory was accomplished and never again would the Dutch attempt an invasion. "Dia de Sao Joao" -June 24th-is still an unofficial National day of Macau - a day to be proud of.

Another Macau battle and victory took place about 200 years later- a short time after the 1841 Opium war. During those uncertain times a Portuguese/Chinese dispute arose which resulted in a Chinese blockade barring entrance and exit of goods, food and people from Macau. The stranglehold was to be at the Barrier Gate entrance to Macau- the Porta Cerco. All land entry and exit had to be through this gate - which was normally controlled by the Portuguese. A Chinese fort on a hill nearby with 500 men had cannon aimed at this gateway and threatened all through traffic. The Chinese plan was to blockade and starve out Macau until all demands were met. The situation was desperate as the noose closed. A young Macanese Lieutenant Vicente Nicolau Mesquita approached his commander and offered to attack the fort should 36 other volunteers be found. This was arranged. The one Portuguese cannon at the gate then fired a lucky shot that exploded within the Chinese fort and simultaneously Mesquita and his 36 volunteers made a fierce charge at the enemy. Chinese cannon at the fort could not be fired at the lower trajectory then needed and in a short time the Portuguese charge demoralized the enemy and caused them to desert the fort in the face of the approaching attackers.

It was great and final victory. Mesquita and his group were the heroes of the day as the siege was lifted.

Much later, in the 1930s the Portuguese communities of Macau, Hongkong, and Shanghai all contributed funds for the erection of a large bronze statue of Lt. Mesquita in his full army uniform with his sword half drawn for a charge. This statue was placed on a pedestal in the main city plaza facing the Leal Senado - (senate house).

The story does not quite end there. A monument for a victory is also at the same time a reminder of a defeat for the opposing side. Many years later in 1966 when China was in the midst of her communist "cultural revolution", a large band of Red Guard rioters in Macau took their revenge by toppling this great statue . Macau's city fathers took this in their stride and replaced the statue with the less heroic fountain which can be seen today.

What about the people of Macau and Hongkong? The vast majority of Macau and Hongkong residents have always been Chinese-well more than 95%. Among the rest were yet a smaller minority which we can call "Our People”. We are the Eurasians, the Mesticos, the mixed blood products of many generations of intermarrying between progeny of the original Portuguese settlers and their Asian spouses. We call ourselves "Macanese" or " Maquistas" or "Filhos de Macau". With this intermarrying of the races for over 400 years there would be a continuing mixture of the mixtures. There was probably in Hongkong no Macanese with a parent or even grandparent that came directly from Portugal . The practice was to marry within the large group of Macanese there.

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Portuguese Community in HK

There had always been the tendency to only find spouses within our mixed community. People with the same culture, roots, religion and background. For some there had been a hesitancy in admitting to a mixed blood heritage in the face of a sometimes racist European controlled colonial society. For sham!

One uniting force for the community has been our patois - a language as mixed as ourselves and a binding badge of the tribe; Another is our unique food - an unconscious earlier unique fusion of Portuguese and Asian fare by taking the best of what each could offer. Yet another is the Roman Catholic faith.

The Macanese of Hongkong are the descendants of earlier Macanese in Macau who looked to Hongkong for their livelihood between the years of the 1840s to the 1950s.Few employment opportunities were available in Macau - only Governmental jobs seemed to be available. On the other hand Hongkong always had a growing need for clerical and other office jobs as trading companies, Banks, utilities, and other services called for more and more competent staffing. After all Hongkong was only separated from Macau by a mere 45 miles of sea as each city stand on the opposite sides of the Pearl River delta entrance . These two cities are now approximately an hour apart by a fast hydrofoil service.

We are all part of the same people - but time and circumstances have caused Hongkong Macanese to use English as their main language, while Macau Macanese continue to speak Portuguese and Cantonese .

The takeover of Hongkong by Britain in perpetuity in 1841 originally only included Hongkong Island. Very soon later Britain arranged to have part of the small adjoining mainland peninsula of Kowloon included in the deal. Yet later in 1898 , Britain felt that a further Kowloon expansion would be needed and a treaty was then drawn up to cede another portion of Kowloon for a period of 99 years. There would be a street to mark this treaty. A street in Kowloon runs from East to West about five miles inland . It would be called Boundary Street. Beyond Boundary Street the " New Territories" would stretch many miles further inland up to the border villages of Lowu and Shenjen. Most of the nearby islands were also included in this 99 year extension of the New Territories.

In the early 1980s the British government, - Margaret Thatcher then in charge - was made conscious of the impending end of the New Territories lease in 1997. Mrs. Thatcher gathered together a group of British politicians which was later to be enlarged by a group of Hongkong politicians , all with a view of going together to Peking to negotiate with Deng Xiao Ping for the renewal of this lease for an extension of a further 99 years! (My friend Sir Roger Lobo would be part of the group).

The Chinese government not only refused but instead said they wanted all of the New Territories back, plus Kowloon, plus the Island of Hongkong. They considered that the time of foreign colonies on Chinese soil was over and that the "unequal treaties" were to be done away with and that all colonial territories should revert to China.

Realistically Hongkong could hardly now exist without it's New Territories. Perhaps 20% of the population lived there and numerous factories, reservoirs and power plants were also located there.

Britain's options were limited. No longer could a British gunboat sail up the Yangtze River and make demands. There was now a fear that Hong Kong’s economy and future would be in jeopardy with a sudden and complete territorial takeover. China also had apprehensions on this score. She also did not want to kill this goose that could lay golden eggs for her.

A wise and acceptable compromise was then arrived at. For 50 years Hongkong would exist as a "Special Administrative Region"-(S.A.R.). The capitalistic economy was to continue.. Local laws and administration would be retained. Most aspects of life would continue as before. The Hongkong dollar currency would not be changed.

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Portuguese Community in HK

The "Governor" would be a local Chinese national now to be called the CEO - with local internal matters handled by his administration. Laws would continue to be made by an enlarged "Legislative Council" The English language and legal system would continue. This whole system has now continued successfully to the present. Peking has kept an unobtrusive presence-but there is never any doubt as to where real power lies.

Similar arrangements were made when two years later Macau gave up it's Portuguese status to become a Special Administrative Region for 50 years. Complications in the Macau handover depended mainly on enlarging the gambling franchises which saw the added entry of big foreign casinos. The three American franchisees are now the Wynn Company, The MGM (Kekorian) Company the Venetian Company (Adelson). And now also an Australian Casino company (Packer) allied with some locals. The established Stanley Ho enterprises and another Chinese group continue. New mega gambling palaces have now spilled across Macau's bay by those three connecting bridges to the reclaimed land called the Cotai Strip. This piece of land now connects the once separate islands of Coloane and Taipa .

These developments coupled with the new found wealth of today's China - especially around the Pearl River Delta have resulted in a very rich and prosperous Macau. The Peking Government controls all things political and economic. It also controls Macau entry and exit regulations for mainland Chinese -Peking can relax or stifle access to Macau by its citizens and thus control Macau's gambling led economy.

So far we have heard much of the history and background of the Macanese and Macau. What of the recent past and present?

Since the 1950s and 1960s there has been an exodus by Macanese migration away from the Far East. Still, perhaps, about 20% of the community remain in Macau and Hongkong.

Those who left did so for many reasons. One of which was that there was always a fear that a new Chinese government would eventually come about and the Macanese might then not easily fit in. Perhaps opportunities for a better life could exist elsewhere. Younger Macanese, especially those with young families, were the first to make a move and soon others followed.

Macau Macanese went to Portuguese speaking lands - back to Portugal or Brazil. Hongkong (and Shanghai) Macanese felt more at home in an English speaking world -- the USA, Canada and Australia. A lot depended on a receiving country's immigration regulations towards accepting newcomers.

My earlier unscientific estimate was that perhaps 20% of Macanese stayed behind. Those who did, did so for many reasons. Many had good jobs, careers and prospects if they stayed on and remained in Macau or Hongkong. Also in new lands those in certain professions - like the law and medicine - could not practice without fresh certification and admission requirements.

A Hongkong Macanese community now still exists on a much smaller scale. Sporting and social clubs that were once a prominent part of community life now manage with smaller numbers . The Clube Lusitano, the Clube de Recreio, the Little Flower Club, the Victoria Recreation Club are now all shadows of what they once were.

In Macau many Macanese stay if they were lucky enough to participate in the new Casino induced prosperity. Indeed, some who had left earlier have returned to enjoy the new conditions.

The word "Saudades" can now aptly be used to describe bitter sweet memories of a time, a place, and a way of life.

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PHOTO EXHIBIT OF THE PORTUGUESE SCHOOL SHIP NRP SAGRES By Maria Fatima Gomes

The International Institute of Macau and the Macau Cultural Center presented a Photo Exhibition of the Portuguese school ship NRP SAGRES at the MCC building in Fremont on Sunday, May 6 th , 2012. The exhibit had 50 photos done by Joaquim Magalhaes de Castro which focused on the 40 days he spent aboard the NRP SAGRES from Goa to Alexandria. This Exhibit, accompanied by a video which was shown continuously, purports to be a trustworthy and emotive record of the intensive daily work performed by a fantastic crew of 146 men. This Photo Exhibition was to commemorate the 50 years of the NRP Sagres as a school-ship under the Portuguese flag, and is part of a vast initiative that will take place during the year of 2012.

The exhibit was enjoyed by members of the three Casas: Casa de Macau, Lusitano, and União Macaense Americana; members of the Portuguese Community in California; as well as the community at large. The three Presidents of the Casas: Henrique Manhao, Maria Roliz, and Maria Fatima Gomes were there with the other directors of MCC: Antonio Capitule, Nuno da Cruz, Albertino da Rosa, and Flavia Greubel to welcome the guests. Attending to enjoy the exhibit were Lionel Goulart of the Portuguese Historial Museum, Bernie Goulart of the Portuguese Heritage Society, and Arthur Britto of the Macau Arts Culture Heritage Institute. Of the many attendees Maria Benedita da Costa Ferreira Viegas and Celso Viegas of Union City were particularly delighted with the exhibit because her father, Officer Eduardo Ferreira Cardoso aka “Bailundo” meaning Strong Man, was in charge of the 1 st and 2 nd SAGRES in Portugal. Maria Benedita shared that she has many memories of being on the deck of the SAGRES; she also shared that the President of Portugal at that time would only sail out when Bailundo was commanding the vessel.

Exhibition NRP Sagres at MCC UMA President addressing Exhibition

UMA NEWS BULLETIN – Summer Issue 2012 Page 14 of 36

You Are Invited To Our

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING MASS

It is Time Once Again to Give Thanks and to Pray For a Healthy and Prosperous União Macaense Americana, Inc. (UMA) For World Peace and The Catholic Church For Relatives, Friends, the Dear Departed, the Sick and the Poor

~~~~~~~

Place: Church of the Good Shepherd 901 Oceana Boulevard, Pacifica, CA Date: Saturday, July 7, 2012 Time: 11:00 AM

Lunch: 12:00 Noon at the Church Gym Cost: $10.00 per Person

TRANSPORTATION : For those requiring transportation to and from venue, please call:

East Bay: Ed Guterres – Tel (925) 945-8024 West Bay: Sandy Souza – Tel (925) 256-0307

For more information, check our website: www.uma-casademacau.com

------

Please fill in name(s), enclose check, made payable to UMA Inc. , and send to Marie Guterres at 825 Prairie Creek Drive, Pacifica, CA 94044 – Tel: 650-359-3858

Name (s) ______Tel No. ______No. of Persons: ______Check Amt $ ______

UMA NEWS BULLETIN – Summer Issue 2012 Page 15 of 36

UMA Inc.

2nd Ann ual Golf Tournament

Men and Women Golfers

Welcome!

Ross moo r Doll ar Ranch Golf Course

Walnut Creek, Ca

Saturday, July 21, 2012 Trophies & 11:30 Registration Fun 11:30 – 12:30 Warm Up Goodie bags Awards 12:30 Review Rules, Games, Prizes for all golfers 1:00 p.m. Tee Times Start 6:00 p.m. Reception / 7:00 p.m. Dinner

Awards will be presented after dinner.

Please join us for a fun day of golf followed by dinner. Non-golfers are also invited to the dinner as well as to socialize in the afternoon while the golfers play their game. We have reserved the large meeting room at the new clubhouse, which has sweeping views of the Creekside Course. We will score using the Callaway Handicap System which levels the playing field for all golfers. You do not need to have a handicap to play. (For more information, Google Callaway Handicap System) Please complete the registration form below and return it along with your check by June 15, 2012. If you have questions, please email or call the committee chairperso n: Victor Oliveira – [email protected] – 650-787-4888 Remember…A LL GOLFERS – regardless of ability or experience – are encouraged to participate. This is a FUN event!

2010 UMA Golf Tournament Reservations Due Saturday, June 15, 2012 Please list golfers’ names : Name: Email: Phone # Name: Email: Phone # Name: Email: Phone # Name: Email: Phone # Names of your foursome: If you do not provide names, we will create the pairing for you

# Golfers – Non Rossmoor Resident – $68/person – includes green fees, cart and dinner # Golfers – Rossmoor Resident – $48/person – includes green fees, cart and dinner (subtract $12 if using your own golf cart) # Dinner Only – $13/person – Names for Dinner: Please make checks payable to UMA, Inc. and mail it along with this form by June 15, 2012, to: Joanne Segovia 1417 Oakmont Drive, #1 Walnut Creek, CA 94595

UMA NEWS BULLETIN – Summer Issue 2012 Page 16 of 36

UMA NEWS BULLETIN – Summer Issue 2012 Page 17 of 36

UMA, INC.

ANNUAL MIXED TRIPLES BOWLING TOURNAMENT

UMA takes great pride in once again sponsoring this Bowling Extravaganza, which is open to all UMA and Macanese Certified Lawn Bowlers. Non-Bowling UMA Members are welcome to join. Come and root for your favorite bowler.

This year’s event will be held on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the ROSSMOOR LAWN BOWLING CLUB, WALNUT CREEK, CA followed by a Steak BBQ after the games at the Stanley Dollar Clubhouse in Rossmoor The cost will be $18.00 per Bowler which includes the Dinner

Tournament begins promptly at 9:30AM and ends at 4PM. Dress Code: Whites and flat smooth soled shoes. USLBA Rules apply. Please bring your own lunch.

THREE 10 END GAMES

The Tournament Director/Committee’s decisions are final.

First come, first served basis: Entries with checks must be received by August 15, 2012 As this is strictly a mixed team event, we may not be able to accept all entries. Thus, the last odd entries will not be accepted and check(s) will be returned.

Friends and camp followers are welcome to attend the BBQ at a cost of $12.00 per person.

For more information, check our website: www.uma-casademacau.com

------

Please complete form and enclose check, made payable to UMA, INC. and send to: Marie Guterres at 825 Prairie Creek Drive, Pacifica, CA 94044 – Tel: 650-359-3858

BOWLER’S NAME: ______

NON-BOWLER’S NAME – BBQ Only ______

Check Enclosed for $______

NO REFUNDS

UMA NEWS BULLETIN – Summer Issue 2012 Page 18 of 36

You're Invited to Our

at The Twin Pines Senior & Community Center 20 Twin Pines Lane /1223 Ralston Ave Belmont, CA 94002 On Saturday, September 15, 2012

5:30 PM Social Hour 6:30 PM Dinner 8:00 PM Dancing to the Music of

Price per Person: $25.00 UMA, Lusitano & Casa de Macau Members $30.00 Others

Deadline for Reservations: September 1, 2012 Max Capacity: 150 Persons Please make your reservations early as space is limited – first come first served

TRANSPORTATION : For those requiring transportation to and from venue, please call:

East Bay: Ed Guterres – Tel (925) 945-8024 West Bay: Sandy Souza – Tel (925) 639-7708

For more information, check our website: www.uma-casademacau.com

------

Please make checks payable to UMA, Inc. and mail to: Johanna Terra at 23 Pio Pico Way, Pacifica, CA 94044 Tel: 650-355-5275

Name(s): ______Address______Tel No: ______

Reservations may be made for tables of 8 or 10. Please list names on back of form. Thank you.

Please Note: There Will Be No Refunds For No Shows

UMA NEWS BULLETIN – Summer Issue 2012 Page 19 of 36

UMA NEWS BULLETIN – Summer Issue 2012 Page 20 of 36

The Happy Valley Race Course Fire of 1918 Roy Eric Xavier

Prelude

The late winter of February 1918 in Hong Kong was unusually dry and heavy with anticipation. The war in Europe was in its final months, and the effect on trade, now shifting to the Americans and Japanese, was a cause for concern.

Among superstitious Chinese and Europeans, two small earthquakes on the 13 th and 14 th of February, and an outbreak of spinal meningitis leading to 968 deaths, were ominous signs for the future. Just a few weeks earlier a storm had damaged the dock and beach area around North Point. Since then no rain was recorded on the island, and as a result, the weather remained dry and unseasonably warm.

The dry weather, however, suggested to other residents the coming of spring, and with it the opening of the horse racing season at Happy Valley, a traditional event in Hong Kong since 1864.

Racing at Happy Valley in the 1860’s

The “season” had different meanings to many people. To the government, horse racing meant the appearance of “matsheds”, the temporary bamboo and palm leaf structures licensed and built at the race course by enterprising groups of Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, Indian, and Swedish families.

This required police and fire personnel to perform perfunctory inspections of each structure in anticipation of the 6000 spectators who attended each year, most of whom would inhabit the sheds during the races. The process usually involved informal tours of the stands by young cadets or Chinese “watchmen ” a few days before the races began, and approval was almost never denied. The scant oversight was also reflected in the usual police presence. Records indicate that 50 regular officers were assigned to the races that year, but none were assigned to duty in the matsheds, and 8 reserve officers were positioned outside the race course, presumably for crowd control.

Those who were fortunate enough to obtain the permits were considered “men of substance” in their respective communities. Some were landowners or chief clerks. Others ran taverns and boarding houses. A few were stock brokers, or owned printing presses with government contracts.

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Happy Valley Race Course Fire

Each paid the government HK$706 for a single license and HK$180 to build each structure. i The total outlay for each matshed was more than one year’s annual wages in the colony, and multiple dwellings were often purchased by large families and licensing groups. Government records indicate that 19 matsheds were built during the 1918 racing season, so the licensing revenue to the government was substantial.

The construction of each structure was common for the time. Most matsheds were two or three stories high, measuring about fifty feet tall, and could hold 300 people. Many were erected by Chinese contractors in less than three weeks. The design was based on single story theatrical structures used in religious ceremonies. Depending on the builder, each had a specific blueprint that usually did not vary from year to year.

Derby Day at Happy Valley in 1918 with matsheds in the back

On the “first” or main level were a large counter and a viewing area, with the only door at the back leading to the street and the tram. Below was a basement level, where a food counter was setup for refreshments, such as tea cakes, pastries, alcoholic drinks and hot tea. The food was kept warm on several charcoal “chatties” kept by the vendor.

The third floor of the structure was also a viewing area and a popular location for most bettors, providing an expansive view of the races. The entire edifice was supported by bamboo or wooden planks, sometimes driven into the ground underneath the shed, but usually simply lashed to a tree, to another structure nearby if available, or to other matsheds that were build beside it.

The building of the stands, the licenses, and the wagering, like the races themselves, were part of a long held tradition. The rich purses at Happy Valley had drawn wealthy horse owners from all over Asia since the 1860’s. Each purse was paid for by the high volume of “pari-mutuel” and “cash sweeps” gambling that was permitted by the government in betting booths located on the main floor of each matshed.

Middle class men who could afford the initial investment made substantial profits each year by charging a commission on each wager. Many also rented out the bottom floor of each stand to food and drink vendors. This practice continued over a few decades, contributing to the entertainment of the public and the wealth of the families involved in the annual festivities at Happy Valley.

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Happy Valley Race Course Fire

Derby Day 1918

On Tuesday February 26 th , Carlos d'Assumpção took the Star Ferry from Kowloon to meet his good friend Aureliano Jorge for lunch at Wiseman’s restaurant in downtown Hong Kong. Aureliano was a well-to-do member of a prominent merchant family and the father of thirteen children, with another due in April. Carlos was a distinguished Macanese diplomat and the father of eleven children

Carlos and Aureliano shared a love of horse racing and gambling with many in the Portuguese community. It was not unusual for entire families to attend the races together and place bets on their favorite thoroughbreds. The children, at least those too young to gamble, often mimicked their elders.

Carlos’ youngest son, Bernardino, who was twelve at the time and attended the races that day, described how boys would write down the names of horses on small pieces of paper, then scribbled their own names, as would-be “bookies”, on the back.

We would run round selling these “tickets” to whoever wanted to place a small bet of ten or twenty cents each, depending on the importance of the races. Naturally, we always retained for ourselves “a ten percent commission”, earning one or two dollars in this way: which to us was a fortune then!”

On this particular day, Carlos was struck by Aureliano’s persistence about joining him for the “Derby”, but declined because of a previous engagement at the Club de Recreio later that afternoon. So Carlos accompanied his friend to the tram stop, bidding Aureliano good luck on his way to Happy Valley, then took the ferry back to Kowloon.

On that same morning, John Olson II, the son of a Swedish landowner and tavern manager, was at the race course to inspect “stands” No. 4, 5, and 6, the matsheds he owned with his business partners, J.J. Blake and Charles Warren, who was also Olson’s brother-in-law. Olson had hired the Chinese firm, Taz Hop, to construct the three structures in early February, but the crew of seventy workmen had only completed the work on the 24 th .

Four years earlier, Olson had complained in vain to the Clerk of the Course that adjoining matsheds, which stood three stories high, were too weak and had given way, compromising his own structures. In 1918 Olson instructed his workers to build only two story matsheds, but neglected to specify that supporting struts be driven into the ground. Instead the Taz Hop crew, as was tradition, lashed Olson’s stand to the adjoining structures that were being built at the same time.

Olson did, however, order his contractors to put “double uprights” to reinforce the betting and refreshments counter on the bottom floor, expecting, as he stated later, “more of a crush at the counter” that year. In No. 6, Olson also allowed the use of charcoal “chatties” for cooking by a Chinese vendor, M.Y. San, but instructed San to have three large barrels of water on the bottom floor, and eight full fire buckets on the upper floor.

After the morning races ended, Francisco de Paula Xavier, one of the owners of his family’s stand at No. 7, joined several relatives and friends for lunch. They included his stepbrothers Jose Maria Xavier and Ludovino “Bino” Xavier, and nephews Paulo and Vasco Xavier, who were eighteen and twenty years old, and niece Daria Xavier, who was sixteen. The younger relatives were the siblings of Pedro Xavier,

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Happy Valley Race Course Fire the owner of the Hong Kong Printing Press. They were probably joined by at least seven other members of the Portuguese community from Hong Kong and Kowloon.

Francisco had instructed his contractor to build a three story matshed for the 1918 season. The ground floor was used for refreshments, which were sold by Chinese employees. The main floor was for pari- mutuel and cash sweeps betting. The top floor, built to only half the size of the lower floor, was reserved for ladies in attendance. Cooking was not allowed that day, but a charcoal chatty was used on the bottom floor to boil water for tea. Francisco also stated there was one entrance on the first floor, but none on the top or bottom floors, adding that the doorway was about six feet wide.

The Collapse and the Fire

As the betting period ended and the horses approached the line, the last thing anyone expected was the chaos and terror that was about to unfold. A reporter for the Hong Kong Daily Press gave this eyewitness account:

At a few minutes to three o’clock, just after the third bell had rung for the first race …, the whole row of Chinese booth and matsheds …collapsed, and awful confusion ensued…. The stands fell gradually… falling … outwards … and made the sound like a rasping of a saw. It looked as if the tops of all the stands had been connected by a wire … and that … had been pulled over gradually. The stands and booths took about 10 seconds to collapse.

Aureliano Jorge arrived just as the afternoon race was about to begin. Bernardino estimated that he probably disembarked at the Happy Valley tram stop with the rest of the crowd and rushed to make his only bets that day. Aureliano then would have been among those who rushed to the front of a matshed when the race began, and may have been among the first to fall in the Daria and Paulo Xavier crush of humanity. in 1916

As a witness to the disaster, Bernardino described the stands collapsing one by one in a row toward the race track, like “long grass being blown down by a strong gust of wind.” In that moment, he and other boys realized the danger, and quickly climbed down one of the stands and raced across the track to safety.

At approximately the same moment, John Olson was standing at the refreshment counter in matshed No. 6 waiting for the bell signaling the end to betting. He later stated he heard a cracking sound in the direction of No. 7 and saw a portion of the wall fall into his own stand as women and children fell from it. Olson ducked under his own reinforced counter just as the walls of his matshed collapsed around him, saving himself from being crushed. He quickly exited the front of the stand, but heard the cry of a small Portuguese boy, whose leg was jammed in the matting. Olson pulled him out, but was injured by a falling bamboo piling and had to be rescued by a passersby.

Constable J. Deskin, who was in Olson’s stand “assisting in the pari-mutuel”, later testified that the partition between Olson’s No. 6 and Xavier’s No. 7 stands swayed back and forth just as the panic started. Then Deskin witnessed a stampede of people going for the exit as the collapse was occurring. The constable was thrown forward in the crush, but escaped to the race course before the fire began.

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Happy Valley Race Course Fire

The delay between the collapse and the fire was noted by the Daily Press reporter. He wrote that it looked as if those who had fallen from the stands would be safe, since some were breaking holes in the mat roofs to escape. But suddenly white smoke and flames appeared on the side of the stands, and began to spread.

The flames were seen to rise from one of the sheds, and they quickly spread to the whole… While the flames were raging, the wind refreshed and the heat became terrific. … There was a terrible crush, everyone struggled to save himself. … The outbreak caused a terrible panic … and hundreds were thrown to the ground who would have otherwise have had no difficulty … escaping…. Once down it was a case… finished. The clouds of smoke … must have suffocated many. … Children were swept hither …, and I fear that several of them must have been trampled to death….

Following the collapse of the stands, the fire spreads from right to left

Eyewitnesses reported that Ludovino Xavier and his niece Daria were sitting with other family members in stand No. 7. When the matshed tumbled, Daria was pinned under some heavy bamboo poles. Then the chatties on the lower floor ignited and quickly engulfed the structure.

Daria’s brother Paulo and others tried to free her, but Paulo was badly burned on his arms in the attempt. Years later, Paulo tearfully related how Daria told him it was no use and to flee for his life. Paulo stayed until the last possible moment, and was almost caught by the flames until a police sergeant pulled him to safety. A Portuguese police cadet, identified only as “R. Lopes”, is credited with the rescue of several other members of the Xavier family.

Once Bernardino and his friends were on the race course, he noticed smoke rising from the collapsed stands, followed immediately by fires from every side. In less than a minute he wrote that “thousands” who had been trapped under fallen bamboo and palm leaves had no time to escape.

He stated that those in the infield were … “… stunned by the awesome sight …: a very, very huge fire and smoke rising up to more than two hundred … feet, accompanied by … loud screams from everywhere. Young as we were then it was most certainly a sight and experience … none of us could ever forget!”

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Happy Valley Race Course Fire

The race course stands fully engulfed in flames The screams were accompanied by muffled “popping”, like the dull explosion of fire crackers under sand. One of the older men explained to the boys that it was the sound of skulls bursting under the intense heat.

Ludovino Xavier and Aureliano Jorge suffered similar fates. “Bino” was rumored to have escaped the collapse and the fire by fleeing to the safety of the race course. But he suddenly realized that he left behind the cash box in the family’s betting booth. Rushing back into the flames, he too was trapped in the debris and joined the other victims. Aureliano’s body was identified by Carlos after a long search. Although burnt beyond recognition, Carlos was convinced it was his friend when Aureliano’s gold watch was found under him. The Aftermath

An inquiry by the Hong Kong government officially listed the dead at 670, mostly Chinese women and children, with several hundred injured and a number of bodies that were unidentified. The exact number of fatalities and their ethnicity has never been fully tallied. Based on records provided by the Macanese Families web site and other sources, there were least nine Macanese killed in the fire and several more were probably injured.

A few weeks later the Portuguese community met at the Club Lusitano in Hong Kong to express sympathy for the families and relatives of the victims. Many conveyed their thanks for tokens of sympathy from military, government, and religious leaders, which included an offer of free board and tuition to the sons of Ludovino Xavier at the Seminary of Macao. Requiem masses were conducted for Macanese victims in Hong Kong, Macau, and other Chinese cities. A correspondent at the ceremony in Canton wrote that almost every member of the Portuguese community attended, adding:

… the service was more than a conventional expression of sympathy. It was indeed an outward manifestation of genuine sorrow, not only for the relatives and friends … but also for the hundreds of human beings who have been victims of an appalling catastrophe.

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Happy Valley Race Course Fire

The memorial service on Mount Caroline in 1922

Recriminations within the Hong Kong government soon followed. Hong Kong’s Coroner noted that:

“… this calamity … could most probably have been prevented by the exercise of foresight … expected before the event…”

A member of the Legislative Council further pointed to the:

“… neglects and omissions of duty on the part of the Public Works Department (the licensing agency for the stands) and the Police Department (which supervised Hong Kong’s Fire Brigade).”

This led the Governor, Sir Francis Henry May, a horse racing enthusiast, to take official responsibility for the fire, voicing sentiments that many probably shared:

I blame myself as regards the non-provision of fire precautions, because I was head of the Police here for nine years and I never anticipated a fire in these matsheds.

Then, to his credit, the Governor permanently banned the use of temporary stands from the race course. The construction of new grandstands was begun soon after.

The ruling and the renovations came too late for the victims of the Happy Valley fire. The memories of that day have faded along with a lonely memorial erected in 1922 behind the old course.

Today horse racing continues at Happy Valley, where the excitement of the racing season attracts thousands each year. But with the passage of time, perhaps the ghosts of the race course tragedy, representing the many ethnic groups that were present in the stands that day, may now rest a little easier knowing that their story has finally been told.

To read other stories about the Macanese community, please go to FarEastCurrents.com for the most recent posts, or to the “Articles” section of the web site. You can also contact us directly at: [email protected] .

UMA NEWS BULLETIN – Summer Issue 2012 Page 27 of 36

THE NEXT GENERATION

Therese Marie da Silva , Attorney-at-law, daughter of Fernando and Doris da Silva, was sworn in as a Workers’ Compensation Judge on March 1, 2012 for the State of California, Department of Industrial Relations, in Oakland.

Therese graduated with a B.A. Degree from U.C. Berkeley and a J.D. Degree from the University of Arizona College of Law. Prior to her appointment, she was a trial attorney for 8 years specializing in Workers Compensation insurance defense litigation. Therese also worked in the area of labor and employment for 10 years and kept up in this area by serving as the Chairperson for the Personnel Board for the City of Concord. She resides in Concord with her husband, David Afinowicz, and children, Timothy, a freshman at De La Salle High School, and Sophie, a fifth-grader at St. Agnes School.

Her parents and family members are tremendously proud of her recent appointment and continuing success in the field of Law.

Alexa De Graca , granddaughter of Joe and Christine De Graca, was recently selected as a member of the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleading Squad.

Initial Tryouts were held on March 31 st at Stanford University’s Maples Pavilion. Over 600 ladies were in attendance, and the group was narrowed down to 80 hopefuls. This group was brought back on April 1 st in preparation for the April 6 th finals. An interview also took place before a panel of judges on April 5 th that led up to finals held at the San Jose Convention Center. This final audition was open to the public. On April 7th , Alexa received the news that she had been selected to be part of the 32-member squad for the 2012/2013 season.

Alexa started dancing competitively since the age of 8. She is currently a full time student pursuing a degree in nursing.

UMA NEWS BULLETIN – Summer Issue 2012 Page 28 of 36

Kimberly Marques By Joe Marques

"The road is long, with many a winding turn..." This phrase from the Hollies' song He Ain't Heavy aptly describes the journey that Kimberly Marques has taken to reach her goal of achieving a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from the University Of Southern California.

Kimberly earned her undergraduate degree from the University Of California San Diego where she double majored in Computer Graphics and Communication. However, she was smitten when she began volunteering at the Scripps Clinic in her junior year. The more she experienced at Scripps, the more she became convinced that helping others was a noble and fulfilling calling. She looked at various career options and decided on Physical Therapy. As she did not have much undergraduate credit toward that field, Kimberly enrolled at Long Beach City College and earned the credits necessary to begin the application process for Physical Therapy School at U.S.C. The acceptance process at U.S.C. is a rigid one as the university is widely regarded as the premier university in the nation for studies in Physical Therapy and accepts a limited number of applicants each year. Kimberly was accepted into the program in 2009 and began her training. A good part of the training involved performing clinicals at various Physical Therapy facilities in addition to classroom curriculum. Kimberly performed her clinicals at Cedars Sinai Hospital, Hoag Memorial, and Rancho Los Amigos, among others. The experience she gained from those clinicals was immeasurable as she will take not only the practical knowledge gained, but also the human emotional aspect as well from her contact with patients and their families.

Kimberly graduated on May 11th, 2012 from the University Of Southern California with her class of one hundred on a day when the university graduated a total of fourteen thousand students from the various schools at the university. Kimberly and her peers wore the crimson robes of Doctorate candidates during the ceremony and were privileged to hear the words of the keynote speaker Christiane Amanpour, internationally renowned journalist. Christiane Amanpour urged all the graduates to "serve mankind" and to "do the right thing". Those words fall into line exactly with what Kimberly has been taught during her three years in graduate school. May her degree and career allow her to help others in a kind and compassionate way.

Congratulations Kimberly. Your long and winding road has ended. May your life and career be a happy and fulfilling one.

Kimberly is the daughter of Joe and Peggy Marques and the granddaughter of the late Jose and Elvy Marques. Birth Announcement

Bonnie & Frisco dos Remedios are proud to announce the birth of their third grandchild, Ella Antonia dos Remedios. Ella is the daughter of their son Thom and his wife Sarah dos Remedios. Ella was born on March 7th.

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Article by Greg Morell reprinted with permission David is the son of Vincent Remedios and the late Anne (Ferras) Remedios

David Remedios (Photography by Robert Torres)

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David Remedios

Editor’s Note: Dave recently won the Best Sound Design Award from the Independent Reviewers of New England Award (IRNE) for a show he did last year. .

Christa Castello granddaughter of Robert and Margaret De Graca has received a scholarship to go to UC Davis. She is currently a Senior at Carondalet High School and hopes to get the Cougars back to NCS-II title game.

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Bell, Patsy ( Dutra), nee Pereira, Passed away Peacefully at her Daughter Angelina's home on April 8th, 2012 at the age of 85. Patsy was born in Shanghai China.

Patsy was the beloved Mother of David Dutra, Dolores Shoffner, Angelina Roderick, Elizabeth Johnson, Christina Wooten, Patricia Basili, Theresa Foster, Anne Marie Dutra, and John Dutra. Beloved Grand Mother to all her Grand Children and Great-Grand Children. The Family will miss her dearly, and she will be fondly remembered by many.

Collaço, Joaquim José Jr was born in Macau on March 17, 1934 to Joaquim José Collaço & Maria da Conceição Gertrudes Gomes.

A True Olympian and an Icon of Club de Recreio, who was fondly known as “Jock” or “Jocko” to his friends, passed away on Jan 9, 2012, at the aged of 77, leaving behind his lifelong legacy of love and sportsmanship to his loving wife, Isabel and his wonderful children, Sandy, Lina, Jaime and Minda, and to his many loyal fans who followed his amazing career since his early days.

One fan that perhaps describes “Jock” best is, Arnaldo de O. Sales, who knew Jock as a teenager. He recalls, in his recent letter “In Memory” dated Jan 16, 2012, that “Jock was an accomplished and elite sportsman and excelled in every sport he participated in, representing the Club and Hong Kong at the highest levels of competition local, national and international. In 1964, he joined the ranks of the distinguished Hong Kong Olympic Athletes, when he represented Hong Kong in Hockey at the Tokyo Olympics, and later again as a member of the Hockey contingent in the 1966 Asian Games. A true son of Club de Recreio, Jock never shied away from assisting the Club with duties such as a tombola caller, member of the General Committee and later as the Honorary Treasurer, a post he held until his passing… Jock will remain an icon at Club de Recreio.., he will be remembered always for his loyalty, dedication, support and devotion to this Club, and will live on forever in the Spirit of Club de Recreio”.

Another fan who happens to be Jock’s personal friend and former Hong Kong Hockey team mate for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and the current President of the Hong Kong Hockey Association, Sarinder Dillon, applauds Jock for his strong belief and attitude in his “Message”, “what a great asset he was to the Association. …He always trained hard and gave his best. That was Jock. If something needs to be done, it should be done properly and to the best of one’s ability…We, in the hockey fraternity, held Jock in the highest regard”.

“What a fantastic achievement!” says W. H. Auden, author of “About Our Beloved Daddy…”, writing on behalf of Joaquim’s family, tells us what “this incredibly warm and affectionate man” was like to his love ones….

“Joaquim “lived a full, meaningful and happy life… Jock had a heart of gold and everyone that knew him, loved him and thought of him as a true gentleman – here are a few verbatim descriptions of him from those who knew him… “a great guy”, “a neat man”, “an Icon at the Recreio and on the Hockey field”, “generous,”, “funny”, “a devoted father”, “a great Dad”, “a loving husband who took great pride in spoiling his wife”, “someone with a very positive outlook towards life”, “a great friend of the local

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Obituary

Hockey fraternity who remained very popular with all the Clubs”, “a respected stalwart of Hong Kong Hockey,”, - “a True Recreio Legend”. Outgoing, active and kind he also possessed a fine sense of humor and was always ready to offer a joke or two. His children remember him as a great mentor and he passed on his beautiful penmanship to Sandy who recalls him teaching her how to spell and write as beautifully as he did; Lina recalls how he used to drive her to Badminton games and how he taught her how to play Baseball, Hockey, Football and Lawn Bowls; Jaime who trained constantly with him on the left wing learning to cross from the left side, which, as all hockey players know, is one of the most difficult shots to execute accurately in hockey – and Jock was a master of it and finally Minda who just loved him to bits recalls how he used to teach her to jive as Jock was a very good dancer and that’s how he met his loving wife, Isabel.

Jock was an achiever. He was a man of great personal integrity and of his word and loyalty was his strength… Most days Jock could be seen at the Club de Recreio, where he was Honourable Treasurer, quietly sipping his morning coffee and reading his newspaper, doing what he loved best, being around fellow club members, sportspeople and friends, keeping his eye on things. The club will never quite be the same again without his happy face and booming laugh at the bar and at the many events he took part in, such as Tombola afternoons, Children’s Christmas Parties, Lawn Bowling and of course his much loved Club Recreio Hockey “A” Team who were League Champions many times in the 60’s! Jock loved all kinds of sports, whether participating or simply watching. Mr. Bean made him cry and he often brought the house down with his thundering laughter. His favourite all time movie… was “Pretty Woman”. He loved his “double – doubles” which he fondly called his “French tea”… But above all, he loved his family… Farewell Jock. Rest in peace. We will raise our glasses to you with some French Tea later today. Cheers.” “…we’ll trust you to God’s great care…” “Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.” “Rest Well Dearest Dad. We will never forget you. “

da Roza , Elga Maria - Passed away peacefully at the age of 90 in Burnaby, B.C on May 29, 2012. Youngest daughter of the late Gregorio Francisco da Roza and Maria Carmelita (Campos) da Roza. Pre-deceased by brothers, Dr. Charles E. da Roza, Jose, Cesar and Henrique da Roza and sisters Marie Antonio, Cissy da Roza.

Survived by brother Leandro (Belinda Xavier) da Roza and nephews and nieces - Robert (Elna) da Roza, Larry da Roza, Maria King, Francis (Alison) Antonio, Manuel (Mary-Anne) Antonio, Teresa (Phillip) Clarke and Gerry (Danny) Tsang. Grand nieces and nephews - Amanda and Alex King, Sam, Thomas, Jacob and Emily Antonio, Matthew, Michael, Mario and Marco Antonio, Bryan, Vickie (Julio), Russell and David Clarke, and Laura Tsang. Elga was born in Hong Kong, stayed in Caine Road before the Japanese occupation, then lived on Observatory Road and Lomand Road, Kowloon. She immigrated to the U.S. with brothers Cesar and Henrique, settling in San Francisco, CA in 1961, living in the Mission district. She worked at the Wells Fargo Bank and retired in 1976 - joining her sisters, Marie and Cissy in Canada. She was known for her lovely lacy Macanese cuttings, delicious Baji and Christmas Empada. She will be greatly missed.

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Obituary

Da Silva Julio A, was born in Macau on 08-12-1912 and passed away on April 14, at 04:00am in Recife, Brazil. He was in the hospital for 45 days, in and out of Intensive Care, losing his battle due to multiple complications. He was just 4 months shy of reaching into his 100th birthday.

A lot of you also knew him simply as Julinho, tio Ju, uncle Julinho, a man full of life, always with his radiant smile, positivism, youthful attitude and loved by all. He is survived by his wife Nilda, daughter Anabela, and many granddaughters, great-grandsons, nieces and nephews, all around the world.

Gomes, Laura Mayer, passed away in Mexico City on June 14, 2012 after a long illness. She was born in Mexico and met her late husband Jackie Gomes in Hong Kong on vacation and they were married very shortly after. She spent a number of years in Hong Kong as the Consul of Mexico but decided to return with Jackie to Mexico when her first child was born. She is survived by her beloved son Luiz and daughter Laura, their spouses, her grandchildren and Gomes In-Laws. She comes from a large family from the Mayer side and leaves behind many nephews, nieces and family members who loved her dearly.

Laura was a lover of Art, Architecture, Culture and traveled all over the world in pursuit of her passion.

Larcina, Therese (Terry) Noronha passed away peacefully on March 22, 2012. She was the beloved wife of the late Joe Larcina, Step-mother to Joyce (Michael), Gerry(Linda), Mike(Nikki) and Valerie(Jim). Sister to the late Jackie, Henry, Cissy, Tuti and Tony(Butter). Fondly remembered by many.

Maher, Amelia Roliz was born in Shanghai on July 25, 1920 to Maria Collaco & Joaquim Roliz, with a purpose to do greatness. On May 31, 2012, the family received the painful sad news that our mighty matriarch of our Collaco & Roliz family here in San Francisco Bay Area has finally ended her long suffering of diabetes, high blood pressure & other troublesome illness at 11:30 AM, at the rich age of 91.

The family is sadden to see our Queen of Hearts go so soon, but is relieved to see her go as she wished to be at peace with the Lord and all her loved ones in eternal Heaven. She will always be remembered as our Queen of sophisticated cooking, one with an unforgettable and contagious smile who pampers us with love & care that only a Blessed Angel could provide. She will be missed by her huge amazing family & many wonderful friends on this earth who will continue to love her enormously and her everlasting legacy of love & family spirit will forever be survived in the hearts of her 5 children (Duarte, Roberta, Dulce, Rafael, and Jaime), 9 grandchildren, and 14 great-grand kids. May God Bless Her Soul and may our Angel continue to watch over us with her ever glowing beauty of love. ɳ Xavier, Margarida Yaeko, passed away peacefully at Mills-Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame, California on March 28, 2012 at the age of 93; Margarida was born in Tokyo, Japan. She was the beloved mother of Magdalen Pereira, Johanna Terra, Julia Ferreira, Jose Xavier and Bernie Xavier; beloved grandmother of Cynthia, Michael, Carl, Jeff, Michele, Erika, Juliana, Felix, Eric, Leo, Jessica, Melissa, Luiz and Shawn; and a great-grandmother to fourteen. Her favorite past time was painting, dancing and shopping, and she loved to party and socialize. The family will miss her dearly.

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UMA, Inc Officers & Directors Title Name Home Address Phone (Fax) Email President Maria Gomes 4394 N. Sweetbriar Ct, 925-798-2005 [email protected] Concord, Ca 94521 Vice- Flavia Greubel 1232 Skycrest Drive, #2 925-930-8672 [email protected] President Walnut Creek, Ca 94594 Treasurer Francis Carion 1112 Rockledge Ln, #7 925-979-0679 [email protected] Walnut Creek, Ca 94595 Secretary Luiz Ozorio 710 Kino Court, Unit #3 650-245-3374 [email protected] Hayward, Ca 94544 Director Ed de Assis 1124 Singing Wood Ct,#8, 925-943-2003 [email protected] Walnut Creek, Ca 94595 Director Ed Guterres 1200 Canyonwood Court #8 925-945-8024 [email protected] Walnut Creek, Ca 94595 Director Mercia Poirer 22617 Napa Street, 818-702-9260 [email protected] West Hills, Ca 91304 Director Raquel 845 Tournament Dr, 650-349-2707 [email protected] Remedios Hillsborough, Ca 94010 Director Ramon Xavier 2061 Pine Knoll Drive #1 925-934-2618 [email protected] Walnut Creek, Ca 94595

UMA, INC. 2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 8, Fri. UMA Board Meeting TBD Lawn Bowling Social MCC Festa de Nosssa Senhoria de June 24, Sun. MCC Dia de Sao Joao Oct 13, Sat Fatima UMA Annual General Meeting & July 7, Sat. Thanksgiving Mass Nov. 10, Sat. Members’ Appreciation . Luncheon July 21, Sat. Golf Tournament Dec. 8. Sat. Southern Cal Christmas Lunch

Aug 18,2012 Southern Cal Diem Sum Dec. 16, Sun Nossa Festa de Natal Party

Aug. 26, Sun. Family Picnic

Sept. 1, Sat. Lawn Bowling Tournament

Sept. 15, Sat. Noite Dinner Dance

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ARCHITECT & UMA MEMBER GUSTAVO DA ROZA OPENS EXHIBITION OF HIS PAINTINGS OF “CITIES AND PLACES IN THE MACANESE DIASPORA” IN MACAU ON JUNE 15, 2012 "I can not paint Macau without the light of the Guia Lighthouse "

A Quarterly Publication of the Macanese Diaspora sponsored by Fundação Oriente Associate Editor for Distribution: Francis Carion, 1112 Rockledge Lane, No.7, Walnut Creek, Ca 94595

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