Southern California Luncheon

UMA News Bulletin Winter Issue 2018 Page 1 of 28

Vol. 58. No. 4 A Publication of UMA, Inc Oct - Dec 2018

Editor: Daniel Gomes, 2021 Ptarmigan Drive #1 Walnut Creek, Ca 94595 E-Mail:[email protected]

UMA Website: www.uma-casademacau.com. Webmaster: Maria Gomes. E-Mail:[email protected]

Southern California Luncheon Submitted by Rita Guterres

Southern California UMA members met at our usual Chinese restaurant, “Great Seafood House” on Saturday,

September 15, for our annual get together luncheon. Unlike our Northern UMA members, we meet only once a

year, partly because of the distance our members must travel and because of “age.” A great number of them must

rely on friends or family members to drive them. Some come from great distances, e.g., San Diego County, Orange

County, and San Fernando Valley. We greatly appreciate their effort to join in our “once a year” get-together

luncheon.

Our “dim sum” luncheon comprised of roast duck, sweet and sour fish, kung pao chicken, Chinese green beans,

orange chicken, chow mein, and chow fun, to be topped off with our favorite dessert “egg custard tarts.”

Judging from the noise and laughter, I believe the luncheon was a huge success as it ended with “muito beijos e

abracos” until next year when we meet again.

http://www.uma-casademacau.com/


Southern California Luncheon


Southern California Luncheon


by Nuno Prata da Cruz

In departing from tradition, this year’s 2018 IIM Identity Award, instead of being presented in Macau, was handed out in California at

the Macau Cultural Center.

At a ceremony on December 2, 2018 the award was jointly given to Antonio Jorge da Silva (Toneco) and Frederico Silva (Jim). The

event attracted a large amount of participants, from the 3 Casas de Macau. The function sponsored by IIM financially supported by

Fundacao Macau involved a short video presentation about the Macanese (Macaense) people in the Diaspora, the award ceremony,

acceptance speeches by both recipients, a short photo expose on the life of recently deceased Stanford professor Ming Chan and a hearty

home cooked Macanese meal with all its trimmings all at no cost to the 100 or so participants.

In the past, the IIM Identity Award has only been given to notable figures of the Macanese people such as Monsignor Teixeira, Henrique

de Senna Fernandes and Arnaldo de O Sales, just to name a few. It is indeed an honor to have this year's award given to two of our

fellow California Diaspora members for their contributions to our community.

Let's hope that the younger generation of our Diaspora will now carry the baton, come up with many new projects benefitting our

community so that sometime in the future the IIM Identity Award can once again grace the shores of California.


IIM IDENTITY AWARD


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

At our Annual General Meeting held last month, the following individuals were elected to UMA’s Board for the

coming two year term:

President: Sandy Souza

Vice – President: Flavia Greubel

Treasurer: Joanne Segovia

Secretary: Pauline de Assis

Directors: Maria Gomes, Rick Oliveira, Ramon Xavier, Vilma Remedios and Magdalen Pereira.

I am honored to continue as your President and of course thank the Board of Directors for having the confidence

in me. I also would like to thank the members of our Social Committee, whose help we rely on for our many

social activities.

Thanks also, to Daniel Gomes, our Editor who puts out our informative News Bulletin and our webmaster, Maria

Gomes, for creating and maintaining our website. www.uma-casademacau.com.

I appreciate the general members for your attendance and compliments at our functions.

Our schedule of events for 2019 is listed in this Bulletin.

This coming year will be especially busy for us as we will be celebrating our 60th Anniversary. The Board of

Directors has decided on an Anniversary Celebration in August to commemorate this auspicious occasion. Details

to follow in a future issue of this Bulletin.

The Encontro to Macau is now set for November 23, 2019 thru November 29, 2019. We are in the process of

putting together a travel package, with optional 2 or 3 nights (post Encontro) in Hongkong. Air pricing and Hotel

accommodations will be provided when ready.

In closing, the Board and I wish you all a very healthy, peaceful and Happy New Year.

With warm regards,

Sandy Souza

http://www.uma-casademacau.com/


2019 DUES

MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR 2019 ARE NOW BEING PROCESSED

10.00 SUBSCRIPTION MEMBERS (NO PAPER BULLETIN)

15.00 regular members (PAPER AND ELECTRONIC BULLETIN)

25.00 CANADA AND OVERSEAS MEMBERS (ONLY U.S $ DRAFT

ACCEPTED)

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABKLE TO UMA, INC. AND MAILED TO;

SANDY SOUZA, 1800 GOLDEN RAIN ROAD # 2, WALNUT CREEK, CA

94595

NO REMINDERS

WILL BE SENT




Date: Saturday, February 2, 2019

Time: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Place: Diablo Room, Hillside Clubhouse, Rossmoor

3400 Golden Rain Rd

Walnut Creek, CA 94595

Cost: Members $18.00

Non-Members $30.00

NO REFUNDS FOR NO-SHOWS

Deadline for Reservations: Monday, January 22, 2019

~~~~~~~~~

Please make check payable to UMA, Inc. and mail to:

Virginia Xavier

2061 Pine Knoll Drive #1

Walnut Creek, CA 94595 Tel: (925) 934-2618

Directions to Diablo Room:

Tell Security you are going to Diablo Room. After clearing Security,

take an immediate Right on to Golden Rain. At STOP sign, go straight. Turn

Left on Lower Gold Rain. Go up the hill and turn Left into Parking Lot.

GAME DAY


UMA, Inc Officers & Directors

Title Name Home Address Phone (Fax) Email

President Sandy

Souza

1800 Golden Rain Rd #2

Walnut Creek Ca 94595

925-639-7708 [email protected]

Vice-

President

Flavia

Greubel

1232 Skycrest Drive, #2

Walnut Creek, Ca 94595


Treasurer Joanne

Segovia

1417 Oakmont Dr, #1



Secretary Pauline de

Assis

1124 Singing Wood Ct, #5



Director Maria

Gomes

2021 Ptarmigan Dr. #1,



Director Rick

Oliveira

1256 Skycrest Drive #5



Director

Magdalen

Pereira

2424 Pine Knoll Drive # 2



Director Vilma

Remedios

2616 Saklan Indian Dr #2



Director Ramon

Xavier

2061 Pine Knoll Drive #1



UMA EVENTS' CALENDAR FOR 2019

Game Day - Saturday, February 2

Thanksgiving Mass - July (date TBA)

Mid-Term Board Meeting - Tuesday, July 23

UMA 60TH Anniversary Celebration - Saturday, August 10

Lawn Bowling Tournament - Sunday, September 15

Annual General Meeting - Saturday, November 7

Christmas/Members' Appreciation Lunch - Saturday, December 8

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Obituary

Campos, Teresa Maria Baptista died peacefully in the afternoon of September 24, 2018 in White Rock, British

Columbia. She is survived by her children, Catherine Guterres and Peter Campos, her two grandsons Stephen

and David Guterres, her great grandchildren Anna, Brendan, and Olivia Guterres, her sister Tina Leng in England,

her brother Meno Baptista in Tacoma, and her brother Fr. Marciano Baptista in Hong Kong.

Chan, Prof Ming K. passed away on October 29, 2018 at the age of 69 after a sudden heart attack at SFO on his

way to an academic presentation in Hong Kong. Prof. Ming K. Chan, a visiting scholar at Stanford University,

has been a close friend of the Macanese community and given many presentations in California, Macau, Hong

Kong, and Portugal. He leaves behind a legacy of over 70 academic works. He will be dearly missed. May he rest

in peace.

Cruz, Celia Maria da (13 June 1929 - 6 October 2018). It is with great sadness to announce Celia Maria da Cruz

passed away peacefully Saturday morning, October 6, 2018 in Taipo, Hong Kong at the age of 89.

She was a loving wife, mother, sister, granny, and great gran and we will deeply miss her. We take comfort to

know that she is resting in eternal peace.

Celia is survived by her sister Gloria Prisk, her four children Gerald, Derek, Tony and Sandy; their respective

spouses Cheryl, Angel, Paulene and Paul; and her grandchildren, Trevor, Martin, Natasha, Sean Cruz, Antonia,

Samantha, Sean Guterres, Stephen, John and great grand-daughter Dion.

Celia was predeceased by her husband John Maria da Cruz who passed away December 25,2007.

D'Almada Remedios, Carlos Arthur born 28th January, 1932, died 20th October, 2018 in Sydney, Australia.

Husband to Charito, father to Carlos Antonio and John Paul. Father-in-law to Patricia and Kristin, and

Grandfather to Isabelle, Claudia and Madeleine.

de Graca, Armando was born in Hong Kong in 1941. As the fourth child of Henrique and Celeste DeGraca,

he grew up surrounded by family and love. He was very close to his siblings and his nephew and nieces.

He came to the United States in 1959 with our parents and younger brother, Henry. He attended St. Ignatius

College Preparatory High school and the San Francisco State University. He spent all his working life with the

Hartford Insurance Group, starting in the Accounting Department and then moved on to underwriting. He had a

very successful career and retired at the early age of 53 as the Assistant Vice President of the Property

Underwriting Department.

Armando loved sports and even in the past few years he would play golf several times a week. When he was not

playing golf he either watched sports such as basketball on television or he would be playing bridge with regular

and close friends at least two times each week. He was an excellent bridge player and thoroughly enjoyed the

game.

He was predeceased by two of his brothers, Joe and Henry and subsequently by his sister, Sylvia Ferras. I, Bob

de Graca am his only surviving sibling but he is survived by numerous loving nephews and nieces.

His death was unexpected and sudden and we will all miss him terribly.


Obituary

Ferras, Sylvia De Graca passed away peacefully in her sleep in her San Francisco home, on September 26,

2018. Her passion was cooking for her family, helping others, and Mahjong. She doted on her children and her

many grandchildren. Sylvia was happiest when she had a full house of friends and family in her home. The

attendance at her memorial mass attests to fact that 180+ friends/family came to honor her memory and reminisce

about the good times shared.

Sylvia was born in Hong Kong, to Henrique Jose De Graca and Celeste Xavier De Graca on January 7, 1936. She

was baptized in Rosary Church and married Joaquim Antonio Ferras in the same church, on February 11, 1958,

just before they emigrated to the United States.

She is survived by her devoted husband Jack (Joaquim) Ferras, her six children (Jon, Mark, Bernadette, Michelle,

Jacqueline, and Suzanne), many grandchildren and her sole surviving brother, Robert De Graca.

Sylvia was blessed to have spent time with all her family and friends prior to her sudden death, as they had all

recently come to San Francisco to attend the Memorial Service for her brother, Armando De Graca, on September

22, 2018.

She will be sorely missed by her family and numerous friends. Sylvia, we will miss you and love you, forever.

May you rest in peace in the assurance that your life made the world a far better place.

Sales, Alexandre C. de Oliveira passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 27th. Alex is survived by his

wife of 58 years, Cintia F. da Luz Sales; and by his daughter, Emilia, son-in-law, Keven Barton; grandson, Ian;

and granddaughter Erica; as well as brother Arnaldo de Oliveira Sales, and sisters Amalia Sales and Maria Sales

Collaco.

Reminder by the Editor

Lusitano Club in Hong Kong will be undergoing a Phase 2 Renovation project from April 1, 2019 through

October 1, 2019, under the direction of the Facilities Committee Chairman Anthony Correa, with the support of

the design team of Peter Remedios, Leo Barretto and Pilar Morais.

Peter Remedios is one of the leading hotel interior designers in the world and recently completed the interior

design of the Morpheus Hotel in Macau for Lawrence Ho.

Lusitano Club Phase 2 Renovation Plan

27th Fl - Ballroom, Catering functions, Cocktail and private dining.

26th Fl - Restaurant, a la carte dining (Lunch & Dinner).

25th Fl – Pastelaria (all day service) Newspaper, Magazines & Fellowship Room.

24th Fl – Bar, Buffet Lunch, Wine Cellar, Live entertainment & Music.

23th Fl – Reception, Club Office, Staff Room, Games. Member’s Showers & Multipurpose Room

During the renovation Lusitano Club Members will be hosted by The Hongkong Bankers Club in

Gloucester Tower.


California Pioneer from Macao Candido Lourenco Gutierrez

by Daniel Gomes

San Francisco Bay. Cir. 1849 San Francisco Bay. Cir. 1850

When we think of the early Macanese immigrants to the United States of America, we usually think -1950’s!

There were many that came prior to WWII and some even in the 1920’s. But did you ever hear of Candido

Laurenco Gutierrez? Well, he came to California in 1849 during the “Gold Rush” and became an American

Citizen in 1876.

Robert Leitao came across the Autobiography and Reminiscence of Candido Gutierrez in the Online Archives of

California. The handwritten version exists in the member’s biographical files created by the Society of California

Pioneers. The file include references to a photograph of the member, however it is no longer in the collection.1

Robert Leitao shared this with me, since Candido was married to Isabel Francisca Salawichy in Macao in 1846.

My great great great grandmother Paulina and Isabel were sisters.

In one of the first years of population census undertaken in Hong Kong 1846, Candido Gutierez was working for

Scott, William and Co. in Hong Kong and his brother Apolinario Gutierrez worked for Edward Farncomb notary

and solicitor as documented in “The Boys from Macau”. 2.

Candido Gutierrez left for California in 1849 and not heard from since. However, a researcher at the Universadade

de Nova Lisboa (Center for Anglo-Portuguese Studies), ‘Rugerio Miguel Puga’, published an analysis of the

Autobiography and Reminiscence by Candido Gutierrez in the ‘Revista de Macau’ in 2007. His analysis includes

the history of San Francisco during the Gold Rush and the four fires from 1849 to 1853 which devastated the city

of San Francisco. He adds a lot of color to the memoirs. 3

In my research of “Familia Macaense” by Forjaz, I find that Candido was the 9th child in this family of 14. His

grandmother Madelena Gutierrez lived in Manila in the 18th Century and married Manaham. She was probably

of Spanish Decent since Candido wrote in his memoirs that his father Matheos Francisco Gutierrez was Spanish.

Some of the children took the name of Gutierrez and some Gutierrez Manaham.4 (Caminda Gutierrez told me

that her father Marcus Bernado Gutierrez wrote in his notes that the family name was Manahao. Forjaz, in

his footnotes says that name appeared in many forms, including Manahao).


Candido Gutierrez

Candido’s oldest brother Venancio Gutierrez is mentioned prominently in the Boletim Do Instituto Luis De

Camoes (The Portuguese in Hong Kong & China by J. P. Braga)5. Mr. Braga wrote: Mr, Venancio Gutierrez is

mentioned in the 1849 Directory as Secretary of the Hong Kong Club (British). Veancio and his brothers Rufino

and Adalino acquired property at the junction of Robinson Road with Mosque Street and built several houses of

modest proportions, within the means of the Portuguese clerks to rent. Venancio, the eldest of the three brothers,

reserved a long strip of land for a garden. The youngest brother Adelino owned a small house and a triangular

plot of land between Wyndham Street and Arbuthnot Road, which he occupied with his family. Some years later

the Government decided to repossess the land and building to erect quarters for the Indian married staff of

Victoria Goal. The government offered him a sum of money but he refused to collect until they gave him his final

warning. Adelino retired to Macao bought property and became quite a character in the Old Portuguese town.

Rufino Francisco Gutierrez Manaham was the 12th child in this family and Theresa Gutierrez Noronha, who

just turned 90 this year, is a direct descendant of Rufino. Our members, Vilma Remedios, Dr. Germano Pina and

Caminda Gutierrez are also descendants of Rufino. (Please refer to her 90dth Birthday celebration on page 22 of

this bulletin). Doreen da Luz, Edward Thompson, and Brenda dos Remedios are also descendants of Rufino

Francisco Gutierrez Manaham.

My good friend Luis Alano Gutierrez (Sonny), is also a member of this family. He is a direct decedent of

Laurenco Joao Gutierrez the second son of Matheos Gutierrez and Joana Pires Viana. Laurenco is Candido’s

older brother.

I am publishing a synopsis of Candido Gutierrez’s life from his memoirs and other research material I dug up for

the UMA Bulletin, hoping that one of the descendants of the Gutierrez family will be able to shed more light on

his very interesting life.

“My father’s name was Matheos Francisco Gutierrez (Spanish) and was in the employ of the Spanish firm

of Do Gabriel Trista in Macao until his death. My mother’s name was Joano Pires Viena of Macao of

Portuguese decent”. (Editor’s Note: Candido was born in Macao on Feb 21, 1824 and married Isabel

Francisca Salawichy in 1846).

I left Manila for Hong Kong with a load of wood frame panels and many luxury goods destined for San

Francisco in August 1849 on the Barkentine “Clavilleno”, Captained by Surapeo San Juan de Santa Cruz,

(Editor’s Note: Why in the world would anyone take “framed houses” to San Francisco in 1849? Well,

the population of San Francisco jumped from 30,000 to 100,000 that year alone. Guess who were the

major suppliers of “fabricated homes” in the world in 1849? It was Great Britain and China - Candido

was a shrewd businessmen). Rugerio Miguel Puga’ in Rivista article wrote that the Captain of the

Clavilleno was his uncle.)


Candido Gutierrez

During the voyage, the vessel experience a strong typhoon in the China Sea and the ship was obliged to

go to Honolulu for repairs. After a month long stay in Honolulu for ship repairs, we arrived in San

Francisco in November 1849 during the Gold Rush.

The “Clavilleno” docked in the bay of San Francisco and I proceeded to move my frame panels by rafts

to San Francisco. After immense hardship and fighting the notorious San Francisco Bay fog,I bumped

into a ship, captained by Graham. Captain Graham who was coming into San Francisco Bay from the

Faralones told me that my rafts were going out to the open seas. The Captain graciously offered to lash

my rafts to his ship and pulled me into San Francisco. I employed some men to carry the lumber to a lot

in California and Webb Street which I leased from Captain Graham.

Most ships in those days, anchored out in the Bay and it cost $5 for a “water taxi” between the ship and

the landing at San Francisco pier. In the beginning I took the “water taxi” to the ship every night to sleep

but found it too expensive so I decided to find accommodations in the city. A Manila merchant allowed

me to sleep in his premise atop some boxes, however the premise filled up with immigrants who were

flocking to San Francisco from all parts of the world. I was unable to sleep because of the stench so I went

outside and built himself a shelter. I used my wood frame panels to erect a makeshift shelter for myself

but the strong winds and rain washed away my shelter.

I emptied one of my containers filled with crockery and slept inside the floor of the container wrapped in

blankets and was able to sleep peacefully for five or six days. Unfortunately a storm and heavy wind made

my make-shift home roll down California Street until it reached Montgomery Street which was at the

water’s edge in those days. After this episode, I decided to build my house on California & Webb, with

the wood panels I brought with me.

I then presented all my letters of introduction to Captain Macondry, Stake Janion, S.H. William, Everett

& Co, Glen Brather and Theodore Shiliber informing them that I was going to build homes on the corner

of California & Webb. I built two houses. The one on California Street was rented to Ruttee Tissott & Co

for one thousand dollars a month. I rented the second house on Webb Street, with the exception of one

room which I kept for himself, for eight hundred dollars a month to Madero Mexican. That was quite an

income in those days.

Ruttee Tissott & Co introduced me to Captain Sutter who proposed to give me a share of the town of Eliza

Ville, since it was better than Marysville for serving the miners, if I built twelve frame houses there.

Captain Sutter, who was Swiss, invited me to his Hogg farm where we consummated the contract.

Unfortunately, most of the town was owned by Swiss businessmen, who charged exorbitant prices for the

lots adjacent to the levee and controlled all business there. I could not get anything passed the city council

and I lost $35,000 on that speculation.

I returned to homebuilding in San Francisco. The houses I built in San Francisco were sold to miners

for $2,000 to $3,000, paying with gold dust. In those days gold was the size of a wheat grain and gold

nuggets were the size of hen eggs. The value of gold was just $8 an ounce. I started to speculate in silver

and sent the gold dust to my friend in Mexico in exchange for silver coins which would net me a profit of

36%. However, bandits lay in wait for the couriers so I gave up this venture.


Candido Gutierrez

I bought a ranch in San Pablo and built a large house on the property. I spent many years working my

ranch, raising good bloodlines for my cattle and horses in the pastures of San Pablo in Contra Costa

County.

In the early days, California had to import everything, but many businessmen saw vast opportunities and

agriculture, industry, and commerce grew tremendously. I opened a slaughter house. At one time I had

full control of the cattle business in Contra Costa County. I did business with a Mr. Steinberger who owed

me over $25,000. My friend Mr. Tams warned me not to trust Mr. Steinberger who tried to manipulate the

beef market in New York and defrauded his creditors. I then hired the law firm of Checkwood Ross & Turk

who was unable to collect on the debt.

After one of the devastating fires in San Francisco between 1849 and 1853 burned down my houses on

California and Webb Street, I met Mr. Charles Lawton who asked me if I would rebuild on California and

Webb. I told Mr. Lawton that I was afraid to rebuild because of the fire. Mr. Lawton told me that if I

assigned the balance of the lease to him, he would give me a lease for part of a block on SE corner of

California and Dupont Streets which was less fire prone. So I built two frame houses and one iron house

on those lots. After 8 months, Captain Petty came back from Honolulu and asked me - “By what authority

I had built on his lot?” and I said, “Lawton leased me this property in exchange for the lease on my

property on California and Webb”. I tried to buy the property from Captain Petty but he was unwilling

to sell.

I received a letter from Governor Juan B. A. Alvarado (Gov. of Mexican Alta California from 1836 to

1842) proposing a business venture so I went to see the Governor in San Pablo. When I returned to San

Francisco, Capt. Petty had taken possession of my homes. I consulted a lawyer who advised me not to

pursue the lawsuit with Petty since Lawton had no rights to the property.

Gov. Alvarado was not involved in the mining business. He concentrated his energy on business and

agriculture. He opened the Union Hotel in his ranch in 1860. I went into partnership with Governor

Alvarado to farm 1000 acres on land in San Pablo Valley. Unfortunately, an early rain destroyed the crop

of wheat and when I shipped the grain to Mr. Charles Clayton to sell, Mr. Clayton rejected it and I lost

$4,000 on that investment.

I then started to speculate on mines (La Esparanza and Hidalgo) with Coleman, McLane, Judge

Heydefeldt, Saunders, Forbes and others. We sent the ores to assay and the report was that it was rich

in silver and lead. Unfortunately it proved to be more lead then silver so we abandoned the mines.

I married Leota K. Turner (Gutierrez) in 1874 and we jointly speculated in several mines called, Rich,

Surprise, Venus, Mohawk, Penney and Leota Chick which was incorporated as “Leota Consolidated Gold

and Silver Mining, Smelting and Water Company” in Inyo County, California. The Directors were Dr.

Washington Ayers, Mr. Charles J. Willet, Mr. Candido Gutierrez, the Hon. James Seawell, Mr. Thomas

R. Hayes, Mr. John H. Tingman and Mr. James R. Johnson.


Candido Gutierrez

(Editor’s Notes: Leota Turner Gutierrez was the daughter of Commodore Daniel Turner. The Art

Collectors Journal describes a sword presented to Captain Turner by the State of New York for bravery,

especially during his command of the Ship ‘Caledonia” during the battle of September 10, 1813. On

Feb 11, 1897 in the House of Representative, Mr. Hilborn, Representative from California, introduce

a bill granting Leota K. Turner Gutierrez a pension.)5

Mr. Andrew Monger an investor from Chicago owned 2/3 of the Company. Mr. Monger sent the company

$500 a month to defray the monthly short fall generated by the company. After a time, Mr. Monger decided

to buy out the rest of the investors, however Judge Heydefeldt, Coleman, Saunders and Forbes refused to

sell, so Mr. Monger refused to continue paying the $500 monthly short fall and the mines were abandoned.

I could not make the $18,000 mortgage on my 49 Acre Ranch in San Pablo. I received an offer from

Senator Page’s broker Mr. Brandon, to buy my ranch for $60,000. Unfortunately the deal fell through

and I was left in dire circumstances.”

When he wrote his memoires in 1902, at the age of 78 he felt satisfaction that his business career was

conducted with honesty, according to the precepts of the “Golden Rule”. He died in Emeryville on

January 4, 1903

Here are some interesting facts about California and San Francisco in particular:

5/23/1846 - USA declared war with Mexico and Commodore Sloat was given secrete orders to annexed

“Yerba Buena” if war was declared with Mexico.

1/30/1847 – “Yerba Buena” changed its name to San Francisco. There were 72 Buildings in San Francisco

– 22 Shanties, 31 Framed Houses and 26 Adobe Bldgs.

2/2/1848 - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo formally ended the war with Mexico and all persons living in

Alta California were granted US Citizenship and right to property they owned. California became a

territory of the United States.

August 1848 – Gold discovered in America River – People came to San Francisco, from all over the world

and the population grew to 100,000 in 1849. All basic necessities had to be brought into San Francisco –

water, fuel and food. The “Gold Rush” of 1849 created a building boom (water projects, road construction,

railroad construction, residential construction, commercial building and Reclamation of the marshland in

the “Yerba Buena” Bay).

September 9, 1850 - California was admitted into the Union as the 31st state.

Notes:

1. Online Archives of California: https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt9f59q7tg/?brand=oac4.

2. Revista de Macau 2007, “The Analysis of the Autobiography and Reminiscences of Candido Gutierrez by

‘Rugerio Miguel Puga.

3. “The Boys from Macau” by Luis Andrade De Sa – Translated by Alberto M. Guterres

4. “Familia Macaense” by Jorge Forgaz 6 Volumes, Macau 2017

5. Boletim Do Instituto 1978 and reprinted in 1998, The Portuguese in “Hong Kong and China” by

Jose Pedero Braga. Boletim page 153 and Chapter XII.

6. Art Journal: GOOGLE Leota Turner Gutierrez.

7. Information on Commodore Daniel Turner – Google. Also check My Heritage website.

https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt9f59q7tg/?brand=oac4


Hong Kong Waterfront design by Dan Gomes

I came across this vision for our beloved Hong Kong Harbor in Zolima City magazine and could not resist the

temptation to share it with our UMA readers.

About two million Hong Kong residents live within a 10-minute walk to Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong’s most

important natural asset and the very reason for the city’s existence. However there is no easy access to the shore

line and 60 percent of the shore line is off-limits to the public. There are no pedestrian streets with good

connectivity, particularly in relation with the waterfront.

Finally, some urban planners in Hong Kong are looking at our waterfront more holistically. Many of them belong

to the Harbor front Commission, a panel of urban planners, architects, environmentalists and property developers

that advises the government on matters related to the harbor. For years, they have been pushing to establish a

Waterfront Authority that would have control over all decisions related to the harbor, similar to how the West

Kowloon Cultural District Authority is able to manage its land without intervention by the shortsighted

government departments that normally manage urban space.

The West Kowloon Cultural District has already opened part of its waterfront promenade, with a design by

renowned Dutch landscape firm West 8 that does away with the concrete barriers and heavy planters found

elsewhere on the waterfront in favor of a more open approach.

Rendering by Landscape Firm West 8


Harbor Loop

The redevelopment of Kai Tak will add a generous amount of new public space to the eastern side of the harbor.

Plans are underway to build a boardwalk underneath the Eastern Island Corridor, an elevated expressway that

runs along the northeast shore of Hong Kong Island. Tsim Sha Tsui’s Avenue of Stars is currently being rebuilt

in conjunction with the new Victoria Dockside commercial development.

One of the most controversial new developments is in Central. A large swath of reclaimed land, between Jardine

House and the Central Ferry Piers known officially as Site 3, will eventually be sold off to a developer who

will build new offices and retail space. As the 1996 Protection of the Harbor Ordinance bans new reclamation in

the harbor, this is the last part of the Central waterfront to be developed, making it arguably the most significant

parcel of land in the city.

HarborLoop’s proposed route. Image by Lead 8

In 2015 the architectural firm Lead 8 unveiled the Harbor Loop, a 23-kilometre promenade that wraps around the

inner harbor. The concept is deceptively simple. Like Vancouver’s Seawall, a lively 28-kilometre corridor that

runs around the city’s waterfront, the Harbor Loop would create an unbroken connection between Hong Kong’s

harbor side neighborhoods.

Harbor Loop is designed like a necklace, with activities strung together by public corridors. The corridors would

need to be wide enough to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and runners, as well as a certain amount of

undefined space for people to linger and enjoy the view. The activity nodes would include entertainment areas,

restaurants and bars, water sport facilities and more. Some of these already exist, like the promenade along the

Kwun Tong waterfront, but the key difference is they would now be connected to each other.

https://zolimacitymag.com/the-building-with-round-windows/

https://zolimacitymag.com/the-building-with-round-windows/


Harbor Loop

The loop would be completed at the far eastern end by a bridge that spans Lei Yue Mun. West Kowloon and

Central, could be connected via cable car, tunnel, water Taxis or ferry. Harbor Loop will have an impact on

the whole urban area of Hong Kong. It would be possible to walk or cycle around the harbor and reduce the

congestion on MTR and other public transportation systems.

A new bridge would connect the eastern edge of the Harbor. Image courtesy of Lead 8.

This grand vision is beginning to shape the conversation around the harbor. In the meantime a hodgepodge of

projects will soon reshape the harbor front. Hong Kong has the opportunity to do something very special.

Will the Hong Kong Government seize this opportunity to do something special for the residents of this city or

will the government bureaucrats be allowed to treat this crown jewel like a piece of fake jewelry?


THERESA NORONHA 90TH BIRTHDAY by son Tony Noronha and niece Caminda Guttierrez

Any well-mannered person never asks a lady her age, but in this case, Theresa Noronha’s family threw a party so everyone

would know unequivocally our dear Theresa has seen 90 summers. It was a true blessing to be able to celebrate a 90th

birthday, but it was a greater blessing still to be able to share such a special birthday with family and friends. A total of 80+

guests came from all over: Australia, Indonesia, Seattle, Missouri, Virginia, Las Vegas, So Ca, and the Bay Area. The

dining room at Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, CA , decorated in an autumn theme with twinkling lights encircling the

pumpkins and leaves, was abuzz with excitement. So many who hadn’t seen Theresa in ages, made a bee line to the special

celebrant with outstretched arms ready with long, loving embraces and kisses. Theresa beamed with appreciation and

happiness with each greeting. She was especially grateful to her daughter Marie Therese and niece Carminda Gutierrez for

organizing and putting on such a wonderful event.

A slideshow of old photos was projected on a large screen to the background of nostalgic music put together by Eduardo

and Michael Gutierrez. Many photos highlighted Theresa in her heyday when she was the belle of the ball: Dancing with

her husband, Gussie Noronha (the Macanese’s answer to Fred Astaire). The photos of her three children: Tony, Lenny and

Marie Therese in various stages of their lives. Parties Theresa loved hosting with her adventurous culinary skills. Her

wedding pictures - and endless smiling faces with so many friends and relatives through the years just enjoying life in Hong

Kong and America to its fullest.

‘VIVA!!’ we would all cheer in Portuguese – ‘LIVE!!’ And that’s what the party was all about. LIFE! A life that began

in Hong Kong in September 1929. A life of a little girl in Hong Kong, who came of age during the war years. A life of a

woman who married and had children, while working at an exciting career with the American Embassy in Hong Kong, with

the likes of U.S. Senators, politicians and high-ranking dignitaries. A life in America where her main goal was the quality

education for her children so they could have a good future, an aspiration every parent wants for their children. A life in

America that no longer required making an entrance with pearls and sable shoulder shrugs. A life, instead, of family camping

vacations, road trips, family parties where guest lists could easily top 50+ and guests eagerly accepted the invitations because

they knew Theresa’s parties were always guaranteed a good time of drink, delicious food and laughter. VIVA! LIFE! This

party was about a life very well lived. Over and over again, the special celebrant was touched and humbled, moved to tears

to see so many who took time out of their busy lives to gather and celebrate this special day with her.

Of course, a true Macanese party is also very much about the food and Theresa’s daughter, Marie Therese, did not disappoint

with her Chicken Guisado, coconut rice, and Virginia ham. Special thanks also for the help of cousin Marie de Fatima (the

Chilicote Queen – the title was bestowed upon her after making and frying 500 of those delicious morsels), dear friend

Mandy (that was some delicious bacalhau!) to Cecilia and others who contributed the delicious Macanese desserts (can we

say bebinga, cornstarch cookies, batatada?), it was a feast worthy of the occasion. With all the yakking and eating, we did

get just a little thirsty, so through the generosity of Alfredo de Lemos, he practically brought the entire inventory of a winery

to the party! Wines and spirits were flowing as freely as the camaraderie. At the end, those who wanted to, took pictures

with Aunty Therese by the budding photographer, Samuel Lee (Chilicote Queen’s son) to commemorate the occasion. We’re

still going through the pictures to see who is who so we can send shout outs in case they’d like a copy.

It was a party that took 90 years in the making and a good time of love and laughter was had by all. Theresa could not have

asked for anything more. VIVA!


Theresa Gutierrez Noronha 90th

Theresa’s Baptismal picture with parents and siblings

Gus Noronha &Theresa Gutierrez wedding


Theresa Gutierrez Noronha 90th

Always beautiful

Teresa Gutierrez & family on her 90th birthday


MEMBERS’ CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

By Pauline de Assis

It was another beautiful brisk fall day on December 9, 2018. With warm jackets members began to flow into the hall for

that inviting call to greet and mingle and to dine, of course. After checking in, the guests looked for their table numbers,

then headed to the “bar” for their eggnog, spiked or regular.

The hall was decorated with the typical flair of Christmas, red and green, no less, and decorative table centers. Caterers

filed into the hall with their mmmm delicious trays of food with warmers. As they were laid out and ready to serve, President

Sandy Souza took the mic and asked the members to be seated. Vilma Remedios came forward to say grace, then table

numbers were called.

Servers Candy Roliz, Lucy Guterres, Magdalen Pereira, Brenda Oliveira, Pauline de Assis were all at their respective food

stations to serve the hungry guests. What was on the menu - hmm, well there was a tossed green salad, mashed potatoes,

savory pasta, baked ham, chicken Afritada, salmon with lemon butter and garlic, pork ribs, fresh mixed veggies, roast beef

with gravy, dinner rolls and butter. Could one ask for more, no way Jose! There was more than enough to satisfy everyone’s

desired choice/taste for sure!

Sandy took the opportunity to announce that we had a special guest, Peter McCleave (his father’s family is of Macanese

descent) from England, who came with a special request for the Filo Mac community. Diagnosed with Myeloma, a blood

cancer, he said he needed a transplant from matching stem cells, hopefully from a Macanese. Maria Roliz then explained

that it would be a very simple process of using a swab to the inside of your cheek and mailing it in to the global stem registry

for a possible match, to cure his cancer. The appeal generated a lot of interest and many members took a few application

forms/kits, which could help him and others.

Drinks continued to pour, some for more eggnog, coffee or wine, while the busy helpers brought out trays of dessert for

each table filled with Genete by Cecilia Rozario, Coqueira made by Cecilia Rozario, Vilma Remedios and Lucy Guterres.

Within minutes fresh fruit salad was also laid out and sure enough the guests made a beeline to get some of that refreshing

fruit. But they weren’t done - Robert Leitao then brought platters of flan out and once again people queued up to get their

share of that sweet, smooth egg flan, what a treat indeed! Thank you so much Robert, you’re the best. Donald Leitao also

had alua for sale, something else to die for!

It was indeed a wonderful Christmasy event with relatives and friends sharing a scrumptious meal, stories, a perfect time

and place to reminisce. We owe many thanks to Flavia Greubel, Sandy Souza, Magdalen Pereira, the great bakers/cooks

and all the many helpers, too many to mention.


Christmas Lunch


Christmas Luncheon


UMA News Bulletin

1800 Golden Rain Rd #2


UMA Board of Directors 2019-2020 (Ramon Xavier, Vilma Remedios Pauline de Assis, Flavia Greubel,

Sandy Souza, Magdalen Pereira, Joanne Segovia, Rick Oliveira, - Maria F. Gomes absent)

PRESORT

STDMAIL

US POSTAGE

PAID

FREMONT, CA

PERMIT NO.7051

Documents

Southern California Luncheon