TheCouncil_2nd_Mtg_2009_lowres

2nd Council Meeting 2009 Edition

August 2009

ALPHA PHI OMEGA (Philippines) ALUMNI COUNCIL OF NORTH AMERICA

BRAGGING RIGHTS! Twenty one years ago there were only two APO (Phils.) alumni associations in California, the Northern and Southern California Alumni Associations.

Coindentally, two Bicolano brothers were presidents of each respective AAs. Bro. Danny Nagrampa was president of NorCal and Bro. Egay Ninofranco of Southern Cal. They must have spoken they same lingo very well and agreed to an annual sports competition between the two associations. Hence the North-South Sportsfest was born during the Labor Day weekend of 1988 hosted by NorCal. And so the Right to Brag on who’s who in Cali had begun . . .

For almost a decade the competition was intense but friendly. Young and full of energy, both AAs fielded complete teams to compete in basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball, and darts to win the over-all Perpetual Trophy. The two AAs take turns in hosting the event. Camaraderie was great and everybody especially the kids looked forward to the next event year after year.

Unfortunately, the event was getting too expensive to host, AAs have splintered and so the event have slowly disintegrated from an annual event to a bi-annual and then it stopped.

In 2007, when I was president of GLA and during SFSV’s induction I lobbied hard with the brothers from Northern Cali to revive North-South sportsfest. Thanks to Brods Mar G and Cesar Garingan for spearheading the revival, the North-South dual meet was brought back to life in the form of a golf tournament. APOGLA hosted the 1st Dr. Librado I. Ureta North-South Ryder Cup in August, 2007. Although not a full scale sportsfest it rejuvenated the camaraderie and bragging wars between sports conscious Cali brothers and sisters.

Now on its 3 rd consecutive year, the Northern brothers will try to keep the perpetual trophy they have won last year . . . it is up to Southern Cal brothers to take it back playing at their home turf.

This weekend they will settle who’s got BRAGGING RIGHTS! /SSy

ACNA Executives and Board of Directors taking a break for a group pictorial at the 1st Council meeting hosted by APO Midwest at the Sofitel Chicago-O’Hare in Rosemont, IL last spring 2009

ALL R OADS LEAD TO THE RO CITY OF SANT A CLARIT A SANTA CLARITA GLA Hosts Series of Events this August Weekend The City of Santa Clarita, a suburb north of Los Angeles will be the hub center of APO activities the weekend of August 20-23. Nestled between canyons, ridges, oak trees and landscaped with housing developments, it is always named as one of the top safest cities in the country with populations over 100,000. From onion fields and orchards, the City of Santa Clarita has become a safe, exciting and desirable environment to live and raise a family.

It is home to the Valencia Country Club (The Champions Tour Classic), Robinson Ranch in Sand Canyon (two championship golf courses), Vista Valencia (a shorter course yet equally interesting panorama) and the TPC Valencia (a beautiful yardage overlooking the entire valley). Six Flags Magic Mountain, the roller coaster capital of the West with more than 15 breath taking and stomach wrenching thrills, is only a stone’s throw from the I-5. It is also home to National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished Schools and as well as the home of the famous Western Silent movies of old, William S. Hart where a park, a school and a museum bears his name. The AMGEN Tour of California makes Santa Clarita its stop on the way to San Diego, The Cowboy Festival is held every year and the annual free Saturday Nights Summer Concert in the Park is a popular attraction for residents and visitor alike. If nature is your cup of tea, the city boasts of miles of bike and trail routes around the valley or you can also trek to the Placerita Canyon Park and explore the wilderness. SCV is made up of the Cities of Newhall, Valencia, Saugus, Canyon Country, Castaic, Val Verde and the unincorporated city of Stevenson Ranch.

Today, it is also home to more than 20 APOGLA brothers and their families. So, we all welcome you to the Santa Clarita Valley and hope that you will have a wonderful visit and memorable experience.

The Librado Ureta North vs. South Ryder Cup - On its 3rd annual staging, the bragging rights to this fun and soon to be legendary golf challenge will be held at Pasadena’s Brookside Golf Club. Match play and individual plays will pit the “Tiger Woods” of Northern California (Mel Cancino, Captain) against the “Y. E. Yangs” of Southern California (Bobet Lara, Captain). Mar Garchitorena is this year’s Overall Chair with Honda of Pasadena (Manny Martinez) as Major Sponsor and the Department of Tourism (Manny Ilagan) as Trophy Sponsor and several Hole Sponsors.

Continued on Back page

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Pr esident’ s 2nd Quar ter R e por President’ esident’s Quarter Re portt 1. Wrap-up/preparation meeting for the 7th IHMDO in Tondo on May 23 at 3:00 PM and later witnessed and participated in the Charter Installation of APO SAPOT officiated by the National President, Bro. Mel Adriano.

2. Sponsored the 7th International Humanitarian, Medical and Optical Mission in Tondo, Manila on May 24, 2009 in cooperation with APO SAPOT 1.1. 300 APO Brothers and Sisters participated 1.2. Collected a total of $7,500.00 from different APO ACNA Associations and individual members 1.3 APO DAP & APO MAS actively participated 1.4. APO SAPOT IHMDO Chairman – Bro. Rey Fong orchestrated the different activities together with APO SAPOT President, Bro. Tony Laurena and APO ACNA/ARNA Ambassador, Bro. Art Libot.

The following services were extended: a. Dental extraction & cleaning – 210 patients b. Circumcision – 250 patients c. Eye glasses fitting and prescription – 250 patients d. Mass Feeding – 300 children e. Distribution of 33 balikbayan boxes of used clothes, shoes, toys. At end of the mission, Certificates of Recognition were distributed and given to all volunteers.

3. Visited SAPOC Learning Center in Cainta on May 25, 2009 together with Bro. Paul Villafuerte, Sis Cora de Jesus, Bro. Ian Beltrano, Bro. Bong Estrada and US APO delegation and other local based brothers 3.1. Donated $1,300.00; received by Bro. Joey Policarpio, President of SAPOC

The Council is a publication of the Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) Alumni Council of North America exclusively for its members, families and friends.

The opinions expressed hererin are those of the writers, and are not intended to represent APO-ACNA.

Staff Sancho Sy, Publishing Editor

Contributors Cora De Jesus • Ben Castro • Art Rivera Joey Sarmiento • Ferdie Yambot

Graphics & Photos Windellix delos Reyes • Rey Fong • Teng Bracamonte

The Council 15226 Ryan St. Sylmar, CA 91342 email: apochosy@gmail.com www.apo-acna.org

3.2. Sis Cora de Jesus promised to donate school supplies and books 4. Participated in the ground breaking ceremony of the Dr. Librado Ureta Memorial Library in Kalibo, Aklan on May 27, 2009. APO ACNA individual members have contributed significant amount of money to the project 5.

Participated in the APO Philippines Medical Mission in Caticlan, Aklan, chaired by Sis Dr. Belle Tumbokon 5.1. Donated $1,200.00 to the project 5.2. APO ACNA Officers and members actively participated: Bro. Dan Maines, Bro. Ian Beltrano, Sis Cora de Jesus, Bro. Dr. Paul Villafuerte, Bro. Bong Estrada and yours truly.

6.

Attended and participated in the daily proceedings of the 25th Biennial Convention in Boracay 6.1. Tendered a reception for all foreign delegates at the Queen’s Boracay grill – courtesy of APO ACNA and other foreign delegates Other major ACNA projects as follows: 1. APO ACNA Cash Raffle Fundraising Campaign – details to be reported by Sis Cora de Jesus 2. Appointment of 3 COMELEC members: Bro. Edwin Florendo, Bro. Dan Maines and Bro. Bong Estrada 3. 2010 APO ACNA 10th Biennial Convention in Newark, CA– committee headed by Sis Dr. Belle Tumbokon, Bro. Butch Garcia and Bro. Eugene Licauco.

In Leadership, Friendship and Service, Bro. Engr. Ben J. Castro APOACNA President APO ARNA RAD

Newly elected APO Philippines Executive Council & Board of Directors EXECUTIVE COUNCIL President - MEL ADRIANO Executive Vice President - JULIET RAMOS Vice President for the Alumni - DABOY FERNANDEZ Vice President for the Fraternity - OJ LOPEZ Vice President for the Sorority - JANA PAREDES BOARD OF DIRECTORS Director-at-Large - JIMMY DE CASTRO Director for the Alumni - JO RONCESVALLES Director for the Fraternity - ISMA PELAYO Director for the Sorority - RIKKI LIQUIGAN

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APO GREA TER LOS ANGELES NEWS: GREATER

TENT CITY - B or aca y Con vention (a thir d par ty assessment) Bor oraca acay Conv third By: Brother Ferdie Yambot, Pi Chapter During one of the recent fellowships in Los Angeles, across the hold-em poker table, we were in awe, listening with envy to Bro. Art Manaig (Beta ulit, if you can believe it) telling everyone of his cloud-9 experience. Worth mentioning too is the fact that Bro. ArtM has not missed an APO-Phils National Convention since he became a brother in the 70s.

What a PRICELESS accomplishment! (Something must be WRONG with Beta.. don’t you think? He He He – inggit kamu.)

From the Convention host : To All APOGLAians, we appreciate and thank you for your packed meal support of the APO-Boracay Alumni Association. It was a great help for our volunteer brothers and sisters at the Tent City. Mabuhay ang APOGLA. Mabuhay ang APO! From the modest words of our very own Bro. Egay Ninofranco (Beta), the feeling of genuine gratitude and sincere appreciation is “goosebump indescribable”.

You should have been there with us to experience the glorious ambiance of doing low-profile “small-good-turns”. Note, especially, that we were not actually feeding the hungry here . . .

We were providing for the convention volunteers, taking packed meals not because they cannot afford it, but because they simply don’t have time for fancy restaurant sit-down sessions, being too busy for the chores and assigned responsibilities.

They Came and Went, and apart from firm handclasps, they were hardly able to socialize.

Photo-shoots/ Kodakan is a different story though, as APOs everywhere in the world, are so “Kodak-Shy… NOT”…. (See for yourself the jubilance in the pictures.)

On the more serious side, because of all the above, APOGLA has adopted this Tent City meal subsidy from here-on. Similar to how Lamar Odom felt in re-signing with the Lakers, “We want to sustain the feeling of being a Champion” . . . and so should YOU! It is on this premise that we, APOGLA, advocates for ACNA/ARNA AAs to adopt the same with AAs taking turns on meal times. Imagine the entire TENT CITY being branded ACNA/ARNA for the tireless c o n v e n t i o n volunteers! It only happens every other year anyway at an approximate expense of $400 to $500 per meal session; with better planning, it could be a lot less.

In GLA, it did not have to come from it’s coffers but from a few generous souls; our few dimes and pennies made an implied difference in the success of the affair . . . we ALL felt SO GOOD . . . and again . . . SO SHOULD YOU!!! (for more info, an article on Tent City is on APOGLA TNB – July 2009 edition)

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7TH INT’L HUMANIT ARIAN MEDICAL DENT AL OPTICAL MISSION HUMANITARIAN DENTAL Around 80 brothers & sisters from different Alumni Association/chapters of APO ACNA/ ARNA particiapted in the 25th APO Phils. Biennial Convention last May, 2009 in Malay, Boracay, Aklan Philippines. They also participated in our APO ACNA 7th IHMDO medical missions in Tundo, Manila & Caticlan, Aklan. Thank You at Mabuhay kayong lahat!!!

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ACNA / APO-USA EXECS VISIT SAPOC LEARNING CENTER

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APO BRITISH COL UMBIA AA NEWS COLUMBIA APOAABC HOSTS FIRST GOLF FUND RAISER Vancouver, BC, August 7, 2009: - The Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Association of British Columbia (APOAABC) is hosting its first ever golf tournament at the Sunshine Woods Golf Centre in Surrey, BC on September 12, 2009.

Golfers from the Lower Mainland area have signified their intention to play and support this fund-raising event. This will be a shotgun start golf tournament where all flights tee off at the same time. Handsome prizes await lucky players and raffle winners.

Gene Generoso, the tournament director, has announced that several business establishments and civic-minded groups from around the Greater Vancouver area are supporting the event.

Proceeds from the tournament will be used to fund the APOAABC’s community services projects at the Lower Mainland and extend to helping poor communities in the Philippines. by Virgil Amba, Mu chapter ‘62 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

APOAABC KICKS OFF 2009 COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM Truly committed to its time-tested principles of LEADERSHIP, FRIENDSHIP, and SERVICE, the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity APOkids @ (APO), through the Alumni Association in British Columbia WangoTango (APOAABC), handed out its annual cash and food items Con donations to the Surrey Food Bank (SFB) early this year. The APOAABC through its president, Rudy Soliven and vice president, Tom Ferreras turned over their donations to Marilyn Herrmann, SFB Executive Director. This SFB donation kicked off APOAABC’s annual community services program in the Lower Mainland for the year 2009.

Meanwhile, APOAABC would like to welcome all their fraternity brothers and sisters in British Columbia who up to this recent past, have not made their presence felt, to attend their monthly meetings and socials held on every first Saturday of the month. Meetings are held at the Metrotown community centre starting at 5 pm. You may get in touch with Bro Rudy Soliven-President on (604) 592 -0484 and (778) 549- 9033, and Sis Cora De Jesus-Chairman, board of Director on (604) 572-5019 for more information.

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Officers for 2009-2011 DY President - Bro. Ruel Cruz (Eta 1978) Vice Pres - Bro. Orson Villaroman (Phi 1975) Secretary - Sis Memen Cochingco (Phi 1970) Treasurers: - Bro. Alvin Pacheco (Gamma Eta 1994) (Edmonton) - Bro. Boy De Leon (Delta 1975-C) (Calgary) Auditor - Brother Jun Crisostomo (Sigma 1976-A) Advisers: - Bro. Nick Sanchez (Delta 1965-A) (Calgary) - Bro. Arthur Suguitan (Theta 1964-B) (Edmonton) - Bro. Cesar Ortiz (Gamma Pi 1971) (Edmonton) - Bro. Ariel Dela Cruz (Sigma 1976-B) (Past-President) - Bro. Jun Mamaril (Psi 1974) (special event) ID Chairman: - Bro. Joey Sarmiento (Alpha 1982) (Edmonton) - Bro. Jay Garcia (Alpha Delta 1982) (Calgary) Coordinators: - Bro. Ernan Manaog (Epsilon Omega 1997-C) (Calgary) - Bro. Daniel Padilla (Zeta Psi 1992) (Edmonton) - Bro. Dione Mark Mira (Lambda Kappa 1995) (No. Alberta) Visitor’s Chairman: - Bro. Joey Sarmiento ( Alpha 1982) (Edmonton) - Bro. Arnel Avisado (Eta Zeta 1985) (Calgary)

APO ALBER TA ALBERT ELECT NEW SET OF OFFICERS

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SUPPORT ACNA’s FUND RAISING PROJECTS GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

OBITUARY Our deepest condolences to the LICAUCO & LAINEZ families (Bro. Eugene and Sallie Licauco, Bro. Rico & Sis. Au Lainez) for the passing of Sis. Vicky Licauco Lainez, Eta ‘82 due to cardiac arrest. And most recently the passing of their mom Adelina Licauco Mauricio.

Condolences to Colleen Mendoza & family for the passing of our dear brother Romeo “Loy” Mendoza, Alpha ‘76 last June, 2009.

Condolences to Cora Armada & family for the passing of our dear brother Jeremias “Jerry” Armada of Alpha Beta Chapter.

Condolences to Lily & family for the untimely demise of our dear brother Rogie Esmilla of Delta Eta last May, 2009.

Our condolences to the following brods & sisters for the loss of their loved ones: 1. Bro. Jay Sugay for the passing of his father.

2. Bro. Beeboy Mansilla - passing of his father 3. Bro. Jun Modesto - passing of wife Marissa 4. Sis. Angie Gelangre-Salum - loss of father, Aniceto 5. Bro. Mel Gonzales - loss of brother Nestor R. Cruz 6. Bro. Fidel Uy - passing of his mother 7. Bro. Frank Brosas - passing of sister, Zeny 8. Bro. Jojo Binay - passing of daughter-in-law Our loving thoughts and prayers. May the Almigthy God bless their souls and find eternal peace in HIS kingdom.

ALL R OADS LEAD TO THE RO CITY OF SANT A CLARIT A SANTA CLARITA GLA Hosts Series of Events this August Weekend Continued from page 1

The ACNA Council Meeting - The Alumni Council of North America, co-founded in San Francisco in 1990 by Edgar Ninofranco (APOGLA), Danny Nagrampa (Northern California) and Joey Makayan (East Coast), has come full circles. We now had conventions in New York in 1992, Chicago in 1994, Los Angeles in 1996, Seattle in 1998, Houston in 2000, San Diego in 2002, Vancouver in 2004, Los Angeles in 2006 and Toronto in 2008 and we look forward to San Francisco in 2010. Every six months during the biennial administration of ACNA, The Council meet in different cities to bring together the members not just for fellowship but “to be a part of ACNA’s roadmap to advance APO Leadership and Service around the globe …Brod Dony Rondilla” A City Tour and Shopping is scheduled for those who would like to see the sights of Los Angeles, the Fashion District, Universal Studios and perhaps the newly renovated Griffith Observatory. One may also opt to explore SCV via the Valencia Town Center, Saugus Café still standing in its original site since built in 1880 or visit the William Hart Museum in nearby Newhall.

Texas Hold Em Poker Tournament - APOGLA is always finding ways to help the deserving high school graduates, so every year, Scholastic Awards are presented to outstanding graduates who will attend college are rewarded with monetary scholarships.

Past recipients have gone and earned their degrees and are now gainfully employed and or carving their own niche in this challenging world. The Poker Tournament allows all players to display their ‘hold ‘em” skills at the same time raising funds for our scholars. Bragging rights and a Poker Champ bracelet will go to the Winner and some pocket change! Chairman Ferdie Yambot promises an exciting tourney!

ALPHA PHI OMEGA (Philippines) ALUMNI COUNCIL OF NORTH AMERICA (ACNA) www.apo-acna.org 2009-2010 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Bro. ENGR. BEN CASTRO - President Sis CORAZON DE JESUS - 1st VP Sis BELLE TUMBOKON - 2nd VP Bro PAUL VILLAFUERTE - Auditor Bro JUN CAHAPISAN - Secretary Bro SANCHO SY - 1st PRO Bro JUN DE CASTRO - 2nd PRO Bro Dr. JESSE DE LEON - Treasurer Bro WINDELL DELOS REYES - Webmaster Bro ART LIBOT - Ambassador & Liason Officer ALL PAST ACNA PRESIDENTS - Council of Elders

2009-2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS COB/Bro TROY AGAGON - Greater LA BOD Sec./Bro ALEXANDER DOMINGCIL -

“2009 Rafflemania” - Again, this is another fund raising project for the Scholarship program and Service Programs of APOGLA. Feed the Homeless, Food Pantry, River Rally and the Los Angeles Marathon are just a few of the service involvement of the organization. Chairman Jun Linsangan boast of the following grand prizes, a 46" Flat Panel LCD HDTV, a 15.4" Notebook computer with Intel Processor and a 120 GB iPod Classic plus other exciting prizes!

Dallas-Fort Worth Bro ARIEL DELA CRUZ - Alberta, Canada Bro RUDY SOLIVEN - British Columbia Bro BUTCH GARCIA - Central Valley of California Bro ROMY VALLE - District of Columbia

“Grass Skirts and Sandals Allowed” The 2009 APOGLA Luau - To cap the series of activities, the grand dinner-dance on Saturday will allow brothers, sisters, families and friends celebrate Luau California style! Come join us in your favorite island shirts, grass skirts, sandals and a lot of energy as we sway and swing to the music of DJ Brod Oscar A! A whole “lechon” will be served compliments of Brod Alvin Nonato.

The Farewell Brunch - At GLA, the celebration never stops without the traditional Going Away Brunch. The ladies of GLA will put together your favorite dishes, your favorite drinks and more stories to share. We will all gather at the Stevenson Ranch home of Elsa and Brod Dony Rondilla.

Bro RAMON BARRAMEDA - East Coast Bro. Frank Suzara - Florida Bro EFREN PARAGAS - Greater Washington Bro IAN BELTRANO - Hawaii Bro GERRY ARANTE - Las Vegas Bro DAVID LLACUNA - Metro Houston Bro DANTE CASTILLO - Midwest Bro LARRY RECENO - Mississauga Bro EDUARDO VASQUEZ - Montreal

PBA Legends - Philippine Basketball Legends from the Philippines and those based in North America will play and exhibition game and hold a Basketball Clinic as well as challenge the fans to three point shooting and the chance to play against the PBA Stars! The Glendale High School will open its gates at 1:00 PM with pre-game songs, contests and prizes. Seattle based Brod Ruffy Ignacio (GWAPO) is responsible for bringing the Legends on Tour to our neighborhood.

The Hawaii Experience - After we leave Santa Clarita with varied memories of the August moon, we look ahead to an Island Luau when we fly to Hawaii in March 2010.

Hosted by the APO Hawaii led by President Ian Beltrano, this will be another page in our APO travelogue. Aloha! /AMRivera

Bro ANDY CORDERO - Northern California Bro EDWIN APOSTOL - San Diego Bro ARNOLD ABAYA - San FranciscoSilicon Valley Bro PJ ACLAN - South Bay Sis LEA TUAZON - Southern Ontario Bro FRELLIE BATACLAN - Toronto Bro DING BORILE - Washington State