Vol 38 Issue 3
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALPHA PHI OMEGA GREATER LOS ANGELES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
March 2018
Mile 13 Water Station volunteers from APO Greater Los Angeles took a pose for the camera after another successful service
LA MARA THON - MILE 13 WATER ST ATION SER VICE MARATHON STA SERVICE o . Bonjie Ingco) (Dedica ted to the Memor y of Br (Dedicated Bro By Bro. Eric Serrano The day started with crisp, chilly weather ranging from the mid30’s to the low 40’s, as is typical for this time of the year. The skies were clear after having experienced showers the previous days. At the Mile 13 Water Station, though, the mood was somber among the early arrivals APO-GLA member volunteers. The reason was obvious. The APO-GLA membership and the entire APO world had recently received the shocking news regarding the sudden and unexpected passing of one of its most beloved icons, a stalwart, a charter member, a past President of the organization and a Librado I. Ureta awardee. On March 14, 2018, after spending a short vacation in the Philippines, Bro. Isauro “Bonjie” Ingco arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport. Within minutes of leaving the airport, Bro. Bonjie suddenly complained of severe back pain associated with shortness of breath. He then suddenly became non-responsive. His daughter, Bayan, a Registered Nurse, immediately sprang into action; she stopped the vehicle and pulled Bro. Bonjie out, laid him flat on the pavement and initiated CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). Paramedics were called in and Bro. Bonjie was transported to the UCLA Medical Center, where he was revived and transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). Bro. Bonjie who belongs to Batch 1969, Alpha Eta (Philippine School of Business Administration) was 67. In spite of all the medical measures given, Bro. Bonjie expired a few hours later. The presumptive cause of death was Pulmonary Embolism, a blood clot which commonly comes from the legs (DVT
– Deep Vein Thrombosis) or basically from any part of the body. As a tribute to Bro. Bonjie, a short memorial service presided by Marathon Chairman Bro. Egay Ninofranco and Bro. Eric Serrano was offered prior to the start of the 32nd edition of the Los Angeles Marathon. They extolled Bro. Bonjie Ingco, who undoubtedly left a big void in APO-GLA that will be hard to replace. Bro. Bonjie’s son, Sergio, thanked everyone in attendance for the outpouring of love and affection for Bro. Bonjie. He stated that he considered members of APO-GLA as his second parents, having known most of them when he and his siblings were growing up. A banner was unfurled to dedicate the Mile 13 Water station in honor of Bro. Bonjie. A short prayer was then offered to beseech our Lord to open the gates of heaven and allow Bro. Bonjie to enjoy the eternal life that he so richly deserves. Concluding the services, balloons were released to send off Bro. Bonjieto his heavenly journey. Bro. President Casey Mansilla made a recommendation to henceforth name APO-GLA’s annual participation in the L.A. Marathon as the “Bro. Bonjie Ingco Memorial Service Day” - to everyone’s rousing approval. Bro. Bonjie left his earthly life so suddenly and without warning. The least the organization could do was to offer this service project in his honor. His unique brand of humor, laughter and presence will be sorely missed but his memory remains in the hearts and mind of his loved ones, fraternity brothers and sisters. VAYA CON DIOS, Bro. Bonjie … till we meet again.