Vol 40 Issue 4
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALPHA PHI OMEGA GREATER LOS ANGELES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
April 2020
New normal now, APOGLA brods and sis observing Stay at Home orders in California using Zoom conferencing during Covid-19 pandemic
ACN A NEWS - WHA T’S GOING ON CNA WHAT’S By Brod Dony Rondilla
ACNA Convention: The ACNA Convention scheduled for September 2020 is still on hold. Our host, APO-Florida Alumni Association is waiting for directions from the hotel on whether to cancel or reschedule. The hotel will notify APO-Florida by June 30, 2020 if they can cancel the event without penalty or reschedule the event for next year. Cancelling the event now, without waiting for the hotel’s June 30th time frame, will result in a substantial penalty to our host as specified on their contractual obligation. ACNA BOD will decide when to reschedule the ACNA Convention. There are too many “unknowns” at this point including rules on social distancing and gatherings. The success of the ACNA Convention depends on the maximum number of attendees. Although December 2020 is still a possibility, the months being considered for 2021 are January, April, or September. ACNA History Compilation: ACNA will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year. Although ACNA has a rich and colorful past, it does not have a comprehensive account of its history. ACNA President Jun De Castro wants to compile the ACNA history as part of a commemorative edition for ACNA’s 30th Anniversary. I was requested to gather materials for this history. These materials will be turned over to the designated historian once appointed by the ACNA President. Continued on page 4
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PRESIDENT’S MESSA MESSAGE GE Hello Bros and Sisters, I hope everyone is SAFE. With the situation we’re in right now, we need to be careful. We need to do all the things we can to stay safe. By the way, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to all those who participated and contributed to our project “abuloy” for the family of our late Bro LIU awardee William Chua and made it an overwhelming success. We have sent more than $2,000+ to the Mrs Florenda Chua, wife of Brod William Chua. I’m grateful to all the following Bros. and Sisters: Bro. Ben “Angel” Pangilinan Bro. Sheryn Jo Peneza Bro. Armand Mendoza Bro. Eric Serrano Sis. Beth Ventura Bro. Jerome Paggao Bro. Bobet Lara Bro. Alex/Sis Irma Almasan Bro. Lito/Sis Josie Tarculas Bro. Geoffrey Arroyo Bro. Bong Ansula Bro. Dony Rondilla Bro. Mike “Boy” Medina Bro. Ed Tecson Bro. Mar Garchitorena Bro. Egay Ninofranco Bro. Ceasar Noche Bro. Eric Aralar Bro. Chris/Sis Betta David Bro. Bodgie Gapido Sis. Daemma Mendez Bro. Ferdie Mamaril Bro. Tony/Sis Ophel Amon Bro. Ferdie Yambot Bro. Yusup Maidin Jr. Bro. Francis Mejia Bro. Troy Agagon Bro. Gerald Remoroza
Sis. Glenda Flores Bro. Raul Medina Bro. Rene Yenko Bro. Rocky Marte Bro. Vic Paredes Bro. Bobbitte Picazo Bro/Dr. Rolly Franco Bro. Toti Ayo Bro. Benjie Silao Bro. Bro Henry Valdecantos Bro. Jun Linsangan Sis. Liza Valera Sis. Marisol Roberto Bro. Mark Guerrero
Bro. Mulong Martinez Bro. Nards Castillo Bro. Nonot Rosales Bro. Oscar Angeles Bro. Ogie Jaranilla Bro. Rene Calvario Bro. Rey Posadas Bro. Rudy Flores Bro. Bernard Gopez Bro. Dan Nino Bro. Tony Gomez Bro. Art Rivera Bro. Melvin Villaver
The love we have for our fallen Bro William Chua calls for a celebration of his life. However, we cannot due the current situation we are in. The CoronaVirus Pandemic has caused all of us to be scared. As of this writing, there are 701,131 cases and 36,997 deaths in the whole US with 1,000+ deaths in California alone. The following are the front liners from APOGLA (Chapters included, some that I know of): Sis. Liza Valera - Gamma Rho Sis. Ruth Manalastas - Pi Bro. Jerome Paggao - Gamma Mu Bro. Eric Aralar - Delta Nu Bro. Aris Aradilla Jr. - Delta Psi Bro. Proceso Bayani Jr - Gamma Rho Bro. Michael Chua - Mu Lambda Bro. Michael Shane Miranda - Kappa Beta Bro. Tony Linsangan Jr - Delta Psi Bro. Silver Turallo Jr. - Delta Psi Sis. Hazel Salas - Kappa Beta Sis. Josie Tarculas - Gamma Sigma Bro. Renato De Guzman - Eta Bro. Roland Paras - Beta Tau Bro. Domel Evangelista - Gamma Pi Bro. Chris Silva - Gamma Xi Sis. Shirley Jove - Xi Chapter Bro. Bodgie Gapido - Eta Bro. Mark Sabalburo - Delta Nu Bro. Eric Serrano - Pi Bro. Mandy Javierto - Chi Bro. Winston Pascual - Eta Kappa Bro. Jobee Jovellanos - Delta Nu Sis. Irma Alamasan - Alpha Bro. Alfred Serrano - Nu Sis. Malou de Leon - Alpha Bro. Chito Atangan - Theta Sis. Michelle Monasterio - Gamma Pi Bro. Jun Cahapisan - Beta Nu Familial members (APO Spouses, some that I know of): Rolygen Posadas (wife of Bro. Rey Posadas) Mary Ann Peneza (wife of Bro. Bobet Peneza) Winnie Calvario (wife of Bro. Rene Calvario) Tess Pangilinan (wife of Bro. Angel Pangilinan) Raquel Ayo (wife of Bro. Toti Ayo) Rowena Jaranilla (wife of Bro. Ogie Jaranilla) Veronica Medina (wife of Bro. Mike Medina) Florence Paggao (wife of Bro. Jerome Paggao) Gigi Paras (wife of Bro. Roland Paras) Nenita Atangan (wife of Bro. Chito Atangan) APO Kids (some that I know of): Janine Tarculas Joseph & Kristin Sy Flores Therese Carbon Korzak Jan Tarculas Eunice Galang Pete Linsangan Chowee Sy Melissa Villaver Perez
Lucy Magsino (wife of Bro. Jimmy Magsino) Fatima Medina (wife of Bro. Raul Medina) Toni Aralar (wife of Bro. Eric Aralar) Arnie Maidin (wife of Bro. Yusup Maidin) Cecille Valdecantos (wife of Henry Valdecantos)
Vaianne Ingco Blanchard James Magsino
Warlord Pascual Tim Almazan
These are the APOGLA people who brave the street and work everyday to help sick people. I SALUTE AND CONGRATULATE them! Thank you so much for all you do! MWAB! Bro./Pres. Tony Amon, APOGLA 2020
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2020 CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES
OBITU AR Y OBITUAR ARY
Tribo ni Bado Newsletter
Our deep sympathies and prayers goes to BRO. MIKE CARDENAS and FAMILY for the passing of their father VIC CARDENAS. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. On behalf of the whole APOGLA family we offer our heartfelt condolences to the BELTRAN FAMILY for the untimely loss of our beloved Bro. Rafael “Jun” Beltran, Alpha ‘70 last April 22, 2020 due Covid-19 implications. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in eternal peace.
is a monthly publication of the Alpha Phi Omega Greater Los Angeles Alumni Association exclusively for its members, families and friends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the writers, and are not intended to represent APOGLAAA. Editor-in-Chief Jen Evangelista Publisher Sancho Sy Photos/Graphics by Sancho Sy • APOGLA FB Page Contributors Fely Montecillo • Tony Amon • Dan Nino Dony Rondilla
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ACNA NEWS - WHAT’S GOING ON Continued from page 1
Kudos to ACNA past presidents Brod Gil Magno, Sis Cora De Jesus, and Sis Irma Almazan who responded to my request for materials during their term. Kudos too to Brods Toti Ayo, Egay Ninofranco, Lester Arevalo, Sancho Sy, and Art Rivera for their contributions to this endeavor. ACNA taking over the function of ARNA: The ACNA BOD passed and approved the following resolution which our ACNA President, Jun De Castro, sent to APO-Philippines leadership. ACNA BOD Res. No. 18 S. 2019 - Resolved, that APO (Phil) Alumni Council of North America (ACNA) recommends to the leadership of APO Philippines, Inc. that ACNA administer the APO Philippines North American Region which is comprised of alumni associations in the United States of America and Canada with the ACNA President acting as the Regional Director, the ACNA 1st Vice President as the Deputy Regional Director and the ACNA Association Presidents as Section Chairs. (For Section Chairs, one of the Presidents from chartered alumni association with APO Philippines will serve as Section Chair to be determined either by election or appointment. For Section, it will base on approved resolution on ARNA remapping of sections in North America BR1719-160 April 14, 2018. The election of ARNA officers shall be held separately but during the same time frame that APO Alumni Council North America holds its elections.) There is no comment at this time as this is still under discussion and negotiation between ACNA and APO-Philippines.
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FR OM MY POINT OF VIEW By Bro. Dan E. Nino FROM You Want Me Out Of Your Life? That’s an intriguing statement. Let me explain. There are several theories about this pandemic menace that’s gripping the world. We are in an uncertain and difficult health and medical crisis that seems to have no end in sight. Several theories circulating as to the cause of this Covid-19 include: It’s God’s purpose to punish us for getting him out of our lives. Another theory is that it’s part of a biological and chemical warfare instigated by China to halt continuing protests in Hongkong and to infect the West for world hegemony or dominance and distract countries from restraining China in its control of the South Seas like the Philippines and Vietnam; espionage and counter espionage; the consumption of wild animals like bats, among others. My own theory is the first one, why God allowed this to happen. God is loving, forgiving, just but also a jealous God. Because God is just, He gave us free will to manage our own affairs. However, we went too far and abused that free will. Some of us are atheists like China which is a Godless society and suppressed religious freedom. Even in the U.S. led by Ron Prescott Reagan Jr., the son of our well-admired Pres. Ronald Wilson Reagan promoting atheism on television; The seculars among our institutions even want to eliminate prayers in schools and other places, replace the Christmas greetings like “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays,” eliminate the crosses that symbolize our redemption, eliminate the Christmas Nativity scene, eliminate the Ten Commandments replica in government and public buildings, etc. These examples have basis in our bible. Remember the Israelites led by Moses who fled Egypt? They worshipped molten or graven images as their gods and bickered among themselves. When they grumbled against Moses and Aaron after they ran out of food and water, God, at the request of Moses provided manna (bread) and quail from heaven and provided water after Moses struck a rock with his rod from which water had gushed out. As punishment for their doubts and wickedness, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness and the Jordan Desert for 40 years and did not reach the Promised Land. Eventually, they reached the Promised Land led by Joshua, the righthand man of Moses after Moses died somewhere in Madaba, Jordan, about 18 miles from Amman, Jordan. God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah with brimstones and fire because of inhospitality when a mob accosted the angels sent by God, and other sins like sexual perversion, homosexuality (although this reason is still debatable), etc. Only the good man Lot escaped this fury but his wife was transformed into a pillar of salt when she defied God’s instruction not to look back to see the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 18-19: For I have chosen him (referring to Lot) so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just so that the Lord will bring about Abraham what He has promised him. The centurions who guarded and mocked Lord Jesus repented and acknowledged that Jesus was the son of God when darkness fell and earthquake ensued with rocks splitting, and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life, they exclaimed, “Surely, he was the son of God.” Matthew 27:54. And when Saint Paul whose former name was Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus, Syria to persecute Christians there, he was blinded and fell from his horse and saw the face of Jesus who said to him, “Why are you persecuting my people?” From that moment on, Paul, a former Pharisee, became an avid follower and apostle of Jesus Christ. He became a preacher and wrote several letters to the Corinthians, Romans and Ephesians to name a few. In Isaiah 26-20, God said, “Come my people, enter thy chamber and shut the doors. Hide for a little moment after the wrath of is over.” My brothers and sisters, these are the analogies that are worth reflecting as we are into the fourth month of the pandemic in the U.S. – denino1951@gmail.com
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GOINGS ON by Sis. Fely Montecillo Let me greet you a wonderful week though there is much gloom in our world because of the pandemic. But, being resilient, we go on with life. Thus, we trod on though with much caution for we are all facing this invisible killer. Despite this, we greet all our brothers and sisters born this month a “Happy Birthday!” We may not be able to shake your hand, give you a hug and watch you blow the candle on your birthday cake, but you know we all care much for you! Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ******************** This month, April, is named after the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. In the Roman calendar it is spelled Aprilis meaning “to open” for it is the month when trees and flowers begin to bloom and go on to flower. You must also be interested to know that it is the National Alcohol Awareness month, the English Language month, and National Month of Hope among many others. Those born during this month are sensible and sensitive, they’re awesome, brave, impatient and a little destructive. To them, friendship means a lot. ******************** Covid 19 has brought out the best and worst in men. You have heard of people taking advantage of the situation selling face masks at jacked up prices. A lot of shoppers cleaned up shelves in stores disregarding the needs of others. All of us also got to know of the heroic efforts of doctors and nurses, the frontliners in our defense against this pandemic, even to the point of endangering their own lives. In our own APOGLA, Covid19 has never dampened our spirits. We may have missed our GMM and other activities but we have managed to go on with the ACNA raffle and the preparation for other activities are continuing. We manage to let the show go on in our own innovative ways! ******************** We end our column this month with a devout prayer for our continued good health and safety. Till we all meet again!
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TREASURER’S REPOR T By Bro. Troy Agagon REPORT 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35.
Agagon, Troy Almazan, Alex Almazan, Irma Amon, Tony Amon, Ophel Anadilla, Jun Aris Ang-Gayon, Melody Ansula, Bong Aralar, Eric Argonza, Arvin Ayo, Toti Baxal, Joel Bayani, JR Bejasa, Arnold Bolisay, Herome Bonete, Elena Cahapisan, Demitrio Cajucom, Willy Calvario, Rene Carrasco, Danny Chin, Jun* Chua, Michael Cobarrubias, Bob Conferido, Rueben David, Christian David, Betta Dela Cruz, Renato Delmolin, Froilan Emperado, Rudy Evangelista, Domel Evangelista, Jen Fajota, Honeyboy Flores, Rudy Ford, Rebecca Galang, Emma
36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70.
Ganzon, Eleazar Gapido, Bodjie Garchetorena, Mar Gopez, Bernardo Guerrero, Ging Hermoso, Hazel Imperial, Gloria Irineo, Philip Jovellanos, Jobee Junio, Virgil Lara, Bobet Layno, MaryAnn Lee, Marisol Linsangan, Jun Madrigal, Jun Madrigal, Tess Maidin, Yusup Mamaril, Ferdie Manikad, Rey Mansilla, Beeboy Marte, Rocky Martinez, Mulong Medina, Boy Mendez, Daemma Mendoza, Armand Miranda, Shane Nino, Dan Ninofranco, Egay Paggao, Jerome Pangilinan, Angel Paras, Roland Parayno, Julius Paredes, Vic* Pascual, Winston Pastores, Alex
71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93.
Peneza, Bobet Picazo, Bobbitte Posadas, Rey Reyes, Roehl Rivera, Art Romero, Edgar Rondilla, Dony Rosales, Cesar* Salvador, Buddy Serrano, Eric Sy, Sancho Tarculas, Lito Tarculas, Josie Tavera, Glenda Tecson, Edgar Torallo, Silver Valdecantos, Henry Valera, Liza Ventura, Beth Vinluan, Jehiel Williams, Rachelle Yambot, Ferdie Zamora, Sammy
* - paid for 2 years Report as of 03/20/2020
Please send your $50.00 Membership Dues to: TROY AGAGON 27447 Elder View Dr., Valencia, CA 91354 All checks must be made payable to: APOGLA
HAPPY BIR THD AY BIRTHD THDA APRIL CELEBRANTS MEMBER: 01 - Chito Atangan 04 - Dimples Vallesteros 06 - Julius Parayno, Mark Sabalburo 09 - Melody Ang-Gayon 12 - Jet Rosal 13 - Herman Somera 15 - Troy Agagon 16 - Butch Alo, Raul Tecson 17 - Alan Orbe 19 - Willy Alejandria, Danny Carrasco - Mac Lichauco 20 - Paul Languisan 22 - Ryan Abaigar 24 - Christian David, Lester Arevalo 25 - Oca Brillo, Karim Azar Grajo 27 - Mike Cardenas, Egay Ninofranco 28 - Ellery Atienza 30 - Pete Villaver SPOUSE: 05 - Luzviminda Vinluan 06 - Christa Paredes 07 - Veronica Medina 08 - Fatima Medina, Teresa Paras 11 - Rose Lichauco 15 - Nellie Parayno 22 - Jennifer Valdecantos 25 - Lulu Somera 27 - Babeth Jayoma 28 - Josie Likwong 30 - Beth Capulong APO KIDS: 01 - Jaybe David, Dimples Serrano 02 - Jon Andrei Arciga 06 - Christopher Ayo, Zanie Zamora 09 - Chowee Sy, Virgil Junio - April Rivera 10 - Samantha Cajucom 13 - Maurice Chua 16 - Paco Franco 17 - Nelia Barcelona, Laura Bautista 18 - Erica Galang, Helena Marte 20 - John Paul Languisan, Jean Valdecantos, Jestie Villanueva 22 - Dashiell Samoy, - Maryann Nonato 24 - Joenille Baxal, Christibel David - Carmina Lichauco 25 - Marialita Estrada 26 - Arianne Posadas, Jenevie Amon 27 - Cynthia Bautista 29 - Melvin Villaver Jr. 30 - April Johanne Ang, - Maegan Marie Serrano
APRIL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING PHYSICAL GMM CANCELLED DUE TO CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC INSTEAD THERE WILL BE A ZOOM TELECONFERENCE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 25 @7 PM MEETING ID# 525-530-1734 PASSWORD WILL BE POSTED ON OUR FB PAGE & VIBER GROUP MESSAGING TOPICS: BUSCAPADE, PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE, CAMPING AND OTHER MATTERS CONTACT PERSONS: Bro. Tony Amon CP# 818-970-4214
Tony Amon 22761 Eccles St. West Hills, CA 91304
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www.alphaphiomega.org