Vol 38 Issue 5
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALPHA PHI OMEGA GREATER LOS ANGELES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
May 2018
APOGLA brothers, sisters and their families posed for the camera after the Annual Operation Gratitude Service in Chatsworth, CA last Saturday, May 19, 2018. See more pictures on page 4-5.
THE ST OR Y OF OUR REVIV AL STOR ORY REVIVAL By Bro. Dan E. Nino At the urging of Brod Toti A. Ayo, I will narrate briefly how our APOGLA, formerly known as Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Association of Southern California was revived after a hiatus of a couple of years.. As a backgrounder, APO of Southern California was established on Oct. 30, 1980 with its first induction of officers on Oct. 30, 1980 at the Bayanihan Restaurant on Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles with Bro. Jess Castillo as its founding president. In the summer of 1983 while working with California Examiner as Account Executive doubling up as writer, I was assigned to follow up the advertising prospect of the law office of Paul Aquino which was located on Temple St., L.A. On my way to Atty. Aquino’s law firm, I noticed the seal of APO emblazoned on the back windshield of a car fronting the office. My eyes sparkled with curiosity. I told myself, “hindi pala ako nag-iisa sa L.A. na APO.” With adrenaline rushing, I inquired immediately at the law firm’s receptionist who owns the car with an APO seal. Without hesitation, the lady receptionist said it’s owned by Gil Magno, a new lawyer who was either an intern or already working with this law firm. Forthwith, Bro. Gil Magno emerged. Continued on page 3
2
PRESIDENT’S MESSA MESSAGE GE Brothers and Sisters, April 2018 was a busy month as we said our farewell to Brod Bonjie Ingco. We had our GMM at Brod Bodjie Gapido’s home last April 21st with a remarkable number of attendees specially the birthday celebrants. LA Food Bank service was done last April 28 with more than 40 Brothers, Sisters and family members in attendance. Now comes May as we have our Operation Gratitude last Saturday the 19th with lunch and fellowship at Brod Tony and Sis Ophel Amon’s residence. Not to be outdone, APO kids were a bunch as we have more than 30 Brothers, Sisters and family member in service. Next will be the most awaited Annual Camping at Lake Perris on May 25 – 28, 2018. Preparations are finished and Brod Chairman Ferdie Mamaril and his Crew are ready to have a once again organize a memorable event for 2018. Expected attendees are 150 Brothers, Sisters, Family and Friends. Let us celebrate the Memorial Day with food, fun and games prepared for us by the camping crew. Our May GMM will be on Sunday , May 27 at 2:00 PM at our Camp site at Lake Perris. See you all this weekend!!! At the Lake Perris Camping Ground 1 & 2, 17801 lake Perris Drive, Moreno Valley, CA 92571. At Your Service, Brod Beeboy Mansilla “Working Together Will Make US Great as Ever”
Tribo ni Bado Newsletter 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. Publisher/Editor Sancho Sy Editorial Staff Fely Montecillo • Toti Ayo Photos/Graphics by Ed Romero • Hanigrace Zara • Gerald Remorozo APOGLA FB Page Contributors Dan Nino • Fely Montecillo Troy Agagon • Casey Mansilla
FR OM MY POINT OF VIEW FROM
3
By Bro. Dan E. Nino
THE STORY OF OUR REVIVAL Continued from page 1 After introducing ourselves with APO handshake and pleasantries, he mentioned that he was also a Pangasinense like me. My hometown was Mangatarem and he was a native of Dagupan City. I inquired if he was related to professional singer and recording artist Linda Magno. He confirmed that Linda is his sister. Before I left, Bro. Gil instructed me to publish in California Examiner and other Fil-Am newspapers inviting brods and sis to attend a caucus at a park in Torrance coinciding with his birthday and will also invite his sister Linda to entertain the well-wishers. Thereafter, we could caucus. He also provided me a list of brods and sis to call. We were about a dozen brods.The outcome of the mini meeting was to resurrect, reorganize and elect new set of officers of Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Association of Southern California. I cannot recall all those brods who attended, I might miss out some of them. One thing led to another. We had one organizational meeting at the balcony of the condo unit of Brod Toti Ayo and his wife Racquel along Wilshire Blvd. with helicopter hovering over us. I vividly remember Brod Christian proposing that we should at least meet once a month. While this reorganization was developing, I bumped into Brods Geofrrey Arroyo and Paul Languisan at California Examiner. Both of them were animatedly talking and laughing loud. Then I inquired why are you both so happy and extra friendly to each other? They chorused, “we are brods of a fraternity.” What’s the name of your fraternity, I hastened to ask. It’s APO. I quipped, ‘Kaya namanpala eh. Ako APO rin.’ We all burst into laughter like collegiate boys still on campus. Then we conversed like we’ve known each other for decades. It
will be noted that Oscar Jornacion, the publisher of California Examiner was Brod Geoffrey’s brother-inlaw. Mr. Jornacion and Brod Geoffrey became both my kumpadres. Thereafter, I moved to the State Board of Equalization. In between my work, I was sending out letters to brods and sis and writing press releases. It was one of those press releases that Brod Rene Calvario called me because he had read it in the Fil-Am newspapers. We held meetings in brods’ homes and parks including Brod Nelson Silao’s residence, Brod Bado’s home on Atlantic Ave., Long Beach and Brod Christian David’s home in Buena Park to name a few. Sometimes, I picked up Brod Bado to carpool with me for a few of these meetings. Then an election was held at Liberty Park in Cerritos. Brods Toti Ayo and Alex Aquino ran for president. Brod Toti handily won because Brod Alex arrived too late. The election was winding down when he arrived. The officers elected were: Toti A. Ayo, president; Bonjie Y. Ingco, vice president, Dan E. Nino, secretary general; Geoffrey P. Arroyo deputy secretary general; Betta M. David, treasurer and Patrick R.Afan, auditor. The Board of Advisers include Brods Librado I. Ureta, Gil S. Magno, Jess L. Castillo and Patrick R.Afan. The induction of officers was held at Skylinks Golf & Country Club on Wardlow Ave. in Long Beach near the Long Beach Airport. on Dec. 15, 1984. Our guest speaker and inducting officer was the late Brod Earle M. Herbert, then the National President of APOUSA. Brod Christian David was the overall Chairman of this first December Affair christened, Founders Day ’84. For all these years, I still have our simple folded souvenir program. The rest is history.– denino1951@gmal.com
4
PICTURES FROM OPERATION GRATITUDE SERVICE
5
FELLOWSHIP AFTER OPERATION GRATITUDE SERVICE
6
PICTURES FROM FEEDING AMERICA SERVICE
7
VETERAN JOURN ALIS AND APOGLA BR OTHER JOURNALIS BRO NAMED OUTST ANDING MEMBER OF TO ASTMASTERS OUTSTANDING TOASTMASTERS Veteran journalist and community leader Bro. Dan E. Nino was selected as outstanding member by his peers from Eclectic Dialectics Toastmasters Club #3828 which is based at The Grove on New Falcon Way, Cerritos. Mr. Nino was presented his certificate of awardand pin as outstanding member for his “excellent performance and service in the club environment as elected by fellow club officers and members”— by Mark Lucas, DTM, Program Quality Director on April 14 coinciding with the Toastmasters District 100 International Speech Contest held at Cerritos College. Eclectic Dialectics #3828 belongs to Toastmasters District 100 which has 28 other clubs based in Southeast Los Angeles including parts of Orange County. Other Toastmasters Club also selected their own outstanding member. Mr. Nino who has been a member of Eclectic Toastmasters TM Club for the past 16 years is the current president of the club which has been a consistent “President’s Distinguished Club. A resident of Cerritos for the past 24 years, Mr. Nino is a retired State employee and now a self-employed tax practitioner. He is a columnist and correspondent in Cerritos-based Gateway Guardian and a freelance writer to several FilAm publications in California and columnist in Capitol Post based in Lingayen, Pangasinan. Bro. Dan is also a past president of APOGLA in 2115 and current PRO. Mr. Nino represented the Club to the Area E International Speech Contest in 2017 for his club’s winning speech, “My Abiding Faith in America” where he shared his optimism that despite the toxic, corrosive, divisive politics and domestic problems of his adopted country, the U.S. is still an exceptional country for immigrants and most powerful country in the universe. He intoned, “Whenever I watch the display of fireworks every fourth of July that zoomed into the sky with patriotic songs blaring in the background, I’m overwhelmed with emotions and tears of joy stream down my cheeks because America had welcomed me, nurtured me, sheltered me, nourished me, cradled me, empowered me and transformed me for whatever I am today with the blessings I enjoy and where an American Dream can be possible.” Eclectic Dialectics Toastmasters Club No. 3828 is one of the most vibrant and dynamic local toastmasters clubs in the region. Its members are diverse from all walks of life, profession and culture. Toastmasters Club’s which has a long standing theme of “Where Leaders Are Made,” has a mission to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. Toastmasters Club International was founded on Oct. 22, 1924 by Ralph C. Smedley in Santa Ana, California. Its international headquarter which used to be based in Santa Margarita, California has moved to Denver, Colorado last April. The non-profit educational organization operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping improve the members’ communication, public speaking and leadership skills. It is a world leader in communication and leadership development. The club meets every Wednesday from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Grove Cerritos on 11000 New Falcon Way, Cerritos, CAInterested parties may contact eclecticdialectics3828@yahoogroups.com
8
GOINGS ON by Sis. Fely Montecillo The month of May . . . in the Philippines, it is the month of flowers. It is also time for us to greet our brothers and sisters celebrating their birthdays this month a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We wish you all happiness and success in whatever you do! Did you know that people born during the month of May, under the sign of Taurus, are known for being practical, reliable, ambitious, and sensual? They are known to have an eye for beauty too! Other qualities they are famous for are: their stability, trustworthiness, stability and loyalty. ************************* Through this column, allow us to congratulate SIS GLORIA IMPERIAL, Sis Gloria’s son, KEN Imperial, graduated from Ateneo de Naga University with honors, Summa Cum Laude, with a Master’s degree in Resource Management. Ken already is an RN. He has also been chosen as the Best Employee of SSS nationwide. So, congratulations to you Ken! ************************* I got it from a very reliable source that the Theta Chapter will be holding their reunion in Los Banos come February 2019. The one week affair is expected to draw 300 to 400 guests. We look forward to your grand reunion Guys! ************************* From what I have gathered, a lot of our members are attending the Montreal ACNA Convention. Well, that’s good news to all ACNA members specially to its president Sis Irma Almazan. Am sure this shows APOGLA’S full support for ACNA!
9
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. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43.
Agagon, Troy Alcantar, Maryann Almazan, Alex Almazan, Irma Ambrosio, Ronald Amon, Tony Amon, Ofel Ang-Gayon, Melody Ansula, Bong Antonio, Roberto Aquino, Hernan Aralar, Eric Arevalo, Lester Arroyo, Geoffrey Ayo, Toti Babatuan, Junie Baquiran, Faye Bautista, Jimmy Bayani, JR Bonete, Ma. Elena Calajate, Candy Cardenas, Mike Carrasco, Danny Castillo, Leonardo Chin, Jun Chua, William Clarete, Sam Cruz, Bernie David, Christian David, Betta David, Raul Evangelista, Dommel Evangelista, Jen Fernandez, Victorin Fisico, Teddy Flores, Rudy Franco, Rolly Gomez, Tony Jovellanos, Jobee Lee, Marisol Linsangan, Jun Maidin, Yusop Mamaril, Ferdie
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. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78.
Mansilla, Beeboy Mejia, Francis Mendoza, Armand Mendez, Daemma Miranda, Shane Nino , Dan Ninofranco, Edgar Paggao, Jerome Pangilinan, Angel Pastores, Alex Posadas, Rey Raquel, Maybelle Reyes, Roehl Rivera, Art Robles, Jo Robles, Robby Rondilla, Dony Rosal, Jet Rosales, Nonot Salas, Hazel Salvador, Buddy Sipin, Perry Somera, Herman Sta Rosa, Theodore Sy, Sancho Tarculas, Lito Tarculas, Josie Tavera, Glenda Tecson, Ed Tunque, Doms Valera, Lisa Ventura, Beth Yambot, Ferdie Zamora, Sammy Zara, Grace as of May 21, 2018
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 MA Y MAY CELEBRANTS MEMBERS: 01 - Glen dela Cruz 02 - Levis Oliver 03 - Tony Amon 05 - Daemma Mendez 06 - Raul David 07 - Art Rivera 08 - Alyson Rondilla 10 - William Chua 14 - Winston Pascual 15 - Sammie Zamora 18 - Filomeno Alcaide 19 - Daff Jorda - Celso M. Uy 24 - Joe Daroya 26 - Mar Garchitorena 27 - Ramon Tuazon 30 - Ferdie Yambot 31 - Oscar Atienza - Jaime Bautista SPOUSE: 01 - Joycee Alo 02 - Beth Garchitorena - Matthew Rondilla 03 - Ofelia Maddela 07 - Merryshun Cadavez 10 - Mylene dela Cruz 12 - Edna Tagumpay 17 - Gloria Arucan 19 - Nenita Atangan 20 - Evelyn Languisan 21 - Estela Mendoza 22 - Melita Sacro 23 - LC Jane Caldoza 25 - Leticia Milano APO KIDS: 07 - Dana Peninong 15 - Angelica Fajota 16 - Katrina Cajucom 18 - Kevin Mendoza 19 - Rodrigo Pepino III 21 - Hanna Grace, - Mark Tunque, - Micaela S. C.Miranda 22 - Natasha Ninofranco 23 - Megan Agagon 24 - Megan Pagado 29 - Jane Javierto, - Byron Atienza
5TH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING WHEN: Sunday, May 27, 2018 Assembly @ 2pm at the APOGLA Campsite Lake Perris, Moreno Valley, CA CONTACT PERSONS: Bro. Beeboy Mansilla CP No. 818-645-8573
Casey Mansilla 6711 Haskell Ave. #2 Van Nuys, CA 91406
Stamps Here
www.alphaphiomega.org