Vol 38 Issue 6
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALPHA PHI OMEGA GREATER LOS ANGELES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
June 2018
Camping Chairman Ferdie Mamaril presenting prizes and trophies to APOkids at the 2018 Annual Camping Kid Games held at Lake Perris, CA last Memorial Day weekend, May 25-28, 2018. See more pictures on page 4-5.
CAMPING 2018: THE GREA T OUTDOORS GREAT By Bro. Ferdie Yambot The May 25th thru the 28th APOGLA camping at Perris Lake brought out all possible superlatives, ie - The camp honchos in Bros FerdieM-chair, GeoffA- co-chair and the supplies crew of the Chua brothers . . . EXCELLENT from every angle! - The MEALS and the spring-like supply of pulutans and munchies . . . SUPERB! - The Chefs and the kitchen crews - usual familiar faces of miSis MyleneZ, Chef BobetP, journeymen RonaldA, MikeC, KusayB and me too, FY.. ha ha – never tiring and most glad to serve! - The Booze - a natural spring of fine spirits and cognacs! - The Fellowships and Camaraderie, though we sorely missed Ka Bonjie - next to NONE! The earliest birds flocked in as early as Friday noon (had to wait for park ranger to open group camps), contenting themselves with fresh-grilled dirty dogs (courtesy of RonaldA’s group) then slowly but surely grew as the day wore on, hence by sunset, there were about ten tents (Prez Beeboy and Ka Tolits, inclusive) on the prime choice spots (of course!). The camp supplies came in too late to make dinner but everyone was okay with bring-ons being shared. And YES, with Chair FerdieM’s lead-by-example style, deep pockets rose to the occasion with “exotics and fine spirits!” Imagine lechon in every meal (except breakfasts)! Holy COW! (actually meant to say holy SWINE . . . ha ha) Continued on page 4
2
PRESIDENT’S MESSA MESSAGE GE Greetings Brothers and Sisters!!! Summer is in the air and the weather is heating up. Our Annual Camping at Lake Perris Recreational Park was a big success. Food and drinks were plentiful. Games for the kids and adults were fun, thank you Sis Daemma Mendez for organizing. Everyone enjoyed the festivities as we have 150 plus paid adults and 30 plus kids in attendance. The leadership of Chairman Bro Ferdie Mamaril with Co-chair Geoffrey Arroyo, The Chef’s Chua Brothers, William and George, with Jo Peneza and able assistant Joar Rayala made our Memorial Weekend as memorable as it can be. The kids had so much fun that even all were packed-up and ready to go, they were still together and does not want the weekend to end. Thank you for all the donors, specially the APO Juice, lechon and kambing . Adobo, papaitan and kilawin were gone as soon as they were prepared. The rest is history. We will have our next Service, a Blood Drive scheduled on July28 , followed by the Beach Picnic (TBD) early August, and the Pechanga Buscapade on August 11. Expect for further announcements. But before all of these , we have Brother Ferdie Dimadura from PI Chapter, who will showcase his first ever Docu-Musical “Himig ng Kalayaan” on June 16, 2018 at 4:00 PM before our GMM. Please come early and enjoy the show. GMM will proceed after the show and fellowship will follow. The venue will be at Days Inn by Windham Glendale, 450 Pioneer Dr., Glendale, CA 91203. Event starts at 4:00 PM till 12 Midnight. 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 from APOGLA FB Page Contributors Dan Nino • Fely Montecillo • Toti Ayo • Mike Cardenas Megan Ninofranco • Troy Agagon • Casey Mansilla Marisol Lee • Betta David • Irma Almazan • Henry Astorga Ferdie Yambot
3
BO ARD OF DIRECT OR’S CORNER BOARD DIRECTOR’S We Trust, We Thrive
by Bro Toti Ayo, Chairman of the Board
Greetings everyone! Happy Fathers Day to all fathers! On behalf of your Officers, may I express the positivity that permeates GLA to function magnanimously. While at times, it is just as easy to function otherwise, we commit ourselves to function in a way that will provide us and our families a ‘home away from home’. While we may differ in many ways, we unite in the spirit we all stand for. I always say that this organization is a place where you find friends for a lifetime. Not always easy, but it’s worth the time when we nurture and nourish those bonds. There’s always something to learn from each other, so let’s do so. We urge you to share your stories. Certainly, everyone has a story to tell. Share with us your thoughts, your joys, or even your frustrations and disappointments. More so, we’d be happy to hear how you became a part of APOGLA and how you got involved. They are precious. Every now and then, you’ll hear a pleasant reminder as we urge and welcome everyone to take part in shaping the course of our organization. With our families, we create a culture whose values make us proud. We urge everyone to take on some leadership responsibilities. We all know that leadership has its price as well as its own rewards. It’s a gratifying experience when done for all the good reasons. Leadership experience doesn’t have to be too taxing and too stressful. While it requires time, what doesn’t? While it requires some degree of sacrifice, at the end of the day, isn’t the satisfaction in knowing that we have served a reward in itself? Every organization calls for good and effective leaders. It separates itself from the lowly ones. We seek leaders whose integrity is beyond reproach. As we move on along, it is always a good reminder to keep one’s integrity of character intact - especially when we are tasked to take on positions of responsibility, or chair a function or event. It is that important. In the words of Peter F Drucker, Austrian-born American management consultant, educator, and author, on integrity of character: “It is character through which leadership is exercised; it is character that sets the example and is imitated. Character is not something one can fool people about. The people with whom a person works, and especially subordinates, know in a few weeks whether he or she has integrity or not. They may forgive a person for a great deal: incompetence, ignorance, insecurity, or bad manners. But they will not forgive a lack of integrity in that person. . . For the spirit of an organization is created from the top. If an organization is great in spirit, it is because the spirit of its top people is great. If it decays, it does so because the top rots; as the proverb has it, ‘Trees die from the top.’ “ We are blessed with a consistent source of people who willingly share their time, talent and resources if only to keep our organization strong. Obviously, we wouldn’t have gone this far otherwise. If the past and our current affairs are of any indication, our future looks good. Needless to say, we see in each one a commitment and in many ways a passion to keep our organization strong. Further, as we move on along, the fact that we change and turnover our executive leadership year in and year out [something that some would like to consider or reconsider a two-year term against a one-year term of office], it may also be a good reminder, to be ever conscious that, just like any other credible organization, we have to protect our coffers. Deplete our coffers, and we become a ‘different’ organization. We should always aim to keep our members’ trust and confidence in our leaders’ disposition in our financial affairs. We have to remain financially strong. Just as important as our need for leaders whose predisposition in spending is always wise and prudent. There comes a time, however, when our method of effective financial management control fails us. Wherefore, vigilance is a must. Yet we must continue to build our organization on trust. We believe. We trust. We thrive. Before we know it, we shall once again seek for willing and able leaders among us to lead us for another year. This is one of our objectives: to create a constant flow of good, inspired, effective and trustworthy leaders for the years to come. As precious as time is, may we consider to share some with APOGLA, so that together, we may create a haven and a sanctuary for comfort, peace and reconciliation. May we continue to find room for those whose passion is to create more avenues and values for love, understanding, kindness and tolerance. Let us consolidate the bonds of friendship so that we may always live in harmony - with pride and joy to cherish for a lifetime. Finally, allow me to close with the words of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955), a Jesuit paleontologist and philosopher and I quote: “We are one, you and I. Together we suffer, together exist, and forever will recreate each other.” 28May2018
4
CAMPING 2018: THE GREAT OUTDOORS Continued from page 1
Madjong, Poker (swirti na sa pag-ibig swirti pa sa Jugar), Bingo, Kids parlors, hiking, Jazzercise, Bonding, etc. . . . Paradise-like . . . HAIST!!! Mass was celebrated on Saturday afternoon (to God be the glory!), and the May GMM on Sunday (hail to our Chiefs!) Per registry by RSYPhuto and chair FerdieM, a total of 176 campers came; 157 adults and 19 below age 12 which money-wise yielded a looking-good $5,420 ($2,455 registration table payin and $2,965 FrdieM’s advance collection- approx.) 176 bodies was a lot of tummys to feed but we managed beautifully! CHEERS to all well-pleased participants . . . and the CREDIT goes to . . . tada . . . Our LEADERS! Next year's camping promises to even be more exciting with the SORO bunch lead of "Sandok Generals" - Sisters HanigraceA and LisaV! Carry ONNNNN! by FerdieMY
5
PICTURES FROM 2018 CAMPING @LAKE PERRIS
6
THE NEW GRADS - 2018 MIKAELA “MIKA” CARDENAS I would like to share with you a good news about my eldest daughter, MIKA. She just graduated from high school at the top of her class as valedictorian. A multi-awardee, ASB president; President's Award for Excellence, California scholarship federation; California State Seal of Bi-literacy, National Honor Society. Some of you may still remember her as the little girl together with her younger sister, Isabela, whom I brought to the annual APO summer camps, years ago. Now, she has grown to be a beautiful and a very talented young lady. I give thanks to all of you who, in one way or another, were part of our lives during those wonderful days. But most all, I thank the Lord for these wonderful blessings. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! By Mikey Cardenas
PATRICIA BEATRIZ R. GERONIMO Is the daughter of Sis. Marisol Roberto Lee. She culminated 8th Grade and moving on to senior high school this fall. She is in the Honor Roll list and President’s Education Award recipient Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.
Blue Planet Megan Ninofranco, UC Riverside Against the teachings of my Father, I believe you and I were formed from eons of evolution, made up of atoms and space dust. I dreamed we had battled our way to this blue speck from the same black hole, where we trickled out as microscopic particles, the blueprints of life, and we had spent millenia traveling through the wild black trying to find a new home. And though the journey here had many spells of unlivable planets and fiery comets, we had finally found solace on top of this beautiful sphere, a terrain we can call our own.
ACNA CONVENTION 2018 Schedule of Fees and Convention Business Activities ACNA 2018 Montreal, Quebec, CANADA August 30-31; September 1-2, 2018 REGISTRATION FEES • Voting Delegates $ 250.00, fees cover the following for ALL Convention days: Convention Kit (bag, t-shirt, mug, pen, name tag & more), Souvenir Program August 30 - Thursday - Whole Day Check-in and Registration Thursday - Lunch, Dinner & Thursday Night Fellowship August 31 - Friday Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, BOD Meeting (with afternoon snacks in the mtg. room), Parade Assembly & Awards Night September 1- Saturday Breakfast, General Assembly – (with morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack – lunch to be set up outside the meeting room), General Assembly – 1 (one) Vote, Gala night September 2 - Sunday Brunch to be served in Beaver Lake (a known tourist destination in Montreal) • Non-Voting Delegates $ 200.00, fees cover the following for ALL Convention days: Convention Kit (bag, t-shirt, pen, name tag & more) Souvenir Program Thursday - Lunch, Dinner & Thursday Night Fellowship Friday – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Friday – BOD meeting (w/ afternoon snacks in the mtg room) Friday – Parade Assembly and Awards Night Saturday – Breakfast Saturday General Assembly – (with morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack – lunch to be set up outside the mtg. room) Saturday - Gala night Sunday – Brunch to be served in Beaver Lake (a known tourist destination in Montreal) • Visiting Foreign-based, Non-delegate Bro/Sis $150.00 fees cover the following for all Convention days: Thursday Night Fellowship Friday – Parade Assembly and Awards Night Saturday - Gala night Sunday – Brunch to be served in Beaver Lake (a known tourist destination in Montreal) • Saturday Gala Night only – Families & Friends $99.00 Note: • A surprise gift will be given on the day of registration for those who have ACNA ID (2017-2018) To those who need a Letter of Invitation, please direct your request to Brod Pres Norman Fernando at fernando_norman@yahoo.com · For added details visit our Facebook page by following the link: https://www.facebook..com/groups/139135613509015/ · For direct phone contact: Bro Jose Lyndon Reguyal - (514) 813- 6474; Bro Norman Fernando - (652) - 1925; Bro Anthony Francisco - (613) 884 - 7575
7
FR OM MY POINT OF VIEW FROM By Bro. Dan E. Nino
SCRUTINIZING OUR BILLS AND BANK TRANSACTIONS FOR POSSIBLE FLAWS Now that I’m semiretired and consider myself self-employed as tax practitioner and freelance journalist, I have all the time in the world to review my bank statements and bills. I don’t take this for granted anymore because there are transactions that I did not authorize but appear on my bank statements and bills. I don’t mind being meticulous because I’m able to double check bank interests being charged different from the original agreement, verify purchases that I did not authorize and additional debits that are being levied to my account which are questionable. Let me give you several examples: 1. When a client paid me my one-time professional fee through Paypal because his check payment got lost in the mail, my bank account was debited monthly until it reached about $800. I made my own investigation and called both Bank of America and Paypal. Eventually, BofA reversed the transaction and reimbursed me my $800. 2. Bank of America increased my interest rate from 14% to 22.49%. Upon checking with the local Bank of America branch and various BofA nationwide, I was given several reasons: the Federal Reserve Board had increased its prime rate which is acceptable; that BofA, had to add another 9% to earn money too to be afloat in the business; the bank has to add another 1% for service fee; if you pay on a deadline, the payment will be credited the next working day so it’s still late and I would be penalized; If the month is 28 days like in February, the payment is reduced but if the month has 30 or 31 days, there’s additional 1% interest added each day. This last contention is more plausible. Another BofA’s contentions is credit score. But I countered that I consistently paid my monthly payments and either doubled or quadrupled my payments to reduce my balance. The bank’s explanations are diverse and
inconsistent. To cut the long story short, BofA reduced my interest to 19.49%. My dogged determination to flesh out the truth and resolved the issues paid off. 3. Last year, I was convinced to sign up with Google Ads to promote my tax practice and to pay only a one time fee for the rest of the year. However, since my signing up with Google Ads, I was being deducted a monthly fee. I complained and Google stopped charging my bank account. 4. When I received my bill from DirectTV for the month of May, I was flabbergasted when my payment was increased to $149.56 from $127.96, an increase of $21.60. I was told that Sports channels including ESPN were added. I know for a fact that I only watch the Lakers games, my sentimental favorite win or lose as well as the finals of the NBA. When I called the attention of DirectTV, the charges were deleted.
5. A computer tech company called, offering me to upgrade my computer for free by remote control and in addition, will pay me $600 to be credited direct to my bank account. The caveat is, I’ll provide the caller my account number. But before he could do that, I should buy first six iPad tablets at Walmart. Sensing this scam, I hung up the phone With these actual experiences, this will serve as lessons for us, unwitting customers. We should scrutinize our bills and bank statements. We should also be careful with phone marketing scams. We should not easily be swayed and gullible. We should be cautious and do extreme vetting. There are companies out there out to make fast bucks at our expense. I do not cast aspersion just to damage the reputation of these well-established commercial institutions but to correct possible flaws or oversight. Every nickel counts nowadays. – denino1951@gmail.com
8
GOINGS ON by Sis. Fely Montecillo It’s June! The month of June! It’s the month for June brides and weddings. Father’s Day is also celebrated during the month of June. The Zodiac signs associated with the month of June are Gemini and Cancer. Those born under the sign of Cancer are emotional, intuitive and practically psychic. Those born under the sign of Gemini, on the other hand, are expressive and quick witted, sociable, communicative and ready for fun. So to all our brothers and sisters born this month, we wish you all the best life has to offer on your birthday. May you always stay happy and blessed! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! June 17 is Father’s Day and we wish all the APO Dads Happy Father’s Day! May the Lord continue to bless you and guide you to lead the direction where the whole family goes. That is a huge responsibility. ********************************* The Sorority sisters went a bonding recently with a swimming party held at Sis. Emma Galang’s residence. There was fun, food and drinking galore! The sisters, of course, were in their sexiest. The group was particularly elated with the presence of Sis Bic Bic Ford who has been away for quite a while. So successful was the affair that the sisters are now planning another activity more exciting! Ummm I wonder how exciting would it be? More so, what would it be? Well, these ladies never run out of ideas. And more from the Sisters.... we wish Sis Grace Zara Bon Voyage as she left for the Philippines. Have a safe and happy trip Sistah! Congratulations to Sis Melody Ang-Gayon who became a brand new grandma recently. Her only daughter, April, gave birth to a baby girl which event of course, just brought Sis Melody to seventh heaven. It is one blessing she has always prayed and longed for. ********************************* Now here’s something interesting. Brod Tony Amon received a note from Facebook to raise funds for Bob Hope’s United Service Organization (USO) for veterans and soldiers in need. Finding the idea sound and practical, he started the ball rolling. His goal then was to be able to raise $200. The first to donate was Mark Barcelona, COB of the Librado Ureta Foundation. Others who donated are: Bing Javier, Malou de Leon, Marisol Lee, Yasuda Maldin Jr., Sancho Sy, Jose Chin, Jr., Rene Amon, Juliette Ramos, Grace Zara, Vinz Argonza, Beeboy Mansilla, Liza Valera and Anamy Escobar. Congratulations Brod Tony on the success of your fund raising and thank you to all those who helped in this noble project. We are pleased to announce that the amount they have raised is way above expectation. Yey!) ********************************* We look forward to the Golf competition between the APO South and APO North which will take place on July 13 to 14 in Sacramento. There will be about 20 matches. The holder of the perpetual trophy is APO South whose current chairman is Dr. Ferdie Lacuram while the chairman of APO North is Dr. Jojo Espiritu. It’s good to know that such competition takes place every year. Good luck guys!
ACNA “ADOPT A SCHOOL PROJECT” - SCHOOL SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTION
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.
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 Argonza, Vinz Arroyo, Geoffrey Ayo, Toti Babatuan, Junie Baquiran, Faye Bautista, Jimmy Bayani, JR Blaza, Christine Bonete, Ma. Elena Calajate, Candy Cardenas, Mike Carrasco, Danny Castillo, Leonardo Chin, Jun Chua, Michael Chua, William Clarete, Sam Cruz, Bernie Cuenco, Petchie David, Christian
34. 35. 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.
David, Betta David, Ramon David, Raul Evangelista, Dommel Evangelista, Jen Fernandez, Victorin Fisico, Teddy Flores, Rudy Franco, Rolly Gomez, Tony Javierto, Mandy Jovellanos, Jobee Lara, Bobet Lee, Marisol Linsangan, Jun Maidin, Yusop Mamaril, Ferdie Mansilla, Beeboy Medina, Boy Mejia, Francis Mendoza, Armand Mendez, Daemma Miranda, Shane Nino , Dan Ninofranco, Edgar Paggao, Jerome Pangilinan, Angel Paras, Roland Paredes, Vic Pascual, Winston Pastores, Alex Peneza, Bobet Petrasanta, Rene
67. Posadas, Rey 68. Querubin, Ruben 69. Raquel, Maybelle 70. Reyes, Roehl 71. Rivera, Art 72. Robles, Jo 73. Robles, Robby 74. Rondilla, Dony 75. Rosal, Jet 76. Rosales, Nonot 77. Salas, Hazel 78. Salvador, Buddy 79. Serrano, Eric 80. Sipin, Perry 81. Somera, Herman 82. Sta Rosa, Theodore 83. Sy, Sancho 84. Tarculas, Lito 85. Tarculas, Josie 86. Tavera, Glenda 87. Tecson, Ed 88. Tunque, Doms 89. Valera, Lisa 90. Ventura, Beth 91. Yambot, Ferdie 92. Zamora, Sammy 93. Zara, Grace as of June 12, 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 JUNE CELEBRANTS 01 02 03 04 08 09 10 11 14 15 16
25 28 30
- Jimmy Magsino - Erna Villanueva - Henry Valdecantos - Francis Mejia - Tony Alejan - Jesus Castro - George Ludovico - Jun Sacro - JJ Castro - Tony Mendoza - Rocky Marte - Roehl Reyes - Sancho Sy - Boy Valdecantos - Nelson Jusay - Abe Pangilinan - Melvin Villaver - Jerome Paggao - Shirley Jove
SPOUSE: 06 - Rosanne Bacalia 09 - Norma Castro 14 - Meg Ilagan 19 - Evelyn Noche 20 - Jeannie Garcia 21 - Jocelyn Ludovico 24 - Marinette David APO Kids: 02 - Louie King Caldoza 05 - Leonardo Caldoza Jr. 06 - Lesley Rosales 09 - Zenith Villanueva - Josef Madrigal 12 - Katrina Lichauco 18 - Pamela Amon - Blake Atienza 20 - Harris Chicano 24 - Lea Barcelona 25 - Dr.Timothy Almazan 26 - Kristel Aquino 28 - Christoff Yenko - Emily Ayo - Brandon Atienza
6TH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING WHEN: Saturday, June 16, 2018 6pm to 8pm - Meeting (Fellowship after meeting) at the Days Inn by Windham Glendale 450 Pioneer Dr., Glendale, CA 4pm - Himig ng Kalayaan (A Documentary-Musical Show by Bro. Ferdie Dimadura, Pi Chapter)
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