PISMO BEACH BECOMING A TRADITION

 ... the International's Directors, Brods and Families converge (again!) in Pismo

       by: Willie Vergara, UPD67

 

"We shall return, we have returned... to Pismo !!"

For the second consecutive year, the Board of Directors of the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity International, Inc. held what's turning out to be their traditional yearly powwow at Pismo Beach last November 11-12, 2006.  It was the third meeting-cum-fellowship, the first one being the historic Pismo Conference of January 26, 2001 that propelled the creation of this UP Betan overseas alumni group that was initially called UP Beta Sigma, USA.

 

President Norman Bituin kept his promise of keeping the meeting brief and simple.  He opened the floor mentioning the need to replace in the Board Brod Tito de Santos, who passed away while attending the Fraternity's Diamond Jubilee last July in Manila.  Upon the sole nomination by Brod Ike Araneta of new Southern California GP Sonny Pagador, the latter was elected unopposed to take Brod Tito's place.

 

 

             *George Abrina, Ivy & Nonoy Bautista             *Sonny Pagador, Danny Galoso, Ike Araneta, Bong & Aileen Beredo

 

UPBSFI Treasurer Edsel Arceo distributed handouts regarding the state of finances.  Norman reported that the org's faithful compliance with the annual taxes, while keeping it a legitimate one, has also depleted the coffers.  The $25 membership fee being the sole source of its revenue, the present balance was $1,734, thanks to the contribution by Brod Ike Araneta in the amount of $900.  Only $600 had been collected from the members.  The saving grace in what could be a difficult financial situation, Norman added, was the agreement during the Board meeting held the previous year for both California Chapters to share in the annual corporate taxes of $800, i.e. $250 each from UP North and UP South, $300 from the International.  The two California GPs readily reaffirmed this commitment.  Norman enjoined that in this expedient arrangement the UP Chapters may, if they want, sponsor events and projects using the name of the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity International, Inc.   The UPBSFI, as a recognized legal California corporation, should provide the UP Beta Sigma California Chapters' officers protection from possible lawsuit.

 

 

       *NonoyB, DaveV, FredA, WinstonA, PogsG, FrankM            *GilbertB, JohnnyS, BoiW, VeeV, EdC, NestorL, RoyA

 

Announcements were also given out re: the Directory with a total membership of 136 with UP brods from the USA, Canada, Australia, Philippines, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.  This list is also available online at the UPBSFI website (www.upbetasigma-international.org).  Before ending the meeting, Norman mentioned that initial studies (Lita Punzalan volunteered to help) are being undertaken with regards to the clamor of some brods and spouses to organize an Alaska cruise sometime next year.  Many brods and their families who want to enjoy the opportunity to travel together in fun and fellowship responded to the open invitation. 

 

 

 *L-R: Aileen Beredo & daughter Fay, Dinah Antonio, Cherry Bituin, Rory Mamaril, Lita Punzalan, Sigma Betan Marivi Lawas, Ivy Bautista, Sigma Betan Meme of UP Davao, Mercy Villegas, May Gaspay (not in the picture is Vangie Acevedo).

 

The open-to-all BOD meeting and reunion was another well-attended gathering spiced up by the presence of the ladies auxiliary.  To many of us in Northern California, it was a delight to have the presence of co-Founder Brod Tomas Cosio's daughter, Ivy Cosio-Bautista.  It is always a nice treat to bring the ladies along to this romantic place where there are likewise many nearby sites to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

      A happy dinner and fellowship at the Spyglass Inn Restaurant... with the Spyglass trio of ladies serving tasty digs

   

It was another memorable night.  Fellowship went on until past midnight in one of the rooms at the hotel where booze was aplenty, and many new stories and old jokes to recount.  But alas, the golfers had to retire for their early round.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

In keeping with practice that began during the historic Pismo Conference, the next morning was for golfers enjoying the greens at nearby San Luis Obispo, while some remained at the hotel site to satisfy their craving for more fellowship. Later, the gang met for lunch at the "Steamers of Pismo" except, of course, those who preferred to see more sites while trekking the rest of scenic California Highway 1.

 

      The International's "Ryder Cup" Team at Dairy Creek GC: Gilbert, Edsel, Ed, Frank, Boi, Roy, Ike, Eric, Norman

 

       

       *Roy Antonio'77        *Gilbert Basbas'73         *Edsel Arceo'73            *Eric Punzalan'65              *Ike Araneta'71

 

 

                       The Brods and Ladies after a wonderful lunch at the "Steamers of Pismo".  Hasta la bye-bye...

 

 

 

 

             So long Pismo, we're still touring Morro Bay, the Spanish Beach, scenic Highway 1... and till next in 2007!!

 

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