Christmas Celebration Ends Millennium With a Bang in Northern California
by Johnny Regadio and Beth Aguiling

One would not miss to say good things about the Christmas party of the Northern California U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity Association last December 18, 1999. Even my two children told me that they enjoyed it very much more than the other parties that they previously attended. I myself had attended and witnessed many parties with my children but no one could surpass the enthusiasm and camaraderie that each one displayed that night. Everything went very orderly and everyone participated in the program. It was a real big family night where the young and the old enjoyed a moment of togetherness and shared joy and laughter all the way to the end.

There were some brothers and family members who declared upon arrival at the hall that they would not stay long for the night. However, they forgot the time with the excitement and just stayed along. Brod Narsing Lapuz who had been smiling from ear to ear the whole night decided to stay. The same is true with Brod Ding Cavestany, he stayed the whole night and missed his tennis club party, even though he was among the top officers of that club. The young adults who had originally intended to go to another party chose to stay because they had lots of fun, and they themselves contributed to the rah-rah atmosphere of the evening.

The spectacular musical play written by Brod Gabby Moraleda was superbly co-directed by his daughter, Anna Moraleda. The actors and actresses (Tess Vergara, the Antonio family – Cesar, Nina, Charlie and Aimee, the Regadio family – Beth, Aldwyn, Albert and myself, Billy and Joe Monteagudo, Terry Mendoza, Ric Velasco, and Krista Cavestany) internalized their roles so well and acted like real professionals. The background songs rendered by Mary Ann Moraleda and Ria Vergara added life to the play. Margaret Punzalan demonstrated her skills in playing the violin and flute with her brother, Derick Punzalan, who was a wizard on saxophone and keyboard, their music enhanced the Christmas spirit throughout the whole place. The improvised lights and professional sounds provided by Frank Morales, Kiko Delmendo and Sam Moraleda were also excellent. One could not leave the thought of the play without taking into account the message delivered by Gabby about the “reason for the season.”

The “Twelve days of Christmas” by Beth Aguiling made Dave Villegas and the rest spring from their seats and sing on top of their voices.

The ceremonial lighting of the U.P. Betan family Christmas tree added color to the beautiful, solemn and reflective moment of the night as each family gathered around it to put their pasabit while Tatang was taking pictures, and Bro Kiko Delmendo (on the sax) and Frank Morales (on the keyboard) were providing background music.

The U.P. Beta Sigma family has also proven that it has great reserves of talents and skills. Paula Delmendo presented a flag exercise with such precision. The trio of Brod Kiko Delmendo, Brod Frank and Tess Morales were undoubtedly one of the big hits of the night with their instruments. We also had great singers like Francis Basbas, Angela Delmendo, and the newly-weds Babes and Mayanne Ignacio. Likewise, Aimee Antonio presented an exotic Tahitian Dance that brought great excitement and delight to the crowd.

Mary Ann Moraleda’s trivia questions for the young adults were one of the best that everyone enjoyed throughout the evening. Joe Monteagudo provided the excitement with his professional handling of the game. It was phenomenal, original and very informative.

Brod Chris Lagasca played the role of Santa Claus really well. All the small kids, including Christopher Torneros who has always been afraid of Santa Claus, were enthused with the amusing questions of Brod Chris as well as the gifts that he was doling out to them.

Brods Bong Beredo and Gilbert Basbas gave us a big surprise with the abundance of cash, raffle prizes, and gifts that they solicited. They did a great job! We thank all of those who wholeheartedly shared their resources for the occasion (too many to mention but I am pretty sure acknowledgment had been extended individually). Even brods who were not present that night also gave cash donations and gifts. That’s indeed a U.P. Betan spirit! We salute Brods Frank Mamaril, Johnny Quijano, Cecilio Felix, Winston Acevedo and Louie Cabaluna for your generosity and dedication. We know you were not there for valid reason but your spirits were with us. Your donations gave joy to our young adults. Everyone left the party with a prize.

Brod Ike Araneta’s donation of the U.P. Beta Sigma Christmas ’99 streamer and the giant U.P. Betan pin poster on the wall gave so much color inside the hall. It was also Brod Ike who donated our Christmas party souvenir program, 6 rolls of film, and souvenir photos for everybody. Thank you for your generosity brod.

We would like also to acknowledge those who helped at the door: Josie Van Schoick (Brod Ruben Domingo’s girlfriend), Lydia Abrenilla (Brod Ric Velasco’s girlfriend), Eileen Basbas, and Aileen Beredo.

The presence of everyone makes the occasion more of a big family night. We all did our part. Thanks for the able leadership of Tatang and the support of his beloved wife, Tess. Kudos to the Gaspays, Louie and Marissa Ruiz, Dave and Mercy Villegas, Irma and Boy Ramos, Emil(?) Fajardo, Alan and ______Torneros, Ike and Tanya Araneta, Eric and Lita Punzalan, Terry Mendoza and family, etc.

The U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity family has a lot of talents, time and resources. Working together and sharing what we have are things that make all of us feel great. “We are not a mere social organization or just an association. Rather, we are a brotherhood, and our brotherhood extends to our children and grandchildren.” As long as we keep close to each other, we will never go astray and our commitment to the U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity will live forever in our hearts.

We owe the success of our endeavors from the Spirit within that is working through each one of us. Let us therefore continue to uphold our cherish dreams to be united in love as brothers and sisters with a common goal that is spelled out in the vision and mission of the U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity Association.

Parts of this article were excerpts from the e-mail sent by Brod Willie Vergara, Ike Araneta, and Lita Punzalan.