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.
|