Vintage UP North: 30th Anniversary

By: Gabby Moraleda 68b & Johnny Regadio 66

[Photos by EdingH, RollyR, KikoD, GabbyM, NormanB]

The Santo Cristo Hall opened its doors 10 hours early for a special event – UP North’s hospitality night. GP Dave Villegas and First Lady Mercy were ready. They were first to arrive -- prepared to welcome guests.

A surprise early bird was Brod Winston “Bitoy” Acevedo. You know something extra ordinary is about to happen when Bitoy arrives early for an appointment. It was party time – and he was not going to miss it.

Meanwhile on the lobby of the Embassy Suites, the brods were checking in – the rooms were all booked. Brods began to hang out – it was Tambayan fever. Nostalgia all over. We were in our elements and back in time.
 

We met familiar faces (this is by no means a complete list –pasensiya if we missed or misspelled names) with a large contingent from LA -- GP Aman Carolino Elmor & Siony Villanueva, Boi & Mildred Wico, Edsel & Mayette Arceo, Norman & Cherry Bituin, Nonoy & Ivy Bautista, Frank & Rory Mamaril, Sonny Pagador, Ago & Eva Romero, Joe Lalas, Amang & Zeny Rivera, Rod Reyes, Mando & Rexie Enrico, Ed & Evelyn Cornelia, Jun & Iou Valenzuela, Carling & Chit Taguinod, Roy & Dinah Antonio and Art & Tina Martin.

There were the out of towners – Joemarie Azarraga, Art De Vera, Jim Gonzalvo. Otto Kaufmann, Johnny Singh, Eding Hizon. Mario Pasamba, Orlino Ancheta, Sonny Alpano, Laverne Munsayac, Ronnie Dimaano and Yay & Jin Topacio. The first time attenders – Rey Bello, Del Tumibay, Pet Grajo, Levy Del Rosario, Ding De Guzman, Buddy Pongos and Jacky Jacala.

It was heartwarming to see Mrs. Angie Taggueg, widow of Brod Nards Taggueg ,together with her sister Eleonor Lara.

Brods Rolly Reyes, Titing & Cheng Valdez flew in from Manila while a group of Sigma Betan sisters from New York & LA also came –Solita Kennard, Minee Figarola, Lou Rivera Navarro, Iris Clifford , Toni Wright and siyempre Edith Oliva.

It was clear, there was hunger for Betan fellowship. UP North was set to make it happen.

As the clock ticked 6, emcee Fred Aquino gave the green light – and the Band of Brothers kicked off the hospitality night. Everyone was ready to rock and roll. You know it was going to be an unforgettable weekend when;

   • GP Dave gets a warm email from Mrs. Leonor Jayme congratulating him and the chapter; her grandkids were graduating which prevented her from attending

   • you see brods hugging one another – specially those who have not seen one another for 40+ years -- like when Bitoy met Pet Grajo

   • you notice a good sized delegation of Vet Med brods – Narcing Lapuz, Cecilio Felix, Fred Aquino, Del Tumibay, Chito Cabaluna, Willie Quejada, Winston Acevedo, Gerry Abenes, Rey Bello, Ed Cornelia, Carling Taguinod, Levy Perez, Ding De Guzman and Art Martin

   •  Batch 63 “The Great Escape” holds a mini reunion in San Francisco together with their spouses.

   •  Brods and sisters from other chapters attended – GP Benjie Garma, GP Edwin Fernandez , Tirso Ramirez, Bhot Salas, Chee & Chit Pelaez, Willie & Daisy Sarino , Egay & Judith Domingo, -- enjoying every minute of fellowship.

   •  conservative Johnny Salud “game” to belly dancing -- it was hilarious.

   •  belly dancers were the highlight of the night – it was a roaring success.

   •  Ben Sto. Domingo batch 64 Diliman “surfaces” -- its a miracle.

   •  you notice JR quite subdued and tried to stay in the background but was beaming you know someone special is on the horizon.

   •  May Gaspay, Edith Oliva, Bong & Eileen Beredo came with their children and grandkids – it was indeed a family night.

   •  everyone sported smiles -- you know there was much enjoyment.
  

UPD Batch '63 ("Great Escape") Gone Wild!  Manila July 15 - look out!

The Golden Jubilarians swing it - Jackie & Bing Jacala, Buddy & Emma Pongos, Eding & Baba Hizon

The fratball night was no exception.

The hall was well manicured and ready for a gala night. It was full packed – 170 guests. It required additional chairs to be squeezed in to the other tables.

The program was emceed by Brod Bong Beredo. It started with the singing of the national anthems led by the Sacramento brods with support from the “Louie Armstrong of UP North,” Brod Ding Cavestany. It was followed by an invocation, an inspiring prayer of unity and love by our very own Pastor Brod Rod Reyes.

Outgoing GP Gerry Abenes welcomed everyone, especially the guests as they were individually acknowledged by the emcee.

The stellar rendition of Vicki Carr’s “It Must Be Him” by our very own diva, Sis Mercy Oria Villegas, poked fun of GP Dave. It is a story on how she played in the field of courtship and begged for his love through prayer, but later made herself the Commander in Chief (CIC) after marriage. Got it, ladies?
 

The speech of our Grand Princep touched our very core values as a fraternal family -- that no Betan should stand alone. He cited his discoveries and experiences of love, respect and support that drew him to become active and be the oldest GP to take the reign of the chapter.

On the other hand, our Guest Speaker Brod Rolly Reyes also mentioned about his hurdles of becoming a Beta Sigman and his journey as a career government bigwig. Inspiring indeed.

These two brods, though years apart, are great examples worthy for us to emulate – both “climbed the barriers of wealth, regions, creed and prejudices” and they represent “what is good and noble in men.”

A posthumous award was given to the late Brod Manny Gaspay 68b for his dedicated and exemplary service to the UP North. Brod Ding Cavestany also received the Dr. Narciso Lapuz Award for his dedicated and consistent balancing of the account books to the last penny.

Every golfer came home with a prize. Art Martin got the Low Gross, Orlino Ancheta the Low Net, Yay Topacio Closest to the Pin and Carling Taguinod Longest Drive. Organizers Manolo Banzon and Winston Acevedo awarded gift certificates with Carling getting a $250 golf bag donated by Chito Cabaluna.

It was time to hit the dance floor. Music was provided by Babes & Friends Band from LA.

UPD Batch '63 go for gold

l-r: Laverne Munsayac, Amando Enrico, Levy del Rosario, Salvador Pongos, Romulo Jacala, Alfredo Hizon.

Guests slept at 3:00 am. it was endless kwentuhan.

The picnic venue was moved to Santo Cristo Hall because of rain concerns. As expected, the morning after the fratball had its share of interesting accounts and comments:

   •  First Lady Mercy slept next to the Betan paddle. Look out GP Dave.

   •  Heard from Issa of Pogs appearing in her dream, his presence is felt

   •  Brod Elmor Villanueva says – laughter is great therapy -- believe it is

   •  you see sis Lleva “unwind” after the picnic lunch after several weeks of hard work and three days of fellowship -- you know there was much fun

And, when it takes an hour to say “goodbye” -- you know it was a winner.

Overall, it was vintage UP North -- an unforgettable Memorial Day weekend.

Cheers !

P.S.

See you next year 2014 in Los Angeles!!

(Back ---> UP NorCal Updates)

(Back ---> Current Features)