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The UP Beta Sigma Grand Reunion of May 23-25, 2009 by Gabby Moraleda'68b and Willie Vergara'67a
The Great San Francisco Reunion: Day 2, Part 2 [Photos by Cosme Santiago, Willie Vergara, Gerry Abenes, Cesar Amurao and Norman Bituin]
A (Flowery) PRELUDE (lifted from parts of Lleva Abenes’ message to UP Norcal Family)
There were many helping hands who made the flowers as beautiful as they were for the Frat Ball… It started some time ago when the ladies expressed an interest in learning ikebana. As this Frat Ball was planned, some of us thought we could pull off the centerpieces ikebana style. All we needed to do was apply what we learned, and express ourselves. I believed we have talent in the group that will make 24 arrangements a cinch.
In Salinas during Bobby's birthday party, Cy and Tanya started with ideas of designs they liked… Vangie shared more ideas... Finally, we agreed to meet at the Flower Market in San Francisco. Gerry drove and we got there at 5:00 in the morning. Tanya and Ike, came shortly after. We walked this wonderful place and marveled at all the flowers until Vangie and Naty came… Special thanks to Gerry who harvested and cut the black bamboo from our backyard, and precision miter cutting each piece at 45 degrees.
On Sunday from 11:30 a.m., at the entrance to the ballrooms, we had a blast making the actual arrangements. These ladies worked their magic on your centerpieces: Mercy, Mariza, Aileen, Kay, Vangie, and Naty. May came after cooking her tokwa at baboy. Geny also came later with her lists for the reception. In total, we made 28 centerpieces, the reception table Bridges trio and a few more tall nageire arrangemests for the tables outside. One of which May titled "Frustration" dahil left-overs na lang ang bulaklak, ni-repair ang stems para umabot sa height ng vase. Tess V. was there and kept telling us to go slowly so she could help after assisting Tatang with the International Conference. Alaskado kay Bong, "Incomplete" daw ang grad! Ladies, I hope you had as much fun as I did. Thanks also for sneaking in food from the Hospitality Suite. Mercy, thank you so much for your light touch and talk when things got hectic. I hope the flowers spoke to you.
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THE NIGHT ITSELF
In the evening of May 24 was the Fraternity Ball. Two hundred fifty three came. All 26 tables of 10 were filled up. The ballroom of Sheraton was full of Beta Sigmans from UP Diliman, UP Los Banos, and other schools, plus their respective partners and guests. Mom Leonor Jayme had her group of 15, and Founder Rico Arranz and clan totaled 13 in all. Most attendees came from the host of the event, UP Northern California, followed by their staunchest partner UP Southern California. And there were Brothers from all over – Philippines, Canada, Australia, Costa Rica, Hawaii, New Jersey, South Dakota, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, Washington State, Washington D.C., Maryland, Indiana, Texas, Nevada, and other states of the US.
Ike Araneta, Gabby Moraleda, Willie Vergara, Founder Rico Arranz, Eding Hizon, Boy Ramos
Blend of '46 Founder Rico Arranz, Nonoy Bautista, Sol Arranz, Leonor Jayme and JJ Jayme (wife and son of Founder Jesus Jayme) & Ivy Cosio-Bautista (daughter of Founder Tom Cosio)
Founder Rico Arranz, at back center, surrounded by admiring Betans
The night formally started with a prayer by Cecilio Felix and singing of the Anthems – diva Mercy Villegas sang the Star Spangled Banner and Rotsen Lawas sang Bayang Magiliw. Outgoing GP Bong Beredo welcomed all the guests and delivered his swan song citing the support given to the residents during his 2-year term.
Dr. Cecilio Felix Mercy Villegas Rotsen Lawas
After a brief introduction by Jayjay Jayme, Founder Rico Arranz provided the Inspirational Message challenging the members to be true to the principles and beliefs of the Fraternity. It was a “back to basics” message – a call to excellence and service – cultivating the seeds of love and uprooting the weeds of hatred, avarice and envy. In response Brod Ed Quisumbing, after being introduced by Johnny Regadio, assured Rico that the current breed of members will remain faithful and loyal to the ideals of the founding brothers. This was followed by the induction of the new set of officers led by Manolo Banzon. In his acceptance speech, he appealed to the brods to be active in rebuilding and making UP Beta Sigma relevant to the students of the University of the Philippines.
JJ Jayme Outgoing UP NorCal GP 2007-2009 Bong Beredo, a Service Awardee
Founder Atty. Melencio "Rico" Arranz
Incoming UP NorCal GP 2009-2011 Manolo Banzon
Dr. Ed Quisumbing
UP Beta Sigma of Northern California Officers 2009-2011 Grand Princep.................... Manolo Banzon Vice Grand Princep............ Leonardo Cavestany Master of the Rolls............. Gerardo Abenes Guardian of the Coffers....... Gines Samson Herald................................ Darryl Aragones Guardian of the Chattels...... Ricardo Velasco Wielder of the Sword........... Allan Torneros
Chapter Awards (as recounted by Pogs). The Awards Committee members first agreed to give only two regular chapter awards to chapter members: one was for a member who has done something the chapter can be proud of being associated with this member, and to be called an Achievement Award; the other is for a member who has rendered commendable service to the chapter and to be called a Service Award. The committee then agreed to give the Achievement Award to Gerry Abenes (66 UPD) for his research on cyto megaloviruses (ex. herpes virus). The Service Award was given to Bong Beredo for his commendable leadership service as GP and past First Vice GP during which he showed exemplary leadership of the chapter, including initiatives to outreach the chapter to resident members. The committee members also agreed to give out a Special Service Award this year to Dutch Aragones, for his work in establishing the Big Brother Bounty program and also in initiating the "No Betan Left Behind" project of coming up with a complete directory of members and tracing what happened to them. Wally Rodriguez was also awarded for all the artistic concepts and design work that made RELIVE a household word among all Betans around the world. In addition, the winners of the sports tournaments were likewise handed their awards.
Dr. Gerry Abenes - Achievement Award
Dutch Aragones - Special Service Award
Wally Rodriguez - Special Service Award
Bobby Pascual - Special Service Award Allan Torneros - Special Service Award
Sports/Bowling - Dr. Titing Valdez Sports/Billiards - Dr. Pogs Gaspay
Sports/Bowling - Manny Gatmaitan Sports/Golf - Bhot Salas
Sports/Golf - Rolly Balingit Sports/Golf - Dr. Ed Cornelia
Front: Val Palattao, Founder Rico Arranz, Nonoy Bautista, Edsel Arceo Back: Willie Sarino, Dr. Art & Tina Martin
The traditional Candlelight Ceremony was held with Gabby at the lead. Rico and Ed lighted the first candle and as the brods sang the Betan Hymn other candles were lighted symbolizing the growth of the brotherhood. Then the brothers recited the Betan Credo. It was a solemn moment for all -- a reaffirmation of the values that we share and bonds that exist among us. The cap of the ceremony was the Betan Marching Song – Cheers, Cheers for Beta Sigma!
LET THERE BE LIGHT !!
Dancing followed the program. The Elements of Time – a live band comprised of 5 musicians (thank you Gene Samson for footing the bill) were all prepared with their retinue of danceable songs across the musical periods – salsa, boogie, chachacha, swing, rock and roll, foxtrot, line dance, Charleston, and "maski pops". Everybody got engaged in the spirited mood of the evening. At the dance floor, one could see people of all ages – from eight years old to eighty. And Mommy Leonor watched with glee that her troop was enjoying the evening as well as everybody.
Seated: Leonor Jayme, Sol & Founder Rico Arranz. Standing: Cy & Gabby Moraleda, JJ Jayme.
The Jayme Clan from Vancouver, B.C.
UPD'68b batchmates: Dr. Pogs & May Gaspay, PhD and Dr. Pat and Lisa Gonzalez, MD
Jim & Teresa Gonzalvo Babes & MayAnne T. Ignacio
Roy & Dinah Antonio Ike & Tanya Araneta Sonny & Edith Pagador
Gabby & Cy Moraleda Jess & Fe Monzon Nick & Ofie Galvez
Wally Rodriguez & Kay Smaby-Symons Gabby Moraleda & Evelyn Amurao-Jayme Willie Vergara & Cielly Pagador
Ed & Rose Abon Edsel & Mayette Arceo Bernie & Bing Bantegui
Norman & Cherry Bituin Chito & Imelda Cabaluna Josue & Lita Castillo
Ding & Julie Cavestany Eddie & Evelyn Cornelia Kiko & Jean Delmendo
Cecilio & Anita Felix Vic & Nelia Gacusan Don & Marie Ganchorre
Angie & Josie Garbes Pogs & May Gaspay Caloy & Cora las Marias
Frank & Rory Mamaril Art & Tina Martin Noli & Tessie Nolasco
Willy & Desi Quejada Rey & Anna Resureccion Ago & Eva Romero
Louie & Mariza Ruiz Hermie & Doris San Luis Titing & Cheng Valdez
Willie & Tess Vergara Dave & Mercy Villegas Bobby & Harlean Pascual
Rolly Reyes & Geny C. Samson Tito Garcia & Eva Romero Fred Aquino & Geny C. Samson
Eddie Cornelia & Laureen Escobar Ike Araneta & Edith Orlino-Oliva Cesar Antonio & Cherry Bituin
The LA Chorus Line
The midnight snacks was a masterpiece of UP Northern California brods and sisters featuring Filipino delicacies such as tokwa’t baboy, lugaw, a Bobby Pascual Pilipino version of tamales, which received rave reviews by everybody who had a taste of it. The night would not be allowed to end to a big group of brothers and sisters. They proceeded to Hospitality Suite 1521, continued on with the booze and barbecue and laughter, featuring the newly discovered story-teller par excellance, pilot Tito Garcia of Black Saints ’65. The group could have stayed longer in 1521 until somebody said, “Oooooooops! It’s now Four AM!”
Hoy, matulog na kayo!! May picnic pa.
The air was filled with music,
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To be continued.... Days 3+
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