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UP NorCal's Three-in-One: Halloween, Prez JR, Harlean&Bobby One: Halloween, Nov. 1, '08... by Nol Banzon The storm that hit Northern California this weekend did not affect the enthusiasm of our family. They braved the wind and the rain. The young, the not so young and the young once all trouped the highway knowing what lay ahead was great good partyin time, worth more than staying dry and warm. Truly a great show of belongingness and kinship! Bobby and Harlean drove all the way from Salinas in the south, Cecil and Anita from Rancho Murrieta in the north, GP Bong and Aileen of Stockton from the east, almost all of the four corners of UP NORTH. Boy and Irma, the first to arrive, decorated the Pad of Kiko. Soon thereafter, brods and sis arriving with food to share and a bundles and bundles of smile, warm hugs and kisses.
Birthday celebrants Narcing dressed as a shogun, complete with a 3 foot samurai sword, Franklin, and Harlean (did I forget anyone?) were treated with rousing song not once but twice all over. Vic G, Johnny S. and Ric busy listening and savoring the sounds. Titing and Cheng, Ding and Julie wowed (also with Ding's ala Armstrong voice) the crowd with their dancing. Yay, Gin and specially their kids were amazed how we partied. Tanya later joined hubby Ike on the floor. Marivi too was eager to join Rotsen on the floor but had to observe her hubby not to drink too much on the side. Eric and Lita dressed colorfully in clown outfit were seen jokin' and chattin'. So happy to see Eric joking and well. Later on the arrival of lovebirds Gabby and Cy showed that all were accounted for that evening. They were so busy with each other talking of sweet nothing. Ah, love is in the air! On the other hand,Tatang with his optic apparatus was busy taking shots with yours truly taping the merriment in the video. Oh wow such a celebration of life!
At around 2pm, the band started to assemble with Gerry and Lleva and their drum set (can you imagine, the whole drum set complete with the rubber matting); Franklin, Tess and Jess with their guitars, keyboard and amplifier; Ike with his gear; Dutch with his conga, my cabasa and maracas. Then came the humongous speaker amplifier system of host Kiko "Hefner" Demented. So powerful it can blast a whole auditorium at full volume. And what a sight as they started to set it up. With Vee, Rotsen, JR, Bobby, Irma and Harlean belting a song accompanied by our still unnamed band, the party started. Later on JR with his croonin'wowed us all. And what a beginning! So groovy and far out with sisters dancing and all smillin, drinkin, eatin and swayin! Later on not to be outdone, soloist Pogs aka PQ with May not far away adoring her love, started crooning with Cecilio singing his kundiman and old time favs. Anita blushed with songs rendered specially for her. Babes later joined the jamming.
Food was so plentiful, notable were kare-kare by patent king Gene, Johnny Salud's wild deer adobo, Ric V's pork buns and sweet persimmon, Irma's laing, Yay and Gin's pancit, Narcing's puto and our experimental adobong pusit by PQ. At dinner time, Gerry and Lleva served sashimi to the delight of all.
We too remembered our departed with prayers. That we have not forgotten them and will remember them and will always be in our hearts. Later on, Cesar thanked the family to the support we have extended to him and his family.
Party withstood the inclement weather and went on till Karaoke time at around 10 pm with Gin, Irma, and Genny beltin out old faves. We even had to forego our featured speaker Babes and Mayann ( whose father was rushed to the hospital, I pray that all is well) on Estate Planning and the Team Building exercise planned by Irma. Well we'll have to reschedule them again. After all the fun, food and food-to-go, we called it a day nearly 11 pm still full of life and spirit. Still wanting to party but had to go. 10 Solid Hours!
Well, till next BIG Party time on Saturday, Dec. 27 at Suisun City Recreational Center for our CHRISTMAS PARTY. We'll have our band again on the stage, plenty of space for boogeing twisting, grooving and eating! It's Family Time so inviting time again. We've even invited our So Cal brothers to join us. Let the COUNTDOWN begin! Again many thanks and LIVE LONG LIFE! Love all of YOU.
Two: Johnny Regadio's Induction as President of UP Alumni Assn., Sacramento & Vicinity, Nov. 8, '08
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WINTER CHILLS by Johnny Regadio
The cloudy day and few sporadic showers did not dampen the spirit of those who came to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the University of the Philippines on November 8, 2008. The dinner-dance party was sponsored by the UP Alumni Association of Sacramento and Vicinity (UPAASV) for the purpose of raising funds to help our kababayans in the Philippines.
Some people were surprised how the association was able to muster more than 150 people considering the current global economic crisis. With only about twenty core members, who mostly belong to the “baby-sitter” generation, we were able to pull off our first attempt for a fund-raising with flying colors. Thanks to the faith, dedication and resourcefulness of the members; and the support of the local community, various alumni groups, as well as the U.P. Beta Sigmans in Northern California.
Our guest speaker is a U.P. Beta Sigman, Dr. Manny “Pogs” Gaspay, who distinguished himself as a pragmatic, level-headed leader, mentor and consultant in the fields of education, project development and management. Mayor Ruth Asmundson of the City of Davis, California, who is an Ilocana, also gave an inspirational talk. Our gratitude also goes to our beautiful Sis Mercy Oria Villegas, the wife of Brod Dave Villegas, for rendering a beautiful kundiman song, Dahil Sa Iyo. Wala pa ring kupas talaga…
Of course, everyone had a lot of fun as the UPAASV members performed a showcase of dances through the years, like waltz, tango, cha-cha, rock-n-roll, swing, mash potato, twist, macarena, Saturday night fever, and slide dance. A great display of bayanihan dance was also performed by our debonaire Brod Fred Aquino.
L-R: Kiko Delmendo, Atty. Dave Villegas, Prez Johnny Regadio, Manolo Banzon
Dr. Pogs Gaspay, Immediate Past Prez of UPAA San Francisco, is guest speaker
The UP Betan NorCal Family graces the Induction Dinner-Dance in support of UPAA Sacramento Prez Brod JR
Three: Harlean Pascual's b'day
and wedding anniversary with Bobby, Nov. 15, '08 Harlean Pascual Celebrates Birthday and Anniversary! by Pogs Gaspay Who among the Diliman brods of the early sixties and early seventies doesn’t remember Harlean, the ever-smiling sweet young thing at Bobby’s side at every frat event and regularly at the Tambayan. Harlean is practically a brod and seen all the drama of a Betan life – initiations, rumbles, courtships and yes, break-ups. She and Bobby remain as iconic as ever of a lovely Beta Sigma couple. Saturday, Nov. 15, was a Harlean’s Day at the Pascuals home in Salinas. When May and I arrived toward 2:00 PM, there were already several brods and spouses on hand to greet Harlean and join Bobby in toasting her birthday. It was also Harlean and Bobby’s anniversary. Dave and Mercy, Boy R and Irma, Johnny S and Ric V, Eric and Lita, Titing and Cheng, Ding and Julie, Gabby and Vic G, Bong and Aileen, Kiko D without horns and gal (de-horned and de-hornied?), Louie R and Marissa, Manolo and Gene, Vee and Babes? managed to get to the world’s vegetable capital for this special day. At the host’s request, guests were asked to eschew any gifts or other usual party bring-alongs. They were only expected to present themselves with their hearty appetites and good humor.
As usual for a Nor Cal event, food was sumptuous and wine and liquor aplenty courtesy of the Pascuals, and raucous Betan spirit aflowing courtesy of the guests. Bobby was bubbly all day with his favorite spirits. Gene and I gave billiards refresher lessons to Ding and Harlean’s brother-in-law Lori. Gabby and Titing gave refresher poker courses to I won’t say who. (Rumors are rife that Gabby is raising funds for a very personal life-changing event and that’s why Dave, Vic, Johnny and Eric were very willing victims.) The celebrant was as charming and gracious as she always is remembered by brods visiting their home when it was at Angeles (the other City of Angels) -- a favorite refueling stop (for booze and grub) of merry Betans on their way up to Baguio.
Highlight of the day was the delightful party favor – massages for lucky-pick winners from Harlean’s personal masseuse. Tasty oysters on the barbie and soothing back rubs, now who’ll still say Salinas is too far to go for a party? Too bad I forgot to bring my camera.
*Website Note: Really, nobody took a shot?! No problem...
Here are the two Betan lovebirds at the UP Beta Sigma SoCal Frat Ball'08
And dancing the boogaloo?, macarena?, whatever at the Halloween jam
CONGRATULATIONS on your anniversary, Bobby and Harlean!! Ang sarap gunitain, parang kahapon lamang...
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