UP NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:  Fund Raising With Lots of Fun 

by Bong Beredo 73b

A million thanks to everyone who fulfilled our commitment to the UP Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA), thereby figuring largely in the occasion's resounding success.

In my absence, Acting GP Brod Pogs Gaspay signed the $3,000.00 contract with UPMASA to provide manpower for door monitors.  Brod Manolo put together the schedule of our coverage for the five day event.  A week before the event, I called all the Brods on the list to get confirmation of their schedules and to insure that we would not be having any surprises.  As expected, all the Brods rose to the occasion.  Iba talaga tayong mga Brods!!!!!

Day 1 (July 2, Wed).  Brods Pogs, Cyrus, Dave, Vee, Manolo and Vic Gacusan (who just arrived from the Philippines) showed up with their respective fraternity pins and professionally set the tone for the rest of the events that needed to be covered.  Even Brod Archie Garbes '62 MD from Washington could not get in without a paid ticket.  And, of course, the guest speaker, the Dean of PGH, got a polite "Sorry Doc, no ticket-no entry", not until the UPMASA Norcal escorted him inside.

Day 2 (July 3, Thu). Brods Vee, Manolo, Dutch and "Monsignor" Johnny Regadio ably manned the day.  I owe JR a lot for rescheduling his vacation so he could extend a helping hand with the coverage.

Day 3 (July 4, Fri). The early birds Vee and JR were at their stations at 7AM until afternoon with Manolo and Vic as reinforcements for the luncheon of the alumni doctors.

Day 4 (July 5, Sat).  Early birds for the 7AM coverage were Vee and Dutch and by noon time, Brod Dave with Sis Mercy, and local boy Brod Titing Valdez'61 MD with Sis Cheng were going to provide coverage; but since it was the affair of the Fraternity's from the College of Medicine, they did not really need our services.  Unfortunately, UPMASA did not communicate this to us and even stipulated in the contract that we provide such coverage.  Later Brod Ike and Sis Tanya got there, too, and everyone decided to wait for the brods.

Brods Pogs with Sis May, Cyrus, Ric Velasco and Gene arrived.  A short time later, Brods Tatang and Sis Tess brought in those who were billeted at the Marriott for a short visit: Brod Caloy las Marias'67 MD from Florida and Brod Felix Vergara'56 MD with wife Sis Virgie Carino-Vergara'57 MD, a Sigma Betan, from Delaware.  A "kodakan moment" with Brods Archie Garbes and US Army Brig. Gen. (retired) Brod Archie Laano'55 MD from New Jersey followed.  Brods Caloy and Felix were so happy to see General Laano, who arrived at the scene blasting everyone with his NBA-like referee's whistle.  Caloy was so happy - dahil mas matangkad siya kay Archie...hahahaha.  We noticed that Felix and Arceo are very close friends.  Brod Titing got invited for lunch by one of the College of Medicine Frats.  Here we learned that Titing was the College of Medicine "Enforcer" during his time.

5:30PM - The Brods assembled at the Grand Ballroom with Vee and Cyrus setting up a table for the Brods.  We got busy at 6:30PM when the door opened.  Same thing - some doctors had no tickets.  At least everyone already knew that they could not get in without a ticket.  By the time most of the attendees got inside the ballroom, Brods Dave and Titing offered each brod a bottle of wine.  Our dinner was Subway Philly cheese steak.

Day 5 (July 6, Sun).  As expected, Brod Vee was the early bird (again) and was there by 9AM.  Brods Ike and Manolo joined us by 10AM and brunch was served.  We stayed till 11AM.  We received very positive feedback from everyone.  Most shook our hands, bid farewell and with lots of "Thank You.. Good Job and see you guys next time."

The group of Ike, Tanya, Dave, Mercy, Vee, Manolo, Aileen, Kay and myself decided to take a walk from the hotel and went to Yank Sing for dimsum lunch, and this joint serves real good food... kapatid yata ni Johnny Singh ang may-ari nitong restaurant na apo sa tuhod ni Narsing. hehehe!!!

Next event in Northern California - July 12, to celebrate the Fraternity's 62nd Anniversary.  See you then.  You are all invited to join us at Gerry Abenes' home.  Maraming salamat uli lalo na sa ating mga volunteers.