Prez Edsel Arceo's Blitz Trip to
Pinas
by Willie Vergara
For UP Beta Sigma-International President Edsel Arceo, it was a short, but
productive Philippine trip. He had no other agenda or purpose but our
beloved fraternity.
Day 1, Feb 8:
Immediately the next morning after he set foot at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport, he had a tete-a-tete with Central’s Immediate Past
President Rolly Reyes at his Santa Maria home with Brods Raffy Hidalgo and
Tatang Vergara also present. Rolly called it a gathering of “brods na
walang kadala-dala”, meaning “our work in the frat goes on in spite of the
many difficult and at times frustrating hurdles that come our way”.
Right before sunset, Brods Edsel and Tatang were shuttled towards the home
of another Betan Titan Eding Hizon, who had his house warming at Visayas
Avenue, QC. This newly renovated house now includes the addition of a
third floor and a special elevator for seniors. Indeed, as phoned by Eding,
Founding Father Rico Arranz with Tita Sol and a special nurse were waiting
for us at the lobby so we could join the party together. There we saw a
lot of Eding’s and Barb’s relatives and friends. Among the many attendees
were Brod Milton Mendoza and wife Marilou.
Founder Rico was already very weak at the time, but little did we know
that he had only a few weeks to live and that this would be the last time
Tatang would see him alive.
Day 2, Feb 9: Edsel, together with new Central President Jojo Alejar, his
batchmates Rudio Oviedo, Joel Paredes, and Cris Michelena, and Willie
Vergara visited the residents at the Diliman Tambayan. Edsel gave an
informal talk about his pet Targeted Recruitment Program (TRP) before 17
brods present, including most of the officers headed by UP Diliman’s Grand
Princep.
The group proceeded for some drinks at Busters Bistro (Eat, Drink, Play)
owned and operated by Brod Caloy Agulto.
Day 3, Feb 10: Edsel, along with Brods Dr. Buddy Quililan (Central BOT),
Joel Paredes (Central Vice President and International BOD), Poti Aparato,
Dante Agulto, Meng Canlas and representatives of the resident brods met
with the officials and staff of Barangay U.P. Campus led by Barangay
Captain Isabelita Gravides. They finalized the logistics and other
preparations needed for the 9th Tito De Santos Community Service Program's
"Free Deworming for Children & Free Medical Checkup for the Elderly." A
sumptuous lunch was served by the Barangay after the meeting.
Day 4, Feb 11: Edsel attended his Batch Party, Haribon 73D. All but one of Haribon’s living members arrived at Busters Bistro – Cris Michelena, Joel
Paredes, General Rico Salapong (ret), Dante Agulto, Dr. Ed Aldana, Edsel
and Rudio Oviedo. Absent were Houston-based Aris Macasero (and, of course,
deceased batchmate Dodong Castillo). Special guests of the event included
Brods Rolly Reyes, Randy Malayao, Rene de Rueda, Boyet Fernandez, Bino
Aguinaldo, Pat Roman, Rey Bello, Rex Bugaring, Raffy Tomeldan, Meng Canlas,
Ron Justo, Poti Aparato, and resident brods.
Day 5, Feb 12: Brod Joel Paredes, Brod Rene De Rueda (International
Council of Advisors and Central Past President), and Edsel went to Brod
Secretary Mon Paje at his DENR office to pay him a courtesy visit and to
inform him about details of the forthcoming fraternity activities.
Day 6, Feb 13: RGR’s reliable pilot Roy picked up Edsel and Tatang and
shuttled them to Baker Hall at Los Banos, where they were met by several
UPLB resident brods who were preparing for their annual Mixed Martial Arts
event. Thereupon, Central Prez Jojo Alejar hosted a sumptuous dinner and
booze held at a restaurant in midtown Los Banos. Present were Brods
Douglas Mondonedo, Ambo Lapis, Paolo Hernandez, Edsel, Tatang, Ed Rivera,
Henry Adornado
and Jojo Alejar and four Sigma Betan Sisters. The Sigma Betans had to
leave a bit earlier because they had to prepare for their annual
fund-raising activity.
The group that included Brods Joel Paredes, Ed Rivera, Edsel and Tatang
later joined the resident brothers at the Baker Hall, who temporarily
interrupted their post-MMA meeting for a brief fellowship with the
visiting alumni brods.
Day 7, Feb 14: The OBBF Valentine Party 2015 was held at an upscale
housing development in Taguig called Mahogany 3. It was the third time
Tatang had been to that place in as many times he visited the Philippines
since 2010, a first time for International Prez Edsel Arceo and the second
time for Central Prez Rolly Reyes. Edsel expressed admiration not only for
the group, but for the individual accomplishments of the members as well.
*Web note: to read the OBBF Valentine Party full
article,
click here.
Day 8, Feb 15: The Tito de Santos Community Service Program is Edsel’s
major agenda in this particular visit. He has been traveling to the
Philippines several times in the past in order to help organize and
conduct this outreach activity that has been a tradition of Edsel’s home
chapter – The UP Beta Sigma Southern California. Edsel and a group of about 20 Betans proceeded to
Busters Bistro right after to celebrate yet another successful project.
*Web note: to read the 9th Tito de Santos Annual
Community Program full article,
click here.
Day 9, Feb 16: Topacio and Tagle Testimonial. Proposed by International
Vice-President Noli Nolasco and unanimously approved by the UP Beta
Sigma-International Board of Directors, President Edsel handed over an
award to National Scientist Brod Dean Ted Topacio on a testimonial held
for him and for Comelec Commissioner Brod Lucenito Tagle. This very
well-attended affair was held at the Department of Agriculture. Among the attendees
included past presidents of Central, the current Board of Trustees led by
President Jojo Alejar, Founding Father Rico Arranz, Agriculture Secretary
Procy Alcala, DENR Secretary Victor Ramos and several generations of
Betans. This was the last activity of Prez Edsel before going back to the
USA.
[Note: We did not receive all the requested inputs for
this event, so our apology for the late coverage. -- N. Bituin]
Sec. Vic Ramos delivers testimonial for Dr. Ted
Topacio, to read testimonial
click here
(Back---> Southern California Menu)
(Back--->
Current Features)
|