UPBSFI Alaska Cruise’07

by Norman Bituin

As they say, better tales come late.  Well, okay, I admit.  I made that up.  Still a good story, so read on please.

 

 
Actually, the group was 18-person strong: Willie "Tatang"’67 (now the new UPBSFI prez) and Tess Vergara; Roy’77 and Dinah Antonio; Ike’71 and Tanya Araneta; Ike’s mom Lydia and sister Susan; Norman’65, Cherry and their children Jen, Jamie and Kurt Bituin; and Cherry's 5 nurse workmates.  They flew to Seattle to catch the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines “Vision of the Seas” pulling anchor on Aug. 17 at the Port of Seattle to begin the 7-day heralded “experience of a lifetime”. Didn’t disappoint first-time seafarers Roy, Ike and Willie who confirmed it was exactly that.
 
Starting on Day 1 was a welcome dinner show and a gyrating wild disco to warm up the booty.  There were ballroom lessons in the afternoons, Las Vegas-type extravaganzas every night, foods galore any time of the day.  The Filipino food captains and servers pampered their kababayans with extra servings and attention (even a special adobo dish from the kitchen chef).  Three Pinoy musicians (violin, guitar, piano) from 2 bands entertained the crowd with requested renditions of Filipino songs and kundimans from you know who.  Meanwhile, the only ice carver on the ship, Antonio, a Pinoy, wowed the travelers with his artistic creations at the gala dinner and exhibition.  Determined not to gain extra pounds from the holiday fiesta, the brods performed their tetada kalimasada practice in the early morning hour at the empty dance floor; and hitting the gym with the wives for a rigorous workout in the afternoon.
 
At the 3 ports of call – Juneau, Skagway and Prince Rupert – the families disembarked and had lots of  fun joining the tours and just walking and discovering the towns on their own.  Two such thrilling excursions were the trip to Mendenhall Glacier in the capital city of Juneau; and in Skagway the train ride up to the White Pass-Yukon Summit at the US-Canada border.  Norman managed to take a lucky snapshot of a black bear ambling up on the mountain side. 
 
At the end of the voyage, Mrs. Jesus Jayme and her family picked up Willie and Tess Vergara for a weekend visit at her home in Vancouver, British Columbia.  Meantime, the other Betan families enjoyed the ferry ride and lunch at Don’56 and Marie Ganchorre’s charming abode in Vashon Island with a panoramic view of Puget Sound and majestic Mt. Rainier. Capping the group’s summer getaway was a dinner hosted by the Northwest brods at Sluggo Rigor’s office in Seattle.
 
Another cruise adventure anyone?  All aboard!!
 
  
   
                        Ship ahoy... leaving Seattle for Alaska                                           The Bituins checking out Willie "Tatang" & Tess Vergara's cabin

 

  

                       Norman & Cherry Bituin,  Roy & Dinah Antonio                          Willie with the Aranetas - Ike & Tanya, sister Susan, mom Lydia

 

  

                "Las Vegas" in the high seas: casino, slot machines                                                   ... and variety show extravaganzas

          
 
                     Resting after a ballroom dance lesson                                                    Cherry Bituin with the family and her nurse friends    
 
   
           Two Pinoy musicians serenade at dinner                                                         The UP Betan Family at first formal dinner           
 
   
                      Disco Fever aboard "Vision of the Seas"                                      Tatang (in shades, blinded by the frenzy) & Tess join the wild dancing
 
   
                                        The Bituins dig in too!                                                                        1st port of call - the capital city of Juneau, Alaska          
 
   
                  Juneau's famed 12-mile long Mendenhall Glacier                                     Al Gore's "The Inconvenient Truth", global warming, is here
 
     
Dr. Jose Rizal bust at Manila Square in  Juneau center                                     The group poses for a shot near a salmon spawning brook                   
 

    

    Red Dog Saloon, the (in)famous tavern and bordello of the mining era                Juneau - a view from the top (aboard  Mt. Roberts Tramway)

 

   
                       2nd port of call - Skagway, Alaska                                                                 Exciting train ride up White Pass-Yukon Summit           
         
   
             Black bear refuses to hitch ride on the train to go up                                                  A scenic view atop the US-Canada border               
 
   
           A girl shows a spawning chinook she caught                                          Norman tries swiping out one too (water is freezing cold)

 

   

                                  Shopping at downtown Skagway                                                                                    "Life in the big city"

     

   
                               Cruising Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska                                                                        A tourist paddleboat along the fjord                     
 
  
               Ruel, one of the super-friendly Pinoy food servers                                                               Another dinner group picture                           
 
   
             Brods and wives with Ruth, a pretty Pinay food server                                                        The food crew sing to the diners                    
 
   
          At gala buffer dinner with one of Antonio's ice carvings                             Tatang - look at those cakes, yummy (not at the naked decors)     
 
   
                                                                        3rd port of call - Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada                                                  
                                                                     
   

 
  

         Ike, Norman & Roy after their tetada kalimasada practice                             Proudly holding the Filipino flag at International Banners Day     
 
  
         Antonio, the lone ice carver on the ship, working on his art                                           The American bald eagle created by Antonio.           

 

   
UP Beta Sigma Founding Pres. Brod Jesus Jayme's clan in Vancouver:                           Tatang surrounded by the beautiful Jayme ladies.       

- Standing: Lito, Perry, Norie, Rick, Marvie, Litoboy. Leonor, Perry,

                 Marirose, Telly, Norie, Marvie.

- Seating: Marty, Eileen, Telly, WillieV, Mom Leonor, TessV, Taren.

- Kneeling: Sydney, Allysa.

           

    

    Willie with Evelyn's daughters and JJ's apos, Caroline and Stephanie                           Tess at historic Stanley Park with Perry and Lito         

    
                           Waiting for the ferry to Vashon Island                                             At Don and Marie Ganchorre's exquisite home in Vashon Island
 
   
               Tanya & Ike sample the wild berries by the roadside                       Don's priceless vintage Los Banos salakot painted with the UP Betan seal
 
   
                       Sitting by the veranda overlooking Puget Sound                       Welcome dinner by the Northwest Betans and wives at Sluggo Rigor's  
 

 

 

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