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"Better by the Dozen" UP SoCal Celebrates 12th by Norman Bituin’65
The UP Beta Sigma Fraternity Alumni Association, Southern California Chapter gleefully rolled out its 12th Induction of Officers and Dinner-Dance during the long Labor Day weekend, August 30-September 1, 2008, in the suburban cities of Yorba Linda and Cerritos. From the post-festivities reactions and compliments from the brods and their families, starting from '86 this last one to round out a dozen could be one of the best. As is the wont, this successful gathering didn’t happen by accident – but through the long and careful planning of the Chapter’s leadership team of GP Frank Mamaril and his officers; many more diligent brods; and, of course, the main clutch and finesse team called the Ladies Auxiliary that glued it all together.
* Day1 - August 30, Saturday, 7p: Hospitality Night. The “Hospitality Night” was held at the beautiful Eastlake Village Clubhouse in Yorba Linda, the residential enclave of GP Frank and Rory. Lots of food and drinks to go around for the Western cowboy-attired (and regular-attired) guests. Carling Taguinod, the master veterinary surgeon, skillfully carved up the lechon while Jun Vale made sure that no one would complain of a dry throat. Jimmy de Luna brought his videoke machine and unmercifully put Josh Groban to shame. The lively impromptu sounds was provided by the UP NorCal band of Kiko Delmendo in sax; Ike Araneta and Babes Ignacio and UP SoCal’s very own Joe Lalas in guitars; and Vee de Vera and the bubbly (read “spirited”) Rotsen Lawas sharing the vocals. Parfing Palacio, Mercy Villegas and Letty de Luna added to the singing ensemble of the night. Throw in some honky-tonk line dancing plus the Pogs & May Gaspay country music duo ala Johnny Cash & June Carter and you get the picture. Only the Clubhouse’s midnight curfew would end this opening salvo.
The Forester Cowboys, Rick Velasco & Cosme Santiago, the Northwest GP, overlooking Eastlake
Hail to Dr. Narcing Lapuz'48 who never fails to come LB Cowboy Manolo Banzon'68 is next UP NorCal GP 2009-2011
The Midwest GP, Lem Michelena, & Laureen make their cool moves
* Day 2 – August 31, Sunday: Golf; UPBSFI Meeting; Fraternity Ball. (1) Dal Cruz Memorial Golf Tournament, 10a. In honor of Dr. Dal Cruz, UPLB’55, who was a regular with the UP SoCal golf group before he passed away in ’04, the players hit the fairways in nearby La Mirada GC. Several trophies were awarded at the Frat Ball night with Rolly Balingit winning the overall perpetual trophy in back-to-back years.
(2) UPBSFI Meeting, 4:30p. Prez Willie Vergara convened the members to a brief discussion of the International’s tasks, accomplishments, ongoing projects and the challenges ahead. Most notable of these attained goals are the International’s increased membership; continuing support in the build-up of the resident membership and JC-SOMA; the enhanced global communication among the brods via its email group and website; and its engagement in UP/community undertakings like the UP Visayas Reforestation Project. (Note: see the President’s Report in the website).
(3) Induction of Officers and Dinner-Dance, 7p.
Special guests from Minnesota, Mike & Kay Symons, with the Taguinods & Bituins
Venue was the Sheraton Hotel in Cerritos with the tables exquisitely decorated, the napkin accents and floral centerpieces provided gratis et amore by Viching de Santos with arrangement and transport help from Tina, Mayet, Laureen and Ivy. We’ve been to a number of these so we know the drill: the turnover ceremony from the past GPs; the presentation of incoming officers led by GP Frank Mamaril and Vice GP Edsel Arceo; Frank’s acceptance remarks; the recitation of the Betan Credo; and last but not least – dance, dance, dance!
The past Grand Princeps pass the gavel to the new Grand Princep
UP Beta Sigma SoCal Officers of 2008-2010 congratulate each other. Cheers!! Grand Princep - Frank Mamaril Vice Grand Princep - Edsel Arceo Master of the Rolls - Ago Romero Guardian of the Coffers - George Abrina Chamberlain - Elmor Villanueva Herald - Hermie San Luis Wielder of the Sword - Art Martin
Service awards were presented by new GP Frank: Hermie San Luis, for his recruitment bonanza in the ‘60’s; Edsel Arceo, for his vigilant control of the coffers; Ed Rivera, for his industry and representation in the Beta Sigma Federation; and Manny Gatmaitan, for his management of the fund-raising “Flor Pagador Memorial Bowling Tournament”.
Hermie San Luis'59 Edsel Arceo'73
Ed Rivera'68 Manny Gatmaitan'67
Frank handed a very special award to recognize the extraordinary efforts of Dr. Pogs Gaspay, the UPAA President in the San Francisco area, in UP’s Centennial Celebration raising over a reported 1.7 million dollars for our alma mater. Pogs is also spearheading the launching of the Teddy Rey Professorial Chair in UP.
Dr. Pogs Gaspay'68 (for once, speechless!) and pretty wife May
Billy Sevilla, the awardee for the Tito de Santos Humanitarian Award, unfortunately could not attend so Viching de Santos handed it to NorCal GP Joe Mendoza. Viching has been most generous and has actively participated in the Tito de Santos Medical and Dental Missions in the Philippines. Most recently Viching has also set up a professorial chair in Tito's name in the UP College of Fine Arts.
Viching de Santos honors the memory of Tito de Santos'63
Frank also recognized the presence of Kay Smaby-Symons, accompanied by her loving husband Michael, for her “caring friendship, compassion and humanity”. Kay, who was in a group of exchange students in Diliman from Smith College, a private ladies school in Massachusetts, is a lifetime friend of the UP Betans dating back to the mid-‘60’s. Kay recalled some wonderful frat stories and anecdotes; her favorite Filipino cuisine and spirits, including lambanog. She noted that the day, August 31, was also the first anniversary of her dear friend and ours who she looked after to his last moment - our beloved brod, Dolf de la Rosa. Kay, now a semi-retired lawyer and an environmentalist, is in the Board of Trustees of The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota.
Flashback '67: Kay saying goodbye at MIA to her Betan gang (LillianE, EdingH, WallyR)
Frank’s “Family Award” went to immediate past GP and Beta Sigma Federation President Sonny Pagador, wife Edith, kids Noel and Gabby for their continuing involvement and support to the fraternity.
The "Family Award" to Sonny Pagador'76 and his adoring family
On an intermission, International Prez Willie Vergara gave a couple of overdue but most deserving awards to Dr. Noli Nolasco from Alberta, Canada for his “outstanding and enduring service and contributions to the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity and in its School of Martial Arts (SOMA)” and to our perennial graphics expert and souvenir program magic-maker, local homeboy Ago Romero. The third award, similar to Noli’s, will have to wait until Dr. Jopet Laraya from Hongkong comes by in another opportune occasion.
Jopet will claim his well-deserved plaque hopefully, he wrote, in May '09 in SF Frat Ball
Frank & Rory Edsel & Mayet
Lem & Laureen Ding & Julie
Dave & Mercy Eddie & Evelyn
Bobby & Harlean Cosme & Carmen
Jimmy & Letty Roy & Dinah
Orly & Andie George & Barbie
Boy & Irma Vee & Ruby
Carling & Chit Norman & Cherry
Nonoy & Ivy Gene & Geny
LB Sigma Betans: Marie Ganchorre, Marivi Lawas, Andie Magistrado, Zeny Naval, Edith Oliva.
Kay delights in her Betan 'affair souvenir' sweatshirt with "Kay was here"
Harlean: "Hey, you guys are going in the wrong direction!"
Again, only the hotel’s midnight closing time could stop the dancers and revelers in the ballroom who were immediately led to the adjoining hall for some snacks and refreshments.
*Day 3, Monday – September 1, 11a. Send-off Brunch. Alas, all good things must come to an end. But not before a Filipino-style brunch at Frank and Rory's residence in Yorba Linda. There were tocilog, longsilog, tapsilog, bangsilog, mongsilog, turon, empanadas, etc., etc. More stories, chit-chats, kodakan, invitations to the upcoming ’09 San Francisco and Seattle Frat Balls, then the final goodbyes.
All in all this 3-day affair, after all the hard work and preparation, has been all about our eternal bond and having jolly times together with each other and our families. Memories do linger. We’ve held on to our brotherhood and friendships – and think too of the ones who are no longer with us. We miss them. And so we repeat the process again next year and in the years to come, while we can.
In an oblique way, the 17th century poet Robert Herrick comes to mind.
To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Carpe diem. Seize the day. Let's have a "Ball" (pun intended)! San Francisco, Manolo – here we come!!
**Postscript: Thanks to Brods Pet Grajo, Ike Araneta, Val Palattao, Cosme Santiago, Ago Romero and Orly Magistrado who contributed pictures to this article. /nmb 9-07-08
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