A CEREMONIOUS NORTHWEST FRAT BALL
GP Nick Inducted for Second Term; Nong Fred is Guest Speaker
by Willie "Tatang" Vergara
[Photography by Cosme Santiago, Ben Manzano and Willie Vergara]

 

 

This was one occasion I had to attend, no matter what. Brod Ronnie Dimaano called me in early 2015, inviting me to attend his induction as Grand Princep. And I never forgot Ronnie when in 2000, having newly arrived in California, he immediately presented himself for service. I was GP in UP-North, and we were then on our 3rd year of rebuilding the Chapter.
 

Brod Ronnie and family in Folsom, California in 2001
 

 

What more? My August 2003 visit to the then new Northwest Chapter (founded in 2001, after the UP Beta Sigma International Grand Reunion in San Francisco) expanded my perspective that a mixed-group of Beta Sigmans could work together not just for “good time” and socializing, but for projects higher than themselves. That was just a chance, unplanned visit. The sudden passing of Founding President Jesus R. Jayme got me immediately packing to attend his funeral in Vancouver. But then I could not afford the airfare to Vancouver and the fare to Seattle was less than half that price.

Brod Cosme Santiago met me at the airport at midnight, and provided me lodging at his home. Cosme hosted a gathering the next day, where I was basically a listener and an observer. Many came that night led by Brod Dr. Ed Cuevas MD (NW's first GP), which was an opportunity for me to know some members. They were (and still are) a bunch of rather impressive professionals in this part of the US. (Note: Brod Vic Battad recently said on FaceBook that this Chapter now has six (6) MDs.) The quality of their topics were quite impressive, and there I thought that this group really started on the right path – a Chapter that can think beyond themselves, a mentality that began with their Charter. I also learned here that this was a Chapter that understood the essence of networking, and the synergy that comes as a result.

At Vancouver with Mom Leonor Jayme and Family, plus Vic Battad and Nards Taggueg
 

Brod Nards and Sis Angie Taggueg took me to their home that night. At that time, Nards was waiting to be reinstated at Boeing Air, so he had the time to accompany me to condole with our Founding President Jesus R. Jayme’s family. That trip to Vancouver and back was a great time for bonding between these two Ilocanos who only met in the US. But Brod Nards was the more fluent, poetic type and he had all types of Ilocano jokes, including the self-depracating ones. Geeez! I don’t remember having laughed so heartily during a two-hour trip.
 

Fast-track to July 17, 2015.

International Prez Edsel Arceo and I hit the road last Thursday. With my body aching the night before, Edsel took on all the driving – from Rocklin to Oregon City, then the next day, to the Columbia River Gorge, then to Portland garden and other sites, and to Seattle, our final destination. (On our way back, I must have been on the wheel only 2-3 of the total 15 hours.)

 

 

 

  

Multnomah Falls in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

 

 

 

People line up at Voodoo Doughnut, a Portland landmark known for its unusual doughnuts and eclectic decor

 

For breakfast, we had coffee and a mouthful

(no pun intended) of their "cock and balls" doughnut

 

On our first night (Hawaiian Welcome Night), it was such a pleasure to meet one of the legends of the frat, Brod Sluggo Rigor, and personally banter with his pretty wife Marivic. (I told Marivic that, according to the usually reliable Betan grapevine, the dashing Slug never laid his eyes on any other woman since he met her.) … My first personal meeting with my kababayan Brod Ben Manzano and his pretty young wife Gryselle likewise needs to be mentioned. I asked Gryselle, “How were you able to snag a handsome guy like Brod Ben?” Brod Ben couldn’t believe he just heard this, but you know what? I saw complete agreement in Gryselle’s eyes! Hmmmmm. “All Betans are handsome, right Brods?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then we saw Brods from other places milling around a long table of delicious Filipino dishes, featuring two differently prepared lechons, and well-known specialties of multi-talented Brod Cosme - “dua nga luto ti kalding” and “dinengdeng. Some notables I saw were: Alberta, Canada Chapter GP Rod Liggayu, Toronto’s Art De Vera (who should already be given an award for attending all fraternity balls in the US for the past two or more decades), one of International’s BOD Nick Galvez, Brod Col. Jim Gonzalvo who just moved to Maryland, UP North Brods Nong Fred, Federation President Johnny Regadio and Ric Velasco and Florida-bound Alaskan Brod Greg Vergara. Then we would meet Brod Rene Gallardo, former GP of Texas the next day.

Amid the evening’s merriment, games, and dancing, GP Nick showed a slide presentation that exhibited some of Brod Ronnie Dimaano’s life as a Betan.
 

On Day Two, three Lexuses that included a limousine owned by the Panlasigui’s waited at the hotel lobby for brods and their respective wives who were interested in joining a city tour. Notable among the ladies was Vee Cardenas-Battad, whom I traced as a possible relative with roots in Santa, Ilocos Sur. Among those who came were Canada-based Brod Art de Vera, and Brod Rod Liggayu and his pretty wife, Roweca. We were brought to a place called Ballard, where we saw Seattle’s Marina, and not too far from it, the must-see Chittenden Locks.

“The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks is an engineering marvel that is working flawlessly after almost a hundred years. The locks sits in the middle of Salmon
Bay in Seattle, and it is a set of complex system that regulates the different water level between the bay and the lakes. By doing so, it is able to keep the lakes at 20-22 feet above sea level and at the same time, keeping the saltwater from intruding into the lakes. The locks also serve as a maritime gateway to Seattle and all the commercial development that lies West of Salmon Bay.” (Wikipedia)
 

 

 

 

Our last stop was Kerry Park, acknowledged as the best place to view Seattle’s skyline.

 

 

 

 

The tour group went back to the hotel and was pleasantly greeted by someone whom I had always wanted to meet in person – US Ret. Col. Dr. Joel Sim, MD. In my view, Brod Joel presided over our dying Brod Ronnie Dimaano. His beautifully written account could be seen at our website in the "In Memoriam" section. It was an equally delightful time to see UPLB’s great couple Brod Don and Sis Marie Ganchorre again, with whom we had major updates the night before, as they came early for the grand affair.

Then it was time for the Grand Event. More than a hundred Brods and ladies gathered to register at the Grand Ballroom entrance.

 

 

Brod Dr. Fred Aquino DVM, one of the most accomplished Filipino veterinarians in the US and an highly celebrated community leader in Sacramento County and vicinity, was guest speaker. His speech revolved around the Five Betan Priorities: God, Country, Family, University and Fraternity. This was a good reminder for all of us Betans to set our priorities straight, and it was also a nice message for all others inside the hall especially those who are new to the Betan ways. In his discussion of “university”, he mentioned about our higher obligation to protect and support the academic institution that brought us up to where we are and made us succeed in this part of the world. Applauses marked Nong Fred’s speech, but I recall that his most applauded line was this: “I am honored to be the guest speaker of the Northwest Chapter, a shining example of Betan excellence.”

 

Nong Fred was also assigned to induct the Chapter’s Grand Princep and Officers of 2015-2017. An award was likewise given to him, as did my tocayo Willy Salanga and Cosme Santiago for their multiple services to the Northwest Chapter.

 

 

 

Humility, sense of service, courage to respond to another 2 years of challenge, and lots of gratitude to the elders, the ladies and members punctuated the speech of second-termer Grand Princep Nick Panlasigui. He is dutifully serving the abbreviated term of deceased Brod Ronnie Dimaano. He sincerely talked about how much support he was getting from the elders, a fact that was quite visible as the ceremonies proceeded.

 

 

There will be less text from hereon and more pictures, as they will speak for themselves. Below are a few more highlights:

A short video showing the hospital-bed induction of Brod Ronnie and his valedictory to all Betans added solemnity to the occasion. This would later be followed by awards given to two Betan widows of the Chapter – Marlene Dimaano and Angie Taggueg.
 

 

The mysterious, somewhat eerie yet so solemn sound of the bagpiper as he marched across the dimly-lit ballroom so beautifully spoke to us in a way that is difficult to describe. His presence was much more than an icing to the occasion. It was a key to every major turn in the program.
 

Just to inject a bit of humor to this rather serious article, it appears that the Northwest Chapter truly got their money's worth with Nong Fred. He was also the Chief D.I. of the Night.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To cap the solemnity of the occasion, here are “Parting Words” by Brod Joel C. Sim, MD:

The clock in the wall is ticking. The day has ended. The sun has set over the horizon, marking the beginning of dusk. The weekend of this glorious reunion is coming to an end. The time for fun and fellowship will soon be over.

We hope that the experience of the warm and radiant love and harmony that each of us had felt here, you will bring back with you and share this fellowship to all members of your respective Chapters.

Let us defy all dissension, petty quarrels, silly animosities, disruptive behavior and ego seeking ambitions and bury these counterproductive attitudes deep under the principles of the Beta Sigma Credo and silence them with the words of our Betan hymn.

Each of us pray that our Beta Sigma brotherhood, hereon and into future generations, that we will endure and preserve our noble cause, and be bound to each other in deep-seated brotherhood.

May our Beta Sigma stand tall, steadfast and secure as to hurdle the rude assaults of time, the petty ambitions, envy and greed of some ruffians and puerile personalities within our midst.

May love and friendship reign, peace and harmony prevail, whenever and wherever brother Betans meet.

Last, but not least, we pray that our God nourish the spirit and strengthen the chain of love and respect among brother Betans and preserve the noble order among of our young Filipino scholars and gentlemen, that this precious bond may endure forever.

Long live the Beta Sigma!

JOEL C. SIM, MD