Texas Betan Family Celebrates 5th Grand Fraternity Ball
by Marvic Pacoma, UPLB ‘00B “Osprey”
The 2020 Texas Fraternity Ball, officially March 12-15, had an interesting
start. The week we were about to finalize all our reservations, food
orders, room blocks and all the nitty gritty details of the daily events
and the Gala itself, the Coronavirus pandemic was beginning its nasty
swing in North America. Needless to say, it was a bit of stressful
planning and we were faced with tough decisions as we were counting the
days to our events. Tough as it was we gave it a go and the rest, as the
saying goes, was history.
The festivities started as early as March
10, Tuesday. UP delegates from Las Vegas, Vale and Iou, came early with
Lem and Laureen from Chicago along with Hector and Eileen all the way from
the Philippines. It was quite a relief not only to see good ole brothers
and wives but also knowing that at least we had guests finally. I remember
saying to them as I picked them up from the airport, “Di na kami
ma-zezero! Tuloy na tuloy na ito!"
Starting Wednesday, we had
opened up the Hospitality Suite as we had more guests arriving, most
notably our Alberta ,Canada delegation who opted for an earlier flight, as
well as Roy and Dinah Antonio from SoCal.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
was the official opening of the activities. After several back and forth
sundo from the airport we were finally ready for the Grand
Princep's Night. To make it extra special and different, we rented two
party boats that toured our guests to the calm and beautiful Clearlake in
League City, Texas. The first boat was for our Sigma Beta and LC Sisters,
our better wives and kids. There was about 45 of them on that boat. The
second boat was for the brods and there were about 55 of us in this boat.
The night was filled with dance, stories from the good ole days and lots
of booze.
Friday day time activities included golf warm up rounds,
shootfest, tours to NASA and Tanger outlet mall. The little charm city
from South Texas did not disappoint, as it had bounds to offer. The day
was capped by our Hospitality Night, Western cowboy style, in a saloon
setting and was attended by almost 160 guests including brods, sisters and
our families.
Hospitality Suite - late night inuman at kantahan.
GP's Night group picture, pre-boat boarding on March 12, 2020.
GP's Night, Brods boat - 55 brods total.
Yehaaaw Hospitality Night, March 13, 2020. Total guests is 162 people.
*Standing, L-R: Dutch Aragones UPLB’78, Rene Gallardo UPB’78, Pipoy Perez UPLB’94, Olrac Malabanan UPLB’77,
Marvic Pacoma UPLB ’00, Edwin Encomienda UPD’73, Lem Michelena UPD’75, Willy Ramos UPD’67,
Vale Valenzuela UPD’73, Sonny Pagador UPD’76, Hec San Juan UPD’73.
*Kneeling, L-R: Roy Antonio UPD’77, Bobby Pascual UPD’68, James Madduma UPD’94, Ted Quijano UPLB’67.
Saturday sluggishly started with hangover from the long night the day
before. Food was shared with the strong-willed brothers and wives able to
wake up early. The Al Alba golf tournament championship was also completed
that morning and trips to the Kemah boardwalk highlighted the morning.
Afternoon activities included bull rides and the Federation meeting
attended by GPs and NCR’s from different North America Chapters.
The Gala Night, which was the highlight of the Grand Fraternity Ball, not
only because this night showcased well-dressed loved ones, wives and kids
and smartly-groomed brothers. This was the highpoint of the event as this
night showcased, if only for a night, our great fraternity traditions. The
Gala Night was well attended with 150 guests with good food and unlimited
drinks to boot. The night presented speeches from the chapter’s officers
highlighted by the thoughtful discourse by the night’s guest speaker,
Sonny Pagador. The sentimental re-affirmation of the Fraternity’s final
rites also brought tears and lots of memories to the hearts and minds of
the brods not to mention the induction ceremonies for the TEXAS officers
and the Federation officers as well which were also a touching tribute.
On Sunday we had a send off Catholic mass for our guests. The week
long activity ended with lots of smiles, hugs and happy tears as everyone
bid everybody farewell, a promise to see each other sooner than later.
Everyone left with a few pounds more on their belly and ton more memories
in their souls!
Bull ride: The "Rodeo King and Queen" from UP North - Bobby and Harlean Pascual.
Federation meeting: Headed by Dondon Lagumen,
president, March 13, 2020.
Gala Night and Induction Ball Ceremony - March 14, 2020. Total 150 guests.
Sunday morning mass send-off.
See you all again in 2022! Cheers!!