TNB January 2014

Volume 34 Issue 01

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALPHA PHI OMEGA GREATER LOS ANGELES

January 2014

Goings on

by Sis. Fely Logarta Montecillo

DECEMBER AFF AIR: P AR TYING THE APO WAY LIKE NO O THER AFFAIR: PAR ARTYING OTHER

by Bro. Dan Nino

As usual, when APO brethren are gathered in any occasion, it’s a blast. It’s fun that never ends. And nothing can stop them from bonding, from partying like no tomorrow. It will take a cop to restrain them from enjoying a fellowship like no other.

ad libs, natural, effortless and rib-tickling digs and barbs.

Put it differently, he shepherded the program very well.

It seemed there was no after-effect of his long hospital confinement. He also looked robust. After all, he lives to the health dictum that laughter is the best medicine.

We reminisce old tales and anecdotes. We sang. We danced. We dished out trivia. We rib each other in the spirit of good clean fun. We imbibed the spirits in responsible way.

An array of raffle prizes were on hand for the taking.

How fortunate can she be. My wife Myrna went home with three treasures including a Target gift certificate, picture frame and neck massager. Thank you the prize donors.

The revelers not content with partying inside the ballroom of Marriott Torrance-South Bay on Dec. 14, 2013 on the 33rd anniversary celebration of APOGLA, hied off to our usual hospitality suite where more tall tales were churned out, only to be quieted down by the hotel’s security personnel. Brods must have heard about the much-ballyhooed goat cuisine of Brods. Chef Bobet Peneza and Geoffrey Arroyo.

While the dinner was taking place, a non-stop entertainment galore thrilled the audience not only from APOGLA but from various APO alumni associations including brods from Northern California. There was a sighting of longtime APO Brod Henry Astorga that evening.

What a sight to behold? Ladies of APO with their exotic costume like Arab princess who performed the “Jingle Jangle” dance routine ala-Bollywood, was wellapplauded. Kudos to you Sis Melody Ang-Gayon, Emma Galang, Daemma Mendez-Yazon, Josie Tarculas, Florence Paggao and Winnie Calvario. Did I miss anyone?

Not to be outdone were the APO kids who performed a funky dance routine like a pro. We are all proud of you kids — for your showmanship.

The daughter of Brod Mar Garchitorena, Marilou Pador dished out two songs including Donna Summer’s “Last Dance.” The danceable music was irresistible in that Program host Brod Bobet Lara kept the audience in Brod Raul Medina and wifey Fatima and other brave laughter mood throughout the night with his unscripted

Continued on page 4

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PRESIDENT’S MESSA GE MESSAGE 2014 is here! Happy New Year Brothers and Sisters!

A big hug to 2013 President Sis Melody AngGayon for a job well done! To culminate her term, PP Bro Art Rivera rolled the New Year with a Welcome bang! at the Marriott Residence Inn in Santa Clarita Valley. The New Year countdown party was well attended by members, family and friends who were treated with too much food and drinks. Our very own, Bro Oca Angeles, who put our dancing skill to a test, provided the music. Not only did the ladies show their line dancing skills but the Brods were forced to show-off their line dancing skills as well. And to continue the fun at the start of 2014, PP Bro Art Rivera spearheaded again a musical night last January 4, 2014. In cooperation with the Santa Clarita Filipino Community of St. Kateri Catholic Church and APO ETA alumni, APOGLA co-sponsored a night to remember with the award winning UP Concert Choir.

Now, as we put aside our holiday decorations and the parties has slowed down, here comes our first meeting of the Year! As I mentioned in my campaign, I want to focus in strengthening our General Membership. Membership is the life of our organization. We are better positioned at this time of our strength to nurture what we have for the next generation. Our Area Coordinators will have a big task in communicating our future service, projects and fun time.

And to continue with tradition, February affair will be an all out Ladies Night.

This will be co-chaired by Sis Hazel Salas and Sis Daemma Mendez-Yazon.

Next in our list is the LA Marathon to be led by PP Bro Egay Ninofranco on March 9, 2014. Please register on or before January 31, 2014 to be part of the LA Marathon volunteer group.

Our first meeting will be held at the house of Brod Nelson Jusay and we thank him and his wife, Anabelle, for this opportunity. I hope to see everyone on our first GMM for 2014 and together we plan and pray for another fruitful year for APOGLA! “A Legacy of Unity, Strength and Service” In LFS,

HO W TOF ASS HOW OFASS BENEFIT APOGLA 1.

TOFASS gives APOGLA a positive exposure to the community.

• Connect APOGLA to various media • Link up APOGLA to other Fil-American Groups & Organizations 2.

Provide APOGLA with legitimate fund raising vehicle (501c3 status) • Give us a reason to approach corporate sponsors & individual Donors.

• Add to our portfolio when we ask for grants from corporation and other big charitable organizations.

• Another step towards using our charitable status to benefit APOGLA’s members and service projects.

3.

Provide APOGLA a long term service project • This is a first of each kind in Southern California • Today TOFASS is APOGLA”s signature project that could be done every year.

BRO JEROME PAGGAO 2014 President

by Bro. Tony Amon

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GOINGS ON

by Sis. Fely Montecillo

Happy New Year to all my Brods and Sisters!

We are all hopeful for a more prosperous and brighter 2014! ************ Through this column, I would like to thank PP Emma Galang for her great help in making my son’s visit to Los Angeles a wonderful one. Without batting an eyelash, Sis Emma came to my aid, when I asked her to help me show LA to my son, Jason. Like a true-bloodied girl scout, she was with us in less than half an hour after I asked her and off we went to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. ************ During our last Christmas Party, the “Jingle Jangle” number of the GLA sisters and wives was just fantastic! Who could ever think of putting up such a number? No other than PP Melody Ang-Gayon whose “naughty” ideas really catch fire! ************ Just to let you know, according to Miss Louise Vargas of the Marketing Dept. of PNB RCI, APOGLA members had at least 23 senders of remittance for the month of December, 2013. Let’s keep this up as we are helping our beloved organization every time we remit money to the Philippines. ************ Brod Tony Amon is starting to work on our muchawaited TOFASS project. This is one project we have which gives APOGLA a positive exposure to the community through various media and surely links us to other Fil-American groups and organizations.

It is also a good vehicle for legitimate fund raising for APOGLA. ************ Our deepest condolence to three ALPHA Members who lost their loved ones recently. They are: SIS VERONICA “Ronnie” GUANSING-BOWEN whose husband, Bill Bowen lost his battle with cancer; BROD PIO TORNEROS, who lost his oldest sister , Amelia Torneros-Tolentino, to pneumonia; and to SIS OPHEL VITA -AMON whose sister, Remedios Vita, passed on to eternal life. We are sorry for your loss. We know however, that your pain is somehow eased by the thought that your loved ones are now in a happier place. ************ On a happier note, we look forward to seeing you all once again during our very first GMM this year come January 18. Let’s all try to make it, ok?

In Memoriam:

Br od P aul Languisan Paul Languisan’’ s Mom J oins ea tor Joins Her Cr Crea eator Brod Paul Languisan’s 93-year-old mother Pureza Ruiz Fortuna who is one of the founders of the Filipino-American Service Group (FASGI), passed away on Dec. 16, 2013. If this fateful date seems familiar among our APO brethren, Dec. 16 was also being celebrated worldwide as our Foundation Day when Brod Frank Reed Horton founded APO at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania 88th years ago.

The late Mrs. Fortuna was born on April 23, 1920 in Sarat, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She is now reunited with her deceased husbands Jose Languisan and Jaime Fortuna, and son Ruben Languisan. She is survived by her three living children: daughter Luz Himala with husband Oscar, granddaughter Angel Dizon with husband Ronald and great grandsons Jordan, Zeke and Logan, granddaughter Annie, grandson Anthony, great granddaughter Alanna, and grandson Andrew; daughter Helen Albayalde with husband Dennis and grandson Arnel; and son Paul Languisan with wife Evelyn Languisan, grandson John Paul with wife Rose, great grandchildren Samantha and Julian, and granddaughter Kristine.

Pureza received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Class 1941 and Masters of Arts in Administration and Public Health in 1943 both from the University of the Philippines. Thereafter, she worked as the head of Public Health in the city of Manila.

In the States, she has worked in the ICU, CCU and Medical-Surgical and retired as a Director of Nursing at the age of 78. Even after retirement, Pureza continued to serve the community of Los Angeles as a Red Cross nurse volunteer for 39 years. She was presented the 1996 Central East District Volunteer Nurse of the Year award. Aside from FASGI, Mrs. Fortuna was also active as member of DIMASALAN, derived from our hero’s penname.

The LANGUISAN and FORTUNA families would like to express their deepest appreciation for “showering us with love, kind words and prayers.

“We ask for prayers that God would continue to give us strength, guidance, peace and comfort in our journey as we will miss our beloved matriarch,” said son Paul Languisan, family’s spokesman who issued this statement.

- with contributions from Brod Dan E. Nino

Tribo ni Bado Newsletter is a monthly publication of the Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) Greater Los Angeles exclusively for its members, families and friends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the writers, and are not intended to represent APOPGLA. Publisher/Editor Sancho Sy Editorial Staff Dan Nino • Fely Montecillo • Ruth Manalastas Art/Photos by Eric Serrano • Sam Zamora • Sancho Sy Contributors Dan Nino • Jerome Paggao • Fely Montecillo • Tony Amon Josie Tarculas • Bob Cobarrubias • Eric Serrano Edgar Ninofranco

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DECEMBER AFF AIR: P AR TYING THE APO WAY LIKE NO O THER AFFAIR: PAR ARTYING OTHER Continued from page 1

souls displayed their terpsichorean talents to the delight of the crowd.

This was followed by Brod Rennel Atienza who rendered two folk songs accompanying himself on guitar.

The D.I. who led the line dance or anyone who partnered with him, danced to their hearts’ content especially Sis Daemma. The tireless D.I. had to change his dancing shirts many times.

True to the comment of Brod Tony Gomez sometime ago, “APO’s bevy of talents in every category must have descended on APOGLA.” Any second the motion guys?

On a more glorious note: congrats to the APO kids scholars namely Nicole Ilagan, daughter of Brod Manny and Meg Ilagan and Josef Madrigal, son of Brod Jun and Sis Tess Madrigal for receiving $500 each as supplemental scholarship grant with a plaque from APOGLA. This was spearheaded by Brod Toti Ayo. Presided by Brod Geoffrey Arroyo, past Librado I. Ureta awardees had chosen Brod Eric Serrano aka Doc Aga as the 2013 LIU awardee. Surprised when his name was announced, Doc Aga said he dedicated his coveted award to his family who attended the party in full force.

The speeches of COB Brod Art Rivera, ACNA President Lito Tarculas, outgoing President Melody Ang-Gayon, incoming President Jerome Paggao, December Affair Chairman Beeboy Mansilla and opening prayer of Sis Fely Montecillo were short and sweet. Let’s keep it that way.

Perhaps undeterred, brods/sis devised ways to continue with more fellowship at the home of Brod.

Roland and Gigi Paras in La Mirada, the morning after.

We hope you relished our annual December Affair — always a hard act to follow. Let love radiates in us in countless ways. See you all guys in December 2014. - by D. E. Nino

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NEW YEAR B ASH PICTURES BASH It’s another fanfare welcome of the new year by APOGLA members with their families and friends at the Residence Inn in Stevenson Ranch, CA.

Easter Fun Day

Ako’y Isang Pinoy

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BO ARD OF DIRECT OR’S CORNER BOARD DIRECTOR’S

UP CONCER T CHOR US CONCERT CHORUS FUNDRAISER PICTURES:

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It’s great to be back!

Not that I’ve gone anywhere…but, yes, it’s feels great to be back with my esteemed brethren in the Board of Directors. As we start 2014, we would like to start off by giving credit where credit is due. Let us all give a big round of applause to all the outgoing officers of 2013. They have kept APO-GLA at the forefront of APO activities worldwide and have done their share of elevating our Organization to greater heights.

The future bodes well for us, with so many visions and collective goals to achieve, and the great thing about it is, ALL of them are doable, if we stick together and perform our own individual roles.

Firstly, we take this opportunity to remind every member of their responsibility in paying their annual dues. I believe that last year, we suffered a little dip in the membership dues compared to the prior year and we would just like to emphasize that is our individual responsibility to pay our annual dues. Starting this year, the annual dues have gone up to $50.00 (fifty dollars).

Our first GMM is on January 18, 2014 and we all know that the January meetings are a continuation of the fun and excitement of our December Affair, which we never seem to get enough of. So, we are all looking forward to experience the APO-GLA brand of fellowship.

I can’t still get over the shock of being the Librado I. Ureta awardee for 2013. I can think of a long list of equally deserving brothers and sisters. However, having said that, I do humbly accept this award, with a pledge and a promise to double my efforts to uplift our Organization, so that it continues to be a model for others to emulate.

By the time this publication comes out, we would have successfully launched our official APO-GLA Website. Finally, after painstakingly assembling the site for over a year, we now have a portal to the world. Everyone will finally get to know what APO-GLA is all about. A website is typically informative, except the ones on social media. And that is how we (my son, Pocholo and I) approached the design, to be more informative and less personal.

Every aspect of our Organization’s activities, our visions and aspirations are etched in each of the site’s pages. It took us more than a year, but I hope that everyone will be pleased in the finished product. In this regard, I would like to express my profoundest gratitude to my son for taking time out and patiently putting this all together. It is still a work in progress, but the management and update of the site will be turned over to our tech-brothers Domel Evangelista and Roehl Reyes.

With our website up and running, the Board of Trustees can now move forward in their quest for corporate donations and sponsorships. Indeed, the year ahead look very promising. There are many more plans that will be laid out in the near future and we encourage everyone to participate. Let us keep our APO-GLA the Premier Organization that it truly is.

In Leadership, Friendship and Service Bro. Eric Serrano Chairman

Ex ecom 1st Meeting Execom BOD - Execom Turnover. Hosted by Brod J.R. Bayani @Porter Ranch, CA

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TREASURER’S REPOR T as of January 17, 2014 REPORT 1. Tarculas Lito/josie 2. Paredes Vic 3. Angel Pangilinan 4. Romeo Martinez 5. Tony Gomez

6. Rolly Franco 7. Troy Agagon 8. Oscar Morallos 9. Jeheil Vinluan

Paid new member fee $20 Jeff Arabit Edwin Arabit As reported by Bro. Troy Agagon and Sis Josie Tarculas for carry-over from 2013.

Please send your $50.00 Membership Dues to: TROY AGAGON 27447 Elder View Drive, Valencia CA 91354 All checks must be made payable to - APOGLA

REGISTER NO W! NOW! Please be informed that this year’s LA Marathon will be on Sunday, March 9, 2014. We have the same assigned area Mile 13 Water Station, which is located at the corner of Sunset Blvd & Hayworth Ave. in Hollywood. You can now register as volunteers using the link below. However, as stated in RED below, APOGLA members and immediate family will only be allowed until January 31 to register. As mentioned in the past, because of budget constraints, LA Marathon will only allow each Water Station to have a maximum of 125 volunteers. Therefore, registration will be on first come first serve basis and for now, only 18 years & older and maximum of 4 per family will be allowed to sign up.

More details will be discussed at the GMM this Saturday, 01/18/14.

- Brod Egay Cell # (323) 828-3954

Please register now to Mile 13 link below: http://www.doitsports.com/volunteer2/info.tcl?job_id=2768 NOTE: Our group will have until January 31 to sign up and then I will open this Mile to the public.

OBITUARY On behalf of the APOGLA family, our heartfelt condolences to the families of our dear departed kapamilya: - Bro. Jun Bangan, Epsilon - Consuelo Zara, mother of Sis. Hanigrace Zara - Amelia Torneros-Tolentino, sister of Brod Pio Torneros - Eligio Daquioag, father in law of Brod Jun Cristobal - Bill Bowen, husband Sis Veronica Guansing-Bowen - Remedios Vita, sister of Sis Ophel Amon

BIR THD AY BIRTHD THDA CALEND AR CALENDAR JANU AR Y 20 14 ANUAR ARY 2014 JANUARY 02- Domel Evangelista 03- Ellen Apura 07- Mike Chua 08- Jun Madrigal 13- Oscar Angeles Ernie Garrovillas 14- Wilson Lautchang 20- Bobet Lara 21- Wilson Arucan 24- Gil Magno 25- Lino Chatto Albert Peralta Leonardo Caldoza Sammy Clarete 28- Vinz Argonza 30- Rico Lainez SPOUSE: 11- Andrew Millano 13- Ella Gomez 20- Minda Chin 24- Myrna Nino 26- May Sy Alma Delmolin 27- Nel Lautchang APO KIDS: 01- Michale Arevalo Matt Emperado 04- Celeste Medina 05- Don Adriano 07- Lindsey Mejia 09- Alexa Reyes Aileen Talabis 10- Andrew Nathaniel Evangelista Jan Arciga 12- Grant Gomez 22- Chinggoy Serrano 24- Clarissa Tecson 27- Maria Rica Serrano Hazell Arucan

1ST GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING WHEN: Saturday January 18, 2014 - GMM starts promptly @ 4pm

PLEASE GET YOUR DIRECTIONS FROM GOOGLE MAPS OR MAPQUEST.

WHERE: Bro. Nelson Jusay’s Place 14139 Rayen Street Panorama City ,CA 91402 CONTACT PERSONS: Bro. Jerome Paggao - (818) 472-7049 Bro Nelson Jusay - (818) 371-0856

Jerome Paggao 29938 North CambridgeAve. Castaic, CA 91384

Stamps Here

http://alphaphiomega.org/