How time flies. Parang kailan lamang ng tayo ay magkakilala at maging magkakapatid sa Alpha Phi Omega. Gusto sana naming sariwain ang mga panahong ito kaya kami na naging APO noong 1960, kaming mga Blackjacks at High Noon ay nag-kaisa na magdiwang ng aming Gintong Taon…at siempre gusto namin kasama kayo!

KAYA, YOU ARE ALL INVITED TO JOIN US AND
GET BACK TO THE 60′S
DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY TO THE MUSIC OF TWO ACKNOWLEDGED RETRO BANDS
THE X.O.P. and the Endangered Species

on Oct 23 at the Fiesta San Miguel, Dusit Thani Hotel. Sumptuous Buffet Dinner will be served at 7PM plus Bottles of Wine at every table. Please bring your partner, spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend or whoever will make your night memorable. Let us once again re-live our frat ball years. But of course, like any frat ball there is a cost to it. For this night we are asking from you a minimal contribution of P1000 per head. We, the Blackjacks & High Noon are subsidizing the difference.

The invitation is attached. PLease confirm your presence with Alumni president Manny Clarino at ev_clarino@yahoo.com.ph and/or 09178102882. Once your presence is confirmed, Manny will send you the printed invitation. Please note, our initial reservation is for 100 pax although we expect more will be coming to the affair.

In behalf of Blackjacks and High Noon, this is

Ernie Hernandez
Blackjacks, Eta 60A

(Check photos of the event here: Back to the 60s)

• Mel Adriano – 500
• Cloud 9 – 500
• Evita Sagalongos – 500
• Tito Mayor – 1,500
• Ardy Abaya – 1,000
• APO-Eta Zodiac 1973D – 500
• In Memory of Brod Eliseo “Dad” C. Clamor Sr. – 500
• Gracie & Brod Mel S Gonzales Jr – 500
• Sis Maybelle M. Raquel (Happy-happy! on June 4th) – 500
• In Memory of Brod Dr. Librado I. Ureta – 500
• Alex Brillantes – 1,000
• Gary Hernal – 1,313.81
• Rudy Rojas – 500
• Jun Rivera – 2,290.97
• Glod Dimaano – PhP 1,374.58
• Mar Tano – 2,000
• Mike T. Guzman – 4,676.50
• Ralf Emerson Javier – 1,500
• Caesar Frondozo – 1,856.20

Pictures to follow.

The following are the newly-elected officers of the Association and Foundation:

The Grand Chancellor Fritz Sapon and Grand Lady Chancellor Lady Ivy Vanity Velasco were also appointed as members of the Board.
The President of APO ETA ANA is also automatically a Member of the Board.

In excellence,

Fritz Sapon
Grand Chancellor

Among the welcome scuttlebutt is that Brod Gen Jojie will be a shoo-in as Chief of Staff whoever wins in the 2010 presidential election assuring an Eta presence in the defense-police establishment together with Brod Director Jess Versoza. Mabuhay ang Eta!

We also bid adieu to Brod Nick Cabalza who was given the necro rites last Thursday night. Brod Bot Hernandez said that the investigators are closing in on the assailants. Hindi ako masyadong close kay Nick pero madami ang nagsabi na napakabait na brod daw nito. Sana makatulong si Brod Jess upang mabigyan ng hustiya ang pagkakapaslang sa ating brod.

Masaya at nakadating si Brod Rufi Ignacio ’60A. Madami Blackjacks kagabi kasama na si Brod Jojo B. Mas madami ang 50s at 60s pa rin pero represented naman lahat ng dekada. Si Brods Manolo Lozada at Nick Reyes ng 50s nakadating din. Oo nga pala, walang nakapuntang mga senior sis kasi lahat ng dumalo kagabi e batch 2000s daw sila. May asim pa naman daw, hehehe.

Chato ’73B

MANILA, Philippines – Brig. Gen. Jorge Segovia (APO Eta ’74) received the Distinguished Service Star yesterday for leading his men in dismantling two New People’s Army fronts in Laguna and downsizing three more in Batangas in 2007 and 2008. The former commander of the Army’s 202nd Infantry Brigade led awardees during the Army’s 112th anniversary in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig yesterday. Segovia is now assigned to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Command Center.

The Distinguished Service Star was also awarded to Lt. Col. Lope Dagoy, former commander of the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion in the Visayas, and Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, Army chief of staff.

The Gold Cross Medal was pinned on 1Lt. Albert Ortiz for gallantry in action. He led the Scout Rangers against the Abu Sayyaf and rogue Moro National Liberation Front bands in Indanan, Sulu in February 2007. Nineteen terrorists and 10 others were wounded in that encounter.

The Gold Cross Medal was also awarded to 1Lt. Roberto Bulosan who led his men in a shootout with NPA rebels in Salcedo town in Ilocos Sur. Three rebels were killed in the encounter and the soldiers recovered several high-powered firearms. First Lt. Roberto Bulosan also received the Gold Cross for leading his men in killing 15 NPA rebels during an encounter in Claver, Surigao del Norte on June 29.

The Gold Cross was also pinned on Sgt. Antipas Balolo, who led his platoon in a clash that killed two NPA rebels in Sta. Cruz, Davao City. Lt. Col. Noel Detoito, of the 542nd construction battalion, received the Gawad sa Kaunlaran for spearheading the construction of houses as part of the Kalinga sa Kawal project at Camp Minuyan in Murcia town in Negros Occidental.
He also headed the construction of soldiers’ quarters at the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City. The Bronze Cross for heroism was awarded to Maj. Apollo Jun Lamaton, who was responsible for the capture of NPA leaders in Central Luzon. S/Sgt. Oscar Beltran was also awarded the Bronze Cross for heroism for having rescued 17 people in Panay Island at the height of typhoon “Frank” last year.

The Kagitingan sa Barangay (Maginoo) was given to militiaman Bernardo Aniel who figured in an encounter with heavily armed NPA rebels in Irosin, Sorsogon in September 2006, during which a rebel was killed. The command plaque was awarded to S/Sgt. Allan Rafer for being the “Best Enlisted Personnel of the Year;” active auxiliary Reinier Maquinta for being the “Outstanding Civilian Active Auxiliary of the Year;” Capt. Roy Castronuevo for being the “Reservist Officer of the Year;” M/Sgt. Jovencio Batalla for being adjudged as the “Reservist Enlisted Personnel of the Year.”

April Mark Ventura of the Mariano Marcos State University and Leonelyn Latina were awarded the Best ROTC cadets of the year.
Army chief accountant Editha Santos was awarded the Model Civilian Supervisor of the Year. Santos received the award because the Army believes she is not part of the alleged irregularities in the bidding process on the purchase of combat boots and uniforms, according to Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner. Marilyn Payumo, a psychologist, was awarded as Model Civilian Employee of the Year.

Lito Cuyag received the “Best Boni Aide” of the year, while Ignacio Laroya was given the “Best Grave Digger” award. Silverio Felipe, a mechanic, received the Best Skilled Worker award, while Pakigdait Inc. and Balay Mindanao Foundation were awarded Best Non-Government Organizations. The provincial social welfare and development office of Cagayan province was adjudged the Outstanding Local Government Authority for supporting the Army’s various civil military operations.

The Army also awarded plaques to Porac, Pampanga Mayor Rogelio Santos, Tarlac Rep. Jeci Lapus; Capas, Tarlac Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan and Kiwanis International for supporting the Army’s projects.

This is to inform that DAR Undersecretary Delfin Samson, Eta batch 1957, succumbed to cancer yesterday. His remains lie at Arlington, Felicidad room, Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.

For your information.

Tito Garcia

Thus did Brod Maximilio “Mel” S. Gonzales, Jr., Eta ’73D-Zodiac say in an email sent to all brothers and sisters in Alpha Phi Omega after he received the prestigious National Alumni Distinguished Service Key (DSK) Award, the highest honors handed by APO-USA to a brother in Alpha Phi Omega.  

Said award was given to Gonzales during the Fellowship Banguet of the APO-USA 40th Biennial Convention held last December 28, 2008 in Boston.

The National Alumni Distinguished Service Award recognizes those alumni who have continued to further the principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service beyond their college years in Exceptional ways. The key is given in recognition to alumni for outstanding service to the community, not just to the fraternity.

DSK Award is no new to Etans in the United States. In 2003, Brod Bernie Y. Castillo, Eta ’70, also received an award from APO-USA but the Distinguished Service Key (DSK) Award. He received the APO National Service Fraternity Regional Service Award in 1977. 

APO-Philippines national president Magleo “Mel” V. Adriano, Eta ’69, congratulated Gonzales on his well-deserved honors.

“You brought honor and prestige not only to yourself but to the whole APO Philippines,” Adriano said.

Gonzales is at the forefront of the Dr. Librado I. Ureta Foundation that envisions to put up the Dr. Librado I. Ureta Center for Alpha Phi Omega. He also handled key positions in APO Philippines in the past.

“It was all too much for the humbled me. Much is expected of one given much,” said Mel Gonzales.

On December 8, let us all meet at Tropezz at the Greenbelt at 7 pm. We will gather first at the bar room which is right at the entrance then at the main room to listen to none other other than the GREENHOUSE Band at 9:00 pm. That is right, our band will be playing. We have made the necessary arrangements so that we will gather as one in one place, henceforth.

On December 11, we will be hosting golf at the Sunvalley Golf and Country Club for the National Council.

On December 12, the residents will be holding the Great Oblation Run at 12nn. There is going to be a fellowhip thereafter at the Bonsai Garden. it is going to be fun all the way. Finally,

On December 16, let us all join the National Council in celebrating our anniversary at the Makati Coliseum at 5 pm.

So, see you all!

In behalf of the APO Golf Federation, we would like to inform all those who will be joining the THE OBLATION RUN – DAD CLAMOR MEMORIAL CUP that instead of December 9, the tourney is re-scheduled to December 11, 2008, Thursday.

Same venue, Sun Valley Golf Club, Antipolo. Same tee-off time. We had to change the date, due to a sudden conflict of schedule.

We humbly request all APO golfers to participate. Bring along your family, friends and business associates. As in the past, proceeds will go to one of our major service projects, Gawad Kalinga.

We apologize for the inconvenience of the change of date. We hope you will always be there to support us, just like in the past tournaments. May I request that this announcement be posted in all APO egroups.

Maraming salamat,

Brod Tito

The 5th and Final Regular Leg of the Inauguaral APO Golf Circuit, THE OBLATION RUN – DAD CLAMOR MEMORIAL CUP, will be on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at the Sun Valley Golf Club, Antipolo. As previously agreed, Eta chapter will be hosting the event. Ticket price is at Php2,500. Tee-off time will be at 6:30am to 9:30am. Molave point system.

As in the previous golf tournaments, ticket price includes meal, golf cart pass, give-ways and raffle prizes.

In behalf of Luis Paredes, APO Golf Circuit Chairman, I am humbly appealing for our chapter’s golfers to attend and participate in this tourney. Invite your friends and business associates to join. In is very critical that we show our force considering that it is our chapter’s name that is hosting the event.

Maraming salamat,

Brod Tito