The ancient Eta Chapter Bulletin Board. Still looking good after 20 years(?)

AS Walk in Blue and Gold

Eta Chapter Alumni Leadership

Eta Alumni and Visiting brethren from other chapters pose with APO National President Mel Adriano

The 90′s

Bro. Ojie Santillan

Calm before the storm

AS Steps

Here it comes…

The banners of Leadership, Friendship and Service

Hubad na mga Bayani

After a long weekend (July 2-5, 2009) of fellowships, white water river rafting, hiking and partying with music provided by Seattle’s best Filipino live band (with Bro. Chito Refuerzo on lead guitar and UP alumnus Teza Mendoza on vocals), the main task of carrying on the work of the ETA Alumni Association of North America Foundation has just started under a new administration.

There were suggestions of re-electing me as President of ETAANA and some even suggested a President for Life term ala Bro. Manny Clarino of the UP APO Alumni Association. I am very happy that we were able to squelch such exuberance because the lifeblood of our Foundation lies not in a so-called “stability of leadership” – because the Foundation itself is a bedrock of stability – but in the dynamism that new blood can infuse into our Foundation. Between Bro. Ruffy Ignacio (AGC 1999-2001, President 2001 -2005) and myself, the leadership of our Foundation has been based in Washington for the past 10 years, not to mention that three biennial affairs were held in the beautiful State of Washington. That, to me, should be enough stability as we embarked on building our 501(c)3 foundation stone by precious stone.

I was extremely pleased that there were several new faces from the 50′s and early 60′s batches – with their beautiful families – that graced the occasion of our biennial reunion, as well as braved the risks of the white water river rafting, not to mention the greater risks posed by the Gallery golf course on Whidbey Island. All in all, the affair on Cornet Bay, Whidbey Island, Washington was a resounding success.

Behind any success, however, are the people who provided their indispensable support, starting with our spouses without whose cooperation we would not even have had the time nor the interest in taking over such a huge task of organizing our biennial affair.

Last, but certainly not the least, from the bottom of the hearts of each and every member of ETAANA, I would like to acknowledge and convey our deep appreciation to all the members of the Greater Washington Alpha Phi Omega (GWAPO) without whose constant and tireless support, our ETAANA members could not have possibly found the time to enjoy their stay. We salute the members of GWAPO under the leadership of Bro.GWAPO President Ernie Paragas, and the spouses Bro. Caesar and Sis Cora Mitre who, with the GWAPO members too numerous to mention here at this time, ran the kitchen with efficient hands.

Finally, I would like to announce that we have a new President, Bro. Emmanuel “Bojji” Martinez (’82-D), who was unanimously given carte blanche by the ETAANA electorate to form his own corps of officers to carry on the fine traditions of ETA chapter here in North America.

Congratulations to you, Bro. Bojji, and we will provide you with all of the support that you will need to carry our your mandate.

Sincerely and fraternally,

JP Paredes
M-16, ’73A, ID# 0007-1973-04351 Life
Past President, APO-ETAANA Foundation (2005-2009)

Pictures taken at Archipelago Restaurant in Burlingame, CA on December 27, 2008. Posted by Eugene Licauco & Jose Servanda

The 1974 APO-Eta officers
Sitting (L2R): Andre Kintanar, Lito Reyno, Mel Narag
Standing (L2R): Rico Cruz, Mel Gadi, Boy Ilaga, JB Lim, Boy Tan, Boy Morales.

Photos courtesy of Romy Munda.

Last Thursday, October 9, 2008, your National Council with the cooperation of APO Lawman Association honored Brod PDG Jess Verzosa with a Testimonial Dinner for his recent promotion as the Chief of PNP in the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza, Ortigas, Pasig City.

More than 400 of our brethren, in their Sunday’s best, anxiously awaited the arrival of the honoree, whose schedule was delayed because of an urgent matter in Congress. By 8PM the ballroom, initially reserved for 300, had expanded its capacity to 400. Many more of our brods and sis were left to SRO or just stayed in the hotel lobby.

In attendance were an impressive cast of virtually the “Who’s Who” of APO. Cabinet Secretary Bebot Bello, DENR Undersecretary Eli Quinto, DENR Director for NCR Cora Davis, DILG Secretary’s Chief of Staff Jun Veron Cruz, Marikina RTC Judge Alice Gutierrez, Former PITC Secretary and Governor Obet Pagdanganan, LWUA Leyte Administrator and former Vice Governor Gang-gang Villasin, MSU Vice President Dax Macaraya led the contingent of government officials. Five APO Past National Presidents also attended to convey their honors, i.e. Tony Dimaano, Cary Lazo, Marney Alquiza, Rod Mapoy and Jimmy De Castro. Elected officials in attendance were Lanao del Sur Gov. Bombit Adiong, Biliran Gov. Roger Espina, Bohol Vice Governor Julius Herrera and numerous other town and municipal mayors, councilors (too many to mention). Seven of our generals were also there, PNP CSupt Ding Pace, PNP CSupt Ireneo Bacolod, PNP CSupt Sam Tucay, PNP CSupt Tagoy Santiago, PNP CSupt Boni Bonifacio, Brig Gen Jojie Segovia and BJMP Gen Alonto. Again, Sr. Supts and Supts in attendance were too many to mention.

The program started with an impressive Entry of Colors by a PNP contingent. This was followed by invocations in Muslim and Christian. We recited our Scout Oaths and Law, Mission statements and sang our National Anthem. Brother John Lesaca showed us why he was an award winning violin player. His renditions of favorite left the audience breathless in admiration of his music. The PNP Combo also provided entertainment for all.

Brod Jess arrived at 9:30pm and the crowd even got excited. He was introduced by brod SAF Gen Tagoy Santiago. When it was time for Brod Jess’ speech the whole room was quiet eagerly listening to everything the CPNP said.

Several toasts were led by USEC Quinto (Leadership), Judge Alice (Friendship) and Col Fortune Guerrero (Service).

The evening ended with brod Jess going around the room for photo-ops with all those in attendance.

It was a night that gave us great APO Moments!

• Please allow me to thank our generous donors of red wines for the occasion, Brod Gene Carino (Gamma Epsilon) and Brod Romy Ripalda (Alpha Epsilon).
• Thank you to APO LAwman AA led by its President C Supt Tagoy (Pi) for partnering with us.
• Thank you also for the hardworking NAO staff led by our NED Tito Garcia (Eta).
• Thank you too to Sis Lina Revalo (Epsilon) for helping out in the reception.
• Thank you to the beautiful Omicron sisters (whose names I am missing) for being our gracious usherettes for the night.

Photos courtesy of___

APO lang, wala ng iba

Left with back to the camera: Sis Susan de Leon Prudente (+); L-R, back: Brods Tong Gordovez (Sigma), Mon Floresca (Lambda), Romy Munda, Benjie Gonzales (+), and Lyn Buenaventura Marinas; L-R foreground: Brods Rey Escalada (Theta [+]), Mel S Gonzales Jr, and Henry Chua (Alpha Eta)

We did spend a few days before and through Sunday of the holy week in 1974 in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, and then proceeded to my hometown of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, where Island Puti or White Island is. Islang Puti is part, to the south, of the APO Reef, which is off the shore of the town of Sablayan. The island is just off to the west of San Jose (a 15-minute boat ride) in the China Sea.

L-R: Eric Evidente, Mel Gonzales, Grace (Mel’s Wife), ?, Gene Licauco, Raq Rivera, Ted Topacio, Ping Fargas, ?

Photos courtesy of Eugene Licauco