The Alpha Phi Omega International Collegiate Service Fraternity and Sorority – Eta Chapter held the annual UPCAT Service Project last August 1 and 2. The resident brothers and sisters distributed maps and gave directions to examinees and parents. Multicabs with Brod Jojo Binay’s name were used for roving and documentation purposes. At the end of the day, the project was a success. Many examinees said that their negative perceptions of fraternities were proven wrong. Thank you to all alumni who came, as well as visiting brothers and sisters. See you again! May we always be.
Read MoreSince February 2009, APO-Eta Chapter alumni members, affiliates and supporters (mostly from the 1980s and 1970s) have turned over multimedia desktop computers to selected elementary schools in Miagao, Iloilo Philippines. Funds, computer hardware, software, and children’s books mostly came from brods and sis from the USA. Funds were collected by Brod Alex Tamayo in the US and Brod Andy de los Reyes in the Philippines. Hardware and books were sent by Sis Melody Ang-Gayon and Brod Honeyboy Fajota. The turnover of computer units from the latter donor is being planned. By the school opening in June, three brand new and two second hand computer systems were turned over to the following elementary enclaves:
1. Doane Christian Fellowship Academy, 52 students
2. Miagao West Central Elementary School, 560 sudents
3. Guibongan-Igtuba Elementary School, 530 students
Recently, two desktop computer units were donated by Brod Vicente Mayor, Eta Chapter, Batch 1964-A (Four Horsemen). Brod Tito sent the computers from New Jersey, as he was preparing to return to the Philippines for good. Speakers were bought to complete the multimedia package. The units were donated to a previous recipient, the Igtuba-Guibongan Elementary School. The school caters to the primary education needs of poor farming families of Miagao. Teachers of the school were highly appreciative of the donation. Principal Celsa Negrido plans to invite Etans for the opening of their computer education program. Her representative can be reached at cellphone 0929-4837-608 for further information. Image below is the handing of certificates of appreciation for this particular donation.
Almost a decade ago Brod Sinfronio Balderama, Batch 1963-A (7-7 Bulbas of the APO Cossacks), began this practice of donating infotech-based hardware support to educational institutions in Iloilo. In 2000 Brod Frony donated a brand new computer and printer to UP Visayas, Miagao Campus. The advocacy and physical presence of an Etan teaching at UPV has helped facilitate and monitor these kinds of education-related service projects.
The APO-Eta experience in Miagao, Iloilo has attracted multisectoral support from Parent-Teacher’s Associations, local government, and NGOs (e.g. Rotary Club) who have provided counterpart labor or financial support. These initiatives improve the reputation of APO collegiate chapters in Iloilo Province and, provide a training ground in the conduct of off-campus service projects. It illustrates that APO-Eta service projects need not be high-profile and expensive to achieve inter-generational unity, cooperation among various stakeholders, sustainability and success.
Read MoreDear Brods and Sis,
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)
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