I am here before you thanking everybody who had participated in the Toronto affair.I would also like to thank every Upsilonian who had entrusted me to become the Society’s president for the next two years.
With great gratitude to the previous administration of Chug for helping with the transition of my administration. A well deserve acknowledgement to all my officers for starting in the right direction. I know of the profound pressure I had bestowed on our well respected brother Frank Batara in undertaking the job of Comelec Chairman.I will always be behind you Brother!To Brod Edwin Pana more power to you with the new USPNA Website.
Elmer A. Ordoñez, Ph.D. ‘50 was among 12 outstanding Caviteños honored by the Provincial Government of Cavite with the Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Outstanding Achievement & Distinguished Citizens in Government Service Award last August 31 at the Tagaytay International Convention Center (TICC), Tagaytay City. A native of Imus, Ordoñez received the award for his outstanding contributions in the field of education & literary arts. Senator Richard J. Gordon ‘68, himself an awardee the previous year, was guest of honor.
Upsilon Sigma Phi Los Banos Grand Alumni Homecoming and Reunion
October 7 and 8, 2006
UP Los Banos, Laguna
Dear Fellow Upsilonians,
Loyalty Day celebrations hold a very special place in my heart. It has been common knowledge that for the last two years, I have been at the forefront of organizing this yearly event of events for Upsilonians from Los Banos and even to our brods from Diliman.
Truly, I have never been as alive, beatin’ and kickin’ , since we had our Beatniks at 86 in 2004 and Still Rockin’ at 87 last year. The decision to anchor our celebrations with the decades have brought all of us closer not just to the fraternity but the lasting legacy of how Upsilon as indeed grown and matured through time. Like a fine harvest, it will outlast its first decade and be a drink of choice as it gets older.
Not only are we entering the final turn to our immortality as a fraternity, we in the Association have rekindled the flame of dear old Upsilon at we are now at the threshold of a new wave of greatness.
One of the most daunting tasks that was put to the shoulders of the organizers of Otso-Otso sa Toronto was to provide a suitable venue for a plenary session, where all fellows of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association of Northern America convened, debated, and elected its board members for 2006-2008. True to its promise however incomplete, Toronto delivered what it said it will – a new 2-year term. However, the task was not finished there. During a teleconference held on August 26, 2006, USPNA officers, together with the help of board representatives from local chapters in the United States and Canada, finally completed its election of board of directors, as follows:
Jimmy Velasco’70 – President
Toti Fabella’56 – Vice President
Chug Chug Sichon’68 - Immediate Past President
Dodie Arevalo’64 - Chairman of the Board
Edwin Pana’69 – Vice Chairman of the Board
Mike Macapagal’88 – Secretary
Bobby Hocson’77 – Treasurer
Frank Batara’66 – Auditor
Henry Lua’76 – Sergeant at Arms
Fund raising event in support of medical missions and build-a-schoolroom in the Philippines.
The Association of Philippine Physicians in New York (APPNY) & the Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity (Northeast Chapter USA) with the assistance of the Philippine Consulate General in New York are holding their 3rd annual fund raising golf invitational Sunday, September 17, 2006 at the Douglaston Golf Course.
With beautiful wide rolling fairways and hilly terrain the course provides shots for all levels of golfers. Douglaston is situated at the highest point in the Borough of Queens, providing picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline. The signature hole is #18, a 550 yard par 5 requiring a precise drive and approach shot to a large well bunkered green. Original golf course Architect Willie Tucker in 1927, and renovated by Stephen Kay in 2004.
Reservations are on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis, limited number of available slots.
We appreciate your tax-exempt donations and grants. Sponsorships are available.
Excerpts from the Inquirer article Aquino slay convict backs driver’s tale (August 24, 2006): Martinez said Ochoco told him that the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos wanted Aquino, who was returning home from exile in the United States, to replace him.
“If Ninoy becomes President, we will go to the hills,” Martinez quoted Ochoco as telling him in Filipino.
Ochoco allegedly told Martinez that Aquino should not be allowed to take over from Marcos.
Martinez said Ochoco gave the thumbs-down sign to indicate that the former opposition senator should be killed.
Posted by ivan98 on Friday, August 11, 2006 .
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has formally appointed Ambassador Willy C. Gaa ‘66 as Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Malacanang announced last August 9. In his weekly press conference that afternoon, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the appointment of Gaa was signed by the President recently together with those of five other officials in various government offices.
By virtue of Department of Foreign Affairs Assignment Order No. 311-06 signed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo last July 15, Ambassador Gaa had been assigned to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. as Charge d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission effective July 25. He arrived in Washington, D.C. from Los Angeles on July 26 and assumed his official duty on the same day. Prior to this current assignment, Ambassador Gaa served as Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles.
Ambassador Gaa met with US State Officials on August 1. In the photo below are from left: Nathaniel “Chip” Dean, Philippine Country Officer; Angela Dickey, Director, Office of Maritime Southeast Asia, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Peter Hemsch, Philippine Country Officer; Minister Carlos “King” Sorreta ‘88, Philippine Embassy; Ambassador Willy C. Gaa ‘66; and Evan P. Garcia.
Independent film director Michael Francis E. Sandejas ‘91 won the “Best Film,” “Best Sound” and “Best Editing” for the film “Tulad ng Dati” at the 2006 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Eight films battled each other in the full length category. These are “Ang Huling Araw ng Linggo” by Nick Joseph Olanka; “Batad: Sa Paang Palay” by Vic Acedillo, Jr. and Benji Garcia; “Donsol” by Adolfo Alix, Jr.; “In Da Red Corner” by Dado C. Lumibao and Bong Ramos; “Mudraks” by Arah Jell G. Badayos; “Rotonda” by Ron Bryant; “Saan Nagtatago si Happiness” by Florida M. Bautista and Rea Florido; and “Tulad ng Dati” by Michael Sandejas.
“Tulad ng Dati” is a unique film because it’s a semi-biographical movie about the legendary rock band, The Dawn. The film follows the lives and careers of the members of The Dawn through the many ups and downs of the band’s 20 years in the music industry. The film’s cast includes the members of The Dawn (Jett Pangan, JB Leonor, Francis Reyes and Buddy Zabala) playing themselves, and Ping Medina, Agot Isidro and Mylene Dizon.
The festival will move over to the UP Film Institute in Diliman on August 7 to 10.
Francisco “Jun” Aniag ‘66 was elected chairman of the Philippine College of Rotary Governors for 2007 at their elections last July 21 held at the Forbes Park Association Pavilion in Makati City. The said organization is the association of about 300 past and present district governors of Rotary International. Congratulations brod!
Posted by ivan98 on Sunday, July 23, 2006 .
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Leading the Upsilonians at the helm of the UP Alumni Association (UPAA), Atty. Gari M. Tiongco ‘62 took his oath as president of the UPAA together with other members of the UPAA Board for 2006-2009 last June 29. Other Upsilonians in the board are Ponciano E. Rivera ‘61 (First Vice-President), Benjamin H. Cervantes ‘58 (Public Relations Officer), Leon M. Arceo ‘59 (Auditor), Dr. Virgilio A. Fernandez ‘63, Romeo H. Gecolea ‘63, Mariano Hidalgo Jr. ‘54, Atty. Ramon M. Maronilla ‘66 and Alfredo E. Pascual ‘67.
Posted by ivan98 on Sunday, July 23, 2006 .
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UP University Professor Emeritus Gemino H. Abad ‘55, renowned Filipino poet and literary scholar, was invited by Allegorien in Rome’s cultural association as one of the featured poets for the third Mediterraenea Intercontinental Festival of Literature and Arts to be held in Rome last July 10 to 26.
Abad read his poems with other poets in the town of Cerveteri and the University of Rome La Sapienza. His poem, The Pope Expels Certain Saints, was exhibited in a Roman public square with other poets’ works and included in an anthology of poems on Rome. He also delivered a public lecture at the University of Rome La Sapienza.
He was the only Filipino invited to the cultural event, which gathered poets, writers and artists from the Mediterranean nations, as well as writers who, while they may not be Mediterranean,” recognize themselves ideally and expressively in the dialogical and multicultural values of a common Mediterranean identity.”
Everyone is invited to support the entry of Michael Francis E. Sandejas ‘91 entitled “Tulad ng Dati” at the Philippine Independent Film Festival from July 17-23, 2006 at the CCP Dream Theater (Tanghalang Manuel Conde). For the schedule of screenings, visit the CCP website.
Ten finalists will be competing at the said festival which aims to “honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.” Good luck brod!
Posted by ivan98 on Monday, July 17, 2006 .
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The Upsilon Sigma Phi, founded in 1918, is the oldest fraternity in Asia. Based in the University of the Philippines, it has had an unbroken and singular association with the premier state university. There are no chapters outside of UP Diliman and UP Los Banos. The fraternity counts among its ranks, Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino and former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
