team new york '09-'11 induction party

brooklyn - la residencia oficial del presidente, the on and off again rain could not dampen the spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie for everyone at the induction and fellowship of new officers in the new york chapter.  exchanging handshakes and hugs among brods, always a high for me, giving you that distinct feeling of a warm betan welcome. 

food was scrumptious, it was a feast for the eyes, which really builds up your appetite, filipino dishes filled the first couple's kitchen -pancit, bopis, kalderetang kambing, sisig, ginataang langka, pinakbet, menudo, tortang talong, ginataang isda and of course the lechon (paksiw/asado nung gabi) , gp's grill was perfect for the oysters, tilapia and liempo - the kicker was the sinigang na isda, perfect for the weather and that late at night soup after the drinking just before heading home, ahhh sarrrrap.

administering the oath of office, was Joe Llames UP '61, who shared valuable insights for everyone to ponder on, he arrived with members of the eastern usa chapter mostly from new jersey via the "limo van" of Franklin Gabriel USC '74. those who came to support and bond este 'makipagkulitan' with new york brods were, Mac Ocampo SBC '79C, Caloy Keyes SSC '73B, Gary Espiritu FEU '75A, RJ Azcarate SLU  '93B and federation of north america - council of elders member, Titus Morales PSBA '67. 

federation of north america - auditor, Grash Balacuit CMU '73 came with wife Jiji who later on was exchanging notes and ideas with Gerry Barranda FEU-NRMF (anong batch ni brod? anybody?) 

late in the afternoon, federation  of north america - vice president (eastern) Oca Escudero AUL '84A, driving from maryland 'kidnapped' eastern usa pioneer Buzz Serrano SBC '70 from south jersey, arrived and joined in the festivities.

we welcomed visiting brod Francis Galoso UPLB '06F who came with proud father Babes Galoso UP '69B an adviser of team new york '09-'11.  it was a sort of welcome also for newest member of the new york chapter James Bagundol SU '67 from the bronx, who was more than happy to meet all these brods, some of whom he already met during the recent philippine independence day parade in manhattan.

malmon mascot designer Wahlee Rodriguez UP '63 enjoying his glass of chivas regal on the rocks, having some good laughs with brods especially with Nilo de Leon UE 79A, c.r. courtesy of Mangie Padilla CLSU '80B from canada.  driving from connecticut to take part in the merry making, Manny Chy FEU-NRMF '01 with wife, sigma betan Cathy Chy FEU-NRMF '01 and their two kids (bawi sa gas, nanalo sa shooting).

the women, all leading ladies in their own right, lending support and understanding plus keeping the margarita's coming - Donna Francisco, Noemi Sta.Maria, Dolly Gomez, Emily Castro, Tess Quimson, Anne Asok, Malou Aludino, Jiji Balacuit, Inday Morales, Rose Madduma and first lady Esther Castro.

kids were entertained by the first couple's son Jonathan and daughter Nicole, who shared their toys and games to all the young and the restless. my little girl not to be outdone did a stunt but she's all good and fine all in one piece.

completing the cast for this "mini-ball" from the big apple are team new york '09-'11 advisers: Nonoy Bejasa SBC '67 and Rennie Castro MIT '74A, officers: GP Jun Castro MLQU '78, Vice GP-Internal James Sta.Maria DWCL '86, Vice GP-External David Gomez MSAC '76E, MOTR Rex Francisco NEC '94A, GOTC Mer Quimson GAUF '84, Chamberlain James Madduma '94B, Herald Lambert Parong TCQC '91, Wielder of the Sword Floyd Laigo BCF '92A.

we missed Wielder of the Sword Caloy Dizon MIT '04E, who went out of town with family, his dad visiting from the philippines. we sorely missed the antics of our immediate past GP Vic Villanueva FEU-Arts '77C, who had to attend to urgent family matters.

thanks to everyone who came as well as to those who did not but sent their well wishes, and those who were never the less there in spirit, the induction party was a success. this affair, a preview for things to look forward to, for the planned reunion ball on the 4th of july long weekend, here in new york next year.  cheers cheers for beta sigma.

induction & fellowship pics

our family

james sta.maria offers a prayer to start the ceremony

david gomez leading the choir for the betan hymn

joe llames words of wisdom before administering the oath of office

jun castro - gp's speech

gp's toast

"only in new york "

death notice

It is with sadness that we announce the death of 

Ricardo Leonardo, father in law and 

Carina Villanueva, cousin of 

brod Vic Villanueva, FEU-Arts 77C.

New York Beta Sigma, extends the love and 

offer this prayer to the family of 

Vic and wife Renee on this time of sadness.

God our Father, 

Your power brings us to birth, 

Your providence guides our lives, 

and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence, 

their lives change but do not end. 

We pray in hope for Vic, Renee and family, 

relatives and friends, 

and for all the dead known to You alone. 

In company with Christ, 

Who died and now lives, 

may they rejoice in Your kingdom, 

where all our tears are wiped away. 

Unite us together again in one family, 

to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen.

New York Beta Sigma

beta sigma family @ the induction & fellowship

images courtesy of mer quimson

induction + fellowship = betan good times

mga kapatid,

greetings of peace and cold summer nights.

gp-elect Jun Castro extends this invitation for an 

induction ceremony and fellowship

on June 20 2009 around 2pm at their home,

la residencia del presidente-electo

we look forward to enjoy the pleasure of your company 

maraming salamat.

*****************************************************************************

PROGRAMME

invocation

betan hymn

induction of team new york 2009-2011

Joe Llames UP 61 - administering the oath of office

betan credo

 

*****************************************************************************

FELLOWSHIP & GP’s HOSPITALITY NIGHT

“only in new york”

transition team

office of the gp-elect

new york beta sigma 

malmon in new york

images courtesy of david gomez

more malmon in the big apple

images courtesy of mer quimson

more malmon in new york

images courtesy of wally kison

the beta sigma family at the parade

manhattan - and history was made - malmon, making a first ever appearance at the philippine independence day parade in america, leading the beta sigma family delegation - composed of members from the eastern usa, led by gp wally kison, uplb 74 and members of the new york chapter with gp-elect jun castro, mlqu 78, together with kids, wives, partners and parents, proudly waving, flags and all, marching down madison avenue.

the weather could not have been more perfect. just when the parade started around noontime, it was sunny, less humid and the wind was calm - a welcome gentle summer breeze at best. the atmosphere festive, chaotic at times, participants from other delegations having issues (just ask grash balacuit, cmu 73 - a parade marshall with wife jiji).

during the parade, ed cheng from the university of the philippines in los banos saw the malmon & family delegation, recognized some fellow brods and soon joined in, afterwards james bagundol from silliman university approached the brods and introduced himself, quickly felt at ease - exchanging stories and then that feeling of familiarity soon erasing any doubt whatsoever.

the idea of the mascot came from jun buenavente, feati 77E, conceptualized further with wally rodriguez, up 63 and manny cayetano, uplb 64, and altogether supported by members of new york with gp-elect jun castro, mlqu 78, plus friends who painstakingly worked hard to make it financially viable.

learning from the past year, the group brought more than enough light food and refreshments, especially for the elderly and kids, purposely avoiding the long wait from lines and saving a buck or two from, a bit expensively priced stuff at the booths. thanks to mer quimson, gauf 84 and james sta.maria, dwcl 86 for allocating the money collected wisely.

i wish i could say more but then again i was late, missed the parade and all. these are stuff that i gathered, some i knew beforehand and what can i say? i felt the strong betan spirit alive & all over the place especially after seeing brod 'padre' jun 'vale' valenzuela, up 73b, making the trip from california just to be part of this event, an omen - if only you saw a few angels sent from heaven having a break and getting a tan - it was a shining and revealing moment for everyone.

all in all, it was another unique experience, proud of a kinship only possible because of our beloved beta sigma fraternity.......priceless.

betan family at the parade

images above courtesy of james sta.maria

commemorative t-shirt design image

courtesy of mer quimson

@ the philippine independence day parade

James Madduma, Manny Chy, Lambert Parong and Caloy Dizon

maroon five in the city

Ted Quijano, Jun 'Vale' Valenzuela, Ed Cheng, Nick Galvez and Joe Llames

who me malmon?

Vir Mangonon, Jun Buenavente, Mangie Padilla, Orly Celestino and Titus Morales

New York Beta Sigma

"cheers cheers for beta sigma, bring out the whiskey, bring out vodka, send somebody out for gin..."

new york - the beta sigma chapter in this part of the betan world is proud to be online for everyone through this blog, we look forward to share our thoughts, photos & videos.

on this site we aim to foster better understanding among members of the beta sigma fraternity, sigma beta sorority and everyone else who care to be part of our lives.

we believe that, humbly engaging one another in a respectful and responsible manner is the key to bridge the gap that misunderstandings and misconceptions bring.

so lets start a new beginning for a renewed "feeling of kinship, predicated upon sympathy, understanding, friendship and equality."

mabuhay ang kapatirang beta sigma!

mabuhay ang kapatirang sigma beta!

mabuhay ang new york beta sigma!

team new york 

2009 -2011

(image courtesy of David Gomez MSAC 76E)