After over a month of typhoons that took hundreds of lives and caused billions of pesos of infrastructure and property damage—with many AFE members included among those affected—the Philippine Chapter held its annual gettogether on Thursday, 26 November 2009 at ADB’s
Executive Dining Room. The event had the appropriate theme “Unity and Harmony… (Amidst Trying Times)”. The evening's motif, dedicated to members affected by the disastrous floods, was “black and white,” connoting hope after every loss or setback.
As Country Coordinator, I called the business meetingto order at 5:00 PM. Roby Espiritu delivered the invocationfollowed by my welcome remarks. Hans-Juergen Springergave the Executuve Secretary’s address, reporting oninitiatives approved during the AFE Annual GeneralMeeting in Bali in May 2009. He noted the passing of twopeople important to AFE:
- Kimimasa Tarumizu, ADB President from 1989 to 1993 and a staunch supporter of AFE, who died on 21 February 2009 at the age of 78; and
- M. Ikramullah Khan, AFE Founder and Executive Secretary Emeritus, who died on 30 July in London at age 83.
Jill Gale de Villa, deputy executive secretary,provided a brief update on pension, health matters,and the newsletter.
I showed slides of Typhoon Ondoy’s damage and noted the steps taken in response by the Philippine Chapter. The extent of the effects of the flood on the members, many from the East Group, was assessed. Many members responded with offers to assist. A giant replica of the $1,000 check from the Fil-Am community of Phoenix, Arizona was presented. The donation was made possible through the efforts of former ADB staff Ethel Luzario, who spearheaded the Sagip Ondoy 2009 fundraising concert in Phoenix. Other donors were acknowledged, led by the South Group and ADB OBG (Oldies But Goodies), who initiated the chapter’s fundraising efforts with a P42,000 contribution. During the evening, three balikbayans gave a total of P40,000. A resolution of thanks for Ethel Luzario and Sagip Ondoy 2009 was passed. Roland Valenciano, who, with his family, had been trapped on a rooftop for 2 days at the height of the floods, detailed his experience then and fighting deadly leptospirosis as a result of exposure to the contaminated waters.
Seated (front row, L–R): Emma Jimenez, BJ Elizaga, Severino Hombre, Tet Abaza, Liza Vitangcol, Gam De Armas, Lilia Orzal, Julie Guevara, Eva Barcelona, Beth Cabuay, Nes Diasanta, Ronald Chan.
(2nd row): Vicki De Armas, Zenaida Lizarondo, Tina Asilom, Vivian Quiroz, Connie Baylon, Lou de Belen, Rosie Luistro, Lita Gamboa, Raquel Cabiles, Susan Padolina, Lina Villagracia, Lilia Malaqui, Yollie Asuncion, Linda Santos.
Standing: Roger Asuncion, Reynaldo Luistro, Rory Aragon, Tony Riego, Nieves Callanta, Nena Gonzales-Maralit, Gloria Cruz, Ched Raña, Leony Sanots, Marie Gomez, Ophie Sta. Ana, Roland Valenciano, Marynella Cruz, Johnny Laluz, Carmen Bontia, Mirla Limpo, Manny Faelnar, Danny Orzal, Joven Roberto, Tess Salazar, Anita Quisumbing, and Dina Cerrada.
The members then formally approved the creation of the Metro Manila South, Central, West, North, and East groups, for better and faster communication, and closer interaction. The five groups played a vital role during the disastrous floods. I presented the group coordinators and thanked them for their contributions. I thanked this year’s get-together committee, chaired by Lita Gamboa with Rosie Luistro and Ophie Sta. Ana as members. Other members of the South Group ably assisted, manning the registration table, logging and labeling the numerous auction items and raffles prizes, and assisting the emcees. Before the business meeting ended, special tribute was paid to M. Ikramullah Khan, AFE–ADB Founder and Executive Secretary for 22 years until 2008.
The entertainment portion of the program started with a message from Lita Gamboa and a minute of silent prayer for members who had passed away. Everyone then trooped to the banquet tables for a delicious Italian cocktail-buffet. Emcees for the evening were Rosie Luistro and Steve Banta, who kept the audience on their toes.
Raffle prizes were awarded throughout the program. Items brought by members were auctioned to raise additional funds for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. A cookbook that had a floor value of P150 wasfinally won by Ronald Chan for P1,000 after about 10bids. A 6” personal fan had a floor price of P200, andBJ Elizaga, who had lost in a previous bid for a nativehandbag, was not about to lose again and topped thebidding with P400. Total proceeds from the auctioncame to P6,130. Line dancing spiced the evening andwas easily the hit of the night, with over 40 peopleparticipating.
Midway in the program, two AFE members were given special mention: Ethel Luzario, for being voted among the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the US; and Jun Trasporto, for being among the top 100 bowling coaches in the world and among the top 10 international coaches (see the articles on p.35 and p.40). Spotted during the evening were Katie Blanco, Babie Bolaño, and Yolly Laurel from the US.
Ophie Sta. Ana, who was incharge of registration, said total attendance was 156 (28 former professional and 128 former local staff), a record! The East Group will take charge of next year’s year-end get-together.
Everyone, members and spouses, left the gathering happy and with the thought that members affected by the disastrous floods would soon be receiving some financial assistance to help them recover—an amount that may be small in comparison with their material losses but big in terms of love and concern shown by their co-AFE members!