As early as 12 noon, residents and some Alumni already came into the 3-room Suite while several Batch mid 50’s and 70’s arrive early in the afternoon. Snacks were served while some were taking few shots of black label, and exchanging funny jokes and stories to the delight of the residents seeing the oldies but goodies…(don’t want to name names as nobody would accept APO grows old anyway).

Everyone transferred to the restaurant at past 6PM for the registration while flocks of fellow Alphans arrived in batches. The program was formally opened thru a video played by Sis Madel – The Prayer (By Josh Groban and Celine Dione) and watched in silence and solemnity. The crowd can’t help but applause after the National Anthem was sung with Sis Jerush’s (former GLC) playing her violin.

The MC’s Bro. Rogelio “Jam” Jamero II and Sis Tina Cabanag (GLC) then introduces the attendees and guests from the National Council headed by Bro. Mel Adriano, his lovely wife, NED Bro. Tito Garcia and some members of the National Executive Board wherein our very own Bro Ricky Curato is a member representing NCR.

The Welcome remarks followed by yours truly, then a speech and a song rendition by Bro. Mel Adriano. Inspirational message was then delivered by Bro. Waldy Carbonell, full of heartwarming message and APO great experiences and adventures in line with his media works and very inspiring words of wisdom that “APO was created to endure others’ imperfection”. A tooth for tooth is also not right attitude to retaliate to perceived APO enemies as they are not even at par with our level….. as APO has no equal.

Past APO National President Bro. Caloy Caliwara has delivered his inspirational message congratulating the residents and Alumni leadership for its utmost effort to keep Alpha Chapter live up to the 3-cardinal principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service.

Awarding of Certificates to the founders of ACAA headed by Bro. Col Tito Villalino and Bro. Eddie Laserna was then presented thru the initiative and sponsorship of Bro. Rogelio “Jam” Jamero II. The GC - Bro. Paolo and GLC-Sis Tina received their respective citations and certificates as well. Plaque of appreciation was also presented to the following ACAA officers:

Bro Danton Pajarillaga for Leadership
Bro Russell Sabado for Friendship
Sis Madel Kho for Service

Games and APO history question and answer portion was fun especially with the raffle prices that goes with the winner. Video and Slide show presentation of residents and Alumni (ACAA/ACAI) was also presented and wowed the crowd for the best ever Active Alpha year in terms of services.

With more than 70 Alphans in attendance, the Celebration was a great success. Funny and serious Individual Speeches from the senior batch members, songs and dances and unlimited drinks with foods and lechon sponsored by Bro. Mao Banez (ACAI) and Bro. Jojo Mariano completed the funfilled night that lasted till dawn.

Despedida party for outgoing President of ACAA and another ACAA officer was never announced and observed by everyone as well as the silent turn over to the New ACAA President come January 1, 2009 thru APO handshake. Maybe our happy pictures will tell you the story…..

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

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Our goal for this service is not only to fill the empty spaces of barrel land but also to plant and nurture healthy, thriving trees that we could impart to the next generation. It is also our way of encouraging and influencing the youth to play an active role in conserving mother nature.
 
It was a fine day when we started to carefully plant the seedlings one by one with the hope that each seedling would have the chance to grow and touch the next generation’s lives in a noble way like the principles of our organization. Having the goal of trying to help the environment, makes every drop of sweat and every gasp of breath worth it, and at the end of the day we couldn’t even wipe the smile off our faces because we are happy that we have been a part of something good today in spite of a lot of bad things that happen these days.

It feels very rewarding to become part of this noble project and what makes it even more special to us is that it was initiated by the residents. It shows that we don’t have to be professionals in order to serve humanity, regardless of our age, either a student or a professional, we could make a difference.

 We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the following who had participated in our Tree Planting Project:
- Alpha Chapter Alumni and Residents
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Antipolo)
- Barangay Chairman Susan G. Say of San Isidro, Antipolo
- Barangay Officials of San Isidro
- All who help in making this project possible

MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT!!! LONG LIVE ALPHA PHI OMEGA! LONG LIVE THE ALPHA CHAPTER!

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• To owner of the resort - Former Vice Mayor Indira Dayupay and Col. Alex Mariano for making the place exclusive for ALPHA at a discounted rate
• Bro. Anonymous II - for the USD50 pledge para matuloy yung lechon
• My Farm Driver Ninja  - Former Scout Ranger turned masahista sa mga sis at brods na may rayuma (he he)
• My Cousin Darwin - for driving safely back all our residents and alumni to Manila
• Our Photographer - Bro. Russell
• APO Lower Antipolo   - Our very own Bro Chito/Bro. Boying - Sis Ella and Bro Sonny
• Bro. Ricky and his new sis Ehem….., Bro. Litao and Bro. GC Pao
• Sis Arlene for staying til the swimming end kahit galit na asawa niyang brod he he…. wala kasi masakyan sa bundok pababa sa bayan …
• Bro. Jojo Mariano and Bro. Col. Granil from Tarlac kahit di nakasama sa swimming. Salamat sa pledges ka batch…
• Bro. Dennis Pedraja all the way from Munoz, Nueva Ecija - kasama nagdistribute ng stubs last Friday and service and fellowship on Saturday….. Salamat din sa pledge at oras mo tol kahit na kapapanganak lang ng misis niya a week ago….Congrats na rin for the new baby
• Sis Madel - ang nanay ng Alpha he he….ng residente pala…
• Our GC, and GLC, residents and everyone na kasama namin, kaisa at nakikiisa…… Maraming maraming salamat for a wonderful Alpha Year in 2008…

Mas marami pa tayo sa Boracay 2009!…..See you…..

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An average of 4-6kgs of Free Rice has been distributed to each family with more than 6-members plus used clothings from Alpha Chapter Alumni International (ACAI) has been distributed to this remote barangay about 15-20km from Town proper.

The second drop off point was held at Barangay Poblacion East, Gen Tinio at Sawmill barangay hall wherein 300 families were moved to a Gawad Kalinga site the town after most houses were washed out by strong typhoon 3years ago. Recent typhoon 3weeks ago again washed out several houses near the river shoreline prompting the Alpha residents to choose this area as beneficiary of 1,250kgs of rice, 6-boxes of used clothings and fed lots of young children of rice porridge with egg and chicken while conducting the rice and clothes distribution.

A total of 2,500kgs of rice were distributed for this town of Gen. Tinio, also know as Papaya.

Though a lot of people still clamor for more help, we are happy to say that even when Alpha Chapter ends this LIBRENG BIGAS MULA SA APO project to concentrate on other long term and meaningful projects to help the poor, our community, senior citizens, kids and students……something good is happening as other APO Alumni Associations has already informed us to do the same project and will still use the same Theme: LIBRENG BIGAS MULA SA APO” to distribute Free Rice to their townsfolks in their respective community.

I am so proud being part of this NOBLE Project and even more proud to have this project initiated by our own ALPHA CHAPTER to help in our small way but concerted effort of everyone in helping our countrymen in this time of Global Crisis and Food Shortage.

Special thanks to the residents and alumni advanced party who distributed the free rice control stubs on a house to house basis the the selected barangay beneficiaries one day before the service.

• Alpha Chapter Alumni and residents
• Alpha Chapter Alumni Interrnational
• APO United Kingdom Alumni Association
• APO Papaya Alumni Association
• Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine Army 7th Infantry Division, Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija for the security and truck
• Barangay Chairman Roland Padolina of Poblacion East
• Barangay Chairman Abrigos of Sibog
• Nazareth Dairy Farm staff and drivers
• All who help and support and believe in this project.

MABUHAY KAYONG LAHAT! MABUHAY ANG APO, MABUHAY ANG ALPHA CHAPTER!

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Attendees from Alpha Chapter, both Alumni and Resident wears the Blue Alpha Chapter shirts with a very unique design from ACAI in the United States.

This event was organized by Sis Rochelle Sotto of Alpha Delta, APO COME and TWG to boost recruitment for all local chapters and to introduce Alpha Phi Omega by giving leaflets and flyers to students outside the campuses.

The motorcade which started at World Trade Center in Buendia passes through some APO Chapters in Taft Ave., Intramuros, Espana, Morayta, Recto and ended in Arellano University.

A small program and speech by organizers and our very own ACAA President, Brod Danton Pajarillaga took place at Arellano University auditorium, followed by snack distribution from generous APO sponsors.

Traditional APO Toast Song was sung by the participants at campus open grounds to formally close the days event.

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GOAL: To give free rice to more than 500 families

NOTE: An anonymous donor donated 10sacks of rice to accomodate 250 more families from an allocated/budgeted 500 families. New goal of 750 families to give rice donation to the depressed residents of Taytay,Rizal.

50 kilos of rice were set aside to be given to the students of SAPOC learning school in addition to $156.00 and 50 stuff toys were given by the anonymous donor but it was donated in the name APO ALPHA CHAPTER.

100 APO baseball hats were also donated by the anonymous donor to thank the brods and sis who attended and gave their precious time to the service project.
   
The anonymous donor also donated 4 chivas, 3 JW black, 2 Fundador, one barrel SMB and 4 cases of beer, imported cigarettes and some pulutans to quench the thirst and hunger of the the service project participants.

Friday, August 15, 2008 - Stub Distribution:

The day began with the meeting of Alpha Chapter team headed by Bro. Andre Porlas and APO Alumni Taytay team headed Pres.Roy Tapawan. There were 5 teams created to distribute the stubs that will be given to the impoverished and depressed area in  5 different barangays of Taytay, Rizal. Each team comprised of 4 brods and sis combined from Alpha chapter and APO taytay members. Each teams has there own team leaders who was given different assigned barangays. After a light breakfast, the team left at the same time armed with ticket stubs hopping in motorcycles and riding cars provided by the APO alumni Taytay.

The last team headed by team leader Brod Riz Tapawan with Sis Mary Ann Salvatiera and Brod Dennis Villanueva were assigned to Barangay Dolores. It was 15 mins by car then 30 minutes walking to reach the site. Going to the site was a real challenge, walking downhill on a small path of mossy slippery wood and flat stones. We were greeted by a very strong smell of dog pooh and file of garbage everywhere. Still the team pushed on until they reached the bottom of the hill then hike uphill to cross a small bridge to reach the small community of shanties where there were no electricities. We went door to door to give out the ticket stubs. Our instructions to tell them to be at the gym at 8am to pick up their free rice and told them that there is no political parties involve but the rice was donated by ALPHA PHI OMEGA-Alpha Chapter. Going back was a another hike, drench with sweat, stopping frequently to rest, this time we don’t feel tired anymore, we dont see the dog pooh, we dont smell the file of garbage we were walking on but it was a very good feeling deep inside that we gave the ticket stubs to the right people who really needs our help. We want to shout to the whole world that we belong to ALPHA PHI OMEGA who SERVED and REACHED these people.

All the team came back to the meeting place, all sweaty and tired but with a big smile. Knowing they did a very noble job of serving the community. An anonymous donor as a gratitude to the 25 brods and sis, treated them to a famous native restaurant in Taytay - the BAHAY KAWAYAN. The team were served with sinigang na kanduli, pritong dalag, inihaw na liempo, green mango echilada to name a few. Then later on for a few cases of beer while continuing the preparation for the big day.

Saturday, August 16, 2008 - 4th “Libreng Bigas…” the service day:

Brods and sis started coming in at 6am, they all precisely know where they are suppose to be and what their roles are. Even the ex Taytay police chief Brod Jaime Pion manned the gate as people started coming in. Members of Rizal provincial command brothers and local police brothers took over the gates. People came in hundreds waiting in long lines outside. Only people with tickets were allowed in the gym. There were signs everywhere separating what barangay you are coming from and what line you are suppose to be. It was so organized that the the giving of rice for 700 families were done in a little over an hour.

APO Taytay president Bro Roy Tapawan directed and gave task to the brods and sis who kept coming in. Initial count of 89 brods and sis who came and signed up in the logbook but later count was more than a hundred came. Alpha brods and sis came in with their blue service tshirts while APO taytay came in yellow. Sis Madel Kho handed out the APO baseball caps and Bro Danton Pajarillaga ACAA president handed some APO shirts while Bro Russell Sabado is busy taking pictures of the event. Mayor Joric Gacuala (SRB Brother) donated 100 packed lunch to the brods and sis who attended. The mayor was in China for a conference but he sent his representative and handed a “Certificate of Appreciation” to APO ACA, APO ACAI and APO TAYTAY in gratitude for serving the town of Taytay. Also, APO Taytay awarded ACAA and ACAI their own Certificate of appreciation. Newsmedia invited by Bro Riz Tapawan came in to cover the service project.

Late comers still came after the deadline and were still given their rice allocation. Then the unclaimed packs of rice including the some sack of rice donated by APO Taytay members were distrubted to the people waiting outside without tickets. Overall we have given packs of rice to more than a 1,000 families.

All brods and sis were treated to lunch and all you can drink at Bro Andre Porlas (Alpha batch 64) residence. They were served with inihaw na liempo, tuna belly, bangus and plapla. Also sinigang na baboy, litsong manok and 2 bilaos of pancit. APO Taytay members were generous enough to have funded, cooked and served over 100 brods and sis who came for the occasion.

IT WAS REALLY A BIG HONOR TO SHAKE THE HANDS AND THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN OF ALPHA PHI OMEGA WHO SERVED THE “BIGAS MULA SA APO - ALPHA CHAPTER” 4TH DISTRIBUTION IN TAYTAY, RIZAL.

We would like to thank the following individuals for without them this service project will not be possible:
- Bro Raul Nadres - chairman Bigas Project
- Bro Danton Pajarillaga - ACAA President
- Bro Jojo Banaria - ACAI President
- Bro Roy Tapawan - APO Taytay President
- Bro Dennis Villanueva - ACAI representative
- Sis Madel Kho - ACAA Service Project coordinator
- Sis MaryAnn Salvatiera - ACAA Ticket stub coordinator
- Bro Riz Tapawan - APO Taytay coordinator
- Bro Andre Porlas - APO Taytay coordinator
- Bro Joric Gacula - Taytay Mayor
- Bro Col Jaime Pion - chief of security

And to all who worked behind the scene and donors - maraming maraming salamat po from the bottom of our hearts.

APO AA who came and help out:
- APO ACAA
- APO ACAI
- APO Taytay
- APO Zeta Psi residents / alumni
- APO Alpha chapter residents
- APO AA Lower Antipolo
- APO AA Upper Antipolo
- SAPOC
- APO Rizal federation
- University Rizal System residents (petitioning)
- APO ERAA
- APO ang ALAS
- APO Marikina
- APO Pasigueno
- APO Angono
- APO Kappa kappa residents / alumni
- SRB Beta Gamma residents / alumni
***APOlogy to the AA that I have missed***

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Sunday, August 3, 2008, Alpha Phi Omega ALPHA CHAPTER has once again CONDUCTED service to one of our community but this TIME it outstretched its arm to the Visayas Region proving that Alpha Chapter service is not limited in Luzon only.

The Relief Operation was dubbed by the Ilongos as “OPLAN BULIG” (meaning Oplan Tulong) ng APO wherein through the magnanimous heart of brothers Danton  Pajarillaga and Rogelio “jam” Jamero we were able to distribute  2 kilos of rice, a few cans of sardines and noodles, in addition to the old clothes given by ACAI, were shared to the poor families in Pototan, Iloilo who were gravely hit by typhoon Frank 2 weeks ago.
 
The Relief Operation was held in the home of one of our generous Ilongo brother and made successful through the help of our many brothers and sisters of Iloilo. Me, Madel and Danton of Alpha Chapter were overwhelmed by the great number of our brothers and sisters there who responded and welcomed us and we are very thankful for the hospitality and support extended to us for this gracious project of our fraternity. 

“Kit a ta liwat sa dason”.

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On July 19, 2008 officers and members of the Alpha Phi Omega-Alpha Chapter convened once more to do some noble tasks that is sharing foods to the less fortunate at the Transfiguration for Our Lord Parish, Murphy, Cubao, Quezon City. Thus, our ultimate goal is to spark kind compassion in a way that would interest other bigger and well-funded either locally or internationally funded organizations to initiate rice projects mostly to the informal settlers.

The main objective of this activity is to share the blessings we received to our poor countrymen affected mostly by typhoon “Frank”. Reportedly, there were nationwide shortages of rice production resulted to an increased cost of rice adding more economic burden to the Filipino. Filipinos used to include cooked rice in their daily main menu. This is the main reason why the group opted to distribute rice to identified 500 displaced families in Cubao, Quezon City.  Happy faces were seen as we handed in their rice allocations and they even remarked that there are no appropriate words to acknowledge. Furthermore, they lamented that we must continue the good deeds we had started.

This activity would not be possible without the support of our big-hearted brothers and sisters from Alpha Chapter Alumni International and local donors.  Moreover, we would like to acknowledge the presence of the local parishioners and clergies who assisted us during the rice distribution.

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APO students and alumni of Alpha Chapter - Far Eastern University visited the poor barangay 2-days before the actual service to distribute Free Rice stubs to verified poor families of Marikina Heights.

The Alpha Chapter 2nd Free Rice Distribution starts at 9:30AM on Sunday, June 29 while feeding young children and adults with Free Rice Porridge with chicken and egg.

Alpha Chapter wish to thank National Food Authority(NFA), APO Lower Antipolo, APO Marikina Alumni and other APO chapter, CIVICOM (an International NGO Group), donors and sponsors for their invaluable support.

See you on our 3rd and 4th Libreng Bigas Distribution service.

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The beneficiaries were visited by Alpha Chapter residents and Alumni a day before the actual service date for personal briefing on APO’s new project and house to house distribution of Free Rice Stubs with control numbers  for an orderly handling of each recipients come Sunday, June 1, 2008.

As expected, all Sitio Kabute residents cooperated well and “Libreng Bigas Mula Sa APO” went smoothly as we start giving free 2kgs of rice per pack per family at 10:00AM sharp this morning.

As we require personal appearance per family representative, the distribution was made in two batches at 10-11AM and waited for the next batch from 1-2PM who usually attend masses on Sunday morning.

The residents and barangay officials gave their heartfelt thanks to Alpha Chapter Alumni International, Alumni Philippines, residents and APO Alumni Association of Lower Antipolo with 2-Alpha Chapter Alumni as past and present officers for a worthwhile service to their poor constituents.

APO toast song as usual officially ended the successful project before others went home for their family and personal weekend commitments while bonding continuous for those who stayed for a happy fellowship.

The four parts “Libreng Bigas Mula Sa APO” will continue with it’s next 2nd destination for the poor families in a barangay in Marikina City very soon and we look forward to everyone’s support to make this project viable.

Alpha Chapter wish to thank APO Lower Antipolo, other APO chapter and APO friends and families’ donors for their invaluable support.

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