torch & trefoil - alpha phi · pdf filemanila pavilion, city of manila, philippines. ......

True to his trust and confidence to all brothers and sisters and surmounting all challenges along the way, Brod Mel proved that believing in each other will indeed bear fruit. While the first APO-PCSO Special was not able to raise the target PhP3.6M to fund its National Service Projects - the Bawat APO Bayani Program with Gawad Kalinga, the YES for PEACE - Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan, and the full implementation of the APO Pledge Program , it was instead able to raise PhP2M from ticket sales giving APO Philippines closer feat to sustain its programs and projects in the coming more years. But to Brod Mel, this achievement is shared by ALL and is just the beginning of everything.

�We believe in each other.� Thus did National President (NP)-elect Bro Magleo �Mel� Adriano end his acceptance speech during the Alpha Phi Omega International Philippines Incorporated Induction of Officers for the Development Year 2007-2009 held on June 30, 2007 at The Alegria, Manila Pavilion, City of

Manila, Philippines. Bro Mel, Eta Chapter, Batch 1969-C and an Affiliate of Sigma and Omega chapters, is the 22nd National President of APO. Bro Mel, a self-made successful businessman in the country�s prime electronics industry, upon the informed suggestion of Bro Romy Ripalda, Alpha Epsilon, Batch 1977 entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for the conduct of a Special Sweepstakes Draw to commemorate APO�s 82nd Founding Anniversary.

APO Philippines raises PhP2M from APO-PCSO Special Sweepstakes Draw

Building an Empire for Alpha Phi Omega

In memory of Brod Bado Ureta, the Dr. Librado I. Ureta Center for Alpha Phi Omega has come to fore through the Dr. Librado I. Ureta Foundation under the stewardship of Bro. Mel Gonzales, with concerted efforts of APO

Philippines under the leadership of Mel Adriano, APO International Foundation and Task Force Ureta Center. Each and everyone shared his / her ideas, time and effort � a much shown of compassion, conviction and

real concern that brought shape to the Ureta Center. After a series of meetings and telephone conferences, the call to better APO-Philippines headquarters had grown from raising Php1.5 million to Php3

(to page 5)

Upcoming Projects: • KALINGA NG APO

� BAWA�T APO BAYANI

• YES FOR PEACE � BAYANIHAN PARA SA KAPAYAPAAN

• TREES FOR PEACE

• APO GOLF CIRCUIT

PASSING THE TORCH 2

YES FOR PEACE REINVIGORATED

3

NEWS 6

10

12

LITERARY 14

Inside this issue:

March 2008

O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F A L P H A P H I O M E G A I N T L P H I L S I N C

Torch & Trefoil

APO-VISA CARD, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND

PADDLE EXCHANGED FOR A SHOVEL

Retired National Executive Director (NED) Bro Ernie Alcanzare, a Career Executive Eligible and a Certified Security Professional, has completed the fifteen day turn-over process of the NED�s duties and responsibilities to Bro Luis Claudio �Tito� G. Garcia, Eta Batch 76-B, Gamma Affiliate and Member of APO International Alumni Association of British Columbia, who was recently appointed by NP Bro Mel Adriano. Bro Tito will inherit the job of collecting PhP 1.2M from Brods and Sis to add to the more or less PhP2M cash in bank.

Bro Tito who boasts that he is the Superman of his batch, �Jack and Jill plus Superman� was a Branch Manager of BPI- Far East Bank who routinely overshot targets set by management. Bro Tito also developed the best collection system in the credit card industry when he headed the collection group of Far East Card as one of its pioneers. Upon learning that Bro Ernie decided to retire to join his beloved and beautiful wife, Jessielyn, Bro Tito took the opportunity to go back to the Philippines to serve APO Phils

and leave his comfortable life in Vancouver, Canada by applying directly to NP Bro Mel Adriano through e-mail. Bro Tito bested other highly qualified Brods and Sis in a thorough selection process used by NP Bro Mel Adriano. Bro Tito�s appointment is subject to the confirmation by the Board of Directors chaired by Bro Egay Llarena, Eta Theta, Batch 1986. In an interview, NP Bro Mel Adriano said, �Tito may not be perfect. None of us are, anyway. But I believe that he is �TRUSTWORTHY�.

electorate in different provinces. They were: Bro Dave Ponce de Leon (Theta Chi) - Palawan, Bro Petit Baldado (Alpha Xi)-Negros Oriental, Bro Julius Ceasar Herrera (Alpha Mu) - Bohol, and Bro Rey Olegario-Zamboanga Sibugay. Three representatives were also elected�Bro Manuel �Way Kurat� E. Zamora (Beta Phi) of the 1st district of Compostela Valley, Bro Antonio �Tony� H. Cerilles (Pi) of the 2nd district of Zamboanga del Sur and Bro Wahab M. Akbar (Lambda) (+)

Eighty-two (82) Alpha Phi Omegans reaped victory in the mid-term national elections in the Philippines on May 2007. Lanao del Sur Governor Bro Bimbo Adiong led the list of last year�s elected APO who are now serving in various capacities in the government for three years. Four APO vice-governors were also given mandate by the

of the lone district of Basilan. For mayoralty positions, 19 were elected led by the undefeated Bro Jejomar C. Binay (Eta) of Makati City and Bro Jesse Robredo (Alpha Nu) of Naga City. Eight board members, 10 vice-mayors and 38 councilors add up to the list of APO winners last elections. (Log on to www.apo.org.ph for a partial list of elected APO officials in the government)

Passing the Torch

Brods and Sis elected to various posts

A Prestigious Crowd Emceed by Bro Edmund Datuin of Gamma Epsilon and Sis Syl Ilao of Epsilon, the night also gathered past presidents of APO Philippines Bro Mike Lalanto of Alpha Iota, Bro Chato Mariñas of Eta, Bro Rod Mapoy of Beta Pi and other esteemed APO personalities. After the induction of national officers, newly-inducted Chairman of the Board of Directors Bro Egay Llarena and Director for Alumni Affairs Bro Lemuel Espinosa (+) inducted into office all the Regional officers in attendance.

Other events during the night included raffles, fellowship/dance party and performance of the band �Orange and Lemons�. All those who attended enjoyed the Night with the overflowing supply of wines and liquor courtesy of Bro Romy Ripalda, Chair of the Ways and Means Commission. Some, including NED Bro Ernie Alcanzare who over-celebrated by liberally drinking Jagermeifter served in test tubes experienced, �The best night you will never remember.�

Among the crowd of almost 300 APO men and women was Boy Scouts of the Philippines President Bro Jejomar C. Binay of Eta Chapter. Bro Jojo, the mayor of the financial center of the country, himself, led the charging of duties of the current national officers. MTC Judge Bro Jose Bautista of Alpha Delta introduced the election winners. MTC Judge Sis Alice Gutierrez of Alpha Eta officiated the induction of officers.

Torch & Trefoil

BRO JEJOMAR C. BINAY President

Boy Scouts of the Philippines

�BRO JOJO, THE

MAYOR OF THE

FINANCIAL

CENTER OF THE

COUNTRY,

HIMSELF, LED THE

CHARGING OF

THE NEW

NATIONAL

OFFICERS.�

identifying potential Resource Integrators and Contributors;

2. �Mobilize its collegiate chapters to spearhead the conduct of the campaign in their respective colleges and universities in cooperation with Student councils;

3. �Monitor the conduct of the campaign through its area-based alumni chapters, in coordination with the GSP and BSP, in schools within their respective communities, municipalities and cities; and

4. �Develop and maintain the YES FOR PEACE website.�

In a meeting in Cagayan de

Oro, Bro Blo intimated that YES FOR PEACE will, without doubt, be supported by his nephew, the incumbent Governor of Lanao del Sur, Bro Bombit Adiong.

For his part, Bro Sultan Rash

Arimao, Beta Rho, Batch 1972 recalled that Marawi City and the whole of Lanao used to be a �No Man�s Land� during the early years of Martial Law. He emphasized that by all means, the Maranaos want peace to reign in the land of their forebears.

He lamented that one of the

causes of unpeace in Lanao is the higher rates of electricity coupled daily two hour brown-outs that Maranaos suffer amidst the hydro-electric generation plants located in Lanao that supply electricity to ha huge part of Mindanao.

Bro Ernie agreed that it is

indeed unjust for the Maranaos to pay more for resources generated in their homeland and should therefore be earnestly addressed in the quest for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Lanao.

Asked how Brods and Sis can

help APO prove that it is indeed the leading service organization in the world through YES FOR PEACE, Bro Mel simply said, �Mahalin APOng Pinaghirapan�.

Let us show the world that Bro

Frank�s vision will not remain an unreachable star.

The YES FOR PEACE � Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan, one of the flagship projects of the Mahalin APOng Pinaghirapan 10-point program of APO Philippines for DY 2007-2009 is being reinvigorated nationwide.

In a letter dated February 14, 2008, YES FOR PEACE Lead Organizer Bro Ernie Alcanzare to Postmaster General Hector C. Villanueva looked forward to working once again with the Philippine Postal Corporation of towards building a national consensus for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

PostGen Villanueva assured

Bro Ernie that, �As one of the institutions that undertake the initiative, the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) wishes you success for the reinvigoration of the advocacy campaign.�

�Rest assured that Philpost is

willing to support all endeavours that aim to instil in the minds of the people the importance of lasting peace in the country,� Villanueva added.

To mark the 58th anniversary

of APO in the Philippines, NP Bro Mel Adriano and YES FOR PEACE Lead Organizer Bro Ernie Alcanzare asked for the support of all members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Brods Mel and Ernie wrote, �In this time of political divisiveness threatening the stability of our nation, we would like to seek your help in directly consulting your constituents to establish a national consensus on peace and unity in our country as well as document the Filipino people�s support for United Nations Resolution 53/243, �Declaration and Programme of Action for a Culture of Peace� through the YES for PEACE � Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan, a continuing peace education and advocacy campaign being undertaken by the following institutions: 1) Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process; 2) Department of Education; 3) Philippine Postal Corporation; 4) Office of the Press Secretary � Philippine Information

Agency; 5) Office of the Press Secretary � National Printing Office; 6) Girl Scouts of the Philippines; 7) Boy Scouts of the Philippines; and 8) Alpha Phi Omega International Philippines, Incorporated.�

Referring to the Memorandum of Undertaking signed on December 10, 2002 (International Human Rights Day), Bro Mel noted the colourful cast of signatories which include: Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita R. Ermita as Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process, Dr. Edilberto C. De Jesus as Secretary of the Department of Education; Former Philippine Air Force Commanding General Nicasio P. Rodriguez, Jr. as Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Postal Corporation; Mr. Renato S. Velasco as Director-General of the Philippine Information Agency; Mr. Melanio S. Torio as Director of the Office of the Press Secretary-National Printing Office; Dr. Cynthia P. Zagala as President Girls Scouts of the Philippines; Makati City Mayor and United Opposition (UNO) Bro Jejomar C. Binay as President of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines; MILF Legal Counsel Bro Blo Umpar Adiong as National President of Alpha Phi Omega International Philippines, Incorporated, and Retired NED Bro Ernesto A. Alcanzare as Lead Organizer of the YES for PEACE�Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan. Among the witnesses are Mr. Orlando Paolo F. Casimiro as Grand Chancellor and Ms. Mona Liza Ignacio Adviento as Grand Lady Chancellor of the UP Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and Sorority.

Bro Mel noted that APO has sustained its support to the campaign since the Presidency of Bro Blo (DY 2001-2003)) in line with Bro Frank Reed Horton�s promise �to help the nations of world settle their disputes in a more sensible and legal manner than by war�.

What exactly is the role of

APO in YES for PEACE? According to the MOU signed

by Brods Jojo, Blo and Ernie, APO shall:

1. �Assist YES FOR PEACE in

YES FOR PEACE Reinvigorated

Torch & Trefoil

�Considering the ideological principles of our members, it is not a surprise to me that our beloved fraternal organization has chosen to spearhead the DIYES FOR PEACE Movement. I sincerely hope that this will indeed bring the Filipino people to the center stage of the national peace process and will secure for our nation the peace that will lead to genuine progress.�

Bro Fidel V. Ramos Honorary, PI

Torch & Trefoil

This is your Torch & Trefoil. After years of having no regular publication issues to speak of, the Alpha Phi Omega National Council has decided to bring the Torch & Trefoil back in circulation. The present leadership is firm and consistent in realizing its agenda of service, among which is enhancing the current dissemination of information down to all organizational units using electronic and print media. It recognizes that information dissemination is vital in the existence of our organization. Moreover, it realizes the fact that a national service organization such as ours deserves a regular publication for its members. Thus TnT has come to fore this time. This year, TnT would be a publication of and for Alpha Phi Omega. It would not be a publication of the National Council alone. It would be a publication of all members of Alpha Phi Omega International (Philippines) Incorporated. It would be a publication for all collegiate chapters, alumni associations, and all APO regardless of age, sex, and religion. In the pursuit of Leadership, Friendship and Service, TnT shall be a paper that best serves the interests of our beloved organization. It will report the programs, projects, activities, and other pertinent matters the National Council is engaged into. It will account events of collegiate chapters and alumni associations here and abroad. It will publish not only those articles that are in the mainstream that everyone wants to read but, also pieces that are of great impact and relevance for the good image and better future of our institution. Most importantly, it will bring out contributed views and opinions from you - the readers. This Development Year�s Editorial Board will further herald issues that are critical yet progressive for it believes that only through such character that a real publication be-comes a potent instrument for empowerment.

Brods and Sis pose for a pic-ture after a service project.

Torch & Trefoil

Editorial

�MOST

IMPORTANTLY, IT

WILL BRING OUT

CONTRIBUTED

VIEWS AND

OPINIONS, FROM

YOU � THE

READERS

The TORCH & TREFOIL is published quarterly by the Alpha Phi Omega Philippines, Inc. We welcome contributions from all brothers and sisters here and abroad. Please send your contributions as File Attachment to [email protected] AND [email protected], with your NAME, BATCH, CHAPTER or AA. Write TNT CONTRIBUTION in the subject of your e-mail. For subscription inquiries and paid advertisements, contact: Editor-in-Chief Joselito Narciso �CAPA� B. Capariño at (0917)-860-7762 or Acting National Executive Director Tito Garcia at (0917)-893-1925.

(from page 1) to Php6 million � to the current goal of Php10 million. But more than tapping the i d e a s , m a x i m i z i n g resources and sharing wealth of experiences are the times that brought back every member of Alpha Phi Omega to the past, rekindled every moments of brotherhood from all chapters that helped a lot in shaping the course to destiny of the Ureta Center. The Dr. Librado I. Ureta Center (DLIUC) is an institution of, for, and by the Filipino college men and women who hold the future of our land. Through a well-funded Leadership, Friendship and Service initiatives for humanity, this institution is destined to undertake, manage and institutionalize high impact, effective and meaningful programs, projects and a c t i v i t i e s i n t h e development of the Filipino youth. The Dr. Librado I. Ureta Center (DLIUC) will house the APO Philippines National Administrative Office; the International Council of Alpha Phi Omega (ICAPO) Office to address internat ional concerns of APO in the

Philippines; a museum that showcases our long and r i c h t r a d i t i o n o f Leadership, Friendship and Service; an APO Store that sells both APO and Ureta Merchandise to be manage d by AP O Philippines; a conference ha l l t h a t prov ides conducive venues for lectures, discussions and trainings; breakout Rooms that serves as perfect environment for meetings and related activities; an internet café that truly offers access and comforts with the rest of the world; and other facilities and amenities for the total development of each and every member of Alpha Phi Omega and of the Filipino youth. It will not only provide the facility, but also set up a Scholarship Program for college students and give matching grants to APO collegiate chapters to fund their service projects. Truly, the Ureta Center would be a �brick-and-mortar� facility, an edifice to better serve the Filipino youth and secure the future they rightfully deserve. The Ureta Center is an APO Empire.

Torch & Trefoil

Building an Empire

Subscribe to apophilnet@apo.

org.ph NOW!

All Collegiate Chapters and Alumni Associations are enjoined to subscribe to [email protected] � the official cyber meeting room of Alpha Phi Omega (Phils) Inc � to enable the National Leadership to disseminate information as widely as possible by:

1. Creating an e-mail address:

• Collegiate Chapters : apophils_(name of chapter)@yahoo.com and/or apophils_(name of chapter)@gmail.com, e.g. [email protected] and/or [email protected]

• Alumni Associations : apophils_(#aa)@yahoo.com and/or apophils_(#aa)@gmail.com, e.g., apophils@[email protected] and apo_phils@[email protected]

2. Requesting subscription by e-mail to: [email protected] AND [email protected]. Subject : Please subscribe (state your collegiate chapter/alumni association).

3. Stating the full name and complete ID# of Brother/Sister tasked by the collegiate chapter/alumni association to subscribe to

the Brod and Sis tasked by the collegiate chapter/alumni association to subscribe to [email protected], e.g., Luis Claudio G. Garcia, 0007-1976-31976.

Individual Brothers and Sisters may likewise subscribe to [email protected] by simply requesting for subscription (please see items no. 2 & 3)

Keep your Collegiate Chapters and Alumni Associations as well as yourselves informed. Subscribe to [email protected] NOW!

�TRULY, THE URETA CENTER WOULD BE A �BRICK-AND-MORTAR� FACILITY, AN EDIFICE TO BETTER SERVE THE FILIPINO YOUTH AND SECURE THE FU TU R E TH EY R I G H T F U L L Y DESERVE.

Torch & Trefoil

The Alpha Phi Omega San Pablo Alumni Association, in partnership with APO Villamor Air Base Alumni Association will conduct Medical, Dental, Circumci-sion, and Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate (screening and evaluation) Mission dubbed as APO Smile with a theme �The Power of ONE: APO United for Next Level of Service� on

March 15, 2008 at Del Remedio Elementary School, San Pablo, La-guna. The Cleft Operation is scheduled on May 3-4, 2008 at San Pablo District Hospital in San Pablo, La-guna. This program is also in co-operation with Philippine Band of Mercy - Smile Train USA, San Pablo Hos-

pital, APO Volunteer Doc-tors, Anesthesiologists, APO Nurses and with the Depart-ment of Social Welfare and Developments (DSWD). For more information, con-tact Bro. Eugene M. Casale, Over - all Coordinator (Lambda Zeta Alumni / APO VAB Alumni) at Mobile: 09157525493 or Email: [email protected].

Your prompt response and cooperation are in-dispensable in their ad-vocacies as National Of-ficers for DY 2007-2009. Vice President for the Alumni Bro Elmer Reyes is also requesting all Alumni Association Presidents, recognized or petitioning, to send the following in-formation to [email protected]

The Office of the Vice-President for the Frater-nity and the Office of the Vice-President for the Sorority are calling all Grand Chancellors and Grand Lady Chancellors of all chapters in the country to send their con-tact numbers and e-mail addresses to Sis Rikki (09272164328 or 09218021107) and Bro Isma (09062617436).

or [email protected]: 1. Alumni Presidents

name (please include your APO details);

2. Alumni Association represented;

3. Contact nos. (Residence telephone numbers / cellular phone numbers);

4. Email address/es, if available.

APO Builds Smiles & New Life

Calling All GCs / GLCs and AA Presidents

58th APO Phils Anniversary celebrated Lasted from 8:00pm to 4:00am, said concert and party night featured per-formances of reggae bands and various artists and attended by almost 300 Brods and Sis including APO Philippines national president Magleo V. Adri-ano and past president Jimmy De Castro.

APO Delta Nu Alumni Asso-ciation (APO DNA) presi-dent Bro. Rex Erese and Grand Chancellor Edison Acuin expressed their warmest gratitude to all brothers and sisters over the success of the anniver-sary celebration.

In commemoration of the 58th National Anniversary of the Alpha Phi Omega-Philippines, the Delta Nu Chapter and National Capital Administrative Re-gion (NCAR) organized the �Reggae: An Acoustic NightZ� last March 1, 2008 at Booze Stop Bar, Kama-gong St., Makati City.

Torch & Trefoil

NP Bro Mel Adriano sings his signature song composed by Bro Nan Clavecilla of Sigma Chapter.

�THE POWER OF

ONE: APO

UNITED FOR NEXT

LEVEL OF

SERVICE�

A beneficiary of APO Smile be-fore and after surgery.

ONE alumnus and five resident brothers of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity-Eta Chapter were honored in a testimonial dinner held on March 3, 2008 at the Makati Garden and Park, Makati City. Jorge S. Segovia, Eta'74-D, of the Philippine Army's 202 Infantry Brigade was promoted from colonel to brigadier general effec-tive January 1, 2008. His areas of responsibility in-clude mountains of Bana-haw-San Cristobal cover-ing portions of the munici-palities of Lucban, Taya-bas, Sariaya, Candelaria and Dolores in Quezon province and Liliw, Nag-carlan, Rizal and Majay-jay in Laguna. UP APO Alumni Associa-tion president Emmanuel V. Clarino handed an award

to Segovia in a simple ceremony which was also the monthly fellowship of Eta chapter attended by APO Philippines national president Magleo V. Adri-ano Jr., Makati City coun-cilor Armand P. Padilla, Samahang Alpha Phi Omega ng Makat i (SAMAKA) and Eta alumni and resident brothers and sisters. In his response, Segovia thanked APO for the rec-ognition and praises he had received from his brothers and sisters in the fraternity. �We are one in Leadership, Friendship and Service,� said Segovia in his acceptance speech. Two years ago, Segovia was also one of the awardees of APO Philip-pines' Recognition for APO Generals and Colonel.

In a related vein, five resi-dent brothers were also recognized for their out-standing achievements. Brod Nizar Jameson G. Palayad '02 was cited for his academic excellence by ranking 8th in the 2007 Geodetic Engineering Li-censure Exam while Brod Pio Ryan S. Lumongsod '03 was recognized for giving honors for the university nationally and internation-ally. Also included in the recog-nitions were Brod Nemesio Canete II '06 and Brod Mikhael Lenin Bueno '06 who won for Councilor in the UP Diliman University Student Council elections and Brod Gemz Sermeno who was elected college councilor of the UP Col-lege of Fine Arts Student Council.

administration. Before his appointment to his current post, Verzosa was the chief of the Criminal Inves-tigation and Detection Group of the PNP. Executive Secretary Edu-ardo Ermita, who repre-sented President Arroyo, and PMA Superintendent Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Mali-galig bestowed the said award to Verzosa who belongs to the PMA Class of 1976.

Deputy Director General Jesus Verzosa, Eta '72-A, of the Philippine National Police received the cov-eted Cavalier Award from the Philippine Military Academy during the tradi-tional alumni homecoming last February 17, 2008 at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City. Verzosa, the highest rank-ing awardee as PNP Dep-uty Chief for Administra-tion, was given a commen-dation for command and

Bro Jess, as he is fondly called by friends and relatives is now in the forefront in the move of PNP Chief Avelino Razon to transform the Philippine National Police through the �Mamang Pulis� pro-gram which seeks to pro-ject Policemen as friendly public servants who unsel-fishly and faithfully serve and protect the people

6 ETA Brods honored

Verzosa gets PMA Cavalier Award

Torch & Trefoil

ETA Brods and Sis are officially being recognized by the UP administration during the premiere Univer-sity�s Centennial Year.

Bro Jess Verzosa teams up with PNP Chief Avelino Razon in transforming the PNP.

�WE ARE ONE IN

LEADERSHIP,

FRIENDSHIP AND

SERVICE.�

From the President�s Desk

Torch & Trefoil

�BELIEVING IN

EACH OTHER, WE

CAN SUCCEED IN

GREAT AND

CHALLENGING

ENDEAVORS!!�

MEL ADRIANO National President DY 2007�2009

Mahalin APOng Pinaghirapan � this Development Year�s rallying cry towards our vision of Alpha Phi Omega as the leading international service organization has been and will always be in our great stride in leaving indelible ink to the hearts and minds of all brothers and sisters in the Philippines and abroad, and of the Filipino people. At the onset, we have set foot to establish initiatives to better serve our organization and the rest of Philippine Society. True to our principles, we have started to tap linkages and vital institutions to further extend our causes and services. Our partnership with Gawad Kalinga has been exemplary especially to the fraternity system. APO now is in the forefront of building homes for the less privileged in life. Kalinga ng APO has already made history, putting the name of our organization at the helm of rendering services to the Filipinos. At the start of Development Year 2007-2009, our National Council had more or less 500 thousand pesos in its coffers. Recognizing our dire need for more resources to backup our long term goals, we have devised innovative means to augment our financial status. Thus, we tied up with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) which eventually had brought us almost Php2 M to sustain our current and future undertakings. Our experiences in fundraising endeavors would speak that only through concerted efforts and utmost cooperation of all Brothers and Sisters can we surpass our expectations. Believing in each other, we can succeed in great and challenging endeavors!! Our YES FOR PEACE � Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan has also attained significant headway to key government offices such as the Philippine Postal Corporation, the Department of Education, the Office of the Press Secretary, the Philippine Information Agency, the National Printing Office, among others and other non-government and civic organizations like the Boy as well as the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. This advocacy for peace is also getting connections with the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to help us in our mission of instilling the culture of peace and order to the hearts and minds of the Filipinos and bringing YES FOR PEACE even to the remotest areas in the country. Our APO Pledge Program (APP) is also receiving positive impact from among our ranks�enough reasons to continue this program and bring forth its aim of ending the culture of violence in our midst. Thus far, more than 600 Brods and Sis have attended APP seminars conducted in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. They agreed that adherence to the APP will attract the best and the brightest among the youth as well as respected professionals who come back to college to add to their academic credentials required in going up the ladder of Philippine Society. These are just few in the long list of programs and projects of the Performance Team. But we still have a long way to go. Amidst our merriment, we must never be complacent for complacency is harbinger to downfall. We must still continue to work, consolidate our ranks, expand our membership and strengthen more our beloved APO. Today, more than ever, the call to �Mahalin APOng Pinaghirapan� is a continuing and lifelong battle-cry of each and every APO. With the launching of The Dr. Librado I. Ureta Center for APO, we are again creating history for Alpha Phi Omega. We are again creating our own niche in the history of our country. More than the ideas and concepts of this APO Empire is a call to all APO to go back to basics � Mahalin APOng Pinaghirapan.

My Warmest Fraternal Greetings to Everyone! We are now in our first nine months as National Officers in the Executive Council and Board of Directors for Development Year 2007-2009. For the past four years, I have served you in the executive branch as Regional Director of SLAR (DY �03-�05) and as your National Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (DY �05-�07). This term is a continuing challenge for me�serving you now as the Chairman of the legislative body of our organization, the Board of Directors. We, the members of the BOD, are the ones mandated to ensure that the wisdom of the General Assembly shall be implemented. We shall also be the ones to set programs and policies that would benefit our beloved organization. There are three basic actions that the BOD shall enact. First, to complete the representation of our members in the Board of Directors, from the nationally elected members of the Board (Chair, Vice Chair, Directors for Alumni, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs) to the seven local based Regional Representatives (NLAR-Northern Luzon Administrative Region, NCAR- National Capital Administrative Region, SLAR- Southern Luzon Administrative Region, NVAR- Northwestern Visayas Administrative Region, SVAR- Southeastern Visayas Administrative Region, NMAR- Northern Mindanao Administrative Region, SMAR- Southeastern Mindanao Administrative Region) and to the foreign based Regional Representatives (ARNA- Administrative Region of North America, ARAP- Administrative Region of Asia and the Pacific, ARME- Administrative Region of the Middle East, and now, ARE- Administrative Region of Europe). Second, to set policies pertaining to these vital issues: 1. Enhancement of the positive aspect of our beloved Alpha Phi Omega to make us all

truly proud to be part of it and project APO as a truly global service organization; 2. Intensification Membership Recruitment, Retention, and Assistance both on the

Collegiate (thru institutionalized programs/seminars) and Alumni (thru business networks and opportunities) levels; and

3. Revitalizing the sourcing of National funds coupled with a Systematic and transparent allocation and utilization of our resources; and

Third, to closely coordinate with the Executive Council and work with every organizational unit of Alpha Phi Omega as part of a TEAM in implementing our programs and policies. These actions would be easy feats for the Board of Directors to deliver through the support of each and every member of our beloved institution. I am looking forward to working with and serving you my brothers and sisters for the greater glory of Alpha Phi Omega. Mahalin APOng Pinaghirapan�

Message from the Chairman

Torch & Trefoil

Sample design of APO-VISA card as soon as 3,000 mark is reached.

�WE, THE

MEMBERS OF THE

BOD, ARE THE

ONES TASKED TO

ENSURE THAT THE

WISDOM OF THE

GENERAL

ASSEMBLY SHALL

BE PUT INTO

ACTION.

BRO EGAY C. LLARENA Chairman

Board of Directors DY 2007�2009

Paddle Exchanged for a Shovel

Torch & Trefoil

In a historic ceremony, Alpha Phi Omega International (Phils) Inc, an international Greek-letter service organization exchanged a PADDLE for a SHOVEL with Gawad Kalinga (GK) to symbolize APO�s partnership with the GK under the �Kalinga Ng APO� program. The ceremony was one of the highlights of the GK Isang Milyong Bayani Rally held last year at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. It signaled the start of a global partnership in nation building between APO and GK. The paddle exchange signified APO�s commitment to mobilize its members� resources and manpower capabilities from 500 nationwide collegiate chapters and global alumni associations to support GK in its GK777 vision of establishing 7,000 communities for 700,000 families in 7 years.

The launch of �Kalinga ng APO� drew close to 500 APO brothers and sisters who witnessed and supported the event which coincided with the GK1MB Rally which have. Members were given free APO caps with the official Kalinga ng APO logo.

Mr. Meloto expressed his desire to make every APO a hero��Bawat APO, Bayani!!� not only in building

houses for the poor but also in helping establish and maintain peaceful communities in cooperation with other peace development workers. During his speech highlighting the partnership between APO and GK, he called up some members of other fraternities to share the stage with APO national officers signifying UNITY in purpose. APO has several GK projects across the country � a multi-purpose hall in Malinao, Albay, a project of APO-Qatar and a Health Center in Guinsaogon, site of the landslide in Leyte funded by ACNA through the National Council.. APO-Australia is building a GK Village in Paranaque. Another APO Village in Palo,Leyte being spearheaded by the Alpha Omicron Alumni Association was slated for groundbreaking last December 2007. �Kalinga Ng APO� is one of the flagship projects of the current APO national officers under the leadership of Mel Adriano & Edgar Llarena, National President and Chairman of the Board, respectively.

APO Philippines National President Mel Adriano and Immediate Past National President Jimmy De Castro exchanged the paddle for shovel with GK founder and former Executive Director Tony Meloto.

APO Officers led by NP Mel Adriano, PNP Jimmy De Castro, Board Chairman Egay Llarena, EVP Bong Cruz, NED Ernie Alcanzare & Kalinga Ng APO Coordinator June Adriatico are joined by Sen Francis Pangilinan, past GC Kevin Roldan �Eta Chapter, Bai Geget Paglas & daughter and some of the foreign delegates during the GK1MB Rally.

A foreseeable future awaits an APO upon entering a commercial edifice. He can just proudly flash his credit card, designed with our fraternal coat of arms and seal, in paying his bills. He will come to realize that this is really a modern era where people use plastics to handle their day-to-day expenses. And he then takes a look at his own APO Visa Card, smiling and thanking that his card indeed is truly a different one. From the name itself, here comes a credit card that an APO can de proud of. The idea relayed to NED Bro Ernie Alcanzare by Bro Yamie De Ocampo was brilliant. It was first brought to the attention of the Executive Council and the Board of Directors during DY 2003-2005 After hearing of the idea, DY 2005-2007 Vice-President for the Alumni Bong Cruz used his youthful charm and enthusiasm to convince the Board of Directors to authorize former President Jimmy de Castro to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Union Bank. Its was a real kick off of everything, from a concurrence of leaders who care for the future of APO to giving birth of something new and innovative.

�The APO-Visa Card is a means to continuously raise funds for the operation of our APO Phils without additional burden on the part of our financially able Brother and Sisters,� says de Castro. Initially, this APO-Visa card will bear a second liner � �ALPHA PHI OMEGA� � under the name of the cardholder. Once the organization reaches the 3,000 mark, the cards will be replaced with a specifically designed card that highlights the APO Seal and Coat of Arms. APO will then have conquered a higher peak in the annals of history. The rule is simple. One-half of one percent accrues to the account of APO Phils. If each of the 3,000 cardholders purchase Php5,000 worth of goods and services using their APO-Visa Cards or a collective monthly purchase of Php15,000,000, PhP75,000 will be credited to the account of APO Philippines per month or PhP900,000 per year. This translates to a Php300,000 for the General Fund for the operational needs of the National Administrative Office, Php300,000 for the Benevolence Fund to help families of departed members and Php300,000 for the Trust Fund for the improvement of National Council office or other future ventures for the

development of the institution. �This card is really a big help for our organization,� utters Bro Rowi Bautista, product manager of Union Bank. Bro Rowi is on his way throughout the country to introduce the APO-Visa Card to all brothers and sisters. As forerunner of the novelty, Brother Rowie has invested a lot of his business acumen for this noble intention for APO, sharing his passion and dedication to put the national service organization at the pinnacle of success. APO-Visa Card has come this way far. And time shall come again when one enters any Union Bank listed entities or APO 1925 establishments and there are no more worries, no more apprehension of leaving his dues after a strenuous shopping at the mall, dining in high-class restaurants, checking in and out star rated hotels, or simply drinking favorite liquor in bars. This card will surely be APO�s passport to some complexities of life. And, will bridge everyone to sharing and caring as one.

APO Visa Card � the First of its Kind

Torch & Trefoil

BRO ROWI BAUTISTA 0007-2000-34510

�ONCE THE

ORGANIZATION

REACHES THE

3,000 MARK, THE

CARDS WILL BE

REPLACED WITH A

SPECIALLY

DESIGNED CARD

THAT HIGHLIGHTS

THE APO SEAL AND

COAT OF ARMS.

The President�s Night was one of the programs held during the 2007 National Biennial Convention on May 5, 2007. The gathering saw outgoing National President Jimmy De Castro present the programs and services that were initiated and accomplished during his term. The installation of new chapters and alumni associations was also held, and several awards were given out to deserving chapters and alumni associations The Best Chapter Award - which recognized all the services and projects that the collegiate members of a chapter for the Development Year 2005-2007 - was given that night. Residents of the Pi Chapter excitedly rushed to the stage as they were formally recognized

and declared as the Best Collegiate Chapter. Being the only university- wide recognized fraternity and sorority in the University of Santo Tomas, Alpha Phi Omega Pi Chapter felt a strong need to uphold the fraternity principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service. But before providing good quality service to others, the chapter sought to improve the quantity and quality of its members. Thus, the resident members convene yearly to discuss the ways on how to improve the recruitment and training process. During the school organizations� recruitment week, several organizations like Alpha Phi Omega invited college students to sign up at their respective booths. The chapter has been conducting

a formal group orientation for interested applicants. The alumni and resident members shared their experiences and encouraged the orientees to be part of our beloved fraternity. The orientation program has been annually held after seeing the success of the first orientation in July 2, 2005. Last year, it was held on July 7, 2007 at the Multipurpose Hall of the Tan Yan Kee building, UST. The members of the Pi Chapter of APO Philippines believe that a bigger number of quality members is the key in order to provide quality service to the fraternity and sorority, faculty and student body, youth and community, and our beloved country - the Philippines. (by Kristina Marie R. Sevillejo, 2005-A, Pi Chapter)

May 3 to May 6, 2007 at the Tagaytay International Convention Center in Tagaytay City. The Southern Luzon Administrative Region is composed of: Section 1 - the provinces of Laguna, Quezon, Marinduque and the cities of Calamba, San Pablo, and Lucena; Section 2 � the provinces of Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Romblon, and Palawan and the cities of Cavite, Trece Martirez, Tagaytay, Lipa, Batangas, Tanauan, Calapan, and Puerto Princesa; and Section 3 � the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes,

The Zeta Xi Chapter based in Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Lopez, Quezon bested other APO fraternity and sorority collegiate chapters in the Southern Luzon Administrative Region (SLAR) to win the Best Chapter Award for DY 2005-2007. In the selection for the National Best Chapter, Zeta Xi was conferred as the 2nd Best Chapter behind Pi Chapter (University of Sto. Tomas, Manila) The awards were announced during the 24th National Biennial Convention held from

Sorsogon, and Masbate and the cities of Naga, Iriga, Legazpi, Tabaco, Ligao, Bacon, Sorsogon, and Masbate. The Zeta Xi Chapter was chartered on May 29, 1983 during the 12th NBC held at Bamban, Tarlac. It was organized in 1980 by Bro Pabel Argamosa (Sigma�79) with the help of Brothers Pete Villaver (Sigma�76), Mao Portugal (Gamma Epsilon�78), Alex del Pilar (Gamma Xi�78), Gary Argulla (Gamma Xi), Lardy Escobar (Alpha Zeta), and Tatal Cañafranca (Xi). (Report from Bro. Pabel C. Argamosa, Batch 1979-C Sigma Chapter, 1800-79-09344)

Quality and Quantity

Zeta Xi � Best Chapter in SLAR

Torch & Trefoil

Zeta Xi brods and sis celebrate after receiving award as Best Chapter in SLAR

Pi Chapter is as busy as bees during the Recruitment Week at the country�s oldest university

�BUT BEFORE

PROVIDING GOD

QUALITY SERVICE

TO OTHERS, THE

CHAPTER

SOUGHT TO

IMPROVE THE

QUANTITY AND

QUALITY OF ITS

MEMBERS.�

In 1925, Bro Frank Reed Horton founded Alpha Phi Omega.

He said that he would �...try to help the nations of the world settle their disputes in a more sensible and legal manner than by war.�

In the early 1990s, waves of criticisms hit the fraternity system becausse of a series of deaths due to hazing and rumbles. As far back as the mid1980s, APO Philippines had established a national policy against the use of violence.

The violence attributed by to fraternities in the Philippines did not spare Alpha Phi Omega.

Realizing the need to be pro-active in stemming the tide of anti-fraternity sentiments, GCs and GLCs of chapters in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao gathered together in a National Congress of Chapter Officers from April 29 to May 1, 1994.

The leaders of active collegiate chapters, with the guidance of concerned alumni, extensively discussed what can and should be done to address the problem that confronted the whole fraternity system.

After three intellectually challenging, emotionally draining and physically exhausting days, those in attendance boldly declared that �HAZING DOES NOT HAVE A PLACE IN OUR ORGANIZATION� and burned paddles to �publicly condemn, and banish, now and henceforward, all vestiges of hazing and similar activities from or recruitment and pledgeship procedures, and to declare, categorically and without reservation said acts or activities inimical to the interests of the Fraternity, and we are sanctionable as such.�

The Congress adopted, �A Universal Declaration of Solidarity and Support for the All-Out Campaign for the Total Eradication of Hazing and the Culture of Violence�

The declaration also committed APO Phils to support the then pending Anti-Hazing Bill co-authored by Brothers Dave Ponce de Leon of Palawan and Tony Cerilles of Zamboanga Sibugay.

In behalf of the National Officers, the

President Bro Chato Marinas attested that it �adopts the foregoing declaration in reiteration of established national policy against the use of violence and hereby enjoins all members, collegiate chapters and alumni associations to support the full implementation of the Revised Standard Training Procedures and the promotion of inter-fraternity friendship and cooperation.�

One year, one month and six days after APO proudly declared its stand against hazing and the culture of violence, then President Fidel V. Ramos (Honorary, Pi Chapter) signed R.A. 8049, �An Act �Regulating Hazing� and Other Forms of Initiation Rites in Fraternities, Sororities and Organizations and Providing Penalties Therefore�, otherwise known as the Anti-Hazing Law.

Today, there still appears a great divide between those who are determined to follow the long standing policy of APO Phils and the law of the land which our beloved organization helped draft and actually co-authored and those who insisted on clinging to a �tradition� that no one can definitively pinpoint when and where it started.

Based on feedbacks during the said series of APO Pledge Program seminars conducted in September 2007 in major educational centers of the Southeastern Mindanao Administrative Region � Davao City, General Santos City, Koronadal City, Kabacan, Kidapawan, Cotabato City, Tagum City and Butuan City � and the Northern Mindanao Administrative Region � Malaybalay, Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro, the residents are more than willing to tow the line.

The challenge at hand now is how the APO Pledge Program can be fully implemented considering that current residents of collegiate chapters openly point to their predecessors as the ones who reject it and at times intimidate them to stick with the so-called �traditional� initiation.

The question, therefore, is, �Would the alumni give them the opportunity to follow the national policies of APO and the law of the Republic of the Philippines?�

As an alumnus, I dare ask ourselves, �Could we? Or better still � Would we?�

Terminal

Torch & Trefoil

�THE CHALLENGE

AT HAND NOW

IS HOW THE APO

PLEDGE

PROGRAM CAN

BE FULLY

IMPLEMENTED��

BRO ERNIE A. ALCANZARE National Executive Director

Feb 2005�Feb 2008

Circa 1990s, Brods are seen preparing to plant trees while campaigning for the passage of the Anti-Hazing Law.

Almost a Perfect Dream by Manuel "Nonoy" Ala APO GAMMA XI - 1977

First time by chance of seeing the innocent eyes

Bewildered, not even I care to make the first move To know the beauty beyond of imagination

Wishes to know each other more But finding a way to be near is impossible

My dream is almost perfect� I pray no one would care to wake me up,

That the calmness of the night makes it almost a perfect dream The night passes seems bearable

But the fearless face got the morning kisses of the sun Leaving behind the dream into thin air

And need to find for my dream again� Seeing the face again in an unforeseen moment

But perhaps on the right place is emotive Holding the fragile hands for the first time Propels the entire spirit ground to quiver

With your innocent eyes, the dream seems endless Almost a perfect dream�

Unmindful of surroundings, felt like ingested up by full of clouds That everyone is unseen through the four corners of the eyes

Whispers on your ears rejoined With the smile and careless embrace

That makes my dream almost a perfect But on the avenue of the perfect dream

Time is too short, alone again. Little by little the beauty of the innocent eyes

Softly saying so long dream, until we meet again Left alone and no one else to gain back that �

Almost a perfect dream

To commemorate the 103rd Birthday of Bro Librado I. Ureta, simultaneous mass blood donation activities were held last March 15, 2008 in various areas in the country and the rest of the world� from Tarlac and Quezon City in Northern Luzon to Calamba, Laguna and Catanduanes in Southern Luzon to Davao City and Kidapawan in Mindanao to Dhahran in the Middle East, in partnership with the Philippine National Red Cross.

Literary

Simultaneous Mass Blood Donation held

Torch & Trefoil

LITTLE BY LITTLE THE BEAUTY OF THE INNOCENT EYES SOFTLY SAYING SO LONG DREAM, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Bro Mel Gonzales, President of the Librado I. Ureta Foun-dation attends the Mass Blood Donation held at the Quezon City Red Cross. Also in photo are Acting NED Tito Garcia, VP for Frat Ismael Pelayo, NCAR-RAD Weny Abordo and Bro Ricky Curato.

Torch & Trefoil

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