Dear Classmates, It is the morning of Good Friday as I write this. You all came to mind as I reflected on the many deep meanings of this Holy Season in our Christian faith. For me, the Holy Week has always been a season of reflecting on how God chose to lovingly enter our journeys here on earth to give us new life and and a living hope. And everytime I enter into a season of remembering God's journey, I also remember my own journey in life and the many milestones I have passed and companions that I have gained along life's way. I remembered all of you this morning, and how grateful I am to God for blessing my journey with rich memories of friends who brought joy, adventure, serendipity, discovery, and growth to my own life. And so my prayer for each of us during this Holy Season is that as we remember God's journey with us on earth, we also will be reminded of the way of life that God has disclosed to us in that journey through a beloved son, Jesus Christ. And as we follow this day, through remembrance, the footsteps of Jesus as he carried the cross to which he was nailed, we will also remember to do unto each other that which God has done for us through an only son. Wherever each of us may be right now, and whatever station in life we are in, may we discover in a fresh way the power of forgiveness, reconciliation and suffering love in each of our lives. This is the new life and the living hope that we now have in faith. WHY DO WE TARRY BY THE TOMB? HE IS NOT HERE...HE IS RISEN!! Blessings to each of you! Elmo

The most recent CPU High School Class mini-reunion was  in Houston, Texas last weekend, hosted by Becky Clemente-Pascual, hubby Ruben Pascual and sons Ivan and Alec.  Classmates attending included Emily Galia and her "special friend", Ted Trino and family (wife Mayette and two daughters), Sammy Tolentino and myself.  Gatsby Gaton had an excused absence, having had to urgently travel to Iloilo City to help care for her brother who had surgery.

Our mini-reunions are indeed therapeutic - we had many hours of loud diaphragmatic laughter over supper Friday evening. Becky's younger sister Miriam and her "Miracle Baby" husband Victor joined us at suppertime - Victor who has Seinfeldian talents, regaled us with his very funny real life experiences and kept us all in stitches.  Many of us had to run to the restroom to empty our bladders -- we were laughing so hard there was high risk of incontinence with a full bladder....We were certainly glad we were in a private home - had we been in a hotel, several security guards  would already have been sent to silence us!

Becky's culinary expertise was once more showcased with a  superb Thai  noodle dish as well as several other delicious chicken and beef entrees. Supper was capped with an award winning blueberry pie that Becky had made from scratch.  There was so much eating, talking and laughter we did not get to bed until early morning Saturday January 27th. We were all exhausted but it was a positive kind of exhaustion!

Miriam Clemente herself is a "miracle baby", having survived brain aneurysm surgery recently.  The story behind her husband Victor's being a miracle baby would take hours and is an essay topic in and by itself -- therefore it will not be included here. We will  be sure to invite them again to the next Houston mini-reunion. They are a delightful couple and Victor is guaranteed to entertain.

Emily Galia was not able to join us until Saturday morning. She had worked (in San Antonio,Texas) the previous day and had to stroll with her special friend afterwards.  She made the three and a half hour drive to Houston and  met us for lunch Saturday January 27 at Thai Spice, a Thai restaurant that offered an excellent lunch buffet. Of course she brought her special friend along.  Ted Trino was in attendance, as were Becky, Ruben and Alec, Sammy T and myself.   We had more food and stories, memories and laughter. We were also all able to talk to Donna Padilla over the phone.

Time just flew - we were all having FUN. Soon it was time to say goodbye - Emily had to go to her sister's house in Houston, and Sammy T and myself were driving to Dallas to visit my cousins.  Ted had a family activity to get to.  It was time to say goodbye to our superb hosts - Becky and Ruben.  Alec, their 7 year old, was a very capable assistant host -- in fact he found my leather jacket hanging in the bathroom, and if not for his quick thinking, I would be without a leather jacket in Alabama (it was cold when I got back - 18 degrees - I would have been sick without my jacket!).

Reunion quiz: who is Emily's special friend? HINT: His name is CARLOS! (Call Emily to find out!)

To our hosts, Becky, Ruben and family - Thank you for sharing your home with us!

REUNION REMINDERS & NOTES

Exactly a week from today, we’ll all be seeing each other. I know that all of you are so excited to fly to Las Vegas and get the reunion started. Here are some notes and reminders:

1.) I’m sure that you have the cell phone numbers of most of our classmates but be sure to have 4 specific cell phone numbers stored in your phones. If for some reason you will not be able to find any classmate at the airport or hotel (excuse for not recognizing them) please call any of the following:

              Joshua  (805-698-3781)     Sonia   (770-855-9131) )       
              Miriam  (973-953- 2485     Irma May (256-348-3127)
      
2.) Don’t forget to bring your Exchange gift for the Crazy Santa Exchange gift. You need to bring only one gift for this game. Remember that the gift item (items if in a gift basket/bag) will be something associated with your home state or country. That is part of the game……..and the suggested minimum cost is $20.00.

3.) Bring your Red Centennial HS1972 T-shirt. For classmates that didn’t get their Red Centennial T-shirts, they will get it in Las Vegas. We are going to have a group picture taken wearing these shirts.  We will also have a group picture wearing our white Las Vegas Reunion T-shirts.

4.) We have beautiful Las Vegas Reunion souvenir mugs ordered from the Philippines. This will be a memorable souvenir for the grand reunion and a great “pasalubong” to bring back home. We have 49 pieces available for sale at cost, for $ 3.00 each. Be sure to buy at least one to bring home.                    

5.) Bring some snapshots of your family (maybe an album) to share with your classmates. This is a time for sharing memories and updating with each other. We can use one or two of the pictures for our Souvenir book. You need to submit some pictures for the Souvenir book that we plan to give out to the attendees by the end of the year. Please don’t forget to bring your personal write ups or completed questionnaires, as previously requested.

6.) Be ready for an organizational meeting, business discussions and election during the Tililipon night. We eat, drink and fellowship first and then have an organizational meeting. The agenda for the class meeting will be: Presentation of the Benevolence Fund and ratification by the class; Election of officers and decide length of term of office. At present we have President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and Archives and Logistics Director; Decide date and site of next global reunion and open forum.

7.) It would be nice if you could bring your personal bibles for our devotions whenever we can have one.

8.) Again, Las Vegas is very hot at this time of the year, over a 100F during the day, so bring light and cool clothing, a hat for protection from the sun and some walking shoes.

9.) And lastly, please bring and be ready to pay cash for your contributions upon registration for the amount due on the following:

              1.)    Tililipon Night Contribution at $25.00 per classmate.
              2.)    Dinner Dance Charges at $30.00/classmate,
                       $ 20.00/adultguest and $15.00/child regardless of age. 
                      The restaurant is charging per head. The discount is absorbed by
                      the organization.
              3.) Hoover Dam Tour which is $ 28.00 per person.
              4.) Membership Dues of $ 50.00 ( either check or cash for this is fine)

We need to collect in cash because we are going to pay the caterers, restaurant and tour bus up front in cash. For other expenses in Las Vegas, the usual other forms of payment should be acceptable; credit cards, debit cards, cash and maybe checks.

Dear Classmates,

Greetings from New Jersey! Earlier in this Blog section of our website I posted a general introduction to the newly conceived Benevolence Fund (please scroll down to a few blog posts and you can review that introduction). Since then I have been working with the officers of the U.S. Alumni Association and the members of the BF Committee in crafting a charter document for the project. It is my pleasure to now present to you this completed document, ratified by the officers of the Alumni Association here in the U.S. and the members of its BF Committee.

For those of you who are attending the reunion in Las Vegas, you have the opportunity to bring your "charter" donations in person as a part of the many rituals and symbols that we will celebrate there. And for those of you who cannot be there in person, your gifts can be sent to Miriam Javier de la Fuente and they will be received with no lesser weight nor importance. The goal of the BF is not for ourselves but for the others amongst us who are in extreme need. Once again, checks should be made out to Calvary Baptist Church of Clifton, NJ. And on the memo line of your check please write "CPUHS72 Benevolence Fund." Your donations will be tax-deductible here in the U.S.

Please read and study the charter document carefully - and may I say, prayerfully. Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact any of your officers (Irma May, Joshua, Tim, Miriam) or the members of the BF Committee (Elmo, Eva Lynn, Miriam).

The Central Philippines University High School Class of 1972 Alumni Association in the United States

 Benevolence Fund

Guidelines and Criteria

 PURPOSE

The CPUHS72 Benevolence Fund is established by the U.S.- based CPUHS72 Alumni to provide grants towards the costs of medical, surgical, death/disability, housing, and food emergencies, and other catastrophic, life-altering needs† of members* of the CPUHS72 Class, and dependents** of their respective households. The Fund is governed by the U.S. based officers of the U.S. CPUHS72 Alumni Association, and members of the Benevolence Fund Committee of the U.S. CPUHS72 Alumni Association.

PRINCIPLES OF ADMINISTRATION

Officers of the U.S. CPUHS72 Alumni Association and members of its Benevolence Fund Committee will provide oversight to the Fund observing the following basic principles of administration:

         1.      Determine grant amounts based on actual monies in the fund. Every year a limited number of grant awards will be calculated based on the amount of the Fund’s principal  for that given  year. As the Fund’s principal grows, so will its capacity to increase the number of grants awarded each year. 

         2.      Determine ceiling/cap of amount of grant given to each alumnus and/or family member per any given year.

         3.      Determine how much balance in the Fund’s principal is to be maintained.

         4.      Annual financial statement will be prepared by the treasurer and chair of Benevolence Fund Committee. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

      The following persons may qualify:                       

         1.      CPUHS72 alumni and/or their dependent family members.

         2.      CPUHS72 alumni and/or their dependent family members who encounter only the life situations as described above in the “Purpose” section.

GRANT AWARDS

      Grants will be awarded on a one-time basis only per year,  per eligible alumni and/or eligible dependent family member(s).  Renewing of a grant will be considered only in extreme cases and in consultation with the officers of the CPUHS72 Alumni Association and members of its Benevolence Fund Committee.

APPLICATION and AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURE

         1.      The applicant or his/her designated family representative will need to communicate their request in writing to any of the officers and Benevolence Fund Committee  members of  the U.S. – based CPUHS72 Alumni Association.

         2.      After CPUHS72 Alumni Association membership of applicant is ascertained, the request will be reviewed by the U.S. CPUHS72 Benevolence Fund Committee based on the eligibility criteria.

         3.      The U.S. CPUHS72 Benevolence Fund Committee will then make a recommendation to the officers of the U.S. CPUHS72 Alumni Association for action.

         4.      Final approval or disapproval of grant application will be by majority vote of the U.S. CPUHS72 officers and members of its Benevolence Fund Committee.In case of a tie, the President will cast another vote to break the tie.

         5.      Withdrawal of grant amount will first follow procedures of Calvary Baptist Church in Clifton, NJ where the fund resides, and such request for withdrawal of  money  be approved/signed by two members of the Benevolence Fund Committee, with a third signatory in the absence of any one of the stated two.

REMITTANCE OF FUNDS AND REQUIRED REPORTING

         1.      Approved grants will be remitted through a representative designated by the officers and Benevolence Fund Committee members of the CPUHS72 Alumni Association; or, where possible, through a personal courier.

         2.      That representative/personal courier will report as soon as feasible to any of the officers or Benevolence Fund Committee members of the U.S. CPUHS72  Alumni Association,  attesting/authenticating that the grant has been received by the applicant.

         3.      Recipient(s) of the grant should provide a brief statement of how the funds were utilized.

Legend:

†              Needs are defined as prolonged, severe, or requiring expensively prohibitive procedures and/or equipment and supplies. 

*             Members are defined as persons who belonged to the CPUHS Class of 1972.

 **           Dependent family members are defined as spouse and immediate family members living in the same household with the alumnus, and who are still minors of said alumnus.

 

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CPU HS CLASS 1972 REUNION  on  AUGUST 4,5 & 6, 2006 in LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA

SCHEDULE  OF ACTIVITIES:

August 3, 2006 - THURSDAY              

EARLY ARRIVAL:               Check in:    Imperial Palace 2-3 PM   

Meet at the Lobby of Imperial Palace for Evening plan and Dinner.                                                                                                                                                               Registration of Attendees and pick up of T-shirt from Joshua, Miriam & Sonia

Please contact the following at the Imperial Hotel upon arrival:

Joshua ( 805-698-3781) Sonia (770-855-9131) Miriam (973-953- 2485) Irma May (256-348-3127) 

Optional: Luau at Imperial Hotel 6:30 pm - an all inclusive dinner with entertainment - Hula lessons, Polynesian dances and drinks - (Mai Tai/Pina Colada) $33.95/Adult & $20.00/Child

Luau Reservations:   1-888-777-7664 - Let Sonia know ahead of time so she can get a  group reservations.

August 4, 2006 - FRIDAY  

GENERAL ARRIVAL & REGISTRATION ( Pick up of T-shirts &Name Tags; Payment of contributions)

Morning Session:      Meet  at Imperial Palace Hotel Lobby/ Pool Cabana   (5:30 AM to 12:00 Noon) 

5:30 AM - Run/Walk/Morning Exercise with Melvin Nunez 

6:30 AM - Morning Devotions

Breakfast Together at Imperial Hotel (Emperor's Buffet - 6:30 to 11:00 AM) Adults @ $10.99 + tax  Childfren: $ 8.99 + tax

Self Defense Class with Melvin Nunez 

Dance Lessons with Gil Assin    

Afternoon Session: 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM 

Free time : Lunch, shopping, casino (?) with family until 4:00 PM 

PAGTILILIPON/RECEPTION/TSIZMIZ/MEETING:         4:00 PM till  ..............................

Jocelyn Grace Nunez Mercado's Residence                

Address: 7704 Constanso Avenue, # 104, Las Vegas, NV 89128                                                                                                                                                          Tel. # (702) 804-5763                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (Approx. 11.84 miles from Imperial Palace - See mapquest)                                                                                                                                                               FOOD and DRINKS PROVIDED: $25.00 pp                                              

Menu: Lechon Manok, Crispy Pata, Pancit, Lumpia Shanghai, Fresh Vegetable Lumpia, Sinugba nga Isda with sinamak (Bangus & Tilapia) Pork Apritada, Chopsuey with Quail eggs, Pancit Molo, Kutsinta, Bibingka, Fruits, etc. 

AUGUST 5, 2006 - SATURDAY 

For early  birds:

5:30 AM - Run/Walk/Morning Exercise led by Melvin Nunez

6:30 AM  - Morning Devotions  led by Ruth Dorillo Taglorin

Breakfast: On your own

Hoover Dam Tour: 10:15 AM pick up at Imperial Hotel- Tour ends at 3:00 PM  - Cost : $28.00/person.

*Please bring your hat and sunglasses, not just to look cool,  but for protection from the sun.

Tour Reservation: 1-888-777-7664 (RSVP ahead for group reservations) 

Lunch , Hotel Hopping, Shopping, Casino  - 12:30 - 4:00 PM 

Monorail - $15/person all day pass from 7AM -3AM 

DINNER / DANCE / PROGRAM:   at 4:00 PM

FONG'S GARDEN CAFE' DE MANILA(Open until 5:00 AM)                                                                                                                                                                2021 East Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89104                                                                                                                                                                                     Tel. # (702) 382-1944                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (Approx. 6.17 miles from Imperial Palace)                                                                                                                                                                                  $30.00/Adult & $15.00/Child (Includes food,drinks, DJ and Tips)                                                                                                                                                                                 CASH BAR - pay as you order the alcoholic drinks)                                                                                                                                                                             

ATTIRE:   Casual Party Attire 

August 6, 2006 - SUNDAY 

Sunrise Service:  at Red Rock Canyon 5:30 AM officiated by Rev. Elmo Familiaran  - Coordinated by Melvin Nunez                                                                                               ( Red Rock Canyon is approx. 17.07 miles - 24 minutes driving time)

Potluck Breakfast  after the service. Our last get-together as a group.....Exchange Gift/Crazy Santa style - Each classmate will bring an exchange gift for the game. The theme for the gift will be something associated with your home state or country.

Farewell

Check out: 11:00 AM

DEPARTURE.......................................

Our official class reunion photographer is Tim Gabio but you can take as many pictures as your heart desires, of the beautiful Las Vegas landscape, sites and beautiful people including yourself so don't forget to bring your own camera.

NOTES & REMINDERS: 

1.) Items to pack:  Light cool clothing, (Temp- high 110F/low 78F) bathing suits, Suntan lotion, Camera, Cash and Credit cards.

2.) Gift Item from your State for the Exchange Gift. ( Suggestions: Yankees Souvenirs from the New Yorker or Cowboy hat from the Texan...etc.)

3.) Cell phone list for arrivals - Joshua, Sonia, Mirs and Irma 

AS A GUIDE:  Estimated expenses per person for the Las Vegas Reunion, excluding Hotel, Airfare and Car Rental;

1.) Shuttle fees (to & from the airport, for those who are flying in @ $6.00/trip)  

2.) Buffet Breakfast on Friday morning @ $10.99 plus tax                               

3.) Dinner Dance @ $30.00/person, all inclusive except alcoholic drinks.            

4.) Hoover Dam Tour @ $34.95 per person                           

5.) Dinner at Jocelyn Nunez' Residence - $25.00 per classmate

6.)  On your own breakfast & lunch  

7.) Potluck Breakfast for the Sunday breakfast get-together after the Sunrise Service. 

8.) Shopping, shows, sites, casinos and more shopping...........

Alternative Activities for families and those interested:                                                                                                                                              

Fashion Show Mall (accessible by monorail) accross the street from Treasure Island on the strip 

The Siegfried & Roy Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat ( The Mirage)

The Volcano at the Mirage

White Tiger Habitat ( The MIrage) FREE OF CHARGE    

The Wynn Collection of Fine Arts (Wynn Las Vegas) 19th & 20th Century European and American masterpieces.

Attractions accessible from monorail stations: Monorail all day pass @ $15.00/person (Starts 7Am-3 AM ) Check www.lvmonorail for shows & other sites)       

Adventuredome Theme Park (Circus Circus Hotel) America's Largest Indoor Theme Park

Forum Shops at Ceasars (Ceasars Palace) 100 Specialty Shops - Versace, Gucci, Valentino, FAO

Flyaway Indoor Skydiving

Gameworks Las Vegas (300 Interactive Video Games - Rock Climbing)

IMAX Theater (Luxor Hotel and Casino)

Showcase Mall (MGM Grand Station)

Star Trek: The Experience (Las Vegas Hilton)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Praise God for the opportunity of visiting my Mom in Iloilo. Stayed there for two weeks and sure had a little bit of everything. From the hottest day of the month ( I was told) to the wrath of Typhoon Caloy. As usual the weather was hot (nothing new in the Philippines). Thank God for the A/C and the electric fans going on 24/7. Had a get-together with some of our classmates at "Buto't Balat", near SM Delgado. There were about 13 of us who braved typhoon Caloy and the rain that night, namely Tim Buensuceso, Ramon Gaje, Jo Zenda Bellosillo-Villegas, Victoria Juelar-Catinan, Teresa Octavio, Fruto Calinawagan, Agustin Jamorin, Ernesto Deocades, Ruben Armadillo, Thelma Armadillo Logronio, Love Villanueva-Langub, Leonie Pearl Matulac-Ledesma and myself. Others who were not able to make it sent text messages while we were there - Oscar Remollata from Guimaras, Rene Zerrudo from Sara, Chito Hallares from Jaro and Luis Espino.

Jeremy was supposed to be there,  but had to go to a wedding (busy gid si Fiscal Bionat). We did have a wonderful time - a big thank you to Teresa, the Text Patrol who contacted everybody. THANK YOU DEAR CLASSMATES FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR THE WELCOME. WAY TO GO CPU HS CLASS 1972!

After two days of heavy rain, the banks of Jaro River overflowed and so we were not spared of the flood. Remember how we welcome the flood because it means NO SCHOOL?

Jojo and I also had an opportunity to visit Mila Abonado-Jovacon.

My two-week vacation in Iloilo may be short but full of memories that will forever be cherished in the little corner of my heart. Thanks in part to my HS Class family. GODSPEED...........

Our classmate Gatsby is in Iloilo right now taking a vacation. The CPUHSClass’72+ family once again got-together for dinner at the Breakthrough Restaurant and enjoyed the sumptuous seafood fare served, the great camaraderie, and the fellowship that was shared. This should be one of the highlights of Gatsby’s Iloilo vacation.

Classmates present during the dinner are: Gatsby Gaton, Rene Zerrudo, Tim Buensuceso, Tess Octavio, Aida Bacabac Zapanta, Victoria Juelar Catinan, Ramon Gaje, Marlon Quimpo, Luis Espino, Freddie Pamulag,  Lemuel Viado, Jornelito Espanola,Rey Jimenea, Jon Jeruta, Johnny Magcanam, Danilo Ladrido, Agustin Jamorin, Fruto Calinawagan, Jeremy Bionat, Elnath Rico, Fredgel Padernilla, Felfort Catacutan, Sonia Cataytay Lo Teck together with the daughter of Jon Jeruta, son of Aida Bacabac and the wife of Felfort Catacutan, Venus.

Gatsby will bring back to the U.S.A. pictures and stories to share with the rest of the Batch’72+ classmates, always waiting to hear updates on the class family in the Philippines.

Gatsby,…….classmates in the US will be looking forward to the stories and updates in August…..THE SUMMER 2006 CPUHSClass’72 Reunion.

Everyone will be ready to bring their bagful of stories and updates to exchange, but remember........................."What is heard in Vegas, stays in Vegas!!!!" 

1. IMPORTANT DATES AND NUMBERS for the Las Vegas Reunion, August 4,5 and 6, 2006

Hotel:  Imperial Palace

Reservation Number: 1-800-800-2981 - Need to make reservation(s) before July 1, 2006

Rate for August 4 (Friday) and August 5 (Saturday) - DeLuxe Room - One King Bed or Two Queen Beds - $85.00 per night

 Rate for August 3 (Thursday) or August 6 (Monday ): $65.00 per night

2.  The 2006  ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE  of $50.00 for CPU High School Class 1972 Alumni Association is  now due. Please make  checks out to CPU HS Class '72 Alumni Association: Miriam J. de la Fuente,Treasurer and mail to Miriam ( 11 Fundus Road, West Orange, NJ 07052).

3. For those who are so led and would like to contribute to the Benevolence Fund, make out check to Calvary Baptist Church/CPUHS72 Benevolence Fund and also indicate in the Memo Portion of your check "CPUHS 72 Benevolence Fund". If you would like you donation to be used for a specific purpose or to assist a specific person, please indicate by enclosing a brief note for the Benevolence Fund Committee. Mail check (and note) to Miriam.

We are encouraging everybody to join us in Las Vegas to celebrate our 34th year!

A note from Lina sent to Classmate Joshua.

Thank you for your effort in circulating the info. Fredgel Padernilla, Aida Bacabac, Victoria Huelar, Raymond Gaje, Ruben Armadillo, Judy, Rhodeline Villalobos,Ernesto Caballero came to my mother’s wake and funeral. It was nice of them to come. What a comfort to know that despite all the years gone by, friendship remained the same. Mercy Yanson was there too. It was so heartwarming. What a blessing. Thank you to you and to all who prayed and sent words of comfort. My little heart will always remember.

With gratitude,

Lina

Here's the latest.................................... by Rebecca Clemente Pascual

We had a visit from the Alabama "connection" - Irma and her sister Leila came over for a very short 2-day seminar. So we tried to cram as much as we could from this flying visit Jan 26 -27.Considering they were in the seminar during the day, we managed to all get together for dinner the 26th, and on the afternoon of the 27th it was "batchoy", a whirlwind tour of the Houston Medical Center, the Princess Diana Exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science (We saw her wedding gown - COOL!!), and a taste of Houston rush hour traffic! After that it was a rush to the airport - they flew home probably hungry but we just did not have time to stop for dinner. After that Gatsby and I drove home with a warm, fuzzy feeling 'coz it sure is nice  to see a classmate again after 30-odd years and strengthen old friendships. To Irma and Leila, we sure enjoyed your visit, fleeting though it was. We would have loved to show you more of Houston but maybe next time. But it made Gatsby and me more determined to get to Vegas!!! So Mirs, don't forget to count us in!

Check out the pictures posted in the Photo Gallery as proof of the visit!

Becky

Dear Classmates:

Greetings, one and all, halin diri sa New Jersey!

It is hard to believe that I am actually writing to all of you. As I write this very first posting on our website, I do so with a deep sense of nostalgia. It is like entering a time warp, as if I am back in time. With that comes a grateful heart for God's goodness through the years, and for the ties that bind. So, long live CPUHS Class 1972! There is so much more to talk about so feel free to post any comments on this topic. I will try to respond as best as I can. But for now, to the task at hand.

First a brief history. Many of you recall that the June 11, 2005 reunion of many of our classmates in Chino Hills, CA "formalized" our alumni association. Officers were elected there to serve as "founding" leaders. What that unleashed in terms of the fabulous reunion in Iloilo, which was timed to coincide with the CPU Centennial, is now wonderful history. At that same reunion in Chino Hills, the idea of setting up a Benevolence Fund (BF) was raised (please see the minutes of that meeting here in the Blog). I think the idea was to finalize the BF at the coming reunion in Las Vegas. After the reunion in Iloilo, however, we all remember the sudden announcement that was circulated in our website regarding the serious illness of one of our classmates, Francis Occena. An urgent appeal was circulated for some support towards his medical care. But for some of us the news came much too late for Francis. His untimely death urged me to suggest to Irma May that we try to establish the Fund earlier. So some of us started pushing the conversation about the BF through email exchanges. Shortly after that Irma May, who apparently is now an astute manager of initiative :), asked me to serve as chair of the BF Committee. She also appointed Eva Lynn Abraham-Abadesco and Miriam J. de la Fuente on the committee.

We were trying to find a way to lodge the BF in a not-for-profit umbrella so that contributions can be tax-deductible. We are pleased to announce that that has now been realized. Through the mediation and support of Rev. Manuel de la Fuente, husband of Miriam, and pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Clifton, NJ, the CPUHS72 BF has been officially received as a budget line item of Calvary Baptist Church. We are really grateful to the generous spirit of the Board of Trustees of CBC, and the support of Rev. de la Fuente. Knowing a little bit about how these things work, I know that without his support this would not have been possible. What happens is that with this official action, the BF becomes “part” of Calvary’s budget and any contributions to it can be made out to Calvary but designated to the Fund. This makes the contribution tax-deductible because it is technically a contribution to Calvary. Miriam, in a coming letter, will instruct all of us how to specifically write out our checks.  

Disbursement of the Fund will be overseen by the Benevolence Committee through Rev. de la Fuente as pastor of Calvary (and Miriam as CPUHS72 Treasurer, and BF Committee member).

In the absence of the yet-to-be-written guidelines and criteria, it will be sufficient at this point to just mention the following:

1.   The BF has now been approved by and established at Calvary Baptist Church of Clifton, NJ

2.   Its primary purpose is to give emergency assistance to our very needy classmates.

3.   We can start contributing to the BF immediately, making it out as per Miriam's instructions, indicating CPUHS72 Benevolence Fund on the memo portion of your check. Our contribution will be tax-deductible, now that it is under the NFP (not-for-profit) umbrella of CBC.

4.   The guidelines and criteria are currently being drafted by the BF Committee and - after review and approval of our officers - will be posted on our website for all to see.

So there you have it, classmates. The BF symbolizes another milestone in the evolution of our association life. So please, when you receive Miriam's letter, be generous: even yet, give sacrificially! I will give updates as more details about the BF guidelines and criteria develop.

Blessings to all!

Elmo