Upsilon Sigma Phi World Reunion
Upsilon Sigma Phi World Reunion |
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Brods and Sis,
You have missed the best and most enjoyable reunion in many, many years if you were not at Otso-Otso sa Toronto! Superlatives are not enough as Toronto Brods, Sisses and significant others pulled out all stops to host a truly memorable summer experience.
First off is the city itself. One of the most cosmopolitan modern cities in North America which prides itself in its cross cultural population, cleanliness and modern amenities amidst a natural surrounding of lakes, greenery and easy drive to famed Niagara Falls.
Then what is undoubtedly the most organized and well thought out experience of having fun and eating a lot too! (Pun intended!) From start to finish, it was a production micro-managed to the last detail, one fun move leading to another until a crescendo of the Upsilon March followed irreverently by "We Drank Last Night". Nearly 300 Brods, Sisters and their spouses showed up, some we literally last saw in campus 38 years ago!
Entertainment was in full blast from the Welcome Dinner, to the next day's Golf tournament at the extremely long Whirlpool Golf Club while the non-golfers toured a winery and the old restored town of Niagara. I heard they went on the boat "Maid of the Mist" and got close to the mighty Niagara Falls. One word describes the Niagara Brods! -awesome!
Then pigging out in a smorgasbord of dishes at the Fallsview Casino. The sophisticated gourmands among us settled for freshly cooked Alaskan King Crabs as appetizers. The main course of choice was the Prime Roast Beef Au Jus, succulent and tasty to the last marbled slice! Dessert of soft ice cream and fresh berries and washed down by freshly brewed coffee.... heaven Bros! Heaven!
The picnic at Center Island on the 3rd Day was still as organized as the first two. One had to cross a small channel in a Hongkong type old ferry to get to Toronto's natural picnic grounds. Since it is summer, hundreds of families in various shades of skin mixed around to enjoy the summer sunshine! The main attraction of this meal were three Lechons cooked Pinoy style.( I missed most part of the picnic due to a need to fix my air ticket, but that is another story.)
After freshening up from the picnic, delegates were soon back pierside for a cruise on Lake Ontario aboard the triple decked Northern Spirit! Hanep! Another meal of beef curry or Goat Calderetta was in store. somehow the calderetta had a familiar tweak to it and I guessed right! The Chef was Pinoy!
Talents of the Fellowship did their gig one after another, some accompanied by well known Pinoy keyboard artist Joselito Pascual (flown in from LA for this event!) This while we savored fine wine as the boat sliced through the calm waters of the Ontario. As the Indian summer sun started to set, we saw what Torontonians have known all along, the glorious skyline of the city silouhetted against the fading sunlight is incomparable! It was magical! Some of the best photos of the event were shot then! Ask those who were there to share their pics.
The best was saved for last. The Frat Ball which I described earlier. Let the other invitees talk about it too. Basta masaya!!! In no small measure, credit for organization goes to Eddie Lee's team of Noel Cruz, Rogie Concepcion, Rudy Ilag and the rest. One important learning of this reunion is the full cooperation of the Sigma Deltans in Toronto. It must have been quite an experience preparing for 18 months for this event and then pulling it off almost perfectly! They were dead tired but happy because they knew, they made us happy!
I talked to many Brods who have been attending these biennial gatherings and to a man, they all agree that this has got to be the best reunion so far! It will be a tough act to follow absent full cooperation, patience and a sincere desire to please your guests! A new standard has been set Brods!
Thank you Toronto! We enjoyed your hospitality and you are right! We will have happy memories, warm memories when the night gets cold! Bless you all!
Danny A. Gozo '67
President, USPAA 2005-06