More than 200 foreign-based Filipino professionals, mostly graduates of the University of the East, have confirmed their participation in the week-long celebration of the diamond (60th year) anniversary of the Alpha Phi Omega, Epsilon chapter, starting February 29.
At the same time, Syl Carpio-Ilao, outgoing president and head of the steering committee, said the celebrations, which will run daily through March 3, will kick off with a fellowship golf tournament at the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club on the first day. Tee off time is at 7 a.m.
Orphans and abandoned children at Cottolengo Filipino in Rodriguez, Rizal, will each receive gifts on March 1, from APO-Epsilon Overseas Alumni, whose members are mostly based in the United States, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong and; APO-Epsilon Alumni Association (EAA).
To precede the anniversary awards night and fellowship dinner, sponsored by Bro. Domingo Garcia, Jr. and Class 1965, at St. Francis, Shangri-La Place in Mandaluyong City.
On March 2, a noontime mass will be held at the chapel of the University of the East main campus on C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila.
A black-tie dinner-dance at the Shangri-La Edsa Plaza Hotel on March 3 will cap the celebrations, which will be graced by UE president Esther A. Garcia as guest of honor.
During the affair, each member will receive a hardbound souvenir program, which can serve as a coffee-table book and a directory of APO-Epsilon members from 1952 to 2012, said incoming EAA president Enrique Lee, who will serve until March 2, 2014.
Aside from Ilao and Lee, the other members of the diamond jubilee steering committee are: Dr. Liz Manaloto-Ceballos (awards); Chat de Ocampo (reception and honors); Rodrick de Ocampo (directory), and; Casiano A. Navarro (souvenir program.)