Joey Tugung,
President of the De Basilan-USA Association, at the background, listening intently to
Bill Hunter, Executive Director, or top honcho, of the
National Basket Players Association (NBPA). He was our special guest during the Association’s February 20, 2010 meeting, which was held at the residence of Mario Oriño in Stockton, California. He pledged
TWENTY THOUSAND US DOLLARS ($20,000.00) to the Association, or roughly
P1 Million equivalent in Philippine currency. The money donated will be turn-over by Bill himself in a ceremony to be held during our
July 2010 De Basilan World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada.Olive Guevara, taking the minutes of the meeting, listening attentively to Bill Hunter’s brief insight into NBA player’s earning capacity before he announced of his pledge to give
$20,000.00 to our Association. Everyone was surprised and became overjoyed when Bill said it.
In profound appreciation of Bill’s presence in the meeting and his donation to the Association, he was given some De Basilan souvenir items, including a copy of the DVD/CD of the Association’s
July 2008 De Basilan Grand Reunion.
Other than the souvenir item given to Bill, the officers and member of the Association conferred Bill the privilege of a
“Lifetime Honorary Member” [/i]of the De Basilan World Association, which will be formally and officially be given to him during our
July 2010 De Basilan World Reunion in
Las Vegas, Nevada Meaning, he will be considered an
"Adopted Son of Basilan." Actually, he is the first and only foreigner that we have given such kind of membership.
Part II. Our Association Is Truly Blessed…
By: Joey Pamaran Tugung (03/04/10) “Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles” ~ Maltbie D. Babcock Stockton, California --- A towering figure, but not an imposing one because of his humility, at the end of a memorable and productive meeting, Bill managed to capture virtually every human emotion of the 40 or so strong Basileños/ñas that attended the meeting which took 3 limited hours. A very engaging person, he was so warm and friendly to all of us throughout.
What gives therefore? Because Bill has deep respect for the officers and members of the Association and he is convinced by the thrust and purpose of the Association. In so short a time, he personally had seen the solidarity and unity of the Basileños, their kind of character, their dedication and commitment to stage the reunion, and most importantly, their passion and compassion for everything about Basilan.
What say thee? As an Association, and as a people of a very proud lineage, that is one and united, we are just truly blessed. Where can you find a regional association, and more so, one that is still in its infancy or embryonic stage (organized only in 2008), yet already has in its account
$20,000.00 (in Philippine currency this is close to
P1 million) intended for planned projects in the future for Basilan and its people.
To Bill, we would like to thank you, with much sincerity, from the bottom of our hearts for your goodness and bigheartedness. Indeed, it was an honor and a joy for all of us to have him during our February 20 meeting. Personally meeting and having you during our gathering was indeed a rare privilege for all of us. Profoundly grateful and touched by your warmth and generosity, we will never forget that very special blessed day. This will certainly go into the annals of the Association as the “Bill Hunter Day”; a defining moment that helped launch realistically the ambitions of the Association to help its brethren in Basilan.
Certainly, we look forward to see Bill and his wife, Janice, during our
2nd De Basilan World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada, which will be held from
July 9-11, 2010 at the posh
Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort. About BILL HUNTER. Taking the helm in 1996, Billy Hunter is the Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). His principal duty is to enhance the financial, educational and emotional well being of the 430 basketball players employed by the NBA.
In order to maintain the organization’s status as the preeminent representative of professional basketball players, in 1998 Mr. Hunter formed the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), the first major sports union in this country to represent female athletes, which he has headed since its inception. In May 2003, the WNBPA signed a new collective five-year collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA, which increased players’ salaries and established free agency for the first time ever in women’s professional sports.
Arriving at the NBPA well prepared for the high visibility role as head of a renowned sports union, Mr. Hunter’s diverse background includes a stint as a professional football player with the NFL’s Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins, and as the former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California at San Francisco.
Mr. Hunter graduated from Syracuse University, where he was captain of the football team. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Howard University Law School in 1969 and an LLM (Master of Law) from Boalt Hall Law School at the University of California-Berkeley in 1970. Mr. Hunter served several years as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney’s office, and as the Chief-Assistant in the San Francisco District Attorney’s office, where he supervised the prosecution of all felony and misdemeanor cases.
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Mr. Hunter to the position of U.S. Attorney, on the recommendation of Senate Majority Leader Allan Cranston. During his tenure as US Attorney, he supervised the investigation and prosecution of members of Jim Jones’ People’s Temple, the Hell’s Angels and the Church of Hakeem. He was selected by the U.S. Attorney General to advise President Carter on the pardon of Patricia Hearst. From 1984 until his appointment with the NBPA, he managed his own law firm specializing in municipal finance, entertainment law, white-collar criminal defense, and other high-profile civil litigation. His clients included City of San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, MC Hammer, Deion Sanders, Ricky Henderson, Pebbles, Dick Griffey, Solar Records, De Passe Entertainment, The Luniz, RJ Reynolds-Nabisco, Phillip Morris and others.
A member of the Syracuse University Board of Trustees, Mr. Hunter is also a consultant to the China Sports Industry, Inc., which operates the exclusive China Sports Network and manages the marketing and promotion of professional sports in the People’s Republic of China. He has been active in local and national politics, serving several years as the Past-President of the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners, wherein he represented on trade missions throughout Southeast Asia and Europe over a period of 11 years. In 1990, he was a candidate for the U.S. Congress.
Maintaining residences in New York City and Oakland, he and his wife, Janice, have three children.
With dear friend Nocs seating beside him, Bill Hunter participated in our meeting with keen observation.
Another view of the meeting which shows the attentiveness of the officers and members of the Association during the presentation of the agenda by Joey Tugung.
Joey, Mel and Emerita in a lively exchange of stories and ideas with Bill.
Norma, Louie (husband of Mae Pascua Cuachon), Bill, Mel and Jean’s friend joining in the prayer before the food was open for lunch.
Theresita Versoza-Pioquinto, wife of Basilio, with Emerita, Joey and Gloria during “say your graces before meals.”
The group in a huddle with Bill, who is a good listener and very engaging person.
The Leong sisters, Isabel and Emerita, with Bill.
Ralph Estrada and Louie Oamar with Bill at the veranda.
Bill with Mel Pascua Rito.
Bill signing some autographs with Nocs observing at them.
Joey entertained Bill while Louie was on hand discussing matters pertaining to our Association and our reunion. Of course, they shared notes regarding the NBA players.
An aerial angle shot of the meeting. All eyes and ears in the presentation and explanation of the agenda.
In a meeting of the Association, all officers and members in attendance always gives their full time attention. Here we have Nonie Silva, Jose Raveche, Bas Pioquinto, Butch Alano, Gloria Vela, Isabel Leong and Romy Damiles.
The Treasurer, Jean Aliga-Martin, giving her report.
It entails technical preparations in a meeting like this. Gino Luna lending a hand to Joey.
Well of course, the meeting’s agenda is about the reunion and the idea to create a world association. Overly ambitious? Right, but nothing is impossible to this group as long as the heart and commitment are there.
Joey presiding the meeting while Checheng and Olive were ready with their respective reports.
The sample souvenir t-shirts, polo shirts and bull caps were modeled by Gino Luna, Checheng Cañete, Ara Enriquez and Olive Guevara for the comments and inputs of the group.
Ara showing one of the designs.
Jean showing the other design.
Then after the show, the group made its decision. The group decided to order
1,000 t-shirts and polo-shirts and 500 caps, which were all ordered in Cebu. This is for sale and not given for free. The proceeds will go to the Association’s funds.
This one is another discussion of the agenda. The report of the various committees that were created to handle the 2010 De Basilan World Reunion.
Gino Luna and Avelina de los Santos Potts are the designated kitchen chef in all of our meetings.
Olive and Ara all smiles because the meeting and the reunion preparations were all successful. More so, when Bill Hunter graced the affair and pledged $20,000.00 to the Association.
Nona Antonio, Nonie Silva-Estrada and Avelina just wanted to have this posterity shot.
The posterity shot of Nona and Nonie went further at the veranda with shot taken with Jean and her close friend.
Raul Ramirez (brother in law of Ralph Estrada and husband Lilian Estrada) is a regular attendee. Here with the close friend of Jean Aliga.
Bas Pioquinto with his grandson and son-in-law, Errol (the wife is Aleth).
Butch never fails to story-tell. This time his audiences were Ralph Estrada and Jose "Che" Raveche.
The indefatigable duo in the kitchen – the gracious host, Allene Oriño, and Avelina.
Olive Guevara working on updating the addresses of the officers and members. Here she is with Toto Antonio.
We had the Pamaran’s (Butch), Furigay’s (Carol and Mimi) and Antonio’s (Toto and Nona) in our meeting.
The group had their beers always at the veranda.
Joey, Mel and Gloria discussing the format of the Symposium-Workshop scheduled on July 10 in the afternoon during our 2010 De Basilan World Reunion.
The boys having their group picture. (L-R): Nonong Igot, Dino Gallano, Romy Damiles, Jose Raveche, Butch Alano, Bas Pioquinto, Ralph Estrada, Toto Antonio and the husband of Gloria Vela.
A view of the traffic at the kitchen.
Toto, Gino and Jungjung were assigned to grill the “panga.”
Dino, Nonong, Jose or Che, and Butch in a huddle at the grounds of the house.
The officers in action. Romy Damiles, Joey, Ara Enriquez and Nocs Pascua Scott. As they say, look, "actions speak louder than words." All words, especially criticisms, and no action, and worst never attended the meeting, does not bode well to those who work hard and travel far voluntarily just to attend the meetings.
Joey, Olive and Nonie going over the list of attendees. Their will cannot be bend. They will trudge to the 2010 De Basilan World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada, no matter what…
Checheng and Jean, working on their respective committee assignments. They are working hard to make the reunion a success.
The group with Bill Hunter before he left for New York that afternoon.
The group picture taking ya tamen even after Bill left.
Pictures courtesy of Ara Enriquez and Jungjung Barandino.
Author
