Bill Hunter,
Executive Director of the
National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)gave an inspiring speech before the officers and members of the
De Basilan USA-Canada Association during its meeting last
February 20, 2010, which was held at the residence of Mario Oriño in Stockton, California. In the presence of the President of the Association,
Joey Tugung, he announced the donation of
TWENTY THOUSAND US DOLLARS ($20,000.00) to our embryonic organization. We were truly humbled by his kind heartedness. By the way, the money is not intended to defray the expenses of the reunion. It will go to the De Basilan World Association Foundation whose goal is to work on providing viable projects for our brethren, through certain organizations, in Basilan.
In behalf of the Association,
Joey Tugung gave some De Basilan souvenir items to
Bill Hunter, which he accepted graciously, proudly and with joy.
Joey Tugung showed and explained to Bill Hunter the logo of the Association and the 2010 De Basilan World Reunion.
Bill Hunter answering some questions from some officers and members of the Association.
Part I. Our Association Is Truly Blessed…
By: Joey Pamaran Tugung (03/04/10)“When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place” ~ C.S. Lewis Stockton, California --- As in all the meetings that we had in the past, every meeting of the
De Basilan USA – Canada Association is very special. Special because a reunion among kins is always unparalled in the memories recalled and relished. A fellowship that everyone looks forward to with much joy and enthusiasm. A gathering that generates soaring bliss. Travelling afar from distant places and coming from different directions in the state, the spirit of volunteerism of this band of loyal and united Basileños/ñas brings energy and so much passion to all the De Basilan meetings. Mixing business with leisure, the affair is always well-balanced.
The meeting of the Association last
February 20 at the residence of the very hospitable, unassuming and lovely couple,
Mario and
Allene Orino, in Stockton, California, had the steady trademark of being special, of course. You know what the atmosphere would be when Basileños meet. Besides being a reunion; fun, joy and waxing nostalgic tales of life in Basilan always pervade the air. The meeting regarding the
July 2010 De Basilan World Reunion would always be productive and decisions made are always well-thought of and always in the higher interest of the Association. Of course, we have differences and argue passionately on certain issues that are on the table for discussion before decisions are being made, which are done however in a civil and professional manner. Meaning, at the end of the day, we are all united behind the resolutions made.
However, the meeting that we had last February 20 went a notch higher in terms of its class and the memory and gratification it has etched in our minds and in our hearts – one that would be classified as distinctive, extraordinary and exceptional. A day where the atmosphere was entirely different from the past meetings that we had. Why? Because in our midst, we had a very distinguished Guest. A very important person that does not come along ordinarily because he is a very sought-after person. A highly respected person, he is one of the most influential persons in the United States of America. Yet, despite his very busy schedule, he found time to attend the meeting in Stockton, California, of the nascent and still evolving De Basilan USA-Canada Association. While he maintains a house in Oakland, California, his primary home is in New York because his office is located right in the heart of New York City. He flew in the day before our meeting just to attend it. In fact, because he made us so special, he gave and shared his precious time with us – 3 hrs. and then left to take the flight that afternoon to New York City. This is how important and respected we are as a group of people from southern Philippines and the
De Basilan USA - Canada Association to the heart of this illustrious guest.
For those who know
David Stern, the
Commissioner of the
National Basketball Association (NBA), this extraordinary guest that attended our meeting is Mr. Stern’s counterpart on the other side of the bargaining table as he represents the 430 basketball players employed by the NBA. His name is
BILLY HUNTER. He is the
Executive Director of the
National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Meaning, he is likened to a father, brother, confidante and best friend of all the NBA players, such as,
Kobe Bryant, Shaq O’Neal, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and all current and retired NBA players like
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul Jabbar etc.
The presence and involvement of this guest in our special meeting was made possible by one of our fellow Basileños –
Norma Pascua Scott. Without her deep-long friendship with Bill, we would have not had the attendance of Bill in our meeting.
Norma, or
Nocs to all of us, was the one that invited him to grace our meeting. Their friendship goes back 25 years ago when Norma was then connected with the Social Services Department of the City of San Francisco while Bill was then the Chief-Assistant in the San Francisco District Attorney’s office, where he supervised the prosecution of all felony and misdemeanor cases. Their relationship, or bond, grew with the years of collaboration on numerous cases pertaining to abandoned, neglected and abuse children, including cases of domestic violence. Norma, now long retired, maintained her close friendship with Bill up to this date. And this friendship fundamentally changed the dynamics of the De Basilan USA Association; a friendship that brought unexpected blessings to our humble Association.
Bill did not attend the meeting to simply meet and get acquainted with all the officers and members of the Association in attendance. Besides, yearning to know the goals and purpose of the Association and the forthcoming
"2nd De Basilan World Reunion" in
Las Vegas, Nevada this coming
July 9-11, 2010, he was there to learn more about the tiny island-province of Basilan that Nocs and all of us call home. While the 2 hours of his stay were spent mingling and being entertained by all of us, the 1 hour he devoted listening intently to the President of the Association, Joey Tugung, in the presentation of the agenda of the reunion and in the discussions and decisions made by all in attendance. Before the meeting started, Joey briefed him on the history of Basilan, its demographic profile, the history of the Association, its purpose, plans and goals and what the reunion intends to achieve.
Because of Bill’s national and international stature and the prestige that he brings to the Association as well, and most importantly his solid friendship with Nocs, which therefore, makes him a friend to all Basileños/ñas, the officers and members of the Association bestowed on him a title of a
“Lifetime Honorary Member” of the
De Basilan USA-Canada Association. Meaning, further, he is considered an
"Adopted Son of Basilan" entitled to the rights, privileges, honor, courtesy and hospitality of a Basileño. This membership award will be conferred on Bill during our reunion, which he and his wife will attend. And there is a possibility that Bill will invite one or two marquee NBA players to grace our occasion.
Requested to give a response, Bill graciously spoke for about 25 minutes and in the course thereof we were all aghast! when he suddenly pledged to donate to the Association the amount of
TWENTY THOUSAND US DOLLARS ($20,000.00). And what would you expect? Everyone was so overjoyed and so thrilled that we continuously clapped our hands.
Right thereafter, the officers and members made it clear that this manna from Bill is definitely not intended to defray the expenses of the reunion. On the contrary, the money is solely intended for the charitable or philanthropic activities of the Association for the people of Basilan. In this regard, there will be action-planning during our reunion, specifically on
July 9 from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m., via a
Symposium-Workshop, where all reunion attendees will participate in order to come up with ideas on how, when, where and what projects will be undertaken in Basilan to be financed by this donation and other sources of funds, including the membership dues that all members will have to pay once the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association have been ratified.
Note: Kindly proceed to Part II. Our Association Is Truly Blessed...
The meeting of the Association and the manner and style of the presentation, including the spirited discussions, impressed Bill Hunter.
Joey Tugung provided some brief insights to Bill Hunter as to the history of Basilan, its demographic profiles, the goals of the Association and the thrust of the 2010 De Basilan World Reunion.
Lovely couple Mario and Allene Oriño ever the great host of all the Association’s meetings that is being regularly held at their residence located in an exclusive high-end enclave in Stockton, California.
Norma “Nocs” Pascua Scott with Bill Hunter listening attentively to the discussions of the agenda during the meeting. It was Nocs, who is a dear friend of Bill, that invited, introduced and solicited the donation from Bill. We would like to thank her for the blessings that she brought into our humble Association.
A snapshot of the officers and members listening attentively to the meeting, including our very special guest, Bill Hunter, which by and large pertains to the preparations of the 2010 De Basilan World Reunion.
Bill was like a rock star. Here with Jean Martin-Aliga and Avelina De Los Santos Potts. Also in the picture is Imelda “Mel” Pascua Rito (she is the sister of Nocs) and Hermie Aliga (he the husband of Jean)
Bill with sisters Isabel Leong and Emerita Leong-Fong who went at lenght to entertain Bill.
Mario Oriño at the foreground leading the charge in the conversation with Bill. Isabel Leong, Mel Rito and Emerita Fong also join the fray.
Meals with not be partaken unless there is a prayer. Norma, Mel and Bill joined the group in the prayers.
The prayer was led by Gloria Mendoza Vela. Also in the pic are Basilio Pioquinto, Jean Martin-Aliga, Jean’s close friend and Mel Rito.
Bill, who is a very engaging person, in a tete-a-tete with Joey, Isabel and Emerita.
Bill happily partaking the Filipino food that was brought-in in the form of a pot-luck by all the officers and member of the Association. Mel and Jean guided Bill to his spot in the dining table.
Always a photo-ops with Bill. (L-R): Hermie Aliga, Gloria Mendoza-Vela, Norma Pascua Scott, Mel Pascua Rito, Jean Martin Aliga, Bill Hunter, Allene Orino and hubby Mario.
Ralph Estrada, Joey Tugung and Louie Oamar (he is the husband of Mae Pascua Cuachon) had their moments as well with Bill.
Sisters Mel and Nocs with Bill. Bill loved the fresh “lumpia” which was prepared by Avelina.
A very important person he is, Joey, Olive Guevara and Ara Enriquez did not hesitate to take a picture with Bill.
Sisters Isabel and Emerita requested an autograph from Bill.
Before Bill left, we had a group picture-taking with him (center in dark suit placing his hand on the shoulder of Joey) at the steps of the stairs of Mario Oriño’s residence. He only stayed for 3 hours and he left that afternoon for New York. That's how important the Basileños are to Bill that he shared his precious time with us.
Toto Antonio and Jungjung Barandino with Gino Luna taking turns in the grilling of the “panga.”
A snapshot of the activity in the kitchen and dining areas at the residence of the Orino's with Allene (in her blue scrub suit) always putting a smiling face as a very good gracious host.
The boys at the grounds of Mario’s residence having their beers and of course their animated conversation. (Clockwise): We have Toto Antonio, Dino Gallano, Jose Raveche, Nonong Igot, Butch Alano and Ralph Estrada.
Butch Alano will always pull a trick even in picture taking. Here with the boys having their beers at the veranda. Also in the pic, Gloria Vela with her husband.
All eyes and ears intently listening to the presentation of Joey Tugung. Discussions are always animated because each one would throw-in their thoughts.
We did not only have the regular members in attendance but also the new ones from Lamitan– the Antonio’s (Toto and wife Nona), Pamaran’s (Butch and his sister and mom), and Doroja’s (Carole and Mimi).
Bill Hunter observing and listening intently to the presentation of Joey Tugung.
Another angle on how the Association conduct its meeting. Always civil and professional in their discussions. Meaning, they don’t take it personal even though they don’t agree with the majority’s decision. The reunion is very close to their heart that they voluntarily give their time, money and effort.
The decision made in the meeting is not a one-man show. As it is always the case in all of our meetings, debates are done in the spirit of lively, productive, cordial and constructive discussion. Here in the pic we have Checheng Cañete and Olive Guevara.
Treasurer’s report and Secretary’s report are always part of the meeting’s agenda. Here, Jean Martin-Aliga presenting her report (so far, according to her the payment of the registration fee has reach close to $9,000.00). The Secretary, Olive Guevara, reported that more than 450 invitations were already mailed and counting. Ara Enriquez also (VP for External Affairs) reported that around 357 room nights were already reserved at Loews, and therefore, the contract with Loews has already been complied already (contract states there must be at least 300 room nights).
The t-shirts, polo shirts and bull caps were presented and discussed during the meeting. Here, the ladies (Checheng, Ara and Jean) modeled the samples.
Checheng with sheer delight showing the sample t-shirt while Ara explaining the logo. Gino Luna also participated in the sample show.
The 2010 De Basilan World Reunion is not a one-man job. Here, they were working by committees. In the pic are Romy Damiles, Nonong Igot, Joey, Jean with her close friends (they will attend our reunion as guest), Jungjung Barandino, Butch Alano and Olive Guevara.
Joey in a serious discussion with the committee on attendance and confirmation i.e., Olive Guevara and Nonie Silva-Estrada. It is certainly not an easy job. Thus, to ridicule the decisions made by the Association and trying to undermine and derail the reunion, including the personal attack made against the President, is a great disservice to the entire Basilandom.
The committee on registration at work – Olive Guevara, Jean Martin-Aliga (Treasurer) and Romy Damiles (Asst. Treasurer). They were working on the numbers.
All work and no play make a dull day. The boys and their beers with their matching pulutan and cigarettes having their nostalgic trip to the past again and their vintage jokes. Jean Aliga the only muse in the women group that smokes.
Toto Antonio with Dino Gallano, Nonong Igot and Gino Luna exchanging notes about Basilan's political circus in this May electoral exercise.
The rest had their huddle inside the comfort and warmth of the house heater.
This one was scripted. The Big Boys!(L-R): Nonong Igot, Dino Gallano, Romy Damiles, Jose Raveche, Butch Alano, Basilio Pioquinto, Ralph Estrada, Toto Antonio and the husband of Gloria Vela. In the middle seating is Jungjung Barandino.
For posterity sake, everyone joined in the picture taking with Bill Hunter before he left that afternoon to New York.
A very affable person, Bill with Ara Enriquez and Mario’s son, Lester.
The group had their picture taking after Bill left.
After the group photo-op, Joey accompanied Bill and Nocs to their vehicle. Bill was in a rush to leave that afternoon for New York where he holds office.
Pictures courtesy of Ara Enriquez and Jungjung Barandino.
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