AUF Nurses Reunion was a Big Success!

The applause and cheers for BENJ David for a job well done seemed never-ending during the Gala Night of the biggest ever World Grand Reunion of the Angeles University Foundation here in America. The nearly 300 attendees composed of alumni and faculty of the AUF College of Nursing gave BENJ David a standing ovation. He received plaques and certificates of appreciation as well. Why all the accolades? Well, it was BENJ David who solely spearheaded and organized this momentous occasion which he dubbed “Mikit-ikit Abe-abe king Las Vegas.” It was held last July 31 to August 1, 2009 at the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. “Mikit-ikit Abe-abe king Las Vegas” was just a dream for David two years ago. It was a dream that brought into fruition the global website www.aufnurses.org. This website was the main selling tool that BENJj David utilized to reach out to the alumni and faculty all over the world. This “meeting place in cyberspace”, as Benj fondly calls this website he founded and created, was launched at the AUF St. Cecilia Auditorium in February 13, 2008 and was endorsed by AUF President Emmanuel Angeles. After the birth of www.aufnurses.org, the wheels began to turn towards the organization of the Mikit-ikit Abe-abe king Las Vegas. Through this website, BENJ was able to organize and build a team of batch coordinators from the first batch of 1976 to the batch of 2005. And, as everyone says, “…and the rest is history!” A lot of the alumni arrived early like BENJ David and his staff did. They arrived Monday night and they received its first visitors at their hotel suite, which acted as the Reunion Secretariat, right before lunch on Tuesday. The alumni came and went during the day as they were tackling the preparations for the reunion. Invitations for merienda and dinners abound but were respectfully refused due to workload at hand. The “official” reunion activities actually started a day earlier on July 30. Registration and organizational meeting was held from 1pm to 6pm. Assignments were given out to volunteers and the official staff of www.aufnurses.org. A short rehearsal for a special number was also done. The fun began with the No Host Welcome Party at Diablo Cantina in Monte Carlo Hotel. The alumni came by the batch and there was a lot of merry-making, drinking and dancing as batch mates reconnect with each other after so many years. They bought each other margaritas, nachos and other sumptuous appetizers and dinners as they renewed their bond – being alumni members of the Angeles University Foundation. The young ones and young once clicked their glasses and shared nostalgic memories with each other. The party did not end till the bar closed. The Opening Night was awesome. The Parade of Batches saw everyone shook-rattled-and-rolled their hips on their way to the dancefloor to the tune of “Giling-Giling”, as two sexy “Wowowee Girls USA” led them. Each group waved their Batch Flags as they marched in. After all batches were called and already on the dance floor, Wowowee girls Gina Panganiban and Tiffanie Martin led everyone in dancing “Rock N’Rollin” next, as singer Marlon Iglesia sang the tune along with the Common Ground Band of Leo Mercedes. Ella May Saison, Leo Mercedes and the Common Ground Band, WCOPA champion Rizza Navales and Top Comedian Leonard Obal provided the entertainment fare of the Opening Night that was emceed by John Nite, the co-host of German Moreno in their GMA-Pinoy TV show “Walang Tulugan.” The performances of these top-rate stars were interspersed with the short talks and speeches by Joseph Aquino, Raul Sotelo, Shirley Fernandez, Rialyn David and Dean Marietta Gaddi. Veteran Movie and TV star German Moreno also made a brief personal appearance and inspirational talk to the AUF alumni and faculty. Of course, everyone danced the night away until 1am. Nevertheless, smaller groups continued to get together after the party. Everyone walked through the red carpet and had their pictures taken during the Gala Night. Photos were taken in solos, by family, by groups and by batch. In fact, the picture taking was non-stop inside the ballroom. After all, the ladies were dressed in their most resplendent gowns and the men looked dapper in their signature suits and tuxes. It was elegance galore and the glitter and glamour of the night was a perfect night for the paparazzi. The Filet Mignon-Salmon with Lemon Caper Sauce-Chicken Piccata dinner buffet was really delicious so was the entertainment and dancing. With The Klique Band, which was voted Number One Lounge Act in Las Vegas, providing the dance music, and the comedy of Ella V of the Viva Hot Babes as the main entertainment of the evening, it balanced out having more speakers for the night that included Dante Vitalez, Antonette Esguerra, Nelson Tuazon, Ida Sarmiento, Macbeth Torno, Joyce Agorilla, Lady Nina Torres, Pat Dela Rosa, Ella Cancio with Dean Zenaida Fernandez as Keynote Speaker. John Nite was again the emcee of the festivities. He sang a few song numbers while Asian Queen of Soul Ella May Saison sang Ikaw Lahat Sa Akin live as the musical accompaniment of the Video Tribute for Dean Natividad Espiritu. Dance, dance and dance along with picture, pictures and pictures went on the whole night as if no one wanted to leave. The two nights seemed not be enough and everyone is already clamoring for the next one. The night ended with everyone dancing to the tune “Mekeni Tuki ka” danced again by the two Wowowee Girls Gina and Tiffanie.