United Bicolandia Los Angeles marks its 35th anniversary this year. Over the years, the founders, the old timers, the first generation of Bicolanos provided their share in molding the organization to what UBLA is now. The population of Bicolano immigrants in Los Angeles has dramatically increased over the last decade or so. However, there has been very little addition to the members
hip of the organization. This trend could be attributed to the lack of information dissemination to reach out to these new Bicolano immigrants – specifically the absence of an information campaign as to the specific purposes of the UBLA as an organization. This dearth could be resolved by the launching of this website and the intensive information and membership campaign the new UBLA Leadership is initiating.
UBLA needs new members -- new members who have the love for the culture and traditions of Bicolandia. The organization specially needs those who have the calling to serve the ever growing Bicol community in Los Angeles. The younger Bicolano immigrants are very much needed to bring in the manpower for the organization’s activities, like the Peñafrancia fiesta that has become such a big event and essentially getting bigger each year.
Additional membership will help UBLA create a wider network of Bicol community in the Los Angeles area. The wider network will help create additional services to the community. These services can be translated to helping new Bicolano residents of the city locate housing, find a suitable job, or acquire useful information for any worthwhile venture or undertaking. An improved network will facilitate the implementation of projects that will help the Bicol community in Los Angeles as well as Bicolanos at home. A larger membership will produce larger results.
The Patroness of Bicolandia is calling you to join the organization and be an active participant and contributor to preserve and propagate a Bicolano’s inherent culture. Become a UBLA member now.
Zenaida P. Sabocor was inducted as president, and Emma Z. Sabido as
chairman of the board, during the 35th anniversary ball of the United
Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA), Saturday, April 4, at the downtown
Millennium Biltmore Hotel.
Guest speaker and inducting officer was Eduardo A. Angeles, Esq.,
of the city attorney's office, the special counsel to the LA city
council. He was introduced by fellow lawyer and UBLA member Rolando
Abes. The induction program started with a parade of colors by the
Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, followed by the singing of national
anthems and patriotic songs by Manny Evaldez and Gloria Hernandez. An
invocation was given by UBLA spiritual director Fr. Rodel Balagtas.
Welcome remarks were made by UBLA 2nd VP Antonia K.R. Enriquez
while chairman Sabido closed the program with her thank-you remarks.
Emcee was 1st VP Larry Pena III.
After her inaugural speech, president Sabocor, assisted by awards
chairman Victor Martires, presented plaques to the guest speaker and
outgoing UBLA president Hermito S.D. San Jose, Jr. She also awarded
recognition plaques to UBLA founders Salde Anciano, Hermito R. San Jose
and Raul Torres.
During the dinner, the gathering was entertained with a tableau
entitled "UBLA in Song and Dance," a tongue-in-cheek satire woven around
the 35-year UBLA history presented in the context of Philippine, U.S.
and international events. Conceptualized and directed by Teresa Jimenez
(TJ) Serrano, the show had a big cast of UBLA members and friends,
headlined by Serry Sabocor in his role as Ferdinand Marcos, Virginia
Vivas as Imelda Marcos, Bert Serrano as Erap Estrada, and Gene Corpus
and Mercy Eslinger as Barack and Michellle Obama.
The officers inducted for a two-year term were:
Executive officers -- Zenaida P. Sabocor, president; Larry Pena
III, 1st vice president; Antonia K.R. Enriquez, 2nd vice president;
Generosa M. Leano, secretary; Frances B. Fesuk, asst. secretary; Sheila Melanie Berrei, treasurer; Aida Asuncion, asst. treasurer; Pedro Sabido,
auditor; Rodolfo Ferran, business manager; Hermito S.D. San Jose, Jr.,
PRO; and Dioseca Arroyo and Rufo Fabricante, Jr., sgts.-at-arms.
Board of directors -- Emma Z. Sabido, chairman; Manuel Rubio, Jr.,
vice chairman; Cecilia Rosana, Alberto O. Serrano, Angel G. Martires,
Antonio G. Martires, Zenaida P. Sabocor, directors; and Cesar Edgardo R.
Alvero, secretary.
Committee chairmen -- Emma Z. Sabido, Penafrancia holdings &
records custodian; J. Victor Martires, civic, charitable & humanitarian;
J. Babes Fabul, membership & fellowship; TJ Serrano, cultural & social;
Lemuel Amit, religious; Norman Avengoza, Comelec; Aida F. Brizuela,
ways & means; Angel G. Martires, information; Rolando Abes, Esq., legal;
and Fr. Rodel Balagtas, spiritual adviser.
Council of leaders -- J. Victor Martires, chairman; Sheila Melanie
Berrei, secretary.
A tableau entitled "UBLA in Song and Dance" headlined the 35th
anniversary and induction ball of the United Bicolandia Los Angeles
(UBLA), Saturday, April 4, at the downtown Millennium Biltmore Hotel.
Zenaida P. Sabocor as president and Emma Z. Sabido as chairman of
the board were inducted by Eduardo A. Angeles, Esq., of the city
attorney's office, the special counsel to the LA city council. He was
introduced by fellow lawyer and UBLA member Rolando Abes.
The show, a satire conceptualized and directed by Teresa Jimenez
(TJ) Serrano, was a tongue-in-cheek narration of UBLA's 35-year history
presented in the context of contemporary Philippine, U.S. and
international events.
Shown as an entertainment number during dinner time, the humorous
tableau had a big cast of UBLA members and friends headed by Serry
Sabocor as Ferdinand Marcos, Virginia Vivas as Imelda Marcos, Bert
Serrano as Erap Estrada, and Gene Corpus and Mercy Eslinger as Barack
and Michelle Obama.
Included in the Marcos-Malacanang skit were: Angel Martires, Tom
Torres and June Rubio, security; Pete Sabido and Rudy Ferran, Marcos
cronies; Emma Sabido and Coring Torres, Imelda's ladies-in-waiting;
Thelma Pena, Cecile Rosana and Ciony Hurst, blue ladies; Baby Arroyo,
Marcos' nurse; and Atty. Fred Hurst, Van Cliburn.
In the Erap scenario were: Vic Martires as Atong Ang; Larry Pena,
Chavit Singson; Tony Martires, Ping Lacson; Aida Valenciano, Miriam
Defensor Santiago; Butch San Jose, Jinggoy Estrada; Abeth Corpus, Virgie
Dy, Gene Leano and Nanie Enriquez as Erap's women.
Cast members of the variety and musical numbers were: Angelo
Martires as Michael Jackson; TJ Serrano, Tina Turner; Yeye Martires,
Cher; Jun Fabricante, Manny Pacquiao; Frances Fesuk & Nelia del Barrio,
Beyonce & Friends; Matthew Martires, Dancing with the Stars prodigy.
Behind-the-scenes support -- Lanie Berrei, special effects & floor
director; Nenen Martires, props director; videographer, Diversified
Entertainment & Media Organization; Script collaboration by TJ Serrano
(entertainment segment) & Mits San Jose (UBLA history).
