By the summer's end of 1979, Jess L. Castillo, Epsilon '68, and Rey Manikad, Alpha '61, met in Los Angeles and published a news article in local papers that attracted the attention of Edgar "Egay" Ninofranco, Beta, Isauro "Bonjie" Ingco, Alpha Eta, and Nelson Silao, Zeta Gamma.
Fraternity Life member Castillo, Ninofranco, Ingco, and Silao met for the first time at the Bulakeña Restaurant on Temple Street, Los Angeles renewing a strong bond of brotherhood in Alpha Phi Omega.
This historic powwow was followed by a series of fellowship meetings as waves of Philippine alums heard of the exciting movement based in Los Angeles, Alex O. Aquino and Teddy Ramos, both from Gamma Epsilon phoned Castillo of their interest in the new group. So did Beta Kappa alumnus Thomas "Toti" Ayo, Doms Tunque, Theta alum, Joey Algoso, Christian and Betta David from Sigma, former APO-R.P. National Secretary Myrna Tangco from Alpha, Epsilonians Jose "Jhun" Chin, Patrick Afan and wife Marietta "Mayette" Afan, a Pi Omega Pi member at the University of the East, Paul Languisan, Beta Tau; Dominador "Bong" Estrada, Upsilon, blood brothers Nelson and Alex Ipapo of Delta, Jasmin Ipapo from Alpha and Arlene Ipapo from Pi, Junn O. Aquino from Gamma Epsilon and later on Gil Magno, Alpha Pi.
Meanwhile, in San Diego quite a few APO alumni serving in the United States Navy also read about the brand new group—they were Carlos B. Pampolina, Sigma; Abraham S. Tan, Eta; Angel Pangilinan, Delta Zeta; Leo Lantican, Alpha Sigma; Rolando R. Hernandez, Delta; Virgilio R. Gadiano, Alpha Psi; Ruben and Evelyn Barcelona, Beta Eta; Amelita F. Cornista, Alpha Sigma.
On February 7, 1981, election was held at the National Life and Accident Insurance Branch Office on Temple Street entrusting the management of APOAAC to the following: Charter President Jess Castillo, Leadership Vice President Doms Tunque, Friendship Vice President Toti Ayo, Service Vice President Lelisa Santos.
The Charter Members
When a campaign in 1981 for Charter application was conducted by Castillo the following responded by paying required dues thus their name will forever be etched in history as APOIAAC Charter Members:
- J. Jessie L. Castillo, Charter Life Member/Charter Pres. – Epsilon '68
- Domingo B. Tonque, Vice President – Theta '69
- F. Thomas A. Ayo, Vice President - Beta Kappa '72
- Lelisa R. Santos, Vice President - Delta Kappa
- Alex O. Aquino, Secretary - Gamma Epsilon
- Isauro Y. Ingco, Treasurer - Alpha Eta
- Teddyleon D. Ramos, State Coordinator - Gamma Epsilon
- Christian David, Chaplain - Sigma
- Edgar P. Ninofranco, Media Relations Director - Beta
- Fidel R. Aquino, Sergeant-at-Arms - Beta Epsilon
- Patrick Afan, Chairman, Past Grand Chancellors Council - Epsilon
- Dr. Librado I. Ureta, Charter Life Member/APO R.P. President Emeritus – Advisor (deceased)
- Myrna S. Tangco, Charter Life Member/Past National Secretary - Alpha
- Jose S. Algoso, Charter Member - Sigma
- Jose D. Chin, Jr., Charter Member - Epsilon
- Rolando R. Hernandez, Charter Member - Delta
- Carlos B. Pampolina, Charter Member - Sigma
- Angel Pangilinan, Charter Member - Delta Zeta
- Evelyn Barcelona, Charter Member - Beta Eta
- Virgilio R. Gadiano, Charter Member - Alpha Psi
- Nelson D. Ipapo, Charter Member - Delta
- Paul R. Languisan, Charter Member - Beta Tau
- Betta M. David, Charter Member - Sigma
- Abraham S. Tan, Charter Member - Eta
- Ruben C. Barcelona, Charter Member - Beta Eta
- Amelita F. Cornista, Charter Member - Alpha Sigma
- Leo D. Lantican, Charter Member - Alpha Sigma
- Dominador D. Estrada, Charter Member – Upsilon
The Legacy with APO-USA
Perhaps the greatest legacy from the friendship of Herbert and the APOIAAC members starting with Earle Herbert’s 1981 APO-Philippines National Convention trip to Cagayan de Oro City, and two more APO-R.P. conventions while he was APO-USA National President. Inspired by the knowledge of his overseas trips he proposed the creation of a National Director for Internationalism. This act paved the way of the eventual realization of the International Council of Alpha Phi Omega (ICAPO) in 1994, a dream he never witnessed due to his untimely demise in 1987.
The Early Service Projects
Several service projects were made during the formative years. A Book Drive was held in 1980, Service with the Tree People in consonance with APO-USA National Service Week, support group in a Los Angeles Filipino American Jaycees program, hosting of APO-Philippines Delegates-Observers to the 1980 APO-USA National Convention, Philippine Independence Day participation and other community-oriented projects.
The Lull
There was a brief lull in APOIAAC activities between 1982 to 1984 when Castillo became charter president of Bayanihan Junior Chamber of Los Angeles. APOIAAC management was entrusted to the three vice presidents and on August 25, 1984, the reign of leadership was transferred from Castillo to the able hands of Beta Kappa alumnus Thomas "Toti" Ayo upon his election at the Cerritos Park, the City of Cerritos, California thus APOIAAC continuity was achieved.
"THE RENAISSANCE"
Renewed Commitment
It was the renaissance period in 1984, some twenty or so brothers and sisters realized that it was time to give some life to then the APOAA of Southern California.
To be successful this time, we were committed to do one thing - we were to keep family values at the forefront! Most of us were ‘naïve’ then so to speak; newcomers in a foreign land; living the process of acculturation. One by one, we were building a foundation for our respective families.
The issue to re-organize was the order of the day as we finally held an election on August 25, 1984. Soon enough, graced by our very own Philippine Organizer Brother Bado Ureta and APO-USA President 1981-1984 Brother Earle Herbert, we celebrated our first formal December Anniversary Dinner-Dance at the Skylinks Golf & Country Club in Long Beach on December 15, 1984.
The Soul Searching
From Brother Gil Magno's personal account of history he expressed the following: "The first year of Toti Ayo's presidency was a difficult period. It was a time for soul-searching, of finding the one thread that could bind our different and various ideas about our AA into one single purpose. Toti's low-key approach to problems and his willingness to listen to everyone’s point of view made everyone believe that he/she was an important part of the organization.
Toti promised to consolidate the membership, and he achieved this mostly by making sure that all decisions were reflective of the wishes of the general assembly." Further, Gil Magno notes: "By consensus of the general assembly, no elections were held for the 1986 term of office. The group felt that it was too soon for a change of leadership at a time when everyone felt that the organization was being managed properly and pointed to the right direction."
Moving Forward
One significant act by Toti Ayo and his elected officers was to call for a revision of the association's constitution and by-laws that was truly responsive to the felt needs of the association, reflective of the association's ideals and purposes. This constitution and by-laws recognized the need and value of family relationship in the organization's over-all scheme. This constitution and by-laws was ratified by the general assembly on July 26, 1986.
It was also during Toti Ayo's presidency that the traditional annual camping had its start and was held at Lake Perris on a memorial weekend in May, 1985.
On October 18, 1986, the general assembly gathered at the Maynila Restaurant in Los Angeles and elected Christian David as the President for the subsequent year. The new set of officers was inducted at the ballroom of the Golden Sail Hotel in Long Beach on December 5, 1986. It was during Christian's presidency that our alumni association was formally and legally incorporated, mainly thru the efforts of Enrico Lainez who was the first brod to be licensed to practice law in California.
Credit: APOIAAC - The Beginning, is made possible by the recollections of both PPs Jess Castillo & Toti Ayo on events of the early years that led to the establishment of APOGLA, one of the premier APO Alumni organizations in the world. PP Dony Rondilla is instrumental in gathering and re-writing all the pertinent facts. Pictures were provided by charter Secretary Bro. Alex Aquino and PP Toti Ayo.