The San Diego CLSU International Alumni members and supporters held an informational meeting and potluck get-together in Escondido, California on October 5, 2013. The informational meeting focused on the discussion of the upcoming reunion at the Manila Hotel on February 1, 2014.

Participants in the meeting include Annie and Nestor Silva, Alex and Jean Almazan, Gloria de Vera, Nenet Perez, Drs. Ed and Nenet Cabacungan, Dr. Leo and Ning Abenes, Dr. Leo Sicat, Juanito del Rosario and Gerry Galinato.

Dr. Leo Abenes and Engr. Gerry Galinato, Co-chairs, CLSUIAAI Reunion and Homecoming Committee led the discussions and updated the group about the status of the planning efforts including the total number of alumni and supporters, both expats and local alumni who indicated interest in joining the reunion in Manila Hotel. They also responded to various questions fielded by the meeting participants including reunion registration, issuance of vouchers, giving donations in lieu of attendance to subsidize more local alumni, sponsorship of local alumni and non-alumni by expats, hotel accommodations (Manila Hotel and other alternative hotels) and other issues and concerns.

The meeting was also an opportunity for participants to offer comments and suggestions concerning the design of the program (i.e. speakers, attire, band, dinner selection, offering raffled gifts donated by expats, etc.). The Reunion Co-chairs received the inputs with open mind and would consider all constructive comments in planning the overall program and make recommendations to the Executive Committee for final approval as appropriate. It was also proposed by the group to have a fund-raising component of the evening program by selling tickets to attendees. The prize for a single mega-winner would be one-half of the total proceeds from the sold tickets and the other half to be channeled to the association’s fund for a good cause (e.g. CLSUIAAI Scholarship Fund).

In addition to the very serious meeting in Escondido about the Manila Hotel Reunion, the participants had also the opportunity to introduce themselves, recalled and shared their experiences while being students at CLSU at different time frames. It was really a great fellowship for the group and got to know more about each other - both the “young and not-so-young” generations of CLSU alumni. All the participants had great fun recalling their good old days at CLSU without experiencing the generation gap phenomenon.

Director Gloria offered to volunteer her beautiful house in hosting the meeting and was assisted by her sister Director Annie Silva. The meeting attendees also participated in celebrating Director Gloria’s daughter - Giselle, her birthday anniversary.