DLSAANC De La Salle Alumni Association of Northern California - Filipino Lasallians Residing in Northern California

Jan. 16, 2019 — On a stormy midweek afternoon, family, friends, church associates and schoolmates brought some personal sunshine to fore by remembering their dear departed friend and former DLSAANC President Jose “Joey” de Ocampo at a heartfelt memorial service at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in San Francisco.

Pastor Chris Gelini presided over an almost 2 hour celebration of Joey’s life. So-called Irish twin brother Bobby (because they were born within 11 months of each other; in fact, they started schooling together) led the eulogy by linking his brother’s personal traits to the significance of his departed brother’s Feb. 12 birthdate in the Philippines (Japanese liberation during World War II) as well as in the USA (Lincoln’s birthday). The former Philippine Finance Secretary also recounted the several times that his younger sibling managed to overcome dire health prognosis. For their part, Joey’s sons JV and Miguel remembered their father’s sense of humor, faith and courage despite health adversities. Other relatives, friends and fellow Presbyterians echoed the same sentiments. Speaking on behalf of the Lasallian alumni, Joey’s best friend Tom Umali recounted their remarkable time together spanning elementary days to common Philippine employer and eventually their immigrant life in their adopted land in America.

Joey’s fellow GS’58 and HS’62 Bay Area schoolmates, namely Mari Valles, Mandy Reyes, Roy Quicho, Vic Santos, Chiqui Ramirez and of course Tom Umali, came in full force to pay their final respects and condole fellow batchmate Bobby. Joey’s fellow former DLSAANC President Romi Beza was also in attendance.

Up to the end, Joey still managed to make the gathering warm and cozy despite the adverse weather! Way to go, Joey!

The popular Jimmy Brown, former association president in 1999, died on the night of Jan. 8 at the Polymedic Hospital in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila in the Philippines. The former stalwart of the De La Salle basketball team had of late suffered from poor health but remained a fixture at the UAAP games where he indulged in taking pictures of not only the players but the faithful alumni who rooted for the Green Archers.

Jimmy was an imposing and charismatic campus figure during the days when one could complete all his Lasallian education at the Taft campus. Indeed, he was a derecho La Sallite — the original monicker of the era — throughout his student days having completed GS’62, HS’66 and BSBA’70.

Jimmy was a man’s man during his loyal days with the alma mater. A friend — and he had many — always knew he could count on Jimmy having his back. The protective demeanor continued on with his athletic endeavors where his teams also competed up to the national level. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school and  competed in softball (pitcher), volleyball, track & field (javelin, long jump and 100 m) and, of course, basketball. His high school team in particular brought honors to De La Salle by beating vaunted veteran teams in winning the National Secondary and the Archdiocese basketball leagues. In college, Jimmy focused on basketball and was one of the team’s stars along with the likes of Alex Malixi, Doy Escobar, Mike Bilbao and Lim Eng Beng.

Jimmy was president of the DLSAANC when the association hosted the first-ever De La Salle Alumni Associaiton World Congress in Oakland. The manner which the international week-end alumni event was staged under Jimmy’s leadership became the template for future DLSAA World Congresses.

An outdoorsman, Jimmy organized camping and rafting trips during his active days with the association. He was an avid fisherman, too, and could hook them even when his fishing mates couldn’t.

Jimmy has three USA-based adult offsprings, namely, Jackie, Joanie and Jay Jay, who are all enroute to Manila to arrange for their father’s memorial services. Let us all join them in praying for the eternal repose of Jimmy! Rest in peace, bro!

(Ed’s note: Double click on the picture for bigger high-resolution version.)

Dec. 29, 2017 — Our beloved Br. Dominic Aquinas Berardelli, FSC (John Anthony Berardelli) passed away yesterday December 28, 2017 at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Napa, CA.  Br. Dom, as he was fondly called, just fell days short of his milestone 80th birthday on Jan. 6 next year.

Br. Dom had been in delicate health since early 2017 but nevertheless possessed positive attitude and humor that colleagues and friends hoped would eventually bring him to eventual full recovery. It was not meant to be, it turns out.

The gregarious Brother had been the DLSAANC’s main sponsor whenever we held summer picnics both St. Mary’s College in Moraga and Mont La Salle in Napa. At Moraga, he would enthusiastically tour Filipino Lasallian alumni, their family and hopefully future SMC students around the campus on his golf cart that was lovingly called the “Bromobile.” Said cart would carry the flags of the Vatican, the USA and his adopted country, the Philippines.

Br. Dom was born and educated in Pennsylvania. He completed both his undergraduate and masters degrees from La Salle College in Philadelphia. He also received a honorary degree from La Salle University in Obregon, Mexico.

Br. Dom was assigned to the Philippines at a time when the only Catholic country in Asia was under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco District of the Christian Brothers. A big part of his love of the adopted country was because he took his final vows as a Christian Brother there on April 2, 1963, about 8 years after initially entering the education-oriented religious order. He carried on his initial teaching zeal among the very engaging Filipino students — rich and poor alike since he was assigned at the Green Hills and Iligan campuses during his stint there. Perhaps, the root of his affection for the adopted country was because his fun-loving and humorous temperament was Filipino-like. He loved Filipino food, too, and yearned for crispy pata whenever he met-up with Filipino alumni.

Br. Dom was a Christian Brother for a total of 62 years and his mission brought him around the world, including Sri Lanka, Australia and the Vatican. His more interesting stories would inevitably be about the tumultuous assignments he had in pre-martial law Philippines and war-torn Sri Lanka.

After the Philippine District was established, Br. Dom returned to the San Francisco District by first teaching at Pasadena, CA, where he has some family, and then north to Napa. Eventually, Br. Dom took on administrative positions and St. Mary’s College in Moraga proved to be the best fit. He was in his element as Special Assistant to the President because of the ease he was able to deal with the various sectors of the SMC community as well as the town of Moraga.  Br. Dom was popular at the Moraga campus — an icon, if you will — and also organized student volunteer charity tours to Mexico and the Philippines. Br. Dom’s vibrant personality matched the energy of the young college students. He resisted late efforts to have him move to the Mont La Salle retirement community until frail health gave him no other choice.

At what turned out to be an abbreviated stay in Mont La Salle, Br. Dom brought his usual energy despite all odds. He was often the most engaged Brother during their community gatherings that you would not think he had health issues. He enjoyed several visits from former colleagues in the Philippines as well as Filipino alumni.

We will miss Br. Dom’s energy, smile and conviviality! Go with God and rest in peace, Br. Dom!

Memorial Services: 

Friday, January 12 @ Saint Mary’s College of California, 1928 St. Mary’s Rd., Moraga – Main Chapel Viewing: 6:00 PM –7:00 PM
Service: 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM
Small Reception to follow

Saturday, January 13 @ Mont La Salle, 4401 Redwood Road, Napa – Main Chapel Reception of the body (Conference Center Banquet Room Outdoor Walkway): 9:00 AM Viewing (Rotunda): 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM
Funeral Mass: 10:00 AM
Burial to follow Mass
Luncheon in Conference Center Banquet Room to follow burial

On March 28, 2017, a beautiful Tuesday morning, Orly Mayor and myself picked up the top level DLSU contingent comprised of Br. Ray Suplido, President of De LaSalle University; Edwin C. Reyes, DLSU Director of Alumni Relations; and Dr. Derrick Ethelbert Yu, President of DLSAA – Philippines at the Cartwright hotel in downtown San Francisco. We headed to Mont LaSalle in Napa, California via the scenic route and made a quick stop at the Golden Gate Bridge vista point for some photo op. We tried to get across the other side of the bridge too. Local Bay Area folks know that the view on the north side of the bridge directly across the vista point along Concelman Rd. has the best view of the bridge bar-none!  Unfortunately, due to the recent rains, the parking lots on that side of the bridge were all closed and so off we went…..Napa Valley here we come!

Upon arriving at Mont La Salle, we were greeted by Br. Mark Murphy, Vice Chair of Operations, and also COO of the Lasallian Education Fund, among other hats he wears within the La Salle organization. He gave us a short tour of the recreational center, the brothers quarters and explained in detail the many historical events and items that were displayed in-house.  Numerous paintings, photos and memorabilia are displayed in the property.  Shortly after, we were met by both Br. Dominic Berardelli and Br. John O’Neil for a delicious lunch prepared by the Mont La Salle staff.  While Br. Dominic is based at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, he was sent at Mont La Salle to recuperate from a bout with the flu.  Powered by a two wheeled walker, Br. Dom aka Aquinas was full of energy and back to his usual brightness. Br. John aka Fidelis, himself recuperating from a recent cancer scare, is based full time at Mont La Salle.  The gathering was happy and the conversation non-stop with everyone reminiscing their days at Taft, LSGH and/or Lipa and sharing stories of their different assignments all over the world!  Br. Dominic and Br. John were once elementary Principals at LSGH and Taft back in the 60’s.

The visit did not end here. After lunch, the group was escorted next door to Hess Winery.  The winery was once part of the Christian Brothers brand, and now leased for 100 years to the Hess family.  We were given a tour of the gallery and finished off with a four-wine tasting.  It was so refreshing!

Before we said our goodbyes, Br. Mark gave us one last look at one of the three chapels in the property.  With stained glass windows from Germany, originally made back in the 1930’s, it has never broken a piece!  Would you believe that it only cost $300 to make them during that period?  So much history and little tidbits of information from Br. Mark!

Finally, the drive back to the Bay Area at around 4:30 PM is never complete without the rush hour traffic!  50 miles and two hours later, we were back in the Sunset district of San Francisco having Chinese food at one of my favorite hole-in-the wall spots.  Won Ton House anyone?

A very long day came to an end. Thanks to Orly Mayor for safely driving everyone back at the hotel.  A memorable day indeed!

Well, better later than later! Here are the photos of the beautiful ladies and gentlemen of the DLSAANC chapter who attended the 2016 Christmas dinner/dance party last December at Fort McKinley in South San Francisco. Thanks to the better halves for organizing the event! (Note: Thanks to Alan Estrella and Irvin Sevilla for the pictures! Click on the picture for a bigger sized version!)

In recognition of his contribution to the development of the USA soccer referee program, former De La Salle soccer player and Philippine Football Federation Secretary-General Fernando Alvarez GS, HS’44 has been posthumously honored as one of two inductees of the Cal North Hall of Fame for the year 2016. Alvarez passed on in 2013 but his contribution lives on with the strong pool of US referees who are now very much engaged in officiating international soccer matches and of course several others in the Philippines that he has mentored. Also, Alvarez introduced the substitution signal for incoming and outgoing players that remain in use during soccer games.

Alvarez was a lifelong supporter of soccer beginning his DLS days and even after immigrating to the US in the 1990s. He made his mark internationally though as a referee and as soccer mentor. For his years of contribution to the sport, Alvarez was awarded by the world’s soccer organization FIFA (Federacion Internationale de Football Association) its highest honor, the Centennial Order of Merit, in 2005 upon the nomination of the Philippine Football Federation. The next year, Alvarez was inducted in the DLSU Hall of Fame.