World Vision International is one of the largest international non-governmental organizations (NGO) with field offices in 63 countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. It has 16 support offices (donor offices) in Europe, Asia, and North America. Its headquarters is in Monrovia, California in the United States. World Vision is involved in relief and development activities in agriculture, health, and micro-enterprises in its field offices. Due to food insecurity resulting from both man-made and natural calamities, food aid is one major component of its programs. Bernie just recently went to Sudan and witnessed people literally dying from famine.

The fraternity and the university were major contributors to his professional and personal development. Bernie graduated from University of the Philippines Manila with a degree in AB Economics in 1980. He joined the fraternity after being recruited by Tony Kalaw. Bernie says Tony was fatherly in his ways, an irony because to this date he is still not a father! His Jumbo batchmates were Christian Friend, Jun Que, Mike Saga, and others I cannot remember. He says his batchmates were BIG and LOADED but remembers them crying like babies during the initiation rites.

Two of his best memories of college and fraternity life are:

• Survival strategies. With rivalries with other fraternities disrupting one's studies, a fraternity brother requires a great amount of effort to survive and get a diploma.
• Exposure to politics. The exposure that he had in Tau Omega Mu provided him training in "climbing" an organization's ladder.

Bernie currently maintains a family residence in Nairobi, Kenya. His house is a little mansion perched on a forest hill. His children attend international schools with other expatriates' and diplomats' children. They are called the "third" culture children. An expatriate's life is tough, being away from your own people and culture. But on a positive note, Bernie and his family have toured the world four times already. If you are looking for something different for a vacation, Bernie has an open invitation for you to visit Kenya. He said he will organize a safari trip for you if you visit him.

Bernie's permanent residence is still in the Philippines. He and his family usually go home every six months. He owns three houses in the Philippines - one in Sorsogon, another on Ortigas Extension, and the third in Marikina. He said the house in Marikina can be a good fraternity tambayan.

Bernie's job will be taking him to Frankfurt in Germany, Seattle, San Francisco and probably other cities this year. Anyone in those cities may contact him to arrange a get-together. Bernie likes receiving e-mail from everyone. Even with his busy schedule, he consistently replies within two weeks. Jojo Almonte, Mandy Datuin, or Tony Kalaw, if you are out there on the internet, he would like to hear from you. His message to fraternity brothers and sisters: remember one of the fraternity's tenets - strive for excellence in everything you do.

by Bong Tumanut