ACNA: A Celebration of APO's Works

In September 2021, I attended the 15th ACNA Biennial Convention at Bahia Mar Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. It was my first ACNA ever.

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While Brods Reuben Roque, Leslie Dela Cruz and I numbered among the voting delegates, the non-voting members of the Greater Washington Alpha Phi Omega (GWAPO) included the following: Sisses Keigh Dela Cruz, Maye Nunag, Felma Dacut and Brods Aldin and Macy Dela Cruz. It was quite an honor for me, and it was surely an honor for our chapter.

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I should like to enumerate some of the not only honorworthy but also the edifying aspects of the whole event:

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1. A Memorable Tropical Retreat From the Mundane

Fort Lauderdale sits on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. With 23 miles of impressive beaches, there’s plenty to “sea”. And as they say, a day in the beach is never lost time. Despite the “partially cloudy with occasional thunderstorms” forecast, many of us still dipped our toes in the water to catch the shy Florida sun. The beach was only a short walk away from the hotel, thanks to the hotel’s pedestrian bridge which provided exclusive access. It has been said that the average water temperature at Fort Lauderdale is 79 degrees. The waters may have been a tad colder when we were there but there was no stopping us. A few times or so, some of us may have come back to our hotel room drenched from the rain but seeing the Atlantic Ocean was well worth it!

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2. Ambrosia – Food, Food, and more Food

What is a Filipino Party without an abundance of food? There’s no skimping when we have APO parties. There was no shortage of creative cooks. We were treated to sumptuous lunches and dinners and mouth-watering desserts. APO Florida (convention host) welcomed each of us everyday in the fellowship room with open arms, a paper plate, a plastic spoon in one hand, a fork in the other. We ate to our stomachs’ content.

 

3. An Enriching Cultural Experience

Whether one explored just the Bahia Mar hotel or went out of their way to take the 30-minute drive to the city next door, there were myriad cultural activities to experience. Guests saw nature at its finest. Our sightseeing groups wasted no time exploring by bus and foot. We strolled along historic districts and diverse neighborhoods. A few of us went to Calle Ocho, Ocean Drive and Little Havana – famous for its delectable cuisines infused with Cuban / Latin American influences.

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Some groups drove to the Everglades, a landscape unlike any other, beautiful, mysterious, and wild. This extraordinary grassy river/wetland now half its original size is home to rare and endangered species, the most famous of which is the American Crocodile. As Marjorie Stoneman Douglas famously wrote, “There are no other Everglades in the world”. The essence of the Everglades is found in the sharp, ragged edges of sawgrass blades, an alligator’s deep bellow, the high stepping dance of wading birds, the water labyrinth of Ten Thousand Islands and the sparkling aquamarine waters of Florida Bay.

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4. Overcoming the Pandemic

Despite pandemic related fears and concerns, the gathering proceeded as planned. The only way to stop it would have been if there was an official lockdown or a big gathering restriction in the state Florida in which the hotel/venue will cancel the event. Fortunately, there was none. The host chapter pushed through. In compliance with CDC guidelines, the host strongly recommended that all attendees be fully vaccinated. Masking was highly encouraged. Temperature checks and hand sanitizers were made available in designated areas. All attendees were required to sign the COVID waiver.

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5. Fulfilling Alpha Phi Omega’s Mission

It was a wonderful feeling to be able to share our physical presence again with everyone. We are men and women filled with deep desires to belong. We are created to be a part of the greater community. We are of like minds in that we share the 3 cardinal principles of leadership, friendship, and service. And these have always been the ties that bind.

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As for GWAPO, we came with a purpose. That is to secure the bid to host the 16th Biennial Convention in 2023. I am proud to say that our mission was accomplished. The key to the next convention is now ours and on the other side of the convention door will be the most successful 16th Biennial Convention of 2023.

 

May we always be!