In the Executive Meeting of the AFE-ADB India Chapter held in February, 2014 it was decided that the 21st AFE-ADB India Chapter Annual Meeting will be held in Bhopal from September 25 to 28, 2014 in Bhopal. Shri Ajay Narh, Additional Chief Secretary, Madhya Pradsh Government, who is also a member of the chapter has taken the initiative to help organize this meeting.
The Philippines Chapter will hold its Annual Get-Together on 20 November 2014 and not on 30 November as announced earlier. All are invited for fun, fellowship, games, and good food. Please watch this section for details and reservations.
Gam de Armas
Philippines Chapter Coordinator
The 8th Annual Reunion of the Australia Chapter was held on 7-10 October 2013 at sunny Noosaville, on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland which is just a little over one and a half hours drive north of Brisbane (134 km), or just over 30 minutes drive from the nearest airport on the Sunshine Coast at Marcoola.
The 2nd annual reunion of the New Zealand Chapter of AFE-ADB was held in Napier, New Zealand on 4-6 March 2013. In its short existence, the New Zealand Chapter has held gatherings in scenic areas with excellent wine, food, and scenery. The organizers ensure that all of these are explored.
Our first meeting in 2012 was held on Sunday 8 April 2012 on the terrace of our house in South Jakarta Cilandak area—a luncheon as usual in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Ida de Ponteves had prepared a delicious buffet of very traditional Indonesian food, with a number of delicacies from Makassar such as fish, “pastel” (called jalkot in Makassar), a kind of vegetable puffed pastry, and many others. Ida was born in Makassar and loves to cook Makassar delicacies.
Barrio Fiesta 2012 in Tokyo On 8 January 2012, Japanese ADB retirees got together with Former President Taroichi Yoshida. This annual gathering, named “Barrio Fiesta” (or Baryo Fiesta in Filipino), celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.
A representative group from AFE-ADB NY/NJ chapter on their way to attend the annual picnic sponsored by the Washington, D.C. ex-ADBers on 9 June 2012 at Fairfax, Virginia. They went to personally invite the Washingtonians to their yearly reunion party on 27 October 2012 at Secaucus, New Jersey.
The New Zealand Chapter held its first meeting Nelson, New Zealand on 12–15 March, 2012. After initial strong support, 17 people joined a well-conceived program. Present were Colin (Chapter Coordinator) and Marian Bond; Ron Hamilton (ably assisting Colin); Gordon (who agreed to be “acting” treasurer going forward) and Rosemary Fox; Gaye Andrews; Tim Hutton and Carola Molitor; Francis Narayan; Ann and Andrew Proctor (from Australia); Mike Ryan; Catherine and Frank Sharpley; and the Manila contingent of Elizabeth Reyes, Hans-Juergen Springer, and Jill Gale de Villa.
The AFE–ADB Pakistan Chapter has become active again, and the first get-together event took place in Islamabad, Pakistan. Shahid Mirza, the Chapter Coordinator, called all former ADB staff members, and a get-together was planned for brunch at the Islamabad Club for Sunday, 2 June. Everyone was very excited; although some were out of town or even out of the country, 10 attended.
The South Group had a reunion at the Vue Room of the Bellevue Hotel on 26 April 2012 with 29 people in attendance. It was a moonlit night and everybody enjoyed the music , good food, and dancing. Dancing the night away were Yoly and Roger Asuncion, Lou de Belen, Danny Muñoz, Liza Vitangcol, Lita Gamboa, Rosie Luistro, Linda Lapid, and Carmen and Ike Bontia. Also present were AFE–ADB Deputy Executive Secretary Jill de Villa, who had to leave early for another appointment; Babygirl Cruz; Medy Reantazo; Beth Cabuay; Lina Cadorniga; Lilia Malaqui; and Ched Raña.
