“You went to Las Vegas? What did you do there?
Exclaimed my conservative friend who has an opinion that a pastor like me should not set foot on the “Sin City.”
“Yes, I went to Vegas without my wife and I had a swell time.”
That made my friend even more upset and dismayed. And I had to explain myself.
“Well friend”, I said, “Do you know that you can go to the so-called “sin city” of Las Vegas, have fun, enjoy your time and be extremely encouraged and richly blessed?
“What? How?”
Find out how I did it.
Please read on.
I will tell you some interesting details of what I saw and what I did in Las Vegas. Although in doing so, I am going against the famous Vegas mantra: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
From the Carran airport, I took a shuttle bus instead of a taxi to go to my hotel-Gold Coast Hotel and Casino which is the venue of the CLSU 5th grand reunion. The shuttle bus is cheaper and it gave me a free tour around the city as it dropped passengers/tourists to their respective hotels. My hotel was the farthest and the last stop for the shuttle. So I got to see many other hotels including the MGM where my idol Manny Paquiao famously fought his big boxing matches.
The bus was full and from the sounds of conversations, people were very eager and couldn’t wait to let loose of themselves and enjoy their time. The travel to my hotel took us through the “Strip” area where the famous Ceasar’s Palace is prominently located- where Celine Dione performs.
We passed by the famous Bellagio where you can watch and enjoy the fountain dancing with music and spectacular display of lights . It is best to watch at night. Mandalay Bay, Hooters, and many more attractions are also located on the Strip. One cannot miss the announcements of major shows as they were prominently displayed on gigantic billboards.
Checking in at my hotel, the first thing that got my attention was the overpowering odor of cigarette smoke in the lobby. I felt like I was transported back to the 70s and 80s when smoking was allowed and legal inside an air conditioned building. And for a health junkie like me, that was a big turn off.
The huge hotel lobby is a gambling den, where you can see all kinds of electronic slot machines, gambling tables, computer monitors and a whole array of image/noise generating gambling paraphernalias. The whole setting was a picture of another world to me.
But I was determined to enjoy and make the most of my stay in Vegas.
Exploring the casino area further, I was glad to see a coffee shop, (I spotted a corner where I could sit and write my blog while sipping Starbucks grande); A huge buffet restaurant, Subway Sandwhich, and a Chinese restaurant specializing in different kinds of noodles.
Of course my eagerness was triggered not by what the city had to offer. I’m excited to meet my fellow CLSU alumni.
And what a thrill it really was to fellowship with many wonderful graduates of CLSU.
When Engr. Gerry Galinato, the Alumni Association president learned that I was attending the reunion, he assigned me to deliver the invocation in each of the meeting. Having given that assignment, I realized I must act like the reunion Chaplain. I was very glad that God is acknowledged in the gathering of CLSU alumni. I took the assignment earnestly as it was a special privilege to represent my people before our Mighty God. I asked the Holy Spirit to anoint my words and my actions as I mingled with my fellow alumni. (The text of my prayers for each session is published at the end of this article.)
The reunion started off with a sumptuous Filipino buffet. The dinner gathering was very festive as everyone came in their colorful Hawaiian attire. I must admit I ate my heart out like I’d never had Filipino food for a long time.
I have my own buffet at Mabuhay Restaurant in Chicago but it’s different when someone else did the cooking.
The second day was the general assembly meeting and before any business was conducted, I was called to do the invocation. The assembly was highlighted the sharing of success stories by three alumni: Dr. Padilla, Dr. Firma Viray and Jun Espejo.
Dr. Padilla was the founder of He is also a savvy businessman setting up
Dr. Firma Viray waIopportunity to share and pray with several people attending the grand reunion.
The young man who read the guest speaker’s address, Engr. Sonny Sicat, a son of CLSU alumnus Dr. Sicat shared his story of his recent bout with cancer and how he survived. I could not resist praying for and with my fellow cancer survivor. So in the midst of the drowning gala music, we bowed our heads and humbled ourselves before our Great Healer! I’m sure he heard us! While there was dancing and merrymaking I went around meeting and talking to my fellow alumni and their spouses. Whenever I had a chance, I held their hands and offered a prayer.
I shared a room with my fellow alumnus and former buddy in cultural group-my friend Manny Buado who was the co-emcee during the big gala night. It turned out that my good friend (and his wife- not present in the event) were leaders in their charismatic group in Toronto, Canada. We started each morning with sharing and devotional prayer.
It was a joy to be reunited with my coach Tess Galamay Shiner. She was the CLSU WATC Corp Commander back in our college days. She was the chaperone and coach of the CLSU delegation to Cebu when we competedn for the national oratorical contest.
On Sunday morning, my co-engineering alumnus and my fellow Collegian writer Dr. Carlos Carriaga invited me to attend s worship service at a nearby church then proceeded to the picnic.
During the picnic at the park, I went around talking to my co-alumni. Many of them requested to be prayed for. I said “Yes” and I did it right there laying my hand on them as I prayed.
It was a pleasure to be reunited with my batch mates (80’s graduates) Edgar and Ma. Excelsis Orden. Dr. Edgar Orden.
Now you know why I enjoyed my weekend in Vegas. I had fond memories, I was charged and inspired. I was enriched and above all, I was blessed!
The Grand Reunion Prayers:
The General Assembly
We offer to you our time together.
We invite you to be the special guest in our gathering. Because when you are present, there is peace, there is understanding, there is unity and there is harmony. When you are present, there is something good and beautiful that happens. Lord, allow us to accept the challenges that will be presented to us. Allow us to be a conduit of your blessings because you have faithfully and generously blessed lus. We pray for the continued progress of our beloved CLSU through the leadership of Dr. Abella. Bless him with renewed vision and may that vision be accomplished and come into fruition. May our Alma Mater continue to a beacon of truth and knowledge that will contribute to the prosperity of our nation.
Gala Night
Gracious God,
You brought us together tonight from far and near. You’ve provided all that we need that we may be together. You’ve raised up leaders to steer us to accomplish noble things.
Lord, tonight we celebrate your goodness, your faithfulness and your loving kindness.
Today Lord, in our general assembly, we have been inspired by the generosity of those who shared their treasures and wealth. We listened in awe as we heard stories of great success from Jun Espejo and Dr. Romeo Padilla. And we were challenged to dream big dreams as Dr. Eliseo Ruiz cast before us the vision for a “Golden Grain Tower” , and with a dream of one day seeing a Noble Laureate from among the CLSU graduates. Lord, we do not doubt that this dream could be realized, because in you nothing is impossible.
God , we continue to pray for CLSU and its leaders. I pray for Dr. Abella and his team. May you empower them to accomplish great things for CLSU. I also pray for the leaders of CLSU International Alumni Association as they continue to serve for another year. Bless them, guide them.
Tonight Lord as we gather to celebrate. May our merry-making be an expression of joy and happiness for all that you’ve done all that you will do to us.,
myJOURNEY 