Born in the Philippines, Abe survived the Japanese occupation of the islands. After the war he was employed by the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He joined the Manila Bureau of the Associated Press and installed the first trans-Pacific radio photo equipment for them. Abe came to the U.S. in 1964 to finish his engineering degree at West Virginia University, and worked for the various phases of General Precision, Singer Link Simulation and CAE in
Binghamton, from where he retired in 1990.
In 1974, Abe was granted a sabbatical to work with The Institute of Cultural Affairs, a worldwide organization working with communities and organizations with emphasis on the human factor. His wife, Janice, and Abe have been actively engaged in various programs and projects of ICA, including travel to many places in the U.S. and to Taipei, Mexico City and Prague. Abe served on the National Board of Directors of ICA-US for several years.
Abe was an active member of the Calvary United Methodist Church in Vestal, NY. where he was involved with the choir and young people, served with various committees of the church, and was church treasurer for several years. He was also active with the Wyoming Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving on the Committee on Episcopacy, Council of Finance and Administration, and the Human Resources Table.
Abe relished the simple gifts of life that were available to him. He enjoyed cracking jokes, and was not above telling a pun. He thoroughly loved singing and joined as many groups as he could. There was a time in the Philippines when he had a choir rehearsal every night of the week, including one with the Press Club boys which had to be held after midnight, after the papers were put to bed. Abe loved games — bowling, chess, word games (Scrabble and Upwords) and any card games that he could learn. After he could no longer bowl, he concentrated on increasing his reading activities. Visits to the Vestal Farmer’s Market and flower photography continued to be a pleasure.
Abe is survived by his wife, Janice; a brother Samuel Ulangca and wife Ofelia in Fullerton, Calif.; a sister Thelma U. Rodriguez and husband Ambrose in Manila, Philippines; a sister Esther U. de los Santos and husband Virgilio in Chiangmai, Thailand; a brother Marcelo Ulangca, Jr. and wife Lee in Quezon City, Philippines; a sister-in-law JoAnne Maniago, Binghamton; and a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives. He was predeceased by his parents and three brothers. According to Abe’s wishes, his body has been donated to Upstate Medical Center for use in educating medical students. He said, “If they can make use of any of this old body, that’s great!”
*****
May 15, 2004 Hello Dialogue Colleagues,
I thought you might want to know something about what is happening here. First, you should know how much Abe has valued this list serve. He knows you appreciate being connected, as he does as well, and as his health has deteriorated this was one thing he could do at his own pace. Those who have known him well know that the very essence of life for him is doing useful things. He loves people, and has rejoiced at hearing news and thinking from so many folks that he remembers with affection and respect. So the chance to serve via this list serve has been a great gift for him.
We have been able to share Abe’s reflections on his life, and he feels too that it’s coming to an end. Typically he’s concerned that I learn everything from him that I need to know — I’ve been pretty busy with that. Most Sundays he still gets to church, and good friends of years are glad to see him as he sits in a big chair in the lounge outside the sanctuary and listens from there. He loves to go out to lunch and to the library, watch Jeopardy, and always has a book going. He plays a mean game of Scrabble or Upwards, and gets a gleam in his eye when teasing friends. Oh, and watch out, when he goes to a store where they have the riding contraptions — he’ll ride all over the place.
Thank you, thank you, Tim, for taking over! He’s been so concerned about that. He just grinned tonight when someone had a question, and you jumped right in and answered it. It’s a big relief to him.
Love to all of you. I do some grieving, of course, but my local friends and colleagues (peace and justice, mostly) provide support, and I’m doing well. It is kind of a holy thing, isn’t it, to get to accompany someone on the last part of their journey. We’re looking forward to a visit next week from my sister and her husband. She’s my only sibling, and I haven’t seen her since we were in Denver for the Millenium Connection. I’m glad they’re coming now.
~~ Janice Ulangca
Abe was one of a group of Order people – Len Hockley and Gordon Harper were among them – who could see early potential in electronic communication that most of us could not imagine. Abe was absolutely passionate about e-mail possibilities for connecting colleagues, because he knew what significant work was being done and the power of connection. As the listserves developed, he continued to work with them, and passed on tips for newbies to help them get involved. The final few months of his life he talked to you, Tim Wegner, about taking over the administration of the Dialogue and O:E listserves. And when you agreed, he felt great relief, and he rejoiced that the work he cared so much about would be in such capable hands.
I find I take e-mail, and even the listserves, for granted these days. But as I remember how eagerly we read the global order reports in the Rochester House before e-mail, I do find the new ways of connection to be awe inspiring. And when we consider the number and complexity of global challenges these days, Those Who Care need all the help we can get!
~~ Janice Ulangca
Ah… dear Abe and Janice Ulangca, metro colleagues/guardians from Binghamton, NY. Creative musician Janice (obvious costume) and wonderful creative photographer Abe devoted their lives to our mission and serving others. The picture captures their smiles and their generous hearts. Thanks for these lovely memories.
~~ Louise Ballard
Eunice and I join the chorus to celebrate the amazing journey and courage of Janice our colleague and friend. She and Abe, like Eunice and me are “Phil-Am” couples who shared the same global mix in our marriages.
~~ Sherwood and Eunice Shankland
More on Janice:
We were so sorry to learn of Janice’s death. We first worked together in 1970 as Rochester Region colleagues, and became good friends as our paths crossed during many ICA and other events and visits since then. As an incredible musician, she shared that gift with her church communities for many years as well as with ICA for musical dramas and other events. Personally, she helped record the music notation of several songs. But her interests and passion extended beyond music to the greater ICA community, to the mission of her urban church, to the peace-building efforts of the Binghamton area, and caring for the Earth through the Pachamama Alliance. During the last year she was part of the team that coordinated the ICA 50th Anniversary 50 events and also helped with Accelerate 77 preparation.
Several times over the years she and Abe and later Janice and we planned to be at Chautauqua Institution the same week, and it was always a great week of catch-up and discussion of the themes for that particular program week as well as local/global issues. We had planned another week together last June. As her energy waned due to her chemo treatments, Janice decided she couldn’t stay a whole week but was determined to come for a couple of days, which she was able to do, thanks to some good friends in Binghamton who provided transportation. During these days, she was sharing with us the outline for a retreat she was planning with others, as well as plans for a new program she wanted to start at her church. We had a great visit, hoping against hope that the chemo would be working miracles. An email a couple weeks ago sounded optimistic–scans showed no cancer in a previously cancerous place, and decreased cancer in another place. So, we were shocked to get this news today and deeply saddened. We will miss her greatly.
The memory of Janice’s smile, the echo of her laughter, the gentleness of her compassion, her collegiality and friendship, and the single-mindedness, tenacity, determination, and enthusiasm with which she reached out to and served the world will be a lasting legacy and vision of hope.
~~ Carl and Ellie Stock
JANICE ULANGCA
2013
Dear Janice … An insistent missionary of the new … Grounded social pioneer … Eager, insightful volunteer whenever she sensed the new brewing … She embodied the urgent call of possibility at every turn, lending her mighty talents to nurture the first green shoots of possibility for Peace with Justice. … Visionary-Inspirational-Organizer-Convenor-Consensus-builder/designer … Consummate Methodist, Consummate Ecumenist, Spirit Movement colleague,social activist, musician, poet, devoted wife, loving sister, aunt, and friend … Founding member of the “Old As Hell Angels” *
Janice gave her amazing energy for 78 years in a rainbow array of places: Mission work in the Philippines … Religious Studies I and the Rochester Religious House with the Ecumenical Institute (EI) and the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA). … Town Meeting 76 … Earthwise Learning Series development … National Public Radio where she hosted her own show … “Between the Arrows” accompanist and composer performed at The Millennium Connection Conference Denver 2000 … ToP Facilitator Conferences … Profound Journey Dialogue … Church organist … ICA Living Legacy Event October 5-7, 2007 tri-organizer … 50 Events Team* for ICA-USA Fiftieth Anniversary Events 2011-12 (“The events need to be more than just reunions!” Janice) … Broome County Event Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium … AARP … Broome County Council of Churches Peace With Justice Committee … Lenten Study Programs … ICA Archives … Move On. Org and Obama Campaigns … Association of Spiritual Progressives. … Joseph Matthews Archives event at Drew University … Non Violent Communication – NVC … Pachamama Alliance … Transition Towns … Shift Network online discussion of The Next Scientific (R)evolution in July! With Abe she fostered the birth of an electronic community for EI/ICA. There are many more.
Janice continues to be a tireless expander of our boundaries: Gently but firmly challenging the limits that bind us as she seeks God’s endless love and justice for all. Grace and Peace dear Janice, we celebrate your being and all you have planted.
~~ Judy Lindblad with editorial assistance by
Ellen Howie and Ester Mae Cox
Janice…a great spirit colleague. I remember working directly with her when preparing for the ICA 50th Celebration in Austin. She was part of the long legacy that gave so much of her life to caring for others. May the Mystery that cares and sustains us all continue the care for our dear colleague Janice as she completes this journey & begins her next. Grace & Peace
~~ Wanda Holcombe
You might recall that Marge Philbrook announced her decision about allotting an $8,500 donation from an anonymous donor to celebrate her eighty-fifth birthday. It is appropriate now to reveal that this gift was from Janice. When I saw Marge’s email early this morning, I wrote to Janice. Now, of course, I know that she never read it. However, my message conveys something about her special qualities as a human being that seem a fitting way to celebrate her completed life. Here is what I wrote:
“Janice, you gave a truly creative gift to Marge. She’s brooded long and hard (enjoying every minute of it) about the best way to divvy-up 85 hundred dollars. She also has remained extremely curious about the identity of the donor. She thinks she’s being coy as she regularly drops leading comments to staff in our finance office with a hope that someone might spill the beans. This is an ongoing gift that keeps on giving: Marge is honored again and again every time she thinks about it! Janice, you came up with a genuinely sensitive and life-affirming idea for a gift. Thank you very much.”
~~ Terry Bergdall
In hearing of Janice’s illness, I sent her this song. It has continued to be symbolic of her life for me, one who lived a life of spirit. When you play this song, please imagine Janice waltzing to it’s melody. That was her response to the music when I sent it early in her illness.
SONG OF THE SOUL by Cris Williamson
Open my eyes that I may see,
Glimpses of truth thou hast for me.
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine.
Love of my life I am crying
I am not dying, I am dancing
Dancing along in the madness
There is no sadness
Only the song of the soul
cho: And we’ll sing this song
Why don’t you sing along
Then we can sing for a long, long time
Why don’t you sing this song
Then we can sing along
Then we can sing for a long, long time
What do you do for a living
Are you forgiving, giving shelter
Follow your heart, love will find you
Truth will unbind you
Seek out a song of the soul
Come to your life like a warrior
Nothing will bore yer, you can be happy
Let in the light, it will heal you
And you can feel you
Sing out a song of the soul
Love of my life I am crying
I am not dying, I am dancing
Dancing along in the madness
There is no sadness
Only the song of the soul
Continue to dance, Janice as we celebrate your life and death with gratitude! With love,
~~ Nancy Lanphear
Janice…a great spirit colleague. I remember working directly with her when preparing for the ICA 50th Celebration in Austin. She was part of the long legacy that gave so much of her life to caring for others. May the Mystery that cares and sustains us all continue the care for our dear colleague Janice as she completes this journey & begins her next.
