President's Message
Keeping the Spirit Alive
Merry Christmas everyone. Once again, we are gathered here for our annual Christmas party. It's also an alumni and friends homecoming. It's great to see all of you and I welcome you all. I want to congratulate the new officers of 2013 - 2014. I wish them the best of luck. For the current executive board, our term will soon be over and I thank you for a productive and phenomenal 2 years. Hard work and teamwork particularly among a few dedicated, competent and committed members played a role to our success. I'm also thankful for the support from the working committees and their leaders. Each of them - social, ways and means, membership, scholarship, nominating and election committee, OSA committee, newsletter, website, book and ad hoc committees have given their time and energy to perform their tasks. Our organization has so much potential to be nurtured. We're proud to have accomplished not only the goals of the organization but also contributed to its transformation. We leave behind a legacy of a vibrant and thriving organization.
Our first goal: To maintain and enhance ties with Silliman University, our Alma Mater.
We have several to be proud of. One is the scholarship program. Jason Tubog, a student of the College of Business Administration whom we sponsored for 3 years now is the fruit of our labor. He will be graduating in 2013. We are confident that his GPA will qualify him for Cum Laude Honors at graduation. Next, as an active member of SUACONA, we believe and share their mission and vision for Silliman. San Diego has participated in all its teleconferences and Tipon activities. In Tipon 2011 Alaska, San Diego found a new recognition from other alumni organizations who knew little about us when a PowerPoint presentation was submitted depicting our chapter, members, goals and activities. SUACONA has also paved the way for our involvement in the Student Center project by co-sponsoring one of the rooms. The Student Center is the old Oriental Hall dormitory. Students now have access to all student services located in one building. From the 27 chapter members, we are the only chapter that submits a monthly publication of the SD Portal Xtra. It's new and original and its main feature portrays the lives, families and services of the missionaries and fraternal workers of Silliman. The feedback has been amazing. It has rekindled memories among the alumni who knew the missionaries and their families. It has also received support and endorsement from President Ben Malayang. A historical display was created in their honor at the SU library and the publication of a coffee table format book with personal reflections will be launched at the next Tipon in 2013. Our members Gaya and Joel Simpkins have embarked on the idea and worked in this project with the support of the San Diego chapter.Beginning with the tribute to the missionaries, our chapter has added more milestones in its history. One living missionary, Mrs. Appleton, celebrated her 100th birthday, in Pasadena in February, 2011 and our members were among the first to gather and celebrate with her. Another milestone was reached when we hosted the first visit of a president from Silliman University to San Diego. And finally, we are honored that one of the Outstanding Sillimanian Awards was conferred to our member Maria Christina R. Esperat in the field of Nursing Research, Practice, Education and Administration. This was the first of such award in the chapter. A special OSA committee was created to ensure no stone was left unturned for the nomination
Our second goal: To participate and contribute to the well-being of our communities.
What did we do? Our members were among the volunteers to clean up the San Diego River. We held fundraising drives like the Souplantation and Pennies with a Purpose to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. We sent monetary assistance to the victims of Typhoon Sendong as well as to the earthquake victims of Guihulngan, Tayasan and Ayungon. Some members also donated clothing to the hurricane Sandy victims in the North East US. Our latest contribution to the community was the book presentation in October. It was our 4th and the biggest presentation ever in terms of attendance and donations of Filipiniana books and other materials to the Mira Mesa library.Our third goal: To foster fellowship and mutual support among Silliman University alumni, their family and friends.
It is equally important to keep the morale and maintain the camaraderie of our members. Every year, we hold our summer picnic and Christmas party. This summer, we introduced the first Silliman Olympics, a friendly competition of Pinoy games between the San Diego and the LA chapters. In addition, members take tours and field trips for fun and fellowship to the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, apple picking in Julian, a movie, or a trip to Catalina Island. We've also visited our sick members and remembered those who died.Goals are one thing. Laws are another. We must adhere to our organization's by-laws and to the changing federal and state laws for our organization to succeed and maintain our status as a tax-exempt, non- profit organization. Rightfully so, we were suspended many years ago for failure to file. Now that we are back to active status, it is imperative that we pay more attention to the law requirements. The current executive board has diligently reviewed the bylaws and has endorsed interim amendments relevant to the duties of officers, audit, fundraising, and tax filings in government agencies to keep the organization sound, robust and compliant.
Finally, our advice to the new officers. Read the bylaws, understand it and adhere to its provisions. It's empowering and vindicating.
At this time, I would like to recognize the members for their outstanding service to the organization. These members have stood out from the many members that also had their share of service.
Ligaya Magbanua Simpkins - for her exceptional accomplishments and unmeasured dedication and devotion to the principles and ideals of Silliman University Alumni and Friends of San Diego 2011-2012. Gaya has consistently advocated following the by-laws and state laws for good reasons. She also wears many hats. She is the chairman/co-chairman of the Ways and Means, Scholarship and OSA committees. She writes articles in the newsletter and was responsible for carrying the bulk of the books from the Philippines to San Diego for the book presentation.
Fely Tan-Narvaez - for her untiring service, her loyalty and friendship to Silliman University Alumni and Friends of San Diego 2011-2012. For years, she has played a major role in keeping the organization together.
Oswald Esperat - for his dedicated service and efforts where they counted most. Oswald has been a member for two years but his service and dedication are unmeasured. As editor in our SD Portal Xtra, he has consistently met all expectations. He is also an advisor on legal matters. Although he resides in Texas, it has not stopped him from being involved.
Ben Sy - for his dedicated service and efforts where they counted most. A "friend" not alumnus is recognized for his service and efforts. For years, Ben has been the life of our parties by introducing one of-a- kind games. He has also participated in our community activities by reading to school children. His most recent contribution was being the master of ceremonies in our book presentation and his ideas for the event. He was also influential in getting Mayor Bob Filner as our guest speaker.
Thank you. May God continue to bless us.
Laarni Catague Gularek
President