Alumni Update Letter May 2014
Dear Fellow Sillimanians & Friends:
It has been a couple of days now since classes started at Silliman University and the fun and excitement of the first few days have started to fizzle out. But, the way things are unfolding isn’t that bad for the over 9,000 students. There is free WiFi and the 300 Acacia trees around the campus provide the cool breeze which is a much needed respite from the heat. The start of classes may be daunting for new students and transferees, but as the days turn to weeks and weeks to months, the 1st semester will be over before they know it.
Thanking our US-based alumni
The recent trip to the United States by Silliman University Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Betsy Joy B. Tan and Vice President for Development Prof. Jane Annette L. Belarmino to explore partnership opportunities with 16 universities and institutions in the East Coast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest areas of the United States has brought to the forefront the important role of the alumni in helping Silliman prepare for ASEAN 2015 integration. Their visits were prompted by an initiative from the Silliman Association of New England (SANE), headed by its president Prof. Priscilla Lasmarias-Kelso, an Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee, and vice president, Dr. Richard Elphick. Professor Kelso used to be involved in international education at Northeastern University in Boston, while Dr. Elphick is a professor of history at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. SANE facilitated their numerous appointments and hosting arrangements involving our alumni and friends of Silliman.
Dr. Richard and Ester Timbancaya Elphick were the first ones to host Dr. Tan and Professor Belarmino at their lovely home in Middletown, Connecticut for scheduled meetings with a number of academic institutions around the area. In Boston, where the Vice Presidents also had appointments with potential partner institutions, Rev. Bart and Priscilla Lasmarias-Kelso warmly welcomed them into their home.
The Silliman Alumni Chapter in New York-New Jersey led by its president, Felella Kiamco-Millman, sponsored a Meet and Greet Breakfast Fellowship. It was an opportune time for the Vice Presidents to touch base with the chapter members. We would like to say thank you to Rene and Ilona Gamo Tuballa for hosting Dr. Tan and Prof. Belarmino in New Jersey. Other alumni who gave time to entertain and host them were Madison and Pita Violeta Villavito; Amie Villavito Becker and family; Eric and Mona Angela Gamo Dumalag; and Winston and Eloise Gamo Ramirez.
An afternoon gathering of alumni in Virginia with the NCR Alumni Chapter (Washington, Maryland and Virginia) was graciously hosted by Delia Lim-Levy at her home. Also present were Pol Pioquinto, outgoing chapter president, and Danilo Luzada who was elected chapter president during the gathering. Silliman is truly grateful for your effort in gathering the alumni to meet with the 2 Vice Presidents. We also would like to thank Mildred Bustamante Aquino for hosting at her beautiful residence a lunch meeting with the ACACIA Alumni Chapter (Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky). This alumni gathering was well attended, and present were 4 Outstanding Sillimanians, namely: Rev. Jose A. Malayang, Rev. Alfredo E. Baliad, Dr. Renato P. Querubin and Dr. Evangelyn C. Alocilja. Thank you to Paul R. Yrad, ACACIA chapter president for gathering a big group to welcome Dr. Tan.
Silliman University would like to acknowledge the following hosts who made the US working trip of Dr. Tan and Prof. Belarmino productive and memorable: Marites Tan Valencia in Maryland; Lyra Bustamante in Chicago, Illinois; Bong Almelor and Honeylet Tuanda, Pastor Al Fuertes and Adlai J. Amor in Virginia; and Alex and Bernadette Belarmino Dichoso in New York.
Silliman University Alumni 5K Run/Walk USA
The Silliman University Alumni Association of South California (SUAASC) and the Silliman Alumni Council of North America (SUACONA) are embarking on their first 5K Run and Walk event to be held at the Whittier Narrows Regional Park at El Monte, California on July 12, 2014.
The slated 5K Run/Walk is for the benefit of Silliman University’s Continuing Calamity Response Program that seeks to provide financial assistance to Silliman University students affected by man-made and natural disasters. The assistance is in the form of partial or full discounts for tuition, university fees, and board and lodging, among others.
SUAASC president Faith Manigsaca-Duran hopes that this event becomes an annual fundraiser of the chapter. To register for the 5K Run/Walk or become a virtual runner, please visit www.suacona.com. Online registration is encouraged. You may also download the registration form and write a check to SUAASC in the amount of $50.00. Mail both form and check to Ramon Robillos at 19115 Benfield Ave. CA 90703 USA.
Aloha Alumni Chapter Website
The Aloha Chapter Silliman University Alumni Association led by Samuel C. dela Peña invites you to visit their website: http://alohachaptersuaa.weebly.com, and their newly created Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/acsuaa. Information on their chapter events and activities, as well as attractions and things to do when visiting Hawaii, can be accessed through their website.
Silliman Alumnus Gets Bishop Appointment from Pope Francis
Pope Francis has recently appointed a seminary rector and an alumnus of Silliman University (High School 1979 and BS Chemistry 1984) as bishop of Talibon, Bohol.
According to an announcement of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Fr. Daniel Patrick Parcon has been appointed bishop of the diocese of Talibon, a post previously held by Bishop Christian Vicente Noel, who served as the bishop of the diocese for nearly 28 years and who resigned after reaching the age limit of 75.
Parcon was born in Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental in 1962 and was ordained priest in 1994. He holds master’s degrees from the Sta. Rita College, San Carlos City, Philippines and the Fordham University in New York City, U.S.A.
He held a number of pastoral roles, which included his being spiritual director and dean of studies at the St. John Mary Philosophy Seminary in San Carlos City and parish administrator of the Immaculate Conception Church at Liberty, Texas. He was also parish vicar at the Blessed Sacrament Church at Valley Stream, New York.
Parcon is currently rector of the St. John Mari philosophy seminary in San Carlos City in Negros Occidental and chair of the Marriage and Family Life Apostolate of the Diocese of San Carlos. (Credits: CBCP website)
Award winning blogger features SU Cafeteria’s cheese bread and empanada
Award winning blogger RV Escatron of Looneyplanet (The Philippine Blog Winner – Best Travel Blog Visayas) features the cheese bread and empanada of the Silliman University Cafeteria as one of “7 secret things” to eat, play and love in Dumaguete. The blog further mentions, “You must have heard about (and probably tasted) the cheese bread at Silliman Cafeteria and how these soft, succulent buns are quickly gone before 2pm daily. At first, I shrugged it off as just hype. It took me a year to finally give it a try and I got hooked since then! Now the other secret: empanada! Only a few locals know about how this deep-fried folded dough with meat, cheese and veggie stuffing is yes, a stuff of foodie legend. And the secret is all in the crust–crisp in every bite.” You can visit the blog at http://www.looneyplanet.net/
Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee gets inducted to FDU’s PINNACLE Society
Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee Dr. Dely Po Go was recently inducted as one of 6 prominent Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) alumni into The PINNACLE Society. Dr. Go mentions in her e-mail, “What I have achieved, it all started from the excellent education and extraordinary leadership experiences that Silliman had provided.” The PINNACLE is the highest award FDU bestows upon its alumni. The PINNACLE recipients are chosen on the basis of success or distinction in their chosen fields, significant contribution to society and humanity through public and humanitarian service, and outstanding service to the University or reflection of the unique character of Fairleigh Dickinson in their lives.
IN MEMORIAM: Paponcio G. Bagapuro (AB ’53; LLB ’57) on May 1, 2014; Elizabeth Gamo Gravador Dominguez (HS ’54; AB ’58) on May 8, 2014; Delbert S. Rice (MA Extension ’72) May 8, 2014; Einstein M. Laviña (Elem. ’59, HS ’63, BS Bio ’68) on May 16, 2014; Annabelle Purisima-Gallespin (BS Psych ’76) on May 27, 2014
Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman.
President Ben S. Malayang III has requested this office to update you regularly about the happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapters are doing.
Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President’s Office through this email address: [email protected]. You may also contact the Alumni Affairs Office through this address: [email protected].
Sincerely,
The Officers and Staff of the Alumni and External Affairs
