Alumni Update Letter August 2014
Dear Fellow Sillimanians and Friends:
This year’s Founders Day theme, Submitting to the Refiner’s Fire, reminds us all that one must go through the process of submitting oneself to be cleansed and purified. John Piper wrote, “… God will have no alloys in heaven”, and in general, alloy refers to a mixture of metals that lessens its value. What God is looking for is purity. So the path one goes through is not easy. If you are in the “fire” today, be assured that God has His eyes on you and He will not let you be destroyed. When the process is over, you will be like pure gold and God will see His reflection through your heart.
Silliman Founders Day Celebrations Around the World
When one leaves the halls of Silliman, there is always that longing to come back to celebrate Founders Day. But since coming back is not easy, a number of alumni chapters have made it a tradition to gather its members in the month of August in their own local areas to fellowship and be thankful for Silliman’s gift and mission of education. Alumni chapters that actively celebrated Founders Day in August are: Sillimanians In Metro Manila (SIMM); Butuan Alumni Chapter; South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City Alumni Chapter (SOCKSARGEN); Silliman University Alumni Association Sydney Australia, Inc. (SUAASACI); Melbourne, Australia Chapter; Silliman University Alumni Association National Capital Region (SUAANCR); Silliman Association of New England (SANE); Silliman Association of British Columbia; and the Silliman University Alumni Association – UK Chapter, to name a few.
SOCSARGEN Chapter
Sillimanians in British Columbia
SUAA Northern California
SUAA National Capital Region (Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia Alumni Chapter)
SUAASACI Sydney Australia Chapter
SANE Chapter
We feature this time the Silliman University Alumni Association-United Arab Emirates (SUAA-UAE) Chapter, a fairly new chapter. The chapter’s 3rd HUGPONG 2014 alumni gathering was held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Dubai last August 29, 2014. Alumni from different emirates in UAE joined the celebration. Newly elected officers of SUAA-UAE are: President Mr. James Plaza; Vice
President Dubai Emirates Ms. Hannah Lou Gabas; Vice President Sharjah Emirates Ms. Niana Alessandra L. Valancia; Vice President Adu Dhabi Emirates Ms. Laila Grace Umadhay; Secretary Ms. Ma. Socorro B. Yap; and Treasurer Engr. Maharlika Singson-Relampagos. The Board of Directors are: Mr. Melvin Paul “Boyetix” Bernaldez, Mr. Filsan Lamberang, Mr. Moses David “Moi” Adaza, Ms. Jesa Marie Alcano, Mr. Dean Karl Chua, Ms. Zusette Marie Dinapo, Ms. Leolynne Lee Endab, Ms. Charisse D. Penaflorida-Bucol and Mr. Joseph Anthony V. Jalandoni.
SUHS Class 1954 Donates Paintings of Artist Mr. Francisco “Paking” M. Verano
The Silliman University High School Class of 1954 donated two acrylic paintings entitled Lateral Light and Strolling with the Tiempos last August 25, 2014. A simple turnover of the paintings during the Pamahaw Sillimaniana at the University House was done in the presence of Dr. Ben S. Malayang III, Silliman University President, Professor Emeritus Leonor Magtolis-Briones, Chair of the SU Board of Trustees, Atty. Victoriano L. Tizon, President SUHS Class 1954, and Artist Mr. Francisco M. Verano, also of SUHS Class 1954, and classmates. Also present was Founders Day guest former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos.
NEWS BRIEFS
The 113th Founders Day Parada Sillimaniana last August 27, 2014 had the active participation of 29 reunioning classes. The Alumni and External Affairs Office made sure of an orderly parade by briefing all participating classes in advance. During the August 28, 2014 TIPON Dumaguete Alumni and Community Fellowship Night, the Parada Sillimaniana awards for alumni participation were announced and trophies were given out. The winners were the following: SUHS Class 1984 – Best Alumni Float, SUHS Class 1979 – Best Alumni Participation, and the Awesome Class of 1964 – Best Alumni Themed Float. The Alumni Affairs would like to thank Mr. Gideon Z. Alegado for the Best Alumni Participation trophy in the Parada Sillimaniana. We wish to thank SUHS Class 1954 and SUHS Class 1964 for their enthusiastic participation in the parade celebrating their 60th year and 50th year reunions, respectively.
Newly Elected 2014-2015 SAAI National Officers
Alumni chapter presidents and representatives met during the Annual Alumni National Convention held at the Justice Venancio D. Aldecoa, Jr. Moot Court and Multi-Purpose Hall last August 25, 2014, and a new set of SAAI National Officers was elected. The newly elected officers for 2014-2015 are: Atty. Mikhail Lee L. Maxino, President; Ms. Emma Ray A. Panaguiton, Vice President; Judge Rafael Crescencio C. Tan, Jr., Treasurer; Mr. Roberto D. Montebon, Auditor; and Ms. Linda Bañas-Alvarez, Press Relations Officer.
The Board of Directors are: (Luzon) Atty. James Manuel K. Raterta (2013-2016), Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor (2012-2015) and Mrs. Gloria P. Belarmino (2014-2017); (East Visayas) Atty. Mikhail Lee L. Maxino (2013-2016), Mr. Roberto D. Montebon (2012-2015) and Leo G. Mamicpic (2014-2017); (West Visayas) Ms. Nanette Liberal-Abugan (2013-2016), Dr. Mae de los Reyes-Catacutan (2012-2015) and Prof. Ceasar L. Pacalioga (2014-2017); (Mindanao) Ms. Linda Bañas-Alvarez (2013-2016), Dr. Hilario Abel B. Gomez (2012-2015) and Ms. Angeline Bacal-Guarin (2014-2017); and (at-large) Judge Rafael Crescencio C. Tan, Jr. (2013-2016), Ms. Emma Ray A. Panaguiton (2012-2015) and Prof. Santiago B. Utzurrum (2014-2017).
SAAI In Search of New Executive Secretary
The Silliman Alumni Association, Inc. (SAAI) is seeking a person for appointment as its Executive Secretary. The qualifications are as follows: 1) must be a graduate of Silliman University, preferably from high school through college; 2) must be computer literate (proficient in Word, PowerPoint, Excel and other programs); and 3) must be able to devote at least four hours (4) at the SAAI office and the SAAI Dorm. Those interested may submit their resume to: The Chair, Search Committee for an Executive Secretary, SAAI, Alumni Hall, Silliman University, Dumaguete City. Deadline for submission of application is September 30, 2014. (Executive Secretary Mrs. Yolanda V. Maxino holds a new assignment as the University Student Recruitment Officer).
Davao City Alumni Chapter Hosts Sadya Mindanao
Sadya Mindanao, biannual alumni gathering, will be hosted this time by the Davao City Alumni Chapter on May 1-3, 2015. Alumni Chapter President Susan Palad is inviting not only Mindanao-based alumni to join this gathering but also those coming from the Luzon and Visayas regions. This is an opportunity to experience the Davao City brand of the Silliman Spirit. The registration package of 3,500.00 pesos per person will cover the following: 2-night hotel accommodation, 1 lunch, 2 themed dinners, and pick-up and drop-off services. Included is a city tour upon arrival and a cruise around Davao Gulf with picnic lunch at Isla Reta. To register, please contact Lito Animo at 09329317322 or e-mail: [email protected].
IN MEMORIAM: Esther Tayko Arbolado (HS’48, BSE’55) on August 1, 2014; Egmedio Orcullo (Retired S.U. Press) on August 4, 2014; Luz Quiambao-Ho (ETC’46, BSE’49) on August 5, 2014; Florence Amistoso-Urbino (HS’48, BSN’52) on August 16, 2014; Al J. Adlaon (BMC’76) on August 19, 2014; Judita O. Penpenia (BBA’64) on August 23, 2014; and Lucio Wong Soldevillo (HS’54) on August 27, 2014. If you know of any Sillimanian who is not on our memorial list, please inform us.
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