SU New York-New Jersey Alumni Chapter joins the Manhattan Philippine Independence Day parade

SU New York-New Jersey Alumni Chapter joins the Manhattan Philippine Independence Day parade

In celebration of the 125th Philippine Independence Day, the Silliman University Alumni Association of New York-New Jersey (SUAANYNJ) chapter participated in the Independence Day parade last June 4, 2023 in Manhattan, New York. The parade route stretched from 38th Madison Avenue to 27th, captivating spectators with its colorful floats and energetic performances.

(Photo credit: Nelia Ragay Elman-Lopez)

A yearly tradition, the SUAANYNJ chapter participates in the Manhattan Philippine Independence Day Parade, joining other Filipino-American (Fil-Am) organizations.

More than 100 Fil-Am organizations and business groups took part in the Independence Day parade. They were joined by Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel and a host of Fil-Am beauty queens, dozens of Filipino celebrities and dignitaries led by Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, who served as a Co-Parade Grand Marshal alongside SU alumnus, Dr. Dely P. Go.

Go is this year’s Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) Grand Marshall. She graduated from SU with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1978 and was recognized as an Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee in the field of Entrepreneurship in Nursing in 2013.

Dr. Dely P. Go, Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) Grand Marshall 2023. (Photo Credit: Arman David)

 

SUAANYNJ chapter members hold up their banner to be identified.

 

Steven Raga, Assembly member representing New York’s 30th Assembly District and the first Filipino-American elected to the State Legislature, poses with SUAANYNJ chapter members led by Brix Pajunar, co-president of SUAANYNJ for New York, and Vivian C. Tabaranza, co-president of SUAANYNJ for New Jersey.

 

All smiles from active SUAANYNJ chapter members, Eppielyn E. Villegas and Janette B. Abella. (Photo Credit: Eppielyn E. Villegas)


Dr. Eusebio C. Kho receives Life Time Achievement Award from the Philippine Economic and Cultural Endowment (PEACE) Organization

Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee and Order of Horace Brinsmade Silliman Inductee, Dr. Eusebio C. Kho, was recently honored by the Philippine Economic and Cultural Endowment (PEACE) organization with its highest award, the Life Time Achievement Award, during its annual convention in O’Fallon, Illinois, USA, last May 20, 2023.

Founded in 1986, PEACE started recognizing excellence among its members and other deserving individuals in 2007. Kho was the first and only recipient of its Humanitarian of the Year Award then, making him the only person to have received the two top awards from PEACE.

The Award Plaque citation reads: “Philippine Economic and Cultural Endowment proudly presents this Life Time Achievement Award to Col. Eusebio C. Kho, M.D. Dr. Kho graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine in 1960 and was named Most Outstanding Intern of the Philippine General Hospital.  He underwent extensive training in surgery in top institutions including Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio. A multi-awarded leader and generous person, he served as President of the University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA) and was the first to receive the PEACE Humanitarian Award in 2007.  His exemplary service in the United States Army included deployment in Operation Desert Storm, achieving the rank of Colonel.”

Kho was inducted into the prestigious Order of Horace B. Silliman in 2010 and is a longtime benefactor of SU. He has established two professorial chairs at the College of Business Administration and Medical School and has donated to several scholarships that continue to support poor but deserving students.

Kho is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery. He finished high school and obtained his pre-medicine degree from SU in 1952 and 1955, respectively.  He had also served the SU Medical Center for four years.

SU recognized Dr. Kho as an Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee (OSA) in 1989 in the field of Medicine.

(L-R) Dr. Eusebio C. Kho, with co-chairs of the PEACE Awards Committee, Dr. Nenita L. Suarez and Dr. Ramon Suarez. (Photo credit: Cosme Cagas)