Alive, achieving, moving on (LLI celebrates its 28th foundation anniversary – Part One) By Freddie Tividad Tesalona, Founder & Executive Director LLINews & Advisory, Oct. 20, 2014 New York City Lubang-Looc International (LLI) is celebrating its 28th founding anniversary on October 24th, 2014. True, LLI has been around that long. As LLI founder and, again, its executive director, I make it a point to issue a regular annual report – a practice that is consistent with its avowed policy of transparency and as an accomplishment-driven civic, humanitarian, educational and non-partisan organization. ● Primary driver of success & accomplishments First off, the success and relative stability of LLI come from the commitment of its members to advance its vision and mission that, in the main, focus on helping the deserving and needy youths of the municipalities of Lubang and Looc get a college or tertiary education thru its successful college scholarship program on-going since 1987. The other primary focus of LLI is to help the marginalized sectors in Lubang Island, including those in the adjacent populated smaller islands, thru, in part, its annual Christmas food gifts project (Pamaskong Handog) on-going for over 10 years. Appropriate details of the scholarship program and Pamaskong Handog will be covered in subsequent LLI anniversary advisories. To a very significant degree, LLI’s relative stability is family-based. The whole family supports LLI and this is most notable for the most part of LLI’s existence. The whole organization appreciates their continued valuable support and contributions. ● Exceptional organization For the sake of readers not in the know, allow me to mention the fact that LLI was twice cited as an outstanding Filipino organization overseas by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Office of the President. 1) BANAAG AWARD - presented by the late President Corazon C. Aquino on December 19, 1991, Malacanang. The citation reads: “For effectively contributing to the development of Lubang Island through the implementation of livelihood and income generating projects, community assistance and institution building, and provision of essential social services and infrastructure development as well as for extending assistance to the calamity victims in the Philippines.” 2) PRESIDENTIAL CITATION (Banaag Award) - presented by former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada on December 19, 2000, Malacanang. The citation reads: “For relentless work to promote development in Lubang and Looc in Occidental Mindoro through scholarship, livelihood, infrastructure and medical programs, and its dedication to strengthening the ties of overseas Filipino communities with the motherland.” 3) PRESIDENTIAL CITATION (Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino o LINKAPIL Award). It might be appropriate to mention, with humility, that I, in part as the LLI Founder and long-time executive director, was bestowed the LINKAPIL Award by former President Corazon C. Aquino on December 15, 2004, Malacanang. The Hon. Cecilia B. Rebong, consul general, Consulate General of the Philippines in New York in her letter dated Dec. 2, 2004 said: “This award is a fitting recognition of your unselfish service and invaluable contributions to progress of our country. It is also a tribute to individuals like you who have helped in advancing the causes of Filipinos overseas and who have distinguished themselves to their chosen fields, thus elevating the prestige of the Filipino excellence, ingenuity and talent. You have indeed brought honor to our country.” The presidential-level awards mentioned above, a legacy in and of itself, serve as fitting testimonials to the orientation, template and accomplishment of LLI. They represent and exemplify, in significant ways, the “best tradition and high standards” in volunteerism and community service, if you will. Personally, I’m continually challenged by the import and symbolism of those awards. They impel me to keep on trying to advance LLI’s vision and mission. ● Outstanding service Personally, I’m big on giving recognition to members and supporters who, in my well-considered opinion, have helped LLI in exceptional ways. I’ll mention some. The selection should, by no means, be interpreted as excluding or overlooking others who equally deserve recognition. We’ll catch them in due time. 1) CHIT BALIBAY-CARIASO. Former long-time secretary of the LLI New York-New Jersey Chapter; chair of the special LLI Millennium Scholarship Fund; noteworthy for her positive participation in chapter meetings and activities. To her husband JUN CARIASO, many thanks also. 2) AURORA T. VILLAR-HERMANO. Long-time and “indispensable” treasurer of the LLI New York-New Jersey Chapter; for diligent handling of the scholarship funds of the chapter and the General Council; for her valuable contributions to numerous LLI projects and programs. To her husband LEO HERMANO, many thanks also. 3) ZENY VILLAMAR-De OCAMPO. All-around. hands on and dependable coordinator in organizing meetings, fund raisers and other events of the LLI New York-New Jersey Chapter. Her valuable contributions are hard to count and measure. 4) TITA I. QUINONES-JOSUE. Former president of the LLI Southern California Chapter and lead coordinator in keeping the chapter on track along with MAE MEJIA-ABELEDA. 5) CYNTHIA BORJA-VELANTE. Long-time and “indispensable” treasurer of the LLI Toronto Chapter; for her diligent handling of the chapter’s scholarship funds and other collections, and as lead, hands-on and exemplary coordinator of chapter’s events. To her husband EDDIE V. VELANTE, many thanks also. 6) LLI ALBERTA CHAPTER. Growing and accomplishing. Thanks, in part, to MARILYN GARCIA, president, past chapter heads and to the ever-reliable old hands: CAROL TRAJANO-SANTOS & DANNY SANTOS, GIRLIE AGUILAR-TESORIO, NIDO D. SALES & CORA DE LEMOS-SALES, HENRY & FLOR PAGILAGAN, LOLIT VILLALUNA, the TORREGOZA family, and many more. Torregoza family, and many more. ● SPECIAL MENTION CEZAR J. CRISTOBAL & THESS TESALONA-CRISTOBAL for opening their upscale residence in Long Island and for hosting the annual family summer picnic and meetings of the LLI New York-New Jersey Chapter. TO BE CONTINUED
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 23:52:53 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015