Ilocos Surian Association of Hawaii in 35 years of Existence

Glimpse and Flashback Ilocos Surian Association of Hawaii in 35 Years ========== By Amado I. Yoro, Co-organizer and Adviser =========== Foreword:=========== It was three long years from 1974 until February 27, 1977 when ISAH was officially organized. Organizers believe on the ecclesiastical passage that: “everything has a season” Organizing is persistency, courage, right attitude in the right direction and right a diplomatic approach. It is a task, a challenge, and an opportunity to exercise our freedom to assemble, hence:¦ ================ Here they are the Founding and Charter members: The club was simply called: “Ilocos Surians”It was far beyond the thoughts of the founders to make the club an umbrella organization. On February 27, 1977, these organizers or charter members met at 1358 Wanaka St., the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Fred and Pacita Saludes, are: Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr. - Vigan; Atty Peter Aduja + - Vigan; Mario A. Albalos+ - Vigan; Manuel Cabacungan+ - Sinait; Ernie Cardenas - Santa; Ismael (Mel) Europa+ - San Esteban; Leon Flores - Sta. Catalina; Annie Lugmao - San Esteban; Sonia Lugmao - San Esteban; Macario Manzano+ - Narvacan; Arturo Perez - Sta Maria; Francisco Ponce - Bantay-Magsingal; Elvin Quiocho - Caoayan; John Quiocho+ - Caoayan; Julio Quiocho, Jr. - Caoayan; Fred Saludes +-Sinait; Pacita C. Saludes - Sinait; Francisco Ugale - Magsingal; Bert Ugalino - Magsingal; Mike P. Ulibas+ - Magsingal; Johnny Villanueva+ -Candon; Amado I. Yoro – Sinait += RIP =============== On August 10, 2012, ISAH will celebrate its 35 years at the Hale Koa Hotel,Waikiki Room and the installation of officers by Judge Rey Graulty [ret], guest speaker. ============== Event chair is Loida Alimboyoguen Yamamoto, ISAH recording secretary and OFCC assistant secretary, and current first vice president of Vigan Association of Hawaii and Associates. ==================Officers: Danny Villaruz, president; Maria Etrata, first vice president; Estrella Pada Taong, second vice president; Loida Alimboyoguen Yamamoto, recording secretary; Davelyn Ancheta Quijano, corresponding secretary; Rose Sabangan, treasurer; Tessie F. Aganon, assistant treasurer; Lynne Gutierrez, auditor; Alice Castaneda, assistant auditor; Bernadette Fajardo, PRO, Antonio Ipalari, PRO============== Sergeants-at-arms: Art Abinsay, Augusto “Gus” Concepcion, Cesar Fajardo, Al Sabangan, Paul Taong============== Board of Advisers: Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr., Ben Cabreros, Romy Cachola, Pio Enrico, Louie Funtanilla, Ted Saribay, Charlie Y. Sonido, MD, Carlito Soria, Ignacio Torres, MD, Amado I. Yoro============ Unit organizations and respective president: 1. Annak ti Sinait Iti Hawaii [Antonio Ipalari] 2. Sinait National High School Alumni Association of Hawaii [Davelyn Quijano] 3. Cabugao Sons & Daughters Association of Hawaii [Mercedes Sonico] 4. San Juan Lapog Assn of Hawaii [Alice Castaneda] 5. Magsingal Assn of Hawaii [Basilio Tolentino] 6. Vigan Association of Hawaii {Tessie Aganon] 7. Santanians of Hawaii [Pio Enrico] 8. Santiagenians of Hawaii [Emi Etrata] 9. Candonians of Hawaii [Dr. Ignacio Torres] 10. Annak Ti Caoayan 2002 [Jenny Quezon] 11. Narvacaneos of Hawaii [Louie Funtanilla] 12. Sta. Marians of Hawaii [Iluminada Directo] 13. Hawaii-Tagudinians Association [Edgar Fernandez] ========== PAST PRESIDENT 1. Peter Aduja + 2. Mario Albalos+ 3. Sid Villafuerte+ 4. Peping Villena+ 5. Rey Custodio 6. Ben Cabreros 7. Julio Quiocho 8. Danny Villaruz – since Nov 6, 2001 + = deceased ===000=== As they paved the way both the organizers and Co-builders and co-pioneers are persistently looking for the best, as the stepping stone after the first installation banquet and ball that was held at the Holiday Inn Airport on March 27, 1977 continuously seeking ways for improvement in partnership efforts. In 1984, ISAH became an umbrella organization. And in 1985, ISAH formally member of OFCC. Joint installations: Vigan/ISAH Feb. 1984 - Hickam, Chavit Singson, Guest Speaker; ; Vigan/ISAH; Dec 2005- Loulens-Romy Cachola, Guest Speaker; Santanians Assn of Hawaii-USA/ISAH June 6, 2008-Honolulu Country Club-Judge Rey Graulty-Guest Speaker As days and years go by, people and individual members are recognized and acknowledged by the role they played as so vital in the movement. Past Queens for Miss Ilocos Surians: Debbie Obrero - 1985; Carol Cortes-1986; Alma Alonzo - 1987; Florence Cabrera - 1989; Ann Cabreros - 1994 ============ A Decade of promise with worthy projects, missions and accomplishments Mrs. Ilocos Surian ========= Current and Past Queens for Mrs. Ilocos Surians Mrs. Davelyn Ancheta Quijano, 2008-2012, Mrs. Nancy Clemente Luat, 2003-2006; Mrs. Elena Puesta 2006-2008 ========== Medical Missions======= Four Medical Mission and Cultural Homecoming 2005. 2007. 2009, 2011....Ilocos Surian Homecoming & Medical Mission, Ilocos Sur Idol; GILAS, ====== hosting dinner party for dignitaries from the Philippines include but not limited to Senator Jinggoy Estrada and SPM Zuriel Zaragoza May 22, 2008 - Empress ====== Green Revolution Contest, Best Decorated house in Christmas holidays ========= ISAH is one of the most active organization affiliated with OFCC/UFCH, and in the community in general. Theme: Working Together To Rebuild Our Communities Our Homeland ================ Participations: Participated in the Filipino Centennial Celebration 2006; Filipino Fiesta Parade May 10, 2008; Float Committee depicting the First 15 Filipino Sakada : Elias Yoro - Sinait; Philip Alcain - Vigan; Ruben Gutierrez - Magsingal; Louie Funtanilla - Narvacan; Mel Calpito - Cabugao; Al Sabangan - Cabugao; Danilo Basconcillo - Santa; Dr. Perfecto Vera Cruz - San Juan Lapog; Elpidio Antolin -San Juan Lapog; Amado Yoro- Sinait; Art Abinsay - Vigan============ ISAH also directly and/or indirectly involved and participated in fundraising drive to help providing assistance to victims from natural disasters and calamities. Typhoon Feria donation, Typhoon Ondoy and others, the Filipino Community Center OFCC/UFCH participations in Community Forum, Minority Organ Tissue Transplant & Education Program [MOTTEP], others.========== ISAH had recently supported AND participated in the 100th anniversary celebration of the Filipinos in Hawaii through the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission 2006, ISAH with some unit members are volunteers at the Institute for Human Services [IHS] in feeding the homeless each month. ============ In 2011, another vital and meaningful project the President Elpidio Quirino Award was launched as a tribute to our leaders, first recipients are Dr. Charlie Sonido and former Rep. Jun Abinsay, one of the prime leaders of the Medical and Homecoming Mission each two year in an odd years.============= Ilocos Sur is a province in the Northern Luzon bounded in the north by Ilocos Norte, east by the Mountain Province, west by the south China Sea. And south by the La Union and Benguet. Ilocos Sur’s history can be traced back in the 16th century during the early years of the Spanish colonization era. Its capital city, Vigan, is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in that is one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines –cobble-stone streets with centuries old Hispanic architecture houses. Their rich cultural heritage makes the Ilocos Surian of Hawaii very proud of their home province, their identity and their people.========= Ilocos Sur as a province is very rich in culture and historical background.======== With its heroes and prominent leaders like Pedro Bucaneg-Santa/Bantay – Father of Iloco Literature- 1592; Diego Silang - Leader of the Ilocos Revolt 1730; married to Gabriela Silang- - Santa; Gabriela Silang -1st woman leader of the Philippine Revolution -1731; Diego Silang, Elpidio Quirino , Jose Burgos, Isabelo delos Reyes, Leona Florentino, others, that made Ilocos Sur great and noble cradle of respected and highly regarded figures in local and international scene.