Volume 1

Issue 3

October 2006

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The three days of heat wave in three-digit temperatures suddenly dropped to the 80’s as we began our 3-day ALSA Tiriripon 2006. Somebody must have e-mailed Tatay Leoncio in Alimodian and asked for fair weather. Or perhaps, one of us naghalad a dozen of eggs to the Carmelite monastery.

Looking back now, we were, indeed, so excited to have a fun-filled weekend of outdoor activities as we converged on August 4-6, 2006 at the North Wildwood Camping Resort in Cape May, New Jersey.

Over a hundred Alimodiananons from Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia nag-tiripon kag nag-iririmaw for the annual get-away of ALSA members and their families. Again, we’re tipping our hats to Debbie Magante, the overall chairman of this year’s camping. Thanks to you, Debbie! Thanks, too, to all of you guys who came.

Unlike the previous years’ outings, this year’s camping was, in the true sense of the word, a real one especially for those who chose to spend the entire weekend living in tents. Yes, most of us brought tents, sleeping gears, cooking utensils, food, etc. While some of us opted to stay in rented cabins, others had preferred to pitch tents in the woods. We’re glad to get an early campsite reservation, because usually at summer’s end, the cabins, tent areas, and even the nearby hotels are fully booked. Nonong and Rosane Alcudia had room accommodation in the nearest available hotel about 45 minutes from the campsite.

Tha Amarras from Massachusetts, who were first to arrive in the venue of last year’s gathering, came last this time. “Due to the unexpected traffic congestion, it took us eight hours to reach the place,” Greg explained. Ask Jeannie and Luke Clarito from Pennsylvania why they came late, and you’d hear a synopsis of the new episode of “Lost.” You heard this several times before, “Hey, are we there yet?”

Tribo Alicer with twenty four family members not only got the highest attendance, but also came “in style,” hi-tech pa ang set-up. Not only did they install a sound system, they had a fully lighted assembly area. To top it all, Myrna’s tent was air-conditioned. Did she have a burglar alarm system installed? We’re not sure, and we didn’t look inside the tent to find a fridge, or possibly, a water-filled mattress. Well, some of us still managed to make life less tough even in a rough setting. That’s the Alimodian-brand of “resourcefulness”, if you know what we mean.

Mommy Fe Alejo, the ALSA matriarch, continues to inspire us. The body pains and aching joints were not enough to convince her to stay home and not join the ALSA camping. The (girl scout) scoutmaster’s spirit lingers on. Likewise, Nonong Alcudia’s and Nang Evangeline Clarito’s example of tenacity and strong will brings us and the next generation of Alimodiananons sa Amerika encouragement and inspiration. Least we forget, Mama Viting Sta. Cruz who looked exhausted after the long trip from Massachusetts, readily found relief after being warmly welcomed by town mates and her former students. She seemed so thrilled listening to the kata-kata and harakrak of her fellow “happy campers.”

Nay Chitang Amarra, her children and grandchildren from Piscataway, Iselin and Springfield, New Jersey had cabin reservations. Some family members were first time campers, but it didn’t take long for them to explore the campground and started to adjust to life in the ‘hood. Oh, I mean, in the woods.

The beauty of camping lies in the fact that it enhances and strengthens family ties; it develops the spirit of cooperation and camaraderie among us while giving every camper an opportunity to better understand and appreciate, in ways, what a truly simple and frugal life is. Camping experiences spell the difference between keeping ourselves away, even for just a short period of time, from some of the comforts and conveniences that characterize people’s daily routines, and our being given a chance to better comprehend the beauty and wonder of nature as we venture out of “our tents” to feel the cool evening breeze and enjoy the beauty of the starlit sky.

Back to Cape May: We gladly acknowledged the presence of our special guests, namely: Boy Alisla from London; Nang Naida A. Titular; and Nay Viting Sta. Cruz.

We’re proud to welcome our nineteen new ALSA members. They are: Dante Panganuron and wife, Emy Ann; Jezrel Salvebia and wife, Teresa Alpuerto; Imelda Ballarta and children, Rey Frederick and Ricky John; Analyn Amaguin; Ryan Caezar Dilag; Luke, Keith, Lynn and Evangeline Clarito; Jun Jun Hortillas; Wendy Doreen Alcudia, Roel Alcudia, Michael Marusky, Jeannie Clarito, and Ferdinand Gayanilo. They paid ten-dollar registration fee as provided in the by-laws. Three resounding cheers to them: Hep-Hep Hurray! Hep-Hep Hurray! Hep-Hep Hurray!

Fifty regular members paid the five-dollar annual membership fee this year. So, as a reminder, members who have not paid their dues this year and want to renew or update their ALSA membership will have to pay ten dollars next year.

After lunch on Day 2(August 5^th) of our camping, we held the General Assembly Meeting. One does not need to blow the whistle, or to call the roll for all the members to assemble. All Nonong Alcudia did was get hold of the microphone and led a few familiar Ilonggo folksongs and, presto! everyone’s there to join the “sing-along.”

The meeting was called to order. The community singing of the ALSA hymn followed. Secretary Sharon N. Amarra and Treasurer Eleanor S. Alcudia read the minutes of the previous meeting and rendered the annual financial report, respectively.

As chairman of the corporate charter, Art Bulacan made a special announcement: the incorporation of ALSA! The corporate name had to be amended from Alimodianon to Alimodiananon Sa Amerika (ALSA), Inc. We would like to acknowledge Art’s tireless effort, time and resources in the preparation and filing of the necessary papers to realize one of our main projects this year: ALSA’s incorporation.

By the way, some members had asked me why ALSA really needs to be registered with the SEC and IRS. For one thing, it gives lawful basis to our existence as an organization, and legitimizes the actions that we, members, do in behalf of our organization. As a corporate charter, we can make legally binding contracts, own a corporate seal, and, who knows, hold property. As ALSA, Inc., we can sue and (hopefully not) be sued, and… etcetera. If you need further explanation or answers to your questions, we urge you to speak with Art Bulacan, the chairman of the committee on corporate charter.

The by-laws, a copy of which is attached, was ratified during the meeting. It was read article by article, discussed, and finally adopted. Right now what we need are the basic requirements to begin functioning as a duly registered organization. The by-laws, as ratified, is an essential document required by the IRS 501(c)(3) for ALSA to conduct its operation as a non-profit organization. We encourage every member to read and review the document, and refer to it when presenting your views and opinions pertaining to any of its content and provision.

A special acknowledgement is made for the invaluable efforts of Greg, Art and Nonong whom we consider the framers of the by-laws. Thank you so much, guys!

Remember the announcement last year for members to submit their proposed ALSA logo designs? Well, we received only one design and it was approved and adopted as the official ALSA logo effective immediately. ALSA’s official colors are Green and Gold. The official banner shall have white background and gold border tassel.

The mechanics of the proposed ALSA Scholarship Program was explained by Greg Amarra, the VP for Internal Affairs, whom the officers unanimously appointed to work on this main project. The appointment and assumption of Greg as Chairman of the Scholarship Committee came about because the VP for External Affairs, Toto Aliparo had some pressing matters to attend to, which deterred him from performing his duties relative to the scholarship project. Anyway, we’re glad Greg readily accepted this added responsibility, and we hope Toto will soon say, the familiar Schwarzenegger line, “I’ll be back!” Well, back to ALSA, of course, not Kalifornia.

There was a friendly exchange of varying opinions and ideas on how to go about the granting of scholarship to deserving Alimodian college-bound youth starting school year 2007. Finally, majority ruled (more ayes than nays) and it was decided that the program shall be in a form of scholarship/student loan grant for those who qualify, and specifically, enrollment shall be in any government vocational-technical college or university leading to the completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree. A liaison committee based in Iloilo was created to help oversee and carry out the objectives of the ALSA Scholarship Program. Mrs. Julie A. Salarda, principal of Alibango Elementary School, was voted to chair the said committee with Chita A. Visto, Department of Tourism, Region 8 Administrative Officer, and Diolina Andeo, principal of Bangkal Elementary School, as members.

We thank Miss Ninfa Alderete and Dr. Tessie Barcinal for providing ALSA with a copy of a sample memorandum of agreement which we can use as a reference in determining the appropriate actions and prior arrangements that we need to have with the West Visayas State University in Iloilo City, regarding the launching and implementation of ALSA’s Scholarship Program next year. By the way, Dr. Barcinal was former Director, Special Education Department of WVSU before she left for the US to work as a special-education teacher. With everyones support, we’re optimistic of the success of the ALSA, Inc. scholarship project.

That’s all for now, my dear kasimanwa!

From my family to yours – good luck, good health and Godspeed. Till we meet again. ALSA forever!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Manugbando Nestor

Errata: We apologize for the inaccuracies in the previous issue of

Ang Bando,as follows:

The correct phone number of Debbie A. Magante is !-856-262-4667

“… in giving solace to the sick and health-services deprived …”