CLSU International Alumni Group 2nd Grand Reunion
H I G H L I G H T SOnly two and a half years as a formally organized non-profit organization, the CLSU International Alumni Group (CIAG) seems to have grown a dozen years as it held its 2nd grand reunion last September 18-19 in Las Vegas. This can be attributed to the outstanding and untiring efforts of Homecoming/Reunion Committee chaired by Regional Vice President Gerry Galinato, vice chaired by Treasurer Norma ‘Ohma’ Viray in planning, coordinating and implementing the proceedings of the reunion, as well as the strong support and cooperation of many CIAG officers and members.
Of the more than 150 who attended the event, more than fifty are new faces. Although this by itself is an important leap forward, the more significant happening is the greater interest and participation of the younger alumni. The new president, Rodrigo Dioso, Jr., who is relatively young, leads a set of officers about half of which is comparatively young. Also, with more participation from more regions including three from Canada and nine from the United States, CIAG now has 13 regional vice presidents in 12 areas and a regional vice president at large. Only the Las Vegas region has two regional vice presidents.
CLSU President Dr. & Mrs. Ruben C. Sevilleja led the dignitaries who attended the reunion. Also present were Dr. Zenaida Serna, Alumni Relations Office director in CLSU, Dr. Eliseo Ruiz, former CLSU President and currently, President of the CLSU Alumni Foundation, Inc., Dr. Romeo Padilla, Founding President and Owner of the PanPacific University, and Dr. Nestor Alvarez, former Mayor and currently the City Administrator of the Science City of Munoz.
The event started with a dinner for the early arrivals on Friday, September 17 at the Kusina ni Lorraine in Las Vegas tendered by the Local Arrangements Committee co-chaired by Angela T. Gaetos and DG Lakay Elegado. More than 80 attended the dinner and although the restaurant was contracted only from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., many of the alumni, like long lost brothers/sisters had a long time saying farewell causing Gerry Galinato to announce several times that the party has to end and the reunion will convene the next day with the Registration and General Assembly meeting.
Saturday, September 18 started with the registration of the reunion participants at 8:30 a.m. followed by Remarks/Presentations by CLSU officials and the General Assembly meeting. Gerry Galinato, welcomed all the delegates followed by an invocation given by Floro Gutierrez, CIAG Secretary. CLSU President Sevilleja, speaking personally and officially extended his warm greetings to everyone and shared a summary of CLSU’s accomplishments since he assumed the presidency in May of 2007. He also shared CLSU’s goals and future progams. This was followed by remarks and presentations from Dr.s Ruiz, Serna and Padilla.
Outgoing CIAG President Val Pascual rendered his report to the general assembly followed by Norma B. Viray’s Treasurer’s Report and reports from the various committees. Johnny Raniel, Elections committee Chair conducted the election of officers.
As customary, the gala event is the dinner dance in the evening. Gerry Galinato and Norma B. Viray co-emceed the affair. The National Anthems of the USA and the Philippines was led by Norma Viray, and Paul Bonzato, respectively while the CLSU Hymn was led by Dr. Zenaida Serna. Other parts of the program included Introductory Remarks by Gerry Galinato, Invocation by Francisco Carpio, Welcome Address by CIAG President Val Pascual, Brief Recognition of All Delegates and Attendees by the Regional Vice Presidents or their proxies, Recognition of Visiting CLSU Officials by Floro Gutierrez, CIAG Secretry, Surprise Musical Number from Dr. Zenaida Serna, Introduction of the Guest Speaker by Dr. Fiorello Abenes, Inspirational Message by CLSU President Dr. Ruben Sevilleja, Presentation of Plaques and Certificates by Dr. Ed Cabacungan, CIAG Adviser Juanito Campos and CIAG President Val Pascual, Presentation of the Newly Elected Officers by Johnny Raniel, Induction of Officers by Dr. Sevilleja, and Closing Remarks by Rodrigo Dioso, Jr., CIAG Outgoing 1st Vice President and Incoming President.
The newly inducted officers for the years 2011 and 2012 are:
President - Rodrigo Dioso, Jr.
Vice President - Juanito Campos
Regional Vice Presidents:
At Large - Fiorello Abenes
Central Canada - Lun Mateo
Eastern Canada - Manny Buado
Western Canada - Florentina Alcos
Hawaii - Jesse Guirao
Las Vegas - DG Lakay Elegado, Lilia D. LopezLos Angeles - Cornelio Binoya, Jr.
Midwest - Gil Valenzuela
Northeast Coast - Renato Cuizon
Northern California - Lorie S. Malonzo
Pacific NW Intermountain - Gerry Galinato
San Diego - Anne Silva
Southeast Coast - Gilbert Sigua
Secretary - Nenita G. Perez
Treasurer - Norma B. Viray
Auditor - Rey Osoteo
Press Relation Officer - Floro Gutierrez
Business Manager - Bart Cinensi
The Sunday Brunch and Fellowship was held at the Silverado Ranch community Park, Las Vegas and started at 10 a.m. on September 19. CIAG Secretary Floro Gutierrez emceed the affair which included brief remarks by DG Lakay Elegado, Regional VP and co-Chair of the Local Arrangements Committee, Invocation by Magdalena Elegado Mercado. Aside from the scrumptious brunch that the alumni, former faculty/staff and friends enjoyed tremendously, they also had a blast celebrating birthdays which included Rene Cuizon’s 50TH on that day as well as all those born in September.
Many attendees joined a side trip to the Grand Canyon in Arizona the following day on Monday, the 20th of September. En route to that great national park, the group toured the Hoover Dam and ByPass Bridge in the Nevada-Colorado border. Many of the delegates continued the reunion activities with the mini-reunion held in the residence of Anne Silva, Incoming Regional VP and husband Nestor in Escondido, CA.
From comments heard during and after the reunion, the event was very successful exceeding most everyone’s expectations. Will the next reunion be as grand?
That remains to be seen, but in the meantime, CIAG is stepping up efforts for more donations to the CLSUAAI’s Hostel Project and drumming up wider participation in the 2011 CLSU Grand Alumni Homecoming.
MABUHAY ANG CLSU !!!
FRGutierrez
10/13/10
<<< Back to HOME