ALUMNINEWSLETTERP u b l i s h e d b y t h e S i l l i m a n A l u m n i A s s o c i a t i o n, I n c. www.saai2007.comVol. XXII No. 1 Dumaguete City, Philippines August 2012

4 named 2012 Outstanding Sillimanians

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Four distinguished alumniare this year’s recipients of theOutstanding Sillimanian Awards asone of the highlights of the 111thFoundersDaycelebrationofSillimanUniversity. In a special convocationon August 28 at the Claire IsabelMcGill Luce Auditorium, theawardees were honored in fittingceremonies attended by theirrelatives, former classmates,colleagues, administrators, faculty,staff,andstudents. The OutstandingSillimaniansare:Dr.MariaChristinaRobleEsperatinthefieldofnursing,research, and administration;Atty. Kathleen G. Heceta in thefield of government service intelecommunications; Dr. EnricoC.Sobong in thefieldofmedicine;and Ambassador Antonio P.Villamor in the field of diplomacy. Dr. Esperat, who was

nominatedbytheSillimanUniversityAlumni and Friends @ San Diego,graduated in 1968 with a degree inbachelor of science in nursing andfinished amaster of arts innursing,major in parent-child nursing, in1969 at Silliman University. Sheearned a Ph.D. in maternal-childnursing in 1990 at the Universityof Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.

At present, she is associate deanfor clinical services/communityengagementandprofessorinnursingat theTexasTech University HealthSciencesCenter,AnitaThigpenPerrySchool of Nursing, Lubbock, Texassince 2000. She is married to afellow Sillimanian, OswaldoEsperat,1965 AB Political Science/Historyand 1969 bachelor of laws. She hasrequesteddefermentfortheconferralofherawarduntilshewouldbeabletocometoDumaguetebynextyear. Atty. Heceta, a homegrownDumaguetena, was nominated bythe Dumaguete alumni chapter.A graduate of associate of arts in1958 and bachelor of laws in 1962at Silliman University, she grew upsteeped in the ideals of her parentswho were both staunch supportersof the university where theirchildren and grandchildren went

Dr. Maria Christina Roble Esperat Atty. Kathleen G. Heceta Dr. Enrico C. Sobong

Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor

ToAllSillimanians

“Mygraceissufficientforyou,formypowerismadeperfectinweakness.Therefore,Iwillboastallthemoregladlyaboutmyweakness,sothatChrist’spowermayrestonme.” 2Corinthians12:9-10

Warmestgreetingsfromthecampusbythesea!

ItismyjoyandprivelegetocongratulateallSillimaniansaswecelebrateour111thFoundersDayofourbelovedSillimanUniversity.Withthisyear’s

themeof“EmpowerMe-SpiritoftheLivingGod”basedon2Corinthians12:9-10oftheScriptures,itishopedthatweSillimanianscanperseverethroughallourtrialsandhardshipsthroughtthegraceofGodwhoensuresthatwedonotlackofanything.WepartlyowethismindsettoourbelovedalmamaterwhereweobtainedawholisticChristianeducationandwherewehavelearnedtoputheartsitsmottoofVia,Veritas,Vita.

AswemovetowardsotherFDmilestonesoftheuniversity,letusnotforgetthataswematureinourfaithandinourpersonallives,wealsobecomeinstrumentsofHisgracetohelpempowerothers.TheSillimanspiritlivesonineachofus,andwemustseizeeveryopportunitywherewecanbeofhelpandservcietoourbrothersandsistersallovertheworld.Happy111thFoundersDaytoallofyou!

Message

RAFAEL CRESCENCIO C. TAN JR.President

2 August 2012ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

SILLIMAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC.

for their education. She retired in2005 as deputy commissioner ofthe National TelecommunicationsCommission, the government’sregulatory agency attached to theCommission on Information andCommunications Technologyhaving supervision, regulation, andcontrol over all telecommunicationsand broadcast services and facilitiesin the Philippines. She likewiseservedasdirectoroftheNTCLegalDepartment, becoming a CareerExecutiveServiceOfficer(CESO)III. Dr. Sobong, who graduatedin 1967 at Silliman University

with adegreeofbachelorof science(preparatory medicine), cum laude,wasnominatedbytheSillimanAlumniofSouthFlorida,Inc.Heearnedhisdoctor of medicine degree from theUniversityofthePhilippines,Manilain 1972. After passing the medicallicensure examination, he becameclinical instructor in communitymedicine and worked at the LosBanos Primary Care Clinic, wherehe precepted and mentored medicalstudents.HewenttotheUSforhisinternship and residency in internalmedicine with specialty trainingin medical oncology. Although hehas retired from full-time medicalpracticelastyear,heisbackinclinical

practice in Palm Springs, Californiaon a limited part-time basis. LawyerAmbassadorVillamor,most recently, served as a memberof the Silliman University Board ofTrustees representing the alumni.Nominated by the Sillimanians inMetro Manila, Inc., he graduatedwith the degree of associate ofarts (preparatory law) in 1953 atSilliman University and bachelorof laws in1957at theUniversityofthe Philippines. After having passedthe bar examinations as well as theforeign service examination, heserved the Philippine government

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ALUMNI CHAPTER NEWS

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NewChaptersFormed

SILLIMANIANS inBRITISH COLUMBIA (Canada)

By Mr. Sansen Lee Vendiola

On August 28, 2010, theSillimanians in British Columbiaalumni association in Canada wasformed. Since then it has held socialevents each in spring, in summer andin winter aimed at recruiting andreconnecting the over sixty (possiblymore) alumni in the Vancouver area. Thegroup’sactivitiesincludetheinauguralFoundersDaypicnicinAugust2010, Spring Fling Festival 2011 andSpringBreakFast2012,familycampinginJuly2011andinAugust2012,ChristmasPotluck in 2010 and Pasko Na NamanParty in December 2011. Upcomingevent is a lakeside picnic barbeque andsports day on August 26. At thesesocial events, the alumni share Pinoyfood and join in fun and wacky Pinoyparlor games and contests as they retellfavoritestoriesofcampuslifeinSilliman. Spearheaded by Pan HellenicSociety members Elyn Bernardino-Taningco, Dale Gomez, Dayang-

dayang Gomez Nadayag, Tancho Baesand Edgar Bisnar, the alumni groupwas officially formed at a park picnicto celebrate Silliman’s Founder’s DayonAugust28,2010. Since then ithasgrown from a small bunch of just overadozenalumni to three times asmanyactive members in less than two years.Led by Sansen Lee Vendiola, a formerSUStudentGovernmentpresident andWeeklySillimanian editor, the group iscomposedmostlyofyoungeralumni intheir 40’s who are very family-orientedand very nostalgic of their Sillimanyears. “LoyalshallwebetoSilliman,”as they fondly say. Living the Sillimanspirit of service to others, it has alsocarriedoutvariouscommunityoutreachprograms, including singing Christmascarolstoseniorsataretirementhospital,donating food supplies to a church,anddonatinghundredsofbookstotheSilliman library and to an elementaryschoolandahighschoolinDumaguete’sneighboring townofBacong.Membersalso sent financial help to the victimsof Sendong in Dumaguete, Valencia,Sibulan, Bacong and Cagayan deOro as well as to the victims of therecent earthquake that hit Bindoy andGuihulngan. It has also contributed

money towards the renovation of theOrientalHallasthenewStudentCenter. To stay connected with eachother and the rest of the Sillimancommunities worldwide, the group hasaffiliated with the SU Alumni Councilof North America and the SU AlumniAssociation Inc. and has maintaineda Facebook account and test websites.Italsocreatedafloatthat joined intheParada Sillimaniana street parade lastFounders Day. For more information,visit us at http://vendiola.wordpress.com/orathttp://sillimanalumnibc.org/

Sillimanians Awakening in Mainland Europe

By Ms.Grace Ada Genge

It all began with a modestFacebook address which I posted twoyears ago with the hope of connectingwith the Silliman University alumniworldwide, though my main purposereally was to give life to a 25-year-olddream of starting our own SU alumnichapteroncontinentalEurope.Knowinghow cyber technology has shrunk theworld, I decided to take advantage ofthe Facebook platform primarily toreach out to Sillimanians living in this

Silliman University Alumni Association of Southern CA joins Alumni and Friends@SanDiegotocelebrateSU’s111thFoundersDayonAugust12,2012atEmbarcaderoandDanaPointinSanDiego,CA.TheSUAAofSouthernCAwillhaveitsAnnualDinnerandDanceonOctober27,2012.LastJune24th2012,thechapteralsohaditsAnnualPicnicattheWhittierNarrowsRegionalPark,SouthElMonte,CA.TheChapterPresidentofSUAASCisMr.JaimeA.PoncedeLeon.

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part of the world and establish contactwiththem.Asitturnedouthappily,thisFacebookaddressattractedtheattentionnot just of alumni in Europe, but alsothose scattered all over the world andcontributioninthisendeavorwastoputusintouchwithSillimanianswhowerenotonFacebook. With Facebook announcingour presence to the ever-growingcommunity of SU alumni on cyberspace,theregisteredmembershiponoursiterosefrom20toover480members.Not surprisingly among those whoregisteredonoursitewereEurope-basedSillimanians,manyofthemmigrants.Asour Facebook registry fo these Europe-basedSillimaniansgrew,IknewthenthatmyvisionofanalumnichapterinEuropewas about to be realized. With interestpeakinginthebeginningofthisyear,wefinallyfoundenoughreasonstoofficiallyformaSillimanalumni chapter.As thenewsspreadlikewild-fire,expressionsofintereststartedcomingalmostovernightfromalumniintheUS,theNetherlands,Austria,Switzerland,andGermany. Needless to say, the challengesthatfacedusintheorganizationalstageof this project were formidable, thegreatest of which was getting togetherincommonmeetingplaceatacommonmeetingtimeagroupseparatedbygreatdistances across the continent. But weall shared a common vision and knewthenthatnoobstaclewasgoingtostopusfromaccomplishingourgoal.Inlessthan a month a decision was made togatheronMay12,2012. Inthemidstofourpreparation,help came from many sources. Theformer CBA graduate, Sandra Sevilla,andherhusbandEdgardeGalaJuguete,offered to host us in their beautifulhome in Heidelberg, Germany, andthis became the venue of our firstacquaintance and election meeting. Ashosts, they were incredibly hospitableand accommodating and welcomedus like long-lost sisters and brothers.Perfect hosts that they were, they alsokindlygaveusatouraroundHeidelbergwiththehighlightofvisitingtheformer

home and Shrine of Dr. Jose Rizal. Itwas inHeidelberg,asweallknow, thatournationalhero,Dr.JoseRizalstudiedmedicine. Standing in front of hismonument, I found myself moved totears asmemories ofmy student life asamemberoftheRizalYouthClubcametomind. I stood there in awe, quietlyreminiscingthegoodolddays.Amillionthanks to them for sharing their lovewithus. I did not sleep much that firstnight—deepinmyheart,IcouldhardlywaittomeettheotherSillimanianswhowere arriving the next day. “the perfectoccasionhasfinallycome,”Ithoughttomyself. As Ecclesiastes wrote, “there isalwaysanappointedtimeforeverything,a time to plant and a time to uproot.”Certainly,thiswasourtimetoplant!Aswegatheredtogethertoelectournewofficers we were filled with expectationandafterafewpreliminariesandprayer,wesangtogetherthatgoodoldSillimanSong, with our voices raised, full ofemotion and pride, “ Loyal will we betoSilliman.”As the familiar sweet tunefilledtheair,myvoicecroaked. Finally, by the grace of God,we became a united Silliman alumniassociation with objectives that areanchored on values such as loyalty andservice to our beloved Alma Mater,love for our country, our history,education,cultureandthearts.Despitethedistancesoftimeandspace,wefeelempowered by the noble tradition andvaluesthatSillimanUniversityhadgivenus:unswervingfaith,courage,discipline,perseverance,andtheloveforGodwhois the “Way, the Truth, and the Life.”Sucharichheritage! Thus, 2012 marks a turningpoint for Sillimanians in mainlandEurope. At last, after almost 25 yearsof dreaming of a Silliman AlumniAssociation in this part of the world,we finally got to see this dream cometrue. On May 12, 2012, the SillimanUniversity Association of Alumni andFamilyinEurope,Inc.(SUAAFE),wasofficiallyorganized. We were all so excited, to say

the least, and frolicked like teenagersdespiteourage.Whatmadeusfeelthatway?Needlesstosay,it’sthatmarvelousSillimanSpiritthatwassoingrainedandrooted inourheartsduringour collegedays. That night we joyfully cooked,danced, ate, sang, laughed, played, andjoked as we bonded with each other.Notforgettingtomention,“Gabro”ourSUAAFEdogMascotgailyjoinedus. It was, indeed, a preciousmoment!Thoughweallhadbeenthroughso many different stages in our lives,we found ourselves sharing a commonground. That mutual understandingandfireinourspiritshadbeenkeptaliveinourhearts—thismotivatedustogivebacktodearoldSilliman.Indeed,thatdaySillimanUniversitymadeus realizeourpotentialsasheralumnitobringthebest service we could possibly offer inreturn.

Silliman University Alumni Association of Northern California

Silliman University AlumniAssociation of Northern Californiaduring its annual formal dinner onAugust11,2012atSanRamonMarriott,SanRamonCalifornia.ThenewchapterpresidentisCecileAlamo-Valoria.

Silliman University Alumni Association - United Arab Emirates

The SUAA-United ArabEmirateschapterhaditsfirstFellowshipon July 6 at the Danial Iranian

5August 2012 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

Restaurant. The response from all overEmirates was overwhelming. Therewere about 43 alumni who registeredonitsfirstfellowshipandnowthereareabout195membersofthechaptergrouppage. There is a plan to have anotherfellowship to celebrate Ramadan. Theofficersofthechapterarethefollowing:JohnMichael“Mico”Lauron,president;Yousef Sheikho, vice-president forDubai; Brian Bucol, vice-president forShariah/Northern Emirates and forAl Ain/Abu Dhabi; Harija Joy Tan,secretary;KayeFrancisBornea,treasurer;board of trustees: Filsan LamberangandMelvinBernaldez.Theofficersmetlast July 13, 2012 to plan and finalizethe calendar of activities for the year.

SU Cebu Alumni Association, Inc.

SU CebuAlumniAssociation,Inc. during the MOA signing for theAdopt-A-RoomatVisayasCommunityMedical Center in Cebu City. Thisproject serves not only as the office ofthe Cebu Alumni Chapter, but also an

opportunity for all Silliman alumni inCebu to become part of the program.A member can donate and avail ofthe packages which will be posted foreveryone to appreciate. The packagesinclude 20% discount in hospitalservices up to a specified number ofdependents he/she may nominate andacknowledgment of sponsorship atthe room entrance, which may read“This room is furnished through thesponsorship of ….” and availability of

the conference room for functions thatmembersmayuse for as long as it fallswithintheVCMCandSUCebuAlumniAssociation,Inc.Sponsorshipmaybeincashorinkind.

SOCSKSARGEN SillimaniansGO HAWAIIAN

By: Linda Banas Alvarez

ItwasasunnySaturdaylastAug.18whenSillimaniansoftheSocsksargenChapter decided to celebrate our almamater’s 111th Founders Day with atwist.....a hula-hula twist. Dubbed‘SillimanGoesHawaiian,’theluncheonfellowship proved to all and sundrythat the chapter was alive and well,and swaying with the Silliman Spirit.VenuewasthescenicD’OrchardGardenResort in Lagao, General Santos City. After all the feastingwasdone,and the laughter from fun games likeHawaiianGenyoandCrackingCoconuts(balloons) had died down, incumbentprexy Linda Banas-Alvarez challengedthechaptertocontinuewithitstraditionofgivingwitnesstothespiritandvaluesimbued from the years of study atSillimanthroughoutreachprojects,alsoas a way to make the University namemoreknowninSouthernMindanao.Inthepast, the chapterhasbeen involvedin literacy drives, medical and dentalmissions, and marine conservationprojects, often partnering with theRotary Club of Gensan, the RedCross and the Sarangani government. The younger members ofthe chapter were also challenged

to put up a ‘Junior Sillimanians inSocsksargen’armofthemotherchapter,to better interest and serve the newergenerations of alumni in the areasof South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat,Sarangani, and General Santos City. Themotherchapterwillcontinueto meet every quarter through socialactivitiesaswell,torenewandstrengthenthe existingbonds among itsmembers.

SUAA-Butuan Chapter

Reaffirming its commitment tostrengthenthebondofSillimanians,theSillimanUniversityAlumniAssociationof Butuan City led by alumni chapterpresident Atty. Rene K. Burdeos,conducted a fellowship dinner lastFebruary 6, 2012. Over 30 Silliman

alumni from Butuan City Chapterattendedthesaidactivity,togetherwithButuanCityMayorandfellowSillimanalumnusFerdinandM.AmanteJr.,M.D..AsidefromrekindlingtheSillimanspirit,theactivityalsocelebratedthesuccessfulundertakingofoneofthechapter’stree-plantingactivityheldFebruary4,2012.Thetree-plantingactivityisinconnectionwiththeGrowaMillionTreesProjectofthe local government of Butuan City.SillimanalumniofButuanCityregularlysupportstheprojectsinceitwaslaunchedsometimein2011.Anothertreeplantingactivity for the chapter was held lastMarch31,2012. To celebrate Founders Day,the chapter hosted a gathering of allSillimaniansinCaragaRegiononAugust

6 August 2012ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

11,2012at theGazebo inCabadbaranCity with Atty. Ernesto Rosales (LLB.1969)asspeaker.

SAAI Pagadian City - Zamboanga del Sur Chapter

Conducts Feeding Program and Medical Mission in Pagadian City

By Annalyn Obate-Absin, R.N.

Guided by the motto, “Via,Veritas,Vita”, theSAAIPagadianCity-Zamboanga del Sur Chapter, led byits president, Anastacio Descallar Jr.,spearheaded anumberof activities thatmadeuseofthetalentsandresourcesofitsmembersandwhich,inturn,benefitedchildren and adults in the locality. The local chapter, beingdominated by doctors and nurses,believes that one effective way to reachout to the community is through theconduct of a medical outreach andfeedingprogram.Hence,SAAIPagadianCity-Zamboanga del Sur Chapter,having raised a substantial amount andhaving tapped the expertise of its ownmembers,initiatedonDecember4,2011the activitydubbedas “2011NutritionFeeding Program” and on June 12,2012carriedoutamedicalmissionwithfeedingprogramatBarangayKagawasan,Pagadian City, both activities beingmade in coordination with the UnitedChurch of Christ in the Philippines,Pagadian City. There were about 40streetkidswhogotnourished,notonlyphysically but also spiritually, duringthe first activity while there were more

thanfifty(50)childrenandabouttwenty(20)adultswhowereabletoavailofthefree medical services and the feedingprogramduringthemorerecentactivity.

It is alsoworthy tomention thatSAAIPagadian City-Zamboanga del SurChapter has donated a considerableamount for the Teen Health WorkersTraining Program of the Zamboangadel Sur National High School, asecondary school in Pagadian City,whereinhighschoolstudentsaretaughthow to perform first aid proceduresand vital signs taking. Added to thisis the fact that some members of thechapter are made resource speakers.On the other hand, and to ensure thatthe Silliman spirit remains burning ineach of the member, fellowship andgatherings are held regularly such asValentine’s and/or Christmas parties.

Silliman University Alumni Association – Alberta Chapter

The SUAA-Alberta Chapter inCanadahelditsannualpicniconJuly28,2012 to celebrateSU’s111thFoundersDayatSiliconLakeinAlberta,Canada.Sillimanians with their families all overtheAlbertaareagatheredforafellowshipand bonding with each other. Thechapter president is Engr. Alexdel J.Amor. The Silliman UniversityAlumni Association of the NationalCapital Region (Washington, D.C.,Maryland, and Virginia) celebrated the111thFoundersDayattheresidenceof

Maritess Tan-Valencia at Burtonsville,MarylandonAugust11,2012.

SUAA-United KingdomCELEBRATES FOUNDERS DAY

WITH tapUK 2012

Silliman University AlumniAssociation–UnitedKingdomChaptersuccessfullyheldtapUK2012onAugust11,2012tocelebrateSillimanUniversity’s111thFoundersDay.Theevent,heldatNovotelLondonWest,wasattendedbySillimaniansandfriendsfromNewcastle,Yorkshire, Bournemouth, Somerset,Brighton, Portsmouth, London, Cebu,andCagayandeOro.MinisterFranciscoNoel Fernandez III (SUHS 1985) wastheinspirationalspeakerinbehalfofthePhilippine Ambassador to the UK, HisExcellencyEnriqueA.Manalo.MinisterFernandezencouragedeveryonetobeactiveinthePhilippineEmbassy’sprojectsandactivitiesandstrengthentheSillimanSpiritthatbindstheassociationintheUK.A raffle for aweek’s accommodation inPortugal as grand prize was held. AllprizeswhichalsoincludedadinnertobepersonallypreparedbySillimanianChefScottVillacorawerecoordinatedbythevice-president Verlyn Jugar-Ganir andAnnSantos-Ayerst.This year’s tapUK chairpersons wereMarcieSocoandMayLynetteAlabastro-Tuckerwhoconceptualizedthe“ARoyalCelebrationinRedandWhite”theme.On a separate occasion, representativesofSUAA-UKspentadaywithOlympianarcher Mark Javier. This was madepossible through treasurer ChristineDuran-Zosa. (by Aaron Gallo Bravo,chapterpresident)

Metro Manila Chapter

The Sillimanians in MetroManila also had its masquerade annualdinner and dance at Heritage Hotelin Manila on August 11, 2012. Prof.Leonor Magtolis Briones, chair of theBoardofTrustees,wastheguestofhonorwhogaveupdatesonuniversityactivities

7August 2012 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

andprorams,aswellasSUpresidentBenS. Malayang III. One of the highlightsof the said affair was the awarding oftheDistinguishedSillimaniansinMetroManila.TheawardeeswereAmbassadorAntonio P. Villamor and Atty. RowenaGuanzon.Thenewsetofofficerselectedare:EdnaMijares,president;AmbassadorAntonioVillamor,vice-president;EmmaRay Panaguiton, secretary; GloriaBelarmino, treasurer; Jobe Viernes,auditor;boardofdirectors: Dr.AlfedoTan, Atty. James Raterta, Dr. RomeoAriniego, Gus Villaluna, Dr. ConradaApostol,andCherryIndonto. The chapter conducted specialprojectsthisyear.Itdonatedwheelchairsto the Provincial Hospital of NegrosOriental and the SU Medical Center.It also gave financial assistance to thetyphoon victims of Sendong, Ondoy,therecentsouthwestmonsooninMetroManila,andthevictimsoftheearthquakeinDumagueteCityandinthenorthernpartofNegrosOriental.Dumaguete City Alumni Chapter

Dumaguete Alumni ChapterledbyitspresidentandSAAIDirectorfor East Visayas, Ruben N. Bokingo,went on a series of career orientationlecturesinMarch2012and,atthesametime, campaign for freshman students.Officers of the Dumaguete AlumniChapterwerethespeakerstoorientandinspire fourthyear students toenrollatSilliman University. The speakers wereAtty. Pristine Raymond for SU High

School; Atty. Myrish Antonio for St.Louis School Don Bosco High School,andMosesJoshuaAtegaforDumagueteScience High School. The chapter heldits general fellowship on May 1, 2012at Silliman Hall grounds to elect itsnew set of officers. The elected officersare: Rodolfo Juan, president; RobertoMontebon, vice-president; MosesJoshuaAtega, secretary;EthelMiranda,treasurer; Roswell Cataylo, auditor;NorbertoRiego,PRO;boardofdirectors:RubenBokingo,ex-officio,pastchapterpresident; Dr. Mark Macias; Lorna P.Makil; and,Dr.GervacioSalatandre Jr.Appointed committee chairpersons areJaqueline Antonio, ways and means;

Dr. Profetiza Lim, membership; LeoMamicpic, history and mission; Atty.Myrish Antonio and Atty. PristineRaymond,Constitutionandby-laws.

Greater Bacolod Chapter

Greater Bacolod Chapter helditsgeneralassemblyattheHMbuilding,West Negros University on August 4,2012.VPAADr.BetsyJoyTanwasguestspeaker to give updates on the statusof the university and alumni nationalpresident Judge Rafael Crescencio TanJr. spoke on the objectives, mission,vision,andgoalsoftheSillimanAlumniAssociation,Inc.anditsvariousprojectsand programs. Moses Atega, OIC ofthe Office of Alumni Affairs askedsometriviaquestionsandgavesouveniritemstothewinners. YolandaMaxino,executivesecretaryoftheSAAI,wasalso

present to answer some questions andconcerns of the alumni. To make theeventmoremeaningfulandentertaining,the West Negros University Choraledirectedbythealumnichapterpresident,Prof. Cesar Pacalioga, was invited tosing. Other important personalitiespresent were SU Alumni Trustee forWest Visayas , Atty. Reinaldo Nolido;SAAIBoardofDirectorsHon.CatalinoAlisbo,councilorofBacolodCity; and,Dr. Samson Gonzaga, OutstandingSillimanian Awardee and widower ofthefirstMissSilliman,PatriaObsequioGonzaga.

New York - New Jersey Chapter

The Silliman University Alumni Association New York - New Jersey Chapter had its Picnic at theEisenhowerPark atEastMeadow,NewYork on August 18, 2012 to celebratethe 111th Founders Day of SillimanUniversity.

8 August 2012ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

NewsBriefsNew Alumni Trustee Representing Mindanao – Mrs. Ma. Elena Ravello-Mangaoil

The SU Board ofTrustees has confirmed the new Alumni Trustee Representative forMindanao,Mrs.Ma.ElenaRavello-MangaoilreplacingDr.RoseFundadorwhosetermendedlastMay31,2012.Mrs.MangaoilisthedaughterofSillimanians’favouriteteachersinPhysicalEducation: Prof. Emeritus Jose Alba Ravello and Physical Education textbook author SofiaD. Agcoaili-Ravello. She is married to Mr. Lesley James F. Mangaoil, and Allergologist, andDermatologistinDavaoDoctorsHospital.TheirchildrenPartriciaAnnMangaoil-Pelayo(B.S.Psych)andDr.JamesEdwardR.Mangaoil(B.S.MedTech)allstudiedinSilliman.

Nene,as she is fondlycalled, iswhat thePortalcallsasTrue-Red-bloodedSillimanian.ShestudiedinSillimanalmostallherstudentlifewhichstartedwithapre-schoolatSillimanChurch.Shebelongstoclass1957inElementary,HighSchoolof1961andCollegeB.S.HomeEconomicsin1965.ShealsotookupunitsinNutritionattheUniversityofthePhilippinesandcamebacktoSillimanforunitsinM.A.GuidanceandCounselling.InherdesiretogivequalityservicetoChristianMinistry,shealsostudiedattheKoinoniaTheologicalSeminaryinDavaoCity.

Ms.Ravello-Mangaoilisanentrepreneur,communityworkerandnowfulltimeintheministryservingasChairpersonoftheBoardofEldersandoftheChurchCouncilofUCCPDavao.

Yap Family donates Building for ROTC

ROMANT.YAPFOUNDATIONMAKESPHP12.5MILLIONGIFTTOTHEUNIVERSITY

In recognitionofhis commitment to theSillimanUniversityReservedOfficersTrainingCorps (ROTC)program, thefamilyof the lateCol.RomanT.Yap,ChairmanEmeritusof theBoardofTrustees (BOT),hasdonatedaPhp12.5million two-storeybuildingtoSillimanUniversity.ThebuildingislocatedattheFelominoCimafrancaBallfield.

Thenewfacilitywillprovide:

• SillimanUniversityROTCMuseumwithcurator’soffice andstorage. • SUROTCProgramOfficeandConferenceRoom • TwoLectureRoomswithpantry • Armory • ParkingFacilityandPavedPathway

ThebuildingwillbenamedtheCol.RomanT.YapHallandissettobeinauguratedonAugust25,2012atteno’clockinthemorning.Mrs..Ma.ConsolacionT.Yap,wifeoftheLateCol.Yap,alongwiththeirchildren,Mrs.RubyYap-Cruz,Ms.ShirleyYap,Atty.EugeneYap,andNathalieYap,willleadtheinauguralandblessingceremony.

outstanding sillimanians

for 44 years as a diplomat to manycountries. After his retirement fromthe Department of Foreign Affairsin 1999, he was re-appointed inDecember 2006 as AmbassadorExtraordinary and Plenipotentiaryto the Kingdom of Saudi Arabiawith concurrent jurisdiction over

the Republic of Yemen, whichhe served until September 2010. The annual search forOutstandingSillimanianshasyieldednumerous well-placed alumni whohavecreatedanicheintheirrespectivefields,establishingadistinctivebrandof work ethics forSillimanianswhosecompetence,character,andfaithhave

been recognized all over the world. A rigorous selection processis then done with nominationscoming from alumni chaptersworldwide,whicharethenvalidated,recommended, and endorsed tothe Board of Trustees for approval.The search starts immediatelyafter the awards ceremony.

9August 2012 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

Silliman Alumnus competes in Olympics.

ASillimanAlumnuscompetedinthe2012LondonOlympics. TwotimeOlympianarcherMarkJavierplacedfifthinthearcheryqualifyinggamesinUtahwherethetopsevenplayersadvancedtothisyear’sOlympicgamesinEastLondon. Failingtoshake2008BeijingOlympicsinitialknock-outdefeat,however,JaviercrashedoutofthesamecompetitionstageagainsttheformerworldnumberthreeandreigningPanAmericanGameschampionEllisonBrady1-7. Javiernevertheless,remainedundaunted.“Ganuntalagasalaban.Hindimomasabikunganoangmagingresulta(That’sthewayitisinthiskindofamatch.Youcan’treallytellhowitwillplayout);JaviertoldteamleaderTerryLimofthePhilippineArchers’NationalAlliance,accordingtoABS-CBNnews. ThefourthSillimanOlympian,Javiergraduatedfromtheuniversityin2005withaBachelorofScienceinInformationTechnologydegree. Currently,Javier’sachievementsincludeagoldmedalinthe2005SoutheastAsianGames,aNo.9rankinginthe15thAsianGamesinDohaQatarandtwochancestocompeteintheOlympics–Beijing2008andLondon2012. OtherSillimanOlympiansarebronzemedalistSimeonToribio(LosAngeles1932)LisaYgnalaga(Seoul1988)andJenniferChan(Sydney2000).(bySamanthaL.Colinco,areprintofsomeportionsfromTheWeeklySillimanianwithnotesfromdailyinquirer.net;abs-cbnandwww.su.edu.ph) The officers of the SU Alumni Association-United Kingdom Chapter hosted Mark Javier for a dinner to extend their warmhospitalityandtokeeptheSillimanSpiritaliveinLondon. ASillimaniansincebirthuntilshefinishedHighSchoolin2002,PaulaLynnObanana,daughterofEngr.PaulObanana,formerB/GSuprintendentandMrs.NenitaParocho-Obanana,aformerfacultyoftheCollegeofNursingofSillimanUniversityalsomadeamarkintheU.S.BadmintonTeam.WhileinHighSchool,PaulaLynnwasamemberoftheSUHSVarsityBadmintonTeamandwasawarded“AthleteoftheYear”,MostOutstandingAthleteoftheYear“and“MostValuablePlayer”. FirstemergedonthebadmintonsceneinthePhilippinesin1995whensheparticipatedforthefirsttimeinthePhilippineJuniorNationalChampionshipsanddefeatedthefour-timechampion…In2000sheprovedherprowessininternationallycompetitivebadmintonwhenshewonthreegoldmedalandabronzemedalintheArafuraGamesinDarwin,Australia…WasamemberofthePhilippineNationalBadmintonTeamfrom1997-2005…ImmigratedtotheUnitedStatesin2006withherparentsandsettledintheMinneapolis/St.Paul,Minn.area…PaulamovedtonorthernCaliforniatopursueherdreamofcoachingandplayingcompetitivebadmintonagain…ShehelpedcoachtheU.S.teamsthatcompetedinthe2009and2010PanAmericanJuniorBadmintonChampionshipinPuertoRicoandSantoDomingo,DominicanRepublic,respectively….Theteamalsowentontocompeteinthe2010WorldJuniorBadmintonChampionshipsinGuadalajara,Mexico…Competitively,sheprimarilyplayswomen’sdoublesontheBadmintonWorldFederationcircuitwith2008U.S.OlympianEvaLee.(source:www2.teamusa.org)

ReprintedfromtheTeamUSA.orgwebsitethefollowingwrite-up:

Eva Lee and Paula Lynn Obanana Win Silver in Women’s Doubles at2012 Austrian International Badminton Challenge

COLORADOSPRINGS,Colo.–EvaLee(Orange,Calif.)andPaulaLynnObanana(Minneapolis/St.Paul,Minn./MountainView,Calif.)notchedanotherimpressiveperformanceinEuropeontheirroadtothe2012OlympicGamesinLondon,EnglandwinningthesilvermedalandgainingvaluableOlympicqualifyingpointsatthe2012AustrianInternationalBadmintonChallengeinWien,AustriajustoutsideofVienna,Austria.InNovember2011,thepairwongoldattheNorwegianInternational2011BadmintonChampionships. IntheAustrianInternational,LeeandObananapostedvictoriesoverteamsfromEngland,Russia,andJapanbeforefallinginthechampionshipsmatchtoMalaysia’sHuiErnNgandHuiLinNg,thesameteamthateliminatedTeamUSA’sIrisWang(Arcadia,Calif.)andRenaWang(Arcadia,Calif.).inthesecondround. TheUSABadmintonathleteslistedabove,alongwithothersarecurrentlyonaworldwidetourinthemidstofthe2012OlympicqualifyingseasonwhichbeganonMay1,2011andconcludesonApril30,2012.ParticipationintheOlympicGamesissolelydeterminedbyanathlete’sinternationalranking.Fivebadmintoneventswillbecontestedatthe2012OlympicGamesinLondon,England;men’sdoubles,women’sdoubles,men’ssingles,women’ssinglesandmixeddoubles.(This press release is also available on the USOC’s media specific website at PRESSBOX.TEAMUSA.ORG.)

10 August 2012ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

Obituaries : September 2011 - August 2012

The Alumni Newsletter is published by the Silliman Alumni Association, Inc. with business address at Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Phillippines.

STAFFMaria Cecilia Madroñal Genove

Editor-in-ChiefRafael Crescencio C. Tan Jr.

SAAI President

Layout by Denis EmperadoPrinted by Caballes Printing Press

ALUMNINEWSLETTERSILLIMANALUMNIASSOCIATION,INC.SILLIMANUNIVERSITY6200DUMAGUETECITYPHILIPPINES

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Florence A. Feraren, Law 1954 Sept. 20Presencia Demerre-Aves, SUHS 1958, BSHE 1965 Sept. 27Dr. Megdonio Bacal Sept. 29Alma Bella Ponce de Leon, SUHS, AB 1958 Oct. 2Stephanie Alyssa Amada, SUHS 2008 Oct. 15Kisea Grace G. Procianos (BSMT Freshmen 2011) Oct. 18Demetrio (Pororoy) T. Larena II, Elem 1957, Oct. 20 SUHS 1963 & Agriculture 1968 Lina de la Torre, Education 1952 Oct. 17Lilian T. Pickard, (SUHS 1947, Business 1951 Oct. 31Virginia T. Vicuña (mother of Sillimanians) Nov. 6Macario I. Baliwis, Agriculture 1979 Nov. 9Sozelun N. Zerrudo, BS Pre-Med 1970 Nov. 16Mamerto P. Villegas, BSE Music Education 1965 Nov. 20Rev. Salvador M. Dime, BTH 1954 Dec. 7Paul del Carmen Tapaya, Elem. 1965 Dec. 8Rodrigo C. Flores, former student Dec. 15Joseph Rey S. Valencia, BSA 1991, LLB 1995 Dec. 13Dr. Thelma M. Bueno, Elem. 1976. HS 1980, Dec. 18 BBA 1984 Ma. Theresa F. Dinopol, Elem. 1985, HS 1980 Dec. 18 BSN 1994 Silverio P. Cuevas, HS 1949, AB 1956 Dec. 25Teresita N. Nonaillada, HS 1965, BSN 1970 Dec. 25Evelyn R. Aldecoa, Elem., HS 1972, AB 1975 Dec. 29 LLB 1984 Jean Mary Pia Dec. 2011Alicia Quiamao Beltran, BS Social Work 1985 Dec. 17Lorna Eleccion Bulgerin, BSN 1978 Jan. 2012Dr. Wilmer G. Heceta, Associate in Arts Pre-Med 56 Jan. 2012Jesus M. Elbinias, AA 1951, LLB 1955 Jan. 23Alma Gamo Golez, BS Civil Engineering 1970 Feb. 3Rafael Wesley Callora, BS Agriculture Feb. 19Virginia Agustin Flores, BS Home Economics 1952 Feb. 19Melodia Camacho-Olegario, BS Home Econ. 1955 Feb. 25Jeorge L. Satorre, Jr., BBA 1953 Mar. 3Mauro C. Blauta, AB Socio 1966 Mar. 29

Constantino Bernardez, 1971 OSA in the field of Mar. 27 Performing Arts; HS 1946, BSCE 1950 Glenda Teves Belo, registed nurse Apr. 6Rev. Daniel R. Nebres, Theology 1956, Apr. 18 M. Divinity 1966 Abraham Mascardo, HS 1948 May 1Glenn Victor D. Nazareno, HS 1976, BS 1976 May 4Teresita Pacatang Ragay, Home Economics 1973 May 4Carlos B. Amasula Jr., HS 1950 May 4Leonila Lagrito, ETC 1946,SCE 1948, May 7 former library staff Concesa Bendijo-Roleda, BBA 1970, former CBA May 12 faculty member Lily M. Alquiza, Pre-Med 1968 May 17Victor Emmanuel E. Gomez, HS 1973 May 17Dr. Reynaldo E. Espiritu, Pre-Med 1973 May 19Rodulfo Z. Alegado, HS 1955 May 23Lemuel P. Montenegro, Divinity 1985, May 26 Religion Teacher Proceso B. Pag-ong, Civil Engineering 1987 May 30Jimmy C. Baldado, SU Church maintenance Jun. 17Wilfredo N. Lazola, SU Library maintenance Jun. 19Laudemer Caballero Yap, BBA Mgt/Acct. 1988 Jun. 22Romeo M. Catacutan, AA Pre-Law 1958 Jun. 26Ve Enojo Ochoco, Social Work 1978 Jun. 26Robert T. Chuang, HS 1963 Jun. 29Teodora Caluscusan Jr., BSEED 1967 Jul. 8Darnay D. Demetillo, AB English 1968 Jul. 11Meriam Arrieta Parcon, HS 1969, Nursing 1969 Jul. 11Crescenciana Chua Alacal, mother of Dr. Alcala Jul. 29Rosano Chino C. Rivera, stage actor, Civil Jul. 20 Engineering 1986 Judge Graciano Arinday Jr., AB 1952, LLB 1955 Jul. 23Atty. Manolo M. Zerna, BSEE 1986, LLB 1997 Aug. 2012Daryl Kinazo, LLB 1992 Aug. 2012Dr. Sebellon M. Wale, BS Chem 1962, retired as Aug. 14 Director of the Office of External Affairs