In Isabela. Picture taking with Rene Eguera, Administrative Officer of DEP-ED, with the RN’s of the agency after the symposium. Thanks Rene for your valuable assistance and support for sponsoring the successful event. Yes, I still owe you a t-shirt and the gift I promised. It will come in due time.
In Isabela. During the symposium. Spoke before the close to 100 Principals and Assistant Principals of the Isabela District Public School. I had the opportunity to splice my presentation regarding the need for unity in Basilan and the provision of quality education for our schoolchildren. Of course, in all of my symposiums, which was sponsored by our Association, and all of my meetings I always promoted our reunion in July 2010 in Las Vegas and the existence of our Association.
In Lamitan. Courtesy call with the Mayor (Oric Furigay) and Vice Mayor (Arleigh Eisma) of the City of Lamitan. Discussed the need to generate more Lamiteños to attend our reunion. Both of them will attend our July 2010 De Basilan World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In Isabela. Courtesy call with the young beautiful lady City Mayor of Isabela (Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar). I had a very engaging discussion with her for more than an hour discussing the vision and plans of our Association. She might probably attend our July 2010 De Basilan World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada.
President’s Accomplishment Report – My Trip to Basilan
By: Joey Pamaran Tugung (12/24/09)Beaumont, California --- I am back home (arrived last week, November 15) in the United States coming off from a very successful month-long trip to Basilan, Zamboanga, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Cebu, Bohol and Manila. My trip was all about our July 2010 De Basilan World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada. Not only inviting those Basileños whom I have met along the way to join our historic world reunion but also to increase awareness regarding our De Basilan USA-Canada Association and its thrust in the future to modestly serve Basilan, and its constituents, hopefully, as a catalyst for change. That while we have left with a heavy-heart and felt disheartened with the retrogression of our beloved island paradise Basilan, still with much compassion, sympathy and concerned, they are not alone.
In my capacity as your President, I pleasantly conveyed your messages to them, which included not only most of the public elected officials but including the civil servants, the academe, the professional and business sectors and the common folks as well. I also paid courtesy calls with the Mayor of Isabela and Lamitan. So too, with the Municipal Vice Mayor of Lamitan and the Provincial Vice Governor of Basilan. Also spoke in session before the Basilan Provincial Board and the Isabela City Council. I also had the opportunity to be the guest of the Rotary Club of Basilan and the Basilan Jaycees. I also met all the reunion awardees and our guest speaker in order to brief them about our reunion and its theme.
In behalf of the Association, I also conducted successfully free symposiums on the topic “Understanding Migration to America: Facts versus Fiction” to three focused clients i.e., the Isabela District Public School Principals and Assistant Principals, the Basilan State College nursing and political science students and with the general public at the Bishop Querexta Formation Center. To project Basilan and our Association, I also conducted the same symposium topic at the Ateneo De Zamboanga, Western Mindanao State University and University of Bohol. My Davao, Dumaguete and Cebu sorties in that regard did not push through due to lack of material time.
Our donation to the victims of Typhoon Ondoy, I have channeled it to “Operation Tulong” of the popular nationwide television-radio station DZRH. In the process, I had the opportunity to be interviewed for 35-minutes by its famous anchorman, Bing Formento, which interview was aired live not only in the radio but as well as on some of the local cable television channel. I was interviewed lengthily about our Association, our July 2010 world reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada, its thrust and my opinion concerning the current state of affairs of Basilan, including certain hot-button political topics, such as, the Ampatuan’s, the infamous Maguindanao massacre, the imposition of martial law, the spate of kidnappings and the forthcoming national and local election this coming May 2010. And at the end of the day, Mr. Formento invited me to join as guest in his talk show, via Skype, even while I am here in the States every Saturday morning from 4 am to 6 am. I might probably start guesting in his show after this holiday season. Note: This great and rare opportunity would have not materialize if not because of our Vice President and my sister, Araceli Enriquez. She is a close friend of the Formento's and she easily made this arrangmenet with me to guest in the famous teleradyo show. The Wowowee did not push through because of conflict of schedule.
I also held a press conference at the Lantaka Hotel in Zamboanga City with the tri-media prior to my departure to Basilan. Well, the subject matter was of course about our July 2010 reunion and our Association.
I will post in our De Basilan website series of articles, and its corresponding pictures, in the weeks to come regarding my entire trip, which was all about Basilan and the great people that I met along the way. By the way, if you noticed unusual disposition of this website, please bear with us because we are in the process of reconstructing it.
And in so far as our reunion preparation is concern, we have already accomplished a lot. What remain to be accomplish, which is very important, are the payment of your registration fee and the submission of your pictures and brief messages for our souvenir program. Starting January 2010, we will formally send out to you the invitation and all other relevant reunion information materials.
Finally, let me take this opportunity to greet all of you a blessed Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. And for those that greeted me Happy Birthday last December 4, thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Joey Pamaran Tugung
President
P.S. I would like to thank Michael Manapol for helping me in arranging all my appointments. We have designated him as the Coordinator of the Association in Basilan.
In Isabela. Met with my good long-time friend the affable Vice Governor of Basilan and current Rotary President, Al-Rasheed Sakalahul. Having successfully negotiated 8 kidnapped victims in the past, I had the opportunity to share with him my thoughts and suggestions regarding the recent kidnapping of two Chinese citizens and Marc Singson (may his soul rest in peace – his head was beheaded and was dropped at the Rizal Public Plaza) in Maluso. Hon. Sakalahul is the Chairman of the Basilan Crisis Management Committee. He might attend our July 2010 De Basilan World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In Isabela. Spoke in session before the Basilan Provincial Board or Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Some of them manifested their intention to attend our July 2010 De Basilan World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada. By the way, the Hon. Candu Muarip sponsored and passed a board resolution commending me and our Association for the efforts and services that we have extended to the Province.
In Isabela. Lolo Jose Restaurant. Spoke before the guests, supporters and friends of the late Bob Tugung in commemoration of his 23rd Death Anniversary last November 22.
In Isabela. Twins Restaurant. Spoke before present and past officers and member of the Rotary Club of Basilan.
In Isabela. Laura Alano’s Residence. Spoke before the young members of the Basilan Jaycees, Inc.
In Isabela. Shot taken with City Councilor Danny Neri before I spoke in session of the Isabela City Council or Sangguniang Bayan.
In Isabela. Met with Judge Danilo Bucoy, Poleng Yu, Michael Manapol and Tentee Lazaro. Judge Bucoy will be one of our guest speakers during our July 2010 World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada. He will be joined in this trip by Judge Leo Prinsipe, Bobong Yu and Michael Manapol.
In Isabela. Met with Tita Marilou Eustaquio and Nene Prinsepe. Mrs. Prinsepe, along with her daughter, Rasselle Prinsipe, will receive the posthumous award of her late husband in our July 2010 World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada
In Isabela. Met with one of the awardees and guest speaker in our July 2010 World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada. Retired Engineer Leopoldo Manapol with me and my mom, Noring Pamaran-Tugung, who will also attend our reunion.
In Isabela. Reunion with my CCI Elementary School classmates. In the picture are Rowena Enriquez-Dumadaug, Fe Gimeno, Iris Macute-Manapol, Marichu Espino and the ever lovely Elaine Bucoy-Mancao.
In Isabela. Met with some of the Isabela City Hall civil servants; those working at the City Planning Office.
In Isabela. At the Basilan Provincial Capitol. Met with some of its civil servants – Boy Lenes, Baby Robinson-Bucoy and Vheemen Samong
In Isabela. Need to decompress from our hectic schedule. With Michael Manapol. Took time to hang-out and refresh at the restaurant of Gina Alano.
In Isabela. With Virgie Jimeno and Fe Gimeno. Thank you girls for taking care of my needs. I stayed at the beautiful residence of Jean Martin-Aliga.
In Lamitan. Met with the elders of the Cuevas, Pamaran, Antonio and Flores Clan or CPAF to discuss the thrust of the Association.
In Isabela. Met with one of the awardees (Dr. Jacinto Guevara) in our July 2010 World Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also present in the picture is Dr. Jojo Guevara who was home for a 1-week vacation.
In Isabela. To nourish my soul and feed my spirit, I sought strength and inspiration from my late father when I visited his gravesite at the Tabuk Cemetery.
In Zamboanga. Spoke during the symposium before the graduating nursing students of Western Mindanao State University.
In Zamboanga. Attended the birthday bash of Tita Lim at her residence in Pasonanca. Also present were Zeny Lim-Eisma, Mrs. Hontucan and Mimi Natividad.
In Zamboanga. Met and personally condole Arlene Bucoy-Talagtag. She might attend of our reunion.
In Zamboanga. Met with my close and good friend of mine, businessman Ed Ferrer. He will attend our reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In Zamboanga. Took time to have a refreshing breather with my former high school classmates of Zamboanga State College.
In Dipolog. Took a side trip to Dipolog City by land trip to visit my close friends thereat. Here with my best friend, Clo Asis, and the brother of the city mayor of Dipolog.
In Dumaguete. Met with my close friend, Christine Torres (former Miss Dumaguete), at her famous hang-out bar (Payag) frequented by celebrities. In the pic is my big brother, City Councilor Tony Remollo.
In Dawin, Negros Oriental. Met with my friend, now a Vice Mayor, and again accompanied by my big brother, Hon. Tony Remollo.
In San Jose, Negros Oriental. Met the Mayor of San Jose and again accompanied by Hon. Tony Remollo.
In Cebu. Spent my birthday with our fellow Basileños at the restaurant owned by the in-laws of my brother, Bimbo Tugung. Present were: Monalisa Hermosisima-Chua and her husband Glen, Beverly Hermosisima, Jackie Lemoncito-Gonzales, Hazel Valmores, Dexter Misuarez, Arnold Alonzo and Alaine Strong. Dinner was hosted by Bill Yap (Mellany Barrera’s husband) and Iñaki Ibarlucea (the brother in law of my brother Bimbo).
In Cebu. Met with my cerebral friend, Lando Dalguntas, over lunch. We had lengthy discussions regarding the symposium-workshop that we are going to have during our reunion. We also discussed his concept of “Minding the People’s Mind” in the area of education.
In Cebu. At the high tech 32-hectare farm of Bill Yap. In the pic with me are Bill, Monalisa Hermosisima and Dexter Misuarez.
In Cebu. Attended the Christmas Party of the Zamboanga-Basilan Association. In the pic with me are Dexter and Jackie Lemoncito.
In Bohol. Took time out to tour Bohol before the symposium at the University of Bohol. With Alaine Strong (he accompanied and assisted me throughout my trips) at the famous Chocolate Hills.
In Bohol. Met with my uncle, Francisco “Noning” Pamaran, and the Dean of College of Nursing at their high tech nursing auditorium for a tour of the College of Nursing building before I conducted the symposium the following day to a group of nursing students numbering close to 400.
In Manila. At the booth of DZRH where I was interviewed by Bing Formento and where I donated the funds we were able to raised for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. This was carried live over the radio and television for 35 minutes. Note: My hearfelt gratitude to my sister and the Association's Vice President, Araceli Enriquez, for making this event materilaize.
In Manila. Met with the Manila-based Basileños: Carla Bucoy, my close cousin Shirley Pamaran-Horilleno, Bobby Reynera, Chin-Chin Estrada Bederi (with her husband Bak who is my cousin) and Elma Marasigan-Alano (met to personally convey my condolences for the death of her husband, Johnny Boy).
In Manila. Met with the Estrada’s at their residence in BF Homes. In the pic: Lilia and Teng along with their daughters Chin-Chin and Bon-Bon. Also present is policewoman Ginggang. Lilia and Teng will attend our reunion.
In Manila. Can’t leave the country without meeting the uber Basileño. Butch Natividad, along with his lovely wife Dolly. Here we discussed the facelift and reengineering of our website.
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