CHAPTER NEWS

a. Cebu Chapter

          The Cebu Chapter had their Christmas Fellowship last December 8, 2006. Dr. Malayang was supposed to be their guest of honor with SAAI officers but because of a typhoon and the ASEAN summit, it was impossible to cross Cebu. Justice Dicdican was requested to read the message of Dr. Malayang and they had a phone patch for some questions and concerns which the university president was able to answer.

          The chapter usually meets every first Friday of the month. For the February fellowship, Dr. Malayang attended the said gathering with SAAI president Judge Gonzalez, vice-president Judge Tan the executive secretary Ms. Maxino and Prof. De la Cruz, the Director for Alumni and External Affairs with her staff Mr. Atega. Dr. Malayang gave an inspirational talk and the team from the university Alumni and External Affairs Office presented an update on the developments in the university. SAAI officers also gave a report on its involvement in the life and mission of the university.

b. Bukidnon Chapter

          The Bukidnon Chapter had their pre-Christmas fellowship on December 10, 2006 at Central Mindanao University. CMU president Dr. Mardonio M. Lao with his team of administrators who are all Sillimanians gave a very warm welcome. They invited Dr. Malayang and SAAI president Judge Gonzalez to be their guest of honor but because of the bad weather they were represented by members of the Board of Trustees based in Mindanao. Trustee Rose Fundador gave the Christmas message, Trustee Noel Tan introduced the members of the Board present and the representatives from the university answered questions and concerns of the alumni. Ms. Maxino gave a report on behalf of Judge Gonzalez on SAAI Updates. Mr. Atega represented Prof. De la Cruz and presented a video of updates in the university.

c. Davao City Chapter

          The Davao alumni had their Christmas fellowship on December 9, 2006. Dr. Malayang with the SAAI officers were expected to be there but due to the cancellation of trips to Cebu, the members of the Board of Trustees based in Davao, Trustee Rose Fundador and Trustee Noel Villalba represented the university president in the fellowship and gave the SAAI report.

          However, on February 17, 2007, Dr. Malayang with Prof. De la Cruz and Ms. Maxino visited Davao City chapter. Dr. Malayang gave an inspiring message and updates on university affairs.

d. SOCKSARGEN Alumni Chapter

          The SOCKSARGEN chapter composed of alumni from South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani Province and General Santos City had their Christmas fellowship in mid-December of 2006 with Mr. Roger Lim as their speaker. On February 17, 2007, the Dr. Malayang visited the chapter and gave reports to the alumni.

          The SOCKSARGEN chapter meets quarterly hosted alternately by each alumni group in that area. The April 2007 fellowship was hosted by the alumni from Sarangani Province.

e. Bacolod Alumni Chapter

          The Bacolod chapter had its general assembly on October 28, 2006. It was a fellowship held in celebration of the Masskara Festival in Bacolod. Dr. Malayang was the invited keynote speaker. The SAAI officers were interviewed by the press about Silliman University and was published in the Visayan Daily Star.

          Bacolod chapter has turned over two more coin banks during the fellowship.

f. ZamBaSulta Chapter

          This chapter is composed of alumni from Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. The chapter hosted dinner for the chair of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones who visited the chapter early this year. Prof. Briones met with the officers and some members of the chapter and gave them updates on university affairs.

g. SU Metro Manila Alumni Asso. Chapter

          The SUMMAA chapter had their annual Founders Day dinner at the Century Park, Sheraton on August 19, 2006 with President Ben S. Malayang III as their guest speaker. A special number was rendered by some members of the SU Dance Troupe-”The Kahayag Dancers,” Atty. Dorothy Sandalo, the SAAI treasurer represented the association in the said fellowship together with Prof. De La Cruz. The Metro Manila Chapter has been very supportive of the programs of the university especially its participation and involvement in national competitions. The chapter’s newly elected president is Atty. Grace Sumalpong.

h. Dumaguete City Chapter

          The Dumaguete City alumni chapter had been involved in the preparation of the alumni fellowship night to culminate the Founders Day celebration on August 28, 2007.

          The chapter represented the Alumni Association in the giving of SU medals and honor certificates to the honor graduates of the various high schools in the city.

i. Tanjay City Chapter

          The chapter through its president, Atty. Luisa A. Villegas represented the Alumni Association in the giving of SU medals and honor certificates to the honor graduates of the different high schools in Tanjay City. They also turned over two coin banks on March 22, 2007.

*All other alumni chapter officers and members in the Philippines were requested to represent the university president in giving the SU medals to the valedictorians and salutatorians of selected high schools and honor certificates for the valedictorians, salutatorians, first honorable mention and second honorable mention.

Cebu alumni hold Xmas party

          The members of the Silliman Alumni Association, Inc. (SAAI) Cebu Chapter have once again gathered themselves last December 8, 2006 for their customary Christmas party. The affair was held at the Lower Deck of Hotel Asia located along Don Jose Avila St., Cebu City.

          They came excited because of the chance to see the newly installed 12th |S.U. President, Dr. Ben S. Malayang III and party. However, due to bad weather, Dr. Malayang and his party was not able to come. Nevertheless, their absence did not dampen the spirit of the alumni because of the singing, jokes, reminiscences, and the like that they shared with each other that night. The food was really good and everyone had his share of fun and laughter.

          Later in the night, VP Albert Amor called up the chapter president, Rio Teves who was in Makati at that time on official business. Through phone patch, Pres. Teves was able to greet the group and he congratulated them for having a successful Christmas party as he thanked everyone for their support and cooperation including those who donated cash and in kind.

          After a while, everyone was happy to hear the voice of Dr. Malayang through phone patch again made by VP Amor. Dr. Malayang greeted everyone and he went on discussing the plans, thrusts and programs of his new administration and asked for the continued support of the alumni. Dr. Malayang finally ended by saying that he and his party will just come and join the group during next month’s fellowship meeting. Indeed, everyone was glad that they were able to listen to Dr. Malayang and looked forward to seeing him in person in February.

          The party went on and ended up very late at night with everyone happy and satisfied with what they experienced. (R. Teves/A. Amor)

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          February was not only anticipated by everyone because it’s the lovers’ month, but February 2 was the day that the alumni was waiting for not only because it was the scheduled day for their fellowship but very important persons from Silliman University were coming over headed by none other than Dr. Ben S. Malayang III. Along with Dr. Malayang come Judge Boy Gonzalez, alumni national president; Judge Crescencio Tan, national alumni VP; Director for Alumni Affairs, Prof. Jong dela Cruz; Executive Secretary Ms. Yolanda Maxino and Alumni Affairs Liaison Officer, Moses Atega.

          The fellowship was held at the newly refurbished conference hall of the Visayas Community Medical Center through the kind gesture of its administrator, Rev. Mequias Camba Jr. A total of 55 alumni came over.

          The fellowship started off with the welcome remarks given by chapter president Rio Teves and immediately followed by national president, Judge Boy Gonzalez who gave a challenging and emphatic message to all the alumni present. After which, Rev. Camba introduced the guest of honor, President Malayang who enthusiastically shared his administration’s thrust and priorities through a power point presentation. The speech of Dr. Malayang was immediately followed by a power point presentation of Mr. Moses Atega who discussed the various accomplishments and achievements of the university.

          Thereafter, an open forum ensued wherein some alumni threw various questions to the president which was likewise satisfactorily answered by him.

          Taking the opportunity, the group of Dr. Malayang distributed S.U. prospectus and the much missed copies of the Weekly Sillimanian to the alumni who excitedly scanned and read news and updates about their dear old Silliman.

          Finally, the affair was capped with a wonderful rendition of the Silliman Song collectively sung with feelings by everyone.

          It was indeed a memorable experience for everybody made more significant by the presence of the S.U. president and the other officers and staff from Silliman University. (R. Teves/A. Amor)

SOCKSARGEN chapter hosts SU guests

          SU President Dr. Ben Malayang III accompanied by Ms. Jocelyn Somoza de la Cruz, director for Alumni and External Affairs and Ms. Yolanda “Inday” Valente-Maxino, executive secretary of the Silliman Alumni Association, Inc. paid a much anticipated visit to SOCKSARGEN alumni on Jan. 17, 2007 in General Santos City.

          On hand to meet the university president at the Gensan International Airport were local chapter president Linda Bañas-Alvarez and fellow alumni chapter officers Boy Amistoso, Batsheba Bocanegra, Daymae Encontro-Gayo and mother-son alumni Judith and Vincent Penpenia. A local B’laan band performed during the pre4sident’s arrival with some muses of Gensan with their smiles of welcome.

          From the airport, the entourage proceeded to the Oriental Place, an Asian-fusion restaurant in the heart of Gensan where about 60 members of the local chapter were waiting. A sumptuous lunch ensued at around 12:30 p.m.

          As in their other alumni chapter visits, the president and the alumni office representatives provided updates to the alumni on the progress of the Alumni Association and recent developments in Silliman, among them, the continued excellent performances of its graduates, on-going infrastructure in the campus, the much-enhanced university website, and other campus news.

          The president and his group also entertained questions from the alumni who were very eager to hear the latest about their alma mater.

          After the Gensan meeting, Dr. Malayang, Ms. de la Cruz and Ms. Maxino were motored to Davao City, a two-and-a-half hour drive from this tuna capital of the Philippines, for a separate meeting with Sillimanians from the Davao areas. (.L. Espinosa / L. Alvarez)