CHAPTER NEWS

Socsksargen Chapter

          “Where can we, with our resources, skills and interests, most make a difference? “ Such is the question that keeps the Silliman University Alumni Association, SOCSKSARGEN Chapter focused and on track towards the path they have chosen to pursue with regard to making a difference in the community and in their own lives. Initially, association activities were confined to luncheons, meetings, and discussions among members. Today, the Chapter’s agenda include a spectrum of programs and activities of socio-civic and cultural interests.

          While university records show a listing of nearly a thousand alumni  from the region, only as little as 30 to 40 would show up for the yearly Founders Day celebratory functions. This was largely due to the wide geographical area the Chapter covered (the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City ), plus the insufficiency of contact addresses from the alumni listings.

          In an attempt to get the ‘missing’ alumni out in the open and active, the need for the Chapter to be more visible became apparent.  Aside from active campaigning for membership, the present members are currently working on placing tarp boards in strategic places in General Santos City, and in the long run, the whole Socsksargen area, advertising Silliman University’s academic programs, scholarships, as well as civic-oriented designs with the University and Chapters’ names printed alongside them.

          Remaining faithful to the values which inspired its Alma Mater’s founding, the Chapter this year chooses to focus on outreach activities. Last month saw the commencing of the drive for providing educational materials to public school teachers and pupils of chosen schools.

           Last July 12, 2008 a dental mission was held benefiting 320 children of the Datu Abdulbali Elementary School in Tinoto, Sarangani Province . Next month, the Chapter co-sponsors a blood-letting drive, along with the Gensan Rotarians and the Philippine National Red Cross.

          All this notwithstanding, the Chapter continues to further strengthen the relationships between fellow alumni with monthly dinner fellowship/meetings as well as beach outings and other forms of socialization which only serve to strengthen the sense of camaraderie which makes for long-lasting relationships and a stronger alumni chapter.

          The Chapter celebrated Founders Day with a dinner/fellowship in General Santos City on August 16, 2008 with Judge Peter V. Eisma as guest speaker. Judge Eisma is presently a Director of the SAAI representing Mindanao.  Its current officers are: Linda Bañas-Alvarez, president; Taqna Sumajit-Abella, vice-president for Sarangani Province; Rod Severino, vice-president for South Cotabato; Rosalie Abugan-Gregorio, vice-president for General Santos City; Rosalina Ampong, secretary; Judith Penpenia, treasurer; Michael Du, PIO; and, Ronnie Sechong and Joseph Saycon, business managers.

April 9, 2008 -- Socsksargen Chapter members welcoming the Silliman Marine Institute team led by Dr. Nida Calumpong in their recent trek to Balut Island. Fishing vessel used for the trip was courtesy of alumnus Roger Lim of Gensan.   July 12, 2008 -- Dental Mission at the Datu Abdulbali Elementary School, Maasim, Sarangani Province.     Mrs. Rebecca Magante, DSWD chairperson and Sillimanite, distributing toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc to some of the 320 beneficiaries.     Chapter officers distributing educational materials to the pupils of Chanco Primary School   Teachers & principal of the Bawing Elementary School rejoicing over the visual aids their pupils badly need.   At Brod Louie Resort & Spa, Summer, 2008   Chapter members with public officials and teachers of Tinoto, Maasim   Happy faces, happy hearts. Meet the Socsksargen Alumni Chapter. Taipans… BSBA graduates Roger Lim & Samuel Uy.