The President's Report on the 2010 Centennial
Here is a general but brief report from my perspective arranged in chronological order.
Dec. 19, 2010- ANDRING LADI’S RESIDENCE MEETING
Bert, Fred and I arrived a bit late for the lunch. The ever charming hosts of the meeting, Andring and his wife Lina, Tina and Brian, fully cognizant of the scholars’ health and nutritional needs had them and all the numerous guests eat their lunch before we arrived. There were lots of people. Andring, the ever smiling host, took care of everybody’s needs. The Field Team was also there along with our scholars and their parents. We brought along with us four kilos of “pinugpugan vaca” which served as our “pulutan,” (finger food) and four cases of beer.
Presiding at the meeting, I was assisted by Andring and Tina. We went over all the planned SAS Ai centennial activities starting with the giveaways, the picnic, and the community ball. We went over procedures, tasks, steps and the expected roles to be played by all participants which included the scholars and their parents.
I spoke directly to the scholars and their parents about grade requirements, exhorting everybody to be knowledgeable and aware of it, stressing the point, importance and the need to maintain the grades to ensure the continuance of the scholarship award for the subsequent years. I told the senior high school scholars and those that are smarter students to assist their peers so that they can maintain their own scholarship grade standards. I followed up on this matter with the parents of our two scholars who slipped in their grades a bit below our 85% overall grade expectations. I told the parents that they need to help their children attain that grade average requirement, seek help, advice and assistance from the Field Team. I also told the parents that I would be the most heartbroken person if we were to lose any of our scholars due to grade standard failure.
After a few minutes I turned the meeting over to Andring and Tina. Thereafter, we addressed such pressing matters as the street dancing uniforms, additional plates, spoons, knives, etc. The Field Team took charge disseminating the minute details of what was expected from the scholars and their parents. Judging from the results of the activities, Albert, Louella and Alelimae did a wonderfully terrific job. Beverages flowed and the parents of the scholars, after imbibing a glass or two became more relaxed and at ease. They dropped their inhibitions, and unlike in earlier meetings where they remained cautious and guarded, this time they assimilated well with the other members of SAS Ai. They felt so at ease they behaved one with us. A question coming from the parents that stuck to my mind was, “Will we get compensated?” To which I replied, “Do your assignments first and let me see what I can do.”
Dec. 20, 2010 TRIP TO THE MUNICIPIO
We returned to Tagudin (I was based in San Juan, La Union at Fred’s place) to address and resolve some small procedural and administrative matters relative to the location where to set up the KIOSK. Ms Maria Theresa Laranang, Municipal Administrator, was very kind, nice and accommodating, attending to our request and addressing them. We paid the necessary fee for the Mayor’s permit for the KIOSK and the rental fees for the tables and chairs. We also visited the caterer for the band and paid the remaining balance for the food. Later, we picked up the remaining stash of stationery and leftover school supplies at Vicky Chua’s place of business and delivered it to Louella and AleliMae thus officially transferring custody.
Dec. 21, 2010 – THE FIRST KIOSK GIVEAWAY DAY
Bright and early we had the KIOSK all set up with the signs, tables and chairs. Noel Bayan and his work crew with the help of Crismon Cuaresma (brother of Louella and AleliMae) provided all the muscle for the work putting up the KIOSK, banners and signs. Louella and AleliMae handled the actual souvenir giveaways and raffle registrations with the help of our volunteer corps - the scholars and their parents. Our first day operating the KIOSK and Information Booth was a learning process for all of us. While the crew was putting up the KIOSK, the Field Team, Andring, Bert and I made a courtesy call to the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Town Council and the Chief of Police. We handed out collared sport shirts and ball invitations to the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Chief of Police, and their wives. To the Consejales and we handed SAS Ai baseball caps and invitations to our Centennial Ball. After we returned to the KIOSK, we paid a courtesy call on Sister Connie. We gave her a SAS Ai collared sport shirt and a ball invitation.
In the beginning, the crowd was sparse and acted rather skeptical. Who wouldn’t be skeptical? After all, who in their right mind would give away free pens, free bags, free caps, free mugs and shirts? Their skepticism didn’t last long. After they saw that the give-aways were for real, all their doubts vanished into thin air. Thus liberated they charged upon the KIOSK in droves, a throng of newly converted believers wanting to participate in the free give-aways. As more and more witnessed the free give-aways for real, the crowds became hordes and legions. On that first day of operation we opened the KIOSK at 10:00 AM, closed for lunch, opened again at 2:00 PM and closed for the day at 4:00 P.M. The 12 scholars’ parents worked in shifts, three at a time, and if I may add, they were fantastic. They became very pro-active and professional in their dealings. Our scholars, during their free time from school also came to lend a hand. All the volunteers and the Field Team ate lunch together. We used the lunch hour to review the morning’s events. All the parents who worked the shifts were given monetary stipends.
Tina and Brian, Andring and his wife Lina, and Hely Somera, our newest Field Team member, were around providing assistance and guidance on that first day.
Dec. 22, 2010- THE SECOND KIOSK GIVEAWAY DAY
Apparently the word about the KIOSK got around. Before we could even open on the second day there were long lines of people already forming. They wanted to register for the raffle. The way we had it working was, for you to draw a ping pong ball to get your free souvenir giveaway, you must register for the raffle. That process worked fine in ensuring that giveaway recipients were adults. Due to the long lines in the morning and also in the afternoon, we revised our opening time from 10:00 AM to 9:15 AM, and our afternoon time of 2:00 PM to 1:30 PM and finally closing for the day at 4:30 PM instead and assistance. By this time the giveaway crew had grown very proficient in the giveaway process. We were so confident that they would handle the job that we, the “boys” left and had our own lunch version, while the Field Team and the volunteers had their own lunch. To see all and attend to those crowds lining up for the giveaways on the second day, though very inspiring, was very hectic and tiring for our volunteers that I was only more than happy when approached to pay for merienda of soda and hamburgers.
Melanie, our Sales & Marketing Director, printed 2000 raffle tickets, and all were given out during the 2-day KIOSK souvenir giveaway.
Dec. 23, 2010 –THE SAS Ai FREE COMMUNITY PICNIC DAY
I must extend my most profound admiration to Andring and his wife Lina, Tina and Brian and the Barangay Authorities of Farola-Dardarat. The picnic preparation was in and of itself something to marvel at. No one could have done a better job preparing for the picnic. Food was plentiful and all the accompanying necessities were there. All the bases were covered and not a fault or flaw could be found. It was a well planned, well designed and well executed. Indeed it was a most successful picnic. The food distribution went like clockwork and orderly. There were no snags or traffic jams. The crowd remained highly disciplined and there was not an incidence of pushing or shoving or cutting in line. Tina was in charge of the traffic flow and the smooth distribution of food. People came back for seconds – even thirds and had their fill. They ate sitting on rocks, sitting on the sidewalk, underneath the mango trees and coconuts. The children came in droves and they all were fed. There was so much leftover food that the volunteers, crew and others doggie bagged them. Judging from the remaining unused plates, (I am estimating), we provided food to between 1200 to 1350 picnickers. We prepared and were ready to feed 2000 picnic participants.
I brought calding kilawen (we slaughtered four) but sensing at the last moment that it wouldn’t be enough for that size of a crowd, we decided to serve it only to the volunteers, scholars and their parents and other selected guests.
Andring brought some native libation (sugarcane basi - the for export commercial type in fancy bottles) and I brought three cases of beer, frothy and unchilled, provided the much needed supplemental beverage for the men folk. Larry Valdez of Seaside Park dropped by with some of his friends. Later on that day after the picnic, we continued the merriment at Seaside Park with Larry, doing the Karaoke and Videoke while we imbibed two more cases of well-chilled beer and ale.
Dec. 27, 2010 – THE SAS Ai COMMUNITY BALL
From San Juan, La Union, Manang Nora, Peter, Bert, Fred and I headed for Tagudin at around 3:30 PM. Peter and Nora were staying at a Beach Resort in San Juan, La Union close to Fred’s. We went to the auditorium for a cursory look-see at 5:25 PM. Albert was already there busy directing the placements of the tables and chairs. We rolled up our sleeves and pitched in. The stage decoration was starting when the Plectrum Band arrived. As they began to set up their gear, Linda Rapanut, the band manager, approached me and requested for some gas money explaining that they had to add another carload to accommodate additional dancers. Done helping with the table and chair set-up, we went back to get dressed for the ball. Louella and Mae were so worried about the table covers as well as the traditional audience giveaways (drinks and munchies) that I felt I had no choice but to approve the expenditures.
At around 7:50 PM we headed for the auditorium. The scholars and parents were already there ready to discharge their given assignments. I was bent on starting the program on time (to show the audience the value of promptness). The program MC Leonard started it at around 8:15 PM with Sister Connie’s invocation. Although the Mayor was not there (he was hosting a Batch 1977 dinner at his house), Vice Mayor Rogelio Lorenzana was on hand to give the evening address. There were at least 21 SAS batches that I could count with one batch (1970) from the public high school.
The evening festivities went on with only one minor hitch. Quite a few of the raffle winners were not present to claim their prize. We found out later that they were mostly folks from the far flung barangays. We surmised that the title of our event “Centennial Ball” may have spooked many of them from attending thinking that it was a formal affair with the attendant formal wear in order to be admitted into the auditorium. In fact there were many people who were peeping through the open spaces but were reluctant to come in when we invited them. But all was not lost. Brian and Andring came up with some solutions and thereafter things went on smoothly. Leonard and Melanie were superb hosts. The Plectrum Band was terrific and the Field Team did a very excellent job.
Some surprises of the evening:
· Gifts for the scholars from an anonymous donor.
· One additional raffle prize from the Macartney’s
· Christmas gifts from the Sprengers to the scholars
· Christmas gifts from SAS Ai President to the scholars’ parents
The Community Ball ended at 1:30 AM
CONCLUDING REMARKS
May I just add my deep appreciation to everybody who made our centennial endeavors a rousing success. There were a lot of things that I learned from this special celebration. For example, the scholars and their parents are a very reliable group. When it comes to food preparation, leave it to Andring and when it comes to crowd control, Tina is superb.
The Field Team had their heart set into these activities as evidenced by their tightly choreographed execution. They did a very excellent job that insured a successful outcome. I did not ask Peter to help in the table arrangement; he volunteered. And lastly, there were times that I stubbornly exercised my presidential budgetary prerogative maybe to the point of emotionally hurting some people. For that I sincerely apologize. In hindsight, it was totally uncalled for and I should have not reacted the way I did. I am truly sorry.
We must congratulate ourselves for a job well done and the successful results from our Centennial Activities. Tagudin knows SAS Ai. Other organizations are very envious, and like what Vice Mayor Rogelio said in his greetings, echoing what Mayor Jun said in his speech during our scholars’ presentation in May 2010, “SAS Ai has become the epitome of what a civic, charitable non-profit organization should be.”
Now a new task is again at hand. Fortunately, we already have pretty good experience in this area. It is the upcoming school year beginning in 2011, and the processing of our 2011 scholarship applications. The Field Team needs all the support they can get from us. At least at the start, BOT Tina and her sister Pat will be around to provide some assistance to our Field Team. Thank you very much and to the officers and members of SAS Ai, and especially the Field Team, 2010 was a very good year. God Bless us all.
Dec. 19, 2010- ANDRING LADI’S RESIDENCE MEETING
Bert, Fred and I arrived a bit late for the lunch. The ever charming hosts of the meeting, Andring and his wife Lina, Tina and Brian, fully cognizant of the scholars’ health and nutritional needs had them and all the numerous guests eat their lunch before we arrived. There were lots of people. Andring, the ever smiling host, took care of everybody’s needs. The Field Team was also there along with our scholars and their parents. We brought along with us four kilos of “pinugpugan vaca” which served as our “pulutan,” (finger food) and four cases of beer.
Presiding at the meeting, I was assisted by Andring and Tina. We went over all the planned SAS Ai centennial activities starting with the giveaways, the picnic, and the community ball. We went over procedures, tasks, steps and the expected roles to be played by all participants which included the scholars and their parents.
I spoke directly to the scholars and their parents about grade requirements, exhorting everybody to be knowledgeable and aware of it, stressing the point, importance and the need to maintain the grades to ensure the continuance of the scholarship award for the subsequent years. I told the senior high school scholars and those that are smarter students to assist their peers so that they can maintain their own scholarship grade standards. I followed up on this matter with the parents of our two scholars who slipped in their grades a bit below our 85% overall grade expectations. I told the parents that they need to help their children attain that grade average requirement, seek help, advice and assistance from the Field Team. I also told the parents that I would be the most heartbroken person if we were to lose any of our scholars due to grade standard failure.
After a few minutes I turned the meeting over to Andring and Tina. Thereafter, we addressed such pressing matters as the street dancing uniforms, additional plates, spoons, knives, etc. The Field Team took charge disseminating the minute details of what was expected from the scholars and their parents. Judging from the results of the activities, Albert, Louella and Alelimae did a wonderfully terrific job. Beverages flowed and the parents of the scholars, after imbibing a glass or two became more relaxed and at ease. They dropped their inhibitions, and unlike in earlier meetings where they remained cautious and guarded, this time they assimilated well with the other members of SAS Ai. They felt so at ease they behaved one with us. A question coming from the parents that stuck to my mind was, “Will we get compensated?” To which I replied, “Do your assignments first and let me see what I can do.”
Dec. 20, 2010 TRIP TO THE MUNICIPIO
We returned to Tagudin (I was based in San Juan, La Union at Fred’s place) to address and resolve some small procedural and administrative matters relative to the location where to set up the KIOSK. Ms Maria Theresa Laranang, Municipal Administrator, was very kind, nice and accommodating, attending to our request and addressing them. We paid the necessary fee for the Mayor’s permit for the KIOSK and the rental fees for the tables and chairs. We also visited the caterer for the band and paid the remaining balance for the food. Later, we picked up the remaining stash of stationery and leftover school supplies at Vicky Chua’s place of business and delivered it to Louella and AleliMae thus officially transferring custody.
Dec. 21, 2010 – THE FIRST KIOSK GIVEAWAY DAY
Bright and early we had the KIOSK all set up with the signs, tables and chairs. Noel Bayan and his work crew with the help of Crismon Cuaresma (brother of Louella and AleliMae) provided all the muscle for the work putting up the KIOSK, banners and signs. Louella and AleliMae handled the actual souvenir giveaways and raffle registrations with the help of our volunteer corps - the scholars and their parents. Our first day operating the KIOSK and Information Booth was a learning process for all of us. While the crew was putting up the KIOSK, the Field Team, Andring, Bert and I made a courtesy call to the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Town Council and the Chief of Police. We handed out collared sport shirts and ball invitations to the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Chief of Police, and their wives. To the Consejales and we handed SAS Ai baseball caps and invitations to our Centennial Ball. After we returned to the KIOSK, we paid a courtesy call on Sister Connie. We gave her a SAS Ai collared sport shirt and a ball invitation.
In the beginning, the crowd was sparse and acted rather skeptical. Who wouldn’t be skeptical? After all, who in their right mind would give away free pens, free bags, free caps, free mugs and shirts? Their skepticism didn’t last long. After they saw that the give-aways were for real, all their doubts vanished into thin air. Thus liberated they charged upon the KIOSK in droves, a throng of newly converted believers wanting to participate in the free give-aways. As more and more witnessed the free give-aways for real, the crowds became hordes and legions. On that first day of operation we opened the KIOSK at 10:00 AM, closed for lunch, opened again at 2:00 PM and closed for the day at 4:00 P.M. The 12 scholars’ parents worked in shifts, three at a time, and if I may add, they were fantastic. They became very pro-active and professional in their dealings. Our scholars, during their free time from school also came to lend a hand. All the volunteers and the Field Team ate lunch together. We used the lunch hour to review the morning’s events. All the parents who worked the shifts were given monetary stipends.
Tina and Brian, Andring and his wife Lina, and Hely Somera, our newest Field Team member, were around providing assistance and guidance on that first day.
Dec. 22, 2010- THE SECOND KIOSK GIVEAWAY DAY
Apparently the word about the KIOSK got around. Before we could even open on the second day there were long lines of people already forming. They wanted to register for the raffle. The way we had it working was, for you to draw a ping pong ball to get your free souvenir giveaway, you must register for the raffle. That process worked fine in ensuring that giveaway recipients were adults. Due to the long lines in the morning and also in the afternoon, we revised our opening time from 10:00 AM to 9:15 AM, and our afternoon time of 2:00 PM to 1:30 PM and finally closing for the day at 4:30 PM instead and assistance. By this time the giveaway crew had grown very proficient in the giveaway process. We were so confident that they would handle the job that we, the “boys” left and had our own lunch version, while the Field Team and the volunteers had their own lunch. To see all and attend to those crowds lining up for the giveaways on the second day, though very inspiring, was very hectic and tiring for our volunteers that I was only more than happy when approached to pay for merienda of soda and hamburgers.
Melanie, our Sales & Marketing Director, printed 2000 raffle tickets, and all were given out during the 2-day KIOSK souvenir giveaway.
Dec. 23, 2010 –THE SAS Ai FREE COMMUNITY PICNIC DAY
I must extend my most profound admiration to Andring and his wife Lina, Tina and Brian and the Barangay Authorities of Farola-Dardarat. The picnic preparation was in and of itself something to marvel at. No one could have done a better job preparing for the picnic. Food was plentiful and all the accompanying necessities were there. All the bases were covered and not a fault or flaw could be found. It was a well planned, well designed and well executed. Indeed it was a most successful picnic. The food distribution went like clockwork and orderly. There were no snags or traffic jams. The crowd remained highly disciplined and there was not an incidence of pushing or shoving or cutting in line. Tina was in charge of the traffic flow and the smooth distribution of food. People came back for seconds – even thirds and had their fill. They ate sitting on rocks, sitting on the sidewalk, underneath the mango trees and coconuts. The children came in droves and they all were fed. There was so much leftover food that the volunteers, crew and others doggie bagged them. Judging from the remaining unused plates, (I am estimating), we provided food to between 1200 to 1350 picnickers. We prepared and were ready to feed 2000 picnic participants.
I brought calding kilawen (we slaughtered four) but sensing at the last moment that it wouldn’t be enough for that size of a crowd, we decided to serve it only to the volunteers, scholars and their parents and other selected guests.
Andring brought some native libation (sugarcane basi - the for export commercial type in fancy bottles) and I brought three cases of beer, frothy and unchilled, provided the much needed supplemental beverage for the men folk. Larry Valdez of Seaside Park dropped by with some of his friends. Later on that day after the picnic, we continued the merriment at Seaside Park with Larry, doing the Karaoke and Videoke while we imbibed two more cases of well-chilled beer and ale.
Dec. 27, 2010 – THE SAS Ai COMMUNITY BALL
From San Juan, La Union, Manang Nora, Peter, Bert, Fred and I headed for Tagudin at around 3:30 PM. Peter and Nora were staying at a Beach Resort in San Juan, La Union close to Fred’s. We went to the auditorium for a cursory look-see at 5:25 PM. Albert was already there busy directing the placements of the tables and chairs. We rolled up our sleeves and pitched in. The stage decoration was starting when the Plectrum Band arrived. As they began to set up their gear, Linda Rapanut, the band manager, approached me and requested for some gas money explaining that they had to add another carload to accommodate additional dancers. Done helping with the table and chair set-up, we went back to get dressed for the ball. Louella and Mae were so worried about the table covers as well as the traditional audience giveaways (drinks and munchies) that I felt I had no choice but to approve the expenditures.
At around 7:50 PM we headed for the auditorium. The scholars and parents were already there ready to discharge their given assignments. I was bent on starting the program on time (to show the audience the value of promptness). The program MC Leonard started it at around 8:15 PM with Sister Connie’s invocation. Although the Mayor was not there (he was hosting a Batch 1977 dinner at his house), Vice Mayor Rogelio Lorenzana was on hand to give the evening address. There were at least 21 SAS batches that I could count with one batch (1970) from the public high school.
The evening festivities went on with only one minor hitch. Quite a few of the raffle winners were not present to claim their prize. We found out later that they were mostly folks from the far flung barangays. We surmised that the title of our event “Centennial Ball” may have spooked many of them from attending thinking that it was a formal affair with the attendant formal wear in order to be admitted into the auditorium. In fact there were many people who were peeping through the open spaces but were reluctant to come in when we invited them. But all was not lost. Brian and Andring came up with some solutions and thereafter things went on smoothly. Leonard and Melanie were superb hosts. The Plectrum Band was terrific and the Field Team did a very excellent job.
Some surprises of the evening:
· Gifts for the scholars from an anonymous donor.
· One additional raffle prize from the Macartney’s
· Christmas gifts from the Sprengers to the scholars
· Christmas gifts from SAS Ai President to the scholars’ parents
The Community Ball ended at 1:30 AM
CONCLUDING REMARKS
May I just add my deep appreciation to everybody who made our centennial endeavors a rousing success. There were a lot of things that I learned from this special celebration. For example, the scholars and their parents are a very reliable group. When it comes to food preparation, leave it to Andring and when it comes to crowd control, Tina is superb.
The Field Team had their heart set into these activities as evidenced by their tightly choreographed execution. They did a very excellent job that insured a successful outcome. I did not ask Peter to help in the table arrangement; he volunteered. And lastly, there were times that I stubbornly exercised my presidential budgetary prerogative maybe to the point of emotionally hurting some people. For that I sincerely apologize. In hindsight, it was totally uncalled for and I should have not reacted the way I did. I am truly sorry.
We must congratulate ourselves for a job well done and the successful results from our Centennial Activities. Tagudin knows SAS Ai. Other organizations are very envious, and like what Vice Mayor Rogelio said in his greetings, echoing what Mayor Jun said in his speech during our scholars’ presentation in May 2010, “SAS Ai has become the epitome of what a civic, charitable non-profit organization should be.”
Now a new task is again at hand. Fortunately, we already have pretty good experience in this area. It is the upcoming school year beginning in 2011, and the processing of our 2011 scholarship applications. The Field Team needs all the support they can get from us. At least at the start, BOT Tina and her sister Pat will be around to provide some assistance to our Field Team. Thank you very much and to the officers and members of SAS Ai, and especially the Field Team, 2010 was a very good year. God Bless us all.
