THERE'S always a second chance for the Score Parent Golden Heart Association of Bacolod (Spaghab), an association established by three strong women -- Anita "Baby" Gonzales, Cecilia "Titong" Henarez and Wila Inventor Kushner -- to benefit families with members who have physical disabilities and mental disorders.
This association was formed in 1983 and was blessed with more than four-hectare lot located at Spaghab Rehabilitation Village in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City, wherein more or less 300 families were given the opportunity to own an 80-square-meter lot.
Kushner, one of the founders, came home to Bacolod City last January 21 to initiate a reorganization wherein a special election was held last February 3 upon the approval of the majority of the members.
Elected officers were Delilah Dalipe, president; Elmer Adenix, vice president; Joycen Reposo, secretary; Evangeline Mandantes, treasurer; Trinidad Geriane, business manager; Darwin Dailig, auditor; and Teodora Cachila, public information officer.
Kushner expressed her gratitude to God Almighty for allowing His grace to guide and protect the members as they went through the process.
"This was providential. God wants us to reorganize our association so that we can all move forward and serve our purpose of making each member happy and enjoy the blessing of having harmonious relationship with one another. We hope to live happily in this Village with the overflowing Grace of God. Let's unite for the greater good. I hope that the new leaders will perform responsibly and be role models to their members," she told the members.
Dalipe thanked the members for electing her and the rest of the officers and may "we all cooperate and help each other make our association strong and united."
She also thanked the past officers led by past president Ligaya Serrano for serving the association members.
Serrano happily bade goodbye to her leadership but committed to help the new officers in whatever way possible.
"I served you all for five years. It was very challenging. I did my best. But of course, there were problems along the way. People would normally forget the good things you have done for them. But sad to say, they were unforgetful of the little things that went wrong. But let those little wrongs bring us together again," she said.
Nancy Pastaño, former project officer of the Negros Rehabilitation Development Fund -- a Canadian International Development Agency which helped Spaghab in the past -- urged the officers and members to "let the Golden Heart be alive again. Let the healing process begins. The rebirth of Spaghab deserves a celebration."