THE Cooperative Union of Baguio City has been holding yesterday and today (July 23-24, 2016) one of the seminar-trainings it had scheduled for the benefit of primary cooperatives, especially its members, in Baguio City and adjoining areas. As explained by its active chair, Engr. Susan Angaga, the seminar is on financial management focused on risk management and credit management.
The fifty-eight represenatatives of sixty cooperatives that had confirmed their attendance registered on Day 1 and physically appeared at the Church of the Resurrection Function Hall. The attendance was attested by the secretariat headed by Sec. Jean Diaz with members Ofy Valencia, Carmenchu Colte and Buenaflor Jangayo.
Education concurrent chair Angie Gayados and Trainer Sally Abarquez emphasized that the seminar topic was approved upon the evaluation of the clamor of would-be participants at the close of the previous seminar-workshop on Cooperative Governance and Management, one of the three modules of 16 hours each mandated for compliance by the Coperative Development Authority as of November 2015 BOD Joseph del Rosario concurred adding that it was, therefore, much suited to the needs of “our primaries”.
Of the resource speakers invited, CPA Henson Eyeg was seen lecturing on his assigned topic as of this writing yesterday morning and afternoon.
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The high-profiled BSU Retirees Association celebrated its historic Fifth Anniversary celebration last July 12 (second Tuesday), 2016, with the theme “Sharing legacy of the wisdom nurtured through years of experience at BSU”. The venue was aptly the Gladiola Center at the main campus of Benguet State University at Km. 5, La Trinidad, the capital town of the province.
The scheduled time, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. was faithfully observed to forestall disruption of other activities for the day. Highlights of the celebration program included the taking of oath of membership by newly received members who had just retired from BSU, pledge of commitment by all the members present, and the oath of office by the newly elected members of the Board of Directors. The last one was of particularly significance to me because it can happen only once in one’s lifetime—Fifth Anniversary of the Organization and the mandated time for me to pass on the leadership baton to whoever would be designated as successor. It was really a privilege and honor to be with the competent founding members of the organization and be at very helm as president for the first five years of its existence. Thank you, first BOD Chairman Frank Bawang, for your inputted ideas that we carried on after your departure to the other life some four years ago. Taking over after you was our then Vice Chair Esther Hufana and, after her, after an election, was Comadre Carol Dimas.
The new set of BOD members now are Silvestre l. Kudan as Chairman; members Ramon M, Bocalan, Mildred P. Alo-o, Jane K. Avila, Philip P. Bandaay and Marcos A. Buliyat and Frank A. Pagnas. Appointed officers were Lorenzana “Lory” G. Lirio as Secretary; Adelina C. Degsi, assistant sec.; Edna A, Chua, Treasurer; Ester T. Fianza, assistant treasurer.
Dr. Feliciano T. Calora, Jr., was invited to give his much expected message as new president of Benguet State University, which is at the same time the mandated Regional University of The Cordillera Administrative Region. He greeted everybody as either his former college mentor or co-mentor then expressed his sincere preference to be called by them, just like before, as Jofel. The audience reacted graciously in acquiescence but knowing fully well that occasions dictate appropriate protocols.
Among the important matters that he said, speaker “Jofel” requested the BSU retirees for individual literary or photographic contributions to the forthcoming centennial book, a sort of history of accomplishments in their respective stints while in active service at BSU . Pictures with identifying remarks, including the humorous, he emphasized, would be much welcome. Being fond of valuable memorabilia herself, paramount leading lady retiree Lota Lubrica joyously seconded the reminder. She expressed her ardent hope to me that all BSU retirees will come across the information in “your [Sun*Star] column”.
The BSU-RA Hymn and the Thanksgiving Song ended Part I of the program.
“These two songs, both composed by outgoing President Benny M. Balweg, will be sung in the monthly meetings of BSURA as well as its other proper affairs,” incoming President Jane K. Avila, hastily announced before the coming of a sumptuous lunch. And, though not included in the printed program, recollection of and prayers for sick members, like ever-helpful Fred Labi program ice-breaker Ms. Fabro, as well those who are gone to their eternal rest, like, very recently, Pare Albert Dimas, were well in our mind. Finally, all who helped to make the unrepeatable affair successful and memorable have their names etched in the recesses of our grateful hearts and documented in the beautiful program sheets prepared by our indomitable secretariat led by Jane, Edna and Mildred. But most of all, to God be the glory!