Bayani Association inducts new officers

A Filipino organization inducted their new set of officers and board of directors for this year.

In a gathering, the officers and board officials were sworn in at the Hibiscus Hall of Fiesta Resort and Spa last Saturday.

This year, Nelida B. Atalig will be serving as the association’s president.

“It is indeed a great honor to be elected as president of this great organization. I am deeply moved and thankful for the confidence you have shown me,” Atalig said in her acceptance speech.

“I ask for your total support, maximum cooperation, and please do bring a wealth of experience, talent, and passionate service to our people. We need them as well as they need us,” she added.

Atalig also paid tribute to outgoing president Mario Mayuga.

“Mr. Mayuga has done an outstanding job on behalf of each of us…We all owe him a huge debt of gratitude. It is impossible to convey the enormity of the task he has performed and often in very trying circumstances,” Atalig said.

In his prior remarks, Mayuga enumerated the achievements and projects the association has accomplished this year including their successful fundraising anniversary event, Queen of the World pageant. Through this they were able to fund many initiatives such as the donations made to the Office on Aging and Dandan Middle School.

They were also able to help with the distribution of relief goods after Typhoon Soudelor and helped out with the United Filipino Organization’s and the Philippine honorary consul’s projects and events.

Elected vice president is Joel Vallega. For secretary, Cherry Beth Casilla will be serving the organization, while Leonila Mendoza will serve as the assistant. Ladyvir Canape is this year’s treasurer, and Sam Justo will be the assistant treasurer.

As for public relations officer, Beth Gonzales will serve this year. Auditor will be Marie Paz Meister and the marshalls are Emil Garra, Jojo Soto, and Jimmy de Peralta.

This year’s board of directors is headed by chair Bok Enano and secretary Olive Yana. Members are Evelyn Deazata, Flor Miranda, Lolly Velasco, Ronald de Ramos, Mayuga, and Atalig.

Philippine honorary consul Glicerio “Eli” Arago presided over the swearing in of the officers and commended the association for their continued support for the office.

“I am truly proud of Bayani Association for its continued partnership with the consul’s office….let us continue the partnership, let us sustain the strong bond that we have and let us strive for a better future,” Arago said in his inspirational message.

United Filipino Organization president Bong Malasarte also called for unity with all the organizations and its members and said that everyone can be good leaders, especially if they have become good followers.

UFO is an umbrella organization of Filipino groups on Saipan.

New officers of the Bayani Association headed by its new president Nelida Atalig were sworn in during their induction ceremonies at the Fiesta Resort last Saturday.