Magsingal Association of Hawaii (MAH) in Action

by Armi Oliver Farinas
(President, Magsingal Association of Hawaii, 2012-2016)

The Magsingal Association of Hawaii (MAH) thrives and strides to stay on track with its Goals and Objectives.  MAH continuously provides scholarships-full tuition, books, uniform and transportation allowance, to its eight (8) college scholars at the University of Northern Philippines, Vigan, Ilocos Sur,  and presently two scholars in Hawaii.  MAH performs Community Service – Feeds the Homeless, Adopt-a-Highway, supports Oahu Filipino Community Council (OFCC), its umbrella organization; and contribute “financial help” – donates to victims of calamities; and participates in many community initiatives and events.

MAH “reinforced” all the above goals because of the members and friends continuous support to MAH.  The efforts of ALL Mrs. Magsingal Queens and Royal Court, supported by the dancers, donors and ALL of members and friends made MAH successful.

MOA's Feeding of the Homeless 2014

by Darelle Lu-Revives

MOA recently hosted its annual Feeding of the Homeless at the St. Mary's Interfaith Dining Hall here in Stockton, CA with great success.

A total of 435 less fortunate people were served at this year's event. They enjoyed a Filipino lunch consisting of lechon, pancit, and lumpia which was supplied by MOA. Rice, green salad, and pastries were supplied by the facility.

We had a great turn out of volunteers this year. It was great to see familiar and new faces come out to help. I personally want to give a special mention to a birthday girl who chose to celebrate her birthday in the most selfless way, Marie Foronda. She volunteered her husband, Jimmy and kids, Jillian and Adam to help us out. Chicken shredding and lumpia frying were taken on by the family.

Magsingal Association of Southern California (MASC) 2014 Induction of Officers

by Jun Luczon

On behalf of MASC, I would like to convey my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to all who attended its 78th year anniversary and inaugural ball, as well as the picnic the following day.  I would also like to thank my fellow officers and members for making the event a very memorable one.  AGRIMAT MASC!

MOA's Annual Feeding of the Poor

by Darelle Panlasigui Lu

We have accomplished another successful project, our Annual Feeding of the Homeless/Poor at St. Mary's Interfaith Dining here in Stockton!

Thanks to our great team of 27 volunteers from our group alone, we were able to feed almost 400 of our less fortunate citizens a hearty lunch of some of our famous dishes, lechon, lumpia, and pancit.

Maas-asin Elementary School Wash Tube Project of the Rotary Club

by Leila Isaguirre Malamug

In front of the main building of the school

The Rotary Club of Magsingal North Ilocos Sur (RCMNIS), together with The Rotary Club of Vigan, went beyond their usual way to reach out to the residents of Barangay Maas-asin.  Maas-asin is one of the remote barrios of Magsingal, Ilocos Sur.  To reach the place, one has to cross a river and trek a hill.  Access to safe drinking water is a luxury to most residents of the area.  To help alleviate this problem, on July 17, 2012 the Rotarians went to install a Wash Tube at Maas-asin Elementary School.

Panay Global Association

by Rochelle Ursula Ugale Uganiza
(as published 3 years ago in MVP)

PGA meeting in the Philippines

The Panay Global Association (PGA) held its first biennial reunion in the Philippines in March 2007 in conjunction with the Panay Barangay Barrio Fiesta.  It was a time to rekindle our relationships with relatives and friends, and to reminisce of fond memories.  It was also decided to launch our fundraising project, the Popularity Contest for Mrs. Panay Global. This celebration gave us an opportunity to showcase our rich cultural heritage. The first night was Barangay Night, which was enjoyed by numerous balikbayans as well as the community.  The highlight of the occasion was the second night, the coronation of Her Majesty Queen, Joann Ugale Tabudlo (Oahu, Hawaii), 1st Princess Tina Ujano Sumabat (California), and 2nd Princess Edna Caro (Maui, Hawaii).  Everyone danced the night away to the melodious sounds performed by a popular combo.  The well-liked Zarzuela by Paat Dramatic Troupe from Balaleng, Bantay, Ilocos Sur performed on the third night.  Numerous spectators immensely enjoyed their presentation.  Basketball inter-sitio contest was also held in the afternoons.  The excitement was overwhelming.  It was a fiesta that will be remembered by all.

Ilocano Social Action and Vanguards of the Environment (iSAVE)

by Christopher Valmoja

iSAVE's LAKAD (Lingkod Alay sa Kalikasang Ating Dakila) at Napo Elementary School was held last October 28, 2011.  A tree planting activity was the highlight of the event with the members of iSAVE, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Parents Teachers Association.

The event was sponsored and organized by the iSAVErs of Magsingal headed by Charlemagne Ubilas with Mya Olivia Eischen, Kristine Usita and Madelyn Parbo of Paris France.

Find out more about what we do to help save the environment at http://www.cuadernoilocano.blogspot.com/

2 Community Groups joined forces to plant trees

by Lorna Udarbe Luczon

A joint effort between Sugponan SISA and Rotary Club of Magsingal North Ilocos Sur (RCMNIS) saw the planting of trees along the river bank in Pagsanaan Norte in Mgsingal.

The leaders and members of both organizations collaborated to initiate this program with the hope of creating a stronger 'green' consciousness among our townmates.

Sugponan SISA is a cooperative located at the old Magsingal convent which caters like a bank.  Members are mostly from Magsingal and nearby towns.

Awarding of VFI Scholarship Grants 2011

by Fel Gorospe

SCHOLAR JESSA

VGent Foundation, Inc. (VFI) Scholarship recipient, Ms. Jessamin Asegurado, awarded by (from left) Mrs. Zosima G. Friala, Magsingal Mayor Mrs. Arlene A. Favis, and Mr. Felicisimo P. Gorospe during VFI Scholarship Grants.

A good news for underprivileged but deserving students in Ilocos Sur.

Fifty-eight (58) high school and college students were recently awarded as VGent Foundation Scholars for the school year 2011-2012 in line with the 75th birthday celebration of VGent Group of Companies Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Felicisimo P. Gorospe, held at the VGent Foundation House, Barangay Miramar, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, on August 6, 2011.

Modern Adoption

by Fel Gorospe

Modern Adoption is a term coined by the VGent Group of Companies to depict its sustainability program and community development in its focused areas in Ilocos Sur (the northern region of the Philippines) by means of matching adult donors with student recipients formalized by a Modern Adoption Contract of Undertaking.

The youth is the best investment for the future in order to sustain growth and development. Adopt-A-Scholar program is VGent’s take on modern adoption where adopters (donors) are linked with adoptees (VGent scholars) throughout their academic lives supported by a monthly stipend with a platform of constant communication through the internet.

Macatcatud: In Focus

by Margie Umbay-Ochoa

Entrance to the barangay

Barangay Macat-catud of Magsingal, Ilocos Sur is a small village situated about 6 kilometers north-east of the town proper and is accessible by all kinds of land transportation, except during rainy season when the bare roads become muddy.  The source of income of the residents therein is agriculture:  rice production from August to November and Virginia tobacco farming from December to May. Those without lands to till are seasonal farm hands and find life hard as they could hardly make both ends meet.