ABOUT US

HOW IT STARTED

AIMING TO BRING BOSCONIANS TOGETHER

CHANGING TIMES

In 1991, the group expanded in coverage and was renamed Don Bosco Philippines Alumni Association of Southern California with Manuel Almalel (Pampanga 1964) as president. The objective of the group was, therefore, to bring all Philippine Bosconians together in the United States.

In May 29, 1993, at a pot-luck lunch-meeting at the Mission Bay Park in San Diego, CA, with the support of the Bosconians from Los Angeles, the Don Bosco (Phils.) Alumni Association of Southern California - San Diego Chapter was organized. The interim officers were Emelito Ong - President (Makati 1968), Rolly Gonzales (Makati 1962), Bert Tungcab (Mandaluyong 1968), David Laxa and Pat dela Cruz (Makati 1968). Mandaluyong past teacher Cesar Belleza was also present. But, time and commitment were missing among the members and the San Diego Chapter met a natural death.

The members came from different Don Bosco schools in the Philippines - Mandaluyong, Makati, Pampanga, Tarlac, Cebu and Victorias. Socials, brought back fond memories. The natural bonding of Don Bosco schoolmates and getting to know each other's families were the usual agenda of the meetings.

Every two years, a new set of officers were elected. Joey Quinto (Makati 1979), Eddiemar Tosino (Mandaluyong 1970), Rolando Tuason (Mandaluyong 1972), Domingo Ibe (Mandaluyong 1960) were among the past presidents of the organization. They contributed greatly to the current success of the organization here in the United States.

EDUCATING POOR, NEEDY, AND DESERVING CHILDREN

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

In 1996, the efforts of the group to sponsor the education of a Don Bosco student in the Philippines came to fruition with their first recipient, Ronald Tunzon, of a scholarship grant through the Fr. Quaranta Foundation. From hence, the association had made their yearly event, such as the Annual Dinner and Dance, to raise funds for this end - to educate poor, needy, and deserving children.

Keeping our pledge did not come very easy. Finances were a great concern of the organization.

The Annual Dinner-Dance was only the main source of funds aside from personal contributions of DBPAA officers and members of the Board of Directors. Domingo Ibe's introduction of the first Silent Auction during the Dinner-Dance gathering of 1999 was a great success. It garnered the highest receipts during a single event for the organization.

In 2001, the association was revitalized and reinforced with new and young members. With them came new technologies, talents and ideas, which brought the organization to their next level of successes.

BRINGING BOSCONIANS TOGETHER

In the year 2003, the association had the following officers:

President:

• Rene F. Ramos (Mandaluyong 1968)

Spiritual Director:

• Fr. Ramon Zarate, SDB (Pampanga 1978)

Director Ladies Auxiliary Corps

• Beth Bustamante

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

To this day, the association has accomplished the following:

• Official logo of the organization was established for easy identification.  Ronald Ballesteros (Mandaluyong 1985) was instrumental on this design.
• Mission Statement, simply stated: "BRINGING BOSCONIANS TOGETHER". Short, and easy to remember. It supports the basic objective of the organization, which is simply, togetherness.
• Other fund-raising activities to support the educational programs were introduced, such as garage sales, "Pennies from Bosconians" and many more.  All designed to help bring more Bosconians together to help each other and our beneficiaries.
• Regular meetings and activities such as Disco Bosco Day in January (St. John Bosco's Feast Day), and Annual Camping and "Picnic ng Bosconians" in July.
• Electronic mail and groups were utilized to easily disseminate information and reach more Bosconians in North America. The Yahoo! Group has been established by Jiffy Francisco (Mandaluyong 1978).
• The website, which was first established by Mario Santos (Mandaluyong 1968), has now its own domain names, which are http://www.boscotogether.com, http://www.boscotogether.net, and http://www.boscotogether.us .

• Official meeting venue has been the St. Dominic Savio Church in Bellflower, CA.  Fr. Gael Sullivan, SDB (then the pastor of the church), and his staff welcomed us.  This brought our members closer spiritually especially since our meetings are scheduled right after the 11 AM Mass, in which the group volunteer as ushers, every third Sunday of the month.

• Our Spiritual Director, Fr. Ramon Zarate, SDB, our Business Adviser, Chito Pabalan (Past Teacher 1996), and DBPAA Auxiliary / Ladies Corps Director, Beth Bustamante (wife of Bots Bustamante) support our organization.
• The association contributed on December 2002 to the Dominic Savio Scholarship Foundation, Inc., in the Philippines, as our annual pledge to sponsor the education of poor, needy, but deserving students in the Philippines.  The beneficiaries were three students to a supervised MSTC (a 15 month program) at Don Bosco Technical College in Mandaluyong, Philippines.  DBPAA of Southern California changed its position versus a college education.  The group's consensus was that they could do more good, helping more students yearly and making them productive after the 15-month course is completed.  It was agreed unanimously and our lifetime commitment began.

 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION REGISTRATION

In January 2003, the association applied for a non-profit organization status under the name - Don Bosco Philippines Alumni Association (DBPAA) of North America, which was created with the help of Art Salazar (Victorias 1980).  This was done to maximize our ability to generate funds for our scholarship programs and activities.

Some notable members participated in Filipino Gatherings, such as the Philippine Independence Celebration in Los Angeles last June 2003, which was coordinated by Louie Macapinlac (Tarlac 1978).  The association joined other organizations in the Philippine Independence Day Parade as represented by Francesca Ramos, daughter of Gerry Ramos, Jr. (Mandaluyong 1974).

The Annual Dinner and Dance entitled, "Bosconians Together 2003", brought in more members to the organization.  This event was held at the Radisson Hotel in Los Angeles, last August 9, 2003.  It was a successful endeavor and  generated a considerate amount of funds to support our educational programs.

THE 2005-2007 OFFICERS

In the year 2005, the association had the following officers:

President:

• Cesar Lampino (Mandaluyong 1963)

Vice Presidents:

• Edgar Nuval (Mandaluyong 1965) - Community & Special Events
• Edmund Narrido (Mandaluyong 1978) - Communications
• Max Dungao (Mandaluyong 1968) - Membership
• Albert Arcebal (Mandaluyong 1968) - External Affairs

Secretary General:

• Ian Anthony Tolod (Makati 1990)

Treasurer:

• Wilfredo Paras (Makati 1969)

Asst. Treasurer:

• Rodolfo Aquino, Jr. (Makati 1969)

Auditor:

• Maury Agoncillo (Mandaluyong 1968)

Special Assistant to the President:

• Rene F. Ramos (Mandaluyong 1968)

Board of Directors:

• Mario Santos (Mandaluyong 1968) - Chairman
• Gerry Tarnate (Mandaluyong 1964) - Vice-Chairman
• Bots Bustamante (Makati 1962)
• Edgar Magno (Mandaluyong 1966)
• Gerry Ramos (Mandaluyong 1971)
• Joel Cariño (Mandaluyong 1971)
• Emelito Ong (Makati 1968)
• Jerry Reyes (Mandaluyong 1980)
• Normandy Castillo (Mandaluyong 1980)
• Ernani Pangilinan (Mandaluyong 1968)
• Arville Rivada (Makati 1979)
• Richard Labayen (Victorias 1979)
• Raoul Pascual (Mandaluyong 1974)
• Carlo Sunglao (Makati 1983)
• Willie Maloles (Makati 1968)
• Joey Quinto (Makati 1979)
• Albert Tungcab (Mandaluyong 1968)

Spritual Director:

• Fr. Gael Sullivan, SDB

Director of Ladies Auxiliary Corps

• Lourdes F. Lampino

THE DINNER AND DANCE EVENT OF 2005

The Dinner Dance that happened on August 27, 2005, Bosconians Together 2005, was a resounding success. It was held in Knott's Berry Farm Hotel, Buena Park, California. The new officers of the organization were inducted. The five DBPAA NA Scholars were introduced.

THE PRESENT SET OF OFFICERS

In the year 2007, the new set of officers are:

President:

• Wilfredo C. Paras (Makati 1969)

Vice Presidents:

• Edgardo Magno (Mandaluyong 1966) - Executive Vice President
• Edmund Narrido (Mandaluyong 1978) - Communications
• Gerardo Tarnate (Mandaluyong 1964) - Community & Special Events
• Max Antonio Dungao (Mandaluyong 1968) - Membership
• Nestor Cipriano, Jr. (Mandaluyong 1978) - External/Internal Affairs
• Mario Santos (Mandaluyong 1968) - Finance
• Rodolfo Aquino (Makati 1969) - AVP for Finance
• Nelson Urbano (Mandaluyong 1971) - Audit
• Emmanuel Pineda (Mandaluyong 1970) - AVP for Audit

Special Assistant to the President:

• Rene F. Ramos (Mandaluyong 1968)

Board of Directors:

• Cesar E. Lampino (Mandaluyong 1963) - Chairman
• Rene Ramirez (Mandaluyong 1968) - Vice-Chairman
• Amaury Agoncillo (Mandaluyong 1968)
• Albert Arcebal (Mandaluyong 1968)
• Aurelio Alvero, Jr. (Makati 1974)
• Bots Bustamante (Makati 1962)
• Caloy Buzon (Mandaluyong 1968)
• Richard Labayen (Victorias 1979)
• Emelito Ong (Makati 1968)
• Andy Padilla (Mandaluyong 1977)
• +Oscar Dris, Jr. (Mandaluyong 1971)
• Joey Quinto (Makati 1979)
• Arville Rivada (Makati 1979)
• Carlo Sunglao (Makati 1983)
• Albert Tungcab (Mandaluyong 1968)

Spritual Director:

• Fr. Thinh Nguyen, SDB

Past Presidents:

• Cesar Lampino (Mandaluyong 1963) 7th (2005-2007)
• Rene Ramos (Mandaluyong 1968) 6th (2001-2005)
• +Domingo Ibe (Mandaluyong 1960) 5th (1999-2001)
• Rolando Tuason (Mandaluyong 1972) 4th (1997-1999)
• Eddiemar Tosino (Mandaluyong 1970) 3rd (1995-1997)
• Joey Quinto (Makati 1979) 2nd (1993-1995)
• Manny Almalel (Pamp 1964) 1st (1991-1993)

Director of Ladies Auxiliary Corps

• Corazon Paras

The present set of officers continues to uphold the aims of the organization. In fact, a General Meeting in September 23, 2007, was held to refocus and rejuvenate the members to the ideals and objectives of the organization as mandated by the Constitution and By Laws of the Association. This is a step in the right direction and only the future will tell whether the time was spent well.