Negrenses living in the US have launched projects designed to benefit people in Negros Oriental.
Lawyer Manny Abellon, president of the Negros Oriental Association of the USA said that their latest project was a fund-raising drive for the victims of Tropical Storm Sendong.
In a press release, Abellon said funds raised from the Christmas and New Year parties were able to buy pails, thermos bottles, rice, noodles and canned goods, which were sent by NOA to the flood victims through a group called ACTS 29.The 80 family-beneficiaries were given assistance last Dec. 29.
Now on its 20th year, the NOA has been actively supporting education and child welfare community activities of Negros Oriental.
The NOA has sent books, medical supplies, toys and other resources contributed by the active membership of US-based members.
The new officers of NOA were inducted by former Finance Secretary Gary Teves last November 13 at the Anaheim Hilton.
The new NOA officers are Manny Abellon, president; Lem Somera, vice-president; Eve Lasola, secretary; Marilou Padriga Formiller, treasurer; Genevieve Hiponia Pag-ong, auditor; Lelah Tuble Abellon, PRO; Polly Tragico, PRO for external affairs; Geoffrey Villahermosa, legal adviser and Alex Belcina, official photographer.
The Board of Directors is composed of Norma Ragay Valencia, Elsie Teves Gut-omen, Tess Hernando Somera, Cynthia Pinili Taala, Georgina Villahermosa Ohland, Ken Castro, Andy Bell Lajato, Romulo Alquisola, Jaime Ponce De Leon, Aster Teves, Jerome Cavada and Paolo Carballo.
The Area/District coordinators: Joel Gamo — Dumaguete City/Anaheim, Ca; Belen Beltran Katzen — Valencia/Los Angeles, Ca; Maria Christina Arnaiz Barrios — Pamplona/Murrietta, Ca; Priscilla Fabugais Garrido — Tayasan/San Diego, Ca; Noli Fortugaleza — Bayawan City/ Culver City, Ca; Eva Dime — Dumaguete City/South Bay, Ca; Rose Siglos Asmussen — Siaton/Las Vega, Ca; Manny Pena — Dumaguete City/ Santa Clarita Valley, Ca; Rey Cabil — Guihulngan/Valley, Ca; Braddock Calumpang — Tanjay City/San Francisco,Ca; Vanessa Silorio — Amlan/Los Angeles, Ca and Joni Villamil — Valencia/Riverside, Ca
Abellon said that the NOA will strengthen and expand their ongoing projects this year and look into the establishment of college scholarships in the future.
He said membership to the NOA-USA is fast increasing due to the sincere and active past and present leaderships.
Members also have benefits such as discounts in hotel accommodations, restaurants and other business owned by corporate sponsors supporting the organization.
Abellon is inviting interested Negrenses in the US to become a member of NOA by enlisting through NOA-USA.com