MELLIE B. SORIANO
Chairman of The Board
2012 -2013 Overview
February 1, 2014
Nov. 2011 was indeed a very special year in the history of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA as 501C (3) organization.
On this day – the PB-USA held its election and elected its new set of officers and Board Of Directors.
On that day – we elected a new President who has many years of experience in the field of industry and running his own business. Someone who has a large network of professionals he has cultivated though the years.
This person is very passionate about helping other people become successful and most importantly someone who has the vision of leading PB-USA to be an organization that will enrich the lives of its members and mind you – he has the capability to do so.
Ladies and Gentlemen – the person I am referring to is non- other that the President of PB-USA Mr. Eddie Ferrer.
Then of course we proceeded and elected the PB-USA, Inc. Board member led by yours truly as the Chairman of the Board. .
PB-USA- Inc. became a 501C(3) organization during the term of PB- USA Past President Mr. Dan Nino.
As the governing body of any non-profit organization – the Board Of Directors has to re-visit our by-laws and made sure that the PB-USA, Inc. is in confirmation with the rules and regulations as a 501C (3) organization.
We made some resolutions and amendments, deletions and additions of the current by-laws of the PB-USA, Inc. and of course all these were presented to the general membership and was overwhelmingly approved.
The current By-laws can be requested from the PB-USA-Inc. with certain condition and criteria.
Several meetings, special meetings from both the Executive branch and the Board of Directors then followed – emphasis on the following matters to name a few:
1. How to make the PB-USA- Inc. the best 501C(3) organization there is.
2. Fundraising, Fundraising, Fundraising and more Fundraising.
During one of the Board meeting a lot of Fundraising suggestion were discussed – among which are the following:
1. Raffle
2. Trip to Casinos
3. Beauty Contest
Raffle – We were very successful with this fundraising – the PB- USA, Inc. made a substantial amount to carry out our mission.
Trip to Casinos – again we were able to raise a nice chunk of dinero.
Beauty Contest – Oh what a night that was. Congratulations to all the beautiful young ladies who participated and most importantly to the parents – thank you very much. Of course – how can I forget the handsome Emcee that night – non-other than Bong Soriano – good job Bong.
Also kudos to all those who in one way or another have helped the Beauty contest a success.
1. Mr. & Mrs. Leo Arce and Family – Director of the beauty contest.
2. The parents of the beauty contestant themselves.
3. Mr. & Mrs. Roger Cabal for the awesome and beautiful decorations.
4. Most importantly to all our patrons, donors, guests, relatives and friends -and to everyone who were present – thank you.
Of course – let us not forget that PB-USA’s main mission is to sponsor deserving students from our Province Of Pangasinan to fulfill their dreams and we will continue to do just that. With the help of each and every one of us we have sponsored scholars from different towns of Pangasinan. Some of them are now professional.
Of course- things were not as easy they seems to be- problems were encountered along the way and that is to be expected.
Problems did not stop PB-USA, Inc. to continue its mission. Our very abled and generous President – Eddie Ferrer thought of having a trade show seminars and WALLA – the 1st trade seminar (How to Start Import Export Business) was launched – at the Long Beach Marriott Hotel. Prominent guest speaker were in attendance among them were;
1. Representative from Federal Food Administration
2. Logistics and Transportation Director Of Marketing
3. Representative of California Board of Equalization
4. And our very own Consul General of Los Angeles Helen Barbers Dela Vega.
The 1st Trade and Product Sourcing and manufacturing seminars was created to help our Kabaleyan in our Province of Pangasinan better their livelihood & to help introduce their products in the global market. It is also established for the following reason:
1. Bring awareness to the many of one of kind product that were made in the Philippines.
2. Help establish profitable business relationship between entrepreneur and the local manufacturing companies in the town and cities of Pangasinan.
3. Bottom-line – the PB-USA, Inc. is committed to help our people in our beloved province of Pangasinan.
Sept, 21, 2013 came the 2nd phase Trade Product Sourcing and Manufacturing Seminar. This time it was held at our very own Leisure Coast resort – Bonuan, Binloc Dagupan City.
Again, prominent guest were in attendance and invited.
Among them:
1. Hon. Board Member Ranjit Shahani and Clemente Arboleda.
2. Our Friend Mr. Raffy Barraan – Provincial administrator.
3. Rev. Monsignor Sabangan
4. Mr. Roger Oriel – Owner and Publisher of Asian Journal
5. Atty. Virgil Sy – CEO of American Ranch
6. Mr. Felix Lopez- Pres. of Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce South West Corridor Cerritos, California to name a few.
This 2nd seminars was an event that mark the first of its kind produced by the Pangasinan Brotherhood – USA, Inc. The event was about entrepreneurship, social responsibility and exploring possibilities.
I remember that there was entertainer from the 1950″s saying that if opportunity is not knocking – build a door.
This quotation is what the PB-USA, Inc. is exactly trying to do. PB- USA, Inc. is trying to create opportunities for the Province of Pangasinan, the people of Pangasinan and both Pangasinan and United States member to become entrepreneur – and lastly for the world to see what the Province of Pangasinan can do for the world.
Once again this event was produced by a leader who had a tremendous amount of opportunity to help many people of different level from our province of Pangasinan. – this leader is none other than the President Eddie Ferrer.
Let us give him a very, very warm of applause.
Of course there were more activities and event that had happened during our first term of office 2012- 2013 and to name a few
1. Launching of Ex President Fidel Ramos book signing.
2. Our Annual Christmas Party
3. And many More.
In conclusion 2012 – 2013 were very challenging 2 years and yet fruitful in the history of PB-USA, Inc. as a 501C(3) charitable organization.
Then come Nov. 9, 2013 and you the general membership elected the new nine (9) Board members of the PB-USA, Inc.
Being elected again as the chairman of the Board for the year 2014-2015 – I will assure you that we will not stop but only continue to do the best we can to leave – up to your expectation.
The newly elected Board have elected the new President – once again -non – other than Mr. Eddie Ferrer and yours truly as the Chairman Of The Board.
On behalf of all the following newly elected Board members – I ‘d like to thank you for once again giving us the opportunity to serve you – The PB-USA, Inc.
Mr. Eddie C. Ferrer – President elect and Board Member.
Mrs. Lina Cabal – Vice Chairman of the Board
Mrs. Rhenee M. Coquia – board Secretary
Mrs. Nieves Coquia – Board Member and Membership chairman
Mr. Lino Caringal – Board Member and Executive Vice President
Mrs. Lydia Ceralde – Board Member and Scholarship Chairman
Mr. Ely Turingan – Board Member
Mrs. Elie Madrid – Board Member
At this point I am sure each and every one of us knew what destruction typhoon Yolanda has brought to the Philippines – specially the Visayan regions.
President Eddie Ferrer have the following proposed resolution which were overwhemtly approved by the Board of Director:
1) Help a small Diocese in the Province of Samar – the town of Borongan in cooperation of Fr. Ven who is from Samar. Mechanics and details of this matter are almost in its finishing stages.
2) .Disbursement quota in the amount of $ 3000.00 for the construction of one unit house for the homeless. (Be it know that the $ 3000.00 was donated by EC Ferrer CHB, Inc. owned by Pres. Eddie Ferrer) This project is in Manmana GK Villasis, Pangasinan and for your information the money was already wired last t Jan. 21, 2014.
3). Of course we will forget our deserving scholar from Pangasinan.
This is all for now and stay tuned – more to come !
Thank You and God Bless us all