Dear Kabaleyans, Board Members, Officers, Members, Families, Friends And
Supporters of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA.
I BELIEVE IT CAN BE. I believe, with all of my mind and heart, that we will have
a great evening full of reflection, fun and camaraderie. Our organization is so
rich in history, and we have affected many lives in Pangasinan with our
continued efforts of creating livelihood, scholarships, housing and the spirit of
volunteerism in our beloved Province of Pangasinan. More than ever, to create
a relevant future for PBUSA, it is now time to focus on the three words that
my term will be about. EMPOWERMENT, COLLABORATION, AND CULTURE. As
an organization, we will use these words to guide our activities, not only with
our kabaleyans in the Philippines but also in our Pangasinan community and
memberships here in the United States. As an organization, we also need to be
a trusted channel for the youth of our organization to discover their heritage.
I extend my deepest gratitude to both PBUSA members and non-PBUSA
members who have tirelessly helped put this event together. We will continue
to grow as an organization only by our commitment to service to others and a
strong mindset of uplifting one another.
I hope that all of you will have an evening filled with memorable moments of
laughter, dancing, warm and friendly conversations, and
brotherhood/sisterhood.
Thank you for your support and for attending our 40th Anniversary Induction
Ball & Summer Celebration.
Salamat sa inyong lahat!
Ferdinand B. Soriano
Incoming President of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA
2018-2019
—————————————————————————————
HAPPY NEW YEAR – PB-USA 2016
Dear Kabaleyans, Fellow Pangasinenses,
HAPPY NEW YEAR and may God’s Grace continue to be with us all !!! Only through HIM will we see the light of PB-USA’s journey of Hope, Faith, Love, Charity, and Mercy. Believing, understanding, and humbly having these virtues in our hearts will our prayers be answered. Let this be our prayer and the bugle call of our 2016 resolution !!!
It’s now official – Greetings and Warm Welcome to the New President -MR. LINO CARINGAL JR and the New Chairman of the Board – MADAME NIEVES COQUIA who will now both be at the helm of leadership in Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc. – 2016. Welcome to the New Board Members and Executive Cabinet officers !!!
I respectfully pledge my support and pray for our general memberships corresponding support to the leaderships of our new officers. They will need us as we will need them to keep the life of PB-USA breathing and functionally alive as God intended it to be for us to help our kabaleyans.
I can freely share with the members and basically with everyone I know and who knows me that my four (4) years of serving PB-USA was somehow heaven scripted. I say so with a firm belief as a practicing Catholic on how my role on the script came into play. The night prior to our election day in November 2011 was a Pacquiao fight but I simply took the course of spending a time with the Lord in adoration ( exposition of the Blessed Sacrament) at St. Bonaventure Parish in Huntington Beach where they have a weekly saturday adoration and confession at 8:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. I had a confession and prayed for enlightenment more than a prayer to win. In His Living Presence, I submitted my case on what He wants me to do and HIS will be done. It was an uplifting in-dwelling spiritual dialogue and the rest is history as I got elected the next day.
The first few months was a struggle and challenging particularly with the remnants of the old system as we transitioned to our new status as a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) entity. My priority then was the orientation and awareness of what a foundation is all about with the roles of the Board of Directors as policy making body were defined. Unfortunately, some members seemingly did not want any change or acceptance of any compliance procedures. I respected their decisions and positions where they stood on their belief. Compliance is critical and must be treated seriously by officers of an organization. A check-list must be on hand as new officers assume their duties to include filing of annual tax returns to Federal and Franchise Tax Board. Non compliance will result to suspension of the organization.
That being said, please allow this message as a reminder to our various Town & City Organizations to review and prepare their annual tax filings on timely basis. I presume that many of member organizations are on a December 31 Fiscal Year End.
I thank God for giving me a solid and dynamic board members with the able leadership of Mellie Soriano as Chairman of the Board. Together we were able to do what needs to done for PB-USA to thrive .
Thank you to our NextGens for the handling of our 2015 Holiday Interlude Event. Neil Estrada, Bong Soriano, Jacqueline Ferrer, Jesse and Dean Mandapat – Good Job, guys !!!
I am so grateful to so many that I may fail to mention someone in consideration my off and on “ipsus lapsus”. Please allow me to extend a general gratitude and my prayers for you all.
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!
Sincerely,
Eddie Ferrer
At your service….
————————————————————————————————–
2015 HOLIDAY INTERLUDE- DECEMBER 12 – CERRITOS PERFORMING ARTS
Dear Kabaleyans, Fellow Pangasinenses,
Prepare for a short and festive week with this coming Thursday’s celebration of “Thanksgiving Day”. A day of sharing, loving, and forgiving. Nothing short of saying and putting GOD in us all – ” the Eternal and Almighty Being of True Love “.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE !!!
Well, we only have 21 days left before our ” 2015 Holiday Interlude ” at the Cerritos Performing Arts on December 12, 2015. Knock on wood, we are happy to report a good number of confirmed RSVP’s and more calls are trekking in for reservations. Definitely an inspiring and exciting anticipation of a joyful evening of social delights – good music, lots of dancing, and savoring of Arte Cafe’s ever sumptuous catering – excellent menu combination of Salmon and Prime Rib with all the side trimmings.
Now, here is the kicker. We need everyone’s help and cooperation to please remit all ticket payments by December 1, 2015. Make checks payable to PB-USA, Inc. and mail to 6480 Leone Way, Cypress, CA 90630. Ticket price – $45.00. In adherence to an established venue protocol set-up, there will be no ticket remittances at the reception desk. It will simply be a welcoming and a greeting portal for the evening. With a healthy cooperation and understanding, we can easily make this request a reality for everyone’s convenience. Please feel free to call us for any questions or assistance – Rhenee – 562 397 – 7753 and Eddie – 562 481- 5381. 714 759 0064.
Our November 15 general membership meeting was indeed wonderful and well attended. We applied and performed our new mode of holding a meeting cutting short the proceedings to a solid time frame of 1 hour and 49 minutes with all relevant agenda covered. Expect this pattern to be in placed for all subsequent meetings in 2016.
In-coming President Lino Caringal Jr submitted and presented his preliminary cabinet members starting off with his Executive Vice President Neil Estrada. Confirmatory presentation of his staff will be highlighted during our Holiday Interlude.
I respectfully express my utmost recognition to have served the organization with the voluntary support and participation of solid warrior members armed with the powerful weapons of knowledge, awareness, and cooperation as to where we should be as a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) foundation in the 21st century. There was so much emphasis on compliance ( bookkeeping & emergence /usage of “quickbook) and communication ( Friendly Website & Mailchimp e-mail system). And most importantly, the warrior team made it a point on the timely submission and filings of our annual Federal and State Corporate returns.
The continuing result of the above is the formulation of a Project Management Council and a Media Advisory Council in 2016.
With the actual and live participation of our Next Gens during the meeting, it has been announced that EVP Neil Estrada and Member Jacqueline Ferrer will co-chair or co-host our Holiday Interlude. They committed to work on the details and we leave it to their best discretions on how to go about it.
Once again, I would like to express my welcome greetings to our Kabaleyans who came back home to our fold and joyfully met them in our last meeting. I fully understand their brief hibernation but I was really humbled by their sincere manifestations of joy to be back with us – a journey of hope.
Two (2) hours of “Meet & Greet” after the meeting was indeed a historic experience for me , personally, having been with PB-USA since 1978. The gathering of new members (particularly arrival of our Next Gens), regular members, and returning members was a sight to behold.
I do have a sack full of things to say but suffice to conclude, for now, to say a simple prayer of thanksgiving.
We thank God for all the good things that He bestowed upon us amidst all negative adversaries in our journey of faith and hope in the fulfillment of our Scholarship Projects with our provincial colleges & universities, livelihood projects with our local manufacturers in cooperation with our Provincial and City Governments, house unit donations to Namnama Village for the homeless, Fil-Am Community reach out with the City of Cerritos, and calamity fundraising donation to our kababayans in Eastern Samar with Bishop Crispin Varques of the Diocese of Borongan. Thank God for giving us these opportunities to serve and to give the best and the most that we have. In Him , we trust !!! Pax Tecum et Dominus Vobiscum !!!!
Sincerely,
Eddie Ferrer
President
Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc
—————————————————————————————————————————–
RE: PB-USA’s Perception of Stewardship
(Nov 9, 2015)
Dear Kabaleyans, Fellow Pangasinenses,
In today’s gospel of Mark 12:43-44, a poor widow woman contributed a mere couple of cents for her stewardship to God’s Temple but she gave all she had. Not surplus wealth as others had contributed during a sabbath offertory at that time.
Truly, a meaningful and humble manifestation of man’s trust and love of God. Indeed, our best gift to God in return for His Creation of us under His Image and Likeness. An inherent grace that we all have to cherish , nurture, and share with our fellowmen or Kabaleyans as a witness to our faith in giving the best that we can give.
Stewardship is not just fundraisings but sharings of our respective God given talents and collectively offer them for the needs of our Kabaleyans.
Today, we witnessed a simulcast press release of a wonderful news article on PB-USA written by Dan Nino, Past President and Director of PB-USA’s Media Advisory Council. A well coordinated dissemination of information via the periodical publications of Asian Journal, Philippine News, Philippine Tribune, and Weekend Balita. Please get your copies at Philippine Store outlets close to you.
Simultaneously, we are witnessing the postings of information to PB-USA’s website – www.pbusa1.com, Facebook, Mailchimp Email system, & other social channels. Other than pangasinense members of the fourth estate (news correspondents) , we have a solid group of Next Gens now actively working on this platform.
Keep spreading the word – see you all at our General membership Meeting this Sunday, November 15. 1:00 P.M. at the Marriott Courtyard, Cypress, CA.
Please allow me now to borrow a Stewardship Prayer which can relate appropriately to our Foundation :
Quote
God my Creator, you made me all that I am and gave me all that I have.
Help me show my gratitude by using these gifts to serve others in your name.
Jesus my redeemer, you taught me the way to eternal life by your example of loving service to others.
Grant me the courage to respond to your call to Discipleship by following in your footsteps.
Holy Spirit of God be with me as I choose each day to put you first in my life.
Let me be a model of Christian Stewardship so others will come to know you through my actions.
I pray, dear Lord. that you open the minds and hearts of our general membership, that we may joyfully accept your challenge to be good stewards.
Unquote
Our powerful weapon to victory – ” Knowledge, Awareness, Cooperation “. In God , we trust !!!
Sincerely,
Eddie Ferrer
President
Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc.
—————————————————————————————————————————-
RE: 501 ( C ) ( 3) Awareness
Dear Kabaleyans, Fellow Pangasinenses,
In my eagerness to issue our general membership meeting for November 15, 2015, I respectfully apologize for pre-maturely rolling back our time last Sunday, October 25. Scheduled time roll back is on November 1, 2015.
Anyway, I will take this opportunity to relate the path that our organization went through in conforming with our new role of engagement and management as a 501 ( C ) ( 3 ) entity. I share this message more as an awareness of who we are and what steps we took to be fully compliant with Federal and State regulatory provisions as a foundation. And, we travelled the road with sweat and tears.
I am proud to say that we have a wonderful management team and members who voluntarily sacrificed and worked hard to accomplish and finish a job where we now stand as a foundation. The road was a struggle amidst negative vibes but at the end of the day, mission was accomplished. Kabaleyans, let’s now savor the fruits of our sufferings which I can easily translate as our “Agony and Ecstasy” as PB-USA moves forward in the 21st century. What we worked on was definitely something for PB-USA’s lifetime not just for the usual pomp and circumstance of a gala induction night or any social event of this nature.
Once again, I now share the initial posting of our Finance Chairman, Nanding Soriano, regarding a quick Q&A (Question & Answer) about 501 ( C ) ( 3) Charitable Organizations. This will help our members understand our functionality as a foundation and hopefully assist Town Associations who plan and intend to apply for said status.
Shared by PROVENANCE HOLDING CORPORATION
QUOTE
WHAT BENEFIT DOES BEING A 501 ( C) ( 3) OFFER A NON PROFIT AND IT’S CONTRIBUTORS ?
One of the primary benefits of being tax-exempt under IRS Section 501 (C) (3) is the ability to accept contributions and donations that are tax deductible to the donor. Additional benefits include, but not limited to:
* Exemptions from Federal and/or State Corporate income taxes
* Possible exemption from State sales and property taxes (varies by State )
* Ability to apply for grants and other public or private allocations available only to IRS-recognized 501 (c) (3) organizations.
* Potentially higher thresholds before incurring Federal and/or State unemployment tax liabilities
* The public legitimacy of IRS recognition
* Discounts on US Postal bulk mail rates and other services
WHAT INFORMATION WILL BE REQUIRED ON FORM 1023 ?
In order for the IRS to make a determination on a standard form 1023 application, specific questions must be answered relative to the organization’s legal structure, it’s governing board, and potential conflict of interest. More importantly, pages of detailed questions concerning the organization’s activities must be answered. This is in addition to a two year budget ( new organizations) or three years of financial history ( existing organizations) and a written narrative essay outlining the organization’s programs, both current and planned, that will advance the organization’s exempt purpose. Add to that copies of supporting schedules and documentation and you have a basic application package.
The information requested on a Form 1023-EZ relates to more generalized questions of structure and compliance. No written budgets or narratives are required.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE FORM 1023 ?
As stated in another answer, IRS Form 1023 is 29 pages long, plus required schedules and attachments. While every organization does not have to complete every page, a typical application package is between 50-100 pages of material. More important, however, is the amount of time required to complete the package. The IRS estimates a preparation time of well over 100 hours for a novice to prepare Form 1023.
UNQUOTE
We have religiously followed what needs to be done and we are ready to move on to the next level. A piece of thought to share with our town organizations- if you plan to be a 501 (c) (3) entity, make sure that you fully understand what it is and once you get approval of your application, make sure that you comply and accordingly use it or you will loose it.
See you all on November 15, 2015 and keep tune to www.pbusa1.com.
Sincerely,
Eddie Ferrer
President
Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc.
———————————————————————————————————————–
General Membership Meeting – November 15, 2015
Dear Kabaleyans, Fellow Pangasinenses,
Early this morning of October 25, 2015, our time clock just turned back an hour giving us an extra allowance to sleep. Give and take, we are coming closer to our year end holidays. ” Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ”
That being said, I somehow energized myself to keep my work wheels rolling as I prepare my administrative portfolio ( covering the various activities of my term of office ) ready for transition and transfer to our incoming president – Lino (Jun) Caringal Jr.
Before we continue – Here’s the BREAKING NEWS!!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING ON NOVEMBER 15, 2015 – SUNDAY, 1:00 – 5:00 P.M., MARRIOTT COURTYARD, 5865 KATELLA AVE., CYPRESS, CA 90807. WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN OUR LAST GENERAL MEETING FOR 2015 AS WE USHER IN PB-USA’S EXCITING PROFILE IN 2016 AND A GREAT TIME TO MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. LISTEN TO THE GOOD NEWS !!!
Although heavily engaged with our regular livelihood business schedules, Lino and I took our combined initiatives and efforts to meet for a comprehensive analysis and review as to the continuance of established project activities and planning of new projects. I can safely share that we had two meaningful and constructive three (3) hour sessions discussing, evaluating, assessing, and summing up conclusive and reasonable resolutions for submission to the board and general membership.
Above executive project factors will be presented as a live thesis during our November 15 general membership meeting so everyone can have a good insight on what transpired during my administration and concurrently have a good hindsight on what is forthcoming on Lino’s term of office. The methodology of our project conceptions will be explained in a simplified, analytical, and logical format for everyone’s easy understanding.
By November 15, our in-coming President – Lino Caringal Jr. will be ready to submit his tentative cabinet for official presentation on December 12, 2015.
December 12, 2015 is our special holiday event at the Cerritos Performing Arts. Please reserve and keep this date on your calendars. Tickets for the event were disbursed and still open for registration and reservation up to November 15, 2015. Please try your best to pay your tickets by November 15.
For now, I can only sneak in Lino’s appointment of Neil Estrada as his Executive Vice President. As we all know, by now, Neil Estrada and Bong Soriano are the Next Gen members of the Board. Both have exciting agendas in their respective portfolios for PB-USA. We expect a lot of new members will be attending our November 15 meeting. My say to my associate old guards, let’s all be there with them on November 15.
Here’s another recipe in the oven, a Project Management Council and a Media Advisory Council will be added to the executive role of engagement. Know more about it on November 15, 2015.
Be the best as you can be and let’s all be together on November 15, 2015 !!!!
Sincerely,
Eddie Ferrer
President
Pangasinan Brotherhood USA – Inc.
———————————————————————————————————————
Aug 27, 2015
SCHEDULED ELECTION DAY – SEPTEMBER 27, 2015
Dear Kabaleyans, Fellow Pangasinenses,
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT !!!
Our Election day will now be on SEPTEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY, 1:00 P.M. TO 5:00 P.M., AT MARRIOTT COURYARD, 5865 KATELLA AVE., CYPRESS, CA 90630.
Requirements and proceedings ( Election Rules and Regulations) are simplified to facilitate and provide more time for members to wisely choose and elect our Board of Directors.
Urgent items to keep in mind:
Membership Dues/donations must be paid and received by September 20, 2015. Registration and Renewal forms were distributed during our last general membership meeting – August 16, 2015. However, we will mail, e-mail, and post the forms in our website – www.pbusa1.com. ( Applicable for members with addresses and e-mails registered in our portal registry)
***If unable to receive, retrieve, and print said forms, please mail in your dues/donations ( payable to PB-USA, Inc.) and indicate your Town with your e-mail address and phone number (if possible). Mail payments to : PB -USA, Inc., 6480 Leone Way, Cypress, CA 90630. $15.00 for Council President members . $10.00 for non-Council Presidents and for new membership. These dues/donations must be received by September 20, 2015.
Applications forms for Board of Directors must be submitted and received by September 15, 2015. We will do the same process as with the above membership renewals and registrations. No fee for the application but a generous and discretionary donation ( any amount) is respectfully requested to accompany the application forms from the candidates. Again, forms were distributed during our last general membership meeting. However, we will mail, e-mail, and post said forms in our website. If unable to receive and print the forms, please call and e-mail us for assistance. Phone#’s 714 759 0064, 562 397 7753. E-mail address- edrenjac@aol.com.
Applications must be received by September 15, 2015. Send completed forms to PB-USA, Inc., 6480 Leone Way, Cypress, CA 90630.
For more details, progressive reports. and updates regarding our election, please check your mails, e-mails, and tune in to our website – www.pbusa1.com.
Our election committee headed by Dom dela Cruz ( Chairman) and Tony Barlongo (Vice-Chairman) will be posting and disseminating the simplified election rules and regulations.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Eddie Ferrer
President
Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc.
2015 President’s Corner Announcement – July 2015.
Dear Kabaleyans, Fellow Pangasinenses,
I simply cannot believe it that five (5) months from now is ” Christmas Time “. Along the same time frame, my committed and mandated term of service will gradually come to a close by the end of 2015 to usher in the new leadership of our beloved PB-USA-Inc. come 2016. MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!!
2012 – 2015 were exciting and challenging years but truthfully inspirational for me, personally, that I was given the opportunity to perform ( plan and execute ) charitable works of mercy with the support of our Board of Directors, fellow officers, and kabaleyan members. Together, we took that journey with strong faith, walk through that faith, and the grace of that faith came over us all to reach our destination and finish the job. Indeed, a Journey of Hope and Faith. Thanks be to God.
Now, here is a brief narrative of our scheduled and important activities for the remaining five (5) months of 2015. Kindly take note of it and accordingly pass it on to our fellow kabaleyan members:
AUGUST 16, 2015, SUNDAY – GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – MARRIOTT COURTYARD, 5865 KATELLA AVE., CA 90630 – CYPRESS ROOM ( BIG HALL)
AGENDA:
1. Special Requiem Mass for our departed kabaleyans. Let’s all join hands in prayer via this spiritual liturgy for our loved ones now in the fold of eternal life – ” Church Triumphant”
2. Financial Report to include 2014 filings of Form 990-EZ ( Federal Exempt Organization Tax Summary (EZ), California 199 Tax Summary, and Form RRF-1 (Registration Renewal Fee Report to Attorney General of California). A brief power point presentation of our Quick Book registry which took effect 2012. Ten (10) minutes testimonial akin to a SONA.
3. Re-explanation and presentation of the protocol and detailed mechanics in the election of Board of Directors to include the bold and brilliant resolution of the Board of Directors to officially integrate two (2) members of our ” NextGens” as members of the Board for 2016. These enhancements were fully discussed during the previous general membership meeting. Time to welcome new members and update review of memberships.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2015, SUNDAY – ELECTION DAY – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MARRIOTT COURTYARD, 5865 KATELLA AVE., CYPRESS, CA 90630
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., CYPRESS HALL ( BIG ROOM)
AGENDA: OFFICIAL ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS
DECEMBER 12, 2015 – HOLIDAY INTERLUDE 2015
SATURDAY- 6:00 p.m. TO 11:00 p.m.
CERRITOS PERFORMING ARTS
ARTE CAFÉ CATERING
BAND – BOYD ELSTON
SURPRISE PERFORMER – LIVE SHOW
DEFINITELY A NIGHT TO REMEMBER !!!
TICKET DONATION – $45.00
RSVP – OPEN BY FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST
Please reserve and spare a few moments of your precious time for above-mentioned dates.
Keep in tune and click on – WWW.PBUSA1.COM
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Eddie Ferrer
President
Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc.
SHOULD WE REMAIN THE WAY
WE ARE….? AS IS…? -May 2015
The creation of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc. 36th years ago was premised on a firm and dynamic mission statement that- “ The Brotherhood shall vigorously work for progress to raise the quality of life in the thriving cities and towns of the Province of Pangasinan in general, and to help preserve and promote its people’s unique culture, tradition and practices, thereby making the Brotherhood a positive agent of change and prosperity.” A beautifully defined mission but did
we really understand what it is all about ?
Many of us stand by the proposition that PB-USA is an avenue of social activities, camaraderie sessions, community outreaches, and other limelight scenarios or gathering of eagles as to who is who in the social and political circle of friends. Nothing is wrong with that. Actually, it is necessary. But, there is more to it than that. Backtrack to our mission statement and we will clearly see where we are truthfully logging behind . Quo Vadis ? There is an amount of work and sacrifice in the verbiage of our mission. There is a target for whom to work for. And , there is a need of change to pursue the job.
Although our pledge of membership is purely voluntary, I firmly believe that to serve as an officer of PBUSA, Inc., I must accept the responsibilities, commitments, and hardships that go along with the territory. In a manner of good housekeeping, I must adhere to the rules of engagement governing our organization as a 501 ( C ) ( 3) entity in full recognition that the Board of Directors are the policy makers and the president is tasked to plan and execute any assigned function to be performed.
We respectfully submit that we tried to work along our mission statement on the general scheme of commerce particularly in the area of trading applicable to all towns and cities of Pangasinan. “Livelihood” that is what it is. Something we can do on the grassroot level. Simple and realistic via a calculated approach without too much fanfare or illusion of grandeur. Can it be done ? Taiwan , Korea , and Japan are the living testimonials of these cottage industry ventures immediately after the second world war. So, why not in Pangasinan ? We are talking about manufacturing of general commodity products from Toys & Novelties, furnitures, ornaments, garments, religious articles, fancy jewelries and other non-food items.
With careful planning, we staged the first phase of our trade mission in January 26, 2013 by holding a trade seminar in Long Beach , California where we initially invited importers and potential buyers, logistic companies, Banks , Government Agencies – Customs, FDA, Board of Equalization, insurance companies, Philippine Consulate and Trade Department, Fil-AM Chamber of Commerce, Fil-AM Associations, and some Rotary Chapters. It was indeed a successful jumpstart to start the planning of Phase 2 to hold a Trade Seminar in Pangasinan.
September 21, 2013 was the set date for the Trade Seminar at the Leisure Coast Resort in Bonuan, Pangasinan. This time there was a total linkage between the provincial government and PB-USA, Inc. Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan played a key role in coordinating the event with the full support of his staff officers. There was a significant and inspiring number of 167 attendees. Local products were beautifully crafted and displayed. There was a heavy clamor of interest, help, and guidance from the manufacturers to export their products. The challenge was then definitively laid out for PB-USA to do something. The saga continues.
With a scent of Divine intercession, our outreach with the community miracurously paid off with the sudden conception of a “ Diversity Business Exposition” by the Artesia Chamber of Commerce and the Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce Southeast Corridor with Felix Lopez, our fellow pangasinense from Dagupan, as the convenor of this noble project. PB-USA, Inc. was encouragingly invited to serve as one of the proponents of this coalition project. Somehow, this answered our prayers for an opening to exhibit products from Pangasinan with minimal cost but good enough to use as a portal of hope. October 3, 4,& 5, 2014 were the chosen dates for the event. Again , the stage was set for phase 3 of the trade mission – the actual shipping of locally made products of our kabaleyans for exposition.
We owe these triumphant sequence of events to a relentless and determined team and hard core workers of PB-USA who remained steadfast and well focused in pursuing and completing each job assignment. Thus, the accomplishment of three (3) solid phases in a span of one year. Meetings were constructively held to achieve results. Certainly, there were many discussions and heavy disagreements but resulting in ultimate agreements to do action. And , it was done. We anchored our course of action on serious and intel intelligent thinking, planning, and actual execution of programmed assignments.
Another added element of support is the integration of our younger generation not as an auxiliary group but as actual and bonefide associates in the pursuit of our organization’s goals and objectives. While there appears to be strong sentiments to keep the membership as is, in reality that will not remain an option as we all grow in age with mother time. So, if we continue to remain unchanged and stagnant with the “barkada system” of camaradarie, father time will simply leave us behind into unwanted posterity. Today, you will see and witness many of them actively involved in our mainstream of activities. As a senior member, I honestly admit that I personally thrive working and learning with them. There is so much they can teach us as much as what we taught them while they were growing up.
The benchmark question is, how well does “as is” or “remaining the way we are” serve our organization ? What will it mean when father time leaves us ?
With that in mind, I will conclude with a thought to religiously pursue our trade advocacy on “livelihood” and finish the job !!!