Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA
Cypress, Calif. – Lino Caringal, Jr., a 1972 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy and now a self-employed businessman from Fullerton, California was elected the 15th president of the 37-year-old Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA at Marriott Hotel this city.
The 65-year-old Caringal, former president of The Original Urdanetanians and current president of The Global Urdanetanians was unanimously elected by the 11 members of the board. He will succeed businessman Eddie C. Ferrer of Dagupan City, former president of Fil-Am Association of Orange County. The board members were earlier elected by the general membership who in turn elected the top four officers.
The other officers elected include Nieves Coquia, former president of Dagupan City Club of So. California, chairperson of the board; Mellie Soriano, past president of Bayambang Assn. of Southern California, vice chairperson, and Lina Cabal, current president of Alaminos Pangasinan of Southern California, board secretary.
Other members of the board elected include Esmeralda Ceralde (Dagupan City), Neil Estrada (Calasiao) Eddie C. Ferrer (Dagupan City), Rhenee M. Ferrer (San Carlos City), Bong Soriano (Bayambang), Eliseo Turingan (Sual) and Arsenio Valencerina (Bugallon).
There was a bit of suspense before the announcement of the top-tier officers akin to Rome’s selection of the pope in a conclave as the religious hymn and ringing of the bells sound bytes from the sound system punctuated the result of the election before the curious assembly.
Other executive officers and cabinet members will be appointed by the new president in due time.
After the top-tier officers were proclaimed, they addressed briefly the assembly. President-elect Caringal said, “It is a great privilege to serve this premier organization. We will continue the vision and strong programs of outgoing President Eddie C. Ferrer. Mr. Ferrer and past President Dan E. Nino paved the way. Mr. Nino initiated the 501 C-3 public benefit, non-profit organization. I am 100 percent behind this organization. There’s no other way. Thanks for the electorate for their confidence in us and the board for giving me the opportunity to carry on.”
Nieves Coquia, the newly-elected chairperson said, “Thank you for the mandate. I have served the organization for so many years. Let’s serve one another and serve our organization well. Let us continue the projects of outgoing president Eddie C. Ferrer.”
Millie Soriano, outgoing Board chairperson for her part remarked, “I’ll do my best as your Board vice chairperson. Let’s help PB-USA accomplish its vision whether it’s possible or impossible.”
Lina Cabal, the newly-elected board secretary told the crowd, with all your support, we will carry on the vision of PB-USA. We will be pro-active and serve our organization to the best of our ability.”
After the election, Mr. Ferrer said, my sugar count was reduced to 92. I will hold my post until relieved by Lino Caringal, Jr. Hurry up Jun. In God we trust and that’s all we need to continue the journey.”
The Board members will be presented again during the Christmas Party of PB-USA on Dec. 12 at the Cerritos Performing Arts’ Sierra Room.
A novel thrust in Mr. Ferrer’s administration was the inclusion of the youth and young professionals whom he christened the “Next Gen” as an equal participants and partners in community building and in the organization’s activities and projects. And who will take the mantle of leadership someday when the old guards have already faded away.
Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, a 501-C3 founded as a non-profit organization in 1978 is on the forefront of providing meaningful projects that impact its community in California, the province of Pangasinan and region devastated by the Typhoon Haiyan. Among its projects include livelihood and trade seminars in Long Beach and Dagupan City, the grants of scholarship to academically-endowed but financially strapped college students from Pangasinan, three Gawad Kalinga housing units in the town of Villasis, livelihood program in Pangasinan, Trade Expo and Diversity Street Festival attended by Pangasinan manufacturers and producers which displayed their goods and products on Pioneer Blvd., City of Artesia. Pangasinan Amado T. Espino, Jr. and Vice Gov. Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. were also on hand to lend their moral support for this endeavor. – denino1951@gmail.com