Members of the BNAA recently gathered for their 43rd convention in Tampa, Florida, last July 14-16, 2023. The event was hosted by the local chapter, Bicol Association of Southern Florida, Inc. (BASF). The convention activities which included the election of new officers for 2025-2027 were held in Hampton Inn & Suites, Oldsmar (Northwest Tampa), FL. Their gala night, Fiesta sa Bikol, was celebrated in the Bayanihan Arts & Events Center, Tampa, FL. The weekend was capped by a Sunday mass and farewell picnic in the pavilions at the same venue.
Key officers in attendance were Archie Zalun, Outgoing BNAA President (2021-2023), President – Bicol USA Houston Chapter, from Camarines Norte; Tere Samson Seggerman, Incoming BNAA President (2023-2025), President – Bicol Association of Southern Florida, Inc., from Albay; and, Gloria Banas Vanderheyden, BNAA President-elect (2025-2027), President – Bicolandia Association of Michigan, from Catanduanes. Chapter members and guests in attendance were from Bay Area Camarines Norte Association, Bicol Association of Eastern Seaboard, Bicol Association of Washington, Bicol Association of Charleston SC, Bicolandia Association of Michigan, Bicol USA Houston Chapter, Confraternity of our Lady of Penafrancia, and Bicol Association of Southern Florida.
Special guests to the Tampa convention included the Sorsogon City Mayor Ester Hamor and her official party which included: Maria “Nini” O. Ravanilla, Board Member, 1st District and, Maria Theresa “Thess” S. Gonzalez, City Councilor. The city of Sorsogon will host the BNAA Convention in Bicol to be held in February 15-18, 2024. Also in attendance were board members from the Albay provincial government: Reynaldo Bragais, 1st District; Gerardo Palmiano, 3rd District; and, Dante Arandia, 3rd District. The office of the Albay provincial governor will host the 5th day of the BNAA Convention in Bicol on February 19, 2024. Presentations by the visiting guests, the Best of Sorsogon and Sorsogon City, and Albay, the Perfect Destination, were highlights of the convention
The BNAA is an Illinois registered corporation that is the umbrella organization of Bikol chapter associations based in different states and regions of the United States. Registered with the Internal Revenue Service with a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status, the individual members of the organization have roots in the Bicol Region whose desire and intent are to assist communities through charity.
Currently, BNAA’s charitable projects include: (a) college scholarships for the poor but deserving youth; (b) medical and dental missions; (c) water pump well installations in far-flung areas; and (d) disaster relief. The BNAA funds its charitable work through donations from its members and benefactors and from its fundraising events. BNAA donates 100% of the charity funds to the beneficiaries.
Scholarship Program
The BNAA Scholarship Program started in 1995, initiated by then BNAA President Dr. Cyrill Mendez-Llaneta with Atty. Roberto R. Ruelo as Chairman. The program was originally implemented in government vocational schools in the Bicol Region with scholars chosen from among those taking vocational courses and a specific annual stipend of $200.00 for each scholar. In 2003, this was expanded to include non-vocational courses likewise, in government schools, with a stipend of $250.00. This stipend has been increased through the years adjusted to the needs of the scholars and inflationary cost increases. Currently, the scholarship stipend of $300 is used for the student’s expenses and fees only as basic tuition in government schools is subsidized by the Philippine government.
The Scholarship Program had 7 graduates for the academic year 2022-2023. Bachelor’s degrees were achieved in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Biology, and Education in Social Studies. The School Year 2023-2024 will have a new set of freshmen from the following public universities: Bicol University, Legazpi City; Bicol State College of Applied Sciences, Naga City; Central Bicol State University, Pili, Camarines Sur; Camarines Norte State College; Catanduanes State University; Sorsogon State University; Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College, Masbate; and, Partido State University, Partido, Camarines Sur.
To date, the program has graduated 103 scholars with degrees in Education, Agriculture, Engineering, Nursing, Law and Architecture. Some graduated with honors: 2 Magna Cum Laude; 10 Cum Laude. As the needs of the Scholars change and educational system evolves in the Philippines, BNAA has revised its guidelines to adapt to the changing environment. The Scholarship Committee is currently headed by Cyd Llaneta of the Bicolandia Association of Michigan. Assisting her is Jhonner Ricafort, PhD who as Scholarship Regional Coordinator communicates with the universities in the search and selection of qualified candidates in accordance with the scholarship guidelines.
Scholarship is a steppingstone for most scholars who continue to pursue post graduate studies, for instance, nursing graduates have continued their studies in medical school. The value of the Scholarship Program is not measured in dollars and cents but in its capacity to change the life of the students and their families. There is a clear indication of improvement in the quality of life of the young people who are now leading productive and meaningful lives, contributing to society as responsible citizens.
Surgical Mission
After the 2019 Surgical Mission by the Bay Area Camarines Norte Association (BACNA) in Daet, Camarines Norte, the hometown of the BACNA Chapter, there was a pause for three years due to COVID. During the 2022 convention, it was agreed upon to resume the Surgical Mission in 2023. Under the leadership of BACNA President, Fechie Alarcon and in partnership with the BNAA Medical & Surgical team, BNAA had a successful Surgical Mission in 2023 at the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital. BNAA is grateful to Governor Dong Padilla of Camarines Norte for inviting and hosting our mission which was undertaken from February 13 to February 16, 2023.
Completed surgical procedures were 24 major (performed were cholecystectomy, inguinal hernia, herniorrhaphy, thyroidectomy, multinodular goiter, and breast mass); , and 95 minor (procedures performed were mass/cyst of neck, breast, back, foot, thighs, face, and nape.
We thank our 2023 Surgical Mission Volunteers and Sponsors for their participation and support:
Local Volunteers: Governor’s Office: Dr. Randolph Jaigalado – MD Consultant to Governor Dong Padilla, John C Briola Pineda – Mission Coordinator, Office of the Governor, Francis Avancena Untalan – Daet Tourism.
Local Medical Team: Surgeons – Dr. Leo Cacawa, Dr. Emmanuel Enesio, Dr. Liberio Ferrer, Dr. Emmanuel Limpin, and Dr. Phillip Palencia; Anesthesiologists – Dr. Nelia Ritual, Dr. Marlon Canlas, Dr. Romblon, Dr. Victoria Murillo Martinez; OR Nurses of the Camarines Provincial Hospital c/o Memo Lavinia; OPD Department c/o Ronald Malaluan; Volunteer nurses of Capalonga District Hospital c/o Cynthia Armenia, and Student Nurses from Mabini College.
US Volunteers: Lead OR Nurses – Rosinja “Eya” Gorostiza, and Gerry Bayani; RN – Marybeth Regalario Bautista, Jean Alarcon Gatmen, and Susan Carrasco.
BACNA Volunteers: Fechie Alarcon, BACNA President / RN, Sylvia Salvador, BACNA Treasurer / BNAA Past President & Chairperson, BNAA Medical Surgical Mission, Doris Pedraza – BACNA Auditor, Ollet Morales – BACNA Secretary, Angel Fermo – BACNA Philippines VP, Cecil del Pilar – BACNA Philippines Liaison Officer, Atty. Ferdinand Abejero – BACNA Philippines Legal Adviser, Ma. Christina Almonte – SM Volunteer
BNAA Volunteers: Archie Zalun – BNAA President, Tere Seggerman – BNAA President-Elect, Gwen Zalun – BNAA Western Region Adviser / RN, Dori Fajardo – BNAA Executive Secretary, China Angeles-Krismer – BNAA Corresponding Secretary Patrick Seggerman – BNAA Member
Dinner Reception Sponsors: Mayor Jhoanna Ong, San Vicente Mayor-2/12 Sunday Lunch Reception; Mayor Benito Ochoa – Daet Mayor – 2/13 Monday Dinner Reception; Governor Dong Padilla – Camarines Norte Governor-2/14 Tuesday Valentine’s Dinner / Governor’s Night Reception; Mayor Alex Pajarillo – Mercedes Mayor – 2/15 Dinner Reception; Ines Davis Zabala – President, Mabini Colleges – 2/16 Dinner Reception. Breakfast and lunch were provided by the office of the Governor, Camarines Norte
BNAA financial donations were used to purchase supplies and medications for the mission: antibiotics, anesthesia meds, sterile gloves, surgical supplies, and IV fluids. The surgical supplies purchased in the Philippines supplemented the shipments from the US. A special thanks to our Operating Lead Nurse from Arizona, Eya Gorostiza, for donating and shipping surgical supplies in addition to volunteering her time. We would have spent more money without the supplies she donated.
Operation Pump Wells
From 1984 to 2021, the BNAA installed 4000 water units throughout the Bicol Region – be it pump wells, free flows, deep dug wells, intakes, reservoirs, and pipelines, to bring water to the villages where people live. Lately in 2021, the BNAA constructed 26 tap stands to enable people to have access to water for their daily use. Also installed were 2 free flows in the housing project in Del Carmen, Sangay, Camarines Sur, where 50 homes were built. While other activities included were the replacement of leaky faucets and repair of couplings to leaky pipes, the water systems installed by BNAA are generally in good working condition. Much of the fundraising, technical work and project execution would not have been possible without the pioneering support and personal involvement of Mrs. Zayda Baron, Committee Chairperson (now retired and living in Sangay), who through her 80’s spearheaded this initiative.
— JVDJ