Ilonggo Association of So Cal New Officers
Ilonggo, where does this word originate from? Historically speaking, Ilonggo is a description of anything which comes from the province of Iloilo, Philippines. Iloilo was the original Ilonggo home base which gradually spread out to surrounding islands. This is where you see history dating back the 17th century and the Spanish period. Dubbed as the Queen City of the South, Iloilo has always been the center of commerce. Its port of call in San Pedro is utilized by an international blend of businesses who drop off and pick up goods for trade.
The Ilonggo person is a gentle and fun loving individual who will go out of his/her way to make other people smile. The tagalog world “malambing” is normally used to describe an Ilonggo. It is a positive description for a culture that is comfortable in its identity and has no plans to change its image.
Saturday, May 17, 2008 was when the ILONGGO ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA marked its 4th year anniversary. It inducted a new set of officers who will navigate this club for the next two years. The new incoming president EDUARDO “BUTCH” ZARAGOZA has high but realistic goals for this association.
First and foremost of which is to unite all Ilonggos in California. This will be done thru constant communication and well, more parties! Mr. Zaragoza sees his association helping out newly arrived Ilonggos. Like parents welcoming their off springs, the group will provide guidance for them to properly start a new life in America.
Another goal which is currently a reality is to assist the different schools in Iloilo and surrounding cities. The Association, within the last two years, has set up two computer labs in different schools there. Each labs consists of 6 brand new computers. The children need computers to keep abreast of the times, do their homework, and maybe play a few games.
There is also the medical mission. At his point in time, the group has supplied Iloilo hospitals with essential medical supplies. Be it bandages, sutures, and medication, the care packages being sent to these hospitals are well utilized. There is a ship container full of wheelchairs which will be shipped soon enough to these different hospitals.
This is just the beginning of the Association’s plan to reach out and help their less fortunate “kasimanwas”. President Zaragoza, and the previous presidents before him (BING GOTICO and BOY ALDEGUER) have slowly but with firm hands, surely pointed the group to an honorable path in sharing their blessings with our less fortunate Filipinos back home.
THE CELEBRATION
People started showing up at 5:00pm. The men dressed in barong tagalogs and the beautiful women decked out in evening gowns and fine jewelry (bling2). English was the exception since everyone spoke Ilonggo. It is a dialect that sounds so well behaved. Someone might be cussing you out in ilonggo and you would think he/she was giving you a compliment. The southern quality is all in the intonation.
Open bar was announced at 6:30pm. This was a no holds barred, deep pocket affair which spared no expenses. Money was not an object and everything first class. Iloilo as a province has capital. It grows a lot of rice amongst other businesses. The Ilonggos maintain large savings account and refrain from spending unnecessarily on expensive toys. Lets just say they are old fashioned towards their approach to finances. Save for a rainy day.
As the evening moved on, evidence of ilonggo camaraderie surfaced. Board Advisor JIMBOY GARCIA brought a large tupperware of “kinilawâ€Â. This is a local delicacy of fresh raw whitefish, chunked then marinated in spicy vinegar, ginger, and spices. Served cold, this is the iloilo version of ceviche. With beer or wine, it is a superb appetizer. True to custom, the dish was shared by all. This was aside from the actual hotel served fare that was still coming.
The beautiful first lady, EMMA ERLYN ZARAGOZA, was instrumental in organizing the affair and making sure everything was going according to plan. Association founder LUIS SERVANDO made sure all guests were comfortable and bonded with the guys. ZENAIDA and WILFREDO ALEJANDRIA worked the reception desk making sure all the guests knew what tables they where in. ROSEMARIE CHU also assisted in the organization and preparing for the actual induction.
The actual ceremonies started 8:00pm. The Glendale Hilton banquet room is large and resplendent. Attendees totaled 250 persons at this time with more incoming.
The Ilonggo Association has 325 registered members. And the numbers keep growing as more activities are set into motion. Thanks to leadership that makes it a point to communicate with its members and instill in them the spirit of giving back.
The new set of officers are as follows: Eduardo Zaragoza (President), Wilfredo Alejandria (1st VP), Rosemarie Chua (2nd VP), Mel Sarmiento (Secretary), Dinah Servando (Asst Secty), Jerome Octaviano (Treasurer), Alma Jesena (Asst Treasurer), Rey Gayomali (Auditor), Dexter Riobuya (Asst Auditor), Yvette Untarya (Business Mgr), Orchid Ecchevaria (Asst Business Mgr), Rene Aaron (PRO), Maribel Saadnia (Asst PRO), and peace officers Third Alejandria, Alberto Biclan, Rolando Chua, Gabby Prieto, and Hector Solinap.
As you can see, the leadership is backed by a solid crew of officers all willing to do more than their share to uphold the Ilonggo Association of Southern California.
Now and then, we will hear more from this evolving group. The next foreseeable event will be the Christmas party this year. President Butch Zaragoza, a retired military man (Major, Philippine Armed Forces) has the charisma and qualities to positively lead for the next two years. He has issued the challenge to the group. With the large gathering in this event, it is obvious they are up to it.
To the Ilonggo Association of Southern California, I say; “Gwapa mga Ilongga kag isog mga Ilonggo. Hala Bira!â€Â
Article and Photos by: John (Ilonggo gid!) Lacson/ pinoywired.com
Slideshow photos by Jerry Ubalde / slideshow by Ver Penaranda
Last 5 Posts by John Lacson
- Will You Forget me? - March 12th, 2009
- I CUT MY GRASS (just the other day) - March 7th, 2009
- A ROAD - November 9th, 2008
- Thousands gathered at the 2008 U.S.-Philippines Expo - August 11th, 2008
- GOING BACK - June 22nd, 2008
congratz to all who witnessed this celebration. I really admire one of the goals and missions of the Association extending a helping hand to their less fortunate kasimanwas. God bless you all.
Thank you for covering the event of the Ilonggo Association Induction Night. More power to Pinoywired.com
Congratulation to all new set Officer
Ilong.Ass.of So.California esp. to my very dear friend,Mrs.Orchid M. Echeverri.I’m very proud of you because you’re one of it belong to this group of philanthropist inspite of your high success your heart still belong to us who are poor among the poorest.”God loves the cheerful giver”More Power And Keep up the Goodwork
please check and print out and distribute my comment about BUTCH ZARAGOZA, kindly investigate first, to see the truth about this impostor
Nobody cares about you ANA!
MOre power to the new officers and keep up the good work that you have started.You are one association worthy of emulation, keep up the spirit of giving because it is in giving that you will enjoy the lasting benefits of your efforts. God bless you particularly my classmates Boy and Evelyn Aldeguer, and best regards to Bebing Gotico and Ing Servando.
As the daughter of Boy Aldeguer the outgoing president of the Ilonggo Association, I’m very proud to have a dad that so much dedicated and committed for the cause of sharing we have to my fellow Ilonggo’s.
please see below my comment about this impostor Ilongo EDUARDO Zaragoza
ana
Although I am a 1st generation son of ilonggo parents, it is with pride that I say “Ilonggo ako!”. Its good to have groups like this that reminds all ilonggos we are not alone in this big country. Thank you Ilonggo Assoc of SoCal for being there!
We are proud of being ilonggo’s thats why im glad to see all the filipinos here at california especially the kababayan ilonggo.. more power to all of you
Great! These are stuff I want to put on CREAM Magazine, Iloilo’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine, so that the folks here in Iloilo will be updated of you there guys. How about that?
Nice To see the wonderful harmonies unity of the group in thier occation.Mabuhay
Hi
I am researcher doing a study on migrant philantrophy in the Visayas and we heard that you donated some items to Bombo Radyo in Iloilo City for the victims of typhoon Frank. I would like to know if you plan to do this often and what are your other regular activities in Iloilo that intend to help your fellow Ilongos?
Cheers
Alan
Sirs:
Please visit our website regarding our film documentary on Camp Roxas in Agat, Guam: http://www.camproxas.com
Under the American Sun: Camp Roxas Film Project (Agat, Guam, 1946- 1972) will recount a little-known chapter of American history – the story of skilled and unskilled laborers and professionals recruited from the Philippines’ Iloilo Province by the United States military to rebuild Guam, devastated by years of Japanese occupation and war.
Thank you.
Bernadette Provido Schumann
–
“Under the American Sun” – Camp Roxas Film Project
(Agat, Guam: 1946 -1972)
Website: http://www.camproxas.com
Email: camproxasguam@gmail.com
Bert Sardoma Jr, director
Bernie Provido Schumann, producer
Alex Munoz, producer
Josephine Mallo-Garrido, associate producer
Norman Analista, special projects
To all Ilonggo’s and guest
your attendance during the induction night is highly appriciated by all members and officers. We look forward that your continued participation will help us continue our goals and mission to our fellow Ilonggo’s. And I also Thank Mr. John Lacson who also dedicated to share his expertise and time to published this unique site for the Ilonggo Assn. of Southern Califonia. Thank you John
Boy Aldeguer
Please make a background check of your president BUTCH ZARAGOZA he is an impostor, not a ret. major of PAF, not a college grad. w/ fake diploma, and most of all he has an on going court cases in california regarding he steal the wealth of his brother FLAVIO ZARAGOZA by forging the signature when flavio died 7 yrs ago and until now not even a single cents he did not give the children of flavio, so how he can help the victims of calamities in the philippines.
Anna is the IMPOSTOR. hahaha because i know this person well. the way HE construct his words in ENGLISH IS WRONG. I know this person is a BIG LIAR, hiding in a FAKE NAME “if you are what you said you are ” SHOW YOUR TRUE COLOR”… WE BELIEVE AND LOVE OUR DAD. not like you guys you are a DISGRACE. AND EVEN YOUR FATHER IN HIS LAST BREATH— “DISOWNED ALL OF YOU”… this is all your own doing… for 18 years you have abandoned your father during the time he needed you most ( THE TIME OF HIS MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT )..
John Zaragoza says:
July 31, 2010 at 9:04 am
Anna is the IMPOSTOR. hahaha because i know this person well. the way HE construct his words in ENGLISH IS WRONG. I know this person is a BIG LIAR, hiding in a FAKE NAME “if you are what you said you are ” SHOW YOUR TRUE COLOR”… WE BELIEVE AND LOVE OUR DAD. not like you guys you are a DISGRACE. AND EVEN YOUR FATHER IN HIS LAST BREATH— “DISOWNED ALL OF YOU”… this is all your own doing… for 18 years you have abandoned your father during the time he needed you most ( THE TIME OF HIS MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT )..and by the way thanks for making my dad a millionair.. we now all drive nice cars PAID IN FULL I got myself a 2010 LXUS LF-A and “all BRAND NEW..hahaha thats right!!! BE JEALOUS A LOT!!!
If ever, you are the only family and person I know in the US who will brag of their brand new cars are paid for in cash. True hardworking ilonggos dont brag about their cars. Only you and your family because you did not have cars back in the Philippines. And now with the stolen money from your Uncle Flavio you brag around about your brand new cars paid for in CASH, but actually whose money paid for it. What was the car your Dad Butch was driving when he first came to the US and started working in the caregiving facility of your Uncle Flavio. It was a $1,500 jalopey bought from the junk. Now tell me, one cannot turn around paying for cars in cash after less than 6 years in the US working for a caregiving facility. WAKE UP UP AND STOP PRETENDING!
Oh boy, oh boy!
Arthur Javelosa… tsk tsk!
ANA?!?!?! Stop ruining other people’s name!
Arthur Javelosa! Stop Pretending!
YOU stop pretending!
Ms. Ana Ibrahim
My only advise to you is to stop this slanderous comment toward the Zaragoza family. You will not get nothing from this issues, but just to ruined the name of some people. Let the court judge it.
Um die Menschen, die nicht etwas zu tun, sondern mit dem Finger auf andere Leute für ihre eigene Weise schuldig …
Five great enemies of peace inhabit US: AVARICE, AMBITION, ENVY, ANGER and PRIDE. It is impossible for a man to be cheated by anyone but HIMSELF. What lies behind US and what lies before US are tiny matters compared
to what lies within US. Don’t talk unless you can improve the silence. History teaches us that MEN and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives. Don’t worry about what people think. They don’t do it very often. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.
You know I agree what the author say, but I’m just careful of what will be the consequences if the other party will file a case of Defamation towards me. I’m scared that the law will tract me down where’s the source of issues is coming from. So, just be careful make sure your really good to hide your identity. ( Finalty $ 10,000.00, jail time 5 years+)
Now that you know the true rank of Major (Kuno) Eduardo Z. (I think the use of his last name is detested even by his forefathers), you judge for yourself who the guy truly is. If his work and claim in the association and in California are all true, LET THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION BE THE JUDGE! IN LAW, THE EVIDENCE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF!
The association judgement: The IASC constitution and by laws was not stated what the person or a member personal life will be investigated as long that person is truly committed to perform his/her duties that allow by the constitution. As for BZ during his term as the president was a memorable one because of his dedication in helping our poor people back home. The effort he participated in collecting all donations from other sources here such as medical supplies, monitary donation to help our poor kids that cannot afford to buy anti-biotic/medicine in case the parents have no other means to buy it. The Good Samaritan Volunter’s Services Foundation of Iloilo will speak for itself. If you only see him from his past and not looking to the present, you will just assumed his still the same person before. The way you spoke of BZ, you just want to ruin his reputation. By the way are you related to BZ. Why that you’re so disperate in doing this bad issues. Are you been paid for this just to malign his name and the family?