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UFO elects new officers
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Posted on Mar 20 2005
The United Filipino Organization, an umbrella group encompassing 24 Filipino organizations in the CNMI, elected Saturday its new set of officers at the Aqua Resort Club’s Taga Room.
Majority of the 65 voting members who were present installed Roland Pamintuan as UFO’s new president.
Pamintuan vowed to continue the projects that UFO used to undertake yearly, including the rehabilitation of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium in Oleai.
He vowed to focus on sports activities and cultural projects such as the annual Pistang Pinoy [Filipino feast]. He said the UFO would also field a float in the annual Liberation Day parade on July 4, as well as undertake projects for the CNMI’s man’ amko.
“Our projects will benefit both Filipino and local communities,” Pamintuan said. He called for unity among UFO’s member organizations.
Before the election proper began, outgoing UFO officers such as president Nelida Atalig, vice president Ramon Awit, and advisory council chairman Ed Reyes stressed the need for unity and cooperation among UFO’s members. Factionalism has plagued some Filipino organizations in the CNMI.
Bonnie Sagana, leader of MOVER and Dekada, voiced out his sentiment as to why his organizations were not allowed to join the UFO so they could field voting representatives in the elections. UFO’s election committee said Sagana’s groups are welcome to join the organization upon filing of letters of intent to join UFO after the polls.
After the elections, Pamintuan would not comment on Sagana’s intention for his groups to join UFO, but said that MOVER and Dekada’s help to the Filipino organization would be welcome.
The new set of officers includes Pamintuan; Wilfredo Ching, Socorro Borja, and Romeo Malasarte, vice presidents for administration, internal and external, respectively; Raquel Miranda, secretary; Olive Yana, assistant secretary; Apollo Madriaga, treasurer; Flor Miranda, assistant treasurer; Anamae Awit, auditor; and Heidee Eugenio and Rose Guirit, public relations officers.
UFO thanked Aqua Resort Club and its management, particularly, food and beverage assistant director Manny Barcial, for providing Taga Room’s use, as well as snacks and refreshment, for free.
