Fil-Am holds Valentine’s Ball and Induction of Officers 2023

TDT | Manama                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

The Filipino American (FilAm) Association of Bahrain Valentine Ball and Induction of Officers 2023 was held at the Crown Plaza Hotel on February 10.

Philippine Embassy Charge d’ Affaires, a.i. Anne Jalando-on was Guest of Honor during the event. Director of Information and Follow-Up of Capital Governorate, Mr Yusuf Lori also graced the occasion.

CDA Louis administered the oath of office to the new set of officers of Filipino American Association of Bahrain for 2023: President, Orlando ‘’Fonti’’ Fontanilla; Vice President Internal, Joselito Sarmiento; Vice President External, Ricardo Advincula; Secretary, Reigna Gumiran; Treasurer, Romeo AntonioTagulao; Operations Director (Events & Planning), Rey Giron and Public Affairs Officer, Lorenzo Samson.

The Charge de Affaires extended her gratitude to the leadership and members of Fil-Am Bahrain, noting the partnership with them has led to rich initiatives and fruitful projects.

Fontanilla, the incoming president of Fil-Am, called on the outgoing officers to continue to be a guiding presence to the organisation and for the new ones to build on the accomplishments of their predecessors and remain steadfast to their commitment to the ideals, values and mission for which Fil-Am was established.

In his acceptance speech as president of the organisation, Fontanilla stated, “Those who served as officers were the men and women who had spent the best years of their lives leading us in a journey to the fulfillment of our common vision as Filipino Americans in a foreign land”.

He also lined up the organisation’s vision under his term emboldened with an agenda aiming to funnel concerted efforts for the realisation of the programs.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, outgoing Fil-Am president Capt. Ernan Obellos recognised and highlighted the accomplishments of the group that rose to the challenges during the pandemic.

Plaques of appreciation were awarded to the outgoing officers of Fil-Am Bahrain to express recogni-tion for excellent work and contributions for enduring and performing well through a difficult period of time: President, Capt. Ernan Obellos; Vice President Internal, LCDR Emiliano Rabor; Vice President Ex-ternal, Antonette Avila; Secretary, Charito Gaviola; Treasurer, Romeo Antonio Tagulao; Public Affairs Officer, Orlando Fontanilla; Events Director; Lory Rabor and Election Commissioner, Alain Buensuceso.

Three former Fil-Am presidents namely Joselito Sarmiento, Romeo Antonio Tagulao and Virgilio Figueras were present and have been part of the program.

Fil-Am Bahrain works side by side with the Philippine Embassy in providing various services to dis-tressed Filipino migrant workers, aside from encouraging participation in social and charitable projects, promoting Filipino customs and traditions through intercultural activities and enhancement of an envi-ronment conducive to good morals.