By Charito R. Wui, UPAI Vice President

THE United Pangasinanes of America, Inc., a registered non-profit corporation and representing one of the largest Filipino – American organizations in the Bay Area, held its 52^nd Inaugural Banquet and Ball on April 15, 2023, at the Hilton Hotel, San Francisco Airport Boulevard Bayfront in Burlingame, CA.

The inducting officer and guest speaker, Pangasinan Governor Ramon ‘Mon-Mon’ Guico III, was not able to attend the event, was represented by 15 provincial officials led by the Provincial Administrator Mr. Melecio F. Patague II from Binalonan. With him were Special Asst. to the Governor Von Mark Mendoza from Mangaldan/Lingayen, Provincial Board Secretary Atty. Verna N. Perez from Lingayen, Provincial Assessor Atty. Gemino Abad from Lingayen. Provincial board members: 6^th District’s Atty. Noel C. Bince from Tayug/Rosales, 3^rd District’s Dr. Shiela Marie Baniqued from Calasiao/San Carlos, 5^th District’s Chinky Perez Tababa from Urdaneta City, 5^th District’s Nicolai Jan Louie Q. Sison from Villasis, 4^th District’s Marinor B. de Guzman from San Fabian, 6^th District’s Salvador S. Perez, Jr. from San Manuel, 1^st District’s. Apple DG Bacay from Alaminos; 3rd District’s Vici M. Ventanilla from San Carlos, 2^nd District’s Atty. Haidee S. Pacheco from Urbiztondo, 4^th District’s Dr. Jerry B. Rosario from Manaoag, and 3^rd District’s. Jeanne Jinky Zaplan from Calasiao/Sta Barbara.

Other dignitaries who attended the event were Daly City Mayor Ray Buenaventura, Daly City Vice-Mayor Juslyn Manalo, Vice – Consul Adrian Audrey Baccay and Ms. Kristine Quiboloy, Cultural Officer, both from the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, CA.

The elected UPAI Executive Officers are Alvin R.Padilla, Mabini,1^st Dist.  – President, Charito Roxas-Wui, Ph.D., Malasiqui, 3^rd Dist. – Vice President, Marita N. Padilla, Mabini, 1^st Dist.- Secretary, Norma Bitanga, San Carlos City, 3^rd Dist. – Asst. Secretary, Josephine J. Dela Cruz, San Carlos City, 3^rd Dist. – Treasurer, Susan Arcilla, Tayug, 6^th Dist. – Asst. Treasurer, Lee Junio, Bayambang, 3^rd Dist. – Controller, Angelina F.  Reguindin, Bayambang, 3^rd Dist. – Asst. Controller, Arsie Valdez, Dagupan City, 4^th Dist.-Auditor, Vicky Bautista, Alaminos,1^st Dist. – Asst. Auditor, Archie Arcilla,Tayug, 6^th Dist. Conrad Barcelon, San Carlos City, 3^rd Dist. Marcel Cayabyab, San Carlos City, 3^rd Dist. and Rodil Peralta, Agno, 1^st Dist.–Sgt. At Arms.  Zosimo De Veas, Rosales, 6^th Dist.-Director Emeritus (Deceased). The Adviser is Fred Almeron, Pozorrubio, 5^th Dist.- Immediate Past President.

The Board of Directors – At Large are Ernesto Abalos, Calasiao, 3^rd Dist. Chair, Jose ‘Pepe’ Rosario, Dagupan City, 4^th Dist. Vice Chair, Amor D. Wui, Dagupan City, 3^rd Dist. Secretary, Caridad O. Aquino, Agno, 1^st Dist., Romulo Arenas, San Carlos City, 3^rd Dist. Nemy C. Bautista, Alaminos, 1^st Dist., Romy Cerezo, Binalonan, 5^th Dist. Rudy Junio, Bayambang, 3^rd Dist. Chris Torres, Bayambang, 3^rd Dist. Bernard Valdez, Urdaneta, 5^th Dist. The Board of Directors – Town Affiliates are Chris Alanzalon–Basista, 2^nd Dist., Andy Junio – Bayambang, 3^rd Dist. Carlito Carrera–Binmaley, 2^nd Dist., Gloria Junio–Calasiao, 3^rd Dist., Jose Castillo, 2^nd Dist.–Lingayen, Lyn Descalzo, Mabini,1^st Dist. and Ben Rufo–San Carlos, 3^rd Dist.

Appointed Officers are Elizabeth Alanzalon – PRO, Basista, 2^nd Dist., Edna Roxas-Gorospe – PRO, Malasiqui, 3^rd Dist. Lorette De Veas – Historian, Rosales, 6^th Dist., Romy Manuel – Parliamentarian, Dagupan City, 4^th Dist., Pacita Aningalan – Mutual Assistance, Dagupan City, 4^th Dist., Fmr. Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves – Constitution-and By-laws, Dagupan City, 4^th Dist., Angeline Noguerra – Youth Representative and Current Ms. Pangasinan, Agno, 1^st Dist., and Norma Panoringan – Current Mrs. Pangasinan, Tayug, 6^th Dist.

Standing Committee Chairmen are Dr. Charito Roxas-Wui – Ways and Means, and Education and Scholarship, Lee Junio – Membership and Town/City Affiliations, Jose ‘Pepe’ Rosario – Cultural Development, Caridad Aquino – Awards and Recognition, Alvin Padilla – Property Management Authority, and Chris Torres – Sports and Recreation.

Atty. Noel Bince, Pangasinan Board Member and Asst. Majority Floor Leader installed the 2023-2025 Executive Officers and Board of Directors while Dr. Shiela Marie Baniqued, Senior Board Member and Presiding Officer Pro Tempore delivered Gov. Guico’s message.

The Inaugural Banquet and Ball, chaired and co-chaired by Bernard Valdez and Beth Alanzalon, respectively, was attended by 359 guests. It was the only major occasion by UPAI after the pandemic and it was the biggest and most attended event so far in 2023. The highlight of the affair was the turnover of the presidency by two men of great ideas – Fred Almeron, the Outgoing UPAI President and Alvin Padilla, the Incoming President.

Tin is inaugural speech President Padilla strongly emphasized that change is needed to move forward. He has a self-propelled high-performing team in his administration and expressed confidence that he can achieve he 9-point agenda of his incumbency:

1. Reactivation of the Scholarship Program under the chairmanship of the Vice-
   President, in coordination with the Scholarship arm of the Province of
   Pangasinan.
2. Fortifying the Board of Directors to oversee and be involved in the execution and
   realization of the different Standing Committees’ Action Plans.
3. More enriching recreational and fun programs for the Seniors and the Elderly.
4. Retooling of the officer’s functions, duties, and responsibilities through
   Leadership Conferences.
5. Streamlining and consolidating external and internal operational and
   management processes in UPAI.
   6.  Across generations Ms. and Mrs. Pangasinan Searches.
   7.  Bakasyon ed Pangasinan.
6. Revitalization of the membership roll/recruitment and Memorandum of
   Understanding/Memorandum of Agreement with Affiliate Towns and Cities
   Organization.
7. Availability of use of the Pangasinan Center to Affiliate Towns and Cities
   Organizations.

Inspiring messages from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Presidential Chief Legal Counsel of Malacanang Juan Ponce Enrile, Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, District 2 Representative Mark O. Cojuangco, Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Daly City Mayor Raymond A. Buenaventura, Consulate General of the Philippines in San Francisco Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, Outgoing and Incoming UPAI Presidents, Fred Almeron and Alvin R. Padilla, respectively called for the commitment and dedication to service to the community, fostering collaboration, cooperation and brotherhood among the UPAI membership, and  preserving the very Filipino trait of resiliency in the midst of adversity.

With the triumvirate power, leadership, and responsibility of President Alvin Padilla, Vice President Dr. Charito Roxas-Wui and Board of Directors Chair Ernie Abalos, UPAI is undoubtedly heading toward a brighter and stronger, more dynamic and directed, and most of all, participative and synergistic organization of leaders in the Bay Area.

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