Mapua Alumni Australia rises from Down Under

On 17 April 2009, Mapua Alumni Australia (MAA) held its first induction of officers, directors and members in a formal ceremony which took place at Crystal Seafood Restaurant at Blacktown, New South Wales.  Sworn in by the Philippine Vice Consul J. Anthony Reyes, the inductees pledged to help MAA achieve its mission and realize its vision.

The occasion was well-attended by enthusiastic members and supportive family members and friends. It turned out to be a night of friendship, music and laughter. It was the culmination of plans and dreams to form an alumni association in Australia dating several years back.

As of May 2009, MAA has 25 financial members and is keen to take advantage of the interest generated among alumni in the region to widen its membership base.  After the June 2009 meeting of the Board of Directors, MAA will have formulated a short and medium to long term plan to guide its operation from year to year.  The plan will include strategies and projects that will address membership growth and sustenance, education/scholarship (including continuing education among MAA members), fund raising, cooperation/coordination with MIT, NAMA and the local community with regards to socially-responsive and relevant concerns.  MAA aims to be a catalyst for the improvement and progress of the society. Mapua alumni may contact MAA through email at dever_a1@hotmail.com.

LIST OF MAA MEMBERS AS OF MAY 2009: Elvira Barcelona, Manuel Barcelona, Ninoy Batara, Roderick Buenavista, Robert Cabrera,  Mauricio de Vera, Dorothy Del Villar, Jesus Domingo,    Ferdinand Francisco,  Gener Francis Gatbonton, Daniel Gregorio, Elvira Barcelona, Maria Milagros Gregorio, Helen Kalinisan,

Leonardo Kalinisan, Romeo Lu, Deogracias Madrid,  Marissa Manoto, Modesto Mateo, Rosalie Ouano, Mario Potestades, Rodolfo Susi, Randy Tangonan, Andres

Uvero, Celedonia Uvero, Gideon Vargas.

Inducted as officers were: Mauricio de Vera, President; Leonardo Kalinisan, Vice President; Rosalie Ouano, Secretary; Daniel Gregorio, Treasurer; Celedonia Uvero, Auditor; Mario Potestades, Public Relations Officer. Directors were: Ninoy Batara, Maria Milagros Gregorio, Helen Kalinisan, Rodolfo Susi, and Randy Tangonan. – ?