Photo taken after the 40-foot container was loaded with hospital supplies, hospital beds, and textbooks on December 22, 2009.

OMASC SHIPS 40-FOOT CONTAINER FULL OF DONATION

 

            After months of tirelessly collecting donations of hospital supplies and equipment as well as books and other educational materials, officers of the Oriental Mindoro Association of Southern California (OMASC) finally saw their efforts rewarded when they were able to fill a 40-foot container and send it on its way to Oriental Mindoro on December 22.   It is expected to arrive at the destination around the last week of January, 2010.  The thirteen hospital beds were acquired under the auspices of Elsie Amansec.  Nini Cleofe and Orlando Mayor, a friend from Oakland, California were instrumental in acquiring the hospital supplies.

             OMASC past president Eleanor Evangelista and her husband Edilberto led the effort that triggered an unprecedented show of support from dedicated officers and members.  The current president Edmund “Jojo” Leviste and his wife Lynette, along with Ernie & Nini Cleofe, Elsie Amansec, Rolly and Ciely Ong, Dr. Fred and Nilda Villao, Shirley and Ruben Espiritu, Dan & Melanie Nable, Elpidio and Linda Lardizabal, Hermie & Mila Maramot, Lina Partosa , Minerva Lim, Nida Mendoza, Erlie Conti, Ester & Armand Jose, Clem Adeva, Ado Martinez, Angelito Martinez, Joseph Marco, Rolando Calda, Oscar Ricaflanca, and Ronnie Collantes took time off from their busy holiday schedules to help in various ways.  Some organized, boxed, labeled, and loaded the goods on to the 40-foot container while others did their part by joining in the weekend caroling to raise the funds needed to ship the goods.  Vice Consul Charmaine Serna-Chua, also from Oriental Mindoro, helped in executing the deed of donation. 

             OMASC has a sixteen-year history of commitment to social, educational, and humanitarian projects such as scholarships, disaster relief, medical missions, and donations ranging from fire trucks to computers, books, and hospital equipment.  At a time when many member families are feeling the strain of the sagging economy, OMASC is still able to raise funds to help make the latest shipment possible, thanks to its proven ability to pursue a project to completion.  It does not consider a project complete until the benefit is received by the intended recipients, thus creating an atmosphere of trust among the many donors who regularly contribute to its many causes. 

             To keep the community spirit going, OMASC holds three annual events where members and donors can interact and keep themselves updated on the association’s activities.  A picnic in the summer, a formal ball in the fall, and caroling during the holiday season foster friendships and inspire commitments to the OMASC mission.  At the latest formal ball held on September 19, 2009 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel, Leviste was installed as president and sworn into office by the guest speaker, Miss Charo Santos-Concio, a Mindorena herself and the president of ABS-CBN.  Leviste succeeds Ernie Cleofe as the association’s eighth president.  In appreciation of Miss Santos-Concio’s role as guest speaker and inducting officer, OMASC made a $1,000 donation to the ABS-CBN Foundation.  A few days later, typhoon Ondoy hit, leaving a wide area of devastation and causing the loss of lives and properties in the metro Manila area.  OMASC again wrote a check to the ABS-CBN Foundation for $2,000 to help the victims.

             OMASC continues to keep its commitment to promote the well being of the people of Oriental Mindoro.  It needs new members and donors to succeed.  To be a member or to learn more about the association, please contact Hermie Maramot at (626) 289-7607 or Nilda Villao at (714) 996-3661.  To make a donation, please contact Erlie Conti at (818) 768-6398. 

 

 

OMASC NEEDS YOUR HELP!

We are donating a 40 ft container of hospital supplies and textbooks to the Province of Oriental Mindoro. We need help to load the container.

When:   Dec. 22, 2009 at 8:am

Where:  1318 Potrero Grande Dr. Rosemead, Ca 91770

For questions, call Jojo Leviste at 818-203-1088 or Eleanor Evangelista - 818-999-3713 or 818-438-6369, or Elsie Amansec - 310-947-1752. Thank you

16th Anniversary and Induction Ball

Saturday, September 19, 2009

The Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel
5855 West Century Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca. 90045

6:00 pm  No Host Coctail
7:00 pm Dinner

Attire: Strictly formal
Prepaid Admission only

A MEDICAL MISSION TO REMEMBER

As medical missions go, the recent Oriental Mindoro Association of Southern California (OMASC)-sponsored four-day event, from January 31 to Feb 3 in Calapan, Roxas, and Puerto Galera, takes the plum prize.   It undoubtedly holds a special place in the heart of everyone involved.  From the planning and execution.....see BLOG for more
For pictures, see Photo Albums 1,2 & 3.

OMASC 15th ANNIVERSARY BALL & CORONATION BALL
          
          When:         September 20, 2008 - Saturday
          
          Where:        Los Angeles Marriott Hotel 
                              5855 West Century Boulevard
                              Los Angeles, Ca. 90045
                              
                              Phone: 1-800-228-9290

           Time:     6:30 PM

          

5/8/2008

Vice Consul Charmaine A. Serna-Chua - a Mindorena!

The other day I had the pleasure of meeting the new Vice Consul at the Phil Consulate Office in Los Angeles. After introducing myself as from Or. Mindoro she happily told me that she is from Calapan. She graduated high school from Holy Infant Academy. Her family used to live in Ilaya and her mother is an Arias. 

She is very young, charming, nice and very accomodating, a typical Mindoreno.
She will be a great addition to OMASC. I have invited her to the picnic in June and to the dinner dance in September. I'll try to get her picture next time I meet her.

posted by Eleanor E.

AN INVITATION!

To all former residents of Or. Mindoro. 
You and your family and friends are invited
to the fun filled events of OMASC.

ORIENTAL MINDORO ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
15TH ANNUAL PICNIC

WHEN:       JUNE 21, 2008
TIME:          9:30 AM
WHERE:      Barnes Park (626-307-1368)
                    350 S. McFerrin Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91754

                  FREE FOOD, 
                       ENTERTAINMENT
                             GAMES AND PRIZES

FOR MORE INFO, PLS. CALL: 
          Ernie Cleofe     714-523-2803
          Eleanor Evangelista   818-999-3713
          Willy Soriano         818-251-0799
          Lauro Manigbas    562-926-4016
          Rolly Ong     626-285-2605
   Elsie Navarro Amansec   310-376-5260 or 310-947-1752    
        Nilda Villao        714-996-3661      

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS

 OMASC is presented with another opportunity to reach out to our fellow Mindorenos, thanks to a group of Filipino physicians who call themselves Doctors Without Borders.  At a meeting held in March of this year, Drs. Linda Enriquez and Juanito Garlitos from Doctors Without Borders talked about the medical mission they organize periodically to provide health care and assistance to poor families in the Philippines.  As a result, the officers approved a resolution to sponsor a two-day mission in Oriental Mindoro – one in the North and one in the South.  The projected date is in 2009 and will provide health care to people who are too poor to get the medical attention they need. 

 Remember this mission when you plan your giving next year.  Details will be posted as they become available.  If you are able to help in other ways, let us know via a guest book entry.

________________________________________________________

WHAT:   Dance!  Dance!  Dance!

WHEN:   May 24, 2008

WHERE: L&J Ballroom Dance Center
             19716 E. Arrow Hwy, Covina 91724

WHY:     Fund Raising for Projects
_____________________________________________

Fr. Mimo Rocks

Fr. Mimo’s OMASC-sponsored acoustic gospel concert at the Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Canoga Park, California on Saturday, April 5 2007 was a resounding success.   The crowd was larger than expected for a hastily promoted event, thanks to efforts of parishioners Ellen Umali and Eleanor Evangelista.  Associate Pastor Fr. Lawrence Santos officiated in the 5:00 P.M mass preceding the concert, assisted by Fathers RV Villavicencio and Andy Lubi from the Philippines.  The self-deprecating Fr. Mimo gave an inspired and well-received performance both uplifting and funny.  A duet with a talented young lady parishioner of “I Want to See Her Again in You” was especially memorable because it was sung so beautifully in spite of the limited time they had to practice singing together.  Towards the end, after thanking the audience including OMASC’s president Ernie Cleofe, Father Andy showed a video of the Saint Augustine Seminary explaining the purpose of their US concert series.  The audience responded with generous donations and CD purchases that went beyond expectations. 

 

            After the concert, OMASC officers and friends who attended the concert were invited to a dinner in honor of the priests at the home of OMASC adviser Willy Soriano and Tess Vallada.  The dinner offered an opportunity for everyone to get to know the visiting priests and their mission better.  Also present at the dinner was Mrs. Irene Aranas, arguably the oldest member of OMASC, whose 94^th birthday happened to be on that day.  She was pleasantly surprised when all the priests asked everyone to extend their hand towards her and led them in a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving.   The priests left shortly after with their next host, Jun Madrigal of Lancaster, where they are scheduled to hold their next concert.   

__________________________________________________

FR. MIMO’S ACOUSTIC

GOSPEL CONCERT

      An intimate way of sharing Gospel inspired songs set in acoustic music with the aim of renewing one’s connectedness with self, others and God.  Through his gospel concerts, Fr. Mimo uses a simple yet powerful way of spreading the Good News of love, peace and unity though acoustic music* (a laid back type of music that solely or primarily uses acoustic instruments, such as the acoustic guitar, banjo, violin, mandolin, piano, cello, and voice.  Proceeds of the concert will go towards the St. Augustine Seminary fund campaign in Calapan.

 

Date:     April 5, 2008  Saturday

Time:    5:00pm mass, followed by a concert, then Sharing and                   Fellowship.

Venue: 

        Our Lady of the Valley Church

       22021 Gault Street

       Canoga Park, California 91303

       Tel 818-592-2880

 

For inquiries contact:

     

   Ernie Cleofe  --------          714-523-2803      

   Ellen Umali  ---------           818-348-0812/846-4392

   Louie Umali ---------           818-917-5762/349-9831     

   Jojo Leviste ---------          562-946-5785

   Eleanor Evangelista-           818-999-3713

   Elsie Amansec ------           310-376-5260/947-1752

   Mila Maramot ------           626-864-2214

                 

DONATIONS ARE WELCOME!

_______________________________________________

City Library of Calapan
Eddie and I visited the city libray last Feb. 9, 2008 with Bobby Macalalad as our guide. Salamat Bobby. Nandoon sa lumang city hall.
Sabi ni Mrs. Marilyn Manigbas, pag hapon after school at saka araw ng Sabado puno daw ng mga bata itong library. 
Sabi niya ang ibang bata na may favorite books, itinatago sa ibang section ng library para pagnagpunta ulit , siguradong mababasa nila, lalo na raw iyong mga libro na popular. Lahat ng libro ay covered with plastic. Thank you for taking good care of them. It took three long years to collect them. 

I told her that one day I hope to see a separate library building in a less congested part of the city.
Marami din daw na libro ang napapunta sa mga schools.

We also visited the provincial hospital. Dr. Fabon , the chief doctor told us that before Omasc donated the 2 anesthesia machines, manual daw ang ginagamit nila and it took longer to do an operation.
These were included in our shipment, November 2005. More pictures in the photo album.
2/28/2008

Fresh News from Mindoro

I just came back last night. It had been raining since Feb 13 and is still raining when I left. Ang pakiramdam ko ay marami pang ulan ang babagsak dahil napaka dilim pa ng langit.

Eddie and I went to Calapan from Puerto Galera 3 times and during the last two times, napalaki na ng tubig sa Baco at San Teodoro. Regretfully, we did not take pictures. I also saw on TV the flooding in Naujan, and Victoria.

Reported by Eleanor Evangelista - 2/21/2008

Acoustical Gospel Concert by the talented Father Memo Perez will be in North America from March 13 to May 25, 2008. He will be accompanied by Fr RV Villavicencio and Fr. Andy Lubi. This will be a Fund Raising for support of Priestly vocation for the St Augustine Seminary in Calapan, Or. Mindoro.

Please visit the Guest Book for the dates in your area.

Elsie and Rudy doing a harana duet at Ed Cleofe's house on 12/8/07 in Mission Viejo.

Christmas Caroling Now in Progress

For more photos, please go to the Photo Album Section.

10/8/2007 - Medical Equipment Project

Omasc Officers Hermie Maramot, Linda Macalintal and member Dr. Fred Villao and Knightsbridge International Foundation (KI) Founder and Chairman Sir Edward Artis loaded a 10 ft wheeler truck with hospital beds and other medical equipment and supplies bound for Oriental Mindoro yesterday.The medical equipment and supplies came from KI.

Majority of them will be given to the Municipal Hospital of Roxas as suggested by the Provincial Health Officer Dr. Normando Legaspi. Roxas has the facility to receive them. In addition it can service the neighboring towns of Bulalacao, Mansalay and  Bongabong. These areas are the farthest from the Provincial Hospital in Calapan.
Dr. Fred Villao told me that they stopped by the provincial hospital last night to drop some hospital beds and medical supplies. He said that the sterilizer machine was broken, thus the hospital can't do surgery. Fortunately, they bring with them many boxes of surgical supplies. The hospital staff were very very happy. I'm sure many patients were very happy too.
Please see 'Photo Albums for more photos.
Truck used is owned by Nora Liwanag of Roxas, sister of Omasc officer Bien Carvajal.

Vice Gov. Estee Aceron and Woodland Hills Rotaty Club Pres. Jon Wilson

The Vice Governor Estee Aceron, a rotarian was invited by the Woodland Hills Rotary Club last Sept. 26. 2007 at their weekly luncheon at the Woodland Hills Country Club. She had a short speech with her video presentation of the rotary activities in Calapan. After her speech, Woodland Hills rotarians were crowding her wanted to know more. They were also asking copies of her video presentation. I would say they were very impressed. Katie Sanchez and Lori Hall, the founding board members of Global Classroom for Peace (GC4P) were seated at our table. They have decided to sponsor a school in Or. Mindoro. GC4P will bring teachers, school supplies and computers.
GC4P's mission is to promote peace globally by education and helping the economy of emerging countries.
by Eleanor Evangelista

THE

16th Anniversary & Induction Ball

Saturday, September 19, 2009

The Los angeles Airport Marriott HOtel
5855 West Century Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045

6:00 pm No Host Cocktail
7:00 pm Dinner

Attire: Strictly formal
Prepaid admission only