Barangay families line up for OMASC's relief goods.

As the New Year unfolds, it is always good to look back and take stock of what the old year has added to (or taken away from) one’s life.  It is no different with associations, and OMASC can take pride in its accomplishments in 2007.  We remained faithful to tradition – hosting a picnic, holding fund raisers, celebrating our anniversary and installing our new officers in style.  But the crowning achievement remains to be those when we reached out to help, in whatever way we can, the people of our beloved province. 

In October, Hermie Maramot, Linda Macalintal, and Dr. Fred Villao coordinated the delivery of a 10-wheeler truckload of hospital beds, medical supplies and equipment to the hospital in Calapan City, Roxas and several other smaller health care facilities.  The donation was from Knightsbridge International (KI) through collaborative efforts of Sir Ed Artis of KI and Eleanor Evangelista of OMASC.  Because the beds did not come with mattresses, OMASC purchased and donated forty of these and Dr. Villao again coordinated the distribution.  Omasc and KI also coordinated the shipment and clearing from customs of two ambulances for Or. Mindoro. One is for Calapan City, solicited by Dr. Emmanuel Luna, and the other one is for Puerto Galera, personally purchased by Eleanor Evangelista and family.  Omasc donated two stretchers for these ambulances.

In November, twenty-one wheelchairs were personally distributed by Elsie Amansec to the 15 municipalities in the province.  The wheelchairs were donated by the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity whose members include our very own Business Manager Jonathan Fedelicio. During the year, one of our Mangyan scholars graduated with a bachelor’s degree from MINSCAT.  When a devastating flood hit Naujan in the last days of 2007, an emergency meeting of officers was called to discuss how and what assistance could be made.  Naujan Mayor Romar Marcos has expressed the urgent need in a telephone conversation with OMASC President Ernie Cleofe.  As a result, a relief operation is scheduled to take place Friday, January 11, 2008 at Naujan’s Bahay Tuklasan to distribute much-needed food bags to victims in 20 barangays worst hit by the flood.  It is estimated that around 2000 families will benefit from this operation.  The project is to be financed almost entirely from funds raised by the OMASC choir caroling friends and families who opened their homes and wallets in support of our cause. 

For some of our members, the year saw a significant change in their lives.  Yvonne Amansec Kidder gave birth to her first child, Riley Caitlyn, making Elsie Amansec a grandmother.  Hayessa Pagaduan became Mrs. Matthew Jacobsen.  Efren Evangelista became an hotelier and Bien Carvajal asked for his loved one’s hand in marriage.  Joy Hernaez gladly said yes!  Eli and Vivian Tamano were also blessed with a new grandson.  Mila Maramot retired from Edison International in April after 27 years of service and now spends a great deal of her time on OMASC-related activities.  On the same month, Ed Evangelista retired from his job at Tenet to work alongside wife Eleanor expanding the family business.  Carmelo “Boy” Morente also decided to hang up his USPS uniform and spend his time traveling to and from the Philippines with wife Dolly.  Ruben Espiritu turned 75, a milestone age he celebrated with OMASC at his Rosemead residence.  

OMASC looks forward to 2008 with hope it will be as productive, its membership as cohesive, and its leadership as focused as they have always been.  Let us also sign up more members and invite back those who have turned away for personal reasons.  We miss them and we look forward to the day when they will once again embrace us and share the joy and the kind of camaraderie unique only to OMASC.  Happy New Year to all!