Kagay-anon Int’l calls on Cagayanons, Misamisnons to join Tapok 2009

THE Kagay-anon International - East Coast Chapter (KI-ECC) is inviting all Cagayanons and Misamisnons who are now residing in the United States and elsewhere in the world to participate in the Tapok 2009 that will be held in October, this year in New Jersey and New York areas.

Chita Roa-Marquez, president of the KI-ECC which hosts this year’s reunion disclosed that Tapok 2009 centers on the theme: “Global Convergence, Individuals Make A Difference…Friends Coming to The Aid of Neighbors.”

“We are away from our native land and from each other, and thru this Tapok, we make an effort to reunite, rekindle and carry out our self-inspiring tradition as Cagayanons and Misamisnons,” Roa-Marquez explained.

Roa-Marquez said that Cagayanons and Misamisnons who will attend this year’s Tapok in the East Coast can expect a whole range of joyful and productive opportunities to reconnect and rebuild ties with Cagayanon families and friends.

The four-day Tapok 2009 will start on October 1 with The First Encounter at the Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel in New Jersey where the registration and distribution of souvenir kits to participants will be held.

The Tapok Fellowship will open on October 2 with the Parade of Banners showcasing the various chapters of Kagay-anon International all over the US and around the world.

It will be followed by a presentation of various entertainment numbers by the various chapters and groups and the bidding to host the next Tapok in 2011 to be presided by the Tapok Selection Committee chairperson Roy Gaane.

There will be various business presentations on the premier investment opportunities in Cagayan de Oro as well as trade fair that will also be held on the same day.

A golf tournament and a tour to New York City will be held on October 3. The 3rd day of the Tapok 2009 will be capped with the Gala Night at the Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel where guests and participants are expected to come in their formal attire.

The Tapok 2009 will culminate on Sunday, October 4 with a mass and breakfast at the same venue.

US-based Cagayanons and Misamisnons who have registered for the event are looking forward to meet the delegation from the Philippines that will be led by Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula, Congressman Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District, and Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno.

Meanwhile, Sylvia Labial who chairs the Tapok 2009 business committee is enjoining Cagayanon entrepreneurs to take part in the trade fair and business presentations that form a significant part in the 4-day event.

Labial said that the Tapok 2009 is a good opportunity for Cagayanon entrepreneurs and investors to showcase their products and services, thus establishing a network of potential business partners and market from Cagayanons and Misamisnons in the US and all over the world who will attend the reunion.

Those who are interested to join the Tapok 2009 may register online by logging on to the website at www.tapok2009..com .

For more information, individuals and groups may contact Chita Roa-Marquez at 856-22-4321; Dr. Roy Baldomero at 732-560-7184; Belen Angeles at 718-544-8524; Sylvia Labial at 917-770-4665; or Marina Velez at 908-752-5769. (Sandra B. Tadeo)

Revival Summit marks Lanao Sur anniversary

Lanao del Sur — United in the effort to promote moral renewal in governance, education, and economics, more than 1000 people representing the various sectors of Lanao del Sur as well as members of the Ulama League of the Philippines (ULP) turned up at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium for the Workshop-Summit on Moral Revival.

Inspired by the theme “Morality: The Cornerstone of Nation Building”, the two-day activity was a collaborative effort of the ULP, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

This is in response to President Arroyo’s Administrative Order 255 directing heads of various departments to lead moral renewal by adopting and implementing a Moral Renewal Program.

AO 255 also contained the enlisting the participation of religious, civil society and civic groups through consultations, program development, promotion and implementation of their moral renewal program.

Moral renewal refers to values formation and ethical behavior for government officers and employees as well as strengthening of people’s values to achieve zero tolerance for corruption. Such Filipino values include Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Maka-Bayan and Maka-Kalikasan.

“The issue on moral recovery is a sensitive one but we chose to pursue it because it is the key to building a people and building a nation,” Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr. stressed.

The Provincial Governor said the activity will perk-up the consciousness of people in Lanao del Sur especially the provincial government to continue its transparency, responsiveness, competence and commitment in the delivery of services to the public.

“It will instill in them God-centered, character-focused, nationalistic and environment friendly ideas which is in line with President Arroyo’s directive to promote the values of Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Maka-Bayan and Maka-Kalikasan,” he added.

In his message, OPAPP Secretary Avelino Razon Jr. said the moral revival initiative which complements the peace building program of OPAPP will help in achieving a lasting in Mindanao.

“The summit will bring our Muslim brothers and sisters even closer to the teachings of Islam and deepen their appreciation of the true essence of being a Muslim because Islam is not only a religion of rituals rather it is a code of ethics and conduct for the social person,” he said.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Fernando Capalla said the summit touched on the essential component of human factor for development which is the moral law.

The moral law, he said, is rooted in the divine law without which there can be no genuine progress, development and peace.

Among those who also graced the occasion were Commissioner Elias R. Yusoph of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), who presented a lecture on Morals in Governance; Former Department of Education-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) Secretary Prof. Salipada S. Tamano, who presented a lecture on Morals in Education, and Dr. Abdullah H. Ali Monib Al-Kuzbari of Ma’had Jamiatul Waqf, who presented a lecture on Morals in Economics.

Office of the Ombudsman – Mindanao Director Cora Arancon also honored the event while no less than the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. keynoted the second day of the summit.