Liong Beach, CA — It appears that “Women Empowerment” in Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA’s top leadership team seems to be the mantra as the incoming board of directors elected two women to lead this non-profit, 501-C-3, charitable umbrella organization for the next two years.
Sue Ann Estrada-Tumakay, current president of San Carlenian Organization and Ellen Rodriguez-Swing of Burgos town and president of Cerritos Chamber of Commerce, were unanimously elected as president and board chairperson respectively of PB-USA. Both are also members of the board.
The 52-year-old Ms. Tumakay, a certified physician assistant, succeeds her sibling Neil M. Estrada as president while Ms. Swing, an accountant, succeeds Dan E. Nino as chairman of the Board. The freshly-minted leaders are the first elected women tandem to hold the top two leadership positions in the organization.
In her brief statement after the NOMELEC declared and certified her election on Nov. 19 held in Long Beach, Ms. Tumakay told her fellow Pangasinenses, “It is an immense honor and privilege to represent our wonderful organization as your next president. With profound gratitude, I humbly accept the appointment and responsibility to serve the organization. With God’s grace, the wisdom and guidance of past and present officers, I vow to fulfill my utmost best to uphold and execute the mission, values and goals our founders had established. May we continue to prosper as an organization by working together to foster goodwill, charity and service not only towards each other but also with the greater community. Thank you everyone for the vote of confidence and entrusting me with this role.”
For her part, Ms. Swing, 47, said, “In accepting the role of board chairperson, I am both honored and humbled by the confidence given to me by the officers and members of this amazing organization. The mission of our organization is not merely a statement but a commitment to intelligent participation, personal growth, and the development of kinship among Pangasinenses both locally and globally. Under the grace and guidance of our dedicated membership who have preceded me, I humbly aim to help execute the organization’s vision to be a positive change and prosperity for our province. I look forward to collaborating with all sectors to fulfill our mandate. Thank you for trusting me with this responsibility.”
Following the election, the incoming chief executive, immediately appointed Josie Carayugan-Khoo, president of Bayambang Assn. of Southern California as the executive vice president while the Board elected Danny Tejada, president of Assn. of Mangatarem Overseas Residents of Southern California (AMOR) as vice chairman of the board.
Other members of the Board who will assume office on Jan. 1, 2024, is a combination of old guards and young turks include: Nieves Coquia of Dagupan City Club of Southern California, Pio Roque Coquia (Greater Dagupan City Assn. of California), Jann Doctor-Bergado (Santa Barbara), Marites Orencia-Bautista (San Fabian), J.R. Araquel (Alaminos City), Dean Mandapat (San Carlos City), Noemi Viloria-Dumlao (Bani) and Henry Estrada (Calasiao),
The board members were first nominated during the Pangasinenses’ picnic held at Don Knabe Community Regional Park in the City of Cerritos.
The freshly-minted board members and executive officers will be sworn-in on Dec. 9, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the Cerritos City Performing Arts’ Sierra Room on Bloomfield Ave., Cerritos.
Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, founded in 1978 by the late Ambassador Armando C. Fernandez and former consul general of Los Angeles not only aims to preserve and promote its people’s unique culture and tradition but get engaged in its native province. Among its past contributions to the upliftment of the Pangasinan and its people were providing relief goods during natural calamities, donated low-cost housing in partnership with Rotary Club and Gawad Kalinga, donated books to the municipal library of Alaminos City, provided supplemental scholarship grants to deserving college-bound students, promoting local products and crafts of the province in Los Angeles, cooperative funds to some municipalities, educational workshops, among others.
Sue Ann Estrada-Tumakay, the 18th president of the association follows a long list of venerable past leaders including (in order of succession): Alfredo C. Reyes, Rene D. Casaclang, Ray Parayno, Adolfo U. Dotimas, Ernesto A. Reyes, Mel Castelo, Tony Barlongo, Tony Banaag, Gil B. Mislang, J. Bing Dela Vega, Ads Diaz, Mely I. Cerame, Dan E. Nino, Eddie C. Ferrer, Lino Caringal, Ferdinand Soriano and Neil M. Estrada.
For reservation on its Christmas & Induction Ball, interested parties may call: Danny Tejada (treasurer) @ 562-822-0852; Rhenee M. Ferrer (seating arrangement chair) @ 562-525-0687 and Neil Estrada (president) @ 562-301-9972.
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