Last Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the newly renovated and meticulously refurbished Ramada Plaza Hotel along 160 Frontage Road in Newark, New Jersey, the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League. Inc. (PACCAL) successfully culminated the international celebration of Women’s History Month with much aplomb and pageantry via an ostentatious and heavily attended dinner-dance cum awarding ceremony.
Women’s History Month celebrates the peculiar achievements and magnanimous influence of women who have created tremendous impact and immeasurable inspiration to those who follow their trail. These respectable ladies, who are justifiably armed with such honorable distinction and worth-emulating identities in their chosen fields, undeniably motivate others to strive and attain at least to the level where our honorees have gone.
PACCAL recognizes the grandiose achievements and unprecedented skills of these most distinguished ladies who have attained unparalleled career excellence with the highest degree of professionalism that it was but fitting and proper that they are given due acknowledgement.
Honored 2014 Women Achievers were: Dr. Elena Buenviaje for Medical Profession; Eva Burgos for Education; Rachelle Ocampo for Community Service; Jona Jane Tajonera for Business Entrepreneurship; Aurora Catral for Administrative Profession; Aurora Payawal for Physical Medical & Rehab; Jenn Cuneta for Entertainment; and Menchu Sanchez for Nursing Profession.
PACCAL is mighty proud to present these magnanimously influential and benevolently endowed female advocators of today who are born leaders that are innately gifted with well-driven sense of responsibility and compassion, coupled with dazzling knowledgeability about their community while magnanimously utilizing their keen vision for change and advancement.
The elite group which was deservingly awarded 2014 Influential Women of the Tri-state Area was composed of: Hermie Aczon, Rosalinda Rupel, Aida Bartolome, Dr. Dolly Rivera, Fe Cabactulan, and Cora Reyes.
Mrs. Fe Cabactulan and Menchu Sanchez delivered heartwarming responses about women empowerment and their unprecedented achievements on behalf of the Influential Women awardees and Women Achievers, respectively.
Induced by the venue’s soothing ambience, invigorating music by DJ Magic, amiably sociable crowd, and generously served sumptuous buffet, the program went smoothly with heightened excitement and propelled energy. Not to disregard were the sterling performances of fast-rising teen singing sensation Alyssa Jade Shoemaker, the emotional rendition of coloratura soprano Kay Habana (PACCAL 20th Anniversary Entertainment Awardee), the powerhouse tandem of Suzanne Sabangan-Lansangan and Hermie Angeles of the Sounds of Manila (PACCAL 2012 Entertainment Awardee), and 2014 WHM Entertainment Awardee Jenn Cuneta’s all-out performance that almost brought down the house.
Due to an inevitable circumstance scheduled guest speaker Hon. Consul Kira Azucena failed to attend after being indisposed while Hon. Dep. Consul General Zaldy Patron tried his best to catch-up from a previous commitment. The presence of H.E. Ambassador Libran Nuevas Cabactulan, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN who came to support his wife, was undoubtedly serendipitous for readily obliging to officiate the induction of the incoming set of PACCAL officers.
Officially inducted to office were: Paraluman “Lumen” Castañeda, President; Joey M. Mayo, 1st Vice-Pres.; Rolly Javier, 2nd Vice-Pres.; Mae Legaspi, Recording Secretary; Marilou Songco, Corresponding Secretary; Becky Samanyaphon, Treasurer; Ves Medinaceli, Asst. Treasurer; and Delfin Iglesia, Auditor.
The Board of Directors are: Dr. Leo A. Dela Cruz, Clara Hayes, Ramona S. Gapasin, Marieta Lamar, Edgar P. Rosales, Helen Santillan, and Ria Serrano.
Past presidents Rose P. Javier, Betty Buenviaje, and Linda Mayo were inducted Technical Advisers.
Retaining their positions /office were Dennis Hayes as Community Adviser; Anjelica Baquiran as Youth Adviser; Virgie Alvarez and Tino Capili as Culture & Arts Consultants; Bing Antonio, Jose G. Red, and Jose Santillan as Senior Program Advisers; Annie Tan as Fiscal Officer, Herbert Y. Magtoto as Lead CHW, Linda M. Mayo as Program Director, and Bobby T. Yalong as Executive Director.
Long time indefatigable member, Clara Hayes, was a deserving recipient of PACCAL Loyalty Award while Rose P. Javier was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation for her dedicated service and unparalleled community service during her term as president.
Incidentally, PACCAL, having had the sole distinction of being the only Asian Provider Agency duly recognized by the Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office on Aging, consistently serves the community via coordinating with Urban League in the dissemination and assistance of the recently implemented Affordable Care Act.
PACCAL wishes to thank the awardees, guests, advertisers, and friends who, in whatever way possible, had extended support that assured the success of the recently concluded Women’s History Month celebration.
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