And Then There Were More Than 60

(Or What Happened in the 2005 Assembly)

A very successful gathering was held by the “former” Claretian Seminarians, Brothers & Priests last July 16, 2005 at the Claret School-QC, AVR. Some 60 brothers attended the affair and enjoyed forging anew their lost bonds with one another.

The affair started with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Rev. Fr. James Castro, CMF officiating. In his homily, Fr. James related that that day’s affair was so far the most successful attempt to gather ‘Ex-Claretians’ since efforts of organizing the group started in the 80’s. Further, he rallied the attendees to be active in all the undertakings that the group will launch soon and that the group to be mindful of its objectives as it grows in the coming years.

After the Mass, a program hosted by Joe Torres (’83) & Auggie Cadua (’92) began.

During the program, a Council of Fifteen, who will be the governing body of the organization, was elected by the different clusters or batches. Elected Officers were: Paul Polintan (‘83) as President, Arman Nocum (’83); Vice President, Finance & Special Projects; Auggie Cadua (’92) as Vice President for Administration & Membership; Willi Baclao (’93) & Charlie Macaranas (’96) as Secretaries; Nonoy Borja (’94) as Treasurer; Steven Iñigo (’89) as Auditor and Joe Torres (’82) as PRO. Other elected members of the Council were: Rowel ‘Tata’ Rodriguez (’82), Delfin Aguilar (’84), Dennis Ongmanchi (’91), DexterCarreon (’96), Alvin Alcaraz (’96), Alfie De Vega (’97) & Roel Castro (‘2000).

Ex-officio Council Members and Board of Advisers include Fr. Albert Delvo (’72), Boni Tago (’72), Noel Asiones (’75), and Fr. Orly Cantillon.

The elected Council will take the lead in organizing projects for the organization and in generating more membership, in terms of inviting more former Claretians to join the Organization.

TV & Movie personality, Ms. Daisy Reyes performed to the delight of all the brothers present.

Everyone who attended won raffle prizes which was made possible and arranged by Delfin Aguilar and Alan Navida (’85).

The brothers continued to enjoy the rest of the night enjoying the food and drinks while exchanging stories of the days they were still “inside”, of how they are now and the many things that happened in between those times.

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We want to hear from you your honest insights, views and suggestions on how we could improve our organization by answering the questions listed below:

• What do you search in an organization to win your active participation? And what are the deterrent factors for one’s participation?

• How do you see AFCP? What are your expectations to the group?

• How could the association sustain the active participation among members?

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It is in the start of laying the foundation that everything seems impossible to realize. Having little of things, it demands too much of everything. But indeed, the collaboration of each one’s little things made us able to start a scratch towards something great. That is how AFCP came to be.

“It’s the birth pain of our organization which makes everything so demanding that it requires a lot patience and sacrifices”, Rowel Rodriguez, a council member said. “So please bear with us”, he added as he solicits support from the former Claretians in the provinces who are willing to be part on the making of an enterprise. Although AFCP is far functional as it ought to be, the fact that it is already there matters and the council projects plans to make the young organization mature into a self sustaining one.

Arman Nocum, the Vice President for Plans and Projects, has inspired everybody as he shares the possible fate that the AFCP has. “Since we are well represented from society’s different sectors, we are quite a strong team and it is possible that AFCP becomes influential”. Utilizing its links from broadcast media and prints, in vital government agencies, in big private companies, clergies and from supportive individuals, as to mention that we are well represented from Ilocos to Zamboanga, we are indeed a great-team-in-the-making.

In the mean time, the council stated that drafting the constitution and by-laws of the organization is the main concern of the term. Thus, they have come up with a special committee appointed to Delfin Aguilar, a council member, in partnership with Atty. Edwin Infante, Atty. Ulric Badiola and Father Albert Delvo as an over seer. “After which drafting of the constitution is done, we would then acquire legal identity which would make us able to do our business engagements without apprehension”, said by Paul Polintan, the AFCP President. “And everything would become quite easy for the next elected council by next year”, he said further with assurance.

The council, being committed towards forging a pertinent association, wishes to invite everybody to take part in our pursuit to unite former Claretians to rekindle the Claretian flame in us, to live a life of a lay Claretian way and to partake in the invitation to do mission with the Claretians.

For those who want to receive a copy of this Newsletter or update your Directory, please Contact the Secretariat or email: eClaret@yahoogroups.com