CONBUSAC OFFICERS. Bishop Leonardo Medroso (l) inducts the officers of the Confederation of Boholanos in the United States and Canada (CONBUSAC) headed by Ted Apalisok as president.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. The recently concluded 2007 Biennial Convention of the Confederation of Boholanos in USA and Canada (CONBUSAC) held at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, San Francisco, California last July 26 to 29 proved once again that Boholanos, wherever they are, can stand as one to achieve their common goal. With Ted Apalisok, CONBUSAC president at the helm, the convention proceeded to its successful conclusion as scripted.

The turnout was impressive. It brought together the confederation top honchos and leaders from the different Boholano organizations nationwide and Canada, raring to contribute to the common cause. The presence of Msgr. Leonardo Medroso, Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran who came all the way from Bohol along with Rev. Ronaldo Amora, his Personal Assistant, as the Guest Speaker, gave added prestige and honor to the event.

Highlighting the assembly were the already established convention activities that give identity to CONBUSAC. Social and special events between meetings and tours provided color, life, and drama of the gathering.

The Lunch Meeting of the Council of Leaders hosted by the BCI officers and members at the Bohol Circle, Inc. Center, Alameda County, CA on Friday, July 27, officially opened the convention. It gave a historic symbolism to the event for, to recall, it was in Bohol Circle that the idea of having a unified organizational convention was conceived.

The Talent Competition for Miss CONBUSAC 2007 staged on July 27 PM gave the audience an early glimpse of the five contending beauties as they posed and strolled vivaciously before the judges. The production number was choreographed by Jordan Sumodobila with herself and Albert Balbutin as the Emcees.

Welcome-Family Night on Friday, July 27 was a time for socialization and family showtime as delegates and their families in International Costumes came together to share fond memories and fun during dinner and dance. It opened with the Invocation by Fr. Fernando Po. Eve Calceta, overall chair of the Convention Committees gave the Welcome Address. The FilAm Voices sang the Anthems. Ted Apalisok, CONBUSAC president, gave the Opening Remarks. Presentations by organization with performers in costumes dazzled the crowd with their sprightly numbers. Representing TANOCAL as the host were the dancing pair of Ricky Inting and Nimfa Estillore Tintiangco in their Modern Kuracha.

Miss CONBUSAC Beauty Pageant Part 1 was the special menu of the Night. It featured dances from the Barangay Dance Troupe, introduction of Miss CONBUSAC candidates, Cocktail Dress and Swimsuit Competitions, and presentation of Awards for Community Outreach. Message from Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado and Sponsors' Slideshows were beamed and shown during dinner. The talented couple, Lynnette and Julius Sumodobila, were the Night's Emcees. Dancing up to 1:00 AM ended the Night's revelry.

The worldwide broadcast of dyRD-AM, www.dyrdam-com was likewise officially launched during the Family Night where Gov. Erico Aumentado beamed his message to the CONBUSAC convention attendees. Deane Jeffrey Dejaresco did the honors to launch the radio website.

Spirit was at its highest during the Gala Night on Saturday, July 28 when the conventioneers, their families and guests in formal attire got together again to be a part of and witness to a wondrous show of the event. It was a night of elegance, glitz and glamour. It began with the Greetings from Sulpicio (Jun) Silva, Regional Vice President of Northern California, followed with the Roll Call of outgoing CONBUSAC officers. Ted Apalisok, outgoing CONBUSAC president, delivered his Valedictory Speech.

The Induction Ceremony followed Prayer and Dinner. Msgr. Leonardo Medroso, Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran and Guest Speaker, installed into office Carlos Caga-anan as the new CONBUSAC president for 2007-2009. Other officers inducted were: Phil Gucor, Jr., Sr. Vice President; Elpidio Baluca, auditor; and nine Regional Vice Presidents, namely: Remegio Inting for Northern California; Lino Chatto, Jr., Southern California; Fr. Fernando Po, Eastern USA; Easter Gianan, Southern USA; Nemie Udtohan, Midwest USA; Marino Aguhar, Southwest USA; Alan Garcia, Northwest USA; Socorro Doverte, Greater Washington, D.C.; and Arnold Maceren, Eastern Canada. To be appointed later is the VP for Western Canada.

In his Keynote Address, Bishop Medroso dwelt on lengthily on the environmental issues confronting Bohol. In his Pastoral Letter read before the body, he raised the environmental concerns regarding the oil seismic exploration at the Bohol Strait and the negative impact on the environment and lives of the poor and marginalized fisherfolks of the area. The good Bishop effectively brought to the Boholano gathering a very timely issue of general concern.

Another very special highlight of the Night was the final judging, proclamation and coronation of the new 2007 Miss CONBUSAC. After a series of tough and rigid competitions in beauty and brain, the panel of judges adjudged Miss TANOCAL Miyoshi Nanca, an 18 year old daughter of Eduardo and Mercedes Nanca as the winner, and new 2007 Miss CONBUSAC. Miyoshi won also the title as "Best in Interview" and "Photogenic Award." The new queen was crowned by Miss Jordan Sumodobila, the reigning 2005 Miss CONBUSAC also a former Miss TANOCAL herself. Other Pageant winners were; Josi Salinas of the Boholanos of Canada as First Princess and Best in Evening Gown; Jade Gutierrez, Tagbilaran Association of California, Best in Talent; Judith Chatto, Curculo Boholanos of Illinois, Best in Cocktail Dress, Congeniality Award and Community Outreach Award; and Marissa Gallardo, Boholanos of Southern California, Best in Swimsuit.

NANCA

A Farewell Walk by the 2005 Miss CONBUSAC and presentation of Special Awards closed the Pageant. Public dancing that immediately followed to the tune of a live band held together the crowd until midnight. The eloquent husband and wife team of Julius and Lynnette Sumodobila was again the Night's MC.

The Concelebrated Mass in the morning of Sunday, July 29 at the Convention Hall put to a fitting close the joyful and memorable the 4-day Confederation assembly. Msgr. Medroso was the main celebrant. Co-celebrants were: Msgr. Margarito Gonzaga of San Isidro Church, Tagbilaran, City; Rev. Domingo Orimaco, Pastor, Our Lady of the Pillar Church, Half-Moon Bay, CA; Rev. Fernando Po, Pastor, St. Elizabeth Church, Wycoff, New Jersey; and Rev. Ronaldo Amora, Personal Assistant of Bishop Medroso. Religious songs were provided by the TANOCAL Choir with Betty Balatero on the keyboard. More than one hundred Boholanos attended the Mass.

All's well that ends well. The success of the Convention can be attributed to the long preparation and meticulous planning by the host organization, the Tagbilaran Association of Northern CA (TANOCAL) spearheaded by Eve Calceta, the spark plug and Chair of the Steering Committee and orchestrated by Ted Apalisok, TANOCAL and CONBUSAC president, with the full support of the officers and members of the group.

To be specially cited and recognized too are the chairs and members of the different working committees who worked hard behind the scenes long and even after the convention. Through the chairs, grateful acknowledgment are extended to: Lynnette Sumodobila and Carl Vengco, chair and co-chair of Beauty Pageant; Remegio Inting, chair, Souvenir Program, Ricky Inting, chair, Facilities, Décor & Arrangement; Jun Silva, chair, Transportation/Tour; Justin Gonzaga, chair, Finance; Jess Go, chair, Print & Media Coverage; Sarah Gucor, Programs; Necita Nitollama, chair, Invitation, Reception & Registration; Julius Sumodobila, chair, Security & First Aid; and Romy Sarmiento, chair, Youth & Sports. Mauricio Estillore should also be recognized for his role in publicity and media coverage.

To be recognized too are the volunteers of the TANOCAL Youth Sector who gave their time and effort to make the event successful.

Meanwhile, a Victory Dinner was tendered by Mr.& Mrs. Tex & Tining Caga-anan at their Union City residence on Sunday, July 29 in honor of Carlos Caga-anan, the newly elected CONBUSAC president. On hand to greet the honoree were the delegates from Seattle & Washington State and some Lilanhons.