Monday, December 20, 2010

HOLIDAY GREETINGS!

TO ALL TALUGTOG INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS....


FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS.. WE WISH ALL OF YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!


GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST FOR THE COMING NEW YEAR!!!


FROM JR MIGUEL AND FAMILY - TICC PRESIDENT

Sunday, December 5, 2010

INDUCTION OF OFFICERS AND CHRISTMAS PARTY

WHAT A NIGHT OF TOGETHERNESS! Check out the pictures soon to be published! Again, thank you everyone, folks, relatives and friends who were involved to make this great occasion very successful... Thank you... more blogs to come. The pres is sleepy thinking about the party...

Thursday, October 14, 2010

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

October 14, 2010
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MEMBERS AND OFFICERS OF TALUGTOG INTERNATIONAL
To Our Dear Talugtog International Members and Officers:
Before we started calling again for advancement of our organization, Talugtog International, we considered the pros and cons, the positive and the negative reasons why we should reorganize. As we all know, our organization has been established a couple of years ago but didn’t go further as we hoped for. With the encouragement of the Talugtog International, Hawaii Chapter, the desire to reorganize the California Chapter was again reignited and the move was imperative.

Following is an excerpt from the letter from the Talugtog International, Hawaii Chapter, please read:

THE POSITIVE REASONS:
1.     Desire for Recognition – Some of our friends from Talugtog who are now in California did not have a chance to be recognized in (a) political scenes and (b) academic scenes. US of A provide more freedom and opportunity. Therefore, it is our duty to share that opportunity to Talugtog International members. The only thing we should be careful is the tendency of the human nature to overdo certain freedom. Nonetheless, one way to check this appetite of overdoing is to put people together in a friendly and non-threatening environment.
2.     Desire to Serve – The desire to serve is sometimes motivated by the recognition that awaits participants.
3.     Security Among Familiar Friends – Because California is so vast geographically and culturally, members of Talugtog International are inclined to trust people who they have known for a long time. Sometimes, our familiarities to each other may have negative impact because of our knowledge of each other’s weaknesses. However, the virtue of forgiveness and kindness can conceal those imperfections. Nevertheless, covering up each other’s imperfections is something that can be cultivated and exercised in our organization and also this is an opportunity for Christianity to demonstrate the grace of the Lord.
4.     Caring for Our Seniors – One way to make seniors happy is for them to see that the adults and the youths are united. This unity will give the seniors the sense of security that their families will be in good hands should they pass away ahead.
5.     Caring for Our Younger Generations – As Filipino parents, we desire that our children will be better than we are. Way back home we experienced many restrictions financially, socially, spiritually and academically. We want our children to be proud of their Filipino heritage. The seniors and the adults can help these children to be proud of their roots by sowing them clearly where they came from. We can also instill to them that it was the grace of God that brought them to their present condition.

THE NEGATIVE REASONS:
1.     Failures of Past Leaders and Organizations – The past should be our stepping stones and our tutor so that we do not follow the mistakes of the past.
2.     Differences in Status Quos and Religions – Status quos, religions and other diversified differences should not be brought out and discussed during meetings. The common goal should be focused on meetings.
3.     Organizing Costs Time, Resources and Energy – There is a sacrifice to be made but there is also a reward to be expected. Travel time to meetings is very precious and costly.
4.     People are Skeptical and Do Not Want to Cooperate – People are naturally logical and they want clarity, simplicity and practicality. It is the duty of leaders to guide the group as simple as possible but also the duty of members to express what they can contribute, recommend and suggest for the good of the organization.

As an organization, we should not direct our attention to the negative reasons why we should go forward in making our organization successful. Instead, we should try our best to analyze the positive reasons, embrace and extend our kindness to each other in a way that we can share our blessings to our people we left behind in our own barangay who are less fortunate. This organization has been formed to bring us together, track our roots, and meet our relatives, friends, classmates, teachers and neighbors. In addition, we will spend the time to share and recollect our past experiences when we were still in Talugtog and a chance for us to maintain our culture and introduce and instill the virtue of compassion to the next generation.

On the preceding note, this letter of encouragement would be an instrument, as we read and analyze it day by day whenever we find time, and perhaps will make all of us think that, not only we can make a difference to the lives of the next younger generation but also we can make our older generation, whose hard work and never ending difficulties as they were bringing us up, becomes more meaningful and rewarding.

Good luck to all and may God be with us always!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

MINUTES OF THE TALUGTOG INTERNATIONAL 2ND ORGANIZATIONA MEETING

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA ON OCTOBER 9, 2010 AT 6:00 PM

ATTENDEES:

JR MIGUEL, WILLIE RAFANAN, ALEJO GARO, MERLITA MURRAY, GLORIA AGPAOA, CRISTINA GANIR, EVELYN INOUYE, JAIME MANUEL, MELINDA AGUSTIN, CATALINO GARO, JHUN AGPAOA, RUBEN IGNACIO, HELEN LAZO, BESSIE AGCAOILI, ANA ALEJANDRO.

Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm on 10/9/10 with an opening prayer led by VP Willie Rafanan.

The first item in the agenda, minutes from the last meeting, was discussed and agreed upon. Re-emphasis was made for the Talugtog International web side at http://www.talugtog.weebly.com/. Members were encouraged to check the website and will be an instrument in providing better communication, updates and blogs and comments, for the members of the organization.

The second item in the agenda, VP Willie Rafanan introduced the draft for the consitution and by-laws to be formulated by the group. Draft will be published in the web site so members and officers can make comments and suggestions. Due to lack of time, further discussion was halted and the group forwarded to the next item in the agenda.

The third item in the agenda was the planning for the Christmas Program coming up.
The members discussed and chose between:

Delano Hotel costing about $300.00 for rental which only accommodate 125 people.
The Filipino Community Center costing about $1000.00 including security.
The members were informed that the Hotel in Delano is a small place for a big group and not sure if it will be available on the 4th of December.

Financially, the organization has collected $160.00 membership fees at this time. The treasurer, Manang Cristina Ganir will continue to collect membership. Money will be needed to put a deposit on the venue. The group encouraged representatives from every sitio or city to collect membership fees.

Finally, the group agreed to have the party at the Filipino Community Center.

Final Date:  Saturday, December 4, 2010
Final Time:  4:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Final Venue:  The Filipino Community Center
                     1457 Glenwood Street
                     Delano, California
Tickets will be sold at $10.00 per person and $5.00 for children 12 and under as agreed on the previous meeting.

Members are not committed to attend at this time but there was a sense of willingness and great enthusiasm that members will be willing to attend the Christmas Party and be active with the organization for as long as they are informed. A letter will be drafted and will be posted on the webside and the letter will be distributed to all members by PRO from every city where members are residing.

The committees for the program are as follows:

Tickets and Program Invitation Committee:  Evelyn Inouye and Willie Rafanan
Food Catering Committee: Ruben Ignacio, Jaime Manuel, Bien Vicente and Hector Alejandro
Financial Committee: Cristina Ganir and Constancia Vicente, Wilma Edra and Zeny Beltran
DJ Music and Entertanment Committee: Agustina Garo, Cristina Ganir and Gloria Agpaoa
History and Talent Showcase Committee: JR Miguel, Willie Rafanan and Josie Caalim
Party and Decorations Committee: Bessie Agcaoili, Merlita Murray, Felomena Vicente
After Party Cleaning Committee:   Alejo Garo, Efren Alejandro and Every Member of the Organization   

The members of the group discussed what parts of the program will be included and agreed that each sitio of barangay Talugtog will showcase their talents and will have a presentation, each city in California will also have a presentation and a dance from the senior citizens will have a dance presentation. At this time, the program is on its planning stage and we welcome and suggestions and recommendations before we finalize the parts of the program. Also, the Talugtog International Hawaii Chapter is planning to join us in our party come next December 4. Bravoooo....

Every officer and/or member is encouraged to volunteer yourself to join any committee to make this organization successful. Please make suggestions and recommendations on the website or call any officer to include your name on any committe you are willing to join. Thank you very much! Let us all help each other and make this party the talk of the town.....

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 in the evening. Again, thank you from the Celestino family in providing their house and dinner for the meeting.

Thank you for reading the minutes.....

JR Miguel
President

2ND TALUGTOG INTERNATIONAL MEETING

The Talugtog International Members, Families and Friends once again met and discussed how we can go about our more difficult restructuring the call for advancement of our organization. The meeting was originally set in Delano, California but we ended up in Bakersfield. Now, just think about flexibility. Thanks to the invitation and accommodation of the Manuel/Celestino family in Bakersfield, CA who had a wedding shower for their daughter (and of course including the delicious food that were served), that we were able to have a meeting and we accomplished at least the planning for the upcoming Christmas Party in Delano, California (Minutes coming up).

The other thing that was so exciting and unexpected was that we were again able to see our old families, relatives, friends from Talugtog and also including folks from Hawaii, Las Vegas, Sacramento, San Jose, Delano, Earlimart, and of course Bakersefield. That was a very nice evening. We are very thankful that again we felt the closeness of an evening of togetherness. Even though we talked and had conversations as we come and go to savor the good food, we felt the oneness and rekindling again the old relationships that we have had in our own barangay Talugtog.

For all the relatives that just arrived from Talugtog to the US of A, "Welcome to All of You and Good Luck!". For all the members  of Talugtog International, we would like to invite all of you to attend our upcoming Christmas Party on December 4, 2010 in Delano, California, to again reunite and welcome our new arrivals as well as join together for our purpose and goal, "A Call for Advancement" to improve our barangay Talugtog, Solsona, Ilocos Norte, Philippines!

JR Miguel
President, Talugtog International

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

New Blog, Shared Visions

To all Tulogtog members who wish to be a part of this blog, please e-mail me your e-mail address at jravekj521@aol.com.  You will be sent an invitation to be part of the blog, and it will ask you either to sign in with a gmail account if you have one or ask you to make one if you don't.  Once you finish the registration process, you will be able to contribute your posts to the blog, as well as comment on any other posts.  I hope you enjoy this new blog and hope this strengthens our voice as a community.

J.R. Miguel

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Minutes of the August 28, 2010 Talugtog International Meeting

ATTENDEES:

JR MIGUEL                                           WILLIE AND ROSE RAFANAN                         MERLITA MURRAY
GLORIA AGPAOA                                 CRISTINA GANIR                                             BESSIE AGCAOILI
BIEN AND FELOMENA VICENTE           ANA ALEJANDRO                                           MOISES & LYDIA GARO
NORMA ANCHETA                                RAMON MIGUEL                                             CATALINO GARO
CONSTANCIA VICENTE                         ALEJO GARO                                                 JUN AND HELEN LAZO



Meeting was called in order at about 5:00 PM on 8/28/2010 with an opening prayer led by Pastor Moises Garo.

The first in the list in the agenda was introduced by Jr. Miguel. He discussed the reason why the organization was called for advancement. The Vision and Mission was then explained by Willy Rafanan as structured by the Talugtog International Hawaii Chapter:

Talugtog residents are more than Solsona residents.
Grouped together, Talugtog familes abroad would be able to help the less fortunate individuals back home.
Talugtog website was introduced and every member is free to browse and make suggestions.
The quorom was asked if everybody is willing enough to become a member of the organization and there was an overwhelming anwer "YES".
Willy also considered the application of the organization as a non-profit organization to the state of California for IRS tax puposes and the legality of the organization.
Advantages of the organization.
If organized, our children will know where their parents come from.
We must involve ourselves for the success of the organization.
Mr. Bien Vicente spoke in front of the group and vocalized his agreement and thank the organizers for coming over the central California and show their vision and mission that will be eventually accomplished.
Mr. Alejo Garo also stood up and stated that it's good that our previous accomplishments will be continued and more help will be extended to our neighbors back home.
Ms. Merlita Murray suggested to form and elect the officers of the new Talugtog International California Chapter.
Willy then suggested that every city in California where Talugtog residents are will have a representative to have better communication among the members and officers.
Pastor Moises recommended that the election of officers should be done today and residents and members will be nominated even if they were not present during the meeting.

As a result, the following officers were elected.

PRESIDENT:  Felipe Miguel Jr.
VICE-PRESIDENT: Wilfredo Rafanan
SECRETARY: Merlita Murray
Asst. SECRETARY: Gloria Agpaoa
TREASURER: Cristina Ganir
Asst. TREASURER: Constancia Vicente
AUDITOR: Wilma Edra
Asst. AUDITORS: Zeny Beltran

PRO:    BAKERSFIELD :  Hector Alejandro and Ruben Ignacio
              DELANO:  Alejo Garo and Samuel Alejandro
              EARLIMART: Ramon Batara and Bien Vicente
              SACRAMENTO: Ramon Miguel and Josie Caalim
              SAN DIEGO: Evelyn Agpaoa and Alfonso Agpaoa
              SAN JOSE: Evelyn Inouye and Evelyn Maas
            
SGT-AT-ARMS:
              Domingo Vicente        Efren Alejandro           Constante Miguel
              Catalino Garo              Ben Ganir                     Bernard Corpuz
              Melecio Miguel            Catalino Lazo, Jr.        Danny Dagdagan
              Jimmy Manuel              Zaldy Caalim               Robert Agpaoa

ADVISERS:
              Pastor Moises Garo                 Pastor Rudy Agpaoa
              Ms. Norma Ancheta                  Mrs. Agustina Dagdagan
              Mrs. Virginia Celestino             Mrs. Helen Lazo
              Mrs. Marilyn Ramos                  Mrs. Rose Rafanan
              Mr. Mark Baraoidan                  Mrs. Fely Ruiz

HONORARY MEMBER LIST:
              Mr. & Mrs. Mariano and Quiteria Agpaoa
              Mr. & Mrs. Alfredo and Ana Alejandro
              Mr. & Mrs. Metodio and Alipia Corpuz
              Mr. & Mrs. Irineo and Caridad Corpuz
              Mr. Pedro Garo
              Mr. & Mrs. Marino and Josefina Ignacio
              Mr. & Mrs. Francisco and Rosal Ignacio
              Mrs. Josefina Manuel
              Mrs. Adelina Miguel
              Mrs. Eufemia Vicente

After the election of officers, the discussion of the up and coming program and party at the end of the year where the induction of the officers will also be included. Suggestions includes:
We will showcase talents of the kids in each city representing each sitio of Talugtog.
Acknowledge and recognize the first generation folks and honorary members of Talugtog.
Showcase Talugtog Got Talent, competition of young and old in each sitio of Talugtog.
Invite Talugtog International Hawaii Chapter officers and members.

The discussion of membership then came about. The group agreed to have the following fees:
Yearly membership fee:  $10.00 per couple and single individuals. All officers and members will formulate the Constitution and By Laws as soon as  possible.

Then the group discussed the projected Officers Induction Ball and Christmas Party which the group agreed to be held at the Filipino Community Center in Delano and tentatively scheduled on December 4, 2010 from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Tickets will be sold, for adults $10.00 and kids 14 and below $5.00. Later will be dicussed regarding food catering and program committees.

The next projected meeting will be on October 9, 2010, same place, same time, same venue.

Lets all be good to each other!

Thank you for reading the minutes.

JR Miguel.

Talugtog International First Meeting

The first organizational meeting was held on August 28, 2010 at the The Way of Salvation Church, Cecil Avenue, Delano California. It started at 5 p m and ended at 7 pm. The second meeting will be on October 9, 2010, same place, same time and the projected first fundraising event will be on December 4, 2010. Members, please tell us your suggestions and recommendations. Am thinking this organization will have tremendous response from all of the members i.e. all the residents of Talugtog, Solsona, Ilocos Norte. Tell us what you think!