The Mindanao State University Alumni Association-North America successfully conducted the 2nd International Alumni Convention and Reunion 2019 in Toronto held at Four Points Sheraton, 6257 Airport Road Mississauga, Ontario on July 12-14, 2019. Attending Guest President of the University System, Dr. Habib W. Macaayong was accompanied by his wife Ms. Rehanna Biston Macaayong, Atty. Ricardo S. Pacaldo – Acting Executive Director, International and Linkages Office, Mr. Bobby Lim- the President of MSUAA National and another MSUAA officer Mr. Renato Boniao. Philippine delegates arrived Canada a few days ahead of the convention date. Ms. Malou Resgonia-Moreshige- President of MSUAA-NA 2018-2019 together with other officers in Toronto welcome the arrival of the Philippine team. Ms. Portia Lerios Ouano, Lordelyn Buray-Tawakal, Milbonita Kaimo Altrecha and other members of the local organizing committee of Toronto alumni, prepared the venue and the three days activities. The said convention was attended by graduates, former employees and undergraduate students of the university systems who presently reside here in North America (Canada and from different states of America) Australia and the Philippines.
This year’s theme “MSUans Reaffirming Commitment and Paying it Forward” expected more than a hundred of participants who registered. The three-day reunion and convention opened the first day with the gala night. Mr. Dan Macdonald of Toronto welcomes all the guest and attendees with his bagpipe wind instrument music. Mr. Ricardo Caluen, former professor of Mindanao State University- Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) gave some overview about Mindanao State University and a film showing of Marawi City Siege footage was witnessed by the Participants. Dr. Habib W. Macaayong, President of MSUS delivered his inspiring message and updates of the university system. Everybody enjoyed dancing, music and sumptuous food was served. Photo for souvenier was full of excitement and fun unexpecting to see each other again after a few decades of separation living the Alma Mater. The second day was spent touring the majestic Niagara Falls and visit the Floral Clock, Niagara on the Lake and wine tasting at the Peller Estate Winery. Most of the participants, after the sun burning tour never felt exhausted and ended the second day with the “Harana”. Serenade songs recalled through the Karaoke of the Kuyas ( respect calling for seniors alumni) of the batch 70’s back-up dance by ladies of the ’80s and 90’s.
Last day of the convention was a picnic at Toronto Centennial Park. It was also the business meeting of MSUAA-NA and the Election of Officers and Board of Directors. The elected Board of Directors and Officers for 2019-2021 were the following
President : Mr. Francisco Dumaguing – USA , VP-External: Mr. Julius Estucado – USA, VP- Internal: Mr. Portia Lerios Ouano – Canada, Finance Officer : Ms. Janeth Blake –USA, Secretary : Ms. Lois Mae Reyes- USA, Treasurer : Ms. Celma Dumaguing – USA, Auditor : Ms. Susan Bala – Canada, PRO : Ms. Joecel Trinidad-Mandin –Canada and Board of Directors: Ms. Malou R. Moreshige- USA ; Ms. Beulah Donayre-Butler- USA; Ms. Lorena Orcino-Cochran – USA; Ms. Rowena Mejia Randman – USA; Ms. Eva Dailey – USA. http://[espro-slider id=3769]
The newly elected officers were declared, introduced and presented to the MSUS President by Mr. Bobby Lim, President of MSUAA National.Induction of Officers for 2019-2021 was done at the park by the President of the MSUS.
Dr. Habib Macaayong was appointed President of the university system on March 8, 2016. He was an alumnus of three universities such as Mindanao State University for his Public Administration profession. Did his Master for Public Administration at Ateneo De Davao University and finally did his doctorate at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. He was a professor of the MSU main campus since 1981 and was also a Faculty of the Graduate School of the same main campus.
Before he became the president of the system, he was MSU VP for Planning and Development from 1999-2000. He was also VP for Academic Affairs of the Jamiatu Marawi Al Islamia Foundation in 2003-2004. A known peace advocate in Mindanao for the GPH-MILF peace negotiations from 2004-2013, he is a consultant of the Bangsamoro Development
Mindanao State University is a system of universities in the Philippines located on the big island of Mindanao.There were eleven MSU autonomous campuses that composed the university system: main campus MSU Marawi City is a thousand hectare land situated on a hill overlooking the Lanao Lake; MSU-Iligan Institute Technology (IIT); MSU Buug Zamboanga; MSU General Santos City; MSU Naawan; MSU Maguindanao; MSU Sulu –Jolo; MSU- TCTO Tawi-Tawi; Integrated MSU campuses including Lanao Norte Agricultural College (LNAC); Lanao National College of Arts and Trade; and Maigo School of Arts and Trade (MSAT)
More than a hundred delegates were expected to arrive from USA, Australia, Philippines, and different provinces of Canada, to attend the convention and 97 made it during the gala night the most exciting meeting for all the alumni. Others came on the second and third day. For so many years after leaving the campus, this is the time classmates, mentors, dormitory mates or cottage mates meet again, share and recall life during the formation inside the campuses. What makes the night so special was that this is the night were mentors and students, first product or graduates of every university system and the latest meet each other after decades of being out of the Alma Mater. And regardless of what title, degrees, or position each one is holding now, The Seniors will be called ATE (big sister) or Kuya(big brother) by the younger batches. Whatever branches one came from these eleven branches of the university system doesn’t matter. This 2nd MSUAA –NA reunion‘s amazing meeting was the re-connection of the pioneer’s graduate of the main campus. For fifty years of no news and were about being a classmate, finally, see each other face to face. The current President of the MSUAA National Mr. Bobby Lim and Mr. Eduardo Daniel Lobitana of Australia who was the first product of MSU Marawi City.
Time is not enough for a long time missed friends, roommates, classmates and mentors. Pictorials, stories, laughter and food shared by everyone until bid goodbye was hard to utter, promising to see each other again in the next scheduled Convention.
The MSU Alumni Association hold grand reunions annually alternating between North America and the Philippines. The reunions in the Philippines hosted by the National MSUAA happened every two years, lately was held in Cagayan De Oro City, Philippines on August 2018. The gatherings for 2020 will be in Tagaytay, Philippines. While for MSUAA-NA Chapter, the first reunion happens last July 2017 in Las Vegas, NV USA. The next agreed venue for MSUAA-NA will be in Washington DC, USA.
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