By Cheryl Sevegan
The Visayas Mindanao Organization in Israel Haifa Chapter was approved and finalized on May 3, 2013 with the help of a few persistent people who inspired and influenced them in the creation of the VisMin chapter in the persons of former VisMin President, Mr. Ramon Buligan, Ms. Ceryl Brun, Ms. Sheila Grace Dela Serna, Calixtro Martinez and Alvenn Almeda, Pres. of Alpha Kappa Rho Israel Chapter, to whom the group are so grateful of.
Their first General Meeting cum Election was on May 25, 2013 that took place at the apartment of Marty Mision through Mr. Joel C. Laurente, founder and President of Visayas Mindanao Organization in Israel Haifa Chapter, and from there their history began. The VisMin Organization in Israel Haifa Chapter also designed its own separate mission and vision in connection with her Mother Organization, the Visayas Mindanao Israel Chapter.
Mission and Vision: VisMin Israel Haifa Chapter is an organization that has the potentiality to be useful for the future of our dearest country, the Philippines. We walk hand in hand for the common good, consider actively to be of service to others, and working together to create social change amongst ourselves and to the organization.
Their first Induction and Oath-taking ceremony took place last Sept. 28, 2013 at Cor. Ben Gurion, #56 Allenby St. Moshava Ktana, Haifa. Emceed by the lovely Ms. Alona Yunting, it was a fancy event well attended by beautiful and formal-dressed individuals. It was a memorable night as they began their first step in their journey as an organization.
The following are the first batch of officers of the VisMin Israel Haifa Chapter inducted by HE Ambassador Generoso D.G. Calonge.
President: Mr. Joel C. Laurente
Vice-President Internal: Mrs. Rosalie Labajo Libman
Vice-President External: Mr. Clark B. Tan
Secretary: Ms. Ma. Teresita Mision
Asst. Secretary: Ms. Sheila Grace Dela Serna
Treasurer: Mrs. Marilyn Vaingolts
Asst. Treasurer: Mrs. Venus Albios Elbar
Auditor: Mr. Albert Rinos
P.R.O: Mr. Joel Montevirgen
Ms. Marian Oquendo
Ms. Esther America
Business Manager: Ms. Dianne Nelmida
Ms. Terry Villamor
Mrs. Emily Canicon Issa
Sgt.-At-Arms: Mr. Michael Angelo
Event Committee: Mr. Calixtro Martinez
Mrs. Narcisa Eliyahu Hasni
Ms. Maria Alma Ballan
Advisers: Mr. Roberto Perandos
Mrs. Fara Eyal
Captain Diego Guinanas from UNDOF and Ms. Michelle Albarillo were chosen as Mister and Miss Face of the Night.
VisMin Haifa Chapter would like to thank their guests and visitor: first to the Philippine embassy staff headed by HE Ambassador Generoso D.G. Calonge, Labor Attaché Atty. Jaime P. Gimenez, Cultural Attaché Ms. Teresita Reyes, Captain Diego Guinanas of UNDOF, Ms. Conchita Buissan, Former VMOI President, Ms. Violeta Varias, FFCI President, VMOI Founders Ms. Loreta Ferrarez and Ms. Vicky Lacson, Ms. Nilda Ramos, FOWWA President, Ms. Mary Rom of Asian Cargo, and Mr. Allan Tamayo of Unigiros Haifa.
The event wouldn’t be possible without their sponsors Ms. Mary Rom of Asian Cargo and Mr. Allan Tamayo of Unigiros Haifa Branch. They look forward for your continuous support in their journey as a new organization determined to accomplish its mission.