History of M.A.S.C.
The founding of MASC and its decade of notable accomplishments are the realization of ideas and sentiments expressed by immigrant Marinduque expatriates in southern California. Twenty five years ago, on September 22, 1979, MASC was launched during a reunion of 17 families at the Griffith Park in L.A. The founding officers were Hector L. Sulit, President, Erlinda Leano, Vice-President, Lily Oca, Secretary-Treasurer; while Advisers were Enriquieta Ledesma, Mena Raon, Bong Salvo, Edmundo Bunag, Celestina Caunan, Rey Luarca, and Bernard Mananzan from San Diego. The subsequent outstanding leadership by the elected set of officers and the support of all members steered the association's rapid growth. Hector Sulit was President for1979, 1980, 1981 & 1985; Claro Salvo for 1982, Willie Leano for 1983 & 1984; Mac Macayaon for 1986; Luz Mondonedo for 1987; Grace Roldan for 1988, Agnes Apeles for 1989, 1990; Mike Miciano for 1991, 1992; Fabbie Lanting for 1993; Eve Bunag for 1994, 1997; Albine L. Blanche for 1995, 1996, 2001, 2002; Arturo Hernandez, DDS for 1998, 1999; Raymund Mangubat for 2003; and Armando Ricohermoso for 2004. The young second generation members of MASC are now taking the leadership of the association.
MASC embarked on several civic projects to extend needed assistance to Marinduque. The association holds biennial dinner-dance fund raising events since 1984, and in 3 occasions included raffle drawings for a car, cash, and valuable electronic applieances, the latest was i2003 during Raymund Mangubat's term of office.
The High School Scholarship Program was launched by Willie Leano in 1984; the Medical Aid Project by Hector L. Sulit in 1985, and the Livelihood Special Projects by Luz Mondonedo in 1987. The scholarship grants were given to high schools, and then to the college students of the Marinduque State College which is still on-going. MASC was granted tax-exempt status in 1985 by the IRS. MASC established a collaborative project with the Marinduque Dept. of Trade and Industries which helped to establish small home industries. MASC also spearheaded the cooperation of the US-based Marinduque associations with MARINDUCARE FOUNDATION in Manila and Marinduque. Their first Fishing Boat Dispersal project with MASC gave the foundation the impetus to expande the project and establish similar livelihood projects with similar Marinduque associations in the US. Other assistance programs of MASC were the nutrition project, build a toilet, purchase a copying machine for an elementary school in Sta. Cruz; monetary donations to the earthquake victims of Dagupan City, Philippines; to the victims of a large devastating fire in Boac in 2000; to the members who had deaths in their families; and local charities in Los Angeles.
Several social gatherings are now traditional: the Christmas party and election of officers in December; the Valentine's Day and induction of elected officers in February; the Philippine Independence Day participation in June; the summer picnic/overnight camping in San Diego; and the most challenging biennial Fundraising Dinner-dance and raffles. The pace-setting social unification of Marinduquenos in southern California, and perhaps throughout the U.S., is among the significant accomplishments of MASC up to this date.
Sustaining the momentum of the association is a big challenge.
MASC never runs out of ideas to expand its project to help Marinduque. On August 13, 1993, MASC hosted the first Marinduque High Schools Reunions which was enthusiastically attended by Marinduquenos from all over the US and Canada. Bong Salvo and the officers of MASC engineered the planning and execution of the successful event. The gathering became the vehicle where the different Marinduque associations were able to meet and discuss the formation of an organization that will coordinate large projects aimed at helping Marinduque. The outcome was the Marinduque International Executive Council (MIEC) with a MASC member, Dr. Hector Sulit as the first chairman. In 1996, MIEC sent the first major medical mission to Marinduque. It was very successful, and was followed by the May 2000 medical missoin led by Dr. Rodolfo Jao. The group name was changed to Marinduque International, Inc. The latest medical mission were well received. In each one, MASC was a major contributor of participants, money and supplies.
For the last 25 years, the MASC has been strong and has been assured of its place in the history of Marinduque associations in the world that are unselfishly helping the needy of Marinduque. Hepefully, in one way or another the expatriate Marinduquenos will always year to come back to visit their homeland, the beautiful island in the heart of our beloved Philippines. |
