The Ilonggo Association of Victoria, Inc. (IAVI) represented by Melvin Espiga, President; Neds Sarcepuedes, Adviser; Frances Espiga, member, two Ilonggos from Queensland, Jennifer Welk and Gloria Kerr with Domingo and Sherma Leonora awarded scholarship grants to 19 scholars/working students at Central Philippine University (CPU) last 25 January 2016. This makes the accumulated Grants-In-Aid to 70 scholars.
Scholarship Projects
Last year, IAVI awarded 12 Grants-In-Aid Scholarship to poor but deserving working students of CPU making it to 51 Grants-In-Aid scholarship recipients for 2015. There are currently about 500 poor but deserving working students at CPU. Most of these working students skip their meals and just hang around at the shelter or under the trees to wait for the next period of classes. The CPU work-student Program is not a work for pay but a Scholarship Program to poor but deserving students. One of its many success stories is Mr. Erwin Talento, who was sponsored by the IAVI in 2007. He finished a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing with flying colours, Cum Laude.
IAVI’s Scholarship project was started by its past President, Mauro Somodio years ago and stopped. In 2011, it was reinstated by asking donation from donors. There was a time that the IAVI officers offered their personal money good for one scholar each. The scholarship was in the form of food of work-students at CPU. The Committee of Management recently approved $1,500 this year and every year thereafter for this purpose.
Homes for the Aged
While in the Philippines last January 2016, IAVI officers proceeded to Roxas City and gave donation to the Ladies of Charity Home for the Aged. They also gave their annual donation to the Asilo de Molo Home for the Aged in Iloilo City.
On 18 February 2016, IAVI represented by Sarcepuedes; Fred Jover, Past President and IAVI’s friend, Gloria Kerr from Mt. Isa, Queensland also gave their annual donation to St. Vincent de Paul Home for the Aged in Bacolod City.
Espiga said IAVI aims to have more projects in the near future.
IAVI invites Ilonggos, especially the Ilonggo Young Adults to join the Association. GIYA is open to members who are 18-45 yrs. old. GIYA means Guide in Ilonggo.
IAVI officers for 2015- 2017 are: President- Melvin Espiga; Vice President for Internal Affairs- Patsy Gutierrez; Vice President for External Affairs- Nenita Wallis; Secretary- Chona Meman; Assistant Secretary- Rubin Alfaro; Treasurer- Elaine Soriano; Assistant Treasurer- Susan Garsulao; Auditor- Dom Lobriza, and Coordinator-Group of Ilonggo Young Adults (GIYA) – Arlene Romerona. IAVI’s Executive Adviser is Nedela Sarcepuedes.
The group’s Facebook page is: Ilonggo Association of Victoria Inc. For more information or donation, please contact Chona Meman, IAVI Secretary on 0425 837 672.
