The Oath of Office administered by Consul General Claro Cristobal to the 2019 PAFCOM Board Officers and Committees.
By MARICAR TAINO PAFCOM PRO
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — At a Turnover Ceremony held in this city on Jan. 9, 2019, the Philippine American Friendship Committee, Inc. (PAFCOM) welcomed its 2019 slate of officers, committee and board members, led by incoming President Rosalinda Rupel.
Rupel is an active Phil-Am community leader and has been an Officer of PAFCOM since the 1990s.
She was PWUAA (Philippine Women’s University Alumni Association Tri-State) President for two terms, and volunteer for numerous positions as Secretary, Board of Trustees & Chairperson with some notable organizations in the tri-state area.
She received multi merit and recognition awards from respectable organizations & associations.
She valued and treasured most the award bestowed by Jose Rizal High School (AU), Philippines as one of the Ten Outstanding Alumni from Class Year 1967-2009.
Rupel is an actress/performer on Pilipino stage plays in the tri-state area, directed by Tino Capili.
She was in other local plays such as “Looking for William” and “How to Cook Adobo,” and first FWN interpretation of Eve Ensler’s V Monologue in 2007 in New York.
She is a domestic violence advocate, fashionista, mother and grandmother.
Currently, she is working as a technical services librarian (from 1998-present) at Clifford Chance LLP (a global law firm).
“I am excited to start my role as 2019 PAFCOM President,” said Rupel.
“For year 2019, we focus on promoting our diversity, leadership & intergeneration relationships.”
Rupel also emphasized in her key of responsibility speech of the organization’s record of accountability and transparency.
Symbolic Ceremony Passing of the Gavel. President Rosalinda Repel receives gavel from Immediate Past President Lito Pernia.
PAFCOM’s 2019 Grand Marshal is Romulo M. Luz, who is a civil engineer and a graduate of Adamson University, Manila.
He is President & CEO, RML Construction Inc., General Contractor, a Registered Public Work Company in New Jersey and Saint Raphael Realty Development Corp., based in Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines.
He is member of the Board of Trustees, Knights of Rizal, Jersey City N.J.; Board of Director, Maharajah USA Inc. NJ; and was 2008 Grand Marshal of Philippines Day Organizing Council (PDOC).
“This is not about me, this is about the community and the men and women of PAFCOM who tirelessly work hard for its betterment,” said R.M. Luz.
The 2019 PAFCOM Board of Directors are Chairman of the Board, Dr. Connie Uy; Vice Chair Ledy Almadin; President Rosalinda Rupel; President-Elect Helen Castillo; Secretary Ofelia Frain; Assistant Secretary Ellen Alonso; Treasurer Maria Pilar Monje; Assistant Treasurer Lita Ramos; Auditor Mely Corpuz; and Public Relations Maricar Taino.
Committee Chairs are Constitution and ByLaws Dr. Connie Uy; Cultural Isagani Puertollano; Development & Partnership Don Frain; Finance and Budget Ledy Almadin; Ethics & Compliance Lindy Lachica, Esq.; Membership Lea Frain; Policies and Procedures Cora Reyes; Nominating and Election Immediate Past President Lito Pernia; Festival Coordinator Rose Javier/Maureen Varco; and Parade Coordinator Mike Florendo.
Ambassador Claro Cristobal, Philippine Consulate General of New York, administered the oath of office to Uy and her officers, along with the entire group of board of trustees and committee chairs.
In his message, he stressed the importance of accountability and transparency in community serving organization.
He highlighted and commended PAFCOM as an organization of great record of this significant character, value and principle.
Introduced in the evening were some of the Muses of PAFCOM for 2019.
Mrs. PAFCOM Elsa Lambert-Mole, Miss PAFCOM Patricia Fernandez, Miss Liberty Kylie Marie Bustamante-Ibok, Miss Teen PAFCOM Krismarie Taino, and Little Miss PAFCOM Jasmin Octaviano.
PAFCOM will hold its 29th Grand Parade and Festival on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Lincoln Park in Jersey City.
The combined Grand Marshal Night and Coronation Ball will take place on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at the Marriott Hotel Newark Airport.
The Philippine Flag Raising is on June 7, 2019 at Jersey City Hall.
Central to PAFCOM’s vision is the assimilation of Filipino-Americans into mainstream America, together with its various ethnic communities.
This vision is to be kept alive by its diverse benevolent missions mostly aimed to benefit the deserving residents of Jersey City, N.J. and those residing in adjacent communities.
The PAFCOM slogan is “Enjoy making a difference in your community; join the PAFCOM family.”
For more updates and information about PAFCOM’s Community Programs and Events, log on to www.pafcomnj.org; Facebook (@pafcomnj); Twitter and Instagram (@pafcom_nj).
The 2019 PAFCOM Team: “Enjoy making a difference in your community; join the PAFCOM family.”