Successfully Signing Off
By Daphne-Dominique Villanueva, President, AY 2007-2008
In any organization, those who lead will determine its course of activities. They provide it direction. When we started the year, your outgoing Executive Council – Marco, Frida, Jen, Joms, Gboi, Loree, and I, created a vision for Aguman. We intended to successfully introduce fresh ideas. In addition to planning for another successful runs of CEER, Pautakan, and Sining, at least, let us (Executive Council 2007-2008) be remembered for something more.
We planned to transform the organization, renewing the members’ love to the org (residents and alumni alike). One method was to create interactive communications. During our semplanning in May of 2007, we initially planned to require each resident member to communicate with at least 5 alumni para ma-update yung directory, therefore to build bridges with them. But along the course, we discovered that this was unnecessary because there is an incredibly active alumni group that existed. This e-group is the cyber home of 240+ alumni who continue to profess our creed. We have many other alumni not on the list, but the dynamic group keeps growing certainly. This was, personally speaking, my dream for Aguman – that we bridge the residents and alumni, and strengthen that bond – a bond that, like I think, cannot be broken by distance nor age.
With all the plans in mind, we had to work on actions to generate results. We had to mobilize the individual member to a team. There was, I believe, a unanimous motivation to achieve these goals. I was more than happy because despite of our diversity, we shared this same vision. Thus we became one dynamic group, going to carry out the mission.
UP Aguman, in its 34th year, was an assembly of 50+ resident members living not for themselves alone. I would like to think of the past year as the Renaissance — because it was a time of vigor, ingenuity and change. Indeed, it was a year of another successful run for our annual CEER, Pautakan and Sining, but most importantly we successfully introduced new events. We now have our AguBlog, the Aslag Online, that we greet one big happy birthday! We welcomed a new batch of members: Baskal 2007A. We had our very first Mibalik-Tambayan graced by our alumni representing all decades. We held a UP Aguman Week in the University culminating with our very first Mutya Ning Aguman. We participated in events promoting the org and the Capampangan culture in the university such as the Kalye Kultura. We held a Luau Party commemorating the organization’s anniversary along with a Gift-Giving, which was a project of MRSC and UP Aguman for the kids of Sapang Biabas, Mabalacat. There was, of course, the ExeCoun Meetings, GenMeets, AguBondings, the tambay galore. This is all what makes us a happy group of fellow members and friends. But most importantly, we developed a new concept of a dynamic organization. It was indeed a time of achievement. It cannot be attributed to one person alone, or to the Executive Council only. It was the product of a united effort from all the members who unselfishly shared their time, presence, and resources to make that year a success that will be remembered.
Thank you sa lahat nang naki-bahagi sa taong ito ng UP Aguman. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to our partners — our sponsors, especially our alumni.
To the residents, Aguman has been one of the most rewarding experiences and you guys made it all possible. Thank you for the opportunity of leading you. It is both a humbling and inspiring experience for me. Thank you for the great times, the bad times, altogether good memories. To those who have been on this road before and unselfishly shared their advice, thank you for your guidance.
The 34 years has been an arduous journey of discovering and re-discovering the kinship that bound us in the first place. On this journey, it evolved over time and it withstood its tests. There had been bad stretches of roads, but as we discovered, the travel becomes easier with friends around — our companions in this journey, our fellow members and our roster of alumni. Each journey has its own adventures and lessons. Embrace the journey, so you learn as you go. Be guided by integrity, honesty, and service to the Capampangan people and to all Filipinos as well. Imbibe the values of excellence that we learn in UP.
Completing the journey, we (the Executive Council 2007-2008) are humbled to report that we have attained our vision. Now that we close it, may you always come back to the year that was — warm cheers to AY 2007-2008!
Remember, however, that it is never done because the journey goes on. So I now pass forward this challenge to the new officers and residents. Enhance the journey by learning from what we have experienced in the past. Internalize those values and lessons. To the new officers, plan your own path now. What you give to this organization will return to you in hundredfold, so do not be afraid of sacrificing for its wellness. The organization gains lessons as it matures. May you, as individuals, gain the same things, too.
Let us celebrate UP Aguman and its 35 years of existence — 35 years of love and friendship, of family. Keep us alumni excited!
In any organization, those who lead will determine its course of activities. They provide it direction. When we started the year, your outgoing Executive Council – Marco, Frida, Jen, Joms, Gboi, Loree, and I, created a vision for Aguman. We intended to successfully introduce fresh ideas. In addition to planning for another successful runs of CEER, Pautakan, and Sining, at least, let us (Executive Council 2007-2008) be remembered for something more.
We planned to transform the organization, renewing the members’ love to the org (residents and alumni alike). One method was to create interactive communications. During our semplanning in May of 2007, we initially planned to require each resident member to communicate with at least 5 alumni para ma-update yung directory, therefore to build bridges with them. But along the course, we discovered that this was unnecessary because there is an incredibly active alumni group that existed. This e-group is the cyber home of 240+ alumni who continue to profess our creed. We have many other alumni not on the list, but the dynamic group keeps growing certainly. This was, personally speaking, my dream for Aguman – that we bridge the residents and alumni, and strengthen that bond – a bond that, like I think, cannot be broken by distance nor age.
With all the plans in mind, we had to work on actions to generate results. We had to mobilize the individual member to a team. There was, I believe, a unanimous motivation to achieve these goals. I was more than happy because despite of our diversity, we shared this same vision. Thus we became one dynamic group, going to carry out the mission.
UP Aguman, in its 34th year, was an assembly of 50+ resident members living not for themselves alone. I would like to think of the past year as the Renaissance — because it was a time of vigor, ingenuity and change. Indeed, it was a year of another successful run for our annual CEER, Pautakan and Sining, but most importantly we successfully introduced new events. We now have our AguBlog, the Aslag Online, that we greet one big happy birthday! We welcomed a new batch of members: Baskal 2007A. We had our very first Mibalik-Tambayan graced by our alumni representing all decades. We held a UP Aguman Week in the University culminating with our very first Mutya Ning Aguman. We participated in events promoting the org and the Capampangan culture in the university such as the Kalye Kultura. We held a Luau Party commemorating the organization’s anniversary along with a Gift-Giving, which was a project of MRSC and UP Aguman for the kids of Sapang Biabas, Mabalacat. There was, of course, the ExeCoun Meetings, GenMeets, AguBondings, the tambay galore. This is all what makes us a happy group of fellow members and friends. But most importantly, we developed a new concept of a dynamic organization. It was indeed a time of achievement. It cannot be attributed to one person alone, or to the Executive Council only. It was the product of a united effort from all the members who unselfishly shared their time, presence, and resources to make that year a success that will be remembered.
Thank you sa lahat nang naki-bahagi sa taong ito ng UP Aguman. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to our partners — our sponsors, especially our alumni.
To the residents, Aguman has been one of the most rewarding experiences and you guys made it all possible. Thank you for the opportunity of leading you. It is both a humbling and inspiring experience for me. Thank you for the great times, the bad times, altogether good memories. To those who have been on this road before and unselfishly shared their advice, thank you for your guidance.
The 34 years has been an arduous journey of discovering and re-discovering the kinship that bound us in the first place. On this journey, it evolved over time and it withstood its tests. There had been bad stretches of roads, but as we discovered, the travel becomes easier with friends around — our companions in this journey, our fellow members and our roster of alumni. Each journey has its own adventures and lessons. Embrace the journey, so you learn as you go. Be guided by integrity, honesty, and service to the Capampangan people and to all Filipinos as well. Imbibe the values of excellence that we learn in UP.
Completing the journey, we (the Executive Council 2007-2008) are humbled to report that we have attained our vision. Now that we close it, may you always come back to the year that was — warm cheers to AY 2007-2008!
Remember, however, that it is never done because the journey goes on. So I now pass forward this challenge to the new officers and residents. Enhance the journey by learning from what we have experienced in the past. Internalize those values and lessons. To the new officers, plan your own path now. What you give to this organization will return to you in hundredfold, so do not be afraid of sacrificing for its wellness. The organization gains lessons as it matures. May you, as individuals, gain the same things, too.
Let us celebrate UP Aguman and its 35 years of existence — 35 years of love and friendship, of family. Keep us alumni excited!
