PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
by Atty. Dominador D. Buhain
(Speech to be delivered during the Grand International Reunion of Bedans In Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of SBCAA Southern California, May 27, 2007, Embassy Suites Hotel, Anaheim, CA )
Seeing this SRO crowd tonight is an affirmation that indeed the Bedan Spirit lives on beyond season, across generations and across continents. I am simply overwhelmed by your very good attendance, and I wish to congratulate the organizers of this important Bedan event. All Bedans in Southern California surely look forward to this grand reunion for this will instill in all of you a deep sense of pride in your Benedictine tradition. Tonight, I am most proud to be in the company of Bedans in this other side of the globe as you celebrate your silver anniversary. The SBCAA Southern California has done much in its 25 years of meaningful existence.
As this year’s newly elected SBCAA President, I commit to further bring closer the San Beda College Alumni Association to every Bedan home and every Bedan country. But this commitment goes to the very core of our thrust to further increase active alumni membership.
And we, in the Alumni Board in Manila, believe that it is our responsibility to make every Bedan feel that he or she should become a proactive member of the San Beda College Alumni Association.
Having been with the SBCAA Board for quite sometime, I saw the hard work penciled in by the officers, who, in spite of their hectic schedule manage to attend our regular monthly Board meetings, where we discuss various plans and programs to enable our alumni association to assist San Beda College in its mission of Christian Benedictine education.
This year, your alumni association’s, top-most priority is active membership. We aim to increase the alumni benefits while seeking for more alumni involvement in the plans and programs of the Association. Having a strong effective medium of communication to reach out to all Bedans around the world, is an integral factor for really creating active membership. This is done via our website www.sanbedacollegealumni.org. Other than many features of our website, this medium of communication serves as a repository for feedbacks for our Alumni Association to hear thoughts, and concern from every well-meaning Bedan. The Homecoming next year in Manila, scheduled on February 23, 2008, Saturday, is gunning for a bigger target attendance. Same is true for the Manila Red and White Ball to be held on February 21, 2008 at the NBC Tent, courtesy of outstanding Bedan Manuel V. Pangilinan. The Honor and Awards System of our Alumni Association is continuously being reviewed so every Bedan who made a big difference in his/her field of endeavor will be given due recognition. Two years ago, we launched the “Most Outstanding Overseas Bedan” award. This is our way of saluting countless Bedans residing in far-off countries and distant times who made their marks for their significant and inspiring contributions to the global arena.
Your Alumni Association is also one with you in supporting our Sports program. Perhaps, this may be one of the reasons why lately, San Beda College has been winning in several sports competition: swimming, football, taekwondo, tennis and yes, everybody’s favorite: basketball. We remain committed in ensuring that we will bring home again the NCAA crown this year.
In closing, all the best wishes are saved for the SBCAA- Southern California. We in Manila, continuously take pride in your partner in ensuring that the Bedan spirit of service, sense of community, peace, work and prayer remain in the hearts of Bedans in this part of the universe.
Let us not forget that the overriding tone of tonight’s gathering is that special bond of Bedan Brotherhood that is distinct in our Bedan race. Let us continue being torch-bearers of this distinct Bedan race so that the young and the future generations will derive inspiration from us and carry on our finest Bedan tradition.
Have an enjoyable evening ahead and, again, my heartfelt congratulations.
Let us see again each other next year with more success forthcoming.
Go, San Beda, Go!