A Short History…
THE CATANDIUANES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC. traces its short nistory to a seemingly Insignificant event; a birthday party in one of chicago’s forest preserves. It was born out of a strong sentimental sense of catandunganons to link themselves with their istand province in calanduanes, Philippines. This became an obsession and the proponents of this plan did not waste time in putting it to reality.
On June 20, 1982 at the picnic party to celebrate the Dirtnday of SUSAN ELMA A. GUERRERO, THe first unofficial association of Catandunganons was tormed in Chicago, minois. Annual picnics were held thereafter with the idea of pursuing the dream of organizing the few identified “sons and daughters of catanduanes” in the part of the Midwest.
The first Dinner Dance and Reunion of Catandunganons from Illinois and neighbouring states was held on November 5,1984 at the Hollday Inn, and big plans were discussed and lald out for the upcoming years. on November 11, 1989, anotner Dinner Dance was neid only to keep alive the dream of a united Catandunganons on a national scale. Ihis resulted in the formation of the catanduanes Association of America, Chicago chapter on May 30, 1991 Its officers formally registered the association with the Secretary of the State of minois. This served as the stepping stone to the establishment of the international organization of Catandunganons.
The FIRST GRAND REUNION of Catandunganons was held at the Hyatt Regency O Hare in Illinois on AUGUST 9-11, 1991. His Eminence, JOSE CARDINAL SANCHEZ, a native of Pandan, Catanduanes and the tirst Bicolano cardinal graced the occasion, In this reunion, the CATANDUANES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC. was officially formed, In recognition for his pioneering efforts as the prime mover of the “Big Dream” to organize all catandunganons on an International level, and for his Tenacity of purpose, JOSE C. GUERRERO, JR. was elected as its first president. As a major project of the organization, the FIRST MEDICAL MISSION with DR. NORMA T. VILLENO as chairperson was launched in Virac, Catanduanes on June 14-19, 1993.
From then on eleven more reunions followed The 2nd was held in Winnipeg, Canada with AMADO MENDOZA, as president. The 3rd was held in Vancouver, Canada and DR. ROMY VELASCO was elected president. The 4th was held in Los Angeles, California with NILO ARCILLA as president. At the 5tn reunion in san Francisco, California DR. VIRGILIA GUERRERO was elected president. The 6th reunion followed in Illinois and CELY I. DEAUNA was elected president. The 7th reunion was neld In New York with SALVE V. SPENSKO EDELMAN as president. More successions of presidents followed with the late MYRNA WALSH being the 8th, DR. ORCAR ENRIOUEZ, the 9th, LEVY T. TEJADA, the 10th, and RENE B. ALCANTARA who is currently the 11th president.
There were eleven medical missions conducted so far in Catanduanes by the association which were chaired by the following: DRS. RUDY PADUA & ANDY TICZON, DRS. LINDA VELASCO & VIRGILIA GUERRERO; DRS. EDWIN SIROY, LOLLY SORRA & AGNES OGENA; DRS. ARSENIO MANLANGIT, JR. and SOLOMON ALCANTARA. The 8th medical mission was chaired by DR. OSCAR ENRIQUEZ; the 9th DR. ERLINDA VELASCO & DR. SANTOS ZAFE, under the of the presidency of late MYHNA WALSH. The 10th medical mission was chaired by DR. ZELDA DE LA CRUZ and the recently concluded 11th medical mission held on January 20-26, 2024 was also chaired by DR. ZELDA DE LA CRUZ.
Officers (2023-2025)
Chairman Emeritus: Lydia T. Mendez
Chairman of the Board: Cely Tabuzo Deauna
President: Rene B. Alcantara
Vice-President: Lala Corazon Tevez
Secretary: Eliza T. Molina
Treasurer: Lorry G. Russell
Auditor: Arnold Ogena
Legal Counsel: Atty. Edna V. Wenning
Regional Vice-Presidents / Board Members:
Canada-Western: Maribel Abundo Sprecher
Canada-Prairie: Lina Ariarte
Canada-Eastern: Amy P. Chantengo; Lea Panti
USA-Pacific West: Felicito Gianan; Emma Herron
USA-Pacific: Efigenia Giana-Aguilar; Mateo R. Fernandez;
Al Molina; Roger Olfindo; Edna Valderama
USA-Central: Belen Arcilla; Marilou Tabo; Evelyn Toledo
USA-Eastern: Cora Abundo; Engr. Simon Jacobo; Ching S. Olazo; Evelyn R. Scott
USA-Atlantic: Nilda de la Cruz; Sally Siroy
Philippines: Gerry Guerrero; Hermil Olfindo
Advisers: Nilo Arcilla; Dr. Virgilia Guerrero; Amado Mendoza;
Engr. Levi T. Tejada
Chaplain: Rev. Fr. Jojo Tabo
Founder: Engr. Jose C. Guerrero, Jr.
Officers (2025-2028)
Chairman Emeritus: Lydia T. Mendez
Chairman of the Board: Cely Tabuzo Deauna
President: Medy Solero Hidalgo
Secretary: Eliza T. Molina
Treasurer: Lorna Crain
Assistant Treasurer: Lorry G. Russell
Auditor: Evelyn Scott
Legal Counsel: Atty. Edna V. Wenning
Chairperson, 12th Medical Mission: Dr. Zelda S. de la Cruz
Regional Vice-Presidents / Board Members:
Canada-Western: Maribel Abundo Sprecher
Canada-Prairie: Lina Ariarte
Canada-Eastern: Amy P. Chantengo; Lea Panti
USA-Pacific West: Felicito Gianan; Emma Herron
USA-Pacific: Efigenia Gianan-Aguilar; Al Molina; Roger Olfindo; Edna Valderama; Lala Tevez; Cecilio Capistrano
USA-Central: Belen Arcilla; Marilou Tabo
USA-Eastern: Cora Abundo; Engr. Simon Jacobo; Oscar Dela Cruz
USA-Atlantic: Sally Siroy
Philippines: Gerry Guerrero
Advisers: Nilo Arcilla; Engr. Levi T. Tejada; Rene Balmadrid Alcantara
Chaplain: Rev. Fr. Jojo Tabo
Founder: Engr. Jose C. Guerrero, Jr.