By: BONG DEJARESCO, USA Chronicle correspondent
TORONTO, Canada. – Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Jr. and Bohol.Gov. Edgar Chatto are the keynote speakers during the gala night of the 17th biennial convention of the Confederation of Boholanos in the United States and Canada (CONBUSAC) all set for tonight at the Chelsea Hotel here.
Some 400 Boholanos from all over USA and Canada are gathered for the big event which started last Thursday with tours and family reunions.
The convention will give awards to Outstanding Boholanos (USA and Canada) and the search for Miss Bohol and Canada.
Dr. Anita Cal Jackson was elected last night as the new CONBUSAC president to succeed Dr. Rhine Pamaong. (Read: story page 2)
Sec. Evasco and Gov. Chatto are expected to put the “right spirit and vigor to the Boholanos working overseas as Bohol embarks on a development program expected to propel progress during the next five years”.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, who is a Boholano from Talibon, the permanent observer of the Vatican to the United Nations will be the main celebrant during the Thanksgiving Mass this morning.
Awardees for the Outstanding Boholanos of USA & Canada are Li Eron, Ma. Lorelei Tabelon Uy, RD Alba, Hazel Mae Cagulada Barker and Gemma Lortero Asungua-Ungab. (Read: Lifestyle-Bohol)
The finalists for the Miss Bohol USA Canada are Halley Tejano )Texas), Mia Alfarero Mahinay (Canada), Almarie Sarigumba (Illinois), Ariane Marielle Latras (Florida) and Sep. Adrein Regencia (New York/New Jersey).
The Boholana beauties were presented during the Family Night held yesterday. Highlight of the Family night was a fashion show featuring the world-renowned Boholano fashion designer Shanon Pamaong creations with Boholano beauties on the runway. The famous Boholano designer also provided the gowns for the Miss Bohol beauties.
Today, a family picnic will be held at the Beaches Park Picnic area in Kew Beach Avenue in Toronto.
The three-day event was coordinated by the outgoing CONBUSAC officers headed by Dr. Rhine Pamaong. Other officers are Lorenzo Galang, senior vice president, Suzette Boiser, Regional VP for Northeast USA; Marino Aguhar, VP for Southcentral USA; Frank Ordiz, VP for Northcentral USA, Julius Cubero, VP for Southeast USA, Arcilen Tejano, VP for Eastern Canda, Arnulfa Luz, VP for Western Canda, Cora Lamourea, VP for Northwest USA, Ricky Inting, VP for Northern California, Ronnie Manug, VP for Southern California, Gemma Asingua Ungab, secretary; Fidela Uym treasurer; Virgie Sinajon, asst treasurer’, Rita Omus Nop, auditor and Luis Antonio Dejaresco, public relations officer.