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Date:
May 24-27, 2007
Venue: Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel
It was All Green in Toronto as the DLSAA Toronto chapter played
host to the 6th DLSAA World Congress (WC VI) at the Sheraton Parkway
North Hotel and Convention Center, north of Toronto, Ontario Canada from
May 24 to 27, 2007. Over 200 delegates representing the different
colleges campus, regional chapters and affiliates from the Philippines,
Northern and Southern California, Chicago, East Coast (New York and New
Jersey area), National (Washington DC area), Vancouver and host Toronto
attended.
Festivities started Thursday night when the Toronto
chapter officially welcomed delegates and guests at the reception held
at the hotel’s Presidential suite. DLSAA President Jay Gervasio and
Toronto Chapter President Tom Mascardo both gave their welcome remarks.
Toronto chapter members Danny Raralio and Leo Flor provided the
background music while Rhett Abarquez crooned several Spanish ballads to
the delight of the crowd.
On Friday morning, the WC VI Golf
Tournament teed off at the Caledon
Woods Golf Club. Winners were Mandy Reyes (overall champion and Low
Net) from the Northern California chapter; Mars Cebrero (Low Gross) from
the Toronto chapter; Nick Limson (2nd Low Net) from the Southern
California chapter and Bill Lutz (Most Honest Golfer) of the Toronto
chapter.
The fellowship continued at a reception held that
evening. About a hundred delegates from all the chapters attended.
Providing the night’s entertainment was “The Toronto La Salle Band”
headed by Cris Canlas and Dante Torralba. It was the band’s performance
debut. The band played exceptionally well, given the fact it was only
formed four months earlier.
On Saturday morning, the DLSAA
Board of Directors’ first order of business was the election of its new
President and Vice-President for Finance and Treasurer. After only one
deliberation, Juan “Johnny” A. S. Valdes was elected as the new DLSAA
President, while Johnny C. Sy was elected as the new DLSAA
Vice-President for Finance and Treasurer. Their two year terms took
effect on June 1, 2007.
The day’s plenary sessions began with
WC VI Co-Chair, Sid Borromeo, delivering his welcome remarks and DLSAA
Board adviser, Br. Bernie Oca, FSC gave the invocation. Outgoing
President Jay Gervasio then presented a report on his objectives and
accomplishments in the past two years of his term. Soon after, the
chapter presidents or their representatives took turns presenting their
own plans on how to make the chapter more relevant and helpful to its
members. Ending the morning’s session was DLSAA Chairman, Lito
Tanjuatco, who gave an overview of the De La Salle
Philippines (DLSP)
and the federalization of the DLSAA.
In the afternoon
session, Br. Armin Luistro, FSC, DLSP
President with Br. Bernie expounded on what DLSP is all about and the
current projects underway. It aims to implement effective services and
provide savings to the 18 schools through a more centralized network.
The DLSAA’s own structure will soon adapt to reflect the changes.
The presentations continued with an environmental talk given by Lawson
Oates from the City of Toronto. He presented an overview of the
different conservation, recycling and energy efficiency projects that
the city is involved in. Soon after, Ben Eusebio, Lasallian Institute for the Environment (L.I.F.E.) Director, followed with
his own presentation of the institute’s projects.
The Southern California chapter, headed
by President Denny Cagampan, showed a video and a formally extended to
the delegates, an invitation to attend the WC VII at Los Angeles during
the 2009 Memorial Day weekend.
The plenary sessions ended
with Jay Gervasio awarding plaques to various chapters for their
outstanding performances and achievements. Awarded were the DLSAA
Toronto Chapter (2007 Outstanding Chapter Award) and Tom Mascardo (2007
Outstanding Chapter President Award). Special Citations were awarded to
the DLSAA Grade School and High School Manila Chapter, DLSAA College of
St. Benilde Chapter and the DLSAA Southern California Chapter.
Highlighting the congress was a Gala Ball. It was attended by over 200
delegates, friends and guests. Co-emcees of the evening were Danny
Raralio and Sonny Ungco from the East Coast chapter. Sonny performed his
famous green archer routine and delighted the crowd with his
singing/comedic acts. Robertino Lim, son of Roy Lim from the East Coast
chapter, entertained the crowd with his singing. Music was superbly
provided by “The Full House Band” headed by Mon Torralba of the Toronto
chapter. He is also a member of the famous “Hotdog Band” in Manila. The
music and the atmosphere were equally “electrifying” that the event
finished well into the night.
On Sunday, a mass was
celebrated at the hotel. Soon after, a relaxing brunch and boat cruise
at the Toronto Harbor followed. This was attended by sixty delegates and
guests. During the cruise, Br. Bernie, Miss Josefina Alburo, Sonny
Ungco, Jay and Malou Gervasio “volunteered” as dance partners with the
guests.
When asked on how the DLSAA World Congress VI fared,
a majority commented that it was indeed “the best congress ever!”
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