World Congress V

"I'd Rather be Green"
Date: 
Friday, June 17, 2005 to Sunday, June 19, 2005
Venue: 
CAP - John Hay Trade and Cultural Center Baguio City, Philippines

The World Congress V in Baguio City took place without a hitch, as delegates happily swarmed the Summer Capital's Camp John Hay to participate in yet another successful gathering of the De La Salle Alumni Association.

Festivities were started with a whole-day golf tournament at 8:00 am on June 17, which saw Larry Tojino as the Low Gross Champion. after which an awards ceremony and fellowship cocktail followed at 6:00 pm at Camp John Hay Clubhouse's "Cork."

Formal program ceremonies started the following morning on the 18th as Baguio Cong. Mauricio Domogan led the delegates in a Pabunal Ceremony. DLSAA elections and a Chapter Presidents' meeting took place after a hearty breakfast, after which a colorful parade of colors of the Philippine, DLSU, DLSAA, and DLSAA Metro Baguio flags and the national anthem occurred. Br. Bernie Oca led the opening invocation and the crowd was welcomed by Baguio City Mayor Hon. Braulio Yaranon, Metro Baguio Chapter President Ricardo Herrera, and DLSAA President Lito Tanjuatco. "Baguio City: Its Concern for the Environment and Implications on Tourism" was delivered by Baguio City Vice-Mayor Hon. Reinaldo Bautista. A panel discussion, "Doing Business In Baguio" followed afterwards, with DLSAA Metro Baguio's Director Lakan-Asa Bautista facilitating the talk. Purificacion Molintas, Delfin Balajadia, and John Hay's own Frederico Alquiros paneled the discussion.

After-lunch activities included a presentation of the DLSAA Sports Achievement Award video, a Punctuality Raffle, and four talks: "De La Salle Brothers - Philippine District: Addressing the Lasallian Multiversity Challenge," "DLSU - Manila: After CHED Level IV," "The DLSAA After Br. Josiah Benedict FSC," and "DLSAA Metro Baguio Plans and Projects," given by Br. Emmanuel Fernandez, Dr. Allan Bernardo, Danding Lucero and Ricky Herrera, respectively. Lito Tanjuatco also gave his President's Report, and World Congress VI host and Toronto Chapter President Thomas "Jun" Mascardo invited the delegates to the next WC in Toronto, Canada with a talk and an engaging video presentation. Turnover ceremonies of the World Congress from the Metro Baguio to Toronto Chapters took place, after which anticipated mass was celebrated with Br. Rafael Donato FSC as Homilist.

Br. Bernie Oca led a short invocation to open the evening's festivities, and the DLSAA Sports Hall of Fame video entertained guests all throughout the dinner. Mitch Valdez kept the crowd in stitches with her impeccable stand-up routine, and a long night of dancing and merrymaking led by the OnQ Band capped the fun evening.

DLSU System President Br. Armin Luistro led a talk, "The DLSU System: Towards 2011" after Sunday breakfast on the 19th, where he touched on the Golden Jubilee of Brs. Benildo Feliciano FSC and Br. Andrew Gonzalez FSC and his vision for "One La Salle." Lito Tanjuatco and Ricky Herrera introduced DLSAA's newly elected President Juanito B. Gervasio who gave a DLSAA vision talk himself and cited his sincerest recognition of the Alumni Association's vote as "one of Recognition and Trust," he said in his acceptance speech. DLSAA Chapter Special Citation Awards were also presented to WC V host DLSAA Metro Baguio, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Medicine. Closing remarks by emcees Lito Tanjuatco and Ricky Herrera culminated the weekend's festivities, but not before Jun Mascardo's enthusiastic invitation to World Congress VI in Toronto.