IAA elects 2019 office bearers

 
By Elsa Collado  - IAA PRO
NSW-Australia
May 7, 2019
 


The Ilocano Association of Australia Incorporated (IAA) recently elected its office bearers, with new and more experienced members combining their expertise to steer the group in 2019.



  Elected at the IAA annual general meeting were: Evelyn Opilas, president; vice presidents for regional Ilocandia provinces: Abra - Lee Meekan; Baguio - Teresa Pacubas; Cagayan - Angeles Belleza; Ilocos Norte - Angie Langoff; Ilocos Sur- Zenaida Lastica; Isabela - Zeny Balbas; La Union - Imelda Bondoc; Mindanao - Anie Gonzales; Nueva Vizcaya - Marilou Balanag; Pangasinan - Rado Gatchalian; Tarlac - Lily Ines; Zambales - Brenda dela Sala; Edna Longhurst, secretary; Espie Pogson, treasurer; Serna Ladia, auditor; Elsa Collado, public relations officer; Judith del Prado, social/membership director; Jay Gaerlan, Clarissa Gallacher and Sarah Anne Johnstone, youth directors.They were inducted into office during the AGM by Ms Malyn Andres-Chun, IAA founding president.

 

At their first meeting after the AGM, the new set of officers confirmed the continuity of IAA commitments such as Alay sa Pagmamahal Kay Inay May 25, participation at the Philippine Community Council NSW’s Philippine Independence Day Ball June 8, commemoration of the Feast of Our Lady of Manaoag October 26, and the annual Christmas Party December 14.

“We are committed to an IAA that keeps growing from strength to strength, particularly in ensuring that the younger generation of Ilocanos in Australia appreciates the values, attitudes, and fortitude that seemingly define their heritage,” said Ms Opilas, whose grandfathers both hailed from the Ilocos region.

Ms Opilas has set her sights on succession training, fund raising, membership drive, and engagement with mainstream activities during her term of office.

Jay and Malyn Chun hosted the IAA annual general meeting at their home in Wiley Park NSW.

According to Britannica.com, the Ilocanos are the “third largest ethnolinguistic group in the . When discovered by the Spanish in the 16th century, they occupied the narrow coastal plain of northwestern , known as the Ilocos region.

“The growth of their population later led to much migration to neighbouring provinces, to the southern Philippine island of , and to .

“Their language is closely related to others of northern Luzon, all of which belong to the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) family of languages. In the early 21st century the Ilocano (Iloko) language was spoken by roughly 10 million people.

“The major Ilocano provinces, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and , are among the most densely populated areas in the Philippines. Rice is the staple crop, grown on small fields and irrigated by rainfall during the rainy season…  Tobacco is an important cash crop....”