Bicol Canada Picks New Set of Officers, Rafael Nebres is Reelected President

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT.
North York-Canada
April 5, 2016



The Bicol Canada Community Association (BCCA) , at its general meeting on April 3, 2016, elected its new set of 21 officers and directors for the 2016- 2017 term. The democratic process was held at the Our Lady of The  Assumption Church Parish Hall , North York, Toronto under the electoral  supervision of  Comelec officials Tony A. San Juan and Maria Luisa Canton.

Rafael " Paeng" Nebres , BCCA's longest- serving president and chairman of the board, has been unanimously reelected to an unprecedented 4th two-year term. Since taking the helm  in 2010, Nebres continue to lead the 6- province  organization , composed of Filipino Canadian Oragons from Bikol region's Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon. Paeng Nebres is the General Manager of Action Honda- Toronto.

Elected to serve a 2- year term as Executive Officers and Members of the  Board of Directors are : Chairman & President - Rafael Nebres, Vice President for Govt. Relations - Earl Francis Dacara, Vice President for Membership & Public Relations -Ben Salcedo, Vice President for Sports & Youth Development- Noli Aquino, Secretary- Michele Adoptante, Asst. Secretary-Eliza Maesa ,Treasurer-Jose Gutierrez, Asst. Treasurer- Bobby Achacon,  Auditor- Larry Bercasio, Special Projects & Event Coordinators- Nestor Von Canton & Arlene Martirez and Directors : Jenifer Amoranto, Edison Bantayan, Claro Bombase, Estrella Carpenter, Isabel De Lima, Ronnie dela Gana, Eusebio "Boy" Ortega, Edgar Recon, Giget dela Torre, and Jeremiah Valledor.

After the Board Members' informal swearing in, R. Nebres  in his brief thank you speech, pledged also to serve  with meaningful dedication and purposeful leadership  towards achieving the BCCA's mission and mandate of  "magkasararo at magka-iribahan" and hopefully meeting the social  & religious aspirations of all Ontario resident- Bikolanos and Bikolanas  as well. 

The 12 -year old association plans to hold its  formal induction of officers, continue with its monthly novenas , hold summer pot-luck picnic & park games,  celebrate the annual Our Lady of the Penafrancia feast day and enhance its membership drive. The former presidents of BCCA include Jess Cabrias, Bobby Achacon and Joseph Redoblado.  (T. San Juan).