| MEMBER'S CORNER |
| Ed Tapia with the Trade Mission 2003 |
The first Philippines Canada Trade Council Trade Mission to the Philippines was a tremendous success. Held from October 20 to 24, 2003, the trade mission was headed by its President, Ron Benoit. The Vancouver Philippine Consul General Zenaida Tacorda Rabago and her staff helped and guided the trade mission and was well appreciated by the Philippine government and Philippine businessmen.
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Ed Tapia, the president of Odessa Manufacturing, manufacturer of pollution control filters/services, is shown above paying respect to the Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Behind President Arroyo is the Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver, ConGen Zenaida Tacorda Rabago.
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The Philippine President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who has a very hectic everyday schedule, took time to welcome the delegates and express her appreciation for the trade mission. It was a well planned week-long activities which included visits to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, and Department of Industry and the day long business dialogue, one on one business meetings, and cocktails reception on October 22
| Wesley's Graduation!!! |
Greg and Echel Narciso wish to congratulate Wesley, their son, on his graduation from UBC. He finished his bachelor's degree in Metals and Materials Engineering and graduated on May 27, 2002.
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Wesley graduated as president of the Metals and Materials Undergraduate Society of UBC for the year 2002. He was a SAMPE (The Society for the Advancement of Materials and Process Engineering) Undergraduate Scholarship Recepient and his team's work for the Human Powered Helicopter Project at UBC was featured in the SAMPE Journal. He was also recognized by the UBC Alumni Association for his outstanding contribution as a student leader.
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Wesley's team, under his leadership was awarded the Thurbull Cup Trophy - 1st place award in the CIM (Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum) Undergraduate Student Project Competion among Universities in BC.
After visiting the USA, Japan and Australia, Wesley will be working for CANSPEC on August 2002, as EIT (engineer in training). CANSPEC is a consulting firm that provides material engineering and nondestructive testing of materials.
| Rod de Sequera's Wedding!!! |
Our congratulations to Rod de Sequera on his wedding to Ma. Cecilia Villacorta Ileto last December 27 2001. The couple was married in the Philippines at the Magallanes Village Parish and reception followed at the New World Renaissance Hotel in Makati, attended strictly by family members and close friends.
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Rod is a long time member of NAMABC and a former officer of NAMABC Golf Club. He is known to several of our members whom he have employed in his previous company and lately to his new firm CPM (www.cpmconsultants.ca) where he is the current President. Che-che on the otherhand, is a product of Maryknoll High School and graduated from St. Scholastica College taking Business Administration (Banking and Finance). She has a military oriented family being the sister of Lt. Gen. Jaime V. Ileto (retired), the Deputy Chief of Staff during the Ramos Administration and the grand niece of Gen. Rafael Ileto, the Chief of Staff during the earlier Marcos administration.
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Shown in picture above are the newly wed with their children from their previous marriage. From L to R: Toby , Erika (both Che-che's children), Che-che, Rod, Nikki and Renzo (both Rod's children). Rod lost his first wife to cancer while Che-che's marriage was annuled 13 years ago. Rod was introduced to Che-che by Jimmy Buendia (another Mapuan) and a close friend of Rod 6 years ago. Now we can understand why Rod is always playing golf in the Philippines.
| Member's Corner brought to you by Greg Narciso, Eddie Alfonso and Fe Alcos. |