An Affair to Remember: 50 Years of Engagement and Making a Difference

Congratulations PNA Southern California (PNASC) under the leadership of Sarla Duller, President, and Mindy Ofiana, President-Elect, on your elegant and successful 50th Golden Anniversary celebration. The theme of this memorable milestone was 50 Years of Engagement and Making a Difference: The Journey Goes On. The event was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach, California on November 19, 2011. Approximately about 350marvelous looking attendees enjoyed the “revolving” video presentation of the PNAS Cactivities for five decades of caring and service to the community and professional nursing. A Edition Souvenir Program full of archival documentaries and lovely pictorials validated the unconditional commitment and true engagement of PNASC’s pioneers, founding leaders and members.

President Sarla Duller, officially opened PNASC’s Golden Jubilee celebration with a brief and extemporaneous warm welcome to all nurses, PNASC members, community leaders, leaders from the academe and special mention of PNAA leaders: the three PNAA past Presidents Dr  Clarita Miraflor, Mila Velasquez, Pete Calixto, as well as the Western Region Vice President Beth Rose.

This was followed by the  spectacular entrance of Colors represented by the United States and the Philippine flags immediately followed by the Parade of Banners of Nursing Alumni Associations. Linda Ascio, PNASC Past President delivered an invocation. Mila Velasquez, introduced the keynote speaker,  PNAA President Dr Rey Rivera who delivered his message via video from New York City in over a 12 foot screen. The Honorable  Mary Jo Aragon, Philippine Consul General delivered the inspirational remarks. Masters of Ceremonies were Mindy  Ofiana, PNASC President-Elect and Bal Villanueva, Founding Director of PNASC Auxiliary.

All dressed in colorful Filipiana formal  attire, ten out of the 17 past Presidents present, plus , current President, Sarla Duller, and the four PNASC Auxiliary Executive Directors  were graciously presented by Pete Calixto and Beth Rose with a heavy golden “Medal of Distinction” as a tribute to their commitment and service to the Association. Dr. Clarita Miraflor, PNASC Advisory Council and PNAA  Founding President  escorted by her husband, Manny Miraflor, was also awarded with the Medal of  Distinction by the Honorable Mary Jo Aragon, Philippine Consul General, assisted by Beth Rose, Vice-President, PNAA WR.

Also in attendance were PNA Central California (PNACC) President, Lourdes Nisperos, PNA Northern California President, Marife Sevilla,  and PNACC Founding President, Nancy Hoff. Dr. Jay Valencia, on behalf of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigoza, presented PNASC the  certificate of Recognition for the five decades of caring and service to the community. The day after the event, President Sarla Duller sent this heart-warming message acknowledging members of her TEAM for making a world of difference and who made an event to behold:

• Planning Committee: Mila Velasquez, Josie Villanueva, Mellie Rafols, Mindy Ofiana, Maria Gonzales, Warlie Galzote – Only GOD knows how hard you worked to deliver an excellent program!
• Linda Ascio – for the prayerful invocation! We needed that!
• Bal and Mindy – we love your emceeing style! You kept the cadence sooo upbeat!
• Mellie, Leilani, Linda Absher, Medi – for your patience and tenacity at the registration desk.
• Pat/Dale, Ed/Emily, Toni – you spiffed up that huge ballroom and guarded those beautiful orchid center pieces like a hawk.
• Norma Merza – for bagging and arranging those give-away wine bottles beautifully! It was a work of art
• Mellie R – for many sleepless nights tallying those tickets, table assignment, food preferences, answering emails and phone calls even while away vacationing in Chicago
• Warlie – the “labor of love” shows! You are such a "magician." The souvenir program is indeed a special edition.
• Tracy – for coordinating those beautiful center pieces. The orchids came alive in the grand ballroom
• Mel and Sharon – you both looked elegant assisting the Presidents get their precious medallion.
• Medi and Vicky – for coordinating the alumni parade. It was a hit!
• Maria T, Velma, Glenda, Sonia, Deovina – for greeting our guests and helping them find their tables
• Yvonne Buncio – for graciously accepting the Presidential medallion for Delia Goggins
• Our debonair Color Guards, Alan Cruz and Bill Underwood, for giving our affair some “ummmph”
• Marc Jonathan de Jesus– you handled the photography skillfully and professionally!
• PNASC Auxiliary Peddy Ascio – the harana was nostalgic and heartwarming --ahhhh!
• PNASC Auxiliary - for the physical and emotional balance that you all extended.

Once again, CONGRATULATIONS and BEST WISHES, Southern California! Indeed, the celebration of your 50 years of engagement and making a difference locally, nationally and internationally is an evidence of a labor of love and team effort of engaged PNASC family. Truly,  an affair to remember!

And the journey goes on…